The troublemakers backed up, surprised at their target’s unexpected bravery.
Flora motioned for her group to keep moving.
The neighbors were examining Corona’s abilities and their own alarms were going off at what they’d learned. Something was different about this one. Very different.
I think she can read what we are thinking and sense what we are feeling, Golden, the pack leader, said. And she’s not afraid of us. She moved closer to the fence, incensed at the possibility of a superior human, one more advanced than her. One who thought she was better than they.
I think you’re right, Gessie said. But, now, I’m not sure. Now, she seems harmless, unenlightened, like the others. She was bluffing. I’m sure of it.
We must report this, Golden said. Just in case it’s true. For a moment, I perceived her knowledge of us and what we were thinking. Now, I realize I can’t read her mind. This isn’t good. Something is unique about her. She may be far more advanced than any of the others.
They call her ‘Corona,’ Gessie said. Corona Bond. Maybe she’s the one they’ve waited for. The gift. The one who the Passers say will be able to help not only her own kind, but those in other dimensions. Her pale red eyeband brightened and became a thin slit. She momentarily forgot her place and became self-important and motioned for their companions to join her inside the home, away from their neighbors.
Golden held her arm up as if to stop the entry of the house. “Orders are taken from me,” she said aloud to the group. “Not from her.” She pointed at Gessie, whose bright eyeband dimmed at the discipline she knew was coming.
Gessie lowered her head and said nothing. She recognized her mistake of crossing the line with Golden. She took some steps back, bowed her head, and stiffened.
Their leader raised her head and clenched her hands into fists. Though shorter and stouter than the others, she had earned her place of command and demanded total loyalty and obedience.
Gessie remembered how she’d risen to be Golden’s closest companion. In the past, before she was a member of the inner circle, she’d reported to Golden on which In Situs were the most intelligent and talented and whether they were in agreement with Golden’s political positions. She did anything Golden wanted when she wanted it done. She publicly praised Golden and complimented her when they were together. These actions aided her ascendance in the pecking order. She realized her error of forgetting her place today.
Golden tolerated other In Situ’s brilliance as long as they didn’t let it shine greater than her own, and as long as they played politics her way, swaying others to her causes and meeting her personal and political needs. “As long as my needs are met, all is well,” she was fond of saying. What she really meant was, “Do what I want. Period.” Others were tolerated as long as they were blindly obedient to her, even to the extent of doing things that were demeaning and harmed the reputations of perceived enemies of the cause. In Situs have a word for a bully and Golden had earned such a description.
The Homelings’ pack members were motionless, waiting for Golden’s direction.
The Travelers surrounded the area. This is quite enjoyable, Uni thought. We could be part of some trouble here.
Golden stalled in order to add anxiety and tension to the coming directives. Without giving her companion eye contact she again spoke out loud. “Gessie, you wait here and come into my home last.”
Gessie bowed and moved to the edge of the group, humiliated at being in the rear of the pack.
“Now,” Golden said, “We’ll go inside and continue our planning.”
Golden touched the wall of her home and gave instructions to Raney, a twin and one of the newer pack members, through her thought track. After our meeting, I want you to contact the In Situs who have expressed the most recent interest in joining us. They’ll want to know of this Hybrid danger. Have them meet us at your home later. We’ll need new recruits. And give the Travelers what they need to bring in more of their kind to help us.
Raney, taller than her superior, bowed low in compliance and eyed Gessie with her violet eyeband. She hoped Golden would let her dispose of Gessie.
Golden waited at the entrance for Gessie to appear through the doorway. “Shut the door behind you,” she said aloud.
Gessie did as she was told.
Golden leaned in close, forcing her forehead against that of Gessie’s. Her thin lips were quivering. “You will never again attempt to give any instructions, no matter how small, unless I tell you to do it first.” Her breath was stale and hot against Gessie’s neck.
Gessie’s head was starting to hurt.
You are right. I was wrong. I apologize.
“Say it aloud,” Golden said.
“You are right, I was wrong, I apologize,” Gessie repeated loudly. Closing her eyes, she backed up and bowed as low as she could.
“I need your talents, Gessie, but, if you continue to assert yourself, I’ll find another just like you. Now, contact our Passer informant and get back to me with the latest report.”
Gessie bowed low again, reached up and tapped the shiny air sparkle connecting the communication board.
Golden observed her companion, convinced she would remember the reprimand. She didn’t want to lose Gessie as her closest confidant. Gessie was a brilliant communicator. She had the admiration of almost everyone because of her ability to formulate and present communiqués with convincing arrangements. She was a brilliant verbal and written stylist, capable of using soft intonations and rising crescendos to sway others’ opinions. Gessie cocked her head one way, then tilted her head another, to make her points. During her daily presentation, she used ridicule and humor to belittle those who disagreed with them, causing many to fear being the object of her derision. When needed, she accused their detractors of exactly what Golden was doing, just to put them on the defense. Old, old tactics, but effective.
Golden recognized her own lack of those abilities. She preferred using intimidation, a vast support system, insider knowledge, and managing political alliances designed to gain more power. The power was what she craved because with it came an extravagant lifestyle. The few times in the past she’d tried to show compassion or caring, it had come across as the phony incantation that it was. It made her look weak. So, she abandoned any pretense at empathy and stuck with what she was good at - cold civility and bullying.
The Passers steadily glided to Flora’s home, all the while scanning the area for problems.
They’re Homelings, Flora said to Corona about Golden’s group. In Situ beings who’re not allowed to pass over into other dimensions. They shouldn’t be sending those signals to anyone. Especially not to our Hybrids. They have nothing to do with the Hybrid program and they command no greater power than us. And I hate it when they call us ‘Passers’ in the tone they use. Especially when Gessie speaks about our Homelings’ project on the communication board.
And who do they think they are, making an alliance with Uni and the Travelers? The Travelers are nothing but lazy squatters. Hired troublemakers. Rejects who couldn’t make it in Marva’s personal young army corps. They go about breaking people’s property if they don’t get their way. I despise them and their filthy habits, emptying their internal refuse on others’ possessions instead of using the Common Room. The Valers should rid us of them.
Tell me more about the Valers, Corona said, stopping at the front of Flora’s house.
Valers live in a dimension occupying space with others, but not us, Flora said. We go see them and they come see us. Usually when one of us wants something. They can’t pass to your space because of your location. Bob-Boy will do the mathematical equation during one of your sessions and show you why it violates known laws. Right now, I’m more concerned about your safety. We must get you inside and back to your world before there’s more trouble.
I understand a lot of what you’re talking about. Physics is my specialty, you know, Corona said.
I know. We planned it that way. Each of the
other Hybrids, like you, have their specialty, too. We tried to include within your DNA, the codes and distinct additives for what we thought the Hybrids would need to enable your progress in the field of our choosing.
So there are more like me somewhere in my world, now? Corona asked.
Yes. They’re out there, Flora answered, waving her arm around. In your world and ours.
Are all the Hybrids like me? Corona asked.
Flora gave Fancy a hard stare.
Corona sensed there was another something the beings weren’t sharing with her.
Well, are they? she asked again.
All the humans we worked with are like you. Not as gifted, but like you, Flora said.
The Valers tried to make Hybrids using cells from several sources, Fancy said. We heard the outcomes weren’t good. Either they died or were mistakes. I’ve never actually seen what they created, but those that did, said they weren’t normal or attractive like us. And there were other problems with their program.
Corona doesn’t want to know that, Flora said. She frowned at Fancy.
Yes, I do. I want to know everything. Tell me more.
There’s not much more to tell, Fancy said. We heard of one thing in particular they created which was evil and ugly. And it had some gifts of its own. Somehow, it got away from them and they haven’t seen it since. The Valers have been trying to track it down to destroy it. It has an orange eyeband and keeps itself hidden from sight, though it’s hanging around.
Enough of that, Flora commanded. You’ll scare her.
As Flora placed her hand against the blank wall of her home, the screening board read her chemistry, permitting the door space to open. She flipped a switch in the door jamb. The group went inside with Flora glancing back over her shoulder at the neighbor’s space.
The intended discussion about Corona’s grandparents’ film was forgotten midst the unease about the Valers’ poor attempt at Hybrids and their safety.
While Corona passed back to her dimension, a mist of water from the ground drifted up and over the In Situs’ space. It reached its limit skyward and rained down on the homes. Droplets splashed gently upon the dimpled rooftops, where rivulets coursed over a membrane and were diverted to the underground water recovery and treatment facility.
Chapter Thirteen
“You must be very proud of Corona. She’s intelligent and gifted,” Dr. Collins said to Irma and Hale.
“We are, but really don’t feel as if we had anything to do with it. She came to us this way, with all her talents,” Irma said.
“Our university is proud to have Corona enter with the new class,” Dr. Collins said. “Besides having first-rate educational and research programs, we have other prodigies enrolled at our campus with whom she can network for age-appropriate support. Our staff have already arranged for her introduction to the two of them, which is where she is right now. Both of them, a boy and a girl, have I.Q.’s like your daughter’s. Indeterminable. Way off the genius end of the scale. And, while your child just turned sixteen-years-old, the boy Stanley is seventeen and so is the other girl, Sarah. They’re close enough in age to Corona to be peers for her college experience. In addition, our faculty pride themselves in being able to handle such extraordinary cases as yours.”
He grinned with satisfaction at his university’s ability to attract such a wealth of intelligent enrollees. While there were other schools with remarkable pupils similar to these, none had three as amazing as Corona, Stanley and Sarah. He was pleased. This would be very good for their university’s ability to recruit future genius-level students.
“Thank you, Dr. Collins. Corona’s been recruited for higher education since she was in grade school, but we wanted to wait for her to grow and mature before sending her anywhere. We chose your university specifically for your work with other gifted children. Your accelerated programming and class structure is perfect for a girl with her abilities. That, and your enviable physics department. Corona wants to be a physicist.”
“I personally reviewed her paperwork and am amazed at the knowledge base she’s achieved already. I know of no other child who mastered classical physics as early as Corona. Our associates believe she may be the next great mind to change the world. As you know, her tuition and all her expenses have been underwritten by several groups, including our alumni association. There’s a copy of all that information in your packet.”
“We’re so appreciative of that. Along with getting a great education, we want her to be happy. And right now, acceptance at your university is making her happy,” Irma said. “For all of her capabilities, she’s a remarkably well-adjusted, self-assured child.”
“That’s another reason we’re happy she’ll be joining us,” Dr. Collins said. “In the past, we’ve enrolled child geniuses, some of whom who didn’t function well under the social and intellectual demands of collegiate life. Some did fine, others had problems, but there were none like your daughter. Corona displays the personality and temperament to conquer those hurdles. The numbers on a battery of intelligence, personality and social maturity tests she took show she’s ready for this step in her education. Congratulations to both of you for all you’ve done for her.”
“Thank you. And thank you for the tour and your time today,” Hale said, rising from his seat. “We’re going to get Corona and walk about the campus with her. Our family wants to take a look around at a more casual pace.”
“She’s with Stanley, Sarah and a counselor in a room down the hall. They should be finished shortly,” Dr. Collins said. “You may wait outside the room for her, if you’d like.” He stood and walked Irma and Hale to the door, then shook hands with both of them. Wishing them and Corona well, he closed the door.
At his desk, Dr. Collins opened Corona Bond’s file and stared at the picture of the young girl. He reread the report of her academic achievements. This one is almost frightening, she’s so intelligent.
Corona and her parents toured the campus, impressed with what they saw.
On the way home…
“Let’s pick up the photos from your grandfather’s film while we’re so close to the store,” Hale said to Corona.
“Great,” Corona said. “I can’t wait to see the pictures.”
Irma and Corona stayed in the car while Hale went in to get their photos.
“What did you think of Stanley and Sarah?” Irma asked, while they waited.
“They were nice but kinda quiet,” Corona said. “Sarah seemed timid. Maybe after we get to know one another better, we can be friends.”
“Of course, you’ll be friends,” Irma said. “Everyone that knows you, likes you. And with good reason.”
Corona grimaced and thought of the Homelings and the Travelers. Not everyone likes me.
“Here are the photographs,” Hale said, as he got into the driver’s seat. “Let’s wait to open them when we’re home and can look at them together.” He waved the package in front of them and gave it to Corona.
Later, after dinner, when they were seated at the dining room table, Corona called for her parents to join her. She had the envelope on the table in front of her.
“I think Corona should open the envelope and get the first look,” Hale said. “What do you think?” He glanced at his wife.
She agreed.
Corona carefully peeled back the package flap, removed black and white pictures and stacked them one upon the other.
“Let’s see what you have,” Hale said. He nodded for her to show them.
“This is nice,” Corona said. “They look so happy.” She turned the first picture around so her aunt and uncle could see a smiling, middle-aged couple up close in what appeared to have been a picture taken by the woman holding the camera an arms-length out in front of her and her husband.
“Linda looks lovely,” Irma said.
Hale’s eyes misted as he viewed his sister and her husband, arms around each other, happily mugging for the lens.
“Will you be alright?”
a concerned Irma asked.
“I’m fine.” He wiped his eyes and said, “Look at those two. So happy and so in love. I never knew a more devoted pair. Except us, of course.” He nudged Irma playfully.
“Gramma and Grampa, right?” Corona asked.
“Right,” Irma said. “Dr. John and Linda Bond. Your grandparents. They’d have loved you as much as we do. And they would’ve been as proud of you as we are.”
Corona smiled.
The next few photos were more of the same. Some showed John in various stages of fishing, baiting his hook and casting a line out. A few pictures were of Linda in her black swimsuit, soaking up the sun. One of them was of John’s deck shoes, an obvious mistake on someone’s part.
“It’s probably from the boat rolling back and forth,” Hale said.
“These are so nice,” Irma said. “We must make more copies of them.”
“What else have you got?” Hale asked.
Corona was quietly viewing a picture. Her hand started to shake and she stared out over the photo at Hale and Irma.
“What is it?” Hale said.
“Nothing,” Corona said. She tried to shuffle it amongst the remaining photos.
“Let me see, honey,” Irma said, pulling the picture out.
“No, don’t look at it. It’s nothing,” Corona said, trying to get it back.
“Corona, what’s wrong?” Hale said, turning the picture around so he and Irma could both examine it.
Their faces became solemn. Then they smiled.
“It’s a problem with the negative,” Hale said. “Nothing to get excited about. See.” He held it up for Corona to look at again. “This happened a lot with this kind of film. Especially old film that’s been in a camera for such a long time as this. Or it could be a double exposure from the camera failing to wind when another picture was snapped. It’s nothing to be worried about.” Although he spoke brave words, his mind was questioning the bizarre scene.
Corona tried to smile as she looked at the figures in the photo. A blurred image of a strange creature appeared to be materializing from nowhere, emerging into the setting Linda had captured. Corona was glad it was hazy. She recognized it as one of the In Situs passing through a fold from their dimension. She was surprised one of them had done that on the boat. Usually, for safety reasons, they only passed over in the house. Corona peered closer and could just make out the edge of the being’s head. She squinted and pulled it closer. Then the realization hit her. This one looks like one of those who were in the yard next door to Flora. But how was this one there the day Gramma and Grampa disappeared?
WATCHING CORONA: From Our Dimension to Yours Page 11