Quantum Leap: 3065

Chapter 3: The Yesterday Machine - [Ether]

Suddenly, my gaze turns towards the lab's door. It's been three weeks since Herbert last talked to me and it's through his telepath. I don't remember the tone of his voice - fear? Panic? I do not know. All I know is that I am worried of him. I know the Committee would not do something like what I am thinking...

Why am I even thinking of him?

Well, Herbert and I have been friends since we can walk. We treat each other more than friends - siblings. My father used to be the instructor of Mr. Escots (Herbert's father).

You see, every Alpha Priva needs a Beta Priva to train their super abilities.

I know there is no rule to prove that there should always be a Beta to guide an Alpha all the way till he grow older, but I guess it's been a tradition. Anyway, since father is the instructor of Mr. Escots, and Mr. Escots liked how my father trains him, he decided that he wants my father's child to train his child too, when we get born and grew older. My father refused. Because there is a rule that a girl Beta or a girl Alpha should never be too close with a boy Beta or a boy Alpha. Herbert's father knew this of course. But he still insisted. He said that he's the commander-in-chief of the Alpha and that he can use this position to break some rules. Anyway, it's just a rule. But a great rule. My father can't do anything about this so he can't help but agree.

Months later, I was born. And as what my father had promised, I will be the one to train Mr. Escots's son - Herbert. My father trained me very well on many things before I got to the job. And I can say I am a very good student that time, even though I'm still young at age. I remember what my father once told me when he saw me holding his experiments. "You will be as amazing as I am."

And right now, I don't know if I proved him right or wrong. Herbert grew known as the rule breaker of our Community. He always does something not-really-violent but enough to call the attention of some Alpha Officers. I always think that I did all my best to prevent those things but I guess it's already marked on his blood. Thinking all of these things makes me miss my father more.

My father was a nice guy. Always there for everyone else not just for the Escots family. He is the kind of guy that everyone loves. So when the Committee nominated him to be the President of the Beta, everyone (not really everyone but mostly) in the Community voted for him, and so he won. He'd been amazing and all in the army. His knowledge contributed a lot in the progress of our Community. He's even considered a hero. But with every positive outcome, there comes its opposite - the negative.

Father gained many bashers. Especially the other Betas who had astounding experiments but when they showed it to him, the Committee assumed it was his. This angered them. And father soon realized this mistake. He retired to the position in exchange for nothing (because usually, when you retire, especially from a Government job, you receive an award or what). The Committee wanted him to stay because of his great contributions to the success of our Community but my father only replied, "You can always find someone better.'When a good man leaves, a better man comes.' That's what Thomas had said." The Committee left after that. They were speechless. The only thing they said is that they're still looking forward for some contributions my father would give.

My father kept on giving some blueprints to the Committee. He kept his promise. He always does. So after a year or so, the Committee came back to our house to persuade Dad to come back to the position. They said that Mr. Palmer (the new President of the Beta) contributed almost nothing to the progress of the Community. I was twelve that time and on the right age to remember what exactly my father had told them. "Every good progress requires a long but great time. If we get patient on him, then we can be certain that we will have a good progress and success."