Starfire Ascension

Chapter 27 - Agenda

Holly had taken to Anna May greatly in such a small amount of time. She had bonded with her as if she was her own little sister. Holly had now snuck up behind her and tickled her softly making her giggle. She then swept her feet out from underneath her as she scooped her up bridal style. Anna May giggled infectiously as Holly landed kisses of enthusiasm on her cheeks. Anna May said, "Aunti Holly." To which Holly replied, "Yes my sweetpea?" Anna May got a cute smile as she said, "It's too bad Travis is a mean brother, or you could marry him and be part of the family too." Cyrus smiled smugly while Holly blushed as she placed Anna May back on the ground before taking her hand again.

Kimberley said to Holly with raised eyebrows of amusement, "Quite the little matchmaker, isn't she? No wonder you two get along so well." Holly smiled, her blush fading. Cyrus then said, "Travis lacks compassion and wisdom. I can't imagine how someone like that could make Holly happy." Kimberley had noticed Holly's blush and said, "He is a good-looking guy though, no doubt about that. He's just at that stage of life where he's a selfish, egotistical, imperious narcissist..." her face was scrunching up into a frown before she caught herself. She paused and smiled smugly before adding, "...who just got his spurs handed to him." Cyrus couldn't help but laugh at Kimberley's astringent scrutinization of Travis.

Martha and Harvey came over smiling at Anna May who was still holding Holly's hand while giggling. "Mr. and Mrs. Walker," Cyrus said nodding respectfully to them. Harvey smiled saying you may call us Harvey and Martha now. Your part of the family." Anna May clapped excitedly to which Holly kissed Anna May on the cheek again making her giggle.

Harvey looked at Cyrus then said, "So I hear you and your uncle are quite the scientists," he said. Cyrus smiled. "He's the scientist," he said dismissively. "I just am fascinated by everything he does." Kimberley stepped forward saying, "He's just being modest, Uncle Tony says he's a sho-in for an apprentice." Cyrus smiled gratefully at Kimberley. Harvey said, "I would love to hear about what you guys do someday." He smiled at Cyrus and Kimberley before they said goodnight. The group said their goodbyes before Harvey and Martha parted.

Cyrus's phone went off. He pulled it out looking at it. As if on queue it was a text from Uncle Tony. However, it said, "Urgent!!! Call immediately!!!" Cyrus showed the text to Holly and Kimberley before he dialed it. Tony answered it almost immediately asking, "Cyrus?" He sounded frazzled. "What's wrong?!" Cyrus asked. "DHS just stormed my lab. They didn't take anything that I could see but I'm almost certain they copied all my work and stole it. They photographed everything. But what's worse is I know why. I'll tell you in person, not over the phone, too much to explain. I'll tell you when you get home. Call me when you reach the house. I'll be in the lab assessing the breach." He hung up.

Cyrus closed the phone his face losing pallor. Holly and Kimberley looked scared. "Cyrus, what is it?!" said Holly nervously. Half shocked Cyrus said, "Department of Homeland Security just raided the lab. They copied all his work and left." Holly and Kimberley gasped. "He said he knows why but he can't say over the phone."

"I'm sorry to ditch your party but I gotta go," Cyrus said apologizing to Kimberley. She looked at him with an imposing look of challenge. "First of all if you think you're leaving me behind your nuts, second I drove here remember." Cyrus grinned, "Right," he said feeling foolish. She smiled reassuringly at him before adding, "I'll get the keys and let mom and dad know where I'm going. Go out to the truck. I'll meet you two there." "OK," Cyrus said. Then he added, "And thank you, Kimberley." She smiled at him as she quickly waved him away before she rushed away to her parents. Holly said goodbye to Anna May and explained that they had to leave but promised to see her soon. They got to the car just as Kimberly rushed out the door. She hit the key FOB letting them in. Kimberley rushed down the side of the house in a hasty fashion. The drive was a very short affair. Cyrus ran up the deck after Kimberley parked next to the veranda in a haste. They ran into the house Cyrus's phone had already been speed dialing Tony's number the minute the truck had shifted into park.