Code Lyoko: Revolutions and Evolutions

Chapter 14

"What were you doing trying to get into my office?"

The question made Ulrich's heart sink to the pit of his stomach. He knew that there was no suitable answer to Jean-Pierre's question.

"Well, you see, sir, "Odd and I were looking for you to discuss something, and we came here, and we noticed that your office was empty, so we'd figured to come back later."

"A likely story." Jean-Pierre said his arms crossed, "You knew my office was locked, and you wanted to come back later to try and break into it. You only stopped because you realized too late that my office had been integrated into the school security system. Don't think you can lie to me, Ulrich. If there is one thing I cannot abide, it is a liar."

Ulrich was silent for a moment, now for the first time with Jean-Pierre, truly carefully selecting his words. There was silence for two whole minutes before Jean-Pierre spoke again.

"I know you were here for reasons that were for all intents and purposes unwarranted. How do I know? Because I'm able to pull your tracking data. We know everywhere you are on our campus. You both were with Jeremy and Miss Stones in the lower courtyard before you found your way up here. You went first to Nicole's desk and then to my office door. These actions took five minutes, at which point I decided that enough was enough."

Jean-Pierre got up, and he looked out his window, "You see, Ulrich, you and your friends have been able to dance around many aspects of our school policies until now. Unsanctioned periods of leave without faculty authorization, numerous times, as it turns out. And now that we have a true aspect of student oversight, you and your friends are no longer with an excuse as to why you do as you do." He turned back around to face them, "You are both under house-arrest until you decide to be forthright about why you were five minutes here, unattended. I honestly wished to think the best of the four of you, but in light of what your activities have shown me, and your lack of will to be forthright has left me no other choice."

Ulrich stood up and said, "Now, hold on, that's not fair, you have no reason to do this! You are acting like you know something we don't. Well unless, you have proof of what we have done wrong, you have no reason to treat us this way."

A strong and firm grip placed itself on Ulrich's shoulders. It was one of the guards behind him and Odd, and as much as he wanted to stand, Ulrich in time returned quickly to his seat.

Jean-Pierre stood before Ulrich and Odd and said, "On the contrary, I have all that I need."

He pressed a button on his bracelet, and soon, the conversation could be heard.

"Wait, Princess, you mean to tell me, a blast happens in the greater part of the city, and only one outlet seems to cover it?"

"Apparently, that's correct."

"You and Jeremy get hunting on that article. Odd, come with me, we're going to do some digging on Mr. Barrow."

"Where do we start?"

"First place to start, the faculty files. Come on."

Odd and Ulrich sweated a cold sweat; it would be a lie to say that their hearts were not pounding in their chest.

"Now tell me," Jean-Pierre asked, "Why are you so anxious to see Mr. Barrow's personnel file?"

Ulrich was about to take refuge in a lie, but he realized anything he said would be negated likely by his mouth, so he decided to be honest, "Mr. Delmas, I want to know why our teacher was in a seeming terrorist attack a few days ago and no media outlet outside of one area dared to report it. The Michon Chronicle covered the attack. This was a full day before the attack on the TV station. Why is that only one aspect of media covers this event? Why, especially with Mr. Barrow at the epicenter, is he not more of a focus? He is a victim, after all."