Tomorrow's Yet to Come

Chapter Twenty – Six Science Rules

"What?" screamed Max. He launched himself at Alex. Michael pulled him off and held him back as Max continued to scream. "Why didn't you find us and let us know? What happened, who took her?"

"Shit, I did that all wrong," said Alex. "Max, just chill, will you? I'll explain everything. When we got here, they herded all us science and tech people into a giant room, and gave us all these tests. I did great, but Liz, she totally blew them away. They immediately placed her in this special program. She works like twenty four – seven, but it's all by choice, I swear it."

"If you haven't seen her, how do you know it's by choice," Max ground out between his clenched teeth. "Talk to me Alex, before I do something you're going to regret."

"Our living quarters are right next to each other," said Alex. "She left me a couple of notes, and left one for you, too. She said she was working on something really big, and she needed to focus on it as much as possible. Here's the note she left for you."

Max took the note and opened it. He read it quickly at first, to make certain Liz was all right, then went back and read it again, more slowly.

Dear Max,

Don't be mad, but I got placed on a special team that's working on something very big. I'm a part of the team that is developing weapons and technology for the Aberjani. Max, how could I not accept this opportunity? I'm going to try and get out of the lab long enough to get to this social thing, but it will look strange if the others keep working, and I don't. Please understand. I know you'd do the same thing if you were in my place.

Love,

Liz.

Max finished reading the letter, and then read it out loud to his friends, in a very soft voice. "It's another in to the Aberjani," he said when he finished reading. We," he pointed to Michael, Zan, and Kyle, "interviewed with them today."

"Are you sure it's from her?" Maria asked. "Liz would never pass up a chance to be with you Max. Maybe something's happened to her."

"It's from Liz," Max said with a smile. "First, it's written in English, and second, he held up the note, and showed them the glowing M.E. L.P. in the glowing red heart.

"That's my Chica," said Maria. "So, what are we supposed to do at this thing? Are we supposed to dance to that crap," she said, referring to the Antarian music that filled the air.

"Well, it's not Metallica," said Michael, "But it isn't half bad."

"Oh please," said Maria, rolling her eyes. "Come on Space Boy," she pulled on Michael's arm. "Let's go see if we can find me something I can eat."

"Oh my God, that's right," said Isabel, looking at Alex and Kyle. "What are you guys eating. I know you can't stand the food here."

"Let's just say I'm going to be a lot skinnier by the time this little adventure is through," laughed Alex.

"Poor Kyle," said Ava, kissing his cheek. "I'd bet you'd give anything for some Saturn Rings and a Pepsi right about now.

"Yeah, and a Will Smith burger," said Kyle, his eyes closed in ecstasy. "Man, who'd of ever thought I'd be homesick for the food at the CrashDown."

"Not me," said a small girl with dark hair, who walked up to their small group.

"Liz!" Max whispered, joyfully. "You made it."

"And you don't know how hard it was to convince the other people I'm studying with to take some time off to relax. They're go go go, all the time. Zan," she said, turning to the duplicate of her husband. "How are you dealing with all of this?"

"Much better, now that I don't have to look at his sad face, all torn up at the thought of missing you." The small group laughed at Zan's remark, but Liz, looking closely saw the underlying sadness in his eyes.

"What are you doing in this program, Liz?" Isabel asked. "Alex told us a little, but not much."

"Let's wait until Michael and Maria get back," said Liz. "I have a lot to tell you, and it's really important, but I only want to do it once. How's the diplomatic stuff coming?"

"Pretty good, actually," said Isabel. "Right now, we're learning about the customs and etiquette of the cultures on some of the neighboring planets."

"Yeah," laughed Max. "You should see Isabel. She's got this gracious 'Lady of the Manor,' thing going on when we have to act out these real life scenarios. Whereas, you can just about hear Zan thinking 'accept my treaty, or I'll kill you,'" laughed Max.

"And who spilled the ceremonial drinks all over the Krevlonian Ambassador's lap?" asked Zan.

"Now boys, play nice," said Ava. "Or I'll have to let Kyle hurt you."

Michael and Maria joined their group of friends, while Maria bemoaned the fact that she couldn't find anything palatable to eat. "Nothing, and I mean nothing is going to fit me when I get back home," she said.

"That reminds me," said Liz. She reached into the bag that she carried and pulled out three small packages. "Take one of these before every meal," she said. "You'll be able to tolerate the food better. It masks the taste of the food, so you'll be able to eat it.

"Where did you get these?" asked Kyle, shoving the first one in his mouth. He grabbed a piece of food off of the plate that Michael held, and shoved it in his mouth. "Oh," he said, clearly disappointed. "It doesn't taste like anything."

"No, it doesn't, but it's better than tasting the way it should, isn't it? And to answer your other question, I made them in the lab the other day."

"Oh Chica, I could just give you a big giant smooch!" cried Maria.

"Yeah, Maria's been worried about becoming too skinny," Isabel laughed. "But now that everybody's here, why don't you tell us what you need to tell us."

Liz looked around, and led them over to a dark, empty corner of the room. When everyone was settled, she began to speak. "I as chosen to work on a project for the Aberjani," she said. "Our team's purpose is to create the most scientific and technologically advanced weapons we can. "These guys are like Hitler's storm troopers. They're out to eradicate every enemy Kivar has, and we're at the top of the list."

"But why you?" asked Max. "The science part I get, but you don't know how to build weapons. Do you?"

"No, we're focusing on the scientific aspect. A second group is being chosen from the tech group. Alex, you're on that list," said Liz. "You'll probably be notified soon. I'm trying to get it fixed so we can be teamed up together. You know, the whole brother sister thing. Anyhow, my job is help isolate key genes, for lack of a better word, that will allow he weapons to fix solely on it's intended target."

"You have to invent a thing that can track you?" asked Maria.

"Basically," said Liz. "But I've also gotten a chance to look at the stuff they already have, like those wrist bands that let them show up on Earth uninvited. I don't get too much of the technical aspect of it, but chemically, they are created strictly for the individual Aberjani."

"Meaning?" asked Max.

"Meaning, if you put on a band belonging to another Aberjani, it wouldn't work. In fact, it can kill you."

"What a cheerful world you come from," said Kyle.

"Attention, attention, may I have your attention please," came a voice from the front of the room. I am sorry to have to cut short your evening of socialization, but the following students please report to the front of the room, immediately." The voice read off a list of 12 names, including Kyle Max, Michael and Zan's names. The four walked to the front of the room with the rest of those named and waited.

"You have been selected for a special project. Please vacate this room, and report to room 75, immediately," said the voice. Max looked at Liz and smiled. "I love you," he mouthed to her in English as he exited the room.

"What's that all about?" Liz asked no one in particular.

"I'm not sure," said Alex, "But earlier, Max told us they all went through an interview process for the Aberjani. I guess they were selected."

"They're joining the Aberjani?" asked Liz. "That's too dangerous. We have to find a way to stop them."

"And how is it any more dangerous than what any of us are doing?" asked Ava. "If any of us are caught, well, let's put it this way, I wouldn't be looking for a welcome home party and a parade."

"This concludes the end of our social evening," said the voice from the front of the room. "Please return to your living quarters. Tomorrow is market day. You will all be free in the afternoon to go to the market."

The room filled with cheers, and Liz and the others quickly made plans to meet up before they headed to the market area.

"With any luck, we'll find the guys," said Alex. "You know, it didn't do a lot for my image in high school when I hung out with you two. Imagine how geeky I'll look when I'm walking around with four girls."

"You'll look incredibly popular," said Isabel, pressing a quick kiss on his lips.

"Yeah, that's Alex, he's quite the stud muffin," said Maria. "Come on Ava, let's get back with the rest of the farmer doctor wannabes before we get the Antarian version of a demerit from the evil one.

Liz quickly hugged Maria and Ava and watched as they filed out the door. "Alex, I'll meet you over there," she said, moving away to give the couple some privacy.

"Seriously, Isabel, how are you holding up?" Alex asked. "Is this too much for you?"

"I'm okay, Alex. I've been trying to go through Vilondra's memories, and get a feel for whom she was. But it's so sad sometimes to know that I'm feeling the memories of a dead woman."

"Try not to think about it that way, Isabel. Pretend your studying history or something," said Alex. "And try and stick as close to Max and Zan, whenever you can. I hate not being with you."

"I can take care of myself, Alex," Isabel said, her voice cool.

"Hell, I know that," said Alex. "I want you around to protect [I]me/I]."

"I love you," she said with a low, throaty chuckle. "And I'm going to show you in so many ways when we finally get a chance to be alone."

Alex groaned, "You are an evil, evil woman, Isabel." He kissed her quickly and watched while she joined a group of the diplomatic students that were exiting the hall.

"At least you got to say goodbye," said a soft voice next to him.

"Come on Parker," Alex said, taking her by the arm. "Let's get out of here. We've got a busy day ahead of us tomorrow."