airtight.
“What’s interesting about this device is that it uses a compound similar to the Nano, only this serum works in reverse.” He took the protective sheath off the syringe and punctured the membrane on the top of the glass vial, sucking out all the black fluid. He nudged the needle into the rubber grommet on Lucy and very slowly pressed down on the plunger.
“The fluid will course through the device, not unlike blood. Each tiny nanoparticle is just as important as any other. The nanoparticles communicate with each other to form a singular entity—the same as with the serum you are taking. This compound brings the device to life, instantly communicating with all its various mechanical parts, along with the Nano in your body.”
Dr. Wulfric removed the empty syringe and closed the cap to the porthole. He flipped the switch next to the USB port and a tiny green LED light came to life. He sat down before the computer and watched as various numbers in different sequences and colors appeared on the screen. “That’s it,” he said. “She’s fully operational. We were afraid to add the liquid before shipment; the pressure from flight could have caused damage, but she’s working perfectly. All you have to do is sleep. Lucy can stay right here on the nightstand.”
Ben stared at the silent machine. “I’m impressed.”
Dr. Wulfric unplugged the computer from Lucy, shutting the laptop down. “You want to see something really impressive?”
“Umm, yes?”
“Check this out.” He removed something small from the inside pocket of his jacket. It was a small plastic case that fit in the palm of his hand. He unsnapped the corner and took out a chip, displaying it to Ben.
“Looks like a memory card.”
The doctor nodded. “Precisely. It is a memory card; it would fit in any digital camera. Only this memory card was specifically made. It has more gigabytes than you would find in any camera store.” Dr. Wulfric flipped open the long, skinny, hinged door on the top of the device and placed the chip in the thin opening underneath, pressing it until it slid into place, and flicked the door shut. It fit perfectly. “There you have it. Lucy is up and running. Now, there’s one last thing we have to do tonight.”
Dr. Wulfric picked up a small leather satchel bag beside the aluminum case that Ben hadn’t notice him bring in. It was a medical bag. Dr. Wulfric undid the clasp and removed a stethoscope and a blood-pressure cuff, placing them on the bed. He unwrapped the cords from the cuff and pulled apart the Velcro closure.
“Let’s check your vitals.” He continued removing medical devices until he came to the bottom of the bag. “And afterward, maybe you can help me sample this. One small glass won’t hurt.” The doctor removed a bottle from the bottom of the bag, handing it to Ben. Ben looked at the label: C hâteau du … followed by words Ben couldn’t pronounce. There was a picture of a huge estate surrounded by vineyards.
“Is it any good?” Ben asked.
Dr. Wulfric shrugged. “I don’t know. I choose wine the way my wife taught me: find the prettiest looking bottle with the oldest year and the lowest price tag.”
Ben laughed. “Funny, Emily did the same thing. I remember my grandmother doing that too, but she normally drank boxed wine. Think it’s a girl thing.”
Dr. Wulfric smiled. “It must be.”
Ben looked around the room, to the counter above the mini-bar where two water glasses sat on a tray, still wearing the little paper lids the hotel used to keep them sanitary.
“Hope you have a bottle opener in that bag.”
***
Their last night in Paris, Iain Marcus led Ben and Dr. Wulfric to a popular restaurant a few blocks from the hotel along the bustling Champs-Elysées. They sat outside under the bright red awning that extended over the small dining area hugging the front of the building. Ben could see the Arc de Triomphe in the distance, lit up so that barely a shadow was present.
“What’s interesting about this device is that it uses a compound similar to the Nano, only this serum works in reverse.” He took the protective sheath off the syringe and punctured the membrane on the top of the glass vial, sucking out all the black fluid. He nudged the needle into the rubber grommet on Lucy and very slowly pressed down on the plunger.
“The fluid will course through the device, not unlike blood. Each tiny nanoparticle is just as important as any other. The nanoparticles communicate with each other to form a singular entity—the same as with the serum you are taking. This compound brings the device to life, instantly communicating with all its various mechanical parts, along with the Nano in your body.”
Dr. Wulfric removed the empty syringe and closed the cap to the porthole. He flipped the switch next to the USB port and a tiny green LED light came to life. He sat down before the computer and watched as various numbers in different sequences and colors appeared on the screen. “That’s it,” he said. “She’s fully operational. We were afraid to add the liquid before shipment; the pressure from flight could have caused damage, but she’s working perfectly. All you have to do is sleep. Lucy can stay right here on the nightstand.”
Ben stared at the silent machine. “I’m impressed.”
Dr. Wulfric unplugged the computer from Lucy, shutting the laptop down. “You want to see something really impressive?”
“Umm, yes?”
“Check this out.” He removed something small from the inside pocket of his jacket. It was a small plastic case that fit in the palm of his hand. He unsnapped the corner and took out a chip, displaying it to Ben.
“Looks like a memory card.”
The doctor nodded. “Precisely. It is a memory card; it would fit in any digital camera. Only this memory card was specifically made. It has more gigabytes than you would find in any camera store.” Dr. Wulfric flipped open the long, skinny, hinged door on the top of the device and placed the chip in the thin opening underneath, pressing it until it slid into place, and flicked the door shut. It fit perfectly. “There you have it. Lucy is up and running. Now, there’s one last thing we have to do tonight.”
Dr. Wulfric picked up a small leather satchel bag beside the aluminum case that Ben hadn’t notice him bring in. It was a medical bag. Dr. Wulfric undid the clasp and removed a stethoscope and a blood-pressure cuff, placing them on the bed. He unwrapped the cords from the cuff and pulled apart the Velcro closure.
“Let’s check your vitals.” He continued removing medical devices until he came to the bottom of the bag. “And afterward, maybe you can help me sample this. One small glass won’t hurt.” The doctor removed a bottle from the bottom of the bag, handing it to Ben. Ben looked at the label: C hâteau du … followed by words Ben couldn’t pronounce. There was a picture of a huge estate surrounded by vineyards.
“Is it any good?” Ben asked.
Dr. Wulfric shrugged. “I don’t know. I choose wine the way my wife taught me: find the prettiest looking bottle with the oldest year and the lowest price tag.”
Ben laughed. “Funny, Emily did the same thing. I remember my grandmother doing that too, but she normally drank boxed wine. Think it’s a girl thing.”
Dr. Wulfric smiled. “It must be.”
Ben looked around the room, to the counter above the mini-bar where two water glasses sat on a tray, still wearing the little paper lids the hotel used to keep them sanitary.
“Hope you have a bottle opener in that bag.”
***
Their last night in Paris, Iain Marcus led Ben and Dr. Wulfric to a popular restaurant a few blocks from the hotel along the bustling Champs-Elysées. They sat outside under the bright red awning that extended over the small dining area hugging the front of the building. Ben could see the Arc de Triomphe in the distance, lit up so that barely a shadow was present.
Similar Books
