Chapter 17

Posted: September 20, 2006 - 09:27:10 pm

Brenda was very impressed with the house, as was I. She was still taking her college classes. So far, no one had tumbled to her at her school. Tom shifted her around for visits.

It was a peculiar house to say the least. Peculiar, in the sense that while it looked normal in most respects, Tom had installed a lot of 'alternate tech', and 'future tech' into my home.

For example, we took no power from the local electric company. On paper, my home was heated and powered by propane gas. I had large tank on the property that was camouflage for the actual system.

The same thing that powered Tom's car powered my house, only with longer lasting results. My 'tank' was good for a year of power at a time. That was if I drew wastefully on the power all year long. If I wished, I could greatly extend the life of the 'tank's supply. I also had a course on how to remix and energize my power system.

Security consisted of sophisticated sensors placed all over the exterior grounds, with live remote self-contained camera feeds. The cameras and sensors were so small and so well hidden, it was doubtful anyone would find them.

Needless to say, my house was electrical in all respects. I had a nice little back up generator. It tested itself once a month. The house's computer ran it for a couple of hours, once a month. A load was placed on it, after making sure all sensor levels were checked, via computer.

The external walls, while appearing to be made of fieldstone, were actually cleverly disguised armor. It would hold off a light to medium anti tank's round. The roof looked like the old clay tile of Europe, but that too was a disguise. It was actually the same armor composite.

My home was so much safer than the average house. The windows looked normal, but were capable of withstanding all small arms fire, up to and including .50-calibre machine gun fire. Unless I was willing to upgrade my widows to a different type of material, that was the best they could do, while still making it look like normal glass.

When entering the house, you came in through the front or back security doors. They were disguised to look like heavy wooden doors. The interior was nicely done. All modern appliances. I had a laundry room on the first floor, with a large capacity washer and dryer. The electric oven/range/microwave was stacked next to the refrigerator, which was a top of the line 'side by side' model.

Next to the laundry room was the pantry, and then kitchen. In the living room I had a large wall mounted HD-TV, which could split view to the security cameras if I so desired. A couch and two easy chairs, supplied the seating.

There was a den, which was also a library. A master bedroom, connecting to the master bath, completed the first floor portion.

The second floor had two bedrooms which shared a bath. There was a large storage room opposite the bath, and over the stairwell.

The basement contained the furnace, the water heater, and a walk-in deep-freezer for meat storage or other frozen items. An interior designer furnished the whole place for me. I did insist on paying Tom something. He charged me for the furnishings, which came to a whopping one hundred and two thousand dollars.

The basement also contained a secret security room. The feds (or whomever, if they found it) would be hard pressed to enter it within a time frame of less than seven hours. It was designed as a place of last refuge. I could call from help there, via a secured link, to Tom's computer. I could also monitor what was going on in the house from inside. It was totally sealed. It had its own air supply, filtered water, toilet and bed. Food for days was located inside, also, as well. I didn't plan on staying in it longer than I had to, though. Once there, I would send an SOS to Tom, via his computer, and he would teleport us out.

Brenda wanted a nice white, snowy Christmas. She spent several weeks, gradually manipulating the local weather. Damned if she didn't get it done, too. The whole area had a slight change in the weather pattern. As a result, the county I was now living in had snow earlier than it normally did. Four inches, to be exact. The kids for miles around celebrated.

Snow usually didn't fall in the area of my new home, until January sometime. It just wasn't Christmas without a nice snow, though, if you asked me.

We received our TV signal via a satellite hook-up, and only had to put up with interrupted reception during severe storms. This was not a problem, as the entertainment center was well stocked with movies and shows from all over the world. Plus, there was the home computer. It was programmed and wired into the house's security system, and also served as our high-speed internet connection. We had a double link to the internet: satellite, and wireless. Our phone service was via prepaid cell phones.

I didn't want my home dependent on any outside utility, whatsoever. Water, sewer, trash... everything was provided, or done, by installations on my property. I was set!

"God, this place is just perfect," Brenda said. We were gazing out the widow of the living room, at the fresh snow outside.

"I'm glad you like it. Tell me, would you care to move in permanently, with me?" I asked, trying to sound casual.

"Are you asking me to marry you?" Brenda replied, her eyes huge as she studied my face.

"Well, not right away, if you don't want to. You could 'test drive' me, to see if you wanted to keep me," I said, wiggling my eyebrows at her.

She poked my ribs, and leaned into me.

"I don't see why not. I spend all my free time here, anyway," she said a little shyly.

Yes! We had finally gotten comfortable with each other. Our sex was really good. She had a sexy body, and she was very responsive after she got over her initial shyness. We had gotten pretty comfortable with each other. That was a plus as far as I was concerned. We seemed to be a perfect fit in everything we did together.

Courtney and Tom would teleport in, frequently. We would have dinner together, or play cards, or just talk. We were worried about what we were going to do, if the government decided to begin hostilities, again.

"I am honestly thinking about just moving us to the alternate world for a few years, and leave this world to fend for itself for a while," Tom suddenly said one visit.

"What? Just pick us up and move? Just like that?" I asked.

"Wait a minute! I might not want to go. I like this world and the government has not really messed with me at all," Brenda said firmly.

"Only because we have run interference, and introduced you as someone else. They don't know you as Brenda, they know you as Pam. And despite the government's protestations of honorable intentions, they are still snuffling cautiously around us," Courtney told her.

"Brenda, what do you think the government would do to you, if you announced to them you could control the weather? Do you think you would be allowed to walk freely around, without them in constant "protective" control of you?" Tom asked interestedly.

This was a problem with her. She had not experienced first hand the governmental interference. Oh, she had heard what had happened to us, but she was still a bit idealistic. The reality did not fit her worldview, as of yet. Still, I loved her for it, despite how it drove me nuts.

"Did you know the government has a weather control project going on, even as we speak? It is black ops funded! You should read the material I have gotten from them," Tom said, shaking his head.

Tom gave his computer an instruction via his link. Shortly, my home computer's printer started spitting out page after page of documents he said he had mined from the current government's weather project.

We gave Brenda time to read the mission statement, and what they were capable of doing, as of now. She paled a bit when she read it. Apparently the government was trying to control regional weather, to produce specific effects. One effect they were trying to control was drought, to be used against a foreign nation to bring them to their knees at 'the bargaining table'.

"I still find this hard to believe. The people would never allow it," Brenda said, but not with much conviction, after reading the document.

"The people are not informed of everything the government does. Remember, it was 'the people', in the form of our elected representatives, who let the government set up secret programs 'for security only'. Can't inform the people, or they wouldn't be secret. Read the footnotes, as to who knows about these programs," Tom suggested gently.

It had gone to a bipartisan committee in the senate. Both the democrats and republicans, in the form of said committee, were informed. Brenda had a troubled expression on her face after reading that.

"Well, I still say the government isn't all bad," Brenda finally said.

"It's not. The problem is the portion of the government, that has to do with security. Almost anything, now, is considered a danger to the government and the people. All governments are made up of living breathing beings, and that's where the problems occur, every time.

"When a human gets involved in the system, he operates on a 'what's in it for me', basis. Also, any government will move to protect itself. Look at history, even recent history. When the Berlin Wall fell, and the East Germany rejoined with West Germany, the first thing the that happened was prosecution of certain ex-East German officials. So, it behooves a government to stay secure, safe and stable. The outlook for a failed government, particularly the officials of said failed government, are not good," Tom said quietly.

I could see Brenda thinking this over. She finally nodded.

"Ok. I can see that. History is full of vengeance. The communist party killed the Royal Family of Russia when they took over. Africa is full of little countries killing one another over the most insane shit I have ever heard of," she sighed heavily.

"Which brings me to another problem. Or I should say: 'us'. I have a half sister. I had thought her safe from government snooping, but I was wrong. I found out the government is onto her already. My dad's will is to blame. In it, he left her something.

"Right now, the feds are just watching her. But that could change at anytime. I think it's time to move, and bring her 'into the fold'. We also need to find out exactly what her talent is, if she has one. She has not demonstrated anything, as far as I know. That won't stop the government from taking her in if they feel she can be used in any way, or if they can say she is a threat to national security," Tom said heavily.

"Half sister? You're just full of surprises, aren't you Tom?" Brenda said with a raised eyebrow.

Could everyone but me do that eyebrow thing? Maybe if I practiced...

"Not me. My dad. He was a real player when he was younger, apparently. There is no telling if there are more siblings around. This is just one girl that I know about. For example, we didn't know of Scott until he was found to be a 'donor-child'.

"So far, I am keeping an eye on her, as I do with everyone in our little group. It is too late to go back and get rid of the evidence that pointed the government at her. It would cause a rift in reality that I am not prepared to deal with," Tom said bitterly.

"Tom. Don't blame yourself. You're not omnipotent after all. Let god, and us, handle some of this for you," Courtney told him, moving into his arms, and offering him comfort.

"Get a room, you two!" I put in, trying to lighten the mood.

It worked, as everyone laughed. The tension seemed to drain out of Tom, and out the room. We relaxed and talked about nothing in particular after that. I had become accustomed to checking on my immediate future, and I noticed that were going to receive a visitor, soon. I mentioned this to the group.

"I think we are about to receive visitors. If my 'future-sight' is correct, they should be here in about thirty minutes," I announced to all.

"They?" Courtney said from her curled place on the couch next to Tom.

"Yes. A local ranger and his partner. They visited once before a couple months back. I have no idea what they want," I said.

While my driveway still had snow on it, it was impregnated with a chemical that was slowly melting the snow off. Still, it had a mixture of slush and snow on it. I had driven down and back on the driveway only once, since the last snowfall.

"Are all my permits in order?" I asked Tom.

"You're fine. This locale has a very loose building code for what is considered 'farm and country living'. This area qualifies. Only the cities and towns are closely regulated. You have the proper documents in your 'home owner's folder'," answered Tom, still holding onto Courtney.

I got up, and put on a fresh pot of coffee.

"Anyone for hot chocolate?" I yelled from the kitchen.

I heard several 'yes pleases', and a 'make mine with hot milk'.

I sighed.

Me and my big mouth.