Mind Over Matter

Chapter 25

"We're calling for an emergency tri-AHDL meeting."

It came in on Alex's walkie talkie. "Invite those who you trust," the voice said, "Meet us at the HQ building."

Alex told me to come with him. We went to the tallest building in HQ at the veery top room. It had a lot of big windows and a huge table. He told me he'd come back later and to tell them that I'd represent him until he did. Billy and Timmy were there, with two other people. There were four other people with weird clothes on. Then two more people walked in. We all sat at a table. "We need to make sure everyone's here," said one of the people who just walked in, "My name is Janice, and we're here to represent the interests of the people in New York." People? In New York? I guess there's a lot I don't know. "Who is here representing the Advanced Humane Discoveries Laboratories?" Janice asked. "I am," replied Billy. "Name?" said Janice. "Billy," he replied. "Billy who?" she asked. "Just Billy," he replied. "Alright then," said Janice, "Who is representing the Advanced Human Detention League?" "I am," I replied. "Name?" she said. "Carroll," I replied. "Last Name?" she asked. I paused. I had never thought about that. I never asked about my last name. "I don't have one," I replied. "Does anybody have one?" she asked. "What about you?" I asked. She paused. "Good point," she said.

"OK," she said, "As some of you know, we have extraterrestrial guests here today, let's all welcome Captain Switz and his crew to Earth." Four people stood up. Everybody else clapped, but not very enthusiastically. "Thank you," said one of them, the captain, apparently. They sat down. I was confused, but I went along with things. "We're here today," Janice started, "To discuss a global dilemma. As all of you know, a device known as the 'Ender's Box' has been discovered, and has the power to destroy the world, and we can't find a weakness. To add to our problems, New York's leaders have contacted our extraterrestrial friends and have threatened to take over their ship." I'm even more confused now. "But," she said, "Before we discuss this, we must deal with another situation. There is a traitor in this room." "Yes there is," said the man who walked in with her, "And it's you." The confusion never ends. "Nice try Alexis," she said, pulling a gun out, "But I know it's you." She aimed it at him and fired. It hit him right in the head.

He fell to the floor, bleeding. Then, all at once, he sort of disappeared, and someone else appeared in his place. I looked closer. It was Alex. I didn't know what to think. Alex got up. "See!" Janice exclaimed, "If he's not a traitor, why doesn't anybody know about his powers?" "I object!" I said, "Samson knows about his powers." She didn't say anything for awhile. Then, she quickly turned and pushed Alex into a window. The window shattered and Alex fell out. He kept falling, for about 50 stories, until he hit the ground.

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This is where it started. Everything. This is where the four sets of people finally stood in one room together. More or less. You thought that this was almost over? Not even close. It's barely begun.

To be continued...