Two bulky, armored aliens escorted her to a cell and left her there. The space was small and close and windowless and Gaz, still roiling with sickness, found herself grateful. She pressed herself against the cold floor and let it soothe the fever from her body. She was very tired. It didn't seem worthwhile to struggle against sleep; she would have to rest and regain her energy before she thought of escaping. Or even contemplated needing to escape. This was where she wanted to be, after all… in the company of aliens with the power to stand up to Irkens.

A smile curled her lips. Gaz pushed her face against her hand and rested, eyes burning slightly once they were closed. She listened to her own soft breathing and tried to fool herself into thinking her brother was near.

Gaz remembered distinctly the day she had realized that Dib was a disappointment to her father.

Membrane had brought his kids to a panel of scientists convening in the next city over. The ride was long but neither child was bored; this meeting had taken place before the schism between the siblings. Gaz bubbled with excitement through the entire trip; Dib had been to one of these gatherings before and had enough seniority to be offhand about it.

Once there Membrane picked each of them up in one arm and walked into the building. It was chilly inside and very quiet. The auditorium booked for Membrane's speech smelled a bit musty and was already full of people. Shuffles and whispers went through the crowd when they saw the scientist and his children.

Two chairs and a podium were set up on the stage. Membrane sat Dib and Gaz next to each other in the chairs and ruffled Dib's hair gently. "Both of you be good," he said. Gaz ducked her head shyly and began to suck on her thumb. Dib stared curiously out at the crowd.

The scientists quieted down as Membrane approached the podium and tapped gently at the microphone, assuring himself it was in working order. Then he began to speak.

The introduction and thanks flowed over both children. Gaz didn't listen but Dib propped up his chin on his hands and watched his father. When Membrane started talking about them he nudged his sister and they both sat up attentively.

"Gaz's development has been a major success," Membrane boomed proudly. "She is intelligent and already shows signs of being able to control the powers she's been given. She is more successful than her brother in her manipulation of them; physical objects respond to her will. They are especially developed in the control of mechanical devices; I've observed her animating the test toys she's been given. Gaz also shows extreme proficiency in hand-eye coordination and dedication to tasks. Dib still surpasses her in spatial intelligence but I feel sure that as she grows she will close the gap."

Dib turned and smiled at his sister brightly. Gaz turned up her lips just a little at him, her eyes sliding back to the crowd. Everyone seemed to be watching her, and their gazes were almost a physical weight. She didn't like it.

Membrane began speaking again after a short pause where an attendant offered him a small glass of water. Gaz and Dib both took their own glasses and then turned their attention back to their father.

"Dib's development, on the other hand, seems to have stalled somewhat," Membrane said. "He does not yet have control over his powers; they seem to come forth erratically, mostly during times of emotional duress. Sometimes they do not even manifest at that point. Dib is highly intelligent; he has been tested in math, science, writing, and reading and his scores are all exceptionally high for a child his age. He is slightly less persistent than his sister, but not significantly so. He is highly sensitive and intuitive to the feelings of others as well. Dib is also unquenchably curious, an asset that his sister lacks."

Dib looked a little uncertain now. He still smiled at his sister but his eyes had dimmed somewhat at hearing his father pass judgment on his development. When Membrane began to speak well of him again he looked a little more cheerful.

Membrane bowed his head a little and took a sip of the water that had been left at the podium. His voice was smooth and calm when he spoke again. "However, there appear to be some problems with Dib. He experiences constant, strong hallucinations, which are visual, auditory, and sometimes even tactile. He attributes these visions to the presence of ghosts, vampires, evil spirits and the like, and he was spreading the fear of these visions to Gaz before the monitor stepped in to quell him."

Gaz looked very quickly at her brother. She remembered very strongly Dib's infectious fear, and what he claimed was there, and didn't care for the memory at all. The boy himself had gone white and looked ashamed, with tears shimmering at the edges of his eyes. He slipped his hand around hers and squeezed a little. She pulled her hand away.

"In light of the fact that these creatures cannot possibly be real, I've concluded that Dib has a mental imbalance," Membrane continued. "I suggest that he be put on medication from schizophrenia as soon as a diagnosis can be confirmed. Other than that he is healthy, energetic, and intelligent. It is unfortunate that a subject as successful as Dib must suffer from this, but with the proper medication the symptoms can be entirely erased and he will be able to resume normal function. I will now take questions on the experiment."

Gaz jumped as someone tapped her on the shoulder, and looked up into the kindly face of an attendant. "This could go on for a while," the young man said. "Would you two like to come and have some food? We ordered pizza and there's soda too."

Gaz didn't need to be asked twice and promptly hopped down from her seat. Dib slid down after her and they both followed the man who had talked to them.

Two hours later, Membrane came out to them wearily. He picked at a slice of cheese pizza as Gaz clambered onto his lap. "Well, the questioning went well," he told them both. "Dib, we'll get you checked up at a psychiatrist, and start you up on the medicine as soon as possible." His eyes crinkled up and he looked suddenly very cheerful. "Hah, they doubted me at first, but when they see these results they'll have to increase my funding!"

Dib looked away awkwardly, turning his glass round and round in his hands. He was mad at his dad for saying mean things about him to so many people and he hated taking medicine. "Dad," he blurted, "do I have to take medicine?" He looked at the older scientist quickly, just a glance. His eyes were pleading. "I don't like it. I don't want to. I won't see things anymore if I don't have to."

Gaz felt her father sit up very straight under her. "Now, son!" the man admonished. "This is nothing to be ashamed of! If the medication will help you, then you will take it."

He held up a finger as Dib opened his mouth to protest. "There are no arguments to be made, son!"

Dib flushed, very slowly, and looked down. Gaz put her thumb in her mouth again and sucked contentedly. Membrane hadn't said anything bad about her. She didn't need medicine.

The hotel room that night was very quiet without Dib's chatter. He sat very quietly by the window instead, looking up and out, and Gaz knew he was thinking crazy things.

Once upon a time she might have gone to sit with him, and asked for stories. But things changed, and the world moved, and she knew that she was the success and he was the defective, no matter what medicine could do.

END OF CHAPTER 10

Meant mostly to explain where the schism between sibs came from. I don't think this justifies Gaz's behavior but maybe it explains it a little.

March 26, 2005