Graviton 3: Prevenient

By Stephen Clark Reese

Jack Redman, the creator of groundbreaking Graviton technology, faces immense pressure. The scheming U.S. President seeks to acquire this powerful invention for himself. Simultaneously, Russian General Orlov pilfers a portion of Jack’s tech, constructing a formidable superweapon known as Molot Smerti (the Hammer of Death). In a desperate bid to retain control, Jack relocates his entire operation to a remote South Pacific island. The burning question remains: Will he reach safety in time?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Stephen Clark Reese
• Release date: Feb 13, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224392735

Stephen Clark Reese

Stephen Clark Reese was born in Santa Barbara, California. He and his family returned home to Texas in 1968 when he was 9 years old. Stephen and his wife Cindy, live just outside of Paris, Texas. They have two daughters and eight grandchildren. Stephen publishes a blog entitled “Graviton, My Thoughts, My Imaginations”. Stephen and Cindy are involved with many outreach ministries including Residents Encounter Christ, a volunteer program with the Buster Cole State Prison in Bonham, Texas. Stephen works as a network administrator in a north Texas school district.

Book preview

Graviton 3

Prevenient

By Stephen Clark Reese

Graviton 3

Prevenient

Copyright Stephen Clark Reese 2023

E-book Edition Published by OpenGate Publications

www.opengatepublications.com

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission from the author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Dedication

To my best friend and wife Cindy, whom without her help and encouragement this book would never have been a reality. Though I try, words can never adequately express how I truly feel.

To the Father of All who makes everything possible.

Philippians 4:13

pre·ven·ient

/prēˈvēnēənt/

a thing or event that existed before.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Chapter 1 - Colombia

Chapter 2 - Colorado

Chapter 3 - Wilhite

Chapter 4 - Deer Valley

Chapter 5 - The Russians

Chapter 6 - Franks Return

Chapter 7 - Penal Colony No. 7

Chapter 8 - Post-Apocalypse Robin Hood

Chapter 9 - Martha Parker

Chapter 10 - The Boats!

Chapter 11 - Cosplay

Chapter 12 - Time to Leave

Chapter 13 - Zoey

Chapter 14 - The Island

Chapter 15 - Security Training

Chapter 16 - Col. Mead

Chapter 17 - New Arrivals

Chapter 18 - Mary Towns

Chapter 19 - Roseium

Chapter 20 - The Hammer of Death

Chapter 21 - Kazakhstan

Chapter 22 - Mechs

Chapter 23 - The Girl in the Window

Chapter 24 - Skimmers

Chapter 25 - The Ocean Cruiser

Chapter 26 - Christmas Party

Chapter 27 - The FBI Incident

About the Author

Prologue

In an office south of Moscow, an American dressed in an ill-fitting business suit that had seen better days, sat nervously waiting. The office was meticulously clean and organized, but completely void of any personal items. There were no pictures, no plants, and no decorations. The man thought of how this office was a stark contrast to his boss's office. He had only been in Jack Redman’s office once, but sitting in the bare confines of this Russian office, he was appreciative of the warm, relaxing atmosphere of the Texas domain.

The door opened after more than forty-five minutes of waiting, causing the man to jump to his feet. The man wiped his palms on his suit and held his hand out to the large gentleman who came through the door. Mr. Orlov! the man said with a shaky voice.

The large man smirked and moved to the right, ignoring the extended hand. Another man walked into the office and moved to the left. A third man walked into the room and glared at the man with his hand still extended. Wilhite, I assume. He said in a not-so-friendly tone, heavy with a Russian accent.

Mr. Orlov? Wilhite asked, letting his hand drop to his side.

That is General Orlov.

I’m sorry, General...

General Orlov held up his hand. Enough. I hope that your presence here is an indication that you have come to offer some assistance. Orlov went around the desk and sat heavily in the chair.

Wilhite sat back down in his chair. I wasn’t aware that you needed assistance.

Orlov leaned across the desk. This project has been nothing but a problem. The president has been breathing down my neck, wanting status reports! And what can I tell him? That the designs you gave us aren’t working as expected? That it takes three times the power to get half the yield you predicted?

But you can generate a gravitational field, right? Wilhite asked nervously.

We can generate the field, but it doesn’t have near the power that you predicted. The general threw up his hands. We’ve had to make the vehicle a quarter of the size we intended. And the destruction rays we can only fire at half power, then we have to wait five minutes for the batteries to recharge.

But even at half power...

Orlov slammed his fist down on the desk. We need full power! We need the yield that you predicted! The president was very clear, he needs this weapon to restore our country to its former glory! We paid you one million American dollars for this technology, and we expect it to work as you promised!

Look, I am just a lab technician, Wilhite said, looking around at the men standing on either side of him. I don’t know how the technology works myself, but I’ve given you everything that I could find.

Perhaps you are holding out on us. Orlov looked at the two men, who then moved closer to Wilhite.

Wait, Wilhite said, holding up one hand while reaching for a briefcase beside his chair. I’ve brought you something that might help. Wilhite set the briefcase on the desk and clicked the latches. He opened the lid and took out a metal box. Moving the briefcase back to the floor, he set the box on the desk. Removing the lid, he removed a cigar-box-sized device with a slanted panel and a small display.

This… Wilhite said proudly. Is an actual Graviton unit!

Orlov pulled the unit toward him, looking at the device in awe. It is so small. What is the yield?

About thirty g-watts. Wilhite answered.

Orlov frowned. Out of a device so small? Our unit is three times this size and only generates twenty g-watts. We’ve had to use four units that were ten times this size to lift the vehicle, and it required a tremendous amount of power.

Consider this my gift to you. Wilhite said, hoping to appease the general. Wilhite had actually bought the unit, hoping to sell it to the Russians, but was ecstatic that he could use it to save his own life.

You will show us how to use it? Orlov asked.

Of course, but one warning. Never try to open the device to see what is inside. They are rigged to self-destruct if anyone tampers with the casing.

General Orlov smiled. We will see. Our scientists are very resourceful. They will find a way to open this device. Orlov looked up at Wilhite. Would you like to see the vehicle?

Wilhite breathed a sigh of relief. I would very much like to see the vehicle.

Follow me, Orlov said, jumping to his feet.

Wilhite followed General Orlov down the hall and around a corner. The president has ordered us to spare no expense in building the vehicle, Orlov said as they neared the end of the hall. This country's best minds have been relocated here to work on this. Orlov paused with his hand on the door. I present Molot Smerti! He said as he swung the door open. The Hammer of Death!

Wilhite stepped into the large hangar, and his breath was taken away. The vehicle was as large as a building—at least fifty feet wide, eighty feet long, and at one point, two stories tall. At each of the four corners were tubular circles at least fifteen feet in diameter. The most remarkable thing of all was that the entire thing floated twenty feet off the ground. Remarkable! Wilhite gasped, They have never tried to build anything even near as large as this in Texas!

It is because they lack vision, my friend, Orlov said. This will truly be the ultimate weapon. With this, no one can stop us!

Don’t think that Jack Redman won’t try. Wilhite relied.

About that, the general motioned toward his men, we can’t have some hotshot cowboy try to interfere with our plans. One of his men handed Orlov a case. Orlov opened the case and turned it toward Wilhite.

Wilhite jumped back when he saw the contents. Holy mother of God! He yelled. What are you going to do with that!?

Orlov set the case on the table. Not me, you. Orlov set the case on a nearby table. Inside, the case was packed with C-4 explosives and a timer mechanism. You will take this deep into the Texas compound, set the timer, and walk away.

Are you insane? Wilhite shouted, I can’t do that! Besides, I could never get that many explosives into the country.

Getting it into the United States will be our problem, not yours. Orlov closed the case. And I can think of ten million reasons why you can do that.

Wilhite’s eyes widened. You mean ten million dollars?

As I said, General Orlov smiled, the president will spare no expense.

Chapter 1 - Colombia

Bernardo Carlos Santofimio was a simple man for a billionaire Colombian drug lord. Bernardo remembered the stories about Pablo Escobar's overreaching zeal that finally led to his demise and was determined not to make the same mistakes. Bernardo’s ranch south of Bogotá covered a modest 4.3 square miles. He was at peace with the other drug cartels and even had friends in high places in the United States, both private citizens and government officials. Bernardo enjoyed a life of ease and comfort. He planned to fly under the radar as much as possible. Bernardo watched as the airplane carrying an important government official from the United States landed at his private airport, not realizing that his plans would soon come crashing down.

Senator Montgomery Haywood, a Democrat from the State of Florida, stepped from the Lear Jet that belonged to Santofimio, wiping his balding head as if to push away the heat. He tugged loose his tie, then shrugged off his dark suit jacket from his thin body. The Senator had been in office for nearly thirty years, having a relationship with Santofimio for twenty-five of those years.

When the senator approached, Bernardo took Haywood's hand and pumped it enthusiastically. Senator, good to see you. How is your lovely wife?

As fat as ever and twice as mean, Haywood said, laughing at his own joke.

I trust you will send her my love, Bernardo offered.

You wouldn’t say that if you ever met her. Haywood quipped.

Bernardo ignored Haywood's comment. We have your usual accommodations.

Do you have any new merchandise? The senator asked as they walked to the Jeep and got in the back seat. I was afraid you might have problems getting some new ones.

The incident in Peru made obtaining new merchandise a little more challenging, but rest assured, I do have my sources.

I’m not just talking about what happened with John Manning, Haywood quipped. I’ve heard that three of Manning’s customers have been hit. I wasn’t even sure if I should take a chance and come here. You never know when you might be next.

My sources say that five of Manning's customers have been attached.

Senator Haywood jerked his head around, eyes wide. Now, hold on.

Bernardo held up his hands. Senator! Those are just rumors from people trying to drive up the price of the merchandise. Think about how crazy it sounds! Three men just walked in and removed merchandise from five of the most protected fortresses in the world! Do you really think Sheik Abadula would let them live?

Have you talked to the Sheik? Haywood asked suspiciously. Or any of the others?

I have not. But... Bernardo quickly held up a finger, stopping the senator from replying. We are perfectly safe here. I like to maintain a low profile. Nobody will be interrupting your entertainment.

Once they reached the ranch house, Bernardo’s men unloaded the senator’s luggage as Bernardo and the senator walked to the house. Have you talked to the former president lately? Bernardo queried.

I did last week at a funding-raising event, Haywood replied. The president said he had a really good time here last spring. He said he was hoping to come back in the fall.

Yes, your friend likes to come here at least a couple of times a year. Bernardo smiled. He says it keeps him feeling young!

They stopped in the large foyer in front of a winding staircase. Would you like a drink, maybe some refreshments before you look at the merchandise?

If it’s all the same to you, I’d rather just get started, Haywood said, almost salivating as he looked up the staircase.

As you wish. Bernardo turned to the staircase and called upstairs. Maria! Bring them out.

A large Hispanic woman came out of an upstairs hallway and stood at the top of the stairs. Vaminos! She cried out and motioned to someone unseen in the hall. Six young girls who looked between the ages of twelve and fifteen, wearing traditional Colombian dresses, came out of the hall and padded barefoot down the stairs. The woman fell in behind them and followed them down. At the bottom of the stairs, she lined the girls up. The girls were looking down. The woman cursed, Look up!

Senator Haywood ignored the tears and frightened looks. He wrung his hands together and smiled. Very nice merchandise! Which to choose?

Take your time, Senator. You may take your selection to your usual room when you are ready.Bernardo Carlos Santofimio nodded and smiled.

Sixty miles away, in stationary orbit above the ranch house, two men watched the events unfold. Six small screens showed various views around Bernardo Santofimio’s ranch house. One large screen was available to pull up any of the six for closer scrutiny. The screen presently displayed video taken from outside the windows clearly showing Senator Haywood selecting a girl no older than 13 and walking her back up the stairs.

We have to do something to stop this, one of the men hissed.

We are not equipped to do anything, the other man replied.

How far out is Julian?

Looking at his watch, the other man said, The assault team is at least sixty minutes away.

The first man put his head in his hands. I don’t know how much of this I can take. That girl is my daughter's age, for god's sake!

The other man put a hand on his shoulder. Don, you know the drill. Just record everything. We’ll get her out, and when we do, they will all pay for what they have been doing to those girls. In the meantime, transmit what we have to your father.

Julian stared at the video screen, gripping the sides of the control panel as he watched the video sent from his son in the monitoring craft above the Santofimio ranch house. Mickey, Julian’s brother, stood behind him, watching as well. Both men watched in silence.

That’s disgusting, Mickey commented when the video displayed Haywood escorting the young girl upstairs. A U.S. senator of all things. No wonder we were blocked trying to get information on Santofimio.

Haywood will pay dearly for this, Julian responded. I will kill him myself. Then I’ll put a bullet between Santofimio’s eyes.

Julian, you know Jack Redman said there would be no killing. You kill either of those men, and Jack will pull the plug. We aren’t even halfway through the list!

Julian stood and slung his hand toward the video screen. Well, Jack hasn’t seen this! Julian yelled. If he did, he would kill them himself!

We made an agreement. We have to stick to our end of the bargain if we want to continue to use Jack’s toys.

Julian looked up at the ceiling in disgust. There is one thing we can do. Julian went to the console and called the monitoring craft. When he was done explaining his plan to the monitoring craft, Julian turned to his men. Suit up, we hit the ground in twenty.

Bernardo Carlos Santofimio was sitting at the dining room table in his ranch house when Senator Haywood entered the room. Bernardo arose from the table and gestured for the senator to sit to his left. Maria, get the Senator a plate! He called his server.

I take it you had an enjoyable time, Santofimio said, retaking his seat.

As always, Haywood returned to sit at the table. Your quality of merchandise is superb!

I always try to keep a fresh... Santofimio was interrupted by shouts coming from outside. What the... excuse me, Senator. Bernardo excused himself and went toward the front of the ranch house.

Before he could reach the large wooden double door, the entire door and frame burst into splinters, scattering the pieces all across the vestibule. Through the doorway stepped a large man, followed by two other men walking side-by-side. All three were dressed in black military-style battle gear with no insignia. The back two wore helmets with their faces completely hidden. They carried large rifles of a design that Bernardo had never seen. The front man wore no helmet but had a curly wire running to his ear. He had a Hispanic look, sported a full beard, and appeared to be unarmed.

The Hispanic man, Julian, saw Bernardo and turned in his direction. Bernardo Santofimio! he yelled. In response, Bernardo reached into his suit jacket, pulled out a chrome-plated.45, and emptied the clip in the direction of the men. Bernardo was still trying to pull the trigger of the empty gun when Julian wrenched the gun from his hand.

Julian grabbed Bernardo’s collar and pulled him to his face. You have some young girls here. I want them downstairs now! The man growled.

What is going on here? Senator Haywood called from the door before striding into the vestibule. Do you know who I am? he asked.

Yes, Senator Haywood, I know who you are and what you are. I’ll take care of you later.

You know then that I am a senior member of the Senate and a member of the Armed Services Committee. I am the ranking member…

Julian jerked a finger in the senator's direction, silencing him. He then turned back to Bernardo. The girls, now!

Maria! Bernardo screamed without taking his eyes off Julian. Bring the girls downstairs!

There was a rustling coming from upstairs, and then Maria timidly looked around the corner and stepped out. Behind her came the six girls, clinging to one another as they followed Maria down the stairs. At the bottom of the stairs, the girls huddled in a frightened, sobbing mass.

Julian stepped toward the girls. He held up a hand-held device that had a disc like a small metal detector. He moved to the first girl, then the second. At the second, the display flashed. Are you Alice Cromwell? Julian said to the second girl. The girl looked toward Maria. Maria nodded once. I... I think so, the girl finally answered.

Of course, Julian knew that she was Alice, the DNA scanner was never wrong. But many times, children in this situation are trained to forget their old lives and their old names. Julian continued with the next girl. Oliva Peterman, Julian read from the display when he reached the fifth girl. After he scanned the sixth girl, Julian announced, The rest are not in our system. Julian turned to Bernardo and asked, Where is Isabella Martinez?

Please, Mister, Maria said after a few seconds. This is all that is here now.

Shut up, Maria! Bernardo yelled.

Julian raised his hand, silencing Bernardo. Please continue, Julian said, turning back to Maria. Were there others before?

Yes, but they sent some away.

Where are they? Julian asked.

I do not know, Mister, Maria answered in heavily accented English. I don’t know where the girls go when they leave here.

Have there been many girls? Julian asked.

Maria! Bernardo growled.

Maria looked toward Bernardo and made the sign of the cross before continuing. Yes, Mister. There have been many girls, too many to count. I tried to take care of them as best I could, but... Maria’s voice trailed off as she ducked her head in shame.

Julian shook his head. Get these girls out of here. He shouted over his shoulder.

Wait! shouted Bernardo. You can’t take them all! You said that you were only looking for two!

Julian crossed the distance between himself and Bernardo in seconds while drawing a large pistol. He placed the barrel between Bernardo’s eyes. Julian, wait! one of the men behind him called out.

Bernardo, with his hand held out and his eyes closed tight, waited for the shot. Seconds passed, then Julian moved and pointed the gun to the floor. Bernardo let out the breath he was holding. You are very lucky that I’ve been given orders not to kill anyone.

You can’t get away with this! Senator Haywood raged. I have power in Washington…

Oh, yes, I can, Julian said, cutting the Senator off again. And what power you had will be gone when you get back to the States. You see, we recorded what you have done here today, and that video is going out to all the major newspapers and networks as we speak. Julian turned and walked away. We might not have been able to stop what you did, but we can make sure it never happens again. Julian stopped at the door after everyone else was gone. Oh, and if you want to continue living, I would get as far away from this house as possible.

Please, Mister, take me with you! Maria begged. Senior Bernardo will kill me!

Julian hesitated for a second, then said. Come along. Maria quickly hurried out the door.

If you decide to stay, don’t say I didn’t give you a warning. Julian left the house and hurried down the walkway, where fifty yards away was a large wheeless bus with a ramp at the back where people were climbing on board. Once everyone was loaded, Julian turned back to the house and saw Bernardo and Senator Haywood rushing out the front door of the house. Julian shook his head. I was hoping they would stay, he said to himself. Alright, let’s get out of here! Julian called, climbing into the bus. As the door closed, the bus arose silently from the ground and climbed into the sky.

We are clear, Julian said into his handheld communicator. Is there anybody left in the house?

The house is clear, came the answer from the communicator. The servants fled when the shooting started.

Take your shot then, Julian commanded, looking out the bus window.

Are you sure you want to do this?

Just take the shot! I’ll take full responsibility! Julian growled.

You’re the boss, the voice said. Fire in the hole!

A beam of white light struck the house from somewhere above. The light seemed to spread over the house. When the house was completely engulfed, an even brighter pulse flowed down the beam. When the pulse reached the house, the beam ceased, and the house erupted into tiny, microscopic, glittering particles. When the particles faded, there was nothing left to indicate that on that very spot, only a few seconds earlier, a sprawling mansion rested. The only thing that remained was a smooth indentation in the ground.

Chapter 2 - Colorado

What is he doing up there? The question came from a boy holding a pair of binoculars and staring up the side of a snow-covered Colorado mountain. Several other boys stood around either with binoculars themselves or shading their eyes with their hands.

Has he not started down yet, Jeff? asked Sammy Gibbs.

No, from the looks of it, he is looking towards the west, Jeff answered.

West is Deadman’s Pass! one of the other boys quipped. If he tries to ski down that slope, then it’s bye-bye, Robert Redman!

I heard a guy tried Deadman’s Pass last year, Jeff said. He was an Olympic skier, thought he was a real hot dog. They found what was left of him at the bottom of Deer Valley. He broke every bone in his body.

He is probably just checking out the scenery, Sammy suggested, raising his binoculars to his eyes. Don’t do it, Robert! Sammy said under his breath.

He is more likely trying to get up the nerve to take on Eagle’s Run, said the first boy.

Sammy, are you sure Robert is ready for Eagle’s Run? one of the boys asked. He seems like he knows how to ski now, but when we first got here, he seemed awfully shaky.

Well, you know, it’s the bicycle thing, Sammy answered.

The bicycle thing?

Something about never forgetting how to ride.

The boy shook his head. Whatever.

Robert Redman stood atop the start of Eagle Run, looking out over Deadman’s Pass to Deer Valley. He examined the pass, looking for the safest way down into the valley.

Looks pretty rough, he said to himself. But it is still the quickest way down. Robert had studied every map and satellite image he could find. He was obsessed with Deer Valley, or rather, what Deer Valley contained. When Robert found out about the ski trip to Colorado, he all but strong-armed the group to accept the resort they were at rather than the one they were considering fifty miles away. From his present spot on the mountain, Deer Valley was only five miles away. The one flaw in his plan was the fifteen-mile return trip around the base of the mountain to return to the resort. Robert needed a quick way down, and Deadman’s Pass was the best route to take.

Robert's obsession started more than two months ago, partially fueled by his father, Jack Redman's, decision to discontinue the use of graviton implant technology. After much soul-searching, Jack decided that he was not comfortable with under-the-skin implants and had them all removed from himself and his son. The implants were destroyed, and research was discontinued. This left Robert searching for alternatives, which led him to Deer Valley.

Robert thought about the meeting when Dan Sarnoski, Jack’s chief technician, dropped a heavy rock on the meeting table and announced, Iridium.

Rick, the foreman of the labs, picked up the rock and grunted. I take it Iridium is Latin for 'very heavy rock’.

We call it Iridium 2, Dan continued, ignoring Rick’s comment. It is twice as dense as regular iridium, which makes it one of the densest materials known to man.

What is it good for, besides being a paperweight? Rick asked.

You all have been briefed on the graviton ‘printing’ method we have developed, Jack answered. We use a graviton bubble to make a shape, then fill the shape with material that we break down molecularly. While doing research in other areas, Dan found Iridium 2, which we can use to make stronger, lighter material.

How can a rock this heavy be light? Rick questioned, heaving the rock up and down in his hand.

We lay out thin layers in a honeycomb pattern. We might even be able to combine it with other materials, such as aluminum, answered Dan.

But it gets better, said Jack, as he nodded to Dan to continue.

The other research that Jack alluded to was testing different materials to see what metals were more conducive to gravity waves.

Robert raised his hand. Sort of like, how gold is more conductive to electricity than most other metals?

Well, that would be silver, but yes! Dan answered. What we found is that Iridium 2 is highly conductive and almost reactive to graviton energy. Gentleman, Iridium 2 could advance our research in Graviton technology by fifty to one hundred years!

Another tech spoke up, Where would we find more Iridium 2?

Dan and Jack looked at each other. Well, Jack said. That’s the problem. Dan, would you care to explain?

Certainly, Dan answered. As best as we can determine, Iridium 2 is not of this world. Most likely, it came from a meteor that fell to Earth some thousands of years ago. We believe the meteor came from the asteroid belt, although that has yet to be confirmed. It would appear that the meteor split into two pieces; currently, there are only two places on earth where Iridium 2 can be found.

Jack stood and pointed a remote at a large screen on the wall, bringing up a map of the Pacific Ocean and the west coast of the United States. The area we have chosen for harvesting is here. Jack pointed to a spot in the ocean. Three hundred and thirty miles off the coast of California.

How deep is it? One of the department heads asked.

Oh, Dan said, moving his head back and forth, about seven to eight thousand feet.

Somebody whistled. I thought the max for a submarine was about five thousand feet.

That would be about right for a large military submarine, Dan answered. But with graviton technology, we can easily harvest Iridium 2.

What about the other location? Rick asked, Would it be less... oh, I don’t know, scary?

The other area is located on land, Jack replied, in the United States. However, it is in the middle of a heavily wooded area. It would take years before we could get the proper permits.

Robert raised his hand. Just out of curiosity, where is the other location?

Jack looked at his notes. Colorado, in an area called Deer Valley.

Deer Valley, Robert said, standing on top of the ski slope and looking down the side of the mountain through binoculars. And Iridium 2. I just need a few pieces. Robert stuffed his binoculars back into the large pocket of his coat. But not today. Robert stepped around to face the downward slope of Eagle's Run and pushed off.

He did it! He is coming down! Jeff said as he watched Robert start over the edge. Robert streamed down the near-vertical mountain through the white powder between rock outcrops. He came to a wide patch of white and jumped several times over small hills until he came to a fifty-foot drop. Whoa! The entire group yelled as Robert performed a perfect backflip before landing back on his skis.

Sammy punched Jeff. Come on, let’s get down to the bottom of the run. The group took off from their vantage point and ran toward where Robert would come to the end of his run. Robert came down the hill toward the group that was hooping and calling. As the group surrounded him, Robert turned sideways to come to a stop. The kids were praising him and patting his back.

That was awesome, dude! Jeff exclaimed. I really thought you were lying about knowing how to ski!

Robert shrugged. What can I say? I’ll meet you guys back at the lodge, okay?

Jeff pointed at Robert as he walked away. You, the man!

Robert pointed back at Jeff. No, you the man.

Sammy stayed behind and waited until the rest of the group was out of sight. Sammy grabbed Robert’s arm. What was that?

What was what?

You know what I mean. You don’t know how to ski any more than I do. I thought your father took away all your fancy technology. You know how he wanted you to be a normal teenager?

He did take all the tech away, Robert paused before continuing. Well, all the tech that he knew about.

You stole something! Sammy accused.

No! Of course not, Robert