DING! DING! DING!

  “Ugh,” moaned Siddiq, as he slapped the alarm, turning it off. Staring at the ceiling he yawned and sighed, “Better get moving.” Getting up, he rubbed his face and groaned again. “I hate mornings,” he grumbled, as he stood and made his way to the bathroom. After getting changed and making a snack he grabbed his scooter and made his way to the Conference Hall.

  Pulling up to the building he locked his scooter and entered the doors. Siddiq scanned the room for his teammates remembering Reshma’s promise to hold seats so they could all be together. Seeing them off to the side he smiled and made his way towards them.

  “Hey,” Siddiq said as he took a seat by Evalyn. “Thanks for saving the seats! Good view.”

  “Good morning Siddiq,” Reshma smiled as he leaned forward to see past Evalyn.

  “Hello dear,” said Evalyn.

  “Are the others joining us?” Siddiq asked hopefully, as he looked around the room.

  “I mean they are invited to sit with us, but they may sit with their former teams as we all don't really know each other yet,” Reshma said softly. “I did save them some seats though.”

  Siddiq sighed and sat back in his chair, “Yeah, I guess that makes sense.”

  “Why were you looking for someone in particular?” Evalyn asked with a knowing smile.

  “NO!” he yelped. Evalyn and Reshma laughed at his response. They chatted while the conference hall slowly filled up. “I was hoping Alex might come see us before it started.” Siddiq said to the others.

  “They probably have to go over the stage settings and everything,” Evalyn answered.

  “Yeah, you’re probably right,” Siddiq replied glumly. After a short while the lights in the hall dimmed and a voice boomed over the intercom for everyone to take their seats. Siddiq looked around the hall as everyone listened and noticed a bunch of men in military uniforms off to the side of the room. Humm, he thought, I guess this is a big deal, makes sense they would be here. As he continued to watch he noticed the large form of General Dempsey join them as he puffed a cigar. Siddiq shivered as he noticed him smile.

  “Also joining us today, Alex Moorez! Many of his published theories are being implemented in projects that are being worked on here,” the announcer said, as Alex walked up and joined the others. Siddiq focused on the stage and smiled, a feeling of pride swelling in his chest for his friend. He watched as Alex gulped and scanned the room. When his eyes found him and the others Siddiq waved and gave him thumbs up smiling. Alex smiled back and Siddiq could see the bit of relief that reached his eyes.

  The conference began and Siddiq sat back and listened, scanning the room occasionally. When it was Alex’s turn to speak Siddiq sat up and smiled at his friend again. He could see the sweat on his brow and tell that he was nervous. Poor guy, he thought, I wouldn't want to be in his shoes.

  “Hello everyone,” Alex said, the mic shrieking through the hall with feedback. “Oh, uh, sorry,” Alex said clumsily trying to adjust the microphone. Siddiq chuckled to himself.

  “Sorry, I am not very good at public speaking. More of an in the lab kind of guy,” Alex confessed, eliciting a laugh from the audience, most of which were the scientists that worked in labs and could relate.

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  Siddiq could see the nervousness of his friend and felt for him. He kept his smile in hopes that if he looked at him he would feel encouraged.

  “I have been asked to speak about the various projects we have going on here. And there are many. I have been fortunate enough to work with some wonderful people on my own team, but also to collaborate with other teams that have used some of my research as a base for their projects,” he continued.

  Siddiq felt a breeze and looked around to see if someone had entered the room only to see that no one was moving. Weird, he thought frowning and refocusing on Alex at the podium. He watched as Alex mumbled something and shuffled through his speech papers. Murmurs started amongst the audience as the silence on stage continued.

  “We are doing amazing work here. Trying everything we can think of to save this planet that we all share, but it isn't enough,” Alex said, finally speaking into the microphone and looking at the cameras. More people began speaking to each other as he said this.

  “I am sorry I didn't tell you all when I discovered this,” he said apologetically, glancing at Siddiq and the others.

  Siddiq frowned as he continued to watch his friend. Then as Alex closed his eyes Siddiq watched as his hands began to glow. Gasps rang through the room as everyone watched in awe. The room was silent as Alex opened his eyes, the glow of his hands fading away.

  “I have been gifted with amazing abilities, and though I have not met another person with these gifts, I know there are others like me out there. I ask those of you that have also been gifted with talents like mine to come forward. I know, in the depths of my heart, that together we can stop these disasters and save the planet. Thank you,” he finished, grabbing his papers and leaving through a side door.

  Siddiq sat stunned as the room burst into a frenzy. Evalyn and Reshma sat quietly next to him.

  “He never said anything,” Reshma said quietly.

  “Do you blame him?” Siddiq asked, still staring at the stage.

  “He never showed you?” Evalyn asked Siddiq.

  “No, nothing. Makes me wonder, how well I really knew him,” Siddiq replied softly.

  “Don’t think like that dear,” chidded Evalyn. “I don't think that keeping this to himself was a decision he made lightly.”

  “Do you think those numbers, that were calculating on the computer,” Reshma started,

  “were actually something to do with him?” finished Siddiq, sitting up suddenly.

  “If they were, he has exceptional potential. I only wish we knew what it was he was doing to get them,” Reshma continued.

  “What do you think will happen to him now?” Evalyn asked quietly, looking at them each.

  “I don't know,” Reshma said simply.

  Siddiq looked around and noticed that General Dempsey and the men in uniform were all gone. A feeling of dread bubbling deep in his gut. “Looks like everyone is heading out,” he said softly, still scanning the room. Though he noticed many people looking in their direction and whispering.

  “Indeed, let’s reconvene at my place. I will cook us something to eat,” Reshma said with a smile.

  “Sounds good,” Evalyn said, as Reshma helped her to her feet.

  “Yeah, sounds great,” Siddiq said softly. “Uhh I will be over in a few. I need to grab my scooter and drop it off.”

  “Alright just knock on the door when you arrive,” Reshma said, as he followed Evalyn out of the hall.

  Siddiq sat in silence taking the time to go over what had just witnessed when he felt a rumble under his feet. Guess I should head out of here, he sighed to himself. I can't believe he didn't tell me about this. I wonder what he can do. As Siddiq started to walk to the doors following the last of the people out of the hall, he felt a rhythmic thump. What..? he thought, pausing to look back towards the stage. As he did, he heard the door slam open and a tall lean figure with blonde shoulder length hair emerged and rushed across it. Following right behind him was Alex looking frantic.

  “Alex!” Siddiq called. Alex paused and met his eyes for a brief second before he followed after the strange man. “Alex!?” Siddiq called again and rushed across the hall after him. As he made it to the door they went through he opened it only to be met by a wall of rock. “What?” he gasped, as he pounded on the wall.