- Protector of Men Ch 78
"What'd they tell you?" Shade asked. He and Zandra sat on the floor of Libertas; each nestled against a wall in the one hallway it possessed. It was late, and everyone else was already asleep. Zandra was obviously tired, but she more needed someone to talk to rather than rest.
"They told me to play to my strengths." She stared at the ground in silence, half out of frustration and half out of fatigue. They were both quiet for a while.
"What?" Shade finally asked. It was clear she needed something off her chest.
"What kind of an answer is that?" she asked quietly.
"Play to your strengths?" he repeated, "A confusing one, I guess."
"Every time I go, I end up with more questions."
"Cover really believes in them," he said.
"I know, and I'm not trying to discount them. I just never know what they're trying to tell me."
"Well I think the message is easy enough – it's what you make of it that you have to think about."
Zandra sighed and was quiet.
"Come on Zandra," Shade said after a moment, "You can't tell me what your strengths are?"
The question was posed more to elicit a response, but it ended up sounding more caring than leading. He found himself liking the unintentional meaning once the words had actually spilled from his careless mouth.
"Alias told me you were top of your class."
"When did she say that?"
"Long time ago. Like two months."
"Oh." She paused.
"Why don't you play on that," he said, "Didn't you do a presentation on the matrix?"
"Not really."
"Zandra, come on."
She humored him and put on the best face she could muster - though he wouldn't have cared either way.
"I'm just trying to help."
"I know," she said after a second, "Maybe I'll contact some old professors or something."
Shade smiled, and Zandra felt the urge to join him. Funny how feelings were contagious – and especially on Libertas. Because the ship was so small, things traveled exceedingly quickly. Usually there was only the one collective mood of the crew; a façade that others would have seen as closeness. But no, it was only five very tired people in a very small metal space.
"See?" Shade said, "Now we have a plan."
"I guess so," Zandra said, attempting to stifle a yawn.
"We should probably get to bed."
"Right, right."
And with a few small smiles, half-steps, and sideways glances, the two parted ways to sleep.
Zandra closed the door softly - though she knew it was not necessary. Kesia was a heavy sleeper. The room was small – that was no surprise - and harbored only one bed. Kesia had only agreed to take it once Zandra had actually gotten frustrated with her refusals. On the floor lay two blankets and a lopsided pillow that had been set up for her earlier in the day. It would be cold, but Zandra would survive. It was actually warmer than Purgatory, though that was probably only because there was less of an area for warm air to circulate in.
She sat on the floor and peeled open her two layers of light sheets. And though the pillow was lopsided, it was after all something to rest her head on. Like almost every day, Zandra had worked long and sleep arrived quickly.
It was a passive dream: Zandra was sitting at her computer and her instant messenger was on.
FreeWilly00: Did you talk to him yet?
It was her brother, William. He was always the typical older brother – guarding, guiding. Alex was supposed to talk to Princeton's physics faculty about her presentation, but was still too nervous to actually do it. Explaining her idea to the department head was daunting, and so far she hadn't yet mustered up the courage to initiate the meeting.
SRCHNG4veritas: hey, hey
SRCHNG4veritas: the dept head's got a sn
SRCHNG4veritas: I'll talk to him now, k?
William then got defensive, but only playfully so. Alex only needed a little prodding, that was all. She opened a new box titled "IM: PaulSherman7" and prepared herself for the coming conversation.
SRCHNG4veritas: Hi Dr. Sherman, this is Alexandra Richards from Physics II. Do you have a moment?
The seconds ticked by slowly as she anticipated a response. William was now happily waffling on about a new pointless topic, and therefore she was largely ignoring him.
PaulSherman7: Hello, Alexandra! I have lots of time. Was there anything specific you wanted to talk about?
SRCHNG4veritas: Well… I was actually hoping to brief you on my presentation topic. Would now be a good time for that?
PaulSherman7: Of course. I've heard a little of your project from Dr. Weiss and Dr. Smith, but please – I'd like to hear your topic firsthand.
SRCHNG4veritas: My full outline is here:
DIRECT CONNECTION FROM SRCHNG4veritas TO PaulSherman7 REQUESTED.
DIRECT CONNECTION ACCEPTED; FILE "C:/My Documents/MatrixianTheory.doc" SENT TO: PaulSherman7.
SRCHNG4veritas: Generally, I'm hoping to expand on Dr. Roberts' theory of universal holograms, and provide some backing for it through observation.
PaulSherman7: That's very ambitious, Alexandra. I'm sure you'll do a good job, but I want you to know that will be a hard one. Dr. Roberts has received a lot of criticism for his work.
SRCHING4veritas: I understand, sir. Nonetheless, I would still like to research this topic.
His responses were becoming harder to wait for, especially now that she had given him her outline. The gauntlet would be dropped soon… and Alex sat wringing her hands in anticipation. It was all true: Dr. Roberts had been criticized for his work on the hologram theory, even ridiculed for his ideas. But it was such a fascinating idea, such an amazing proposition that to pass it up would be ridiculous. It was right up her alley: a mixture not only of physics and astronomy, but of mathematics, even theology. If the world was a hologram, then what was real?
Simply fascinating.
PaulSherman7: I'm looking at your outline now, Alexandra, and it's very well done. I'll print out a copy of it tonight and look at it while I prepare my lectures… but it seems to me like you know what you're doing. Clearly solid preparations. For now I'm off to work, but I will see you at our next staff encounter!
SRCHNG4veritas: Thank you, sir. I appreciate your time.
PaulSherman7 HAS SIGNED OFF.
SRCHNG4veritas: hey will I gotta run – talked to Sherman and he likes it!!
FreeWilly00: Congratulations! Love you
SRCHNG4veritas: you too. bye
SRCHNG4veritas HAS SIGNED OFF.
FreeWilly00 HAS SIGNED OFF.
A/N – I'm singing at the White House so blah to you. How's THAT for exciting? Talk about an important crowd….