SECOND CHANCES

JHENE

                           After Sun finished her speech to the Commission members the Secretary tried to shut her proposal down claiming it was not worth the risk. "What purpose does it serve to spend resources on exploration of other universes when we have things yet to accomplish in our own?" "There are too many unknowns. What doors are we contemplating opening that we may not be able to close. We have been blessed with peace so long we tend to forget there are bad possibilities as well as good. We must move slowly and deliberately. The same goes for this opening a connection to a higher plane of existence or another dimension, what if what your pilots experienced are not hallucinations and we create a doorway opening better left closed." "Further research and testing are not only called for but required under our laws".

                             "These concepts Sun has talked about are not new, we just never had the tech to explore them beyond simulations. Earth will not vote to actively pursue this new tech at this time. Go discuss what you've heard here today with your superiors, and we will schedule another meeting in thirty days." Sun realizes the Secretary is just trying to buy time to prosecute her, reign her in and steal her tech, so true to form Sun confronts the Secretary with these allegations. The Secretary does not deny a single word adding that she would never allow her asset (Chad) to participate in any of her research and as soon as the paperwork comes through, she will be arrested, her lab and all its research will be seized. In the Secretary's defense she believes she is protecting Earth's interest by adhering to the black letter of the law with no exceptions allowed. Sun is not concerned with these threats because she knows she has many powerful friends in the government and any inquiry will not make it far.

                           Sun realizes her words are wasted trying to convince the Secretary to back her research. She searches out and locates Chad in the hallway and persuades him to listen to her. She reminds Chad that his obligation to the state has long since passed and he is now able to have the freedom he has longed for for many years. She offers him a place in history in the advancement of all beings in the known Universe. Sun then offers Chad 3,000,000 credits to come work with her for six months. Chad thinks to himself with that kind of money he could acquire land and build a house in the woods or go into ranching or anything rather than sit and wait for orders from the Secretary. He asks Sun one question "Would I be able to listen to Jhene's music on my exploration of the fifth dimension?". Sun gets this huge smile on her face and says "I see we have something in common!"

                               Three days later all the other Commission members vote and agree to back Sun's research project against the Secretary's objections. The Secretary says "Very well but I must insist on observers with the power to stop any activities that threaten the safety of our worlds in any way." All agree including Sun although reluctantly. Secretary: "I sure hope I don't have to say I told you so." The following day Chad arrives at Sun's moon based facility for a tour before his orientation begins. He is impressed at the size and sophistication of the facility because he had only seen such a small section on his first visit. When he is taken to the area where he will be launched into the fifth dimension and notices what looks like five dentist chairs with several straps attached along with a helmet like device with porcupine needles suspended above each chair surrounded by quantum computers he asks himself "What have I gotten myself into?"