word…Grendis.”
“Grendis? Doesn’t make sense,” Johnny said.
Patrice shot him a gruff look. “Just because something isn’t spelled out for you doesn’t mean it can’t be understood.”
Johnny wanted to fire back at her, but kept quiet. Is there a reason why you’re so rude to me, Patrice? He wondered.
“Relax, Patrice,” Director Mitchell said. “Johnny was thinking out loud.” He fed some data into another computer terminal before lights from the monitor flashed across his face. “Interesting.”
“What is it Otis?” Argos said.
“According to the computer, Grendis, is a name of Lycarian origin.”
“That confirms the connection.”
“Indeed. But just how deep that connection runs is another enigma.”
Johnny wracked his brain for an answer. “Perhaps Grendis is Dicer’s contact?”
“Or maybe you’re just spitting out random unproven theories to ingratiate yourself,” Patrice said.
“Hey, lay off him Patrice,” Argos said before Jessie and Studs snarled at Patrice. She shot the dogs a caliginous glance.
Director Mitchell cut in before the situation could escalate: “Patrice, why don’t you head back to AL headquarters, we’ll finish up here.” She nodded obediently at Director Mitchell before excusing herself.
“I’ve never seen her so emotional,” Mitchell said. “She’s under a lot of pressure. I know I’ve been working her really hard lately.”
Argos wasn’t convinced.
Chapter 11
AL Command Center
Los Angeles, CA
“I’m starting to think she hates me,” Johnny said right after Gina returned to Earth. He was glad to be off Penal One. While impressive, the space prison’s orbit around Earth made him queasy every time he looked out of the command room’s viewport windows. “She’s always talking down to me; acting like she’s better than me, and she always has a smug-ass look on her face.”
“I don’t think she hates you Johnny. Remember what I told you before? Give it time. Keep being friendly, and work hard at AL. Eventually, you’ll earn her respect.”
Patrice was busy in the main computer room at AL headquarters, surrounded by computer terminals manned by tireless AL personnel. Johnny wondered if she ever slept, or ate for that matter. When she saw them enter she turned towards them.“I may have a lead on who Grendis is.”
“Let’s hear it,” Argos said. Both Jessie and Studs looked up at Patrice inquisitively.
“Take a look at this.” Patrice handed Argos a razor-thin tablet.
“According to this data Grendis is an Inciter working for the Lycarian Government.” Argos turned to Johnny and passed the tablet to him. “An Inciter is an agent who infiltrates other worlds and helps destabilize governments—making them easier to topple.”
Both Jessie and Studs barked. Johnny smiled. The dogs were always eager to chime in with canine vernacular. He only wished he could understand it.
“I believe the Lycarians are trying to alter Earth’s timeline,” Patrice added. “They may be trying to add Earth to their sphere of influence.”
“Is that what TimeBoss says?”
Johnny remembered learning about TimeBoss during his training: The awe-inspiring Mega-Computer that could detect changes in the timeline. He longed to see it up close, but would his junior AL clearance get him in?
“I was about to go to TimeBoss’ chamber, care to join me?”
Argos nodded. Johnny held his breath and waited. “Johnny you stay here with Jessie and Studs, we’ll be back in a hour or so.”
Johnny nodded, while concealing his dejection. He could’ve sworn he saw a twinkle of amusement in Patrice’s eyes. After she and Argos left the room both Jessie and Studs licked his hand and nuzzled his leg. He eyed the dogs and smiled. “Well, looks like we’ve got some quality time with one another.”
(2)
Not being able to join Argos and Patrice hurt. Not only because he wanted to see TimeBoss, but it made him feel like the kid on the basketball court
“Grendis? Doesn’t make sense,” Johnny said.
Patrice shot him a gruff look. “Just because something isn’t spelled out for you doesn’t mean it can’t be understood.”
Johnny wanted to fire back at her, but kept quiet. Is there a reason why you’re so rude to me, Patrice? He wondered.
“Relax, Patrice,” Director Mitchell said. “Johnny was thinking out loud.” He fed some data into another computer terminal before lights from the monitor flashed across his face. “Interesting.”
“What is it Otis?” Argos said.
“According to the computer, Grendis, is a name of Lycarian origin.”
“That confirms the connection.”
“Indeed. But just how deep that connection runs is another enigma.”
Johnny wracked his brain for an answer. “Perhaps Grendis is Dicer’s contact?”
“Or maybe you’re just spitting out random unproven theories to ingratiate yourself,” Patrice said.
“Hey, lay off him Patrice,” Argos said before Jessie and Studs snarled at Patrice. She shot the dogs a caliginous glance.
Director Mitchell cut in before the situation could escalate: “Patrice, why don’t you head back to AL headquarters, we’ll finish up here.” She nodded obediently at Director Mitchell before excusing herself.
“I’ve never seen her so emotional,” Mitchell said. “She’s under a lot of pressure. I know I’ve been working her really hard lately.”
Argos wasn’t convinced.
Chapter 11
AL Command Center
Los Angeles, CA
“I’m starting to think she hates me,” Johnny said right after Gina returned to Earth. He was glad to be off Penal One. While impressive, the space prison’s orbit around Earth made him queasy every time he looked out of the command room’s viewport windows. “She’s always talking down to me; acting like she’s better than me, and she always has a smug-ass look on her face.”
“I don’t think she hates you Johnny. Remember what I told you before? Give it time. Keep being friendly, and work hard at AL. Eventually, you’ll earn her respect.”
Patrice was busy in the main computer room at AL headquarters, surrounded by computer terminals manned by tireless AL personnel. Johnny wondered if she ever slept, or ate for that matter. When she saw them enter she turned towards them.“I may have a lead on who Grendis is.”
“Let’s hear it,” Argos said. Both Jessie and Studs looked up at Patrice inquisitively.
“Take a look at this.” Patrice handed Argos a razor-thin tablet.
“According to this data Grendis is an Inciter working for the Lycarian Government.” Argos turned to Johnny and passed the tablet to him. “An Inciter is an agent who infiltrates other worlds and helps destabilize governments—making them easier to topple.”
Both Jessie and Studs barked. Johnny smiled. The dogs were always eager to chime in with canine vernacular. He only wished he could understand it.
“I believe the Lycarians are trying to alter Earth’s timeline,” Patrice added. “They may be trying to add Earth to their sphere of influence.”
“Is that what TimeBoss says?”
Johnny remembered learning about TimeBoss during his training: The awe-inspiring Mega-Computer that could detect changes in the timeline. He longed to see it up close, but would his junior AL clearance get him in?
“I was about to go to TimeBoss’ chamber, care to join me?”
Argos nodded. Johnny held his breath and waited. “Johnny you stay here with Jessie and Studs, we’ll be back in a hour or so.”
Johnny nodded, while concealing his dejection. He could’ve sworn he saw a twinkle of amusement in Patrice’s eyes. After she and Argos left the room both Jessie and Studs licked his hand and nuzzled his leg. He eyed the dogs and smiled. “Well, looks like we’ve got some quality time with one another.”
(2)
Not being able to join Argos and Patrice hurt. Not only because he wanted to see TimeBoss, but it made him feel like the kid on the basketball court
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