Chapter Nine - Questions, Answers, Questions
Doctor Anzak looks over at the group of young teenagers, prepared to answer any question that they might have. Hopefully he will be able to root out the one person that could change the tables on Ozma’s plans. He isn’t worried about revealing any vital information to this group. The plan is to make them believe whatever Anzak says and to deal with those who don’t agree.
“Why were we attacked?” Jen asks, not waiting on anyone else to ask the first question. It would be wise for the clone to act like the original as much as possible. That would include questions on the events that led them here.
“You mean on Earth, right? That was a mistake and I am personally sorry that it happened,” Anzak begins. “There was a malfunction here at the UPC that caused several portals to open up on your planet. This has happened before but never on this scale. We’re still unsure how the robots got through and we are currently investigating that matter. Those robots are used as guards and are not programmed to attack or to even engage without the proper commands. We’re hoping that it was just a malfunction or a possible virus.”
“Why are we here?” Tom asks.
“This might be hard to believe, but you were meant to be here. It’s hard to explain but we have a prophecy that was written long ago that mentioned nine individuals who will come to us from another world to help defend and save us. It was never written on how, when or who these people will be but when the time came, we would know.”
“You can’t be serious,” Kyle blurts out.
“I am and it might take you all a while to understand this but it was written that nine will take the nine keys of power and it will enhance their natural abilities. We’ve tried to look at it at a scientific point of view but we haven’t been able to figure out what that means. Vane, the magic school, believes that it is indeed pure magic. Then one thing that we do agree on is that you all are part of that nine.”
“Really? I’m with Kyle, that’s a little hard to believe,” Tom says.
“We have the nine relics here and all we have to do is allow you guys to touch them. If nothing happens, then we move on, if not, well, that means the prophecy is true.”
“And then what?” Joice asks.
“We’re not sure. I assume you will start training at the magic school. These Keys didn’t come with detailed instructions.”
Joe sits up, “We’ve seen portals, blue aliens and other things that are supposed to be fictional and now you’re telling us that we’re part of this absurd prophecy?
“That’s what we think,” Anzak says. If you don’t have any more questions, we could move on to the lab and test the Keys now, if you wish.”
“Why are your clothes the same as ours?” Miles asks. “If you’re aliens, shouldn’t you have different things? Shouldn’t it be more, well, alien?”
As much as everyone wanted to check out this “prophecy”, there are still questions that need answers to.
“Were you expecting little green men?” Anzak coughs. “Actually, let me retract that, there are aliens with green pigments, but I understand how you feel. Why do we all look like humans, right? We’re not sure and we haven’t found any other spices out there that look different than us that are capable of what we are capable of. With the clothes, it’s the other way around, you dress like us. A lot of things found on Earth didn’t come from Earth at all. For many years, we’ve had our own people on your planet. Since Earth isn’t as advanced as Zerron and other planets, we’ve told our people to not interfere in major events and instead to influence them. Many movies, technologies, and even clothing styles came from ideas from our very own people. We’re trying to slowly help Earth out but we’re also letting its people to find their own way. For example, your planet isn’t ready for robots, AI and nano tech but in time, Earth will be. A lot of planets try to learn from each other in this manner and once the time is right, we introduce ourselves.”
“So you’re saying that everything we’ve built, like cars, came from here?” Joe asks.
“Yes and no. The concept yes but your people built them and created your own improvements on the original model.”
“But where did you guys find the technology? The portals? Magic?” Joe adds.
“It’s always been here and we’ve built and added on top of it. Portals are just controlled wormholes that we’ve been able to master and manipulate where we want to go. Magic has always been and it’s just that many civilizations either ignores it or is unaware of it. Magic is just something that science hasn’t been able to explain yet.”
“And the blue aliens?” questions Jen.
“Simple differences in their DNA and their pigment and over time, different races started to breed with each other, causing other colors of skin to generate, nothing more.”
“So this isn’t a dream? Tom asks.
“No, this is indeed reality,” Russell stands, “If there’s nothing else, do you mind following me to the lab so we can run the test?
Kyle has the feeling that something is indeed wrong. He tried to read the other’s faces in the room and the only ones who look truly worried are Tom and Miles. Jen also looks worried and confused but Kyle has already come to the conclusion that that imposter isn’t really me. The short hair is a dead giveaway to that. However, for someone who just met me a few weeks ago, doesn’t it seem odd that he would be able to see right through the clone? Kyle decides to keep his thoughts to himself, just to be on the safe side.
As for Miles, all he wants to do is to go back home to his mother. Even though he’s known me since he was born, the stress of the present situation is clouding his judgment and he isn’t able to tell that clone isn’t really me.
“If this test doesn’t work, can’t we just go home? You wouldn’t need us anymore,” Miles asks, worried.
Russell sighs, a bit frustrated that he has to repeat himself, “We will provide housing for all of you at no cost either way. There is just no way that we can allow you to return to your homes.”
The group finally follows Russell out into the hallway. Joe tries to reassure Miles while Tom and Kyle walk in the rear.
Tom is the first to speak, “I don’t trust this guy.”
Kyle hesitates, “I think the best thing to do is to do what he says. But yea, I agree.”
They walk through a portal and are instantly taken to the lab, thanks to the commands entered by Russell Anzak on the control panel.
The groups of young teens are separated and are taken to different rooms. Each room is similar to a doctor’s office.
There’s a bed, a counter top with medical equipment on it, both familiar and foreign, and in the center is a table. On top of said table is a Key floating in a glass container. Apparently these Keys are taken in a high regard and have been on display several times over.
Kyle paces back and forth in his room. He can’t make it seem too obvious that he’s already “different” than the others. He does worry about the effect that this Key could have on him. Could it enhance what’s already naturally there?
He stops pacing and faces the Key. What reactions do these people expect to see? Deep inside Kyle wishes that they didn’t have to separate everyone. At least that way he could see for himself what really happens when someone touches it.
Kyle gulps as he lifts the glass. All he needs right now is for his cover to be blown. He knows that he has to find the real me and get everyone away from this place. And then…he shakes his head to try to focus on what’s in front of him. The story of a relic like this, that is able to give one power, is absurd. Kyle knows that it’s something you are born with and sometimes, 95% of the time, inherited from a past life. One hundred percent of the time, the person with such power never knows about it. It’s usually triggered by a traumatic experience relating to a past life or the power itself.
Kyle lifts the glass container and places it next to the Key, which is still floating in midair. He closes his eyes as he grabs the Key. For a moment there’s nothing and as he opens his eyes electricity begins to shoot out from the Key and his hands. He hopes this is the reaction that they are looking for.
Miles sits on the bed, a bit disappointed. He snaps his fingers and a small bubble appears. Russell, who entered the room shortly after Miles touched the Key says, “There’s nothing to be disappointed about. This could be the early stages of your powers.”
“It’s bubbles. I can’t go home either way and now I’m going to be laughed at because I can make bubbles!”
Russell is about to reply when there is a loud, booming sound coming from the next room over, where Tom is.
Miles looks worried but Russell reassures him, “Don’t worry, we have everything under control. Just sit tight and we won’t keep you too much longer.”
Russell heads to the room where Tom is. The door slides open and Tom looks extremely worried.
“What did you do to me?” Tom asks.
“Nothing, the Key enhanced what was already there. Don’t worry, we will train you to control your powers,” Russell slowly says.
“I can see things,” Tom starts. “I can see sound. It’s like a vibration of waves in the air.” Tom slowly raises his hand and looks at Russell. He pauses before snapping his fingers. The sounds from the room seem to coverage around the snap of Tom’s fingers. The force and sound does not bother Tom but it pushes Russell out the door and into the wall across the hallway.
Tom uses this chance to escape. He walks out into the hallway and heads to his right. If memory serves him correctly, Miles should be in the room next to his.
The door slides open and Miles looks up from the bed.
“We don’t have time,” Tom says.
Miles looks confused as he jumps down from the bed, “I can’t leave without Jen.”
“Do you remember which room she’s in?” By now, Tom can hear people talking and making their way towards him.
In Kyle’s room, he can hear the noise going on and suspects that something is going on. He decides to walk towards the exit and zaps it with electricity. He pops his head out of the door and sees Tom to his left. Kyle gives Tom ‘what-are-you-doing’ looks as guards dressed in gray appear, running towards Tom.
“We need to get out of here. You even said that you don’t trust these people,” Tom says.
The guards stop a few feet from Tom, guns drawn.
Russell pushes his way through the small group of guards and makes his way to the front. His red hair is a mess and his clothes are slightly dirty and torn. “Put your guns away,” He tells the guards, then, looking at Tom, “Calm down, we’re not here to hurt you.”
The guards drop down their weapons, however remaining on alert.
Near the end of the hallway and behind all of the action stand Joe, Joice and Jen.
“Should we go over there?” Jen asks.
“I don’t think we should, it might make things worse,” Joe says, sighing. “I knew Tom would be trouble.”
Miles is able to peak between the guards and he notices Jen standing with the twins. He walks past the guards and heads over.
Russell doesn’t mind and allows Miles to leave the area. He is more focused on Tom and his suspicion of Tom being the one who helped Miles and I escape rises. “Tom, you don’t have to trust me but for everyone here, please return to your room and calm down.”
Kyle steps up, “I think it would be better if I go with him.” Kyle walks towards Tom and places his arm around his shoulder and guides him back into the room.
The door slides shut and Kyle is pretty sure that they are locked inside.
“Come on, you really think they’re not up to something? We should have run when we had the chance!” Tom yells.
“And you really think that they’re not watching us? Listening to what we all have to say?” Kyle knows that he needs to be careful in what he says. “You need to think about everyone else here.” Kyle then whispers to Tom, knowing that he is the only one that can hear it, “We need to figure out who is on our side and wait for the right time to escape.” He then speaks in a normal tone, “I’m sure these people know what they are doing and we should accept that.” Kyle hopes that Tom gets the hint and runs with it.
Tom thinks and then finally nods. He hops onto the bed and waits for Russell to enter the room, which isn’t until several minutes later. Russell’s hair is back into the place and his clothes, however still torn, are now cleaned up from the debris from the wall. “We’ve decided to hold off on the training for two days. I’ve talked with my colleagues and we all agree that you all need a break. We should have been more understanding with your circumstances and feelings and for that, I am personally sorry. We are going to allow you take a look around our city and will provide you with a card with unlimited credits. You won’t be locked in your rooms and are freely to move about.”
Kyle believes that this is a trick, a way to get Tom and the others to trust him; however he says, “Thank you. I’m sorry for how Tom acted but we talked and I think you’re right about getting out.”
Tom wants so much to roll his eyes and walk out the room but instead says, “I’m sorry, it’s just that you’re making it seem like we’re prisoners here and now you’ve given us these powers, it’s a little overwhelming.”
“I understand,” Russell says, “Also, keep in mind, if anyone uses their powers within these two days, there will be consequences. This isn’t something that should be taken lightly.”
The group is able to leave the facility after getting the pep talk from Russell. By this time, the suns are starting to set over the sands.
“What happened to you?” Miles asks Jen as they make their way into the city.
“Nothing,” she says, shrugging.
“Wait, nothing happened?” Tom questions.
“Same for us too,” Joice says, regarding herself and her brother.
“What about you guys?” Joe asks.
Miles hesitates before saying, “I can create bubbles.”
There’s a small pause before Tom says, “I can see sound, which means I’m going to stay as far as I can from the city.” He then mutters, “I swear, he better be able to fix this.” Tom then starts to walk off in the opposite direction of the crowds and city lights.
“Well, I’m going clothes shopping. It’s been forever and I need new clothes,” Joice waits no time before she’s off.
“I’m going to check out their bookstore. I would do that at the UPC but I just feel like there’s a lack of privacy there,” Joe says.
“Do you mind if I go with you? I won’t be in your way,” Miles asks Joe.
“Sure.”
“I’m going to check on Tom, seems that he’s a bit stressed,” Jen says. “I mean I know we’re all stressed, but, yea,” she starts to walk in the direction that Tom left in.
Kyle decides to sit on a nearby bench, to think. Tom had the right idea but at the wrong time. With so much security, it was going to be hard to find out who is really behind everything and to find the real me.
Tom finds a nice quiet spot under a fairly large tree that looks to be artificially made. He sits as Jen makes her way over.
“You okay?” she asks.
“Not really.”
“Oh. I can go if—-“
“It’s okay.”
“Does it hurt? I mean your powers.”
“Just a headache and the constant motion of sound, but besides that, heh,” he pauses. “I never knew my real parents. My foster dad, step-dad, whatever you want to call him, wasn’t much of one at all. I’m seventeen and I’ve been working more than he has ever done in his pathetic life. And now, he’s alone and it angers me that I’m worried. I’m stuck on another planet with these freakish powers and all I want to do is to go back home to New York. It really gets under my skin.”
“I’m sorry,” Jen really didn’t know what to say. Yes, she is a clone but the memories that were imprinted are extremely sketchy. It’s hard to tell what the truth is or what is false and she doesn’t want to blow her cover in fear of what Ozma might do to her. She had to find out who the person that Russell and Ozma are looking for and maybe they would allow her to live her own life instead of trying to be someone else. “I’m just trying to be someone instead of what other people want me to be. At least you got neat powers. I got nothing, story of my life.” Wait, Tom mentioned New York. That means he couldn’t have been the one in Florida to rescue myself and Miles. The time didn’t add up. Even if Tom had used a potion to get to Florida by means of an artificial portal, there would have been a record of it. There was only one artificial portal used that day. Whoever rescued us doesn’t seem to be the type to be a lair; Tom’s story sounds true and genuine. That only leaves one possible person. Jen stands, “I’m sorry to have bothered you; I’m going to get some rest.” She stands and decides to try to find Kyle. She doesn’t want to make it too obvious and wants to be completely sure before reporting back to Russell.
Even though Tom isn’t in the best of moods, the company was nice, even for the short while, and is slightly sad to see Jen leave.
Luckily, Kyle is still on the bench near the entrance of the residential housing of the UPC. She sits down next to Kyle and sighs.
“Something wrong?” he asks.
“Tom is a bit down, which rubbed off on me. Do you think he was right to try to escape?”
‘She knows’, Kyle speculates to himself. “I think he could have gotten someone hurt today and it was stupid of him. Where does he think he’s going to go?”
“I guess anywhere is better than being stuck in that building,” she yawns.
“I guess,” Kyle looks away. He could either play the part or try to get information out of her. However, doing so might end up making things much worse. He’s been on his own for such a long time and once things start to pick up again, trouble happens. How is he suppose to make things right and when?
Jen yawns again and this time puts her head on Kyle’s shoulder. His heart skips a beat. This clone was good, but a copy can’t fool him. He would have to think of a plan and fast.
