Contrastingly, he found the persistent ringing anything but comforting.
Professor Darkins left the desk and his reading as he began searching for the source of the infuriating and puzzling doorbell noise.
Did he even own a doorbell?
Unwilling to leave the safety and comfort of his laboratory, but curious, nonetheless, Darkins climbed the rickety staircase into the small ground-level apartment attached to the basement. He focussed so much on the laboratory that he had a tendency to forget about the apartment. The apartment housed a fridge, a couch, a small table, various stray items and... that was it. Even the bedroom was unused as Darkins typically just slept in the lab.
Cautiously, Darkins pulled back the curtains a few inches, in the hopes he’d get a look at his visitors. However, he fell backwards in shock the moment he did so.
Temporarily blinded by the bright sunshine, Darkins rubbed his watering eyes. He could have sworn it was still late at night. Clearly mistaken, Darkins' eyes, accustomed to the laboratory's dimmer lighting, were forced to pay the price.
And he failed to score a peek at his intruders...
The doorbell rang again. Quickly wiping his hands on his once-white-but-now-stained-with-too-many-colours-to-count lab coat, Darkins proceeded to open the door a crack to see who could possibly be bothering to visit him.
He instantly opened the door wider as he recognized the middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair and the young woman with a soft smile.
"Miss Jones! Mr Swift!" Darkins exclaimed, jovially and excitably. Contrary to his recluse nature, he warmly welcomed the unexpected guests, graciously leading them into his humble apartment. "Is there something I can help you with?"
"Yeah, do you remember a Dr Noah J. Harmica from your days at District 61?" Rust immediately began what felt like an interrogation.
"District 61? What? What do you mean?" the professor stammered and stumbled over his words, shocked at the suddenness of Rust's question.
Audrey kindly and quickly intervened. Professionally hiding her annoyance with Rust, she apologized for the older man's bluntness, "I'm sorry, Professor Darkins. We were just wondering if you could help us with a little... mystery that's sprung up."
Darkins visibly relaxed. "Oh," he said with a slight nod of his head. "Of course. Please, sit down."
With a wave of his hand, Darkins gestured towards the old, sagging couch. He did his best to hide his embarrassment as his guests sat down, sinking into the faded and worn cushions.
"What can I help you with?" the professor asked as he dragged a small stool from the kitchen over to sit opposite his guests.
"Is it true you used to work for District 61?" Audrey began, keeping her tone even. She knew she was prying, so she tried to make her voice sound inquisitive and serious to lighten the situation as best she could.
"Yes, I did," the professor answered, honestly. With a strangely sad glint in his eyes, he added, "But that was many years ago, my dear. I was a different man then."
"Did you know a scientist called Noah J. Harmica?" Rust asked, attempting but failing to match his former assistant's tone. Tact had obviously never been his strongest quality.
"I have heard the name," Darkins replied. "But I don't believe I ever met him in person. We were in different... departments. He was assigned to research and development, while I had a hand in the more... nefarious dealings of District 61. As I recall, he had a good reputation. Brilliant yet never underhanded. He had... standards... something one usually lost when they worked for District 61. If he discovered something - anything - that could be dangerous, he burned his notes and destroyed all his findings so people with wrong intentions - people a lot like what I used to be - couldn't use it."
Darkins watched, slightly puzzled, as Audrey and Rust exchanged confused glances.
"This doesn't sound like our guy," Rust said.
"I'm... sorry?"
"No, no... it's just... the kids have had a few run-ins with flying sea creatures. I called Urban Danger for some help and he gave me some information that showed Dr Harmica had done research on alien technology capable of manipulating and altering biological life-forms."
Darkins shook his head. "I might never have met Harmica, but I can still vouch for his character. He wasn't the kind of man who would use his discoveries to harm or violate others in any way. When he quit District 61, he went through his files (both hard and digital copies) and erased them all."
Abruptly, Rust stood up and crossed the room. With a look of deep contemplation, he parted the curtains and gazed out the dusty window at the street beyond. Darkins assumed the action helped the younger man clear his thoughts.
"I could be wrong," Rust said, eventually. "Maybe alien tech isn't involved. I could have sworn..."
"Perhaps we should get in touch with Dr Harmica," the professor suggested, unsure why he was suddenly so eager to help. "Even if he isn't involved, he may be able to assist us, nonetheless."
"It's worth a try," Audrey said. "Do you mind helping us, Professor?"
The ex-mad scientist shrugged and smiled. "I'd be happy to help. I've been spending the past few hours reading the new curriculum from Director Danger. I welcome a break."
19
Like an organized operation, the teens set about preparing for their spy mission later that evening.
Walkie-talkies had to be repaired and waterproofed (as best as Ethan could manage); Lacey had to be brought up to speed with what was happening (and someone had to explain everything that had happened); and the plan required multiple refinements. Nevertheless, as the shadows began lengthening and the sky melted from vibrant blue to glowing orange, the Gamma Accidents and their friends were ready.
They arrived at the docks a full hour before the delivery was scheduled to take place. Everyone knew what they had to do and where they had to be. Playing up an act of casual nonchalance so as not to arouse suspicion, the teens unhurriedly split up and took up their assigned positions.
"I feel like we're playing 'Spies and Bad Guys,'" Lacey giggled into her walkie-talkie as she crouched behind a large stack of metal beams.
"Except, we're supers, not spies," Bella said. She strategically hid near a lamp post, the light it cast preventing her from glowing and giving away her position. From her spot, she could see Ethan, pressed up against the wall of a large shed where boats and supplies were stored.
"Has everyone tested their cameras?" Ethan questioned over the radio, a clear note of anxiety rippling his voice. "Do they all work?"
Everyone rolled their eyes, even though they knew no one else would see the gesture.
"Dude, chill," Ty said. Thanks to his shrinking ability, he was capable of being so far out in the open without anyone noticing. Therefore, he sat idly on the arm of a bench overlooking the docks. "We already checked them. Eight times, at least. You were there."
"Are you sure you'll be able to use yours?" Ethan asked.
"I set it up by the bench leg. All I have to do is jump down and press the 'On' button. Simple."
"Okay, okay. Just... wanted to make sure. I keep feeling like I forgot something."
"If you did, it doesn't matter anymore," Jack said, his tone firm yet reassuring. "Our guy should be showing up any minute."
The teenagers waited in rapt silence, keeping their eyes wide open, hardly daring to blink.
A little later than expected, a young man entered the scene. He wore a simple, bland shirt and a dark-coloured pair of pants, the only indication of his occupation being a company logo embroidered across his top, left pocket. Only Jack, who held an eagle-eye position atop a tall structure of scaffolding, could read the logo.
"Our delivery guy is here," he alerted the others, his voice coming low and urgent through their radio channel. "Anyone who can see him, start recording."
The delivery man stood in plain sight with a somewhat disinterested expression plastered on his freckled face. Under one arm, he held a moderately sized cardboard box, while with his other
hand, he held a clipboard.
"I must literally be the only person who can't see him," Dean said. "Is he by the docks?"
"Actually, he's closer to the carpark," Jack said.
"Aw, man, I can't see the carpark!" Dean moaned. He had taken a rather obvious position, pretending to be nothing more than a teenager milling around the bay, enjoying an afternoon near the harbour.
"Stay where you are, Dean," Bella warned over the radio. "We can't risk anyone getting suspicious."
"Whatever."
The delivery man stood, waiting, looking completely bored. Periodically, he consulted his wristwatch, shaking his head in annoyance every time he saw another minute tick past. Whilst he looked as if he simply wanted to be over and done, the teens hiding out in various spots around and near the bay waited with ever growing anxiety.
Eventually, after a full fifteen minutes of idly hanging around, waiting for a customer that seemed less likely to show, the delivery man dramatically sighed and rolled his eyes. He turned around and began making his way back to his van.
"Should we do something?" Lacey questioned, uncertainly.
"No," Caleb said. Since he was near Lacey's hiding spot, he could speak to her without having to use the radios. "We can't do anything."
"Hey, guys? A boat's coming up real fast over the horizon," Dean suddenly said. "Do you think this could be our crazy fish guy?"
"Film him if you can, Dean," Jack instructed.
"I'm a teenager. Filming people while making it look like I'm not filming people is an underrated specialty of mine."
Anticipation hung heavy in the air between the seven friends as a small speedboat approached the bay at frightening velocity. Equally as fast, a man jumped out the boat as soon as it was close enough to the harbour docks and he bolted up the small set of stairs that led from the docks to a small boardwalk. Still running like a cheetah, he headed straight to the carpark.
The delivery man was within inches of his van when the young man caught up to him.
"Can anyone hear the conversation?" Jack quickly asked. "Because I can hear it, but my phone won't be able to pick it up."
"Don't worry," Bella said. "I'm close enough to record it."
"Me, too," Ethan assured.
The delivery man gave the panting man a very disgruntled look. "7 o' clock means 7 o' clock, buddy," he said, scornfully.
"I'm sorry," the young man said, inhaling and exhaling slower to help catch his breath. "I forgot about... the delivery. I lost my phone."
"Oh, you didn't lose it, pal," Bella joked. Jack and Ethan promptly shushed her.
The young man quickly caught his breath and straightened up. Nobody could ever suspect this "tall, dark and handsome" fellow to secretly be a mad scientist who somehow managed to make sharks fly. He hardly looked past college age!
"Whatever," the delivery man said, roughly shoving the parcel over to his customer. Not bothering to hide his disgruntled expression, he held out the clipboard and a pen. "Just sign here so I can finish my shift."
The young man accepted the pen and with a few swift flicks of his hand, he signed his name.
"Thanks," he said, good-naturedly.
The delivery man rolled his eyes and got into his van, pointedly slamming the door shut before pulling away.
With business out the way, the young man examined the box briefly. He began making his way back to his boat, glancing around with a tinge of nervousness as if he could sense the multiple pairs of eyes spying on him.
"Well, that went well," Jack commented in a low voice.
As if some force had heard that sentiment and felt it couldn't be so, a sudden, loud and insistent ringtone began playing, shattering the relative quiet that blanketed the scene.
"Uh-oh," Caleb said.
Ethan involuntarily exclaimed with shock as he scrambled to locate the "borrowed" phone he buried deep in his pockets.
"Why didn't you put it on silent?!" Ty asked, hysterically.
"Well, now we know what you forgot," Bella commented, pointlessly.
As Ethan frantically fumbled with the phone, the young man slowly changed direction and curiously followed the sound of his ringtone.
Lacey saw it happening. Panicking, she acted without thinking.
The man stepped forward, dangerously close to discovering he had been spied upon. However, before he even glimpsed Ethan, a solid wall of thick, lush ivy sprang from nowhere and obscured his view.
Stunned, the man stumbled backwards. Ethan didn't hesitate: running a little clumsily at first, he snatched his opportunity to escape.
The man didn't give chase. Instead, he immediately returned to his boat and promptly left. Anyone could have assumed he had completely put the incident out of his mind, but those who looked closely at his expression and saw the dark glint in his brown eyes knew... the game had changed.
20
The second their suspect was out of sight, the teens scrambled from their hiding spots and raced to the jeep parked at the far corner of the docks' parking lot. All efforts to maintain a casual facade were forsaken as they hurriedly climbed in.
Jack took the wheel as the others piled in; Ty shrinking and Ethan reverting to his insubstantial hologram form so all seven could fit in the vehicle.
A tense silence settled in as Jack drove towards the triplets' house, which had somehow become the unofficial base of operations for this adventure. The drive seemed to stretch on forever with unspoken accusations ringing loudly in each one's mind, amplified by the strained quiet. After what felt like hours - but was, in fact, only a few minutes - the renovated fire station loomed into view.
Finally, as the jeep pulled up on the driveway and the teens began making their way to the house, the spell broke.
"I'm sorry," a small, unsteady voice said. Everyone turned around to see petite little Lacey hanging back by the vehicle, her head bowed to hide her shame and tears. "I panicked. I didn't mean to give us away like that. I ruined everything for you guys."
Her honest confession melted the tension like a flame to ice.
"It wasn't your fault," Ethan said. "I should have put the phone on silent before we even started our stakeout."
"But I shouldn't have -" Lacey began but her new friends quickly abated her concerns.
"Hey, if it weren't for that trick with the ivy, we wouldn't have gotten a chance to run," Dean assured her.
"So what if our mystery guy knows he's got supers after him?" Bella chimed in, flippantly waving her hand. "We'll find a way to make this work for us. We always do."
Lacey lifted her head, gratefulness shining in her forest-green eyes.
"Well, now that the sappy stuff is over," Jack said. "What's our next move?"
"Can we just stop scheming for, like, five minutes and have dinner?" Ty suggested, making his way up the path. Promptly, he unlocked the front door and swung it open. Stepping aside, he ushered his brothers and friends - old and new - inside. "I think we might still have some leftover casserole."
Bella grimaced as she stepped inside the familiar house. "From when?" she asked, apprehensively.
"You probably don't want to know," Caleb told her. "I don't even remember when we had it the first time."
"Hey, who left the living room light on?" Ethan questioned, frowning at the light spilling out the aforementioned room, patchily illuminating the entrance corridor. He crept closer, suspicion written on his features. "I could have sworn I switched it off before we left..."
His brothers and friends did not share his wariness. Unconcerned, they ambled past him and continued on their quest for leftover dinner. Absently, they glanced inside the living room with the edge of subconscious curiosity. They froze the second they recognized the figure of a man, sitting casually on one of the couches, his back turned to the kids.
"Hey!" Jack called, automatically stepping forward, protectively.
Startled, the man jumped up and spun around to face the kids.
"Rust?" Jack said. As soon as he recog
nized his mentor, he relaxed. "What are you doing here?"
"Oh, hey," Rust said. "You're home early. Mind telling me where you've been?"
"Nuh-uh," Ty shook his head. "This is our house - we get to ask the questions."
"And, for starters, how did you even get in?" Jack asked.
"Kid, our powers are practically identical," Rust told him. "You can work it out."
"So why didn't you hear us coming?" Caleb questioned, tilting his head, inquisitively.
"And why are you here?" Bella added.
"First off, I'm not very observant. Secondly, I've got a lead."
"So, what? Is it back to business now?" Lacey asked, a little confused.
"No, we are not continuing anything until we get food," Bella said, firmly. "Everyone to the kitchen, now. Walk and talk, people, walk and talk."
~~~
As Dean, Lacey, Bella, Jack and Rust gathered in the Blacks' kitchen, the triplets set about presenting dinner: Ethan tasked with unearthing various leftovers from the refrigerator, Ty heating them up in the microwave oven and Caleb serving.
"Exactly what is this?" Rust asked, his face contorting in disgust and fear as he prodded a heap of multi-coloured mush with a fork.
"Lasagne Surprise," Ty replied.
"As in, 'Surprise! It's not lasagne!'" Caleb added with an all too cheerful chuckle.
"You kids are really testing my invincibility," Rust commented as he warily proceeded to eat the meal.
"So what lead did you find?" Jack asked, steering the conversation to the pressing topic at hand.
Alternating between eating the reheated "Lasagne Surprise" and talking, Rust explained to the teenagers everything that happened from Audrey showing up in his apartment to the discussion between them and Professor Darkins.
"Darkins and Jones went to go speak with Dr Harmica, see if he's involved in some way," Rust concluded.
"And why are you here and not with them?" Lacey asked. She politely ignored the dish Ty set in front of her, opting to rather grow her own dinner. As she listened to Rust's explanation, she concentrated on growing a little strawberry plant in one of the pot plants sitting on the kitchen windowsill.
"Jones says I'm too 'direct'," Rust said. "So she told me to hang back and read through the rest of the files Urban sent while she and the mad professor go to talk to our friend. But enough about me. Where have you kids been up to? Building sandcastles?"
Gamma Accidents #2: Creatures from the Deep Page 9