by P. J. Hoover
“Well, that’s the bad news,” Iva said.
Benjamin looked at her and raised an eyebrow.
“It’s in a secret compartment hidden directly under the Emerald Buddha,” Iva said.
“Under the Buddha?” Benjamin asked. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, I’m sure,” Iva said. “Of course I’m sure.”
“Okay, fine,” Benjamin said. “So how do we get it out?”
“Well, I thought you could figure that out,” Iva said.
“Do you think anyone would stop me if I climbed up onto the platform and lifted the statue up?” Benjamin asked Iva.
“Probably only the entire palace guard,” Iva replied.
“Yeah, I thought so,” Benjamin said. “I guess we need a different plan, right?”
“Right,” Iva said.
They continued kneeling while Benjamin tried to devise some way to get to the secret compartment without being seen. It was probably only the discomfort of kneeling for so long which brought Benjamin to think of a brilliant idea.
“I think I have it,” he said.
“I’m listening,” Iva said.
“How good do you think you are at telekinesis?” Benjamin asked her.
Iva groaned.
“I mean, I know you’re better than Heidi and Gary, that’s for sure.”
“You don’t expect me to lift that thing, do you?” Iva asked.
“No,” Benjamin said. “I’ll lift it up, and, while everyone is watching the Buddha, you open the secret compartment underneath and get the key out. Then, I’ll set the Buddha down, we’ll leave, and no one will even know anything is missing.”
“Won’t people wonder why the Buddha is levitating?” Iva asked.
“They can attribute it to a religious miracle, or good karma, or dogma, or something,” Benjamin said.
“But, do you think we’re really supposed to do something like that?” Iva asked. “I mean, it seems to go against everything we’re being taught. Using our gifts blatantly. Misleading humans.”
“Yeah, well, we’re not even supposed to be here in the first place,” Benjamin said. “So, even if someone did find out, they wouldn’t be able to trace it back to us.”
Iva sighed. “Okay, when I get the key out, where should I put it?” she asked.
“Just put it somewhere out of sight where we can easily retrieve it by hand,” Benjamin answered. “Are you ready?”
Iva nodded.
“Here goes nothing,” Benjamin said. He put his head to the ground, but angled it slightly, so he could see the brilliant Emerald Buddha.
The room was quiet—most of the tourists praying to the icon. Suddenly, magically, the Buddha lifted up in the air. A gasp escaped from the crowd. The Buddha rose up higher, now almost six inches off the pedestal on which it had rested. Benjamin continued to lift it higher. The crowd stared at the statue, then in unison, dropped their heads to the ground in humility. Benjamin heard excited whispers, but had no idea what anyone was saying in the unfamiliar language.
The Buddha was heavy—actually much heavier than he would have thought. Silently, he found himself wishing Andy were here. Benjamin hated to admit it, but sometimes he actually did think Andy was better at telekinesis. Of course if Andy were here, he’d probably be twirling the Buddha right now.
“I think it’s high enough,” he said silently to Iva. “Get the key out. I’ll keep it up here.”
Iva concentrated on the pedestal. Nothing happened. Benjamin didn’t want to focus too much on the area, instead trying to keep his attention on the large Buddha. He didn’t want to be responsible for dropping and smashing Thailand’s most precious artifact.
“What’s taking so long,” he thought to Iva.
“I can’t seem to get the compartment open,” she said. “I know it’s there. It just won’t open.”
New tourists kept entering the room. Quickly, it was getting more and more crowded. “Just hurry,” Benjamin said.
Another twenty seconds passed, but Iva had no luck. “I just can’t open it,” she said. “You’re going to have to try.”
“I can’t do that and hold this thing,” Benjamin said.
“Oh, sure you can,” Iva said encouragingly.
“No,” Benjamin said. “You’re going to have to take it.”
“I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Iva said. “What if I drop it?”
“You won’t drop it,” Benjamin said. “But, I’ll back you up, just in case.”
“Promise?” Iva asked.
“Yes, I promise,” Benjamin replied. “Now, just slowly take over holding the Buddha in the air. It’s kind of heavy, so take your time.”
Iva started to hold the Buddha with her mind. Benjamin began to let up on his control of the statue. So far, so good. “You almost have the whole thing,” Benjamin said. “Here’s the last bit.” He let go of the Buddha completely. It dropped six inches, wobbled violently, then held steady. The crowd gasped. Apparently everyone was watching, though their heads were bowed to the ground. The Buddha held firm. Iva didn’t attempt to lift it back up to its previous position.
Benjamin started concentrating on the pedestal. He easily found the compartment and slid open the lid. With his mind, he found exactly what he wanted inside. He lifted the key out of the secret area, closing the lid behind it. He moved the key behind the pedestal, and within ten seconds, lifted the Buddha from Iva’s mind.
“You have it?” she asked.
“Yes, I have it,” Benjamin replied. “I’m gonna set the Buddha back on the pedestal.”
He gently but promptly placed the Buddha back down without even a sound. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. Three palace guards entered the chamber just as the statue settled. First one of them spoke something in the same language Benjamin couldn’t understand. Everyone stood up, whispers turned to wild talk. The guard followed by repeating the message in English.
“Everyone must leave the temple,” the guard said. “The Temple of the Emerald Buddha is now closed and will remain so indefinitely. Exit the way you came in.”
Benjamin stood up and tried to put on his best I-wonder-what’s-going-on look. Iva tried to do the same but didn’t look nearly convincing enough to Benjamin. “Where is the key?” she hissed in his mind.
Benjamin didn’t answer her question. “Let’s go get our shoes on,” he said. “It’s time to go.”
“But where did you put it?” she persisted.
The guard who had spoken looked at them and narrowed his eyes.
“I agree, Iva,” Benjamin said is his normal voice. “That was the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to tell mom and dad about it.” He silently added, “Play along.”
Iva paused for only a moment, hardly missing a beat. “I wonder if anything like that has ever happened before?” she asked.
The guard overheard the question. “No, nothing like this has ever happened before. We must investigate the matter fully,” he replied with a thick accent. “Now please proceed to the exit and do not forget to retrieve your shoes before leaving.”
“Thank you for the reminder,” Benjamin said. They exited through the main entrance, and walked over to the racks holding their shoes. Benjamin handed Iva her shoes, then picked his up off the rack. He reached into his right shoe, pulled out a small green neatly carved stone, winked at Iva, and placed the stone in his pocket.
“Clever, Benjamin,” she said. “Very, very clever.”
CHAPTER 19
An Agent from the Other Side
Benjamin had to use every bit of self control he had to not run off the palace grounds. So instead he and Iva walked—quickly, heading for the teleporter. Benjamin talked to Gary, and they arranged to meet him at the same intersection where they’d parted ways. Benjamin also let Heidi know they were on their way back.
“Okay, but let me know right before you guys teleport back so I can try to distract Morpheus. The Panther already left, so it’s just Morpheus in the
store. We’re outside sitting on a bench,” she explained.
Benjamin and Iva hurried as fast as they could without drawing too much attention to themselves. He didn’t know if the Palace Guard was searching for anyone regarding the Emerald Buddha levitation, but he had no plans to wait around to find out. Within twenty minutes, they arrived at the intersection where they were supposed to meet Gary. Gary was absent.
“He should’ve been here before us,” Benjamin said.
“I hope he’s not in trouble,” Iva replied.
“Where are you?” Benjamin asked Gary. “We’re waiting for you.”
“I’ll be there in about three minutes,” Gary replied. True to his word, in just under three minutes, Gary rounded the corner and crossed the street.
“What took you so long?” Benjamin said.
“I got caught up watching the match between Alexander Chervenka and the guy who beat Morpheus,” Gary replied.
“You were watching a game?” Iva asked. Benjamin didn’t think it would take the Alliance bond for Gary to feel her annoyance.
“I’m sorry, but I think it was actually important,” Gary said.
“What’s so important about a silly game?” Iva asked.
“Well, for starters, it’s not just a silly game; it’s the Bangkok Chess Open. Secondly, this guy who beat Morpheus has never been in the Bangkok Chess Open before. In fact, he’s never competed in any kind of formal chess competition. So, everyone thought for sure he wouldn’t make it past the first round.”
Benjamin and Iva stared at Gary. “And?”
“And, once this guy beat Morpheus, he and the Panther hightailed it out of there. Which means they didn’t stick around to see this guy play Alexander Chervenka. But they should’ve. This new guy was wiping the floor with Alexander—the world chess champion.” Gary shook his head. “I’m not great at mind reading, but this guy was hiding something.”
“Yeah, you’ll probably have the chance to discuss it with Morpheus,” Benjamin said.
Gary looked at him. “We’re gonna get caught, aren’t we?”
Benjamin shrugged. “Heidi says Morpheus is back and in his store. The Panther’s gone, but I don’t see how we can return without letting Morpheus know we used his teleporter.”
“So we will get in trouble,” Iva said.
“What choice do we have?” Benjamin shrugged.
“We could wait until he’s left the store,” Gary suggested, his eyes getting wide again. “We could go back and watch the chess tournament some more.”
“It’s only eleven o’clock in the morning,” Benjamin said. “No way I’m waiting around. Morpheus’ll be there all day, and we have research to do.”
Gary sighed. “That’s true. Not to mention the practice hours we need to log for the week,” he said. “I’m way behind because of all the ‘research’ we’ve been doing.”
“Yeah,” Iva added. “We better just get back and deal with Morpheus as best we can.”
“But what do we tell him?” Gary persisted.
“We tell him we came to watch him play in the chess tournament,” Benjamin answered. “That way you can ask him about the guy who beat him.”
Benjamin communicated the plan to Heidi, and asked her and Andy to meet them inside the store. He, Gary, and Iva walked to the alley where the teleporter was located. The palm pad lit up on the side of the building, Benjamin slapped his hand onto the pad, and into a pinprick of light, they vanished.
When they arrived in the back of the store, Benjamin could make out Heidi’s voice coming from the front room.
“Are you sure the Moonstone is a more powerful telemagnifier than the Rainbow Boji stones?” she asked.
“Oh, much more powerful,” Morpheus replied. “Have you tested your telepathic abilities in the chambers yet?” There were no other customers in the store.
“Yes, I have, and the moonstone really does seem to stretch my telepathic range,” Heidi said.
Benjamin, Gary, and Iva tried to sneak from the back room into the front of the store. Morpheus turned around and looked directly at them, though they hadn’t made a sound.
“What are you three doing?” he asked. “Did you just arrive on my teleporter?”
“Oh, um, ah, actually, ah, yes we did,” Benjamin answered. He had still been holding out a slight hope that Morpheus wouldn’t notice their return.
“Oh,” Morpheus said, returning to his normal unconcerned voice. “Where from?” he asked.
“Bangkok,” Benjamin replied.
“Oh,” Morpheus said. “Bangkok. Well, I guess that’s okay.”
“What—you aren’t upset?” Gary asked.
“No, not really,” Morpheus replied. “Actually, that’s pretty much what I figured when I noticed Heidi and Andy sitting outside my store for the last hour. So what were you doing there? Playing chess?”
“No, just watching,” Gary replied. “We really wanted to see you play in the Open.”
Morpheus flushed. “Not too much of a match, was it?”
“Well, don’t feel too bad. After you, he played Alexander Chervenka, and you’ll never believe who won,” Gary said.
“Alexander?” Morpheus replied.
“No—the other guy,” Gary said. “The guy who beat you. Alexander didn’t even put on a good show.”
“You’re kidding,” Morpheus said as his mouth fell open. “He beat Alexander? Are you sure?”
Gary nodded. “Why did you leave so quickly?” he asked. “I would have thought you’d have stuck around to watch some more.”
Morpheus answered a little bit too fast. “Oh, I had to get back to mind the store.”
“I don’t think so,” Gary said. “You looked worried. Who was that guy? I think he’s a telegen.”
Morpheus leaned close and lowered his voice. “I think you’re right; but I don’t think he’s on our side.”
“You mean he’s from Atlantis?” Heidi asked.
“Shhhh!” Morpheus hissed. “That’s probably a good guess. Atlantis does have their own agents you know. And I’ve never seen him before, and never even heard his name mentioned in the chess world.”
“That’s because he’s never played professionally before,” Gary said. “I read his bio while I was watching him play. Alexander was furious about losing to him.”
“Well, The Panther is going to ask around about him,” Morpheus said. “But I don’t think you guys should mention to him that you went to Bangkok after he told you not to.”
“So you aren’t going to tell on us?” Iva asked Morpheus.
“Not a chance,” he answered. “You know, I was young not too long ago, believe it or not. I may have left the city once or twice when I wasn’t supposed to.”
“Thanks, Morpheus,” Benjamin said, a feeling of relief washing over him. He didn’t want to have to stop searching for the keys. Thinking of them, he felt for the one in his pocket. It was safe, there next to the toy police car Derrick and Douglas had given him.
“Not tell about what?”
They all turned in the direction of the voice. Somehow, none of them had heard the door open. Benjamin immediately recognized Helios Deimos, one of the ruling twins. Benjamin wasn’t sure what to say, and specifically did not want to answer the question.
“Ah, Helios,” Morpheus said, immediately shifting his attention to his new, famous patron. “How wonderful of you to grace my humble store with your business.”
“Always a pleasure to see you again, Morpheus Midas,” Helios replied.
It then dawned on Benjamin that something was different about Helios Deimos. He was alone. “Where’s you sister?” he mustered up the courage to ask, hoping to distract Helios.
“Selene had business outside of Lemuria she needed to attend to.” Helios laughed. “You know, we don’t do everything together.”
“You don’t?” Andy asked.
“If we did, what would be the point in having two rulers?” Helios replied.
“So you guys can lea
ve Lemuria?” Benjamin asked.
“When it is required,” Helios replied. “But you never answered my original question. What secret is Morpheus keeping?”
So much for distraction. Benjamin sealed his lips, hoping a plausible answer would miraculously spring into his mind. But none did except apparently the truth.
“Sneaking outside Lemuria?” Helios asked. “Now let me see. Morpheus, isn’t there some miscellaneous school rule about Year One Denarians not being able to leave the capital city?”
“Absolutely,” Morpheus replied with a smile.
Benjamin felt his heart start beating again when he sensed the humor.
“So you’re not going to tell our teachers about it?” Gary asked.
“Trust me, Gary Goodweather,” Helios said, “both Selene and I have much more important matters to deal with than which students are leaving the city to watch chess tournaments.”
CHAPTER 20
The Teachers Play With a Toy
Like every day, Proteus Ajax walked around HR0713 Monday morning watching the students practice. And like most days, Benjamin, Andy, and Gary sat at a round table in the back. But today, Benjamin had his Kinetic Orb on the table in front of him when Proteus walked over.
“So, what do we have here?” Proteus asked. He looked at the table. “Ah, a Kinetic Orb. Designed by Erno Rubik if I am correct.”
“Rubik designed The Orb?” Benjamin asked.
“Of course,” Proteus replied. “Erno Rubik was a telegen.”
Benjamin, Andy, and Gary stared at Proteus.
“Kinetic Orbs were all the craze ages ago in Lemuria,” Proteus said. “When Rubik became an agent assigned to Hungary, he was allowed to introduce a simplified child’s version, the Rubik’s Cube, to humans.”
“So do you know how to solve it with your eyes closed?” Andy asked. “We’ve been trying to figure it out.”
“Eyes closed? Let’s see,” Proteus said. “First you have to learn how to solve it with your eyes open. If you can’t solve it with your eyes open, you can’t solve it with your eyes closed.”