Part V

Jessica comes back in the kitchen and goes over to the counter near the dishwasher and starts the coffee. Jim and Jade watch her fix a pot, before saying anything.

"Are you feeling better, Jessica?" Jim asks her.

"I’m fine. Thank you." She says curtly.

"Are you making that for the Professor?" He asks.

"Yes, I am. He’ll be down in a moment. I told him we would eat first then leave for Terra 75284.89. If that’s all right with the two of you." Jessica answers flatly.

"That’s fine with me, Jade?" Jim looks toward Jade, and she shakes her head in agreement. "Do you want to talk about it, honey?" He asks her as he walks over to where she is standing with arms folded.

"No, I do not want to discuss it any further. I think I will keep my dreams to myself for now on." Before he reached her, she turns and moves to the MACRO a few feet away on the same counter. She pulls up different screens until she finds Terra 75284.89’s information. "Ah, the Azure Gate Bridge, I believe they have the same currency as ours." She walks around the island and back through the doorway.

Jim walks back to where he was sitting and sits back down. Jade looks at him and smiles sadly, "I told you. She’s mad at both of us. It’s been building for awhile, ever since the run in with the Steal-Teachers three weeks ago."

"Is she still mad, because we both vetoed the idea of going back there?" Jim asks.

"Yes, she still thinks she should do something about them. I think we should just avoid them. They are harmless for the most part. They’re pretty backward. The technology that they do have is what they’ve stolen, mostly from sliders. Besides which they really don’t know how any of what they have already stolen works anyway. Things will start breaking down and they won’t be able to fix it. Then they won’t be a problem anymore. Jess thinks it’s their ignorance that makes them dangerous. I think it is their ignorance that keeps them harmless." Jade tells Jim.

"I just hope you are right Jade." Jim says unsure.

"She’s not." Jessica says as she returns to the room, with her pouch in her hands. "It’s that kind of attitude that got our realm in the state it is right now. "Let’s not get involved," "wait and see," and my personal favorite, "They are too stupid or ignorant to figure out how to cause much damage." The ignorant, greedy, power hungry Morons are the ones in charge here, and how do you think they got there? Because they knew what they were doing? No, because they were in the right place at the right time and took what they wanted from others instead of working to get or achieve what they deserve. Do you think any of them know how to operate a MACRO or fix it if it breaks down? Do you think they understand anything about Biotech, MACRO tech, Phys-tech, or any of the others that they use? NO. They rely on fear to keep the teachers from speaking out, and to keep the advances coming. Why do you think most of us never reach old age? They know with age comes wisdom and fear doesn’t work as well anymore. They don’t want them talking the younger generation into anything. I just don’t understand how the two of you can just be like the rest of them, and sit by and do nothing, not after all we have seen." Jessica shakes her head and walks back around to the MACRO.

"You have a lot of your mother and grandfather in you Jess. That and I think maybe I let you hang around your Aunt Shirley and her friends too much." Her father says shaking his head. "It’s too dangerous for you and Quinn James out there. The only thing that keeps you both so safe is that they know that you are the only person here who knows more about MACRO tech then anyone else in the whole realm. With your grandfather gone, You’re it. That is the only reason they let you get away with working so little. Jess, you have to be careful. All of our lives depend on you, and we know that sweet heart." He has walked over behind her and rubs his hands up and down her back.

"It doesn’t mean we can stick our heads in the sand and ignore everything. They don’t scare me, as much here as they use to, and that is something neither one of you will ever understood. Quinn and Maximilliam did. That’s why sometimes I’m more worried about the Steal Techers and others. I don’t want others to have to go though what Quinn and I went through." She inputs a few things into the MACRO and tries not to break down again. "Now drop it. Both of you will never understand, and I hope that you never have to."

Max has been standing at the base of the staircase listening to the exchange in the kitchen. At the end of Jessica’s last words a silence falls on the room. He turns and goes to the kitchen. He clears his throat twice to announce his presence, and walks into the kitchen. Jim is just returning to his seat as Max enters.

"Professor Maximilliam Arturo, I am Jim Dean, Jessica’s father. It is a pleasure to meet you. I hope the clothes I brought over for you are OK. Jade told me that they were planning on taking you shopping while on the slide. Don’t let these two run you ragged, they both loved to shop, especially on other realms. They can usually find something unique and different from here." Jim extends his hands to Max.

Max shakes his hand. "It is very nice to met you. Yes, these clothes are very much to my liking. My double here had excellent taste in suits." He says examining his suit again for a moment. He points to Jessica and continues. "I can’t tell you what a relief it was to have her daughter arrive and rescue me. I thought I would be stuck on that world when my companions departed without me."

Jessica has poured Max a cup of coffee, and brought it over to him. She sets it next to where her father has been sitting and pulls out the stool for Max. "Here is your coffee Max. There is sugar and cream in the center of the island. I hope you don’t mind Oatmeal. Jade made some fresh this morning. We also have some fresh rolls. Would you prefer butter, jam, or cream cheese?"

"That sounds fine to me Mrs.…. I mean Jessica, jam sounds wonderful, thank you." Max answers.

Jessica gets bowls for Max, Jim, and her. Jade brings the rolls over from the counter, and I bowl for herself. Jessica sits next to Max and Jim has moved to the other side with Jade. They all eat their breakfast in an uncomfortable silence. After finishing they clear the table, and load the dishwasher. Upon refilling their cups of coffee and tea, they sit back down to discuss the day’s plans. Jessica has brought in her portable MACRO from the dining room, and retrieved her pouch from the counter. She has placed everything on the island. Jade takes the MACRO, and powers up. The two of them go into an automatic routine check of systems and equipment. Jessica empties the contents of her pouch onto the islands counter. One at a time she hands a device to Jade. Who then inputs information first in the MACRO, and then into each device. After she is done she hands back the first one to Jessica. She in turn hands the next to Jade, then Jessica begins explaining things to Max.

She leans over to Max so he can see as she explains. "This is a mini MACRO tracker. It is the same device I had with me when I met you on Terra 75284.89. It can be used both independently and along with the MACRO’s back here on Terra Prime. Though we would have to open a portal in order for the signal to travel to here. It has it’s own power source and a full memory bank and all the same functions as the full size MACRO. We use it to open the portals to travel back home. It is also used to collect data on each realm. It stores an amazing amount of compressed data. It can also track or detect others travelers. We will use this to download as much information as we can today. If this realm has an IMN equivalent then we will be able to retrieve a higher volume and wider variety of information. We’ve been there on a scout mission, but haven’t been back yet to download."

Jade interrupts a moment. "They do Jess, if Professor’s double has a good unit. We might be able to get most of the information we need at either his home or office."

"What kind of external upload chamber do they have on their units, Jade." Jessica asks.

"They have the same as Terra 5, both realms are pretty similar." She hands Jessica the next device then continues inputting on the next one.

Jessica lays down the tracker and takes the next one from Jade. "This, Max is a Bio-Scanner I used it to confirm where you were from, by scanning your Harmonic Band Frequency which is part of your genetic pattern. Each realm possesses its own frequency that resonates in everyone and everything on that realm, and each realms frequency is uniquely there own. The Bio-Scanner can also be used both independently or can be used with the MACRO’s here at home. The other functions of the scanner are for more basic Bio needs. Such as detecting illnesses, broken bones, diseases, and other such basic functions." She sets the scanner next to the tracker and picks up the device Jade has just finished with. Jade picks up the last and proceeds inputting.

Max points to the Bio-Scanner. "So this is a medical device used for diagnostic purposes, and you…" He points to Jade. "Said yesterday that Jessica has her doctorate in Bio-Tech. Would that mean you are a doctor, Jessica?" He looks from face to face waiting. They all have puzzled looks on their faces. Jessica looks at Jade, and Jade starts inputting into the MACRO. She pauses a moment her eyes scanning what is on the screen.

"OK, If I am reading this correct Bio-tech and medical technologies are the same. So, yes Jess would be the same as your doctor." She says a little unsure.

"OK, to clarify what I am asking here. Jessica, my dear, do you diagnose and treat peoples illness and injuries?" Max asks.

Jessica looks at Max a moment, then answers him. "Yes, Max that’s a basic description of a Bio-Techs primary functions. Is that what your doctors do on your realm?" She asks.

Max nods his head at Jessica. "Yes, they do. We also have various degrees of doctors, from general practitioner to a brain surgery to a psychology. Which area is your specialty?"

Jessica gives Max a very puzzled look. Max sees there is a slight communication gap in their languages. Max takes a deep breath before continuing. "I can already tell that another alteration between worlds is language or should I say development of language. That is something that we have not encountered so far in our travels. We have come across many variations in development of histories and cultures. That we know of so far there has never been a major difference in word development, Doctor has always been a doctor, and so on. I do believe this will be an interesting experience for all of us. Is this something you have encountered before, a language difference I mean?"

Jessica looks at Jade and Jim, <<If he only knew the differences we have encountered. It would blow his mind. >> Jade and Jim glance at Jessica briefly. "We have come across a few differences here and there, but unfortunately we usually only spend short amounts of time on most realms. We usually are searching for someone or downloading information. So many times we have limited connect with the people on most realms. If there has been major language differences it would be in the MACRO memory files. That will have to be something else we can study when we return, and have more free time. Right now we need to concentrate on our present slide."

Max notices with her statement, she has closed that subject. He hopes with a plan to study and discuss it farther at a later date. Jessica attention again turns to the device she has been holding in her hand. It is cylindrical and steel or some kind of metal about two inches across and six inches long. At one end is a strange looking device Max has not seen before, and at the other end is a screwed on cap of some kind. He looks at Jessica and waits for her explanation.

"This is also a Bio-tech tool, it is called a Bio-Hypodermic Syringe. It stores various compounds that when mixed are used for treatment of illness and various other reasons. This end is the hypodermic." Jessica points to the strange looking end. Max can now see upon a closer look that there a button on one side and that the other side is flat with a possible area that opens. He hopes that after the trip Jessica will have the chance to sit down and discuss these devices farther with him. Jessica continues pointing to the end with the cap. "The other end is the storage and fill chamber. I can show you more later, when we have more time."

Jade has just finished the last one and is inputting something in the MACRO. She is also going over things with Jim at the same time. Jessica puts the Bio-Hypodermic and the Bio-Scanner in her pouch.

<<When was the last time you two checked the implants? >> Jim asks them both.

Jade answers without looking up. <<We checked them last week and both are functioning properly. We should all get a check up with Sisst though we are overdo. >>

<<You both make sure one of you stays with Professor all the time. That way if we need to slide you out quickly we can. >> Jim says.

Jade gets up and goes into the other room for a moment. When she returns she is carrying a pouch similar to Jessica’s. She puts the last device in the pouch, and sits back down. <<I agree. I’ll take Professor with me. >> She continues normally. "Jessica, how about I take the tracker and Professor with me, and we can start at his doubles house. You remember where it is?" She looks at him on the last question.

"Yes, I do. Jessica, there was something in the paper I grabbed about Miss Welles’ diary, something about a museum exhibit on sliding opening shortly before we left. Maybe we need to check that also, to see what information he might have given them." Max says. He has noticed that neither of them has mentioned anything about the fourth device that Jade slipped into her pouch. He wants to remember to ask Jessica about that one later. He watches as Jade slips the tracker in her pouch as well and puts the pouch around her waist.

"OK I’ll check out the museum and meet you both back at Max’ doubles house. I think we should take the pager in case one of us needs the other." Jessica has stood up to strap on her pouch. She straps it around her waist, and for the first time Max notices there is a lower strap also. She straps the lower one around her thigh. Jade has disappeared into the other room again. She reappears and tosses a small pager to Jessica. She hands it to Max to see.

"It looks just like most pagers on realms we have visited, but it’s not actually like most conventional pagers. Those buttons on front when pushed directly send a message to the other pager. The one on the right is just a reminder or alarm you can set for a time limit. The middle you can use with the tracker or scanner, to let you know you have a message or information incoming from the other person. That way you can get out of the main stream to check. The left one is for emergencies. So that if the other needs you right away, or to slide out right away. In the guise of a pager we blend in with everyone else." Max hands the pager back to Jessica. She hooks it inside her jean pocket.

"Very ingenious Jessica, Are we all set to go then?" He looks at her and then Jade. She has powered down and picked up the portable MACRO.

<<You are giving him too much information Jessica. He’s already too curious as it is. Let’s go check everything out. >>

"Are we taking that also? I can carry something if you would like." Max motions to the MACRO Jade is carrying.

<<Shut up Jade>>> Jessica smiles at Max, Yes I do believe we are ready, and no we are not taking the portable with us. 90% of the time we only take what we can carry in our pouches. Let’s head downstairs." Jessica waits for Jim and Jade to go first. Then she allows Max to move in front of her also. She starts explaining things again as they go downstairs. "We always slide from downstairs unless absolutely necessary. There is a minimal chance of detection there. We have a white noise machine and other hidden securities to protect us."

"Interesting, Jessica, very interesting. I have a lot of questions about all of this that I am sure we can cover after the slide." Max says.

Upon reaching the basement, they find Jade has already powered up all basement systems, and is helping Jim get ready to monitor the slide. Jessica and Max walk over to the desk and stand to one side waiting.

"Are we ready to go?" Jessica asks the two of them.

Jim pushes a few buttons and turns to Jessica. "Everything is ready we picked the park for the destination. You can catch a cab from there. Try to meet back there to slide back. Opening now."

A portal opens on the wall across from the desk. "OK, Here we go. Max why don’t you go last? Jade and I have gotten really good at this. See you on the other side guys." Jessica runs into the portal followed by Jade then Max last. Jim turns back around and pushes a few more buttons. After a few minutes the screen flashes **Arrived safely * Contact soon * Love you Dad * Jess**

Jim smiles and clears the screen, then sits back and waits

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