Date: Tue, 15 Jan 2002 16:23:06 -0600
From: TagsNOLA@lycos.com
Subject: The Charges 28

Disclaimer

This story is a work of fiction.  None of the characters portrayed herein
represent any real person, living or dead.  It includes characters invented
by Chip Masterson including the muscle super kid, "Danny Henderson" who
appears in a number of stories created by Chip.  These characters are used
in this story with his express permission, (Thanks, Chip!) although this
story differs substantially in tone and theme from stories written
heretofore by Chip.  There are inconsistencies between Chip's story line
and mine.  The characters in my scenario dwell, therefore, in some sort of
`parallel universe.'  Also included in this story is a character inspired
by "Billy," the lead character in John D's "Billy Muscles up."  One
incident is borrowed directly from the "Billy Muscles Up" series and some
of the things Billy does in this story echo "Billy Muscles Up."  However,
although this "Billy" begins with more or less the same personality and
physical strength as the original, events take "my `Billy'" in a somewhat
different direction.  My use of the "Billy" character is with John D's
express permission.  Thanks, John D!

If you are looking for erotic stimulation, please look elsewhere because
you won't find that here.  Aside from some coarse language and violence,
this story could almost be rated "G."  But if Chip's "Danny" series is one
you have enjoyed, you may find this story entertaining as well.  My
interest in Chip's "Danny" series has been mainly, "what are people
thinking and feeling?"  (Something Chip has preferred to leave to the
reader's imagination.)  This story delves into that question in just a
little bit more detail.  Of particular interest to me as well, is how some
of these characters respond to situations and circumstance that could
happen to anyone as well as how they react to extraordinary situations.

I've introduced my own characters in this story, among them, "Andy Jackson
Partlowe," and, to some extent, this is HIS story...  how he came to meet
Billy, Danny and his friends and how he reacts to their phenomenal strength
and abilities.

My thanks to the web master for his work in maintaining this site and for
posting this story.  I would like to express my special thanks to Chip
Masterson and John D. for graciously sharing their characters with me and
especially for their work and creativity in creating their stories.  This
story is dedicated in their honor.

Thanks a lot for sharing, Chip and John D...

Tags

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Salas drove Danny and Andy to meet with the Cohens and the Scheinburgs.  He
pulled up to the guard house at the entrance of their gated community in
Santa Ana and flashed his badge.  "We're here to see the Cohens..."  Salas
gave the guard the address.

"Yes sir.  Are they expecting you?"

"No, they're not.  But this is police business.  So I'd rather you NOT call
ahead to let them know I'm coming."

The guard nodded and waved them through.

Salas pulled up to the curb in front of the Cohen's home.  It was a large,
traditional two story brick house.  They walked up to the front door and
Salas knocked.  Mrs. Cohen answered.  Salas held up his police credentials
for her.  "Mrs. Cohen, I am Detective Salas.  I am here to see you and
Cantor Cohen about your son, Ari..."

"Oh?  Is there some problem, Detective Salas?"

Salas smiled.  "No, Mrs. Cohen.  Ari's not in any trouble.  But this is
very important.  May we come inside?"

Mrs. Cohen nodded nervously and led them in.  She escorted them into their
formal living room and offered them a seat.

"Mrs. Cohen.  Is Cantor Cohen at home?"

"Yes, he's in his study.  I'll go and get him."

"Thank you.  And would you please telephone Doctor and Mrs. Scheinburg?
I'd like to meet with them as well.  This involves them and their daughter,
Miriam.  Danny here has already spoken with Mrs. Scheinburg and she will be
waiting for your call.  She hasn't given you any kind of 'heads up' on this
because Danny asked her not to.  This is something we need to tell all of
you together.  And please ask Ari to join us."

Mrs. Cohen called the Scheinburgs and then called Ari down from his room.

About ten minutes later, the Scheinburgs arrived.

Salas spoke.  "OK, Danny.  This is your show.  You take it from here..."

Danny stood up.  "Well, really, this is Ari's show..."

Danny smiled reassuringly at Ari.  He hefted the two foot length of I-Beam.
"C'mon dude.  Lets show `em watcha got...  No, wait... I gotta better
idea..."

"... Cantor Cohen.  Could you step over here for just a second?"

Danny set the I-beam down on the floor.  "Sir, I'd like you to try to bend
this top cross piece down on both sides...  Just see if you can fold it
down around the vertical part..."

Cantor Cohen was a little taken aback.  "But that looks like solid steel.
How could I manage something like that?"

"Just try.  I need you to see if you can do it."

Of course he couldn't.

"And now you, Doctor Scheinburg.  Now you try."

"But what is the point, young man?  Of course I can't."

Danny smiled.  "I just want to make SURE you know you can't.  This'll all
make sense in just a minute."

Doctor Scheinburg obliged and, of course, he had no more luck than Cantor
Cohen had.

"Now you, Ari.  You try it."

Ari was a little nervous.  "Mom, Dad, I know this is gonna be a shock.  It
sure was to me, yesterday.  But, please don't freak out on me...  Remember,
after this is over, I'm still the same kid I always was..."

Ari looked at his parents and at the Scheinburgs.  They shifted in their
seats nervously.  Cantor Cohen said to his son.  "Just show us what it is
this young man has asked you to do.  Obviously, he thinks you can do what
neither Jacob nor I could do..."

Ari knelt alongside the I-beam and easily folded the cross plate down both
sides along the vertical member.  It was much easier for Ari than it had
been the day before...

Danny grinned.  "Yah see, Ari...  You're a lot stronger now than you were
yesterday.  And yer just gonna keep getting stronger...  A LOT stronger...
Now lets see if you can bend it back the way it was..."

Again Ari easily complied...

"Now, Ari, see if you can pull that top piece off.  Just tear it loose."

Ari did.  It was a little harder than the bending, but not by much.  He
pulled the top horizontal member free.

The Scheinburgs and the Cohens were stunned.  Cantor Cohen exclaimed, "But
HOW?  How could our little boy be so strong?  How could you manage that,
Ari?  You are as strong as Samson!  I would not have believed this if I
hadn't seen it with my own eyes!"

Doctor Scheinburg was equally shocked.  "Ari," Doctor Cohen asked, "...how
long have you known this about yourself.  We've known you since you were a
baby.  And we've never seen you do anything like this before..."

Salas explained.  "With some of us, this comes out when we're very young.
But others like us never discover this innate ability on their own.  But
people like us can 'sense' each other.  And Danny 'sensed' this in Ari as
soon as they met yesterday.  I can tell you, until yesterday, Ari COULDN'T
have done anything like this.  He's always had the potential, but, until
Danny showed him, he might never have discovered this on his own.  And this
is only the beginning.  Danny and I and some other friends of ours have
this strength as well.  And we've come here to ask you to let us help Ari
develop his abilities.  It will take a lot of his time, but, I assure you,
it won't interfere with his school work.  In fact, as Ari's body grows
stronger physically, his mental acuity will grow too.  I doubt school will
be much of a challenge to him.  Very soon, you may need to place him in an
academically accelerated environment..."

Cantor Cohen nodded.  "We had no idea that this could happen to our boy or
to ANY young boy.  But, of course, we must support Ari and we will do what
we can to encourage him and nurture him through all of this.  ...Are you
willing to do this, Ari?  Will you cooperate with Detective Salas and let
him lead you into this?  You can do so much more with your life than your
mother and I had ever dreamed.  I don't suppose now that you can expect to
follow in my footsteps.  And a part of me will regret that.  But your
destiny is obviously elsewhere.  And your mother and I will do all we can
for you."

Ari replied. "Well, but Danny told me I don't hafta give up my life.  He
said I can do this and still continue with my plans to become a cantor one
day.  I won't give that up, dad.  Never.  Not even for this.  It's all I
know.  It's what I was meant to do.  I WANT to follow you and be like you.
And I won't do this other if I hafta give that up."

Danny faced Cantor Cohen.  "Ari's right, sir.  We all have our lives.
Salas is a cop.  And so is Cole.  And Andy is gonna be a doctor..."

"... Oh, Mrs. Scheinburg, I almost forgot.  This is Andy Partlowe.  He's
the guy who saved your daughter at the mall..."

Mrs. Scheinburg rose to her feet and approached Andy.  "I've wanted to
thank you, Andy, for what you did for my little girl and for all those
other people.  But I couldn't find you.  The people at the mall wouldn't
help me get in touch with you..."

Andy nodded.  "I am just glad everything worked out like it did, Mrs.
Scheinburg.  And Danny's OK now.  You know that don't you?"

"Yes, I do, Andy.  And Danny told me he owes that to you and your friends.
I'm glad you were able to help him..."

Doctor Scheinburg asked.  "What is this?  What are you talking about?"

Mrs. Scheinburg answered. "I'll tell you later, Jacob.  Miriam and I never
told you about this, but we'll tell you all about it when we get home.
Let's deal with one thing at a time."

Cantor Cohen asked, "Well, Salas.  Now how should we proceed with Ari?
What must we do?"

"I'd like Ari to spend time with us.  We need to help him develop his
strength and his other abilities.  And there are things we can do now that
he can't.  We'll want to impart those capabilities to him as well.  I'll
explain it all to you.  But let's do like Mrs. Scheinburg suggested and
take these things one at a time.  Do you think it would be all right if Ari
spent time out at our base each weekday afternoon?  Like I said, it won't
interfere with his studies.  Very soon, Ari will be able to master a great
deal of academic material, even very advanced studies, very quickly and
easily."

"I can drop him off after school."

"For now that will be fine, Cantor Cohen.  But, very soon, he won't need
you to do that.  He'll be able to make his way out there on his own..."

"You mean on foot?"

"Yes, sir.  Faster than you could drive him there.  A LOT faster.  And you
won't have to worry about him.  A ten year old out on the roads by himself
is something no parent would allow under normal circumstances.  But nobody
could hope to catch Ari.  And even if they did, it would be too bad for
them.  He'd make short work of anyone who tried to mess with him.  Your
notions of what he needs will soon hafta go by the boards.  For one thing,
he'll need very little sleep.  Once he gets done with his 'adjustments,' no
more than half an hour to an hour a night.  And he'll be able to go for
days with no sleep at all if he needs to.  I know that will be hard for you
to accept.  It just goes against parental instincts.  But maybe you should
meet with Danny's parents.  Danny's been like this since he was a baby.
They'll help you to understand.  I know they will...  And Ari will need to
eat.  He'll need to eat like an army.  And he'll need diet supplements.
Danny has explained your dietary strictures to me.  But we can get Ari what
he needs.  Just leave that to me."

Danny nodded.  "And there's one thing Ari won't forget.  You're still his
parents.  You're still the boss in this house, Cantor Cohen...  Right Ari?"

Ari nodded.  It hadn't occurred to him to question that.

Danny caught Ari's expression.  "Well, Ari, all this is still new to you.
But you'll wanna remember this conversation once you can lift a full size
car over yer head like it was nuthin' but a tin of sardines....  or lob a
softball into orbit.  Yer really gonna NEED your parents, Ari.  Now more
than ever.  Don't loose sight of that like I did with my folks.  You'll
spare yourself and them a lotta hurt an' heartache in the long run if
you'll just hold onto that.  Hey, dude, it's still OK to need your mom'n
dad and depend on them, even when you're strong as a nuclear dynamo.  And
you got us, Ari...  And you got Miriam...  Don't ever feel like you're
alone, man.  Cuz we'll all be here for yah."

Ari nodded again.  "I'll do the best I can by all of you.  I know I gotta
lot to learn.  Just be patient with me if I turn out to be a little bit of
a slow learner.  Hey, I'm only a ten year old kid."

Salas nodded.  "We'll see you tomorrow, Ari.  Don't worry son.  We'll help
you get through all this..."

Salas gave driving directions out to the base to Cantor Cohen.  Then he,
Danny and Andy excused themselves and left.

As the Scheinburgs were leaving, Ari took Miriam aside.  "Nothing changes
between us, OK, Miriam?  I really need to know that.  I need to hear you
say that to me..."

"No, Ari, of course not!  I'm the one who told you to go ahead with this.
Remember?  I'll stand by you, Ari.  I won't let you down."

Ari nodded gravely.  "Thanks, Miriam.  I needed to hear you say those
words."


------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Maxim returned to the hangar after about three hours locked away in his
quarters.  He found Roy, alone busily pounding away on the keyboard of his
notebook computer.

"I see you are already hard at work, my friend.  I am ready to bear a hand
now..."

"Well, I have listed everything I can think of for our materiel
requisition.  But I will need you to check it over to make sure there is
nothing I have missed..."

Roy didn't want to press Maxim for his decision so he bit his tongue.

Maxim smiled.  "I know what you are thinking, Roy...  You are wondering
what I have decided."

Roy laughed.  "One does not need to be a mind reader to know that,
Maxim..."

"Well, I have decided to agree, of course.  Alexi wants this for me very
badly.  He has never said so before, but I have known the he has wanted
this all along, even though until now, such were not possible...  He has
wanted this not because he feels that, as a normal, I am deficient.  He has
made that clear enough.  But he has wanted me to share this with him and
the rest of the men.  He always felt badly for me that I was excluded from
certain things he and his men can do.  Even though this has never bothered
ME at all.  But I owe him some gratification if this will do it for him.
He took me in when I was orphaned and been like a father to me.  I will do
what he wants."

"But, Maxim, Alexi only wants this for you if you want it for yourself...
He would not permit you to proceed if this were not what YOU wanted."

Maxim smiled.  "No, of course not.  As for me, I will adapt, as you have.
It will be hard, but it is not impossible.  Alexi and his men have dealt
with this since they were children.  And now I am a mature adult.  How can
I refuse?  If this will make Alexi happy, I will cooperate and let him do
it."

"But, Maxim, that's not the point.  Alexi wants you to want it for
YOURSELF, not for him..."

"But, Roy.  What is the difference?  If I can do something, ANYTHING for
Alexi, it is the same as doing it for myself.  There is no difference.  I
only want Alexi to be proud of me.  If this will help me accomplish that,
it WILL be for me."

"Maxim, you love that man, do you not?"

"Yes, Roy... more than my own life...  as though he were my father...
which, for all intents and purposes he has become for me.  And if, in this
small way, I can repay him for all he has done for me, with very little
thanks I have given him so far in return, well, it is, after all, a very
small thing.  Let us find Alexi and give him the news."

They found Alexi in his Spartan office.  He looked up a little
apprehensively.  Maxim spoke.  "I have decided to accept your gift, Alexi.
I am ready to proceed..."

Alexi rose from his chair and looked into Maxim's eyes.  "Are you
absolutely sure, Maxim.  You must be sure, because once it has been done,
there can be no turning back..."

"Yes, Alexi Iurevich.  I am absolutely sure.  And I thank you for your
faith in me.  I will do all I can to make you glad of your decision to
bring me into this..."

Alexi stepped around his desk and embraced Maxim.  "You have made my very
happy Maxim.  But I would have accepted your decision either way... "
Alexi looked down and then back up at Maxim.  "No.  That is not true.  I
would NEVER have forced you.  But I would never have accepted 'no' for an
answer.  I would have worn you down.  I could not have peace if I withheld
this gift from you.  I would never have given up trying to persuade you."

Maxim smiled.  "This I know all too well.  But now such will not be
necessary.  I will cooperate and receive the gift whenever you are ready,
Alexi."

"Then I must link our minds, Maxim.  Do not be afraid.  It will be a very
different experience for you, but you will get used to it."

"Very well.  I am ready."

Alexi entered Maxim's mind.  "Can you hear me in your mind, Maxim?"

Maxim answered verbally.  "Yes, Alexi.  I can hear you inside my head."

"It is not necessary to answer with your voice, Maxim.  Just think your
answers in your mind.  I will hear you.  Practice that with me now."

"Maxim 'though' to Alexi. "Can you 'hear' me now?"

Alexi replied through the mind link, "Yes, Maxim, I hear you perfectly.
Now I will withdraw, but I will keep the 'mind link' in a 'standby' mode.
If you wish to communicate with me, simply 'call out to me' with your mind
and I will answer.  It may take some days, but you will receive all our
strength and this mental communication ability as well.  Then, together, we
will develop your strength and your speed and your agility.  And then you
and Roy will go to America to build our airplanes."

"And who will do my work while I am gone?"

"Jakov will fill in for you.  With your mind you will teach him all you
know.  He will manage while you are away."

Alexi could not resist.  He embraced Maxim again.  "I am so happy you have
made this choice.  You have done the right thing."

"I will do my best to vindicate your decision to share this with me, Alexi.
I will not fail you."

"I know you will not, Maxim.  I have always had faith in you...  always..."

And now, Roy, my `standby' `mind link.'  It will not interfere with your
`mind link' with Alexi?"

"No, Alexi.  I can link with him and exchange information with him.  You
can go `active' anytime you want or just remain on `standby.'  That won't
affect Maxim and me at all."

Roy linked with Maxim and they exchanged information.  Maxim was, of
course, able to keep up with Roy's now super fast mind.  Within minutes,
they had planned a preliminary strategy for design and construction of
their prototype aircraft.  First, they would crawl over both the Harrier
and the YaK.  They would pour over the harrier NATOPS (the aircraft
operating manual) and the YaK operations manual.  Then they would attack
the maintenance documentation for both aircraft.  They would disassemble
both aircraft and study the components first hand.  Finally, they would
reassemble the two aircraft and begin to flesh out plans for their hybrid.
The hybrid would be powered by Russian engines.  Unlike the harrier, the
YaK-141 does not employ "vectored thrust" from the propulsion engine.
Instead, the YaK is fitted with a propulsion power plant and a separate
lifting engine.  But on the new aircraft, there would be not one but two
propulsion engines.  These would be modified for vectored thrust.  And the
lifting engine would be modified to enable it to double as an auxiliary
propulsion engine.  The new aircraft would be able to remain airborne in
level flight or in a hover using any one of it's three engines or any
combination of two.  The propulsion engines would be uprated to afford
nearly double their normal thrust.  But the fuel control would be metered
by an onboard computer to allow selection from optimum thrust to maximum
fuel economy.  And since the new aircraft could cruise single engine, max
range would far exceed either the harrier or the YaK. This aircraft would
be faster, have greater range and payload and be far more agile than either
of its `progenitors.'

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tuesday (the sixth)

Scotty, Danny, Billy and Andy arrived at the base right at 1400.  Salas,
Cole, Robbie, Hernandez, Nguyen and LeBlanc were already waiting in the
conference room.

Salas nodded to the college boys.  "OK, guys, have a seat.  Cantor Cohen
should be out here with Ari on about an hour and a half.  We'll take Ari
into the new training facility and see how fast we can get him up to speed.
And I think it would be a good idea if we installed a similar facility over
at the shop.  I still want us to do be able to do most of this stuff over
there as well as here..."

Billy asked.  "How far along is Ari right now?"

Danny answered.  "Not too bad for as little time as I've had with him.
He's already stronger than any normal man.  But he's only had about an hour
in the old weight room at the shop.  He went through those weights about
like a hot knife through butter.  And you saw that I-beam he mangled.  With
you, Billy, we had whole days, six days a week for nearly a month.  All
we've got with Ari are a few hours each weekday evening and no Saturdays.
But I'd be willing to give up my Sunday afternoons to work with him.  I'm
hopin' his schedule can change some.  Once this thing really starts rollin'
for him, I doubt his school situation will stay the same.  Maybe we can get
him into Cal Tech.  Even though he's only ten, he should be able to hack
under grad, no sweat.  If we can get him morning classes, then he could
just come on out to the base with us.  That'd give him a good hour and a
half more with us each week day."

Andy asked, "Well, do we have any idea how strong Ari can get?  We don't
really know where he falls on the scale, do we?"

Danny shook his head.  "No idea.  But once we start mind linking with him,
it'll all be moot.  Ari might wind up stronger than any of us.  Or maybe he
might not even be as strong as Salas and Cole were before we got the mind
linking and everybody came up to the highest level among all of us.  So,
hey, we may NEVER know where he might've wound up without that."

Salas said.  "Well, for as little as he's done so far, he's awfully strong.
What he did to that I-beam at his parents' house yesterday...  well, it
sure knocked me for a loop.  I've lived with this all my life, but it's
still kind of a shock to see a ten year old kid do something like that."

At 1530, Cantor Cohen drove up with Ari.  Salas and Danny went out to meet
them as they got out of the car.  Salas greeted them.  "Hello Cantor
Cohen...  Thanks for bringing Ari.  We'll take good care of him, sir...
and we'll get him all the way to where he was meant to be...."

"Thank YOU, Salas.  Thank you for what you and your friends are doing for
my boy.  I'll leave him with you.  What time shall I return to pick him
up.?"

Salas smiled.  "No need for that, sir.  I'll drive Ari home.  And, if you'd
like, I can arrange for one of us to pick him up from school tomorrow.  All
I'd need from you is to let Ari's school know it's OK for him to come with
one of us.  This won't be necessary for very long.  Like I said yesterday,
very soon, Ari will be able to make his way out here on his own.  And one
of us will drive him home when we're done.  We'll try to have him home
every day by supper time."

Cantor Cohen addressed his son.  "All right, son.  You go with Detective
Salas and Danny and do your best.  They're going to go all out for you.  So
I'm depending on you to go all out for them, too.  Just do what they tell
you and try your best."

Ari nodded.  "I sure will, dad."

Salas led Ari and Danny inside.  Salas asked Ari.  "Did you bring your
school work?"

"Yes sir.  I got my books right here."

"OK, Danny, you take Ari into the conference room.  Lets get him started
tapping into his mental abilities.  Ari, I want you done with your school
work in ten minutes, by the clock...  Might take you and Danny a half an
hour to get you up to speed, but then, when he thinks you're ready, you'll
do your homework on your own. And you'll have it done in minutes.  Ten at
the most I'd think."

Ari laughed.  "Well, you don't know how they load us down at Brith Shalom.
I was figurin' on pullin' an all nighter once I got home."

Danny said, "Naw, Ari.  We'll get this done in a snap.  Just come with me.
I'll teach you to speed read in about two minutes.  You'll get the hang of
it."

Danny was right.  Ari had his homework done in less than three minutes.
"Wow!  That was weird.  I wonder why I never figured out how to do that on
my own...  That really bothers me.  That I've had this all along and never
figured it out for myself.  I'm such a dunce.  You tapped into all this all
by yourself, huh, Danny."

Danny reached over and took Ari's hand.  "Don't say that, Ari.  Don't beat
yourself up over that.  I got this on my own.  But, Ari, when I was your
age, in fact, until only last July, I was thirteen goin' on about six.  The
things I did with what I have I'm ashamed to tell you.  Sure, I had all
this.  But it was eatin' me alive and turnin' me into a monster.  If it
weren't for these guys, there's no tellin' how I might've wound up..."

"...Ari, Miriam told me what you said when she told you about what I did at
the mall last July...  how you said that I was all hurt and confused and
that you hoped I'd find my way and that you and Miriam should pray for
me....  Well, Ari, I wish I'd had that kind of maturity and human
compassion when I was ten.  I'm not sure I've got what you have even now...
So if yah wanna compare yourself to me...  well, please don't.  Cuz I don't
come out so well on that score."

"Well, Danny, the only thing I've seen in you is a super hero.  When you
spoke to us up there on the Matterhorn, you were just so...  I dunno...
it's just that you made us all know everything was gonna be OK.  I knew
right then that I wanted to be like you...  not so much with all you could
do with the physical stuff.  I sure never thought that could happen to
me...  but the other...  how you said everything was gonna be OK and how
you told Miriam we all needed her to be brave...  It was like you were a
grownup talkin' to us that way.  And you're not all that much older than
me...  But you sure act a lot older than you really are..."

"Well, Ari, I guess sometimes yah just hafta rise to the moment.  But, hey,
it's great that you're here now.  Cuz sometimes it gets kinda old havin' to
be `grown up' all the time.  I can't wait to get us off by ourselves so we
can just act like a couple of kids with all this...  Nothing bad or
mischievous, but I'll bet you an' me can find some neat ways to just have
some good harmless fun with what we can do."

Ari grinned.  "Yeah!  I can't wait for you to show me how to lob a softball
into orbit!  I really wanna do that.  You really did that?"

"Yeah, Ari.  Sure.  And so will you.  It's easy..."

Danny lit up.  "Oh, by the way, Ari.  You mentioned something about music.
Do you play?"

"Yeah, I play classical.  We don't use musical instruments in our religious
services.  Everything's acapella.  But, sure, I play classical piano and
violin.  I don't know any of the modern stuff though.  I don't know guitar
or anything like that."

"Well, I've been known to do classical.  Mebbe we can play together.  I'm
pretty fair on a keyboard and the violin, too.  And if you wanna learn
guitar, it'll take you all of about two seconds to learn.  I'm glad we got
another musician in the group.  We got a few of us who're pretty good.  And
we don't get to do near enough of that.  I love music, Ari.  All kinds.
And I'm glad you do too!"

"Well, I'm open to whatever.  My dad doesn't much approve of rock...  Says
it's degenerate.  I know that sounds close minded.  But he backs up what he
says with some strong arguments.  He thinks classical is about the best
music there is.  It's geometric and systematic.  He calls it `a rigorous
investigation of intervals in the audial range of the electromagnetic
spectrum.'  Dad doesn't believe in `art for art's sake.'  He says if it
doesn't competently reflect the beauty of creation and if it doesn't uplift
the soul, it's `ugly,' by definition."

Danny grinned.  "Well, I don't know that I agree, Ari.  But it sounds like
your dad's given it a lotta thought.  I'd sure be a fool not to listen to
his arguments.  But, hey, I think music's good for all kindsa things.  And
one of `em's just havin' fun.  I'm all for the hi-brow stuff.  I do like
classical best.  But I can relate to all kinds'a music..."

"Well, Danny, maybe you can teach me guitar.  I'd sure be willing to give
it a try..."

Salas walked into the conference room.  "Well, Ari, you about done with
your homework."

"Yes sir.  All done.  Danny showed me how to blow through it in nothin'
flat."

"Good!  OK, guys.  Let's get on over to the training facility.  We're gonna
work you really hard, Ari.  You'll hafta get used to a new kinda pain.  But
it'll grow on yah..."

Ari and Danny followed Salas to the new gym.  The other guys were hard at
work training their muscles on the new mechanical contraptions they had
devised.  Heavy steel frames with high test cables attached to stacks of
crushed automobiles enabled them to isolate their muscles for a balanced
workout.  Salas turned around to the boys and spoke.  "Danny, you work with
Ari and track his progress..."

Danny led Ari to the dressing room.  He stripped off his street clothes as
Ari turned away, his face deep scarlet...  "C'mon, Ari.  Get a move on.  We
gotta get out onto the floor an' get started!"

Ari wouldn't look at Danny and he made no move to undress.

"What's wrong, Ari?"

Ari asked.  "Don't they have someplace private where I can change?  I can't
do that here, in front of you..."

"Why not, Ari?  It's just a couple'a us guys gettin' changed for a workout.
Guys do this in workout gyms all the time.  Nuthin' to it."

Ari quickly pulled off his street clothes with his back turned to Danny and
started to pull on his workout clothing.  Danny stopped him and turned him
around.  "Ari, you should never be ashamed of your body.  You are a very
beautiful boy.  Hasn't anyone ever told you that before?"

Ari quickly pulled on his workout gear and then he replied.  "Well, only
Miriam.  But she's never seen me without my clothes on, Danny.  Never!
Nobody but my mom'n dad...  and even them only when I was little..."

"Well, what about at school.  You said you played sports.  You never
changed in front of a bunch of guys before, Ari?"

"Oh no.  We have private dressing stalls at school.  I've never seen
another boy with no clothes on before...  Never."

Danny smiled.  "Well, Ari, I can see you've lived a sheltered life.  Yer
gonna hafta get over that with these guys.  They'll raz the heck outta yah
if you let `em know that bothers you...  And, b'sides, before it gets too
late in the season, you'n me are gonna hafta go down to the beach.  An'
what I wear down there..  well, hey, it's darn near next tah nuthin.  The
minimum I can get away with.  And I won't let you get away with much more
than that, Ari.  I wanna take you down there an' show you off. Cuz, man,
you're lookin' really great.  It's almost a sin to keep what you got
covered up."

Ari nodded, not so much in agreement with what Danny had said as that he
just wanted to get this little chat over with.  He said to Danny.  "OK, I'm
all set.  Guess it's time to go out there an' face the music."

Ari's progress was very much like Billy's had been...  nothing short of
phenomenal.  Danny led him through all the workout stations.  It was
evident by the end of the day that Ari was nearly on a par with Danny!  And
he was three years Danny's junior.  "Wow, Ari.  You're nearly as strong as
I am now!  I'm beginning to think you may outclass all of us before we're
done with you.  "C'mon dude, take your shirt off.  I wanna see those
muscles churn while you do these last sets."

"Aw, Danny, I dunno.  In front of all these other guys?  They'll think I'm
some kinda showoff.  I'm not as strong as any of you.  And I'm just a ten
year old kid.  I don't think so..."

Danny persisted.  "OK, Ari.  I'll pull my shirt off and then you won't be
shirtless all by yourself.  "C'mon I want the guys to see this..."

Danny pulled his shirt off and then so did Ari.  Danny led him over to the
military press rack.  Danny led off military pressing the equivalent of
twenty automobiles for reps with ease.  He wore nothing on his beautifully
sculpted upper body but a light patina of sweat.  Then it was Ari's turn.
His olive complexioned upper body, chiseled to perfection, gleamed with a
light `dusting' of perspiration as he did his reps.  By the time he was
finished, the other guys had gathered around calling out words of
encouragement to him.  They could see Ari's muscles growing before their
eyes as he continued his last set.  Finally, he lowered the weight and
looked at Danny.  His shoulders were incredibly broad, his lats flared
unbelievably.  His arms had grown to an incredible sixteen inches.  His
chest had swollen.  His nipples pointed down at a forty-five degree angle.
This looked so incongruous on this young frame.  With his handsome face,
topped by a mop of wavy black hair, capped by his black kipa, he looked
like a young Davidic warrior hero.  All of the men had fallen silent.  They
were hypnotized by Ari's incredible power and his sublime, innocent young
masculine beauty.  Ari looked back at them and smiled shyly...  "What?"

Danny shook his head.  "Hey, don't mind us, Ari.  It's just that you've
come so far so fast.  It's not every day that we see a ten year old givin'
us all a run for our money.  I think you're gonna wind up stronger than any
of us...  A LOT stronger...  Hey, Salas, I KNOW he could lift your car by
now."

Salas asked Ari. "Yah wanna give that a try, son?  Yah wanna see if you can
do that?"

Ari giggled.  "Yeah, right.  Like I'm gonna LIFT your police car.  Nobody
can do that..."

Danny jumped in.  "Well, Ari, you've already lifted a LOT more than that.
These weights you've been `schleppin' are compacted junk cars.  And you've
been liftin' a whole stack of `em.  Salas car'll be nuthin' fer you."

Salas left the training facility and trotted over to the admin building.
He drove his car to the entrance of the new gym and called everyone
outside.  "OK, Danny, show Ari how it's done."

Danny did.  Then he turned to Ari.  "OK, dude.  Your turn.  C'mon over here
and do yer stuff."

Ari lifted Salas' car and did 110 reps.  It wasn't even much of a strain.
Since he'd lifted so much more in the training facility.  The supermen were
in awe.  This ten year old boy had mastered a lift that only a few short
weeks before would've been impossible for some of them and a grueling test
for any of them but Danny.  But the bar had since been raised for all of
them.  And now here was this ten year old, raising the bar for all of them
all over again!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Danny rode with Salas and Ari.  He beamed with pride over Ari's progress.
"Dude, you did fantastic!  Man am I glad we found you!"

Salas agreed.  "Ari, we're all very proud of you.  You put your heart into
this today and all the guys saw it.  And this is only the beginning.  I
think Danny may be right.  You know, not all of us are gifted at the same
level.  Danny was naturally far more gifted, far stronger than Cole or me.
Things have happened since that have brought us more or less on the same
level with each other.  And tomorrow, we'll demonstrate that for you.  And
I think it'll be YOU, Ari, who'll wind up bringing US up to your level."

Ari replied.  "Well, Detective Salas..."

"No, Ari.  Just call me `Salas.'  We're a Marine Corps base, so if military
VIP's ever show up, I'd appreciate it if you could remember to all me
`Major Salas.'  And you'll learn all the military titles of the other guys.
But when it's just us, we go by first or last names only.  So, hey, I'm
just `Salas.'  OK?"

"Uh, yes sir, uh, `Salas.'"

"Anyway, Salas, I was just gonna say, I don't see how *I* could be stronger
than any of you guys.  Hey, I just got started in this and I'm only a ten
year old kid.  I don't see how that's possible."

Salas laughed.  "Well, when we first met Danny, he was barely twelve.  And
he made short work of Cole in a little tussle they had.  It's just that
Danny was far more gifted than Cole or me.  And it's starting to look like
your gifting may be even greater than Danny's or Billy's.  They were the
two most naturally gifted among us.  And, Billy was just like you.  He's
had some idea of his super strength since he was about twelve.  But until
he met us, he hadn't even begun to realize his full potential."

Ari asked.  "Well, what made you guys more equal?  How did that happen?"

"We'll get into that tomorrow, Ari.  And I want you to understand, it won't
be a just a one way street.  If you really ARE the strongest, you'll bring
us all up to your level, eventually.  But you'll receive a gifting in
return that is, in some ways, far more phenomenal than your physical
strength, speed or agility."

Ari asked, "Oh, you mean that `mind thing?'

Salas asked, "You KNOW about that, Ari?"

Danny answered.  "I linked Ari and Miriam up with me when we were at the
shop.  I did the grenade thing with `em."

"So, little man, you cracked my safe and just helped yerself to my stash?"

Danny sighed.  "Yeah, Salas.  And I'm sorry.  I know I shouldnt've.  I
guess I just got carried away...  again."

Salas just shook his head.  "Young man...  Young man..."

He didn't press it, though.  He knew very well that Danny was perfectly
capable of handling a live grenade.  If he weren't he'd never have let
Danny try it in the first place.  But even SALAS, as a superman sometimes
had trouble remembering, the normal rules just don't apply to a boy like
Danny.

Danny turned to Ari.  "I just wish there was some way we could we could
include Miriam in all this."

Ari nodded.  "Yeah, Danny, me too.  I wouldn't even BE here if it weren't
for her...  Since she's the one who arranged for us to meet in the first
place.  I hate it that she's gettin' left out.  I wish there were some way
I could share some of this with her."

Danny smiled.  "Ari, yer one lucky dude.  I told Miriam that, already.
You'll be sharin' yer whole lives together.  When she first told me you two
would be married some day and that it was one of those `arranged' kinda
things, I sorta felt sorry for both of you.  But boy was *I* wrong.  I
think you guys are two of the luckiest people I know.  I wish my folks
could find me someone like Miriam.  I'd love to be looking forward to the
kinda life you're gonna have with each other..."

"Well, Danny, Miriam and I have had a long time to get to know each other.
I hear all these stories about `love at first sight,' and maybe it's true.
But our way just works so well for us.  It worked for my parents and for
Miriam's.  We LEARN to love each other...  and depend on each other...
I've never known what it's like to be without her.  When the time comes and
we get married, It'll just be the next step in our lives, but we already
know each other almost as well as we know ourselves.  In fact, I don't
think either of us really sees ourselves as separate people.  It's almost
like we're already two halves of one person..."  Ari laughed at himself.
"I KNOW that sounds crazy, Danny.  Hey, I'm just a kid.  But I don't live
under a rock.  I know how this stuff is supposed to work.  It's just that
what Miriam and I have...  and what we're gonna have between us someday...
it's not just some physical thing.  Heck, I'm only ten!  I'm not even THERE
with that kinda stuff yet.  But, already, I love Miriam with all my heart
and soul.  And I already love the kids we're gonna have together someday...
the new lives we'll bring into this world together.  The HOME we'll build
together.  Like the homes we grew up in.  Yeah, Danny, Miriam and I live in
a very structured and maybe a very sheltered world.  But it's a world where
we know our place, know where we're going and most of all, we just KNOW
we're loved.  I can't even begin to fathom what kids all over this town
with broken homes and no safety or security or even a roof over their heads
must be going through.  But I think about those kids a lot.  And it breaks
my heart.  But, Danny, besides being a cantor someday and now this, I'd
give anything if I could do something about those kids.  I don't even know
where to begin, but I'll find out.  And, someday, Danny, some DAY, I'm
gonna find a way to DO something for kids like that...  After all, there's
more than one way to save a life."

Salas and Danny just looked at each other.  Finally, Danny murmured.
"Miriam was right about you, Ari. You have a beautiful soul."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Wednesday (the sixth)

Maxim and Roy had nearly all of their prelim work done on the new aircraft
and completed the final draft of their requisition list.  A "Dalnaya
Aviatsiya" (Long Range Aviation - the airlift component of the Russian Air
Forces) IL-76 cargo jet would arrive at the base tomorrow, loaded with
their materiel.  It would fly Maxim, Roy and their materiel to the super
guy's base in Orange County.  Alexi had decided there was no need to delay
their departure.  Roy could maintain a `standby' `mind link' with Maxim and
the gifts would be imparted to Maxim soon enough.  Roy and Maxim would both
need Maxim to BE a superman to bring off their aircraft prototype project.
They would use components provided by the Russians and the Americans, but
most of these, they would be obliged to modify substantially and they would
need to fabricate over fifty percent of the new airframe themselves, with
their bare hands and only the most rudimentary of tools.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Salas arrived at the base with Ari and Miriam.  Scotty, Danny, Billy and
Andy were already there and waiting with the other guys in the conference
room.  Danny brightened as soon as they entered the room.  "Ari!  Yah
brought Miriam!  Awesome!"

Salas smiled.  "Ari insisted.  He already had it set up with her parents
and the school He's about like you, Danny, or Roy!  He's a slick little
operator."

Miriam went over and hugged Danny.  "This was YOUR idea.  Ari told me.
It's so sweet of you to wanna include me.  I don't know there's not much I
can DO, but, hey, it'll sure be fun to watch you guys doin' yer stuff."

Danny exclaimed, "Man!  I can't believe this.  I'm sure glad I met up with
you two!"

Salas said, "Ari, there's the `mind linking' we talked about yesterday.
Andy was the first.  He can `link' our minds.  As you know, we can
communicate with each other mentally, without speaking.  And we've all
acquired that ability from Andy.  And you'll get it, too.  And, somehow,
we're not exactly sure HOW it works, our strength and speed and agility
have spread to those of us who weren't born with it.  It doesn't happen
right away, but after repeated exposure to the `mind linking,' well, that's
how it's worked so far..."

Ari shook his head.  "I'm not sure I follow, Salas.  You're saying some of
these guys weren't born this way?  They didn't even have the potential?"

Salas nodded.  "That's right, Ari.  Even Andy didn't have the super
strength and other abilities...  only the `mind linking.'  But eventually,
his mind linking spread to all of us and he got our abilities.  The only
ones of us who were born with any of this are Danny, Cole, Billy and me...
and Andy with the 'mind linking.'  The rest of these guys were born
completely normal.  We want to give you the `mind linking,' Ari.  Like I
said, it won't happen for you right away.  But within a few days, you
should have it on your own."

Ari asked.  "And that lets you pass along all this other stuff, too?"

Salas nodded again.

"Well, could we give this to Miriam?  We could make HER like us, too!  Then
she could be just like the rest of us!"

Salas caught his breath.  He hadn't even THOUGHT about Ari's going there.

"Uh, well, Ari...  uh..."

"But, Salas, you just said it's possible.  Miriam's everything to me.  I
don't wanna keep this just for myself.  I wanna share it with her, too..."

Miriam saw Salas' discomfort and immediately came to his rescue.

"No, Ari...  NO!  I won't let that happen to me.  I'm so glad this has
happened for you.  But I don't want it for myself.  You know me, Ari.  I
just wanna grow up and be a good wife for you and a good mother for our
children.  How can I be a good wife and mother if I'm goin' all over the
place with you guys doin' all this super stuff?  And if I had everything
you and these men have, how could I stay home?  I'd be obligated, just like
you'll be.  I know you're gonna hafta be away from home, Ari, a lot of the
time.  But one of us has got to stay behind...  Not now, maybe, but ten
years from now.  We've gotta think of our future and the kids we'll have
some day.  So, really, I don't mind just watchin' you guys do yer stuff.
Just be my hero, Ari...  like you've always been.  That's more than enough
for me."

Salas had eye contact with Miriam.  Neither he nor she said anything, but
they didn't have to.  Salas thought to himself.  "That's twice this little
lady has come to my rescue...  Ari really is a very lucky young man.  This
little girl has such a quick mind and a good heart.  God are their kids
gonna be lucky to have these two for parents!"

Ari said to Miriam.  "Well, Miriam, you just say the word and I'll give you
anything I have.  That's all you gotta do...  You just say the word and
everything I have is yours..."

"I know that.  But all I want from you is to do your best with these guys.
And I wanna see it. I wanna see it all.  I'm so proud of you.  You know
that, don'tcha Ari?"

Salas couldn't contain himself.  "Miriam.  We're all proud of Ari.  But,
we're all just as proud as we can be of you, too.  You did fantastic the
other day on television, coverin' for us like you did.  You're one sharp
little lady.  Your mom'n dad did a real number on you the way they raised
you."

Miriam smiled sweetly at Salas and the man just melted.  Very soon, she'd
have all these supermen wrapped around her little finger, like she'd always
had Ari and now Danny and Salas.  She didn't NEED to be a superwoman.  Not
with all these super guys around.

Salas spoke to Ari.  "Well, young man.  Are you ready to try the `mind
link?'"

"Yes sir.  I am if you are."

Salas slipped into Ari's mind.  "Can you `hear me, Ari?"

"Yes, sir.  Just like you were talkin' with your voice."

Salas linked with Danny.  "Now, Ari, try to communicate with Danny.  I've
got him linked up with us...

"Danny.  This is Ari.  Can you `hear' me?"

"Yeah, Ari.  I `hear' you just fine."

Salas spoke over the link.  "OK.  Now I'm gonna break my link.  Danny, I
want YOU to establish a `standby link' with Ari and keep it active around
the clock.  Think you can do that?"

"Sure thing, Salas.  I'll set mine up with Ari as soon as you break off."

Salas lead the group to the new workout facility where all the guys put on
a show for Miriam.  By the end of the day, Ari had caught up with Danny.
He was actually a little bit stronger than Andy.  And it was clear that he
would soon surpass all the super guys.  He would be he strongest, at least
until, through the 'mind link,' he brought the rest of the group up to his
genetic level.  The end result of Ari's entry into the group would be that
they'd all be stronger than any of them had ever been.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Salas had dropped Danny, Ari and Miriam off and driven home.  Scotty had
beat him home and already started supper.  He smiled at Salas as he walked
into the kitchen.  Salas shook his head.  "I dunno, Scotty.  Someday I
think I'm gonna write a book.  I still can't believe everything that's
happened since I first met you and Danny.  It's like I told Alexi.  I gotta
keep pinchin' myself cuz I'm so scared that I'm gonna wake up and find out
this was all a dream."

Scotty nodded.  "Yeah, Salas.  That lil guy Ari's somethin' else!  What a
sweet lil guy.  And, Miriam.  Damn!  I know what Danny means.  God, if only
she was just a little bit older.  Ari's sure made out like a lil' bandit.
And to think his folks and hers ARRANGED their marriage.  I take back
everything I ever said or thought about arranged marriages.  Cuz I think
theirs must've been arranged in HEAVEN or something.  I can't wait till
they get married an' have kids!  Cuz those'll be some gorgeous lil' babies.
I think all the guys'll wind up spoilin' the hell out of `em."

Salas chuckled.  "Well, Scotty, that's a ways off yet.  First we gotta get
YOU married off.  Cuz, like I said, I wanna start off spoilin' YOUR kids.
Yah know, Scotty, yah don't hafta stay home with ME every night.  Why don't
you get out and circulate a little bit.  I seem to remember you were quite
the Romeo before you got into all of this.  And yer sure not gonna find
yourself a bride if you don't get out a lil' more."

Scotty grinned.  "Well, I might say the same about you, Salas.  You're not
gettin' any younger.  Why don't YOU get out and meet some of the ladies?"

A pained expression crossed Salas' face.  He tried to hide it, but Scotty's
lightening fast senses couldn't be fooled.  Scotty asked.  "What's wrong,
Salas?  Did I say something wrong?"

Salas tried to cover up.  "Naw, Scotty.  Not at all..."

"Well, Salas, SOMETHIN"S wrong.  I saw that look.  What is it?  What'd I
say?"

Salas shook his head.  "No, Scotty, nothin's wrong.  Nothin' at all."

Scotty looked skeptical.  "Well, I don't buy it, Salas.  If you don't wanna
talk about it, that's up to you.  But if I said somethin' that hurt your
feelings, I'm sorry.  I sure didn't mean to."

"Aw, Scotty, don't think that.  You didnt' say anything wrong at all.  It's
just that..."

"What, Salas?  What is it?"

Salas sighed.  "Well, Scotty, I've never told this to anybody.  Not even
Cole.  And we've known each other for years.  But I guess I don't have any
right keepin' secrets from you.  And this has been a very deep dark secret.
But I guess I oughta tell somebody.  And you're about the closest person in
the world to me, so I guess if yer willin' to listen, I'll unload on yah."

Scotty said, "Well, sure, Salas.  And I promise, none of this gets out.
Nothing goes beyond these four walls.  But lemme get our dinner on the
table.  Then you can lemme have it."

As they sat and ate, Salas explained.  "Scotty, there's a REASON I'm not
married.  Actually, as a young man, I WAS married.  I met a girl.  We fell
in love, got married.  We both agreed we wanted a house full of kids.  And
we tried.  For two years we tried and tried and nuthin'.  Finally,
Isabella, that's her name, went to an OBGYN to get help.  Well, it turned
out they couldn't find anything wrong with her.  Nothin' wrong at all.  So
her doctor suggested *I* go in for tests.  And I did.  Well, the problem
was with me.  Scotty, the thing is, I can't father kids.  I never knew it,
but all the while, I was just firin' `blanks.'  There's NO chance I can
ever be a father.  At least not a natural father.  Well, Isabella wanted
kids... kids of her own.  She wouldn't consider adoption.  The marriage
fell apart and, finally, she asked me for an annulment.  Not a divorce,
mind you...  an ANNULMENT!  Well, what else could I do?  I gave it to her
and that was that.  I'm damaged goods, Scotty.  I'm just not a `man' that
way."

"Aw, Salas.  That's not what makes a man a man!  My God, how can you SAY
that?  It takes a hell of a lot more than bein' able to father kids to make
you a man.  And as far as bin' a `father,' well, if it weren't for you, I
wouldn't even know the meaning of the word!  You're the only real `FATHER'
I've ever had.  Besides, there's plenty of women who'd love to have you as
a husband.  And you could always adopt.  Plenty of ladies'd go for that.
And there's kids all over this world who need a mom and dad.  That's sure
as hell what I'd do if I couldn't have kids...  And yah know, Salas, until
you took me in off the street, I'd ever thought about that much.  But I
think I'd adopt at least one kid even if I CAN have children of my own.
There's just way too many children out there who need a good home.  And
after what you've done for me, that's somethin' I really I think wanna do
someday."

Salas smiled sadly.  "You're right, of course.  And I've thought about it
some.  But, hey, there's way too much water over the dam.  I'm just too old
to think about starting a family now.  And now that I've got you, Scotty, I
guess I don't really need to..."

"Well, Salas, that's not all there is to marriage.  There's plenty of
ladies out there who wouldn't even wanna have kids.  You don't hafta spend
the rest of your life alone.  Hey, man, you're a great lookin' guy and
you're still young.  Most of the ladies in this town'd fall all over
themselves just to have a date with you.  You could damn near take your
pick."

Salas chuckled.  "Yeah, Scotty.  Maybe so.  But, hey, now I got you.  And
I've got the rest of the guys and I guess I just sorta lost interest in all
that somewhere along the way...  Don't worry about me, boy.  I struck out
in the marriage department, maybe.  But now I've got you and I've got the
rest of the guys.  I've never been happier.  We all suffer disappointments
in life, Scotty, but all in all, I'm really happy the way my life turned
out.  I've missed out on some things, sure.  But I wouldn't trade what I
have with anybody on earth.  I really am very happy the way things are.
And, Scott, having you here with me has meant more than I ever dreamed it
would.  You just don't know what it means to me NOT to come home to an
empty house.  You've given me so much more than I've ever given you."

Scotty shook his head.  "Salas, that's not true.  You've given me a HOME.
Something I never really HAD before.  You've shown me what it's like to be
loved and just accepted without any conditions.  I don't know where I'd be
without you.  And yah know, the lives you've touched.  Look at Danny.
Where would HE be without you.  And his folks.  When Andy said `everybody
matters," you proved his theory in spades.  You've got a gift, Salas...
Like a `Midas touch.'  It seems like everyone's life you touch turns to
gold."

Salas smiled.  "I love you, Scotty boy."

"No more than I do you, Salas...  No more than I do you."

As they were finishing their meal, Scotty had a thought.  "Salas, do you
think maybe your problem with having kids might have something to do with
the fact that you're a superman?  Maybe NONE of us can have kids."

Scotty might as well have socked Salas in the jaw.  "Oh my God, Scotty!  I
never even THOUGHT of that!"

"Well, Salas, I'm not sayin' that's what it is.  But if yah think about it.
The only other superman I know who's even close to your age is Cole.  And
he's not married.  I don't know his story, but, hey, where's his wife'n
kids?  The only other super guys I know who were born that way are Danny
and Billy, and now Ari.  Well, with Billy, I guess we'll never know since
he's with Andy. Only way they'll ever have kids if they find some way to
adopt.  And Danny and Ari are still kids.  Well, all that leaves is Cole.
Might make sense to have us all tested."

"Oh, God, Scotty.  If that turned out to be true, I dunno what I'd do!  All
of you guys I brought into this.  Oh God, Scotty...  Oh my GOD!  I'd never
forgive myself if I did that to you guys!"

Scotty held Salas' hand.  "No, Salas.  Don't say that.  Even if it turns
out to be true.  Don't even THINK that.  If you think that would bother me,
well, you're wrong.  I'd do it all over again, even if I knew it would mean
I could never have kids of my own.  Sure, I'd like to raise children
someday.  But, like I said, even if I CAN have kids of my own.  I'm GONNA
adopt at least one if I can.  There's just way too many kids out there who
need a home.  I won't let you do this to yourself, Salas.  I WON'T."

Salas said grimly.  "We're gonna hafta have all of you guys tested.  I've
gotta know.  Oh dear God.  Oh sweet Jesus, I KNEW all this was too good to
be true.  My dream.  Oh God, my dream! This is turning into a nightmare."

Scotty said.  "Well, Salas, there's only one way to find out.  Mebbe we
could find some way to get us all tested right away.  Damn, I could KICK
myself.  I wish I'd never said something that stupid.  I'm so sorry Salas.
That was a really stupid thing for me to say.  I spoke before I thought.
Oh God, Salas. I am so sorry."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday (the sixth)

The `Dalnaya Aviatsiya' IL-76 cargo jet landed at Alexi's base outside
Yekaterinberg at 0915 local time.  Roy and Maxim were ready to go.  Roy had
maintained his `link' with Maxim for nearly seventy-two hours.  In
addition, Alexi had maintained a supplemental "standby link."  Alexi
escorted Maxim and Roy to the ramp.  He suggested that Roy break his link
with Maxim and he did so as well.  "Now, Maxim, let us see if you can
establish a link with me on your own."

Maxim tried and failed.  "Then, Roy, why not reestablish your link and
maintain it until the `change' has its effect?"  Roy nodded and re-linked
with Maxim.

"Maxim, I will miss you while you are away.  But I know you will be in good
hands with our American friends and they will be in good hands with you.
And you will meet Gloria.  You two will get on well, I am sure."

Maxim had made his engagement announcement to his men and told them that
they would all be going to American in November to celebrate the American
Thanksgiving holiday and to attend his wedding to Gloria.  Maxim was
incredulous.  "Married?"  He asked.  "You?"

Alexi had grinned.  "Why is this so hard for you to believe, Maxim?"

Maxim laughed.  "I shall leave that one alone, Alexi Iurevich, and simply
extend to you my congratulations.  I look forward to meeting this young
American woman.  I am, of course, very happy for you both."

"Will you stand with me, Maxim?  Will you stand for me as best man?"

"I shall be honored, Alexi.  Of course I would be glad to do this.  But why
not your brother, Ivan?"

"Ivan will be there, of course.  But he will understand why it must be you
who stands with me."

Maxim grinned. "I cannot believe I will be going to America..  I would
never have dared dream such could happen to me.  I am sorry you will not be
there to introduce me to Gloria, yourself, but I am sure we shall get on
well.  Of course, if there is anything I can do for her while I am there in
America, I will spare no effort to make myself useful to your future
bride."

Alexi replied.  "I am sure you will, Maxim.  And I thank you.  I look
forward to your return.  This will be my last look at you this way.  When I
see you again, you will be a superman."

Maxim and Alexi embraced.  Alexi embraced Roy and then Roy and Maxim
boarded the aircraft for the flight to Southern California.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

As the plane was entering Canadian airspace, an emergency action message
rolled off the teletype at the radio operator's station at the rear of the
cockpit.  It read:

"BT (Break Transmission)
FLASH PRECEDENCE
TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET
FROM:  COMMANDING OFFICER, NAVSPCLOPRNSBASEYEKBRG, RU
TO:  MICHMAN M. Ye. DMITROV, RFN/CWO2 R. P. FUCHS, USMC
SUBJ:  TopSec (SPECIAL) COMM LINK, ADDRESSEES
1. (Unclas)SUBJ ACTIVITY TO TERMINATE IMMEDIATELY.
2. (TopSec)SUBJ ACTIVITY ENTAILS EXTREMELY SERIOUS HERETOFOR
UNDISCLOSED HEALTH RISK TO MICHMAN DMITROV.
3. (Unclas)IMMEDIATE COMPLIANCE AND ACKNOWLEDGMENT RCT
OF THIS MSG VIA FLASH PRECEDENCE REPLY REQUIRED.
4. (TopSec)AMPLIFYING INFO TO BE FURNISHED BY MAJ J. A. SALAS,
USMCR, DET O-IN-C MCALF, EL TORO, ALFA3.
SIGNED: A. I. MILKUYIN, CAPT3R, RFN
TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET
BT"

The radio operator hurried back to the passenger compartment and handed the
printout to Maxim who in turned showed it to Roy.  Roy read it, immediately
broke his standby 'mind link' with Maxim and scrawled a reply to Alexi on the
bottom of the printout.

"BT
FLASH PRECEDENCE
TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET
FROM: CWO2 R. P. FUCHS, USMC
TO: COMMANDING OFFICER, NAVSPCLOPNSBASEYEKBRG, RU
SUBJ:  TopSec (SPECIAL) COMM LINK, DMITROV/FUCHS
REF: A. CO NAVSPCLOPRNSBASEYEKBRG, RU, MSG, ABOVE SUBJ
1. (Unclas)REF A. RCVD AND COMPLIED WITH.
2. (Unclas)INTERROGATIVE - IS IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION
REQUIRED FOR MICHMAN DMITROV.
3. (Unclas)IF SO, REQ IMMEDIATE EMERG DIVERT AUTH TO NEAREST
AVBL AIRFIELD IN DOM. OF CANADA AND REQ AMPLIFYING INFO
RE NATURE OF MEDICAL EMERGENCY.
4. (Unclas)ACKNOWLEDGMT RCT AND IMMEDIATE REPLY TO
INTEROG VIA FLASH PRECEDENCE MSG REQUESTED.
SIGNED, R. P. FUCHS, CWO2, USMC
TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET
BT"

Roy's message was transmitted by Narrow Band Secure TTY satellite link direct
to Alexi at his base in Yekaterinburg.  They received Alexi's reply within ten
minutes.

"BT
FLASH PRECEDENCE
TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET
FROM:  COMMANDING OFFICER, NAVSPCLOPRNSBASEYEKBRG, RU
TO: CWO2 R. P. FUCHS, USMC
SUBJ: TopSec (SPECIAL) COMM LINK, DMITROV/FUCHS
REF: A. CWO2 R. P. FUCHS, USMC MSG, ABOVE SUBJ
1. (Unclas)REF A. RECVD.  NO, REPEAT, ***NO***  MED EMERG.
PROCEED IAW (in accordance with) FLTPLAN DIRECT DESTINATION
AIRFLD.
2. (Unclas)VIA VOICE COMM, REPORT TO THIS HQ YOUR SAFE
ARRIVAL AT DESTINATION AIRFLD IMMEDIATELY UPON LANDING.
SIGNED A. I. MILKUYIN, CAPT3R, RFN
TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET***TOP SECRET
BT"

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(To be continued)

Comments welcome.

TagsNOLA@lycos.com