Field Test

You can think of this as a sequel to the first chapter, Evidence. It's also a cross-over of another sci-fi theme. Invisibility = comedy.

John looked up from his computer to see Cameron enter his room. "Hey Cam. What's up?"

"Do you remember," she asked, "when I mentioned there were Terminators with the ability to camouflage?"

"You mean the night before you uploaded a sex tape of us?" John asked in irritation. "What about it?"

Cameron took two glowing, blue, metal devices out of her pocket. "I have just finished developing these cloaking devices. They are similar to the devices that the Terminators use."

John got up and stared at the devices. "Wait. You mean these will turn us invisible?"

"Yes," Cameron nodded. "Simply attach these to your bare skin and they will activate. I wish to perform a field test tonight."

"Cool! I'm in!" John grabbed one and stuck it to his chest as Cameron placed hers on her lower back. Instantly, John noticed Cameron and his own hands become slightly blurry while everything else stayed in perfect view.

"Uh, Cam? You look…odd."

"That is the device," Cameron said. "You are able to see me as we share a similar frequency from our cloaks."

"Oh. But how do I know how long it lasts?"

"I have set an internal timer. We have two hours before the charge wears off. That will give us enough time to walk to the local park and back."

"Good." He looked down and noticed his clothes remained normal. "Uh, won't people be freaked out by floating clothes?"

"I have a solution." Cameron began to lift her shirt.

"Wait, what?!" John shouted. "You want us to streak through the town?"

"That word implies we will be seen," Cameron said. "We are invisible. Nobody will see us, should this test prove successful."

"Should?" John repeated.

Cameron stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder. "John, do you not trust me?"

He wanted to argue with her, but he couldn't turn her down when she pouted like that. John looked down at his feet and let out a sigh.

…

"It's actually a really nice night," John said.

"Indeed," Cameron agreed. "I selected a night that would allow for optimal temperature and warmth."

John looked up at the sky, mostly to try to ignore Cameron's form walking beside him. The moon was full and the stars were out. Few people walked the streets and traffic was at a minimum. If it wasn't for his self-consciousness at his public state, John would have taken this as a calm walk.

"You seem hot," Cameron said.

John tripped over his feet. "Uh, thanks. You too."

Cameron tilted her head, pondering his statement. "I assume you thought I meant your appearance. I don't deny your attractiveness, but I was referring to your temperature."

"Oh, that," John said with a nervous laugh. "It's kinda embarrassing to do this."

"I will never understand your concept of modesty," Cameron said.

"I figured that out after the time travel incident," John said. "Most girls don't kick ass stark naked on the road."

The two wandered into the park, feeling the cool grass beneath their feet. John stretched his arms, reveling in the night air. "Okay. I think this is it."

"So far, the field test is complete," Cameron said. "We should consider using these for our dates, rather than sneaking around Sarah and Derek."

"Not a bad idea," John said. "If you can make our clothes invisible too."

"Why would that be necessary?"

"Obviously, that's…that's…that's Morris!"

Cameron turned around to follow John's finger. He was pointing at his friend from school who was walking by himself along the street.

"Hey," John said. "Wanna have some fun?"

"I do not understand," Cameron said.

"Just follow my lead."

John sprinted to catch up with Morris with Cameron close behind him. At five feet behind him, John began to creep up on him. Slowly, he sneaked behind Morris before grabbing his shoulders. Morris jumped in the air with a tremendous scream. "WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!"

"Easy!" John said. "It's just me! John!"

Morris put his hand on his heart, trying to settle it down. "John?! Where are you?"

"Right here!" John said. "With Cameron!"

Morris looked around the street, spinning in a circle. "I can't see you!"

"That is the point," Cameron said.

It started to dawn on Morris. "Are you actually invisible?"

"Yeah!" John said. "Cool, huh?"

"How is this possible?" Morris asked.

"Long story," John said. "Science project. Let's walk and talk."

Morris and John walked side-by-side down the street and towards an alley as they continued to talk about the device. "It's basically like a remote," John lied.

"Oh," Morris said. "So, no potion? Is it permanent?"

"No and no," John said. "Means I gotta get home soon or the cops will have words."

"Wait, you're naked?" Morris asked. "So…is Cameron too?"

John glared at Morris. "You can't see it, but I'm flipping you off right now."

"You're no fun," Morris said.

They continued down the alley before Morris came to a halt. He pointed at a group of punks standing underneath a street light next to an iced bucket of beer. "We gotta go back. Those guys are bad news. I owe them money."

"For what?" John asked.

"For…some medication."

"Medication?" Cameron asked.

"I…have glaucoma."

John didn't need Cameron's analysis to tell Morris was lying. "Just relax. We got this."

Morris couldn't see it, but John motioned for Cameron to follow him. The two came behind the dealers with their arms ready for attack. Cameron smashed one of them in the head, knocking him out instantly. John simply pulled down the other one's pants, revealing a set of "Care Bear" underwear.

"They make those for guys?" John asked.

The final dealer began to freak out as his pantsed friend ran off. He grabbed the ice bucket and swung it at the two, throwing ice water all over John and Cameron. John dropped to his knees and tried to warm himself up. Cameron immediately retaliated by storming over and grabbing the bucket from the man's hands. She slammed it on his head before tripping his feet and throwing him into a dumpster.

John slowly stood back up, wiping the water from his shoulders. "Yeesh, that was freezing!"

"Are you alright?" Cameron asked.

"Yeah, just fine," John said. "Or I will be when I take a hot shower."

They returned back to Morris, who was staring at them with wide eyes and an open mouth. "You okay?" John asked.

"You're…um…you're back!"

"Yeah, we were just over there," John said.

Morris' eyes seemed to be fixed on where Cameron was. "Uh, I need to go home and take care of…something. Do you have a lift?"

"We walked here," Cameron said. "We will be fine."

"Okay," Morris said. "I'll be leaving now. But you guys might want to put something on."

As Morris left, John inspected his body. He just noticed he was no longer blurry. In fact, neither was Cameron.

"Cam?" John asked. "Please tell me we're not back."

Cameron removed the device from her lower back and inspected it. "It would seem the liquid caused a short-circuit of our cloaks. They will require repairs when we return."

John covered himself and squinted his eyes in anger. "I KNEW this would happen! Why did I let myself listen to you?"

"What is the matter?" Cameron asked. "The field test was a success."

"Yeah, but know we have to sneak back home!" John said. "How will we get there without anybody seeing us?"

"I have downloaded various maps of the neighborhood," Cameron said. "There are a few back alleys and parking lots that will serve this purpose."

"This is bad," John groaned. "Can't we just call a taxi?"

"That is too much of a risk," Cameron said. "If we stand still, our odds of being discovered increase. I would recommend you keep pace with my minimum running speed."

Cameron set off into a light jog down the alley. With no other choice, John sprinted after her, still trying to keep himself covered.

…

John let Cameron lift him into his bedroom window. They had left it slightly open so as to sneak into the house without waking Sarah and Derek. When he saw the coast was clear, he pulled Cameron into the room.

"That was close," John wheezed. Cameron's minimum running pace was a workout after a few minutes.

"You managed to keep pace," Cameron said. "I see you are in shape. This date was a resounding success."

"A success?!" John asked. "That's what you call…wait, did you just say date?"

"I did," Cameron said. "This field test served more than one purpose. We were able to ascertain the limits of these cloaking devices for the war, we met and helped a friend of yours, and we spent the entire time together in a friendly manner with no interruptions. While we did not return home under expectations, we avoided detection and were able to exercise."

John thought about what she said. The night did get harrowing, but he had to admit he had fun. It reminded him of the shenanigans he got into back in 90s with his old friends. "I guess today was nice."

"We will have to test another device soon," Cameron said. "Good night, John."

Cameron began to leave when John caught her arm. "Wait a second."

He gave her a quick kiss on the lips. "If it's a date, we got to end it properly, right?"

Cameron let a small smile grow on her face. She walked to the door and locked it while John silently hoped there were no cameras in the room.