Chapter 26.
The Date.
Jeremy looked at his clock on the wall. It read 5:00. He was supposed to meet Aelita at 6:30 outside the movie theater for their date. He slowly got up and decided it was time for him to pick out what he would wear to the date. This was his official first date: it was the first time he ever went out with a girl by himself. He was extremely nervous. He was worried he would screw up and Aelita would not want anything to do with him. But he was going out with Aelita. And every time he would mess up with something she would always correct him. So at least he knew he might do well tonight.
Jeremy Opened his chest draw , He pulled out a towel and his usual bathing stuff. He opened his closet door as he looked at what he would wear tonight. About the time he opened his closet door. He heard a knock at his door.
Jeremy walked over and opened it in time to see Ulrich and Odd standing with a small smirk. Jeremy noticed Odd was holding a small bag as the two boys walked inside his room.
"So how's the preparing going?" Odd asked.
"Just getting ready to go hop in the shower." Jeremy said. As he turned around Odd tossed something at him, Jeremy caught it.
"Try that stuff on." Ulrich said.
Jeremy looked down at the object he was just given. It was a shampoo bottle. It read Axe Degree. On it. It was a red substance in a black bottle.
"Yumi loves that stuff so maybe you should wear that instead of the usual shampoo you wear. After all Aelita will be smelling nice to you know." Odd said as he laid the bag down on Jeremy's bed.
Ulrich looked at the clothes Jeremy had picked out. They where almost the same clothes he wore every day. It was the same blue shirt with the same khaki pants. Ulrich rolled his eyes, it was worse then the time he discovered Jeremy still wore briefs.
"Jer hang on a second, this is a special occasion. You don't want to look like your going to class. You got to look good." Ulrich said. Ulrich rummaged through Jeremy's closet as he looked for something for Jeremy to wear on his date. Jeremy was a little upset about it.
"hey wait. What are you guys doing?" Jeremy said.
"Its called man code Jeremy. This is your first real date, and we want you to look great so were going to help prep you. And all." Odd said as he pulled a small bottle of colonel out of his bag.
"But guys I know what to do really?" Jeremy said in protest. Ulrich turned around and looked Jeremy square in the eye.
"What's the one mistake guys make on their first date then." Ulrich asked Jeremy.
"Um…..uh…it wouldn't be a kiss would it?" Jeremy said.
"No…its thinking they know everything." Odd said.
"Where did you get your facts then?" Jeremy asked.
"Magazines and personal experiences." Ulrich said.
"Ok this looks great." Ulrich said as he pulled out a pair of black dress paints. It was a a dark color Jeremy wore once to a class dance. Ulrich then pulled out a pair a dark blue button up shirt.
"what is that?" Odd asked.
"Its my dress clothes. Their for like special occasions and church and all." Jeremy said
"I think that would do great wouldn't it Odd?" Ulrich asked. Odd gave a thumbs up for it.. Ok then now all you need to do is take a shower, use the axe and your all set bro." Odd said. Jeremy took the clothes and the towel and walked towards the shower area. Ulrich and odd sat in his room as they discussed what their plans where for Jeremy.
"We really don't need to tell him much you know. I mean he knows what he's doing. It is Aelita after all, I mean the way they act its like their dating already." Odd said.
"I think they may go alright. Aelita I think knows what to do, Jeremy however might need a little coaxing to get him to do anything." Ulrich said
"How do you know Aelita will know what to do?" Odd asked.
Ulrich stood up as he grabbed a piece of gum from his pocket. "I think its being taken care of." Ulrich said with a smirk.
Aelita sat in her room with her bathrobe on. It was a pink fuzzy robe with a red A on the left side of her chest. She sat on the her bed drying her hair. As she listened to her two apparent…coaches.
"When you meet Jeremy. Tell him he looks nice. Um.. Don't make him nervous: let him know that you're not testing him, your just trying to share a fun night. Just let the conversation drift to something you'll agree on, not just stuff about your relationship. Its your first date, Make it to have fun, not discussing the two of you." Yumi said as she sat in the chair next to Aelita.
"And don't kiss on the first date." Sissi added as she picked out Aelita a pinkish red shirt to go with her maroon jacket and skirt. "A lot of fashion magazines say that kissing on the first date is generally a bad idea." Sissi said as she handed Aelita her underwear.
Aelita stood up as Yumi and Sissi turned around to give her some privacy.
"Were just going to get some food and then to a movie and the arcade. I don't think its as romantic as your saying." Aelita said.
"And it did take me and Ulrich our 3rd date to get the feeling. But still. 1st date is just as friends. 2and date is for getting closer. 3rd is for actually making it official." Yumi said.
"And never just talk about something dull such as religion or hobbies, or a show. People on dates find that a bit of a turn off. Talk about you know. Things you feel comfortable talking about." Sissi said as Aelita finished getting dress. "Here try this on." Sissi said as she handed Aelita some perfume. Aelita sat down at her desk and pulled out a mirror and her makeup kit. Sissi saw what Aelita was using and sighed a little.
"What?" Aelita asked.
"Good thing I came prepared." Sissi said as she brought over what looked like a small trunk. She opened it up and showed Aelita a large selection make up and eye liner. "This is a girls 2nd best friend. 2nd to diamonds." Sissi said.
She sat down next to her as Yumi watched. "'Yumi don't you think maybe some crimson red lipstick would go well with her pink hair?" Sissi asked.
"Actually maybe a little darker. So it matches her shirt as well." Yumi said. Sissi agreed. Sissi gave Aelita the lipstick.
"You know you shouldn't dye your hair that color." Sissi said.
"What?" Aelita asked.
"Your hair. Pink isn't a natural color." Sissi said.
"Aelita's hair has always been like that." Yumi said.
"Yeah I was born like this" Aelita said.
"Really? that's wired. But at the same time kind of cool" Sissi said Aelita smiled a little as Sissi picked her out some eye liner. "Hey Sissi. I kind of want to keep that a secret. Its kind of personal you know." Aelita said. Yumi stared at Sissi as she wondered how she would take it.
"Sure. I understand. Your secrets fine with me." Sissi said as she picked out some nail polish for Aelita. "Honestly now that I look at it. It is definitely unique and it really fits your personality." Sissi said as she sat down next to Aelita and began to add the nail polish to her fingers. "Did your parents ever wonder about it?" Sissi asked.
Their was another brief pause in the room as Aelita eyed Yumi a little. Sissi looked up and saw the distress on Aelita's face. Slowly she started to piece it together.
"You mean?" Sissi stuttered as she looked back and forth between the girls. "Their not dead are they?" Sissi asked.
"I…I don't know. Its not really a subject I want to talk about." Aelita said. Sweat began to seep out of Yumi's Hair, she was worried Sissi might go back to her old ways and begin to snoop around to much.
'I'm sorry I shouldn't of asked. My mother died when I was young to. So I know how difficult it is to talk about it." Sissi said.
"How did she die?" Yumi asked as she wiped the sweat from her brow.
"She was in a car accident. It was snowing and the roads where bad." Sissi said as she finished up Aelita's finger nails.
"Wow. I never knew Sissi" Aelita said. A short silence befell the room as the 3 girls wondered what should have been said next.
Yumi finally broke her silence as she looked towards Sissi. "If she can be nice to us. Why not be nice to her"
"Hey Sissi. Ulrich, Odd and myself are going back to hang at my house. Would you want to come along?" Yumi asked.
Sissi paused for a minute, She slowly looked towards Yumi. She had wanted to hang with them ever since she started jr high. Ever since Ulrich left her for them.
"Sure. Il go hand out with you guys." Sissi said as Aelita got up to put her panty hose on. She then put on her small black socks and grabbed a white box out of her box. On the box was in cursive hand writing. "Son-Neko's" She reached in the box and pulled out some well polished black high heels. She put them on and grabbed her purse and walked to the mirror on her door.
"So. How do I look?" Aelita asked.
"Jeremy is one lucky boy to date you tonight." Yumi said as she smiled. Sissi put her hands on her hips as she nodded in agreeance.
"What time you guys meeting?" Sissi asked.
"About 6:30" Aelita said as she sat on the bed. She picked up Mister Puck and placed him on the bed. She sat with her back to the wall as she looked towards the others. "So this is it huh?" She asked.
"Yup. Your first date. You grow up so fast." Yumi joked as she pinched her cheek. Aelita batted her hand out of the way as she slapped Yumi's shoulder.
"Just remember what we said and you will do fine." Sissi said. "After all you have known Jeremy for this long, I'm sure he will know what areas to go in and what to stay out of." Sissi said. "You know, you should get your ears pierced." Sissi added as she looked towards Aelita.
Aelita covered her ears a little at the news. "My ears? I don't like piercing. They look ugly." Aelita said.
"I've been thinking I might get my belly button pierced." Yumi said as she lifted up her shirt a little and looked at it.
"No no no. Trashy women get the Naval peiced Yumi. And its always the same. Some stupid little do dad or what not. No, your more of a ear ring girl Yumi, or….if you DID get the right ring, you could get your belly button pierced. It really depends on what you get." Sissi added.
"Well I want none of that. None at all. If god had wanted people to have metal on their bodies, he would of made us robots. I'm just not into the whole pain thing." Aelita added.
Xervix sat on his thrown in the Volcano sector. He sat their as if he was meditating. He was planning his next move, he was very distraught at what had happened in the Cave sector. His Titans had failed him. But one thing did succeed, the Air Spider on Yumi. It gave him what he needed to put his plan into motion.
Xervix looked up as the 3 Scyphozoa's, Aether and Tartarus approached him. Tartarus kneeled down as Aether looked up with a smirk on his face.
"Apologies lord Xervix….we failed to acquire the first piece of the cartographer." Tartarus spoke.
"Next time we will be ready for those arrogant bio masses." Xervix said as 3 large glass like domes incased the scyphozoan's. a gel like fluid filled their tube as their digital code suddenly exploded. However there bodies didn't disappear like what usually happens when a monster dies. Instead, a small glowing orb left their bodies, as the remains of the Scyphozoa's begin to glow and shift into a new shape.
"What's the point anyways. Lets just invade their world and kill the dam girl." Aether said.
"Because we need the system you worthless sack of garbage." Xervix said.
"System System. We can annihilate their world. All we need is to…"
Aether was unable to finish as Xervix grabbed his face and slammed it into the tube. Aether screamed in fear as Xervix squeezed Aether's face. Aether's face bulged a little in where Xervix squeezed.
"Rule 1. NEVER QUESTION MY AUTHORITY!" Xervix yelled as he threw Aether across the room. Xervix walked up and slammed his foot on the back of Aether.
"Why go to so much for such a small insect?" Aether screamed in pain. Xervix pushed his foot down harder on Aether's back
"Rule 2. Disobey me. And I will delete you." Xervix said as he stepped off Aether's back. Xervix made his way to his thrown as Aether stood up, angry and pissed.
"Don't you turn your back on me!" Aether yelled as he fired a laser beam out of his mouth. Xervix turned in time to see Tartarus block the shot with his sword and charge after Aether. He sliced his sword at Aether's arm. It fell to the ground as Aether yelled in pain.
"Rule 3. I am God" Xervix said as he sat on his thrown. Aether picked up the arm and slid it back into his socket.
"There is a issue Tartarus. Something outside is attempting to make contact with the computer. It will establish a connection in a few hours. Go to the forest sector and cut it off." Xervix said. Tartarus disappeared in a puff of black smoke.
Aether looked up and saw that Xervix was alone. "Think its smart to leave yourself alone with me?" Aether asked.
Xervix looked at Aether as he smiled. "But were not alone my little freak" Xervix pointed as Aether turned around to see a large mass standing right behind him. It was huge. It was at least 11 feet tall and had a gold helmet on its head. Chains where wrapped around its chest. As its chest was covered in a gold plate with muscles carved into it.
"We aint gonna have any problems around here are we mate?" the monster said.
"Aether…meet your new brother in arms…Atlas" Xervix said as 2 other monsters approached from behind Atlas.
Jeremy Put on the Khaki Jacket, he sat down to put on his socks and dress shoes. He stood up and looked at himself in the mirror. He actually looked pretty snazzy he thought in the back of his mind. He turned to Ulrich and Odd who had a wide grin of approval on their face's.
"Well, you definitely look like you belong on a date with a pretty thing like Aelita." Odd said. Jeremy walked to the door as he paced a little.
"Ok just remember, act natural and no kissing on the first date Jer, its considered a curse to do so don't attempt it." Ulrich said as he fixed Jeremy's collar. Ulrich noticed the shade of green Jeremy was turning.
"You sick?" Odd asked.
"Uh…no I uh….have a date with Aelita." Jeremy said.
"Huh?" Ulrich asked.
"I have a date with…Ae…Aelita." Jeremy said. Jeremy slowly sat down on his bed and breathed in deep.
"Wait. Your not having a panic attack are you?" Odd asked.
"I think I am." Jeremy said as he grabbed a bottle of water from his draw.
"Hey relax. You'll do fine Jer really." Ulrich said.
"I cant breath" Jeremy said as he breathed deeper.
"What? You cant what?" Odd asked.
"I cant breath guys. I really cant breath!" Jeremy said.
"Ulrich sat down on the bed next to him and patted him on the back, trying to get him to calm down.
"Jer, Jer Jeremy! Listen to me" As Odd grabbed Jeremy's attention. "Just mellow out ok. Just calm down…Calm…down" Odd said as Jeremy slowly calmed down.
"I wonder if Yumi and the girls are having the same issue." Ulrich said out loud.
Aelita was In the rest room in one of the stalls, She was suffering from a upset stomach. Yumi and Sissi stood next to her as she groaned and moaned from the pains in her stomach. She finally stood up and stepped out of the stall.
"Feel better?" Sissi asked
"Yeah just some bad acid indigestion." Aelita said as she drank a bottle of tea Yumi handed her.
"I wonder if Ulrich and the boys are having this same issue?"
Delaware Airpark Airport
Travis boarded the Boeing 747. Jessica sat in the seat next to the window while George packed all the luggage into the over head . Jessica was working on her laptop as she was looking over the info they had, She was looking for any possible clue towards what it was they may have been after in Amines.
"Man how did we get drafted into flying to France?" George asked.
"Well, we didn't really have much of a choice, you heard Director Muller. Since we had the most experience on the case, we would search for any leads in France, All we need is to hook up with the DGSE agent. Mister Jinee Dupree." Travis said as he sat in his seat.
George sat down in his seat and shut off his cell phone, He looked over to see Jessica fidgeting and shaking in her seat a little. She was looking around the cabin to see what kind of people where on board.
"What's wrong with you?" George asked.
Jessica franticly looked at George as her hands shook. "Yeah…Yeah im..Im just. Fine is all…I hate to fly." Jessica said.
George motioned for a stewardess. George asked the women to bring him a soda and some alcohol. He wrapped his arm around Jessica as he tried to reassure her.
"Flying can be a rough thing but its not all that bad, the worse is the hours it takes to get from A to B. It starts out rough but its smooth sailing. After all, a great man once said that it's the safest way to travel." George said.
"If your talking Superman then your such a dork." Jessica said as the stewardess handed her the glass of alcohol.
"Well. Superman was great after all wasn't he?" George asked. George reached into his pocket and pulled out his D.S and a few games. "Want to play some Nintendo? I got Mario, Star fox, Kingdom Hearts, Advance wars?" George asked.
"Well while you two are busy saving Princess Peach and Krystal, I'm going to catch me some sleep" Travis said. "Let me know when either we land in France or you guys run out of battery's." Travis said.
George leaned over to Jessica as the game powered up. "He must have been a SEGA fan." George said as Jessica laughed.
As the plane took of from the tarmac, Travis slowly replayed the events that ended with them heading to France.
Travis, George and Jessica sat in the hotel room. They had just gathered up the evidence from the entire journal and where prepared to call in their report on the entire case. They pilled up photos and notebooks on all their evidence. George was hooking up the laptop with the webcam and a microphone so that the meeting could be both easily heard and easily managed.
"Ok we go live in about 10 minutes, if you got to go potty go now." George said.
"So what are we going to tell them? All we have is a journal and a story. What the Director will argue is that we will need to either have actual evidence or the man himself. Which if his journal is right he is dead." Travis said.
"Well all we need is either Aelita or Antea to verify what Waldo was saying is true. Or we need someone who has proof that what has happened is infact true." Jessica said. "I think my CIA superiors are going to tell me to either stay with you or tell me my work in this part is done."
George set up the connection to the FBI office in Washington, after a few minutes the image on the laptop revealed a long conference table with several men and women in dress clothing. At the end of the table was the Director of both the C.I.A. The Director of the FBI and the secretary of Defense: Robert Gates.
The Director of the C.I.A. was named Leon Panetta. He was a sought chubby fellow who wore eyeglass's. His face was a mess with wrinkles and grey hair. The Director of the FBI was still Robert Mueller. He was already aware of what his team had found on the Schaeffer case.
"Good after noon Gentlemen. This is the 4th of May and this is a conference call from Washington D.C. to Newark Delaware. On hand are Directors of both the CIA and FBI and Myself the Secretary of Defense and agents Travis Dalesman, Agent George Knight of the FBI and CIA analyst Jessica Hillsabeck." The secretary of defense spoke into the mic to make sure the other line could hear his voice well enough and that the recording device was in fact working.
"Ok Mr. Dalesman. Please inform us of what you have found." The secretary of Defense said.
"Thank you and good after noon to you all." Travis said as he stood up and paced around the room. "We have found a possible link in the destruction of the labs under Mal-Tech Industries, The disappearance of Waldo Schaeffer and the possible recent outbreak of a new computer super virus and the attempted murder of myself, agent Knight and Analyst Hillsabeck." Travis said as George flipped open a file on the laptop for the members of the board to see on the other side.
"We have found a Journal, or a briefcase with a number of C.D.s that point to the possibilities of Mal-Tech Industries attempt to gain a weapon of mass destruction for use against the government and many other countries around the world. All streaming form the Vorseas Project in 1972. To which Waldo Schaeffer was working on the project, Also from the effects of Project Carthage in 1992 which Waldo and his Wife Antea both worked on as well. In the Journal found, It points to the discovery of some type of….Otherworldly power source which Waldo refers to the System. And how he discovered the so called Avatar who is supposed to be able to wield an control its power, Although where not sure how that works.."
The Secretary of Defense removed his Eyeglass's as he looked into the computer monitor. He couldn't believe what he had just heard, it sounded like a old sci fi movie or something along that line.
"So is this legit or is this a load of Bull shit. Because to me, it sounds like its off one of my kids cartoon shows. We all know the Vorseas project's findings are held in Nevada. And Project Carthage was a program by the French and Americans to create a program to shut down an enemies communication methods." The Secretary said.
"That's not true. Sir." George said as he stood up. "we have found evidence that Mal-Tech changed the initial project issue to a new project that was meant to control the Findings of Project Voreseas. Waldo learned of this and fled with his family where he entered the witness protection program….the rest as they say is history." George said.
The room was quiet. Even though it seemed as if the whole story was out of this world, it almost made sense.
"What proof do you have other than this incredible story?" The secretary said.
"We have the journal and the attack on us…Plus the unknown phone call from Amines France. Which is just outside of France. I believe our next clue maybe in Amines. Its also possible Waldo And his family maybe their." Jessica said.
"So what your asking is to continue the investigation in France right?" The Secretary said.
"I know that sounds like it's a little more far fetched then normal but its really the only lead we have at the moment. I Believe a possible answer to the whole story lies with Amines France. Its are only shot to figure this out." Travis said. "We know After Antea's Disappearance Waldo Fled the Country…It maybe Possible he is hiding out in France."
The secretary Fiddled with a notebook as he leaned over and spoke to both of the directors. They mumbled quietly until they reached a decision.
"Very well. Once you reach Amines where will you go from their?" The Director asked.
"Well we did find on one of the C.D.'s that point to a possible lead. A broacher to a local Academy in Amines….A Kadic Academy." George said.
The Secretary looked long and hard into the camera. As he made his decision.
"Ok. We will Send all 3 agents to France. This will become a joint operation with the FBI and CIA. We will also contact the French government to get them to loan us one of their agents to assist in the investigation." The Secretary said. "You leave tomorrow understand?" The Secretary said.. All 3 nodded.
The sound of a video game making noises snapped Travis back into reality. He looked over to see Jessica out cold and George playing his DS. Travis looked down the isle as he noticed most of the lights where off in the cabin. Travis leaned back and fell asleep…But he didn't sleep long until the plane landed in France…
"Ok how do I look?" Aelita asked. As she spun around in a circle for the others to see.
"Looks good Aelita." Yumi said as she smiled and gave the thumbs up, Sissi smiled wide as well.
"Ok well….Here we go." Aelita said as she stepped outside the door and walked down the hallway to the door. She was having trouble walking in her high heels. But she got the hang of it soon.
Jeremy sat outside next to Ulrich and Odd. He was nervously twiddling his thumbs. That's when he heard the door to the school open. He looked over in time to see Aelita Wearing a bright red dress. Jeremy stared at Aelita.
"Wow" He murmured to himself.
"Wow." Aelita murmured to herself.
"Well you guys have fun! We'll see you later." Yumi as said as she lead Sissi, Ulrich and Odd off to her house. Leaving Aelita and Jeremy alone in the warm night air.
"Well…Want to go? I got those reservations at that restaurant you always wanted to try." Jeremy said.
"Really? Great lets go." Aelita smiled as she lead Jeremy off towards the city…