out. Or maybe the aliens are better at it than we are.” I pause, then ask Yenay, “How does the Bucherer-Plank Crinkler engine work?” The ship’s engine room is one of the places that are off limits to passengers and even I’m not brave enough to risk a peek.
Bertie and Yenay glance at each other. Then Bertie sighs. “We don’t exactly know. It’s a highly complex theorem that takes years of study. Aerospace engineers are the ones who designed the engine and who understand how it works.”
“I don’t suppose there’s one in the base?” I ask.
“No.”
That’s unfortunate. “We could test my theory in another pit and try to send something through.”
Everyone looks at Radcliff. He’d been quiet during the discussion. Too quiet.
“If we’re to figure out what is happening, we will need to see the rectangle,” Yenay says.
“It’s highly dangerous,” Radcliff says in an even voice. “We need to focus on the more immediate threat of the HoLFs. However, I don’t have the authority to stop you.”
“But you have the authority to prevent your officers from accompanying us,” Dad says.
Radcliff tenses so much I worry his lower jaw is going to crack. “If you decide to proceed with this line of inquiry, you can request volunteers.” He shoots me a weighty glance. “I cannot guarantee anyone will do so, but I will support their decision.”
By my parents’ surprised reactions, I guess this is quite a change of heart for Officer Radcliff.
“When can you be ready to go?” Mom asks Yenay.
Once again she turns to her colleague and they do that silent communication thing.
“Officer Radcliff made an excellent point about the HoLFs. I think we should finish collecting and analyzing the data from Pit 1 before we make plans to go to Pit 21,” Yenay says.
“Good idea,” Dad says before my mom can voice her objections. “In the meantime, I’ll ask for volunteers.” Dad meets my gaze. “Officer Lawrence?”
Nice of him to ask me instead of assuming I’m going. There’s no test without me after all. And even though it’s my idea, I’m still smart enough to know there’s risk involved. “I’ll go as long as there are four other security officers with us.”
The silence is complete.
My mother is the first to recover. “That’s a tall order. We do have a number of techs who can use pulse guns.”
“They don’t have the experience. We need trained and seasoned officers, not rookie techs.” I’m probably imagining the warm glow of approval from Radcliff.
“All right,” Dad says. “Officer Morgan, will you volunteer?”
Asking the second in command—bold move.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” she says.
Crack—there goes Radcliff’s jaw. Not really, but the man is not happy.
“Thanks,” Dad says. “Three more to go.”
Mom breaks the tension by asking the astrophysicists if they have an update about the nature of the HoLFs.
“Not yet. We’re hopeful the data from the sensor will point us in the right direction,” Bertie says.
Yenay and Bertie then leave the conference room with promises to contact everyone once the data has been examined. I’ve no idea what they really thought of my theories. Time will tell. Speaking of tell, I’ve a promise to keep.
Before my parents can leave I draw in a deep breath and say, “Mom and Dad, can you stay? I’ve something I need to discuss with you.”
They settle back in their seats. Radcliff gives me a probing look. I sigh. “Officers Radcliff and Morgan, can you remain as well?”
Now I have all four adults’ undivided attention. Go me. I search for the right words—the ones that will make the most sense without causing undue alarm.
“What’s wrong?” Mom asks when the quiet stretches past awkwardness.
Unable to find the perfect combination, I blurt, “I can access the Q-net without using entanglers.”
Confusion dominates and I do my best to explain. “…another dream, except it turned real, but I disentangled before I woke up so I didn’t get a killer migraine. Actually, I didn’t have any pain.”
Stunned silence.
“Can you prove it?” Morgan asks.
I don’t feel particularly sleepy. But then she swivels to the terminal. Oh.
Handing my mother my tangs, I say, “Yes, I can.”
They all stare at me.
“I can do it from here.” It’s not a boast, just part of the demonstration. They might as well learn the full extent of my freakish powers. Yes, that’s sarcasm, people.
Morgan accesses the Q-net. And I concentrate on the screen like I would if I was sitting next to her with my tangs in my ears. Soon enough my vision blurs and then I’m trailing her to Jarren’s