The hidden room pulsed with soft light, technology silently working around Uncle Ted as he lay motionless on the sleek, elevated table.
"His cells are destabilizing," said Grandma Shay, her voice calm but clipped as she ran the pulse scanner over Ted's chest. The floating holographic display above him projected shifting symbols, alien and incomprehensible. "It's the override."
Shay and Alena sneaked into the lab and hid behind a table covered with a cloth. Shay wrote in her notebook..."Uncle Ted. Override. What's happening to him?"
"It's those damn updates," Grandpa Mitch muttered, not looking up as his hands tapped symbols across the holographic panel. "The Slenvexials' tech infiltrates the body, destabilizes the cells. Makes humans…"
"Mitch," Grandma Shay cut in sharply. "No time for lectures."
Drake moved silently at the table, pulling a smooth rod-like tool from the case beside him and handing it to Grandma Shay.
"Try increasing the wave frequency," he said. "He's still losing stability."
She nodded and adjusted the sleek rod, her hands steady as she swept it carefully over Uncle Ted's chest. Light rippled out in a faint arc, sliding through Ted's skin like glowing veins.
Shay couldn't believe what she was witnessing as she watched. She kept writing everything she heard... "That's… inside him. Woah. Who are the Slenvexials?"
"It's resetting his signals," said Grandma Shay, never taking her eyes off the tool. "Stay quiet. I need focus."
For a moment, it seemed to work. Ted's body relax, breathing improved, his pale face softening. Then his body jerked violently, and the light beneath his skin changed to a light purple and fading.
"Pulse dropping," said Drake. He turned to Grandpa Mitch. "We need stabilization. Now."
"Already on it," said Grandpa Mitch, sweeping a panel of symbols with one quick motion. A thin beam of energy shot down into Ted's body. "Come on, come on…"
Shay held her breath as silence fell. Alena gripped Shay's sleeve tightly.
"Wait," said Grandma Shay, lowering the rod closer. A pulse, brighter this time, radiated from the tool.
Ted's body jolted, then settled. A gasp escaped his lips.
"Stable," said Grandpa Mitch. "At least for now."
Shay exhaled slowly. "He's okay?"
Grandma Shay turned, her face softened, but still firm. "He's alive. But this isn't over."
Shay stepped forward without thinking. "What was that? What did you do?"
"You shouldn't be here." Grandpa Mitch shot her a look, though it lacked a real bite.
"They need to see it, Mitch," Grandma Shay interrupted quietly. She turned to Shay and Alena, her gaze unwavering. "There are no accidents. You're part of this now, whether you're ready for it or not."
Shay's pen moved instinctively... "No accidents. Everything connected."
"What are you talking about? What does this… any of this… have to do with us?" asked Alena.
Grandma Shay didn't answer right away. She placed the rod carefully back into its silver case and closed it.
"Observe. Learn. Trust us," she said finally. "There will come a time when you'll understand everything."
"Understand what?" asked Shay, unable to stop herself.
Grandma Shay studied her for a long moment, then said softly, "The Galiexians gave us this technology for a reason. To fight the Slenvexials."
Shay froze. "Who are they?"
"The ones who did this to Uncle Ted," said Drake. "And they're not going to stop."
Alena's hand found Shay's arm, her grip trembling.
"Alena, go upstairs, check on Aunt Martha. Let her know Uncle Ted is stable, and she will be able to see him in a little while," said Grandma Shay, gesturing toward the door. "Then come right back before you are asked a million questions."
"Yes, Grandma Shay, I won't give any details. If anyone asks, I will tell them you'll explain as soon as you can," said Alena as she left the room through the door she came in.
"And, what about me?" asked Shay.
"You can stay here with us for now. We need to monitor Ted," said Grandma Shay. "There's still work to do."
"His vitals are steady now. Whatever they've done, we caught it early enough," said Drake.
"Early is relative," said Grandma Shay.
Shay's fingers twitched, jotting down phrases in her notebook… "Rod… energy waves… cellular reset."
"You might as well sit, Shay," said Grandpa Mitch without looking her way.
"Don't mind him. We've just had… too many close calls lately," said Grandma Shay.
Shay stepped closer, with her notebook tight against her chest. "Why? Why are you doing all of this? What's really going on?"
For a long moment, the room fell silent again.
"You'll get answers," said Grandma Shay finally. "Piece by piece. You're not ready for all of it yet."
"Why us? Why this family?" asked Shay.
Grandma Shay looked at her, and for the first time, Shay saw something deeper behind her grandmother's calm resolve. A weight that went back further than she could imagine.
"There are no accidents," said Grandma Shay. "Everything is connected."
Shay wrote the words before she realized it, the weight of them settling in her mind like a stone.
Upstairs, Alena found Aunt Martha pacing the length of the living room.
"Where is he? What's happening?" asked Aunt Martha.
Alena hesitated, but only for a moment. "He's in good hands. You need to trust Grandma Shay and Grandpa Mitch. They know what they're doing."
Aunt Martha stopped, her eyes searching Alena's face. "You're sure?"
"Yes," said Alena softly. "I promise, Aunt Martha. I'll bring you an update as soon as I can."
For a moment, it seemed like Aunt Martha might press for more, but then she let the tension drain from her shoulders. She sat down on the couch.
"Thank you, Alena," said Aunt Martha.
Alena bent down, gave her a quick hug, then turned back toward the basement stairs.
Shay sat on a stool near the wall, her notebook open across her lap. Grandma Shay worked in silence, the silver rod pulsing faintly with energy as it rested on the counter nearby.
Shay focused on her grandmother's steady hands and the faint glow still hovering over Uncle Ted's skin.
Alena slipped back into the room and took a seat next to Shay.
"How's Aunt Martha?" whispered Shay.
"She'll be okay," said Alena. "But she doesn't like not knowing."
"Join the club." Shay's pen scratched faintly against the paper.
Grandpa Mitch finally exhaled, stepping back from the floating display. "He's stable."
Grandma Shay nodded and carefully covered Ted with a soft, silver sheet that shimmered faintly against the light.
Drake, who had been silent for a while, leaned against the far counter. "This fight is bigger than all of us."
"Why now?" asked Shay, meeting his gaze.
"Because they're here," said Drake. "And we don't have time to waste."
Shay glanced back at her grandmother, hoping for more, but Grandma Shay only offered a small, knowing smile.
"Answers will come, Shay," said Grandma Shay, her voice low but firm. "For now, trust us. Observe. Learn. You'll see soon enough."
The basement room settled into an uneasy quiet. Future technology keeps Uncle Ted stable.
"His signals are holding steady," said Grandpa Mitch, stepping back from the floating panel, hands resting on his hips.
Drake leaned against the far counter, glancing between Shay and Alena. "We need to talk about what happens next."
Grandma Shay straightened, nodding in agreement. "But not everything can be said yet. We keep this simple for now. Let's all sit at the table over here," said Grandma Shay.
"I'll keep a close eye on him," said Grandpa Mitch.
"Simple?" said Shay. "None of this feels simple."
"It has to be," said Grandma Shay. She looked at Drake. "Bring up what you've learned. Start with John Force."
"They need to know enough to stay alert," said Drake.
"And nobody can know what's really down here. The less they see, the safer they are," said Grandpa Mitch.
"Why? Why not tell them? Wouldn't they be better off knowing?" asked Alena.
"Because fear makes people reckless, Alena. Until needed, what we know stays with us here in this room now. No one else learns more until they need to know."
Alena shifted in her seat, looking at Shay for reassurance. Shay's steady nod comforted her. She exhaled slowly and nodded yes right after her.
"Does everyone understand how important these secrets are for now?" asked Drake. He noticed the doctors nodded silently.
"What about John Force?" asked Shay. "Who is he?"
"A name you'll hear more of soon. He's an operative. I've been tracking him for many years, long before this started showing up here."
"He's connected to the Slenvexials?" asked Shay.
"Yes. More than connected. He works for them. And he doesn't work alone."
Shay looked up sharply. "Who works with him?"
Drake met her eyes. "Milly Turner."
"The delivery woman," said Shay in disbelief.
"She's one of them?" asked Alena, not believing what she just heard.
"Not exactly," said Drake. "She's an informant. Maybe not even fully aware of who she's helping. That's what makes her dangerous. She blends in. She's everywhere, unnoticed."
"Excuse me," said Dr. Broke.
"Yes," said Drake.
"Won't it be suspicious if we aren't at work, Shay?" asked Dr. Broke.
"I'm sure they will miss me at the hospital too," said Dr. Rolls.
"Oh, that has already been taken care of for everyone here in the farmhouse," said Grandma Shay.
Grandpa Mitch let out a slow breath, glancing at Grandma Shay.
"I'll explain it to you over here," said Grandpa Mitch.
"Mitch, how is Uncle Ted?" asked Grandma Shay.
"He is stable and we can move him out of the basement. I'll get him ready in a moment," said Grandpa Mitch. He continued explaining how both of them were being covered at work. Both doctors mouth's dropped opened.
"Dr. Broke and Dr. Rolls," said Grandma Shay, looking at two faces still showing shock to Grandpa Mitch's revelation. The doctors looked up at her and nodded.
"When we get him moved upstairs to the back bedroom on the main floor, I will expect you two to take turns watching Ted during the night along with his wife, Martha. If anything happens, come and get us from upstairs. We will be checking on him also."
"I will be checking on Uncle Ted and Aunt Martha during the night too," said Alena.
"You know I will be joining you Alena," said Shay, smiling.
"Drake, one moment, stay put. Dr. Broke and Dr. Rolls help Grandpa Mitch to move Uncle Ted Upstairs. Alena you should go with them to comfort Aunt Martha," said Grandma Shay.
"Yes, what do you need," said Drake.
"They'll get Uncle Ted upstairs and get things settled," said Grandma Shay.
"I'll help them, Grandma," said Shay.
"No, you and Drake stay behind. I need to talk to you both about something,"
"Okay, no problem," said Shay, looking at Drake, wondering why she wanted to talk to them alone.
"Alena, I'll be up in a little bit and we will get dinner started for everyone. I'm sure everyone is hungry," said Grandma Shay.
"Sure, I'll help with dinner," said Alena.
Mitch opened the door to the main floor, and they began lifting Uncle Ted out of the basement.
"Drake, Shay… you need to talk. You'll have privacy down here. Come up when you are done," said Grandma Shay, as she walked toward the stairs and then started climbing them.
"Shay, it's time I answer some of your questions regarding who I am to you?"
"That would be nice. So, Drake who are you to me?"
"Have a seat please," said Drake softly. "Shay, I am…"