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Chapter 7.
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'Omega alfa'
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Next morning, Chapel
"Where the hell is Tom? We don't have time anymore. We will be late on our classes." Doug yelled looking impatiently at his watch.
"Don't know," said Ioki "maybe he got sick again. After all he didn't look very well yesterday."
"Then he would have call us."
A while later they could hear some noise outside the main room, which was getting closer. They didn't have to wait long to see the cause of that fuss. In shock they were watching Tom approaching them fallowed by shouts and whistles of appreciation coming from other co-workers.
"Hi guys!" He greeted them with really devilish smile, conscious of the impression he caused with his looks. He was dressed almost all in black: black leather trousers and black ankle long leather coat. Only t-shirt under his jacket was white. On his neck he had a short chain with reversed David Star hanging on it. On wrists he had several leather straps. On head he was wearing black scarf which covered tightly all his hair. But not his clothes made his looks so unusual (after all it wasn't quite satanistic they expected). Doug was watching his friend carefully and realized he was almost charmed by his eyes, for he couldn't wrench his gaze away from them. The make up Judy put on Tom's face was simple but perfect; she put black mascara on eyelashes, making them thicker and longer, and a black shade on his eyelids. It caused that the whites were almost shining and the eyes themselves seemed to be much bigger and hypnotic. And with the scarf on his head sharpening his features...
"...Tom, you look incredible and… scary." Ioki commented surprised looking at him as if he saw Tom for the first time in his life.
"Thanks, but that is Judy's job. She is really good. I hope it will work."
"Guardian has no chance!" Judy shouted from the other side of the room, complacent.
"But Tom." Doug started with narrow eyes. "You look very conspicuous but for me you are not looking like a candidate to satanic sect."
"That is exactly what I meant. Brotherhood members are looking quite normal, aren't they? My masquerade is only to force them to pay attention on me without being expelled from the University."
"I think" said Judy "it will work. Nobody will overlook you, believe me."
On the University
Tom entered the lecture class and cursed. It was a big room, able to take above hundred people, with many rows of tables set on descending steps in half moon way, so that the lonely lectures desk placed downstairs seemed to be surrounded by the rest of the tables. The room was almost fully filled with students. "How the hell will I find anybody from Brotherhood in such crowd?" In fact Tom was expecting no more than twenty, thirty students. Who in his right mind would attend such weird classes as Chemical Technology? Hanson looked around. He had to find any place to sit, unless he wanted to spend ninety minutes sitting on the floor. He didn't have much choice, so he went to the last row of tables and sat on the only spare chair. Almost immediately after he took his place the lecturer entered the room and after short presentation said:
"Good morning ladies and gentlemen. Welcome on the second term of Chemical Technology faculty. This year we will give particular attention to the aromatic carbohydrates. As you know…"
After about twenty minutes Tom tried desperately to hide yawns forcing his mouth open wide every now and again. He lost his interest of the lecture as soon as the teacher started his deductions. Although with all his will he tried to look interested and knowing.
"Hi!"
Tom surprised turned his head towards the whisper on his left. As he noticed the greeting was addressed to him he answered quiet "Hi" to a blond haired guy who was watching him as if he was a horse for sell.
"I didn't see you before. Are you new here?"
"Yep, why?" asked Tom carelessly, pretending interest of the lecturers monolog.
"Just wondered. Anyway, my name is Chris Mycroft" the man hold out his hand and shook it with Tom.
"Tom Harrison" he introduced himself.
"Where are you from, Tom?" Chris asked. In the same time he looked at Tom's opened notebook, which in fact was borrowed from former chemistry student who recently had some troubles with police due to his too big interest of producing drugs. Tom opened his mouth to say story prepared before, but he didn't have chance to start, because he was interrupted by strange noise coming from Chris.
"Oh hell!" Chris hissed suddenly as he saw something in Tom's notebook. "Is that the draft of synthesis of barbiturate acid?" He turned his head towards stunned Tom, who really didn't know what meant that strange pictures in his notebook. He was feverishly thinking about any answer afraid his blank expression could betray him, but Chris continued. "No, it will be safer you don't say anything. You know… it isn't wise to walk around with this..." he pointed on the draft "...in view. You could be in trouble, when somebody got know you have description of production of such sedatives..."
"For instance, you?" Tom asked half seriously.
"Don't tempt me. I've never seen this before. Is that your work?"
"Erm…" Tom thought about the real owner of the notebook. "…Partially." He answered evasive. In that moment teacher irritated of their lack of interest of his lecture interrupted their quiet talk.
"As I can see you gentlemen know everything about this topic, so maybe you Mr… I don't remember your name..." he pointed his finger at Tom.
"Tom Harrison, sir."
"Mr Harrison. Will you tell me what precious substrates will we receive in the reduction process of cumene hydro-peroxide, please?"
Tom nervously cleared his throat.
"Those precious substrates professor are phenol and acetylene."
"Hmm... That's very good answer." Professor said a bit surprised. "And what about the catalysts?"
"Well... there are many of them used for this reaction but the best of them is aluminium chloride" Tom answered in a way he hoped was nonchalantly.
"And the three stages of the process for the production of phenol with cumene method, please?" Professor continued. His respectful expression showed that not often happened to him to have such long and interesting conversation with any student other than 'sorry professor, I don't know'.
"First step" Tom started uneasily, suddenly aware of the throbbing silence in the classroom and assessing gazes of all students resting on him at that moment "is to produce cumene itself by alkylation benzene with propylene. Then the received cumene enter to the plant in the oxidation unit where it is oxidized with atmospheric oxygen to mentioned before cumene hydro-peroxide." Tom took deep breath, before he continued. Although he planned the scene before with the professor he broke out into a cold sweat anyway. He was afraid he could make some stupid mistake and betray his total ignorance. He even didn't understand what he was talking about. "The last step is to split that compound into precious phenol and acetone by utilizing very low concentrations of aluminium chloride as a reaction catalyst."
"Very well, Mr Harrison, very well. I am impressed. But next time remember: I don't tolerate when somebody is talking in the same time when I am. It concerns you Mr Mycroft as well."
"Sorry, sir" Tom apologized, still feeling high blood pressure in his veins.
"I am sorry, Mr Potts" followed him Chris. After that incident the rest of the lecture they spend in the silence, both of them sunk in their own thoughts.
Tom was relieved when he left the classroom. After ninety minutes of passive sitting in one position he felt his body getting stiff, especially his bottom. But Tom thought that the small inconvenience will be prized. The scene with professor was perfect. Somebody from Brotherhood had to see that and believe Tom was more than average chemistry fan. Now he had to think something about how to get to the Brotherhood. He supposed it won't be easy. If they are really protecting Guardians activities, they won't be eager to trust and accept somebody they don't know. But in spite of that he decided not to worry before he even tries to do something. His plan was to find their headquarters and declare wish to join them. He was optimistic after all.
On his way he was accosted by Chris again.
"Hi! I was looking for you, Tom. You left so quickly."
"I hate lectures. I find them boring" answered Tom.
"I bet!" Chris smiled. "For somebody with your knowledge and interests…" He said referring to Tom's notebook and impressive conversation with professor.
"Yeah, well… I am kind of self–taught person. Don't like to be limited."
"I can imagine. I was talking about you with professor Potts after classes."
Tom slowed down his walk and then stopped finally and turned towards Chris. With his brows raised up he waited for continuation.
"He said you moved from Boston University of Technology. You were very good, second on your year."
"And… you are talking me that because… you need something from me?"
"I thought rather I could offer you something. You see… we need somebody like you in our society."
Tom suddenly interested kept his ears cocked.
"What kind of society you are?" He asked trying not to show his excitement.
"We are Omega–Alfa Brotherhood, which gathers scientists, last times mainly chemists."
"And what benefit will I have by joining you?" Tom asked trying to remember he was still plying chemistry student.
"Free access to laboratory, regularly trips on symposia around the country and abroad, cheep accommodation in Brotherhood dorms, good friends and… later maybe something more" Chris listed proudly. Then he added. "Note we recruit only the best students, it is difficult to get to our Brotherhood, you are lucky."
"Now I presume I shall say I feel honored." Tom said sarcastically, and then added: "But I have to ask you for something. For me everything sounds just great, but did Mr Potts mention why I have moved from Boston?"
"Yes, he did. You didn't do that on your own free will. They rather wanted to get rid of you. For drugs traffic." Chris answered shortly looking directly at Tom, and then continued: "Professor said also you have strange and dangerous interests."
"Like what?"
"You are declared Satanist."
"And?" Tom asked challenging crossing arms on his chest, curious about his answer.
"And we don't mind."
"Of course you don't" Thought Tom with inner smile of triumph.
It was late Sunday afternoon. The living room in Doug's flat was dim for there was only table lamp turned on. Tom was sitting on the floor with his back resting against settee. He was watching news in the TV and drinking beer straight from the bottle. Tom winced as he again heard Doug's miserable attempt to follow high tones of the Final Countdown refrain.
"Hey, Doug! How long do you want me to wait?" He decided to brake his friends singing.
"Be patient! Master can't be urged!" Doug's voice was coming from the kitchen.
"But I am starving!" Tom yelled leaning his head back and resting it on the top of the settee behind.
"You've already eaten two portions of Chinese!"
"It was one hour ago. Besides after two weeks of eating only greens and drinking water in order to 'purificate your body and soul' you would be more tolerant."
"I thought you are in the Brotherhood from nine days, aren't you?"
"Fourteen or nine." Tom waved his hand dismissively. "What's the difference? I feel as if I were there a month!"
"Don't complain, Tom." Doug said handing him a plate full of steaming food on.
"God bless you, Doug." Tom whispered gratefully and quickly started to eat while Doug continued talking.
"At least you are in the Brotherhood, and we know your suspicions were good shot."
"Yeah." Tom agreed as he swallowed big portion of food. "But still we don't know how Guardian is using those students and what is the most important who is he and how is he looking like."
"But perhaps you will get know next Saturday. You said they will have that ceremony connected with your invitation. I am sure Guardian will be there."
"Me too, but still I don't know where it will take place." Tom said with full mouth.
"And what about tomorrow evening?"
"Unfortunately they are not sharing with me the informations about all their activities. Especially those connected with Guardian. All I know is what Chris told me, that there is a meeting tomorrow evening with some important people. That's all."
"You think Guardian will arrive?"
"I am gonna to find out. Tomorrow afternoon we are playing basketball match with guys from English history faculty. I will try to get out it from them."
"Good luck then. Do you want another beer, Tom?" Said Doug as he stood up and went to the kitchen.
"No thanks, I will have to go back to Brotherhood soon. They will be wondering what I am doing in the library in Sunday so long."
"How is the living with them anyway?" Doug asked seriously worried. The very thought that his friend was living between those sick people without any protection made his stomach churning.
"Completely boring" Tom answered aware of the change in Doug's tone.
"Truly, I am not happy with the idea of living with them, Tom. It can be dangerous."
"I know" Tom agreed. He didn't like the idea as well. "But it was the only way to get close to them. After all Fuller is happy now, he can say federals that the case is moving forward."
"Yes, he is prizing you all around the Chapel for your I am quoting 'intelligence and brightness'." Doug smiled aloud on the next thought. "You know, Booker's star is not shining so bright now. He became very caustic last time."
"I bet. But the most of what happened was only luck."
"Let's hope it won't leave you." Doug said seriously.
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