Chapter 1

It was the first day of college and it was the first day of new beginnings. The summer after high school had seemed different than other summers. Instead of flying by, this one had felt like it was aging, unlike the summers when he was a kid. When he was a kid, the summers seem to fly far too fast, and so did this one, but this time it was as though it were dying, never to return to a carefree summer again. It was fall now and those times were fading like the leaves on the trees.

Nigel Uno sat at the bench outside of the building in which his last class for the day had just finished up. He was a freshman student at Gallagher University, an old Virginian school known for its top notch teachers and advanced learning methods. It took money to go to this college, but Nigel's ACT scores were good enough to get him in at a manageable rate. He could never remember wanting to do well in school before, but now it was different. Now, he was entering the world of adults and the pressure of adulthood was beginning to weigh heavily on him. A business major could get a job almost anywhere, but that wasn't really what Nigel wanted in life. It seemed like such a great decision to go to college when he was in high school and Gallagher University was a great school to go to with national accreditation but still he didn't find satisfaction in his soul. Looking back at the decision to go to school, he was afraid that it was more of a "filler" decision than an end goal. Nigel figured himself to always been driven by goals and purposes but he wasn't seeing it here. After all, He had come from a long line of prestige. Many Unos from history past had been among the first explorers, heroes in major wars, and pioneers in innovation.

Wasn't there something else to life? Wasn't he supposed to be meant for something more?

As a child, he always dreamed. He dreamed of saving the world, being a hero, finding the purpose of life that needed someone to carry it to the end. He would give his last breath to the fight…if he only knew what that fight was. The reality was that time was moving rapidly. His so called childhood was nearly over and it wouldn't be long until he was expected to act like an adult and fall in line. He would need to pick a career and stick with it; he would probably end up married with 2.5 children and a minivan. He wanted some of those things, but he couldn't help but feel that his destiny was already picked for him and that thought was something that deeply troubled him. Who said that he had to get a career and enslave himself to the corporate world?
Still, the other choice was plain and simple. It would be far easier to drop out awash in booze and parties and to get some cushy job somewhere just getting enough money for rent and to feed his habits; but that was the coward's way out and Nigel would rather die. In his mind, they were both forms of enslavement but one was creative and the other destructive.

What Nigel found himself wanting was a crusade; a moral and spiritual struggle for enlightenment. He wanted to chase his destiny and struggle to get it. He didn't want anything handed to him and he didn't want to live the life of debasement. Yet, he felt as though he was being required to pursue these interests. They were not his, they were not a fight, and there would be no REAL struggle and therefore no REAL victory. All of his heroes from history had these struggles; they had moments of peril where they had to take a clear stand on the truth.

What was the truth?

"This seat taken?" a voice interrupted his philosophical crisis.

Nigel was afraid to look up, not afraid because he couldn't make conversation but afraid because he might have to. He slowly looked up and peered out over the top of his glossy, black, sunglasses. He saw a smiling African-American girl that seemed to be the same age as he. She was certainly a woman of style, with a royal blue athletic shirt, black shorts, and large gold hoop earrings. Her smile indicated an air of tomboyish nature and cunningness that was very inviting. The only thing that drew more attention than her smile was the rose colored ball cap that crowned her head; a long braided ponytail of jet black hair poking out of the back.

"Be my guest!" Nigel said with a wave of his arm, half sarcastically.

She sat hastily down on the bench and leaned back on the backrest.

"MAN!" She whined, "What did you think of that pop quiz in Hensly's class?"

Nigel silently shrugged, still trying to collect his thoughts.

"I don't know if I'm going to do so well in that class, they say he really picks on us freshmen," she moaned, "and grammar ain't really my strong suit".

Nigel politely smirked at the irony of her language choice.

"I mean," She continued, "I grew up in Louisiana and everybody just talks normal there and I know most of them never took a class like this one. Do you think we could be lab partners? I'm pretty quick to put things together and I know a leader when I see one. You'll probably do great in that class and I want to help!" Her excitement was growing, "Let's work together bud; we'll be a great team! Help me, help you!"

Nigel laughed, "Let me guess, marketing major?"

"Nope!" Her smile got wider and her bright brown eyes lit up in sport, "I'm just trying to get my basics, then boot camp and then I'm applying at Langley. I want to work for the CIA."

Nigel tugged at his red sweatshirt's sleeves. "Really?" he said, trying not to show over-interest.

"Yep!" She laughed, "And you don't have to act like you're not interested! I'm serious! I'm going to excel at Langley and I'm going to go far and so will you Nigel. I can see it! Let ME guess…business major?"

Nigel started laughing too.

"See!" The woman shouted and slapped Nigel's knee. "I told you! You and I, we're going to go far. It's nice to see you smile though, you looked pretty down in class but it wasn't the typical homesick look."

"I'm not homesick," Nigel said, "I was just trying to figure out what I'm doing here."

"You're not enrolled?" she asked with a playful smile.

Nigel rolled his eyes, "No, I'm enrolled but I've no idea why. I heard the pre-class assembly on the great potential and purpose here at Gallagher University, but I don't see it. I find myself wondering why I might spend countless hours and thousands of dollars to learn trivia that I don't care about, so I can get a degree I don't want and try to snag a job I'll hate. I want purpose; I want to be wanted."

"That's not something you go and ask for," She said with a serious look in her eyes, "That's something that comes and asks for you. Don't worry; you're meant for something good and it will come to you in due time, you just need to make sure that you are the type of person that will answer the challenge."

Nigel smiled and let her words sink into his ears, "Thank you, you know, that is probably what I needed to hear."

She got up to leave, "What's your name anyway?"

Nigel mockingly reeled, "You mean you don't know?"
"Nigel Uno"

Nigel really did reel.

The woman laughed again and shook her head, "Oh Nigel, it's written on your books!"

Nigel could feel himself blushing.

The woman straightened her shirt and shot her hand out, "My name is Abigail Lincoln, but you can call me Abby. Keep an eye out for me Nigel; we need to team up on this Hensly stuff. By the sound of your English accent, you're probably already well versed in grammar, so we'll tackle this with no problem!"
She tipped her rose colored ball cap and started walking towards a parking lot. Nigel took his black shades off and rubbed his forehead, his fingers finding their way across his bald head as he thought; perhaps it wouldn't be that bad at this school. He adjusted his red sweater and smoothed out his khaki cargo pants as he considered what had just taken place. Abigail seemed like should would make a good friend; she seemed smart, sensible and level headed. She certainly had determination and devotion and was a breath of fresh air from all of his thoughts.

As Nigel looked out over the sea of people walking about, he noticed some on their phones and some interacting with others. No doubt they were talking about the classes or meeting each other for the first time, the drama that would inevitably arise from these relationships would sprout from the seeds being planted in these very same conversations. These people, who were content to party hard and study light; lost in the labyrinth of a made up reality, and he was terrified of ending up like that.

They were like sheep to him.

He didn't think of that term as derogatory, it was a term to describe the docile and timid nature of these people. These people would live their lives concerned about the basic needs and fret about crisis that they would eventually have, but these needs and crisis would rarely rise to the level of life and death; good and evil. These people relied heavily on those around them to provide for them or make decisions and they were comforted to live in their boxes.

It was the wolf who would see them as vulnerable. The wolf who resided just beyond the shadow was ever watching the sheep and knew their methods thoroughly. He could walk amongst them undetected because of his cunning nature and would attack the weakest among them at their most vulnerable point. They wouldn't be able to fight back; they would certainly perish.

What was Nigel, a sheepdog perhaps? He was constantly sneered at for being the one that was nipping at the heels of the sheep and trying to get them to better themselves, and take control of their lives and he was ever rejected because of it. He felt it, though, to be his moral obligation. He observed what others couldn't…what they wouldn't. They had their microcosms, tech filled realities that they monitored with vigilance while the real world spun on. Nigel would see to it that they could stay in their pastures, constantly griping about the grass on the other side of the fence, but still remain provided for.

…That they might remain free.

Nigel stood up and grabbed his books. Abby had certainly inspired him to make a change in how he approached college. She had recruited him to a whole new level of commitment, why shouldn't he take charge of his environment? Why not make decisions instead of letting the situation dictate what he would do? He wouldn't just study in college but instead he would start looking for that crusade and Gallagher University was the method by which he would start.

There was a way to keep from becoming like that; the answer lied in taking responsibility and having the courage to answer when that dilemma called upon him to serve.

He started rummaging through his cargo pockets to find his cell phone. His combat boots clunked heavily on the sidewalk as he hurried to his new dorm room. He would begin to search for his destiny but he was confident that his destiny was already searching for him.

Suddenly, his phone started ringing, startling him.

It was his girlfriend….Lizzie.

"Hey, Babe!" He said, snapping the phone open.

"Hey, Nigh-gie, watchya doing?" came the whining baby voice reply.

Lizzie Devine was the girl that lived down the street when Nigel was a child. They had grown up together and played together and naturally fell in love. She was a chubby girl with bright red hair and freckles on her face. She could be overbearing at times, but she was always a part of Nigel's life. He could never remember a time where she wasn't present and he certainly couldn't imagine a time where she wouldn't be right by his side.

"I'm walking to my dorm right now, are you out of class?"

"Yeeeesssss," She cooed, "Do you want to spend some time together? I hear there is a get together at the Kappa Nu Delta fraternity tonight for all the new freshmen!"

Nigel couldn't think of anything he'd rather NOT do. If there was one difference between the two of them it was their social tendencies. Nigel would much rather be studying, or researching, or expanding his skills and talents in exercises. The LAST thing he wanted to do was go to a party or a "get together" with a bunch of older kids, or sheep in this case. Lizzie was not that way however, she had always loved the scene, the limelight, and the rush of the crowd. Nigel had accompanied her over the years to these events and would no doubt do so again in the future, but his mind was always on the tasks at hand. He would have much rather to spend his time with a small group of friends and family, but Lizzie had to have the interaction of the crowd in order to get satisfaction out of anything.

"Oh yeah?" he said and then went silent.

"Yeah Nigh-gie, do you want to go?"

More silence…

"Ah…sure lovey….sure thing. Why don't you call me later with some times and I'll come by to pick you up."

"You mean you don't want to hang out until then? Where are you anyway?"

More silence.

"Oh well, I thought I might study for a little bit, they've hit me hard in my advanced classes already".

A new silence.

"Yeah, Nigel, that would be ok. If that is what you really want to do, then we can just do that."

"Thanks Honey, I sure appreciate the…

He heard nothing on the other end of the line.

"Hello...Liz?"

He snapped the phone shut and stuffed it in his pocket.

He looked up at the dorm hall where he was staying. He had a room to his self for the first semester at least and that was comforting to him. There would be more room to work and less distraction. He walked up the stairs and started to his room. There was a myriad of noises and shouts as Nigel walked down the long corridor to his cell. It would have to do for the time being but hopefully he could find someone to rent out a place not too far from the college so that he could get some more peace and quiet. He found his door open and loud music playing. Who could have broken in? Who would be after him and why?
He stuck his head around the corner and found someone leaning over the table. Who was that? What were they doing in there? He jumped in the door with a loud yell and threw his books on the floor. This type of entrance caused the figure at the table to launch out of the chair and throw his Coca-Cola across the room at Nigel, who dodged it easily.

"WHAT IN THE WORLD!" the kid yelled.

Nigel stood silent for a moment and then roared, "Who are you and what are you doing in here?"

"I'm your roomie, you weirdo!" The chubby kid yelled back.

Nigel walked slowly towards the table and sat down in his wingback chair. He didn't take his eyes off of the stranger and the stranger didn't take his eyes off the exit door.

"Oh," Nigel said, "I'm sorry, I thought for sure that I had a room for myself, I wasn't aware that I had a roommate. My name is Nigel Uno."

"I'm not so sure that you do after that little episode!" The stranger whimpered, "I totally nearly wet myself!" Nigel was a little embarrassed; this wasn't the first time he acted without thinking things through and it probably wouldn't be the last.

"The name is Hoagie P. Gilligan Jr." The stranger said with a goofy looking smile and trying to catch his breath. "I came in a little after the classes ended. I was honestly considering not even coming at all. There are so many people here and I don't do well with normal people".

"What do you mean by "normal people"?" Nigel asked cautiously.

"You know," Hoagie whined, "These people you see around who are not really here to go to college or they are here because their parents made them come. The type of people who don't want to learn about what we're being taught. The same people who will end up stuffing me into a locker. That's the normal people".

Relieved at the answer, Nigel walked over and put his stuff on his bed. He didn't think anyone could fit Hoagie in a locker. Hoagie was a stereotypical, stocky, and plain American kid. He was quite chubby, wearing a blue collared shirt and khaki dress pants, and sported a silly grin. He had an old school aviator cap on his head complete with yellow tinged goggles strapped to the top.

"Well, I won't stuff you in a locker, guy, I can promise you that!" Nigel said with a grin.

"Anyway," Hoagie continued, "I came late and so they put me in this room with you."

Nigel was already examining the stuff that Hoagie had brought with him. It was what you might expect a freshman to bring to college, probably more stuff than he needed, stuff that would end up on Nigel's side no doubt. Hoagie also had an unusual amount of airplane models on his desk and some posters on the wall of warplanes from wars long forgotten.

"I see you have affection for flight!" Nigel said, not really knowing what else to say towards Hoagies childlike obsession.

"Are you kidding me?" Hoagie scoffed, "I don't have affection for planes; I LOVE them!"

Nigel didn't say anything

"My grandfather fought in World War II as a fighter pilot and my dad served in the Gulf War as a fighter pilot and if I could join the service, I would be a fighter pilot also!"

Nigel perked up at the thought, "Why can't you join?"

Hoagie slunk down in his desk chair, "I'm too heavy and it's a matter of personal dignity!" He began to straighten back up. "Did you know that the First Lady has initiated a health plan for all of us Americans? A diet, Nigel! Why can't I be fat if I want to be fat? I should be able to live how I want to without having someone, who thinks they are better than I am, telling me what pant size I should be wearing! I wish my value to society would be determined by my mind and my talents and not my gut. Are there not more important things in life, about my life, my personality, my…my destiny even, than my physical weight?"

There was an awkward silence.

"That and I have asthma…automatic disqualification", Hoagie whimpered.

"Well, for what it's worth, I think you're alright the way you are, Hoagie. If you love flying you should pursue it no matter what other people say. You shouldn't let that kind of thing keep you from doing what you love."

Hoagie turned to Nigel with a gleam in his eye, "I never said that it would keep me from flying. I'm already working on my first aircraft as we speak".

Nigel was floored, "Really?"

"Yes," Hoagie said with confidence, "I love inventing things! I love anything related to mechanics! I've built car engines, radios, this computer, a radar system, and plenty of other stuff. My latest and soon to be greatest invention though is my baby! I call her the S.C.A.M.P.E.R."

Nigel was very intrigued as he looked over the designs. What type of person was this? Was he crazy, genius, or a little of both? Was this yet another piece of the puzzle? Was destiny calling for this guy to be a part of the greater picture; the struggle that Nigel felt would be seeking him?

"But," Hoagie disrupted, "You won't be able to see it yet since I still have work to do on it. Besides, my parents would flip if they knew I was spending more time on that than my school work. I'll never get into M.I.T. if I don't do well here."

"M.I.T.?" Nigel asked.

"Yeah," Hoagie said, "I could go right now if I really wanted to, academically speaking, but, you know, leaving home and the distance and all…"

Nigel didn't inquire any further. Besides, it seemed like he found out everything he needed to know. Hoagie passed Nigel a worn out spiral notebook across the table. Nigel looked on the cover to see "2" X 4" Codex" written on the front. He opened it up to see some very interesting measurements, specs, blueprints and design ideas; there was attention to detail like none other.

They were going to get along just fine.