“Teacher’s pet,” said Jimmy and the other two chuckled.
“You are right,” said Dreena. “Once you find the North Star, you make sure it is directly overhead and then position the door by these two makers at their base.”
Adam hadn’t noticed that there were two stars at the base of the door that matched up with two lights on the floor.
“What do you mean, ‘match them up’. Aren’t they always there?” asked Kevin.
“Nope,” replied Dreena. “Watch this.”
In the dim light they could see Dreena put her hands on the wall, and as she pulled down, the door disappeared. All of the stars on the domed ceiling moved in her direction.
“Whoa,” said Kevin.
“You can say that again,” replied Adam.
“Every star that is visible to the naked eye is represented on this Astrodome. We can position it any way we choose to get a better look. As you know, only half of the universe is available for viewing at the most each night.”
The boys stared in wonder as Dreena slowly rotated the sky until the big dipper came into view again. She tapped a star near where she stood, and as soon as she did, some writing appeared underneath.
“When we tap on the star, the proper name will appear for ten seconds.”
“Can you stretch to zoom or pinch to shrink like on touch screens?” asked Mark.
“No, sadly. I would love that, but we are due for an upgrade. If we had installed it five years later it would have done that. This Astrodome is over fifty years old already.”
Mark made a slight choking sound. “Fifty years? I thought this was some new cutting edge technology.”
“The Teneo have some pretty advanced stuff. I’m still amazed by some of the technology they’ve had for centuries – at least the stuff they will share,” said Dreena, almost disappointed. After a few seconds lost in a dreamy state, she remembered where they were. “Let’s go back to the classroom now,” she said and shuffled them toward the door.
Once they were seated at desks again, she continued. “If you are interested in extra lessons in Astronomy, just let me know in the next couple of weeks and we’ll squeeze you in somewhere.”
The boys nodded.
“That’s all I have for you,” she finished. “You can go now.”
Adam remembered what Dreena had said about his mother, and he suddenly thought of a question so he put up his hand.
“You don’t have to put up your hand, Adam. What’s your question?”
“You knew my mom when she was here,” he began and Dreena nodded, “but I don’t know what she actually did while she was here.”
Dreena looked surprised. “She worked in the kitchen. You know how good she can cook.”
The look on Adam’s face gave Dreena her answer.
“Really? Doesn’t she cook for you?” asked Dreena after seeing the rest of the group were just as surprised as Adam.
“If you consider hot dogs as a type of gourmet food, then sure,” replied Adam.
Dreena looked surprised. “Wow. Losing your dad sure threw her for a loop. I wish I would have gotten together with her since, maybe I could have helped her.” She drifted off in memory for a moment. “If you want to know more, talk to Betty in the kitchen. She’s been here a long time and your mom worked for her. I’m pretty sure you’ll get a tour anyway, since that is another area where there’s always need for people in the League. Just ask Horton when you’re scheduled to go. It’s probably soon because they try and narrow down specialties fairly quick.”
Adam was curious to find out more information about Mary, since it seemed like she had led an alternate life at Area 51, but his more pressing concerns were still the fate of his friends and finding out more about his Dad’s time at Area 51.
“Thanks for the information,” Adam said to Dreena. “I’ll ask Horton tomorrow.”
Dreena smiled. “Well, if you talk to your mom before then, tell her I say hello and I keep thinking of her.”
“Will do,” said Adam.
With that, they headed out for another evening of fun in the gymnasium and an early night since their muscles were so sore from the previous evening.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
In what seemed like the blink of his eye, Adam found himself sitting in the classroom with his friends, once more waiting for Horton who had been late every day so far. By the time he finally arrived, half an hour late, the boys had been shooting each other with erasers launched from elastic bands for long enough to work up a sweat.
Horton just laughed when he walked in the room and the boys scrambled to their seats.
“Looks like fun,” he said with a grin. “Sorry I’m late – but I’m old enough that I can do whatever I want.”
“I can’t wait until I can do the same,” said Mark.
“You already do,” said Kevin.
“No way,” replied Mark, “not even close. Otherwise I’d be somewhere else right now playing video games.”
Kevin was about to continue, but Horton intervened.
“Today is my day anyway,” said Horton.
The boys looked at each other, confused.
“You get to check out my area this morning,” said Horton.
Adam’s gut fluttered with excitement. He hadn’t realized how much he was anticipating going back into the Mechanical lab until then.
“How about you and Adam go there and the rest of us can go swimming again?” Jimmy said to Horton.
“Nice try, buy you all have to come for the first one,” replied Horton.
“But the rest of us barely know a socket from a screwdriver,” replied Jimmy.
“Speak for yourself,” said Kevin. “I can handle mechanical work just fine. I just don’t have the passion for it that Adam does.”
Adam agreed with Kevin. “I never have to help him fix anything. He does great on his own.”
“We aren’t going to be doing anything strange today. It’s basically a tour of the tools, equipment and capabilities we have in the lab. Maybe I’ll let you bang on some stuff with hammers or something, but we’ll see how much time we have left before lunch. Put away your things now and follow me.”
They did as he asked and soon were on their way. Once they had arrived, Horton gave them the grand tour. Adam couldn’t believe all of the equipment they had on hand, from CNC machines to industrial large scale 3d printers. There was no equipment he could think of that they didn’t have.
At the end of the tour, Horton asked each of the boys if they wanted to try any of the equipment. Mark and Jimmy both wanted to build something with a 3d printer and Kevin wanted to learn more about the wood-working equipment.
Adam immediately went to the English Wheel and began working a piece of sheet metal, learning as he worked. Horton saw him and asked if he needed any instruction, but Adam said that he’d be OK if Horton wanted to help the others first.
Half an hour later, Horton came back to inspect the compound curves on the piece of metal Adam had shaped.
“Have you used one of these before?” Horton asked.
Adam shook his head. “I watched a video at school once and thought it looked interesting.”
“Amazing,” said Horton. “You really do take after your Dad, don’t you?”
Adam remembered his suspicions about his dad. He thought that the time might be right to ask a few questions, since his friends were occupied and Horton was able to speak without anyone else around.
“I wish I would have known him,” said Adam to start, which made Horton frown.
“You would have liked him, and you would have learned so much. He was incredibly skilled, and a really good guy to boot.”
Adam decided to take a shot. “He’s the one that moved the Heartstone you know.”
“Really? How do you know that?” Horton looked genuinely surprised to hear the news.
Adam was just as surprised that Horton didn’t know that already, but he explained what had happened just before coming to Area
51 and what was written on the note.
“I heard it was gone, but I didn’t know about the note. I’m going to have to talk to someone about that. I find it hard to believe that Eddie would do that,” said Horton, more to himself than Adam, “He was so loyal to the League and always did what Elianora wanted. That’s why he was chosen as Number 2 at such a young age, you know. He was smart, and loyal to Elianora almost to a fault.”
“How would that be a fault?” asked Adam.
“It caused a little friction with your mom,” replied Horton. “She always tried to get him to think of himself more. It was ok until you came along, then she really wanted him to spend less time worrying about other people’s problems, but from what I hear, it just added more pressure.”
Adam nodded. It agreed with what Mary had told him about his father the night after he was almost kidnapped.
“But all of the evidence points to him taking the Heartstone,” said Adam.
“Well, up until last year not many of us knew anything about the Heartstone. Most of us always thought we were just protecting the Teneo and their secrets – along with ourselves. The Heartstone is just another one of their secrets, as far as I’m concerned. Like I said before, your dad was always loyal to Elianora even when it didn’t seem to make sense, so when you tell me that the Heartstone is gone and your Dad is the suspect, it’s hard for me to believe. Especially if the only evidence you have is just a little note you found.”
Adam thought about that for a few moments. “But if it wasn’t him, who could have moved the Heartstone? Karl would have been the most likely suspect, but he wouldn’t have been able to do it. He didn’t have the ability.”
“Your guess is just as good as mine, maybe better,” said Horton. “There aren’t many people with the proper skills, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t any. I can understand your curiosity, but as far as I’m concerned I’ll let people like Gurpreet worry about where it is and who took it. Frankly, it’s probably the best thing to happen that it’s missing and no-one knows where it’s gone.”
Adam looked depressed at the news.
“Were you hoping that I knew something else?” asked Horton.
Adam nodded. “If my dad did steal the Heartstone, I would guess he’d try and find a way to hide it at Area 51. Everyone keeps saying how safe it is here.”
“…and if he did hide it here, you wondered if he told me what he was doing.”
Adam nodded again.
“Well, just like Gurpreet, your dad did come here a few times a year. You have to realize that when he came here it was only for a few hours, and because of his position he was never left alone. He was always escorted by a group of people. Sorry to tell you, but he never told me anything of the sort.”
Adam heard the words but had the feeling that Horton wasn’t being completely honest. It could have been that Adam wanted to hear something different from Horton, though.
“I know that if your dad was the one to move it, he wouldn’t want you to waste your time trying to find it. Like I said before, my advice to you is to just let the others worry about it, alright? If you have any more concerns, please come to me and let me know.”
Adam nodded.
Horton smiled. “It doesn’t look like you need any pointers on using that machine,” said Horton, pointing at the English Wheel. He picked up a new sheet of metal and showed Adam how he should shape it, then went to check on the others.
An hour later, Horton called Adam to the front. The other three were there already, holding the items they had built. Kevin had built a small wooden box. Mark had printed what looked like an old-style Nintendo controller, and Jimmy had made something unrecognizable.
“It’s supposed to be a big set of dice,” said Jimmy.
Horton laughed. “If you come back, I’ll show you what you did wrong. It’s just a couple of settings.”
Jimmy nodded.
“That’s it for this morning,” said Horton. “I managed to convince Betty to give you the tour of the Kitchen and Food Services area this afternoon, so make sure you find her by 1:00. When that tour is done, you’re done for the day. See you tomorrow.”
The boys wandered their way to the cafeteria, early for lunch once again. Betty spotted them as soon as they stepped through the door and she waved them over to her.
“Horton told you that you’re with me this afternoon?” she asked in a heavy Scottish accent. It seemed almost unreal coming from her.
The boys confirmed that they knew.
“Good. He can be a bit forgetful sometimes,” she continued. “Just make sure you’re somewhere in the cafeteria at around 1. I’ll come find you when I am ready.”
The boys nodded and headed for the food once Betty had turned away to continue working. Soon they were sitting at a table in the empty cafeteria and Adam told them all about his discussion with Horton.
“That’s a good thought. This would be a good place to hide the Heartstone,” agreed Kevin. “But Horton’s also got a good point about leaving it to Gurpreet and the Senior members too, at least while we’re here anyway.”
Mark and Jimmy agreed with Kevin.
“Unless you have some sort of death wish,” said Jimmy.
Adam was surprised that his friends were telling him to forget about searching for the Heartstone.
“I’m not saying we should tear this place apart looking for it, but maybe there is some information here that can point us in the right direction.”
“As long as I don’t have to risk getting kicked out of the League, I’ll listen all you want,” said Jimmy.
The others agreed.
Adam hadn’t realized until then that the others were worried about their future in the League. Maybe Horton had warned them during their interviews.
“Alright. I’m OK with that. Lets eat before more classes get here,” said Adam.
They ate what they had dished up under the watchful eye of Betty, which was somewhat disturbing.
“You’re going to ask her about your mom, right?” asked Jimmy.
Adam nodded as he chewed. “Why? Shouldn’t I?”
Jimmy shook his head. “No, that’s not what I meant. I want to hear what she has to say.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. If your mom hung around with someone like Dreena, I don’t think we know anything about her,” said Jimmy.
Kevin and Mark agreed.
Adam was surprised that his friends showed that much interest in his mother, but then again, they had known her all their lives as well.
Some of the older classes had started shuffling in as they talked, but the boys took no notice of them. That is, they took no notice until they realized that the sound in the cafeteria was different than usual. Instead of being loud with conversation, hushed whispers filled the room.
“Anyone want to guess what they learned today,” said Mark, hiking a thumb over his shoulder.
“Let’s get out of here,” said Adam, feeling uncomfortable.
He stood without looking at anyone and headed for the stairs to the dorm while his friends trailed behind. Once they had reached the hallway, Adam headed toward the Women’s dorm, but passed that intersection and kept walking straight ahead in a hurry.
Up until the moment he had heard the whispers behind his back, he hadn’t thought that the having everyone at Area 51 knowing what had happened to him would bother him much, but as soon as he knew that they knew, something stirred deep down inside.
“Where are you going?” asked Mark from somewhere behind.
“As far away from people as possible for now,” Adam replied.
“Hang on for a second,” said Kevin, making Adam stop at the intersection to the Arrival chamber. “Why are you running away from everyone?”
“I don’t want to be pointed at and whispered about right now,” said Adam. He could feel his face changing color.
Kevin looked at him for a few moments. “Yeah, it’s not ideal, but it’s going to happen whether we’re in t
he room or not,” he said.
“I didn’t think it would be a problem, but the moment they started whispering - I knew I had to get out of there.” Adam’s voice was beginning to shake.
“I’m fine with leaving,” said Jimmy.
“But Kevin’s right,” said Mark, “You’re going have to deal with it sooner or later.”
Adam looked at Mark and became angry. All of the years of frustration with his situation blew up at once and he finally said what had always bothered him. “You don’t understand. You don’t know what it’s like having everyone pointing and whispering about you all the time. ‘Look he’s got no dad’, ‘Look he’s got no money’. I’ve heard that behind my back all my life.”
“Are you kidding?” replied Mark, “I’m the son of the guy who’s in charge of all of this! Everybody points and whispers about me. ‘I wonder if he’s like his dad’ and ‘That’s Gurpreet’s kid’. All of the teachers expect me to be just like him. And for your information, they aren’t just whispering about you. We were there with you last year too, remember?”
“Whoa there. Take it easy you two,” said Jimmy, stepping between them as Mark eyed Adam ferociously.
Kevin joined Jimmy between them. “Take it easy guys,” he said in a soothing voice.
Adam had felt his anger peak at the start of Mark’s reply, but toward the end it began to subside as he processed what Mark had said.
Adam calmed down relatively quick, but his anger was replaced by guilt.
“Hey, I’m sorry,” he said to Mark. “I never really thought about it from your point of view.”
The angry look left Mark’s face and was replaced by a sheepish one a few moments later. “I’m sorry too. I never really thought what it was like for you either.”
“How about a hug?” said Jimmy, gesturing the two together.
“Why would I want to hug you?” Mark said to Jimmy.
“I don’t want to hug you either,” Adam said to Jimmy.
Jimmy smiled and showed each of them one-half of a peace sign.
“Can we just wander around and stay away from people for a while? I promise that tonight I’ll stick around and let people point at us all they want.”
Initiates (The Book of Adam 3) Page 17