~Chapter Fifteen~

WOW!" Fourteen-year-old Ada Lovelace said as she and sixteen-year-old Melissa Benson sat down in their college dorm after having unpacked everything, "I can't believe it! We're already in college and have our own place!"

Yes, at just sixteen and fourteen years old respectively, Melissa, Marbles, and Ada were college Freshmen. Having been moved up to eighth grade early, the end result was having their high school diploma in hand early. All three had been accepted into Cyber University, the essential Harvard or Duke of Cyberspace. All three were on full ride scholarships and Melissa and Ada were sharing a dorm. Fourteen-year-old Marbles shared a dorm with another early high school graduate by the name of Archimedes. Melissa was a double major in political science and computer science and Ada was a major in computer science with a minor in composition. Marbles was a major in computer science with a minor in mechanical engineering.

"I am also having trouble believing it," Melissa said as she sprawled out across her bed, "And at the top university in all of Cyberspace!"

"It did take a lot of convincing though for Mother to let me go now, instead of waiting until I'm of age."

"Aunt Alexa was hesitant with Marbles and I as well," Melissa recalled, "I don't blame her though. If I had children our age I wouldn't want them around young adults that are out doing who-knows-what."

"Oh for goodness sake Melissa!" Ada exclaimed, "If you and Marbles could handle what you went through at eight and six years old, I think a fourteen-year-old can handle living amongst partying college students."

"Well Marbles has hardly any recollection of our parents or our lives before we moved in with our aunt, so we can't really say much for him."

"He remembers enough to know the things your father taught him," Ada argued, "And you, at least, remember the events quite well."

"I'm older than both of you," Melissa argued back.

"Not by much," Ada stated.

Melissa was silent a moment as she tried to think of something to argue back with, but she had nothing.

"Alright," she sighed, "I suppose we can handle more than others think we can at our age."

Ada smiled at her victory in the argument and went over to her purse.

"So," she said mischievously, "Mother always said I could change the way I dress once I got out on my own."

"Let me guess," Melissa said, "You want me to go shopping with you?"

"The cyber mall isn't too far from here," Ada said as she gave her best puppy dog eyes.

Melissa sighed. "Very well. But let's not go too crazy on the spending."

"I'm so sorry for your loss Marbles," fifteen-year-old Archimedes said after Marbles explained everything that happened to him and his sister before they moved in with Alexa.

"Thank you Archimedes," Marbles replied, "But you need not be. My memories are faded and most of what I just told you is from Melissa's and Aunt Alexa's accounts. It doesn't have as much of an emotional impact on me as it does on them."

"It sounds like you've had a trauma response," Archimedes said.

"That's what they say as well," Marbles said.

"Still, my condolences go to all of you."

Marbles smiled and continued. "What I do remember about our father is that he knew a great deal about computers and taught me to install a firewall at just six years old. When he and our mother died, Melissa became a sort of maternal figure to me. She became engrossed in politics and history, trying to discover any sort of idea as to how our parents' deaths could have been prevented. And we both began to do more research into computer technology. We want to prevent something like that from ever happening to anyone else."

"She seems like a very sweet gal," Archimedes replied in his Irish accent.

"Yes," Marbles agreed, "But sometimes she can be a bit too much of a mother, to anyone close to her. A few months ago, Ada got the flu. Melissa actually missed school one day just to stay home and take care of her."

Archimedes laughed. "Ain't that sweet!"

"Too sweet!" Marbles exclaimed. "And I have a feeling she's going to be doing this even more now that we're in college, without our aunt."

"Well she just wants to protect you," Archimedes reasoned with his new friend, "I'd imagine after someone watches their mum die for them, they can never quite get over it. You and Alexa are the only family she has left. And then Ada is her best friend. She doesn't want to lose you two either."

"I... never thought about it that way," Marbles said quietly.

Archimedes gave him a small smile. The two remained silent for a while.

"So tell me Archimedes," Marbles said after a few moments of this awkward silence, "What is Poddleville like?"

"Oh, 'tis a very nice place me friend," Archimedes said about his home site, "All the houses are built like perfect shapes and all of us poddles look like a specific shape as well."

"A very geometrical Cybersite," Marbles said.

"Indeed!" Archimedes agreed, "Though sometimes it feels a bit too cramped. I am hoping after college I can go move to some uninhabited Cybersite and just run experiments there. All day."

"That sounds very nice," Marbles replied, "What do you think you would name the site?"

The young chemistry/mechanical engineering major sat in contemplation over the question.

"I don't know lad," he finally answered, "I simply don't know."

"Well I'm certain you'll figure it out when the time comes," Marbles assured him.

"I suppose."

Marbles opened his last suitcase of clothing and began to neatly hang the clothes in the closet. As he did, he talked about one of the things that happened during his and Melissa's childhood plight with Abaddon's army.

"So apparently when Control Central's chief technician located the Skwak pads Melissa and I had lost the night we were chased, he found Melissa's in one of the piles of dust with the laser pointer still ignited. According to Melissa, he had said the dust was portal dust and that it was the energy from the laser that caused the portal to form. In short, Melissa has apparently discov..."

"EUREEKA!" Archimedes suddenly exclaimed, surprising Marbles and interrupting story.

"What?"

"That's what I will name my Cybersite. Eureeka."

"Interesting," Marbles said, a little ticked off at his roommate for interrupting him so randomly.

"I'm sorry Marbles," Archimedes said, embarrassed by his outburst, "Please continue."

Marbles nodded. "As I was saying, according to this cyborg, I believe his name was... Richard, Melissa has discovered a way to make portals. Ever since Melissa was told this, she has been anxious to go back to that cave and collect some of the dust to experiment with. She wants to find a way to make remote-controlled portals1 and even program computers to make them. She believes it would be a great benefit to the Cyber-government."

"I have to agree with her," Archimedes said, "With all the revenge attacks that Abaddon had made on Control Central a few years ago, who knows what could've happened if something went wrong with the security. With a portal they could evacuate much sooner."

"That's exactly what Melissa said. 'In any case of an emergency, a portal could be used to quickly evacuate,'" Marbles said, impersonating his sister's voice.

"Well 'tis true," Archimedes reasoned, "Just think what would have happened to you two if it weren't for that portal."

"We would both be dead," Marbles replied, his voice filling with sadness, "Nothing but data floating in the cyber-constellations."

"Well not necessarily," the pyramid-shaped cyborg said, "I personally believe there is life after death."

Marbles smirked. "Maybe for those real world citizens called humans, but I don't know about cyborgs. We're just the collection of data that somehow turned into life over time."

"Don't be so sure of that," Archimedes said, "If we can think and feel like humans can, we must have souls."

"That's what Melissa and Ada say," Marbles laughed.

"Something tells me I would get along well with your sister and girlfriend."

"I told you Archimedes," Marbles said blushing, "We aren't dating yet."

"Well just when do you plan on asking her?"

"I don't know," the fourteen-year-old freshmen sighed, "Meeting the Lovelaces is the earliest childhood memory that I can recall every last detail of."

"So she's very important to you?"

"In a word, yes."

Archimedes tried to think of romantic ways that a guy could ask a girl to be a couple.

"Perhaps, when Valentine's Day comes around..."

"But that's months from now," Marbles groaned.

"You've waited this long already," Archimedes pointed out, "Besides, I think all of us will want to be spending the first few months of college adjusting. Not getting romantically involved with others."

"Well... Alright. I will wait."

"Oh Melissa! You look beautiful!" Ada exclaimed as her friend walked out of the changing room in a turquoise dress that went to her knees, "That color goes wonderful with your hair!"

Melissa looked at herself in the mirror. The dress truly did go well with her long blue hair and the frilled spaghetti strap sleeves accented her thin arms.

"Its very nice," she admitted, "But its a bit pricey. I think I should save the 'fun snelfus' for something more important."

"What could be more important than that dress?" Ada asked.

"You're right," Melissa laughed, "But weren't we here for you?"

After a few more stores, the two teenagers left the mall, chatting about meaningless topics on the way to the coupe. Finally, the topic of boys came up.

"Melissa," Ada said sheepishly as they got in the cyber-coupe, "Do you promise to keep this a secret?

"My lips are sealed," Melissa said as she started the cyber coupe and they flew back to the school.

"I..."

"Yes Ada?"

Ada took a deep breath. "I'm in love with your brother."

"I know," Melissa said smiling.

"Is it that obvious?" Ada asked.

"I don't believe Marbles has noticed it yet," Melissa said, "But I've noticed it since the three of us first met."

Melissa knew that Marbles liked Ada back, but he had sworn her to secrecy also. She wished she could just tell Ada.

"It was just a childhood crush back then," Ada explained, "But as we've grown its become more than that."

"I think the two of you would make a fine pair, Ada. All you have to do is tell him how you feel."

"Are you out of your circuits Melissa?!" Ada exclaimed, "If he doesn't like me too it could ruin our entire friendship.

"Don't say things like that Ada," Melissa said trying desperately not to let her brother's secret out, "I know my brother well. He wouldn't stop being your friend just because you like him, especially when we've been friends this long."

"But it would certainly make things awkward forever more," the fourteen-year-old sighed.

"I would disagree," Melissa replied, "But let's not worry about relationships at the moment. We're going to be very busy with college. We have our whole lives for romance."

Ada sighed again. "I suppose you're right." She then decided to change the subject.

"So," she began, "I hear they found out where Abaddon's secret hideaway was this whole time.

"And?" Melissa asked as she turned left in the cyber-sky.

"Half of the army had left has been killed," Ada said, "There are only ten left, including himself."

"Well that's good," Melissa said, "He'll only be half the threat now."

"But unfortunately the rest of them got away," Ada continued, "But then Abaddon apparently sent a cyber-mail to Gerald Williams saying that he has completely given up all attempts of taking over Cyberspace again."

"Are you serious?!" Melissa exclaimed, temporarily taking her eyes off of where she was flying.

"I am serious!" Ada said, "It seems none of us will ever have to worry about him again."

When the two girls got back to their dorms, Melissa turned on the news to see if Ada was right. And it turned out she was.

"I don't believe it," Melissa said, tears of joy streaming from her blue eyes, "Its almost over!"

"Now you and Marbles don't have to live in secrecy anymore," Ada said as tears started forming in her own green eyes.

"I know," Melissa said as she took out her handkerchief and wiped her eyes, "But it never hurts to be safe."

"Oh Melissa!" Ada said, "You two have had to play it safe your whole lives! You've never even been to R-Fair City!"

"I'm not saying that we have to hide ourselves," Melissa said, "You know very well that if my portal experiments go the way I intend them to there'll be no way for me to avoid the public eye. I'm simply going to go under another name."

"Like?" Ada asked.

"Like a name that Abaddon wouldn't recognize. Something that doesn't end with Benson."

"Well have you told Marbles this?" Ada asked, "Surely if this makes you really famous, they'll want to know more about you. That means who your family is too."

"First off," Melissa began, "I don't think I'll be THAT famous for it. And secondly, Marbles will be going under a new name after he gets his doctorate. He plans to go by Dr. Marbles and leave out his surname until its safe to do otherwise. He said this in front of you."

"Oh that's right," Ada said, remembering the time he said that, "Still do you two really think that Abaddon would be after the two of you just because your parents foiled his plans."

"According to Aunt Alexa, yes," Melissa answered, "She says that when Abaddon kills someone who is as big a threat to his plans as my parents were, he will take out any relatives that could potentially have the same traits. That's how she lost her husband, and there were others like my parents. He had his men take all of them out as well as their immediate family. Sir Dalhart said that until Abaddon is gone from our world, we're never completely safe."

"I see..." Ada said quietly. "So what name are you going to go under?" she asked slightly changing the subject.

"I told you Ada. I don't know yet," Melissa answered, annoyed.

"Alright," Ada said as she went to her desk to write her poetry.

With Ada absorbed in her writing, Melissa decided to do some reading.

"A new name," she thought as she took out her book, "There's so many names out there. How could I ever choose?...