Chapter
18 starts now
‘Welcome back Bob.’ ‘Thanks “C”. Guys go have some fun, I’m
beat.’ ‘You like it kinky huh?’ Nick asks. ‘Keep it up Nicky,
and I’ll work out against you in the Danger room.’ ‘N…no thanks.’
he replies. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to hang out with us?’
J.C. asks. ‘Yeah, I’m sure. I need to think.’ ‘Don’t hurt yourself.’
Brian says with a grin. ‘I don’t have to worry about that, I’m
not blond, just remember that B-Rok.’ I say with a smirk. He
gives me a dirty look as they leave and I teleport to my room.
<My room>
I check me email and find two messages. The first is from Shawn,
they are going to test D.R.#2 at full power tomorrow at 1:00
pm, and if I’m back to please come over and help. The second
is from Howie, it’s Tony Braxton’s “Unbreak My Heart.”
‘Well he learned fast.’ I think as I get up and get
a cup of coffee. I sit back down and get my thoughts together.
In a few min.s, ‘ “C”, a message for both Howie and Corbin.’
‘Ready when you are.’ he replies. ‘Corbin, Howie, please come
over tonight or after breakfast, we need to talk, and you will
need to do some thinking. End.’ ‘Sent. The replies are, “Is
now ok?“.’ ‘I guess. Thanks “C”.’ ‘Not a problem.’ he replies.
In a couple of seconds they both portal in. I’m glad that they
look better then they did the day before. It looks like they
finally got some sleep. I get up and say, ‘Get something to
drink and join me in the living room.’ I say as I lead the way.
I sit on my recliner so they will have to sit on the couch so
I can see their faces. They sit down on the ends of the couch
and look at me. ‘Thank you for coming over. And I need to apologize.
When I melded with you yesterday I found out some things that
I wasn’t looking for.’ ‘Huh?’ Corbin asks. ‘What did you find?’
Howie asks. ‘I found out that you, Howie, has feelings for Corbin.
And that you, Corbin, has feelings for me. That threw me for
a loop. I know that you had feelings for Howie after our talk
the other day. And after some soul searching…I find that I have
feelings for you also.’ I take a deep breath and keep going.
‘I had a talk with the rest of BSB, N sync and Billy about what
to do. I was just going to bow out and let you be together.’
They gasp. ‘But they think we should try to be in a three-way
relationship.’ I pause and look deeply into their eyes. I see
shock, surprise, and fear in their eyes. ‘Nothing to fear guys
I’d never do anything to hurt you. Now do you have any thing
to say?’
Howie looks at Corbin, then me. ‘You mean that if I decide
to be with Corbin, you’ll be ok with it?’ he asks. ‘I’ll have
to be, won’t I? It’ll hurt for a while, I won’t deny that, but
I can live with it. Hell I’ve been alone most of my life, I’m
used to it.’ ‘You’d just give up just like that?’ Corbin asks.
‘No not “just like that” Corbin. I know that Howie can do better
than me. Hell I’m almost old enuff to be his father, and old
enuff to be yours. And if I don’t fight, I hope to save our
friendship ’ ‘Will you quit putting yourself down like that.
I love you for being you.’ Howie says. ‘I’ll leave you alone
to talk and think about what you want to do. Take your time.
I don’t want you to just jump into this then have regrets in
a few days. Don’t worry about me this is a you thing. I’m going
to go work of some things for a while.’ I get up and teleport
to my work room.
<My room after I leave>
They look from were I was standing to each other. ‘Well…’ they
both start to say, then snicker for a few. ‘Ok what do you think?’
Howie asks. ‘I think it might work out. It’ll be strange at
first, but we should give it a try.’ Corbin replies. ‘I agree,
it’ll be weird in the beginning, but I think it may work out.
But first we should get to know each other better, we may find
that this is just infatuation, and not love.’ Howie says. ‘I
don’t think it is. But, yes I agree we need to know each other
better. We need to let Bob know so he doesn’t worry.’ Corbin
says. ‘ “C” please give Bob this message. We are going to get
to know each other better, and do not worry, we’ll come and
see you in the morning after breakfast. End.’ ‘Will do Howie.’
he replies.
<My workroom>
I start to work on the star trek models. When I’m done gluing
them I start to paint on some miniatures. While the paint dries
I do some more research and find that I have the stuff around
to do a couple of battle tech drop ships. I get the stuff out
and start on a few more projects. I get Howie’s message and
smile. At lease they are taking their time like I asked. I keep
working till my stomach starts to complain. I clean up and head
over for something to eat.
<My rooms>
I grab my food and go back to my room to eat and watch some
TV. About midnight I’m ready for bed. I crawl under the covers
and think about how big and lonely the bed feels. But I might
as well get used to it, it may be that way for a long while.
After an hour I finally drift off to sleep.
<8:00>
I get up, shower, dress, and get something to eat.
When I’m done I go back to my room ,get a cup of coffee and
head to my Den and start to look at some of my older work and
see how bad it looks now compared to my stuff now. I start
to think about striping them down when “C” says that Howie
and Corbin are here. I tell him to tell them to come in, grab
something to drink and join me in the Den.
They walk in and come over to me and Corbin asks, ‘What’s wrong,
you seem a little depressed.’ ‘I’ve been thinking that I need
to strip some of the older stuff and repaint them, they’re not
up to par anymore.’ ‘They look fine to me. Just leave them alone.’
Howie says. ‘If you say so.’ I reply. I motion to the couches,
and we sit down. We talk for the most of the morning. When it’s
about time to go to lunch, I go change into work out clothes.
The three of us go eat, then I head over to D.R.#2, they go
to one of their rooms to talk some more.
<1:00 PM, D.R.#2>
As I walk up, Shawn starts , ‘So you decided to grace us today.
About time you get back to work.’ He says with a smile. ‘Yeah
smart ass. I’m here to show you guys how it’s done. You ready?’
‘Ok, I think this is plenty. I’ll get a safe area set up by
the door just in case.’ he says as he waves us in. ‘How far
are you going to take it today?’ ‘All the way to level 10. Remember
if anyone needs to quit, or gets hurt…head for the door, the
safe zone will be outlined in yellow so you’ll know your safe.’
Shawn says as he goes up to the control room.
After an hour we’re up to level 2.Shawn calls for a break,
so we hit the rest room and get something to drink. In about
10 min., we start back to work.
<6:00>
Shawn calls a halt for the day, we’d gotten to level 10. As
we’re starting to leave Shawn comes over to me, ‘Got anything
going on in the AM?’ he asks. ‘Not as of now. What you cooking
up?’ ‘Final testing tomorrow. You all the way.’ he says. ‘Sounds
good, what time?’ ‘Would 10:00 be good?’ he asks. ‘Sure, I’ll
be there.’ Pat R. looks over at us, ‘You mean you want Bob to
go all the way to level 10...solo?’ he asks. ‘Well…he’s done
it before, more than once.’ Shawn replies. ‘This I gotta see.
Mind if I watch?’ he asks. ‘Sure, I don’t mind.’ ‘Fine with
me.’ Shawn answers. For some reason I think that the gallery
will be full in the morning. We continue to talk as we head
over for something to eat.
<Dining area>
After I’m done eating a few people stop by to see how my time
off was, and others want to know if I’m really going to do the
final testing of D.R.#2. I reply that I had a good time, and
that, yes, I was going to do the final testing of the danger
room. I begin to wonder if there is some betting going on, and
what the odds are. I take my tray to the kitchen then head to
the Rec. room.
<Complex>
While I’m walking to the Rec. room John stops me. ‘Bob…could
we get back together? Please.’ he says with a hopeful expression.
‘John…I thought you’d get it by now. You’ve hurt me for the
last time. If you can’t figure out the answer, listen to BSB’s
Millennium CD, track 6. You’ll get your answer then.’ I say
as I leave him to think about it.
<Rec. room>
I get a Windsor 7 and find a table by the D.J. booth. Marv
is doing the honors tonight. I sit there for a while and have
a flash of inspiration . I go over to him and find out if he
has all the CDs we’d need. He does so it’s time for some fun.
We figure out the first song , its from a band that’s not here
so they can all start. We get done talking as BSB and N sync
come in. I stay in the shadows as I go back to my table. ‘
“C”, please get the cams ready to tape the dance floor.’ ‘They’re
ready.’ he replies. In a couple of hours all the singers
have shown up. I look at Marv and he gives me a thumbs up. I
go over and grab a mic, and walk on the dance floor. Marv starts
a fan-fair and turns on a spot light. ‘ “C” start recording
please.’ ‘Recording now.’ He replies.
‘Hey guys. I think it’s about time to welcome all the new members
of the Complex. Lets start at the beginning.’ the house lights
come up. ‘First we have N sync. Come on guys, stand up and wave.’
they finally do as I requested while giving me dirty looks.
‘Next was the Backstreet Boys.’ they start to get into it. They
make faces and Nick sticks his tongue out at me. ‘Nick…ask
Juju what happens when you do that to me. When they sit
down he turns to talk to Justin. ‘Then came Aaron Carter.’ he
gets up, does a hand stand, and waves his feet. By now both
Nick and Justin are blushing. I give them a sweet smile and
keep going.
After the applause dies down from the last group, I start up
again. ‘I came up with an idea, and Marv says that we have all
the CDs we need. So lets have a dance contest for all the singers…the
only rule is that they can’t dance to their own songs…so if
we play “Larger Than Life” BSB has to sit out. And the audience
decides the winner. This may take a while, so you may want
to take notes. Let the fun begin.’
I return the mic, and Marv starts “Big Balls” by AC/DC so that
everyone can get warmed up. They start up trying to do the right
moves and mess up big time, after the 3rd song they
decide to just have fun. They start to upstage everyone else,
pushing, shoving, and caring on. When it’s time for Britney’s
song, Nick and Aaron Carter, Lance Bass, and Justin Timberlake
come on stage with rolls of toilet paper under their shirts
and mops on their heads. The crowd really start to laugh. When
it’s Aaron Carters song, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera,
Jessica Simpson, and Kylie Minouge run on stage with their hair
pulled back and they have sausages hanging out of their shorts.
The place erupts. I’m laughing so hard I have to hold my sides.
When the last song dies, I have a hard time breathing, I try
to take a few deep breaths and head over for the mic. I clear
my throat and start, ‘Ok lets see you won…N sync.’ They get
a lot of applause. ‘BSB.’ they get the same. I go through all
the acts, and they get same. ‘Well it looks like a tie. They
all win.’ The place erupts again. ‘But I think that we all won,
the acts and us.’ The response is deafening. I look around at
the singers, ‘And just think…we can do this again when we start
checking out other singers.’ They Start to clap. ‘Well ‘night
everyone. Have fun.’ I hand Marv the mic back. ‘I’m out.’
I send as I teleport to my room.
<My room>
I ‘pop’ into my bed room and strip down for the night. I lay
down and I’m out in a few min.s.
<8:00>
I get up and take care of business. Since I’ll be at D.R.#2
later, I dress in my workout clothes.
<Complex>
After I eat I go to my work room till it’s time to go to D.R.#2.
<D.R.#2>
At exactly 10:00 I walk in. I look up and see that the gallery
and control room are full. ‘Shawn…you ready?’ ‘Any time you
are.’ He says. ‘Ok…start level 1, no breaks.’ ‘You sure?’ Shawn
asks. ‘Yeah.’ ‘Ok…here we go.’ he answers.
<12:00>
‘Level 10 complete. Good job.’ Roger call down. ‘Thanks Rog,
How much did you win?’ ‘What are you talking about?’ he asks.
‘With all these goofballs here, I was sure there’d be a bet
on.’ ‘Yeah there was…but I never bet on a sure thing. Unlike
some people here.’ he replies. I check out the gallery and see
over half of them shaking their heads. ‘I’m going to shower,
then go eat. You guys can lick your wounds.’ I say with a smile
as I head out the door.
<Dining area>
I get my lunch and find a table. Some people come over and
congratulate me on the mornings activities, and a few look over
and shake their heads. When I’m done I go over to help out on
the construction sites.
<Complex>
I help out on the auditorium, and housing complex for a few
hours, then go to my work room.
I get the “Trident - III” (or B I’m not sure which) ready for
a coat of primer. While it is drying I paint on some miniatures.
While they are drying I work on the drop ships. After a while
I look at the time and it’s 7:00. I close the room up and head
over for some supper.
While I’m eating BSB, N sync, and Aaron Carter come over. ‘Your
sneaky, ya know that don’t ya?’ Aaron asks. ‘Yeah…that was mean.’
Justin says. I look at them with a questioning expression on
my face. ‘Last night in the Rec. room.’ Kevin says. ‘Weeeeell…I
seem to remember 4 blonds that seemed to have fun for at least
one song.’ I say with a smirk. ‘Well…’ Nick starts. ‘Ya got
us.’ A.J. says with a laugh. ‘Yeah, after the shock wore off,
it was fun.’ Chris finishes. ‘I may have to do that again when
or if we get any more singers in.’ After I finish eating I get
drug to the Rec. room.
After a couple hours dancing and relaxing I go back to my room
to shower and crash.
<8:00>
I get up and get ready for the day, then head over for breakfast.
I help out at the construction sites till lunch. Then I work
out in D.R.#1 for a while, then go and do some more stuff in
my work room.
After supper I decide to go back to my room and watch some
movies. After a while a few of the guys call and ask what I’m
doing and if they can join me, I reply ‘Of course.’ and we have
a quiet night.
<8:00>
I get up and hit the rest room and take a quick shower to wake
up, I have an early workout in D.R.#1. After breakfast I go
over, see Pat and have a good workout.
I help out at the apartments till lunch.
As I get to the auditorium, I get a call from Shawn. ‘Hey Bob,
I could use some help with a couple of trouble makers.’ he says.
‘Sure thing. Be there in a second.’ I answer before I teleport
over.
<D.R.#2>
When I ‘pop’ in, ‘Ok who’s the problem?’ Shawn grins and points
to the floor. I look down and see Travis, Stacy, Pat, Aaron,
and Corbin. ‘Ok…I see that the conspirators have decided to
challenge me after all. Are you sure that Corbin is ready?’
‘Yes, Pat and I talked about it, and feel that he’s ready.’
he answers. ‘Oh…ok. If your sure. I’ll be back in a few.’ ‘Ok
I’ll let them know.’ he replies. ‘Ed, I need to see you in
your office ASAP.’ I send before I teleport to his office.
<Ed’s office>
I get there a min. before he does. ‘Ok, what’s up?’ he asks.
‘I need a set of power limiters. ‘Why would you need those?’
he inquires. ‘I’ve been challenged to a workout in D.R.#2’ He
goes over and unlocks a file cabinet and pulls out a set of
arm bands and a head band. He sits down and starts to adjust
them, ‘What percent?’ he asks. ‘50.’ ‘Who are you going against?’
he inquires. ‘Travis, Stacy, Pat, Corbin, and Aaron.’ he gives
me a somber look, ‘You sure that’ll be high enuff? I think you
maybe under estimating them.’ ‘Well if so, they may have a chance
to survive. And if I get my ass kicked, I’ll just have to work
out harder.’ ‘Have they gotten level 11 done yet?’ he asks.
’Not yet.’ ’God help us if they do. Now get over here so I can
put these on you.’ he says with a grin.
<D.R.#2 after I leave>
‘ “C” let the people know what’s going on and to get their
butts here ASAP. And connect me with Roger,’ ‘Confirmed, he’s
on line.’ “C” replies. ‘Roger here.’ ‘Rog, I need the senior
evaluator here.’ ‘What’s going on Shawn?’ After Shawn in done
explaining, ‘I’ll be there in a few.’ ‘Thanks Roger, out. “C”
please tell Bob to take his time, the guys are going to take
a potty break before we start.’ ‘Will do.’ ‘Guys, you have at
least 15 min.s before Bob gets back, I‘d hit the can if I were
you.’ Shawn tells them. People start to show up as the guys
head to the restroom. ‘Ok guys to the gallery now.’ Shawn tells
the people coming to watch.
<Ed’s office>
I get Shawn’s message from “C”, and look at Ed. ‘You going
to get a crew ready?’ ‘Yeah, since we have the time.’ he replies
as he gets up and heads out of his office. When he’s gone I
start to warm up.
<D.R.#2>
Vince portals Roger and himself in. ‘Ok Shawn…what’re the odds?’
Vince asks. ‘Why ask me? You know I’d never let anyone bet on
something like this.’ he says while trying to look innocent.
‘Yeah…right. Give.’ Roger says. ‘50 to 1 he’ll take them out
in 15 min.s, 25 to 1 they’ll last a half hour, 40 to 1 he’ll
make it last an hour to make sure that they can handle a long
battle. Oh…Shoot. “C” have Ed send a team over.’ ‘Of course
Shawn.’ he replies. ‘Looks like it’s standing room only.’ Roger
says with a grin. Shawn looks over, ‘That filled up fast. “C”
lights out in the gallery, and tell everyone else that we’re
full. No one else allowed but the medics and participants’ Shawn
says. ‘Confirmed Shawn.’ “C” replies.
The challenges start to come back as I teleport the medics
in. When the last one gets back, ‘I want to talk to Corbin and
Aaron before we start please.’ They both nod and start to come
over. I meet them half way. ‘Guys…I want you to remember that
I’m not trying to hurt you. But if I do…it’ll not be on purpose.
And I’m going to apologize now, because if I do hurt you, I‘ll
probably not forgive myself for a long time, if ever, and may
not be able to talk to you for a while. Corbin remember this
has nothing to do about Howie.’ ‘We know that you’d never hurt
anyone unless you had to. And I understand about that as well.’
Corbin says. ‘Yeah Bro, we know you pretty well by now.’ Aaron
says. ‘Ok back to your group. Shawn…got the floor plan ready?’
I say before I fly to the back of the room.
As I land, Shawn starts. ‘Safe area by the door, floor plan
loaded and commencing now, start on my count, 3...2...1...go.’
he says. I put my mental barriers up to full and throw up my
shield. I wait for a min. then take off.
As I clear the wall I was behind I see Pat standing on a wall
on the far side of the room. I look down and see a blond fur
ball headed in my direction. ‘So Stacy is going to start
in Wolf form, and Pat thinks I’ll get close enuff to him to
fight on the tops of the walls…well I may just do that.’ I
think to my self. I hear Travis start his ultrasonics, next
Aaron starts his. I look around for Corbin and I hear him also.
‘Since when does Corbin have ultrasonics? This could change
things a bit.’ I think. I start to feel someone trying to
get thru my mental barriers. ‘That’s not going to work. Better
luck next time Corbin.’ I send.
I hear a howl. As I look down Stacy jumps up at me and starts
to change into…a were bat, and Pat flies in front of me. ‘Well
Pat, I see you finally figured out how to fly. Took you long
enuff.’ He just growls and starts to throw kinetic spears
at me. Travis, Aaron, and Stacy start to bombard in with sonic
blasts, and Corbin tries to punch thru the shield in bio-metal
form. After a few seconds I start to look worried as I slowly
let my shield weaken. Pat gets closer and starts to use a kinetic
mace. As Corbin opens his mouth to start blasting me with ultrasonics,
I teleport out.
As I teleport back in I see Pat hit Stacy, Stacy blast Corbin,
Corbin blast Aaron, and Aaron blast Travis. They fly apart
like a star burst shell on the Fourth of July. ‘Well do
I take them out now of later? Later!’ I think to myself.
I fly in and start to attack. They kick it up a notch and I
start to have fun.
In about an hour I get ready to call a halt to the exercise.
I see Corbin start to fall. I zoom down and catch him. ‘You
ok? Did you over tax your powers?’ I ask concerned. ‘No. Just
trying out something.’ he says as his hands shoot up to my head.
The next thing I know I feel my mental barriers lowering and
he’s shutting down my kinetic shield.
I feel the ultrasonic attacks and suddenly there is a burning
pain in my back. I freeze in mid-flight and see red for a second.
The pain is gone and I hear 5 thuds. I blink and shake my head.
The first thing I see is Aaron and Corbin laying on the floor.
I fly down as fast as I can. I kneel down and put my hands on
their chests. I sense they have a heart beat, and that they
are breathing. I expand my scan and start to heal their broken
bones and internal injuries. I finish up on their burses, and
start on their concussions. When I’m done they start to come
around.
I get up and look around and see medics taking care of Travis,
Stacy, and Pat. Ed and Roger are coming towards me. ‘Ok your
turn.’ Ed says. ‘I’m fine.’ ‘Look at your arms.’ Roger says.
I do and see that the power limiters had melted, my skin is
burnt and bleeding. ‘So what, I’ll heal.’ ‘We need to get that
stuff off you or you’ll be scarred for life. And the head band
did the same thing.’ Ed replies. ‘I deserve it….look what I
did to these guys, and this was only a test. Just leave me alone.’
I say as I try to keep my composure. Just then Howie portals
in with Nick. Howie gives me a dirty look and goes over to Corbin.
‘You almost KILLED my brother.’ Nick yells as he turns into
bio-metal and starts to move towards me ready to fight. ‘Go
ahead Nick, do your worst.’ I say as I look at the floor. ‘NO.’
Roger says as he grabs my shoulder. I start to feel Ed and him
using their powers on me. ‘Guys, please just…leave…me…a…lone.’
I say as things start to turn black.
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