Brainmazing

by Mark Christopher Garrett

 

In a time period not disimilar to ours, doctors Ochoa and Nataliana stumble upon evidence hiding in plane site that unlocks the answers everyone has been searching for regarding the current world dilema. This information takes Ochoa and Nataliana for the ride of their life as it catapults them into a world they would have never imagined, a world they never knew even existed, . . . the shadow world. Now they are in over their heads & the only way out alive is to get the info out to the masses.

 

Table of Contents

 

Episode 1: Sunny Side Up

Episode 2: Morning Showers

Episode 3: Classified: For Your Mind Only

Episode 4: Initiation

Episode 5: Emergent Seas

Episode 6: Parallaxaca

Episode 7: Internet Travel

Episode 8: Scrying

Episode 9: Two Sides to Every Door

Episode 10: Abduction Junction

Episode 11: Moving Day

Episode 12: Sandman Dreams of Utopia

Episode 13: Shadowlander

 

Episode 1: Sunny Side Up

 

"Never before have I seen such a majestic sight." Ochoa tells his 8 year old son while pointing out the window of a 747 passenger jet.

 

"That!" replies Dex, "It's just a city. Just a bunch of old buildings and stuff. I already miss my friends and want to go home."

 

"I told you Dex, my job brings me here, this is our home now, and besides it is not just any city Dex, it is the Capitol of the free world, it is Washington D.C. where laws are made and nations . . ."

 

"Ya, . . . ya, I've heard it all before dad, it still does not change the fact that I miss my friends."

 

"I know son, I miss mine too, but I know deep inside that we will meet great people here that just may become just as good of friends as the ones we have back home."

 

"HA! See!!!"

 

"Ha, see, what Dex?"

 

"Even you still call it home. Can we get a dog?"

 

"We'll see."

 

 

 

"Hello again this is your Captain wanting to thank you for flying with us today. Please return to your seats as we will be decending and preparing to land at Dulles International Airport."

 

 

 

The plane circles the airport once to line up just right with the runway and comes in for the touchdown. Dex watches tentatively out the bubble window as they taxy in and finally come to a complete stop.

 

 

 

"That was cool dad, I like flying, maybe one day I can become a pilot."

 

"Not a bad idea son, keep studying hard as you will need to know a lot to become a successful pilot."

 

"I just want to fly."

 

"Yes son, I get it, now come on take these." as he hands Dex two of the carry on bags that they brought with them.

 

"Now stay close to me so we do not get seperated this is a busy airport. We will be picked up by a driver from my new job and taken to our new home, so be on good behavior please."

 

"Yes Sr.!, what about our suitcases and all my stuff."

 

"We have been over this Dex, my employers paid to have all of that moved to our new house, which is why we had to stay at that hotel for the last several weeks, but guess what it is all in our new house now!"

 

"Thats right, I forgot. Can we stop for pizza on the way to the new house."

 

"We will see."

 

 

 

Dad was right thought Dex as they made there way through the massively big and overcrowded airport. Full of new noises and a chaos of plethora entertainment for a young impressionable mind new to the Capital City.

 

However Dex was not the only one empressed with everything he was seeing, Ochoa was trying his best to act like everthing was normal to him, but internally he was absorbing in everything like a sponge and trying to interpret his current surroundings. There seemed to be several groups, apparently lost or without flight and all of them speaking at once in a foreign tongue not familiar to Ochoa. There also seemed to be a bunch of reporters, security and who knows what down at the other terminal but with all the flash photagraphy and everyone shouting it might as well been right next to him. There were families arguing with each other. Teens making out looking like they were eloping and carrying on in public. Still, Ochoa and Dex had to walk through it all just to get from their plane to the exit.

 

Once at the exit Dex looks up at his father . . .

 

"So, who is picking us up? . . . Which car is it?, . . . What does it look like? . . ."

 

"I don't know Dex, but I'm sure they will . . ."

 

Just then a black limo comes screaching in. The passenger window rolls down and a well dressed individual leans over.

 

"Hi there, Mr Ochoa and Dex I take it?"

 

"Yes Sr., did the firm send you."

 

"The firm?!?, . . . oh you mean . . . haha, yes I am with them, they sent me to pick you guys up and take you to your new home. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Felix and I apologise f

or being late but it dawned on me that you guys might be tired from traveling all day and not up for cooking, so I took the liberty of stopping on the way here and picking up a couple of pizzas and some drinks."

 

"Yes!" shouts out Dex

 

"Thank you so much Mr. Felix, my son was just mentioning that he wanted some pizza, this is great, and you are correct I am beat and in no mood to cook."

 

"Just Felix Dr. Ochoa, and no thanx, put that away I will not accept any tipsfrom you as it is all on the house!"

 

 

 

By the time they got to their new house Dex and Ochoa had already polished off an entire pizza and a half.

 

 

 

"I am so stuffed dad, that was the best pizza ever!"

 

"Ya, that was pretty good, I ate so much I had to loosen my belt!"

 

 

 

The two laugh as Felix pulls into the driveway, then in unisen . . .

 

"Wooooooow!"

 

"Is that our house?" asked Dex excitedly.

 

"This is where you will be living while working with the . . . uh . . firm (haha)."

 

 

 

The driveway alone was as long as their entire street in the old neighborhood and at the end of the driveway, which was emaculately landscaped by the way sat nesttled and tucked away in front of a wooded orchard overlooking a lake, what appeared to be in there eyes a small castle.

 

The limo pulls into the grand front entrance way and brakes to a stop. Like clock work the double front doors open and a small staff come out to greet the new arrivals.

 

 

 

"All this for us?" asked Ochoa.

 

"Don't underestimate your skills Doctor."

 

"I just hope I can live up to the expectations."

 

"You will do fine Doc."

 

Of all those around me." as he looks over at his son petting a dog.

 

"A dog Felix, seriously?"

 

"Yes Dr. they wanted you both to feel fully at home here, dog and everything, there will be more surprises but they will all come in due time, for now lets get you two settled in."

 

 

 

Felix introduces Ochoa to the staff as they gather what little baggage was brought with them on the plane ride and begin to walk towards the etrance to the house. Ochoa in total amazement as he looks intently at the architecture and workmanship of the building.

 

"Wow, . . . I feel as if am stepping back in time."

 

"You are Dr., you are haha., come on let me show you around."

 

But as Ochoa continues to vigilently scan the surroundings he starts to notice some things.

 

 

 

"Hey, Felix, there are some nice items in the house a lot of fancy merchandise and gadgets that I do not remember owning."

 

"Yes, Dr. of course, the extra size of this house made it neccesary for us to augment it with new furnishings and such."

 

"Oh, I see . . ."

 

"Don't worry Dr. it is all inclusive, you pay for nothing."

 

"I guess Felix, but it is my experience that nothing in life is free, you end up paying for it in one way or another."

 

"Dr. may I be frank with you . . . ?"

 

"I thought you were Felix, . . . just joking."

 

"Yes Dr., but seriously let me be frank, your old life, that other way of living, it is over, your hard work and dedication has brought you here, . . . enjoy the fruits of your labor Dr, because at the end of the day it is all we have."

 

 

 

Felix gives Ochoa the grand tour of the place while Dex was last seen sharing the last half of the pizza with his new doggo buddy out in his new mega back yard. Ochoa watching the whole thing from a corner 3rd floor balcony, and at that moment he knew he had made the correct decision to give up everything and move out here for this new job.

 

He then turns back into the room and looks at Felix sitting at the piano bench.

 

 

 

"Felix, was that everything, were those all the rooms?"

 

"Yes Doctor, why, not big enough for you?"

 

"No it is not that and I do not mean to sound ungratefull as the house is exceptional and you furnished it with all the latest and greatest tech and gadgets which are all awesome and we appreciate having them, it is just in all the rooms you showed me I never once saw any of our items from the old house."

 

"Don't be silly Dr. of course you saw them, you are just tired from traveling that is all. Oh I know the staff did alert me that some of your larger furnishings such as couches, chairs and such did not go with the decor so they were put into storage. Now it is getting late and tomorrow you need to make a great first impression down at the . . . firm . . . (haha), so lets rest on it all tonight and tomorrow we can hammer it all out."

 

"Ya, maybe you are right, I am beat and that pizza really did me in, thanx again for that its almolst like you were reading our minds, I mean not only did you get us a pizza, but you got us the exact type of pizza we always order."

 

"Just a lucky guess Dr., but you are welcome and I'm glad you enjoyed it. Now remember I will be here to pick you up in the morning. Good night Dr." as he glances out the balcony doors and gestures his eyes for Ochoa to look out as well. Ochoa glances out to see Dex sleeping next to his new friend both using the pizza box as a pillow."

 

"What is his name."

 

O.k. Dr. you must be getting sleepy if you forgot the name of your own son."

 

"The dog silly, what is the doggos name?"

 

"How should I know, no one has ever seen it before today."

 

Felix walks out of the room and leaves for the night. Ochoa left not knowing what to think about any of it. All of this is so new and there is so much to breath in, but one this was for sure, he needed to go put Dex to bed.

 

 

 

Ochoa gazing at the moon and it's lake reflection when his periferal vision caught some movement, rapid movement, something out in the wood. Being new to his surroundings he felt pressed to get Dex still sleeping soundly. Ochoa proceeds back through the house toward the elaborate hand carved staircase. Mesmerized by the night shadows and light play from the moon and lake off the castle house interior walls. Ochoa loses himself in his surroundings watching and internalizing his environement, then like a shockwave to the system he hears barking, he snaps out of his stupor and runs towards the back sliding glass doors slamming into it as it was no longer open. Hurridly he fidgits with the lock as it is jammed and he can't seem to get it to move. Ochoa looks out the window but his breath has fogged it up and all he can see are what appear to be glowing eyes, many pair of them all wandering by the woodline. Finally the lock slides to the open position and Ochoa yanks on the door to open it only it won't budge. He looks out again as the barking has gotten worse, and other sounds that he does not recognize resonate in his head. Ochoa about to give up and break the glass looks down almost as in defeat and that is when he sees the 2x4 wedged in the door to keep theives out. Feeling stupid he pulls the stick out, slides the glass door open and runs out to Dex still sleeping soundly.

 

Ironically as soon as Ochoa walked through the doorway it all stoped, there were no glowing eyes, nor was there any weird sounds, and as for the dog barking, well Ochoa thought the dog must of chased everything off because the dog was nowhere in sight either.

 

 

 

"Dex, wake up . . . come on sleepy head, wake up . . . "

 

Dex looks up as his father, "Hey dad, is it time to go to school already?"

 

"No Dex, lets get you to your room, and into your own bed."

 

Ochoa picks Dex up and carries him to the sliding glass door, as Dex wakes up and decides he can walk for himself, sice he's a big boy and all. Ochoa still trying to remember the new layout Felix just taught him guides Dex through several rooms before reaching the staircase, and in passing through one of the rooms Dex speaks.

 

"Dad, can I take moms picture to my room with me tonight, please!"

 

"Sure son, if we had it, Felix says he will look into our stuff tomorrow."

 

"What are you talking about dad, her picture is right there on the bookshelf, same place it has always been, right there with all her books."

 

Ochoa turns around and looks at their old bookshelf in bewildermeant.

 

"Uh, sure son, go ahead and get the picture." while thinking to himself that he knew he had not seen that shelve nor the books much less the picture on the initial walk through. Ochoa leads his son up the stairs to the second floor where Dex's room is and all along the way he sees items

from his old house all over the place.

 

"How could I have missed all this before?" Ochoa thinks to himself, "Wow, it really has been a long day, I need some sleep."

 

"All right pal, this is your room, the biggest one on the floor, and you have your own bathroom!"

 

"Oh cool all my stuff is exactly the way I always kept it, everything is the same, just like our old house."

 

Dex darts into his room and dives right into bed, "I'll wake you up for school Dex, good night, I love you."

 

"I love you too dad, see you in the morning."

 

"Oh ya, by the way Dex what is the name of that dog you were playing with?"

 

"Dog?!?, What dog?!?, I asked if we could get a dog on the plane, I remember that, and you said, "Well See.""

 

"I see, sooooo, no dog?!?

 

 

 

Ochoa closes Dex's bedroom door behind him as he walks out, he freez frames in place and tries to understand everthing he has witnessed or rather didn't witness today. He begins to walk upstairs to his bedroom as he himself feels it is time for bed, but no sooner did he get 2 steps up when the phone rang. Again he i jolted out of his stupor and realizes real quick he has no idea which room the phone is in. So he immediatley assumes to run to the kitchen as that seemed like a logical place for a phone. He runs as fast as he can without breaking his neck down the stairs and into the kitchen the whole time the phone ringing incesantly. When he arrives he still hears the phone always as if it is right next to him yet he never sees or finds a phone. "The entrance way." he thinks as he immediately darts in that direction only again to find no phone anywhere in sight while the ringing still echoing and reverberating through the entire castle house. Then a voice speaks and Ochoa is initially startled by it and pins around to see who is there only again to find no one.

 

 

 

"Dr. Ochoa, if you would like to answer the call say answer and if you would like to disregard this call please say disregard."

 

Dr. Ochoa grins as he realizes it is a smart house and can communicated, so he responds . . . "Answer"

 

the phone clicks over.

 

 

 

"Hello, this is Dr. Ochoa."

 

However all he can hear is some static and a voice way off in the distance, so he speaks again . . . "Hello this is Dr. Ochoa, you will have to speak up we seem to have a bad connection.

 

"Hello, . . . hello . . ." and again all Ochoa can hear are some voices that appear to be yelling off in the distance, almost like screams.

 

Click, all goes dead and then a dial tone.

 

 

 

"Seriously, that is how my night is going to end, I can't even get a slice of pizza because a non existant dog ate it, I am done and I am finally going to bed.

 

Ochoa walks up the 3 flights of stairs to his bedrooom floor, he is amazed at everything he sees that is from the old house that he some how missed earlier. The stairs have that permanent creaking sound to them and as Ochoa walks down the corridor to his bedroom doorway the moon and lake light still are shadow playing with the wind and trees and creating a spectacular light show reflecting throughout the house. Ochoa reaches for the doorknob to open his bedroom door, he turns it as it makes a certain sound that just reminds you of something antique and old, yet it looks brand new. Ochoa steps through the doorway and thats when it happenes.

 

 

 

Ochoa paralyzed in mortal fear, cold sweats as his eyes stare into something only he can see. His screams silent, only he and who knows what can here. Then there are no thoughts as all flashes into a blinding white light. Then voices . . .

 

 

 

"Dad, wake up, wake up sleepy head, you will be late for work".

 

Ochoa looks up from a sound sleep and realizes he is sleeping at the kitchen breakfast table slumped over, he quickly composes himself and sits up as if embarassed, but in reality just extremely confused. Then that dog that does not exist comes running up to him and gives him a big lick in the face.

 

"And besides" continues Dex, "you were ready to fall into your plate and today your eggs are sunny side up, that would of been a mess."

 

The two chuckle, as Ochoa slowly regains his concious after a deep sleep, and then hears another voice . . .

 

 

 

"Oh what are you two chuckling about . . .?" instantly recognizing the voice

 

"Whoa son, what did you do program the smart house with moms voice, and when did you learn to cook plus what the heck did you shoot up like 3 inches over night."

 

"Funny dad."

 

"Ya funny, you calling me a house?" Nataliana says as she walks up and tickles Ochoa in his side while kissing him on the cheek.

 

Ochoa turns to Nataliana as if seeing a ghost. He rushes to hug her, but passes out cold on the spot.

 

"See Mom, I told you he has been acting very strange here lately."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 2: Morning Showers

 

"Ochoa wake up . . . Ochoa, come on man, wake up!"

 

"I told you we took them in too deep."

 

"They were not in too deep, I told you not to simulate the dead wife with the new identity but no you wouldn't listen. Doing what we did with Dex was risky enough, I'm surprised he didn't flat out have a heart attack on that one alone."

 

"What about subject two how is she doing?"

 

"She is still engaged in the simulation."

 

"O.k. good, begin the procedure to bring her out correctly. We don't need to lose two subjects in one day now do we?". Turning back to view Ochoa, "Ochoa pleeeease wake up."

 

 

 

Observing from a remote location the watchers are powerless to intervene directly in a subjects life, whether real or imagined. In this high tech age everything is for sale including dreams, unfortunately hacking these very dreams is also a reality of our new high tech world. Unbeknownst to Ochoa and Nataliana they have become targets of such a deviant operation, bent on stealing their thoughts and dreams, . . . these are the hijackers, those seeking to profit off of the minds of others, oddly enough they just might end up becoming the heroes Ochoa and Nataliana need as there are yet others more sinister than them with even bigger plans which have yet to unnfold, or have they.

 

 

 

"Felix, I have awakened the second subject successfully."

 

"Good, hopefully she can revive subject one."

 

 

 

Nataliana stretches as she awakens. The dawning sun shines brightly through their 8th floor shanty apartment window lighting up the dresser and reflecting and shimmering off the mirror back onto the bed and into Nataliana's eyes.

 

She opens them, sits up and looks to her side as Ochoa is soundly asleep. Stepping out of bed she glances out the window at the city scape and all the huslte and bustle of an over crowded urban metropolis.

 

She turns on the hot and cold faucets in the tile shower making sure to get the temperature and

pressure just right, then walks out and heads towards the kitchen, passing Ochoa along the way.

 

"Boy, he sure is sleeping soundly today, must be dreaming of something nice."

 

She then makes her way to the kitchen where the hot coffee was already brewed and waiting on her. She makes two cups then returns back to the bedroom, but not before picking up the remote and turning on the t.v. and tuning in the mornings news.

 

 

 

"Ochoa, wake up! Hey sleepy head, time to get up, you have a big day ahead of you today, yooo hooo, wake up."

 

as she hovers the steaming hot cup of coffee under his nose . . .

 

Then all of a sudden you hear Ochoa gasp for air, with one deep breath, then a slow release. Then he starts to cough uncontrollably.

 

 

 

"Hey what are you doing, you know I don't like coffee."

 

"Exactly, but you slept through your alarm so I had to resort to drastic measures, today is your big day you know."

 

"Oh, shit, I can't believe I overslept, I was having the strangest dream . . . maybe even a nightmare, what time is it?!" as he frantically pulls the covers off of his naked self and steps out of bed barely missing Dex.

 

"Slow down speedy, you have plenty of time, your shower awaits . . ." as she herself steps into it seductively.

 

"Yeeeaas Ma'am!, I will be right there."

 

 

 

Ochoa then leans down and pets Dex under the chin "Good morning boy." as Dex wags his tail and looks up at Ochoa. Ochoa stands back up, stretches, then walks around the bed towards the bathroom and as he passes by the dresser with the bright sunrise shine glistening back, now with the shimmer of the steam coming off the shower. He stops to sniff the two hot steaming cups.

 

 

 

"What the Funkadelic Monkey, they are both coffee." he then walks into the bathroom, slides back the shower door and his eyes fully open. "Who needs coffee."

 

"What did you say?" Nataliana replied as she could barely hear Ochoa as she was rinsing her hair out.

 

"Oh, nothing." as he pulls the shower door closed behind him.

 

Episode 3: Classified: For Your Mind Only

 

Drying off after their romantic shower interlude Ochoa asks, "Hey, what give? Why two cups of coffee? You know I don't like coffee."

 

"Who said it was for you?"

 

"Well I just assumed . . . "

 

"There you go assuming again, it makes an . . ."

 

"Ya, ya I know . . ."

 

"No, it's just I too had some weird dreams, and when I woke up I actually felt tired like I had never really been to sleep at all."

 

"You too, huh. I just thought it was me with all this extra stress and my "big day", my nerves are shot."

 

"Oh relax, you have nothing to worry about you are an expert in your scientific field their is nothing they can ask that you can not answer."

 

"Ya?!?, well I am not so sure of that, those politician types have a way of twisting everything around."

 

"Oh, the politicians or the media?"

 

"Both! Both love a good spin and a good scam if it benefits them."

 

"Oh seriously dear, you watch too much t.v., not everyoneis boogy man."

 

"No of course not, that is just it, they think they are do ing good."

 

"What are you talking about?!?"

 

"Oh, nothing, I need to go or I will miss my plane."

 

"Come here!"

 

 

 

Nataliana adjust his collar and necktie then pationately kisses Ochoa.

 

 

 

"What was that for?!?"

 

"You got this, just be yourself, be honest and only tell them the facts!"

 

"Yes, yes, we have been over all this before coach, you have trained me well, I will do my best."

 

"I know you will. Remember, once it begins call me and leave the channel open so I can hear everything in real time, and that way if you have any questions me and our research team will hae accurate answers waiting on you."

 

"Research team huh?" as he glances back and forth between her and Dex. Dex begins to wag his tail as they both laugh and pet Dex their hands eventually joining together locking finger to finger and squeezing tight. The two kiss again as Dex covers his eyes with his paw. Ochoa then begins to head out of the apartment.

 

"Hey, brainmaze . . ., you forgetting something?" as Nataliana holds out Ochoa's satchel and attache case. Turning around Ochoa replies . . . "What would I do without you?"

 

 

 

As Ochoa walks down the cold aprtment corridor leading to the elevator he could not help but to reflect back onto last nights dream or even dreams as they seemed to be layered or paralleled or something he could just not figure out, and that was all the more reason why it lingered on his mind.

 

He paused at the elevator after pushing the button and then looked down at his watch . . . oh no, he forgot to put it on, should he go back and get it he was already running late and did not want to miss his plane. The elevator dinged and the doors opened decision was made, he stepped into the already over packed elevator and hit "G" for garage even though it was already lit, he then looked into the shimmer of the cheap metal door while brushing back his hair. The elevator began to descend and Ochoa couldnt help but to notice the contrast between his reality and his dream. Here everything was neglected, lacking in maintenance, paint, upkeep etc . . ., where as in his dream everything was imaculate, nothing left untouched and all touched with the utmost level of care and consideration.

 

 

 

When the elevator door opened at garage level the smell of smog and the noises of society came ruching in all too quick and again a far cry from his dream of fresh orchard and lake air next to a wood. He walked through the garage passing all the cars one by one, looking at them and sighing, until he reaches a staircase that leads down to the subway. He follows it step by step then he hears the train coming in for the stop, he realizes he is late and begins to run down the stairs and onto the subway station platform only to witness his train leaving.

 

 

 

"You have got to be kidding me. I do not need this today!"

 

 

 

Ochoa runs back up another staircase one that takes him streetside, where he tries to flag down a cab, unfortunately in an over populated city taxis are hard to come by especially at rush hour, your odds just might be better to get struck by lightning.

 

After, several minutes but what seemed like hours for Ochoa he panicked and began looking around where he sees a guy across the street just leaning on a parked vehicle.

 

Without thinking he rushes across the street nearly getting himself clipped in the process and makes hi way to the individual.

 

 

 

"Sr., I know you do not know me but I am late to catch a plane and am in dire need to get to airport, I couldnt help but to notice you standing here by this car and well . . ."

 

"Say no more, I was just finishing my cigarette and about to head east side, the airport is on the way, I would be more than happy to drop you off.

 

"Thank you, thank you so much, you are a life saver, my name is Ochoa what is your name?"

 

"Oh, no worries, I am no life saver, pleased to meet you Ochoa, my name is Felix . . ."

 

"Felix?!?"

 

"Ya, that's what they named me, why?!?"

 

"Not sure, dejavu I guess."

 

 

 

Felix drops Ochoa off at John F Kennedy Airport Terminal for his airline where he was expedited to his almost missed plane. Once onboard he secures his satchel and attache case in the carry on rack then he buckles himself in, then glances out the window.

 

"Odd this is the same seat as in my weird dream . . ."

 

The captain comes in over the intercom and proceeds with the embarcation process Ochoa tuning it all out as he is focused on what he must do today. After the plane takes off and levels off Ochoa then gets up and retreives his satchel. The plane is jammed full of people, but luckily he has the aisle seat and the person next to him has already fallen alseep.

 

 

 

He pulls some papers and documents from the satchel and begins looking them over. One in

particular strikes his interest he pulls it out and places it on top of all the others, it is titled, "Top Secret: For Your Mind Only" and was also officially stamped with the "Classified" seal. He turns the page and it's as if a white lite beems out and absorbs him into the document as Ochoa becomes entranced and mesmerized into another dimension as he turns through each page one by one.

 

Ochoa was so engulfed in his work that he lost sight of time until the Captain came back over the intercom to announce their decent. Ochoa looks over the sleeping body next to him and out the buble 747 window at the city beneath him and again that feeling of dejavu sets in as Washington D.C.'s sky scape seems oddly familiar. The stewardess or flight attendant as they now call them approaches Ochoa.

 

"Sr., we are decending you will need to secure that in the overhead compartment. Would you like me to help you with that?"

 

"Uh, oh, no thank you, I've got it." as he shoves the documents and papers back into the satchel while simultaneously standing. After securing the satchel he sits and budkles.

 

The airplane circles around Dulles airport and again a sense of dejavu settles over Ochoa as he dismisses it all to just very vivid dreaming due to anxiety and stress. But ironically because of all of this dejavoodu his tummy is growling at him and he is craving a pizza.

 

 

 

After landing and docking he rushes to the exit pasing the multitude of chaos at the other terminals as a media event seems to be happening with lights, reporters, security etc . . ., Ochoa wonders who could be flying in, but is pressed for time as a car should be waiting on him. He proceeds to the exit and steps out the automated doors and breaths in the Capital City air, and before he could exhale he hears . . .

 

"Dr. Ochoa, over here, Dr Ochoa."

 

He looks towards the voice and sees a young lady sitting in a limo with the passenger window rolled down calling to him. He walks towards her.

 

"Hello!" she says, "My name is Alex, hop in I will take you to your destination."

 

"Thank You." Ochoa loads himself, his satchel and his attache case into the back of the black limo, before he could even close the door Alex was already on the move.

 

"Whoa there! will this take long."

 

"Sorry Dr., they are all anxious to meet with you, and no the ride is short."

 

"Do we have time to stop for something to eat?"

 

"Sorry Dr., but they told me to bring you direct."

 

"No worries, it's just for some reason I feel like there is a really good pizza joint around here."

 

"Yes Sr., I mean Dr., the world renound Pizza Parlor Pizza, some of the best pizza in the world. Hey, I tell ya what, I am supposed to pick you up after your meeting to take you to your hotel, I will pick you up with a pizza, how about that!"

 

"Hotel?!?, No, no, no, no, no, no, No, I was told this was an in and out thing one meeting one day."

"I don;t know about all that Dr.ust what they tell me I am doing, and I was told to pick you up after the meeting and take you to Hotel Harrington."

 

"Hotel Harrington?!?, are you Serious."

 

"Yes Sr., . . . I mean Dr.

 

"Oh boy, I better call my girl friend, this is not what we planned."

 

"Here we are Dr., the Helix Corporation."

 

"Here already."

 

"I told you it was a short drive Doctor. Relax you will do fine, you are an expert in your field, there is nothing they can ask you that you don't know."

 

"What did you just say."

 

"I told you it was a short drive, now good luck."

 

 

 

Doctor Ochoa gets out of the limo while stuffing his cell phone back into his pocket. He turns around, leans in and reaches for his attache case and satchel which still had papers he had shoved in there prior peeking and nudging out. Before he could close the door behind him Alex speeds off slamming the door in her wake.

 

 

 

Ochoa turns around and looks up at the massive building in front of him. Architecture from a bygone era, yet seemingly ulta modern as if futuristic, still it rest in antiquity as the cracks in the pillars and marble show it's true age, and if not age then battle scars, either way, Ochoa was in awe at what he saw before him as the Dr.'s second passion is architecture, and this one was unlike any he had ever studied or seen.

 

"Amazing how something like this can hide itself in plane site in such a glorious city, the capital city at that, yet still,here it sits hidden like the architectural gem it is, . . . I wonder who designed

it, . . . or for that matter who built it as some of the materials look too advanced for the time period at which it would of potentially been built, . . . how strange."

 

As he approached the entrance doors they opened before him and inside he could see an immense room with a grand fountain and horticulture growing everywhere, not at all what he was expecting in the overcrowded metropolis capitol city of Washington D.C.

 

As he stepped through the doorway every thing changed all at once, a frequency shift inside his brain and all that was chaos from the out side world, the noises, the smells the overpopulation all went away, it all became tranquile and serene, with the sound of splashing water, birds and just plain old silence filled the space, and what a large space it was. Ochoa could not believe his eyes nor his senses at all that he was taking in. Then a soft voice awakend him out of his stupor.

 

 

 

"Hello Dr. Ochoa, we have been expecting you. My name is Lexi and I am assigned to you while you are here."

 

"Assigned to me?"

 

"Yes Dr., I am here to facilitate anything you may need while expediting your schedule and coordinating your ongoing meetings and hearings."

 

"Hearings, whoa, wait a minute, I was just supposed to come to Washington as an expert in the field to validate or invalidate some material evidence on a scientific level, I never came here to offer my opinion in any Hearing in any capacity, what is going on Lexi."

 

"Yes, Dr., I understand, but the circumstances have changed drastically since we first contacted you and the opposition has forced up to step up not only our time table but to bring in weapons they did not plan for."

 

"Me?!?!?, . . . I am a weapon?!?"

 

"Yes Dr., in essence as this is information warfare and you contain valuable information."

 

"How long will this take?"

 

"Oh, not long Dr. 3-4 months no longer."

 

"3 to 4 months are you kidding me?!?!"

 

"Here we are Dr., through those doors, they are waiting on you."

 

Episode 4: Initiation

 

The doors in front of Ochoa opened slowly and into the room, slowly revealing a heavily shadowed interior with an extended conference table with maybe 40 to 60 seats it was hard to tell the room was lit only by the rays of the sun beaming through a series of glass block windows combined with an ornamental stained glass window of some sort of dragon holding a scepter contained within a helix. The colors that radiated from the window were warm, inviting and soothing. Ochoa made his way in and could make out one lone figure at the end of the table on the far side of the room.

 

"Come young man, come and sit with me for a minute." signaled the figure with long thin arms and slender fingers.

 

As Ochoa walked toward the ominous figure the giantnormous doors closed behind him. Amazingly at the very moment the doors sealed shut with that powerfull echoing sound, the stained glass dragon lit up even brighter, Ochoa figured it was the clouds moving outside covering and uncovering the sun.

 

"Yes, here, sit, let us go over some things before you meet with the board."

 

"But, . . . I thought this was the board room and you were the . . ."

 

"No, Dr., I am here for you to sign some more confidentiality and nondisclosure papers."

 

"I don't understand, I thought we did all this with my attorney months ago when I accepted this assignment."

 

"Yes Dr., you did indeed, however as you were informed on the way here our timetable has altered and due to this sense of urgency the board thought it best to give you full disclosure."

 

The oddly shaped gentlemen then pulls a stack of paper work seemingly out of thin air and slams them on the table as he pulls a pen from his lapel pocket, clicks it, and extends his lengthy arm, hand, and fingers in the direction of Ochoa.

 

"But, I don't have my attorney here and I havn't even read them yet."

 

"Time is of the essence Dr., it is clearly up to you, you are free to sign the papers or the walk back out the doors you came in through but you need to make a decision now as a chopper is waiting on you."

 

"This is all so very cloak and dagger and I havn't even had time to call my girlfriend to tell her about any of these changes."

 

"The clock is ticking Dr., tick tock!"

 

"This is just all so sudden!"

 

"Yes Dr., I understand, and for your troubles the Helix Corporation has authorized a small sign on bonus as well as a 200% raise in your fee per day." as the thin fellow pulls an envelope out of the inside of his jacket and hands it to Ochoa. Ochoa takes it, opens it and looks at it. His eyes grow big.

 

"Per day?!?, well that is generous, whoa this is my Bonus?!?, what did you do rob Fort Knox?"

 

"No Dr., that is just half of your bonus, the other half you will get upon completion of the assignment."

 

"Ugggghhh, you are really twisting my arm here, listen, why me, I am not the only expert in this field?"

 

"Correct Dr., but they chose you, now are you going to sign the papers or are you going back out the way you came?"

 

After having been nervously clicking the pen bak and forth Ochoa clicks it one last time and one by one signs each paper without reading a word.

 

 

 

After what seemed like a good deal of time Ochoa finally finished signing all the papers, clicked the pen one last time and went to hand it back to the stark old frail man.

 

"Keep it, now we must hurry the chopper is waiting." The strange man then pulls out a secret drawer from under the table and pushes a button, the side walls which consisted of old book shelves to the left and a wet bar to the right were not what he thought they were as the book shelves opened up to reveal a doorway to a secret elevator.

 

The elevator doors open.

 

"Than you Dr. Ochoa for your cooperation. That elevator will take you to were you need to be."

 

Ochoa glances over his shoulder to see the elevator doors open, he glances back to thank the gentleman in kind and to ask him for his name but when he turns back around he finds that the odd man had vanished with all his paperwork without making a peep. Ochoa picks up his satchel and his attache case and walks slowly over to the elevator while admiring the architechture of the room. Elaborate opulence bathed in simplicity. Ochoa figured the clouds were moving in as all of a sudden the room darkened as the stained glass dragon window became dark and almost sinister looking. Ochoa picked up his pace a bit as he made his way to the elevator, but first he thought he would stop by that wet bar and get a drink to calm his nerves.

 

As he sips on his drink he pulls his cell phone out so he can call Nataliana, who was probably already expecting to here from him by now.

 

 

 

"Great, . . . no signal, . . . of course this room is shielded, why wouldn't it be, duh. I'll probably get better reception from the rooftop, but the noise of the chopper will prevent me from hearing anything, oh well at least I can send her a text to let her know what is up, I think I will compose it here while I sip this drink, then send it once I am on the rooftop. Wait till I tell here about this little intiation, she won't believe it."

 

Ochoa sips his drink, composes himself while also composing a very apologetic love letter to Nataliana as he has just change all of their plans without consulting her, he thinks he has made the right decision, but in the end he knows he should of checked with her first.

 

Ochoa gathered his items, brushed his hair back and walked into the bright white glow of the elevator as the room had almost gone completly dark and the shinning white light eminating from the elevator the only light left. The light was so intense and because of the drink and time Ochoa spent to relax his eyes had ajusted to the dark and initially could not see when he walked into the elvator.

 

The doors closed behind him as his eyes started to come into focus he turned around to look for a button to push to take him to the chopper, presumably the rooftop but there were no buttons or switches, nor dials of any type. Just then he hears a voice.

 

 

 

"Here Dr., let me help you with that."

 

The Dr. startled by the voice spins back around in amazement.

 

"Whoa, Lexi . . . where did you come from?!?"

 

"Don't be silly Dr, I have been here all along."

 

"All along?!?, I could of swore I looked into an empty elevator when I was sipping on my drink and I remember an empty elevator when I stepped in here."

 

"Clearly you are mistaken Dr., I have been here all along." then she gives him the internatinal hush symbol by placing her finger in front of her lips then she speaks in a tone he has never heard her use before.

 

"Clearance 0753246-H8 Voice Command Lexi"

 

Then a panel automatically slides open and hidden within is a high tech identification system and control panel that before Ochoa could figure out what was going on had already released a series of mini drones the size of mosquitoes roughly a dozen of them.

 

"Just relax Dr., it won't even sting."

 

"What won't sti . . .?"

 

and before he could finish he found out as the little critters each darted toward their objective prey (them) and dived into their skin like kamikazes. Each one with a little tiny LED flashing out of it's rear. Ochoa watched as if it were all happening in slow motion yet there was nothing he could do. Then the LED lights stop blinking and the little mini insecect looking drones dissolved into nothingness, light and all, Ochoa's panick subsided as he started to rub himself over his arms, chest and other areas targeted by the drones.

 

"What the funkadelic was tha . . . ?"

 

But before he could finish Lexi puts her finger up to her lip again. Then the elevator speaks

 

 

 

"Passengers have been verified. Destination Please."

 

both reply in unisen

 

"Chopper!"

 

"One voice is authorized the other is not, shall we proceed."

 

Lexi, looks over again at Ochoa with a somewhat "you hoo get a clue" expression and places her finger over her lip one more time. Ochoa takes a step back and puts his hands up like ya sure what ever. Then Lexi responds.

 

"Proceed"

 

"Thank You" replied the elevator as it begins to move.

 

 

 

"Wow, fancy elevator. Why are we taking this one is it the only one that goes to the rooftop. Do you think I will get good reception once we get up there?!?"

 

"You certainly have a lot of questions Dr., yes this is a fancy elevator, and no this one does not go to the roof top."

 

"Gotcha, so we will need to switch to the one I used earlier to get to the room? Why the big to do then with this one, no need to impress me I am already on board. Anyways, will I get phone reception on the rooftop, I am sure Nataliana is getting worried."

 

Alexia grins and chuckles a bit under her breath.

 

"No Dr., we will not be switching to the elevator you took earlier. And believe me when I tell you this is no dog and pony show, this is not to impress you as you call it, and lastly, I have no clue if

there is any reception on the rooftop because I have never tried to use a phone there, however it will not matter as we are not going to the rooftop any ways. Now I do not mean to be blunt with you Dr., but we are pressed for time and the chopper is waiting on you."

 

"Chopper?!? Where if not on the roof top? Also how many floors is this anyways, shouldn't of we reached the tippy top already?"

 

"Dr. Ochoa, what makes you think we are going up? We are not, we are going down, way down."

 

"Down?!?"

 

"Way down!"

 

"Way down, as in underground?!?, as in no internet signal?!?"

 

"You got it!"

 

then the elevator speaks . . .

 

Destination Chopper in 3, . . . 2, . . . 1, . . ." a ding sounded not like an elevator more like a submarine then the automatic doors opened and what Ochoa saw he could not beleive.

 

 

 

"I, . . . I, . . . I do not beleive this . . ."

 

"Follow me Dr. Ochoa, this way please." as Lexi leads the bewildered Ochoa to where he needs to be.

 

"I have never seen such architecture in all my life and I have studied them all . . ."

 

Lexi again puts her finger to her lips only this time . . .

 

"Sorry, you will not silence me, how can you show me all these great wonders and marvels and not expect me to have questions, . . . who are you people?!?"

 

The two had been walking on a series of fast paced moving sidewalks that took them to the Chopper Terminal where Ochoa would embark on from.

 

"Here we are Dr. Ochoa, step off here."

 

 

 

They stepped off in front of some sort of retro neo edifice styled in a neo greco roman bohemian high tech palace, yet it looks older than the oldest of our buildings topside, not only that but it was buit right into the side of this massive cavern wall, although the ceiling was so high one could not even see it. This is not the underground that Ochoa had expected,the one from sci fi

movies and bad conspiracy theory flics, no this was something more like out of a Jules Vern novel but grander in scope of complexity, as if an ancient civilization had been buried over in some sort of flash occurance and a bubble for what ever reason surrounded and protected it.

 

Ochoa turns around and looks at the over all immensity of this fully functioning underground metropolis, full of sophisticated tech, lights, fountains, mini sky scrapers, and literally what appeared to be hundreds if not thousands of buildings that could be used from anything such as homes to workshops to restaurands, there was even a plethera of vertical gardens all growing some sort of luminescent vegetation.

 

"Dr. Ochoa." spoke Lexi Softly. "It is time we need to go."

 

Dr. Ochoa took a deep breath, absord as much in as he could then turned towards the Chopper Terminal and Lexi.

 

"Lead the way."

 

As they approached the double door entrance the doors began to shimmer until they matched the frequecy of the individual.

 

"O.k., Dr Ochoa, remember the little drone bugs in the elevator, they analyzed you in every scientific way possible, this is how we control who gets access to critical points. I will go first, let me pass completely through then wait at least 3 seconds then aproach the shimmering energy door yourself. As you proximity shortens you will tune into it allowing you to pass through. Do not rush it as you will feel resistance, just walk normal and it will draw you in naturally, remember it is always about the energy, the ebb and flow. I will see you inside."

 

"Got it."

 

Lexi walks through the shimmering doorway as Ochoa watches in amazement, clenching tightly to his satchel and attache case. He watches her vanish into the glimmer then waits, roughly 10 - 12 seconds just to be sure, all while looking around in disbelief.

 

Ochoa looks at the doorway takes in a deep breath then closes his eyes while he begins to step towards the door, he then opens one eye so as to not miss a thing as he takes his first step through. He is pulled the rest of the way effortlessly as he open his other eye and all becomes a white flash of bright light thenjust like that magically you are on the other side of the . . . wall/door . . . hmmm.

 

Ochoa looks around at all the tech and can not understand what he is looking at as it is all so very futuristic yet looks older than time itself and has an almost steam punkish vibe to it, but way more advanced than that. Again, almost like remnants oof an old lost forgotten civilization that no one can remember not even time itself.

 

"Over here." spoke Lexi

 

Ochoa looks to his uper left and sees Lexi standing on a raised platform in front of what appeared to be some futuristic tunnel track, as a matter of fact the more Ochoa looked around

the more he saw more and more of these platforms all with their own tunnel systems.

 

"So, this is a chopper?"

 

"No Dr Ochoa, these are high speed sub terranian electromagnetic tunnels, all designed to travel from one point on earth to another. No, we need to take one of these to where your chopper is waiting."

 

"I don't understand if all of these highspeed tunnels interconnect all points on earth then where does the chopper take you?"

 

"Off world."

 

"Off World?!?!, you have got to be kidding me?"

 

"After everything you have seen today Dr., does it look like I am kidding you."

 

"Oh m gosh, your serious aren't you?"

 

Lexi just gives him that look.

 

"Step into the pod Dr."

 

The two are wisked off at speeds Ochoa has never experianced before, yet it all felt natural to him. Within minutes or less they arrive at their destination point.

 

They exited the pod onto a platform that seemed to be in the middle of no where, and I do not mean like out in the woods middle of nowher but like in the middle of an eternal void middle of no where, nothing to the sides, nthing above, and nothing below. Even the high speed tunnel vanishes in it's void.

 

The platform is hexagonal in nature with glowing edges, not glowing bright not in any particular color, just glowing in a deeper darker void than the rest of the void.

 

Lexi speaks, "Access Clearance 0753246-H8 Voice Command Lexi"

 

Then out of nowhere a flash of shimmering green light apears all in string form flickering rapidly like a pool of electical conductivity.

 

Lexi speaks, "Travel Code: Ea-Atl-369."

 

The sparking flickering ceased and the green conduit became serene and calm. A green plasma staircase extends out of the conduit and connects to the hexagonal platform, and even with all of the bright glowing of the coduit and it's staircase Ochoa still sees no end to the void in anydirection he looks.

 

 

"This journey you must take yourself Dr. Ochoa."

 

"You mean you are not going with me, but I thought . . ."

 

"My clearance does not extend beyond this point, but I will be here upon your return."

 

"Where am I going."

 

"They will fill you in when you get there Doctor, now hurry, there is a time limit on the chopper, now go."

 

 

 

Ochoa looks up at the passive green glow and steps up the plasma staircase one by one he reached the top and before stepping through he turned around to say goodby to Lexi but she had already dissapeared.

 

"I hate it when they do that." Ochoa thought to himself as he stepped into and was consumed by the green energy aura.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 5: Emergent Seas

 

Nataliana toweled off then used that same towel to wrap up her long dark hair. She walked into the bedroom and gave a look to Dex that he had to of known better as he was laying across the bed wagging his tail. Once he saw her look he jumped down and ran over and rubbed up on her legs. Nataliana was leaning over breathing in the smell of her two coffee's as she had her head between the two and was waving her hands motioning the scent and steam towards her. She reaches down picks up one of the cups and raises it up to her lips and slowly sips it.

 

"Mmmmm!" she then guzzles the rest of the cup while tilting her head all the way back with eyes closed. She meditates and reflects on the days coming activities as she always likes to be extra prepared. She bowels her head back down while releasing her stress then opens her eyes to the shinning sun reflecting off the mirror and warming her body. She then reaches for the other cup of coffee, raises it to her lips, breaths in deep, then guzzles it as well.

 

Dex covers his eyes with his paw in and makes a moan.

 

"Relax Dex, it is not scortching hot I made sure of that already.", as she leans down and scratches Dex under the chin, then gives him 2 pats on the head, "Your a good boy!"

 

After preparing herself for work her and Dex head to the kitchen were she scoops him 2 scoops of his favorite dog food, then she adds steaming hot water to it as it begins to gravy. Dex can barely contain himself as Nataliana sets his paw shaped doggy bowel on the floor for him to eat.

 

"Here you go good boy!" as if it mattered Dex was already slurping it up as fast as he could. Nataliana used this time to gather two file folders and a small leather had bag, just large enough for a cell phone, some cash and a couple of credit cards, nothing big, nothing fancy. She also grabbed Dex's leash and once he heard it the tips of his ears popped up and his tail started to wag even more.

 

"Slow down Dex, don't choke on your food." dex swallowing the last bite with a gulp . . . "Never mind . . . you ready to go Dex?" as she leashes him up and he sit pretty at attention.

 

"Good boy Dex, lets go."

 

Nataliana and Dex head out of the apartment and lock the door behind them. Nataliana can't help but reflect on the last couple of weeks and everything that led up to today and the importance that it brings. This is the day that is will all change she thinks as she and Ochoa are prepared and have done their research, . . . after all what could go wrong?

 

The two take the elevator to the rooftop where one of the tennents opened up a doggy day care, they brought up artificial turf and everything. Dex loves it as he also takes obediance classes and K9 Training from them as well as the people running the Doggy Day Care are retired and happily married K9 Officers. Dex also likes meeting up with all the other dogs as well and this provides a safe fun environement for them to play and train in and since the apartment complex does not

allow unsupervised pets in the apartments this works out perfect. for all, a win win for all.

 

The elevator doors open and Dex walks out onto the red carpet leading to the fenced in doggy day care center then he sits at attention.

 

"Good boy Dex." as Nataliana pats him on the head twice, she then kneals down by his side and whispers into his big floppy ear. Dex perks up and wags his tail, then heads towards the gate entrance as Nataliana turns to the elevator and pushes the button she then looks at her wrist watch, "Right on time." She turns around to see Dex off but Dex was already gone to the other side of the fence where she could see him running with his doggy buddies. She turns back to the elevator still not arrived, doors shut, and she looks back at her wrist watch.

 

"Come on, this is no time to . . . " then a voice cries out from behind. "Ma'am, . . . Miss, . . . excuse me . . .!"

 

Nataliana turns aound, "Yes, good morning."

 

"Hi, good morning, I just wanted to let you know new drop offs need to be signed in at the registry."

 

"Oh, Dex is not new, he comes everyday."

 

"No, I didn't mean for Dex, I meant for you."

 

Nataliana looks puzzled.

 

"Dot, it's me Nataliana."

 

Dot focuses her eyes while adjusting her glasses then takes them off, whipes them with her shirt then puts them back on and opens her eyes real wide.

 

"Oh, hi Nataliana, good morning, I did not recognize you, did you do your hair different or something."

 

"That's o.k. Dot, I'm just a little scatter brained with what today is and all and it must really show."

 

"Oh, relax dear, you are an expert in your field, what could go wrong?"

 

"What did you say?"

 

"Have a nice day dear, Dex will be well taken care of. See you this evening or will Dr. Ochoa be picking Dex up?"

 

"I am not sure if the Doctor will be back before me or not, it all depends on my day."

 

"Well no worries he will be excited no matter which one of you picks him up."

 

At that moment the elevator doors open

 

Nataliana nods towards Dot as if to say thank you and goodby and then walks into the elevator. The doors shut behind her.

 

The elevator was empty and began to decend quickly, but it seemed every other floor or so it would stop and pick up more passengers, some people others not as this time of day many were taking their pets out for walks to do their morning routines, others were ready for jogging and running, yet others were just plane old seeing eye dogs or other service pets,it was common for the elevator to be filled with more animals than people sometimes. But today Nataliana was in no mood to stop off at each floor to pick up passengers as she was now begginning to run just a little late and she had a tram to catch or she would be late and today of all days that can not happen.

 

 

 

The elevator finally makes it to the 5th floor where it stops to take on a passenger with a mattress that he and his roommate were giving to the lady on the 4th floor so her son could have a bed of his own.

 

Nataliana decides to get out of the elevator and to walk down the stairs as the two roommates were arguing how best to get it into the elevator.

 

Once ground level she rushed out the front door street level and ddouble times it to the the tram terminal only to see her train pass right in front of her on the avove tracks.

 

"Uhhhggg, not today, please not today." she looks around and sees a gentleman leaning up on his car, she rushes towards him.

 

"Sr., I couldn't help but notice that you were just standing here next to your car. I know you do not know me, but I am a Doctor and I need to get to the Hospital as soon as possible, and I just missed my tram."

 

"Well, as chance would have it I happen to be going right by there as I am heading over to the west side to meet with a client. It would be my pleasure to give you a lift, please allow me." as he steps around the vehicle and opens the passenger door for Nataliana, "Why thank you, who said chivalry is dead?"

 

Nataliana gets into the vehicle and the two of them speed off with the sunrise beeming into the rearview mirror and shinning back onto Nataliana bathing her in a sun kissed glow and radiating with warmth.

 

"Thank you so much for this ride, today is a very important day for me, hi my name is Nataliana."

 

"Pleased to meet you Nataliana, my name is Felix . . ."

 

"Felix?!?"

 

"Yes, it is what my parents named me."

 

"No, sorry, it is just, . . . well nothing I guess, just dejavu of some sorts, oh never mind, don't mind me, I have been scatter brained all morning. So, you are meeting a client, what do you do?"

 

"I am into Arbitrage of Intellectual Property."

 

"Wow, sounds ominous."

 

"It can be, . . . at times, but like anything else, most of the time it is just statistics and boring."

 

"Well good luck with that."

 

"Luck Madam?, Luck is reserved for fools and the young, I rely exlusively on . . ."

 

"Oh, look theres the back entrance to the Hospital, please turn in here as it will be quicker for me."

 

"Of course, and do not forget you file folder and bag."

 

"Of course not, wait a minute did you say file folder, . . . where is the other one . . .?" as she looks all over the car frantically.

 

"I only saw you with the one Madam."

 

"Are you sure?"

 

"I believe I am"

 

"Great, I must of dropped it in the elevator when they were bringing in the mattress."

 

"Would you like me to turn around so we can go back to get it?"

 

"Oh thank you Felix, but I am pressed for time today and would never be able to make it back in time."

 

"O.k. then, we are here." as his car comes to a screatching halt at the back covered ambulance entrance to the hospital. Nataliana goes to pull some moey out of her leather bag, but Felix would have no part of that and made her put her money away. She thanked him again while she gathered her stuff and exited his vehicle.

 

"Ma'am" called Felix as Nataliana was walking away.

 

"Yes Felix what is it."

 

"Here Ma'am take this." Felix has the passenger window rolled down and is leaning over handing

Nataliana one of his business cards.

 

"Thank you, you never know when I'll need to exchange some intellectuall property." she said jokingly.

 

"Exactly!" Replied Felix seemingly not joking.

 

Nataliana takes the card from his hand and turns back towards the hospital doors, they open, she walks towards them. She turns over her shoulder to wave goodby to Felix but he and the car have already vanished.

 

"Nataliana!" shouts a voice, a Nataliana snaps out of her stupor and turns into the direction of the familiar voice.

 

"Megan! I am so glad to see you down here. Am I late?"

 

"No, not at all, I just got here myself. I would of been late as I missed my bus, but some guy happened to be heading this way saw me at the but stop and offered me a ride here.

 

"That's strange, practically the same thing happened to me too."

 

"Come on, lets get this show on the road or we will be late and Dr Ochoa will ring our necks, . . . at least my neck."

 

"Hey, . . . thats not fare, Dr Ochoa and I are nothing but professional here at work."

 

"Of you say so . . . hahaha"

 

"Oh hush"

 

The two arrive at the elevator and step into it. They both simultaineously go to push the floor button then stop, then in unisen the say, "You go ahead." "Jinx." "Double Jinx." then they both push the botton and laugh.

 

When their door opens up at their floor the pandemonium ensues as they look inside at what appears to be total chaos. People talking over each other, noises blaring from countless electronic devices, as well as an assortment of people monitoring countless monitors all set up in a circular configuration around a chair that had all kinds of wires and diods coming up to and attached to it. The chair itself looked like something out of a low budget b rated sci fi movie, where everything was patch worked and piece mealed together.

 

Immediatly upon stepping in the room Nataliana takes command

 

 

 

"Attention everyone, good morning, . . . . I said GOOD MORNING!" the place goes silent with the exception of the digital machines and the one guy not paying attention and still talking on the ph

one.

 

" . . .because Ma, it's my room and you need to respect my privacy and stay out, . . . I know I'm 27 years old, . . . yes ma'am, I know it's your house, but that doesn't give you the ri . . . hello, . . . ma, . . . hello."

 

as he puts the phone down and looks up he realizes all eyes are on him and he freezes like a deer in headlights, then Nataliana continues without skipping a beat . . .

 

"Great!, Now that I have everyones attention. Good morning all, you know what an important day this is for all of us, all of our research, all of our hard work and our long hours. All the dues we had to pay to get to this point and you and I know, all you know, that we are ready for this, we own this, today is our day. So without further adue, everyone knows what they are supposed to do so lets get to it only this time operate in silent mode as she uses the international symbol for silence and raises her finger to her lips.

 

 

 

A voice pipes up from over by one of the control monitors, "O.k., they are getting ready to go live in 10, . . . 9, . . . 8 . ." the countdown continues on as Nataliana whispers into Megan's ear to which her eyes light up and she darts over to her desk and cues up her computer while also pulling out her cell phone and pulling up a special tab.

 

"5, . . . 4, . . ."

 

Nataliana does the same as she sits at mission control the chair in the middle with all the gagetry and wiring hooked up to it, surrounded by what seemed like an infinate amount of computer moniters. She reaches down to the side of the chair and pulls up a macked out dashboard control panel that swivels and locks into location.

 

"3, . . . 2, . . ."

 

the room goes completely silent as by now everyone is stationed at their post and has silenced all their electronic devices and gadgetry.

 

"1, . . ." then everyones monitor lights up with the a blue light then the signal goes live to location and all monitors show the inside of a Congressional Hearing getting ready to start.

 

Everyone in the roon sitting on pins and needles as first they had to wait for Congress to come to order then they had to listen to numerous Representatives give what could only be surmised as one way speaches as no questions were ever asked of the special panel.

 

No one dared to speak, not even to ask a question as all were intent on following this hearing word for word verbatim.

 

Finally one of the U.S. Representatives, a Congressman from Florida District 2, begins to ask some of the first really important questions, getting right to the heart and nuts and bolts of the

matter.

 

The room seemed to of perked up and the noise level began to rise until like a pro Nataliana waves her hands down as if to say silence it back down and the room does, but the the Congressman call out one of the panelist by name to answer a question and again the room sparks up with excitement.

 

"Dr. Ochoa, in your professional capacity do you . . . "

 

And again Nataliana quiets the room down and everyone focuses back to their monitors, most inserting their earpieces and as the question is fully asked everyone begins research on that specific information then in real time what they are researching and viewing is displayed on one of the monitors in front of Nataliana who has also put on a special set of headphones as well as pulled around a mic from the left side of the chair and positioned it in front of her lips.

 

Everyone in the room spent the next several hours researching every question asked of Dr. Ochoa at the hearing so they dould give him accurate to the minute information, . . . only . . . Nataliana was wondering why they went through all this trouble as it seems Dr. Ochoa is doing fine all on his own and has yet to ask for help.

 

You see they had set it up prior to the hearing and if he needed help he could signal for that help by using some of the various predetermined codes they had worked on like tugging on an ear or scratching an eyebrow, you know simple things that would look normal to anyone else but to those back at the hospital who had everything riding on this hearing along with billions of other lost souls had a lot to lose or gain to say the least.

 

Nataliana signals for Megan to come over and again she whispers into her ear . . .

 

"Hey Megs, somethings off, this just doesn't feel right, none of this!"

 

whispering back

 

"What are you talking about?!? He is doing great!"

 

"Ya, a little too great, some of that stuff I know we never covered, how did he know it."

 

"Who knows, maybe he read up on it on the way to the airport or something, who cares?"

 

"I care, I know him, and the him I know just seems off that's all."

 

"Oh your just jelly cause he does not need any of our help or should I say your help."

 

"No it is not that, . . . it's just, . . . oh I don't know, I can't really put my finger on it, but my sixth sense is telling me something is not copesetic."

 

At this point the two look up and realize the whole room is staring at them, then all at once the room goes, "SHHHH!"

 

Later that evening after leaving the celebratory work party the hospital floor threw for Dr. Ochoa's great performance.They were all very proud of him and how he represented their position and cause. After an arduous day Nataliana was relaxing with her head leaned back during the tram ride home when she began to dream . . . or so she thought she was dreaming . . .

 

 

 

"See Mom, I told you Dad was acting strange."

 

"I feel a little strange myself Dex."

 

as all becomes a blur.

 

 

 

"Download the program now!"

 

"But there might not be enough time, she is on a public transit system it could be risky."

 

"Do it! Now!"

 

"Yes Felix, . . . done."

 

 

 

"Dex, is that you son?"

 

"Mom Wake Up!"

 

 

 

a screeching sounds awakens Nataliana from a dead sleep as the tram take the final curve and brakes to a stop. Nataliana opens her eyes, stretches, looks around, realizes where she is and goes to stand up only her legs give out initially and she catches herself on the rail as some of the passengers look at her and shake their head as if she were some sort of drunk or something.

 

She composes herself then walks confidently out the door.

 

After arriving at her apartment she enters the door code so she can get in and as the door buzzes for her to open it she realizes she forgot to pick up something to eat and she was really craving a pizza for some reason.

 

She walks down the delapetaded hallway towards the elevator looking at the decay and abusive destruction this buiding has had to endure, she tries to tune it all out, after all today was a win

and she did not need to bring hereself down with the negativeness that surrounds her.

 

 

 

On the elevator ride up she decides to stop off at the apartment first so she could put her office stuff up before getting Dex. She thought she still had time to switch into her jogging outfit and take Dex for a run as well. There was a great chinese place down the block and even though she was craving pizza one thing was for sure she knew she did not want to cook, especially not knowing which flight Ochoa was going to be coming in on and what time he would ultimatally get in, Chinese would heat up well in the nuker if he got in late she thought.

 

 

 

The elevator pinged and the doors open and there still on the floor was her lost folder. She leans over picks it up and slowly walks to the apartment door as she is flipping through the folder to see if everything is still there.

 

Her right had reaches into her pocket and pulls out a set of keys, she shakes them out to reveal just one and she goes to insert it in the apartment door 808 when instead she screams in surprise fear as the door open up towards her.

 

"Oh, hey honey." say Ochoa as he is walking out with 2 bags of garbage.

 

"I wanted to surprise you befor you got home, I cleaned up a little. Anyways, let me finish this up I will be right back I am just taking these bags to the dump, in the mean time Dex is already waiting on you inside and so is dinner. Special Delivery from Washington D.C. from the Best Pizzeria on the Planet, Pizza Parlor Pizza!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 6: Parallaxaca

 

Ochoa's body is consumed into the green shimmering conduit and as a euphoric sensation comes over his body he opens one eye so as to peek to his surroundings and immediatly opens his second and third eye as he travels it appears as though millions if not trillions of fireflies were zooming by all with memories and voices of times gone by and times yet to come any one a stopping point in time and space, just another moment nothing more, nothing less. Ochoa reaches out to touch one of the fireflies and when he does all ceases to move the green conduit fades away and he is left standing in a large room high above a big city, a metropolis unlike any Ochoa has ever seen before as he looks out the immense windows on all sides of him as he now stands center stage within a 4 dimensional octogonal shape spinning randomly around him. He can't help but to be stunned litterally and figuratively by the sunrise or sunset that he is looking at as he is not sure which one it is, but one thing is for sure, we are not in Kansas anymore as there seem to be 2 moons off in the distance, one due east and one due west based on earth sun standards which obviously this is not, so who knows.

 

Ochoa was again in one of his pensative stupors when a loud voice manifested itself from the beyond as a facial mist appeared out of the nothingness in front of him, an ever changing face of something he just can't make out.

 

 

 

"Greetings Doctor Ochoa, you have traveled a great distance to meet with us, as we deemed it neccessary that you knew the whole truth before testifying in front of Congress at the Hearing."

 

"Ya, was that not today?"

 

"No worries Dr., everything is under control. Now, do you have any questions for us before we proceed."

 

"Yes, as a matter of fact I do have some questions.

 

Where are we."

 

"Where do you want to be?"

 

"How long will all this take?"

 

"What is time really Dr. Ochoa?"

 

"Who are you guys really?"

 

"Even if we told you it would be meaningless to you. Come follow the light and you will see the way."

 

"Ya, who's light, your light, and how do I know if it is the light of truth?"

 

"Because Dr. Ochoa, you will know, . . . believe me you will know."

 

 

 

The dimensional octagonal shape began to spin a little faster and with it so did its illuminating properties. It sped up faster and faster and got brighter and even brighter yet Ochoa never felt blinded nor did he feel or get dizzy from all the spinning.

 

"Yes!" shouts out Ochoa . . . "I see it! . . . I see truth . . . I need more, . . . give me more . . ."

 

 

 

The 4 dimensional octagon span so fast that it dissappeared and within it's space had created a mini universe built around the mind and thought patterns of Ochoa. Ochoa was now elevating in mid air yet he did not even know it, as far as he was concerened anything he could think of could manifest itself in this mini universe this reality made just for him. Ochoa has succumbed to the energy field of the green octagon, anything he now thinks becomes his reality if he so desires.

 

 

 

"Holy crap, we actually got him Felix, we just bagged Ochoa!"

 

"Don't get excited yet, he is not fully synaptically integrated yet."

 

"Details, details."

 

"No, not details we have all heard the stories of those getting loose, breaking free before integration and the worst part is at that level they just don't free themselves but every damn one else with them, the entire system wiped back to server level clean, like new, total reset."

 

"That is my point Felix, stories, that is all they are, you nor I nor any one else we know nor our ancesters know has ever witnessed this happen, only in these so called stories, these myths, these Fairy Tails."

 

"Don't believe in ancient stories if you do not want to, but I for one am not calling it a done deal until he is fully integrated. Either way he is done for now, go ahead and tune out of his mind and into the second subjects mind that came with this assignment"

 

"Oh come on, I don't want to miss the best part."

 

"Oh stop being such a pervert you know most have their wildest sexual fantasies fullfield when they first get energized into the system."

 

"Ah, your no fun."

 

"No, I like my job, I am fun off duty."

 

"Oh, when is that?"

 

"Oh shut your vocabulary dispenser, your driving me crazy and we have real work to do. You know the people we work for, you don't just get a pay cut or demotion for screwing up, you get dissapeared if you catch my drift. Now come on shift over to the secondary target's brain activity lets see what she is seeing, dreaming, and thinking."

 

Episode 7: Internet Travel

 

"Who, what, oh never mind . . . funny, I was craving a pizza."

 

"Ya, I had never heard of it until Alex told me about it."

 

"Alex?"

 

"Ya, the chauffeur assigned to me in D.C., . . . well, she said it was . . ."

 

"She said! . . . did she now . . ."

 

"Ya, and more importantly when she picked me up to bring me back to the airport she already had the pizza with her, but that is not the best part . . . you want to know the best part?!?"

 

"Oh, do tell what is the best part?"

 

"She took me to a private airport where I flew back on a private plane."

 

"Aaaahhh, so that is how you were able to get here so fast, because I could of just swore you were just on closed caption t.v."

 

"Yup, thank god we are living in these modern times, now go get cleaned up, I will be right back."

 

Nataliana steps into the apartment showered by kisses from Dex., Ochoa takes the two garbage bags to the end of the corridor and pulls back on a leaver that opens a door. The stench that blows open with it is unberable so Ochoa always holds his breath when he opens it, only this time he didn't, he tosses the bags down the chute then closes it and walks back towards the apartment door beginning to cough along the way from breathing in the fowl odor.

 

He looks over at the wall and it's old peeling wall paper as he walks back to the run down apartment and thinks to himself . . . "Wow, today must of taken more out of me than I had realized, I am beat, the wall paper even looks strange to me. I can't eait to tell Nataliana the good news, not so sure how she will take it, but one this is for sure it is definately a game change, we will be stepping into the big leagues, how could she not like it."

 

Ochoa arrives at the door and reaches for the knob looking into its reflection he sees an odd characterization of himself, he goes to turn the knob only to realize the door had locked behind him.

 

"Of course it did, . . . why wouldn't it, I set it up that way, . . . geeeezzz."

 

Ochoa knocks lightly at the door, "Hey, Naty, I got locked out, could you open the door please?" He waits a bit but no response so he knocks a little louder this time, . . . "Nataliana, hello, I forgot to jam the doorr, let me in please."

 

Ochoa could here Dex scratching and making dog noises at the bottom of the door, . . . "Dex, Dex, go get Nataliana!", but he knew it was too late as he already knew Natalianas routine all to well and once she steps in she goes straight to the bedroom where she udresses then proceeds to the bathroom where she runs a soothing bath. Of course with the water running clear in the other room there was no way for Nataliana to hear any knocking, not only that but just like in the morning part of her routine is also to turn on the t.v. and tune in the news.

 

Ochoa realizing that he has missed his window of opportunity until she is done bathing decides to go down to the Mall floor, most apartments have them even older ones like these, remnants of the bio wars when lockdowns were the norm and everyone was cofined to their building. This one had a grocerie store, florist, a couple of drug and novelty stores, several small eateries in a food court area, a small theater and a 2 lane bowling alley.

 

Ochoa stepped out of the elevator at the mall floor and looked around at the immensity and grandeur at the size of it as it is actually 3 to 4 stories high in places and extends the whole floor of the building, roughly two city blocks.

 

Ochoa darts immediatly to the florist and puts in his order with the young floral arranger behind the counter. He then expediantly makes his way over to a coffee shop at the food court where he places yet another order, then like clockwork he jets over to the little grocerie store. After a jiffy he comes out with a small plastic bag and a long thin package all wrapped in brown paper and tied with string.

 

He zips back by the florist where he picks up his flowers then snags his to go tray from the coffee shop, and as luck would have it as he approached the elevator doors they seemed to open up just for him, right on cue.

 

He thought on the way back up to the apartment that it was convenient having a mall like that right here in the apartment and the best part was all the stores are tied into the same system so all charges are just automatically place on the rent bill along with the cable, internet and other utilities. But this also was a double edge sword as it makes it impossible to surprise anybody with anything because all transactions are accounted for. tracked and easily accessed via any electronic device that can conect to the web. Ochoa was sure he could get back to the apartment in time before Nataliana gets out of her bath.

 

The elevator is packed as usual an someone makes a comment, "Mmmm, that sure smells good, is it from our coffee shop?"

 

Ochoa turns to the young individual standing there looking half frozen, "Yes, I did, are you new here, I have never seen you before?"

 

Then the elevator doors open as the elevator dings and comes to a shaking stop. Startles Ochoa looks to his front and at the doors as he balances himself

 

"Whoa, that landing was a little rough, it is normally not this bad, I better let the super know." Ochoa says as he turns back over to the young frozen individual only there is no one there except a full elevator of people talking amoung themselves.

 

Ochoa walks back to the apartment with arms full of gifts. He stops at the door and as he leans over to set the flowers on the ground so he can knock on the door a strange thing happened, his keys fell out of his jacket shirt pocket.

 

"Thats strange, I could of swore I checked there, and I am pretty positive that those keys were no where. How could I of missed them, oh well."

 

So instead of knocking on the door, Ochoa unlocks it with his key and walks in he calls out to Nataliana, "Hey baby are you still in the bath?"

 

"Yes, I have 8 minutes left on my soak."

 

"Perfect!"

 

Ochoa sets everything on the dinning room table. He quickly takes the small plactic bag and the flowers into the kitchen where he put the bag in the freezer then pulls a vase from on top of the freezer while replacing it with a single flower unlike the rest. He then runs the vase under the faucet then places the remaining flowers all red roses into it. He reaches over and turns on the oven where the pizza is already waiting and sets the timer for 8 minutes, then Ochoa heads back out of the kitchen and over to the dinning room table taking the vase of red rose flowers with him and setting them center stage on the table. He then grabs two candles from the bookshelf, lights them, and then sets one on each side of the flowers.

 

Last but not least he goes ahead and gets the good dishes out and sets the table with them.

 

Natalia and Dex come walking out of the bedroom, "Wow, whats this?"

 

Dex starts barking.

 

"Quiet Boy!" they both say in unisen but Dex won't stop he just keeps barking getting more agressive and a little louder.

 

"it's O.K. boy calm down.", but Dex is agitated and Nataliana can't figure out why, "Hey, Ochoa turn the lights back up for a moment, I think the dark is freaking him out."

 

Ochoa turns the lights all the way up and Dex stop barking and immediatly starts wagging his tail as he runs up to Ochoa and starts sniffing him all over.

 

"Must of been something in the garbage today when I threw it out, I actually forgot to hold my breath and it made me sick."

 

"You?!?" Forget to hold your breath, wow the sky is falling."

 

"Oh, hush, I'm not that bad."

 

Nataliana looks around at the spread on the table.

 

"Enough about Dex, what do you have going on here is that coffee I smell?"

 

Just then the oven dings in the kitchen.

 

"It sure is, pull the cups out of the to go tray and I will go snag our din din."

 

"Smells yummy, . . . all of it."

 

Ochoa dissapears into the kitchen while Nataliana pulls the cups from the tray, sniffing each one to tell whos is whos, then sets them in their appropriate places, she then looks over at the long thin package wrapped in brown paper then looks over at Dex, "Don't look at me, I have no idea."

 

"No idea of what?" Ochoa asks as he walks back in with a fresh reheated pizza.

 

"Oh, well actually, since you are asking and all, that is a good question, I was just telling Dex here and some of my collegues at work that I had no idea what you were talking about and how you knew what you knew, as I know you and I didn't prepare for it."

 

"Oh, that, just some last minute stuff that came up on the way to the airport."

 

"Last minute, you sounded like you had a Masters on the subject."

 

"Why thank you, I do try." Ochoa responds as he places a slice of pizza onto Nataliana's plate.

 

"Oh wow, you got my favorite not yours, thank you so much, that means a lot to me."

 

"Don't thank me, I actually did not by it the chauffere did all that, what a strange coincidence she just so happened to order you favorite, not many people get that kind of combination of toppings thats for sure."

 

Nataliana swallows her first bite barelly chooing it all up as it is so yummy and she was more hungry than she thought.

 

"And the Flowers?, did the chauffere give you those as well."

 

"Oh no, I got those all on my own."

 

"And the coffee, and some mysterious brown package. What gives."

 

"And don't forget the white plastic bag in the freezer."

 

"White plastic bag in the freezer! That can only mean one thing, . . . you didn't!, . . . you did!, . . . you got ice cream!, . . . o.k. soooo what are you buttering me up for?!?"

 

"Well actually you already brought it up in a way, it has to do with what we were talking about at the Congressional Hearing today, "Internet Travel"."

 

"Ya, it's all they talk about on the news, I remember this morning when I was getting ready for work and then again when I got home, I havn't had time to delve into it too deep, whats it all about."

 

"Unfortunately I had to sign some confidentiality agreements so I am not at the liberty of telling you but what I can tell you and the reason for all of this, the reason for buttering you up is they want me to move to Washington D.C. and live there on a permanent basis."

 

Nataliana about chokes on her bite of pizza, looks down at her coffee, then gets up, dissapears into the kitchen then returns with a bottle of wine and 2 glasses.

 

"We then, I quess a true celebration is trully in order."

 

"So, your not mad."

 

"Why would I be mad?"

 

"I don't know I quess I was just expecting a different reaction. Well then this is deffinately cause for a celebration then." and Ochoa reaches over the table and grabs the long thin brrown package. He cuts the string with his knife then pulls back the brown paper revealing a rather large bone.

 

"Look what I got you Dex." Dex perks up, and so does Nataliana

 

"Where did you get that, you know it is contraband, if we get caught with that you know what will happen . . ."

 

"It will be O.K., no one will find out, and besides it is the stupidest law ever, some laws are meant to be broken. Here you go boy." as he hands over the bone to Dex

 

The three finish their meal and they were all too busy chewing to do anymore talking, but that didn't stop Nataliana from thinking. Her mind was racing a mile a minute with all this new info she was trying to absorb in. She was curious how it would all affect their long term relationship as well as her job as she was head of her research department and commanded a staff of her own, but more importantly, what was bugging Nataliana the most was something she just couldnt put her finger on, something about Ochoa just didn't seem right, he never breaks the law, for one, and how did he know all that stuff he said at the hearing today, and the way Dex was reacting to him, . . . and the bone, not only is it illegal but it is almost like he is bribing the dog for some reason. Then again she has been stressed herself and believes she just may be over thinking everthing.

 

The three retire into the bedroom but Ochoa makes a pit stop into the kitchen first where he grabs 2 spoons as well as the ice cream. Nataliana is fluffing up the pillows and getting ready to get into bed, she reaches for the remote control and turns on the t.v. for the late night news.

 

"See, there it is again, thes series of bills they are passing all relating to this Internet Travel thing, oh good you brought the ice cream."

 

The two watch the news together that night while devouring the entire minitub of ice cream. Dex was passed out beside the bed still holding his half gnawed bone.

 

 

 

The next morning Nataliana wakes up as the clouds clear away and the sun beams directly into to mirror and reflects back into her eyes.

 

She stretches and sits up.

 

"Hey, Ochoa, wake up, you must of over slept again."

 

She looks over and realizes there is no Ochoa.

 

"Ochoa!?!, . . . you in here?!?"

 

No answer, Dex now standing with two paws on the foot of the bed and wagging his tail.

 

"Where is Ochoa good boy?" Dex turns to the dresser where the sun is radiating from the mirror and back into the room illuminating it with a soft warm glow.

 

"Over there boy?"

 

Nataliana looks over at the dresser and sees sitting on top of it one white rose and behind that white rose an open white velvety jewlry box, and rising out of it a gemstone set into a ring the she can not make out the size of, shape, nor color, as it is radiating reflected rays of sunrise light back into Nataliana's eyes mesmerizing and enchanting her, and beside all of that lies a white envelope with the word Nataliana written on it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 8: Scrying

 

"Is that so, (while looking down at Dex) . . . why that little stinker, what did he do now, and where is he?" Said Nataliana while reaching towards the envelope with her name spelled out in hand written calligraphy, as one could tell it was hand written because of some heavy ink deposits with the occasional bleeding, something a digital or laser printer would never do. But before she is able to pick it up her cell phone sitting on the night stand rings. She turns towards the night stand and the shimmer of the radiating reflected sunrise leaves with its warmth ceases and the coldness of an empty desolate room comes over her, the phone rings again.

 

"I'm coming, I'm coming, hold your horses!" Dex barks as she makes her way to the night stand and picks up the phone. She looks at it to see who is calling and it is Ochoa so she immediatly answers it.

 

"Hey you little stinker, where are you at? Down at the mall again picking up some breakfast I hope. By the way I just woke up before you called and I am looking at the dresser, you have some explaining to do."

 

"Hello?!?, . . . hello!?!?, . . . Nataliana can you hea me . . . ? Hello . . ., hey, not sure if you can hear me but I had to (static scramble) and am headed (static scramble) . . . I'll call you when I (static scramble), . . ."

 

Then the call cuts out. Nataliana looks down at Dex, well I guess that explains that then." the dog looks up at her with a perplexed puzzled look. She walks back into the radiating reflected sunrise where her naked body glows and radiates and she reaches over, this time towards the white rose and picks it up bringing it to her nose and taking in a deep breath, while walking into the dining room where she puts the lone white rose in the vase with all the red roses, makes her way to the kitchen where her coffee is already waiting on her, again lifting it to her nose and taking in a deep breath. Lightly sipping at the cup as she walks back to her bedroom.

 

She sets the coffee on the dresser next to the envelope, then takes in an even deeper breath while picking up the envelope, opening it, pulling and opening a letter out of it. Her hands began to tremble as again it appeared that the letter like the envelope was hand written in calligraphy and it read:

 

My Dearest Nataliana,

 

You are my sunshine and my reason for living

 

Every day with you is a day spent in heaven

 

You bless me with your smile, honesty and compassion, truth and wisdom and and love

 

for these reasons I wish to ask for your hand in marriage.

 

Love, Ochoa ~

 

 

 

Nataliana folds the note back up and places it back into the envelope, and lets out a sigh. Dex looks up at her and grunts.

 

"What?!?, (as she looks down at Dex), . . . I do appreciate it all, . . . and it is kind of romantic in a way, . . . I guess, . . ." Dex barks, "Well, it is just I would of preffered he had done it in person, you know, . . . because it is such an I don't know, "Personal Event", once that will be cherished and remembered forever, you would think he would of wanted to do this in person and not chicken out." Dex, grunts again, "No, I already told you I am not ungratefull I do apreciate it, oh never mind why am I even arguing with a dog anyway, it is already getting late and I do not want to miss my tram again today like yesterday, so we will talk more about this later."

 

Nataliana gets herself ready while Dex eats breakfast then she takes him up to Doggie Day Care before heading out to catch her tram to the hospital where she runs a research staff.

 

After dropping off Dex and walking towards the elevators Dot comes running out yelling some sort of gibberish, Nataliana turns around to see what all the commotion is. Dot catches up to her, "Ma'am, all new drop offs need to sign it at the registry."

 

"Dot, yoohoo, its me Nataliana, apartment 808."

 

"Naaaaaataliana, . . . . . 8, . . . .0, . . . .8, . . . ?, . . . ah yes Nataliana of course, how is Ochoa?"

 

"Ochoa is doing great."

 

"Well good I am glad to hear that, tell him I said hello."

 

"I will, have a good day yourself Dot, I need to go before I miss my tram."

 

"Of course dear, the elevator is waiting on you."

 

Nataliana surprised turns around and sure enough the elevator is sitting there with its doors wide open, not a soul inside.

 

"That is strange."

 

"What is that dear." replied Dot.

 

"I never pushed the elevator button." she replied back while looking over her shoulder back towards Dot, only no one was there.

 

Nataliana crosses the threshold of the elevator doors and they close behind her and before she can push a floor button the elevator takes off rapidly in a downward fall. Nataliana startled and thrown off balance at first regains her footing and just like that a loud ding goes off she is at

ground level and the elevator doors open.

 

"Really, from roof to ground, that fast, not a single stop along the way to pick up or drop off a passenger, are you kidding me, I think I am lucky that thing didn't kill me just now, because it never does that, something must be wrong, I better remember to tell the super when I get a chance."

 

Nataliana hurries off to the Tram Terminal down the road and just makes it. As she settles into her seat on the train someone speaks to her.

 

"Care for one?"

 

Nataliana looks into the direction of the voice, and older woman sitting across from her on the other side of the bus eating an apple, and in her lap a small basket of apples.

 

"My, don't those look lovely."

 

"Please, take one, they come from a very special orchard, and you can not buy these anywhere."

 

"Well, you know what they say, "An apple a day, . . ." and the two replie in unisen "keeps the doctor away" as the two reach toward each other and pass the apple.

 

Nataliana thank her, "Thank you so much, it looks so delicious, I am going to eat it for luch today. Are you knew around here, I have never seen you on this route before?"

 

"Nah, I'm anything but new, I'm just coming into town to deliver these apple samples to a very important person."

 

"Oh, I'm sorry do you need your sample back I don't want you to get into any trouble or anything."

 

The older lady laughs.

 

"No, you go ahead and keep it dear, there are plenty more in the orchard, and don't worry about me I won't get into any trouble, . . . at least not over apples haha."

 

Nataliana looks at her oddly as she can't put her finger on it,but she knows that something just feels different about this old lady.

 

The train comes literally to a screaching halt as it cuts around the final curve and comes into a complet stop. Nataliana looks at the old lady in her eyes.

 

"Well thank you again, I look forward to eating it at lunch, this is my stop, but before I get off, what is your name?"

 

"My name is Ally, here take another apple."

 

"Thank you Ally, but one is plenty . . ."

 

"Nonsense, here take two more, good things come in threes."

 

"Something tells me I am not going to be able to tell you "no" am I?"

 

"That is right dear now take the apples and hurry along before you get stuck on the Tram and miss your stop.

 

"Yes, Ma'am, thank you Ma'am, nice to meet you Ma'am . . ." Nataliana was saying as the Tram door closed in front of her barely missing her nose and the Tram begins to take off.

 

Nataliana turns around and the Terminal is slam packed filled with people, busier than ever. She glances at the news being played out on the big screen up ahead and amazingly is is tuned into the Congressinal Hearing and she sees Ochoa speaking, "Wow!" she thinks, "They must be replaying yesterdays hearing on the news." but then she reads the chyron and it says "LIVE FEED"

 

"Seriosly, he is already in D.C., how the heck, what time did he get up, how did I not wake up, this is all so strange." she thinks to herself as thousands of people get on and off the trams at the terminal

 

Her cell phone rings again, so she pulls it out and sees that it is Ochoa, she then looks back up at the big screen reading live feed.

 

"What the . . . " then a familiar voice cries out, "Nataliana! Over hear!" Nataliana looks into the direction of the voice and it is her friend Megan calling to her from over at the coffee stand.

 

She lifts up her arm and sticks out her finger to signal Megan that he will be right there, she then answers her phone, "Hello, Ochoa . . . . are you there

 

"Mmmm, just what the Doctor Ordered." and headed in that direction.

 

"Megs, I am so glad to see you. You will never believe what just happened to me today."

 

"Well it is still first thing in the morning and we haven't even started work yet so hmmmm lets see, knowing you, you met Prince Charming, got engaged, but along the way you met a kind old lady that gave you an apple, and now you are dreamland waiting to be awakened."

 

"Who told you!, How did you know?!?"

 

"You mean I'm right, I was just quoting every fairy tail cliche in the book, your kidding me, do tell."

 

"Well, Ochoa proposed, . . ."

 

"Ochoa proposed?!?"

 

"Yes, only not really him but a note he left with a rose and a ring."

 

"A ring?!?, let me see those hands, I don't see any ring."

 

"Well I haven't officially put it on yet it is in my purse. And ya, on the Tram some old lady gave me an apple, 3 of them actually, said they came from a very speceial orchard and you could not buy them any where."

 

"Really, how freaky is that! What was she doing with them?"

 

"She said she was taking them into town for a very important person."

 

"Ya, can't buy them anywhere today is what she meant to say but tomorrow the whole town will be flooded with those apples what a grifter sending the little old lady in to sell the harvest to the markets.

 

"I guess,she seemed nice enough."

 

"They always do, especially the good ones."

 

At that moment the barista hands over their coffees, Nataliana reaches for her purse . . .

 

"Don't worrie about it, I already got this."

 

"Thanx Megs"

 

"Now come on lets head to work while you tell me all about Ochoa and this proposal it sounds so romantic."

 

"Tha's what Dex said."

 

"Dex?!?, . . . as in Dex your Dog?"

 

"Ya, he said the same thing you did that it was romantic, only not in so many words."

 

"I bet he did."

 

The two laugh as they head up the stair case that leads to ground or street level. The sun beaming down on them as they exit the Tram system and walk briskly on the sidewalk leading to the back side of the Hospital entrance.

 

When they arrive they flash their id's and badges to enter only today something is wrong and neither of them can get access into the building.

 

Nataliana frustrated at this point already has attracted the attention of several security guards who are now on the scene.

 

"I understand the card has been denied, but you all know me, you know who I am, you know which floor and department I run, you guys all know my research so let me in so I can figure out

what is wrong with my card."

 

"That is just it Ma'am." states one of the guards and continues, "That is what we are trying to tell you. There is nothing wrong with you card,it has been deactivated at the top level."

 

But that can't be true, they can't just terminate the whole department without telling me."

 

"Ma'am, we do not know anything about that, but what we do know is you are no longer authorized to come onto this building."

 

"What about all my research and all my personal belonggings."

 

"Again Ma'am, that is something you would need to deal with management about not us."

 

"Well that is exactly what I want to do, deal with management, let me in so I can deal with them."

 

"Ma'am I can not do that, besides, it is unlikely that the board members are here anyways, so do us all a big favor and make this easy for all . . ."

 

But before the security guard could finish, Nataliana grabbed Megan by her hand and the two walked back out to the side walk and the public area.

 

"What was that all about?" asked Megan, "What is going on?" as the two of them looked back and watched as what seemed like some cloak and dagger agency, F.B.I. or perhaps N.S.A. who knew, were removing the items from her research lab and loading them into a series of unmarked black SUV's.

 

"I don't know Megs, but we are going to get to the bottom of this, I guarantee you that."

 

"And we will help!" "Ya, we want to know what is going on as well." spoke out two voices approaching from down the side walk. Nataliana and Megan turned towards the familiar voices and saw two of their collegues walking up to them still wearing their white lab coats.

 

"Doctors!, Hello!, is this all of us?!?"

 

One of their collegues speaks up . . ., "It would seem so. The Doctor and I were allowed in early this morning as usual for us to come in and do all the prep work, and like clock work as soon, and I mean immediatly when we were done we got raided."

 

"Ya, it's almost like they had surveillance cameras or something."

 

Nataliana stunned to say the least.

 

"What about everyone else, our research team, what happened to them."

 

"Not sure, but last we seen they were all signing confidentiality agreements or something to the such as we were excorted out without even letting us empty our desk or take our personal

effects."

 

"It figures." said Nataliana as a matter of factly.

 

"What figures?" asked Megan.

 

"They got rid of the upper echelon, us, the people calling the shots at the top of this research, but they kept all those that were just procedural workers, those not knowing the full scope and ramifications of our research, as it was on a need to know basis. We need a place to set up shop and pick up where we left off, if that is even possible."

 

"Well, I can provide us a location, I have an old farmhouse out in the country and the barn is in good shape, but how would we ever replace the research specimens and not only that get the tech and hardware in there to conduct the experiments neccessary."

 

Nataliana responds, "Not sure as of yet Doctor all this is new to me and we will play it by ear and make it up as we go along. How about I call everyone later when I figure out some sort of game plan, in the mean time try to think of anything you can that would help us in setting up shop, and guys, I really shpuldnt have to say this, but be discreet,don't do any generic web browsing or searching or anything that might tie or clue those that raided us into what we are doing as rest assured I bet we are being watched or at the very least phone tapped, so with that being said I will be inviting everyone to a picknick, that will be our code."

 

The four of them go their separate ways, Nataliana heading back toward the Metro Station Terminal when she faintly hears her phone ringing, she reaches into her pocket, pulls it out, sees it is from Ochoa and answers it.

 

"I am so glad it is you, you will never believe what happened today at the Hospital . . ."

 

Ochoa responds, "Hey I forgot to tell you before I left, watch out at work today,something big is supposed to go down at the research l lab, . . . hello, . . . Nataliana, . . . . Naty, . . . can you hear me . . . ?" then before she can respond the phone abrubtly disconnects.

 

"Uhggggg, this is getting to be so agravating, how come everywhere I go all I see is people burried in their phones, or burried in their computers, on the sub, walking on the side walk, in the packed elevator, in the stores, waiting in lines, everywhere, but yet when I want to use the darn thing you would think I was stuck bback in the stone ages some where because I can't ever seem to get any reception to save my life."

 

Natalia is riding on a whilwind day,first with a sunrise proposal of marriage, then her research project being taken away from her, and the worst part was Ochoa seemed to know something about it, yet didn't say a word last night. Why was Ochoa acting so strange she thought.

 

Even though the day had just started she felt tired and dreary. She boarded her tram and sat looking back at the seat where the little old lady had sat and she smiled. She reached into her bag and pulled out one of those big juicy apples, leaned back into the seat and took a big bite out of that apple listening to its crisp crunch and feeling a bit of overspray on her upper lip and lower nose where the sweetest scent of fresh apple permeated right up into her brain she

chewed slowly savoring the entire thing then repeating the process, all while leaning back with her eyes closed, totally relaxing until a voice shot across her spine and made her open her eyes faster than light itself, and when she did she saw what she thought she heard, voice of the little old lady and she was now sitting across from her.

 

"Whoa, you scared me, I know this car is full, but I did not see you when I borded, where did you come from."

 

"Oh,I was alway here you just never payed attention thats all, and I said, "Sweet aren't they"?"

 

"Oh, yes they are, and so crisp and fresh. I see you are no longer carrying the basket, does this mean your day was successfull?"

 

"The jury is still out on that one, but lets just say that it looks promising. And how about you, for some reason and I do not mean to pry but I could of swore you were on your way to work."

 

"You are correct Ma'am, but something came up."

 

"Something not too awefully terrible I hope."

 

Nataliana takes another bite of the apple chews for a moment, swallows, then responds, "Seems the jury is out on that one as well. You know it is strange."

 

"What is that my dear."

 

"You and I seem to be the only ones not engaged in somekind of electronic device, look around everyone has their head buried in their phone."

 

Just then the Tram comes to a screaching halt as it cuts that last curve. Nataliana's eyes flash open and she looks around yet there is no old woman, just the usual blank empty souless faces all buried in their scrying machines like zombies. She looks down and sees her right hand holding an apple core.

 

"Well at least I know eating the apple part was real."

 

She pulls open the bag to put the core in it as she was thinking about planting it, since it is so rare and all, only to find that she still has all three of her apples.

 

"What the heck . . . " she thinks while gathering all her belongings and exiting the Tram.

 

She walks slowly back up to her apartment as the morning sunrise has now turned into the burning heat of high noon. While walking she reflects on everything that has transpired trying to assimilate it all as it is all happening so fast, and none of it is really making any sense at all to her.

 

She passes through the revolving doorway at the apartment entrance and stops off at the mail room to collect the mail, where she is informed that it is too early and the mail has yet to run today.

 

"Oh, ya, that's right." she said, "I'm a little early today."

 

She walks over to the elevators and squeezes into one as the doors were already closing. She immediatly looked at the button panel to see if she needed to hit anything and saw every single floor was lit up.

 

"Oh boy." she thought, might as well ride it all the way up to the top and pick up Dex, won't he be surprised to see her so early.

 

The elevator took what seemed like an eternity rising to the tippy top of the apartment complex as it stopped at every floor, mostly people getting off but occasionally, especially, people getting on, either way she realized by inadvertantly listening in on so many others conversations via the tram, or the elevator, that for as bad of a day she thought she was having others were living bad lives, souless lives without meaning, at least Ochoa proposed today, and she wante to hurry up, pick up Dex and go back to the apartment where she could think about it all in peace, and just before the elevator dings and comes to a complete stop, Nataliana thinks to herself, "Ah, finally home, what else could go wrong."

 

The doors finally opened rooftop and Nataliana exits the elevator and walks towards the doggie day care entrance fence. She looks over the little white picket fence and sees all the doggies playing and rolling around and scratching and sleeping, all except one, . . . hers, . . . Dex.

 

Then seemingly out of nowhere, "Ma'am, may I help you."

 

Nataliana turns toward the voice, "Oh, hey Dot, I am here to pick up Dex but I do not see him."

 

"And you would be who, Ma'am."

 

"Dot, yoohoo it's me Nataliana, you know Dex's mommie, . . . apartment 808, . . . "

 

"Oh of course, Nataliana, hello how are you 808, of course how could I forget, how may I help you?"

 

"I am here to pick up Dex Dot."

 

"Oh, I thought you knew . . ."

 

"Knew what?!?"

 

"Well Dex was already picked up."

 

"What do you mean he was already picked up, by who?!?"

 

"I don't know, but they had the poper papers for it."

 

"Papers, what kind of papers?"

 

"Not real sure it was all way to coplicated for me way over my pay grade so I leashed him up and that was that."

 

"Well do you know where they took him, this is crazy, now someone steals my dog."

 

"Why would we know that you know we do not pry in the home life of our students."

 

"Of course not, why should you ever develope any meaningful relationships and gather accurrate information." Nataliana says loudly while storming toward the elevator. Tossing a shoe at the button to access it quicker. Then picking up that shoe and returning it to her foot while she waits for the arrival of her transportation.

 

Three minutes later she punches the down button again.

 

Pulling out her phone she begins to dial Ochoa to let him know what has happened,hopefully rooftop she could get a strong signal, but just after dialing the elevator button light came on and the doors open, not wanting to miss her window of opportunity she stepped in for her ride to her floor only when the doors close with it closed her signal and the phone stopped dialing.

 

"I'll just call him from my bath, obviously it was meant to be."

 

Nataliana looks around and realizes their is no one in the elevator with her she has it all to herself, a rarity in an overcrowded city such as this one and in this day and age which cities are not overcrowded . . . . none!

 

She enjoys the quiet time traveling in an ancient relic from the late 21st century reflecting on days of old when she was a kid, before the Great Bio War disturbed the natural order of the universe and subjegated all to the idiacies of the few in charge, those that believed they knew best. So, relics from that era always bring back memories of a time that was so different then the world today, one might think it to actually be make believe or a fairy tail. Most of the records of that time period are considered contraband and are punishable under the law for owning or distributing any of them as they are deemed dissinformation and propaganda.

 

Nataliana was amazed that the elevator did not stip once between the roof top and her floor.

 

She exited onto her floor practically in tears as the thought of losing Dex is even more than losing her research department and team.

 

She steps up to her apartment door and reaches into her pocketbook for her key. Pulling it out she hears some noise inside the apartment.

 

She immediately thought that she might have left the t.v.'s on either in the living room or in her bedroom. But then she remembered that Ochoa had put timers on both of them so they would automatically go off.

 

The she heard the noise again, almost like a clinging sound, china or something.

 

Nataliana tried to look through the peep whole but coulnt see anything, . . . then she heard it again only louder this time.

 

At this point Nataliana is getting pissed, it is one thing for some one to remove her from her job, it's another for your dog to go missing, stolen at the hands of who knows who, but she was not going to sit back and watch her apartment get ransacked by some Federal Agent she thought.

 

With stead fast determination and the fierceness of a warrior she quickly inserts the key into the door handle lock, again trying to reverse peep through the peep whole. Her hand steady on the key. She adjust her legs and crouches down a little and prepares to turn the key over, slam open the door and scream at anyone or anything that may be in there.

 

She steps back, sets her bag and belongings on the ground off to the side as quietly as she can as she is on pins and needles not wanting to make a peep.

 

She gets back into position crouching her legs while one hand is firmly on the key and the other hand on the knob. She takes in a deep breath and prepares to slam open the door when her cell phone rings what seems like louder than a rock concert.

 

Nataliana quickly goes to pull out her phone to answer it or at the very least to shut off the ringer as she is now worried that whomever is inside might be alerted to her presence. Ufortunately she keeps fumbling the phone in her pocket and can't seem to get a grip on it.

 

Finally she is able to at least answer it in her pocket and stop it from ringing.

 

She composes herself and slowly gets a good firm grip on the phone. Then as if in slow motion she raises it up high enough that she can see that it is Ochoa calling, she gets so excited there is so much she wants to tell him, so much going on, so much she still does not know, and so many questions she has for him, hoping that he can shine some light on all this.

 

She raises the phone to her face and whispers frantically into the phone.

 

"Ochoa, Ochoa can you hear me."

 

Ochoa was already yelling in the background as he was worried when she answered the phone in here pocket but never spoke, he thought something had happened to her and began to worry.

 

"Shut Up Ochoa please and listen to me right now I need you to call nine one one and report a robery or a breaking and intering or something here at the appartment, do it now, this is very important we are eing robbed or something, a lot has happened today, so please just do as I say and call the police, the real police this time not the apartment security team, please hurry . . . you need to do this immediately."

 

and she Hangs up on him and drops her phone to the floor as she looks down at the doorknob turning, and the door opens outward as Ochoa and Dex peek out and Ochoa says, "Well why would I do that?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 9: Two Sides to Every Door

 

Nataliana's eyes go wide open as she turns pale white.

 

"What the . . .?!? How in the world . . . ?!?"

 

Dex barks at her and wags his tail, or more like his tail is wagging his body.

 

"Like I said, Why would I do that?" asked Ochoa.

 

Nataliana leaps towards him and wraps her arms aroud him as hard as she could.

 

"Heeey, you O.k.?, I didn't mean to startle you."

 

Tears running down Nataliana's cheek

 

"I'm, . . . I'm fine now, . . . I just, . . . it's just, . . . Oh where to start, lets see . . . hmmm I know, lets start with how are you here NOW in our apartment when it seemed like just minutes ago I saw you live on closed circuit t.v. from a Congressional Hearing in Washington D.C., let's start with that one." she states as she releases Ochoa wipes her face and begins to pick her belongings up off the floor. Shes stands up straignt and Ochoa wipes her eye dry.

 

"Come on inside baby, it looks like you had a rough day."

 

"You have no idea, . . . or do you?!?", she questions him as they walk through across the threshold and close the door behind them.

 

Dex runs over to the dining room table and pulls his half chewed on bone out from under it. On top of the table sat 4 cups of steaming coffee all packed nicely in one easy to go tray and nest to it was a mini tub of Capain Rum Caramel Sea Salt Ice Cream her favorite and only available down town at the most elite Ice Cream Shoppe, Mingo's.

 

Nataliana drops her things on the couch . . .

 

"So, you do know!?!"

 

"I can explain . . . "

 

"Oh, whoa, wait a minute, . . . you have known all along, . . ., why you little, . . . how long ago did you know?!?"

 

Ochoa taking her by the hand and leading her over to the dining room table, trying not to trip over Dex who is busy at the moment and not paying attention to anything other than the bone he is savoring with sweet delite.

 

"Sit please, I will explain everthing, but first, would like to start with Captain Rum Caramel Sea Salt or Pure Columbian Black Coffee?"

 

"Yes!" as she sits and pulls her chair closer into the table."

 

Ochoa Chuckeling . . .

 

"Of course." as he pulls a cup from the togo tray and places it in front of her,then slides the mini tub of Mingo's Best in front of her. Ochoa then collects the togo tray and takes it into the kitchen where he sticks it in the oven and turns it to warm, he then snags a clean spoon from the silverware drawer and walks back into the dining room.

 

 

 

When he arrives he finnds Nataliana already digging into the ice cream literally as she was using her finger as a scoop and spoon and had already put a good size dent into the mini tub.

 

Ochoa sets the spoon down in front of her as he sits and begins to speak.

 

"Well, you know me I have always been honest with you, so I will tell you what I can . . ."

 

Nataliana was using the spoon to stir her hot coffee, . . . she never added anything to it, she just wanted to stir it, and she looks over and replies while cuttling him off in mid sentence.

 

"What do you mean what you can . . . ?"

 

"Look, rememer that first day I flew to Washington D.C.? (she knods yes) well when I arrived they ushered me into a room with a strange thin guy, and well the situation had changed from what it once was when it all started, so basically he had me sign a bunch of non disclosure aggreements and confidentiality clauses while also decreeing and issuing gag orders on some of the subject entirely, . . . really even saying that violates my agreement, so I have said enough all ready."

 

"Actually you have yet to say anything of relevance, like who shut down my research lab and how did you know, . . . more importantly, when did you know."

 

Ochoa stands and heads back into the kitchen, "Oh, stop reading so much into it,itis nothing that sinister, I had just found out mself that morning when they offered me the job,I told them I would not take it unless we could continue our research on location in D.C., they said they expected nothing less, and can you believe this . . . (he states while returning from the kitchen whith a beer and sitting back down), they already had it set up ad had floor spaced leased and everything, double our last size, 2 more staff and remember those 2 new high tech machines you wanted but the other place wouldn't spring for . . . ?"

 

Her eyes light up . . ., "You are kidding me right now, . . . right?!?"

 

"No, and not only that but the entire lab is state of the art and guess what, here is the best part . . ."

 

"Oh, not sure I can take any more today, . . . what is it?"

 

"You are in full control!"

 

"Oh, you say it like it's a big deal,I have lead teams before."

 

"Of course you have, that is not what I am talking about, you still don't get it."

 

"Get what!, then exactly."

 

"You!, . . . are the Supreme Ring Master on this One, you set your own annual budget, anything you need, the sky is the limit."

 

"What do you mean,the sky is the limit, I'm starting to shake again, like outside."

 

"Nataliana, they understand the value and how important our research it and they want to be pioneers in that field, and believe me when I tell you they have the resources to back it. Nat, this could be it, this could be the break we finally needed to get us over the finish line."

 

Ochoa pops the top off his beer and begins to guzzle it down

 

"Yaaaa, what's up with the beer, you very rarely ever drink, and never this early in the day."

 

"Oh, my head was bothering me,I think from all the traveling I have been doing lately, I didn't want to take any meds that would upset my stomach so someone sujested that I drink a beer or two to relax."

 

"Oh, ya, who sujested it, a drunk?"

 

"No silly, another traveler."

 

Nataliana sets the now empty mini tub on the floor, Dex perks up, drops his bone then begins the process of licking clean the mini tub as he holds its it place with his two front paws.

 

"You mean a passenger on the plane?, . . ., well hey, wait a minute!" she cuts herself off this time, "Does that mean that those people in black dismantly my research lab were your guys, . . . our guys, . . . wew, that is good to know, we some pretty sensative stuff being moved out, we all thought it was FBI, NSA or one of those type of agencies, Megs will be plea . . ."

 

"No, you are correct in that fact those were definately not our guys, as soon as the Hexagon Corporation put in a request for transfer and operational change over they were shut out, . . . so they said, that is why they are offering you a carte blanc ticket with no holds barred."

 

"So, . . . we are starting all over from scratch?" asked Nataliana

 

"Maybe not from total scratch, but first, you mentioned "We" earlier, as in Megan and others from the research lab?"

 

"Yes, Megs and two other Doctors . . . "

 

"That's it?!?" exclaimed Ochoa

 

"Ya, can ya believe it, they only got rid of the upper crust and kept all the underlings."

 

"That's fine those type of research assistants are easy to find and replace, what about the ones that left with you do you think they will come to Washington D.C. with us, the Corporation said we could bring or hire anyone you wanted.

 

"First off make no mistake,, we never "Left" anywhere, we were forced out and our research stolen from us, uhhhhgggggg, even with your good news, everytime I think of what happened it drives me up a wall."

 

"It will be ok, as a matter of fact it will be better than ok." Ochoa says while returning from the kitchen with another coffee and another beer.

 

"How can you say that, our whole world has been turned upside down and you with it, you have been acting stranger and stranger here lately."

 

"Ya, I admit, I havn't been feeling myself lately, that is what I have been telling you I think all this traveling is starting to wear me down."

 

"Oh ya, back to that, speaking of traveling, how did you get here so soon and even have time to spare to go clear across town to pick up my favorite ice cream, it does not make sense.

 

Ochoa downs his last sip of beer, "Of course it does dear, you just have a lot on your min, I already told you the Hexagon Corporation is allowing me to travel privately and as for your ice cream little miss conspiracy theorist, I had the chauffere pick it up before I was picked up, see, simple."

 

"I guess."

 

Now like I said, I am feeling a little strange and downing those two beers made me a lttile light headed so I am going to go lay down for a while, if you could, it would be great it you could help finish packing."

 

And for the first time since she entered the apartment Nataliana looked arouond and saw boxes and packing supplies spread all over the tiny apartment and in the kitchen she sees a stack of dishware wrapped in paper next to another stack not wrapped.

 

"So that is what all the clanging and noise was . . ."

 

"What is that baby . . . what did you say . . . ? spoke softly Ochoa while climbing into bed

 

"Have a good nap deer, do I need to wake you?" but Nataliana got no reply as Ochoa was already sound asleep.

 

She picks up the mega clean mini tub from the floor and takes it into the kitchen with her and tosses it into the trash, then she looks over at the work at hand and takes a deep breath, opens up a cabinate and begins to pull everything out of it and wraps them for packaging.

 

 

 

Several hours later Nataliana finally finishes packing up the kitchen, she decides it is time for another coffee break as she has two left but first she need to make a pit stop as the other two are letting know this.

 

She quietly walks by Ochoa as he is soundly asleep and she slips into the bathroom, not even disturbing Dex who was now passed out lying on the floor next to the bed.

 

As she made her way back through from the bathroom she couldnt help but to glance over at the dresser where earlier today her ring was sitting there shinning with the morning sunrise and that sweet letter. "Wow, (she thought) with all the comotion Ochoa and I never discussed our engagement, he never asked about the ring or why I am not wearing it.", but now upon the dresser sit some super sleek hight tech computer she has never seen before and it is connected to a USB type cable which extends into an aparatus that is attached to what looks like a shard piece of bone off of Dex's snack.

 

"I don't even want to know . . .", as she continues to walk out into the living room and as she turnes on the t.v. and puts it on the all news all the time channel the doorbell rings.", she turns the volume down litely on the flat screen plasma t.v. mounted flush into the wall, and walks over and looks out the peep hole in the front door.

 

She sees two individuals that suspiciously look like the characters that were cleaning out the research lab. Nataliana begins to panic and freezes in place for a moment as she is momentarily confused as to what to do, but that is quickly changed as she is startled to reality as three loud knocks are heard echoing from the door.

 

Nataliana composes herself and opens the door slowly . . .

 

"Yeees, may I help you."

 

"Your not going to shoot me are ya?"

 

"What?" replied Nataliana

 

The gentleman points at Nataliana's hand still holding the remote control to the t.v., then the man crouches into shooting position, makes guns with both his hands and goes . . .

 

"Zap, Zap, gotcha (then he giggles under his breath) Good day Miss, or Ms?"

 

"Ma'am will do."

 

"Uh, yes Ma'am, well like I was saying, Good Day Ma'am, my collegue and I were just in the neighborhood . . ."

 

"In the neighborhood, I am eight floors off the ground not counting the garage."

 

"Yes, Ma'am let me clarify, my collegue and I have just installed internet for one of you neighbors down the hall so we were just letting everyone know who we were in case you might need some super high speed internet."

 

"Do you have a card."

 

"Yes Ma'am and right now our wireless packages come with the booster signal which could be important if Congress passes this New Bill."

 

"Oh course, of course, as a matter of fact can I have a couple of cards I have some friends in the building that might be interested."

 

"Yes, Ma'am, certainly and thank you very much, but what about yourself Ma'am may I come in and give you a quote."

 

"Actually now is a bad time as I was . . . "

 

"It will only take a minute Ma'am."

 

After being cut off Nataliana begins to feel uneasy again . . ., "No, like I said now is a bad time, I will call and set up an appointment."

 

"Whatever you wish Ma'am, have a good day, hope we did not disturb your packing."

 

"Excuse me, what did you say."

 

"My apologies Ma'am I will let you get back to your packing."

 

"My packing?!?"

 

"Yes Ma'am." he says asertively while motioning with his hand at what is going on the other side of the door, including Dex and what is left of his big bone. Nataliana, looks around the room over both her shoulders very rapidly then asks . . .

 

"How do you know I am not unpacking?" then she slams the door on his face.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 11: Moving Day

 

Nataliana sits up in her bed screaming waking up from a night mare. Ochoa is startles and wakes up practically falling off the bed and onto Dex who began to howl.

 

Nataliana looks around the apartment room and realizes everything is ok.

 

Ochoa pets Dex to calm him down and to get him to be quiet. He then looks towards Nataliana, "Are you O.k., all this stress, must of given you a bad dream."

 

"It was more than a dream it was so real, I don't even remember lying down and taking a nap.

 

Ochoa looks around the place and out towards the main apartment.

 

"Well based on the fact that it looks like you got everything boxed up and ready for moving and on top of all the stress you were just too tired to remember."

 

Nataliana scans the apartment

 

"I don't remember packing everything . . ."

 

"See, I told you over stressed and tired now listen to the Doctor and go get you your last cup of coffee from the oven."

 

"How do you know I only have one cup of coffee left, what makes you think I have any at all."

 

"Well, I just assumed . . ."

 

"Whatever, I thought you were asleep the whole time . . ."

 

"I was! Speaking of I hope we didn't over sleep, what time is it?"

 

Nataliana looks at her wrist watch. then responds, it is just before three why?"

 

"Perfect, just in time!"

 

"Just in time for what?"

 

That is when the doorbell rang.

 

"Just in time for that." replied Ochoa

 

"What now, I wanted to tell you about the strange dream I just had."

 

"Hold that thought, you can tell me on the plane."

 

"The plane?!?"

 

"Yes, now hurry up and freshen up, I will get the door." Ochoa closes the bedroom door behind him as he heads towards the apartment front door and just before he reaches the knob to turn it he hears three loud knocks.

 

Ochoa opens the door and standing in front of him are two well dressed gentlemen and behind them look like an army of men in aviator overalls all lined up with hand carts.

 

The lead gentleman looks at Ochoa and they both kind of knod, then the lead gentleman turns to his second in command and gives him a nod, to which he hand signals the army to proceed to enter.

 

The two head gentlemen and Ochoa step off to the side and out of the way. Nataliana opens the bedroom door fully refreshed and walks over to Ochoa and the two gentlemen.

 

"What is all this."

 

"Moving Day!" replies Ochoa, then follows it up with, "The Hexagon Corporation sent them."

 

"Of course they did . . ."

 

She looks up at the two gentlemen and gets startled . . . "Have we met before . . ."

 

"No Ma'am, I'm sure we have not."

 

Within minutes the apartment was literally cleaned out.

 

"Wow, that didn't take long." said Nataliana.

 

"Thanks to you Ma'am, all the real work is in the packing."

 

"Ya, thats what they tell me . . ." Nataliana begins to make her way into the kitchen to retreive her last cup of coffee from the oven and to turn it off, she also snags Dex's leash. She looks around the kitchen making sure she packed everthing, let out a sigh then sipped her coffee and walked out.

 

" . . . so if you just sign here Sr., . . . thank you, thank you, . . . uh oh and you too Ma'am, could I please get you to sign right here."

 

"INTERNET!" she yells out, everyone in the room now staring at her.

 

"Say again Ma'am?"

 

"The internet, that is where I remember you from, something to do with the internet."

 

Ochoa speaks out, "She's been overworked, a little stressed."

 

"Yes Sr., please Ma'am if you could, just sign right here."

 

Nataliana flushe red with embarassment signs the paper.

 

"Thank you Ma'am, you two enjoy the rest of your day, as per your itenirary your vehicle will be waiting for you in the garage to take you two and Dex to the airport. Good day to you both." the two oddly gentlemen turn around in unisen and walk out the apartment door closing it behind them.

 

Dex, Ochoa, and Natalian all look anround at the empty apartment and at each other, Ochoa speaks lightly under his brreath.

 

"We have had a lot of good memories here, the three of us, like that one Christmas, you know the one where it snowed so bad no one could leave the apartment . . ."

 

"Ochoa, tha is why I love you, no matter how bad things get you always say something positive, you always have a great out look."

 

"Bad, . . . what is bad?!?! really, maybe things did not play out according to our plans, but I think the way they are headed are for the better. Oh what time is it?"

 

"It is now going on 4:30, why?"

 

"Well because we don't want to miss our plane, that's why."

 

"How can we miss our plane if we are flying private?"

 

"Because, we are flying commercial, don't ask, me I didn't ask them, I just do as I am told."

 

The two look around the apartment one more time, while Nataliana leashes up Dex. Then the three of them head out and close the door and that chapter of their life behind them.

 

On the elevator ride down Ochoa knealt down and was petting Dex. Nataliana started reflecting on the days events and all the strange things she remembers, dreams or not, and that is when she notice something else strange, there was no one else on the elevator, they had it all to their selves. The elevator is always packed, another strange thing was after her so called nap that she can't remember taking nothing felt right, the leash was not where it was supposed to be, her coffee tasted weird although she couldn't place it, even the apartment itself seemed a little different. But what was annoying her the most was something about Ochoa that she could not figure out, she just knew that he didn't seem himself at times and was doing odd, secretive and mysterious thinngs, and this was not the Ochoa she knows, what is going on.

 

The elevator dings and the door opens garage level. Nataliana's eyes scan up to the floor read out as she was positive the elevator was stopped at the mall floor as people are always getting on and off at the floor more than any other, her eyes widened when she saw they had arrived garage level.

 

"Can you believe that!" she said

 

"Believe what?

 

"We road the whole way down without a single stop or a single passenger getting on or off."

 

Ochoa kind of gives her this look of bewilderment then goes, "Ya, so!"

 

Nataliana now flabergasted by his answer remains silent.

 

They step out of the elevator and waiting on them is some old retro limo fully restored to new condition.

 

The two look at it then at each other and Ochoa says, "I know a lot has transpired here real quickly and this is all a whirlwind but I want you to know that the best times are yet ahead of us and with that in mind . . . (Ochoa kneels down in front of Nataliana, and fashionably Dex does the same) . . . I would like to ask for your hand in marriage." Ochoa pulling the engagement ring out of his coat pocket. Nataliana immediately seeing it reaches into her empty pocket, then grins. She pulls her hand out and accepts the engagement as Ochoa puts the ring on her finger which ironically happens to fit perfectly where as when she tried it on ealier it was a little to big and she was going to need to get it sized which is why she was not already wearing it. "Stange." she thought but she was so overwhelmed with joy happiness and love at that very moment that nothing else seemed to matter and for one brief instance she forgot all her troubles and all the comotion going on down at the Hospital and Lab, everything with the Hexagon Corporation, all that mattered that moment was her, Ochoa and Dex.

 

Ochoa stands up and dips Nataliana as he kisses her passionately.

 

The limo honks

 

The two of them stare into each others eyes for what seemed like an eternal moment of depth, then Ochoa pulls Nataliana up from her dip and they walk hand in hand towards the limo.

 

Ochoa opens the limo door, Dex jumps in followed by Nataliana, Ochoa looks around the garage then gets in and closes the door behind him, the wheels begin to screetch on the shinny garage pavement as the vehicle turns it's wheels sharp to make the exit.

 

On rout to the airport it is silent as both look out there respective windows at the city they are getting ready to move from Dex, now sitting in between them.

 

"So weird . . ." whispers Nataliana

 

"Whats so weird."

 

"I think this is the first time I have ever flown without taking a single piece of baggage or carry on, it's just so weird."

 

"Sorry, honey for the inconvenience, anything you need we can get for you, just let me know."

 

"No, no, it's not that, it just feels weird, that's all, it is hard to explain." then the car ride goes silent again as no one else spoke for the duration of the ride to the airport.

 

The limo pulls directly up to the drop off doors for their Air Carrier, when they get out they are immediately ushered through top priority, and again Natalian just finds all of this strange, fascinating for sure, but definately strange, and getting stranger by the hour.

 

She goes along quietly never saying a word, just watching in awe and amazement as they are flagged through every security check the airport has never getting searched once.

 

They board the plane and arrive at their seats and Ochoa asks, "Would you like the window seat?"

 

"Sure, why not." as she makes her way there and sits looking out onto the wing

 

"Dex, you get the middle seat, now jump up boy and sit."

 

"Ya, I was wondering about him when you said we were flying commercial, I was not sure if he was flying with the baggage if you know what I mean."

 

"I was concerened too, but they game me three tickets and one had his name on it so I just assumed he was coming with us and look here we all are." as Ochoa sits down and buckles up.

 

It did not take long and the Captain came over the loud speaker to announce the departure, the trio alert with excitement as this day was beginning to get a little fun as from here on out it is all a mystery.

 

The plane takes off and Nataliana looks out the window and watches her city fade into the horizon as the plane rises higher and higher topping the highest clouds and then leveling off, the plane dings then the Captain comes over the intercomm again.

 

"Hello, this is your Captian, we have just leveled off, and it is safe if you need to use the restroom you may. Our flight attendants will be coming around shortly with some refreshments. We have great weather ahead of us and with our tail wind today it looks like we might be arriving into Washington D.C. a lttile earlier than scheduled. So, in the mean time sit back relax, and enjoy the flight.

 

At this point even Dex was looking out the window.

 

"That was so bizzare back there at the airport the way we breezed through all the security and that was with a dog.", Dex looks up at her and groans. "Heck, the way we were being treated you would of thought you were some sort of Rock Star or Famous Actor or someting."

 

"Just politics Nataliana, just politics."

 

The stewardess in now serving their row and asks them for their order while handing Nataliana a small treat to give to Dex who is already sitting like a good boy all perked up.

 

"Can I get you anything to drink, soda, juice, coffee, . . ."

 

"Do you have anything stronger?" asked Nataliana

 

The stewardess opens a door and dislpays over 8 varieties of hard liquor. Nataliana reads out the choices out loud, "Rum, Vodka, Whisky, Tequila, Cognac, Gin, Brandy and Creme de Menth Liquor, . . . hmmmm, choices, choices." as she glances over at the mixers and reads them out loud, "Sodas & Juices."

 

Ochoa pipes up, "I will take a rum and a coke please."

 

"Yes Sr., . . . here you go." as she grabs the soda off the top of the cart only for another to immediately replace it, then she grabs one of the small liquor bottles from the cabinet she opened for Nataliana and hands it to Ochoa.

 

"Thank You."

 

"And for you Ma'am, have you made up your mind yet?" she asked in a friendly tone

 

"mmmmm, yaaaa, I think I will do the same please, plus I will take two of those Creme de Menth Liquors."

 

"Yes, Ma'am, but regulations only allow us to serve one alcoholic beverage at a time."

 

"That is only one alcoholic beverage."

 

"Yes Ma'am, I see, first time flying?"

 

"No, first time moving."

 

"To D.C.?, you are moving to Washington D.C., as in now on this flight?", Nataliana nods

 

"Say no more." responds the flight attendant while reaching over and handing Nataliana four Creme de Menths, two Rums and a coke, "Enjoy your flight Ma'am."

 

The attendant moves on down to the next isle as Ochoa looks on in bewilderment as Nataliana proceeds to mix both her rums and two of her creme de menths with some coke in a cup the stewardess left her.

 

"Wow, and you thought it strange I was drinking. What got into you?"

 

"What?"

 

"Nothing!", Ochoa sits up as he mixes his coke and rum directly in the can then he pours a little

into a cup and lets Dex drink out of it.

 

"Don't do that."

 

"Why not."

 

"Because he is a dog."

 

"He knows that."

 

"What?"

 

"What?", Ochoa then sets the empty cup down inbetween him and Dex while he picks up his can and takes a sip, glancing over at Nataliana who is now making another drink, the two creme de menths mixed with the remainder of her soda. Ochoa practically spitting out his sip, "Holy crap, are you serious, you already finished it and making another, wow, impressinve."

 

"Oh hush and drink your own."

 

It was not much longer and the plane began to descend a bit and came below the clouds exposing the Capital City and all it's grandeur.

 

"Never before have I seen such a majestic sight!" Ochoa states while pointing out the window to Dex and Nataliana.

 

"It's just another city." Natalia said softly while looking out the bubble window of the 747

 

"It's not just any city Nat, it's the Capitol City, where Laws are made and nations . . ."

 

"Ya, ya, ya, I've heard it all before, spare me the sales pitch, I'm sure it will be lovely.

 

The buckle up lights come on and a voice comes over the loud speaker, "Hello again, this is you Captain wanting to thank you for flying with us today. Please return to your seats as we are beginning our final descent and preparation to land a Dulles Airport Washington D.C."

 

The plane circles the airport once to line up just right with the runway and come in for the touch down. Dex watches tentatively out the bubbly window as the plane taxis to a final stop.

 

Ochoa sits back and closes his eyes.

 

"Ochoa, are you o.k.?"

 

Without opening his eyes Ochoa responds practically out of breath

 

"Ya, I ah, . . . I think the alcohol didn't mix with the altitude change, I just got really light headed and had an extreme sense of dejavu."

 

"Look at you, your sweating, yet you are pale and cold, just stay seated for a moment while

everyone else disembarks."

 

"I'll be o.k., I just need a minute."

 

"That is what I said goober."

 

After the aisle ways clear out the three of them stand and walk out, Ochoa feeling much better.

 

"Hey, your color is coming back, I say we get some food in you, I bet your blood sugars crashed. Maybe there is a restaurant here at the airport we could eat at."

 

"I'm sure their is dear, but . . ." and he casually looks down at Dex, . . ."Look, I feel fine, besides the Hexagon Corporation has a car waiting for us already."

 

"Great, then we can stop and get you something to eat on the way."

 

"I'm sure that won't be a problem."

 

The two laugh as the three of them make their way down the terminal passing some chaos along the way, like where all the press and reporters were, and all that photo flashing and filming. Someone really important must be flying in they thought.

 

While the rest of the passengers went to baggage pick up, our trio headed strait for the exit doors as they traveled with absolutely nothing.

 

When they stepped out the sliding glass doors Ochoa lead the pack to a dark retro looking limo at the end of the parkway. Nataliana holding Dex's leash and Dex followed in sync.

 

Ochoa opens the door and Nataliana snaps her fingers for Dex to jump in, then she follows behind. Ochoa looks around the city scape the gets in himself and closes the door.

 

The limo immediately takes off and a voice speaks, "Good day everyone, my name is Alex I will be your limo driver today,if there is anything I can get you just let me know, in the mean time you may have noticed a yummy smell, I thought you guys might be hungry so I took the liberty of picking up a couple of pizzas as a house warming gift.

 

"Thank you Alex, that was very kind of you.", replies Nataliana, "Yes, thank you, you knew exactly what I needed."

 

"We also took the liberty of stocking your new home with some groceries, obviously you will want to shop for yourselves but I thought you might not want a totally empty house so,we put a couple of things in the fridge for you guys, and a little birdie filled us in and we got somebody their favorite doggy food."

 

Dex's ears perk up.

 

"Again", Ochoa says, "thanx for everything, the Hexagon Corporation has really made this move seem simple."

 

The two of them scarfed down one of the pizzas slice by slice, it went rather quickly, or so it seemed especially with Dex eating all the crust.

 

Nataliana, wipes her lips with one of the supplied napkins and glances over at an estate as the limo begins to slow down.

 

"Wooooow! Is that our house?"

 

"This is where you will be living while working for he Hexagon Corporation, yes."

 

The driveway alone was the first realization for Nataliana that things were going to be very different here. As she looked down the driveway she admired the immaculate landscaped gardens and nestled in front of a lake and some sort of wooded orchard was what appeared to be a small castle.

 

The limo pulls into the grand front entrance way and brakes to a stop. Like clock work the double doors open and a small staff come out to greet the new arrivals.

 

"All this for us?" asked Nataliana.

 

"Do not underestimate you skillsDoctor."

 

"I just hope I can live up to your expectations."

 

"You will do fine Doc."

 

Ochoa listening in off to the side gets that feeling of dejavu again.

 

Alex leads the way, "Shall we."

 

The three step into the small castle and are amazed at the architecture and furnishings.

 

"Wow, I feel as if I am stepping back in time."

 

"You are Ochoa, you are haha, come on, let me show you around."

 

As Alex shows the couple around the house they couldn't help but to be overwhelmed with all the opulence.

 

"There are a lot of items here that did not come from our apartment."

 

"That is true Ma'am, this home is much bigger, so we took the liberty of furnishing some of the rooms with some extra items."

 

"Extra items?, it looks like you furnished the whole house. As a matter of fact I don't see any of our stuff, when will it arrive?"

 

"Oh, it has already arrived Ma'am and has been set up just like you had it, I will take you to those rooms now."

 

"What do you mean it is all here! How is that possible? It left when we did?"

 

"This way please." the three human adults headed towards another section of the castle. Dex followed one of the staff into the kitchen as the pizza was now in their custody.

 

Alex walks the new arrivals through a series of rooms until they finally pass through a large archway revealing a what now seems like a small living room a kitchenette and a bedroom, all exactly like the apartment and furnished with their belongings just like back in the apartment like nothing had changed except instead of being surrounded by hundreds of other apartments they were urrounded by their own castle, how surreal.

 

"Well when in Rome . . ." Nataliana says as she walks over to the couchand coffee table where she picks up her remote and turns on the flat plasma screen tv flushly mounted into the wall. She immediately starts flipping and scanning all the channels till she finds the news then she turns to Alex to speak but before she can get a word out Alex speaks, "Whoa, your not going to shoot me are you?"

 

And for a brief milli second everthing came flashing back to Nataliana all at once as she turned pale white and passed out cold black.

 

Alex calls out to Ochoa who is out side his 3rd story bedroom balcony looking over the yard where he watches Dex outside chewing on his bone. Ochoa responds

 

"Out here, on the balcony, wow what a view!"

 

Alex walks out onto the balcony with Ochoa as he points down at Dex rolling around the grass holding his bone.

 

"I was wondering what happened to that? It is trully amazing how you were able to not just get everything here but to have it all unpacked and put away, . . . I am in awe."

 

"It was nothing Doctor."

 

Ochoa calls out to Nataliana, "Hey Nataliana, you really need to see this."

 

"I am afraid she has seen too much already."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"She decided to take a nap Doctor, she is lying on the couch."

 

"The couch? She never takes naps on the couch, why would she lie there."

 

"Like I said Doctor, I think she has had a rough day."

 

 

"I see. Again I thank you."

 

"Oh, just doing my job Doctor. will that be all.?"

 

"Um, yes of course."

 

Alex dissapears out the way she came.

 

Ochoa turns back to the railing on the balcony and look out at the orchard and lake. Dex is now digging a hole next to the tree line, probably to bury his bone. Ochoa gets a grin on his face watching him as he knows that is something everydog should get to do and Dex never could back at the apartment in the inner city.

 

This new life style was rubbing off quick and everyone was enjoying it.

 

Ochoa while watching Dex begins to see glowing eyes begin to appear, one by one coming out of the now twighlight darkness as dusk as set in for the evening.

 

At first Ochoa thinks they could be fireflies, but he quickly realized fireflies do not fly in pairs like the way eyes do. He pushes off the balcony rail as he spins around and runs towards the stair case. He sees Nataliana sleeping on the couch in the little living room with the news still playing, feeling that she is safe for the moment he continues to run toward the elaborately hand carved staircase then proceeds to jump down as many stairs at a time as he could to get to the bottom quicker, then he rushed over to the back sliding door and unlocked the twist lock then pulled on it as fast as he could to open it only the door would not budge.

 

Ochoa panics as he looks out the now steamed up sliding glass door and sees more eyes and Dex clueles shooting up dirt behind him as his hole get deeper.

 

Ochoa looks down at he floor and finally sees the piece of wood placed in the door as an anti theft device preventing anyone from opening the door. He kicks it out with his foot then pulls back on the door again as fast as possible.

 

After running out and reaching Dex he realized there were no more glowing eyes, and no more strange noises as whatever he say he thought sure was making some weird noises.

 

"Come on boy, lets go in!"

 

Dex finishes burying his bone then runs towads Ochoa, the two of them cross the threshold and slide the glass door behind them.

 

"It has been a long day Dex, lets say we get an early night sleep."

 

Dex and Ochoa run up the stairs double time and when they make their way passed the great archway and into what appeares to be their old apartment Ochoa looked over at an empty couch.

 

The two Ocho and Dex proceeded to the bedroom where Nataliana was now completely undressed and fully tucked in and sound asleep.

 

"See Dex, everyone is tired, we had a busy day." Dex looks up and perks his ears back as he cuddles up against the side of the bed where he is always used to sleeping at. Ochoa steps into the bathroom and freshens up a little before returning to the bedroom where he looks down and sees both Nataliana and Dex sound asleep.

 

"I think you two are on to something." he whispers then crawls into bed himself.

 

"SweetDreams."

 

Episode 12: Sandman Dreams of Utopia

 

"Nataliana! Take us a selfie, look around, we are at the top of the world . . . " Ochoa yells as the frozen wind wips through his hair and shuffles his pants legs. Nataliana blurry eyed comes crawling out of the tent onto the tippy top of Mt Everest where Ochoa is standing there smiling holding a sign that says we are here.

 

"Whats up?" she asks faintly.

 

"Row faster!" states Ochoa with a sense of urgency as Nataliana's eyes focus on the water river rocky rapids all around her as their raft jumps and hurdles them under a tropical forest landscape.

 

"Is, this real . . . ?" Nataliana asks again ever so faintly.

 

"Focus Nataliana, look around you."

 

She realizes she is holding a paddle and when she looks up and sees Ochoa sitting in the raft in front of her she reads on his shirt silk screen printed in some sort of retro graphic, "We Are Here."

 

"This all feels like a dream, like a dream, like a dream . . ." as all fades to dark with only the sounds of crickets, the only light emerging is that of fireflies lighting the terrain and revealing that Nataliana is in a orchard. She looks around and sees the fruit on the trees, red ripe apples. She reaches to pluck one from a branch above when she sees a silhouette aproaching and as it approaches the darkness slowly fades to light asthe clouds above her disipate revealing a new moon which in turn illuminates the lake that can now be seen behind the orchard.

 

The approaching figure speaks in a light tone.

 

"Such a romantic setting one could of never dreamed before, dreamed before, dreamed before is it not, time for a selfie." Ochoa says loudly as he approaches Nataliana and comes into the light of the glowing green moon.

 

Nataliana looking at her reflection in the recently plucked apple held in her fingertips and something inside her begins to realize that all is not what it seems not even a dream.

 

She responds, " Woohoo we are here, time for a selfie, hold still, smile, say cheese."

 

Fianally hearing those code words from Nataliana, "Woohoo, we are here" Ochoa accessed a secret program and immediately the illusions around them turned to a grid system, one made up of green glowing illuminescent bio matter the fabric of all time and space.

 

Ochoa talks in a rapid spastic matter, . . . "I am so glad you made it in safely I was beginning to worry . . ."

 

"There is no time for that, what have you learned?"

 

"Everything, that is not the issue, dissemenating the information to the masses without it seemiing like some sort of science fiction conspiracy theorist B matinee movie."

 

"Enough, just the facts."

 

"Our time in this realm will be short I can only open this window randomly and obviously only connect with you when it appears as if we are both sleeping in the shadow world, remember most of the time they will keep our brain patterns in the Sandman world, very rarely letting the human population experiance the true benefits of top side, the shadow world, and when we do awaken in the real reality, most are so drugged and medicated that a stupor and tiredness keeps them enslaved in the electromagnetic prison that all have succumbed to. Relics of the Bio Wars no doubt."

 

Natalian looks at the grid system around her . . .

 

"So, this is God, this is what everyone is fighting for control over."

 

"Yes, this is base level access to the very compositional makeup of all life in the omniverse, yet all asembled into an easy to use 4 dimensional dashboard for mankind to use and control, unfortunately, power begets power and someone wanted to keep this one all to themselves, . . . did you hear that?!?"

 

"Hear what?"

 

"Nothing, we need to shut out of this before the shadowmen realize our thoughts are in a void and do not exist, even though it seems like miutes hear, in reality the code used was nothing more than a 1/1000th of a nano second, that way they can not track us. Follow through with our plan and remember to fight off their brain washing as it is strong, I know you won't become one of their zonbies, but I am talking more about being self aware inside and not giving away our position, I will contact you when I get confirmation that the other two have been indoctrinated into the chopper. But remember, partition your brain as we learned to do and keep all sensitive material out of reach from the master brain. Remember our battle tactics and everything we learned all leads up to this point . . ."

 

Ochoa hears an electrical crackle again, . . .

 

Without saying another word he shuts the secret program off and the grid fades back to the orchard, as Nataliana hands Ochoa an apple with a single bite taken out of it . . .

 

"Want a bite?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Episode 13: Shadowlander

 

Soundless shadow steps approach the infinitesimal droplets of lifetime moments suspended in the voidless netherworld.

 

 

 

If everything has an opposite than this would be considered an opposite universe.

 

 

 

Looking in on the kagillion of lives, parallel lives, dream world lives, waking thoughts etc . . . the shadow figure points to an area and singles out one.

 

 

 

"How are our recent indoctrinees doing?"

 

 

 

"Oh, hello Felix, I did not hear you approach my thoughts."

 

"That is the point, that is why I am in charge and you will answer my question."

 

"Yes Felix, of course. Lets see, let me pull them up on full memory recall transmission to the holographic replicator trainer, sentinentness turned off, . . . check., .. . . Uh ya, looks like they are being run through the usual suspects dream vacation dream sequence, you know, white water rafting. Climbing Mt. Everest, etc . . ., the usual ones.

 

 

 

"You said they?!?, are "they" experiencing this separately or sharing the dream sequence.

 

 

 

"Ummmm, looks like they aaaaarrrre, . . . ya, I would say they are sharing it, . . . oh ya definitely!"

 

"I did not authorize that. How did that happen?"

 

"Ummmmm, . . ., not really sure Felix, based on all the info it just looks like the frequencies shifted on their own."

 

 

 

"That is not possible!"

 

 

 

"Yes it is, . . . it is described in the ancient myths and fairy tales from the ancient world, the one we are not allowed to talk about, the one before the Bio War, it describes this as being common when two people have a strong connection to one another."

 

 

 

"I do not believe in fairy tales. What sequence are they now experiencing in the pre-programmed dream sequence?"

 

 

 

"Ummm, . . . looks like they are sharing an apple in the orchard."

 

"What Orchard?"

 

"Uhhhh, . . . . yaaaaa, looks like it is the orchard at the Washington D.C. Castle."

 

 

 

"That's impossible."

 

"See for yourself."

 

 

 

"But that orchard is not in the preprogrammed sequence. It should not be able to manifest itself."

 

 

 

"Well there it is, maybe they are dreaming it."

 

 

 

Felix, turns to the shadow watcher and stares. Then he gets a hint angry and shifts his tone of voice.

 

 

 

"Have there been any anomalies in their dream sequence?"

 

"You mean other than the fact that they are sharing it and they manifested the orchard out of shear mental mind control!?!, you mean like that?"

 

 

 

"Everyone is a comedian, just look, look at anything, look at everything, look at nothing and then look again, something is wrong here I can feel it."

 

 

 

"Scanning now . . . I do not see anything."

 

 

 

"There has got to be something there no matter how small or large look again."

 

 

 

"I'm telling you Felix, there is nothing there."

 

 

 

"Let me see the entire scan, full mental access."

 

 

 

"Sure Felix, anything you like."

 

 

 

"THAT!?!?, . . . what is that?!?"

 

 

 

"That is nothing Felix, a glitch in the matrix, nothing more than static electricity forming some sort of nano minute, mega isolated black out, it's nothing, we call them pops it happens all the time."

 

 

 

"Your stupidity astounds me, where else do you think they would hide."

 

 

 

"But, . . . (taking off his hat and scratching his shadow head), . . . but that is impossible."

 

 

 

"That is what I have been saying you shadow puppet, it's in antiquity found within the ancient

writings pre Bio War from days that no one remembers and is forbidden to investigate memory recall."

 

 

 

"But our clearance . . . "

 

"Our clearance will get us into trouble one day if we do not watch out. Now enough, end current orchard sequence and play back Subway sequence 39, . . . from their old city!"

 

 

 

"You're, . . . going in . . . ?"

 

"Yes, prepare everything for mild insercion, low level contact, and keep watch, shift up quickly if needed to pull me out as giving up our position is not an option, got it, can I count on you?"

 

 

 

"Hey, you have gone in before and I have never let you down yet."

 

"It's that yet part that has me worried."

 

"Just let me know when you are ready."

 

"Ready!"

 

 

 

"Are you sure you want the subway scenario?"

 

"I said I am ready."

 

 

 

The nano droplets of individual life fade into a single holistic environment and the infinitesimal voices tune into the sound of a subway screeching around a metal track curve at top speed.

 

 

 

The imagery hazy as dreams should be, Natalian sitting in her seat makes out the figure across from her offering her an apple, it is the old lady, but then it is not, it is Ochoa reaching out to her and moving his mouth yet nothing comes out.

 

 

 

Nataliana's anxiety begins to set in and she begins to look all around her as the now city bus she is traveling in seems to be packed and everyone is all talking at once and nothing makes sense, yet Ochoa sitting across from her is fading away as he appears to be screaming in silence.

 

 

 

Nataliana again scans the bus now speeding down the road and all the people just keep changing, not like getting on and off, but their physical faces keep changing into new people and with it new personalities, different voices yet all still talking incessantly about nothing but their own pathetic trivial troubles.

 

 

 

But Nataliana does scan one set of eyes peeping back at her from the rear view mirror, the eyes of the bus driver and as dreams often do immediately upon eye contact the driver of the now taxi Nataliana is sitting in speaks, "Where to Ma'am?"

 

 

 

"Do I know you?"

 

 

 

"It's your dream, it's your dream, it's your dream.", echoed in her head as Nataliana woke up and stretched. She looked around and saw Ochoa still sound asleep, but she did not see Dex laying by the bed as usual.

 

 

 

Nataliana pulls the sheet back as the covers already appear to be kicked off of her, she then steps down onto the shaggy carpet floor.

 

 

 

She pauses for a moment to squeeze her toes in and out in the shag and remembers that she can not act surprise at the new reality as that would give her position away, she must play along like this is life as normal, but she is already wondering what else might be different as she looks out the window and sees a different view than she remembers from either her apartment or the castle by the lake orchard.

 

 

 

Nataliana wipes the sleepies out her eyes with both of her hands and that is when she feels something different, she stretches her arms again as she opens her eyes and looks towards her hands as they lower from the stretch. She immediately notices that her ring finger not only wears the engagement ring that was waiting for her on the dresser that bright sunrise morning

but now she also wears a wedding band that went with it.

 

"Well that escalated quickly!, . . . I mean ow!, this charlie horse escalated quickly . . . " as Nataliana hops out of bed and begins to stretch out her hamstring muscle.

 

 

 

She looks over at Ochoa and then states out loud, I need a cup of coffee, it is too early for this . . . "

 

 

 

Nataliana lookin at Ochoa sees his wedding band on his hand as he sleeps, she then smiles and turns to a door and walks towards it looking out all the windows on her way scanning the area for familiarity, but nothing reminds her of anything. Again her anxiety sets in as she gets worried about Dex as he is not sleeping next to the bed by Ochoa like he always does, so as she walks to where she thinks the kitchen should be she begins to call out to him . . .

 

 

 

"Dex, . . . Here boy, Dex!, . . . (even louder) Dex, want a treat."

 

 

 

Then out of nowhere a voice speaks from another bedroom doorway.

 

 

 

"Yes mommy!" a young infant toddler replies in his onesie half snapped, rubbing the sleepies out of his eyes, "I would like a treat."

 

 

 

Nataliana whips around faster than lightning strikes and when her eyes meet Dex's she passes out cold.

 

 

 

"Mommy?"

 

 

 

Ochoa still sleeping takes a bite of the apple that Nataliana has just passed him as she turns into an old lady sitting across from him on the screeching subway braking for final stop

 

 

 

"He smiles at her and looks down at his watch as he savors his apple while chewing it. The watch reflects back the face of an old man as the apparition of the old lady fades away and Ochoa looking around the subway realizes he is in a bus and the screeching sound is the driver closing the doors.

 

 

 

He glances up at the rearview mirror and makes eye contact with the bus driver then again as dreams do it all faded into traveling via taxi cab and the cab coming to a screeching halt at what appeared to be an abandoned pier amusement park, something from a time gone by yet out teching even the most tech.

 

 

 

The cabbie still making eye contact in the rearview mirror speaks, "Your final destination Sr."

 

 

 

"Do I know you?" replies Ochoa . . .

 

"It is your dream, it is your dream, it is your dream . . ." revergerated his thoughts as he awoke and stretched his toes then his fingers, then his legs then his arms, he then finally after yawning decides to sit up right and begins to wipe the sleepies out of his eyes.

 

 

 

He opens one eye as it is already getting bright out and glances over and does not see Nataliana, so he call out to her, . . . "Baby, could you snag me a chocolate milk from the fridge please, . . . baby, . . . can you hear me?"

 

 

 

Ochoa opens his other eye and begins to process the surroundings around him, he immediately looks next to his bed for Dex but does not see him.

 

 

 

Not hearing anything back from Nataliana, Ochoa gets out of bed and walks nakedly out towards the kitchen, calling out to Nataliana in the process.

 

 

 

"Nataaaaliaaaaanaaaaa, wheeeeereeeee aaaaaare yooooou?"

 

 

 

He steps out of the room and freezes immediately reaching down with both hands to cover up his private part as he sees a little boy standing on the other side of the apartment in another doorway.

 

 

 

The little boy seeing Ochoa step out and recognizing him immediately calls out.

 

 

 

"Daddy, . . . dadding hurry, mommy has treats but she is sleeping first."

 

 

 

Ochoa back walks into his room and looks for anything to put on as he calls out.

 

 

 

"Daddy?!?, . . . I am your daddy?"

 

 

 

"Yaaaaaayyyy, you are my daddy!"

 

 

 

"I . . . . am your daddy.", he whispers to himself as he pulls a strange outfit out of the dresser and holds it up in front of him and in doing so he sees his reflection in the mirror for the first time and he freezes.

 

 

 

He knows he can not act like any of this surprises him so he instinctively calls back out to the young toddler.

 

 

 

"I'll be right there boy!, . . . (thinking to himself after saying it out loud, "boy", then he calls out again, . . .

 

 

 

"I'll be right there Dex."

 

 

 

"Yes daddy." replied a young faint voice.

 

 

 

Ochoa put on the strange outfit and walked out into the main living room all while keeping both eyes on Dex in amazement.

 

 

 

"How old are you Dex?"

 

 

 

Dex holds up three fingers on one hand and half of a finger on the other hand.

 

 

 

"You're a big boy, hey I have an idea let's wake up mommy so we can get that treat you were talking about."

 

 

 

"Mommy said she had a treat for me!, yaaaaay."

 

 

 

Ochoa walks over to the kitchen and scans the counter top,

 

 

 

"Yup, I spy with my eye a pot of hot steaming coffee."

 

 

 

"Hey Dex, since you are a big boy, where do we keep the cups?"

 

 

 

Dex points to one of the cabinets.

 

 

 

"Good boy Dex, you are so smart." he tells him while patting him on the head as Dex has followed him into the kitchen and has stuck to him like a magnet.

 

 

 

Ochoa pulls out a cup, sets it on the counter, lifts up the pot of coffee and pours it slowly into the cup as he savors up the scent, breathing it in deep and holding it.

 

 

 

Mmmmm that does smell good, I don't know why I can't stand the taste, I sure love the smell."

 

 

 

Ochoa kneels down and holds the cup under Natalianas nose as he lifts her head off the floor and into his other hand.

 

 

 

"Nataaaaliaaaanaaaa, it is time to wake up, wakey, wakey! Naty"

 

 

 

"Mommy was tired."

 

"Yes Dex, mommy was tired she had a very busy day, so when she wakes up try not to get too excited, o.k.?"

 

 

 

"Mommy has a treat for me!" Dex says as he points to his mother lying there on the floor in Ochoa's arms.

 

 

 

Nataliana begins to come to as she starts to speak faintly as if still in a dream, . . .

 

 

 

"It's my dream, it is my dream . . ."

 

 

 

"Nataliana!" Ochoa says with a strong baritone voice and Nataliana's eyes begin to open as she stretches and says.

 

 

 

"Good Morning!", . . . then she looks around and sees Ochoa holding her and a three and a half year old little boy standing over her holding a teddy bear that looked half chewed up.

 

 

 

She looks up at Ochoa and begins to speak, he immediately puts his finger over her lips and gives her the shhhhhhh, then he helps her to sit upright and hands her the coffee.

 

 

 

Nataliana takes the hot steaming cup of coffee from Ochoa and brings it up to her nose where she takes in a deep breath, then begins to sip the cup, all while never taking her eyes off of Dex.

 

 

 

"Hey Dex!" says Ochoa, "Why don't you go play in your room for a minute and mommy will bring you that special treat."

 

 

 

"Yaaaaaay!" screams out Dex as he runs back into his room.

 

 

 

Ochoa now on two feet and helping Nataliana up on hers.

 

 

 

"Hey, so (as he winks) it is Saturday, let's say we make a big breakfast, pancakes, eggs, bacon, hash browns, the works!"

 

"Are you kidding me?" replied Nataliana, "Well actually it does sound yummy, sure, lets see what we have."

 

 

 

The two of them stand hand in hand and embrace, then they look into the other doorway and see little Dex playing in the other room and they look into each other's eyes then kiss passionately and romantically as if it was their very first kiss.

 

 

 

"See Felix, I told you I would pull you out in time, I also warned you not to use the sub scene as it is too easy to sense your presence."

 

 

 

"That is the whole point. I need to know things and sometimes the only way to find out is to put it right in front of their little faces."

 

 

 

"Careful Felix, we still have to follow procedure, . . . or else!, and I do not like that "or else" part one bit, the whole scattering of memory and all existence kind of is a disuader if you know what I mean. Anyways, you did what you did. Do you think they recognized you, I mean not as in you/you but as in an intruder or outside presence in the dream?"

 

 

 

"I hope so."

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