The Mina Marz Incident

CHAPTER SEVEN

"Well, thank you very much for drinking all of it!" said Melinda as she grabbed the empty cup, stood and headed back towards the stairway and the stalled servers. "C'mon."

"She always this bossy? Still?" said Charles, who had decided he liked Dean as much as he thought he would.

"Well, let's just say she doesn't pretend to take charge. And, when she does, she is usually spot on target. Shall we follow?"

"Oh yes, yes. We probably should. She doesn't like to repeat herself," said Charles hurrying towards the stairs with a grin.

"No, she doesn't," Dean agreed.

"Okay, Mr. Over-the-Top Security Protocol Developer, how about you lead us through this reboot? Hmm?" said Melinda with a pseudo-stern voice and a wink once they joined her.

"Over the top?! I'll have you know that there are very good reasons for my program add-ons. And, if they are ever needed, the smirk will be on my face, not yours," Charles laughed.

"Probably a good thing I don't remember being locked up down here last night. I'm just saying," said Melinda, following Charles's lead and placing her hand on the scanner before entering her ID and Password. "And I want a copy of that key."

"Your turn, Thirteen," said Charles.

"Dean. His name is Dean," corrected Melinda with a chuckle.

Dean stepped forward to complete the procedure with a grin filling the width of his face. He had heard so many stories about Charles over the years, mostly pertaining to the grumpy eccentric recluse that you didn't want to cross. Dean had no idea of the man's temperament in a disagreement, but he found the unexpected comradery with his secret love thoroughly entertaining.

"Ah-ha! Worked like a charm. The building is back in business," Charles said patting the top of the console like an obedient child. "Fritzy, where are you going?"

"Upstairs, to my console and more coffee. Our team is up there. They are good people. Suck it up, Charlie Brown, and come help us fill in the gaps."

To Dean's delight, Charles turned to him and made a noise often heard in the old referenced cartoon when adults spoke, "Wah wah wah wah wah. Bossy, bossy. I've actually missed that. Okay, Thirteen. I'd say after you, but experience tells me you will linger on those stairs."

By the time Charles reached the top of the stairwell, Melinda was already sharing what she learned in his hideaway bunker. Hesitant to make a grand solo entrance, he waited outside the doorway. When Dean arrived, they stood shoulder to shoulder as Dean caught his breath, both eavesdropping on Melinda's narration.

"And I thought waking up with no memory would be the strangest part of the day," gasped Titus.

"I saw nothing come across my phone that referenced such a happening," said Kenzie. "You think Charles remembers because he confined himself away from whatever made your ears bleed?"