Blackstone

Return to New York

I looked out the window of the beamship as the tall buildings of Manhattan approached. The sunshine sparkled off the water of the Hudson, and David brought the beamship in low until we skimmed over the water.

I looked over at Carrie and Thomas who were in the backseat. Carrie gazed out the window, amazed at the sight of New York City. I smiled and remember my first time seeing the city. Thomas had grown up on the streets of London so he was used to a large urban metropolis but Carrie had been born in a small town in western Kansas. As far as I knew this was her first time seeing a skyscraper.

"Everything is so big," Carrie said with hushed amazement.

"It's not London, but it'll do," Thomas said.

I reached back and punched Thomas in the arm.

"What did I say," he yelped.

"That's for putting down my city," I said.

New York City was the only place where I felt at home. Growing up with my unusual background, I often felt like a freak, but in the city I was surrounded by such diversity that it was easy to find others who were even weirder than I was. Being a Keeper of the Wend wasn't such a big deal.

A small green light flashed on the control panel. "David, your father wants to know your arrival time," Cassie said.

David's face tightened. "Inform my father that we're right on schedule."

"Very well," the beamship replied.

"My father would like to meet Alpha Company's First Team," David said, "He was in Alpha and a first team leader as well, so it's become a company tradition that he meets every new first team leader."

Thomas leaned forward in the back seat. "Well aren't you lucky, Eliza. You get to compare notes with the king, himself."

"This is a great honor, Eliza. I know you will make a positive impression," Carrie said.

"My father's been looking forward to this. I've told him a lot about you." David said.

"I can't wait," I said quietly and continued to stare out the window.          

I couldn't believe it was finally happening. I was going to be face to face with Michael Ross, mysterious and eccentric multi billionaire, grandson of Alexander Ross, the founder of the newest Family and the genius who harnessed Time/Space. Yes, I was looking forward to meeting him. Considering he was the man who ordered the death of my parents, I thought we would have a lot to talk about.

David steered the beamship through the maze of skyscrapers and homed in on a stunning tower of black glass with a tall spire that jutted into the heavens.

"Wow. Is that where your father lives, Agent Ross?" Thomas said.

"No. He actually lives in an apartment on the Upper East Side. This is where he works." David answered as he pressed a button on the control board.

The beamship circled around the tall radio spire and floated down gently to the rooftop and landed soft as a feather.

I turned to David. "So do we get out here?"

"Hold on, Grant. Don't be so impatient," David said and pressed another button.

The landing platform below us gave a mild shudder and dropped into the building. I looked out the window and watched as darkness swallowed us.

The platform lowered us into a large hangar bay where beamships were being worked on by various MechaNects. Finally, the platform stopped and David drove off. He parked in a secluded space and switched off the engine.