Kate awoke refreshed. Flying with the sun around the planet gave the sensation of time travel. The local time was the same as when she fell asleep in the docking bay. No stranger to international trips, East to West was so unusual as yesterday's sun became tomorrow's sun. She liked the idea of riding the sun into tomorrow's sunrise.

It was less than 24 hours since she presented to the forum and less when the conference acceptance came through. Only two other interviewees got invites: Killigrew, and someone from a military group that she didn't recognize.

Her chances were only possible thanks to the lab's director, Mr. Matt Burnham. Unusual for a lab director, Matt was an operation's guy. He seemed to be everywhere and helping everyone. Also, his political ability made up for not being a scientist. While quick to understand the precise details, he mostly relied on the staff to describe the technology. In turn, the staff relied on Matt to remove blocks and help make their projects successful. Kate often wondered how one person could help so many. She admired his ability to fight through a crisis with focus, compassion, and unwavering support. As soon as one ended, Matt was always onto the next. Kate's acceptance into the conference and her companion on the trip was no exception.

Kate was late in the final submission to the conference. The conference required her paper to be in at least one journal. First, there was trouble getting approvals, and second, the journal was to be published by the Moon3 colony. The lab owned most, if not all, the intellectual property of Kate's submission. Yet non-disclosure agreements allowed formal disputes for even the slightest of infractions. Scientists, including Kate, complained about the need to gain client approvals. Matt listened. Then, like all the rest, he would sit back, relax, and reply simply, "ruffled feathers break the tether." In the end, Matt was adept at navigating the clients. She wasn't sure how the Moon3 publication happened and assumed Matt pulled strings. Rumors were rampant, and no one had heard from them for weeks.

The grant came an hour after her interview. Kate called Matt immediately, "We did it, Matt! Congratulations!" Her excitement was palpable. Both knew how important it was to the lab as the next critical step in breaking into the building safety market. Matt asked Kate to list a handful of people that might be good candidates to join her. Then he turned the call into a working meeting to find a companion. She selected several co-workers based on previous projects and working relationships.

Matt worked the list and cut a few immediately. "Sorry, Kate, these two we can't spare," he said, swiping left on their names, clearing them from the list. Both were leading projects with upcoming, time-critical deadlines. Taking the next two names from the list, Matt brought them into the call. One had a sick family member, and the other had a planned vacation. Seeing the list dwindle, Matt offered, "We want someone that is motivated to go and recognizes the opportunity. Andrew would be a great fit." The last entry on the list was Andrew.

"I could pick some more names," Kate replied.

"I'm serious. I think Andrew is a good fit. I've got an idea on how to get him. Let me get back to you in a bit," Matt said, hanging up the call.

Matt started a list, closing his eyes and visualizing Andrew.

> Why Andrew

> 1. Relationship: He works well with Kate

> 2. Skills: He knows the subject, led subsystems

> 3. Emotion: conference could help overcome any remaining stigma around his son and the kitchen fiasco

> 4. Motivation: he had asked to go on international trips before.

>

> Andrew Hurdles

> 1. Family: taking care of Ray while he's gone

> 2. Readyness: no real issue here as his projects are in good shape, no upcoming deadlines

Matt believed the conference would be good for Andrew, and all he would need to reel him in was a plan for Ray. He contacted Ray's tutor Sally who confirmed availability, even before a bonus was offered. Then, Matt called Andrew and asked if he and a guest could join them for dinner.

"That would be okay." Andrew asked, "What's this about?"

"No time now. There's an opportunity I'd like you to consider, I'll organize the catering and see you at 6:30. Thanks!" Matt hung up and arranged for Kate to join him.

They arrived together about an hour later. Matt brought Chinese for four. Kate brought a bottle of cool Reisling wine that went particularly well with Chinese takeout. A german, acidic, white grape with flowery aromas. She had it several times and did her best to understand how wines went with food. However, in this case, she didn't know why it went so well together, but it did.

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Andrew greeted them at the door, "Hi Matt," he said, shaking hands. He was to see Kate, "Good to see you, Kate." They greeted with a short hug. Andrew carried one of the food containers to a simple, well-lit table that had four chairs and table settings for four. "I'll fetch the wine opener. What a treat to have corked wine, a rare treat." Fumbling through drawers in the kitchen, he wondered where this meeting was headed. Eventually, he found it, "Got it!" he exclaimed on his way back to the room.

Matt and Kate were already seated next to each other at the table, discussing how she got the wine. Ray arrived at the table at the same time Andrew returned with the wine opener. Both heard the wine was special ordered through a small import group. Ray shot his dad a perplexed and questioning glance. Catching the look, Andrew shrugged. Then, Ray shrugged too and sat down without a word.

When the conversation paused, Ray asked, smiling at Matt and Kate, "Am I in trouble?" Ray looked back to his dad, inquisitively. However, Andrew was lost to the world of wine, corks, and openers as he worked the bottle.

Matt answered, "Certainly not Ray. Kate and I have an opportunity to discuss it with your father."

"Well, that is a relief," Ray replied with a smile. "Great!" Ray began to eye the boxes of food on the table. He saw four boxes. They were all unopened. Ray was confident there most be Lo mein, so much that his mouth began watering in anticipation.

"Hungry?" Andrew smiled. Andrew had freed the wine and began pouring.

Matt opened a container of Shrimp Lo Mein and another full of fried rice. Kate opened a box with three red marks, spicy Singapore Mei Fun. Then she opened the last container containing various appetizers.

"Dig in," Matt said.

They passed the containers and filled plates. After everyone settled into the meal and had taken a few bytes, Matt started. "Thank you for having us over on short notice. Kate can describe the opportunity and see about your interest."

Kate looked at Matt, not realizing he had invited her to make the pitch. It made sense to her, just a little surprising. She described the paper and the conference. Andrew already worked on systems far more advanced than the technology in the article. He was also familiar with Kate's writing. Andrew nodded during her explanation of why going was an essential step for the lab.

Andrew was excited about the opportunity. "Sounds great," Andrew said with genuine interest. "If you are asking me to go with you, can you tell me the date of the conference? I'll check my calendar." He noticed Kate smile at Matt at the question. Matt only smiled back, nodded, and took a byte of Singapore Mei Fun. Ray's eyes widened at the interchange and slurped a long noodle from his plate.

Kate described how they would need to leave in the morning.

Ray's eyes sparkled, and he laughed out loud, almost choking on the noodle.

Matt was ready watching Andrew and noticed his expression sink like a stone. This was the time, "I know it is late notice, Andrew. I am here to help. What can we do to make this happen for you?"

"Oh, well." Andrew paused a moment. Then shaking his head, "I'm not sure. The opportunity sounds exciting. Maybe you guys should try one of the single members of the team. Jill or Tom?"

Kate looked at Andrew as she finished a bite of food. She rested her utensil on the plate and sat up straight as she turned to Matt. Matt noticed her turn towards him, and her eyebrows raise. Matt stayed focused on Andrew and waited.

With the silence, Andrew continued, "I'm sorry. It isn't possible for me on such short notice. I need to be here for Ray, and there is plenty of work to do."

Ray piped up, mouth full of noodles, "Come on, dad, I'll be fine!"

That was Matt's queue. Starting slow, as if mustering a great thought from the depths of a well, he said, "I see." Then, pausing again without breaking eye contact, Matt narrowed his eyes and tilted his head, "Would it help if we got someone to stay here with Ray?" Then continuing as if on the downbeat of a symphonic orchestra, "What about Sally?" A brief pause before finishing, "It would mean a great deal to both Kate and me."

"I like Sally," injected Ray feeling a full member of the conversation now. Matt smiled at Ray and winked.

"I suppose that could work," Andrew hesitated. "If Sally is available." Andrew believed it was still a far fetch to realize the plan.

"Then we are all set," said Matt, surprising the rest at the table. "I've already discussed with Sally, and she agreed. If we are agreed, I'll have her contact you tonight for final arrangements."

"Awesome!" Ray announced his approval and smiled at his dad. He would miss his dad, but Sally was fun.

"Now I see the full scale of this ambush, Matt," Andrew said with a sideways grin. No question Andrew would worry, but with Sally, always attentive and organized, Ray would be in the best possible hands. Andrew could think of no further issues, and smiling back at Ray said, "Well then, let's do this."

Matt raised his glass, followed by the others, and added, "Let the adventures begin!"