I reincarnated in game

32 Turn of Events

Hugh, Judi, and Kenneth returned to their original seats.  Hugh seemed preoccupied while he sat deep in thought.  He looked around at the other passengers seated about them, now with the knowledge that they were all soldiers on a mission.  He then turned to Judi and Kenneth.  “The guy they are looking for has done some pretty bad things.  I think I could help them find him … do you think I should offer to help?” he asked.

Judi’s reply was immediate.  “Whatever you feel is right.  We will follow your lead.”

“Me too,” said Kenneth.

Hugh looked at the two of them, nodded his head, and said, “Thanks.  I appreciate the faith you both have in me.” 

Knowing that his friends supported him, Hugh stood and scanned the room to see if James was still on this level.  When he didn’t see him, Hugh walked over to a group of soldiers and said, “I don’t see James around.  Did he perhaps go back to the lower level?   We have a proposition to discuss with him.”

“No, he’s not here.  If you want to speak to him, get your friends and meet me at the stairwell.  I will take you to where he manages the operations below deck.  He should be there now.”

The trio followed the soldier down to the lowest level, past where the interrogation had taken place, to a small office at the far end of the room.  He knocked on the door.  When it opened, James could be seen poring over several maps and notes on the desk before him.  “Sir, this man says he has a proposition for you.”

Raising his head, James looked beyond the soldier and saw Hugh, Judi and Kenneth standing behind him.  “OK.  Let’s hear what you have to say.”  The soldier stepped aside to allow the three friends access to the small office.

Hugh stepped up to the near side of the desk.  “I may be able to help you in your mission to find this man if you will allow me.”

The leader turned and looked at him questionably, “What could you do to help?”

“I can build a machine, and use some magic to see if I can narrow down the area to a city and a level where this Father John would be.  I would need access to some mechanical equipment, a power source, and if you have a picture or a personal item of the man you are tracking, it would help,” Hugh replied.

“There are lots of materials and a power source in the engine room of the ship; I can take you there.”  As he started out from behind the desk, James reached into his pocket and withdrew a picture.  “This is Father John.”

Judi and Kenneth came closer as Hugh looked at the image in the photograph.  “Wow, he does look an awful lot like you, Hugh! No wonder they thought you were him,” Judi exclaimed. 

“Yes, if I didn’t know better, I would think I had a twin out there!” Hugh replied.

James seemed to be anxious to get started, so headed for the stairwell.  “Follow me.  If you can help us, we will be very grateful.”

When they arrived at the engine room, Hugh suggested to James that he have one of his men obtain a small navigation map from the ship’s captain while they searched through the various spare parts for materials to build a surveillance machine.  James dispatched a soldier to retrieve the map.  Meanwhile, Hugh sifted through the sizable bin of spare parts.  He selected a hollowed out brass cylinder with one open end, several small pipes, a curved optical glass, a hinged lid, and a small dish shaped antenna as well as various gears, levers, and other bits he felt could be useful.  After several more moments of searching in the bin, Hugh commented, “I was hoping there might be some small crystals or bits of crystals in here but I don’t see any.”

Kenneth, who had been watching Hugh go through the materials, piped up, “I have a few small crystals that Dad brought with us … they’re here in my bag.  You can have your pick.”

“Great … it sounds like I have all I need to start.  Thank you, Kenneth!” Hugh said.

Hugh brought all of the materials to a makeshift workbench in the engine room.  Donning welding goggles and, using a welding torch which he borrowed from the ship’s mechanic, Hugh cut a hole in the side of the cylinder to the size and shape needed to install the optical glass.  Inside the cylinder, he mounted a small light, a small compass, and a pointer attached to a gear assembly; all were hooked up to a battery that he attached to the outside.  A small wire cage was shaped to hold the crystal he had selected from the supply Kenneth had offered.  At the open end of the cylinder, he attached the hinged lid; then added a locking mechanism.  He drilled a hole at the top of the cylinder, into which he fitted a small pipe.  To the upper end, he attached the antenna on a swivel apparatus.  He stood back and looked at the surveillance machine … it wasn’t necessarily pretty but it did look like it would be functional.

“Now I need to absorb some energy from the ship’s power source.  I don’t need a whole lot so it won’t affect the operation of the ship.” Hugh said.  He turned to Kenneth and asked, “Could you please bring along the crystal.  I will need you to hand it to me as soon as I have finished absorbing the energy.”  Kenneth was happy to be included in the process.

James led the way to the iron door at the back of the engine room; this was where the energy core was housed.  James unlocked the door and stood back.  A luminous, pulsing glow could be seen within.  Hugh stepped into the room, closed his eyes, focused on his inner core as Judi had taught him; and then stretched his hands towards the energy source.  The ambient glow from the crystal brightened noticeably and then dimmed as energy arced through the air to Hugh’s outstretched limbs.  Hugh lowered his hands; the core returned to its original luminosity.  He turned around.  When he opened his eyes; the others in the room could see that the same glow which had been seen through the open iron door, now emanated from his irises. 

Hugh motioned to Kenneth who approached with the crystal; with it held firmly between his two hands, Hugh again closed his eyes and focused on the crystal.  The aura which had surrounded him began to dim as the energy was transferred to the crystal.  Once it was fully imbued, he opened the hinged door of the surveillance machine and placed the charged crystal into the wire cage specifically designed for it.  The map and the photo of Father John were positioned just below the suspended crystal.  The door was re-closed and locked into place; through the optical glass, a bright light could be seen shining from inside the machine.

The antenna started rotating.  The light began to flash.  The gears started moving; the pointer hovered over the surface of the map.  After a few moments, the gears stopped.  Looking through their glass, Hugh could see that the pointer had come to a full stop.  It pinpointed the small town of Yar, on the outskirts of Ossal, on the fourth level.

“I have found him!” Hugh declared.  

James stepped forward to peer through the glass.  Inside he saw where the pointer was indicating.  “Yar?  That is where Father John is hiding out?” 

“Yes.  It would be somewhere near Yar; that is where you should focus your search.” Hugh replied.

James stood back and then headed to the door; he gave instructions to the man who had been stationed there to have the men start organizing a return trip to Fourth Level.  It felt good to have a solid lead to go on.  Having done that, he turned to Hugh and invited the three of them back to the passenger deck for some refreshments. 

While they were enjoying their meal, James turned to Hugh.  “I am very impressed with your ingenuity.  It was fascinating how you could improvise and create a mechanical device from nothing but spare parts and then use your magic ability to make it into a surveillance machine!”

Hugh was happy to have been able to help but felt a little embarrassed at the older man’s high praise.  “Well, I have always liked to use odds and ends to create novel gadgets that people can use to use to their benefit.”

“I can see that you are a natural-born leader,” James responded.  “You have the personality that draws others to you; Judi and Kenneth both trust you implicitly and follow you without question.”

“It is not ‘without question’; we do things as a team.  They trust me; yes, but I respect their input and value their suggestions,” Hugh clarified.

“All very admirable qualities in a leader,” James affirmed.  “Our organization could really use a man of your caliber and talents … would you consider joining up with us?”

Hugh was momentarily taken aback.  He certainly hadn’t expected this turn of events.  He definitely would not consider taking any steps which did not include Judi and Kenneth. 

James watched Hugh’s changing expressions to try and judge his reaction to the offer.  He interpreted his lack of a response as hesitation or perhaps, a forthcoming refusal.  Before Hugh could speak, James continued, “You know, having been on board the ship and learning of our team and mission, you could be a liability to our cause.  That is a risk we cannot take.  It would be so much easier if you could just accept my invitation to join Eos.  What is your decision?”