Chapter 4

"Mackenzie!" His father's voice echoed from the hall. "What would you like for brekkie?"

Mackenzie bent over his sink and spit out his toothpaste, carrying his toothbrush as he looked over to the door, the water running from the sink.

"Cereal!" Mackenzie leaned over to the door, looking into the hall.

"Coco Pops?" His father asked.

"Yeah!" Mackenzie turned off the sink, getting off his stool and putting it back as he went into the other room, where his father put down a bowl of his favorite cereal, turning the milk brown as it soaked, Mackenzie picked up his spoon and dug in. "Where's mum?" He asked.

His father turned around, as he smiled. "Oh, she had to work late and she's asleep still," He had his own bowl of cereal, a nice bowl of cornflakes as he sat down with his son on the kitchen island. "So today, I'll be taking you to school."

"Why did mom have to work late?" Mackenzie asked, tilting his head.

"Just they have had a lot to do," His father ate his cereal, shrugging. "I just wish she would get another one, personally," He saw his son's eyebrow raise. "Don't tell your mum that."

"Okay!" Mackenzie said with a smile, nodding.

They soon finished their breakfast and after grabbing his backpack at the door, Mackenzie and his father got into their car, his father ensuring he was strapped to his car seat as they soon drove off.

It was maybe a short drive away when they reached Glasshouse Primary School. It was a wooden building with a small waterway going into a pool, made of rounded shapes and large windows to allow for plenty of natural lighting within.

Soon Mackenzie's father pulled up to a procession of cars as his schoolmates stepped out of their parents's cars. He saw Bluey get out of her dad's Jeep, Indy a bit ahead of them and Rusty already being at the entrance of the school.

However, along with familiar faces, was one he'd never seen before.

An Akita with brindled brown fur wearing a camouflage-patterned canvas bag with a gear on it, looking up at his mother. She looked a bit like Bluey's mom or even a grown-up Bingo, who kneeled down to him, handing him a lunchbox, the Akita walked up to the entrance as his mother waved to him.

He looked left and right, the Akita turning his back to Mackenzie and putting something into his bag.

A bit away from prying eyes, he looked inside.

Mackenzie's father opened the door, distracting him from his thoughts, as Mackenzie undid his seat belt and jumped out of the car.

"You have a good day, alright?" His father said, hugging him.

"I will!" Mackenzie said, tail wagging. His father released him as he ran up to Bluey.

"Mackenzie!" Bluey said, smiling, raising her arms up.

"Hey, Bluey!" Mackenzie waved, returning the smile.

"What do you want to do today?" Mackenzie asked.

"Hm... would you like to play Barky Boats?" Bluey asked. "I can show my new cousin how to play!"

"You have a new cousin?" Mackenzie asked, tilting his head.

"Yeah!" She pointed to the Akita. "His name is Josiah, he's kinda quiet but he's pretty fun to be around," Her tail wagged. "When he came over to our barbecue, he played Bomb Rally, musical statues, and even house!"

"What's Bomb-" Mackenzie saw Bluey run off to the entrance as he followed. "Hey, wait up!"

Mackenzie and Bluey soon came into the school, as their teacher, Calypso sat on a rug as their fellow students gathered around her. Bluey sat in front of Calypso, as he sat behind Bluey. In the corner of his eye, he noticed Josiah sitting a bit away as he mimed looking at a wristwatch.

"Good morning, everyone," Calypso said, her voice gentle as usual.

"Good morning, Calypso!" Almost everyone said, smiling. Mackenzie saw that Josiah didn't speak.

"Today, we have a new student," Calypso held out her hand to Josiah. "Why don't you come over here and introduce yourself?"

Josiah looked to his left and right, before getting up, and going to the class. He remained silent as he looked at the group, as he took a breath and sighed.

"My name's Josiah Jovanni," Josiah looked to the class, all eyes on him as he looked around, Josiah frowning a bit, his eyes darting about. "I'm adopted and I'm from America."

"Oh!" The class let out, looking at him.

"He's from Louisiana!" Bluey said, pointing to him.

"Where's that?" Rusty asked.

"Okay, children, settle down," Calypso looking at Josiah, holding her hands. "Don't overwhelm Mr. Cattle here too much."

"Cattle?" Mackenzie asked. "But he said his name was-"

"It doesn't matter," Josiah said, muttering to himself.

"You may sit down, Josiah," Calypso nodded to Josiah as he got back to his seat. "So, children," Calypso got out a cardboard backdrop of a sunny meadow and a book she opened it and presented it to the class. "Are you ready for storytime?"

"Hooray!" The class said, erupting in cheers as they raised their hands.

Save for Josiah, who merely nodded.

Calypso read a story about a knight traveling to save his kingdom from a tyrannical dragon. It was something Mackenzie already knew the ending of, but Calypso using figures of a knight on top of a horse always made it feel new to him.

"And as the brave knight approached the dragon's lair," Calypso said, putting a small plastic sword in his hand, as he dismounted his horse and approached, Calypso took away the cardboard backdrop of the meadow and replaced it with one of a cave. "He approached steadily and warily, keeping his trusty sword close."

Mackenzie and the class let out an "Oooooh!" as they watched.

"And as he approached," Calypso put a pile of multicolored beads, as she looked to the class. "He saw the dragon's hoard," She pointed to them, smiling. "He was mesmerized by the impressive hoard the dragon had collected and so, not unlike a caterpillar, he inched closer."

The class leaned in, the suspense palpable in the air for the young border collie.

"However," Calypso took a figure of a dragon, its scales a bright red as it loomed over the knight. "The dragon came in, the knight remembering why he came as the dragon approached." Calypso's voice took on a deep infliction as she looked down at it. "How dare you trespass in my lair!" He pointed to him. "Dragon," Calypso turned the arm of the figure to point his sword at the dragon. "I've come to stop you from your vile misdeeds!"

The class leaned back, watching it all unfold.

"And yet, you say I've committed various misdeeds," Calypso moved the dragon closer to the knight. "But I've seen you gawk at my treasure like a common thief!" She made the knight step back, remaining silent for a moment.

The class looked at each with concern.

"I will grant you a chance at mercy, leave this place and never return," The dragon said. "You have clearly failed in your duty as a noble knight, if you tried to fight me, you would be naught but ashes!"

The class gasped.

"The knight for a moment doubted himself," Calypso said. "He thought about his family, his friends, and his kingdom," Calypso took a deep breath. "However, the knight knew that he had a duty to fulfill," The knight figure charged forward towards the dragon as it backed away before the knight's sword was in its side. "And taking it by surprise, he slew the dragon terrorizing his kingdom!"

"Hooray!"

Calypso changed the backdrop to that of a castle as another figure wearing a crown and a purple cape came in as the knight came in, with a few figures hauling in the beads. "And so, with his duty fulfilled, the knight brought peace and wealth to his kingdom!"

"Did he marry a princess?" Bluey asked.

"He did!" Calypso smiled, as she looked to Bluey. "And so, the knight was granted land and a hand in the marriage with the fair princess." She clasped her hands together.

Everyone clapped, even Josiah did so, albeit softly.

"Alright everyone," Calypso got up. "You may go about your day until lunch!" She said as the group scattered. Some went to a corner filled with toys and pillows, others went outside and Mackenzie was outside as he walked to the waterway.

Bluey was there to meet him.

"Hey, Bluey," Mackenzie looked around. "Where's your cousin?"

"He went that way," Bluey pointed to the tree house, "He said he wanted a bit of time to himself."

"Bluey," Mackenzie tilted his head. "Does your cousin not want to play?" He asked.

"I don't know." Bluey put her hand on her chin, leaning back a bit away from Mackenzie. "Josiah was willing to play when he came over."

"Your cousin is a little weird." Mackenzie raised his eyebrow.

"Well, you wanna start?" Bluey asked.

"Sure!" Mackenzie nodded. "Though, why don't we teach your cousin how to play this first?" He asked.

"Sure!" Bluey said as they went to get Josiah.

Back in Brisbane, Duke wore a frown on his face.

While he was grateful he didn't have to worry about rent, considering that The Company owned the condo unit he was moving into, he seems he'll be staying here in Brisbane for a while.

He looked to Brandy's unit, just opposite his as he sighed. He was going to be watching the kid for a bit, but at least, he didn't think it too dangerous.

He carried boxes of his things since he wanted to save a bit of money by not hiring a moving company and he was almost halfway done, having got up in the morning to move.

"Hey, mate!" A voice said from behind him. He looked behind him and he saw a dog with light brown and beige fur, with his right ear pointed and his left flopping.

"Oh," Duke looked at him. "Hey!" He looked to the stairs. "Am I in your way?" He asked.

"Oh no," The dog held up his hands. "I was just wondering if you needed help is all!"

"Well," Duke smiled, looking at the other dog. "I wouldn't mind a hand."

"Excellent!" The brown dog said as they went downstairs to get more boxes.

"So, what's your name?" Duke asked. "I'm Duke."

"My name's Colt," Colt picked up a box, as the pair walked into the unit together. "A pleasure, Duke."

In an hour and a half, the pair had shuffled all of the boxes up into Duke's new condo. The pair even lifted the sofa up the stairs surprisingly quickly much to Duke's relief. They stood out the door as Duke's stomach growled, Colt smiling.

"Why don't you come next door and I'll fix us something?" Colt pointed to his door with his thumb.

"I wouldn't say no to free food," Duke chuckled deeply. "What you are thinking?" He asked.

"How does chicken tikka masala and garlic naan sound?" Colt said with a smile.

"That sounds like heaven right now." Duke said.

Colt led Duke to his condo, as he opened the door. It was a little smaller than Duke's unit but it was very well decorated. A white sofa faced what Duke thought was the largest flatscreen TV he'd ever seen, with a painting above depicting seven kinds of birds and a blue and white vase was on an end table on the right flank of the sofa with a glass coffee table in front of it.

"Why don't you take a seat?" He asked. "You want something to drink?"

"You have any sparkling water?" Duke said, sitting down on the sofa.

"No problem," Colt said as he walked over to the kitchen as Duke leaned back.

'Maybe this deal wouldn't be so bad after all?' Duke thought to himself.

Soon, Duke got his drink of sparkling water as he sipped, the pungent spices and the aroma of tikka masala flooded his nose. Even the telltale scent of bread being baked clued him in.

Soon, Colt came with a bowl of tikka masala, a bowl of basmati rice with cloves, and a plate full of naan with melted garlic butter along with two plates and two spoons, as Duke felt his stomach growl.

"Well, working man," Colt said, as he handed Duke a plate. "You've worked up an appetite, feel free to dig in!"

Duke got himself some naan, spooning in some rice and curry into the bread as the pair ate and watched a cricket game, Duke reclined back as he watched the game with Colt, the pair discussing the upcoming game as they ate.

When he just finished, the tingle of spice on his lips and tongue was noticeable, when he felt in his pouch he felt his phone vibrate as he looked to Colt.

"Hey, sorry to go so soon but," Duke fished his phone from his pocket. "I have a work-related call to get to."

"No worries, mate," Colt said, smiling. "Go ahead and do whatever you need to do." He said, taking up the dishes. "Feel free to visit anytime, Duke!"

Duke nodded, leaving and going to his condo, still lined with boxes as he took out his phone.

It was from Nala.

"Hello?" Duke put the phone up to his ear.

"Hey, Duke!" Nala said on the other end. "Moving in go okay?"

"Yeah," Duke said, looking at the boxes. "One of the neighbors helped and treated me to lunch even."

"How lovely," Nala chuckled. "But I'll need your full attention now."

"What is it?" Duke asked, putting a hand on his hip.

"We've been getting reports of strange drones entering people's yards," Nala said, her fingers clacking on her keyboard. "And we've run through the database of the registry of drone ownership and we've found nothing about these drones."

"Do they happen to be black without markings?" Duke asked.

"Have you seen one?"

"One of my drinking buddies," Duke said, approaching the massive window that overlooked Brisbane. "Told me his son saw one, and he chased out of his yard."

"Interesting." Nala said.

"Let me guess," Duke raised an eyebrow. "You got your sights on one?"

"I've received multiple reports of one near a private school," Nala said. "Glasshouse Primary, I want you to scout it out and if you can, capture it."

"Glasshouse Primary," Duke nodded. "Affirmative, I'm on my way!"

"Good luck, Agent Duke." Nala said.

Duke hung up and rushed out the door, headed for his car, ready to engage.

Mackenzie and Bluey ran towards the tree house, the pair approaching the ladder and climbing up. The tree house was empty, save for Josiah and his bag, opened and empty, Josiah having his back to the pair.

Mackenzie leaned over and saw Josiah pulling something from a boxed kit that read "DIY MEMORY GAME" as he was assembling a breadboard and putting in wires, unaware of Bluey and Mackenzie behind him.

"Hey, Josiah!" Bluey said.

"AAAAAH!" Josiah nearly dropped his breadboard and looked back to the pair, his eyes wide as he saw Bluey and Mackenzie.

"Bluey..." Mackenzie looked to Bluey, eyes half-closed.

"Sorry!" Bluey said as they entered, sitting down. "What are you doing?" She asked.

"Oh," Josiah said, putting the breadboard away into the box and putting it into his bag. "I was just making something."

"What are you making?" Bluey tilted her head.

"So, you know about Simon Says?" Josiah asked.

Mackenzie and Bluey nodded.

Josiah held out his breadboard. It had four colored wires, one blue, one red, one yellow, and the last one green, each having its own corresponding button. There was an orange button that Josiah pressed. A blue light lit up where the blue one went as both Mackenzie and Bluey watched.

"Now press the blue button," Josiah said. "And watch."

Both Mackenzie and Bluey reached out to press the blue button but Mackenzie got it first.

"Hey!" Bluey put her hands on her hips, looking at Mackenzie glaring.

"Don't worry, Bluey," Josiah said. "You'll get a turn."

The three played together, both Bluey and Mackenzie taking turns with the device. Soon, a voice called from them below.

"Calypso says it's time for lunch!" Rusty said from down below.

"Okay!" Mackenzie said, leaning over to see the red Kelpie from below.

Bluey handed Josiah his breadboard toy as she got down from the tree house Mackenzie looked at Josiah.

"Wanna eat lunch together?" Mackenzie asked.

Josiah smiled. "Sure!" He nodded.

Mackenzie climbed down from the tree house and ran towards the school, unaware of Josiah lagging behind.

It had been a rough few weeks for Spencer, though he was released from the Brig and put back into his old room, for good behavior. He only needed it so far to get his so-called colleague back but it was good enough for him.

The bed was comfier, there was a television he was watching, as he watched The Matrix and while his roommate's bunk was empty, having been transferred to different quarters, he could relax a while before his meal was brought to him by one of the serving robots before his phone buzzed in his pocket.

He had a text from the director.

"Come to my office ASAP." It read.

Spencer sighed, getting up and pausing the movie, as it was nearing the climatic duel between Neo and Agent Smith as he opened the door to his room and walked to the Director's Office.

He was led in by the guard who escorted him a few weeks ago as the Director locked eyes with Spencer the moment he entered.

"Mr. Christensen," The Director pointed to the seat. "Take a seat." Spencer sat down, silently.

"Director?" Spencer asked.

"You've shown me promise in your training," The Director turned his monitor around to show him a video, paused on what appeared to be an American Akita looking at the camera, holding a breadboard device towards it. "Now watch this."

The Director clicked play, as the Akita presented the device. Four lights, blue, red, green, and yellow flashed in a pattern. Spencer squinted, as he watched it closely. Three short flashes of light, then three long ones, and finally three more brief flashes of light.

It flashed. Spencer's eyes widened.

"A distress signal!" Spencer said, looking at him.

"We've learned a bit about this other universe," The Director said. "And it seems as if our science department's thoughts are correct," He leaned closer. "The universe seems to transform people who go on the other side."

"A metamorphic quality to this universe?" Spencer asked, raising an eyebrow. "How do we know if it's actually Josiah or some kid playing a prank on us?"

"We don't, frankly," The Director said. "But you will be going out there prepared."

"What," Spencer looked at the Director, leaning forward in his seat. "Now?!"

"Tomorrow morning." The Director said. "We've prepared an Excursion Pod for your departure and outfitted it with equipment and an AI agent we've modified to account for any metamorphosis you may experience."

"Wait, you're not giving me an anchor?" Spencer asked.

"No." The Director shook his head. "You will be blending in to extract Technician Jovanni."

"I see." Spencer frowned. "Do we have a map of the area?"

"It's an alternative version of our own Earth, somewhere in Australia," The Director shook his head. "I can only hope you've paid attention in your geography class."

Spencer sighed. "Well, I don't have a choice, but I'm ready for it."

"Glad to hear it," The Director smirked, chuckling deeply. "Get some food and rest, you will need it."

Spencer left the office and went back to his room, laying on his back as he sighed, turning The Matrix back on.

"The things I do to stay out of prison." Spencer said to himself.