A Turtle's Journey Beyond
Created on December 20, 2002
By Brinatello
Author's Note: Based on the CD-ROM game, "AMBER: Journey's Beyond." This story will contain some spoilers, but none of which would reveal any crucial evidence to the game itself.
Chapter 1: The Journey Begins
Errors-to:server@bt.com
From:javaboy@bt.com
x-from:javaboy@bt.com
Subj: A Favor...
Attn: Shadow Jones,
Hi, it's me again....I'm going to ask a favor of you in a minute, but I figured I better explain why before I do the actual asking.
In a nutshell, Roxy's up to her old tricks again. As you know, we've been developing a technology for tracking paranormal activity. Although I haven't been able to tell you much about our new product line, let's just say that the latest stuff goes beyond tracking. Way beyond. We've got some equipment up and running and I've worked with Roxy for long enough to know she'd want to do the early tests herself. Normally that wouldn't bother me...It's just that the stakes are so high this time.
She's up at that old house she bought, which, as you may have heard, is reputed to be extremely active. She's treating that house like a lab. She has it totally wired with all of our latest equipment. And although we'd never tell Roxy this, we're afraid she's getting in a little over her head. Some of that equipment is still in the form of early prototypes...fragmentation is a real problem area. I made her promise she wouldn't do anything hasty without one of us around. But you know Roxy.
So, here's the favor. Would you mind driving there and checking up on her? We're asking you because I know that you and Roxy worked together on that dream research. She respects your work. I think she'd probably listen to you.
Thanks in advance. And one final favor, be really cautious there. It's easy to catch Roxy's enthusiasm. Don't let her talk you into doing anything stupid.
Regards,
Joe
**********
Donatello stared blankly at the e-mail, his mouth gaping in utter disbelief. This could not be happening. It couldn't! Why of all the worthy employees did they choose her to do it? She had only been working with the company for less than a year and would be the last person chosen to do such a task as this. Her boss, Roxanne, must have admired her skills in computers, science and even philosophy. He believes it's what instantly got her hired.
Shadow was only a high school graduate, very young and very innocent. Getting the job seemed the right thing to do when extra money was needed for new clothes, a new car, stronger independence, and, of course, the start of the college of her choice. It seemed like a simple office job until the day she started approaching her Uncle Don for help. Once he created a joint e-mail to make easier contact, the work became the same way as she relied heavily on his genius mind to conquer the hardships of her given assignments. Months down the line, heads began to turn, eyes began to widen, and soon enough, she was placed in a higher department where Roxanne began to see more and more of her.
The two kept a head to head partnership until the third wheel, the silent turtle, noticed how often she was asked to do several things. The e-mails came faster, appointments were made constantly, and tonight, the biggest favor of all had risen before them. Donatello knew he was partially to blame for getting Shadow into this mess. How to get her out of it was an even bigger problem for him to solve. The first thing to settle was responding to Joe's e-mail in a calm, professional, manner. Shadow could easily say no and risk losing her job. Yet, she could also say yes and risk doing an event that she will later regret in life.
Donatello had to think fast. By now, he and Shadow were aware that getting an e-mail on the weekend or after work hours should never go unanswered. He also knew this request to travel to an unknown place was just asking for trouble. He turned to look over at his food. Even the nuked pizza sitting next to him started to churn his stomach. What was he going to do? What would he tell his brothers?
The truth is what he needed to tell them. Of course, it wasn't going to be easy. He anticipated the announcement as his letter slowly printed out of his aged Hewlett Packard. How would they react to this? Splinter would worry as usual, Leonardo would not be too agreeable, Raphael might like the idea of getting involved with a ghost-tracking quest, and Michaelangelo would enjoy a good adventure, provided nothing bad happens to him.
Donatello heard a beep and a click, followed by the paper silently falling onto the tray. The printing job was complete with only one page. One page full of text that could either change his niece's future at her job, or cease it completely.
His three brothers and sensei looked so calm when he entered the living room quarters. Leonardo played a quiet game of Chess with Splinter, Raphael was the perfect example of a couch potato in front of the television, and Michaelangelo munched happily on his pizza. They were all there. It was now or never.
"Hey, guys." All four turned to his direction. "Um...what's up?"
"Nothing much." Leo answered as he moved his Rook piece into play. He looked up again. "Is everything all right?"
"Um..." Don caught Splinter drop his brow. "No, not really. I've got some news and I'd like your honest opinion on what we should do." One could hear a pin drop as they waited quietly for him to continue. "Okay. You all know about the job Shadow has, right?"
"The ghost-tracking job?" Mike asked. Donatello nodded. "What about it?"
"Well, as you know, I've been keeping track of what's been going on and due to her being such a good worker, I was a little upset to discover this urgent request from one of her co-workers." Don lifted the paper. "His e-mail just arrived tonight."
"An e-mail?" Leo stared with concern. "What is it?"
"It's an electronic letter you get on your computer, but that's not important right now." Mike said. Raphael, having saw the movie Airplane! with the similar joke, was the only one who let out a little snort.
"Cute, Mike." Leo closed his eyes briefly, then turned back to Donatello. "I meant what does this co-worker want?"
"Well, in regard to her flawless performance," Don had to speak to the floor, knowing her performance was only flawless because of him, "it looks as though she'll be taking a little trip."
"Cool! She's got vacation time already?" Mike asked with his mouth half full of pizza.
"Um, no, more like on business." Don sighed before continuing. "Roxanne, Shadow's boss, has had a major breakthrough in the project they've been working on."
"Another one?" Raph droned. "Last time you said she had a breakthrough, it was a false alarm."
"Yes, I know, but this time, it sounds serious." Don gazed to the paper, then back to them. "Shadow joined the team at the point when things were starting to piece together in Roxanne's huge jig-saw puzzle of a task. She's been obsessing over this project for so long, its finally gone to her head." Don looked away, remembering what the newest product looked like in one of Shadow's notes. "Literally." Leonardo looked to the letter in his hand, curious to know what it said but also dreading what this co-worker wanted from Shadow.
"I've got another question for you, Don." Leo's eyes darted up to his face. "All you've told us is Shadow has been working with Roxanne on this project for several months. Why were we never informed of what it's about?"
"Well..." Don tapped a nervous finger on the paper. "The truth of it is, Shadow had to take a sworn oath to keep this particular project under the table from outsiders, family members included. If they knew she was coming to me for help, they'd probably fire her. Yet," Again, Don couldn't look to anyone, "aside from her company, she was afraid if you all knew what the project was about, you'd want her to quit."
"Why? Is she doing something illegal?" Raph was curious to know.
Don frowned. "No! Of course not!"
"Then, is it life-threatening to her?" Leo asked, now standing up from his seat.
"So far, it hasn't been." Don couldn't look to his face when he said that.
"Then, what's the problem with the project?" Mike took another bite of pizza.
"It's not so much the project." Don gestured to the paper. "It's this e-mail that's the problem."
"Which, since the start of this whole discussion, has left us in freakin' suspense!" Raph said with an added growl. "Don, will you just read the damn thing before I come over there and break your arms!"
Don looked down to the floor. "Sorry, I just wanted to prepare you first. Here's what it says..."
The four listened intently as Donatello repeated what he just read earlier. It seemed to go along fine until he came to the part where Joe asked that dreaded favor for Roxanne. After he finished reading, he paused to look up at their faces. Splinter scratched his chin in deep thought while the others had identical faces. Eyes wide and mouths dropped. Michaelangelo spoke up first.
"Ooookay, soooo, is she going to do this?"
"I'm hoping she'll turn it down." Leo puffed out a breath and looked around before gazing back to Donatello with a look of utter confusion. "Why, Don? Why on Earth would they ask her to do this?"
"I don't know, Leo." Don also puffed out a little breath. "I've asked her many times why she took this job to begin with and she never gave me a straight answer. But, now that she has it, she's been given important responsibilities, including this one, to assist her boss. That's why I'm asking for your opinion now."
"It's simple." Raph said with a free hand. "Tell her she can't do it."
"What? And have her risk getting fired?" Don threw the note down to his side. "Where do you think she's been getting all that income from? Who has taken care of our food problem for the past 8 months?" He paused with a look of surprise. "How do you think she bought that brand new Chevy Suburban?"
"What?!" Mike coughed on his soda. "She told me that was a Christmas gift!"
"Yeah, it was a gift," Don rolled his eyes, "to herself."
"Good income or not, I still say she can't do it." Raph stated with firmness. "And that's that."
"And who are you to tell her she can or can't?" Don gave him a look. "You're not her father, Raph--"
"Ha! I bet her father would say the same thing!" He interrupted with an angry laugh. "You asked for our opinion! Did you really think I'd agree to it?"
"Actually...yes." Don responded softly. "I can already tell you she's probably reading this e-mail and is packing her bags as we speak. Roxanne's not just her boss, she's also a good friend and Shadow will go from here to the hereafter just to help her." He dipped his head. "The same goes for me."
"You're going also?" Mike raised an eye ridge. "You're going to expose yourself?"
"Joe wants her to go alone and I can't let her do that." Don stole a side glance to Leonardo. "What do you think?"
"You know how I feel, Don." Leo crossed his arms, letting out a heavy sigh. "Delving into the paranormal world is not something I would expect Shadow to be doing. Yet, she is a young woman and she has to make her own decisions. Her parents can't force her not to go because she's already over 18."
"She is 18, Leo." Raph corrected. "And there's no way she's going."
"But, Raph--"
"Not if I sit on her skinny little ass!"
"Raph." Mike looked away, trying not to smile when the vision of that appeared in his head. "I hate to admit it, but Leo has a point. I don't want her going to some 'extremely active' house, either, but she is of age and we really can't stop her."
"Then, I'm going with her." Raph quickly said.
"Same here." Leo said next. They all looked at Michaelangelo last.
Raph nudged him. "Cop out?"
"Huh? Hey, no way! Wherever she goes, I go!"
"Then it's settled." Leo looked around to all of them. "As a family, we're all in it together."
"Indeed." A raspy voice finally said. All four looked to their ancient master as he sat up and slowly walked over to them. "Since you have all agreed to do this favor, I only ask to accompany you. Shadow has been considered a granddaughter to me, one I do not want to see get hurt in any way."
Don stared at his master's sad, concerned face. "Thank you, Splinter. But, now I've got to go tell her she's going to have some extra tag-alongs."
"Very well, my son." Splinter nodded with a bow.
**********
A few hours later, Shadow slowly climbed down the ladder entrance to be greeted by an empty room. For the first time, she felt nervous entering the lair like this. All the years before, she came down feeling happy, ready to see these mutants she called family and now, those days have ceased when her new job started. The mood changed to a scene right out of a detective show with questions always firing in her direction. "How is the job going?" "When's your next paycheck?" "What do you want Don for now?" These questions seemed to come from the same exact turtle every time she came for a visit!
Pausing at the foot of the ladder, her eyes strained to the dim-lit room, panning around to see if any life forms were currently there. Her appearance was an unannounced one, but so was Joe's e-mail she just received not too long ago. No one told her to stop by, nor did she call to let them know she would be dropping in at such a late time. Were they already in bed? It was only a quarter after 11 but she knew at least one of the night owls were always burning the midnight oil.
"Hello?" She waited a few seconds before Donatello, an all-nighter owl, emerged from his lab with a I-was-expecting-you look. The turtle looked exhausted from the nights he missed sleep. His stomach, from what she could tell, looked a lot smaller from the many times he turned away from eating a decent meal. The last of a noticeable 'stressed out' characteristic was in his speech. It was slow and very unbalanced, almost as if it became a chore for him to talk at all.
"Hello, Shadow, I knew you would..." Don stopped short to notice she was out of breath, her face looked a darker shade of pink and her eyes had a soft glaze to them. "...come. Are you okay?"
"Not really." She dropped her head, eyeing up at him. "Did you read the e-mail?"
"Yeah...to everyone."
"Oh--" Shadow cut herself off, looking behind his shoulder. "How did they take it?"
"Um, as well as can be." Don smiled a little, then quickly frowned again. "What about your parents?"
"We had a huge argument." She sniffed, wiping her eyes. "Dad says if I go, I should pack all of my belongings and move in with her, ghosts or no ghosts. They were pleased I've been employed all this time, but as soon as I said I needed to drive quite a distance to help my boss, they almost hit the roof."
Don sighed. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. It's weird how parents congratulate you on getting a job, making money, and becoming more independent. But, when it comes down to taking care of responsibilities, such as this, they turn bitter and negative."
"I guess they didn't want me to have a job that required a little traveling." She shrugged with a smirk. "Well, I mean, this is the first time I've been asked to do such a favor. Roxanne just recently bought the house to test all of our new equipment. I'm worried about her, and no matter what Dad says, I need to go check on her."
"I know," Don nodded, "but not alone."
"Huh?" Shadow's brows lifted. "You're going with me?"
"We're all going." Don twitched his head back toward the sleeping quarters. "They're in their rooms packing a few belongings to take with them."
"Oh, my God." Shadow bowed her head lower. "But, what about Roxanne? She'll see you!"
"Shadow?" The two looked over to see Leo emerging from the dark passage. His face also looked tired and worn as if he had already been through a fierce battle. He still lifted his usual greet smile when he saw her standing there. "I thought I heard you come in. Are you okay?"
"Heh, Uncle Don asked the same thing. But to answer your question, no, I guess I'm not." Shadow wiped her eyes again and let out a quiet laugh. "My parents weren't too pleased about this whole thing and they sort of...well, threw me out!" Leonardo exchanged a quick glance to Donatello. "I know this is very sudden of me, but, I have nowhere to stay. Is it all right if I sack out on your couch? It'll be just for tonight."
"Shadow, you can stay over here any time you need to." Leo placed a hand to her shoulder. "We can discuss the plans for your trip to your boss's house and when we'll need to leave."
"Um, actually, I was going to leave as soon as possible." Shadow told him, now fidgeting with a strand of hair. "Tomorrow morning, if not sooner."
"I see." Leo blinked, glancing again to Donatello whom, this time, quickly looked to the ceiling. "Then, I guess we should get the directions from the Internet. The web site called Map Search." Shadow shrugged and nodded silently. "Do you even know where this house is located?"
"Sure. In the dark mountains..." She swallowed heavily, "...of North Carolina."