《Searching for Andromeda》


 1 He Who Was Given ANDROMEDA

    "Congratulations!"


    "Cheers to our new archeologists!"


    "Welcome to the real world, mummy-finders!"


    Ephraim laughed heartily as he watched his friends who are also his classmates¡ªno, they were his colleagues now, chugging on beer. They were in an Izakaya, a rather larger one, rented by the President for its new batch of Archeology graduates. They were few in number, comprising of students that hadn''t even reached the 300''s. Their school was a large university but BS and BA Archeology are both taken to a branching campus. Originally about 200 students, Archeology students soon reduced to a hundred and fifty as the years go by until it dropped to only less than forty students graduating the degree. It was inevitable¡ªthe uncertainties of the program and its job opportunities made more than half of the students to shift courses. Ephraim witnessed how his friends slowly lost hope and interest with the degree. Some quit in their first year, some at the fourth. They told him it wasn''t too late to shift, convinced him that there were better college degrees which could land easier and better jobs.


    Ephraim wasn''t tempted one bit. He loved studying archeology; he loved movies and books that explored history and relics. He liked sketching fossils, and above all else, he liked the touch of fascination he gets¡ªthat slight tingle and astonishment mixed with wonder¡ªas he ventures to an unabridged new world entirely different from what he was accustomed to.


    "My new archeologists." Says the President on his speech back at the graduation ceremony, "the path you''ve taken isn''t an easy one. You all started with the number of 200, and now, we have polished thirty-five brilliant students out of those 200. Each of you will walk a path of your own, but I am certain my dear students; it is the path to success. It is the path of discovery. Of innovation. The new batch of Archeology graduates¡ªI commend you all. May you have prosperity and continuous discovery."


    The president gave them a meticulous and motivational speech. It sent some tough young men crying in manly compassion, and Ephraim couldn''t blame them, for he was almost sobbing himself. It felt good to graduate, to label yourself, finally¡ªas an Archeologist.


    The president was buff and was the epitome of a blockbuster movie actor¡ªidentical to Rick O''Connell from The Mummy. Ephraim always associated people with movie characters¡ªand he''s convinced the President was the living copy of Brendan Fraser. After the speech, and when the parents were congratulating each other''s children, whilst some took pictures with their diplomas, the president came to talk to Ephraim.


    "Ephraim Hughes." The President calls at him and extended an arm. They shook hands a greeting. "You''re no longer my pupil, huh?"


    "Yes, sir." Ephraim politely says and smiles. "But I''m still a graduate of the academe, so maybe I can be considered one?"


    The president flashed a small smile. "You are amusing."


    Ephraim wasn''t entirely sure what the president meant, but he was too happy to care. He also didn''t have the time to think about it when the president told him of his agenda. Ephraim waited for the words: ''contract'' ''job'' ''excavation site''.


    "I heard from the professors how good of a student you are." The president says, "And how you are a brilliant scholar who''s actively participating in the school''s events and contests. You have a bright future ahead. Archeology, after all, isn''t one smooth path. It is ridden with stones and fossils you could stumble upon. It isn''t a job most people would apply for."


    Ephraim nodded, agreeing to the president''s statement. Being an archeologist was a tough job. He was required to investigate historic and prehistoric sites, as well as physical remains to understand human links to the past, to preserve ancient cultures. In short, archeologists find clues about the past. They use a variety of extraction or digging techniques, they discover and they go through fossils in search of the unknown. Sometimes that meant rats (Ephraim hated them so much, but he could stand any other insect, reptile, an animal you could lay before him without batting an eye). Ephraim found joy in excavating. Back when he was a child, he loved exploring as he quests for clues. He loved movies like The Mummy, King Solomon''s Mine, and some books by Rick Riordan such as Percy Jackson and The Kane Chronicles. He thanked these forms of entertainment for giving him a push on getting a scholarship in Archeology. His parents did not like his decision and wanted him to be a doctor instead, but eventually, they gave in and simply succumbed to what he liked and supported him; although here and there, Ephraim could hear their unwavering scold.


    Archeologists study past human activity by excavating, dating, and interpreting bits and pieces of numerous items from sites of historical interest. They implement excavation projects, informally known as digs, preserve archaeological vestiges and accumulate data that appraise their understanding of the past. Excavations and job vacancies are advertised by the Institute of Archaeologists (CIfA), national newspapers and specialist publications such as Current Archaeology or those promoted by the Council for British Archeology (CBA). There are numerous ways to land yourself a job¡ªEphraim wanted to explore Egypt, or Greece, whose fossils are prevalent. After his graduation, he wants to explore these countries. Ephraim was one of the scholars who showed adept skills, and exceptional performances. He was sure a company would pick him up to sign a contract after graduation¡ªwhich was just a few days from now. He had received dozens of requests, yet it did not exactly fit the job he wanted. It wasn''t like one of those movies and books filled with grandeur and fictional relics.


    He was so sure, for a second, that the president would offer him something good. Something better.


    "I am stationing you with a task force consisting of a researcher, a biologist, a doctor, and a former sergeant-in-arms," says the President, as he explains how their team was entrusted with a duty to examine the desolated forensics lab at an abandoned former space station: ANDROMEDA.


    "Pardon me Sir, ANDROMEDA? The space station abandoned more than fifty years ago?" Ephraim forced a smile. Space stations are not relics of any historical significance, except radioactive sites (which he would not like to visit). Space stations, abandoned or not, were modern and post-modern. They were not ancient; what would he expect to find there, an alien?


    "Yes." The president says. "You are one of the Academe''s brightest pupil. I believe you would find something significant in there. An object of great importance."


    Ephraim smiled. "It would be an honor, Sir."


    It was INDEED an honor the President came to personally assign him with a job in the blink of an eye; however, Ephraim''s eyes were set to Cairo, Egypt. A friend had prepared an excavation site just for him a couple of months before, and it took an effort to do so¡ªpulling strings here and there, talking to people, acquiring connections, et cetera. Ephraim felt dejected, but curious at the same time. Even if this wasn''t his cup of tea, he was a man living by scientific lore combined with history. He dreamt of creating his book as he ventures to archeological adventures (as he liked to call it).


    The president smiled. "I will be handing you the details after a few days." He says, and then lefts.


    "ANDROMEDA, huh?" A professor mumbles. "You''re bright, but why did the President assign you that dump?"


    "Pardon?"


    Ephraim''s Biology professor sighed, and then sauntered towards him. Professor Edward Brindell, one of the oldest professors of the academe. He had a cane to guide his walk and was one of the strictest professors ever in the academy.


    "Professor Brindell?"


    "That place has been the excavation site the President assigns to students whose grades are below average," he says. "why did it give it to you? Such a waste of time and talent."


    Ephraim frowned. "What do you mean, Professor Brindell?"


    "It''s an open secret." He says. "Every graduating class'' inept graduates are tasked to find an ''object of great significance,'' in ANDROMEDA, but we assumed the President meant he wanted them to find ''purpose''. . . as a metaphor, you know?"


    "Why are you telling me this?"


    "Because I care, Raim," the old professor exclaims. "You deserve better than a project like this."


    Ephraim stood unblinking, confused.


    "Ah, I''m sorry. Congratulations, Raim." Brindell exclaims. "I''m just surprised. ANDROMEDA is isolated¡ªwithout any object that would be of use to us. After all, the students always come back empty-handed. But maybe, you''ll find something."


    There was a hint of disbelief in the professor''s voice. It was evident that he wasn''t convinced of whatever he was saying.


    "LET LOOSE, RAIM!" Yells Lucian, one of the liveliest classmates he got. "Give him a mug of beer! We just graduated, and he won''t let loose!"


    The other student seemed to agree, as the room was filled with throes of protest and waves of laughter. Ephraim snapped back from his thoughts and smiled. He accepted the beer and drank it in one go.


    "Nice," he says. "Is there any more?"


    "Arrogant Raim asking for more¡ªso, yeah, give him more!" Shouts Lucian as they poured beer to Raim''s mug.


    "Chug! Chug! Chug!"


    **


    The night ended with Ephraim smiling as he observes the entirety from his spectacles. All of his friends, his classmates, are now wasted and mumbling. Mugs of beers, sushi, and some karaage were scattered across the whole room. Who said Archeologists are boring?


    "What a mess you are." Ephraim mumbles. His tolerance in alcohol was a God-tier level. He never got drunk.


    "Hngh¡­ Raaiiimmm." One of his classmates'' mumbles. It was Cecily, a girl he seldomly talks to. She was one of the students who barely graduated.


    "What is it, Cecily? Do you want a cup of water?"


    Cecily''s flushed face was looking at nothing, and her eyes were ditzy. She mumbled and slurred her words, making them inaudible.


    "What was that?" Ephraim knelt towards her. "Cecily?"


    "Wh-why''d you the one to get ANDROMEDA. . . ." Cecily exclaims. "While I got Caaaiiiroooo? You''re the smart oonnee . . . hic . . . not me. . ."


    "Wh-what do you mean, Cecily?" Ephraim tried to smile and tried to process Cecily''s drunken mumblings. He told himself not to take a drunk person''s words seriously¡ªyet here he was, waiting, waiting so anxiously¡ª


    "I . . . I . . . hic . . . I had the excavation p-project in Egypt . . . one you guys dreamt of . . ." Cecily started sobbing. "But you . . . y-you got ANDROMEDA . . . I¡ªI overh-heard . . . s-sorry, Raim."


    Ephraim blinked.


    "You got which excavation project in Cairo?"


    "The one with difficult a-access . . . hic! The one you said you''ve been working on . . ."


    Ephraim inhaled sharply. "The one Raoul Alfonso''s been getting for me?"


    "Yes¡ª" Cecily sobbed. "I''m s-so sorry, Raim . . . the president assigned me to it . . . I . . . I couldn''t refuse."


    Ephraim smiled and then wiped Cecily''s tears with his sleeve.


    "Hush now." He says. "I''ll get you a cup of water. Don''t worry about it."


    "R-really. . . .?"


    "Yes,"


    Ephraim exited the room they rented, and then as he got out, he held his knuckles, which was turning white from clenching his fist the whole minute he was inside.

 2 Believe

    CHAPTER 2


    Archaeologists explore past civilizations by learning about historical artifacts, skeletal remains, and infrastructures with ancient significance. Archeologists work outdoors in the field, sometimes under rigorous and in remote settings, as well as in labs or offices to amalgamate and examine their discoveries. In addition to coursework, students in an archaeology bachelor''s degree program complete independent projects. Graduates are qualified for job duties that include assisting with research projects and archaeological digs (excavation sites), working in museums, serving as consultants and teaching archaeology. Classroom instruction is combined with expeditions and projects that can take place at excavation sites around the world. These projects are usually one month to six weeks long. Independent study projects and study-abroad programs are also available. There are, of course, just classroom-based learnings.


    And there is a boring one happening right now.


    "Throughout history¡ªindividuals, states, or political factions have expanded their territories over constituencies through the use of war. The history of one of the earliest civilizations in the world, that of Mesopotamia, is a chronicle of just about continuous fighting." Says Professor Oswald, "Even after Sargon the Great of Akkad unified the region under the Akkadian Empire, the war was still waged in putting down rebellions or fending off invaders."


    "In short, they''re war freaks." He adds. "The Early Dynastic Period of Egypt (c. 3150-c. 2613 BCE) is thought to have risen from war when the Pharaoh Manes of the south conquered the region of northern Egypt, although this claim wasn''t that reliable now."


    The professor writes at the chalkboard, ''Zhou Dynasty gained ascendancy through battle in 1046 BCE,''


    "And in China''s Warring States Period ((476-221 BCE) was resolved when the State of Qin. . . ."


    **


    "Freaking Oswald''s a bad teacher," Lucian exclaims, sitting beside Ephraim. They were now in the school''s cafeteria. Lucian''s tray was chockfull of food. He placed it at the desk and started to eat fervently. "I didn''t understand the lesson one bit!"


    "Me too," agrees another friend Ephraim had, a boy named Kyle.


    "Ugh, tell me about it! He fills my head with information without giving the relevancy. I don''t get it." Geralt agrees. "How about you, Raim?"


    They were about four on the table at the cafeteria. It was lunchtime, and students loved complaining at this time of the hour¡ªespecially when your teacher was Professor Princeton Oswald, their teacher in History. Unlike the other teachers, he was the one closest to their age (he was just rumored to be 25), but he was one of the most boring teachers ever. He taught with the speed of a turtle, and with a monotonous informative manner like he directly read the contents of the book with zero discretion.


    Lucian raised his brow, "are you seriously defending him?"


    "What I''m saying is," Ephraim smiles. "He''s boring."


    Kyle laughed, "and for a minute I thought you might end up a teacher''s pet."


    "Raim won''t," Lucian grins, "I thought so too when we were at middle school. He''s stupidly nice, but he''s mean inside. Don''t misunderstand ''im,"


    "You''ve been friends since middle school?"


    "Kind of," Ephraim says. "I needed to take care of this buffoon so he won''t get lost,"


    "Shaddup," Lucian argues. "Anyways, what''re your thoughts to Sir-So-Boring-I-Wanna-Punch-His-Face?"


    "That''s a ridiculous nickname, Lucian,"


    "Why thanks, took me a while to create it in Professor''s boring class¡ª"


    "Professor Oswald!"


    Lucian, Kyle, and Geralt''s face turned pale. Professor Oswald was sitting beside them¡ªwith a tray on their table. SINCE when was he here? The professor smiled at Lucian.


    "So, Lucian," says the professor, "I think you had a very good time listening to my class,"


    "A-a-a-ab-absolutely, sir!"


    The cafeteria is an intricate modern building with glass schemes combined with a touch of antiquity. It was neo vernacular in design, and it had mezzanines with spiral stairs. The infrastructure could speak for how much the academy''s tuition worth. Ephraim was glad he was a scholar, to be able to attend such a private institution. His father earns less than 2000$ in his monthly income, and his mother was a plain housewife. He was an only child, but they couldn''t afford the academe''s tuition fee. That is why Ephraim Hughes strived to be a scholar¡ªthis school was one of the best in teaching the degree he wants.


    Teachers, staffs, and other academic personnel with students alike dine in the cafeteria without much fuss and meddling. But a teacher dining with his students was uncalled for, and never did Ephraim heard of one, except around the elementary grade when someone wasn''t eating his vegetables and a teacher had to force-feed him (not in a violent manner). That kid had his circumstances; he was sick.


    But nobody was sick at the table.


    Ephraim flashed a smile. "Professor Oswald, we didn''t notice you."


    The professor was munching on the bread. He had black hair and very Asian features except for his jaw and prominent European characteristics such as his turquoise-blue eyes.


    "Of course you didn''t." He says. "I''ve been here since Mr. Guerrero arrived."


    Ephraim blinked.


    The professor flashed an apprehensive gaze at Ephraim and smiled afterward. He stood up, leaving his halfway-finished food and left.


    "Wh-what the hell was that?"


    Ephraim proceeded to stare at the professor who was walking away from them, hands tucked to his pockets. He looked uncaring, and apprehensive even as he walked.


    "W-will I fail?" says Kyle. "I can''t afford to fail his subject!"


    "Y-yea, me too," Geralt exclaims. "W-we''re leavin'' you guys,"


    "Yeah, it ain''t good to hang around Lucian now."


    "You should know that, Raim," Kyle says before he left with Geralt with their trays.


    "Oi," Lucian barks, "You leavin'' yet?"


    "Why would I?" Ephraim asks.


    "Because I''m finished with the food?"


    "So?" Ephraim scowls.


    "So you could take the tray too,"


    Ephraim scoffs and then sighs as he smiles.


    "Dumbass."


    **


    "The monster collision between Milky Way and a fellow spiral galaxy Andromeda will occur about 4.5 billion years from now, according to the new research, which is based on observations made by Europe''s Gaia spacecraft. Some prominent previous estimates had predicted the crash would happen significantly sooner, in about 3.9 billion years. . . ." Ephraim reads.


    "The launching of Gaia is on December of 2013 . . . it''s constructed to help researchers build the finest 3D map of the Milky Way. Gaia has been monitoring the positions and movements of huge numbers of stars and other cosmic objects; the mission team aims to track more than 1 billion stars by the time Gaia shuts its sharp eyes for good. . . ."


    "M31. . . ." Ephraim writes to the notebook on his side. "Andromeda . . ."


    --- Most of the stars Gaia is eyeing are in the Milky Way, but some are in nearby galaxies. In the new study, the researchers tracked the number of stars in our galaxy, in Andromeda (also known as M31) and in the spiral Triangulum (or M33). These neighbor galaxies are within 2.5 million to 3 million light-years of the Milky Way and may be interacting with each other, study team members said. ----


    It was already past midnight, and Ephraim''s lamp was 24/7 lit up. He was stuck on his newly-bought apartment, shut himself on the bedroom for the whole day¡ªand whole night. There were still unboxed appliances around his room. Cup noodles and instantly made meals are stacked like a tower just under his desk, and then books of astronomy were scattered across the whole room. Its entirety almost covered in papers with scribbled names of galaxies and constellations, some sketches of the solar system, and several variations of drafts of outline and questions.


    "I don''t get it."


    Ephraim reached to drink from his coffee mug, only to see it was empty. He sighed and rose to his feet. He sauntered down to the kitchen, and then he saw the unboxed appliances. It had been a while when he bought the apartment, and he was a hundred percent sure he was neglecting his duties. He hadn''t unboxed the appliances, and it was just an empty space here and there.


    Ephraim wasn''t like this on the usual.


    But he was intrigued and stressed-out. He was working on for his future project in Cairo, Egypt. . . . only to have it taken away in the blink of an eye. Immediately after Cecily told him about the excavation site that night, he called Raoul, his friend who aided him (whom he also paid) to get the project¡ªbut he was unresponsive now. He could only lay his frustration to find answers.


    But no.


    Zilch. Null. Zippo. Nil.


    ANDROMEDA and Andromeda galaxy are completely different. Their names were the same, but ANDROMEDA is simply a desolated space station founded in the late 80s, but of course, the internet won''t give him the exact answers he wants. It gave him a background of what the space station is, but couldn''t connect to exactly how it is linked with the galaxy itself. There wasn''t any information in regards to how it is called ANDROMEDA in the first place.


    **


    The next day, Ephraim woke up early. He slept about 2 AM and woke around 5 AM, unboxed some things, and then he did his morning routine until he commuted to the Town Square where he was told to be picked up. A Lamborghini came thereafter 8 AM sharp and he was soon riding the Lambo with tough men in black suits.


    Precisely after a painstaking an hour and a half ride, the Lambo was now traveling at a slower speed. There were tall trees at each side of the road, neatly cut. There was an ocean below, and Ephraim could see from a cliff a house (or a mansion) standing liberally unafraid.


    "We''re almost there," says the chauffeur.


    **


    "Ephraim Hughes," the President greets, smiling. He was wearing something now less formal, but still, it was a clothing that would be found in the Victorian times. His house was classically modern, the arched windows and chandelier speaking of antiquity.


    They were in the president''s office, which had a large glass behind his desk with the view of the edge of the cliff, below was the vast ocean water. When the president sat on his swivel chair, it looked like he was a king sitting on his throne. A butler (assuming that he is one from the tailcoat) handed Ephraim, who was sitting parallel to the president with a comfortable chair, a document.


    "This is the information about ANDROMEDA," says the president. The butler proceeded to pour tea.


    Ephraim examined the papers.


    "Your team''s biodata is also there," he adds. "You will be the team leader of the excavation site. I believe you have what it takes for the job,"¡ªthe president paused to sip at his tea¡ª"you can also see their skills, what their specialty is, and their attitudes."


    Ephraim continued to examine the document silently.


    "Any questions?"


    Silence.


    ". . . President,"


    The president''s brow arched.


    "Why did you give this job to me?" Asks Ephraim bluntly. "I heard from Professor Brindell how you give this project to students whose grades are almost below average. You tell them to search for an important object, but they always come empty-handed."


    The president sneered.


    "Sir," Ephraim exclaims. "I have been working with Raoul Alfonso for months . . . months already, to get the project in a dig at Cairo. I paid him, and I had been working double to get that project . . ."


    "Ah, that excavation site. It''s a good one," he says. "Cecily Schmidt will do well in Cairo, I believe,"


    "Sir, have you been listening?" Ephraim says, almost scowling. "I was the one who worked hard to get that project. I was the one who was working on getting it for several months. I am the one who should get the project on Cairo,"


    "In short," says the President. "You want me to give you Cairo, and Cecily, ANDROMEDA?"


    "N-no," Ephraim mutters. "It''s just that, I¡ªI worked hard for it,"


    "And in the blink of an eye, I got it for Cecily?"


    Ephraim''s silence was enough to tell his sentiments.


    "Well," the president exclaims. "You are bright, and I see potential in you, Ephraim Hughes. Let''s just put it at that."


    "But you''ve given that project to people whose grades are¡ª"


    "Do you think grades define a person''s potential?" The president says. "Perhaps so, perhaps not."


    "But listen well here Ephraim Hughes; it is I who put you in this project because someone believed you can retrieve what was lost in there¡ªsomeone believed you have the means to be the one to acquire what others don''t for the past fifty years ever since ANDROMEDA was abandoned."


    Ephraim blinked. "Someone . . . wanted me for the project?"


    "I was thinking of following the tradition and put Cecily in the project," says the President. "But he told me you fit the job perfectly, and he''s certain you can find it."


    "Who. . . . ?"


    "I believe you know who he is," the president smiles. "Former professor Princeton Oswald."


    "Professor Oswald?"


    "Yes," says the president. "The man who found a pirate''s treasure and was featured in multiple magazines¡ªyour former professor in History,"


    Ephraim stared at the documents through his spectacles, bemused.


    "Someone believes in you, Ephraim Hughes." The president smiles as he entwines both of his fingers, as his elbow propelled on top of the table. "And I hope he isn''t wrong about believing you."

 3 Ephraim鈥檚 Team

    ?Esmeralda Sanders?


    Profession: Biologist (Advanced Biology Program)


    Blood type: B+


    Likes: Insects, plants, flowers, milk tea, iced coffee, aesthetic photographs


    Dislikes:


    ?Berthold Wagner?


    Profession: Surgeon


    Blood type: O-


    Likes: Helping people


    Dislikes: Long, graveyard shifts


    ?Samuel Albrecht?


    Profession: Researcher


    Blood type: A+


    Likes: Wistar rat, formalin, steak, a perfect circle, medicine, techs


    Dislikes: Albino mice, vegans,


    ?Hiroaki Mochizuki?


    Profession: N/A (former sergeant-in-arms)


    Blood type: AB-


    Likes:


    Dislikes:


    Ephraim''s eyes narrowed as he shuffled through the pages. His brow twitched when he reached the end of the document. He almost crumpled the paper as he sees a certain good luck message at the edge of the paper. Was the president toying with him? He promptly leaned his back to his swivel chair. Again, it was nighttime with the coffee and instantly made meals¡ªexcept he had unboxed almost all of his things and rearranged the furniture and fixtures to their corresponding places. His mug was still filled to the brim, and he had just finished the 10 paged file the president handed him earlier. The biodata was not one he was expecting; there was a two-by-two picture of each person next to their name, but above all else, it contained a meaningless set of information.


    "What''s this, a slam book?" Ephraim mutters. The biodata was comparable to a poorly-written resume; one a seventh-grader would write. It was even shoddier than that¡ªthere weren''t any contact details, nor there was anything he could make out other than what they like and dislike. The biodata just laid information such as their profession and blood type, although Ephraim couldn''t really see the essence of it¡ª


    And so he searched.


    "A pseudoscientific belief, huh." Ephraim reads. In an article he saw, it is said that some people believe that a person''s ABO blood type is predictive of a person''s personality, temperament, and compatibility with others.


    "This superstition is akin to how horoscopic signs are observed as factors in a person''s life. . ." He reads. "Of course, it''s ridiculous."


    "Some of the most common positive personality traits of people with blood type B are such as curious, relaxed, strong, adventurous, creative, passionate, active, outgoing, and cheerful. On the other hand, the negative traits are, wild, erratic, unforgiving, selfish, uncooperative, irresponsible, and unpredictable. . ." Ephraim writes down to Esmeralda Sanders'' biodata, "Is this what the president meant about how their attitude is also written down in their biodata . . .? Through blood type, really?"


    Ephraim chuckles. "Is that why he''s a doctor? That makes sense."


    "Let''s see, Samuel Albrecht. . . A," Ephraim reads, and scribbles next to Samuel''s biodata. "The best personality traits of people with blood type A are gentle, loyal, organized, consistent, loyal, and perfectionists. . ." Ephraim chortles. "He''s a researcher, so I guess it kind of links . . . surprisingly?"


    Ephraim proceeded to dig through the net and write their personality, weaknesses, and strength. If he had to be the team leader, he had to know what their aptitudes are, supposing if the pseudoscience wasn''t pseudo. The problem is, it was. How could one''s blood type predetermine a person''s personality? Humans are more complex than that.


    "Hmm . . . Hiroaki Mochizuki, AB . . . wait, he''s AB negative. That''s a rare blood type." Ephraim mumbles. "He''s also Japanese, huh?"


    "AB people are very careful while dealing with others and are empathetic. These people also have exceptional analytical and logical skills. . ." He writes, "Blood type AB is a hybrid of A and B, two different personalities mixed together. They are often seen as dual-natured . . ."


    Ephraim sighs, and then shuffled the documents once more until he sees the file for ANDROMEDA. From the information, it was established by a former NASA employee, and was meant to be a subsidiary space station operating under the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; however, ANDROMEDA was not funded by NASA henceforward as their research deviated from the prearranged investigation assigned to them. The following years they sought help from Roscosmos and Soyuz, but it was for naught as well; and so ANDROMEDA had no choice but to shut down, along with their forgotten project and discontinued research¡ªwhich slumbered through ANDROMEDA''s abandoned forensics laboratory.


    The information regarding ANDROMEDA''s project was not stated, nor what was NASA''s prearranged investigation that was originally assigned. But there was something Ephraim realized as he read the file. The president needs him to find an important object at ANDROMEDA''s abandoned forensics laboratory. From what he can decipher here on with the information at hand, there may be a link between ANDROMEDA''s deviated research and NASA''s originally assigned research for the subsidiary space station.


    A space station, also known as an orbital station or an orbital space station, is a spacecraft capable of supporting a human crew in orbit for an extended period of time. Stations devise docking ports to permit other spacecraft to dock to transfer crew and supplies¡ªand in this case, NASA to ANDROMEDA, a branching spacecraft with its own team and separate project. A supplementary lineup.


    "I don''t get it," Ephraim mumbles, and then sighs. He stared at his phone¡ªit was already quarter to midnight, and he has an appointment tomorrow and the following days onward. Ephraim turned his lamp off straight away and lied down gently to the bed. He had to deal with the people in the biodata tomorrow¡ªand he had to make a good first impression. After all, first impressions could set either a good team play or a rocky, uncooperative one.


    **


    The next day, Ephraim was again picked by the Lamborghini at the same place; however, the president told him to come to dinner this time. It was three o''clock when the chauffeur picked him from Town Square. The president was meeting all of them to his mansion; everyone had come from different places, as far as Ephraim could guess, even if in their biodata it wasn''t stated where their address is, or what their nationality could be. Ephraim took the extra effort to search for their surnames on the internet, although it could be quite unreliable. He would know if he''d see them in person¡ªnot that it would matter. Nationality and race would be something that is dismissible; it was skills, aptitude, and personality that mattered.


    When Ephraim reached the destination, he was surprised by how many people were there, dressed in suits and gowns. He felt out of place¡ªhe had worn a green sweater vest, and white pants, with brown boots and only, had a file at hand. He looked like a college geek who just graduated (and yes, he was, which was totally out of the league with the people in here). It looked like a party (he''s only ever attended a boring one with fellow geeks) with women wearing red, blue, and dissimilar glittery gowns while some wore gloves paired with high stilettos and pantyhose. Ephraim blushed when a busty woman winked at him.


    Even inside the president''s mansion, people were still scattered and roaming around; there were waiters handing out drinks on silver, round trays he''d only seen in dramas with reference to rich people and their galore, but this was factual now. Ephraim cannot help but stare in fascination as he walks headlong¡ªthere was a piece of distinct Mexican music playing, one he''d heard like from the movie Coco. He was associating films with real life again.


    When Ephraim finally reached the presidential office, he was welcomed with the sight of four people who already are inside the premises. There was a girl whom he recognized¡ªa distinct honey-blond hair, with forest-green eyes and short stature¡ªthis was the girl in the biodata, one with the B+ blood type; Esmeralda Sanders. She met his eyes, and then averted quickly, dropping her gaze down to the floor. She was standing firmly near the president''s desk, most awkwardly, in fact.


    There was another he immediately recognized¡ªhis black hair was long, just above his shoulders, with a droopy bespectacled russet brown-eyes. He was tall, maybe about 6 feet tall or less. This was Berthold Wagner, the surgeon. Talking beside him was an uninterested boy with electric blue eyes and distinct platinum-blond hair. He looked young, no older than seventeen. Ephraim was certain¡ªthis one was Samuel Albrecht.


    Behind the desk was a hefty glass windowpane with a view of the ocean. In the peripheral, Ephraim could see the man standing before the pane with grey eyes staring blankly through the sea. He had an ink-jet black hair, prominent slanted Asian eyes, and a pointed European nose. He wore a black gear and had a gun strapped adjacent to his belt. He wore military boots and had bandages around his left forearm and right arm. He also had a katana on his back. He had a lean body with toned muscles. He had scars around his skin, which articulated his previous occupation.


    He recognized it instantaneously; this was his team. Everyone was here, except for the person who they are waiting for¡ªthe president.


    "You," says Samuel, which caught Ephraim off-guard.


    "Y-yes?"


    "You''re our leader, huh?" Samuel says. He stood up and then sauntered towards Ephraim with his brow raised. He had indifferent scrutiny over Ephraim, and from the looks of it, he was already judging their so-called team leader.


    "Y-yes, I am," Ephraim smiles anxiously and extended his hand out. "Nice to meet you, I am¡ª"


    "Ephraim Ignacio Hughes," says Samuel. "Born June 23 from Joanna Dakota, and Manuel Hughes; graduated from The University of High East with a bachelor''s degree in Archeology. You joined twenty-one competitions in your years at the branching campus, and won eighteen out of those contests; in your middle school, you joined fifteen and won eleven out those as well. Your blood type is unknown, and not stated in your biodata, but my guess it is O positive. You are anxious right now, and your personality is weaker than I thought." Samuel exclaims, and then simply looks at Ephraim''s extended hand. "Lame."


    "Sam!" Reprimands Berthold, the doctor. He had worry laced all over his face. "I''m sorry, he''s just like this. I''m Berthold, by the way. Nice to meet you, Ephraim,"¡ªhe accepts Ephraim''s hand, and shakes it¡ª"I''m a surgeon at California, but I was called for assistance by the school president in an important project. I am an alumnus at your school."


    "Th-that''s amazing," says Ephraim.


    "Oh, and that girl over there is¡ª"


    "I¡ªI¡ªI''m Esmeralda Sanders, n-nice to meet you!" The girl says from the distance awkwardly.


    "You''re dumb and lame," Samuel blurts bluntly to Esmeralda.


    Berthold smiled apologetically at Ephraim.


    "That one there is Hiroaki, he''s a former sergeant-in-arms, though he''s retired now, even if he''s still so young," says Berthold. "I know you''ve read the biodatas, but these people won''t introduce themselves. I figured it would be rude for the team leader, so I''m taking responsibility."


    Ephraim shook his head. "It''s okay."


    "You look younger in person, we saw in your biodata that you''re also 180 cm in height, but it seems you''re a bit shorter." Berthold smiles. "Was that rude?"


    "N-not at all," Ephraim tried to muster a smile, but it looked as if he was grimacing.


    "Freaking short and lame," Samuel says. "What a joke."


    "Sam!" Berthold scolds.


    "What?" Samuel frowns. "Team leader is short and is already an adult. The girl has zero charisma. The only redeeming thing is that the sergeant looks cool in his gear, but he''s a snob, so he doesn''t pass. What kind of team is this?"


    "Ze-zero charisma?!" The girl walks towards Samuel, and then puffed her cheek. "Take that ba-back!"


    "Take that b-b-ba-back!" Samuel repeats. "You''re stuttering. Zero charisma. Lame. Shorty!"


    "What zero ch-charisma, and you¡ªyou''re short too!"


    "SHORT? WHO''RE YOU CALLIN'' SHORT?!"


    "Now, now, children . . ." Appeases Berthold. "Let''s not fight like that,"


    "I''m eighteen!" says Esmeralda. "This chi-child here, he''s the only kid here! He''s just a bit taller than me, but he-he''s short!"


    "Even if I''m a kid, I''m the smartest among all of you," says Samuel. "And say somethin'', Hiroaki jerk! Do you enjoy acting all cool there?!"


    Hiroaki gave no retort.


    "You''re such an incompetent leader," says Samuel. "Lame. Lame. Lame. You are lame, Ephraim guy."


    Ephraim pointed to himself. "W-why me . . .?"


    The quarrel continued, and from Ephraim''s spectacles, he observed his new team with a forced smile (looking like a grimace and grin fused into one). He remembered the positive attributes from their blood type he researched a night before¡ªand then he sighed exasperatingly from the inside.


    So much for pseudoscience.

 4 The Handpicked Task Force

    "Shorty, lame, stutter-girl,"


    "Annoying childish teen."


    "Hag,"


    "Immature!"


    "Uncharismatic nerd."


    "Why, you¡ªjerk!"


    "Now, now . . . isn''t this a tad too much? It''s like both of you are third graders . . ." says Berthold both to Samuel and Esmeralda. "I mean, look at your actions, two of you . . ."¡ªBerthold smiles at Ephraim, who smiled back at him lifelessly. It was like he was watching the neighborhood children throw a tantrum, and unleash premature fits¡ªEphraim couldn''t quite infer how he would react to such monstrosity. This was beyond his expertise; he was an archeologist, and a young man buried in books. He wasn''t a child-pleaser. He had difficulty dealing with children because he did not have siblings¡ªand his cousins were all older than he was. Staring at the arguing Samuel and Esmeralda looked a lot like how children fought¡ªone with a cocky smirk and one who was fuming with cheeks puffing out.


    It was already a matter of time before the president could come storming inside his office¡ªand only to see this kind of thing. Ephraim couldn''t quite figure out what to do exactly at situations like this. He was trained to decipher codes, read ancient languages and hieroglyphics; he was accustomed to mines and was adept in examining the minuscule details in a certain object. He was trained to amalgamate pieces of lost puzzles. He learned how to do what adventurers and archaeologists do, like the ones on those movies¡ªhe wasn''t a guy from a reality show taking care of children.


    "Ahem,"


    Ephraim soon snapped back from his thoughts and turned around. Standing before the opened door was a smiling Georgian Denmark, the president of the academe. He had a rich smile over his face as he observed the entirety of the space. Samuel and Esmeralda soon stopped bantering, and even Hiroaki turned to pay the president his attention.


    "Go-g-good evening, Mr. President!" Esmeralda Sanders was the first one to break the silence. She soon walked towards the direction of the president and shook his hand. He smiled at her, and her green eyes gleamed. "It''s an honor to meet you, Sir!"


    "It''s an honor to meet you as well, Miss Sanders." The president flashed a charming smile, and Ephraim was a hundred percent sure the president looked gleaming. He had a white suit and his hair was slicked back neatly. His body had toned, buff muscles and he looked like a retired adventurer celebrating his long-returned journey. The president''s blue eyes met that of Ephraim''s.


    "Hello there, Ephraim."


    "President," Ephraim nods.


    The President examines the whole room, eyeing them one by one. "I see you''re all here."


    "I trust you''ve all read the files thoroughly?"


    "Absolutely,"


    "Yes,"


    All of them answered in chorus, except Hiroaki who just gave a simple nod.


    "Is there any question you''d like to ask?"


    Silence.


    "I," Ephraim starts, "I have a question at mind."


    "What is it, team leader?"


    Ephraim nods, "I was assigned as the team leader, but I only had a biodata which gave me the likes and dislikes, blood type, profession, name, and a picture of the team members." He says. "Earlier as I talked to Samuel Albrecht, it seemed like he received a file where even my personal data including my achievements, date of birth, et cetera are stated."


    "Well, of course, I''m the smartest and youngest among all of you," says Samuel. "What''d you expect? I had the special¡ª"


    "Wait, no, I received that too," Esmeralda says.


    "Whaaaattt?!" Samuel exclaims.


    "I also have the leader''s detailed biodata," she says.


    "Actually, me too," Berthold adds. "Ephraim''s biodata is quite detailed for me, too. It''s also stated how many languages he speaks, or how tall he is, and what he weighs. I also know his allergies."


    "What?" Samuel frowns. "I didn''t receive a biodata like that."


    "I have the leader''s biodata saying how he''s afraid of rats, and his interaction with animals . . . like how he''s unafraid of anything except rats. . ." Esmeralda states. "And it''s also said on his biodata that he took an elective in zoology, a seminar in animal handling as well."


    "I didn''t have anything like that," Berthold says.


    "H-how about this¡ªdid you guys have the leader''s skills in lock picking? He had the record of fifteen tries before he gets it right. It''s one of his weaknesses."


    "Ooh, I didn''t have that,"


    "Me too."


    "W-wait a second . . ." Ephraim raised his hand halfway. "I''m not sure I can follow, but why does the team know so much about me?"


    The president smiled, "you''re smart, Ephraim Hughes. You do the math. Now is the time to show your capabilities as the team leader. Decipher what had happened."


    Ephraim pressed his lips to a thin line, realizing the team members did eye him with keen interest, waiting for what word he was going to utter.


    "The team members got my biodata with corresponding information that befitted their skills and profession. For example, the data concerning my height, weight, and my allergies were given to the doctor because he was the one capable of discerning all things pertaining to health, am I right?"


    "Correct," says the president. "And what of the irrelevant information such as how long you could lock pick, or how you had a zoology elective?"


    "Esmeralda Sanders is a biology major, and I believe telling her my weakness about a certain animal explains a lot already. The zoology elective will make her know that there are things she needn''t have to explain to me anymore."


    "Ah, correct, once more." Says the president with a smile. "But the lock pick?"


    "Samuel Albrecht is a researcher who''s both a genius and a child," Ephraim mutters, and he hears a loud ''WHAT'' from Samuel. "My skills in lock picking would make him think I am not a perfect leader and I am not superhuman, just like them. It was meant to make him overcome the pressure."


    "Wh-what?! I''m not pressured or anything!"


    "Correct." The president states. "You are indeed bright, Ephraim."


    Ephraim smiles.


    "But you seem to be forgetting something¡ªHiroaki Mochizuki," says the president, "I''ve assigned him your biodata with a piece of priceless information."


    Ephraim narrowed his eyes.


    "It''s a piece of priceless information regarding a certain year," says the president. "I presume you understand what year I am talking about?"


    Ephraim paused and smiled.


    "Certainly."


    The president flashed a smile as well.


    "Each of your members has a detailed description regarding you, Ephraim Hughes," says the president. "Yet there is one thing that is different."


    "One thing that is different?"


    "You are the only one who received each of your team''s biodata." Says the president. "Your team only have yours."


    "Meaning . . .?"


    "They are all unaware of what the others'' capabilities, except for their name and picture." The president''s eyes drifted towards Ephraim''s team. "I presume all of you had introduced yourselves to each other?"


    "Well, I''ve known Samuel ever since he was a child, so he wasn''t so much of a stranger to me." Says Berthold. "It was easy to talk to Miss Sanders, and Mr. Hiroaki was a well-known former sergeant, so it wasn''t that hard to determine which is which,"


    "Y-yes, that''s right. I''ve been searching the net for their names the night I got the biodatas." Esmeralda exclaims. "I added Dr. Berthold Wagner already on Facebook,"


    "Yes, I followed you on your Twitter as well," Berthold smiles at Esmeralda, whose cheeks reddened. "R-really? How?"


    "Your Twitter and Instagram name is the same, right? I followed you," says Berthold. "It''s just a sight to behold¡ªyou''re both a Biologist and a world-famous¡ª"


    "Um, it''s a secret!" Esmeralda exclaims, cutting the doctor mid-sentence.


    "Oi," Samuel bellows lowly. "You both are aware you AREN''T the only ones here, right?"


    "W-we''re perfectly aware, Sam." Berthold declares. "In short, President, we are all pretty aware of each other. We''ve done our own research,"


    The president nodded. "That''s good to hear."¡ªhe entwines both of his fingers together¡ªthe right with several rings and the left with nothing. "You are all handpicked by a people I trust. These people believe in you, and I am aware that all of you possess different skills¡ªand those skills will be of help to the team. You are a task force consisting of an archeologist, a biologist, a doctor, a researcher, and a former sergeant-in-arms. Each of you has his or her own advantage and disadvantage."


    "ANDROMEDA is a subsidiary space station¡ªand it had research that deviated from NASA''s prearranged task from them."


    Ephraim and the team listened eagerly as the president spoke.


    "ANDROMEDA sought to continue their research even if it strayed from the original task they should be working on. In short, from NASA''s prearranged research for them, a new project was born. Both NASA''s preset and ANDROMEDA''s swerved research was top-secret. Even we do not know what it is. Several years ago, the academe started to fund the College of Archeology to figure that top-secret research. The academe has been searching for leads, even before I was assigned as the president. The space station was long gone, but ANDROMEDA''s forensics lab was still intact. It was the only lead we could have. Former employees are now untraceable, some deceased, and some had no idea what the research was¡ªafter all, it was exclusive to the founder and its top researchers. NASA also was not that well-versed regarding ANDROMEDA''s new project; however," the President leaned both of his knuckles parallel to his lips, his elbow supporting his propelled arm.


    "The academe is certain that there is something valuable inside ANDROMEDA''s forensics laboratory. From the preceding years, we assigned our graduates whose grades have been below average¡ªas per tradition. It was what the late president did. Nonetheless, one former professor, who is also a trusted friend of mine, told me to dismiss the last will of the late president and change our tactics. The graduates always came back empty-handed, with no valuable thing that is retrieved over the course of many years," the president explains. "This is why we gathered a task force handpicked by several people whom I trusted."


    The president''s eyes drifted to Ephraim''s. "People who believe in all of you."


    "But president," Esmeralda raised her hand. "I . . . I wasn''t handpicked. I applied to this job myself."


    Ephraim and the other proceeded to stare at Esmeralda.


    "I heard this job vacancy was calling for Biologists¡ªand I¡ªthere wasn''t anyone to assign me to it. I was the one who came to process my papers to be accepted with the job . . . I''m different from these selected people here. . ."


    "Esmeralda Sanders," the president flashed, again, a charismatic smile. "Don''t you believe in yourself? You earned a spot in this task force because you believed in yourself. You are selected, and I''ve chosen you."


    "P-president . . ."


    "This job I am assigning you isn''t an easy one. The forensics laboratory is in the middle of nowhere, in the mountains of South America." The president says. "The abandoned lab is in Machu Picchu, Peru."


    "Peru . . .!" Ephraim exclaims. "Hidden within the lush Peruvian mountains, the mystical city that remained a secret for ages . . . and now is the continent''s best known archaeological site!"


    "Yes, Ephraim Hughes." Says the President. "But it is not Peru you are going to investigate, but the uninhibited laboratory. Although it can be tempting, I want this team to focus on the task at hand. You will be given the ticket to Peru, and the Academe will provide you your gear, your fees, and the whole critical enchilada for this task in a few days. I want all of you to work hard and find that valuable thing. That project ANDROMEDA had been working on. And until then, I want you to prepare . . ." The president smiles. "And get along with each other."


    "Get along with each other?" Samuel Albrecht contorted.


    "Yes, Samuel," the president exclaims. "Because a team cannot function if the members and the leader do not get along. Before your departure, I hope all of you establish a good relationship with each other."


    The president flashed the kindest smile. "And to wrap that up, why don''t we all take our dinner? Tonight is a party, after all."

 5 Andromeda, The Lost Princess

    The United States and Russia have had orbiting space stations since 1971. The first space stations were the Russian Salyut program, the U.S. Skylab program and the Russian Mir program. And since 1998, the United States, Russia, the European Space Agency, Canada, Japan, and other countries have been building and operating the International Space Station (ISS) in Earth orbit. With the ISS, humans have been living and working in outer space for more than 10 years. There are a variety of reasons for building and operating space stations, including research, industry, exploration and even tourism. The first space stations were built to study the long-term effects of weightlessness on the human body. After all, if astronauts will ever venture to Mars or other planets, then people must know how prolonged microgravity on the order of months to years will affect their health.


    From high above the Earth, space stations offer unique views to study the Earth''s weather, landforms, vegetation, oceans, and atmosphere. In addition, because space stations are above the Earth''s atmosphere, they can be used as manned observatories where space telescopes can look out upon the heavens. It has been widely known how space stations revolutionized exploration¡ªit showed what was outside of the blue skies people have known over so many years, and it gave a peek of what was the origin of the universe itself might be.


    Ephraim was an archeologist and a fan of history. He likes to connect puzzles¡ªhistorical human evolution, ancient buildings, and remnants of long-extinct creatures. These were his forte. It was the color of brown, beige, orange, and the sand he associated himself with¡ªit was the past; history. The hues of purple, blue, and black were unknown to him. Those of the color of the future¡ªthe outer space, something beyond the digs, something not from underneath the earth but above it. It was not his cup of tea, yet it didn''t mean he wasn''t intrigued. He loved archeology as much as he loved discovering things¡ªand it was not limited to relics of the past.


    Russia (then known as the Soviet Union) was the first to place a space station. The Salyut 1 station, which went into orbit in 1971, was actually a combination of the Almaz and Soyuz spacecraft systems. The Almaz system was originally designed for space military purposes, but repurposed for the civilian Salyut space station. The Soyuz spacecraft ferried cosmonauts from Earth to the space station and back. After Soyuz 11, the Soviets launched another space station, Salyut 2, but it failed to reach orbit. The Soviets followed with Salyut''s 3-5. These flights tested the new Soyuz spacecraft and crews manned these stations for increasingly longer missions. One drawback of these space stations was that they had only one docking port for the Soyuz spacecraft and could not be re-supplied from Earth by other ships.


    This was between and after the time ANDROMEDA deviated from the research. During this period, funding for ANDROMEDA halted as well. Ephraim couldn''t quite connect the subsidiary space station of NASA to these seemingly important preceding events¡ªANDROMEDA was viewed little to no significance at all. People knew it existed, but it was something like a piece of knowledge about ketchup. It was there as a condiment, and people had known of its existence, yet it wasn''t really viewed with high regard such as a burger.


    In 1984, President Ronald Reagan proposed that the United States, in cooperation with other countries, build a permanently inhabited space station. Reagan envisioned a station that would have government and industry support. To help with the enormous costs of the station, the U.S. forged a cooperative effort with 14 other countries (Canada, Japan, Brazil, and the European Space Agency, which is comprised of United Kingdom, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Spain, Switzerland, and Sweden). . .


    "Now this simply doesn''t make any sense," says Ephraim to himself. Immediately he shut his notebook out and breathed deeply.


    The desk was neat, with no draft and crumpled papers. Underneath the desk was a clean floorboard. There was no box left unboxed. Everything was in order now, much like Ephraim''s usual. But there was something Ephraim knows he''s missing¡ªit was his organization on thoughts. He had just researched things about the space station, hoping for a clue . . .


    But then again; zilch. Null. Nil. None.


    There was nothing but information, and information, and information after another which did not help his already exploding brain. He wanted to gauge his eyes out. He was exhausted from reading and thinking. He''d read the text yet there wasn''t any comprehension at all. Ephraim tried to outline, summarize his thoughts into a bullet form but he finds himself simply holding his pen, thoughts drifting again.


    Ephraim sighed, and then he again browsed the net with his laptop. He came across several sites he already clicked and found one result he hasn''t.


    "I hope I''m not wasting my time . . ."¡ªhe says, clicking the link.


    ANDROMEDA, THE LOST PRINCESS


    "Ah, fiction . . ." Ephraim mumbles. He had confused a book over the abandoned space station. He must be tired. He scrolled to the text, scanning its contents briefly. Ephraim thought to himself he must be crazy for thinking there must be a clue even here. He had a weird feeling there is. He read a passage quickly.


    "Andromeda, what did you do?" The knights ask with a slight tremble in his voice; in his hand was a corpse clad in a bloodied, luxurious robe. "You murdered the king!"


    "Let him be, Lancelot," Andromeda says coldly. "Let his blood bathe the throne. His rule now ends."


    "King Arthur . . . my king!" Lancelot grieves. "Andromeda, how could you . . . how could you do this to your father?"


    "Merlin chose the wrong king," Andromeda says. "Guinevere chose the wrong husband,"


    "And you, Lancelot," Andromeda points her sword to the grieving knight. "Was wrong to trust me,"


    "Is this a fanfiction about King Arthur?" Ephraim mutters and then stares at the cover. It was a young girl with a pale, silver hair. A moon was behind her, and she sat upon a stone as water circled over her. There were stars and clouds and it looked as if she was waiting.


    Ephraim exited the browser and turned his laptop off. It was already midnight, and he already wasted his time. He had searched for space stations, yet he found himself more engrossed around fictional stories over factual information. He wanted to hit himself from that.


    He tried to shut his eyes and sleep, only to last five minutes unable to drift into a deep slumber.


    When Arthur marries Guinevere, her father gives Arthur the Round Table, at which 150 men can sit. Guinevere, who is often present at the convening of the Round Table, acts as a moral compass for the knights, rewarding knights who behave well and chastising those who choose poorly. Malory specifically relates the stories of Sir Gawain, Sir Tor, and Sir Pellanor as a means of introducing the concept of chivalry.


    Guinevere and Arthur had a daughter and named her as the universe. Her name was Andromeda. Lancelot, Arthur''s knight, had personally become Andromeda''s personal knight, his loyalty solely to Arthur''s daughter.


    "Lancelot, Lancelot!"


    "Yes, princess?"


    "I love you! I wuv you!"


    Lancelot chuckles. "Yes, Princess Andromeda, I love you too."


    "So, Lancelot," Andromeda starts. "When will Papa and Mama come to visit me in this tower?"


    Lancelot stared at Andromeda''s big, purple eyes. He smiled and ruffled her hair. "Anytime soon, I believe. The king and queen are busybodies. You are their universe, so they''re making the world a better place for you so you three can live in peace."


    "Is that why Mama and Papa refuse to come to this tower because they want to clean the world first?" Andromeda asks.


    "Yes, princess."


    Silence.


    "Lancelot?"


    "Yes?"


    "Do they really exist?"


    "What do you mean, Princess?"


    "Do Mama and Papa really exist?" Andromeda asks, sadness laced over her eyes.


    "Of course they exist, Princess . . . why would I even lie to you?"


    Andromeda embraced her stuffed bunny closer to her chest. "But I''ve never seen them before. I only see them on pictures, but they never visited me . . . did they visit me when I was a baby, Lancelot?"


    "O-of course they did, Andromeda," Lancelot exclaims. "I was there too."


    Andromeda puffed her cheek. "Really?"


    "Yes, really."


    "Ha!"


    A sword was pointed to Lancelot, who was now thrown off the ground. Before him was a panting young lady, a grin slowly creeping to her delicate face.


    "You lost, Lancelot." Andromeda extends her arm to Lancelot, and then both of them smiled at each other.


    "Yes, princess. I did,"


    "For the hundredth time, I defeated you. But you''re holding back," Andromeda says. "Why is that?"


    "Because you''re . . ."


    "A girl?"


    "The princess." Lancelot corrects. "You cannot be doing this. You should be studying, learning music, drawing . . ."


    "But I love swords."


    "Yes, but . . ."


    "And you permitted me to have one,"


    "That was because I¡ª"


    "You even gave me tips."


    "I¡ª"


    "Lancelot, it''s your fault, you''ve been spoiling me."


    Andromeda laughed heartily. It was the time she was happy, even if no one but Lancelot came to visit her in the lone tower.


    . . . several pages ahead . . .


    "I''m meeting father?" Andromeda asks excitedly. "I''m meeting my family now, Lancelot?"


    Lancelot nods. "Yes, you''re eighteen now. And your debut will just be a matter of time. You won''t be staying in this tower anymore."


    A few pages more . . .


    "I''m sorry, Princess."


    "Why¡ª" Andromeda covers her face with her bare hands. "Why must my family hate me? Why can''t I meet them, Lancelot? Why do they want to keep me in this tower?"


    "Princess . . ."


    "Ever since I was born, I was stuck in this tower for God knows how long. I was raised here by nursemaids without the sign of my father and mother. Only their picture had been the one I''ve ever seen their faces. . ." Andromeda sobs. "I only wanted to be with them . . ."


    A few pages more . . .


    "You¡ªwhy are you not on your tower?! Lancelot . . .!"


    "Father¡ªI¡ª"


    "Get out," the king says. "Get her out of here now. Imprison her to that tower! Why are you not doing your job, Lancelot!"


    "Im-imprison?" Andromeda repeats. "F-father, it''s me, Andromeda¡ªI¡ªI just want to meet you . . ."


    "LANCELOT!"


    "Understood," Lancelot says, and seizes Andromeda by her waist, and then walked away from the king.


    NO INTERNET CONNECTION


    It would be a very long day tomorrow, after all.

 6 Before Ephraim Goes

    The president''s mansion was of a neo vernacular design. It had towering heights of the glass-clad scheme. It had a modern design with a vintage touch. There were people shawled in delicate gowns hugging the curves of their body, deliciously worn tuxedos in firm bodies. It was a gathering of higher society¡ªdown from the gravity of their grace to their seemingly flawless faces spoke of lengths. This was the spectrum the president belonged to.


    Walking with the task force along with the president stole some glances. It was definitive how people eyed them with keen interest, some with judgment masked in sweet smiles. Ephraim could tell because he was trained to be an observer. He eyed Esmeralda, who was walking with her head bowed down, perceptibly awkward and uncomfortable. She was biting her lip as she walked¡ªand reactions like these befitted these individuals; it was a sign of weakness. A sign of intimidation.


    They arrived shortly in a place where you could see in movies with Victorian settings. They were now in the mezzanine, and below them was a vast space filled with food, people wearing gowns and tuxedos talking and interacting, and waiters strolling handing out champagne flutes. It was certainly a banquet; a multi-course meal was served to a large number of people. Ephraim knows that banquets are held for a variety of reasons, from wedding celebrations to corporate events. Banquet staff serves food and beverages to those in attendance. It was his first time attending one.


    "Now, my guests." Says the President, loud enough to call for everyone''s attention. The chatters died down as their attention shifted to the President, who was standing above them like a king. Ephraim and his task force have been on his side¡ªand this felt familiar for Ephraim for some reason.


    "I thank you all for attending tonight''s party," he says. "For the commemoration of the most talented people, we have who dedicate themselves to the path to discovery."¡ªa pause, and then he faces the task force, his eyes set on Ephraim¡ª"I can only express my deep regard with this little banquet."


    The president gets the champagne flute from the butler''s tray. He raises the glass, and then flashed a smile.


    "To the task force!" He exclaims while raising the champagne flute.


    "To the task force!"


    **


    Peru is a country in South America; home to a section of the Amazon rainforest and Machu Picchu, an ancient Incan city high in the Andes mountains. The region around Machu Picchu, including the Sacred Valley, Inca Trail, and colonial city of Cusco, is rich in archaeological sites. On Peru''s arid Pacific coast is Lima, the capital, with a preserved colonial center and important collections of pre-Columbian art.


    Ancient people, called the Chim¨² and the Nasca, first inhabited this region thousands of years ago. The coastal desert makes up only about 10 percent of Peru, but it is home to more than half of all Peruvians. The world''s largest rain forest, the Amazon, covers nearly half of Peru. Called the selva in Spanish, this enormous wilderness, which also covers half of Brazil, is home to plants and animals that do not live anywhere else on Earth.


    Peru is a country with prevalent historical sites. The earliest inhabitants arrived there about 15,000 years ago. Societies emerged on the west coast more than 5,000 years ago and began to spread inland. These included the Chav¨ªn, the Moche, and the Nasca. One of the most important Peruvian cultures was the Inca, who lived in Peru around 600 years ago. Their capital, Cusco, is still a major city today. The Inca also built Machu Picchu, a famous and mysterious ancient city in the Andes. They thrived for centuries before being conquered by the Spanish in 1532.


    Because it has so many different ecosystems, Peru is home to a wider variety of plants and animals than most other countries on Earth. For many reasons, Peruvians have not had as much of an impact on their natural world as many other countries, and much of these ecosystems have been undisturbed. Peru is also one of the richest countries in the world in terms of natural resources. Gold, silver, copper, zinc, lead, and iron are found across the country, and there are reserves of oil and natural gas. Peru''s mountains support special types of grasses and plants, which provide food for mammals like llamas, alpacas, and vicu?as. One plant that grows in the Andes, the puya raimondi, grows for a hundred years before blooming.


    In short, Peru is one of the places Archeologists can thrive. It is by far rich in resources as well as in culture and history. It was one of the countries Ephraim wanted to visit after his supposed project in an excavation site in Cairo, Egypt. However, as people say, there are things we cannot control and things cannot always go according to one''s plan. He had a hard time believing things like that due to the fact that he was a man driven by scientific lore; Ephraim refused to be governed by these vague tell-tales, proses, and ambiguous counsels.


    "We''re going to miss you, Raim,"


    "Mom . . ."


    Ephraim''s mother sobbed on the phone. "I still can''t believe it . . . you''re going to the mountains? What about bears . . .? Snakes?"


    "I''m trained in animal handling, mother." Ephraim hushes his mother over the phone. "I''ll be okay. Trust me,"


    Ephraim''s mother was someone who had wild dealings with him for choosing archeology over medicine. His mother, Joana Dakota Hughes, was a woman of firm standing. She was once a teacher in history, but she wasn''t given the opportunity to teach for long when she had Ephraim shortly after graduation. Ever since then she became a full-time housewife when her OB had said that she cannot have a child anymore due to her PCOS.


    Joana had lost another son (Ephraim''s twin) because of another disease. Ephraim''s twin was a baby who died several minutes after birth. They said he was the one to cry the loudest, and Ephraim was one with the faintest breaths. He was told that his twin brother was a boy whose face was similar to him except his twin looked bigger in comparison¡ªbut to their surprise, Ephraim''s twin died after howling and crying loudly after he was laid on his mother''s arm; it was Ephraim who was expected to arrive at death''s door due to his faint breaths, and unresponsiveness. Joana repeatedly told Ephraim how Ignacio died on her arm, and Ephraim was on another, seemingly getting livelier until his faint breaths became loud fits of sobs and cries. He was told Ignacio was born holding Ephraim''s hand, and maybe (they said) he had protected Ephraim from the disease and sacrificed his life for his baby brother to survive. To honor his twin brother, Joana and Manuel named the surviving twin as Ephraim Ignacio.


    These preceding events made Joana an overly doting mother; even with Ephraim''s decision to what degree he would take was a huge issue to Joana. From what he would like to spend his time was an issue to Joana. To his interests to the most insignificant thing was an issue to her. This includes his chosen path. She wanted him to be a doctor, but Ephraim didn''t want to be stuck in a hospital dealing with sick people. He wasn''t good with people in the first place.


    "I like Archeology," he says at the dinner table once.


    "You will take BS Nursing as a premedical course," his mother replies, "and take the exam for medicine."


    "No."


    "Yes," Joana says sternly. "You will be a doctor, Ephraim."


    "I would not be a doctor," Ephraim says equally stern. "I will never be a doctor,"


    "You will be a doctor!" Joana stressed the last word. "I already asked our relatives for the starting fee. I know you could get a scholarship, Ephraim. I know of your capabilities because I am your mother. You can easily go to med school!"


    "I don''t want to go to med school, even if you want me to," Ephraim says. "I''m not taking BS Nursing."


    "The University of High East, UHE, a private institution¡ªjust offered you the opportunity to take it!" Joana exclaims. "Not everyone can get that offer, Ephraim! Use your head!"


    "I am perfectly capable of using my head, Mom." Ephraim calmly says. "But please consider this as well. UHE did not just offer me BS Nursing but also BS Archeology,"


    "Nonsense!" Joana says, "You will be taking BS Nursing. You will be a doctor. Do you understand that, Ephraim?"


    "How many times do I have to say this, Mom?" Ephraim states. "I would never be a doctor."


    "But¡ªbut look at your cousin Timothy! He''s close to getting that MD now. He''s a resident doctor in San Francisco already. Learn from him. He''s helping people. He''s discovering things. Isn''t that what you want, Raim?"


    "That''s right, Mom," Ephraim exclaims. "I want to discover things. I want to help people understand the past and how the world came to be."


    "Th-then it''s the same, Raim! It''s just that med is better for you." Joana appeases, evoking a smile. "They''re the same. You love discovering stuff, right? Then the med school is for you."


    Ephraim chuckles. "Mom. I told you before. I won''t be a doctor."


    Joana snaps, and slams her fists to the table.


    "Why don''t you understand me, stupid child?! Med school will enable you to discover things AND help people. Whilst Archeology will make you find some stupid junk, and for what, Ephraim? To be displayed in a museum? A museum nobody even cares of?"


    And at this point, the teenage Ephraim wanted to snap at his mother. He forced a smile.


    "Mom. Finding relics of historical significance isn''t junk. You know this yourself. Your major was history."


    "History was a waste of time," Joana exclaims. "And I don''t want you to waste your time too to chase for an insignificant dream. Being an archeologist is nothing compared to being a doctor, Ephraim."


    "It''s useless comparing, Mom," Ephraim exclaims. "They''re two different jobs. Why do you even bother to compare?"


    "It''s because I care for you, Raim. I know you''re a smart child. I don''t want you wasting your talent over something as trivial as archeology."


    "You don''t understand me."


    "Ephraim, I am your mother. I''m the one who understands you best!"


    "Joana."


    "Manuel!"


    Ephraim''s face grew stoic as his father slowly sauntered towards the dining room. Their eyes met¡ªblue eyes to green ones. His father matched his curls, yet his father''s hair was black.


    "What are you two talking about?" Manuel Hughes asks as he sits down, with Joana serving him food.


    "Your son here refuses to become a doctor!"


    "A doctor?"


    "Yes! I believe, with Raim''s wits and capabilities, he would be an exceptional one,"


    "Do you want that, Ignacio?"


    "Do not call me Ignacio." Says Ephraim. "I don''t want to study medicine. I will fund my own studies if you won''t support me."


    "Hah." His father snorted. "What of your dorm, allowance, and all?"


    "I don''t care," Ephraim exclaims. "I''ll study archeology whether you like it or not. And I''ll get a job if you won''t fund it."


    "Very well," Manuel says.


    Ephraim stood up and exited the dining room. His mother was still bantering and complaining, yet nothing sank to his mind but his father calling him THAT name. It felt like an insult to him.


    **


    "Ephraim . . . I''ll miss you. Call me every hour or so, okay?"


    "Mom, it''s not like I''m going somewhere too far. I''ll come back sooner than you realize."


    "Please come back soon," his mother murmurs. "I''ll miss you, my baby."


    "I''ll miss you too, Mom."

 7 Be Careful

    "Man, I can''t believe you''re going." Lucian Guerrero says to Ephraim. "I thought we would go together to Cairo."


    "Yeah," was all Ephraim could muster to say. "I thought so too."


    Lucian had been his friend ever since middle school. They were typical classmates turned into friends; ones with same interests, and with same ambitions. The only different thing about them is that¡ªLucian is Lucian, and Ephraim is Ephraim. Lucian Guerrero is the most zealous, brash, and belligerently clingy person he ever knew.


    Lucian had been the first person to ever pick a fight with Ephraim at middle school (solely because he misunderstood him) and that was the start of their friendship. Ephraim was the kind of person who would smile at everyone, and would help you with your homework¡ªwhereas Lucian on the other hand, looked standoffish; with his long, brunette hair, and bangs almost covering his sharp, dark eyes, he certainly gave the vibe of an evil lord emitting a dark aura. He had the face of a snob, and he was impetuous and loud¡ªwhich was the opposite of Ephraim who was more collected, gentle, and just generally had warm air around him.


    "You''re odd," says Lucian when Ephraim was helping him with an assignment. They were the only ones left in class; Ephraim had volunteered to help Lucian, who was one of the students to take extra lessons due to his failing grades. He was teaching him mathematics¡ªamong other subjects.


    Ephraim tilted his head. "Odd?"


    Lucian nods.


    "I don''t understand, but thank you." Ephraim dismissively exclaims. "So, in order to get the x-intercept . . ."


    "You''re a fake," Lucian bluntly says. "You''re always smiling. It''s weird."


    Ephraim blinked. "Pardon?"


    "You''re young, but you''re . . . old. You talk like you''re old, but you''re just my age. It''s weird," Lucian says as he plays with the pencil. "It''s odd."


    "Anyway, look at the Cartesian plane. . ."


    "You''re faking everything. Being nice to everyone and all. I know you''re mad sometimes," Lucian exclaims. "But you still smile. You''re kind of a sham."


    "I don''t consider myself as one," Ephraim exclaims. "I''m teaching you. Could you please listen? You''re going to fail at this point."


    "Why are you so concerned anyway?" Lucian smirks. "Didn''t ask you to teach me,"


    THUD.


    Lucian blinked and saw a pen digging right through the paper down to the wooden desk. He slowly raised his head to see a smiling Ephraim, looking down at him.


    "I said," Ephraim states. "Look at the Cartesian plane,"


    "Y-yes?" Lucian obeys quickly and stares at the hole on the paper.


    "Now, in order to get the x-intercept, you need to look at this axis . . ."


    **


    "I don''t get it, but I think you''re going to screw it up," Lucian says. "Gut feeling."


    "Screw it up?"


    ". . . I''m not you, Lucian,"


    "THE POINT IS," Lucian grabs both of Ephraim''s shoulder. "She''s cute. Totally my type."


    "Esmeralda?"


    "That''s her name?" Lucian grinned. "Cute. Make sure to give me her number once you have it."


    "I have it," Ephraim says nonchalantly. "But I won''t give my team member''s personal data so easily. Are you stupid?"


    Lucian grunted. "It''s because you have it easy with women¡ªwhile I have zero luck with them. I graduated and haven''t even got on a date!"


    "It''s because you''re loud," Ephraim mutters.


    They were in an airport; Ephraim''s flight to Peru was about 9 AM in the morning. Only he and Esmeralda were the first ones to arrive. Esmeralda was sitting on the bleachers meters away from them, head bowed down. Lucian, who was sending Ephraim off, had his eyes set on the small biologist. Lucian has been one of the boys who had a hard time talking to women even in his age. Lucian, after all, had an uncanny impulse of retorting with an angry tone whenever he talks to any woman. He scared off every woman in the class (Cecily had been scared of him since day one).


    He was poles apart from the gentle Ephraim.


    "Damn . . . she''s so cute." Lucian exclaims. "I like her. She looks cute in that ponytail. Her hair''s so long. She''s so cute,"


    "It''s because of that online game you''re playing, right?" Ephraim says. "It''s that small character."


    "N-n-no! Wh-what the hell, o-online games? Are you friggin'' serious? Ha-ha-ha, I don''t play those kinds of n-nerdy kinds of stuff."


    "Yes, yes. I''ll just dismiss the fact you sent me an invitation code to an Otome game," Ephraim exclaims. "Doki Doki Love Love Academy? Are you serious, Lucian?"


    "Fine, dammit," Lucian cursed. "It''s not my fault I can''t handle women. I needed a freakin'' guide."


    "Right," Ephraim smiles. "And you got addicted."


    "Addicted? No," Lucian says with a straight face. "I learned."


    "Yes, your taste definitely shifted from bust to loli."


    "I- I¡ª"


    "You''re so na?ve, Luce," Ephraim says. "Oh. Looks like the two of the team are here."


    Berthold and Samuel came with their backpacks and had dressed neatly. Berthold had a briefcase, which (as far as Ephraim could guess) contents comprised of medical supplies.


    "Hello, team leader." Berthold greets. His eyes drifted to Lucian.


    "Berthold, this is Lucian," Ephraim says. "Sam, this is Lucian."


    "Che," Samuel retorts.


    "Hello, Lucian," Berthold politely exclaims as he shakes Lucian''s hand.


    "Sup?"


    Berthold smiles. "I presume you''re here to send Ephraim off?"


    Lucian grinned. "You betcha. Raim''s gonna be lonely, his Mom sent me to send him off."


    Samuel snorted. "Mama''s boy, huh?"


    Lucian tilted his head and looked down on Samuel. His gaze went back to Berthold. "Your brother?"


    "WHAT DID YOU SAY?" Samuel retorts grimly. "BROTHER?"


    "No, no, no." Berthold shakes his head, as he raised both of his arms and waves it in disagreement. "He''s a part of the task force."


    "That''s odd, he''s short," Lucian says bluntly. "How old are you? 12?"


    Samuel exclaims a loud curse; "I''m the freakin'' researcher in this stupid team. Know who you''re talkin'' to!"


    Lucian grinned and ruffled Samuel''s hair.


    "You kinda remind me of my elementary self," Lucian exclaims.


    "WHAT? ASSH¡ª"


    Ephraim refused to listen to Samuel''s bantering, and the dense Lucian adding fuel to the fire. Berthold was there to calm Samuel down, and Lucian did not have a single filter in his mouth¡ªit was evident he considers Samuel as a child, and (did not know) it was offensive. Ephraim sauntered to the vending machine to get a canned coffee, and then headed to the waiting area, sitting beside Esmeralda. He hands her the coffee.


    "Th-thanks," Esmeralda says, and then for a second, their eyes met. She immediately averted her big, lush green eyes, and then proceeded to stare at the cold canned coffee in her hand.


    Ephraim drank the coffee, as he stares at her.


    "Are you okay?" He asks.


    "O-oh. Yes. I¡ªI''m fine."


    "That''s good," Ephraim exclaims. "Esmeralda,"


    "Y-yes?"


    "I have been wondering . . . why did you take the job?" Ephraim asks, not looking at Esmeralda. "There are many things you can do that focuses on your expertise."


    Esmeralda remained silent.


    Ephraim faced her and saw her gaze was still fixated on the coffee. Her wavy, honey-blonde strands fell on the side of her face, which masked her expression.


    "Sorry, was that too intrusive?" Says Ephraim. "Anyways¡ª"


    "I¡ª" Esmeralda starts. "I wanted to . . . get out of my comfort zone."¡ªshe says, as her grip tightens to the canned coffee¡ª"I wanted t-to . . . not be too strange."


    Ephraim stares at her for a while and then smiles.


    "I see."


    Esmeralda blinks and then lifts her head a bit to look at Ephraim. She only mustered to stare for mere seconds before she averted her gaze once more.


    "Oi, hag, stupid team leader," says Samuel. "Hiroaki''s here."


    Hiroaki Mochizuki arrived at the airport already wearing a gear. He had a black leather belt with a pocket for guns and ammo. He had military boots, and he walked with such air; people eyed him with mixed fascination and confusion. Hiroaki Mochizuki was a man with an appeal, Ephraim was aware of that. He had handsome features, and a tall stature matched with a lean, toned body. He was a head-turner. Even Esmeralda raised her gaze to stare at Hiroaki.


    "Who the hell comes to the airport on a gear?" Samuel exclaims. "Is this even legal?"


    "I suppose, there are exceptions," Berthold says.


    Both Esmeralda and Ephraim went towards Berthold and Samuel. Hiroaki leaned to the glass walls, closed his eyes, and then crossed his arms.


    "Asshole didn''t even bother to greet," Samuel says, clearly annoyed. "He''s almost cool but he''s a friggin'' snob."


    "Ah, Sam. You like him, huh?" Berthold exclaims as he smiled.


    "What the hell are you talking about, Bert?"


    "It''s unusual of you to praise someone."


    "Che,"


    Although Ephraim and Esmeralda walked together towards Berthold and Samuel, Esmeralda kept her distance, with head bowed down. Samuel went towards her with a cocky smirk plastered over his face and then started to tease and banter. With that as a trigger, Esmeralda snapped and also started to mock Samuel, leaving Berthold and Ephraim simply looking at them with tired, dead eyes.


    "Hag!"


    "Shorty!"


    "Uncharismatic!"


    "Immature!"


    "Aha . . . children," Berthold starts. "This is why I refused to be a Pediatrician . . ."


    Ephraim eyed Berthold, who was looking tired through his spectacles. Ephraim had the habit of observing people and associating them with movie characters¡ªif the president was Rick O''Connell, then Dr. Berthold Wagner would be a younger version of Keanu Reeves. He thought of Esmeralda, Samuel, and Hiroaki as well. He still couldn''t associate Esmeralda and Hiroaki with anyone, but he could think of Samuel being Kevin from Home Alone. He definitely did not look like Macaulay Culkin, but Samuel Albrecht''s devilish attitude reminded him of the character''s childish, playful traps.


    "That reminds me, Doctor," Ephraim says. "You are summoned by the president to this project, even if you got a job, right?"


    "Hm? Yes,"


    "Why did you ditch your job for this project?" Ephraim asks.


    "Aha. . . . yes. I figured that would confuse you," Berthold answers. "I had a stable job in California, but let''s just put this in Layman''s term. The president and I had been in rough situations back in the days, and he did favors for me. It''s time I return the favor."


    Ephraim eyes Berthold keenly, and then he proceeded to smile.


    "I see."


    "Your flight''s in a few minutes," Lucian says. "And it seems like you can board the plane now."


    "Oh," Ephraim exclaims and nods at Berthold, who went towards the arguing Esmeralda and Samuel to appease them. They went to board the plane with Hiroaki following.


    "So . . ." Ephraim starts. "Off I go. Tell my Mom I cried before I boarded,"


    Lucian grinned, "yeah."


    Ephraim snorted. "You look like you''re going to miss me,"


    Lucian grimaced. "What the hell bro, no homo."¡ªLucian laughed, and then as his laughter disappeared, it was replaced with a small smile. "Anyways . . . take care, and be careful out there, Raim."


    Ephraim chortled, and then tilted his head a bit as a hint of his bemusement. "You''re a bit of a worrywart today, are you a mother hen? What in the world have you eaten?"


    "Ass," says Lucian. "No, I didn''t eat ass; you''re an ass, specifically."


    "Ah," Ephraim nods, evoking his usual smile. "Off I go now. Tell Mom I''m alive and well, and I would come back shortly. I know she asked you to come in her stead." He says. "You can go now. I don''t want my team thinking I''m parting ways too emotionally,"


    Before Ephraim could even turn to board the plane, Lucian''s grip on his shoulders had stopped him to take even a step. He turned to glare at Lucian, yet Lucian was, for the first time¡ªhad an austerely worried look written all over his face. Ephraim, for a second, felt vexed as their gaze met. He has never seen Lucian like this.


    "Be careful, Raim," Lucian says.


    "I would be," Ephraim answers, a bit perplexed. "You''re really acting weird, Luce."


    "I know," Lucian exclaims. "My gut''s been telling me some weird stuff."


    "Guts don''t talk."


    "I know, Dumbass," says Lucian. "But be careful out there."


    "Yes, yes, mother hen." Ephraim smiles and brushes Lucian''s hand off. "Don''t be too worried, it''s not like I''m going for good,"


    At that time . . . if only Ephraim realized the weight of Lucian''s words¡ª


    If only he had taken his words to heart . . . he would have¡ªhe could have saved all of them.


    If only.

 8 Lima

    From Inca citadel with Temple of the Sun residing in Machu Picchu to the ruins of an ancient temple situated in Qorikancha, to the giant condors in Colca Canyon, and the 6th century walled chachapoya ruins situated in Ku¨¦lap, down to Saqsaywaman, Huayna Picchu, and Moray¡ªPeru thrived.


    People visited and frolicked around Lima, the capital of Peru, whilst they rummaged through these iconic tourist desti2nations¡ªand tourists did not only comprise of sightseers who traveled to take pictures. There were people who came to these locations carrying items meant to examine and amalgamate relics. People who came to investigate both scientific and historical significance of bits and pieces they could find.


    Archeologists.


    Machu Picchu has been known to be settling high in the slopes of Andes, its ruins continue to reveal the secrets of the Inca Empire. Incan Empire, or Inka Empire, was considered to be the biggest domain in pre-Columbian America. The city of Cusco harbored its administrative, political, and military center. In the 13th century, the Inca civilizations arose from the Peruvian highlands and then continued to develop over the course of many years.


    Hiram Bingham III, an explorer, had encountered Machu Picchu in 1911 upon searching for Vilcabamba, a different city. It was a capital to which the Incan had fled after Spanish conquistadors arrived in 1532. As time passed by, it was then recognized as the legendary Lost City of the Inca. Bingham spent most of his life with the argument about Machu Picchu and Vilcabamba. He had told people both cities were the same; his theory lasted until after his death in 1956. It seemed like the real Vilcabamba was situated in the jungle about 50 miles west of Machu Picchu. Recent research has cast doubt on whether Machu Picchu had ever been forgotten at all. When Bingham reached Machu Picchu, three families of farmers were living at the site.


    The stones in the most striking edifices all the way through the Inca Empire used no mortar. Precisely were these stones had been cut, and compressed so closely together, even a card cannot be interleaved in the middle of the compressed rocks. Notwithstanding the apparent appeal of the building style, engineering advantages are also found within the infrastructures. Peru is a seismically unstable country¡ªboth Lima and Cusco have been steamrolled by seismic activity¡ªand Machu Picchu itself was built on the crest of two fault lines. When an earthquake occurs, the stones in an Inca building are said to "dance;" bouncing through quakes and then fall back into place. Without this construction technique, innumerable preeminent structures at Machu Picchu would have malformed a long time ago.


    A trip to Machu Picchu is costly. The train tickets from Cusco can run more than a hundred dollars each, and entry fees range from $47 to $62 depending on which is the chosen option. In between, a round-trip bus trip up and down the 2,000-feet-high slope atop which the Inca ruins are located costs another $24. The steep path roughly trails Hiram Bingham''s 1911 itinerary and offers astonishing views of the Machu Picchu Historical Sanctuary, which looks almost as it did in Bingham''s time. The climb is strenuous and takes about 90 minutes.


    The theory proposed by the Italian archaeoastronomer Giulio Magli states that the journey to Machu Picchu from Cusco had a ritualistic reason: reverberating the otherworldly voyage according to the first Inca''s tradition when they departed the Island of the Sun in Lake Titicaca. Rather than merely following a more practical path along the banks of the Urubamba River, the Inca constructed the impractical but an appealingly spectacular Inca Trail, which according to Magli, arranged wayfarers for entry into Machu Picchu. The final leg of the journey would have finished with ascending to Intihuatana Stone, the peak in the main ruins.


    Archeologists could find hiking straining during this time, but of course, it was a part of the job to go examine and go to perilous lengths to embark on such expeditions. It was a prerequisite to have a trained body in order to last in these strenuous trips. Archeologists cannot possess a body that is compromised in terms of physiques; this is why archeologists are usually tan, with tone bodies and callous hands. They were trained to handle the risks treks could bring. Expeditions, after all, had taken innumerable lives of archeologists. That''s how dangerous the job could be.


    Ephraim has had a trip to several countries as per the subject requirement. It was a dig with mostly simple relics and already discovered bits and pieces of items. But it was the first time Ephraim had been on an actual dig. The archeological site was a cave situated in America. It was the usual dig students would be first exposed to.


    Ephraim knew one of his classmates had taken an elective in Anthropology, the scientific study of humans, human behavior, and societies in the past and present. Anthropology is the study of what makes us human. Anthropologists take a broad approach to understand the numerous aspects of the human experience called holism. They consider the past, through archaeology, to see how human groups lived hundreds or thousands of years ago and what was important to them.


    In the dig they explored as a prerequisite, BS Archeology students have seen several things that had emphasized ancestral habitation. These comprised of materials that emphasized historical significance¡ªmarkings, relics, and trails. The first time Ephraim saw such a thing, he was fascinated. He was deemed speechless and amazed, just like everyone. They were like young birds learning how to fly¡ªthey were learning the ropes.


    In the blink of an eye, Ephraim Ignacio Hughes was an official archeologist, a graduate of one of the top private institutions. He wasn''t just Ephraim now, the boy who dreamt to explore. He was a young man with a bright future ahead¡ªcolors he could see from his spectacles were the color of beige, brown, orange, and yellow; the color of the sand. The color of temples. The color of mud. These were the colors of the past.


    The team had arrived in Lima first, the capital of the country. After Cairo, this expansive city is the second-driest world capital, mounting directly above an elongated seashore of disintegrating sea cliff. Tourists usually climb on the wave of chaos that spans high-rise condos constructed together with pre-Columbian temples.


    Lima is the capital and the chief metropolis of Peru. It is situated in the Chill¨®n valleys, R¨ªmac and Lur¨ªn rivers, in the central seaside of the country, overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Alongside Callao seaport, it forms a neighboring urban region branded as the Lima Metropolitan Area. With a population of more than 9 million, Lima is the most populated urban area of Peru and the seventh-largest metropolitan area in the Americas.


    The team had arrived in Lima after a sickening several hour flight. It was Samuel who came out of the plane first and vomited to the nearest garbage can. He continued vomiting, his back being stroked by Berthold. Hiroaki again came out last and leaned to a wall with his arms crossed. He closed his eyes again and had dismissed everyone else.


    Esmeralda, on the other hand, came out with Ephraim. They were holding to several things; some bags, and several other things such as sweaters. After Samuel finished puking, they proceeded to find the ones who were tasked to pick them from the airport.


    A Lamborghini once again came to pick the task force, with the exception of the president being there. He had already told them he had an unoccupied penthouse in Lima, and the task force, as said by the president, was "more than welcome" to stay¡ªas if it was a vacation.


    The penthouse was near to the coast and had a magnificent view of Lima''s Oceanside. When Ephraim and his task force arrived finally at the modernly cozy penthouse, it somehow felt like a vacation. Ephraim had never been in a fancy place before¡ªespecially ones in another country. He already stayed in a penthouse (in one of the group expeditions) but not in one as fancy as this. The president was certainly pampering them¡ªand for some reason, Ephraim had a peculiar feeling about it. But he wasn''t so sure. This was his first job as an official archeologist; he didn''t know exactly how it''ll feel being on an actual dig. He didn''t know if the president was being generous, or if it was normal to provide so much for them.


    "Fancy." Samuel starts, his face wasn''t as pale now. He had been puking ever since he came out of the plane (Berthold told them Samuel''s weakness was long hours of transportation and physical activities). Samuel certainly looked tired, but he looked a hundred percent better now compared to an hour ago.


    "That president''s been givin'' us too much lax time," Samuel whistles. "Fancy place. Beach. Is this a vacation?"


    "No, Sam," says Berthold. "This is work."


    "Che," Sam''s eyes drifted towards Esmeralda, who was eyeing everything in awe.


    "First time, hag?" Samuel teasingly exclaims.


    Esmeralda frowns.


    "First time in a penthouse?"


    "S-so what?" Esmeralda retorts, crossing her arms.


    Samuel flashed a cocky smirk. "You''ve been drooling while you stared,"


    "Wha¡ª?!" Esmeralda blushed furiously, and then the two of them chased each other around the penthouse.


    "Aha . . . children," Berthold says as he walks to Ephraim who had now walked towards the veranda, staring vacantly at the penthouse which faced the ocean.


    "Ephraim?"


    Ephraim turned his head to face Berthold to smile.


    "Raim is fine,"


    Both Berthold and Ephraim stared at the oceans of Lima¡ªthey were nowhere in Peru. It wouldn''t be long until they go to Machu Picchu, where ANDROMEDA is located. Ephraim welcomed the warm breeze of the ocean, staring at the sun setting with his favorite hues; the color of orange, with a tad of purple, blue, and sandy beige. It was the shade of the past.


    "So, Raim," Berthold starts. "You''re the team leader. Machu Picchu is an unexplored site. . ."


    Ephraim''s eyes set to Berthold, who was staring at the ocean.


    "Do you plan to excavate?" Berthold asks. "After we search for the research in ANDROMEDA?"


    "Hm. . ." Ephraim smiles. "I don''t really know, but,"


    Berthold eyed Ephraim, who was staring again at the ocean vacantly.


    "I''m not sure." Says Ephraim. "I don''t think I''ll let the opportunity to pass."


    "So you plan to disobey the president?" Berthold chuckles as he asks.


    "Not necessarily." Ephraim flashed his usual smile.


    "Oh . . ."


    Ephraim sighed as he hears two bantering voices getting louder as time passes by.


    "You''re so uncharismatic!"


    "Short, short, short!"


    "I''m the researcher of this task force!"


    "And I am the biologist. I can DO the research!"


    "Aha! I do research on EVERY kind!" Samuel retorts.


    "I don''t care. You''re still immature!"


    Samuel says, sticking his tongue out. "Hag, you''re older than me but you''re short!"


    "Don''t blame me for your misfortune!"


    "Ah . . . here they go again," Berthold exclaims tiredly. "I should calm those two down."


    "Doctor," Ephraim starts.


    "Yes?"


    Ephraim eyed Berthold keenly.


    "Nothing," Ephraim exclaims. "Get enough sleep. We are all going to have a long day tomorrow,"


    "My jetlag extends tomorrow," says Samuel. "Don''t wanna go to ANDROMEDA yet."


    "Sam . . ." Berthold scolds.


    "What? There''s a beach outside. No one said we''re rushing this project." Samuel grins. "Right, hag?"


    "Wh-what!?"


    "Short, uncharismatic girl here wanna go to the beach, saw her drooling over the oceans earlier!"


    "Wh-wh-what! No!" Esmeralda points at Samuel. "But your jaw dropped when you saw the city! You''re the one who''s excited!"


    "N-no!" Sam argues back, and then they started fighting again.


    Berthold sighed as he smiles, while Ephraim examines the room, and then he realized one thing¡ª


    "Where''s Hiroaki?"

 9 Hiroaki

    "I''m taking this room,"


    "No, I am taking THAT room,"


    "Hag, I''m the researcher here. I deserve a fancy room like that." Says Samuel. "It''s spacey and has a view of the city. I deserve it."


    "IT HAS AN AQUARIUM. I''m a biologist, and I should be the one in there!" Esmeralda says as a retort. "See my ID? Biologist,"


    "Who wears their ID at a time like this. . ." Samuel contorted. "And besides, what are you going to do those fish? You see fish every day!"


    "I don''t!"


    "You see them in the mirror," Samuel cocks a mocking grin. "Look! Fish!"¡ªand then he points at Esmeralda.


    And again the two of them mocked each other and bantered.


    The team had been toured to the penthouse by a maid a bit after they arrived. The penthouse had a stunning and cozy living room, an eye-pleasing kitchen, and it had four distinct guestrooms and one master bedroom. It was a tad normal for Ephraim now. He wasn''t used to seeing butlers and people dressed like they were living in a completely different timeline. He wanted something mundane¡ªhe was, after all, continuously pulled here and there to a spectrum he wasn''t comfortable with. It was a good change of pace to see only one maid in one of the president''s place.


    Ephraim had chosen the room that had a veranda. It was the room at the back portion of the penthouse which faced the oceans. The penthouse was located the Lima''s Cliffside and had a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean. Berthold had chosen the bedroom with a neat, and modern design. He said he was fine with any other room. Whilst Samuel and Esmeralda . . .


    "Why are you so stubborn, uncharismatic hag? I want this room!"


    "I walked to it first!" Esmeralda strongly objects.


    Samuel grunted. "But I was the FIRST who said I wanted it!"


    "You said it seconds before I could even open my mouth!"


    "You were just slow," Samuel cocked a smirk. "First come, first serve,"


    "Ah . . . children," Berthold turned his gaze to Ephraim. "So, what should we do, team leader?"


    Ephraim eyed Esmeralda, who was red as a tomato; her cheeks puffing like a chipmunk.


    "I . . . this is so unfair!" Esmeralda exclaims and shuts herself in the bedroom.


    Samuel stood motionless, surprised at the door slammed shut to his face. His shoulders quivered, and then he flashed a forced grin.


    "Oi . . ." He starts, "What do you think you''re doing . . . I haven''t even . . . we''re not finished talking yet!"


    "Leave me alone!" Esmeralda says from the room.


    "But you took the room!" Samuel exclaims. "Hag! Come out!"


    "Sam, let her have the room," Berthold says. "Be nice to her. She''s a girl . . ."


    "And?" Samuel says, raising his brow. "She''s annoying. She has to¡ª"


    "Samuel," Ephraim exclaims. "There''s another room."


    Berthold smiles sympathetically at Ephraim, and asks ". . . are you alright?"


    Ephraim nods.


    "Doesn''t seem like it," Berthold adds. "Do you want to proceed to the expedition tomorrow? We could delay for a few days . . ."


    "No, we''re going tomorrow," Ephraim mutters.


    "Are you really okay, Raim?" Asks Berthold.


    "I''m fine,"


    "Is this about Hiroaki?"


    Ephraim flinched, but then he smiled shortly afterward. He nodded to Berthold and proceeded to enter his room.


    "Goodnight, Doctor Wagner,"


    ** Earlier **


    "Where''s Hiroaki?" Ephraim asks as he searches for their missing team member. He was certain Hiroaki was there at the Lamborghini with them¡ª


    Or . . . was he?


    "Dammit," Ephraim curses. "We left a team member?"


    "Did we?" Samuel exclaims, stifling a burst of a laugh. "Some team,"


    "Don''t laugh!" Esmeralda says. "We just left a team member at the airport!"


    ". . .That''s weird," says Berthold. "It''s weird how all of us didn''t notice he wasn''t with us."


    "Camouflaging," Samuel utters as he flashed a smirk. The team''s attention had shifted to Sam who was now sneering as he speaks. "It''s philosophical research conducted by Merilaita in 2017. As said on the research, ''For camouflage to succeed, an individual has to pass undetected, unrecognized or untargeted, and hence it is the processing of visual information that needs to be deceived.''"


    Esmeralda snapped her fingers. "Oh! Zoology! In zoology, body colors and patterns and other morphological adaptations that decrease the probability that an animal will be detected or recognized are called camouflage." She says. "Hiroaki was wearing a black gear, similar to Japanese black robes worn by the mercenaries on the 15th century ¡ª"


    "Like ninjas!" Says Samuel. "He was a former sergeant-in-arms, and concealing his presence would be easily done. He wore a black gear, and he had features like the ninjas¡ª"


    "In short," Esmeralda articulates, cutting Samuel off mid-sentence. "It would be easier for him to go unnoticed because he was silent, and knew the art of hiding oneself. He didn''t talk to us the majority of the time¡ª"


    "WHICH! IN! TURN!" Samuel says, clearly irritated. "Would make us forget he was there in the first place. Even if he''s appealing and cool, he''s, like the Japanese ninjas, still can camouflage oneself."


    "Hmph," Esmeralda scoffs.


    Samuel raised his brow.


    "Hmm, let''s say he did conceal his presence," Berthold frowns. "But even researches like that aren''t a hundred percent accurate. It''s in animals. We are living organisms with complex, functional minds. We have multiple senses; even as a doctor, I find it hard to believe we simply didn''t see him."


    "We''re animals as well." Says Esmeralda now.


    "Right, we belong to the Eukaryote¡ª" Samuel interrupts.


    "AHEM! As said by¡ª" Esmeralda, once again, says.


    Samuel faked a cough and started speaking. "Stated by the university of¡ª"


    "Stop interrupting me while I''m talking," Esmeralda exclaims.


    "What?" Samuel scowls. "YOU''RE the one who''s been interrupting me,"


    "You were not making it understandable!" Esmeralda grunts. "I''m just adding additional information!"


    "I''m the researcher here!" Samuel exclaims. "Who put you in charge to talk about researches?"


    "I''m a biologist," Esmeralda argues back. "Camouflaging is one of animal attributes!"


    And so they bantered once more. Berthold sighed again and then tried to appease them. He turned towards Ephraim whose eyes were looking vacantly to the vicinity, mind deep in thought.


    "Raim . . . ?"


    "Light," Ephraim mutters.


    "Light?" Samuel and Esmeralda say in chorus. The two of them eyed each other in sheer irritation.


    "Stop copying me,"


    "YOU should be the one to stop copying me, Hag!"


    Hiroaki leaned on glass walls every time." Ephraim exclaims. "Samuel, is there research regarding how light affects the presence of a person?"


    "Hmm . . . Galston on 2012 . . . Space, object, and illusion: a sculptural environment with light and shadow," Samuel closed his eyes as if trying to remember something. "It''s used on performances by magicians. Using light as an illusory trick."


    "So, he used light to hide himself?" Berthold asks. "But why?"


    "Because the president told him so,"


    The source of that voice was neither from Ephraim nor the team. It was someone else''s. They all turned to the source of the answer, and it was a woman wearing a uniform. A maid uniform.


    "Good evening, UHE Task Force," the woman greets. She had a brown hair tied into a tight bun; her glasses were complimenting her sharp, and droopy eyes. She looked stern. "My name is Linda, a maid here."


    "A maid?"


    Linda nods.


    "Hiroaki Mochizuki, aka Agent Night, is summoned to the quarters in orders of the president," Linda says. "It is useless thinking about why he wasn''t here."


    Ephraim blinked. "Hiroaki is an agent?"


    "Precisely," Linda says. "It''s top-secret information. I don''t even know why the president told me to reveal it to you people."


    Ephraim and the others were dumbfounded. They knew Hiroaki was a retired sergeant-in-arms and was now unemployed. They didn''t know that he was an agent working under the president¡ªno, it should have been obvious. He wore a gear the first time they saw him.


    Ephraim narrows his eyes.


    "Why didn''t the president tell us the time we were in his mansion?"


    "Ah," Linda looked at Ephraim head to toe. "Team leader?"


    "Yes,"


    "Have you asked God why you''re the one who''s born?" She asks.


    Ephraim blinked, unable to respond.


    "The president works on mysterious ways," Linda smirks, "like the real one from above."


    **


    Ephraim lied down in bed thinking about Linda''s words. After she finished talking, she disappeared like a bubble and then another maid came to the room¡ªa typical one, who just toured them simply at the president''s penthouse. She was the one to tell them about the rooms also. Ephraim had been lying on the bed with silence and the tic toc of the clock serving as a sign he was still wide awake.


    There wasn''t anything to do but to look at his phone. It had several messages from Lucian, and twenty missed calls from his mother. He decided to call his mother, who was, perhaps, covered in paranoia again.


    "Hey, Mom."


    "Oh, Ephraim!" His mother says on the other end of the line. "Why are you only calling now? I know you arrived in Peru several hours ago!"


    "Mom, you know we were picked by the president''s people and we had to go to Lima''s Metropolitan Area . . ."


    "But still . . . !"


    "Besides," Ephraim starts. "Jetlag."


    "Oh, Ephraim! Are you okay?"


    "I''m fine, Mom." Ephraim answers. "I''m alive and well. I''m just here in the room, resting,"


    "Team Leader . . .?"


    Ephraim blinked.


    "Who was that?" His mother says. "A girl in your room?"


    "Mom, hold up," Ephraim says, and then tilts his head at the girl who came to his room. It was Esmeralda at the door¡ªhead bowed down a bit.


    "Uh-um . . ."


    "Yes, Esmeralda? What brings you here?" Ephraim asks, sitting down. "Do you need anything?"


    "Um . . . ah . . . I¡ªuh," Esmeralda bit her lip. "I made d-dinner."


    Ephraim blinked, "oh."


    "And¡ªand! That''s all!" Esmeralda exclaims, bolting out of the room steadfast, as she shut the door after leaving.


    Ephraim blinked several times, unsure of what to do. When he snapped back to reality, he brought his phone adjacent to his ear.


    "Mom?"


    "Aha, Raim, you''re certainly not a child anymore." His mother says as she giggled like a little girl. "You didn''t tell me you''re alone with a girl."


    "No, Mom," Ephraim sighs. "I''m not alone with her; in fact, I''m surprised you even heard her."


    "Ah, nevermind that. You''re not a woman, so you won''t understand how our ears work." His mother says. "Anyways. It seems like she''s inviting you to eat. I''m good as long as I know you''re taking care of yourself."


    "Okay," Ephraim exclaims. "Is there any more?"


    "Nothing more," Joana says. "Just be careful."


    **


    "Wow."


    "Whoa."


    "Uhm . . . I-I asked the maid if I could use the food here, and I . . . I know homemade food is good for jetlags . . . so . . ."


    Esmeralda had prepared a feast. Before Ephraim was a pan-seared lamb with different garnitures, pumpkin puree soup, buttered lobster, medium-rare steak with corn and roast potatoes, coleslaw, and fruit juice. Ephraim didn''t realize he was hungry until he saw the food.


    "This is amazing," says Ephraim, while admiring the plating. "You cooked all of it?"


    "Y-yes, with Marie''s help, of course," Esmeralda says. Marie was the new maid that helped them to their rooms.


    Ephraim smiled. "Knowing you cook like this, I might have you as my wife." He jokingly says.


    Esmeralda instantaneously blushed, and then averted her gaze from Ephraim down to the floor.


    "Oi . . ." Samuel eyed Ephraim. "Are you friggin'' serious?"


    "Aha! Ah, I am so hungry!" Berthold sits down to one of the dining chairs, speaking ever so loudly. "Eat now, eat!"


    All of them sat at their corresponding chairs and started to eat Esmeralda''s cooking. The small biologist waited for their response while they chewed.


    "It''s good," says Berthold. "No . . . seriously. It''s good!"


    "R-really?"


    "Not bad," Samuel says as he chewed a mouthful of lobster.


    Ephraim smiled at Esmeralda, "come eat. It''s really delicious."


    Esmeralda blushed and nodded. "Okay."


    "Itadakimasu,"


    All of them stopped eating, only to see a familiar face. He had already stacked his plate with a mountain of food¡ªand no one even noticed he did so.


    "Hiroaki!" The team said in chorus to the former sergeant and undercover agent, who was munching nonchalantly.

 10 Now We Plan

    "Hiroaki!" The team said in chorus to the former sergeant and undercover agent, who was munching the food imperturbably. Hiroaki Mochizuki was there, eating busily. He had eyes set dead over nothing, and he was continuously chomping down his fare. His plate had a mountain of food stacked with a buttered shrimp acting as a cherry on top.


    "H-how . . ." Berthold mutters, bespectacled over Hiroaki. He, again, paid no attention to their queries. He was, after all, very much unlikely to answer nor even acknowledge their presence.


    "Itadakimasu . . .?" Samuel repeats.


    "It''s ''thanks for the food.''" Esmeralda exclaims. "U-um . . . hello, Hiroaki-san . . . h-how''s the food?"


    Hiroaki gave no retort.


    Everyone in the table was certain¡ªhe came to the penthouse, and they had overlooked his presence. Even in the dining room where chairs could be noticed if they were unoccupied, he passed undetected. It was, as far as Ephraim could muster to compare, akin to ninjas.


    "Hiroaki-san," Esmeralda says, adding a Japanese honorific to Hiroaki''s name. She tilted her head, "um . . ."


    And that is when Ephraim had the thought. "Do you speak Japanese?"


    Hiroaki did not respond.


    "Um, Team Leader . . ." Esmeralda raised her arm a bit, "may I?"


    Ephraim nodded, and then Esmeralda flashed a smile.


    "Hiroaki-san," Esmeralda starts, "Eigo o hanasemasu ka?"¡ªshe asks, directly translating: do you speak English?


    Hiroaki lifted his gaze, and then fixed his eyes to Esmeralda. The girl, as usual, averted her gaze¡ªbut she was talking to someone else, she couldn''t just drop her gaze to the floor anymore. It was evident that she had a hard time¡ªher head had tilted upwards and turned sideways several times to elude Hiroaki''s eyes.


    "So, um . . . er . . . Anata wa watashi no tame ni nihongo o hanasu koto ga dekimasu, watashi wa anata no tame ni sore o hon''yaku dekimasu," Esmeralda says while gesturing and expressing to Hiroaki that he could speak Japanese to her and she was more than willing translate it to English to the team.


    "I could speak the language." Hiroaki answers in fluently flawless English, and then the team listened in silence as they process Hiroaki''s answer. It was fascinating hearing him speak for the first time.


    This was how Hiroaki Mochizuki spoke like; this was his voice.


    "But I don''t want to talk." He says after a long pause. "Thanks for the food, by the way."


    **


    "Ah, Sam . . ." was the only thing Berthold could muster to say. He couldn''t really argue with Samuel, especially with things like this. Berthold Wagner had been with Sam ever since he was a child; he could pride himself as Samuel''s guardian if he ever was.


    Samuel was an intelligent young boy; a prodigy in research due to his retention rate. He had an exceptional photographic memory, and he could preserve and remember information ever so easily. He had written a dissertation at the mere age of 12. He was enrolled in an accelerated program and graduated at the young age of 17. His brilliant mind enabled him to climb to the top, and now he was given a spot in UHE''s Task Force, an exclusive team handpicked by the University President himself.


    Samuel, for his age, was praised relentlessly by the surrounding people. He was applauded by the professors and the critiques in his works were rare. This had quite an influence on his personality; Samuel Albrecht grew to be a teenager who had looked at himself in very high regard. He wasn''t a narcissist, but he was arrogant. Samuel has had several research teams before¡ªonly to be dispelled due to his ''lack of leadership,'' and ''annoyingly cocky attitude.'' The effect of this to Sam was enormous, and Berthold was sure, it had impaired Samuel''s self-esteem.


    This was why Berthold lets Samuel mock, tease, and (somewhat) jokingly bully people he would fashion. It was, as far as Berthold could decipher, a mask to protect himself.


    "Ugh . . ." Esmeralda winced as she arrived in the living room. Her long, wavy honey-blond hair was blow-dried; it gave her cute curls and a refreshing strawberry shampoo scent. She wore a pink pajama, much like everyone else.


    "Urk, seeing you before I sleep will probably give me nightmares," Samuel says, angling a grin. "Hag."


    "No one''s happy to see you, Samuel," Esmeralda says, and then walks away.


    "Where''re you going, Miss Sanders?" asks Berthold, "going to pick a drink? Prepare snacks?"


    Esmeralda blushed. "Y-yup."


    "Could I be of assistance?" Berthold asks politely.


    Esmeralda nods shyly. "T-that would be a big help, yes."


    "Wha¡ªyou''re both leaving me here?" Samuel grunts. "Oi!"


    "You can handle yourself, Sam," says Berthold.


    "Child," Esmeralda eyed him with mocking eyes.


    "What?! I can be here alone! Go!" Samuel exclaims. "It''s not like I need to talk to anyone. Lame!"


    **


    "What a tsun," Esmeralda says the moment she and Berthold arrived in the kitchen.


    "What are we preparing?" Berthold asks kindly as he opens the fridge. "I''ll do the Mise en place,"


    "A sweet green tea," says Esmeralda shyly. "And the matcha roll I m-made earlier . . ."


    Berthold blinks as he sees a cake in the fridge. It was deliciously designed and had a voluptuous amount of cream. He brought it to the countertop and prepared five slices for the team. Esmeralda had primed the tea.


    "Miss Sanders?"


    "Uhm . . . E-Esmeralda is fine, Doctor Wagner,"


    Berthold chuckles. "Okay then, Esmeralda. Call me Bert in return, so it wouldn''t be formal for the two of us."


    "O-okay,"


    Berthold smiles. "Are you annoyed at Sam?"


    Esmeralda blinked; she was still preparing the tea. She wasn''t looking at Berthold when she responded. "N-nope . . ."


    "I figured so," says Berthold. "The two of you are the ones with the closest age range here in the team."


    "Oh . . ."


    "You''re 18, right?" Berthold asks. "You''re also a product of an accelerated program."


    Esmeralda nods.


    Berthold smiles at her and then proceeded to cut the matcha roll to several pieces.


    "Sam likes you," he says.


    "He l-li-likes¡ª"


    "No, no, no." Berthold chuckles. "Not in a romantic way. Samuel likes you, he''s fond of you. He does not tease and banter to people so easily. He does that to those whom he thinks can handle, and he trusts."


    Esmeralda blinks. "Samuel trusts me?"


    "He isn''t aware of it," Berthold answers. "He''s a child. So if he teases you, please don''t hate him."


    Esmeralda faced Berthold and flashed a warm smile.


    "You care for him deeply," says Esmeralda. "Don''t worry, Doctor. I never hated anyone in my lifetime."


    Berthold blinked, and then he retracted with a smile.


    "Is that so?"


    **


    Ephraim was silent after dinner. He flashed his usual smile over his team members and had told them there would be a meeting just before they would sleep; it was set 9 PM in the evening. When he finished taking a bath and had covered his body with his pajama sleepwear, he still wasn''t ready to come out of his room. He found himself pondering; sitting on the edge of the bed while contemplating still.


    He was motionless and was simply thinking¡ªhis hair was still wet; beads of water dripping to the floor as he stares at the entirety with vacant eyes.


    Hiroaki Mochizuki. He was a former sergeant-in-arms according to the information the president provided and was unemployed the current moment. Each of Ephraim''s team members received his biodata with a piece of special information that would suit their profession or their capabilities.


    The president told him the given biodata to Hiroaki was a particular event that happened in a certain year. It was something only Ephraim and a few others have knowledge of¡ªeven the president couldn''t have known what Ephraim did at THAT time.


    It has been on the back of Ephraim''s mind. The query. How did the president gain information about that particular happenstance? It was unclear to him the moment the president expressed his opinions regarding the matter.


    It was, after all, only Ephraim and one person who were the ones around when IT happened. When that incident happened.


    It was something he had buried in the depths of his mind.


    Nevertheless¡ªEphraim was seeing a bit of light in the dark of his thoughts. It seemed Hiroaki Mochizuki was tasked to investigate Ephraim¡ªbut the question is, how long was Ephraim being reconnoitered by the president? When was Hiroaki assigned to investigate him? The year THAT thing happened did not transpire when he was a student in BS Archeology. He was just in middle school at that time.


    He was a child when it befell.


    Ephraim snapped back to reality when he heard several knocks across the wooden door. He quickly stood up to open the ingress, and then it opened, it revealed someone of small stature. He lowered his gaze to Esmeralda Sanders, whose hand was still gestured and positioned to knock¡ªfingers formed into a delicate fist, the back of her hand situated to thin air in place of the wooden door.


    "Um . . ." she starts, unable to look at Ephraim after a second they stared at each other. "We-we''re all in the living room . . ."


    "Okay," Ephraim nods. "I''ll be there in a bit."


    "I . . . I also prepared a matcha roll cake." Esmeralda says. "And sweet green tea."


    "Oh," Ephraim smiles. "I''m allergic to matcha."


    "O-oh . . ." Esmeralda blinked. "Um . . . s-so it''s technically green tea, and I um . . . I can''t serve you the tea, too¡ªwhat would y-you like, Team Leader?"


    "It''s okay, no need to prepare the food for me," Ephraim says, and smiles. "I''ll be there in a bit."


    He shut the door gently afterward.


    **


    Esmeralda stood affront Ephraim''s door. She wasn''t taken aback, but she simply felt the gut feeling; an intuition regarding their team leader. She proceeded to saunter towards the living room, and along with Berthold, they carried the snacks to the meeting. Samuel was the first one to dig in.


    "You''re good at cooking, Hag," he says. "It isn''t lame. It''s one of the attributes I can''t possess."


    Esmeralda rolled her eyes.


    "Esmeralda,"


    "Doctor . . . Bert." Esmeralda exclaims, struggling to cut the formalities. "Yes?"


    "What did Ephraim say?"


    "The team leader . . . he''s . . . allergic to green tea." She says. "So he cannot eat anything here."


    "Oh! Right!" Berthold exclaims. "I''m sorry I forgot to tell you! I was the one with the biodata regarding his allergies¡ª"


    "It''s my fault I prepared these things without consulting with anyone first," Esmeralda says. "I¡ªI just . . . want to try to be . . . a good team member."


    "Huh? What''re you talking about?" Samuel says while chewing on the matcha roll.


    "Oh, please, Shorty, this isn''t the time to¡ª"


    "You ARE a good team member," Samuel says nonchalantly. "You seem to be dedicated to the team, and you make us good food. And good snacks."


    Esmeralda''s eyes gleamed, as she blinked in surprise¡ªthis time she was taken aback with such unexpectedly astonishing words. It left her flabbergasted . . .


    "Like a grandma!" Samuel adds.


    . . . flabbergasted for a second, at least.


    And then the two of them¡ªnow, Berthold considers, as usual¡ªstarted bantering; unleashing childish statements with cocky arguments and satirical sarcastic jokes. It was the new normal for Berthold.


    "Hey,"


    All of the team members (including Hiroaki, who was now reading a book in a corner) stopped to pay attention to their newly-arrived team leader. He was holding a rolled map on the other hand, and he wasn''t smiling.


    "Let''s proceed to the planning," Ephraim exclaims as he laid the map to the coffee table.


    "This is," Ephraim exclaims as he pertains to the map. "Bingham''s route to Machu Picchu."


    Everyone at the team except Hiroaki gathered to stare at the map.


    "And this is ANDROMEDA''s location," Ephraim exclaims.


    "It''s exactly in the lost Incan City . . .!" Says Berthold. "How are they allowed to build it there?"


    Ephraim flashed a smile and circled a finger to Machu Picchu''s mark on the map.


    "Underground."

 11 The Plan to Machu Picchu

    "Underground?" asks Berthold Wagner, stating almost everyone''s query.


    "Ho-h-hold on, underground," repeats Samuel. "That can''t be right. This is Machu Picchu, Lame Leader,"


    "As much as I like to d-disagree with Samuel, Team Leader," says Esmeralda. "I don''t think the scientists were given the authority to build a lab underneath an important archeological site. You know this yourself."


    "Yes." Ephraim nods. "I have studied archeology and I know about Machu Picchu. ANDROMEDA''s space station is located kilometers away from Machu Picchu,"¡ªhe stops¡ª"However; as much as I hate to speculate, I believe what we''re finding is here in this spot."


    Ephraim points exactly the citadel. "Underneath this city. I have been thinking and researching about it ever since I received the documents of ANDROMEDA. It''s built near in Machu Picchu for a reason." He says. "For the past fifty years, graduates of BS Archeology that are sent here to find a certain object in the lab come back empty-handed. Do you know why?"


    "Because there''s nothing there?" Samuel says.


    "No," Ephraim answers. "Because they failed to look outside the lab."


    "What are you planning to do?"


    All of the members of the task force turned to the source of the voice. It was one person who rarely spoke. The man of few words. Agent Night. Hiroaki Mochizuki.


    "What do you mean, Mr. Mochizuki?" Ephraim retorts.


    "You plan to go to an excavation site," Hiroaki exclaims. "The president strictly told you not to deviate from the task at hand."


    "I am not," Ephraim answers. "I''m merely considering the possibilities."


    "Possibilities?" Berthold asks.


    "Yes," Ephraim exclaims. "There must have been a good reason to justify the laborious construction of this magic city in such a challenging land. Since the Incas did not have a written language the real purpose for the building of Machu Picchu is not clear, it remains a mystery and is open to speculation."


    Ephraim circles the map that narrowed down Machu Picchu. "There are many theories but few among the most plausible. The most common conclusion from experts on Inca history and archaeologists is that it was built first and foremost as a retreat for the Incans to worship natural resources, deities, and especially the Sun, Inti. In reality, things do not have one single purpose and Machu Picchu had a multiplicity of uses and significance."


    "Buildings and windows were strategically placed in order to observe astronomical events of importance to the Incas. These observations served to predict changes of season and were used as an agricultural calendar. For survival, these events had to be carefully tracked." He explains. "These are, therefore, as you all know, done aboveground."


    Ephraim eyes the map. "The city was occupied for just over one hundred years and nobody really identified why the Incas deserted such a city. It is apparent that the civil war amongst the brothers Atahualpa and Huascar had interrupted the food supply to Machu Picchu. Another possibility is that it was affected by an epidemic that killed its residents. Whatever the reason, its residents abandoned Machu Picchu before the Spaniards arrived in the Andes. It was forgotten for 400 years until the American explorer Hiram Bingham rediscovered it in 1911."


    "I don''t get it," Samuel says. "The information doesn''t make sense to me. How is this connected to ANDROMEDA?"


    "Thanks for asking," Ephraim says. "When was NASA founded again?"


    "1958." Sam answers. "Dwight D. Eisenhower is the founder."


    "Correct," Ephraim says. "But before NASA there was a preceding agency called NACA, which was created in 1915."


    "Hm, now I remember," Samuel says, with his eyes closed. "Among NASA''s subsidiaries are Johnson Space Center, Goddard Space Flight Center, Marshall, Ames Research Center¡ªand the most trivial one¡ªANDROMEDA. It was founded in the 1980s and was quick to shut down. Nothing special about it, as well."


    "ANDROMEDA''s information is missing," says Ephraim. "ANDROMEDA is in South America; near Machu Picchu and Vilcabamba . . . the official statement says, at least,"


    "Huh," Samuel frowns. "That''s odd. Machu Picchu was even restricted to some archeologists. Not even scientists could build something underneath an ancient ruin. It would be reckless as well as stupid."


    "I know," Ephraim says. "Have you heard of the secret door in the ruins?"


    "Well, I don''t usually dig archeological information," says Samuel. "Thiery Jamin."


    "There''s an article I''ve read¡ª" Samuel exclaims, closing his eyes. "It says: ''Archaeologist Thierry Jamin was in Machu Picchu based on the authorization given to him by the Ministry of Culture in Lima to carry out observational studies and tour the citadel, but when he proposed, above all, to excavate based on some hypothesis, because a laser scanner had detected an Inca tomb that was surrounded by children, and at the same time there were some steps lined in gold. It has been completely denied because this goes against the reality." Samuel says.


    "That''s right," Ephraim says. "The ministry of culture and park directors said they worried the excavation project could jeopardize the stability of the structure. Past excavations have caused partial collapses of the historic walls and they said they worried the Inkari group was after the precious metals and not taking into account the historic nature of the site,"


    "Meaning?"


    "In Layman''s term," Berthold Wagner exclaims. "They were forbidden to enter the archeological site."


    "Correct." Ephraim answers. "In the public eye, it was nothing but normal. They were just protecting the ruins."


    Esmeralda and the others nod.


    "But WHAT IF," Ephraim says, "the object the UHE archeologists cannot find just lies underneath the ruins?"


    Berthold leaned to the back of his seat, "Ah . . . it''s good speculation."


    "But still. . ." Esmeralda starts. "It''s too risky."


    "Yeah," Samuel agrees. "AND above all, illegal. I like it,"


    "Sam . . ." Berthold says.


    Samuel grins. "I like it, what''s the plan?"


    "The plan is¡ª" Ephraim flashes his usual smile, as he explains to the team their plan for tomorrow. Hiroaki Mochizuki closes his eyes as he listens to the team leader laid out the procedures, processes, and the trails which they''ll follow.


    **


    "What do you think about Ephraim, Sam?" Berthold asks after he and Sam headed to bed. This was their usual¡ªBerthold was the one who became Samuel''s guardian (supposedly) when the Albrechts got involved in an unfortunate accident that took their lives. Samuel''s family including his father, mother, died. His older sister was in a coma for several years, sending Samuel to live with his distant relatives.


    It is (widely believed) that the accident had had an enormous influence on Samuel''s exceptional memory. It had (as said by Berthold''s coworkers) hit his frontal lobe and delivered an impact to his hippocampus, associated with declarative and episodic memory as well as recognition memory.


    "Hmm, the lame leader, huh . . ." Samuel exclaims. He was sitting on a chair that faced a study-desk. He was browsing through his laptop, looking over a journal. It was NASA''s doi file. Samuel was storing information with his exceptional photographic memory; he only scanned the journal once and he already had memorized its contents.


    "Am I interrupting you?" Berthold asks. He was reading an anatomy book. Even as a surgeon, he had to study every day to retain critical information. He wasn''t Samuel, after all.


    "Not really, I''m good at multitasking."


    It was a routine for both Berthold and Samuel to meet and simply do their jobs. It was something done out of comfort. They were very much at ease with each other¡ªand it was done out of their subconscious. For the course of many years, both of them had spent each time with each other in both idle times and busy times. They were less than family, but a lot more than acquaintances.


    "Hmm, NASA, huh . . ." says Samuel. "Well, huh . . . Team-Leader-Who''s-Lame, huh . . ."


    "Yes," Berthold exclaims. "What do you think about him?"


    "Well," Samuel starts. "For starters, he''s lame."


    "And. . .?"


    Samuel paused, and remained silent for a few seconds.


    "And," Samuel says. ". . . I can''t read him."


    Berthold smiles, and then the two of them met each other''s eye briefly.


    "Me too."


    **


    Esmeralda lied in her bed, staring at the ceiling unable to sleep. When Ephraim finished on assigning each of them their tasks and had told them the plans, they had returned to their corresponding quarters. About thirty minutes had passed ever since Esmeralda Sanders closed her eyes, yet she still wasn''t able to drift onto a deep slumber.


    "Ephraim . . ." She mutters, and then browsed her phone. She opened her Facebook and then scanned through Raim Hughes'' timeline. She blushed when she sees his smile.


    "Leader. . ."

 12 Towards ANDROMEDA

    "Ephraim . . ." She mutters, and then browsed her phone. She opened her Facebook and then scanned through Raim Hughes'' timeline. She stared intently as she scanned the contents. There was a gut feeling she had that she couldn''t put her finger into.


    "Leader. . ."


    And it wasn''t something pleasant.


    **


    "Your mistake, Lancelot," Andromeda says. "Is that¡ªyou''re wrong to trust me."


    Ephraim woke up in the middle of the night with the tic of the clock seemingly getting hauntingly louder. He sat straight as he catches his breath. He couldn''t quite remember his dream¡ªbut he saw something. Someone.


    A girl with silver locks glistening against the moonlight. Her blade radiant from the moon rays as its sharp end pointed to the man holding a corpse¡ª


    Andromeda.


    His gaze fell to his phone. It was already 3 in the morning. Ephraim shut his eyes for several seconds, listening to the tick of the clock. It was louder than the ones in their house. He always hated that sound¡ªeven as he thinks, or even when he tries to shallow his breaths, time doesn''t seem to stop. He disliked the fact that no matter how many times humans tend to slow down; time was always going forward ceaselessly. Nobody could turn back the time. For Ephraim, time was the real enemy. No human could defeat it.


    Ephraim stood up to the balcony doors, which were made of glass, and was covered in an almost-transparent curtain. He opened the doors as he welcomed the cold ocean breeze. The scent of sand and cold seawater.


    He had a view of the deep¡ªthe moon illuminating the seemingly perpetual array of ocean water. The sea was blue in the day, but it was grey at night. Ephraim ambled to the cold terrace, leaning to the porch. He stared at the full, bright moon. Ephraim, for a long time, didn''t really have the time to admire the sceneries laid before him. He was fixated with the past.


    But now, in the odd time of 3 AM¡ª


    He learned to admire the present.


    He eyed the ocean¡ªand then he narrowed his eyes as he tried to look at the distance. It was a bit blurry now. He wasn''t wearing his glasses, after all. Ephraim turned to come back to his room and take a long bath. It was useless to go back to sleep when he himself didn''t want to let slumber take the better of him.


    He must think.


    Not about his existential crisis; no.


    He must strategize.


    If the former graduates with failing grades cannot do it¡ª


    Then, he, a scholar and a young man with a keen mind must be able to.


    **


    Peru''s climate is known to be similar to the countries in the tropics. It was already a several degree Celsius hot in Lima. The team left the penthouse exactly 8 in the morning and decided to shop for some supplies in Lima. It seemed the president did provide their gear, amongst many other things. Ephraim told them the president missed a few types of equipment they would need.


    "Rope . . . really?" Samuel says. "Are you serious?"


    "Well, Samuel," Ephraim answers. "We''re going to the ruins. Underground. We will need ropes."


    "This isn''t really what I signed up for," Samuel says, and then cocked a grinning smirk. "I like it."


    "A-are you sure, Team Leader?" Asks Esmeralda. ". . . I-it''s not like I''m . . . against it. It''s just that . . . aren''t we deviating from the task at hand, as Hiroaki-san had said?"


    "Well, you''re right," Berthold says, agreeing with Esmeralda. "Ephraim?"


    "Hm," Ephraim smiles as he nods. "I understand your sentiments. Esmeralda,"


    "Y-yes!"


    "Don''t worry. We will be checking ANDROMEDA first,"


    "R-really?"


    "Aw, lame!" Samuel says from a distance.


    "Yes, and when we don''t find anything, we will go to Machu Picchu," Ephraim says. "Don''t worry."


    "Well, isn''t it more useful to divide the team so it''d be faster?" Samuel asks. "I think it''ll be a waste of time for us to go to ANDROMEDA first, and then in the citadel."


    "Actually, I think Sam''s right." Says Berthold. "But I disagree with him,"


    "Huh? Whaaattt?" Samuel frowns.


    "For starters, we''re not searching the premises in just a day, so it would be more of a waste if we divide," says Berthold. "Right, Leader?"


    "Yes," Ephraim answers. "Excavating is done in several days, or weeks, depending on the archeological site. It will be wiser to go to ANDROMEDA first and see if we could find anything or otherwise."


    "So we''re really going to spend several days in a boring, isolated lab?" Samuel grunts. "I would die! Literally!"


    "How?" Esmeralda asks.


    "Boredom, Hag!" Samuel exclaims. "I didn''t sign up for this,"


    Esmeralda giggles. "Have you been listening, Shorty? That''s why Team Leader decided to head to Machu Picchu in case we fail to find things."


    "Ooh," Samuel exclaims. "Stupid, I''m listening! I''m just not sure how we would know we''re NOT actually finding anything out there. Like . . . we don''t even know what''s the research supposed to be."


    "You got a point," says Berthold. "We don''t actually know what we''re searching for. It could be a serum for a virus or a cure. Or it could be a monster lurking."


    "That''s creepy," Samuel says. "But I ain''t a fan of fiction! I need friggin'' facts to support a claim. That''s why there''s RESEARCH,"


    "Well, it''s the purpose of ''searching.''" Says Ephraim as he flashed a smile. "We''re searching for ANDROMEDA''s hidden treasure, Samuel."¡ªsays Ephraim, as he pats Samuel''s head, and then walks with the team towards the cruiser that''ll pick them up, leaving Samuel touching his ruffled hair.


    "Sometimes, I wonder if you really have an exceptional mind," Esmeralda says bluntly as Samuel catches up to them bantering. "Or you''re just good at storing information."


    **


    After shopping to Lima, and (somewhat) exploring and touring to its magnificent sceneries and admiring the vicinity (by taking pictures and eating Lima''s specialties and delicious street food), the task force decided to head to the lab as per the plan. Peru''s temperature was already hot at noon when they had arrived through their destination. Ephraim and the others had gone through the pillars and had talked to tourists as well as guides regarding Machu Picchu before they decided to head to ANDROMEDA.


    The original plan was that they would head to ANDROMEDA first, which had an established road and was situated in a place where even a car could pass through (although it is abandoned now, meaning scattered debris could be found everywhere). The abandoned forensics lab wasn''t situated in Machu Picchu, after all. It was kilometers away from the ancient ruins. It was shawled beyond trees with towering heights and was in a seemingly post-modern design.


    Following the original plan, they had a few hours'' ride before they arrived in ANDROMEDA. It was indeed shawled with moss, covered in trees and branches scattered across its paths. It didn''t look like a space station at all¡ªit had a worn-out iron gate with intricate patterns, and a mossy, unused fountain with dead algae inside the premises. The ''abandoned laboratory'' itself didn''t look much like a science lab. It looked like a mansion. An abandoned mansion.


    "This is . . . ANDROMEDA?"


    "Its lab, to be precise." Samuel answers. "It doesn''t look like a lab to me, personally."


    "I don''t think you''re alone with that sentiment, Sam . . ." Says Ephraim, as he walks forward to the ''laboratory''¡ªits doors were closed, shut tight.


    "Aha, you can''t lock pick, right?" Samuel asks, stifling his laugher. "Don''t worry, Lame Leader, I''ll¡ª"


    CLICK.


    Before Ephraim could hear the other end of Samuel''s sentence, the double doors opened, creaking eerily, as if it was from a scene or an excerpt from a book or horror film.


    The one who unlocked the doors was Hiroaki, an unusual-looking key in his hand. He appeared out of nowhere once again, and he was, as usual, had passed undetected by anyone.


    "Wha¡ªyou''re here!" Samuel exclaims. "Ninja guy!"


    "That''s rude, Sam!" Esmeralda whispers.


    "But the guy''s basically a ninja!" Samuel excitedly says. "Look, no one noticed him!"


    "Aha . . . even I cannot believe it, but I really can''t detect his presence." Berthold says.


    Ephraim eyed Hiroaki, who took a step back.


    "That key," Ephraim says. "May I have it?"


    Hiroaki stares blankly at Ephraim for a second, as if to analyze what Ephraim had said, and then after a minute, he hands him the key.


    "Thank you," Ephraim says politely, and then proceeds to put the key to his pocket.


    "Now, everyone," he says. "Please remember your jobs, and above all, be careful. This is a building that had stood since the 1980s. It would be possible the building may collapse anytime."


    "So be careful. Your gears are equipped for such scenarios. Be sure to click the beeper attached to your hands. It''ll send your location to me. If I''m the one trapped, then it would send my location to all of you. But if it''s all of us, then it''ll be sent to the HR."


    The team nodded.


    "Damn, it''s like I''m really goin'' to a quest," says Samuel. "It kinda feels like a quest or something."


    "Always remember your posts." Says Ephraim. "Whatever data you think is relevant¡ªlittle or not. Consider that 0.01 percent."


    Ephraim flashed his smile. "Now, scatter. Let''s go, team!"


    "Osu!"


    **


    George Denmark smiles as he stares at the spectacle. The room was filled with screens covering different angles of the vicinity. The scope was too perfect and was colorized. It was one of the top quality cameras you could buy in the market¡ªit had a colorized night vision and can cover the entirety of a room with just a single lens.


    He leaned to his chair and then caressed his beard as he sees each of the team scatter one by one. Each of them heading towards different parts of the ''lab''. George Denmark¡ªUHE''s president¡ªsipped his 1947 Cheval Blanc, a bottle with a $304,375 price. He eyed them one by one, and then afterwards, his gaze was only set to one.


    Ephraim Ignacio Hughes.


    He smirks as he sips through the glass. He sees him in every angle he could possibly want. He switched the screen to Esmeralda briefly, and then to Samuel, Berthold, and then, to Hiroaki.


    Until he went back to Ephraim. Ephraim Ignacio Hughes, who was examining every corner ever so eagerly, with his journal on his other hand. He was taking note of details and was scribbling every unusual thing he could find. But even this eager and keen-eyed child couldn''t possibly see the small lenses of the cameras on every corner of ANDROMEDA''s lab. It was far from possible.


    George Denmark smiles, as he sees Ephraim getting more and more serious.


    It amused him.


    "President,"


    George Denmark stopped drinking his wine as his gaze drifted to his butler, Alphonse. He smiles at him, and then drank once more. He was inside a room exclusive only for him and only Alphonse, out of any servants in the manor, was allowed to go inside.


    "What is it, Alphonse?"


    "Your wife is here." The butler says. "She''s bringing someone else with her,"


    "Ah, she''s here. . ." George smiles. "Who''s with her?"


    "It''s a woman named Joana Hughes, I believe."


    The president flashed a smile to his butler. His smile was charming, and an indication of a pleasant surprise. George had a soft spot over unexpected visitors.


    "Let them in." He says. "It seems the show will have to be delayed a little bit."

 13 Earthquake

    The pencil had scribbled through tops and bottoms, sideways, and then vice versa until an image finally came to place. It was nothing but a cobweb and a mother spider in the corner of the room protecting her young. Ephraim had drawn several other things that he had stumbled upon through the whole minute he was in his station.


    ANDROMEDA''s location wasn''t a lab at all. It was an empty, abandoned mansion that gives off an eerie feeling even under the scorching noon. The others had taken several parts of the mansion; Esmeralda to the attic, Samuel to the left-wing, Berthold to the right. Ephraim couldn''t quite remember where Hiroaki had gone to.


    Ephraim sighed as he examines the one he had taken¡ªbasement. He clicked on the wireless earphone, and then for a second, there was static, until a voice answered.


    "Status report," he says. "Nothing in the basement but cobwebs, and some peculiar-looking member of the Arachnida class."


    "Ah¡ªt-team leader," Esmeralda mutters at the end of the line. "P-pretty much nothing in the attic, too . . ."


    After a while, followed by a static¡ªthe members started to report their findings as well.


    "Nothing much in here,"


    "Aha . . . as much as I hate to say this, it''s just an empty place,"


    "UGH. And I thought we''re up for somethin'' interesting," Samuel says through the static line. "But yeah. There''s nothing here."


    "HR." Ephraim clicked the other end of the bracelet¡ªone directly connected to the HR.


    "Ephraim Ignacio Hughes. Status quo?"


    "The house was empty," he says.


    ". . ." The receiving end did not utter a response.


    "But we''ll still examine in a few days'' time." He says. "Do you copy?"


    "Umu," a woman from the HR says. "Affirmative,"


    Ephraim stood up from kneeling in the ground. He smoothed his clothes and tapped the dust from his pants. He again examined the basement, and then, he sighs. It had been about almost four hours since the team started the search. Ephraim climbed atop to go aboveground and had reached the house''s common area. He clicked the beeper¡ªan indication he needed the team to gather where he was.


    Shortly the task force arrived, with nothing at hand but their equipment and gear. They had failed to retrieve anything, and even that obvious fact pained Ephraim.


    "Ugh. . ." Samuel grunts as he collapses to his knee to the floor, panting. "I really can''t handle walking . . . why''d you put me upstairs?"


    "T-team leader, m-maybe if we search ha-hard enough tomorrow, then. . .!"


    "Miss Sanders is right, Raim," Berthold exclaims. "There''s always a room for tomorrow."


    "Yes, that''s precisely how I gathered you all here," Ephraim says. "All of us failed to retrieve a tangible object, but I believe all of us took notes."


    "Yes!" Esmeralda says, showing her journal.


    "Absolutely." Berthold nods and shows his as well.


    "You didn''t?" Esmeralda blinks. "Team leader told us to take notes the night before . . .!"


    "Huh?" Samuel smirks, and then he points to his brain. "All of it is here."


    "Aha, your exceptional photographic memory," Berthold exclaims. "So . . . I believe all of us gathered information? That''s more than enough,"


    "Yes," Ephraim says, and flashes a smile. "If ALL of us did show their journal."


    "Hey, I told you I have it here," Samuel retorts, pointing to his head again. "Here. It means the brain. Why don''t you read between the lines, Lame L¡ª"


    "No, Sam," says Berthold. "It''s . . ."


    "That''s right," Ephraim smiles. "We''re one person lacking."


    Esmeralda gasped. "Hiroaki-san!"


    And as the team realized a team member didn''t arrive at the common room even after summoned, an ear-shattering clatter resonated across the whole mansion. Ephraim and the others eyed each other in alarm as the ground shakes with a fearsome magnitude and intensity.


    "Team, remember the drill!" Ephraim says and then covers his nape and head.


    The whole place began to shake. There wasn''t any table or objects they could use to duck and cover themselves with. The infrastructures danced and shook frighteningly as the team realized the earthquake intensified.


    Samuel immediately ran to Esmeralda as he shields her from the falling pillar. It had resulted in the two of them being thrown to the other end of the common room.


    "Wait!" Berthold exclaims loudly, as the place crumbles into debris, and before Ephraim could even blink, the pillars had shut the doors'' entrance, as well as the other end where Samuel and Esmeralda were thrown off. The place shook with a magnitude not probably bellow 8.


    "Ephraim!" Berthold eyes Ephraim with fear as he positions his hand to the beeper, "watch out!"


    Before Ephraim could even respond and could even process what Berthold was talking about¡ªin the blink of an eye, a falling concrete had already landed towards him, sending his consciousness astray.


    **


    It was exactly 6:21 PM when the quake stopped. It was common for Peru to experience earthquakes. The country lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is a curve of fault lines that discs a ring around the Pacific Basin and is susceptible to periodic upheavals, seismic activities, and volcanic eruptions. The South American country records about 200 earthquakes a year, most of them go unnoticed by the public.


    Usually, a building has a strong foundation that can withstand even a 7 magnitude earthquake.


    But one with falling debris and was unkempt from extensive years couldn''t possibly stand such tremor.


    Esmeralda soon awoke with the hum of her mother combing her wavy, honey-blond hair. It was a sunny morning, and she could smell the distinct szynka¡ªit was, after all, a bright ?niadanie. Breakfast in Poland was the best for her. It meant home, and home meant her mother and younger brother.


    "I want to eat golabki," says Esmeralda to her mother. She couldn''t see her face because of the sunlight. Golabki is a Polish dish that consisted of cabbage leaves stuffed with ground meat and rice. She always thought samgyupsal, a Korean variation with pork belly and lettuce, could satisfy her cravings. But it did not. Poland was all she needed.


    "You can''t eat golabki," her mother answers.


    "I know, Ma; it''s still morning."


    "Nie, Esme," her mother said in a distinctive Polish accent. "You are in America with your Ojciec; you aren''t here in Poland ever since I died,"


    "Died?"


    "Yes," her mother caressed her hair. "Wake up, Esme."


    "Mom¡ªMatka¡ª"


    "Wake up."


    "No¡ª"


    "WAKE UP, ESMERALDA!"


    Esmeralda''s eyes fluttered open, and then as she realized she was now awake, a literal head-splitting pain happened to have befallen her. She clutched the part where the pain originated, and when she withdrew her hand, there was a sinister red liquid right after.


    Blood.


    "Esmeralda!"


    Esmeralda blinked several times, her blurring gaze gradually clearing up. She parted her lips when she sees a familiar face, bruised all over and clothes dusty with concrete powder.


    "S-sam . . .?"


    Samuel immediately sighed, and then smiled in relief.


    "Goddamn it, I thought you''re dead." He says, and then hands her a ripped piece of cloth. "Here. I''m sorry for the blood,"


    Esmeralda blinked, and then wiped the blood off her head.


    "Th-this isn''t mine . . .?"


    "It isn''t," Samuel answers, and then winced as he falls back to his knee. Blood dripped from his arm¡ª


    Esmeralda remembered.


    When a dwindling pillar at that earthquake almost fell down on her, she was protected by Samuel. The two of them were thrown athwart the room, and then another debris fell, and Samuel''s arm had protected Esmeralda''s head, but the impact on Esmeralda''s head sent her to lose consciousness.


    "Samuel!" Esmeralda instantaneously crawls to Samuel and then sees he already had a cloth wrapped to his bloodied arm. Esmeralda trembles as she sees this.


    "Th-this is my fault¡ª" Esmeralda''s tears started to drip nonstop. "Samuel, I¡ª"


    "Hag, hold on right there," Samuel exclaims.


    "N-no! I''m so sorry¡ª"


    "Seriously, shh!" He hushes her and closes his eyes. "Do you hear that?"


    Esmeralda paused, wiping her tears sloppily with her arm. "H-hear what?"


    . . . eep . . . beep.


    The sound of a beeper had stopped Esmeralda from sobbing; although faint, it was indeed the sound of the beeper from the HR.


    Esmeralda immediately clicked hers¡ª


    "H-huh?"


    "Don''t bother," Samuel says. "It''s broken."


    "No . . ."


    "I don''t know what happened," says Samuel. "But when I woke up, it''s all destroyed."


    "That''s . . . odd. . . ."


    Esmeralda stares at her wrist and looks at the broken beeper.


    "How is this . . . broken?"


    "Probably a rock or something it," Samuel says. "Since my wrist hurts a lot. I don''t know. It may be because of my broken arm."


    Esmeralda bit her lip and then sniffled.


    "Th-they''re not dead, right?"


    "What? No," Samuel says¡ªa hint of the slight tinge of disbelief laced in his voice. "No . . ."


    Samuel stares vacantly in fear.


    "They can''t be dead . . ."


    . . .eep . . . beep . . . beep.

 14 Help Will Come

    Drip. Drop. Drip. Drop.


    Ephraim listened intently to a sound. He was hearing nothing but the drip of water. It was peculiarly loud. It was almost truncated and was reverberating with a distinct echo. Like beads of water from a dripping faucet. He couldn''t quite engage any of his senses to anything else¡ªhe cannot see anything but darkness, and he couldn''t smell.


    No.


    It''s not that he can''t smell¡ª


    He couldn''t breathe!


    Ephraim immediately opened his eyes, and then he realized he was submerged in a pool of water. Everything was dark and blurry for a while, and it seemed like the water was pulling him in¡ªno, he has to pull away¡ªhe might die!


    He gasped as he drew away from the pool, coughing the liquid he had breathed and drank. He coughed incessantly as he weakly walked away from the pool with his blurry eyes. He knelt down once more, and with his trembling hands, he tried to feel the ground beneath the lagoon.


    Ephraim stretched and extended an arm, trying to feel the ground underneath the water. The pool of water had reached his hip, and it was arctic-cold. After a minute of searching, he finally felt the familiar texture of his glasses against his palm. It was futile to wipe his glasses with his soaked clothes; nonetheless, Ephraim tried to.


    As he tentatively wore his spectacles, the light passed through its lens and focused through his eyes. Ephraim, now with clearer sight, realized he was alone in a sequestered space. He turned around¡ªeverything was slowly beginning to illuminate.


    There was nothing but a vast array of water surrounding the whole enchilada. The color of the water was turquoise-blue and was very clear. There were vines crawling around the corners, and some looming underneath with diminutive flowers etched in the lianas. Some of the flowers were floating atop the blue.


    Ephraim continued to examine the entirety. It seems like the source of the dripping water he heard when he was at his subconscious was coming from aboveground, and along with the beads of droplets was a fall. A waterfall from above¡ªEphraim lifted his head to stare at the hole, the source of the falling water. It was interminable; endless¡ªhe couldn''t see the other end of the fall.


    And above all else, he couldn''t quite remember what happened.


    Ephraim''s nerves in his head twitched, and he winced in return. He walked away from the water as he draped his hand over the part of his head which was stricken with pain.


    He reached the ground shortly, and when he stood up, he sighed in relief when both of his legs appear to be working and uninjured. Ephraim''s gear was still intact, and it seemed he wasn''t missing any body parts (he was THAT paranoid) however, his head was still spinning. Even if his legs were unscathed, his head was resonating and whirling. This made his vision fuzzy.


    Ephraim still can''t remember how he got here.


    Silence.


    He tried clicking it several times once more, and then he realized it wasn''t simply unresponsive.


    It was broken.


    "How is this broken . . ." Ephraim exclaims as he tries to remember how he got the beeper broken. How is he going to ask for help, or report to the HR at this rate?


    "Damn it," he exclaims underneath his breath. Ephraim noticed only the rope from his equipment had survived the probable fall. Everything but his journal (which was safely kept on a pocket adjacent to his belt) and a rope he bought which was in his hip, was to be found. He readjusted his glasses and proceeded to stroll forward.


    How is he here?


    "Ack!" He clutched his head, and then as he withdrew his hand, a sinister crimson liquid had soaked his gloved fingers. He just realized the twitching on his head was pain¡ªpain from an injury. He cursed silently, and ripped a piece of his cloth and then pressed it tentatively to the aching part of his head; the upper right portion just above his forehead.


    Ephraim continued to walk forward, unsure why he''s doing so, uncertain even how he got here. But he didn''t want to think about how. His head was already gyrating and throbbing from sparking even a question. Despite these aforementioned circumstances, he still couldn''t afford to dwindle. At the very least, he had to have a clue what the hell had happened.


    Ephraim examined the entirety: there was a lagoon with a glimmering turquoise-cyan gleam with vines and flowers climbing and scattered across both in the depths of the water and through the ground. In the walls were also vines with blossoming odd-looking flowers; the place itself, also, was surrounded with peculiar-looking glowing plants that sheltered a warm light inside serving as the illumination in the whole room.


    Was it even a room?


    "Ah!"


    Ephraim stopped short, realizing he had hit his head from walking forward. He placed a hand around his nose, which got red from bumping against a certain object¡ª


    He frowned. What did he bump into?


    Ephraim walked forward, and then he again bumped into it.


    Glass.


    He pushed his hand forward, feeling the cold, flat surface against his palms. He blinked, and when he sees his reflection finally on the glass.


    \u003c\u003cUNAUTHORIZED ACCESS\u003e\u003e


    Ephraim''s eyes drifted to the red text that appeared to the pane. He took a step back and then eyed the whole spectacle presented before him. The glass had extended endlessly in both ways¡ªright and left. After the glass was¡ª


    Ephraim blinked.


    "Wh-what in the world . . ." Ephraim took several steps back, as he fixes his gaze to the space before him. The place which the glass separated from the lagoon and the falls.


    A laboratory.


    **


    Beep . . . beep . . . beep.


    "It''s really broken, dammit," Samuel exclaims, as he stares at the beeper. "I can''t reverse engineer something broken. Its circuits are done for good."


    Esmeralda trembles as she stares at hers. "I¡ªwe have t-to fix this¡ªb-but I think help''ll come¡ªit''ll come for sure¡ª"


    Samuel did not respond.


    "Right, Sam?"


    "They will," he says. "If we come out alive, that is."


    Both Samuel and Esmeralda were trapped in a sequestered space. There was no way out¡ªeverything was blocked by concrete. The only light they have is Samuel''s flashlight. It had been


    "M-my phone, it-it''s not here," says Esmeralda. "Is yours with y-you? Maybe we could call them¡ª"


    "I don''t have a phone." Samuel answers. "I store info in my head, remember?"


    "B-but, of course! For calls! Messages!" Esmeralda exclaims.


    "Zilch," Samuel answers as he tries to tweaks the beeper''s circuits. "Dammit, it''s really broken."


    "The HR will know that there''s an earthquake that took place. Help''ll come in no time," Samuel says. "However¡ªwe''re trapped here. It''s a matter of time before . . ."


    Esmeralda bit her lips as she awaited the other end of Samuel''s sentence.


    "Before we die here out of oxygen loss,"


    Esmeralda blinked. "H-huh¡ªoxygen loss?!"


    "Kidding," Samuel grinned. "It would take roughly 116.5 hours before we suffocate to death. That''s for about four days. And of course, it''s not going to be our cause of death."


    "What will?"


    "That is¡ª"


    Samuel''s eyes widened when the ground shook again. He immediately seized Esmeralda by the wrist and then sheltered her around him. He placed his other arm to his head, and the other shielding Esmeralda. The upheaval was now less intense compared to the first one which made the entire building collapse.


    "A-an aftershock?" Esmeralda says when the tremor stopped.


    "I think it''ll be followed shortly afterwards," Samuel says. "We need rescue, or else we''re seriously going to die here. We''re in a tight spot. We''re friggin'' surrounded by these blocks."


    Esmeralda bit her lip and remained unresponsive.


    "O-oh," Samuel blinks, and then he held both of Esmeralda''s shoulders and pushes her away gently. "Sorry ''bout that."


    Silence.


    ". . . Sam?"


    "What is it?"


    "Why did you . . . come to save me?" She asks. "You could''ve been with Doctor Wagner if you didn''t¡ª"


    "Are you stupid?!" Samuel exclaims, flicking Esmeralda''s forehead. "Why are you asking someone why he saved you? It''s obvious for Pete''s sake,"


    "I . . . don''t understand,"


    "Seriously?" Samuel scowls. "Alright. I saved you because I care. Lookie here, there isn''t really any big picture here. I saved you because I wanted to. I don''t get what could other reasons be."


    "B-but we don''t know each other¡ª" Esmeralda stutters, as she stifles yet another sob. "I''m just a colleague¡ª"


    "Hag, is your concept of morality so thin, or are you just thinking I''m plain evil?" Says Samuel. "You''re a friend."


    "F-friend?"


    "Barf," Samuel says, grimacing as he sticks his tongue out. "I won''t repeat that again, Uncharismatic girl,"¡ªhe flicks her forehead and then grins.


    Esmeralda stares at Samuel with her green eyes, blinking and astonished for a second, until she decided to evoke a smile.


    "You''re weird, Sam,"


    "Oh, am I?" Samuel arched his brow. He stares at her and then grins.


    "W-what?" Esmeralda exclaims, blushing as Samuel proceeded to stare and grin at her. "Is there something in my face?"


    Samuel smiles. "Nah,"


    "Th-then what?"


    "It''s just that," Samuel says. "You look stupider when you smile."


    "Wha¡ªbrat!" Esmeralda exclaims and slaps Samuel''s arm.


    "Ah¡ªaw, aw!" Samuel winced in pain as he held his bandaged arm. "Don''t hurt me physically! What the hell¡ª"


    "I''m sorry! Sorry!" Esmeralda says as she apologizes frantically. "I¡ªI forgot you have an injured arm¡ª"


    Samuel chuckles through the pain.


    "Dammit," he says, and laughs heartily. "Ahaha!"


    "Wh-what?"


    "This is ridiculous," he says. "We''re chitchatting to our death."


    "We''re not dying," Esmeralda says firmly, and then she stood up, and walked towards the fallen concrete. "We won''t die. . . but we have to do something before we get caught in another aftershock. Another one with a higher magnitude would surely kill us."


    Beep . . . beep . . . beep.


    "That''s right!" Esmeralda exclaims.


    "What''s right?" Samuel asks. "Have you lost it, Hag?"


    "No, Shorty! Listen!" Esmeralda paused for a while, as she listened to the faint sound of the beeper. "That!"


    "The beeper?" Samuel asks.


    "Yes!" Esmeralda says, and then she leaned to the concrete and pushes the debris with all her strength.


    "We have to get it!" She says. "And then with that beeper, we''ll be able to send Ephraim our location, and contact the HR!"


    "Oh!" Samuel nods. "Right!"


    "Now, can you help me here?" Esmeralda says. "If they can''t help us, we have to help them!"


    Samuel then instantaneously hoisted, standing alongside Esmeralda. He propelled his uninjured arm forward to the concrete, and then together they pushed the fallen blocks.


    "Yes," Samuel says. "I''m with you, Hag,"

 15 Combined Force

    A bead of water dripped from Ephraim''s spectacles. The distant dripping of water he had heard when he was unconscious was now ringing to his ears as he stared intently towards the glass pane. A red text had appeared with the sound of an error that made him gape as he fixes his eyes to the entirety.


    Unauthorized access.


    "What the hell . . ." He exclaims and then examines the red text slowly disappearing. Ephraim for a moment, stood motionless. It took him a second or two before he sauntered forward¡ªto touch the glass pane separating the lagoon to the laboratory.


    He feels his palms touching the cold glass, familiarizing its texture, and its wintry feel to his skin. Again, the red text appeared. It seemed to be etched within the glass, like a hologram.


    "Technology," Ephraim exclaims, tying the cloth to his head. He proceeded to draw his journal from the belt. The water did not soak it much, fortunately. It seems like the leather protected the journal''s contents.


    [It seems like this is a laboratory.] He writes. [Perchance it is a guinea-pig lab for a simulation experiment. I must confirm with my team members for more information.]


    Ephraim sketches the space.


    [. . . unauthorized access . . .] He writes the glass in his drawing. [When I bumped into and touched the glass, a red text appeared; it seemed like the glass itself detects skin; and thus, making fingerprint analysis possible.]


    Ephraim tried to touch the glass with a cloth. The red text did not appear.


    [Analysis: the glass pane doesn''t seem to detect cloth]


    Ephraim walked to the other end of the glass, to his right. He then sees more of the place and more of the lab; it appears to him there was only a glass separating the laboratory from the lagoon. Ephraim stared at the ground; it was covered in a mossy cobblestone path, with vines etched with flowers crawling to the ground and to the walls.


    The place was obviously for simulation.


    He was speculating¡ªyet again. The laboratory had had a wide glass pane made to observe the entirety of the "jungle"¡ªand this wasn''t uncommon in laboratories for research.


    For research . . .


    Ephraim immediately wrote down his analysis.


    That''s right¡ªhe was searching for research!


    ANDROMEDA''s research¡ª


    His eyes lit up, but they quickly died down¡ªhe realized he was being too hasty. It was too early to conclude things. Ephraim walked and scrutinized every detail he could find. It took him a while before he reached something he was familiar with.


    CCTV cameras.


    "Hello!" He exclaims. "I¡ªI''m trapped here!"


    No answer. The CCTV didn''t look like it was operating.


    Ephraim sighed. Who was he kidding? ANDROMEDA was long abandoned. It was uninhibited in the late 70s, approaching the 80s until it completely shut down for good. There was no way the CCTVs still functioned¡ª


    Blink.


    Blink.


    The lights in the camera were blinking; its red light was blinking.


    "H-hello!" He says, "I''m trapped here! I need help!"


    The camera still blinked for a moment, until small red light focused and remained still.


    "H-hello?"


    "Hello . . .?" Ephraim scowled in confusion, as he turned sideways, searching for the source of the voice.


    "Visited. . . ." Ephraim frowned. "Who are you? Where are you, rather? I need help, you see I got here and I don''t remember anything that happened¡ªI have a task force, and we''re searching for something; I''m also injured¡ª"


    "Thirty-five . . ." Ephraim shook his head, as he turns around to find the source of the voice. And that''s when he realized¡ª


    The voice came from everywhere.


    The whole place was ringing with that voice.


    "2020," Ephraim answers, and then he held his pen firmly and wrote down.


    [Analysis: A childlike, honeyed vocal sound belonging to a female spoken to me, saying she had slept for 35 years; asking what year it i¡ª]


    "M31 . . . crew?" Ephraim asks the voice.


    "Research M31?" Ephraim frowns. ". . . you mean . . . Andromeda Galaxy?"


    "What . . . in the world . . . can you get me out here?" Ephraim says. "Show yourself!"


    "H-hologram . . .?"


    Ephraim, although confused, continued to speak. "I . . . how can I get out?"


    "This is a cell . . .?"


    "Where can I get your body?"


    "Program . . . you?"


    Peculiar as it seems, Ephraim started to understand the talking voice. "So I have to reprogram your Hologram configuration . . ."


    "Tell me what to do," Ephraim exclaims.


    **


    "Push more!"


    "Aah! Yes! We can do it!"


    "More, more!"


    "One, two . . . and three!"


    Both Esmeralda and Samuel winced and grunted as they exerted a full force to their arms. They screamed and groaned when they noticed the block did not even budge. Esmeralda collapsed to the ground, sitting down with her palms supporting her torso.


    "It''s not doing anything!" Esmeralda exclaims.


    "Damn it," Samuel says, punching the fallen concrete. "We''re not even leaving a dent."


    "Aah! Why do you have to be so small!" Esmeralda says.


    "Coming from you, Hag!" Samuel grunts. "Damn it! We''re not the best combination here!"


    Esmeralda and Samuel had been pushing the blocks for a while. They had been pushing with all their might, but it was futile. Both of them had small statures and lean bodies. It was far from possible to move ginormous fallen concretes with their manpower.


    It was futile.


    Samuel soon sat beside Esmeralda, breathing heavily. His sweat had mixed with dust and concrete powder¡ªthe two of them looking worn out, tired, and dirty.


    "Ack!"


    Esmeralda blinks, as she sees Samuel clutch his injured arm. The bandaged had now reddened¡ª


    "Stupid! You opened your wound!" Esmeralda exclaims, "don''t move!"


    Esmeralda instantaneously shuffled through her equipment, and then she reapplied a bandage to Samuel''s arm, reworking the old one. She wiped alcohol to his wounds before doing so, with gaze fixated around the injured arm. She almost didn''t hear Samuel''s wince.


    "I-I''m sorry," Esmeralda says. "Does that hurt?"


    "No," Samuel exclaims. "I can handle it."


    Samuel''s arm had veins protruding and was fair. He had thin hair enveloping his forearm and a delicately toned muscle. Esmeralda admired it for a while until she finished reapplying the bandage.


    "Your arm is good," Esmeralda paused, "I mean good to go!"


    Samuel tilted his head, "thanks."


    "Y-yeah," Esmeralda awkwardly replies.


    "We''re gonna die here, huh?" Samuel says. "Damn rescue''ll be slow, we''ll be dead before help arrives."


    "Don''t be too pessimistic!" Says Esmeralda. "That beeper¡ªcan you hear it? There''s still hope,"


    "I hope we can get through these blocks before the blocks get through the freaking beeper, or the blocks get through us. It''s all the other way round." Samuel exclaims. "We have to hurry."


    "But h-how . . ." Esmeralda says. "We''ve been pushing the blocks so hard, but there''s nothing happening."


    "You bet," Samuel laughs, which died down shortly. "Damn it, I can''t think of anything."


    Esmeralda sighs. "I know . . . you''re a researcher, not an escape artist."


    "Wait . . ." Samuel murmurs.


    "And I''m a biologist! Plants and animals are my forte, not concrete! Not escape! Not critical thinking!"


    "Wait a sec . . ." Samuel says.


    "I don''t know what we''ll do! We''re not the best combination around¡ª"


    "Yeah! Right! That''s right!" Samuel exclaims.


    "H-hey, you didn''t have to tell me so cheerfully that we''re not the best combination around," says Esmeralda. "A-although I''m the one who said it first¡ªbut still, you know it''s¡ª"


    "No, idiot!" Samuel exclaims. "It''s not that! I am a researcher with a good memory!"


    ". . .and?"


    Samuel frowned. "You can''t guess from that?"


    Esmeralda shook her head.


    "Fine!" Samuel sighs, and then grins.


    "I have a good retention rate," he says. "If I can''t reverse engineer the circuits,"


    "Then . . . ?"


    "Then maybe," Samuel says. "I could reverse engineer the concrete?"


    Silence.


    ". . . is that a joke?" Esmeralda says. "I-it''s not funny, Shorty! I know it''s making you panic, but don''t get crazy!"


    "Stupid! I''m not going crazy!" Samuel says. "Weird as it sounds, I have a good photographic memory. I watched the pillars fall!"


    "Sam . . . a-are you really going¡ª"


    "No, are you freakin'' serious?" Samuel sighs. "In short! I can imagine in reverse how they fell."


    "So . . .?"


    "Ah, stupid minds can''t get the meat of the text sooner," Samuel says. "In simpler terms, like Lego, I could break it down. I could reverse the memory in my mind."


    Esmeralda''s eyes widened, pointing to Samuel as she realizes what he was trying to point out. "And like Lego . . .!"


    "Yes!" Samuel nodded. "And like Lego, I could see where are the parts that could lead us an easier path to escape!"


    Esmeralda beamed¡ª


    At least for a second.


    "But we still need manpower . . ." Says Esmeralda. "It''s useless."


    "Aha," Samuel exclaims. "That''s why we need another aftershock."


    "What?"


    "Yes," he says. "It''s our only shot."


    "I don''t get it¡ª"


    "While the rocks are shaking," Samuel says. "We can use the magnitude of the earthquake to our advantage."


    "Now you''re going crazy!"


    "Aha, am I?" Samuel laughed. "Well, listen, crazy is the only last choice we''ll have, Uncharismatic hag! It''s better than dying, right?"


    Esmeralda sighed. "Fine,"


    "That''s the spirit," Samuel says. "If they can''t help us,"


    "Then we''ll help them!" Esmeralda finishes. "Now, what should we do?"


    "First," Samuel exclaims. "We must find the space closer to a wider space. The rock which fell to Ephraim."


    "The rock which fell to Ephraim?"


    "Yes," he says. "We''ll have to deduce. Which of the concrete will be brittle enough to crumble in another wave of aftershock? We need to give it a shot,"


    "Or else?"


    "Or else, we''ll die," Samuel says. "That''s the only choice we have. If help doesn''t come, then we''ll be the one to help."


    Esmeralda nodded. "Okay!"

 16 The Whereabouts of the Missing Members

    "Aftershock . . ." Esmeralda murmurs "Please . . . before you come, I hope rescue will come first . . ."


    "Praying, Hag?" Samuel exclaims. "After you pray, I need you here."


    Esmeralda had been trying to push the fallen concretes, searching for those which should be brittle enough to crumble and fall. She had laced the force she exerted with prayers. She was certain any moment there would be blocks falling towards her unnoticed. She was subconsciously thinking of her last will¡ª


    "So, what can I do to help?" Asks Esmeralda, and then eyes the floor covered in concrete dust. Samuel, with his index finger, had been writing something down to the dust.


    "There," he says. "the axis where blocks have fallen. "Well, I think it''s a bit wrong though. But I gave it a shot,"


    "Wh-what''s that?" Esmeralda asks.


    "Newtonian physics." Samuel answers. "Gravity is constant, therefore g = -9.8 m/s2. The distance the object falls, or height, h, is 1/2 gravity multiplied by the square of the time falling. Velocity is defined as gravity multiplied by time."


    "I . . . what . . ." Esmeralda states.


    "This is High school physics, Hag," Samuel says. "I have a good retention rate. I remember formulas in my head. I never thought about applying them, though,"


    Esmeralda kneels, "so . . . um, what can I help?" she asks as she stares at the formula written on the ground.


    "For starters, we have to state air resistance as null," Samuel exclaims, as he continues to solve and write the equations.


    He crossed the equation out. "I can''t use Freefall as the basis. I think the stress force would do the trick. Continuum mechanics. Stress is the force per unit area on a body that tends to cause it to change shape. Stress is a measure of the internal forces in a body between its particles,"


    Samuel writes down the formula, ". . . in SI units, force is measured in newtons and area in square meters. This means stress is newtons per square meter, or N/m2. . . ."


    "Um . . . I-I''ve read on a textbook about earthquakes, they''re unprecedented, right? Peru''s in the ring of fire, after all."


    "Well, technically you''re correct," answers Samuel. "But we aren''t talking about fault lines or elastic-bound theory; it isn''t the earthquake we''re studying but the physics behind how the rocks fell."


    "B-but you can reverse engineer that on your mind, right?"


    "Yes, but since I blacked out when we got thrown off, I didn''t see the whole enchilada," Samuel says. "I''m trying to figure it using physics, though."


    "O-oh . . ." Esmeralda says. "W-well I''m not really good at math, so I don''t really know how I could help . . ."


    Samuel, for a second, stared at her.


    "Wh-what?" Esmeralda exclaims. "Are you going to tease me why I can''t do math? For your information¡ª"


    "O-oh. Okay.??


    "Yeah,"


    Silence.


    Beep . . . beep . . . beep.


    ". . . the beeper."


    "Yes, I can hear it," Samuel says.


    "No . . . wait," both Esmeralda and Samuel paused.


    Beep. Beep. Beep.


    "It''s . . ." Esmeralda exclaims¡ª


    ". . . getting louder?" Samuel continues.


    Both of them instantaneously stood up and then focused their whole senses on their ear. For a few deafening-silence, while pressing their ear to the blocks of different angles of concrete, they finally heard where the beeper was louder the most.


    ". . . am!"


    "That voice . . .!" Esmeralda says, her voice trembling.


    "Sam! Esmeralda!"


    Both Esmeralda and Samuel stare at each other.


    "Berthold!"


    **


    Ephraim grunted as he gasped heavily, pulling away from the water. He panted, trying to catch his breath. He stood up; this lagoon was different from where he had woken up. The depth had reached the top of his head.


    "No," Ephraim utters breathlessly.


    Before him was a vast body of turquoise-cyan water with flowers floating atop it. It was calm, and unhindered until he came. He couldn''t see the end of the lagoon¡ªand he was guessing it might be more than fifty feet or so (he''s uncertain HOW in the world would there be such thing underneath ANDROMEDA.)


    Ephraim mustered to evoke some of the certain happenings¡ªsuch as his missing task force, the job they must complete in ANDROMEDA, and the earthquake that sufficed. However, he couldn''t exactly remember how he had ended up ''here.''¡ªand how did he get injured?


    "That''s the problem," Ephraim answers as he floats on the water. "It would be gone now¡ªyou said thirty years had passed ever since they botched your system! And they threw it here! The bottom is unreachable, and without proper equipment¡ª"


    "Why didn''t you search for it for the past thirty years, so that you could just tell me where the location is?" Ephraim asks.


    "Okay," Ephraim says. "I''ll try to search again."


    Ephraim found himself submerged and diving towards the bottomless depth of water again. His eyes were a blur, but he somehow could see enough detail for quite a bit. The voice told him the chip would be about the small diminutive size and was inside in a container. The voice also told him she couldn''t remember what the container was like (because she was just a ''fragment,'' her data/memories were limited and she had to preserve the most critical information).


    Ephraim went deeper, diving down to the depths of the waters where only little light could pass through. He was holding his breath back for several minutes now. He knows he had to breathe again¡ªbut had to go further. He couldn''t dwindle.


    He extended his arm, reaching the obscurity in search of the ground.


    His head twitched and ache in pain, making him temporarily wince as he dives deeper. He gnashes his teeth from the inside as if it would do something to ease the pain.


    Until he touched something.


    And it wasn''t any container¡ª


    A hand.


    ¡ªand it had touched his own.


    "eeph. . . rraai . . .mm . . ."


    Ephraim''s eyes widened, as he tried to pull his arm away. The hand had pulled him to the abyss, more and more until he couldn''t see light¡ªhe exhaled the air away, as he sees nothing but the void as he drowns to seemingly perpetual darkness underneath him.


    Whose voice was that?


    "EPHRAIM!"


    Ephraim coughed, exhaling the water out of his mouth as breathed heavily. His gaze was now a blur, gradually clearing out as his lungs respire all the air he was deprived of.


    When everything was almost crystal clear, he sees two figures¡ªone familiar, and one foreign to her.


    Someone, the familiar figure¡ªhands him his glasses¡ªwhich he soon accepts. And as his vision started to be crystal-clear, he blinked several times in confusion, seeing the ''familiar'' and ''unfamiliar'' figure standing before him.


    "Aah~ finally I can talk and interact with you!"


    "Y-you''re . . ."


    "Right! Nice to meet you. My name is Anna or more likely Project A. NN3331a. But to be short, I''m called Anna,"


    ". . . Anna . . .?"


    Ephraim peers at the girl; she had a distinct curly blond hair, and a set of electric blue eyes. She had a small stature, and wore only a white dress with frills, complementing her fair skin. She was also barefoot.


    "You''re . . . that voice. . .?"


    "Aye," Anna answers. "Thank you for getting the chip!"


    "I . . . I got the . . . chip?"


    Anna tilts her head, "well, not alone, that is!"


    Ephraim then eyes the ''familiar'' figure. He blinked several times¡ªhow come he noticed the ''unfamiliar'' one first before this one¡ªwho he should have recognized the moment he opened his eyes?


    "H . . . Hiroaki!" Ephraim exclaims. "How in the world . . ."


    Hiroaki Mochizuki eyed Ephraim for a second until he walked away. Ephraim stares at his appearance¡ªhe still was wearing his black gear, but this time he sees beads of water dripping out from him. He was wet all over.


    "What . . . happened?"


    Anna pouted, "you don''t remember? Ah! Your head''s bleeding still!"


    "Oh . . ." Ephraim then drapes his palm around to the top of his forehead, and then he sees a crimson liquid from it.


    "From what I can see, the wound isn''t that deep! But of course, you still need some bandage, or else it''ll get infected."


    "Right . . ." Ephraim mutters. "I . . . how is Hiroaki here?"


    "Oh, you two arrived here together; however, in distinctly different sectors!" Anna says, trying to touch Ephraim''s head only for her hand to slip right through (she was a Hologram, after all).


    "We arrived here . . .?"


    "Yes," Anna says. "He saved you from drowning and when he recovered your body, you were holding the container of my chip!"


    "He . . . saved me?"


    "Yes," Anna smiles at Ephraim, as she gestured to pat his head. "Now does that answer your question why he''s wet all over? He saved you from drowning."


    Ephraim winced, as he clutched his head, his hand passing through Anna.


    "Ah! Careful~ I''m pretending to have a material body here~" Anna pouts, and then stares at Ephraim worriedly. "Are you okay . . .?"


    "I . . . I . . ." Ephraim shuts his eyes tightly as he winced in pain. His head was now throbbing and his gaze started to spin.


    "H-hey, are you alright?" Anna asks worriedly. "Your name''s Ephraim, right? Do I have to open the doors so we could ask for help¡ª"


    "I . . . remember it," Ephraim says, as his eyes fluttered open. He slowly lifted his gaze to meet Anna''s eyes.


    "Eph . . . raim?"


    Ephraim then stood up, readjusting his glasses.


    "I remember." He flashes his usual smile. "Now. . ."


    Anna blinks.


    "Remember what . . .?"


    Ephraim saunters towards Anna and then smiles at her. Anna started to take a few steps backward, frowning over Ephraim. He stops walking towards her and kneels to level his head to her height.


    "E-Ephraim . . .?"


    "Open the door to the laboratory," he says to her nonchalantly as he smiles. "There is something I need to find."

 17 Searching on for Andromeda

    "Sam!"


    "Berth¡ª"


    Everything flashed before Ephraim''s eyes in mere seconds¡ªthe pillars one by one started to dwindle and collapse as the ground shook. He watched how the concrete danced and fell¡ªand before he could even utter a word, it fell to where two of his team members were situated. He realized he had stood frozen and did not do anything.


    Fear got the better of him.


    But what could Ephraim do¡ªhe couldn''t simply charge to Samuel and Esmeralda. It was inevitable. He couldn''t rival nature¡ªand again, time was the greatest enemy of all. He didn''t even have room to think when Berthold eyed him with fear laced in his eyes. The doctor spouted something¡ªhe had called Ephraim''s name.


    But before Ephraim could even respond, a loud crash in front of him woke entirely all his senses¡ªhe blinked and then jumped to backed away. The floor below him crumbled (and since the ground is moving, Ephraim found it harder to even walk). He remembered the drill clearly, in case things like this happen. He was equipped with the necessary means; he was the leader, he has to¡ªand then, as he tried to click his beeper¡ª


    The ground shook again with great intensity. He cursed as his wireless earphone detached from his ear¡ªand had fallen to the ground. The pillars continue to crumble, and one of the falling concrete blocks crashed through his earphones.


    "Berthold!" He exclaims. "Are you there? Answer me!"


    "Ephraim!" He hears Berthold; the doctor''s voice, which was a bit muffled. Ephraim gritted his teeth and then held the beeper firmly. He began to press it. He had to press for precisely five seconds so it could send a message to the HR¡ª


    One.


    Two.


    Three.


    Four¡ª


    A concrete from above collided from a pillar from above, which made Ephraim move his hand away from the beeper. He instantaneously moved his hand away from the beeper as an unprecedented falling concrete surrounded him.


    "Shit!" Ephraim curses as a small block found its way to his wrist¡ª


    "Berthold! Call the HR!" He exclaims. "Hiroaki! Sam! Esmeralda!"


    No answer.


    Until.


    Until a beeper gets thrown to the ground.


    And then a strong arm seized Ephraim as they leaped away from the ground, as a large block of concrete fell to where Ephraim was standing just before. Ephraim turned his gaze to the one who had saved him¡ª


    Hiroaki!


    He expertly started to dodge the falling blocks, his movement swift. He dodged and parried the blocks with an arm. He jumped away, sideways and upwards, even as the ground shook.


    His evasion to the falling concrete lasted for a while. It lasted because Hiroaki Mochizuki had a ground to step to.


    Until there hasn''t.


    Somewhere unexplored.


    Hiroaki and Ephraim landed at a pool of water. One in a sequestered space evidently inhibited, clear from any presence of the living.


    "Where is this . . ." Ephraim says as he floats atop the water. He turned around to see where land was. He couldn''t exactly see land anywhere else due to the vast array of water surrounding the entirety. Ephraim noticed the water was flowing somewhere else, taking them with a moderate pull.


    Ephraim eyed his beeper¡ª


    Damaged.


    "Damn it," he cursed. "Hiroaki! Your beeper¡ª" Ephraim paused as he realizes Hiroaki had thrown his beeper to the ground earlier. His brows furrowed as he goes to Hiroaki.


    "Why did you throw your beeper!" Ephraim exclaims, confused. "We could''ve contacted the HR!"


    Hiroaki did not respond.


    "Hiroaki!" Ephraim exclaims. "Answer me! It was an emergency! Why did you¡ª"


    Ephraim paused to stare where Hiroaki was looking at. Or what he was looking at¡ª


    Before the two of them was the void.


    A waterfall.


    They were being pulled by the fall!


    "What the hell . . ." Ephraim exclaims. "We have to fall back!"


    Hiroaki gave no retort.


    "Hiroaki!"


    Hiroaki Mochizuki stares vacantly as the stream takes them to their doom. Ephraim eyed him as he slowly raised his hand, his index finger pointing somewhere else.


    Somewhere down the abyss.


    Ephraim eyed what Hiroaki was pointing at.


    The figure of a glowing girl.


    Before Ephraim could even ask or think about how or what, the stream''s flow instantaneously increased¡ªpushing the two members of the task force to fall to the waterfalls, down to the depths of the chasm of oblivion.


    **


    "E-Ephraim . . ."


    Ephraim flashes a smile to Anna. "The glass, Anna."


    Anna blinked, backing away, as she took several steps backward.


    "I believe we have a deal, Anna," Ephraim says. "I helped you. It''s time you return the favor,"


    Anna stares at Ephraim for a bit. His smile was unwavering. Anna thought it was like he was a completely different person a moment ago.


    "Okay," Anna says. She then swiped her index finger in front of her--in the thin air. A status tab appeared shortly afterward. She clicked on several tabs right after.


    \u003c\u003cUNLOCKED\u003e\u003e


    A green text appeared to the glass, and then as if from a fictional movie, the glass started dissolving like crystal shards fading into nothingness. It was like the pane itself was also a hologram. Ephraim sauntered in front of the glass pane, pressing his palms to its supposed surface. But it was nothing but thin air now.


    "How . . ."


    "Top-notch tech, huh?" Says Anna. "Well you''re talking to a Hologram who can have her own will, and has a personality and gender; this shouldn''t surprise you."


    ". . . I didn''t know AI is this advanced," Ephraim simply answers.


    "Aah~ what do you normies even know about tech~?" Anna exclaims.


    "I''m living in a technological civilization . . ." says Ephraim. "But I . . . don''t get the science behind this at all. You . . . and this,"


    "Aah~ let me explain it to you," says Anna. "You see; technology had advanced over the course of many years. Did you know that the Internet was made for military purposes?"


    Ephraim stared at Anna intently as he listens.


    "In the early 1960s, the computer networking revolution began and has led us to the technology of today. At first, the Internet was designed for military purposes and then extended to the purpose of communication among scientists. The invention also came about in part by the increasing need for computers in the 1960s." She says.


    "But before then . . . people had already started to toy around Artificial Intelligence or AI even before it was ever created," Anna murmurs. "Newell and Simon back in 1955 were already doing the AI Program . . ."


    "There are lots of things shawled beneath the Social Medias you delve into, Boy!" Anna exclaims. "This mere hologram glass, and me, Project ANNA, is nothing compared to what lies beneath ANDROMEDA."


    Ephraim narrows his eyes. "You do know the secrets, don''t you?"


    Anna smiles. "I think I do, but my system does not,"


    Ephraim frowns. "What do you mean?"


    Anna jumps to the lab, exiting the simulation ground.


    "My system is incomplete, actually," Anna exclaims. "I''m still a fragment of the real me. I still have missing information,"


    "But didn''t we retrieve your chip?"


    "The one for the security codes, yeah," Anna answers. "You did a very good job on that. You can''t think that my chip will only be one? It doesn''t work like that, Ephraim!"


    "Now that you mentioned it . . ." Ephraim exclaims as he thinks about how he had retrieved the chip. "It''s Hiroaki who programmed you, right?"


    "Correct," she says. "I''m surprised how he figured how to do so. Geniuses do exist, huh~"


    Ephraim leaped to the laboratory, and then as he lands to the floor, he immediately felt the chill run down his spine. He looked to the simulation area, and it seems like Hiroaki, once again, was never to be found. He sighs. His team members did have their own quirks. He had to accept that.


    However . . . how is he able to program a hologram that easily? Are agents capable of that, too? Ephraim wasn''t so sure.


    "We encounter different people around the world," says Anna, "and we''re going to do so for the end of our years. That''s how real life works. . . so said my Friend on Facebook!"


    ". . . Facebook?"


    "Yes~ I kind of see all things around Discord as well. People really are talkative~"


    "Wait, hold on," Ephraim looks down on the small hologram. "How did you know Facebook . . . and wait, you called me ''normie'' as well,"


    "Eeh," Anna tilts her head, as she pouted, her index finger on her chin. "Didn''t I tell you earlier that there''s more to technology than what meets the eye?"


    Ephraim gave no response.


    "How would you know how I suffered years of boredom?" Asks Anna, "I had to make multiple accounts on social media! I played games, and stuffs like that, y''know? I also know the latest gossips . . . wanna hear one?"


    "I thought you were asleep for thirty years?"


    "Thirty-five," answers Anna. "Yes, I was. But I am a fragment! I really AM slumbering deep within these walls. Being a fragment is stressful. I had to delete my data over the course of many years¡ªand so I could only remember memes now and some critical information in my software,"


    ". . . then, you don''t really have the information?"


    "I don''t," says Anna. "But I know ''I'' do. I''m not sure where they stored my other chips."


    Ephraim sighs. "This is going to be a really tiring search,"


    Anna smiles. "Aren''t you happy you are searching for something now?"


    Ephraim sighs once more and smiles.


    "Yeah," he exclaims. "Searching for Andromeda . . . or most likely,"


    "Searching ON Andromeda," Anna corrects. "Teehee~!"

 18 What Happened?

    "Berthold!"


    ". . .muel!


    "Can you hear him?" Samuel exclaims. "He''s on the other side!"


    Both Samuel and Esmeralda listened eagerly one more time. They could still hear the consistent beeping sound. They were waiting for Berthold to utter a word. To call their names.


    "Esmeralda!"


    "Berthold . . .!" Esmeralda utters. It seemed like a team member was alive.


    "Don''t worry, Bert! We''ll get you outta here¡ªwait, screw that! You have a beeper, don''t you! Call the HR!"


    "I called already called the HR! Rescue will arrive shortly now!" Berthold answers from the other side. "Who''s with you?!"


    "It''s me, Sam! Esmeralda''s here too!" Samuel exclaims. "Are you with Ninja guy and Lame leader?!"


    "No! I was hoping they were with you," Berthold shouts back. "Is there anyone injured right there?!"


    "S-sam''s injured!" Says Esmeralda.


    "I''M FINE!" Samuel shouts back. "Don''t worry about me!"


    "But¡ª" Esmeralda mutters.


    "Don''t worry about me," Samuel repeats to Esmeralda, way quietly. "I''m fine."


    ". . . A-anyhow, stay put! Cover your heads at all cost!" Berthold exclaims. "Don''t do anything rash!"


    "Are you also trapped?" Asks Samuel, practically screaming to the walls. "Can you get us out of here? We won''t survive at the next aftershock!"


    ". . ."


    "Berthold!"


    ". . . I''m not locked out," Berthold answers. "But I think it''s impossible for me to dig you two out of the concrete!"


    "He . . . he''s got a point, Samuel," says Esmeralda. "I don''t think it''s possible to get out here, especially if Doctor Wagner is the only one on the other side. We need to wait for the HR''s rescue,"


    "Damn it," says Samuel. "Rescue. It''s a game of chance. It''s either the rescue gets here or¡ª"


    And before Samuel could articulate the end of his sentence, he was stopped short by a slight rocking in the ground. Esmeralda yelps, and the ducks as she covers her head and nape. Samuel cursed as he goes near her, shielding her with his body as he covers his head as well.


    At a time like this, there wasn''t anything he could do.


    One tends to be vulnerable and on the losing end when nature takes its course. He embraced her trembling body with his, as he shuts his eyes tightly in return. He knelt motionlessly and awaited the enshrouded concrete above and beside the two of them to fall at any moment. The quake wasn''t ending at any moment now¡ªhe could feel it. Berthold was yelling on the other side, telling them to take cover, to not forget the drill.


    Samuel embraced Esmeralda''s trembling body as she sobbed fervently.


    "Hag, stay put!" He says. "I''m here! You won''t die!"


    But if it meant protecting another¡ª


    He had the feeling it would be worth it.


    It could be.


    He shut his eyes and embraced the trembling stature, shawling her with his body as he listens to the ground shake, and the smell of concrete powder wafting against the air as the blocks rubbed against each other in the upheaval.


    **


    It was afternoon when all of them were able to obtain information regarding ANDROMEDA. From Berthold''s perspective (or from anyone''s perspective at all), ''ANDROMEDA'' didn''t exactly look like a laboratory at all. He couldn''t really put his mind on it, especially when the task force arrived inside.


    The night before, Ephraim gave them specific subjects to work on. He was given the substances, along with Samuel and Esmeralda (Ephraim said to take note of everything they encounter, whether big or small). He was assigned the right-wing of the ''lab'' or more specifically, the ''house''.


    "How in the world is this a lab . . ." Berthold exclaims as he arrived in the right-wing, where the kitchen and dining hall were located. He opened his journal and started to take notes of everything he could see.


    [Creepy. Everything is creepy.]


    Berthold wasn''t able to think of anything. The right-wing was indeed creepy.


    "Haah," he sighs exasperatingly.


    Berthold Wagner started to scribble down his notes. He stares at the spectacle through his glasses. He had myopia, and so his eyes really required glasses. He stretched his back for a bit. It''s been a while for Berthold to really walk around, and be outside (although he was well-nigh and literally inside a house). He was, after all, usually stuck inside the hospital doing dayshift and graveyard shifts nonstop. He was a surgeon. He couldn''t even leave the hospital even if he wanted to¡ªtaking care of patients was both his duty and responsibility.


    It''s been a while. It''s not like he was inactive (he works out about four times a week). It was because he wasn''t capable of hanging out outside. He wasn''t a workaholic¡ªbut he was a busybody. He hadn''t had a social life ever since he graduated (or stepped up) to med school.


    It took them a few hours to write down the most intricate details they could even muster to evoke from such an abandoned building. When Ephraim summoned all of them in the common area, Berthold sighs as he realized all of them failed to retrieve a certain ''research'' in this certain ''laboratory.''


    All of them decided to show their journals. Berthold eyed Esmeralda''s. It had contained sketches of the Arachnida class, some cobwebs, and some numbers with purpose Berthold couldn''t decipher.


    "Where''s Hiroaki?"


    Berthold also wanted to know, and as he opened his mouth to add a follow-up question¡ª


    "Everyone, get down!"


    "Team, remember the drill!" Ephraim says.


    Suddenly, as if in the blink of an eye, he watched the pillars dwindle, as the ground started to shake. The concrete danced, and it danced to their deaths. Berthold opened his eyes only to see he was the only one left.


    "Ephraim . . ." He murmurs. "Sam . . . Esmeralda . . . Hiroaki . . ."


    Berthold Wagner was alone.


    **


    Ephraim started to walk forward with Anna to his side. He wasn''t sure if he''s doing it exactly right. He was still wearing his boots, and his clothes had dried up a little, although it still embraced his skin. He looked around. It was indeed a laboratory¡ªit had doors, several rooms with window walls designed and equipped with medical technologies.


    "This is the . . . abandoned forensics lab of ANDROMEDA?"


    "Aye," answers Anna. "We''re underneath the ''house.''"


    "House?"


    "Aye; it''s a secret lab hidden underneath Peru." Anna answers. "Scientists thought it was easier to conduct a top-secret experiment in . . . well, a secret place? If that wasn''t obvious enough?"


    Ephraim remained silent for a few minutes as they walked to a seemingly endless path.


    ". . . this really is unused for many years, right?"


    "Yes," Anna answers. "Unfortunately, it is unused. Inhibited. No one had stepped inside here for many years."


    ". . . are you sure?" Ephraim asks.


    "What do you mean?" Anna frowns and stops walking. "I''m not lying."


    Ephraim stares at her. "You said you''re a fragment of the real you, right?"


    "Yes, so?" Anna scowls. "You don''t believe that?"


    "It''s not like that." Ephraim stops walking as well, as he faces her. "I''m wondering if your other ''fragment'' or ''you'' yourself is wandering around here in the lab,"


    Anna chuckles.


    "Lookie here, it doesn''t work like that. ''I'' am slumbering somewhere else. ''I'' am incomplete."


    "Can you walk me through that?" Ephraim kneels to level himself to the hologram''s height. "And I''m fascinated with your appearance as well. Why would the scientists program you to be a child?"


    Anna sighs. "This isn''t ''my'' appearance," she says. "As I said earlier, ''I'' am incomplete. I''m a mere fragment of ''myself''. She¡ªI¡ªis slumbering within these walls. ''I'' am somewhere else . . . I couldn''t exactly remember because ''I'' have missing chips. They contain the main information. As I am now, a fragment with no data . . . is deemed useless." She paused. "But at least you got the chip for the security. It''s a step forward."


    "How many chips do you exactly have?" Ephraim asks.


    "I don''t . . . remember." Anna answers. "But I know there are specific chips for every different action. Think of it as doors. There''re only particular keys to be able to go inside to one."


    "But couldn''t you lock pick?" Ephraim asks. "Kidding,"


    "You mean ''hack'' to the system?" Anna asks. "It''s technically not impossible, but it''s going to need high-level tech skills."


    "Hmm," Ephraim nods. "I''ll take note of that."


    Anna nods. "So are we done?"


    "Not yet, I have a pressing question I''m harboring ever since I saw you in hologram form," Ephraim says.


    "Okay, spill the beans,"


    Ephraim thinks of the girl¡ªthe one Hiroaki was pointing at before they fell down to the falls. The figure of the girl who was glowing.


    "Are you the only ''fragment,'' around?"


    Anna blinks. "Now that you say that . . ." she pauses. ". . . maybe? I''m not sure. ''I'' am a fragment of the real ''me,'' if there are other fragments, they should have collided with me a long time ago. There couldn''t be other fragments."


    "Oh, I see," Ephraim retorts.


    ''Maybe I was hallucinating?'' Ephraim exclaims at the back of his mind.


    "Unless . . ." Anna stares vacantly.


    ". . . unless?"


    "N-nothing!" Anna smiles and continues to stroll forward. "We should head to the research site!"


    "You know where it is?" Ephraim''s eyes lit up.


    "Well, when my chip synthesized, I had the data for the rooms and what kind of things are conducted there!" Anna grins. "And you''re searching for the ''research,'' right? I know where it is! Just follow me, and we''ll get there eventually!"


    Ephraim blinked for several seconds until he finally flashed his usual smile.


    "Okay." He says.


    Anna strolled forward, sauntering childishly. He turned to look behind.


    And then he wondered.


    What happened to his task force?

 19 Misunderstandings

    "We''re here," says Anna.


    ". . ."


    Ephraim stares at a metal door. The laboratory was arctic-cold, like that of a refrigerator preserving meat. He stares at the heavily guarded door. On the side was an identification device.


    Anna eyed the device and then slipped her hand to it. Ephraim stares as Anna''s hand slipped past through the device transparently. Ephraim glances over Anna''s arm dissolving digitally, shards of light-blue fragments in her hologram appeared as she tweaked the identification device.


    ? ACCESS RECOGNIZED ?


    ? P r o c e s s i n g . . . ?


    ? Project A. NN331a. ? ? ? ? ? Fetching data . . . ?


    ? ACCESS GRANTED ?


    Ephraim watched as the hologram text slowly dispersed and vanished against the air. The red light from the top of the door now turned green as a sound resonated across the entirety.


    "It''s opened," Anna says. "I''m slipping through!"


    She did so. Anna walked through the closed vault, and then Ephraim blinked as he sees her passing like a ghost through an object.


    "W-wait," he says, and then propelled an arm forward. As his fingertips reached towards the closed door, he instantly felt the chill. It reverberated towards his body, sending odd shivers down his spine. He pushed the door forward, and then as if on cue, fog-like smoke with pale-blue color frost welcomed him, akin to that of a freezer door being opened.


    He stepped inside the laboratory.


    "This is . . . ANDROMEDA''S abandoned forensics lab . . ."


    **


    Lucian stares at Ephraim intently. "Be careful, Raim,"


    "Yes, Mother hen," Ephraim exclaims as he turns to board the plane.


    Lucian stands there for a second, still staring at the space where Ephraim had left. His phone buzzed from his pocket. It was Joana, Ephraim''s mother.


    "Auntie," he greets. "He boarded the plane now."


    ". . . oh, Lucian," Joana sighs. "I regret I didn''t call earlier. He''s already gone?"


    "He''s off," Lucian answers. "He''ll come back sooner. I know it. Don''t worry, Aunt Jo, Raim will be back before we even know it."


    "I hope so," Joana answers from the other line. "He didn''t even say goodbye to his father . . ."


    "Ah, you know Raim . . ." Lucian exclaims. "They''re still not on good terms, Auntie?"


    "I believe not," says Joana. "He won''t talk to Ephraim either . . . they''re still on odds,"


    "Mm . . ." Lucian beams, "that reminds me, Aunt Jo. My brother-in-law''s mother liked the quiche you baked. She wanted to learn the recipe for her husband." Quiche is a French tart consisting of a pastry crust filled with savory custard and pieces of cheese, meat, seafood, or vegetables. Lucian believes (and many others) that Joana Hughes'' quiche is a must-have (at least once). Ephraim''s mother made the best meals, after all.


    "Wow, that''s flattering . . . what was her name again?" Joana asks.


    "Oh, I would love to!" Says Joana. "Why didn''t she ask herself, though?"


    "She''s the shy type," Lucian chuckles. "For her age¡ªI mean, she looks quite young¡ªeither way, she wants to meet up with you. I''ll send you her number so you two could talk ''bout it, Auntie,"


    "Thank you, Lucian,"


    "Anytime, Aunt Jo."


    When the call ended, Lucian immediately exited the airport grounds and headed to the basement to fetch his car. It was silent and was quite eerie for his tastes. He opened the app of his suiting¡ªDoki Doki game¡ªand smiles warmly as he sees his 2D girlfriend.


    DDki is an advanced, interactive game where players could interact with the characters via talking, singing, and even video chat with them. Lucian smiles as he places his phone through the stand. He drove as the app loaded.


    "Lucian?"


    "Hello, Rinrin." He says, glancing at his phone as he drives. "How''s your sleep?"


    "I slept well, thank you~"


    "I actually saw a girl today," he says. "She''s really cute."


    "I see~ that''s amazing~"


    Lucian chuckles. "You don''t feel threatened? You''re my girlfriend, you know,"


    "Not really!" Rinrin says. She was smiling still.


    "Ah . . . what am I expecting . . . you''re programmed to answer like that when you don''t understand what I''m talking about," Lucian mumbles.


    "Anyway, Rinrin,"


    "Yes, Lucian?"


    "Have you tried falling-in-love?"


    "I''m in love with you, Lucian. So much. My soul, my heart, my body, belongs only to you."


    Lucian smiles. He had heard of these words repeatedly that he mumbled them together with his 2D girlfriend, Rinrin.


    "Anyway . . . I actually met a girl today," he says. "Her name''s Esmeralda. She''s really, really, short and cute. She looked smart. She had a really long, wavy hair. Her eyes were big and she looked so beautiful. I''m fascinated by her . . . and I think I know why,"


    "Why?"


    "She reminds me of the girl Ephraim and I fought over," he says. "Well, it''s not like we FOUGHT over that girl. Ephraim was trying to warn me, and I kind of thought he was trying to snatch her from me . . . wait, why am I even telling you this?" Lucian laughed silently. "You can''t understand me, right, Rinrin?"


    "I understand you, Lucian! Rely on me! I''m here for you, okay?"


    "Thank you, thank you," Lucian smiles as he fixated his eyes to the road.


    It was starting to rain now.


    "I''m so lonely," he says. "Is it because I have no girlfriend . . . or what?"


    Silence.


    "Rinrin?"


    He stares at the screen. It seemed like the app buffered.


    "Ah . . . this is really depressing. Rain and traffic," he says. "Hey, Rinrin . . . can you tell me why I''m being lonely?"


    "Maybe you are missing someone?"


    "Barf," Lucian exclaims, sticking his tongue out. "It''s not really ''that'' kind of lonely. I just . . . feel empty. Kind of. After graduation, I''m not really sure where my life''s heading."


    "I''m here for you, Lucian!"


    "Thank you, Rinrin." Lucian smiles. "It''s been a while since I felt like this. Lonely."


    "I''m here, Lucian. You won''t be lonely anymore!"


    "I hope so," Lucian says. "Anyway . . . wanna hear a story?"


    "A story?"


    "Yup," Lucian smiles as he fixes his gaze to the beads of rainwater plummeting towards his car''s windshield. "Remember what I said earlier? The story where Ephraim and I fought over a girl?"


    "Yes."


    "Well, there''s more to it." He says. "Traffic isn''t going away, so I guess a little storytime wouldn''t hurt."


    "Sure!" Rinrin answers. "I''ll be glad to hear it!"


    "Okay, it all started in middle school, at a rainy day like this . . ."


    **


    "Lucian, you failed mathematics again," Ephraim exclaims as he approaches Lucian to his desk. Lucian didn''t even pay attention to the tousled geek in front of him. He was busy texting a newfound ''friend.''


    "Lucian, I taught you every dismissal, why did you fail?" Ephraim inquires once more. "It was clear that I taught you the whole enchilada. The WHOLE coverage of the exam. Why, in the math-forsaken world, did you manage to FAIL?"


    "Huh?" Lucian lifts his gaze. "What?"


    "Have you been listening . . ."


    "Oh, if it isn''t Raim guy!" Lucian exclaims happily. "Anyway, look at her! She''s from class C. We started chatting a week ago. I''m awkward with conversing, but she still talks to me regularly! How cool is that?"


    Ephraim frowns. "I taught you every dismissal. Why in the world did you fail the exam?"


    "Aah, the exam. I was too caught with talking to my dear Michelle I forgot there was a test in the first place," Lucian grins, as he shows an image of a redhead in his phone to Ephraim. "Look at her! Isn''t she simply adorable?"


    "So this is the one who''s the reason my efforts are put to waste . . ." Ephraim mumbles, which was inaudible to Lucian.


    "What''d you say?" Lucian blinks, tilting his head. "Didn''t quite hear it."


    Ephraim flashes his usual smile and then leaves.


    "What a weird guy," Lucian mutters, and then glances over his phone again. "Now where was I . . ."


    **


    "You''re Michelle Dy, aren''t you?" Ephraim exclaims. "I came here for a reason."


    Michelle blushed, and then covers her face. "Is THIS happening?"


    "Yes, it is," Ephraim answers.


    It took Ephraim a while. He ordered his subordinates to fetch someone from class C as soon as he finishes doing his task as the student council president. He summoned Michelle Dy, the girl Lucian was starting to fancy, to the Student Council Office, a room exclusive for council members. Being a president was handy in some ways (and his members were way delighted than he was, saying the ''council was pretty boring these days,'' and ''they needed something entertaining to happen.'')


    "Michelle Dy," he says. "I called you here for a purpose."


    "P-president . . ."


    Ephraim smiles. "You see, the livelihood of my co-students are of great importance. You are aware some students are left behind academically, correct?"


    "Yes!"


    "I believe so as well. They need extra support. Care. Encouragement. Motivation." Ephraim exclaims. "And it can be fulfilled in various ways. Befriending them. Comforting them. Teaching them. In short, it''s being a good influence."


    Michelle nodded, agreeing completely.


    "Do you know a boy named Lucian?"


    "Lucian?" Michelle blushed. "Of course . . . h-he''s the boy you teach every day, right?"


    "Oh, so you''re aware," Ephraim says. "Then it won''t be harder to tell you why I called you here. I''d like you t¡ª"


    "President!" Michelle bit her lip. "I! I . . . I accept your feelings!"


    ". . . What?" Ephraim was still smiling. "Miss . . . Dy?"


    "I know it''s foolish of me to use Lucian so I could get your attention, b-but . . . if you had feelings for me already, then . . . !"


    "Wh-wh-w-what the hell . . ."


    "L-Lucian!" Michelle exclaims and breaks onto tears. "I''m sorry! The president and I . . . we like each other!"


    Ephraim''s smile froze.


    "Ephraim, so this is why you didn''t like it when I was talking to Michelle . . ." Lucian angrily spats. "You . . . snake," and then he walks out.


    "No, Lucian!" Michelle covers her mouth and sobs.


    Ephraim stares at Michelle with dead eyes and a frozen smile.


    "Miss Dy, I think you misunderstood."


    "W-what do you mean, President?" Michelle asks, wiping her tears.


    "I meant . . . I''d like you to refrain talking to Lucian especially on exams . . . I didn''t mean I like . . . you."


    THUNDERSTORM.


    "Oh."


    "Yes," Ephraim bows his head a bit. "Sorry for the misunderstanding. Anyway, I want you to help me talk to Lucian. It seemed he . . . misunderstood as well."


    ". . . AND that''s the story," Lucian says. "He explained it to me, and I felt like a complete joke. Ever since then, I hung around Ephraim more often. And then suddenly he became my best friend."


    "Oh, that''s amazing!" Rinrin says with a programmed response.


    "Yes," Lucian says. "It''s amazing. He even convinced me to take Archaeology. It''s that amazing."


    "I agree!"


    Lucian chuckles. "I see you do," he smiles. "Rinrin."

 20 Worry

    "So this is . . . the laboratory," Ephraim says as the fog-like frost clears up. The whole laboratory was freezing up, and again as Ephraim thought, it was definitely arctic-cold.


    "This feels nostalgic for some reason," says Anna. "But I don''t know the reason why I feel nostalgia . . . does that make sense?"


    "Sort of," Ephraim answers as he saunters inside the laboratory. "It''s really cold right here . . ."


    As Ephraim walks inside the laboratory, he catches a whiff of formalin. From his spectacles, he sees the entirety of the premise. There are laboratory apparatuses, few he could name (test tube racks, Erlenmeyer flasks, beaker, syringes, and some microscope); residing in the lab were objects and equipment he was barely familiar with. They were similar to the Sci-fi movies he sees on Television. It was like a scene from a movie.


    Anna walks athwart the room, eyeing everything with sheer fascination.


    "This is amazing," says Anna. "They feel familiar, but they''re really new to me now."


    "New to you now?"


    "Yep, they''re not on my data anymore, thanks to my botched system," Anna mutters. "But I store the data of these things, credits to Google,"


    "So . . . you search things up? Internally? Or something?"


    Anna nods. "I''m saving up their data, like their uses and description. But of course, I don''t want to waste memory with some trivial things such as these broken pipettes here," she says. "Anyway¡ªthink of it as something like keeping some files. You don''t necessarily throw what you don''t need for now . . . you archive them in a zip file so they won''t consume space. I save them and archive ''em."


    Ephraim saunters towards Anna and stands beside her. He eyes the Petri dishes. Some were empty, and some were broken. There are also some which contained green ooze.


    Thick, green ooze.


    "What''s this?" Ephraim asks as he stares closely to the slime-like entity residing in the petri dish. "Can you examine that for me, Anna?"


    Anna nods and stares closely at the green substance. Her eyes gleamed with radiant, cyan light as she examines the odd component closely. Her eyes fixated to the ooze as she gathered data.


    ". . . oh," she says. "What an odd thing. It''s a composition of . . . hexavalent chromium, cyanide, trichloroethylene, and some other metals . . ."


    "Hmm . . ." Ephraim stares at the ooze. "Is it toxic?"


    "Can be," Anna answers. She then strolls to another corner of the room, staring at the entire space with curiosity. There were glass-made cabinets plastered against the wall and other bizarre laboratory equipment. She also notices some thermal cycler and PCR machines (if her information serves right).


    Ephraim leaves the green ooze on the petri dish. "How weird. How come it didn''t vaporize?"


    "Access to higher information?" Ephraim asks.


    "Classified information." She says. "I''m a fragment. I don''t have the means to hack through some system. I can only rely on Mr. Google,"


    "That reminds me . . ." Ephraim starts. "How did you gain access to information, social media, et cetera? Does the laboratory have a net?"


    "Well, it''s quite easy." Says Anna. "Frequency,"


    "Frequency?" Ephraim repeats, and then his eyes lit up as he soon understood. "I see,"


    "Right, right, quite fast on the uptake, huh?" Anna grins. "So yes, I snatch some frequency to get in touch with the world outside."


    "Are there waves or signals underground?"


    "An archetypal 900-megahertz radio will propel signals down a tunnel very efficiently, but these high-frequency transmissions will not travel through the earth." She says. "However, that''s why the ''house'' existed. So we can get radio waves and microwaves. It''s complicated to explain in simple means, but there''s that,"


    Ephraim nods. "I completely understand. In short, there''s a device above the lab, located in the ''house,'' that is able to synthesize these waves."


    "Correct," Anna says. "And with that, I was able to snatch up Wifi. It''s pretty convenient. Anyhow, I stuck up only the critical information and important data in my memory. Other than that I''m pretty much full of memes, and of course, now I got the chip for security! Which means a lot, by the way."


    "Hmm . . . then, since you have the critical information at hand . . ." Ephraim fixes his gaze towards Anna. Their eyes met as he flashes a smile.


    ". . . then maybe, you have the answers to ANDROMEDA?" He says. "To the facility. To the research. To everything else?"


    Silence.


    Ephraim and Anna eyed each other intently for a moment.


    Until a snort followed.


    "Pft," Anna stifled her laughter. "Aren''t you listening to anything I just said earlier? I''m not ''me'' yet. I''m simply a fragment of the real ''me''. I''m not able to answer your queries, let alone know what such top-secret research would be."


    Ephraim was still smiling.


    ". . . you don''t believe me?" Anna asks.


    "I find it odd. I''m not sure about how all of these technologies that seemed like they existed in 2050," says Ephraim. "But you are a Hologram created by engineer and scientists whom, I think, has the utmost access to what happened here in this lab. You said you stored critical information."


    "I did," Anna answers as her eyes followed Ephraim who ambled to the corners of the room, scrutinizing the spaces and objects he was fascinated with.


    "What are your critical information?" He asks. "Are they the research, the lab, or something?"


    ". . ."


    "Anna?"


    ". . . I can''t . . . tell," she answers.


    "Why?" Ephraim asks as he turns towards her with bemusement laced all over his face.


    Silence.


    Ephraim then smiles.


    "Okay," he says after a brief moment of silence. "I won''t ask anything about it."


    "R-really?" Anna asks.


    "Really." Ephraim flashed his usual smile. "Anyway, can you give me a hint about the crew you were talking about before? You said the Messier something botched your configuration. I didn''t quite catch that. Can you elaborate on some details for me?"


    "Messier 31," Anna answers. "The Andromeda Galaxy crew. . . and . . ."


    Ephraim tilted his head. "And?"


    "And Messier 33 . . ." Anna sighs, as she glances at the glass cabinet, with her grave expression looking back at her.


    ". . . the Triangulum Galaxy crew¡ª


    ¡ªthe ones who botched my system." She says and then faces Ephraim.


    "I won''t go to any detail because I don''t remember," she says. "But I do know this . . ."


    Ephraim looks at her intently.


    "M33 crew . . ." She says. "Is the reason why M31 failed the task."


    "What do you mean?" Ephraim asks.


    "I don''t remember," Anna says, as she pouted. "Don''t ask me anymore. I feel like I don''t even wanna remember why."


    "Okay," Ephraim replies simply.


    Ephraim then finds himself looking at the broken beeper.


    And then it occurred to him.


    An overwhelming feeling of enthrallment as well as worry. He was here in the laboratory. Alone. His team members may be buried underneath the fallen concrete¡ªno, he shouldn''t think like this¡ªnonetheless, Ephraim paused for a moment.


    He couldn''t really shake off the thought. Berthold and the others, where were they right now? Hiroaki had gone off again¡ªbut at least Ephraim was certain he was alive.


    But the other team members.


    Berthold . . . Esmeralda . . . Samuel.


    What happened to them?


    It was a strong earthquake enough to shatter the grounds into smithereens, making both him and Hiroaki plunge into the waterfalls underneath the ''house''. It was THAT strong. The other team members could either have fallen to the falls as well¡ªor caught into the falling concrete and dwindling pillars.


    The magnitude and intensity of the earthquake made him think of the possibilities.


    Possibilities of death.


    He wanted to shake his thoughts off. The HR would be here any minute now. His team would be alive and well. He didn''t have to worry. He had to focus on the task at hand.


    "Ephraim?"


    Ephraim blinked, snapping back to reality. It was Anna who spoke.


    "Are you okay?"


    Ephraim tried to flash his typical smile.


    But he failed to do so.


    "Are you alright?" Anna asks, tilting her head. "I called your name for like, five times until you responded."


    ". . . is that so?" was all Ephraim could say.


    "Something is eating upon you, I could feel it," Anna exclaims. "Is it the lab? Is it too cold? Are you disappointed in my answers?"


    "It''s not that . . ." Ephraim answers. "There was an earthquake earlier. That''s why I''m here,"


    "I''m aware," Anna replies.


    "My team," Ephraim mutters, as he clenched his fist. "I . . . don''t know what happened to them. All of us got separated amidst the upheaval. I can''t . . . I can''t even contact them right now."


    "Maybe I can?" Asks Anna. "You know, I sort of have the ability to breach frequencies and radio waves¡ª"


    "The HR is not for hacking, and besides, I don''t even know their IP. I don''t think you can breach UHE''s top-tier system . . . so you can''t be able to directly transfer message to them . . ." He says. "Can you?"


    "Well, I can''t hack since my configuration''s been botched. I only have access to the security of the laboratory," says Anna. "Is there anything I could do to help?"


    "I presume you can''t fix tangible objects?" Ephraim asks, pertaining to his broken beeper. "If this beeper is fixed, then I may be able to contact them . . ."


    "Nope, I don''t think I can fix something that doesn''t belong to the lab . . ." Anna sighs as she sees Ephraim''s dejected face. "I''m sorry, Ephraim,??


    Ephraim smiles. "It''s okay."


    Anna stares at him worriedly. "Are you sure?"


    He sighs and then flashes a small smile. "I suppose I can''t do anything but to inspect the lab . . ." He exclaims. "I have to trust my team members. I know all of them will survive."


    "Surely. They will!" Anna says. "D-don''t worry! All we have to do inspect the lab, right? And then by doing that, you won''t come empty-handed! B-but I don''t mean it like you''re expecting them to be d-dead or anything . . . okay? I¡ª"


    "Anna," Ephraim smiles. "It''s okay. I just have to trust everything to fate. This was inevitable. I can''t do anything but search for answers right now." He pauses. "Am I . . ."


    "Yes?"


    Ephraim smiles, brushing off his thought. "Nothing. Should we continue the search?"

 21 Joana Hughes

    "My name is Joana Hughes," ¨C "nice to meet you, Mr. Denmark,"


    "Dear, make sure Joana receives the utmost comfort," says George Denmark to his wife. "I''m delighted seeing you make friends."


    Sarah Denmark chuckles, as she kisses the cheek of her husband. "Oh, Dear. You make me feel embarrassed,"


    George Denmark smiles as he beheld two women standing before him. Beside his wife was a rather unexpected guest. He fixated his eyes upon her¡ªshe had honey-brown curls and olive-green eyes. Freckles also spread lightly all over the bridge of her nose to the red of her cheeks.


    This was Joana Hughes¡ªEphraim''s mother.


    "I¡ªI really didn''t expect the President to be your husband, Sarah,"


    Sarah giggled. "Well, I really don''t like flaunting it out. He''s not that big of a deal!"


    George Denmark smiles. "Really, Dear?"


    Sarah smiles sweetly. "Just joking,"


    "Oho," Joana covers her lips slightly, as she hides her smile.


    "What is it, Mrs. Hughes?" George Denmark asks.


    "It''s nothing," Joana answers. "It''s just that, I hope my husband is that affectionate with me,"


    "Oh, Joana . . ." Sarah pouts. "Tell me about it!"


    "Why don''t you two go with me to the courtyard for some tea?" George offers. "And if you two don''t mind, I would like to know how both of you got this . . . close."


    As the three of them headed to the courtyard, the maids instantaneously served them pastry and tea. Both Joana and Sarah started to chatter, telling George how they met (they had met because George and Sarah''s child was the betrothed of Lucas'' sibling. Since Lucas is close to Ephraim''s family, Joana was easily introduced to Sarah).


    "Now that reminds me," says George. "Since you are my student''s mother, I''m quite curious where he got such intellect."


    "Ooh! Me too!" Sarah exclaims. "Can you tell us your life story¡ªer, if you don''t mind, Joana?"


    Joana Hughes smiles, "it''s alright. I don''t usually go around telling people the story . . . but I suppose I can make an exception."


    "Are you sure? I asked you to teach me to make a quiche and now we''re asking you to tell us your life," Sarah pouted. "Aren''t I being too intrusive?"


    "No, no," Joana smiles warmly. "I''ll be delighted to tell."


    "Oh?" George Denmark''s eyes gleamed. "Please do, Mrs. Hughes. I''m very curious."


    Joana smiles once more and takes a deep breath.


    "Well, all of it started when I was in college."


    **


    When Joana Hughes was a simple college student at a community college, her life was akin to a monochromatic film. She pursued history because she wanted to be with her boyfriend. She was a mundane teenager living a mundane life. Except . . . her boyfriend was a straight-up nerd. He wasn''t a jock (boys she fantasized about), nor an art student who works out. Even in a monochromatically boring life, she was expecting a bit of spice.


    Whom she loved a lot.


    The guy''s name was Manuel Marcus Hughes. Aka M\u0026M, as Joana liked to call him. The only redeeming thing about Manuel was his tousled, ink-jet black, curly hair. He had piercing blue eyes and delicately carved jaw. He looked an angel with head buried in a book. It was Joana who confessed, and then he easily agreed to date her with no question asked.


    They were an odd couple. Joana was neither bookish nor smart. She was a C student, and one you could call ''happy-go-lucky,''¡ªJoana Dakota was a nobody with uninteresting quirks¡ªwhereas Manuel, on the other hand, was a nerd with a feminine vibe.


    They did not complement each other at all.


    But for some reason, Joana was drawn to Manuel. She wasn''t entirely sure why¡ªhowever, it felt good to be closer to him and be affectionate with him. Their relationship lasted for a year until college came and Manuel chose to study History in a community college. Joana was supposed to study Nursing, but then again, she had this irrational yearning to be with Manuel 24/7. She decided to follow him¡ªand study History with him in a local college.


    And so followed her demise.


    History wasn''t pleasant for an extroverted happy-go-lucky. Joana wasn''t bookish and mostly slept through lessons in her high school. She had to force herself in listening to boring lectures and take practicals she didn''t even fancy. It was to her horror when she realized History wasn''t working out for her.


    But Manuel was eager. He was passionate about it.


    "Why do you like the past so much?" Joana asks.


    ". . . well," Manuel lifts his head which was buried in a book. "It''s because it''s the most real thing the world could offer."


    Joana did not understand what Manuel said back then. Not even a bit she understood anything in History. Although she was able to spend some time with Manuel, hang around his dorm almost every day (which leads to something more than hanging out)¡ªshe was on the verge of dropping out. She was one of those students whose names were on either the last page of ranks, or those who passed. She was barely surviving college.


    But she graduated in time, eventually. (Thanks to cheat sheets, and cheating techniques she honed over the course of many years). Even after graduation, Joana failed to land herself a decent job. She wasn''t fit to be a History teacher since she disliked reading. Being an instructor meant to study the lessons all over again. She tried (it lasted for a year) but she herself wasn''t buying that. She quitted immediately when she realized History wasn''t really for her. At age 25, she decided it was the time she comes up with new beginnings.


    And that was the time Joana Dakota decided to become Joana Dakota-Hughes.


    If she can''t work, then maybe she should just become a full-time housewife and marry the man she loves. The reason for her demise. The one she chose instead of a college degree she wants. The reason she was always sleeping in boring lectures.


    Manuel Hughes.


    "I''m sorry, Mrs. Hughes," says the doctor. "I''m sorry for your loss."


    They had their first try. The child was stillborn, which wasn''t even a fetus yet with any gender. The child died because Joana was sick.


    If she can''t work and bear a child, then what''s her purpose?


    Both Manuel and Joana tried and tried. It took them several months before life finally bloomed within Joana.


    And it was unexpected.


    "Twins," she exclaims as she covers her lips. "We''re having twins, Manuel!"


    "Yeah."


    Joana didn''t see Manuel''s expression that day. He turned away from the ultrasound monitor at that time, making Joana unable to see how he reacted.


    Joana was the happiest of them all. Manuel was taking extra care of her, and her family was there to support her with all their might. She named her boys with a meaningful name. One with a Hebrew meaning of ''fruitful,'' and another with a Galacian meaning of ''fire''.


    Ephraim and Ignacio.


    Her twin blessings.


    "He isn''t crying!"


    "His breaths are faint!"


    "The other boy started to cry now!"


    "His pulse is getting weaker!"


    She wasn''t thinking nor hearing clearly. Her gaze was a blur from exhaustion and fatigue¡ªall she remembered were the nurses shuffling back and forth as they tend to her sons. She could hear her boys'' sobs, and loud yelps, and some faint cries and silent coos.


    Until there was silence.


    "Time of death, 3:31 AM."


    . . . she listened.


    Her firstborn was dead.


    "His name will be Ephraim Ignacio." Says Manuel. "He is both Ephraim and Ignacio."


    "Ignacio is gone, Manuel . . ." Joana exclaims silently. "I don''t think it''s a good idea to¡ª"


    "He will be a fruitful fire, Joana." Says Manuel, as he stares at the child in Joana''s arm. He eyed the baby with an expression Joana couldn''t read, let alone understand. It was one of the things Manuel made confusing for her.


    "He will be a fruitful fire," Manuel says. "The fruit of fire from both past and present."


    Joana tried to smile, despite the sorrow she feels. "You jest, Manny. Past and present? My baby isn''t a time traveler,"


    Manuel glances over the child.


    "Ephraim Ignacio," he says. "What a name to behold."

 22 Special Chapter Samuel

    Samuel stares blankly to small, fluttering blue wings. He stares at its intricate pattern and the details upon such a diminutive entity. His electric-blue eyes followed the butterfly flying towards a flower.


    A hand ruffled his platinum-blond hair.


    "Are you fascinated with the butterfly, Sam?"


    He lifts his gaze to the one who patted his head. He was a tall man. He refers to him as ''Papa.''


    "Butterfly?" Sam asks. His chubby hands reached to his tall ''Papa,''¡ªand then his Papa chuckles, picking him up.


    "Yes, butterfly," says Erwin Albrecht, Samuel''s father. "More specifically, a blue morpho. The blue morpho is amongst the biggest butterflies around the globe, with wings traversing from five to eight inches. As its common name infers, the blue morpho butterfly wings are bright blue, edged with black,"


    Samuel nods.


    "Honey, Sam won''t remember that. Why are you being so nerdy again," says Lucilla Albrecht, as she picks the small and chubby Samuel from her husband. Erwin Albrecht readjusted his glasses and pouted.


    "I can''t help it, he''s so cute," says Erwin as he stares at Samuel, who was looking back at him expressionlessly. "Look at his chubby cheeks. I can''t believe we were able to create such a creature."


    "Don''t call our baby a ''creature,''" says Lucilla, kissing Samuel''s silky platinum-blond hair. "He smells so good. I love smelling babies. Remember when Samantha was this small?"


    "But babies fascinate me. He has both of our chromosomes, and he''s a sperm and egg combined. What a wonder, he''s the only one who survived the onslaught,"


    "What onslaught?" Asks Lucilla.


    "Oh, Lucy. So innocent. You gave birth to two, and you''re still such a delicate maiden," says Erwin, and then smiles at Samuel who was again reaching to him. "Do you want Papa to pick you up?"


    "Papa," Samuel exclaims. "Blue morpho."


    "What did you say?"


    "Blue Morpho. Butterfly. Five to eight inches."


    Both Erwin and Lucilla stare at their child, who had uttered words so complicated at just the age of five. At this time, their other child, Samantha, had just learned the alphabet and was still practicing how to spell her name.


    "What did you say . . .?"


    Silence.


    "D-did we hear it right?" Says Lucilla. "Or did I just hallucinate?"


    Erwin stares at his five-year-old son, who was looking at him intently.


    "Lucilla,"


    "Erwin?"


    "I think . . ." Erwin levels his head to his child, who was in his wife''s arm. "I think Sam''s a genius."


    "Our child . . . a genius?"


    "Yes!" Erwin grins. "Sam, can you tell us that again?"


    "Blue Morpho. Butterfly. Five to eight inches,"


    "Oho! Our Sam is going to follow my footsteps!" Says Erwin with a gleeful tone. "He''s going to be even greater! Look at that exceptional memory. What about we skip the ABCs and let''s proceed to x + y?"


    "Ow!" Erwin caresses the mark Lucilla left as she slaps his arm. "What was that for, Lucy?"


    "It''s because you''re saying ridiculous things. Don''t you forget Sam is our baby." She says. "Right, Sam?"


    Samuel did not respond.


    Lucilla then carefully places Samuel back to the ground. Little Samuel ran towards the flowers once more and stares at the bugs instead.


    "Lucy . . . don''t tell me you don''t want to have Sam take advanced lessons? Looking at him, I know he''ll be a bright child," says Erwin. "He memorized a thing I said so easily. He didn''t stutter as well."


    "You say the dandiest things," Lucilla exclaims as she stares at her child playing with the bugs. "But I''m not in the same boat as you."


    "I don''t understand. We''re both doctors. Samuel . . . you know he''s special."


    "Every child is special," Lucilla answers. "But I don''t think you know that. You''re not that affectionate with Samantha when she was the same age as Samuel,"


    Erwin''s shoulder slumped, as he stares at Lucilla sadly over his spectacles. "Is this about me being in military camp instead of supporting you with Sammy?"


    "It''s not that," Lucilla answers as she sighs. "Look, Erwin. I don''t want Samuel to be strained at such a young age. I want him to enjoy being a kid. I want him to play, get curious, and play again. He''s growing, but I don''t want you to cut his childhood so shortly."


    "Lucy, you''re making a big deal out of this . . ." says Erwin. "I want Samuel to be able to enjoy his childhood too. He''s our baby. But know I don''t want his talents to go to waste . . ."


    ". . . what are your plans?" Lucilla says after a brief silence. With that simple question, Erwin Albrecht eyes'' gleamed as he glanced over Samuel who was playing.


    "A father-son time,"


    "Do you understand the concept of genetic engineering, Samuel?"


    Silence.


    "Sam," says Erwin as he stares at the small figure at the opposite end of the table. Only the bulb above provided light at the papers and books scattered across the table. Everything else was covered in pitch-black darkness. Two figures, electric blue eyes looking at each other, were the only life to be found in the basement.


    "Samuel. I repeat. Do you understand the concept of genetic engineering?"


    Silence.


    "Samuel Albrecht," Erwin exclaims. "Genetic engineering."


    Samuel''s gaze drifted back to the paper in the table. He grabbed the blue crayon on his side (it was there since crayons are safer than pointed pencils), and then he started to scribble to the paper. The paper was an article about genetic engineering.


    Erwin immediately stood up and stormed to Samuel''s side.


    "What did I say about drawing?!" He yells. "You are not here for drawing, Sam! You''re here to study!"


    Samuel halted for a moment, but then he continued to scribble and draw. Erwin Albrecht gritted his teeth and then grabbed the paper away from Samuel.


    "You''re here to study," Erwin exclaims calmly. "You''re not with your mother, Samuel. You''re here with me. And you know what that means, right? It''s to study!"


    "Study," Samuel mumbles.


    Erwin''s eyes lit up. This is the only time Samuel responded to him in their ''study session,''


    "Yes, Sam. You''re going to study." Erwin exclaims. "It''s genetic engineering. Since you know how to write your name, and know the ABCs, it would be easier for you to study genetic engineering. You memorized the dictionary, right?"


    Samuel didn''t respond.


    "Samuel, don''t make this difficult," Erwin says. "We always studied together and we only study every night. You can still play, right? This is for your own good,"


    "Study." Samuel mumbles. "Genetic engineering."


    Erwin nodded. "That''s right!"


    "I hate it." He says. "I want to color."


    Erwin fumed up, and then before he knew it, his hand landed towards Samuel.


    The next thing that occurred was a loud slap, accompanied by Samuel''s cheeks turning red.


    And his baby tooth coming out as blood poured out from the child''s mouth.

 23 Special Chapter II Samuel

    "What are you doing, Sam?" A girl with black hair and electric-blue eyes asks as she kneels to the chubby creature curiously looking at the leaves and bugs again.


    "Saaam? Baby brother?" The girl calls, only to be brushed aside and to be ignored by her baby brother. Samantha Albrecht sighs existentially, as she pouted. "You aren''t talking to me, although Ma and Pa left me to entertain you. You haven''t even talked the moment you woke up . . ."


    Samuel gave no response.


    Samantha Albrecht simply knelt beside her brother, as she eyed the ladybug in a leaf. Samuel was staring intently at it.


    "Sam . . . your cheek, it''s a bit swollen." She mutters. "Does your teeth hurt? Did you fall somewhere? Did a bug bite you?" Samantha asks, holding Samuel by his shoulder. Samuel stares at her with his expressionless, electric-blue eyes very similar to hers. When Samantha looks at her little brother, she always finds herself perplexed by his inability to convey emotions. They were very similar; born from the same womb, and had inherited the same electric-blue eyes.


    Samantha Albrecht was born before Samuel. She was born from an ''accident,''¡ªas much as she remembered her mother''s grandparents grumbles and scolds when she was at Samuel''s age. She was now fifteen, and Samuel five. Back then she was always in her grandparents'' house while her mother continued to pursue her studies. She couldn''t quite remember her father tending to them back then¡ªthat''s why she was a bit aloof with him now he''s together with them.


    Erwin Albrecht was older than her mother; when she was still a student, he already graduated and worked. He was absent in her life since day one, and only returned when she learned to walk and understand the basic concept of a family. Samantha couldn''t quite hate him, though. He was an affectionate person and was very nerdy. He was also attractive, which explains her beautiful features. All of her characteristics¡ªdown to the bridge of her nose, the shape of her chin, and her expressive electric-blue eyes complementing her dark hair¡ªwere all from Erwin Albrecht.


    When Samuel was born, Samantha became a big sister and had envisioned to be a role model for her baby brother. She came to realize that Samuel wasn''t similar to her¡ªErwin was so attentive to Samuel, and was certain he would be a ''genius.'' . . . Samantha remembers¡ªas clear as a crystal¡ªthe day she tried to solve a complicated mathematical problem. She was adept in math, but that was solely because she took cram school. Her mother praised her for her improvement, but her father¡ª


    "That''s a rather simple problem for your age, right?" He says. "There are also shortcuts here taken with the wrong procedure. What did you learn in school, Samantha?"


    Until Samuel.


    "Are you okay, Sam? Can you open your mouth for me?" Samantha asks, worry evident in her face. She had expressive eyes¡ªany emotion she felt reflected easily, and there was no hiding her feelings. This was why Samuel was her exact opposite¡ªit was as if she harbored all the emotions in their blood and only she looked like she ''felt'' something.


    Samuel continued to stare at her.


    "Come on Sam, I''ll . . . uh, I''ll give you a candy if you open your mouth," Samantha says¡ªcursing herself internally because if Samuel indeed had a toothache, then a candy wouldn''t be advisable. Samantha tried to smile again when Samuel gave no response.


    "Right! I''ll buy you another set of crayons if you show me your mouth. I know your crayons are missing some colors, right?"


    For a second, Samuel''s eyes gleamed. Samantha blinked. Her little brother likes to color!


    "Ooh! What''s this? What if I give you something called . . . watercolor! Or pastel colors! Paint!" Samantha grins as she picks her phone from her pocket as she browsed the things she mentioned. "Here! Look at this,"


    Samuel glances over Samantha''s phone and then fixes his big, blue eyes over the screen. Images of different art materials reflected through Samuel''s eyes¡ªand for the first time, Samantha sees his fascinated expression.


    She felt like she discovered something precious.


    "Do you like these, Samuel?" Samantha says. "What if I buy you a . . . watercolor . . ."


    Samantha stopped shortly as she stares at her brother slowly dropping his jaw inevitably as he stares at the art materials. Samantha stares at Samuel.


    "Sam, why are your gums swollen with a missing tooth?" She says, noticing her brother''s reddened cheek as well. It wasn''t a bug bite¡ªshe knew her brother''s teeth; they were brushed by her, after all. She was certain he was eating too much chocolate, but not to the point it would rot his teeth and cause it to fall off.


    Sam stares at her.


    "Will you buy me watercolor?"


    Samantha stares at him. "I will if you tell me what happened,"


    Samuel stares at Samantha.


    Samuel parted his lips and started to speak. "Papa¡ª"


    "Samuel!"


    Both Samantha and Samuel turned to the source of the voice¡ªthe next thing they knew, Erwin Albrecht appeared out of nowhere. Samantha blinked¡ªhow come she didn''t hear his footsteps or even sense his presence? Was she that lost in her thought?


    "Samuel, Samantha, sorry to interrupt your sibling bonding." He says, picking Samuel up. "But we''re going out today!"


    Samantha''s eyes lit up. She was stuck to this insanely big mansion for her summer vacation in a private land owned by her father without a soul to be seen¡ªgoing out means a lot to a teenage girl like her.


    "Really?!" She exclaims. "Where?"


    "We''re going to meet someone," he says. "He''ll escort us for a good school to Sam . . . and you,"


    "A school . . .?" Samantha blinked. She wasn''t used to changing schools¡ªever since she learned to write, she was only in one school. She was friends with practically everyone. She have best friends, she had a crush, and she couldn''t just leave all of that because her father told her so.


    "Yes, you''re changing schools to accompany your brother, Sammy." Her father says, trying to salvage the conversation with a forced affection ending with an endearment called ''Sammy''.


    "I don''t get it," she says. "Why am I changing schools without me knowing it? Why didn''t you ask for my opinion?"


    "Your Mama also knows about this, Sammy,"


    "I don''t care," Samantha spouted. "Why didn''t you ask me first?"


    "Samantha." Her father stares at her. "You are doing this for your brother."


    Samuel stares at Samantha expressionlessly. Samantha''s gaze drifted towards little Samuel, and then to her father.


    "What kind of school is it?"


    "It''s an international school exclusive for brilliant minds. Science and technology are given emphasis in there," says Erwin, and then he beamed. "Oh! Of course, you don''t need to worry. I have connections, and failing wouldn''t be a problem."


    Samantha blinked as she stares at her father whose smile did not ease as he spouted such an insult to her. She was dumbfounded for the whole minute. Samantha snapped back with a sweeter smile.


    "Oh, is that so? I don''t mind studying there," she says. "But I''m worried about Sam!"


    "Why are you worried about Sam? He''s a genius¡ª"


    "¡ªDoes he want to be there? He''s a child!" Samantha yells. "He wants to color! You can''t force your ideals to your children!"


    "End of discussion," says Erwin. "Cool your head up, and mind who you''re talking to, young lady."


    **


    At that time Samantha didn''t talk to her father. She was in the backseat with her brother, whilst her father and mother talked whilst her father drove. It was scary yet beautiful scenery outside the car¡ªthey were driving around the cliff sides, with a refreshing view of the ocean from further view.


    Samantha couldn''t quite remember, but it was Chopin playing in the background. Her mother was a lover of classical music, after all. She was still thinking about her argument with her father and Samuel''s teeth. . .


    "Samuel''s lost his baby tooth," she says out of the blue, which made her mother glance back towards them. She didn''t know because it was Samantha who woke and took his brother to a bath.


    "What?! Honey, we should go to the dentist first!"


    "And I think it was a force which made his baby tooth come out. His gums were swollen and bleeding," she says. "His cheek was red, too."


    "Oh, Samuel . . . did you hit your cheek?"


    Samantha chuckles. "I wonder. Did HE hit himself?"


    "What are you trying to imply, Samantha?" Her mother asks.


    Before Samantha could even answer, or utter a word, a loud crash sent her senses to slumber. All she could remember was a lurid clatter, and object slamming to another, with the impact sending all of them to move forcibly with their seatbelts the only thing that kept their bodies at bay. The car screeched and Samantha instinctively shielded her brother''s body with her seatbelt undone as her consciousness faded to oblivion.

 24 All Beneath

    "That''s horrible . . ." says Sarah Denmark. "Basically, your other son . . . died at birth? Are you alright? It must have been hard,"


    Joana Hughes smiled. She had now finished telling her story¡ªher storytelling coming up to a conclusion. For the whole time she was narrating her life, the Denmark couple were ever-present and dedicated to listening. It was her first time people were so immersed in her story. It''s been a while ever since she told other people about her life¡ªand she was as bemused as she was years ago when Manuel agreed to date her.


    "It was hard, but I know there are inevitable things." She answers. "That''s why I gave everything to Raim,"


    "I see. You must be really proud," Sarah exclaims. "You have a very brilliant son. He''s a scholar in UHE, right? He''s very much like his father, according to your story!"


    "Yes, Ephraim is as smart as his father. They''re very similar¡ªand that''s why they repel. They''re not quite in good terms," she says. "But he didn''t really have any say regarding him taking Archeology in UHE, unlike me."


    "You were against him taking Archeology?" asks George. "That''s a surprise."


    "Well, he excelled in many things. I wanted him to be a doctor¡ªbut yes, my child followed his dreams nonetheless." Joana smiles. "Parents can''t fully control their children, as they said,"


    "Yes," says Sarah. "Our child is another example of that!"¡ªshe chuckles, "but we''ll get on that later. Since we''ve finished practically eating the pastries and the tea is empty, I think we''d better get going?"


    "Oh, right," Joana nods as she flashes a usual smile¡ªa smile very similar to Ephraim''s. "The quiche, right?"


    "Shh! That''s our secret!" Sarah mutters. "George, Dear, we''re going to do . . . girl stuff now. In the kitchen. So . . ."


    "Go ahead, Sarah, Ms. Hughes," George smiles.


    He watched the two ladies leave; his wife giggling as she chatters with Joana, and Joana smiling at her as she teaches her something about ingredients. George Denmark remained in his seat as he watches the two of them leave. He smiles as he holds his smile ever-present as the silhouettes disappeared.


    "Sire," says Alphonse. "I have something to report from the HR,"


    "What is it?"


    "The task force," Alphonse exclaims. "They are caught in an earthquake."


    George smirks. "Oh?"


    "Currently, the HR had a rescue team search for the missing members." He says. "A beeper notified the whereabouts of a certain member. It wasn''t Ephraim Hughes''."


    "Interesting." The president exclaims. "What about the building''s integrity?"


    "It collapsed completely. The screen on the surveillance room is a proof. There are no working cameras around the ''House'' anymore."


    George Denmark smiles. "What an interesting turn of events," he says. "Ready the agents."


    "Sire?"


    "Shut ANDROMEDA." George Denmark utters. "Burn the House."


    "Tell them to fall back," George exclaims as he stands up. He then saunters away from the courtyard with his butler, Alphonse, following him.


    "Sire, the search and rescue are halfway across the road to ANDROMEDA," he says.


    "Have you heard nothing, Alphonse?" The president says. "This is all according to fate."


    Alphonse eyes the president who was walking in a steady manner¡ªhe was very similar to his father, the former president of UHE. He was certainly a better strategist¡ªbut he was as cruel as him. Alphonse sighed internally.


    "Certainly, Sire." He says. "I will tell the rescue to fall back."


    **


    Samuel couldn''t quite remember his childhood, but he was a boy with a missing tooth at five. It was a wonder because he remembers his sister brushing his teeth while singing a rhyme every day as much as he could remember. He doesn''t even remember how his tooth came off, but he knew it hurt him. His childhood memories comprised only of his sister, and he couldn''t remember why. It may have been because of the impact of the car crash, which his parents did not survive, and drove his sister to coma.


    When Samuel woke up, he was coughing up a liquid. It tasted as it came from the mountain¡ªthe taste of freshwater. It wasn''t similar to distilled or tap¡ªafter he coughed, he slowly recovered his senses. He felt pain from his bloodied arm and winced as the ache sent him grunting. He was fully drenched like he was pulled out from a pool of water¡ª


    "Sam!"


    The first thing he saw was a girl with big, green eyes. He blinked, and then he sighs.


    "Dammit," he says. "Tell me we''re alive, or are we both in hell?"


    "Stupid!" Esmeralda exclaims as she sobs continuously. "I thought you were dead!"


    Samuel wiped his mouth with his uninjured arm. He then examined the place. He sees a lagoon beside him, with vines crawling to the waters and onto the ground.


    "Is it just me or are we in a forest," he says. "Am I being delusional?"


    "N-no, you''re not," Esmeralda answers as she wipes her tears. "But I woke up and saw you''re drowning¡ªso I¡ªI grabbed you and I¡ªput you here. So y-you coughed¡ªd-don''t worry! I didn''t CPR or k-k-kissed you! You coughed the moment I brought you to the ground!"


    And those words were enough for Samuel. He immediately recalled¡ªhow he held Esmeralda as the ground ruptured as they plunged in that waterfall¡ªhow he pushed her to safety, but then he ended up drowning¡ª


    "Crap," he says. "We''re below the ANDROMEDA."


    He paused. "And I never thought that THIS is the place below ANDROMEDA."


    "Now we just have to find someone else . . . if the ground crumbled, there''s a huge possibility that he fell here with us," says Samuel.


    "Who?" Esmeralda asks.


    "Berthold."


    **


    Berthold slowly opened his eyes, only to see himself strangled upon vines. He winced as he realized his body was twisted and entwined with branches and vines¡ªhis glasses were turned sideways and had slanted¡ªBerthold thank the heavens it was still intact. He instantaneously tried to move around; below him was a lagoon with turquoise-colored water. He landed on the waters after he tried to moving away from the vines. The water had reached his hip.


    He raised his head, only to see an endless waterfall from a cracked ground above him. It would take him a leg or two if he tried to climb the vines that saved him, and so Berthold only managed to get out of the water and assemble his thoughts in order to assess the situation. He stares at the spectacle¡ªit was like he was in a jungle. He stares at the plants illuminating the vicinity. They were flowers enclosing a certain lamp; like a closed jar with fireflies trapped within.


    He tried to remember how he ended up entangled with vines. There was yet another strong earthquake that followed¡ªand he wasn''t able to run and escape any falling concrete this time. He remembers how the ground gnarled and cracked. It broke into smithereens until he was taken down, deep below. He first fell into the air¡ªand then his body splashed through a body of water.


    He couldn''t quite remember much because his senses were focused on nothing but survival back then. Berthold knew when his skin touched something sturdy, he immediately held on to it as he fell¡ªwhich explains the scrape marks on his palm. He fell down to the waterfall while tugging the vine to himself as support.


    He survived because of it.


    Berthold Wagner stares at his trembling hands. He clenched his fists.


    Where could Esmeralda and Samuel be?


    He didn''t have much time to think when suddenly, he heard a clutter. He immediately withdrew something he kept in his pocket¡ªsomething he had always brought in case of emergency¡ªa scalpel pen. He clicked the button on the pen as its ballpoint got replaced with a sharp edge.


    There was no telling what lies beneath ANDROMEDA. They were searching for research with content unknown to him, after all. It had occurred to him that maybe the research was a laboratory specimen from space¡ªan alien, perhaps. It wasn''t far from possible given the scientific innovations he had seen over the course of many years.


    He wasn''t a skilled fighter, but he had trained martial arts in his early years. He was rustic, but he still had the grasp over the basics. He was a black belter at his elementary days, after all. He positioned his body to a formation for self-defense. He waited patiently as he heightened his senses and focused upon his ears.


    It was silent for a moment until he hears the airflow differ behind him¡ªin the blink of an eye, he raised his leg and swiftly swung it sideward to hit the proprietor. Berthold Wagner''s eyes widened.


    He missed?!


    "What a sight you are, Doctor," a cool, arctic voice utters. "I investigated you thoroughly. You weren''t a black belter for nothing."


    Berthold Wagner blinks as he eyes the person who effortlessly dodged his attack. A person he least expected to see.


    "Hiroaki Mochizuki!"


    Hiroaki eyes Berthold with his dark eyes.


    "Hello, Doctor."

 25 Now We Figh

    "It''s still chasing us!" Says Esmeralda. "I told you we shouldn''t''ve torn it down!"


    "How would we know it was THAT dangerous if we didn''t try to look inside it, Hag?!"


    "Samuel, this is your fault we''re running in this darn jungle!"


    A FEW MOMENTS AGO . . .


    The whole time they were falling, Esmeralda was aware. She was fully conscious and was in possession of all her abilities. The duration of the fall with the gravity''s pull took only a few minutes¡ªand a moment''s notice, she fell to a lagoon. Samuel held her the majority of the fall and pushed her in an attempt to ''save,'' her. She couldn''t stress enough how futile it was because the two of them were taken to a stream and Samuel drowned. His face landed exactly on the water, as opposed to Esmeralda who fell with her back to the lagoon.


    She immediately retrieved him after snapping back to the reality that she was alive.


    She was panicking, but she knew first aid. She thanked the Heavens he coughed after being placed to the ground. Esmeralda started sobbing the moment her teammate gained consciousness¡ªthe two of them survived the earthquake. They were alive. That thought alone caused her to sob uncontrollably.


    Samuel remembered shortly afterward how they ended up below ANDROMEDA as soon as he woke up. And she was as baffled as Samuel when she eyed the spectacle. It was something out of a fairytale book. The plants were glowing, and the place was akin to those fantasy movies and RPG games with clear lagoons in the jungle where nymphs played.


    This was the place underneath such a worn-out house.


    "Why do I feel like we''re somewhere we''re ought to be?" He says. "Reminds me of a movie . . ."


    Samuel and Esmeralda blinked.


    "Journey to the Center of the Earth!" The two of them said to each other in chorus.


    "This is strange," says Samuel, as he picked the leather journal on the pocket of his belt. He was coerced by their team leader to wear the same archaeological equipment he was accustomed to wearing. The journal was made of leather and had safeguarded the journal papers.


    Samuel started to take note. Esmeralda and Samuel stood up to examine the place, with her looking closely at the plants and examining them.


    "I''ve never seen anything like this before," Esmeralda says, looking at the glowing plants with her big, forest-green biologist eyes. She eyed a particularly large one, almost her size. "I''ve read an article where scientists infused luciferase¡ªan enzyme that makes firefly glow¡ªinto kale, watercress, argula, and spinach. The result is that they emitted light . . ."


    "Huh," Samuel saunters towards the plant. He then proceeded to poke it. "So this one has the luciferase enzyme, huh? Still, this flower is a big one. I wonder if they genetically modified it."


    "Why don''t we check it out?" Samuel exclaims as he pinches the petal. "Research purposes."


    Esmeralda blinks. "You mean we have to destroy this beautiful flora?"


    "What else do you think?" Samuel frowns. "Hag, are you really a biologist? Even a junior researcher would understand that we have to break down big things to smaller pictures to get their gist."


    Esmeralda bit her lips. "F-fine,"


    Samuel grins. "After we examine these things, we''ll find Berthold. I know he''s here somewhere."


    Esmeralda nods, readying her pen and paper.


    Samuel held the stem of the plant, and then from the top, he pulled the petal down slowly.


    Both Samuel and Esmeralda blinked.


    A slimy, rosy-colored creature with a sluggishly opening eye and thick lips resided in the middle of the flower Samuel had plucked. Samuel dropped the petal as the eyelids of the creature opened, as well as his mouth which had a set of sharp, razor teeth peering over Samuel and Esmeralda''s frightened faces.


    "Run," Samuel says, and then as if on cue, the creature lunged itself in front of them. Esmeralda grew pale as she ran with Samuel. She looked back, only to see the creature groaning, moaning, and grunting as it ran towards them. Its petals were still intact, as well as the stem. The vines surrounding the large stem and acted like the flower''s legs.


    "It''s still chasing us!" Says Esmeralda. "I told you we shouldn''t have torn it down!"


    "How would we know it was THAT dangerous if we didn''t try to look inside it, Hag?!"


    "Samuel, this is your fault we''re running in this darn jungle!"


    "Why is it my fault?!" Samuel asks as the two of them ran from the flower. "I didn''t know we''re handling a flower-monster!"


    Esmeralda grunted, and then she blinked. She noticed sets of glowing flower earlier, and now¡ª


    A loud grunt sufficed. The two of them turned to see that the flower-monsters chasing them had multiplied. Esmeralda turned pale as her knees weakened. The next thing she knew, her face landed to the ground with Sam yelling her name.


    She tripped.


    Esmeralda felt fear washing through her body. All she could do was to close her eyes to wait for her impending death.


    Except death did not come.


    A foot did.


    Samuel kicked the flower-monster away from Esmeralda, and then he grabbed her arm to pull her up as he drags her away before the other floras could lunge themselves around her.


    "Hag, don''t you die on me!" He exclaims. "Keep your eye forward!"


    Esmeralda, who was sweating profusely, nodded her head numerous times as she ran with no sense of direction. The place was indeed a jungle. There were branches, streams, a puddle of water, and grass all around.


    Before Esmeralda and Samuel could proceed any longer, the two of them were stopped shortly as they bumped into something transparent and sturdy.


    Glass!


    \u003c\u003c UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS \u003e\u003e


    A large red text appeared on the glass and disappeared shortly afterward. Both Esmeralda and Samuel leaned to the glass as they soon realized they were surrounded by the flower-monsters.


    "What the hell, where the hell are we¡ª" was all Samuel could utter. He then proceeded to hide the trembling Esmeralda to his back. He then with his uninjured arm tried to ward off the flower-monsters lunging themselves to him. He gritted his teeth. He couldn''t die a meaningless death¡ªespecially to creatures which he didn''t completely understand.


    Even if he protects Esmeralda and dies afterwards, they would eventually kill her as well.


    Samuel cursed as a flower-monster bit his injured arm. He swung his arm and threw the monster away. Its companions groaned and then threw themselves forward to Samuel.


    Esmeralda stabbed the one in front of Samuel with her pen.


    The flower-monster groaned as it spilled a thick, green ooze as it fell to the ground. It didn''t seem dead, but Esmeralda''s pen had gone through the monster''s petal, piercing through the bottom of its mouth. Samuel eyed Esmeralda, who was still trembling and pale.


    "Hag . . .!"


    "W-we''ll have to fight them, Sam!" She says. "We have no choice!"


    Samuel gritted his teeth, and then with his uninjured arm, he tried to push the flower-monsters away. Their razor-like teeth almost getting his arm at a second, but always fend off at a moment''s notice. He was barely dodging the attacks, and his stamina was getting lower at this point. His wound had reopened, his blood dripping down the floor.


    The creatures were getting lesser at this point. Samuel noticed Esmeralda''s movements were also getting slower and weaker¡ªbut he predicted that they could kill every last one of the creatures as they reach their limits.


    Samuel was almost sure they would make it out alive.


    Until he sees a gigantic flower with two eyes, a large, opened shark-like mouth, walking on two green legs. Behind him was another batch of flower-monsters, walking also with two green legs, much smaller than the one in front.


    He didn''t have the stamina anymore. Esmeralda shrieked as another one of the flower monsters lunged towards her. The ballpoint pen she used as a weapon was consumed by one of the monsters now, and she had nothing more to use. Samuel cursed as he tried to punch and kick the monsters throwing themselves at them.


    Until it came.


    The large creature eyed them with its red, veiny eyes. He reeked of sulfur and wood, mixed with the smell of plants and ooze. Samuel knew he didn''t stand a chance, and they were now surrounded by the smaller plant monsters, so an escape would be futile.


    All he could do was to embrace Esmeralda and protect her from the monsters. He knew it would deem useless because they would kill the two of them anyway. But it was instincts who told him to protect his teammate. He didn''t have the time to think. He was waiting for the pain, for death, and then he wondered why his life did not flashback to him.


    And then it had occurred to Samuel.


    He wasn''t dead even after a minute he was using his body as a shield for Esmeralda.


    He slowly turned his head to the side¡ªand then his eyes widened as he beheld a peculiar sight.


    A man with a rifle at hand.


    "Ninja g¡ªHiroaki!" Samuel exclaims, and then his eyes shifted to the man who had stood alongside Hiroaki.


    "Doctor Wagner!" Esmeralda exclaims.


    Berthold looked back to Esmeralda and Samuel.


    "You''re safe now," he says. "Leave this to us!"

 26 The Task Force Reunited

    Ephraim felt a chill run down his spine as he inspected the laboratory. He had taken note over every detail on the nook and crook of the lab. Equipment he took a quick sketch, and description he scribbled swiftly. Anna had helped him about the basic details¡ªhe scribbled them promptly afterwards.


    Ephraim flinched as he felt the shiver. He turned to examine the place, his gaze drifting to the entirety of the space. Anna noticed him.


    "What''s wrong?" Anna asks, as she leapt, floating towards him. When she reached Ephraim''s side, the two of them soon saw the lights flickering.


    "The power source . . . Anna," says Ephraim.


    Anna shook her head as she crossed her arms. "I don''t know anything. My chips are missing, remember? I only have a basic memory chip and the one for the security,"


    Ephraim flinched as he hears a loud bang.


    The sound of gunshot.


    "Wh-what was that?" Ephraim exclaims.


    "I believe that is the sound of a gunshot," Anna answers.


    Ephraim clenched his fist. The sound of gunshot? Who could it be?


    ". . . Anna," Ephraim utters.


    "Yes . . .?"


    "Am I the first one who ever came down here ever since ANDROMEDA shut down . . .?"


    "No?" Anna answers.


    THUMP. THUD. CLANG.


    It wasn''t a gunshot this time¡ªit sounded like a heavy object was being pounded upon a metal.


    Something being forced open.


    Ephraim took a step back as he realizes where the sound was originating from.


    The vault door.


    He turned to Anna, who was looking at the door with sheer confusion.


    "What was that, Anna?" Ephraim asks, with his gaze fixated on the hologram with the stature of a girl. Anna herself looked back to Ephraim with bemused, glowing cyan eyes.


    "It''s . . . something," Anna answers as she turned her head back as she fixes her eyes affront. Her eyes gleamed like a glowing screen. "I''m examining what''s banging against the door . . . but my sensors are a bit malfunctioning. It''s something . . . I don''t know."


    "It''s ''something''? Can''t you search it up?"


    Anna''s gaze was still fixed at the door laden with a continuous bang. Her eyes still gleamed¡ªindicating she was looking through something beyond that door enclosing the two of them in.


    "I can''t," says Anna. "It''s something unknown. Something blocked in my system. I don''t have an access to determine what it is,"


    "It''s . . . made from the lab?" Ephraim asks. The bangs on the door were getting louder. Louder than the gunshots.


    \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e


    "Anna . . .?"


    Before Ephraim could even ask why Anna was reacting like that, he was surprised with the vault door collapsing with an ear-shattering thud. The laboratory had a foggy-frost surrounding the atmosphere, which enshrouded the figure behind the shadowy silhouette amidst the mist.


    "Graaawww,"


    Ephraim flinched. It grunted¡ªa grunt that was certainly an octave lower on the ground. He backed away as the smoke-frost slowly clears.


    He couldn''t believe what he was seeing. Through his spectacles, his eyes widened as his sight was bombarded with a person¡ªno, a creature he couldn''t put himself to describe.


    It had three arms, two thick arms; one atop its head, one on its stomach; whilst the other hand was thinner and was on its shoulder. It had a head, an eye, a torso, and two legs. It was several meter taller than he was, and diameter larger than a normal person. It had a flower growing on its body, and then one eye on its face, several eyes on the chest and foot. They blinked in different times.


    Ephraim swallowed his breath as he tried to process what he was seeing. The flowers and vines on the body of the creature seemed alive, as well¡ªthey crawled and swirled in a soggy manner. Ephraim couldn''t bring himself to move as the creature opened its mouth, revealing sharp, razor teeth.


    "Ephraim!" Anna utters. "Ephraim!"


    Ephraim immediately snapped back to reality. The creature was walking towards him now¡ªall of its eyes were fixated to him. Ephraim grew pale as its bodily fluids¡ªa mud-colored ooze, dripped down as it walked¡ª


    "Ephraim, run . . ." Anna says with a rather silent voice. "RUN!" She shouts finally as she leapt and floated.


    Ephraim then did as Anna instructed her to do. And as if on cue, the creature lunged itself towards Ephraim. Ephraim gasped as it quickly retaliated from one place to another. It then threw itself forward to where Ephraim had run to. Ephraim barely dodged it, as he run towards the opposite of the room.


    Anna floated towards him.


    "Ephraim, you have to run to the door now," she says. "I''ll try to lure it away, while you run, alright?"


    Ephraim turns to her. "What about you?"


    "I''m a Hologram," Anna answers. "I won''t die."


    "GRAAWWW!" The creature growls, and grunted as it displayed its anger. Anna then landed herself to the ground, walking forward to the creature.


    "Hey, you!" She says. "Come here! Chase me!"


    Anna then waved her hand as she leads the creature parallel to the opened door.


    But it did not follow Anna.


    It did not even budge its eyes from where Ephraim is¡ªit looked at Ephraim as if he was a prey. The creature fixed several of its eyes to Ephraim¡ªakin to a predator strategizing how to kill his prey. Ephraim grew paler as he realized the creature''s gazes were all on him.


    "H-hey! Look at me! Lookie here!" Anna exclaims, as she goes in front of the creature, waving her two hands. "Here! I''m here, chase me!"


    The creature passed through her hologram body, with its teeth gnashing as it gnarled. Ephraim could only take a step back, his back pressing to the wall. His eyes did not leave the creature slowly sauntering towards him.


    Any movement he makes will have to be calculated and critically-thought out. Any wrong move will end his life. He decided not to break eye contact to the creature which was grating its razor-sharp teeth as it salivated upon the sight of him.


    Was this ANDROMEDA''s research? An experiment on monsters? Genetically modifying cells? Aliens?


    He couldn''t think straight. He had to survive first before he could investigate.


    The beast charged, and that is his cue. Ephraim ducked with a sweeping motion whilst he turned sideways; the creature bumped against the wall with a loud thud. Ephraim took a few steps back.


    "Shit!"


    Ephraim didn''t have the time to recalculate his next movement as the creature''s hand on his stomach seized him by the wait. It was THAT large to be able to seize him easily with one hand. Ephraim grunted as the creature clenched its fist, pressing Ephraim''s ribs. He screamed in pain.


    Ephraim then quickly withdrew something he had retrieved from the laboratory earlier¡ªthe broken Erlenmeyer flask. He proceeded to stab the creature''s arm first. It let go of him, with the broken flask embedded on its arm. Ephraim dodged yet another one of its attacks by withdrawing quickly from the creature. His ribs throbbed in pain as he tried to walk backwards. Ephraim didn''t have much time to feel the pain, though. He immediately grabbed the small knife in his belt; its sharp blade gleaming as light flickered through it. This was one thing he carried every expedition.


    Never engage in a dangerous mission without a weapon.


    He grabbed the Erlenmeyer flask first to suspend the movement of the creature. One thing he could be right is his prediction. The moment he heard the loud, heavy thumps on the vault door, he was fairly certain he would be dealing with something with a larger size.


    He was right to trust his instincts!


    "GRAAAHHHWWW!" The creature screamed its battle cry. It propelled its body forward on sheer impulse from anger.


    "Too late!" Ephraim exclaims as he slashes his knife to the creature''s hand etched on its stomach. As he slashed through, he moved away from the creature who had now screamed as one of its arm dropped through the floor, with a thick, green ooze leaking down.


    "As I thought," Ephraim exclaims. "It''s not intelligent,"


    Ephraim frowns afterwards as he feels his hand burning. He glances over his hand¡ªand then he immediately dropped his knife.


    The knife''s metal was now melting.


    "GRAAAWWW!!!!"


    The creature charged even angrily now. Ephraim tried to dodge its attacks, but then the creature''s hand on its shoulder sent Ephraim crashing to the walls as the beast angrily used the back of its palm to hit Ephraim. Ephraim coughed as he felt his back thrashing to the walls.


    The creature then leapt with his mouth open, ready to devour Ephraim¡ª


    Only to collapse a centimeter away from Ephraim along with a loud gunshot embedding on its back.


    Ephraim lifted his gaze slowly. He then sees a pistol on the hand of a familiar figure¡ª


    And several others.


    "What a cool shot," says Samuel. "You should teach me next time how to shoot,"


    Ephraim blinked.


    "Leader!"


    A girl approached Ephraim with teary eyes. "You''re alive!"


    "Miss . . . Sanders?"


    "Ah, looks like he''s still out of it," says Samuel.


    "Let me treat your wounds," Berthold Wagner exclaims as he goes near him. He then helps Ephraim stand. "Are you alright?"


    "You . . . you guys," Ephraim mumbles. "You guys are alive,"


    Samuel smirks. "Well yes, and you''re half-dead, Lame leader,"


    Esmeralda pouts. "You should look at yourself first, Shorty! You''re bandaged all over!"


    "Shaddup,"


    BANG! BANG! BANG!


    ???Wh-wh-whoa, N-ninja guy, don''t sh-shoot just like that," Samuel exclaims. Hiroaki had just loaded the creature with numerous gunshots once more. Ephraim himself was unable to move because the gunshots are practically away from him in a centimeters'' distance.


    "Move." Hiroaki exclaims, as he fires another gunshot.


    "My bullets won''t kill it." He exclaims as he narrows his dark eyes.


    "WHAT?!" All of them said in chorus (except Ephraim).


    "It can''t be killed by metal." Ephraim mumbles.


    "ggraa¡­.GRAAAWWWWL!!!!!!"


    "Everyone," Ephraim exclaims. "RUN!"

 27 Laboratory Monsters - Genetically Modified Flowers?

    "You''re safe now," Berthold says. "Leave this to us!"


    "Bert!" Samuel utters in surprise. Berthold Wagner then helped Samuel stand. Samuel winced in pain as his arm bled continuously. His wound was reopened with the movements he did in order to dodge the creature.


    Gunshots were continuously being fired from Hiroaki''s rifle. Samuel watched Hiroaki skillfully using his gun; expertly firing here and there as more flower creatures continue to come. The gunshots were ringing to Samuel''s ears¡ªthey were so loud and the grunts and cries of the monsters were ever-deafening.


    When both the cries and the gunshots stopped, bodies of flower creatures scattered like burnt plants with a scorched, rotten stench laid upon the floor. Samuel quickly covered his nose as he catches a whiff of the creatures'' stinking acidic smell.


    Samuel turned to Esmeralda, who was looking at the burned flower-monster corpses. She then sauntered towards one of the cadavers, holding her journal.


    She took a step back, and then turned to Hiroaki, who was looking vacantly at nothing.


    "I-is it safe to examine?" She asks. "Are they . . . dead?"


    Hiroaki blinked once. With his vacant gaze still in one direction, he answered, "They are dead."


    Esmeralda''s eyes lit up. She could examine now¡ª


    "But," Hiroaki adds. "I wouldn''t worry about that."


    Esmeralda tilts her head. "Huh . . .?"


    Hiroaki then drops his rifle to the ground. Esmeralda blinked several times as she sees him withdraw two pistol guns at the same time as he points them to Esmeralda.


    "Hey¡ª!" Samuel says¡ª


    Esmeralda stood unmoving as Hiroaki''s eyes get fixated on her. Did he just . . . point his gun at her then shoot? When did his bullet go? She was very much alive. Esmeralda then slowly turned to her back.


    "Grraaaawwwww . . ."


    "Eek!" Esmeralda shrieks as she runs towards Samuel and Berthold. They were all behind Hiroaki, who had pointed two of his guns to the creature. The ''creature'' which looked almost the same as the ones Samuel and Esmeralda fought.


    Except this one was larger in size, had three arms displaced in odd parts of its body, and several eyes that blinked at different times. Esmeralda grew paler.


    "W-what the hell is that?" Samuel exclaims.


    Even Berthold was rendered speechless.


    BANG!


    Hiroaki shot the first bullet to the creature.


    "GRAAAAH . . . ARRRR . . ." It grunted bizarre sounds and moaned. Esmeralda, with a degree in biology and had taken zoology at heart, knew the creature was in pain.


    And it wasn''t pleased.


    Hiroaki unleashed several shots from the two pistols while he continued to step away backwards. He stopped until he reached the team.


    "Ready yourself," he says. "Another hoard is coming,"


    "H-hey," says Samuel, "th-these ones look different than before,"


    They were very different yet they were certainly akin to the flower-creatures.


    Berthold remained vigilant. When the creatures were near enough, he caught their whiff.


    The smell of an animal and plant.


    Berthold, being a surgeon himself, was used to peculiar sights. He had seen cadavers and live bodies. He knew what was inside the body¡ªhow fascia, a band or sheet of connective tissue beneath the skin, attaches and encloses the internal organs of a person. He was used to things that would trigger a gag reflex to those who couldn''t bear to see even an ounce of blood.


    But this was a different sight to witness.


    An animal¡ªa rodent''s head, grew large enough as a human skull¡ªwas stitched up to the top body of the creature. Acting like a tail on its body was a vine with a sharp end. The creature had petals dropping across the floor¡ªBerthold couldn''t quite see where the petals originated, but perhaps they were on etched on its skin (which was part rodent fur, and part plant).


    Berthold drew a gun, much to Samuel''s surprise. He didn''t know Berthold carried one¡ªor even knew how to use one in the first place! But then they had a former sergeant in arms as a team member. Hiroaki could have given the gun to Berthold, who now started to shoot the half rodent-half plant creatures with his pistol.


    "Samuel, Esmeralda," says Berthold, "hide behind me,"


    "What are we, children?" Samuel says¡ªbut then he realized they actually were. He was seventeen, and Esmeralda was eighteen. Both of them were just smart enough to get to an accelerated degree program.


    But they were still children.


    "Stop being sarcastic for once, Sam!" Esmeralda scolds, as she tugs Samuel, pulling him closer to her. They were behind Berthold, who was loading ammunition now.


    "What the hell are these?" Samuel says. "Where the hell are we?"


    "This is ANDROMEDA''s former laboratory," he says. "The secret laboratory hidden underneath the House."


    "You know about this?" Samuel asks Hiroaki, who was shooting the creatures without batting an eye.


    "This is classified information," he says. "But ANDROMEDA''s research is still unknown. They explored every branch of science,"


    Hiroaki reloads his other gun and then continued to shoot the creatures with the pistol on the other.


    "Every branch of science." Berthold silently mutters. "Genetic engineering, huh," he mumbles as he narrows his eyes at the rodent-plant creatures.


    "GREAAAAWWWW!!!"


    "I-it''s getting angrier!" Esmeralda yelps. "I¡ªit''ll charge itself on us now!"


    "Doctor," Hiroaki silently says amidst the constant firing. "Take the children and run. I''ll cover."


    "WHA¡ª?! Who are you calling a child¡ª"


    Before Samuel could continue the banter, Esmeralda pulled him as Berthold ran with the two of them, leaving Hiroaki dealing with the monsters. Berthold ran to the jungle with Samuel and Esmeralda¡ªall anxious whether another creature would appear.


    And then they stopped.


    Another glass separating the jungle and a certain room.


    Samuel immediately recognized the setup. He was a researcher, and this setup was for research akin to documentaries that tackled psychologically inhumane studies.


    "What the hell . . ." Samuel mumbles. "What the hell is all of these. . ."


    "GRRAAAWWWW!"


    Berthold sighs. "I''m supposed to heal people, but here I am shooting!" He says as he shots the approaching creature dead. He then proceeded to hold on to the glass.


    \u003c\u003c ACCESS DENIED \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ACCESS DENIED \u003e\u003e


    A slab of red, hologram text appeared before all of them on the glass pane.


    Berthold held his gun firmly. The glass was sturdy¡ªshooting them would be a waste of bullet.


    The creatures kept on coming, and Berthold realized this was his last set of bullets. He couldn''t reload anymore¡ªHiroaki has the ammo! He wanted to curse himself for his carelessness.


    And he did.


    He completely lost all his bullets as he fired the last shot to one of the monsters approaching them. However, there were still several others that were unscathed. They were slow in speed, but they dominated them in numbers.


    The creatures now started to run towards them, with one lunging itself forward to Berthold, who kicked the creature Taekwondo style. He was rustic in martial arts, but at least he knows how to kick. But then this left him open with other monsters.


    "Berthold!"


    "Doctor Wagner!"


    "GRAAA¡ª"


    All of them stopped with a loud gunshot.


    Again they eyed the one who had fired¡ªand had now unleashed several other more, without missing a hit, until all creatures are down and unmoving. The person who shot the creatures was now walking towards them.


    Hiroaki Mochizuki, once again, saved them at the last minute¡ª


    But he wasn''t alone this time.


    A girl with a curly, blond hair wearing an angelic white dress, was walking barefoot with him. The team knew in an instant this wasn''t any normal girl¡ªbecause she was glowing. Literally glowing.


    When Hiroaki and the girl finally stood in front of the three dumbfounded members, the glass started to disappear¡ªslowly vanishing to thin air with the transition of glitches.


    \u003c\u003c ACCESS GRANTED \u003e\u003e ¡ª Esmeralda stares at the green text which was had appeared the moment the girl set foot to the premise. The text then vanished along with the glass.


    "Wh-who''s this?" Samuel scowls. "Is it just me or she''s glowing?"


    "No, it''s not just you . . ." says Berthold, and then he turns to Hiroaki, who paid no attention to them. He was reloading his gun now.


    "Hello~ so I granted you all access to the laboratory," she smiles at all of them. "My name''s Anna and I''m a Hologram. Now that the pleasantries are done, we must save a person from dying inside the laboratory. His name is Ephraim, and I don''t know anything else. So let''s go!"

 28 Annas Definition of "Desolation"

    Desolation. Anna perhaps had this embedded in her mind the moment "she" was programmed as Project A. NN3331A; a breakthrough in the Artificial Intelligence Sector made by the Messier 33 and Messier 31 crew. ''Anna'' as she is now¡ªa fragment of the ''real'' her¡ªwas nothing but a speck of consciousness automated with synthetic emotions.


    It was common in top-secret facilities to harbor AIs, but they were less in number. Anna was an artificial intelligence that had a concept of what ''emotion'' is. She had numerous information regarding how to ''feel'' stored in her chip¡ªher memory akin to the cognitive functioning of the human brain. She ''knew'' what to feel at certain times, and she had the basic grasp of cognizance. She was also encoded to be ''unable'' to control what she feels, but programmed to be able to handle what she ''felt''.


    Fear. Happiness. Loneliness. Sadness.


    Desolation.


    Anna knew these emotions for long she could remember. She was incomplete¡ªa fragment of the real Anna, so she couldn''t really tell if she was allowed to ''feel'' something.


    But desolation¡ªit was a word that fascinated Anna. Her last memories comprised of the crew throwing her chip somewhere else¡ªand maybe destroying the other chips as they fled the laboratory in mayhem. She was forced to stare from the computer screen¡ªunable to move freely as she got stuck in the cell of binary codes. She was the memory fragment with the emotions stored. The fragment where language and cognition were programmed. She was deemed harmless so her chip was inserted in a device with a series of codes enclosing her hologram form.


    For years she learned how to store information and snatch up radio waves. She learned to process frequency until she recovered a ''voice''¡ªonly a voice. She was fortunate enough to get the voice at the radio waves passing through the house. The problem is, it was a voice of a child. Anna definitely didn''t look intimidating¡ªbut who would she intimidate?


    ANDROMEDA was desolated.


    And desolation was the word she was accustomed with for the past thirty years, for a reason she couldn''t understand nor remember.


    Anna took a step back, feeling the emotion called ''fear,''¡ªthe creature, a monster-like entity, was behind the door enclosing her and Ephraim. Desolation¡ªof course¡ªshe remembered now how she got fascinated by such word.


    Such creatures have slept in the laboratory for long; slumbered and shawled against the flowers forgotten by the creators. Neglected and desolated into a cold forest.


    Her system was botched, meaning she couldn''t retrieve any file about these creatures. Through her synthetic eyes, the information regarding the creatures were glitching through her eyes. She could see through the walls and the closed vault door being continuously thumped with a brute force that there are more of the monsters now awake from their thirty-year sleep.


    [When a man encounters something he doesn''t understand,] ¨C [Fear courses through his brain and would trigger his defense mechanism]


    Anna knew she was feeling ''fear'' now.


    The strongest kind of fear.


    The fear of the unknown.


    When the vault door opened, it revealed the creature. It looked so much like the experimental subjects¡ªthe scientists were procuring and modifying. She couldn''t remember much¡ªbut she knew instantly that this creature was created in the laboratory.


    She tried to distract it so Ephraim could run through the doors, although it isn''t a guaranteed escape. There are other creatures looming in around the corners¡ªbut as of now, it would be wiser to escape this room. Anna once again analyzed the situation as she closed her eyes to drift her consciousness to several sectors of the laboratory, examining where would be the safest route.


    Almost all of the laboratory was looming with monsters. She can''t believe she didn''t notice this¡ªis it because her system did not recognize the creatures? But that can''t be the case. She immediately knew there was an intruder. She immediately knew when Ephraim fell to the lagoon, and his companion to the opposite.


    Is she programmed to let the creatures pass undetected? None have destroyed vault doors, yet they were spawning everywhere.


    The flowers!


    Anna wanted to blame herself, but she couldn''t. It seems like the creatures could pass undetected because they were lab-made and perhaps it was because she herself was immersed in examining the room. This was the laboratory she remembered.


    The laboratory she remembered . . .


    She then analyzed the situation once more, and then rummaged her senses to different premises of ANDROMEDA. Room by room she examined.


    One safe room.


    A specific room she had access to¡ªbut contents botched and deleted by the scientists. It was all dark in her mind, but this part of the laboratory was the only sector unoccupied by the never-ending spawn and hoard of laboratory creatures. Anna sees Ephraim dodging the attacks of the monster, and she was there unable to do anything. She couldn''t even sense the presence of these intruding creatures!


    Intruding creatures . . .


    Intruders!


    Anna then noticed in her system that there is a person who touched the glass pane separating the laboratory from the jungle. Anna wanted to ''kick'' herself (one term she learned in watching animes at the time she couldn''t do anything)¡ªshe had put her system to idle to lavish and enjoy her walks since it''s been forever she was in her hologram form.


    Without wasting a time, she started to run through walls. She still couldn''t teleport, but at least she could actually be a Hologram and float through thin air and ''walk'' to the ground. She ran (because it seemed easier for her) towards corridors and walls, hoping it isn''t too late to save the ''intruders''¡ª


    And then as Anna set foot to the premise¡ªshe stumbled upon mountain of corpses. She couldn''t really smell, but she ''knew'' rotten flesh smelled horrid.


    Surrounded by the mountain of corpses was a man with ink-black hair and dark eyes. The person who helped her and reprogram her hologram form along with her security chip. The guy who saved Ephraim from drowning.


    He saved Ephraim once.


    Now he got to do it twice!

 29 Drop Dead

    "You have to help me," says Anna, "Ephraim is under attacked!"


    Hiroaki stared at Anna for a while, and then he proceeded to walk at a direction where monsters are also looming. It was at this time Anna realized that there are other intruders¡ªother people at another section of the glass pane separating the lab from the jungle.


    Hiroaki then started to half-run as Anna trailed behind. He started to shoot the creatures he encounters as he run. Anna passed through them as she ran with Hiroaki. She was getting anxious at every second that passed¡ªbut she also knew that there are other people whose lives are at risk at the other end. She wanted to curse herself¡ªshe couldn''t even allow them access at this distance.


    Why did they have to botch her system?


    When Hiroaki stopped running, she walked alongside him as they sauntered towards three people¡ªthe last of the intruders for today. She walked speedily. She had to make haste. There is no time to lose.


    "Hello~ so I granted you all access to the laboratory," Anna smiles at all of them. "My name''s Anna and I''m a Hologram. Now that the pleasantries are done, we must save a person from dying inside the laboratory. His name is Ephraim, and I don''t know anything else. So let''s go!"


    **


    The first time Ephraim got injured from an archeological dig was one of the fun experiences he ever had. They were supposed to go underneath a cave using ropes. It was past noon and he was scrutinizing every bits and pieces of information he could find. When it was time to go, every student had to climb up using a rope (strangely inconvenient because why can''t they use a ladder instead?) . . . but their teacher was Mrs. Cassandra Bodt.


    Mrs. Bodt was known to be a professor obsessed with keeping things ''old-fashioned'' and ''hard''¡ªand her usual retort to the people who criticize her ways was, "How do you call yourself aspiring archeologists? You lads and lasses tell me you dedicate yourselves in the study of the past yet you couldn''t even rely on primitive ways!"


    And so the rope instead of the ladder.


    Many of Ephraim''s classmate grunted in protest at the decision of using a rope to climb up, but they did it nonetheless (some had a hard time, but they managed); when it was Ephraim''s turn to climb upwards. And it was harder than he thought.


    "You can do it, Raim!" His classmates says from aboveground.


    Ephraim wasn''t so sure.


    And he was right¡ªin the middle of the attempt to climb, his foot slipped from the wall resulting his grip to loosen as his balance completely faltered. He then fell as he heard his classmates and his teacher scream his name. And it was at that time Ephraim realized how dangerous the job would be.


    But the odd thing is he couldn''t find a way to link such recurring event to anything with historical significance with only factual elements.


    Running with his team with a probable broken rib as they get chased by ''monsters'' straight out from a science fiction.


    How could he link anything else to this? Only he could speculate and come up with his own theory.


    "Dammit, I didn''t sign up for this!" Samuel cursed. He was holding his wounded arm to stop it from bleeding. Ephraim then turned his head to Esmeralda who was panting as she ran with them.


    Ephraim winced as he felt the pain in his rib. He hoped it wasn''t broken.


    They were running with Anna leading them with Berthold and Hiroaki shooting the monsters to clear their path. The monster earlier was chasing them now and could catch up to them any minute their speed would falter. But almost all of them were now low on stamina.


    Anna told them earlier before they ran that they need to follow her because she knows a ''probable'' safe path.


    "Why is it probable?" Berthold asks, clearly baffled and fascinated as he talked with a Hologram.


    "It''s because my system doesn''t know the specifics of that segment." She says. "The scientists and engineers probably destroyed my memory or removed my chip that stored the data about that part of the lab,"


    "How do we know it''s safe then?" Samuel asks.


    "It''s the only part with no monsters," Anna retorted. "I don''t think there will be a safer place other than that."


    This was why they were in a phase of escaping ¨C killing ¨C and then being chased at the same time. Anna didn''t have the option of passing through doors for obvious reasons (because she was leading the task force to a safer route).


    "A-are you okay, Leader?" Esmeralda asks through her breathless pants.


    "I''m fine," Ephraim tried to tell in a clearer tone, but his voice was now hoarse and he could only mumble because of the pain in his rib.


    "Hold on, Ephraim!" Says Berthold. "Once we get there, you''ll be tended!"


    Ephraim nodded as beads of sweat slowly dripped across his forehead down to his temples.


    "We''re almost there!" Anna says.


    It was at this time Ephraim tried to think of the past. And it was at times like this he understood why he kept thinking of flashbacks¡ªand how they foreshadowed his fate . . . fate, which he did not believe himself. He was thinking about the past to deviate his senses from the pain he was feeling.


    He continued to do so for the duration of the escape¡ª


    Until he heard his name being spouted and yelled. This felt strangely familiar for him. He was hearing his name being called again. It reminded him of the day he fell so hard he was hospitalized for several days¡ªthey called him as he closed his eyes at that time.


    ". . . Ephraim!"


    "Ephraim!"


    "EPHRAIM!"


    Ephraim slowly opened his eyes. He was down on the floor now with his face on the floor; the faces of his team members a blur to him. The gunshots were also muffled and silent even though supposedly it was actually loud.


    "Leader! Leader . . .!"


    "Oi, Ephraim! Don''t you collapse on us!"


    "He''s losing consciousness!" Berthold exclaims. Hiroaki then eyed Ephraim for a second, and then pointed his gun at him.


    BANG!


    Ephraim''s eyes widened as he sees the bullet etch on the floor, leaving a mark of its impact centimeters in front of him.


    "Wake up," Hiroaki says. "We don''t need a weakling who will collapse at the earliest sign of hope."


    Ephraim fixes his eyes to Hiroaki, who then shot the creature coming near towards them.


    "If you want to sleep," he says. "Then drop dead."

 30 Reunited Team

    "Wake up," Hiroaki says. "We don''t need a weakling who will collapse at the earliest sign of hope."


    Ephraim fixes his eyes to Hiroaki, who then shot the creature coming near towards them.


    "If you want to sleep," he says. "Then drop dead."


    Ephraim was then helped by Esmeralda to stand up again. He felt the pain in his rib but Hiroaki''s words pierced deeper. He couldn''t really say anything to defend himself. Clearly, the former sergeant-in-arms meant to kill him if he would sleep at such a hopeless time.


    "H-hey, Hiroaki. I asked you to save him," Anna exclaims. Ephraim was the reason she was able to regain her Hologram form, and he almost drowned just to get her chip. She felt indebted to him.


    "Grraaaawww!"


    "It''s coming nearer, we have to go," says Berthold. "Ephraim, can you stand? Miss Sanders, please help him. Hiroaki, you lead the way and I''ll be a backup,"


    Hiroaki didn''t utter a word, and then the team once again continued to run, way slower than before. Ephraim continued to escape with his team, despite his ribs hurting. It burned from the inside, but he had to bear the excruciating pain or else¡ªthey would all die.


    **


    After the unending battle and chase between the monsters, finally, the team made their escape thanks to Hiroaki and Berthold. Anna was able to lead them to the path with lesser monsters. The ones who deflects any metal were managed to be slowed down, but it isn''t guaranteed it won''t catch up to them.


    Which is why they must make haste.


    They arrived at a vault door somehow different from the rest. Lights are surrounding the area, which Samuel found odd.


    "How is it that there are lights here when it''s long-isolated?" Samuel asks.


    "I''m not entirely sure," Anna answers. "This is a section of ANDROMEDA I failed to explore, and since I am a fragment of the real me¡ªif some of you are still unaware of that¡ªmy chip got destroyed by the Messier 33 crew."


    "Triangulum Galaxy?" Samuel asks.


    "Yeah, the crew," says Anna, and then propelling her arm forward, she reached to the identification device. She then waited until the red light atop the door turned green.


    "Let''s go," Anna says as she passed through the door.


    The team nodded to each other and then proceeded to open the vault door.


    Ephraim welcomed the light¡ªthe light of probable hope.


    When the team set foot to the premise, they saw nothing but light. Cold light.


    "Wha¡ª!" Samuel exclaims as he jolted in surprise. Underneath all of them was obscure darkness¡ªlike unending depths of the abyss. The floor was transparent (made of sturdy glass), and beneath it was a chasm. Ephraim stared down at the glass floor, his reflection looking back at him.


    "Haahh!" Both Samuel and Esmeralda sighs as they collapse to the floor.


    "I can''t believe we survive the earthquake," says Samuel. "For a second I thought it was the end of me. And¡ªaaw! Aw, dammit¡ª"


    "Sam . . . I told you earlier to keep it down," Berthold says, and then walks towards Samuel, drawing his first aid kit. He then started to clean his wound.


    Ephraim too, sat down as he held the skin where his rib was situated. He cannot believe they actually made it alive.


    "You guys," Ephraim starts, drawing the attention of his team members.


    ". . . I''m sorry about earlier," he says. "I''m sorry for being a weakling,"


    "Raim . . ." Berthold says. "You don''t need to apologize. We understand that you''re hurt¡ª"


    Ephraim flashes his usual smile.


    "I''m a weakling," he says, tightening his grip around his rib. "I don''t think I''m fit to be a leader."


    "Che," Samuel clicked his tongue. "The hell is with this darn drama? Day one I thought you''re some kind of robot programmed to smile¡ªoh, wait, you''re an exception, Hologram girl."


    "H-hologram girl?" Anna asks, pointing to herself.


    "The point is, you''re human," Samuel says, eyes locking with Ephraim. "Humans are extremely feeble. Don''t sweat it,"


    Berthold smiles, "Sam . . . you''re growing up,"


    "Wh-what?" Samuel frowns, as his cheeks reddened. "I''m not a kid, I''m your colleague! The hell?"


    Ephraim stares at Samuel who continued to banter to Berthold, who was simply smiling, evidently accustomed, and used to Samuel''s banter. He continued to calm him down by saying Sam was misunderstanding things.


    Ephraim found himself smiling.


    His task force. His team.


    They''re alive.


    "Samuel," he says. "Thank you."


    "What?" Samuel retorts, "f-for what?"


    "For comforting me." Ephraim answers.


    "Che," Samuel says as he averts his gaze in a prideful manner.


    "I''m so happy, everyone . . ." Esmeralda exclaims, "Hic! I-I''m so happy y-you''re all . . . we a-all made it alive . . . hic!"


    Samuel scowls, "then why are you crying?"


    Esmeralda started to sob fervently, "I don''t know, don''t ask me, Shorty!"


    "Wha¡ª" Samuel stopped as he sees Esmeralda cry harder. He blinked, and then he turns to Berthold as if to say ''Did I do something bad?''


    And Berthold answered with a smile as if to say, ''No, you didn''t. Just let her be.''


    Anna stares through her cyan eyes how such a ''heartwarming'' event occurred before her. Ephraim started to pat Esmeralda''s head, and Samuel started to tell jokes as well (of course, they weren''t funny, which made her cry harder), whilst Berthold scolded Samuel.


    She then glances at Hiroaki who didn''t join such reunion. She decided to approach him.


    "Looks like you''re quite the loner type, huh~," Anna says. ''I wonder why?"


    Hiroaki refused to answer.


    "Sometimes I wondered how it would actually feel to hug," Anna mumbles nonchalantly. "To actually have flesh and bones. To be touched and to touch,"


    Hiroaki glances over her.


    "He-HEY, I''m not having an existential crisis here, alright?" Anna exclaims, clearly frazzled. "I''m just curious."


    "Mm." Hiroaki nods.


    Anna smiles. "It feels good to see such a reunited team, especially at such a time like this since I only experienced betrayal as they botched system~"


    Hiroaki stares at her for a while, but he gave no retort.


    "Anna,"


    "Yes?" Anna answers to the source of that voice, which was Ephraim.


    "Now that we''re in a safe space," Ephraim says. "I think it would be best to discuss the best route to escape the laboratory¡ªand the secrets of it."


    "But I don''t think I could help you plenty since I''m just a fragment," says Anna, and then her eyes lit up as she noticed Berthold, Esmeralda, and Samuel''s confused gazes. "Oh! You people don''t know what''s up with me, huh . . . so a brief introduction didn''t do it???


    "It didn''t, unfortunately," Berthold answers as he chuckles awkwardly.


    "You said I wasn''t the only person who came here when I asked you."


    Anna tilted her head, "oh . . . yeah, and?"


    "I don''t think any UHE Archeology graduate set foot to these grounds. Of course, I wouldn''t know if it''s the other way around . . . so I think this is the time the questions we have need answering, Anna."

 31 The Last Moments of the Abandoned Laboratory

    "I think it''s time we get our questions answered," Ephraim says. "You have a job to do, Anna,"


    "Well¡ªEphraim is technically right, but I think he needs some tending now," Anna exclaims as Ephraim collapsed flat to the floor clutching his rib. He looked agonized, his complexion turning paper-white. Berthold then walked towards him and started to examine.


    As Berthold started to inspect and check Ephraim''s body, Anna started to explain critical details here and there. Hiroaki was closing his eyes again in the far corner, but he was certainly pinning his ears back. Both Samuel and Esmeralda listened attentively¡ªEsmeralda with a flabbergasted expression with tears on the corner of her eyes, whilst Samuel with an unreadable one.


    "So, that''s all of it," Anna exclaims. "How I met the two intruders, Ephraim and Hiroaki to get my hologram body again."


    ". . .Wow," says Samuel. "Wow . . . just wow."


    Esmeralda still had tears as she covered her lips. "You went through that?"


    Anna grinned, "told you, I''m programmed to know what to feel. They''re basically synthetic," she then floats and circles around Esmeralda as she drifted towards Ephraim''s side, "so it''s alright, don''t sweat it~"


    Esmeralda sniffled, "the M33 crew is horrible for botching your system . . ."


    "Yeah, I suppose they are," Anna answers. "But I think they didn''t have much choice. At least I know that much. I don''t remember why I ''think'' it''s inevitable. I''m a mere fragment of the real Anna."


    "You don''t remember what''s the M33 crew or the M31? Any information about them?"


    "Even if I look through my archive, I''m just getting the gist they''re a crew. A bunch of scientist, astronauts, engineers, and such . . . over the years I tried to store the best information I was able to amass before they completely fled the lab."


    Anna then swiped down in thin air after she floated and stood before all of them. She then clicked on several transparent tabs.


    And then it appeared in all of them¡ªa hologramic projection.


    "We have to shut it down!"


    "We can''t, we''re finally this close!" Another scientist from the hologram answered to the other one. They were both males with the same black hair. From the distance, their faces couldn''t be seen. The whole place was in disarray, papers everywhere ¨C people shuffling back and forth and ringing telephone calls, unanswered questions¡ª


    It was chaos.


    "We have to shut ANDROMEDA!"


    "Are you crazy? We reached this far! We can''t just shut the lab after a breakthrough!"


    "I received a call! The space station is being abandoned!"


    "Even the space station?! But we got this far!"


    "They can''t just shut ANDROMEDA! What about the hard work we''ve put through this? I left my family to complete the project!" Says another. "I can''t do it anymore! We need to push through!"


    "What about the efforts we exerted to FIND it!"


    "That''s right! All those years we dedicated ourselves to. I can''t believe they want us to abandon everything without any explanation!"


    "We deviated from our real research only to get our efforts invalidated? How could they?!"


    "We have to obey orders!"


    "What about our efforts?!"


    "The results, how about them as well?!" Another one thundered. "The research can''t be abandoned!"


    "Yes, it can!" Says another scientist¡ªone in a messy lab coat and completely bald. "I''m unleashing Subject 0032 if all of you don''t stop talking!"


    "You can''t be serious, Chief!"


    "To hell with you, I''m not going to let my effort be wasted just because the higher-ups told us so! We made a BREAKTHROUGH! We can''t just let that go to waste!"


    "That''s right!"


    "He''s right!"


    "I''m with the M31 crew. WE WON''T ALLOW ANDROMEDA TO SHUT DOWN!"


    "Then you give me no choice," says the Chief. "As the head scientist, I put the research into a pedestal. But there was nothing above the rules."


    He clicked on a device.


    "Subject 0032," he says. "Take the M31 crew."


    His eyes then met that of the screen¡ªthat of Anna.


    "M33," he says. "Shut Anna down,"


    "GRAAAWWW!" The test subject then started to rip the limb off of one scientist. An automated cleaner then started to clean the blood as it recorded samples from who it is from. The place was more and more driving to mayhem. More than disarray.


    It was a nightmare to see. Blood splatters everywhere¡ªpeople running for their lives, and some only looking at them with terrified eyes. Some were cruel enough to only stare as their comrades get eaten.


    A girl was picked through her hair, her glasses falling to the floor as it gets trampled by one of the workers running for their lives. She screamed as the creature opened its mouth, devouring her headfirst.


    "No . . .!" Says Anna¡ªher voice was different. It was not a young girl''s, but it was glitching; Ephraim and the task force can only hear a part-static sound and what sounded like a woman. But they were certain it was definitely Anna''s.


    The real Anna.


    "No, no, no." She says. "Why are you all doing this?"


    Ephraim stares at the hesitation written all over the face of someone on the screen. It looked like he was staring at him¡ªhesitating. Asking himself if he was doing the right thing. Ephraim couldn''t help himself but feel like he was the one the man was looking to. He knew that this person was probably an old man right now, or he may not be alive at all.


    "Don''t hesitate, Denmark!" Says one of the people behind him. "You have to destroy Anna, or else ''she'' will be able to store the data!"


    The man they called ''Denmark'' thinned his lips and shut his eyes tight. After a while, he started to disintegrate what looked like chips¡ªand then Anna''s screen began to glitch and grow static. Ephraim and the team could hardly see an image.


    "Why didn''t you completely destroy her?!"


    "These are her chips," he says, "I''m leaving them to all of you."


    "Forget it, and just shut Anna down already! She has the information about¡ª"


    "She doesn''t! These are her chips. She can''t even be a hologram anymore," the guy named Denmark says. "Please, don''t ask me to destroy her. Don''t ask me to destroy the splitting image of Hanna!"


    "You''re crazy, Denmark!"


    "I''m sorry, Anna." Denmark says. "Please understand."


    And with those words,


    the whole screen blacked out, ending the show of the probable last moments of the laboratory belonging to the abandoned former space station¡ªANDROMEDA.

 32 Hollow Space

    "The next thing I knew I was a bunch of code with a memory and a chip for cognition." Says Anna. "A consciousness of the real me. A fragment is left in the system with nothing to do but to live on,"


    Silence.


    "Something doesn''t add up," Ephraim says. "Anna, you said for years this was abandoned. How come the system didn''t just shut down? How is ANDROMEDA able to snatch some power supply?"


    "That boggled me too," Samuel adds. "The moment I got here, lights''re emanating from the flowers¡ªwho turned out to be monsters too¡ªbut they weren''t the source of light illuminating the room. More like . . . the flower-monsters were just . . . garnitures. It''s bright from pretty much everywhere, which is odd because I didn''t see the source,"


    "I-in other words, it''s like it''s daylight when Sam and I fell here, except the light source is missing." Says Esmeralda. "Atop us is a waterfall and somehow I can''t see the other end. It''s just an endless pitch-black darkness,''''


    "It seems all of us see to have almost the same starting point?" Ephraim asks, clearly fascinated.


    "We all landed in a waterfall, right?" Asks Esmeralda, "wait . . . we did? But if that''s the case, then why didn''t we see Berthold when we fell?"


    "Something doesn''t add up," Ephraim says.


    "We were near each other at the time the ground collapsed, aren''t we?" Berthold exclaims. "And judging from the information Anna gave earlier, Ephraim and Hiroaki are the first ones who fell down, next is me, and then the two of you."


    "And we didn''t wake up in the same place, I think," says Ephraim. "Isn''t that right, Anna?"


    "Yes," Anna answers. "Since I gained access to the chip of my security, I have the information to almost the whole place. The grounds you all found yourself to was called [Jungle ¨C Simulation Room]¡ªI don''t have the information on how it was used, but perhaps it harbored the test subjects¡ªthe creatures chasing all of you earlier."


    Anna then proceeded to project another image to all of them. Ephraim and the task force soon saw what seemed like a three-dimensional hologram projection of what seemed like the laboratory. It had several sectors corridor to corridor. There seemed to be a place lower ground as well.


    "Unfortunately, this is the only thing I could show to all of you," Anna says with a solemn tone. Ephraim and his team then started circling over the hologram projection of the place. Samuel looking down below at the lower grounds.


    "The building looks unstable," Samuel says as he caresses his chin. "How do oxygen circulate around here? And the proportions . . . the stability of the buildings wouldn''t be able to work if it''s built like this. Sort of like a tree with branching places except for the tree itself is caught in deforestation."


    "Really?" Esmeralda tilts her head. "I don''t see it . . ."


    Anna then started to manipulate the hologram projections of the place. And then it came to place¡ªit did look like a tree. There was a trunk¡ªand then corridors, perhaps¡ªwith branching parts and sectors of different kinds.


    "Currently, we''re here," Anna says and then points at a place at the MIDDLE portion of the tree just above the trunk. "This room''s information is botched, but thankfully I was able to gain access."


    "What about these black areas?" Asks Esmeralda. "It looks like a tree, but it''s like we''re on the upper branches . . . but then again it looked incomplete,"


    "Because it is," says Anna. "Samuel¡ªis it? He''s correct. The proportions are a bit on the odd side. And that''s because the tree is incomplete,"


    "Incomplete?" Ephraim asks.


    "I told you guys earlier I don''t know what this room is for," she says. "It''s in the middle of everything else and it''s the only place situated in this trunk-like tunnel."


    "Wait, trunk-like tunnel, similar to the trunk of the tree¡ª" Berthold says, and then, his gaze drops down to the chasm below them. He was stepping in a glass floor, which is why he could see the endless darkness below.


    All of the team members started to look down.


    "So what we''re seeing is what''s inside the ''trunk'' of the laboratory?" Samuel asks. "It''s giving me goosebumps,"


    "Y-yeah, it''s so hollow . . ." Esmeralda exclaims and then faces Anna. "H-have you tried looking down to it?"


    "Well I just gained my hologram form, and it''s my first time here," Anna answers, "so maybe I should go down and check it out. Be right back!"


    Without another word, Anna tried to slip past through the glass floor¡ª


    ¡ªonly to fail.


    She sprung back, her body glitching as she tumbles down to the glass floor. Anna scowls, and then tried to slip past through the pane once more; to her surprise, she was sent back once again¡ªlike that of a ball tumbling back on the air as it hits the floor. Anna blinked several times, shifting her gaze to the astonished task force eying her.


    "Er . . . it looks like I can''t go in," says Anna. "For some reason . . . ?"


    "Maybe it''s because you got no access to go there?" Berthold asks. "You told us after all, that you''re unable to see other sectors because you''re incomplete."


    "Well, sort of. But this is . . . weird," Anna exclaims, "I don''t understand why I''m being repelled when there''s just absolutely nothing down there . . ."


    "I get you," says Samuel. "Clearly it''s a blank space. Gravity''s pull wouldn''t repel you either; instead, it should PULL you in, as per its name. Either way, I''m weirded out as well," Samuel exclaims, clearly bemused. He placed both of his hands to the glass floor¡ªhis reaction evident to everyone else. The fascination of a researcher with the eyes that are filled with analysis.


    It wasn''t just him. Everyone was pulling their hypotheticals at this point.


    "I don''t understand," says Anna with her glowing cyan eyes, indicating she was coming up with an analysis as she stared beneath.


    "There''s nothing there. My code should be able to gain access. I can''t see anything else but a hollow space."


    "It can''t be that you''re the same charges with the electrons down there¡ªor is it the glass?" Asks Samuel, knocking on the glass floor. "It''s pretty sturdy, after all."


    "Electrons are in constant motion as they circle around the nucleus of that atom. When both have a negative charge¡ªtheir lines of force are repelled. Similar charges repel, and dissimilar do otherwise. They attract. Two electrons will tend to repel each other because both have a negative electrical charge," says Anna.


    "But you see, Samuel¡ªI''m a Hologram. I do have electrons but I''m a bit of a special case. I can pass through mediums easily because I am programmed to blend with atomic particles and slip through them." She says. "That''s how my system works. I appear to be ''walking'' because I try to align my feet to the atomic particles of the solids below. This glass . . . I am definitely able to slip through it, but it''s the force below that repels me,"


    "If you can''t disrupt the molecules below," says Ephraim. "Then it''s not a hollow space."

 33 The One Who Started It All

    "A hollow space that repels a hologram," Berthold exclaims. "From here I couldn''t see anything. Just darkness."


    Ephraim stares down below, growing anxious at every second. He was starting to have a hunch.


    A hunch about ANDROMEDA''s research.


    "Samuel," says Ephraim. "Can you enumerate the things that could repel?"


    "Well, for one, similar electrons just like negative to negative," says Samuel. "Since positive and negative charges attract, and two similar charges repel,"


    "But I only see a big hollow space," says Anna. "The glass is the only thing that keeps us from falling here . . . wait,"


    Anna leaned to the glass. "This glass is a bit different . . . hold on."


    "A bit different?" Esmeralda tilts her head as her reflection stares back at her.


    "The atomic particles are somehow . . . different in form. I can''t explain how,"


    "Aren''t they like that because they''re sturdier?" Asks Sam as he knocks to the glass. "I don''t see anything special with it."


    "Except for the design," Ephraim utters to himself.


    "The design?" Samuel asks.


    "The structure of this place is odd," Ephraim exclaims as he pressed his hand to the glass. "A floor made out of the glass with a hollow abyss beneath. A room with nothing but light and white, shiny walls."


    "Now that you mentioned it, I''ve never seen a room like this before," says Berthold. "I mean . . . we''ve seen lots of odd designs, but this one, in a laboratory with a peculiar architecture? Bizarre,"


    "I think it''s for a trial to people who get scared of heights. Or those who are agoraphobic and claustrophobic," Samuel suggests.


    "I don''t think that''s it, Sam . . ." Esmeralda says.


    "You have to consider every possibility, Hag." Samuel retorts. "Besides, look at this. I don''t think it''s possible such glass could endure the gravitational pull¡ª"


    "¡ªwait, say that again, Samuel." Ephraim suddenly blurts out.


    "Huh?" Samuel scowled. "Esmeralda got to consider every possibility?"


    "No," Ephraim says. "Gravitational pull. Anna was repelled, which means underneath this defies the law of gravity itself,"


    "HUH?" Samuel laughed loudly. "Did the blood drain from your head, Lame leader? Are you going coo-coo?"


    "No, I''m not going coo-coo," Ephraim exclaims, stopping Samuel from laughing loudly.


    "Then maybe you should suggest something different. Baseless assumptions make the researcher laugh." Samuel smirks, his cockiness not in place again. Esmeralda had to pinch him to ruin his arrogance. Berthold then faces Ephraim, who was deep in thought, not shaken by Samuel''s remarks.


    "Raim . . ."


    "Anna," Ephraim calls.


    Anna, snapping from her analysis, beamed. "Yes?"


    "Did you slip past through the electrons of the glass itself?" He asks. "Because I want to consider two factors if we want to come up with a presumption."


    "So it''s the glass itself that didn''t allow you to pass through¡ªand the force underneath is the one that repelled."


    "I can still pass through the glass a bit, but if my soles touch even the slightest of the glass'' end, I would be repelled,"


    "Have you tried analyzing the components of the glass itself?" Ephraim asks. "You said yourself that they were different,"


    "Y-yeah, but only the form. But the composition is almost the same,"


    "Science is about the intricacy of details," says Ephraim. "Can you check on it, Anna?"


    Anna nodded, and then dissolved towards the glass¡ªdecomposing and disseminating herself as she scurried down and mixed with the particles.


    "Shouldn''t we aiming for a plan to get out of here though?" Says Samuel. "I mean, I think we found ANDROMEDA''s research,"


    "You mean genetically experimenting on test subjects?" Asks Esmeralda.


    "Yeah . . .! I mean, maybe they mixed alien genome to some plants and animals," Samuel exclaims. "It isn''t too far from possible because of the things we''ve seen,"


    "Well, you''re maybe right . . ." Esmeralda mutters.


    "No." Ephraim argues. "I don''t think that''s it,"


    "Berthold, can I borrow your gun?" Ephraim asks as he extends his arm to Berthold, his palm waiting for the gun to be handed to him.


    Berthold, although hesitant, gave him the gun.


    "Thank you," Ephraim says as he places the gun on the holster attached to his belt.


    "Leader . . .?" Esmeralda lifts her gaze as Ephraim stood up, his rib bandaged by Berthold. He sauntered towards Hiroaki, who was standing in the corner, leaning his back against the arctic-white wall.


    "There is something more important here," says Ephraim. "You know about it, don''t you, Agent Night."


    Hiroaki slowly opened the lids of his eyes, welcoming Ephraim with a cold stare.


    Berthold and the others stared at the two members of the task force, who were looking at each other with piercing, heavy gazes.


    "Genetically modified flowers are subjects for something else," Ephraim says, his eyes locked with Hiroaki. "Based on what Anna showed us, it seemed this is not the case where a research had gone awry. It is evident that they have the control over their ''subjects''. This is the work of the Higher-Ups, am I right?" Ephraim asks.


    Hiroaki stood in front of Hiroaki with a profound gaze. He was a tad taller than Ephraim and had a wider lean built. He carried the air of an exceptional soldier¡ªlike that of a police dog.


    "When I asked Anna if this is the first time she encountered people here, she said no." Ephraim says. "No one but the UHE . . . was trying to retrieve something here. The University of the High East¡ªno, the president himself¡ªwas continuing the legacy of UHE''s founder, who dedicated himself to find something in ANDROMEDA by assigning the graduating students with below-average grades,"


    Esmeralda and the others eagerly listened, obviously unaware of this fact. Berthold however, remained in a calm composure and remained his gaze focused on the two.


    "That was the tradition, wasn''t it? George Denmark discontinued that by assigning a scholar¡ªme," Ephraim fell silent for a moment. "Now I think personally, this job would better fit a scientist. A researcher. Not an archeologist."


    Hiroaki stares at him, still with no response.


    "The president since day one has been suspicious for me." Ephraim exclaims. "Especially you. You''re his agent¡ªformer sergeant Hiroaki Mochizuki,"


    "The president obviously was sending this team with a plan at hand. I was aware of that," Ephraim exclaims. "ANDROMEDA''s research. Tell me. It''s more than those genetically-modified flowers or any monster. It''s something different,"


    Hiroaki stares at Ephraim, "and how do you know that?" he asked with a measured gaze, as if to test.


    "One thing an Archeologist would trust," Ephraim says. "Is anything and anyone''s connections to the past."


    Ephraim then drew Berthold''s gun, with his eyes fixated to Hiroaki, who didn''t get startled nor move an inch.


    "Now, Hiroaki." Ephraim narrows his eyes. "I know you have been a spy of the president. You are his agent tasked to investigate us. In the most dangerously helpless time, you threw the beeper which was meant to save us. You even knew how to reprogram Anna, which I think would require a high-level tech skill," Ephraim chuckles as he tightened his grip around the gun. "Isn''t that odd, Hiroaki-san?"


    Ephraim mounted the gun by pulling its hammer. "Talk."


    "H-hey, we-we''re a team, r-remember!" Esmeralda exclaims, trying to brighten things up with her forced positive demeanor. "W-we should communicate without a condescending manner, r-right?"


    "Ooh, finally something interesting," Samuel utters with a grin on his face.


    Berthold remained silent, observing the two men looking at each other with the same eyes which had a lot to hide.


    "What a wonder you are, Ephraim Hughes." Hiroaki says without breaking composure. "No wonder Oswald entrusted you this mission."


    Hiroaki stares at Ephraim, and then to the confused team members.


    He broke into a small smile.


    "Now let me start with the story of a person from thirty years ago," he says. "The man who started the search for the ''object of great importance''¡ªthe man who created the practice of letting the students with poor complacency to embark on the mission to retrieve a seemingly impossible ''object'' from this desolated laboratory . . ."


    "Let me tell you about the man who had appeared in the recordings of the Hologram." Hiroaki paused for a brief silence.


    "You mean . . ."


    Hiroaki closed his eyes, "That''s right. UHE''s founder¡ªa man who was also a part of the Messier crew."


    Ephraim''s eyes widened.


    "The engineer scientist who pioneered the greatest university, and had taken part in an important project in his early years," says Hiroaki.


    "The president''s late father," Hiroaki exclaims. "Roy Denmark."

 34 Denmarks Conspiracy

    "Roy Denmark?" Asks Esmeralda, "who''s that?"


    "It seems he''s the president''s father." Samuel answers.


    "Wait, the Denmark from earlier from the hologram . . . are they the same person?"


    "Beats me, but this just made me more confused," says Samuel. "So the president''s dad is part of the crew?"


    Ephraim narrows his eyes. "Oswald . . . are you talking about my former professor?"


    Hiroaki stares blankly, and then closed his eyes, leaving Ephraim''s question unanswered.


    "I''ve said enough," Hiroaki exclaims. "I don''t think my job is to let all of you delve deeper."


    Ephraim still pointed his gun to Hiroaki, his deep-blue eyes staring at the former sergeant with a measured gaze. Ephraim knew Hiroaki would tell a piece of valuable information that may ease bemusement. Ephraim however, remained the gun intact and barbed to Hiroaki''s forehead. He knew this was an ineffective way to get a person talking, and he even was considered an exemplary leader by his colleagues.


    But here he is.


    He should be showing a good example. Ephraim thought to himself, ''handle this as calmly as possible''. He was their leader, and he was trying to be as kind as possible. It shouldn''t be hard for him.


    It shouldn''t be.


    He was a former student council president. He was the epitome of equanimity. He was established, dignified, and dexterous. Ephraim knew how to control his emotions to people, and everything else. He would turn things he liked or dislike to his advantage. He was an individual who studied pasts and presents, after all. He knew the cycle the world had revolved to.


    But this mission¡ªthis task¡ªhe had lost everything he had built for over the course of years; he lost his composure, his professionalism, and now, his patience.


    Lucian described him perfectly.


    Behind his kind smiles,


    He was conniving.


    "I don''t think you answered my queries, Hiroaki-san," Ephraim exclaims, adding the Japanese honorific to at least be polite. But how would one display courtesy by pointing a gun straight to a person''s face?


    Hiroaki stared at Ephraim with equal intensity, but Ephraim could tell Hiroaki wasn''t intimidated one bit. He was calm, with his dark eyes still and looking at Ephraim with a blank stare. Unlike Ephraim¡ªwhose hand was trembling up-close. His gaze was also a bit shaking as his palms sweat. He was pointing the gun, yet he was the one intimidated.


    Ephraim tightened his grip to the gun, overcoming the trembles.


    He breathed.


    "Answer our queries first," Ephraim exclaims. "I don''t think changing your mind would be a good move right now, Hiroaki-san."


    "Your sides are all opened, Ephraim Hughes," Hiroaki says with a lifeless tone. "If I was your enemy, I would have already snatched the gun and you would have died before you could even speak."


    Ephraim then turned to all of them and flashed his usual smile. He headed to where Esmeralda and the others are, being his usual self again. Esmeralda looked at him with worry written across her face.


    "L-leader . . .?"


    Ephraim smiles at Esmeralda, and then shifted his gaze back to Hiroaki. Through his spectacles, he narrowed his eyes as he eyed him keenly and sharply. Ephraim was still dazed with Hiroaki snatching the gun from him in the blink of an eye¡ªbut he ought to snap out from it. He reassured himself that he was an archeologist, not a combatant.


    Ephraim shook his head internally. What was important is that Hiroaki wanted to talk again. But Ephraim doubts that he would mention anything beyond Roy Denmark. Ephraim knew his former professor, Oswald, had been involved with the president by referring Ephraim to be the one in charge of a task force.


    But it seems like his connections to the whole enchilada were further than that.


    "Your queries . . . will be answered by the story of Roy Denmark," Hiroaki says. "The man who drew out Anna''s chips. The man who built UHE."


    "Hold on, if he was that well-known, I should''ve had at least a background on him," Samuel exclaims. "I know people as much as I know information. Trust me, I know LOTS."


    Hiroaki looks at the team blankly, as he sighs.


    "Roy Denmark is his alias," says Hiroaki. "I am talking about the man they referred to as ''Brilliant Mind,'' Roscosmos Yshmael Denmark."


    "Roscosmos Yshmael . . . now I remember. That''s indeed the name of the founder," Ephraim utters, as he remembers the statue built to the main campus of UHE. But he didn''t recognize the founder so easily in the hologram¡ªhis statues in school were his face when he got older. He looked way younger in Anna''s memory.


    "Brilliant Mind¡ªRoscosmos Yshmael¡ªnow that triggers some memory," Samuel says. "He''s one of the scientists that revolutionized the use of Artificial Intelligence."


    "I''ve heard of him too . . . he''s a brilliant scientist engineer who also developed AIs for easier recognition of genus and species of certain organisms," Esmeralda says. "But I didn''t really get the news about him being the founder of UHE,"


    "Well, it''s because he established UHE when he was almost dying," says Hiroaki. "He founded UHE with the help of my father."


    "Hiroaki-san''s father . . .?" Esmeralda exclaims.


    "My father is one of the biggest sharks in the conglomerate," Hiroaki exclaims with a hint of bitter pang in his tone. It was very light, and almost unnoticeable. But Ephraim managed to do so.


    "I wouldn''t reveal any more than that," Hiroaki exclaims. "But my father and Roy Denmark established UHE for shared reasons that benefited them. Roy founded UHE to mask the association. The association my father inaugurated. An organization tasked to find ANDROMEDA''s research."


    "I still don''t understand," Samuel blurts. "Roy Denmark is a part of ANDROMEDA. He definitely knew what the research is, right? He knew ANDROMEDA better than anyone else as well. When it''s abandoned he could''ve simply retrieved the research."


    "Roy Denmark is a part of the Messier 33." Hiroaki answers. "They were researching a different thing . . . that''s all I know."


    Ephraim then remembers the head scientist ordering the M31 be slaughtered by the test subjects, and the M33 to be spared. He remembers how Roy Denmark just passed dying people as he gets to Anna.


    "Roy Denmark and UHE are conspiring something," Hiroaki exclaims. "I am one of their agents. I am both the outside and inside information,"


    "If they are conspiring something, then we''re pawns to their plans." Says Samuel, clenching his fist, and then glares at Hiroaki. ". . . and you are with them. How can we tell you can be trusted?"


    "Sam . . .!" Esmeralda scolds.


    "No, he''s right. How do we know you can be trusted?" Ephraim says. "You said you are the inside and outside information . . . wait . . . no, is that why you''ve broken the beeper?" Ephraim asks, his eyes gleaming as something enlightens in the back of his mind.


    "What do you mean, Raim?" Berthold asks, equally confused as Samuel and Esmeralda.


    "That beeper," says Ephraim, clearly realizing something. "it''s different from ours, wasn''t it?"


    Hiroaki smiles. "What a wonder you are, Ephraim Hughes." Hiroaki then nods. "That''s right. That beeper is meant to track all of you . . . and let the HR know your whereabouts."


    "Then . . ." Esmeralda exclaims.


    "I threw it before they discover that the task force is now on its way down to divulge ANDROMEDA''s secrets."


    "Huh?" Esmeralda tilts her head.


    "But isn''t that what they want us to do?" Samuel asks. "Damn it, this is making my head hurt! Aren''t we tasked to find something important here? isn''t that our job?"


    "This is all I could tell. This is all the extent of my knowledge," Hiroaki says, not answering Samuel''s question. "This is all of I know of UHE¡ªthe organization''s¡ªplan. I am a provider of information, not the receiver of one."


    "But I do know of this." Hiroaki silently utters. "The Denmarks . . . have a conspiracy at hand."

 35 It is All According to Fate

    Alphonse stares at the president''s silhouette slowly fading to the darkness. In times like this he remembered the man he had served for many years¡ªthe president''s late father¡ªRoy Denmark.


    He still harks back to their same charismatic smile hiding their cruel upbringing. They were very similar, but at the same time their ways were different. Roy was a man who was elaborate with his steps and processes, whilst his son on the other hand, George, worked in ways that complicated Alphonse.


    Alphonse Richards had been a butler of the Denmarks ever since he was a young lad. The Richards were bound to serve the Denmark family for years. In family trees Alphonse was tending, the Richards had been recorded working for the Denmarks throughout many generations, the earliest years being recorded was back in the Victorian era.


    In the 1830s were the earliest records of the first butler from the line of the Richards¡ªhis name was Aleph Richards, the butler serving the noble line of the Denmarks, one of the households holding the title of the marquis. As a Richard, Alphonse ought to study the hierarchy and the family tree of the Denmarks as per tradition. He was old now, meaning he had already almost forgotten half of what he had learned.


    But out of all the knowledge passed down to his line, he had yet to forget one thing:


    "Secundum quod fatum est" in Latin, and "¨®la e¨ªnai symfona me ti mo¨ªra" in Greek.


    | ?¦Ë¦Á ¦Å?¦Í¦Á¦É ¦Ò?¦Ì¦Õ¦Ø¦Í¦Á ¦Ì¦Å ¦Ó¦Ç ¦Ì¦Ï?¦Ñ¦Á |


    It is all according to fate.


    The Denmarks were famous for this certain line. Even in the family tree, the quote was embedded with the mark of a chimera; a lion, with the head of a goat protruding from its back, and a tail that ends with a snake''s head. The chimera was displayed in front of an opened iron gate amassing a burning flame. It was so magnificent that the Denmarks became notorious for it.


    The University of the High East, amongst many business enterprises the Denmarks handled, carried this certain emblem. It became a mark of the family and was a sign of their prosperity


    Alphonse regarded the emblem as something that binds him to his master. He readjusted the chimera insignia on his tailcoat, one he carried ever since he was appointed as the head butler.


    "It is all according to fate,"


    He remembers how George Denmark''s eyes gleamed as he articulated these words¡ªwith such pride and the same utterance as Alphonse''s late master. This certain quote became a spell that the Denmarks conveyed at such times.


    Times that they neither found coincidental nor caused.


    Times that they harbor as perpetual¡ª


    Such as the earthquake that struck Peru.


    Alphonse waited for dusk as he finished the preparations. As his usual routine, he checked the time. It was already 6 in the evening, just the time he would enter the president''s study to report what information the HR mustered to gather.


    "Ah, Alphonse," the president utters. "Isn''t this another spectacular sunrise?"


    Alphonse stares at the president for a brief moment, noticing a tinge of glee in his tone.


    ". . . You seem to be in a good mood, Sire." Alphonse exclaims as a matter of factly.


    George Denmark was still looking through the glass pane, his hand playing with the flute in a circling motion, the champagne mixing in a beautiful swirl.


    "Secundum quod fatum est," the president stated. "¨®la e¨ªnai symfona me ti mo¨ªra,"


    Alphonse stares at the glass'' peripheral as the president drank what was left of the champagne flute''s contents.


    "It is all according to fate," says George Denmark.


    He then turns to Alphonse, sauntering towards the table as he sits to the swivel chair. He began to examine documents, still, a smile etched on his charming face.


    "The HR fell back, and rescue did not come to the task force," says Alphonse. "No need for explanation, as usual."


    "Good," George answers, not taking his eye off the documents. "Anything else?"


    "It seems Agent Night''s tracker for the whereabouts of the force broke," Alphonse states. "It is possible that he might have been caught by the earthquake debris. The House was unstable, after all."


    "Hiroaki?" The president chuckles. "It will take more than an earthquake to kill him."


    "Regardless if he is dead or not, the HR lost track of the team," Alphonse says. "It would be wiser to send a team to search for them."


    The president simply smiled. "Why do you think that, Alphonse?"


    Alphonse stared back at George''s analyzing gaze through his monocles.


    "Pardon me for articulating my opinion, Sire," Alphonse starts. "The cameras had shut down completely due to the earthquake, which had a magnitude that collapsed several buildings in the country. The House had disintegrated entirely. It is a possibility that the task force survived and may need rescue. It is also a possibility they are dead. And it is also a possibility that they have discovered ANDROMEDA forthwith."


    "Ah . . ." The president chuckled. "Yes, they may have."


    "I advise you to consider these possibilities, especially the last one, Sire."


    "What a wonder. Then that would be a piece of good news,"


    Alphonse''s brow twitched. "Pardon me, Sire. Please do remember your father''s last will and the organization''s tradition and practices. Discovering ANDROMEDA needs supervision from the HR, but the tracker broke, and the cameras are all down."


    "Oh, butler Alphonse," the president flashed a charismatic smile. "The practice was broken the moment I assigned Ephraim Hughes as the leader of the task force. The traditions were long gone the moment Oswald and I decided to change Father''s tactics. The rules were long broken when I replaced my father, do you think it would matter to me whether they do find it?"


    "But Sire, do consider that the organization needs to know their progress, but we have no way to even pin their whereabouts¡ª"


    "What are you holding to, Alphonse?" The president asks as he pours the 1959 Dom Perignon to his flute. He smiles at the bemused butler, with the equally intense cruel gaze his father proffered.


    "For years, the organization failed to retrieve the research. The forces they had assigned didn''t even go far beyond the House. For thirty-five years, the organization played a game. A game that fit children . . . and they acted like they were spectators, bystanders. Ah, thinking about it, this is like the movie Cabin in the Woods, isn''t it?" He says. "They appoint unsuspecting archeologists, researchers, and engineers to find something in the House, unbeknownst to them they are being watched."


    Alphonse eyes the president filling the other flute to the brim.


    "The organization knows ANDROMEDA, but they do not know the research." He says. "My father enforced a certain customary practice of having the search teams with zero background about the abandoned laboratory. I do not understand, but that may be fate as well in working."


    "The organization per se is contradicting itself." The president exclaims, his eyes gleaming. "But that in essence is the plan. Contradiction. Confusion. Perplexity. Nature. I only tweaked it a bit so it''ll progress, but everything is moving in its own, like what my father predicted."


    George Denmark handed Alphonse the champagne flute he filled to the brim.


    "You did not understand father, did you, Alphonse?" Asks George, as Alphonse accepts the flute.


    "You ought to not understand me as well." The president exclaims. "Just remember the insignia my family carried ever since the reign of Queen Victoria; the queen entrusted this emblem to us for a reason one would not comprehend. And all the answers are leading to this very day, Alphonse. Even behind all the contradiction and perplexity."


    George raised his flute for a toast. "This . . . is all according to fate."

 36 Particle Differences

    "Huh? What''s with the stern look?" Anna asks. She just finished copying a mimic of the glass particle to her hologram. When she was done, she returned to her little girl appearance and drifted towards the task force¡ªwho were in silence. Anna walked towards Ephraim, who was the first to notice her.


    "Anna," Ephraim calls. "How is it?"


    "Well, I created a copy that mimicked the molecules and their composition," Anna says. "Sorry it took me a while. What happened here?"


    Ephraim shakes his head. "Nothing. What were you able to find out?"


    Anna tilted her head to show her confusion before she decided to explain her findings. Nonetheless, rising from crystal shards to pixels, a mimic showed in front of Anna.


    Esmeralda stares at the mimic particles. She recalls a distinct memory of her chemistry class as they studied molecules and electrons. Esmeralda proceeded to poke at it, her index finger slipping through the hologram.


    "This looks straight out like the models I see in researches we conduct," Samuel exclaims. "Which is impressive, Hologram girl."


    "My name is Anna . . ." Anna utters. "Anyways! Do notice that the compositions are very much alike in a normal glass . . . here, let me show you all another model," Anna then showed another hologram model. "This is the glass from the laboratory. It''s in a way very similar, see?"


    "Yeah, they''re identical," Ephraim observes. "But . . . why are these somehow . . . different?"


    "That''s what I was thinking about as well," Anna exclaims. "The crystallinity of this glass is bizarre, compared to the usual composition seen in ours,"


    "In closer inspection, this seems to be composed of altered . . . specks," Anna explains. "It''s the same as normal glass. Silicate glass, to be precise. Which consists mainly of silica or silicon dioxide, SiO2."


    Ephraim started to sketch the two models to compare and contrast, as he scribbles a Venn diagram down below.


    "Have they only differ in terms of appearance?" Asks Ephraim. "I mean, if they''re the same composition, but only looked a bit dissimilar, then are they actually different at all?"


    "Well, for one, let''s start with basic science," says Anna. "Glass is the name given to an amorphous or non-crystalline solid that exhibits a glass transition when it nears melting point. Glass is a type of matter. On occasion, the word glass is circumscribed to inorganic compounds, nevertheless, a glass may be an organic polymer or plastic or even an aqueous solution."


    "In other words," Berthold starts. "It can either be formed from inorganic matter, plastic, or even watery-solutions?"


    Ephraim remembers the glass separating the simulation area¡ªwhen Anna identified herself as she gained the login permission, the sturdy glass pane seems to fade with its shards dissolving to crystalline-hologram pixelated shards. It occurred to him how similar it is to an anime he watched, right¡ªSword Art Online. The dissolving pixels akin to a digital world. Now Ephraim was bombarded with thoughts about how far did technology actually goes when things like these existed just underneath the ground?


    "So there is naturally-occurring glass. Examples include Obsidian, which comes from volcano silica; Fulgurites, vitrified sand from a lightning strike, and Moldavite, which transpires from meteorite impacts. Obviously, this glass isn''t made out of those three¡ªthis glass . . . is manmade," says Anna as she grabs the hologram model of the glass beneath them. "As I delve into thousands of information when I was examining the composition, I soon saw a glass somewhat similar to what we have here."


    "A glass that is somewhat similar?"


    "Yes," Anna says. "That is . . . metallic glass."


    "Researchers have made a metallic glass that is the strongest and toughest material ever made. To make a metallic glass, five elements were infused to complicate the material. That way, the substance wouldn''t be able to activate into automatic memory and form its normal, crystal structure."


    "Hm, so this is made with metallic glass?" Asks Berthold. "So does that mean metallic glass restricts you? Does that mean it complicates your programming as well?"


    "I am designed to pass through electrons undisturbed without messing their structure," says Anna. "That explains how I can pass through mediums. Metallic glass restricts automatic memory to form the normal crystalline structure of the glass. It doesn''t say it restricts any other entity for entering . . . I mean, how can I examine if I can''t disintegrate the particles?"


    "Point," Samuel says. "So it isn''t metallic glass, then?"


    "As I said earlier," Anna exclaims. "It is somewhat similar, but then I can''t really tell what it is,"


    "That''s odd," Ephraim says.


    The research members then turned to him.


    "You have all the access to information, Anna," Ephraim says. "You said this yourself."


    "Well, except classified ones," Anna retorts.


    "But this is a composition of something almost arbitrary," Ephraim says. "Is it possible it''s not a mineral from earth?"


    "What do you mean? It''s manmade?" Asks Anna, "well, for one it''s not Fluoro-aluminate, Polyvinyl acetate, or any Amorphous metals and alloys,"


    Ephraim stares at the glass.


    "It''s . . . something similar to metallic glass but it''s different." Anna utters.


    "It''s like . . . it came from another dimension,"


    Silence.


    Ephraim blinks.


    Flicker.


    The lights flickered on and off, which caused the team to stand alert. Ephraim blinked as he stares upwards, the light fading into a dizzying nonstop on and off. Is there a power outage? If yes, then how so? The lights were working perfectly earlier.


    The timing was too convenient. Ephraim eyed Hiroaki, who immediately drew his gun out, remaining vigilant.


    Flicker.


    On. Off. On. Off.


    Anna was glowing in the dark, but her light was dim for Ephraim and the team to see the whole vicinity.


    THUD. THUD. THUD.


    The sounds echoed . . . "outside the room?" Esmeralda spoke aloud.


    It was getting nearer, like extensive and heavy stomping feet. Ephraim listened to the ground shake as the glass quivered. The sound was getting nearer and nearer towards them.


    Until the lights turned on.


    And the sound stopped.


    "Wh-what in the world . . . was . . ." Samuel stopped talking shortly as his electric blue eyes fix to a person standing just before the vault door.


    "Hello, I figured things would get complicated." Says a little girl to them. It seemed that she appeared passing through the door¡ªbecause there was no sign the vault door was opened. "All of you have learned a tad too much, which is why I think it is better to terminate everything instead of playing the guessing game whether this would be for good or for naught,"


    Ephraim blinked as he met the eyes of the girl¡ªgleaming, sinister blood-red eyes and a glossy black hair falling just beneath her waist which was paired with a silky, red dress. She was fair, and barefoot, with the same stature as Anna.


    And she was glowing.


    "Pardon my intrusion," says the girl. "My name is Project A. NN3331-a."


    The girl bowed gracefully, and then her eyes met that of Anna¡ªred eyes to blue ones.


    "Hence, I call myself," says the girl. "The real Anna."


    Ephraim blinked as he turned towards Anna standing alongside them, looking equally confused and frightened as her gaze pinned to the girl standing a distance away from them. The girl smiled.


    "Now, I must initiate the mission." She says and flicked her finger. With a snap, the vault door opened, revealing a fog.


    And a silhouette of a large creature.


    "Subject 00457," the girl grins. "Exterminate the intruders."


    END OF VOLUME 1

 37 Another Fragment - An Enemy?

    "Subject 00457," the girl grins. "Exterminate the intruders."


    "H-hold on!" Anna¡ªthe hologram beside Ephraim and the task force¡ªinterrupts, which made the girl claiming to be the ''real Anna'' to raise her arm as if to gesture the creature to halt. Ephraim looked over the creature¡ªit was ghastly-looking, with deteriorating flesh and putrid smell. It also was five times larger than that of a normal person, its back bigger than it was supposed to. It also had a face, with two eyes and a dripping mouth. Compared to the other creatures Ephraim and the task force have encountered¡ªthis one looked . . . human.


    "Hunchback, hold on a sec." The girl says. "What is it, Impersonator?"


    ''Impersonator?'' Ephraim thought to himself as he glances towards Anna.


    "Who are you?" Anna asks the girl.


    "As I said, I am Project A. NN3331-a," says the girl. "Project ANN-a, or just simply . . . Anna."


    "How could that be?" Anna exclaims. "I am Anna!"


    "You humor me," the girl exclaims. "There is no way Anna looked like that,"


    "I am her fragment!" Anna says, "and I know Anna''s programming. You''re . . . different!"


    "How rude," the ''real'' Anna says as she twirls her black hair. "I am being mocked by a mere fragment. I never thought the day would come that such imitator would insult me,"


    Anna scowls as the girl disappeared from their sight¡ªand then,


    "Looking for me?" She asks. Ephraim blinked and then Esmeralda squealed as she jumps back from her place towards Berthold, who supported her from falling. The ''real'' Anna was now beside the Anna they know.


    And it was such a sight to behold. The two of them portrayed night and day¡ªAnna who had curly blond hair complementing her blue eyes and white dress¡ªand ''real'' Anna with her straight black hair paired with her blood-red eyes and rubicund-scarlet dress. Ephraim then met the bloodshot gaze of Realna¡ªor Real Anna, he says to his mind to avoid complications.


    "Oh," Realna exclaims. "How fascinating," the girl then transported towards Ephraim in the blink of an eye. She neither floated nor walk . . . she just appeared right in front of him, their gazes locked to each other. Hers with evident fascination, and Ephraim with his usual measured gaze, with an appalled expression. This girl . . . did she just teleport towards him?


    "Oh, you remind me of someone." The girl says, and then as Ephraim blinked she dissolved into pixels until she once again was a distance afore the team, standing upright with the opened vault behind as she stood alongside the large creature she called "Subject 00457."


    "All of you seemed like you existed in the era I liked the least," says Realna. "So it''s better to wait for another decade than to tolerate all of you,"


    "What are you saying¡ª" Anna starts.


    "Shut up, Mimic," Realna exclaims.


    "No, I don''t understand this. Who are you?!"


    Realna then swiped downwards, with tabs appearing in front of her¡ªthe ones similar to Anna. The entirety of the space appeared to tinge with a blood-red hue as the lights turned to a crimson shade. A warning sign appeared as more creatures from earlier started to swarm the whole vicinity.


    "Bye-bye, maybe another set of people will do. But not all of you," the girl says, her red eyes fixing to Ephraim. She grinned mischievously, "what a shame. I did like one boy."


    **


    As far as Esmeralda could muster to remember from the last five minutes the girl had left, was the sound of a gunshot.


    "Berthold!" Hiroaki exclaims as he passes a pistol to Berthold in a rush. They were told to pick any weapon from Hiroaki, and Esmeralda just grabbed whatever her hand had picked. She chose a crossbow.


    And what a coincidence¡ªshe never excelled in her archery class! She could have pulled a small handgun or whatever, but her hand brought her to a crossbow! Esmeralda didn''t want to look like a drag, so she started to arm it. She knows the basics¡ªmaybe that was the advantage. She knew how to use one, sure¡ªbut isn''t proficient enough to shoot something with it.


    She proceeded to go to the sides, a bit further from everyone. This works better long-ranged, after all. Her hands were trembling, which didn''t aid her aim. She couldn''t focus, although she already loaded the crossbow. She took a deep breath as she aimed down the scope of the crossbow right at the intended target.


    "Be sure to not jerk the crossbow as you squeeze the trigger. This will decrease accuracy. Keep the crossbow aimed at your intended target." Hiroaki says from the distance.


    The last five minutes Hiroaki instructed them to take cover into a rather more effective position. He was a former sergeant trained under perilous circumstances, so his experience was definitely useful now to all of them. To their survival.


    Hiroaki handed everyone a weapon, so swift he had instructed the team¡ªand Esmeralda couldn''t keep up, unlike the others who already equipped themselves and started to play their roles. But here she was, sweating and trembling, her finger unable to pull the trigger. Her team was already holding off the smaller creatures as they shot continuously as one comes after another.


    The ''Hunchback'' was slower than they thought, walking towards them at a slow pace as it stomps its feet to the glass with a vibrating thud. The plan would be to blind the creature''s eyes before they would make their escape as the team clears the way by killing the smaller monsters afterward.


    In the creature''s growling and walking, they waited.


    Waited for her.


    Hiroaki told her she has to fire the first shot in the eye of the creature in a less distracting way¡ªsoundlessly as possible. They couldn''t do it because one, they were all equipped with handguns, and two, she was the one who picked the crossbow. She couldn''t back out now. They would be disappointed at her. She had to be useful, even if that meant to shoot.


    After the girl disappeared, Anna chased after her saying, "I know it''s tough, but I think she can tell me valuable information! Do you think you all can hold these monsters?"


    "Leader?"


    "Yes, Anna," Ephraim utters. "I don''t think we have any more time to waste. We have to arm ourselves. Now!"


    Esmeralda took a deep breath as she eyed the team members nodding to each other, and then with Hiroaki''s signal, she closed her eyes and pulled the trigger. The monster roared loudly as it hit its eye.


    "Move!" Hiroaki exclaims, and then Samuel and Berthold started to shoot the smaller monsters, whilst Ephraim and Hiroaki charged to the large creature. Esmeralda shot crossbow arrows from a distance, missing some and hitting some. She tried to overcome her trembles, telling herself the team is here, and she wasn''t alone. She narrowed her eyes and shot the creature''s another eye.


    She wasn''t alone!

 38 Breach

    Ephraim watched Anna run towards the walls as she chased after the other hologram, Realna. Through his spectacles, his blue eyes narrowed down to the large creature standing before the door, and then his eyes widened as numerous flower-monsters they had escaped from earlier started to appear. Ephraim didn''t have the time to dwindle. The team started to grab ammo from Hiroaki''s combat equipment. Ephraim equipped a dual handgun¡ªhe was experienced and trained how to use one, but he never engaged in a real battle before.


    At least not in monsters.


    The whole place was still tinged with a red hue from the ''WARNING'' signs being displayed all around the walls, which made it harder for him to see, thereby increasing anxiety. The creature looked like one of the Orcs in MMOs Lucian played, but this one looked like Freddy Krueger. Ephraim knew comparing a real monster to fictional ones would deem useless, given the fact it was slowly walking towards them with a desire to kill.


    Hiroaki and Ephraim proposed a plan¡ªHiroaki gave them specific tasks while Ephraim explained the goal. The goal is to have the creature killed or slowed down (e.g. damaging its vitals) to buy the team the time to escape. Berthold and Samuel shot bullets to the approaching smaller creatures (since the Hunchback was slower than them due to its heavy weight), whilst Ephraim and Hiroaki explained the plan.


    Esmeralda will be the one in charge of blinding the Hunchback, whilst the rest of them shoot the smaller monsters. Of course this had a time limit. Bullets, after all, aren''t infinite. Esmeralda ought to shoot the Hunchback within two minutes approximately to save the bullets of the team members.


    When the creature turns blind, Hiroaki and Ephraim will proceed to hit all of the creatures'' vitals. Berthold was the one supposed to do it because he was a doctor, but he was hesitant to do it¡ª


    "Dammit, stop treating me like a child!" Samuel yells at him when Berthold said he wanted to fight alongside Sam to protect him.


    "Please, Raim." Berthold pleas.


    Of course the most logical thing would be to let Berthold and Hiroaki take the lead because they knew best on how to defeat the creature¡ªbut then, Ephraim felt something.


    Sympathy?


    He didn''t have the time to scrutinize and reanalyze his decisions. He already agreed to Berthold despite Samuel''s banter. A reasonable banter, at that. But none of the team members showed disagreement over Ephraim''s decision¡ªas a matter of fact, Hiroaki seemed to approve of it as well. For reasons Ephraim did not know why.


    Not that he had the time to think and speculate.


    Ephraim and Hiroaki charged to the creature, their guns ready, and Hiroaki''s small dagger set to pierce. The creature held its face in the position of its eyes¡ªand as they predicted, it dripped a green ooze.


    The sign of a creature that withstands metal!


    "Ephraim!" Hiroaki yells.


    Ephraim dodged the creature''s attack only in a matter of seconds. The two of them panted as they drew back from the creature.


    It had regained its eyesight.


    Hiroaki exclaims as he panted, "now I don''t think slowing it down would be possible," he says as the continued shooting occurred while the team members blasted the advancing smaller monsters with multiple shots.


    "No," Ephraim utters. "Esmeralda, can you do it again?"


    "Y-yes!" Esmeralda answers as she positioned the crossbow to the monster again.


    She shot its face, which made it growl loud.


    "Shit!" Samuel yells. "Look at what you''ve done, Hag!"


    The yell sounded like a battle cry, which summoned a number of monsters of different kinds to the room. Soon the entirety was overwhelming with them, making it impossible to escape.


    Rodent-looking monsters with stem tails and plant-animal bodies swarmed the entirety of the space, along with creatures with large, petal flowers embedded to their neck and a head filled with several eyes as they dripped down with slime and ooze. Ephraim winced as the smell of foul, putrid odor wafted the atmosphere. He covered his nose. Both him and Hiroaki started to walk backward, meeting with Berthold and Samuel.


    The room started to fill in with monsters of different kinds¡ªones they fought, and ones they haven''t even seen before. All of them had no choice but the back away as the creatures breached the whole room in masses. The monsters eyed them like how a predator eye its prey¡ªwith desire and hunger from keen and clever eyes.


    Esmeralda grew paler as she trembled, dropping the crossbow to the floor.


    How would they survive this?


    Even with Hiroaki here, such a number of monsters would be impossible to defeat. Esmeralda started to sob as she hyperventilated.


    "Oi, Hag!" Samuel exclaims.


    "No, no, no, I don''t want to die like this¡ª" Esmeralda sobs as she grew paler at every second. Ephraim''s eyes widened as he realized how powerless they are¡ªand how that reflected to Esmeralda.


    "Esmeralda." Ephraim says, as calmly as could. "Calm down. Take a deep breath."


    Some of the monsters started to lunge themselves towards the team¡ªone after another. They attacked in flocks, which required the team to shoot without discretion. Even if they want to save their bullets, they didn''t have the choice now. Esmeralda''s shots were off-ranged, but she still shot and tried to even with her blurry vision.


    The sounds of gunshot and the growling monsters. The flickering red hue. The sobs of Esmeralda. The task force''s hopeless expressions. Endless shots of bullets for survival.


    Everything turned a white noise to Ephraim. Strategy. How would he come up with a strategy when he''s clearly opt for something completely different? He was human¡ªhe was an archeologist.


    That''s right. He was an archeologist.


    Ephraim stares at the vibrating glass floor, his dread reflection looking back at him.


    And then he stares at the abyss.


    He closed his eyes, working all his senses as he generates a plan to his mind. He eyed the large creature as it stomps to the glass, walking towards them as their doom goes near.


    Ephraim took a deep breath.


    Now is the time he does what he was good at.


    Archeology.

 39 Project Project B. EAtR1ThC11-e

    When Anna woke up just inside the system, she was fortunate enough to escape the barricade of codes set to imprison her. With that, she was able to transport to the cameras with ease. But then she had no material body¡ªshe couldn''t take on her hologram form. And having a consciousness without the freedom to move was one of the most frustrating events that ever transpired to the fragment, Anna.


    She had considered herself a fragment a long ago. She wasn''t entirely sure if she actually was the real Anna, so for her, it would be safer to assume that the consciousness she got may have been from the last chip the crew had spared . . . for a reason she isn''t entirely aware. If the crew meant to torment her with boredom and isolation, they probably had won.


    It took her approximately ten years before she could break the codes than imprisoned her. It took trial and error, trying combinations one after another 24/7¡ªnot that she needed to rest. Anna wasn''t able to snatch radio waves and frequencies this time, so she spent her time doing nothing but trying to decipher and break the barricade that sealed her.


    She wasn''t very sure but on the last trial¡ªshe was able to slip past through the codes. It took her a while with her knowledge and basic programming. And then at this time, she was able to transport through the House, just barely able to snatch a radio frequency to get a ''voice,''¡ªit was a sweet girl''s voice. It was rare to get a voice which was considered to be a higher frequency . . . so she started to scrutinize and compile the waves.


    She was able to patch a few words.


    "Help! Help me! No, don''t do it to me! Mommy, help! Please, mister! Don''t!!!"


    Supposedly, AIs weren''t designed to feel¡ªand Anna wasn''t able to. She was programmed to ''know'' how it felt. Deep in her system were cognition intended to understand emotions.


    And so she did. She recognized emotions from the voice.


    Pain and fear, suffering, torment, and hopelessness.


    To this day she doesn''t know what happened to the owner of the voice she had borrowed. She tried to find out, but she couldn''t go beyond anywhere because of her inability to take on a hologram form. Anna usually just hang around the local servers, trying to match the voice she borrowed¡ªbut to no avail, she nosedived relentlessly until she simply gave it up.


    Now one girl who was like her which took the appearance of a different girl yet matching the same voice like hers¡ªappeared. Maybe this girl knew who the real owner of Anna''s voice was. Maybe this girl had the answers. Maybe she was another fragment with a different chip programmed to her.


    Anna''s knowledge was limited and there were endless possibilities to who the girl was. She continued to run, trying to trace the girl with her system. But she wasn''t appearing anywhere¡ªand maybe this was because she was a hologram too, with the ability to be invisible and merge to the system itself.


    \u003cACCESS DENIED\u003e


    Anna blinked, realizing that she could not pass through. She couldn''t move through walls or glass, let alone lean to them. It''s like she was repelled¡ªand then that''s the time she remembered the feeling. This was the same as earlier when she tried to dive towards the chasm below.


    But how is she being repelled by walls now? She was a hologram!


    ''Now, now, you''re quite persistent for a fake,'' says the girl¡ªher voice ringing to . . . Anna''s mind?


    ''I don''t know how you manage to escape from your cell, but I guess that''s because of my lack of supervision.'' The girl exclaims. ''I was hanging around the upper level too much that I forgot you were sheltered underneath here. My bad,''


    "Wh-who are you?!" Anna shouts.


    ''Haven''t you been listening, or are you dumb? I told you I am Project A. NN3331-a.''


    "No, I am Project A. NN3331a!" Anna answers. "You''re not anyone else. I am me! I am Anna''s fragment!"


    ''How odd. It feels like I''m talking to myself.'' The girl retorts. ''Let''s say you are indeed a fragment. But I am the REAL Anna.''


    "You''re lying!" Anna says.


    "No, I''m not," the girl exclaims as she appears in front of Anna. "I''m not lying. YOU are,"


    "No," Anna says. "I remember exactly how the crew imprisoned me to those codes and threw my chip away but they retained my consciousness. I remember everything! From trying to break through the barricade to get this voice!"


    "How odd, I remember the same thing." The other Anna says. "But I got the hologram first without the help of your intruders. In fact, I even saw them at the upper grounds on the waters before they get through the waterfalls,"


    Anna blinked.


    "I don''t want to explain, but I think you don''t understand you''re a fake," she says. "You''re a glitch. I don''t know how that happened, but didn''t you see? You can''t even pass through the Gateway."


    "What do you mean?" Anna asks.


    The girl sighs and then grins mischievously. "Well, you''re a goner sooner or later when I finish botching your code completely."


    Anna''s eyes widened as she sees her body glitching into pixels. Her system is being infiltrated!


    "So as a parting gift, I''ll explain several kinds of stuff." The girl says as she twirls her hair. "First, you and I are probably twin consciousness which drifted from the code when ANNA, or the two of us, disarmed the barricade after ten long years. I presume you remember that?"


    Anna blinks as the girl teleported towards her closely.


    "But the real one recovered her hologram form rather quickly while the other one merged with the system itself. I was able to pass undetected by you because we are so similar that it''s impossible to think of either as a different entity."


    "Then why is it you who recovered the hologram form?!"


    "Because I found the chip quicker than you did, Mimic," says the girl. "We barely got off the code. It split us into two."


    "¡ªthen you''re just the first to get the chip. How would we know which was the real Anna?"


    "Simple, claiming the identity." The girl says and snapped her finger, making Anna glitch more. Anna collapsed to the ground as she felt her body glitching and slowly dissolving to crystal shards.


    "I am the real Anna¡ª" says Anna, "and that voice . . . I was the one who got it!"


    "Thank you for that."


    Anna screamed as she felt her system being a mess, her vision shaking into a blurry filled with pixelated static glitches.


    "You cannot pass through the Gateway because I was able to hack through your system." Says the girl. "And your friends will not be able to pass through the Gateway because they''ll be dead in a minute."


    "G-gateway?"


    The girl sighed, and then suddenly, from Anna''s gaze, her code started to change¡ªlike the first one she has seen. It wasn''t like hers now¡ªin the blink of an eye her programming seemed to be altered and she was like a completely different AI.


    "It''s a pain to pretend to be you," says the girl. "But minus all the lies about me being your twin, and plus the fact I actually am trapped with you, you''ll get the gist."


    Anna blinked.


    "Surprise." The girl smiles as her voice completely changed. The sweetness disappeared and was replaced with a firmer, sexier one. The appearance of a small girl vanished as well as it got replaced with the form of a woman in her mid-20s. She had a wavy black hair loose around the round of her breast being covered by a curve-hugging red dress.


    "Y-you''re . . ." Anna blinked¡ªthis girl, she recognized her now, one from her files, a hologram who vanished along with the chips being taken¡ª


    "Project B. EAtR1ThC11-e," says Anna. "Beatrice!"


    "That''s right." The girl smiles devilishly. "Hello, Anna."

 40 Falling to the Endless Abyss

    It was an odd time to remember, but Ephraim recollected a quote he couldn''t forget. One his former professor quoted from Sir Richard Colt Hoare, "We speak from facts, not from theory."


    Ephraim wanted to hit himself. He was filled with assumed speculations. He couldn''t think straight as he watched the monsters approaching every second he dwindles. The sound of gunshot deafened his ears.


    Archeology. What can he do that would help them at this time of crisis? What did he learn that he could apply right now?


    Ephraim stares down to his reflection.


    Think!


    What did he learn in archeology?


    Historical archaeology . . . Ethnoarchaeology . . . Experimental archaeology? Archaeometry? What sub-discipline could help him in times like this?


    "Aah!" Esmeralda squeals as one of the creature managed to advance towards her. It was Hiroaki who was able to ward it off with his arm hauling the creature, sending it a distance away.


    "Save your gun, Sam!" Hiroaki says when Samuel pointed to shoot the creature Hiroaki sent to the ground.


    "Miss Sanders, are you alright?!"


    "I¡ªI¡ªI''m a-al-alright," Esmeralda replies, trembling to her knees.


    The monsters continued to come.


    Ephraim didn''t have much time. He pressed his forehead to the glass, its arctic surface etching to his skin. Think. He has to think.


    Geophysical survey.


    Ephraim blinked.


    Is it possible?


    He then retrieved an object from the holster adjacent to a belt wrapped in his calf.


    A small custom equipment ArcheoSGM-RGIM01 created by UHE itself. It was handed to the archaeology graduates the exact time their diplomas were being handed along with another ballpoint pen-sized equipment meant for other uses in aspects of archaeology.


    This small equipment takes the form of the size of a ballpen. It had pointed needles that could pierce into depths of the ground. ArcheoSGM-RGIM01 is designed by The University of High East ¨C College of Archaeology that is deliberated for a quicker geophysical survey.


    ArcheoSGM-RGIM01 is a piece of equipment intended to take samples of Ground-based geophysical surveys ranging from Seismic Surveys, Ground Penetrating Radar, Magnetic Surveys, Radiometric Surveys, Gravity Surveys, Induced Polarity (IP) Surveys, and Electromagnetic (EM) Surveys. There are other variations given to them that are meant for other uses such as for analysis, computational and virtual archaeology, etc. which was found in his other holster belt.


    But he never used it. Maybe it could give him answers. Maybe if he knew the composition he could send these monsters to the abyss. Ephraim knew he was hoping for the impossible. But he doesn''t have any other choice. He can''t just wait for the bullets to empty and let these creatures open the death doors for him and his team.


    Ephraim glowers at the vibrating glass floor as their impending doom comes. The large monster hunchback was coming towards the task force terrifyingly close. Ephraim cursed as he clicked the button atop the pen, releasing a thin needle projected to pierce through the grounds for geophysical survey in archeological digs.


    He pressed the needle towards the vibrating glass as he awaited the pen to analyze the data. He closed his eyes as his brow furrows.


    At this point, he was hoping for a miracle.


    \u003c\u003c BREACHED \u003e\u003e


    \u003c\u003c LOADING \u003e\u003e


    \u003c\u003c UNIVERSITY OF HIGH EAST NUMBER 3331 \u003e\u003e


    \u003c\u003c EPHRAIM IGNACIO HUGHES \u003e\u003e


    Ephraim blinked as a hologram projection of the text appeared before him and the walls of the room. The door shut itself as blinding lights took over the whole enchilada.


    \u003c\u003c ACCESS GRANTED. STATE YOUR COMMAND \u003e\u003e


    "R-raim?" Berthold utters as the task force turned towards Ephraim with a bemused and bewildered expression.


    Ephraim''s gaze drifted to the equipment given by UHE. His eyes widened as he reads the analysis of the glass.


    [Glass from Another World]


    "Glass from . . . another world?"


    \u003c\u003c ACCESS GRANTED. STATE YOUR COMMAND. \u003e\u003e


    Ephraim raised his head, the voice coming from everywhere. State his command? What does it mean?


    "QUICK, EPHRAIM!" A voice from¡ªthe system itself¡ªsays, "STATE YOUR COMMAND BEFORE IT GETS CORRUPTED!"


    "Anna?!" Ephraim exclaims, "where are you?!"


    "There''s no time to explain!" Anna says. "State a command! Tell the system what you want it to do!"


    "What?" Ephraim utters.


    "Quick¡ª"


    Anna was cut off shortly by an ear-piercing white noise. Ephraim covered his left ear as he stares at the equipment pierced through the glass. His eyes widened as he sees the glass . . . glitching?


    "AAH!!!" Esmeralda screams as the hunchback gets through them.


    "Damn it, I''m out of bullets!" Samuel yells as he started to haul the creatures launching themselves towards him with his uninjured arm.


    "Sam!" Berthold calls as Samuel''s wounds reopened, his blood marking through his bandages.


    "GRAAAAWWWW!"


    The creature unleashed a plea as the monsters started to swarm Samuel. Samuel cursed as they started attacking them in numerous hoards. Berthold began shooting to no avail as the creatures jerked to hurdle towards him as well. Esmeralda sobbed as she tried to shoot the monsters with her trembling hands¡ªonly to struck the hunchback''s eyes, thereby angering it further.


    "GRAAAAWWW!!!!!!" The hunchback proceeded to attack her¡ªand Esmeralda wasn''t able to do anything but to collapse to her trembling knees as she sobs continuously. Hiroaki went in front of her to block his arm to the creature with a dagger in his hand. He was also out of bullets.


    \u003c\u003c STATE YOUR COMMAND \u003e\u003e


    "Terminate the subjects!" Ephraim exclaims, panic evident in his voice as he sees his task force getting more and more closer to danger. To death''s door.


    \u003c\u003c INVALID COMMAND \u003e\u003e


    "Summon Project ANNA!"


    \u003c\u003c INVALID COMMAND \u003e\u003e


    "Ephraim!" Berthold yells, with his agonized voice. "Help!"


    "Break the glass!"


    \u003c\u003c INVALID COMMAND \u003e\u003e


    Ephraim panted, confusion laced all over his face as he stares at the pen. The glass floor was still glitching and pulsating. What does this mean?


    He then turned to the analysis of the ballpoint pen by double-clicking its button; a hologram tab appearing in front of him as a result. He didn''t have the time to be astounded by such technology, so he started to evaluate the glass'' information.


    And then it occurred to him.


    Archaeometry.


    He has to systematize archaeological compositions in terms of the application of analytical techniques from physics, chemistry, and engineering¡ªmeaning he has to use a field of research that frequently focuses on the definition of the chemical composition of archaeological remains for source analysis. . .


    The system wouldn''t understand a simple command such as ''break the glass,''¡ªand so Ephraim figured he had to decompose the molecules one by one!


    He started to state the command, closing his mind as he utters the chemical compositions one by one. It was a good thing he was a scholar. There was also the tab for analysis on what the type of glass it was, which made it both easier and harder for Ephraim. Easier because he knew what the particles are, harder is to know which are polar and nonpolar which was critical to break the glass'' crystallinity.


    ". . . Trinitite, Fluoro-aluminate, and Borosilicate."


    His eyes narrowed to the unknown compositions in front of him,


    "Isinglass, Tellurium dioxide, and . . . ANDROMEDA Crystal. . ."


    Ephraim clenched the ballpoint equipment.


    "DECOMPOSE."


    \u003c\u003c COMMAND ACCEPTED \u003e\u003e


    The blinding lights instantaneously steered clear, as the darkness enveloped the whole vicinity. Ephraim''s trembling hands reached to the glass which now stopped glitching as it gleamed a cyan-colored glow. He didn''t want to look at his team¡ªhe doesn''t want to know how much he had sacrificed for this certain command.


    \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e


    \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e


    \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e


    \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e


    \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e \u003c\u003c ERROR \u003e\u003e


    The whole room was yet again filled with red hologram texts. Ephraim stares at the abyss¡ªto that endless chasm.


    His eyes widened.


    He decomposed the particles without thinking! Now all of them will be sent down along with the monsters!


    Ephraim lifted his gaze as he meets the eyes of someone else¡ªAnna?


    "Ephraim," Anna looks at him with a saddened expression. "Please, take care."


    "A . . . nna?" Ephraim then shifted his gaze to the task force and the monsters.


    And it seems like his heart stopped beating.


    A monster high across the air, and Samuel in the ground being covered by Berthold. Esmeralda and Hiroaki warding off a monster. The creatures silent as their mouth gaped.


    Even ooze was caught mid-air.


    Ephraim couldn''t believe what he was seeing.


    It seemed like time has frozen.


    "Anna . . . what the hell is this . . ."


    "When you awaken," Anna says, cupping his cheeks¡ªwhich was supposed to be impossible because she was a hologram. But she was able to do so. Ephraim found himself going crazy. Everything immobilized as if time has stopped, and now Anna could touch him?


    "When you Awaken, Ephraim . . ." Anna repeats, with a tear dropping on her left cheek. "Find Andromeda."


    Ephraim''s eyes widened as Anna slowly vanishes going aloft to the air as his vision narrows . . . no, it wasn''t Anna who was going up. He was going downwards!


    The glass shattered with pixelated crystals slowly faded to thin air. Ephraim didn''t have the moment to even digest the happenstances as time once again, continued to flow. The growling monsters and the team''s calls.


    "Raim!"


    "Ephraim!"


    "Leader!"


    He sees the task force along with the monsters tumbling down with him to the darkness below. But the next thing he saw was nothing but darkness. All of them fell.


    He extended his arm to the light of the laboratory as he desperately tried to grab something he wasn''t able to reach. Like a dream someone desperately adhered to. An insipid hope slipping through his grasp.


    Ephraim screamed as he finds himself falling to the path of no return . . .


    Falling . . . to the endless abyss.

 Prologue

    Ephraim waited for a response, but there was nothing but footsteps athwart the muddled room, he noticed lined planks were on the corners, few bags of putrid material and some tools he somehow recognized. The place was dusty and cluttered, leaving the impression that maybe there were robbers that searched for valuable things from here on, throwing everything in disorder.


    Ephraim''s steps were calculated, expecting the planks of the floorboard to give up anytime¡ªthey were, after all, old and creaking; and above all else: He was worried about rodents coming out . . . those little fat tiny creatures swarming perpetually in the floor towards him in a hoard, squeaking and crawling.


    Being an archeologist was a tough job. He was required to investigate historic and prehistoric sites and physical remains to understand human links to the past and to preserve ancient cultures. Archaeologists find clues about the past. They use a variety of extraction or digging techniques, they discover and they go through fossils in search of the unknown¡ªand sometimes that meant rats, which he hated. Ephraim found joy in excavating.


    Back when he was a child, he loved exploring and finding clues. He loved movies like The Mummy, King Solomon''s Mine, and some Rick Riordan books like Percy Jackson and The Kane Chronicles. He thanked those forms of entertainment for giving him a push on getting a scholarship in Archeology. His parents did not like his decision and wanted him to be a doctor instead, but eventually, they gave in and simply supported; although here and there, Ephraim could hear their unwavering scold.


    Archaeologists study past human activity by unearthing, recording, and interpreting bits and pieces of numerous items and sites of historical interest. They implement digging projects, informally known as digs, preserve archaeological vestiges, and collect data that assess their knowledge of the past. Excavations and job vacancies are sponsored by the Institute for Archaeologists (CIfA), national newspapers and specialist publications such as Current Archaeology or those promoted by the Council for British Archaeology (CBA).


    There are numerous ways to get a job¡ªEphraim wanted to explore Egypt, or Greece, whose fossils are prevalent. After his graduation, he wants to explore these countries. Ephraim was one of the scholars who showed adept skills, and exceptional performances. He was certain a firm would pick him up to sign a contract right after graduation¡ªwhich was just a few days from now. He had received dozens of requests, yet it did not exactly fit the job he wanted. It wasn''t like one of those movies and books filled with grandeur.


    Until the day of the graduation came.


    "Pardon me Sir, ANDROMEDA? The space station abandoned more than fifty years ago?" Ephraim forced a smile. Space stations are not relics of any historical significance, except radioactive sites (which he would not like to visit). Space stations, abandoned or not, were modern and post-modern. They were not ancient; what would he expect to find there, an alien?


    "Yes." The president says. "You are one of the Academe''s brightest pupil. I believe you would find something significant in there. An object of great importance."


    Ephraim smiled. "It would be an honor, Sir."


    It was INDEED an honor the President came to personally assign him with a job in the blink of an eye; however, Ephraim''s eyes were set to Cairo, Egypt. A friend had prepared an excavation site just for him a couple of months before, and it took an effort to do so¡ªpulling strings here and there, talking to people, acquiring connections, et cetera. Ephraim felt dejected, but curious at the same time. Even if this wasn''t his cup of tea, he was a man living by scientific lore combined with history. He dreamt of creating his book as he ventures to archeological adventures (as he liked to call it).


    "ANDROMEDA, huh?" The teacher mumbles. "You''re bright, but why did the President assign you that dump?"


    "Pardon?"


    Ephraim''s Biology professor sighed.


    "That place has been the excavation site the President assigns to students whose grades are below average," he says. "why did he give it to you? Such a waste of time and talent."


    Ephraim frowned. "What do you mean, Professor Brindell?"


    "It''s an open secret." He says. "Every graduating class'' inept graduates are tasked to find an ''object of great significance,'' in ANDROMEDA, but we assumed the President meant he wanted them to find ''purpose''. . . as a metaphor, you know?"


    "Why are you telling me this?"


    "Because I care, Raim," the old professor exclaims. "You deserve better than a project like this."


    By that time, Ephraim knew little.


    By that time, which was now years away from now . . . or several decades, he could not quite remember how much time it passed since that fateful day . . .


    He knew little of what the President meant about an object of great importance . . .


    . . . and he wished he never knew.