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Everyone was up to speed. Those who'd been running on their base functions were able again to move about and help us. Copeland was directing again, but he had me right there with him, making sure everything he did was okay with me. I felt strong. When everyone was ship-shape he turned to me. "Okay, Glitch, got any plans?"
"Well, I've been thinking…" I started. "Bob kept trying to break us into two pieces, but that didn't work because there were so many of us in here. It occurred to me that what we as the keytools really needed was a path out, not a forced split."
"Sounds logical." He agreed. "But how do we get out of this prison?"
"How do we get anywhere?" I asked. "Through portals."
"A portal out of Bob?" Copeland asked. "Its so simple it might work."
"But I've tried that already." Gibson recalled, coasting in. "I couldn't do it."
"You're not the merged." I said. "I am." I glowed with pride. "I can get us out."
Copeland took it in stride. "How's that?"
"We've released energy before." I replied. "OUR energy has gotten to the outside before this, and that was through me and Bob working together. If Bob helps us we can get out through his and my cooperation."
"Hey, you're right!" Gibson exclaimed. "Why didn't I think of that?"
"Because you're not Glitch." GUI said, lightheartedly. She quickly slipped back to whatever she'd been doing. Gibson also excused himself. That left Copeland and I to plan.
"Can you speak to Bob?" Copeland asked. "Transfer signal to him? Will he understand?"
"He could understand me when I was on the outside." I replied. "I'm hoping the same goes when we're both inside."
"What are you getting at?" Copeland pressed. "Perhaps speak to him in a dream?"
"I hadn't thought of that but that's not a bad idea." I said. "He'd probably be more impressionable in a dream anyway."
"All you need to do is convince him to open a way for us all to escape. Then we'll make portals and pass to the outside." Copeland resolved.
"Perfect." I agreed. "Let's fill everyone in and get to work."