Hello Mr. Robinson Pt. 09

"Yes Ma'am... errr Lydia," I replied mirroring her smile.

Cindy appeared carrying a heavy wooden chair. She set it down next to my bed and left without another word. Lydia adjusted the chair's position and sat down. She was wearing a formal dark suit with a stunning bright blue tie. She was as beautiful as I remembered. I think the new office suited her quite well. I adjusted my pillows and waited for her to tell me the reason for her visit. Lydia leaned forward and began to tell me about all the events both worldly and local that she felt I should be made aware of. I think I was the only consultant to be briefed by the POTUS. She took great pleasure from my shock and surprise. I listened intently as she told me about the brief clash near international waters by a Russian spy ship and the newly christened phantom class destroyer Crazy Horse. It was a test of the first woman president and her willingness to confront what was obviously potential security threat. It had been Nick Shaw's inauguration gift to the American people. It was one hell of a show when the six hundred foot battle wagon appeared out of nowhere. It was ten thousand tons of cutting edge firepower and it had three gauss cannon trained on the spy ship.

"It was my decision to let the fact that we possessed optical camouflage technology out of the bag. I cleared it with the Joint Chiefs as well as our intelligence agencies. Call it a necessary evil and a deterrent at the same time."

"That is Nick all over," I added. "He loves a good unveiling and add that level of drama and he couldn't resist. I love the name too was that his idea or yours?"

"It was a toss-up between that and Running Bear. I like the sound of Crazy Horse, don't you?"

Rhea appeared with a rolling cart. There was food and drink for Lydia and me. It was a long debriefing and time for us to get to know one another. I hung on every word and she filled me in on everything from terror attacks in Spain to the final appointment to her cabinet. She also told me about the huge number of people that had come to see me while I hung in limbo. A full two thirds of my visitors had been given the cover story about an auto accident while a minority knew what I had done and how many lives I had saved. My act of sealing the breach had saved the fusion reactor from going critical and killing three million people and leaving a crater hundreds of feet deep at the center of the explosion. After we finished eating Lydia set down a black velvet box on the surface of the cart and pushed it towards me.

"You've more than earned it."

"What is this?" I asked as I took it and opened the box. I stared at the medal with the dark blue ribbon not understanding. "Lydia..."

"It is the Presidential Shadow Shield. It is given to someone that goes above and beyond in the service of their nation. This award is usually given posthumously and no one is around to thank the recipient. The past men and women that have earned this work in the shadows for our country and they were members of the intelligence agency. You are the first person to be alive and accept it. Congratulations on another first Greg."

"I take it I was in the tank when you gave this to me." I said and she nodded. "Thank you Madame President for this award and I would like to share this with the team of technicians that worked with me on that fateful day."

"She was right," Lydia said smiling. "Rhea said you'd mention the tech team you worked with at the black site. She really is uncanny."

"Yep... ooh chocolate cream pie," I mumbled as Rhea appeared carrying a silver platter.

We munched on the pie as Lydia informed me that I could take up my duties and mantle as liaison with NASA as soon as I was ready. I grinned thinking how lucky I was to be alive and now I was told that I would be keeping my position with Numenor. I was in the middle of telling her how proud I was to be chosen for that responsibility when Rhea reappeared setting my tuxedo on the back of my bedroom door. I looked at her questioningly and she pointed at Lydia.

"Why is the tuxedo there?"

"You are flying to New York tomorrow. Nick and I agreed you deserved a pat on the back." She said and then fell silent as I worked out the importance of the day.

"No fucking way... I am so sorry..." I cursed and apologized in the same breath.

"It's okay Greg. You've earned it."

"What is going on?" Cindy asked from the doorway. "Rhea told me I needed to hear something."

"Indeed you should," Lydia said turning her head to look at my daughter. "You and your father are going to New York for the official opening of the Blink Technology ceremony. Your dad is going to be the first person through the ring. You are going to be a quick second as you push him through in his wheelchair, congratulations!"

I was speechless. Nick was supposed to be the first human to pass through the ring. It had been his baby since its inception. Once again he surprises me with his kindness and generosity. Maybe this Order of Chthon wasn't the bad thing my gut instinct told me it was. I thanked Lydia and was about to call Nick to do the same when he and his sister Kat walked in.

"Surprise Greg," Nick said and I nearly face planted trying to get up and hug him. "Easy there, you have still got a ways down the road to recovery. I take it you've accepted my invitation to christen the Ring."

"I am floored that you are letting me have this honor. I would ask but I think I understand."

"Kat told me we needed someone the average person could identify with. I am well liked but let's be honest. You are the guy that worked his way up to the top. You are a hero to a lot of people."

"Besides, if it wasn't for you," Kat added. "We would probably still be working on developing it. It's the least we can do."

I accepted their generous offer and promised that I would be back in the game as soon as I could. Nick asked for a quiet moment and the ladies left us. Lydia told me I had an open invite to visit the White House any time I wanted. I knew she wanted me to know that my job was safe and she needed a friend not just an employee. I agreed to visit and that got a smile from her. Nick closed the door and sat in the chair that Cindy had brought in. He sat there for a moment as he collected his thoughts. His expressions changed half a dozen times before he blurted out what was bothering him.

"It's about Kelly. He murdered the Warden and tried to kill you using the gate."

The words didn't seem real at first. I struggled processing what Nick had said. I knew Kelly for years. He was a great boss and a genuinely nice guy. The thought of him as a murderer seemed so far out of character. Nick continued and told me the real reason Kelly left Numenor. He had been caught embezzling funds as well as leaking secure documentation. Kelly was the reason why A.I.s had been set to watchdog critical information and monitor spending by supervisors. I had come into management after these changes had been implemented. I consider them as company policy and took them as normal business procedures. Kelly was on the run and living off the grid for now. He had enough cash set aside that he could live quite comfortably for years. It was like finding out your hero was a thief or a cheat. How the hell had he landed a security clearance and worked at a black site? Nick addressed that issue the moment it crossed my mind.

"He used older paperwork that bore the Numenor letterhead. Apparently my name carries enough clout that they never checked on his background. He was clever enough to ask for his former team and they had their checks done and when they passed it made him look even better."

"What do you need from me?"

"Heal up, enjoy tomorrow and tell me how nice Windsword Manor is."

"Windsword Manor..." I repeated and Nick just smiled.

"His name is Jon Masters and he is running the European side of things. He is British nobility and lives out of a sea side mansion. If you are lucky you might even experience why they named the place Windsword."

"Hmm... winter in England and near the coast... I get it."

"Pack for the weather and don't be afraid to decline entertainment offers. Jon is quite popular among the masses. He has his own company, Eidolon, and it has won huge fans among soldiers and accident victims worldwide."

"I have heard of them. They make cutting edge prosthetics for veterans. He and Prince William are partners if I remember right."

"Yep, I donate a healthy sum each year to keep the cost to patients as low as possible."

I felt an emotional surge and wondered if Nick was the typical member of the Order or if he was the odd ball. He looked at me as if sensing my angst. Did I bring it up and let it be for now? Nick leaned back in his chair and laid his hands on his lap. I took a deep breath and collected my thoughts. It was obvious Nick wasn't going anywhere until I unburdened myself. I decided to start at what I believed was a good beginning.

"A lot has happened since the EMP attack." I said and Nick nodded for me to continue. "I found a rogue A.I. in the monolith on the campus of Miskatonic University. It was destroyed during the attack and well she merged with my consciousness. She was made by Numenor but she has been around for ten thousand years." I said and let it sink in for a moment. Nick's face was hard to read. "Her master was a man named Steven Osborn. Does that name have any meaning?"

"Osborn..." Nick said after a long silence. "I can't say as I remember anyone with that name."

"There is no record of a Steven Osborn as an employee Master Nick," Surfer said as he manifested next to Nick.

"We have come to a paradox, please continue Greg."

"Well, Steve was not just an employee of yours he was also a member of the Order of Chthon holding the title of Keeper." I saw the surprise in Nick's expression and he didn't try and hide it.

"Well now that is surprising." He replied and looked at Surfer. "What do I do old friend?"

"Master Greg is a valuable asset and deserving of your mercy and protection. You saved his life. It would be a waste to undo all of that work. I think you should tender your recommendation as his sponsor. He possesses unique skills as well as knowledge that could help you Master."

"I knew you were going to say that. Surfer is one of my most trusted friends. He sees with a clinical eye when my emotions get in the way. I think he is right. You would make an excellent addition to the Order under my guidance and my house. I need your help. Can I rely upon your discretion Greg?"

"You have it but there is more you need to learn." I said and he smiled. "I... well... I am no longer human. The nanites that were in the implant were hijacked and altered my body on the molecular level. I have embraced that culture as my own. I am their legacy you might say. Does that change your decision?"

"I noticed certain anomalies on your scans. Now it all makes sense. Go on..."

"The core memories that the rogue A.I. possessed were of centuries of training on a J'Nai maiden world. I have absorbed those skills as my own as well as those recollections. But the later memories are the ones that worry me the most. Before the A.I. faded completely into my thoughts she asked me to save his soul. It seems that Steve is a servant of beings known as the Old Ones." I saw the recognition in Nick's eyes. "He is the chief servant of one calling itself Yog Sothoth. I know how Steve has altered the Earth's timeline to facilitate the return of these entities."

"Well that explains a ten thousand year old A.I. and how no one remembers Mr. Osborn. Yog Sothoth is the master of time and space. It is a higher dimensional being that is destined to bring back the old gods. I don't know if it is possible to save someone under the thrall of one of them. I know you have to try but I want you to know your odds are pretty damn low."

"I appreciate the heads up. You seem to know quite a bit about ancient and archaic entities." I said watching him closely.

"A part of my job I suppose. I guess now is as good a time as any. Surfer, tell Kat to keep herself amused this could take a while."

"Yes Master Nick."

I got comfortable as Nick indoctrinated me into the society known as the Order. Once the initial introduction was done we went back and forth with what we knew about the Order. On his end he shared with me the fact that he was in fact the Hidden Master, one of the three men that governed the Order. On my end I told him everything that Steven's memories had granted me. He asked specific questions and I found myself giving him the information he required. After an hour we took a break and Nick communicated with a contact of his in the Order. Nick informed them that he had chosen someone to be his Black Squire. When I heard the words Black Squire a plethora of words, images and even sensations flooded my mind. The Black Squire was the eyes and ears of the Hidden Master as well as a kind of go to guy for the other members of the organization. The best part is that my identity would be as hidden as that of Nick. I think I liked that part best of all. Three hours later we took another much-needed break. Well in truth I was the one that needed the break. My body just wasn't up to the epic level sessions yet. I was still healing and it showed.

Windsword Manor:

I slept nearly eight hours and when I awoke I was in the back seat of a luxurious town car. Rhea had my head resting in her lap and she was smiling down at me. I smiled back and asked where we were.

"We are pulling up to our hotel. You slept through most of the ride. We have just enough time to wash up and change into more formal attire."

"I am sorry about falling asleep. I..."

"Hush up and get ready for your close-up."

We took the elevator up to the penthouse. Nick and Kat were already there. Rhea helped me into the shower and washed the parts I couldn't reach. I felt so damn helpless in a body that wouldn't follow my desires. Cindy had my tuxedo hung up so that Rhea could help me into it. Once I was dry and dressed we took a limo to the airport. There were plenty of people protesting the arrival of Blink technology. Many of them were pilots or family of pilots and other airline personnel. I understood their fear but the same could be said for people who raised horses when trains and automobiles took the stage.

Rhea took the time to braid my hair. Truth be told she demanded that I looked my best and in her eyes that meant a manly warrior braid. How could I possibly say no to the force of nature named Rhea? I couldn't so I didn't. Cindy appeared wearing a lovely black dress and watched as Rhea worked her magic with my hair. I sat there like a good little boy while the girls talked about the new flame they had shared just the night before. There was a real intensity when they spoke about this little passion flower.

"Who the hell got you two so damn wet?" I asked and they started giggling. "Do I know her?"

"You should," Cindy replied.

"She's your boss's sister..." Rhea finished.

"Whoa wait... are you telling me you two tag teamed Kat Shaw?"

"Like a boss!" They said together.

The rest was lost in a confusing mix of Rhea's sensuous whimpers and Cindy's schoolgirl crush. I climbed into the wheelchair and we headed into the airport. I was still weak as a kitten but that didn't matter today. Today the world would watch the miracle of Blink technology and all their eyes would be on me. A route had been kept clear for our vehicle as well as other dignitaries. It was difficult to remain calm so I got the excess out in the car and I found it manageable by the time we reached the gate in plenty of time. It swiftly became one of those hurry up and wait situations. There were pre-event interviews and tons of questions about the safety as well as the cost of this new method of transportation. Nick remained close and helped me answer questions I was unsure of. The minutes ticked by until we were live on several networks across the planet and Nick took the stage. He was in his element and his performance was a masterpiece. He must have worked on his speech for days. Since I was going to be the first man through there were plenty of questions for me. I couldn't possibly rise to the same standards as Nick but I did the best I could.

I saw the security droids tall, silent but aware. I could feel their A.I.s constantly scanning the area for danger and finding none. There were cameras trained on them and Nick fielded every question about the nonhuman security force. They never got tired and they had redundant nonlethal measures to stop terrorists or deal with breaches in security. I liked their sleek lines and wicked appearance. Their grim visage was as much a deterrent as the weapons they carried. There was even a toy line of plastic versions of the sentinel droids. He had left nothing out. A part of me wished I was a kid again. I mean who wouldn't want to play with such a cool toy. As I sat in the wheelchair I looked around and there was the sense of expectancy radiating from the crowd. It reminded me of watching and waiting for a world class magician performing an illusion. I realized as I sat there that my psychic abilities had grown quite a bit since my visit to the Painted Desert. I had feared back then that I might go mad from exposure to such crowds as this. Look at me sitting here sane and steady easily tasting the delight of so many. Cindy touched my shoulder and smiled.

Windsword Manor:

The clock wound down and the time for our departure was finally upon us. Cindy was walking next to me as Rhea pushed the wheelchair from behind. The public and the press watched as the generator spun up to full power and the gate woke from its slumber. I stared at the empty ring and for a brief moment my memory threw up the image of the thing in the rift. The everchanging outline and the horrid details afforded me by my J'Nai senses. It was a blasphemous creature that was abhorrent to everything I thought of as normal. I pushed the memory out and reclaimed the present. I clenched the arm rests of the wheelchair and it didn't go unnoticed. Rhea felt the stab of fear that radiated from me for that long moment. I took a deep breath and centered myself. The whole affair was a little anticlimactic as the gate was established. There was no flashing lights or whoosh of spectral energy. The space within the ring was empty one moment and filled the next. The group on the London side waved at us and we made our way through and across. We had travelled thousands of miles in the blink of an eye. The weather was drastically different. Where New York was sunny and a comfortable seventy degrees London was overcast, drizzling and barely forty degrees. My opposite strolled through the gate with his family. Where I had been chosen by Nick he had won his spot in a lottery. Once we had made our triumphant crossings those chosen few that had purchased tickets passed through the gate.

I was interviewed by the BBC for an exclusive article. After that the three of us were hustled to a waiting limo and driven to Windsword Manor. I was eager to meet Jon Masters. Nick spoke quite highly of him and the little background I found painted him a very interesting man. I bet he and the girls would hit it off just fine. He spent time in jail for a murder he didn't commit and successfully sued for an undisclosed amount. Shortly after his release he went to work for Nick. The only interesting bit was that he went missing for nearly twenty-four hours. It had been highly publicized and even years later there were news articles about it. Where had he gone and what had he done? He had never spoken of it and even as the media tried to discover what was behind that little mystery it remained unsolved to this day. He had remained silent about it and his family had supported him one hundred percent. The drive to the manor house was longer than expected. The news feeds were flooded with articles about the Rings and the slow death of the airline industry. Nick had been credited with revolutionizing the computer industry now he was the king of long distance travel. I was his face man and the world would be looking at me under a microscope. I hated my job sometimes.