Alex stood there, as stunned as he has ever felt in his life. He knew something was wrong, but he didn’t think it would come to this. Justin was completely unaware of Krystal, a person who has worked directly with BADGE for years, especially Justin himself.
“How... how can you say that?” Alex asked.
Justin shook his head. “I think you might need to see Doctor Henderson again.”
“No. I don’t. You need to see her. Krystal Fae is my wife. Magical superhero who has worked both for BADGE and the media for years.”
Justin frowned. “I don’t know. That name just doesn’t seem to ring a bell.”
Alex said, “Think, please. We are missing people, and not just Nova. There are people that are torn from our memory.”
Justin held his head. “I don’t know. It’s like I believe you, but there is nothing coming to my mind that makes any sense. This is just how things are, I...” he groaned and closed his eyes. After a moment, he smiled and said, “I think you might need help.” He reached out to grab Alex by the arm.
Alex stepped away from the grasp. “No. There is something wrong here. All of this is wrong. The world is getting sicker every day, people can’t hardly stay awake and are always hungry. Yet, no one is seriously worried. It’s being treated like there is a minor cold running around. Also, everyone is suddenly a computer. Tell me you don’t wonder why you and Chase, and everyone else, can suddenly calculate amazing things. Small children can spell words longer than some books. And, the most baffling part, everything is at peace. It is like a syrupy, happy, fluffy world out there. This is all wrong!”
“Calm down.” Justin held out his hands.
Gamer G. stepped out of Nova’s office. “Is something wrong out here?”
Before Justin could answer, Alex turned on Gamer, “And this one! This is the worst part. When did BADGE get so chummy with super villains?”
Gamer G. scoffed, “Idiot. I saved everyone. Remember?”
“Yeah, I remember. There is a powerful memory of how wonderfully you swooped in and solved the computational crisis left by Ren Tech.”
The fat nerd scoffed again, “Duh.”
“But what makes little sense to me is how you did it. I only remember THAT you did it. Not how.”
“I happen to be a computer genius.”
Justin said, “Yes, he is. And he was able to deprogram the devices that were threatening our world.”
“Did he?” Alex got closer to Gamer G. “I don’t buy that.”
“Do you see any of those stupid Ren Wear out there?” Gamer retorted.
“No. But, I also know that for years you tried to do terrible things, and we could stop you. You were never smart enough to evade BADGE. Somehow, you swiftly hacked and decode such sophisticated technology that BADGE was almost destroyed. Ren Tech was as powerful, as unique, and as dangerous as Legion Tech, and here you come and save the day. Something doesn’t add up.”
“Results count for something.” Gamer said, a look of contempt growing behind his thick glasses.
Justin said, “We all owe a lot to Gamer G. I don’t think attacking his credibility is going to solve your problem.”
“It’s not MY problem, it is OUR problem.” Justin began to speak, but Alex continued, “And, when did we allow anyone to just roost in Nova’s office? That office contains some of the most protected computer technology in all of BADGE. All of Nova’s secrets, all of his command codes and authorizations, his private channels to every world leader... all up there. Yet, Gamer G stays in there all the time.”
“I need the space to help.”
Justin nodded. “Yeah, he is helping us from there.”
“Have you been in there lately to see what he is up to?” Alex asked Justin.
“No, I don’t need... to go in....” Justin was struggling to understand his thoughts.
Alex said, “Well, I have reason. I want to see what is going on up there.” He marched toward the steps up into Nova’s office.
“Wait!” Justin called out.
Gamer G. said, “No, let him go. I will prove I’m completely harmless.” He followed behind.
Alex let the door slide open and he walked into the office. It was exactly how it looked for so long. Just a desk, computer, and a stack of highly protected tablets with codes and information on them. In fact, this was like a memory in his mind. It was exactly like the last time he saw it.
The door closed and Gamer G walked around the desk. “Satisfied?”
Alex shook his head. “This is wrong.”
“Of course it is. I don’t know how you are seeing through the programming, but you are too close to solving the riddle.”
“What riddle? Tell me what is happening or I will zap you to the moon!”
Gamer G. laughed, “No... you won’t. You can’t. I control you.”
Alex reached up to cast a spell, but no magic came. “What the?”
Gamer G. glared at him. “Before I deal with you, I need to know. How are you interfering?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“I am ten times smarter than anyone you know. I know something is messing with our plan, interrupting the signal just enough to slow us down. TELL ME HOW YOU DID IT!”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, and I’m going to stop you.” Alex took one step and then felt his chest heave. His heart raced hard, and he fell to his knees. “What... is happening... to... me.”
“I have billions of brains to make this plan work. One less won’t make much difference.” Gamer G stood still, just watching Alex gag and fall over.
Alex saw the room digitize and shimmer. The walls faded and bright, flashing colors filled the space. “What... have you done?”
Gamer G. chortled in a nasal tone. “You’re just a puppet in my world. I’m cutting the strings.”
Alex gripped his chest as he felt a hard pressure building in him. “I...” he gagged on the air. Then came a shrill whistle in his ears, but it was from a distant source.
“Good bye, Alex. I suppose this is merciful, considering what Drocha did to your wife.”
Alex’s body jerked hard and something shot through him like lightning. He tried to scream, but there was no sound issuing from his mouth. He fell flat on the floor, and in a strangely straight position. That jolt came again, and he heard the screaming whistle flat-line and blare a long chord. The world became darkness, and he was no longer breathing.
“One, two, three, four....come on, One, two, three four!”
Beep, beep, beep.
“Doctor, I have a heartbeat.”
Something blew hot air into his mouth, and then pressure pumped against his chest. The beeping grew stronger and then came a plastic cup against his face. Fresh air blasted his nose and mouth.
A strange voice said, “He’s coming through. We have him.”
A clear, present voice of Nova said, “Thank god.”
A calm darkness filled him again, only this time it came with a faded dream of Krystal smiling at him from their living room as she held their baby. In her soothing voice, she said, “It’s time to wake up, sweetheart. You’re our only hope.”
Opening his eyes, a blurry world met him with shadowy figures nearby. Someone was snoring as two others went about their work. A person bent over and checked something above his head. Then, that person looked down.
“You’re awake. Good. This will pinch, don’t worry. It’ll help.” A stabbing feeling entered his arm for a moment and he knew they were giving him medication.
“Get Nova. Tell him that Alex is awake.” That voice said.
A brighter white, blurry figure jumped up and down, “AWESOMESAUCE!” and then blasted out of the room.
Alex never in his life thought he would be happy to hear that irritating expression from EB.
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