With a knock sounding on the front door, Snowy closed her book. Book still in hand she made it to the front door. Taking a deep breath and gathering herself she opened the door. The giant surfer stood before her
“Hey, Icy, your friend Ben is on final. I am going to go pick him up, wanna ride along?”
Nat hooked a thumb at the hummer.
“Let me get Jack.” She said as she turned into the house leaving the door open for him. At full volume she screamed, “JACK, BEN’S flight is coming in!”
Jack came out of his room holding his head. “One way was enough.” Seeing Nat, he greeted, “Hi Nat.”
“Hello, headache again?” Nat asked.
“She just screamed in my head to wake me and yelled. I had stereo.”He shot her a look. Opening the closet he pulled out the sunscreen covering himself, “All ready.”
Icy dropped the book on the table grabbing her purse as she turned to Nat, “Lead on, please.”
Nat headed for the hummer, as Jack escorted her opening the door and climbing in back with her.
“I’m gonna see if I can get AC installed in this thing for you. Get it ducted back to that seat so the rest of us don’t turn blue.”
“We need a car for Ben to drive. That should have ac. If you can.” requested Jack
“Can he buy a car?” Nat backed out of the driveway and headed for the island.
“In Michigan if you have a license, you can own a car. Not sure about here.” Jack shrugged
“If you pay for it up front, have insurance, I don’t think it is a problem.” said Nat.
“I’ll use my bank card for all that.” he nodded.
Nat merged up onto the freeway, a very packed freeway.
Snowy fidgeted in the seat, within the link to Jack, “Can I just command every one out of our way, they are slowing us down.”
Jack shoot Snowy a look and says firmly aloud, “NO!”
Traffic was doing about fifty as they roll past the airport.
“So how do I explain you to our friend? Leader of Metas, surfer dude, Perk of requirement?” he asked. “We only invited him to come visit for a while, not sure how top secret all this is.” he explained
“Well, depends on what you told him. Like why you are out here so far from home.”
“I told him that we got picked up and were relocated here.” he left out some “Asked him to stay with us. After all we are family, not legally just in every other way.”
“Picked up by who?” Nat asked.
“I didn’t tell him that, he will have his assumptions.” he shot Snowy a look again, “I still need to know how much this is supposed to be under wraps.”
“Let’s see if this holds water. He is picked up by a private jet, flown to a military base, picked up in a hummer… and taken to a brand new, four bedroom Spanish style house worth about two million dollars on the California market.”
“Yeah, I think he will assume government.” Jack smirked. “So how much I’m I suppose to be able to say or can we tell the world?” he wanted to know. “We can trust Ben, but not sure on how to handle any one else I meet.”
“Okay, he knows you are meta, right?”
“Yes, helped us through one of our changes,”
“You may tell him that the government has recruited you both for that reason. You may not tell him about anyone else in the program. You may not reveal anyone’s powers. I am a guy you go to school with that owns this big truck.”
Snowy thought to Jack, “Yeah like Ben will believe any of that.”
Jack lightly slapped Snowy’s arm.”Okay so cover story it is.” Jack confirmed
Nat pulled up to the gate and flashed the guard a pass, then pulled off toward the runway. Same jet as they arrived in, already stairs down. Nat pulled over to the cargo door as Ben comes down the steps.
Snowy looked at the door handle. Jack reached over her releasing the door. She jumped from the car as it stopped, running to Ben. Taking a flying leap into his arms, he caught her hugging her back.
Jack opened his door, “This just made her day.” He slowly wandered after her.
Ben held her, whispering to her, “Greeting my Queen, your knight has arrived.”
Nat headed over to the cargo bay, unloading the pile of boxes cases and bags. Jack gave a fist bump to Ben, Snowy not letting go of the slender black man.
“Come on you too.” Jack shook his head.” Did you bring the gear?”
Ben nodded, “You know it.”
Jack went to help Nat
Ben carried Snowy to the car and peeled her grip off him, “Behave, baby girl.” he warned her and then joined the other two.”
Ben looked at Nat, “Jack?”
Jack spoke up, “This is Nat. We go to school with him. Nat this is Ben He is our bbf.”
Ben nodded to Jack and said to Nat, “You can call me Box.” He offered his hand.
Jack loaded in Ben’s computer finishing the pile.
Nat took Ben’s hand and shook it. “Nat Ryan, driver and expert on San Diego taxi time.”
“My Uncle’s body will be in this afternoon, Ben. We need to prepare.” Jack said to Ben.
Ben nodded to Jack in understanding. Ben asked to Nat, “Than you know where I can git a sweet ride on the cheap?”
“I dunno about how cheap, what are you looking for?”Inquired Nat.
“Jack , how much you got?” Ben asked as Jack headed for the rear of the car to sit with Snowy.
Jack replied, “We could do like five K if Snowy chips in.”
“Same place I got the hummer, then. You wanna go right now?”
“They open tis early, bro?” Ben asked, “We need the wheels, sure you can understand. If you have the time, when they open, ya know where I’ll be.” He took shotgun in the car.
“Got a couple places to stay away from, they cheat the sailors at the base, especially the recruits,” Nat admitted.
“We will just have to fix that. No one should disrespect our military.” Ben declared.
“What kind of car are you looking for?” queried Nat.
Ben looked back to Jack.
Jack replied, “A minivan, SUV, van or extended cab truck, We have to have room for my dry ice” Jack chuckled.
Ben half grinned.
“What do you need dry ice for?” Nat wondered.
Ben replied, “That’s how we got to go on the road. Long ass trip, we stocked the van with dry ice.”
“Why? Get one with AC.” Nat buttoned down the canvas top. “You know the car deal is gonna take a couple hours, even paying cash and you need to line up insurance. ‘
Ben and Jack just grinned to an untold secret of their road trip. Nat climbed in and started the hummer.
Jack spoke to Ben. “We have a bf now” Ben took of his glasses and stared at Jack. Jack continued, “Snowy’s bf.” Ben’s eyes widen as he said, “bout time.”
Nat frowned “BF as in boyfriend?
Jack spoke, “NO, we three are bbf, best buds forever, a bf is a bud friend. ”
“Not on this coast.”
Jack handed Ben his new cell phone, “Keep it, I still have to load Snowy’s. Everything should be on there.”
Ben scrolled the screen
Nat waited for them to get buckled, “Where first?”
Ben looked at Nat, “Yo Bro mind if grab some food, their cupboards are always bare of real food. Any fast food place that serves meat, I am going to be starving wit them.”
Nat headed off base and start up the bridge “Fast food or dine in?”
Jack piped in, “Fast food.”
Ben shot him a look
Nat stays off the freeway this time, “You mean McDonalds?”
Ben put his shades back on. “That’ll do. Got to get some grub. You know what these ta eat?”
Nat muttered “That’s not food.” He pulled into a McDonalds. “Can’t do drive thru, too wide.”
“No prob,” Ben hopped out heading in.
Jack asked Nat, “Has Mal asked for a site yet?”
“Yes, I know a spot, totally out of sight from just about any angle except up.
“Will that work? But we’ll have to get there at low tide. “
“Does it have a view to the water? It has to have the water.” Jack asked.
“Yes, you can dip your feet in it.”
“This is private just us four no one else. It is a family thing. I hope you understand.”
Nat nodded, “I’ll still have to take you there because as Mal would say “ya can’t get ther from hee”
“But you will go away and not be their right?” he had to know.
“I am going to let you into something that exactly fifteen people know about. You gotta trust me at least a little and Mal only makes it sixteen.”
They looked at each other Jack was already speaking “Yes we have some trust in you.”
“About as much as Deb.” Nat grunted.
Jack voice spoke for Snowy, “WE are doing the best we can. You said just give you a chance. We are giving what you asked.. We are sorry we are offending in the truth. We were raised to trust few. We are trying.”
“Well, just like I said, I ‘m trusting you more than Mal in what I am going to do. That should be some indication about how much I am willing to trust you and that trust is going to extend to your friend because I am going to have to show him that I am a meta too.”
They looked at each other you could see the exchange in their eyes. “Okay can I prepare Ben for it, so he is not surprised?” Jack asked.
Nat leaned his head back against the door post with his eyes closed. “One of these days I hope meta-humans are going to have to be afraid of who they are.”
Ben bounced out with six bags and a drink holder full. Nat started the hummer as Ben hopped in.
“Don’t have time to look for a car, plane’s do in about ten.” Nat pulled back on to Rosecrans and headed out the peninsula.
“Dat cool bro, we got family business.” Ben checked his food bags, starting on a hash brown.
Jack blurted out, “Nat is a Meta and if we do the ritual, he has to attend.”
Ben choked on his food.
“And what are your powers, Ben?” Na causally asked.
“How’d ya, know I have powers? No file on me.” Ben eyed Nat.
“Things are easier with the cards on the table. Ben, you ever read Conan Doyle?
“I don’t read much more than my music and detonator designs unless a teach makes me do it.” Ben answered. “Look you snagged my family, I was on Red two. Had to come see if it was green two.” he shook his head, “No one mess with my family.”
Snowy thought to Jack, “Ben should read more. Nat is referring to Sherlock Homes.”
Nat pulled up to the gate, it opened after a few moments. The hummer rolled up the street and turns into the driveway. “Miller snagged your family; I am just trying to keep them from getting screwed over by a system. I’d rather they have a chance to live their own lives then end up in some hidden prison.”
“I want ta see what’s what before I go jumping in ta any thing. I can’t still do tat?” Ben asked.
“If you’ll forgive me, I have class. You’re a guest, with no powers, you can come and go as you please…even if you did have powers, you can still come and go as you please.”
Ben nodded to Nat, stepping out looking at the house. Jack ran around the hummer and opened the door for Snowy. The three started unloading even Snowy helping by carrying a small case.
“They can come or go, it is up to them.” Nat moved to the back of the hummer helping unload it. “You drive a standard transmission, Ben?”
“They might act all grown, day still kids. I’ll git them right. Got ta see what is what, bro. It’s all good. I might even join up. Extra cash is good.” Ben grinned “It has wheels. I can drive it.”
“Keys are in it.” Nat started walking down to the school.
“Thanks, bro. I’ll catch ya back.”Ben called after him.
Nat stopped and turned around, “A car will be here at 9:15 to take you to meet the flight.”
“I’ll git em ready, Always on time.” Ben assured
Nat continued out the gates. Ben toted his gear in the house.
Ben dropped the bags he carried, “Sweet maaaa thr!” His eyes scanned the huge house. “Snowy, ya get in ya room get dress. Jack wat with the ice cave, ya get in your room.” Ben turned the heat up.” He headed back out for the next load.
Bell came out of her house and started walking toward school. Across her back she carried a beat up guitar case, duct tape in many places, with a cotton rope tied across her back.
Ben caught sight of the girl, “Yo sister, do yeah play” he called after her.
“Nuthin’ you can keep up wit.” She dismissed him.
“Wouldn’t count on dat! You git time come on over and jam with us. Jack loves to practice.”
“Hold yo bref, BRO.” Bell exited through the gate.
Ben chuckled and continued to collect his gear. A yellow ten person van with school markings pulled up in front of the house across the street. Two black kids came out of the house Bell just came from, a boy about nine or ten and a girl about six, from the house next door, a white girl of about eleven came out and climbed aboard.
Grabbing the sack of food, he power ate the junk food while cleaning the house. Searching the whole of the house he screamed, “WHERE”S da GYM!.”
Jack and Snowy both chuckled.
Using the empty room at the front of the house, next to Snowy’s room, Ben set up his top end gaming machine on a desk. He pulled out his college lap top, sitting it on the bed .
Everyone stopped whatever they were doing five minutes before car arrival time, the three waited outside the house. Snowy wore black, Jack in his silly white suit and Ben stayed in the clothes he arrived in.
“You gona lock up?” Ben asked.
“I never got the new locks on.” Jack stated watching for the car.
A black SUV pulled up and a Marine in dress blues climbed out to open the door for them.
Snowy was first to get in follow by Jack. Ben whispered to the Marine as he got in, “Thank you for your service.”
The Marine climbed behind the wheel and backed out of the driveway “Is the temperature okay, Miss?”
It was a little on the cool side, but not freezing. Snowy spoke up, “It’s perfect.”
Ben sighed, “Wish I brought my horn, I could of played the taps for dis.”
“That has been arranged,” informed the driver.
The SUV rolled out onto the tarmac where a C-130 Hercules waited, ramp down. A military honor guard lined the ramp along with two dozen kids about their age. Snowy and Jack recognized Nat, Wren, Bell, Ave, and Slater in the line. All were dressed in black suits/dresses. As the car rolled to a stop, the honor guard snaped to, a three star general opened the door for Snowy and saluted.
Snowy gracefully exited, she stepped forward enough for the boy to climb out behind her. The general, US Army, with a name tag that says Law, escorted her to the right position, Jack and Ben follow them.
As the pall bearers began to care down the coffin, a bugler began a slow Taps. The US Army Hearse back into position, still black but with Army plates. The entire time the honor guard and the team were at attention with the honor saluting. As the coffin was placed on the hearse’s track, the bugler completed Taps.
“I need to see him before the cremation.” she sniffled.
“Of course,” the general said. “The car will take you to the funeral home.”
“Thank you, “Snowy threw her arms around the general and hugged him as she cried.
The general was nonplussed but accepted the hug. Jack and Ben both laid a hand to her shoulder drawing her away from the general.
Nat approached the trio “Please accept our condolences, Miss King. We have taken the liberty of making arrangements for you as we are aware you have no contacts in San Diego that might help. If you find anything unsatisfactory, please let us know.”
“I just need to see him before we cremate him. Just a few moments.” She wiped at her eyes, Neither boy moved to her aid. “Nat.”
“Yes?”
“I can’t express what I feel without Wren killing me, considered your check kissed okay.” She wept.
Nat leaned down and turned his cheek to her, “She would not expect less. This is an acceptable situation.”
“She told Jack she would kill me.” she kissed his cheek, “Thank you and Ben will let you see.” She took a step back from Nat.
Nat straighten and stepped back as well. Ben moved behind Snowy holding both her shoulders
The general handed her the folded flag, tears streamed down her face as she held it tightly to her breast. Ben guided her back to the car that brought them and the trio left for the funeral home following the hearse.
The casket was place into a viewing room and opened, revealing Jonathan King. Snowy bent over the casket. Her hand touched the cold flesh of his cheek as she gently caressed it. Softly kissing his cheek, she choked in a whisper, “We will do it right. I love you.” She broke down, sobbing against the chest of her father.
Ben took her by the shoulders, helping her away from the casket and held her tightly in his arms, “Baby girl, I am here. I won’t leave you.”
Jack approached his Uncle laying the folded flag on the lid; ice drops fell into the box as he kissed the cold forehead. Wiping his face he took Snowy from Ben and pulled her into his embrace.”It will be okay. We still have each other, together forever, right.”
Ben kissed the forehead, not a tear falling. “I gave you my word. I’ll do my best to take care of them, no matter what.” He picked up the flag and carried it with him back to the two. “We better get back to the house. We have to prep for the send off.”
The three enter the car both boys holding Snowy as she cried all the way home.
Once home Jack settle Snowy in her room fluffing the pillows so she could sit propped up comfortably. He handed her a book, “This always cheered you up back home. I promise I will listen to every word, today.” He kissed her forehead, leaving the room as she began to tutor him in their link.
Munching on the remnants of breakfast, Ben took the tools and locks and began replacing them on the doors.
Jack looked at the empty space where once a computer sat, “Ben can I use your computer?”
“When you can throw fire bolts I will.” Ben smirked.
Jack protested,”No seriously, they want us to learn.”
Ben busted a gut laughing.
“You have to teach us.” He insisted.
“That’s like teaching a dog to purr like a kitten. Can be done… but not dat likely.” Ben still chuckled.
“Who else do you think can teach her?” Jack asked.
“We’d need a lot of second hand stuff, before she gets on anything good. You know what a fu she can be.” He finished the front lock.
******
(off screen)
“Are you certain?” A girl asked.
“I have to be, don’t I. Maybe it is for the best. Time to let Red in too. Can I get a vote, how many want to tell Red about Legacy?” Nat conducted his meeting, taking a quick count of hands.
“Can we leave Law out of it? He’s just gonna rat us out to Miller.” A different female asked.
A shake of Nat’s head, “No, I don’t think he will. Something’s we will have to keep back or Q is going to tear them apart.”
“Mal gonna be pissed you didn’t tell HER.” The first girl warned.
“No, I don’t think so. She’s the one that knows what it means to keep a secret. She hasn’t told me anything on Snowy or Jack.”Nat pointed out.
“They are SOOO dead!”Fuji stated.
“Fuji, you can’t kill them, they’re on OUR team!” he warned.
“I told you, no MORE FUCKING NOOBIES.” Fuji folded her arms across her chest.
Nat considered, “I guess I probably should give her my laptop, at least she can’t destroy it.”
“Yea, so you can break everyone else’s!” Zach piped in.
“Shut up, Zach.”
****
Ben pulled a bottle of water from the fridge, cracking it open as a rapping drew his attention to the front door. Standing before him stood the giant of a man.
“I hear you have a computer problem.” Nat smiled as the door opened.
“Come on in, they just finished what da call food.” Ben gestured him in.
Under Nat’s arm was tucked a laptop, “Since the last one had a life expectancy of like ten minutes, I brought something a lot more…sturdy.”
“If dat is expensive, best you go get a used one for her, I can keep it safe for a bit, if I guard it when she is near.” Ben led Nat to the desk in the great room.
Nat offered him silver laptop, ultra thin, with rainbow hues shining in the case, “Trust me, I didn’t break it. It is just a loaner until she gets used to them.”
“I’d offer ya something but nothing here worth eating or drinking.”Ben said as he took it.
It was like nothing Ben had ever seen or even heard of the casing made of titanium. He set it down, opening and inspecting, impressed by the machine.
“How much gear can we take to the ritual?” Ben asked.
“Whatever you can carry, it gets pretty tight in a few places. I wouldn’t suggest a bass or kettle drum and…well, sea water.”
“Nah just need two old Guitars and my horn, we can do it right with that.” Ben nodded at his own words, “I ain’t gonna be in no water! am I!” he showed panic in his eyes.
“Any particular time of day you want or day of the week?” Nat asked. “Not unless you let the waves hit your toes.”
“The sooner the better, we just need da ashes. Rest don’t matter. It is what we do dat does.” Ben responded.
“It does matter, tides matter. This place is underwater at high tide.” Informed Nat.
“Then when ever dat tide thing will let us. Don’t know about that, not to crazy about the stuff. My ritual will be over land. John wanted water.”
“This time of year, low tide is about 6 am, that okay?” Nat asked, “Low tide is only about six inches at that point. It’ll go up from there, how much time do you need?”
“Yeah, time doesn’t matter, just that we do it.” he eyed Nat, “It’s a personal family thing we have. John was a little of a Stoner, when it came to things. Hour, should handle setup, ritual and clean up.” he thought, “Yeah we can dew it in an hour.”
“Friday morning, five a.m., I’ll pick you up. It will be about a half hour walk to the spot then a fifteen minute climb down.” Nat chatted.
“How private is dis place?”
“Let’s put it this way, only way you will be seen is by satellite or submarine and it is too shallow for a sub. Even surfers don’t go there.” Assured Nat.
“Don’t care if it is midnight, so long as nobody sees it and I don’t it wet” He sat on the couch.
“So, I guess inviting you to a beach party is out?”
“They be food and Women? I just don’t do dat water stuff.” he just lean back comfortable. “Them two can but got to be polar bear swim. Their parents said they needed ta stay out of it.”
“Food, always, rule is you bring something to eat what you want. You don’t bring something, you catch it next time. As for women? This IS California.” Chuckled Nat.
“Ya, kina notice dat.”Ben grinned, “Jack can’t risk water taken the sunscreen off. Them two don’t trust. Snowy got a bf now, so day might be gitten better at it. Snowy’s bf has to be at the ritual two, dare a reason for us to do what we do. Family thing.. Ya can git that right, Bro.”
“Water’s temp is about fifty seven right now, coldest of the year. There will be a few surfers out, like me. Maybe he should head up to Tahoe.” Nat considered for a moment. “You know…there’s a bike trip Saturday….I wonder is anyone would mind a run up to Tahoe or Squaw Valley instead? Sort of a welcome for them.”
“Dat would be mighty kind of ya,”
“Might take a little doing being in season but I think we can find some rooms and make it thru Monday.” Nat considered.
“Nah got ta be back Sunday. They got school Monday, they got ta rest, after a changing, gain control.” Ben deliberated, “Just can’t git behind on the schooling, John was big on us gittn a good schooling.”
“Who do you think set’s training schedules? We need team building and Tahoe this week end is it.” Nat said firmly. “Okay, perhaps I should start by introducing myself. I am Nathaniel Ryan, Director of the Minuteman Project. That means all aspects of the team and its training.”
Walking out of the hallway, Jack headed to the fridge. Poking around for a moment he pulled a baggie of carrot sticks, munching on one.
“You got underground doc’s?” Ben looked at Nat, “Jack gave me a green one on ya, so I got a thumb drive for ya , when ya want it.”
Jack sat down next to Ben, crunching on carrot sticks. He looked at Ben.” Rule one no doctors.”
Ben sighed, “They got to have someone.”
“Why change what works?” Jack stated. “She says give it to him.”
“Dis data isn’t for government, got to be for real doctors, dat want to help us not hurt us. I just can’t give it up to just any one. I promised John.” Ben looked at Jack. “I know Jack, he can’t eat anything warm blooded, tested dat out my self, but Snowy I don’t think it works dat way. But cause of the link, dare parents didn’t take chances.”
“Yes, we have doctors, specialists that answer to the Minuteman Project.” Nat looked to Jack very seriously, “Say you’re a meta, and say you have an allergy to … peanuts was the example I used. Now say you don’t know about it? Or an allergy to cillian class drugs and the EMT doesn’t know it. Or say you’re a normal person working with metas, you need a field blood transfusion. And you, what’s your blood type? If you marry and have a child, do you know if you are a carrier of sickle cell?”
“We told Mal but she promised not to say.” Jack seemed oblivious.”Our parents worked for a company that experiment on metas. Ben has that data. Hundreds of files on Metas.”
“Well, if you end up shot up, beat up or burned up, you’ll have to see a doctor, otherwise, no pressure from this point on.” Nat gave up.
Snowy slammed her door open and walked to the living room holding out her hand to Ben, as she rapidly fired out her words, “Ben is O negative. At birth I was AB positive and Jack was AB negative. Hand it over Ben.”
Ben took a chain from around his neck with a flat box dangling off the end.
Snowy grabbed it, firmly placing the stick in Nat’s hand. “No government, just you. Password is live your dream, one word. Oh Ben cut the street talk. It is getting irritating.” She stomped back to her room.
Ben shook his head, “Guess she really wanted to be done with that one.”
Nat takes the drive then goes to the laptop and turns it on. The laptop says “Yes, Nathaniel?”
“Copy this thumb drive, live your dream, all one word. Encrypt it and send it to Legacy Computer:”
“Yes, Nathaniel. Complete.”
“Thanks Spock.”
Ben was amazed, “You are going have to show me how to do that!”
Spock inquired,”Have I been transferred to Miss King?”
“Yes, remind her regularly that damaging you would result in severe pain,” Instructed Nat.
Spock voiced,”I doubt the young woman can generate sufficient force to damage me.”
Jack chuckled.
Ben rubbed his forehead, “I should get hazard pay from you, Jack.”
“So she gets that, what do I get?”asked Jack. “Ben, has agreed to attempt to teach us.”
Ben stated, “We need one water proof for him.”
Jack fired back “Hey I only fried three of them that way. It wasn’t my fault.”
“It is water proof” Nat informed.
“So We are sharing?” asked Jack.
“He was designed to keep me from crunching another one. There is only one. It is not replaceable, nor can it be duplicated.” Nat noted.
Jack smiled, “Than only one of us has to be stuck on this at a time?”
“Someone is going to have to settle for something more … mundane.”
Ben shook his head. “Ever wonder why they never got to learn on one? About the only thing they can do is type. Jack is allowed ten minutes, I can’t even get her on for two minutes.” Ben stated, “Guess you two will have to take turns.”
Nat unplugged the drive, offering it back to Ben as he said, “Spock?”
Ben declined to take the drive, “NO way, I don’t want that back! I just didn’t want it in the wrong hands.”
“Yes, Nathaniel,” Spock responded.
“Enter Program One,” commanded Nat. A program came up. The screen displayed a game intro screen.
Jack hopped up and went behind Nat watching.
“Start character Goliath,” ordered Nat, the character display came up. “Voice command.”
Spock informed, “Ready.”
“Left, walk to the auction house, open auction house.” The display for the AH comes up
“What’s that?” asked Jack.
“Set level 112 to 115, hunter bows.” A new display comes up listing a short series of bow type weapons. Nat looked over the prices “People are insane. Close AH, go to vault.” The character figure turned and walked to an NPC, the vault screen come up. Inventory, move all in bag one to personal vault. Close vault.”
Jack looked amazed and mumbled, “Shut up, I am trying to learn something.”
Nat explained, “The row at the bottom are you quick commands. To attack, just say attack and the target for the nearest enemy. Attack!” Nothing happen, the character stood still. “No enemies in range. This computer will operate by voice command; it will even read the quest text to you if you tell it verbose. The idea isn’t to teach you to operate a computer but to fight with the team. We use a voice over IP so everyone can talk to each other.”
Jack looked totally lost. Ben nodded in understanding.
“Spock, off. Are you telling me that you are incapable of learning something as simple as a computer?” Nat yelled to Snowy, “Or that you can’t control yourself long enough to learn something new?”
“No, just I never was allowed to touch them since I dripped on them and shorted them out. Ben use to play video games with me when we had time, he covered the controller in plastic for me.” Jack’s voice changed slightly as Snowy used him to speak, “What is simple for one might not be for someone else.”
“You know why that computer is made of titanium? So I don’t crush it. Why would I crush it, you might ask … because my neurons don’t always fire at the right time and I crush things …like phones, or people’s hands or tanks. When I took your hand, Ben, I was risking crunching your bones to powder, that’s why I was slow to do it, I had to concentrate.
“Hey I will give a try. If I don’t touch it, I can’t short it.” Jack headed back to the couch.
Ben nodded, “It is what it is.”
Jack munched on more carrot sticks, as he asked, “Can it open two characters at once? Can it do that multi thingy?” he was unsure of his own question, “You say something it does what I say for mine and the same for her but at the same time?”
“Yes, but you need a second monitor.” Confirmed Nat.
Ben smiled, “I got one and they are cheap to replace. I think the boy has something.”Ben glanced at Jack, “I go get it, I was going to buy a new one anyway.”
Jack looked at Nat. “Anyone can come up with a solution if they are given time to think.” he finished the last carrot.” Would you like something to drink? I can blend up some veggies.”
“No thanks, time for me to get back to Wren.”
“Oh, do you know when the lawyers office open?” Jack asked. “Snowy wants to call in the morning.”
“I imagine ten is a save beat.”
“Doesn’t anyone get up a normal hour around here? You waste half the day waiting for people to open.” Jack searched for more food.
“Most places it is nine but lawyers, not a normal place.”
“Nat you do know what that thumb drive meant, when she told us to give to you right?” Jack waited for the answer.
“Someone is collecting info on metas. I am not so much interested in the metas as who is collecting it.” Nat noted.
“I meant what it meant to her, to you. You got the message?” Jack asked
“Do you always state the obvious?” Nat eyed the boy.
“Our ways are different, thought you might not get it.”
Nat asked, “How do you know what’s different?”
“Ben has taken me around. I know that we are not like others but I do try to fit in. I’ll get better in time. That is why we went to public school this year to learn to fit in better.” Jack pulled out some celery sticks.
“You don’t think we’ve encounters situations like yours?” Nat smiled, “You’ve met Bell. She’s have has over a year to get used to her team.”
“She refused my gift.” he looked hurt.
“I think she fits right in, don’t you? What did you try to give her?”
“My most prized possession, my guitar.”Jack sighed.
“Ah … well, she’d think of it as a bribe, or that it was too personal, probably both.
“Only four things are important to Bell; Gran, Phillip, Ariel and her music.” Nat said.
“I don’t understand her. She hates Snowy and is so confusing.” Jack shook his head.
“Why do you say that? Has she spoken to Snowy?”
“She said things, made a challenge that would of killed my sister and tossed racial slurs at me. But I thought she was different, I mean cousin. We do look at each as siblings though.”
“Challenge?”
“But I felt I must be to blame so I gave her a gift.”
“What, did she call you white boy?”
Jack glared at him for a moment.
“Are you white? Are you male? Now, cracker, or something like that might be racial. So, Bell labeled you white, Mal is clear girl, Wren Ice Queen one and Mal’s Ice Queen two., I’m BDS, Big dumb surfer and that’s coming from a black twelve year old. Well, the BDS is…then EVERYONE is dumber than Q. See, you say we don’t understand you…I guess it goes both ways, you don’t understand us. You, Snowy, Ben, are family, right?”
“Yes we are,” Jack agreed.
“Me and all of the Minutemen…family…even Bell and Q. I’d die to protect them but like siblings, we fight and argue and we accept things and don’t get too mad about it. You are going to be part of that family, if you’ll let us take you in.”
“Snowy already decided when she gave you that thumb drive. That means we are in. Ben has to decide.”
“Then if Bell calls you white boy, just call her black girl, both of you are right. But only Q gets to call me BDS, okay?” Nat grinned.
“That is all I have to do? Call her black?” he looked confused.
‘Hey, she expects it, she respects people that can stand up for themselves. You fold, you get no respect. and the guitar? Told you she sees it as a bribe. Don’t try to buy her, do it with your music. Bell…she is probably her generations’ Mozart…you need to understand that. She’s not just a musician …. she’s WAY past that.”Nat explained.
“I thought I saw something in her eye. I liked it.” Jack was lost in his own thought as he spoke. “Like when I saw Mal. It was her eyes. I only just found out she’s also beautiful.”
Nat looked over at Ben setting up the monitor, “Oh…Ben…word of advice…don’t go all homie on her…she truly hates the whole gang thing.”
Ben nodded, as he finished setting up the screen.
“And if Paige next door accidentally pops in, please don’t yell at her, she’s still learning her powers.”Nat requested.
Ben yelled out, “Snowy you have five minutes to get in the garage!”
Jack nodded, “We are still unstable too. A few more days should do it.”
Nat suggested, “You open the garage door, Bell can’t resist, she’ll come over and tell you you’re all wrong.”
Jack half smiled, “Thanks Nat. See you Friday
“Yes, see you then, unless you need something else.”
“Ben is going shopping tomorrow, thanks for the loan of your car.” Jack said.
Ben added, “Nothing in this place to eat.”
Nat stopped.”Mal gave Snowy a bunch of numbers for delivery.”
Both boys laughed. Jack stopped smiling, “I will get her phone and see what is on it.”
Ben tried wipe off the tears, the laughter caused him, “Snowy has never used a phone but like four times in her life.”
“You guys don’t let her try, See you later.”
“No she had no interest, easier to let us do it, Later.” Ben yelled, “Come on we need to practice.”
Nat stepped outside, heading next door.
Snowy entered the garage, the boys following. “This has to be perfect.”
“We are going to do my angels.”Ben ordered.
Snowy huffed,”But dad didn’t teach us in superstitious beliefs.”
“But he respected mine, this is for all of us.” reasoned Ben.
“Fine,” she picked up her guitar, strumming it and making adjustments.
Jack cracked the garage door, wondering if it would work.
They started with hymnals, moving to sad songs, trying to figure out just the right songs to go with Snowy images. Ben sat at the drums, jack on the keyboard as Snowy sang and played her guitar singing each song.
“How you be black and got no rhythm?” Bell said as she walked up, “And what all dis whiny shit?”
Jack spoke up. “Belle, we are picking songs for Snowy’s dad’s sent off.”
Ben laughed, “Well show me how’s it done little girl.”
“I ain’t your little girl! and I ain’t yo sista.”Bell retorted.
“Didn’t say mine but you are little.” Ben smirked, “No matter, you going to cop a squat or just flap your jaws?”
“Git yo ass off them drums, You quarter beat off, twice.” Bell stood in front of Ben.
Ben stood up and backed away from the drums with a slight bow.
“Now you gonna play more a dat shit you was playin’?” Bell sat down, adjusting the setup, tapping each drum a couple of slow beats, listening closely.
“Me, Myself and I by Benonce’s ” Jack suggested.
“Shit…gimme somethin’ hard.” Bell tightened the snare drum a little, tapping it again.
“What would you suggest?” Snowy asked still not quite looking at Bell.
“Where you from?” She started playing around a little, getting the range, moving the bass closer
Ben replied, “We are all from Gaylord Michigan.”
Bell asked, “Sticks?”
“Way past bum fuck.” Ben nodded.
“Philly, Just pass the asshole of the world. She your singer?” Bell nodded at Snowy.
Ben nodded, “No better than her.”
“All ballad and gospel?”
Ben chuckled, “We are playing a funeral but for you, how about Sleepy Brown?’
“How about Piece of my heart?” Bell suggested as she started tapping out a rhythm. “Tough song to sing, you have the voice for it?”
Jack piped in, “We know that one.”
Ben and Jack began and Snowy came in on que, “Oh, come on, come on, come on, come on! Didn’t I make you feel like you were the only man yeah! And didn’t I give you nearly everything that a woman possibly can? Honey, you know I did! And each time I tell myself that I, well I think I’ve had enough, But I’m gonna show you, baby, that a woman can be tough. I want you to come on, come on, come on, come on and take it, Take another little piece of my heart now, baby! Break another little bit of my heart now, darling, yeah, yeah, yeah.”
Bell watched each as they play but her attention was on Snowy the whole time. As the song ended, Bell pointed a drum stick at Jack, “What’s your best solo?”
“Belle you wouldn’t like it, it’s a love song.” jack said
“That you’re favorite?”
Jack nodded.
Bell insisted, “Then that’s the song to play. That’s the song got your heart.”
“Wonderful tonight.”
“Do it.”
vSnowy picked up her guitar. Jack begins the opening bar. Bell came in and held the beat.
“It’s late in the evening; she’s wondering what clothes to wear She puts on her make-up and brushes her long blonde hair And then she asks me, Do I look all right? And I say, Yes, you look wonderful tonight.” Jack face expressed a love as he sang the song with his eyes close, his heart pouring out in the words. When he stopped, he stared off for a moment.
Bell said quietly, “Icy, what’s your favorite song?”
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun,” Snowy stated.
Ben chuckled
“Cool, let’s do it!”
They got cued in by the drums and Snowy started dancing around the room while singing, giving flare to each move. “I come home in the morning light My mother says when you gonna live your life right? Oh mother dear we’re not the fortunate ones And girls they want to have fun Oh girls just want to have fun .”
Bell was grinning as Snowy bumped hips with each of the boys as she danced around and continued to sing, “Some boys take a beautiful girl And hide her away from the rest of the world I want to be the one to walk in the sun Oh girls they want to have fun Oh girls just want to have fun.”
“That’s what I am talking about, you got your heart into it!” Bell exclaimed.
Ben spoke, “It isn’t real music if there is no heart and soul.”
Jack looked to Bell, “What’s your favorite?”
Nothing you can sing. But I need a guitar,” She started a slow beat on the drums, “You think you can hold that beat, Ben?”
Ben nodded, “Sure thing.” He readjusted for his legs and started the beat.
Jack offered her his guitar, with inscription and all.
“Thank you.” she said, as she took it from him. “It is called, For the love of god.” Bell really got into the song complete with the whole facial expressions thing showing her inner emotion.
“Time to close the doors I think.” Bell said
*****
Friday morning four forty five, the three waited outside of the house with two guitars and a horn. The low rumble of an engine made it’s way down the street. Nat pulled into the driveway and stepped out of the old station wagon. Jack opened the door for Snowy as Ben helped Nat load the back end. Snowy smiled at Mal, who sat shot gun, as she settled center herself in the back.
The ride was shorter than expected but the area they parked the car was insulated. Nat used his jump to carry the four and instruments deeper into the wilderness. When they reached the cliff Ben and Jack flew down carrying the cases and Snowy to area Nat had promised.
They unpacked their instruments for their ritual. Snowy stacked small rocks to make a pillar. Jack paused to freeze the stones together with ice cubes before Snowy placed her father’s Urn on it. She stepped back to join the boys both ready to play.
The music began as her images took over the open area. Ben and Jacked played as Snowy and Jack voice rose in the Eric Clapton song : Would you know my name, if I saw you in heaven, Will it be the same, If I saw you in heaven, I must be strong, and carry on, Cause I know I don’t belong , Here in heaven.”
The world around them transformed to the open blue sky as clouds formed beneath their feet. Snowy’s dad stood before them. Angels flew around John King’s image. Three of the angels landed, one moving next to the image of John. She wasn’t as clear as the other two. Her hair style outdated but it was Snowy’s mom, Snowy had never met her. Only in photos did she ever see her face. The song continued as ghost children relived moments in time of Jacks parents and John, playing with them, raising them, loving them, Ben’s boy ghost form entering into the family at the end. There is no others, just their family. The images of their parents watched on with bright smiles. Slowly wings grew on the image of John. As the song ended the heavenly images of their parents rose to the blue sky fading as the last words of the song ended.
Ben changed his instrument to a trumpet, but did not yet play it. Instead Snowy and Jack began to play the music of Mary J Blige. Ben sang pouring his heart and soul into every word. Snowy and Jack joined singing the back up.
“Life is a teacher, time is a healer, And I’m a believer like a river wild, Ego’s a killer, greed is a monster
But love is stronger, stronger than them all, White flag in hand, I don’t wanna fight, No lines in the sand, I’m on your side, Invisible, no colour life, It’s time we put our, put our, put our differences aside.”
The world transformed again, this time only ghost images of John and Ben moved around them, circling them, playing all the moments the man had shared since Ben was eleven till the present day, a few images included Jack’s parents. Many images had John and the three as children. Images flashed of Ben with gown and cap, John standing proudly with his arm around his shoulder. John teaching them to hunt, camp, ride dirt bikes and all the many snow activates. The images were circling and changing around Ben. One image that stood out was the four, John in a cloak and crown, Snowy in full princess, Jack as a prince and Ben as a Knight in armor. The man was with his sons, defending the queen in a mock battle of her images, the boys, using their powers to blast the fake danger away. The song ended with the images.
Slowly Ben raised his trumpet to his lips as he played the first note. Jack summon the snow, the area became cold as snow fell to Ben playing taps.
The three placed the instruments into their cases. They stepped up to the Urn. In unison they began their tribute with only their voice. “ Oh, say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight.”
Music surrounded them as they sang. The image of John King in uniform with a flag waving behind him appeared high in the sky over the water. Jack danced upon his snowflakes frosting up to be Jack Frost, icicles forming off his skin. Ben strummed the air, lifting into the air on his musical trail, his appearance going into a heavy metal black leather look. The two of them crossed paths going up, over and under each other as they circled above Snowy. Snowy’s many images danced around her on the ground. Never once did any of them stop singing in full volume. Fireworks exploded, as the two boys blasted the ground to make the booming noises of canons, even more realistic. Snowy tossed the urn in the air as the boys targeted it, turning the jar into dust; Jack froze the ashes into flakes as Ben pushed them out to sea. Jack in one final burst, activating his new power, sent ice spears out after the frozen ash, up into the sky. Jonathan King marched over the ocean fading away.
The boys landed next to Snowy, the silence of the area returning. They knelt down before the empty pillar crying. The three hugged each other. Snowy looked up at Mal, beckoning her to join them.