"Seat belts," Johnny said as he started up the car. Mac fastened his own as the engine purred to life. People still milled about outside the Chicken Ranch, oblivious to the magical war that waged aroung them. And beneath them. Mac was confident by the time they returned to the city, the underground safehouse would be nothing more than a cellar for storage.

     The car ride was pleasant and quiet. Johnny tuned the radio for a bit, resting on the Cowboy Junkies "Common Disaster".

     Mac looked sideways at Johnny. He wanted to pulle his shades from his pocket and take a reading on the man, but knew putting sunglasses to his eyes at night would arouse attention.

     "What's on your mind?" Johnny asked, startling Mac. He glanced at the Adept. "You've got to have questions."

     "Always," Mac smiled. "You for instance. I got the impression you know Oz and Zydeco pretty well?"

     The singer gave a single nod. "You could say that. Zydeco Jones and I...well, we're kinda together. Off and on. Sort of a give and take relationship."

     Mac's right eyebrow arched up. "Uh-huh."

     A smile crossed Johnny's face. "I always seem to be in the wrong place at the right time, and she's always there. I guess it was inevitable we'd hook up."

     "Zydeco seems like a nice lady."

     The singer snorted. "Nice lady? You don't know Miss Jones. That woman's more likely to cut your nose off if she felt it was hanging wrong." He shook his head, but kept his focus on the road. His face was illuminated by the dash lights. "Now Ozmandious Cody...don't fuck with him. Ever. Be straight up he might not kill you."

     "I take it you've not been straight with him in the past?"

     "Ouhm....you could put it that way. We...get along. But don't push it." He was quiet for a few moments. "You get a message with a sphinx on it?"

     Mac nodded. "The instructions on bringing the Range Rover around to the back of the club. I have to admit, I considered ignoring them."

     "I'm glad you didn't. Someone - one of us - could have died." He shifted in his seat, pulling his left leg up to where his knee was visible beside the steering wheel. "Let me give you a word of advice, Computer Man." He glanced at Mac. "Never...no matter what it tells you to do, ignore the sphinx."

     "Well, my opportunity to ignore is past. I've gotten my missive." Mac frowned at the singer, realizing what the man was admitting too. "You say that as if you've recieved more than one. The information the Adepts have on them is that on average a mage recieves only one." When Johnny didn't answer, Mac turned in his seat. "How many have you gotten?"

     But Johnny didn't answer, instead turning up the radio and singing along... "...won't you share the Common Disaster..."

     Johnny drove through the dark streets of a normal suburban neighborhood carefully. Mac sat forward, playing a guessing game in his head. Where are we going? Normal, American neighborhood. I'm suppose to get along famously with someone...

     ...hang on. Where's that pulse coming from?

     "Yeah, knew you'd feel it." Johnny said as he pulled the car to the side behind a house with a high, wooden fench. "You Adepts are all sensitive with the electronic schtik."

     "We're..." Mac grinned at Johnny. "We're going to see an Adept?"

     "Yeah, but no ordinary one. Come on. Let's hope his Mom's not up watching the early morning movies."

     His Mom?

     Mac and Kyle followed Johnny around the back of the fence. The singer lifted the latch to the door and motioned the other two through. They paused in front of a rusted swing set as Johnny bent and picked up several rocks. Before Mac could stop him, Johnny hefted a few at the far right window on the second floor.

     Within a few minutes, a soft light came on and the window lifted. A small head poked through. Mac couldn't see the face in the dim light. "What is going...oh...geez! I'll be right down."

     Mac winced at the sound of the cracking voice. He looked over at Johnny who was beaming at him, looking for all the world like a small puppy who'd just piddled on the floor. "He's a kid."

     "Yeah...and?"

     The back door opened and the kid appeared. Mac could just make out the Star Wars scenes on his pajamas. He also had earbuds in his ears, connected to a wire that traveled inside his left, breast pocket. "Wow..Johnny Meyer. This is an honor."

     "Great kid. Look, I got someone here that needs to talk to you. He needs a secure connection and I thought you could help him."

     The kid looked past Johnny at Mac. "Come on in. I have to do something with my Mom first."

     Mac looked at Johnny. "Do something with his mom?"

     They followed the kid up a narrow flight of stairs, with Kyle following slowly. The smell of greasy chicken and fried okra turned Mac's stomach as he topped the stairs. The kid went into the room on the far right, but Johnny stopped Mac from following.

     "His mom's room."

     When the adolescent reappeared, he gave Johnny a nod. "She's okay. Come on."

     The trio filed into the room on the far left. Mac glanced back at the mother's room. Wonder what it was he had to do?

     Mac stopped in his tracks. The room was as much an Adept's toy box as the set up at the Chicken Ranch had been. Though he saw no Holographic Imager, he did spot the five monitors. Four were LCD flat screens of varying shapes and sizes, with one regular seventeen inch CRT to the right. There were five keyboards, some ergonomic, the rest standard. The CPUs sat beside their monitors, each tower loaded with numorous drives installed. The entire set up sat on a semi-circular desk that looked as if it should be onboard the Starship Voyager.

     The kid sat in the center seat, looking everything like the captain. "What can I do for you?"

     "Syd, this is Mac..." Johnny looked at a loss.

     Mac offered Syd his right hand. "McGyver."

     Syd shook Mac's hand. Firm grip. His expression lightened and the freckles on his cheeks were prominent beneath the single lamp over the desk setup. "McGyver...there's a VR presence online by that name. Finder of lost information."

     Mac smiled.

     Syd's grin stretched across his face. "You're him?" He looked to Johnny. "Wow. What did I do for this? I mean. Johnny Meyer and McGyver...here in my room." He frowned. "What's happened?"

     "You've not been watching the news?" Johnny asked.

     "Hey, I've got school tomorrow. I've been sleeping." He looked from Johnny to Mac, who set his case on the bed in the opposite corner. "Johnny...what's happened?"

     A noise from the door brought their attention around. Kyle stood there, looking for all the world like he was standing in a bed of snakes. And for a Hollow One, I'm sure that's what this feels like.

     Johnny laughed. "Look, I'm going to let Mac here fill you in. He's got some things to do and I figured you could help him. Now you," he turned to Kyle. "why don't I take you...home?"

     Kyle nodded quickly and turned from the room. Johnny gave a wave and left.

     Mac turned to Syd. "Any place I can connect.?"

     Talking to Syd was easy. He spoke the same language, on many levels. As the two set up Mac's ibook with Syd's system, the Adept filled him in on everything that had happened since his arrival in Las Vegas. The kid listened with rapt attention, swallowing every word. He seemed especially interested in the system Mac had tapped into at the Chicken Ranch.

     "Wow - a holographic imager. I bet that was sweet."

     "Yeah," Mac shrugged. "I felt a bit exposed. Vulnerable. But I wanted everyone there to see what I was doing - sort of help out. I think I prefer my ibook screen."

     "I'd sure like to try it." Syd turned and tapped the standard keyboard on his right beside Mac. The largest flat screen came to life as windows generated from different corners, obeying Syd's keystrokes.

     "What are you doing?"

     "Looking for information about whatever that device was they used." He made a few more taps. "I can sometimes hack into Control. Sometimes. Depends. I've been able to access the VE database and I-X, but I'm not sure where this weapon would fall."

     "Have you ever hacked the Progenitor Systems?"

     Syd shook his head. Luckily he didn't look at Mac's face to see the apprehension written there. "No...haven't wanted too. Those guys give me the creeps. I know too much about Pentax. I'd stay away from them."

     Mac nodded. He loaded his own screen and began a search for the Luxor. If he planned on heading to the booksigning tomorrow, he intended on being up to date with their security system. The appearance of the Techno Ops at the 57 bothered him. He didn't want a repeat of last night happening tomorrow.

     And I'm not counting on getting more help from the Sphinx. I've had my one...

     Mac looked up, letting the thought idle. "Syd...how well do you know Johnny Meyer?"

     The kid never looked away from his screen as he spoke. "Oh he's the greatest. I have all of his music on my mp3 player. And he came to see me," Syd beamed. "Me."

     "When he and I were talking about the Sphinx messages earlier, I asked him how many he'd recieved. The VA database..."

     Syd turned and looked at Mac. "I know. One per mage. But Johnny..." He shook his head. "That guy's received somewhere around fifty of them."

     "Fifty?!"

     "Yeah," he turned back to his screen. "Johnny's...different. He's got to be the luckiest guy I know."

     Mac put his hand to his forehead and massaged the ache of his ever-present headache. Fifty? I wonder if the VA know this. He asked Syd.

     "No..." the kid frowned. "What did you say that guy's name was? The Void Engineer?"

     "Nicholas Calen." Mac scooted his chair over, then removed his black suit jacket. He tossed it to the bed. "Why?"

     "Well, I was looking for anything on this weapon and came up nill. So I slipped into my VE backdoor, and started cross referencing new weapons systems with military activity. You know, strange reports. Well, this Calen flagged. Take a look at the VE file on him. I think it was use of the word 'abnormal' that did it."

     Mac leaned in close to read over Syd's shoulder.

          PERSONNEL REPORT
          Subject: Nicholas Calen {VE:EFD:78534568}
          Requested By: RU {SY:FIN:********}
          Filed By: BS {NWO:W:**********}

          Name: Nicholas Calen
          Current Assignment: EFD Battalion 51,
          Division 3 {Heavy Artillery}
          DOB: 04.17.1985 CE
          POB: Copernicus Research Station [DIMH]
          ATTENDING PHYSICIAN: James Tisdall {ITX:BIM:488796685}
          Paternal Lineage: Paul Calen {VE:DSEATC:33400567} ;
          Nikolai Calen {N/A:DECEASED:0113977561}
          Rosaleah Tarvin Calen {VE:INACTIVE:290548560}
          Maternal Lineage: Amanda Laurence Calen {VE:PDC:37944562}           Frederick Maxwell Laurence {N/A:ACTIVE:5423884328}
          Grace Stevens Laurence {N/A:DECEASED:128865869}

     This information resembled the first set of data Mac had pulled up before, while checking the VA database. The entries that followed, reports on the career of Mr. Calen, had not been.

          Relevant Events:
          07.15.1984: Conceived
          08.22.1984: Initial genetic treatments. Minor emotional defects corrected.
          09.12.1984: Advanced genetic treatments. Intelligence enhancements.
          02.26.1985: Prenatal Enlightenment tests positive, but slightly abnormal.
          04.17.1985: Born

     Mac blanched. "Minor emotional defects? That explains the man's absolute lack of facial expression. Reminded me of a robot."

     Syd glanced to his right at Mac. "Yeah...they're all a scary lot. I'm glad no one messed with my DNA."

     "Right." Mac licked his lips and read on - until another set of entries caught his attention.

              06.12.1990: First Disciplinary Warning [Minor]. Subject hid a
          small outsider within the storage locker of a classmate.
       09.27.1990: Second Disciplinary Warning [Minor]. Subject used
          a remote movement enhancer to cause classmate’s computer to continually
          restart during examinations.

     Syd whistled. "This guy causes a lot of problems. He's also doing something most of them don't. He's thinking on his own."

     "Yeah," Mac nodded. "And getting punished for it."

         08.03.1996: Third Disciplinary Warning [Severe]: Subject failed to
          adequately seal an experimental wormhole. Three other students required
          medical treatment. Lab severely damaged.
     09.08.1999: Fourth Disciplinary Warning [Moderate]: Subject stole
          a short range transport shuttle and absconded with another classmate,
          Jason Gardner {VE:DECEASED:78599231}. No damage to materials, but
          departing. PDC team failed to arrive at their duty station on schedule and
          was disciplined.

     This guy's definately not the standard Technocrat. I wonder what makes him different? Could it be he's a mage and doesn't know?

         10.20.2001: Training mission to observe a gathering of Deviants.
          {Note: A lupine caern}
     10.22.2001: Unknown occurrence led to Deviants discovering the
          observation team. 60% casualties among the team, including the
          team leader, Lt. Thomas Jackson {VE:DECEASED:04568321}
          and Cadet Gardner. Subject displayed impressive resolve,
          and was instrumental in the survival of several other cadets.

     Syd shivered. "Werewolves. Not my favs."

     Mac shrugged. "Never met one."

     "You really don't want too. And if you do, it's good to have a Void Engineer around. Kinda like running into Nephandi."

     Mac eyed the young man. Since when has this kid gone up against a garu and a Nephandi? He's not old enough.

          05.20.2002: Cleared by DIMH to return to training duty.
          Dr. Tisdall notes that abnormal enlightenment readings continue,
          but do not seem to interfere in subject’s ability. Also
          noted increased hostile response to lupine stimulus.
     06.01.2002: Resumed laboratory training series in Cop.
     09.01.2002: Returned to Terra for Extended Heavy
          Weapons and Advanced EFD training.
     06.01.2003: EFD training completed.

     "This guy's just sort of a low end grunt." Mac leaned back in his chair. It was hard to imagine the stoic, silent VE he'd met earilier was anything like the guy reported here. "He doesn't like playing by the rules."

     Syd smiled. "No. Wild card. Even the VE think of him that way." He downloaded the file. "I'll send this to your hard drive."

     "Thanks. You good with security programs?"

     The kid's eyebrows danced up and down. "What exactly are you after to do?"

     Mac explained about the book signing and his not wanting to be caught unaware again. "I need some sort of...map. Someting I can monitor and keep watch with."

     "You write?"

     "Programs?"

     "Programs. Applications. Rotes?"

     Mac nodded, though he now suspected where Syd was going wit this. "Are you suggesting a sharing of information session?"

     "Computer copulation." Syd blushed after he spoke. "A friend of mine online said that once. But yeah...I have some things you could use. And I'm sure you have some things I could use. And those things we don't have, I say we write and get 'em loaded up."

     "Okay," Mac looked around the room. His imagination ran along subtle lines as he spied a box of parts near the closet. He stood and began rummaging around in them. Near the bottom, he found several old Treo 180s. He pulled one out and showed it to Syd.

     "Yeah, Mom got me those. I was going to do a little adjusting to them," she sighed. "But I fragged 'em."

     Mac looked at them and with that luck he's always managed to find when repairing systems (something he later found was his magic talents) pressed the power button - and the PDA came on.

     Syd whistled. "Technomagic..."

     Mac nodded. He pulled the other two out. "Mind if I do a little adjusting on these myself? I'm thinking of using them as snoopers for Technocratic activity."

     "Only if you make me one too. You can have the other two."

     "Deal," Mac dragged the box closer to his chair beside the Captain's station. He set each of them out. "You got any blank SCs?"

     "Bag of 'em."

     "Then I think we might be ready," Mac chewed his bottom lip. He felt the tension in his neck, acknowledged the fatigue setting into his back and eyes. His muscles about his shoulders sides and arms, not to mention his fingers, were still sore after their crazy car ride. He needed sleep - and more than just small 4 hours naps. He needed deep REM sleep. But this was an opportunity he couldn't pass up. "One condition."

     "Shoot."

     "My mentor is probably more than a bit worried about me. But I'm not exactly sure when to get a hold of him. I'm not always...as free to roam the net as I once was. The White Out made it easier, but I'm still a bit nervous being out there for long periods..."

     Syd's expression softened. "I know about your father."

     Mac froze. Instinctively he checked to make sure he still wore the gun tucked at his back in his belt. "M-my father? My father's dead."

     "Look, I'm sorry, but I found some things in the VE database about you. Or who I think is you. They were near the Calen stuff. I only read so far before I got bamfed out. It's like they figured out who I was reading on."

     Mac leaned forward, his finger in Syd's face. "Forget what you think you read, or who you think I am. Don't dig up bones you're not prepared to explain."

     The younger Adept nodded, though his expression remained one of sadness. "I-I just wanted you to know that I know, and that I'll be careful." He ducked his head. "You want me to get a hold of your Mentor and let him know what's happened?"

     The quiver in Syd's voice felt like a punch to Mac's stomach. The kid's just being polite. He's being a friend...and you have to go all Dirty Harry on him. He lowered his shoulders and his finger. "I'm sorry. And yeah...I was going to ask you to do that. It's just I'm a little tired."

     "Not a problem. You just jot the email down and I'll summerize. You have a cryption?

     "Yeah. I'll send that with my swap."

     "Good, and I'll need to deactivate your secuirty."

     "My what?"

     Syd nodded to Mac's ibook. "Your secuirty. I'm not sure if you can see it, but your laptop's lit up like the Chicago fire. You've established a lot of security on that thing, whether you realize it or not. I'm afraid if I try and connect to it, it'd frag my hard drive."

     Mac looked down at his ibook and laughed. "Oh. Yeah. I can do that." He pointed the mouse to a small, heart shaped icon, then double clicked. He felt the undeniable pull of his magic disperse as the ibook was cleared of protection. "Just remind me to put that back. Now," he looked about. "Shall we begin writing?"

     Syd turned to face his middle monitor. He pulled his earbuds from his ears as he reached up and grabbed a silver CD from atop a CPU tower. He twisted from the waist up to look at Mac. "Care from some code music?"

     Mac nodded, though he wondered what Syd's idea of 'coding music' would be. The kid handed him a pair of earbuds with a wireless connection. "Put those in. That way we won't wake up my mom. And if we do a point five VR connect, we can talk on my harddrive."

     He put the buds in his ears and was instantly swallowed up by Linkin Park's "Frgt/10" from their Reanimation CD. Mac gave Syd a nod.

     It's time to do a bit of Virtual Adept magic...

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