Jessi unlocked the glass door and let Declan and Jackie into the offices.

"I'm sorry," she said. "Tom wants us to keep the doors locked."

"Security is everything to Foss," Declan nodded.

Jackie pointed to the subdued lettering next to the door. "What's Kesdet Consulting?"

Jessi said, "It's Hungarian for 'beginning'. It's the name of the company that Kyle and I started. We are going to use it for this project and some others."

"You've started your own company now," Declan raised an eyebrow.

"Yes, it was Tom's idea," Jessi said. "It will make it easier to deal with other companies."

"So, I heard you needed help building some sort of super computer," Declan said, "What do you want us to do?"

"Come this way," Jessi indicated the direction with her arm. As she walked past the room they had dedicated to the computer equipment, she pointed and said, "Here is where we are going to put the computer system. Stephen and Tom are putting together the racks and installing the power supplies." She continued into the warehouse area where they had tables set up with components on them, in the back of the room near the roll-up door, there was a big pile of boxes. Mark was sitting at one of the tables with computer equipment in front of him and a laptop, Kyle was working on the other with a soldering iron, cabling and some circuit boards.

"I see they've got you doing this too," Mark said to Jackie. "I got double teamed, Lori and Stephen both strongly suggested that it would be good for me to be here."

Jackie pointed at Declan, "I get to spend Saturday with Declan, and I owe Jessi a lot for her help." Jessi smiled in response.

"Jackie, will you help Mark?" Jessi said, "I want to test all the individual blade systems as we unpack them before we try to interconnect them."

"All right," Jackie sat down next to Mark. There was a second laptop there.

"How can I help?" Declan asked.

"Could you help Lori and Nicole?" Jessi pointed at the pile of boxes. Then she sat down next to Kyle and started gathering components in front of her.

Declan went to Lori and repeated the question, "How can I help?"

Lori spread her hands indicating the boxes, "We're the receiving department. The brainiacs are doing all the computer geek stuff. We get to open the boxes, unwrap all the parts, and save all the documentation." She pointed to Nicole. "Mom is checking things off the list."

"Good," Declan smiled, "I didn't think there was going to be anything I could do to help." He turned to Nicole, "Hello Mrs. Trager."

"Hello, Declan, it's good to see you again. I've missed having you around." Declan glanced at Lori who blushed. Nicole continued, "Why don't you start by organizing the empty boxes, they're starting to get in the way here."

At the tables, Kyle looked up from his soldering and told Jackie, "There are sodas and juice in the refrigerator." He pointed in the direction of the break room. He added, "We are going to get some pizzas soon."

Jackie turned to Mark and asked, "What are we doing?"

"We are testing the blade systems. There is a protocol that we need to run on each of them." He pointed to a listing on the table. "What they are doing," he said indicating Kyle and Jessi, "I only have the vaguest idea. I didn't think assembling a computer system involved soldering."

Kyle looked up, "Jessi has designed some special interconnection hardware to allow the individual systems to interact better as a unit. We have to build that part ourselves."

Jackie looked at Mark and raised an eyebrow. He shrugged, "Yeah, that's my major and I can't figure it out, either. Jessi tried to explain it to me." Jessi looked at him and smiled, "but so far I'm having trouble." He pointed at the board in front of him interfaced to the laptop. "At least I can understand this. We could be stuck opening the boxes."

In the 'computer room', Tom Foss was assembling the rack system hardware and Stephen was adding the power supplies, plugging them in and turning them on to test them as he did.

Foss asked, "You're a computer science professor, do you know what this is all for?"

Stephen said, "I know they're building a computer system to model an invention they are working on. When you consider what they are capable of working out in their heads it must be a very big model. Jessi has invented an interconnection mechanism which will streamline the multi-processing. From what I can understand of her design, it's groundbreaking. It's actually pretty exciting to work on it."

"I should have known better than to ask," Foss said. "So, it's a really powerful computer.'

Stephen laughed, "Yes, for modeling it will be one of the most powerful systems in the world. I keep thinking I'm getting used to what they can do and then they turn around and casually do something that no one else has ever done." Stephen paused to turn on another power supply and see that it came up properly. "You worked with Adam for years. Was he like this? We only met him once and he was in poor health. He seemed bright, thoughtful, comforting. We were really worried about Kyle and he came and it just seemed everything was going to be all right."

Foss tightened another bolt then looked at Stephen, "Kyle is a lot like Adam. They both have a kind and generous soul, and a type of innocence. You can tell that Kyle is a lot smarter, he does things faster than Adam did."

"So this is how life has been for you?" Stephen gestured expansively taking in the project.

"Jessi makes a big difference," Foss said. "Adam was thoughtful. He would consider things a long time before acting. Jessi pushes Kyle and challenges him. She's more decisive and wants to make things happen. Things move faster."

"They do seem determined to change the world," Stephen nodded. "It's interesting to be part of the adventure."

"I think they will," Foss said, "as long as we can keep them safe."

Stephen gave him a hard look, "Is Latnok still a danger?"

"Some of the Latnok people are dangerous," Foss said. "Some are helpful. They are taking care of the dangerous ones. It's my job to watch their back while they do."

"It bothers me to have to rely on you to protect my family," Stephen frowned. "I feel like it should be my job. But you're the professional and I'm a college professor. I have to admit that you can do a better job."

"You can relax," Foss assured him. "I'm keeping watch on your family."

"All right," Stephen reluctantly said. He paused for a moment then said, "But if you hear that trouble is coming I want to know. Don't leave me in the dark."

"I'll let you know if anything comes up," Foss promised. "And I'll give you and the members of your family a number I can be reached at, in case of emergency."

A shout came from the other room, "The pizza is here."

Stephen looked at Foss and smiled, "Let's go get some before the kids eat it all." As they were leaving the room he quietly added, "Thank you."