2 Weeks Later, Wednesday. 04:25 American Airlines Lounge

John yawned and stretched his neck as he sat in the bright red chair. They had arrived at the airport far too early for their 06:30 flight back home. The traffic and lines they saw and experienced when they arrived two and half weeks earlier were nonexistent today. That was typical luck for the couple.

“Should you be working on that?” Alice elbowed her husband gently.

“Technically no, but there’s no one in here near us. You’re pretty a trustworthy source. Though with that said I have one more thing to do and then I can wait till I get back to the academy to work.”

“Thank you for the trip by the way. It felt so good to relax and actually be able to spend time with each other.”

John smiled as he slid his tablet in his pocket, “I’m still trying to get used to not being on a ship. We’ve been off for over a month now, but…”

“It feels like we never left right? Such a weird feeling.”

John’s smile left his face, “It will be nice to be together during class this spring. Going to be separated again during the summer and fall semesters.”

“I know it’s necessary, but I don’t like it at all.”

“I could cite you the Naval regulations that say otherwise. I’m in a situation where I both agree and disagree with them on this. Since I’m in command their application is much more impactful.”

Alice sighed, “They don’t want to put commanders in a position to order their spouse to die.”

“It’s happened in the past. You end up destroying the officer by having them be in that position.”

Alice smirked, “Unless you wanted your spouse dead that is.”

John responded instantly, “Damn good way to collect on a life insurance policy.”

The couple laughed at the macabre joke. They spent the next half hour chatting about random things. John kept playing back the investigation in his mind as they talked. Progress has been made but it’s been a brutal grind to move forward a step or two. He wasn’t looking forward to the few days they had back at the academy, most of his free time was going to be focused on this god-awful investigation.

04:35 Baggage Department, Bay 1B

The volume of baggage coming into the department was increasing as the day wore on. Baggage would slide down from the check-in counters above them. They would be queued up and run through several different scanning devices. Bags that had illicit goods within them were pulled aside for an inspection. The rest were deposited onto a conveyer and deposited at a bay where workers would load them onto carts that would drive out to the planes.

It was a comically out-of-date process but worked since it was mandated. Though that was primarily because airlines and airports both didn’t want to make the massive capital expenditure to improve the process any. On the plus side, it did provide many people jobs. Though some of those people were less invested in the job as they should be.

“Darrel, take luggage cart One-Bravo to gate twenty-two. It’s a United Airlines plane,” the baggage supervisor shouted out, “Jack, finish packing up One-Alpha and take it to gate three. Should be an American Airlines plane there.”

The two men grumbled under their breath but eventually confirmed their orders. Darrel’s cart was already finished so he hopped into the driver’s seat and drove off to his assigned plane. Jack was throwing the bags onto one of the baggage carts in a haphazard and careless manner.

It took another ten minutes of creative cursing and extra work because of his chaotic approach to finish loading his cart. He was going around and locking the doors. That was made more difficult due to his lack of care in loading it.

“Jack, for Christ’s sake, slow the fuck down. Your third cart’s door isn’t closed either. Fix that then get to your gate. And drive more carefully. We don’t want more incidents involving lost luggage that fell off your carts.”

“Fine, mom, I’ll fix that shit,” Jack shouted sarcastically back.

Jack slammed the door shut and then forced the latch closed. He clearly ignored the advice and recommendations his superior had offered him. He jogged up to the driver’s door, opened it hopped in the seat. He then sped off to his destination.

Two bags fell off the third cart when the door opened. The supervisor ran off shouting and hollering at Jack, but to no avail. They picked up the two bags and walked over to a small buggy with a flatbed. The bags were tossed into the back and they sped off to the plane.

Much to the annoyance of the supervisor he arrived at the plane and Jack was nowhere to be found. The two bags were put on the economy baggage conveyor. Jack showed up shortly afterward and got a royal chewing out. Eventually, the bags from the cart would be loaded onto the plane. But two first-class passenger's bags were loaded first into the economy baggage compartment.

Thursday. 07:00 Co-Ed Dorm

John rolled over and shut the alarm off. He was still fuming about his bag. The Pelican case with his guns and other items was off the plane first. His clothing bag was dead-ass last. Alice didn’t help matters that day by egging him on a bit since his reaction to things was so over the top.

He rolled his legs out of the bed and onto the floor. John yawned and stretched and stood up. He looked back and saw that Alice had woken up before him. Then he heard her voice in the living room. She appeared to be having a conversation with someone.

John grabbed a shirt and threw it on and walked into the living room. Her parents and she looked back at him as he walked into frame. He smiled and waved.

“Ah, good morning. Once again, apologies for being absent over Christmas,” Aaron said.

“Good morning!” John said cheerfully though he yarned again, “It’s all good. We had a good time in Hawaii, even if my work butted into things a bit.”

“Alice was telling me about your baggage,” Katelyn said, “Surely your bags aren’t last off all the time.”

Alice started giggling, “Mom, it’s a sore spot.”

“I should fly private more often. But even then, my shit still manages to not be off first. It is a maddening effect. If we travel for a couple of days then I wouldn’t bother checking anything to make sure that nonsense doesn’t happen.”

“You know, we could make one of the company’s…” Aaron was saying but was interrupted.

“Nope. You can stop right there, it’s not happening. Plus, we’re not going to be on Earth for much longer in the grand scheme of things,” Alice said.

“Your presents from us should arrive later today. I hope you enjoy them,” Aaron said as he winked.

“Dad, what did you get us? It wasn’t too extravagant, is it?” Alice’s arms were crossed.

“I am sworn to secrecy, but I’m sure you’ll enjoy both of them. We also got you dinner reservations on Saturday to Carbone. Your mother and I ate there before a couple of graduations and found the Italian food served there to be divine.”

“Thank you, mom and dad. Thanks for contacting us. Love you!” Alice said before the connection ended.

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She turned and giggled at John.

“What?”

Alice continued to giggle as she hugged him, “You're still being such a little pouty baby.”

John picked her up and kissed her, “I think I may take your dad up on the private jet offer.”

Alice slapped his shoulder causing John to drop his hold oner her waist, “Over my dead body. And no, you are not buying a plane either.”

“Ugh, fine! Well, I’m going to take a shower,” John yawned and walked back to the bedroom.

08:30 Cafeteria

John and Alice were talking about plans for the day. They were both feeling a bit of jet lag and were leaning towards being lazy and just relaxing in the lounge. They did agree to head to one of the many sports bars on the street closest to the main lecture halls.

Jessica sat down next to Alice with a giant mug of coffee. It was clear she had taken a redeye flight. She also looked stressed out which meant other things had happened.

“I’ll just be that guy and say it, but you look like hell,” John said as he chomped on some bacon.

“I understand you get a little whiny when it comes to your bags, but let me tell you about my day,” Jessica paused and took a giant drink of coffee.

Alice was giggling. John was squinting at Alice.

“My flights started yesterday at 07:00. The first flight was delayed. Then we got diverted to Detroit because someone lost their fucking mind in the air,” Jessica sounded exasperated.

“Oof, that’s rough,” Alice said.

“Oh, I’m not even close to being fucking done,” Jessica took a deep breath, “Then the pilots timed out and we sat on the fucking plane for three hours before they let us off. But then they said they couldn’t get replacement pilots for four more hours.”

While Jessica took another sip John said, “Sounds like that’s just the beginning.”

“Then I missed the flight when the pilots magically showed up ahead of schedule and they didn’t fucking announce a thing,” Jessica was shaking, “They were able to get me out of Detroit and I was able to get to Atlanta at 02:00. Then it was pulling teeth to get a flight here. I was able to get an 03:30 flight to Boston, then back to here.”

“Got a whole lot of frequent flyer miles and connections,” John said calmly.

“You should stop drinking that and go to sleep,” Alice said giggling.

Jessica took another giant swig of coffee, “It’s not to keep me awake, it’s to kill my anxiety.”

“We’re heading to someplace down the street for lunch. You’re welcome to join us if you are awake,” John said as he finished some pancakes.

“If I’m awake, I will take you up on that offer. Do you know when the rest are getting back?”

“Most are coming back throughout the day tomorrow; I think that was their plans anyways. Brian and Thomas won’t be back until curfew on Sunday,” Alice said.

“They wanted to go visit a couple of places together before the craziness starts up again,” John said as he leaned back in his chair, “They apparently don’t get out together much.”

Jessica eventually finished her coffee and headed back to her room. John and Alice headed to the lounge to relax. Or that was the plan Alice had in mind until she saw John head right to the desk with the terminal on it.

11:45 Baker’s Sword and Board Pub

Jessica joined the couple for lunch. She was looking and feeling better now having had a nice nap and shower. The group was sitting at their table enjoying beers and watching hockey on the TV.

“I think I could pull off a mullet,” John said.

“No,” Jessica said bluntly.

“I will divorce you if you try that,” Alice was staring at John, “I’m not even kidding about that either.”

John tried to look hurt by that statement.

“That’s not going to work. Besides, the Navy doesn’t even allow its hockey players to grow one out. What makes you think you’d get away with one?”

“I never said I’d get away with it. I’m pretty sure I could rock one out.”

Jessica started to laugh, “Can you imagine him with a mullet and those bright golf outfits?”

Alice looked horrified at the thought, “That is a horrifying combo. And you don’t get any ideas, mister.”

Thankfully their waitress came by to take their order. John went with beer cheese soup and which. The girls both went for the salad and soup combo. She told the group that the food should be done lickety-split.

John laughed at that term, though he was forced to admit that he rather enjoyed it. Very few people used it. The girls groaned because they knew he would try to incorporate it into his vocabulary. John smiled at the annoyance that was being displayed on their faces.

Not even five minutes later their food was brought out. John’s bowl of soup was bigger than his head. It smelled wonderfully rich and luxurious. It wasn’t going to be good for him, but he didn’t really care about that. The first bites were as good as one could expect.

“So did her dad actually offer a free corporate jet for you to use?” Jessica asked.

“Well, I figured free was relative. I’m sure he’d be on the hook for the pilots and maintenance, but we’d have to take care of fuel. But yeah, it was offered, and she rejected it immediately and out of hand,” John was shaking his head, “There was no thinking about it either. She went straight to no.”

“You know damn well we shouldn’t have one,” Alice was grinning at John.

“I mean, I could have one.”

“He’s not wrong, we all saw that drawer,” Jessica said.

Alice was shaking her head, “But then there’d be even more questions if he owns one.”

“On the other hand, it would give me the push to get qualified to fly one. That would be very slick.”

Alice was laughing, “That is true. I won’t argue that. But the answer is still no.”

“Booo,” John said after he took a bite of his sandwich.

13:15 Lounge

The FedEx delivery driver smiled as John signed for the package. The box was fairly large and a bit on the heavy side. He pulled out his combi-knife from his pocket and cut the tape securing the top of the box.

“Oh, I love your dad,” John said as he looked down at the white gel container, “There’s going to be up to sixteen bottles of goodness in there.”

Alice sat down and pushed John out of the way and pulled up the lid, “Four bottles of Papi Van Winkle vintage 2242.”

“Fuck… Yeah…” John said as he handled one of the bottles, “Your dad has exquisite taste.”

“You are being cheated on by bourbon right in front of you Alice,” Jessica said with a smirk.

“Yeah, but I’ll be cheating on him with this,” Alice pulled out a bottle of Pauillac cabernet sauvignon vintage 2183, “I got a case of this wine.”

“Dare I ask how much?” Jessica asked.

“Seventy-four-year-old wine, and largely regarded as their best vintage from the last century. About ten to twelve grand a bottle is a fair guess. Bourbon was cheaper by the way, though it’s relative. Each one of my bottles is about four grand. But I suppose you ought to get the bigger gift, you are blood-related to them.”

Alice giggled, “We can share a bottle tomorrow when we’re all together. I’m sure John will do the same with the bourbon and the boys.”

Just then Andern, Kevin, Theresa, and Kristin burst into the lounge unexpectedly. They looked like they had run from the street inside as they were all breathing heavily. John, Jessica, and Alice looked mildly to very surprised to see them.

“John, we need to go to the armory,” Kevin said, “It’s serious.”

John shrugged and said, “Hi, thought y’all were coming back tomorrow.”

Andern stepped in, “Something rather serious came up and we needed to get back as soon as possible.”

John casually stood up and put the bottles back in the shipping container, “I need to bring this back to our room and all your shit needs to get stowed. Let’s meet back here in fifteen. Though I doubt there’s anything worth seeing there.”

The look on his friends’ faces was an odd one. John didn’t like this feeling of being on the outside looking in. They knew something but weren’t sharing anything with him.

15:45 Academy Armory

“Y’all realize I am no longer telepathic,” John stood in front of his bespoke suit of psychically empowered power armor.

In truth, John hated looking at the abomination he made. Though that hate was directed more at himself and the idiotic decisions that he had made rather than the armor itself. He was wondering why Intelligence or some division of Naval Research hadn’t come in and claimed the armor already.

“Touch the amplifier,” Kevin commanded.

John shrugged and complied with the request. Nothing happened though. He didn’t know whether or not to be upset with his friends possibly getting his hopes up or that something could have happened but the time for that had passed. He tossed the device to Kevin.

“Not psychic, nothing to channel through it anymore.”

“What about that other thing we talked about,” Alice said referring to their private conversation on his telekinetic abilities.

“No joy on that either,” John leaned back on the reliquary, “Fully disappeared by the time we got to Hawaii.”

“Can this be charged up or given power without the suit on?” Kevin was rotating the device around in his hands.

“Yeah, where the line bisects that panel, can push the panel aside and plug it in,” John turned around and looked at the shelving behind him, “Here, take this.”

Kevin caught the power adapter and plugged it in. He hustled over to the workbench, motioning the rest of them to follow him. He plugged the charger into the socket on the wall and logged into the terminal. He began running some diagnostics on the device. Kevin turned around to see John leaning against the reliquary on the far side of the room.

“You to dickhead,” Kevin said eyeing John.

“I don’t understand what the fuss is about,” John began walking across the room, “That was designed to work with the old me.”

“And yet it still recognized you twice,” Andern said, “I saw it power up when you put it away on the ship.”

“Capacitors on it are incredibly dense, it probably had some juice still stored in it.”

Kevin shook his head, “Your technically right, they can store a lot of energy and you did use the densest ones that have ever been made at that size. I did some research over the break, and that didn’t cause it.”

“Honey, stop being a stubborn asshole and follow directions,” Alice said gently.

“Alright, what do you want me to do boss?” John asked.

“Hold on to the amplifier, then try to use it like you did back when you had your powers.”

John picked up the amplifier. The indicator began to give off a nearly imperceptible amount of light. He tried to use it as he had instinctively done but it was having no effect. John closed his eyes, slowed his heartbeat and breathing. When he opened his eyes, the light was shining blindingly bright, even more so than he had ever seen it before.

The group was shocked. Andern was pointing at the light and smiling. The girls all looked confused. Kevin was sitting in his chair and wore an incredibly smug look on his face.

“What the fuck is going on?” John asked.