Superwomb

CHAPTER EIGHT

Everything worked out as planned and Holly got back home safely. While they were still inside the taxi in front of the magnificent building, Holly said. “Thank you both for saving my life. You have a very nice friend Rick.” “He is not my friend, I meant to kill him back at the party” Sam shouted within himself. “So for the records I am Holly and you?” She asked Sam. “My name’s Sam, pleasure meeting you.” “The honour is mine.” Holly said and the handshake lingered for too long so Rick went in again and said. “Holly I think you should go in and relax your father’s nerves. He would be really worried by now.” “Of course” She said and waved them both bye as she walked into the house. Rick gave Sam a puzzled look and Sam asked. “What?” “Well well well, it seems you have captured the attention of someone’s daughter.” Rick told him. “Don’t be ridiculous.” Sam said amidst smiles then added. “That was by far the softest and coolest hand I had ever shook.” They laughed wildly and told the driver to head back and as they did, Rick alighted at the first intersection. Sam completely forgot about his application.

Mr. Max was in conversation with a police officer having been joined by his friend Stanley when they heard a knock at the door. Stanley went for it and what was not his surprise when he saw Holly. “Good morning” She said with an awkward smile. By this time, her father had rushed to the door and was all over his daughter who stood apologetically. “Are you okay? Where did you spend the night? You are hurt. We need to get you to a hospital.” “Let’s use my car” Stanley opted. “Dad I’m fine I fell into good hands after the incident at Deborah’s house.” Max was still talking with his daughter who had barely entered the house when Stanley received a call that someone has been caught emptying cans of petrol around his house. “I’ve got to go Max” he told his friend. “Sure I’ve got this, go on.” Max said to him and off he went.

Back at frost-bane technologies, everything was set for the launching of the Superwomb which would draw signal from frost-bane’s satellite in space and equip the Superwomb so that the artificial space could be safely infused into the Superwomb. Everything was set and all that was left was the green light from the CEO Mr Max Dean who was having a rather rough start of day.

Scott and his team had all moved into position successfully with stout determination to prevent the launching of the technology which they all believed would bring disaster on the planet except Bob who was still having a hard time understanding the kind of generator that frost-bane operated on. Grace and Timothy successfully infiltrated the building and Scott was parading as one of frost-bane’s security agent waiting for his team to finish up and meet at the rendezvous so that they can all happily go home after a successful mission.

Stanley arrived at his house and could see police vehicles everywhere along with an ambulance. “What happened” he asked the officer in charge. “We caught him” the officer said nodding towards the police vehicle in which the teenager had been safely locked up and placed in cuffs “emptying cans of petroleum all around your house after we answered a distress call from someone who refused to identify himself.” The officer responded. “Has he said anything, perhaps who sent him or why he wanted to burn down my house?” As he asked the question, he remembered the lunatic who had threatened to burn down his house some days ago. “He has refused to say anything but we would get the information at the station. Would you like to come with us?” The officer asked. “I think not, just let me know if he says anything.” “No problem sir. Clear the area. The officer started to say to the other police officers and within minutes Stanley was left standing alone and as he sighted the first press van approaching, he quickly moved into his house and shut the door.

Max had called his family doctor who (Dr. Peter) who had reassured him that the injury on his daughter’s shoulder is no cause for alarm after having applied professional dressing and given her (Holly) some antibiotics to prevent infections. “Call me if she complains of anything” Dr. Peter told Mr. Max before leaving. “Thank you very much Dr. He told him as he left.” “Are you not supposed to be launching your project today?” Holly asked he father. “Yes sweetheart I am but I couldn’t bring myself to do that when I could not find you.” “Awww! That was so thoughtful of you dad. Thank you and I am sorry for disobeying you by going to the party yesterday.” “Apology accepted by the way have you talked to your friend to know what became of them after the shooting?” “Yes I have but they are all fine except the ones on whom the chandelier crashed down on. But they too were taken care of by the ambulance. Apparently, the shooters were looking for me, and when they found out I wasn’t there, they left without hurting anyone. That’s weird don’t you think? Why would anyone want to kill me?” Max thought for a moment told his daughter. “You see some people think that the technology I have created would destroy the world if I launch it, and I believe they are the ones who tried to kill you so that I would take them seriously.” “Why would anyone think like that?” Holly asked her father. “I don’t know sweetheart but I will find them and make them pay this.” “Just be careful dad okay?” “Yes ma’am I will.” Why don’t you can go ahead now, launch your technology and prove those people wrong.” “I’ll love to her father said but I don’t think leaving you alone is such a good idea.” “I’ll be fine and I can’t wait to see you on television after the successful launch.” “Okay but I have called homicide and their agents have placed the house on surveillance just in case anyone tries to get in unofficially. Hope you don’t mind.” “Absolutely not you are the best I love you dad.” “I love you more.” “Wait what of your friend? He left quite in a hurry.” “Yes some loser tried to burn down his house but was arrested everything is under control now try to get some rest.”

And with that, the CEO of frost-bane technologies drove off to his company having told his friend Stanley not to bother coming if he had to be at home. But Stanley was all too excited that his house was still standing on its foundation and told Max he would be there for the launching of the Superwomb.

Bob finally got the hang of the generator just in time when the bosses arrived. Scott transmitted a message to his team mates who all affirmed that they were set for the showdown. Max and Stanley walked into the building as if nothing had happened and headed straight for the elevator which took them to the floor where Oliver, Rita and the entire team of scientists were waiting. “Good morning all” The CEO greeted them and said. “Let’s do it.” Oliver took a deep breath and ignited the power core but the lights went off almost immediately after it came up. “What happened Max asked no one in particular.” Rita answered him. “The cable supplying electric power to this floor has been disabled.” Max and Stanley exchanged glances. “Quickly check the power house.” Stanley Shouted at the security agents and they ran off towards the power building. By this time, Bob was already scaling the fence to go out but was a little late and one of the security agents saw him just as he jumped over.

They reported back to the CEO who ordered that security be stationed at the power house from then on after the damage was fixed. Stanley walked towards Rita. “You seem nervous.” “I am nervous” She said. “By the way we’ve heard of the incident at your house. Is everything okay?” She asked him. “Yes I’ll tell you all about it at dinner today if you agree to go out with me.” Stanley said. “We are having a little party here at the company in honour of a successful completion of the artificial space.” Rita reminded him. “I am sure Max would understand my absence.” He told her. “I don’t know if ...” Rita started to say but was interrupted by the loud microphone enhanced voice of Oliver. “Initiating in five...four...three...two...one...and away we go.” The brilliance of the Superwomb after it had been completed was unlike anything science had ever produced as it levitated above the heads of all present. Oliver’s voice was heard all over the room again. “Receiving signal from our satellites 75% completed.” After some moments he said again. “98% completed” then finally “100% complete. Igniting and infusing the artificial space into the Superwomb.” Everyone’s eyes and attention at frost-bane was fixed at the launching protocol and once it was seconds away from completion, Oliver shouted triumphantly “launching at six...five...four...three...two...one...completed.”

Everybody including Grace and Timothy who were still inside the building marvelled at the beauty of the basketball sized earth as it rotated gently and calmly within the Superwomb. Grace had stepped on a fuse she thought was supplying power to the Superwomb that was now glowing with the images of the planets, Sun, Moon, Stars and all but the fuse she had stepped on, was now sucking out the oxygen from the massive room that they were all in without anyone knowing it. When the power had gone out, the standby emergency power supply came up immediately and when it did, the Superwomb absorbed all the energy it brought and started feeding on it. Not long after, the main power source was brought back but by then, the Superwomb had already absorbed too much energy from an unplanned source and it needed to purge that out. Oliver knew and understood this so he connected a tube to the Superwomb which was further connected to a fuse and the function of that fuse was to receive the energy coming from the tube which was connected to the Superwomb. A direct connection would be fatal and Oliver knew that as well which was why he used the fuse that someone was now standing on. But when the main power source was restored, everyone including Oliver forgot about the tube and the fuse which had finished taking all the unwanted oxygen from the Superwomb and was now feeding graciously on the one present in the room filled with so many excited people.

The joy that King Herod felt when he promised to give a little girl anything she asked him could not be compared to what Max the CEO of frost-bane was feeling. “We did it.” Max said to Stanley in a tight embrace. “Congratulations Sir” Rita said to the two men who were celebrating like kids. Stanley pulled away from Max and threw his arms around her. “Congratulations my dear” He said to her. All over the room people were smiling and hugging and everyone was congratulation everyone then Oliver looked at his computer screen and saw a warning signal. “Warning, less oxygen” It was blinking and Oliver could only wonder what it meant and when he saw it, it was too late.