�Mr. Jackson, what is college in the lower levels going to be like? � Elisabeth asked.
�Well Ms. Hightower, the campus is very secure in spite of the area it�s in.� Jackson said. �The programs at Forge University are some of the best in the world��
Elisabeth nodded in a very precise fashion as her mind wandered. It was a trick she had developed early in life when she really wasn�t listening anymore. Jackson continued to drone on about various programs and protocols. Programs and protocols were not the answers she wanted, but trying to get Jackson to talk about anything else when he set his mind on a topic was like pulling werewolf teeth. As her father�s head of security, obsession to details in protecting Elizabeth was what his job was about. Still, Jackson was better than Smith who hardly ever spoke.
The hover limo came to rest gently on the edge of campus. Another gentleman pulled open the door. He was dressed in a somber black suit that perfectly matched Jackson�s and Smith�s right down the mirrored sunglasses. Elizabeth didn�t know his name, but his hand gently helped her out the door into the sunlight.
***
Hypertion was lost. For the first time in a long time he was utterly and completely lost. He once again cursed Piston and Lug under his breath, but there was no malice in his voice. He was the first after all. It was a strange sort of honor, and he had to make the rest of the gang proud. This had been Lug�s idea initially.
�In order for us to survive we have to educate the young ones.� Lug said. He was hanging upside down by his feet from the intricate web of bars and piping that covered ceiling of his garage.
�You mean send them off to school?� Piston had his huge leather studded arms across his chest. His one reddish orange eye held a look of disbelief. �They would never let Eta into schools.�
�In the Empire yes, but here in Forge, you forget we are free men. Entitled to all the rights of citizens.� Lug said.
Piston shifted his weight and glared upward. Lug was one of the few people on the planet who Piston could not intimidate but they both had the good sense to keep quiet about it. This silent contest of wills went on for about 10 seconds before Piston relented.
�Ok fine, but who are we going to send off the school? I�m pretty sure none of my guys could keep their minds off the women long enough to learn anything.�
�I�ve got a person in mind.� Lug said his glance going over to the office. Hypertion suddenly began to wish that he had not been working that night.
�Who?�
�Hypertion.�
�Hypertion?�
�Come on Piston, He would be the best choice, He�s one who helped redesign the garage, He also created the Baskerville& Kerberus AI as well as AI that runs your bike. The kid is a genius.�
Piston rubbed his chin, his thought process clicking behind his eyes.
Lug continued.�And he is a scout so he�s could blend in well enough, and with his knack for computers he could work for anyone.�
Piston smiled to himself, Lug smiled back. Hypertion had this sudden sinking feeling.
Hypertion was jarred out of his daydream by a black suit and a pair of mirror shades.
�Hey watch it, you jerk.� He said as the second one knocked into him.
Hypertion fell to the ground with a solid thud. His backpack hit the ground. Between the four suits there was girl. Her hair was golden blonde that shimmered in a rainbow pattern even as it was in a single braid down her back. Her pants suit was easily worth more than Hypertion apartment, with a body underneath to die for Her blue eyes locked on his for a second as she mouth the words, � I�m sorry.�
Before he could get to his feet a suit figure stood above him.
�Excuse us sir, but we can not allow you to get any closer to Ms Hightower. �His words sounded kind but his smile held all the kindness of a chained rabid dog. He had undone a single button on his suit jacket to reveal a holstered weapon.
�SMITH !!�
The mirror shaded thug turned his back around while in single deft motion rebuttoned his suit jacket. Hypertion bet that none of the others even noticed the move.
Without another word they walked away, the young women occasionally glancing back between her guardsman. Hypertion pick up his bag and with drew a thin piece of plastic. A map of the campus appeared. A little dot blinked silently. Hypertion shock his head and dusted himself off. Piston and Lug were so going to get it for this one.