Chapter 19

     The surrounding wavered and came into focus in the middle of the parking lot.
     “Okay, this is the right place. No one’s spotted us, so quick, to my car!” Anastasia gestured with her keys (she was the only senior among them, and thus the only one with a car). “Good thing I remembered where I parked today…”
     Strufis stepped out into the open, straightening out the lab uniform from his world that he had hastily changed into during a momentary warp to the bathroom. The other four ducked over to Anastasia’s car, Phillip carefully keeping his arms crossed across his chest as they ran.
     When they got to her car, Phillip and Drew piled into the back two rows while Anastasia and Heather ducked into the two front seats, trying to stay out of view of the windows. Anastasia adjusted the rear view mirror to keep in sight Strufis standing in the lot.
     Soon after, the men and women of Mr. Templehill’s unit came swarming in towards Strufis. They surrounded him as Mr. Templehill himself appeared.
     “Oh, so it’s Roosevelt’s apprentice,” Mr. Templehill said, walking into the circle. “I should have known.”
     Strufis crossed his arms. “Why were you chasing after me like you were? Why are you after the translator?”
     Mr. Templehill sighed sharply. “We don’t have time to waste. Just hand it over and we’ll get everything straightened out.”
     Strufis blinked. “No, wait. I deserve some explanation on this. Weren’t you and the Prof talking about the translator before when—”
     Somehow provoked, Mr. Templehill suddenly burst out, “Kid, my patience is shot to hell right now! Don’t test it today!” He began gesturing madly. “...Do you realize this is a matter of national security?!”
     Anastasia gasped and startled the rest of the people in the car. “The Templehill guy started freaking out,” Anastasia whispered. “Maybe we should do something now…?”
     Heather shook her head. “Not until Strufis gives the signal…”
     Strufis stared at Mr. Templehill in disbelief. “…Seriously, calm down. I want to know what’s going on, where the Professor is, and why there’s a big problem in the first place.”
     “I don’t think he’d tell you even if he did have it all together.”
     The two glanced around bewilderedly at the unfamiliar voice and found themselves surrounded by not only the men in black suits but by another circle of people in homespun earthy clothing, armed with bows ready to fire.
     The four in the car witnessed this and found themselves surrounded by the Naturals as well.
     Mr. Templehill spotted the owner of the voice, and his eyes widened in shock. “Kh…Khinterlin?! What in the world are you doing here?!”
     “Apparently you don’t carefully see who exactly you’re taking along with you when you set transportation targeting by range.”
     “Huh?” Strufis furrowed a brow. Did that have something to do with why they can follow us? He glanced nervously over at the car.
     A few men standing guard by the car doors glanced inside as the four tried to figure out what to do. “It’s obvious these other ones that came with him are here for a reason.”
     “You there, girl – don’t even think about it,” another snapped at Anastasia, who quickly drew her hand back from the ignition. The Naturals around them tightened, but suddenly their attention was drawn away by Mr. Templehill’s words.
     “Well, if you’re after this—“
     “Hey!”
     Mr. Templehill brandished the device he had snatched from Strufis, “it’s already in our hands.”
     After a moment’s recovery, Strufis held up his hand and showed the first three consecutive fingers on his hand including his thumb.
     “I see it!” Anastasia whispered.
     Phillip nodded and then fumbled with his shirt. “Damn, I lost my grip…”
     “Oh?” Khinterlin mused. “What’s this that someone left inadequately attended?” Khinterlin held up a smaller device that looked something like a beeper.
     “Wha – How do you have that?” Mr. Templehill stuttered.
     A dark-skinned woman nearby suddenly studied herself and sighed sheepishly. “I’m sorry, sir…”
     Then, Anastasia stuffed the keys into the ignition, revved the engine and set it into reverse in less than a second, catching everyone off-guard. She slammed on the gas, making anyone nearby dive aside in a panic.
     She jammed on the breaks just before reaching Strufis, and in the recoil Drew was thrown hard onto Phillip. The surroundings wavered and faded.