CHAPTER SIX
Day 4
"What do you mean he was acting funny?" Kelly Trent asked over the phone.
Josie let out a soft sigh. "I don't know. I feel like he's hiding something from me. He came home last night to grab some things from his room, and then he went back to the school. I just don't get it."
"Do you want me to come down? Try to get it out of him?" Kelly asked.
"No, I don't think that's a good idea," Josie said quickly. "He'd never forgive me for something like that. I need to let him do things on his own."
"You're nervous."
"Terrified. What if he's up to something dangerous?" Josie asked.
"I'm sure it's not that serious. He always finds a way out of these situations," Kelly replied. Josie leaned against the wall, rubbing her head tiredly.
"Yes," She said slowly. "I'm just concerned about him."
"You know you can't help him with everything, Josie," Kelly replied.
Josie glanced up at the ceiling with slight annoyance. "I can't help but be worried about him. Just like you couldn't help but worry about me. It's just that I've been thinking."
"Oh?"
"Maybe it's not a good idea to allow Douglas to continue going to Blake Holsey. I'm considering sending him to Stonebridge Academy."
"I don't think that's -."
"I know, I know, but I don't want him here anymore. He could be putting himself in danger, and I don't think I could stand losing him, too."
There was a long silence on the other end. Finally Kelly sighed. "Maybe it is for the best. Have you spoken with him about it?"
"No, not yet. I think I'm going to wait till the end of the semester to transfer him. That way it will be less difficult for him."
"Well what does -?"
"I haven't mentioned it to him yet, but I'm sure he'll be thrilled," Josie interrupted.
"That's good," Kelly said. She was quiet, and Josie managed to settle back in one of the luxurious chairs of her living room, closing her eyes and trying to relax. She glanced up at the ceiling again, and then shook her head.
"You don't think it's possible that they've found a way to bring …" Josie swallowed.
"Don't do this to yourself," Kelly said softly.
Josie looked away, trying to blink back some tears. She took in a few deep breaths, wiped away an escaped tear, and quickly stood up, rubbing her arms.
"You're right," She said quickly. "I just miss him."
"I know, honey. Look, I have a break in my schedule. Maybe I could fly down and visit with you."
"No, no," Josie replied. "I'm fine, really. And I think I'll just relax on this vacation. Hopefully get some bonding time in."
"Don't push him too hard," Kelly warned.
"I won't. Thanks, Mom."
"You'll heal, shortcake." Josie laughed. She could almost feel her mother's arms trying to soothe her.
"I'll talk to you later."
"You sure you don't want me to come down?" Kelly asked uncertainly.
"I'm sure. I think I'll hit Vaughn up for another vacation during the summer. We can all go away then. This family could use one," Josie said.
"Alright. I'll talk with you later. Enjoy your time off."
"I will." The two hung up. Josie drew in a deep breath, covering her eyes almost painfully. Then she shook it off, frustrated with feeling such weakness. She stood taller and walked into the kitchen, putting the phone back.
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Douglas shuffled into the large, high-tech front office of Microne Industries. Everyone was looking around with interest, Professor Z at the front of the group trying to herd everyone into an orderly fashion. After a few seconds, Collin Bush, CEO of Microne Labs, stepped into the room.
"Welcome!" He announced with a pleasant grin. "Ah, I already see some faces I recognize. So, are you excited to be here?"
"Not really," Nathaniel murmured. Finley poked him in the ribs with annoyance. He simply shrugged.
"We'll begin our tour in a few moments, but first I'd like to ask if any of you have been here before," Collin Bush asked.
Everyone shook their head uncertainly, and Collin grinned. "Great! So let's begin, shall we? Our first stop on our tour is the large computer room. This is where we gain much of our research."
"You sure you don't steal it?" Katrina muttered under her breath. Finley couldn't help but grin. It vanished when he glanced across the room, noticing a closed door. He nudged Douglas, nodding his head in that direction. Katrina caught the gesture with a frown.
"Uh oh. What are you guys up to?" She demanded.
"Eh … tell ya later?" Finley suggested; him and Douglas quickly separating from the group as they came closer to the door.
"Anyone looking?" Douglas asked.
"No one. Perfect chance," Finley replied.
"On three?"
"One."
"Three." Finley pushed in the door, and Douglas scrambled in quickly after him. The two looking around the closet just as the door locked behind them. For a moment, no one said anything. Then Douglas turned to Finley.
"I blame you."
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Jovee leaned closer, still not bothering to blink. At least, she was trying not to blink. Her eyes were beginning to sting fiercely. After another moment, she couldn't take it any longer and blinked. Josie jumped up, throwing her arms triumphantly in the air.
"I win," She stated. The two were over at Jovee's house. At the moment the house was deserted, so it seemed alright to be there.
"Yeah, yeah," Jovee grumbled, wiping at her eyes. Once she was sure she could actually see without her eyes watering up, she glanced at her watch. "We have about two hours before the gang will be coming back from their field trip."
"Well I don't think it will be very safe to have a staring contest the whole time," Josie said thoughtfully.
"I doubt it," Jovee replied dully. She looked around. "We could watch some TV. Or play video games if you want to."
"The video game thing sounds fun," Josie said. Jovee shook her head as she stood and stretched.
"I never would have seen you as someone who liked video games. Then again, it would sure explain why you asked to borrow my Freedom IV," Jovee said with a laugh.
"That's sort of creepy," Josie said. "The way you talk about me – future me – like that."
"Yeah, well …" Jovee replied. She started to walk across the floor heading for the stairs. "Are you coming?"
"Yeah, sure," Josie said with a grin, quickly following after her. The two marched up the stairs, and Jovee quickly disappeared into her room, Josie right behind her.
"Wow," Josie said softly, looking around. "Nice set up."
"Thanks. My Mom picked a lot of the stuff out, though," Jovee said. "It's great how we get along so well. I know some kids who can't."
"My Mom and I had some trouble getting along," Josie said softly.
"I know," Jovee said. For a minute she looked sympathetic, which Josie hated. She quickly marched to the machine that she assumed to be a computer.
"So what sort of games do you have?" She asked.
"That's actually the CD player," Jovee said, going quickly to the wall. She pressed a button and a large computer resembling a flat screen appeared on the wall. "And there's a bunch of games we could play. They're over there." Jovee pointed under the canopy bed. She glanced through the games, noticing several CD's as well. She quickly snapped one up and pocketed it away, turning quickly to look at Jovee.
"Why don't you choose one? I have no idea what these games are about," Josie said quickly.
Jovee looked up, eying her uncertainly, and then walked briskly to the station. "This is the one I'm working on right now," She said, handing Josie the disk.
"Mortal combat?" She asked with surprise.
"The revised version," Jovee said. "Suited for the system and all. Anyways, it's really interesting. Want to give it a try?"
"No," Josie replied, handing it back. "I've played it already. I'll just watch."
Jovee shrugged, still watching Josie with suspicion. She quickly shook it off, however, and moved towards the system. "Suit yourself. Oh, did you want a drink or something?"
"Sort of," Josie admitted.
"You want me to show you to the kitchen?" Jovee asked, turning back around.
"No, I can find my way down. Still in the same place it's always been?"
"This house doesn't change," Jovee replied.
"Right. Did you want something?"
"Snag me a power drink, okay?"
"Yeah sure. I'll be right back," Josie stepped out of the room, moving slowly around as she took in the scenery. Jovee had been wrong – the house did change. It seemed less cold, much more welcome than she remembered it being. Much more … lived in. It was nice.
She arrived in the kitchen, quickly remembering her way around from back when she and Vaughn had been friends. She snapped up the canned power drink Jovee had requested, and then quickly poured herself a drink. She was almost ready to leave when the door opened behind her.
"What are you doing in my house?"
Josie slowly turned around, looking at the boy she recognized as Vinny. He raised his eyebrow in anticipation, watching Josie for any sign – good or bad. He looked almost exactly like Vaughn had at that age, only his hair was much lighter.
"I'm here with Jovee," Josie explained. "I'm Jo- err, Jade Trent."
Vinny glanced at the ceiling as if he was certain Jovee was up there, before looking back at Josie. "Jovee's home?" He asked with disdain. Then he shook his head. "Is anyone else here?"
"No," Josie said quickly. She couldn't help but feel slightly excited. Here was Vinny. Perhaps she could try talking with him. After all, Z had said she'd gone there the first time to help with something … maybe this was it. "So … you play football?"
"What's my sister doing up there?" Vinny demanded, ignoring Josie's question.
"Playing a video game," She replied. "Do you live here too?"
"No, I stay at the school," Vinny said sort of distractedly. "Is there anyone else up there?"
"No," Josie said slowly. "It's just me and Jovee."
Finally Vinny looked Josie over, confusion sweeping his features. "Do you go to Blake Holsey?"
"Eh, no," Josie said uncertainly. "I'm visiting a cousin – Josie Trent?"
"Never heard of her. What did you say your name was again?"
"Jade Trent," Josie said.
"You hang around with those Science Club kids?" Vinny inquired.
"Yeah, sort of," Josie said, now confused with the direction the conversation was going. "How come you don't live here?"
"I told her not to hang around with those dorks," Vinny grumbled.
"Hey!" Josie exclaimed, grabbing his arm. Vinny looked at her, remotely surprised. "First of all – I'm talking to you. Second of all – the Science Club kids are not dorks. They're pretty cool."
Vinny blinked in surprise. Then he shook his head. "Who'd you say you were again?"
"Hey, what's taking so long with those drinks?" Jovee called from the stairwell.
"Jovee?" Vinny called.
At first there was no response, and then suddenly Jovee practically ran into the room. She stared at her brother with surprise.
"Vinny … aren't you supposed to be at football practice?" Jovee asked uncertainly.
"Cancelled due to the rain," He said, pointing out the window. "It's really bad out there. Why aren't you out with Mom and Vina?"
"I had to …" Jovee looked around, lips pursed, her eyes finally landing on Josie. "Keep an eye on Trent. Everyone else went on that field trip to Microne Labs, leaving just me."
"I thought Chuck told you to stop hanging around with those losers in science club."
"Not you too," Jovee grumbled.
"I don't think it's a good idea. You were a lot more fun to be around before you started all that science-y junk," Vinny said, rolling his eyes.
"Dad's a scientist. I'd expect one of us to be interested in the subject."
"Please. Do you have any idea what Dad does down in that lab?" Vinny demanded, snatching up Josie's drink and swallowing it down; she too enthralled in Jovee and Vinny to become upset.
"Do you?" Jovee countered.
"Maybe I do," Vinny said, eying her darkly. "It's nothing worth getting involved in, Jovee. Will you just leave that science group?"
"They're my friends, Vinny. Why don't you get that? What's this really about? Dad?"
"Nothing," Vinny snapped grumpily, starting for the stairs.
Jovee stared at his retreating figure, steam just waiting to burst from her ears. "Why does he assume he has the right to tell me what to do? He may be older than me, but he's definitely not as -." She faltered, no good comments rising to her mind. She shook her head with frustration and then turned to Josie.
"Come on, we're going to watch a movie or something … get as far away from the brooding teenager!" She shouted up the stairs. "As we possibly can."
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"Got any threes?"
"Go fish," Douglas replied.
Finley shook his head, throwing all his cards into the middle. "Why did you bring playing cards with you on some stupid field trip? Couldn't you have come up with something a little bit more useful? We're supposed to be looking for Pearadyne's files – finding out what we can. Instead we're locked here in this closet!"
"You're the one who decided to sneak into the closet in the first place," Douglas pointed out.
Finley stood, running his fingers through his hair uncertainly. "We won't even get out of here until someone opens the door. Who knows how long that will be."
"There's got to be another way out," Douglas replied, standing as well.
"We could try the ceiling vent again," Finley suggested.
"It didn't work the last three times," Douglas grumbled.
Finley looked around thoughtfully. "What do you think the chances are of secret passages around here?"
Douglas simply laughed, causing Finley to frown. "It's a possibility," Finley argued.
"Sure, give a try," Douglas said, not bothering to hide the sarcasm in his voice.
"Alright … I will."
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"Here's where our top analysts test each prescription before sending them out," Mr. Bush continued. Katrina stifled a yawn, tilting her head to the side.
"Free a tank of hammer head sharks?"
"No," Nathaniel replied, smirking.
"Go to the bathroom?"
"You said that already."
"Well why can't you just tell me?"
"Because I figured it would be pretty obvious. Only you would come up with such crazy answers like freeing a tank of hammer head sharks," Nathaniel replied.
"Humor me."
"You know, don't you? This has been some sort of game, right?"
"It killed the time. So do you think they'll actually get the … you-know-what's?" Katrina asked; referring to the files Douglas and Finley had gone for about half an hour ago. She'd been – to fill time – pretending to guess what the two had gone off to do, coming up with crazy answers.
"It would be useful," Nathaniel replied, standing on his tippy-toes to see over a few heads, catching a glimpse of Z before sinking back to the floor.
Katrina pouted. "I don't see why they got to go and look around. I wanted to go."
"Finley would freak if you got in trouble because of some radical idea."
"Wasn't it your radical idea?" Katrina inquired.
"Yeah, but you don't see me with them, do you?" Nathaniel asked.
Katrina tilted her head to the side, studying some of the instruments. "We could sneak off," She suggested. "Maybe meet up with them."
"You can't be serious," Nathaniel said, smile dropping.
"Well why should Finley and Douglas get to have all the fun?" Katrina countered.
"It's not about fun, it's about answers. We want answers," Nathaniel replied.
"And they're not having fun while they do it?" She looked around, watching a group of scientists walking in a group. Slowly, a grin spread across her face. "We're going. Come on."
"Bossy …" Nathaniel grumbled, following quickly behind Katrina as the two fell in step beside the scientists, neither being noticed. The group turned down a hall labeled 'restricted' just as Z turned around, confused to see Katrina and Nathaniel missing.
Once they were away from the group, they branched off, moving quickly to hide behind a set of deserted desks.
"How are we going to find Douglas and Finley?" Nathaniel asked, peering around the corner. He turned back to see Katrina flipping through the folders on the desk. "What are you doing?"
"Research," Katrina replied simply. "So far there's just a bunch of stuff on medicine that they're developing."
"Try hacking into the computer," Nathaniel suggested.
Katrina nodded, turning around to the main computer at the section. She quickly logged on, working around the difficult security until she managed to bypass all codes and log into the computer network.
"Anyone coming?" She inquired.
"No, not yet. They're all standing around in the corner, staring at something," Nathaniel replied.
"No sign of Finley or Douglas."
"Not that I can see."
Katrina frowned, her concentration being pulled entirely into the computer. She brought up a search engine and attempted to find any documents relating to Pearadyne, or wormholes. She then waited for whatever would come up to load.
Nathaniel frowned, leaning forward to try and catch a better look at whatever the scientists were studying.
"Bingo," Katrina said, a grin spreading across her face. She glanced around the station, catching a glimpse of empty CD's. She quickly snatched one away and plugged it into the system, copying the files onto a disk. "Just a few more minutes."
"We don't have a few more minutes," Nathaniel replied, turning around. "Someone's coming."
"Gargh," Katrina muttered. She quickly turned off the monitor and then grabbed Nathaniel, pulling him under to desk and praying no one would notice the computer was still downloading files. The footsteps came closer, and then stopped just in front of Katrina and Nathaniel's hiding spot.
"You find it, Casey?" Someone called.
"No, not yet," The other person replied. "You sure you didn't leave it in the other room?"
"I know it's over there. You're just as blind as a bat."
"I'm not blind," The person muttered. A second step of shoes appeared.
"There it is, right here."
"Oh yeah." There was a chuckle. The two started to walk away again. Nathaniel and Katrina quickly climbed out of their hiding spot. She glanced around, then pulled out two lab coats, tossing one to Nathaniel and wrapping the other around herself.
"Mind telling me the point of this?" Nathaniel asked.
"You're kidding … right? It's so we don't get caught," Katrina explained, crossing back to the computer to check on the download. "It's finished." She plucked the disk out and tucked it in her coat. "Now for a little fun." She fiddled around with the keyboard a few minutes, some random clicks from the mouse, and then she grinned. "Let's see them try to fix that."
"What did you do?" Nathaniel demanded.
"First I deleted the files so that they can't leach off of them anymore. Then I implanted a virus into all the main computers. Fortunately it shouldn't begin to pick up until after we leave."
"… Stay away from my computer system," Nathaniel finally replied. Katrina laughed.
"What are you doing here?"
The two spun around to see a woman studying them uncertainly. Katrina swallowed nervously, and then stepped up. "Catherine Byrne from subdivision 9C. My partner William Gunner. Mr. Bush sent us up here."
"Oh. No doubt he sent you up here to see the system, huh?" She asked, a grin crossing her face.
"Exactly," Katrina said, stepping in line behind her, Nathaniel quickly following. "Mr. Bush gave us basic background information, and I was hoping to hear from someone who actually knows what they're talking about."
"That is just like Mr. Bush," The woman said with a laugh. We honestly were worried you wouldn't have the time to make it up here. You'll be pleased with what you find, though."
"I'm sure," Katrina said.
"Now, uhh, when do you expect the system to be fully operational?" Nathaniel asked.
"Three or four weeks. We'll blow Pearadyne Labs right out of existence. There's a new -."
"Is this system a potential hazard to other people?" Nathaniel interrupted. Katrina elbowed him, but the boy ignored it.
"Some," The woman admitted reluctantly. "We're almost finished with our testing, though. Here it is. This computer is the basis for all operations."
They stopped where other scientists were gathered. "Now this system operates on the …?"
"Energy taken from the wormhole. Yes. We've managed to break through the barrier – I'm sure Mr. Bush explained to you the barrier Pearadyne upheld around the wormhole, right?"
"Yes, he did," Katrina said quickly.
"Well after breaking that barrier we managed to pinpoint exactly where the greatest energy pull was. Now we've managed to control the operations of the wormhole – though we don't necessarily need it. We've wired our computers to each specific energy pull, and are monitoring them before we begin the final project."
"How … interesting."
"It's fascinating. This will be the beginning of a new era. Soon Microne will be put on the maps."
"What exactly is it that -."
Nathaniel nudged her. "The tour will be over soon," He hissed in her ear.
"Oh," She said, frowning.
"Is something wrong?" The woman asked.
"Sort of," Katrina said apologetically. She glanced at the clock. "Our rounds will be finished soon, and we need to monitor the transaction. We'll send someone else up, though, to finish with you." Nathaniel had to marvel at how professional she sounded.
"Of course," The woman said with a nod.
"We'll send someone back," She promised. Then the two quickly exited the room.
"How are we going to get back to the main lobby before the tour gets there?" Nathaniel demanded.
Katrina frowned, studying the map before her. "If we cut down these two tunnels, we should get there," She replied.
"How did you know to pose as lab assistants?"
"There was a calendar on the wall, today's date telling there needed to be a maintenance over-look by subdivision 9C. Then I let her fill in the rest," Katrina explained.
Nathaniel nodded. "Alright … let's go."
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Katrina and Nathaniel practically screamed when they turned the corner and ran into someone. Well, two someone's, actually.
Finley blinked. "Katrina? Nathaniel?"
Douglas rubbed his head. "Aren't you supposed to be on the tour?"
"No time," Katrina panted, quickly pulling off the lab coat and discarding it the closet, Nathaniel doing the same. She pulled out the disk and tossed it to Finley. "Come on."
"What's going on?" Finley asked as the four darted down the hallways.
"We decided to go off on our own," Katrina said.
"She decided."
"We came across a computer, hacked on, and then burned a disk of all the information related to Pearadyne and Wormholes."
"She did."
"Then we implanted a virus into their system."
"All her doing. I was just the lookout."
"The side-kick," Douglas said, shaking his head.
"Is that it?" Finley asked.
"No, there's more. We were caught, but posed as lab assistants."
"They actually bought it?" Douglas exclaimed.
"I guess so. Anyways, they explained to us the importance of this new system, but we didn't get to find out what everything's made to do because Nathaniel realized we needed to head off with the group before we missed it."
"The tour is supposed to be over now?" Finley demanded.
"Shortly. We're going to merge in with the group. What about you, find out anything interesting?" Nathaniel asked.
"We were locked in a closet for some time," Finley began.
"But then Finley came up with this outrageous idea that maybe there was a secret passage around -."
"Which there was."
"It lead to an underground compartment where we hid in some over ducts and spied on whoever was down there."
"It seems the big project is being performed down there. We'll explain more when we get back to school," Douglas said.
"If we manage to get back," Nathaniel said as the group ran.
"Way to be optimistic," Douglas breathed.
They turned down another corner, but all quickly jerked back behind the wall when they caught sight of the large room of technicians.
"Wrong turn?" Katrina asked.
"This shouldn't be too hard," Finley gasped, peering around the corner.
"The tour's supposed to end in three minutes," Nathaniel chimed.
"Shush!" The others exclaimed.
"Just thought you should know," Nathaniel replied with a shrug.
"We need a distraction," Finley said thoughtfully.
"We could just tell them we got separated from our group," Douglas suggested.
"No, it wouldn't work," Katrina whispered. "They'd never buy it."
"Look," Nathaniel insisted, pointing to the clock. Everyone looked with annoyance, but were shocked when the wall burst into flames.
"There's your distraction," Douglas said slowly.
"How did that happen?" Katrina asked.
"Questions later, run away now," Nathaniel replied, ushering the group across the panicked room and towards the door that led to the final corridor. Not too long after, they appeared in the main hall just as the tour did. It wasn't too hard to slip in unnoticed.