by Gary Starta
“This is a lot to process!” Miranda paced the deck while Earth Cat Zero attempted to mirror. “Look! You’ve even the got cat freaked out.” She continued pacing with hands affixed to either side of her head.
“Does your mother do that?”
Miranda scowled. “What?!” If I had Earth Cat’s teeth, I’d bite him right now!
“Or…maybe your father?”
“What the hell, Doctor? Don’t you think I have a right to freak out? Hasn’t this been enough of a wild ride already?”
Earth Cat Zero fixated on a wall, pawing it as if he could move through it. His actions went unnoticed because of the festering human argument.
Brands made a tsking sound, shaking his head. “I thought you’d be there for Earth Cat, Miranda!” Now the doctor’s surprise turn of moods made Miranda retreat a few steps.
“I am. I have been! Damn it! Haven’t you been watching?!”
Brands scowled. “This is only the beginning. Haven’t you thought about how your mother kept her professionalism?”
“Hmm. Well. I know.” Miranda crossed arms with defiance in her eyes. “She took a sabbatical.”
“You have no such luxury. I suggest you get a grip.”
“Hmm. Okay.” Miranda tilted her head, feeling the bile of sarcasm rise in her throat. “I guess I should just smile and shake your hand. All for the good of science!”
“It would be a step in the positive direction.”
“Are you clueless, Dr. Brands? Have you only shared a room with a bird? You really don’t seem to know how people should or should not react or behave!” She paused gazing at the floor. “I’m sorry. I just don’t want to be an uncaring robot…” Her bottom lip quivered.
“I know you’ve already felt loss. A big loss. I am not so callous.”
“Thank you.” Miranda blinked and uncrossed her arms. A shadow from the window crept over her.
“We must get a move on.” Brands pointed at the window. “Maybe you feel emotions are of the essence. I can’t argue with that, Miranda, but I do know time is of the essence if we are still living in the universe where time if the fourth dimension!” Brands popped off the gurney and clasped hands around Miranda’s shoulders.
“Come on. Look at me. We are in this together. I’m not failing; I’m not leaving.”
“Okay.” Miranda forced a smile of gratitude. “I wish my father had even tried to say the things you just did.”
Earth Cat Zero mewled. “I thought time was of the essence. You’ll have time for family portraits later.”
Miranda laughed knowingly. “Just like a cat. Focused. Eyes on the prize. Practical.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Earth Cat Zero gazed at Miranda in a staring contest until the teen and Brands chuckled. The cat continued with his observation, sounding a bit judgmental. “Speaking of practical, just how many photos have you humans posted of cats on social media, anyway?”
“So, what is this qubit going to do?” Miranda asked.
Brands shuffled over toward the window. “Think of it like a way to shout across the city and have someone hear you, but without the need to shout, or even vocalize words.”
“I see. At least I think I see.”
“Qubits are part of quantum computers. They hold a lot of knowledge and can dispense it quickly. It’s all about up spins and down spins and catching the right quantum moment. It’s also about…” The doctor gasped. “Ah, I could go on. But I can’t. I want you to know that it will not only equip Earth Cat Zero with my uncle’s knowledge but give him the ability to speak to me. Well, the qubits will speak to each other, more specifically. That way, Earth Cat Zero will have a built-in emergency broadcast system, which will be shared between us two. It’s not only covert; but it’s ingenious.” Brands paused to bend down and gaze into Earth Cat’s eyes. “You probably don’t know what I’m thinking right now.”
Earth Cat Zero’s ears twitched. “I can hazard to guess.” Miranda laughed at the cat’s assessment. “I just hope the people working for the three-lettered agencies cannot.”
“Earth Cat, with this system, you could talk to me without a single meow.” Brands’s eyes sparkled with wonder.
Miranda scooped Earth Cat Zero into her arms. “Okay, I’m sold.”
“Good. Andy and Andrea - our robotic surgeons - will send a precise microwave beam into my skull. It will initiate the chip in my head to become quantum and it will transfer the gift to Earth Cat Zero in the process.”
“But he won’t be in pain or feel it?”
“No. I get the pain – if any – he gets the pleasure. It’s all dependent upon Earth Cat’s particular Solfeggio Frequency. I’ll use that for the Bean’s frequency. It should put us into tune so to speak. Earth Cat will share my library of information and his chip should transform to a qubit as well, all part of quantum entanglement – which deliciously gives us instantaneous and immediate results. It’s instant gratification on a particle/wave level.”
“But…Doctor. What about that mind transference?”
“We will discuss later. It’s not a factor now.”
“But why?” Miranda dropped the cat onto the gurney and slapped hands against her thighs. “I know you said you could dampen elemental contributions…or at least that’s what I thought you said. But there wasn’t any at my house and you were affected. I saw it with my own eyes!”
“There was an outside factor in the park, not only between the Bean and me and Earth Cat, but by my own excitement generated by a crowd. It’s like I’m a particle, Miranda. I get into an excited state just like a molecule or atom. It’s all relative when you think of it and the universe’s construct. Unfortunately, it was nearly a recipe for disaster.” His eyes glazed over, and his expression turned glum. “I will not be distracted by any crowds here, will I, now?”
Miranda began to mirror the doctor’s state, wearing a scowl. “So, you say, Doctor. But excitement is not easy to control, even if you are all alone. Trust me, I nearly died during finals.” Miranda’s eyes glazed over. “I have to wonder about this coming from the perspective of our friend: ‘Felicity Mandabelle’ Just what was her interest in this excited state?” Miranda crossed arms in contemplation.
“I do need to find that out. Maybe my knowledge share with Earth Cat Zero will help.” Brands’s eyes seemed pleading, darting in their sockets, begging Miranda to give him the green light.
She gestured with a ‘thumbs up’ and Earth Cat danced to some invisible beat on the table.
In the next moment, despite her bonding with Brands and Earth Cat’s confident swagger, Miranda grimaced. Andy and Andrea, the surgical drone arms, prepped the microwave beam to shoot into the doctor’s skull. They had no faces to show if they were excited about it or not.
Chapter Seventeen
Caron perused her clothing choice: a mint green dress shirt underneath a forest green blazer. Her black shoes sheened peeking out from underneath forest green slacks. She could only hope she would appear as fresh and shiny to her Brookhaven colleagues. Arriving early at the meeting, she exchanged a knowing glance with the other early arrival, Normand Toews.
Normand attired in a drab colored dress shirt – this time an offshoot of yellow and orange, possibly melon – and chocolate brown slacks wasn’t exactly going to be mistaken for a fashion plate anytime soon; but he wasn’t disheveled or unkempt either. Maybe this man has somehow learned to live with inner turmoil better than I have.
Caron was lost staring at her reflection in a black cup of vanilla bean tea, recalling her life from a week or so earlier when she thought she had problems. She smiled absently, pleased that Director Schultz made the effort to supply the conference room with her favorite beverage. I guess he sees this as a long haul.
A phone chimed bringing both Normand and Caron off of their seats. “Oh! I’m so sorry.” Caron blushed. She only gave a quick glance toward Normand who also seemed hesitant to hold an extended gaze wit
h her. Maybe I overburdened him with my abduction story.
Caron answered about twenty seconds into the chime after the pair rejoined their chairs.
“Mom, where have you been? What’s going on?”
Caron stuttered. She decided it would be best not to reveal her detour to an abandoned warehouse with anyone other than Normand at this point.
“Oh, just late nights. Working on solutions for our collider conundrum. You know. I could ask you the same question, young lady.”
“Hmm. Well, I don’t know what you were up to; but I guess I’ll just have to imagine.”
Great! Now Miranda sounds cold and distant. Unless something is troubling her. Caron’s motherly instinct wondered what that trouble was.
“I’ve had a horrible – but – productive night.” Before Miranda could continue, Caron excused herself with a raised hand. Director Schultz paraded in with Cheryl Lacroix and Devin Ramsey in tow.
“Did everyone see that video?” Schultz’s eyes bulged as he whipped his head around to meet every eye in the room.
Caron frowned. Video?
She continued her conversation with Miranda. “Uh, I’ll have to go. Another meeting is starting.”
“No, Mom. You have to listen to me. I think everyone should. Maybe put the phone on speaker.”
Schultz grimaced, still standing with hands stuffed into pockets. “I’m sure she’s got something to say about the video, Caron. It’s a good thing she wasn’t its co-star.”
Caron blinked a few times until annoyance pushed her eyes wide open. “Just what is everyone referring to?” She was angry at herself for snapping but felt justified after her experiences of the last 24 hours.
“Go on, Miranda. I’ve got the phone on speaker.”
“As you all know, a video – or a few videos – have surfaced on the Internet glorifying a certain man cat, a.k.a. Dr. Brands.”
Caron shook her head in wonder, finally trading a longer gaze with Normand who just furrowed his eyebrows as if to say he hadn’t heard about it either.
“It can be explained.” Miranda paused to inhale. “We seemed to have experienced a breach. And…Director Schultz…” Miranda paused to wait for his acknowledgement. “I can hear you, Miranda. Please continue.” The director took his seat.
“Yes, we seem to have been duped by an imposter posing as a DOE scientist. She led us to the Bean where Dr. Brands experienced another one of his infamous reactions. I know this is sensitive and I suspect we’ve invited unwanted attention. But it seems, at this point, further acknowledgement of the situation probably wouldn’t be critical. Should I continue?”
Schultz flicked a finger against his chin. “Continue, Miranda. I’ll stop you if I feel the need.” He sighed so loud that Caron was certain Miranda heard his anxiety filled groan.
“I have experienced – we all have experienced – a fretful and painfully slow-moving night to say the least.”
Schultz, hands clasped and resting on his thighs, reacted to a background sound. “What is that, Miranda? I just hope it’s not another breach.”
“Oh, no.” Miranda guffawed. “It’s just Earth Cat Zero. He’s playing with some kind of interactive cat toy Brands had put together.”
Normand chuckled. “It’s making some kind of squeaking noise, like a mouse.”
“Yes,” Miranda explained. “It lights up each time Earth Cat swats at it with some LED light gadget and also makes the sound of a rat each time it rolls. Earth Cat Zero is getting quite a workout. I – I even think I can see a smile on his face.” She paused. “Earth Cat, can you smile?”
“I am not so preoccupied with facial expressions. I just live in the moment.”
A raucous burst of laughter erupted in reaction to Earth Cat Zero’s deadpan analysis. Caron was pleased to see even Lacroix and Ramsey were joining in the moment of distraction.
“Well, maybe not smiling. But he looks like he is.” Miranda waggled a finger at the cat. “Maybe I should put it on LipService?”
“No! No!” Schultz was out of his seat, pointing a cautionary finger. “No, please do not. Miranda, no more social media; I just need you to explain what happened at work but in a very roundabout way.”
Caron smiled at Schultz’s attempt at code words. She wondered just how the man would react if she heaped another pile of stress onto him with news of her abduction. No. No. I can’t tell him. At least not now. For my daughters’ safety. Thankfully, Miranda continued to deflect some of the guilt Caron was feeling.
“Before I explain about work, I need to explain what happened at play. I think the elemental structure of the Bean initiated some weird transference between the cat and the doctor. It was kind of like the time he was affected at our home, but worse. He began speaking as if he wasn’t exactly himself.”
Schultz nodded. “I think we understand. Go on.”
“He made some pretty odd gesturing in broad daylight. As you can imagine, this needs to be explained somehow to calm the public. I was thinking we could explain it as PTSD but because Dr. Brands actually walked around on all fours, rubbing against people’s legs, I’m guessing no one is going to buy that.”
Caron interjected. “So, no one really heard the cat speak, or the doctor speak at that time, other than yourself, Miranda?”
“I would think so.”
“That’s good, Miranda.” Caron assumed a posture with back straight and arched shoulders. I’ve got to put on the pretense for everyone, especially my daughter, that I haven’t lost my mind and can still contribute.
Schultz nodded. “I don’t know what we can do about this, Caron. But it seems like you do.”
Caron raised a hand to speak, but Miranda continued.
“I do too. But I need to ask you to delay the next acceleration with what happened.”
Schultz pursed lips before speaking. “I agree. We don’t know how deep this breach goes. I can assure an investigation will begin and soon.”
“But if it’s an inside job,” Caron asked, “can we trust the DOE to investigate?”
“I think I need to alert my bosses of this so they can determine if this is an amber or a red alert.” Caron assessed the man’s answer. She wondered if Miranda’s breach could have any association with her kidnapping. Schultz continued but he sounded absent as if he were mumbling to himself. “I think we should proceed with research as…”
Normand smiled boyishly. “Gee, and we weren’t in alert status already?” He traded another knowing glance with Caron who despite the circumstances found it in herself to smile back at him.
Miranda spoke. “Ahem. Team: Earth Cat Zero Chicago to Team: New York.” She cleared her throat again. “I want to let you know as well that Dr. Brands should be okay. He had to be monitored all night. Additionally, Earth Cat’s whiskers were rotating circularly possibly attuned to the Solfeggio Frequency that they both are sharing – something Brands said was expected to happen. All in all, Earth Cat seems fine, and if all went well, the doctor and cat have a pretty nifty communication system set up. I think it even beats Earth Cat’s interactive LED ball.”
“I am glad to hear it was a success.” Schultz seemed to exude enthusiasm. Caron interpreted it was a good swift verbal – and possibly virtual - kick in the ass to whomever might be listening in to them.
“Say hello to the doctor, for me.” Schultz added, fiddling with his tie.
“I will. I need to get cleaned up and ready for my address. I think I am going to take the blame, Mom. I think you would agree.”
“I – I do. Under the circumstances.” Caron hoped her daughter knew she was only condoning deceit under special circumstances. But who am I talk…or judge?
“I trust the doctor will be in touch with the appropriate officials.”
“He will, after a few showers….ew.” Caron pictured her daughter waving a hand underneath her nose. “Like I said, he’s had a night.”
Cheryl Lacroix took a turn at clearing her throat
. “I am glad we can all return our focus back to the business of physics.” To her chagrin, Ramsey offered his often-expected counterintuitive commentary.
“Hmm.” Ramsey rubbed hands together. “This does seem to about a business, turning a profit…”
“Okay, Sherlock,” Lacroix groaned more than spoke. “We already knew that. We already have budgetary concerns about getting the DOE a renewable energy resource, remember, Devon?” She thumbed a finger at her temple. “That makes them money.”
“He’s certainly not off base.” Normand blushed after his curt comment. Caron found herself smiling despite Lacroix’s irritation.
“But,” Schultz added. “This time it doesn’t seem to be so much about energy.”
Caron lowered her gaze, feeling conflicted about not sharing her intel.
The director held up the photo depicting the atomic version of Earth Cat Zero. “What if they’re after a weapon?” Caron felt as if her heart was caught in her throat.
“I know it’s not a big stretch. The DOE has always invested in the lab for wartime technology in addition to renewable energy. Now, we have the DOD in the mix. And possibly, a third element we haven’t considered or couldn’t even be expected to consider.”
Caron tugged at her lapel hoping her flustered face wasn’t the reveal she thought it was. To her relief, Schultz was fixated on the cat photo.
Despite her trepidations, Caron spoke. “Yes, we have to consider that, Director. But we need to stay on course. We shouldn’t be deflected from our goals.” She hoped her ambiguous word choices might tell the director she had a few security concerns as well.
I need to encourage this pursuit, even if it’s a weapon – for the sake of Miranda.
Lacroix flipped through her notebook. “Back to business then. I’ve been working on ball lightning which has already been recreated in the lab.”