Chapter 22 A Night To Remember

Max

April 22, 2014

6:32 PM

Portland, Oregon

Road to Chrysalis Plaza

To the Top - Twin Shadow

We hopped inside Crosby's limousine parked outside the hotel and we were off to the night of our lives. The two of us sat inside the backseat of the cozy limo with Crosby and we were ready to begin our departure to the Quantic Solutions expo at Chrysalis Headquarters. The limo drove off into the night and across the busy streets of Portland. Taking us to our festival of bravado.

Chrysalis Plaza was in the downtown district of Portland where we were being taken to our destination. The ride over to Chrysalis was a beautiful one. A promenade of prestige. Street lights, car lights, and ads illuminating the city that never sleeps in Oregon. Just like our trip to Seattle. Chloe and I were officially the VIP of this expo. Crosby had made us the guest of honor for this event and we were eternally honored to be so.

On the ride over to Chrysalis, I got a text from Rachel. Notifying us some more info about when we get to the tower and begin the mission.

Rachel: Max, gave Warren some Union IDs for u and Chloe to carry with you on the mission. You'll need them to access certain areas of the building. Make sure you get them from him when you get there.

Max: We will. Thank u Rachel.

Rachel: Ur Welcome Max.

I had to remember, we still had a mission to commission. Though I may rather enjoy myself at the expo instead, but the mission stood. Though David suggested to his step-daughter and I that we'd call it off and let Rachel handle it on her own, our plan stands. We'd be lucky if it doesn't turn out to be another shamble like the Blackwell shooting. Nor the Prescott and Cold Steel jobs Chloe and Rachel persisted on doing for me. I had my doubts it wouldn't, but I had to move forward regardless what occurs. No question questioned.

We were almost at our destination and we could see searchlights shining into the dark sky through the car windows. We knew for a fact the it was definitely the Chrysalis tower being lit up. As we could clearly see the tower itself through the other buildings in the city. When we arrive at our destination, that was were the fun began.

The limousine stops and parks at the front of the Chrysalis tower where we see a big crowd of people lined up on the stairs awaiting for their turn to enter. The limo parks us by the VIP line in between the regular guest line. Chloe, Crosby, and I step out of the vehicle to be the only three people in the VIP line and begin walking between the crowds.

I overlook the big Chrysalis tower illuminated with search lights and the Chrysalis logo built on top and lighting up like Christmas lights. We could hear voices in the crowd speaking about us. Some people seem to recognize Chloe and I when we walk up the stairs. They probably recognized our faces from being famous in the media covering my case in Arcadia Bay. Wouldn't be surprised if someone said in the crowd said "Are those the two who kissed on TV?". And someone did. Now that's how you respect a gay couple who infamously won a quantum crisis case in court. By praising them for making out on camera. I'm shaking my head around.

Eventually, we're up on the steps in front of the line and a bouncer lets us through. Opening the door for us and telling us to enjoy our evening. Then we're finally indoors. Ready to have the night of our lives to us and to all. When we enter the building, there are already lots of guest crowding the lobby of the building where we see a bunch of exhibits occupied by guests in dresses and tuxes and scientist presenting their work. The lobby as a whole is packed with experimental exhibits, decorative plants and fountains, and electronic advertisements. This part of the building was as glorious as I remembered when Crosby first gave me a tour of the place.

"Young ladies, I give you the Quantic Solutions Expo," said Crosby. "You will never find the more richer hive of quantum entanglement. The event where you'll come across all of our top scientist inventions of time and space control. Prepare yourselves to be amazed."

"Wowser, Mr. Crosby," I said. "I don't know how you do it, but this all can't be cereal. If you know what I mean."

"I'm always cereal, Max," replied Crosby. "I know what you mean."

"Tell me about it, Crosby," said Chloe. "Your people must've spent a million dollar fortune trying to put this all together."

"More like a trillion dollar," corrected Crosby. "Anyway, I'll be up there on that podium up front unveiling Project Elysium in another half hour or two. So make yourselves comfortable and enjoy your evening you two. Have fun."

"Thanks Crosby," I say. "We really appreciate it."

And so Crosby walked off and left us to enjoy our night together. We walked by and observed a few of the exhibits set on display. One of the exhibits for instanced had a rewind glove powered by chronon fuel. The glove was incased in a glass container with a hole to fit a hand through and gave someone the ability to rewind time the way I do. When using the glove, the person was able to manipulate a soda can or any other object from being crushed or broken by rewinding time to fix itself. Another exhibit we'd seen was a machine that could freeze and object in time. The machine could bounce a small object in the air and freeze frame it in mid air via time bubble. Similar to how I could freeze objects and living things in time bubbles. You get the idea.

"Max, Chloe, come in. Testing, testing," said a voice on our com ear pieces.

"Hi honey, how was your day?" asked Chloe on her com device.

"Alright good. You two can hear me loud and clear."

"Yes we can, Rachel," I say on my com. "We can hear you loud and clear."

"Good. Frank and I were just getting a grand stand view of the place up on the across from you two. I could even see the two of you walking up that staircase with the red carpet all rolled out for you guys and you didn't invite me."

"If you wanted to be the star of the show, Rachel, you could've asked," said Chloe.

"Don't be ridiculous, ladies," said Frank on the coms. "Those lines down there are packed as fuck. There won't be no red carpet for Ms. LA-Star-Wannabe."

"I hope you two have more to talk about than jealousy," I said. "Get on with it if you do."

"Okay gals," said Rachel. "I've managed to uplink the security feed with my laptop to guide you through the compound. Frank will be watching your ass via security cameras on the computer screen. Do you have those IDs I gave Warren yet?"

"Not yet, Rachel," I reply. "But we'll have them when we see."

"Okay, then. When you get the IDs. You're gonna need them to access certain places in the building. They'll ID you two as union inspectors. Once you get them, you'll need to go up on the thirty-fifth floor where the server room is located. They'll be a small adjoining room up there were you can use the spider drone."

"And what would we be using the spider drone for?" I ask.

"Your gonna need access to the server room where it appears it'll take you to a room called the time broker. The time broker can give you intel on Project Elysium that you'll need to understand how it once caused a time fracture. Then you can go in there and retrieve the ESR that's used to power that project to stop the fracture. By the way folks, Warren's drone has a name. He calls her Ziggy."

"Ziggy? As in Ziggy from Lazy Town?" asked Chloe.

"Does it matter, Chloe? Another thing, I made sure I gave David a com link too so he can check on the two of you. Warren should have one as well. Good luck in there. Just stay cool and we'll get you through this."

"Understood, Rachel," I said. "This ought to be a night to remember. Max out."

"Max, Chloe, over here!" shouted a voice in the crowd.

It was David and Joyce having already arrived at the expo standing in a group next to one of the exhibits. Our next move was to respond to the two adults and say hi to them.

"How lovely to see you two here," said David. "Joyce and I were worried you wouldn't make it in time."

"Is that a joke, David?" asked Chloe. "Or did Mom come up with that one?"

The two of them chuckled.

"No, Chloe," said Joyce. "We're just wondering where you two have been since this party started is all. How are you two holding up anyway?"

"We're okay, Joyce," I said. "Chloe and I are going to have a walk around and have the night of our lives together."

"Well then, you two enjoy your night while you still can," said David. "Joyce and I will be right here if you need us."

"Thanks, David," said Chloe. "We'll be taking off now. Later."

After we left and walked off away from Chloe's parents, they watched us leave and walk into the crowds. When we were out of a site, a young woman in a dress sneaked up behind David and gave him a pat on the back.

"Hands in the air," the woman said from behind.

The voice almost startled the two. David turned around with Joyce to see Kristine Prescott standing in front of them. Giving them a surprise guest appearance by the older sibling of the late Nathan Prescott.

"Hi, David," said Kristine with a chirpy voice.

"Hello, Kristine," said David with a smirk. "Pleasure to see you again."

"Only this time, I've got the drop on you," she said.

"Well I should be glad that's not a real gun," said David. "Hardly recognized you out of your fatigues."

"Yeah, you know how it is," said Kristine. "And please, call me Kris if you like. Every once in a while a job requires us to get all...dulled up. You and your wife are looking sharp by the way."

"Not too bad yourself," said David.

"Hold on, your one of the Prescotts from Arcadia Bay aren't you," said Joyce. "It's Kristine, right? Or Kris you said for short? I don't believe we've seen each other since the funeral. Your little brother's funeral. Once again, my condolences."

"Much appreciated, Joyce," replied Kris. "I've been offered condolences to the loss of my brother for the past six months now."

"So what brings a Prescott over to this expo anyways?" asked Joyce.

"My family founded this corporation," answered Kris. "Of course a Prescott would be here."

"Didn't you have someone named Adrian back home?" asked David. "It was your mother right? Where's she?"

"She's at home still going through the whole situation with my Dad and his work with Neo-Chrysalis that he got arrested for. You wouldn't even want to know how that's been like for me and her. As if loosing my brother wasn't hard enough for us already."

"I can't imagine what you've been going through," said Joyce. "I'm sorry to hear all that."

"Don't be. My Dad was never the greatest father anyways. I was never close to him. I was more close to Nathan before his death. Always looked up to him to do better things than my father ever did. You bet on that."

"I'll be honest with you, Kris," said David. "I don't mean to insult you, but your father never really made that very many friends in Arcadia with his political methods. His politics always got the worst of him. Even the worst of your family. No offense."

"None taken," replied Kris. "I'm telling ya, David. Things were no different when I worked for Peace Corps. Even now as I'm working as O'Donohue's new secretary, like I worked as my Dad's, I'm still getting screwed over. New management, same crap. I was just on my way to the bar. Can I get you two anything?"

"Sure," replied David. "Two glasses of scotch for my wife and I. On the rocks."

"I'll be right back," said Kris, taking off with a wink and a finger snap.

When Chloe and I walk through the crowd, we actually see Warren, Kate, Brooke, Victoria, and all the other Blackwell kids gathered around by the buffet table with Principle Wells. Everyone on the bus who had their permission slips signed made it to the field trip and it turns out just about everyone we know in Blackwell was now in the house. They were all gathered around wearing their tuxes and dresses like it was prom night. Warren had turned around from the table with his tux on caught us approaching the other students.

"Max, Chloe, you're here!" shouted Warren. "Everyone, Max is here!"

Before we knew it, the whole Blackwell crowd witnessed our presence and said hi to us. I gave some of my closest friends a big hug and a kiss on the cheek for coming here. Kate gives me a warm smile and hug for coming here. Victoria does the same. Pretty much everyone else does the same.

"Max, I'm so glad you can come," said Kate. "You look amazing."

"Nice to see you, Max," said Victoria. "Looking sharp."

"Speak for yourselves, ladies," I say. "We're all looking fascinating this evening. If you'll excuse, we need to speak with Warren."

Everyone leaves us to talk to Warren.

"Well am I glad see you two show up," said Warren. "This night sure is gonna be excellent."

"Don't forget why we came here, Warren," said Chloe. "You got those IDs for you know what?"

"Huh? Oh, right. Those IDs. Here they are."

Warren reached for his pocket inside his tux and handed over ID cards to us that we could wrap over our necks.

"Take them. Rachel says they'll get you past security or what not."

"Thanks, Warren," I say. "You also got your earpiece with you?"

"I do," he answers. "It's in here. In my ear. So I can hear. No pun intended. It's just a nursery rhyme."

"It's okay, Warren," I say. "We'll be going now. Wish us luck."

Note: Now that wasn't so bad of a chapter now was it? Needless to say, the next couple of chapters involving the heist make take some references for Uncharted 4 and COD Black Ops II. If you've played either one of those, you'll know what's being referenced

Until next time, stay golden!

P.S. Happy Mother's Day everybody!