I sit looking at the ceiling in thought. “Grass?”

“Yes,” Grass responds absently.

“Why can't you get into the locked areas?”

“Um, because they are locked,” Grass responds sarcastically.

“Okay you are considered the computer right?”

“We guess the computer can't tell the difference between us working in the system or it.”

“And the clause is able to manipulate any file in the computer, including the locked files right?”

“We believe so. It goes into secured areas without difficulty,” Grass sounds a bit irritated.

“Then why can't you?” I ask hoping they will get my drift.

“Be...” Grass stops in mid word and goes silent.

“I don't understand,” Peth says. “He told you why.”

“In a way, no they didn't,” I say looking at Peth seriously. “The desperation clause is able to be accessed anywhere. Granted it is level five, but Grass is able to get in and manipulate the computer in ways it can't.

So in essence there is no reason Grass could not do the same with the lock. I think it isn't just the condition we are looking for. If so why didn't she simply do it herself?

Why is she guiding us to do things she could do herself. She showed us she has access outside the clause. But she refuses to set the conditions to release the lock, why?”

“I don't know,” Peth says with an unsteady voice.

“Of course you wouldn't. The question is rhetorical. I am sorry, I did not want to put you on the spot again. But do you see my line of thinking?” I say hoping I did not insult her.

She sits thinking for a moment, “I think I do. If I understand it right, she has no restrictions in what she does, correct?” she asks and I nod. Peth then continues, “That would make sense. But as you said it makes no sense why she would not simply open everything up, and teach us what we need to know.”

“Correct. The only reason I can think of is if there is something she wanted to show or teach that cannot be taught through instructions.”

“Yes, intuition and problem solving,” Peth says.

“Better put then I could do, yes,” I say.

“Could someone explain this to us please?” Berg blurts angrily.

I look at Berg to see flaming nostrils, and lighting flying out of his eyes. I laugh, “I am so sorry guys. I told you I have a one track mind.

Peth figured it out because it is her position to know this. When you have a problem to solve, does it always help if someone tells you what to do?”

Berg's face goes blank and he shakes his head no. I continue, “Some things we have to figure out on our own. That's what allows us to see a situation and find a solution.

If you were told exactly what to do all the time, you would be no better than memory. That would be useless for an intelligent computer. She wants a computer that can problem solve on its own.

Every mentor a person has will not live forever. And with Grass that is more so. Grass is close to eternal for a living organism there is. We will not be here forever, able to inspire Grass.

She wants Grass to grow beyond us all. They have the fate of your race in their hands, so to speak,” I say and Grass laughs.

I continue, “Grass has to learn how to use its own intuition and problem solving. Grass is the condition for level five release, not me. I am simply the catalyst.

Grass has the wisdom of millennia, but till now not the insight or the understanding to use it.” A mouth appears in the room and gives us the raspberry and the room echos the sound.

“And the knowledge is passed,” I say and laugh.

“So Grass had to learn how to be us?” Tieth asks.

I look at him smiling, “Over simplified, but yes.”

“You mean you are not the one to save us all? Some living being on another planet is?” Cliff asks.

“Yes and no. Grass will be your protector and insurance of survival in the future. But the true savior is us all.”

“I am not,” Tieth says. “I just came along to find my brother.”

“And I'm just here for Sasa,” Cliff adds.

“But without each of you, Grass would have missed out on what it means to be a compassionate and caring living being.”

I look at Cliff, “Without you along, Grass would not understand why we grieve. Grass does not know death like we do. Without you here they would not understand why one person's death is so significant to us.”

I turn to Tieth, “Without you, Grass may never understand what use it is to hope for something better, or hope against the odds. Your desire to find out what happened to your brother, is inspiration in itself.

Despite all others and present facts saying he was gone forever you still had hope. It is that hope lesson Grass needed. You gave them the understanding that nothing is hopeless.”

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

I face Berg. “And you Berg. You taught us both a lesson. You put your faith in someone you thought was a fraud. You taught Grass that not all first impressions are right. But most of all you showed that faith in someone or thing can do wonders. You also showed me that it just takes a stubborn mule for an idiot to wake up,” I say and Berg looks confused.

I laugh, “What I am saying is that it was your strength that kept me going. Your unwavering faith in me is what actually prevailed. I was so worried about disappointing you. So no matter what came, I pressed on so I did not have to see disappointment in your face.” After I finish he blushes and turns away from me.

I look at Peth, “I could explain what all you contributed, but I think you know and could say it more eloquently than I ever could.” I say and she simply nods.

“And on a more flustering note,” Grass says, “It might take some time for us. She is throwing every possible mess she can think of at us. You might just want to take a tour.”

“Sounds good to me. What about you all?” I ask. They look at each other and nod. Then they look at me and nod. “Good let's go to the main office and get you all registered,” I laugh.

They smile and we head out the door. We get outside and the yellow line is still floating, waiting for us. I see it and wonder how often the Oranians used it.

We follow the line, this time without urgency in our steps. I again try to find some pattern in the direction, or in the height of the buildings. Despite our long walk I still do not comprehend a pattern.

The line stops at a building that takes up the full block. The only reason I assume it is one building, is because it is all the same height and only one silver strip.

We walk into the building, to what looks like a large reception area. In the center is a large round desk. On the far wall are several silver strips indicating doors.

Again all the walls are block extensions for seating. There is no other furnishings in the room. The rest is open and empty. I walk to the desk and hear every step we take echo in the room.

“A bit eerie,” I say and my voice echoing in the room almost sounds like Grass.

Around the room blocks of eternal stone rise from the floor, and begin to morph. One takes the form of a young lady, posing with outstretched arms invitingly. As I watch the black stone change colors to give the lady a pure white dress.

Another block morphs into the octopus, we saw destroying blocks. It has a color between blue and purple. I say between because it seems to shift between the colors as you watch it.

Another block morphs into a majestic lion in a roaring pose. Another is the destination planet equipped complete with the stations on it. The grass even waves to an unseen wind.

I see several other planets. All but one I do not recognize. But the one is unmistakably earth. I walk to it and touch it. I can feel the bumps of the geography. And where there is a city, I can barely feel the tall buildings.

I find the center of America and lovingly brush the right of center . I imagine I can feel the arch that is so close to home. A tear falls down my cheek. A place I may never see again.

I feel a soft hand on my shoulder. I then hear a soft comforting voice ask, “Home?”

I choke down the tears and nod softly, “Just remember this can be home too,” Peth says.

“I know,” I begin barely able to choke down the tears. “But my heart will always yearn for my first home.” I stare at the spot I once called home for some time.

I shake my head vigorously and wipe the tears I did not realize I had shed. I strut over to the desk, slap the counter, and say, “Hey receptionist, we have four citizens who need registration,” I see Peth's reflection in the black wall. I see her lower her head and shake it in worry.

“Hold your horses you impatient brat,” Grass's voice comes from a location in the center of the desk. “I'm getting the main now. The yellow line when he is available.”

“Well light a fire. We don't have all millennia, or is it that your girlfriend is being a pain?”

“She always is, but if you keep it up we're going to be your pain.”

“All right, don't get your panties in a bunch. We'll just admire your wonderful artwork,” I say with a large smile.

“Thank you, took me a few millennia to find the right ones,” Grass says with pride.

“Well, Well done,” I say with true conviction.

I turn around to see shocked expressions on all but Peth's face. “What do you think of this wonderful art?” I ask waving both arms around. The guys shake their head yes slowly.

Peth looks at me sternly, “You are a person prone for extremes. And very hard to understand.”

“Yep, but what of the art?” I ask brushing off her attempt at an explanation.

She sighs, “Very nice.”

“I thought so too,” I turn around and see a yellow line going into a door. “Ah I see they are ready for us,” I wave my hand at the door in a bow.

I raise to see Peth walking to the door, and the others following like lost puppies. I follow them into what looks like an elevator. I turn and face the doors as they close. “Nice, a ride is better then more stairs.”

We stand in the room for just under a minute and the doors open. “Well that sucks, no stomach lurches, ah well.”

I step into a room that looks about the size of a large office. To each side of the door is a quarter circle couch. Behind each couch in the corner stands a strange plant. They reach to the ceiling. It is segmented like cane, but each segment varies from one inch to four inches. Each segment changes color independent from the others. There are several stocks to each plant and each wave like seaweed in moving water.

Against the far wall sits a chair in the shape of a simple thrown. In front of the chair sits a dark wood desk. I am guessing colored eternal stone. The desk takes up a fourth of the width of the room.

As I watch, five chairs rise from the floor to sit in front of the desk. They each form arms to give the illusion of a corporate chair.

“Hang on guys,” Grass says. And after a couple of seconds the building shakes like an earthquake wants to dislodge it from its foundation. It only lasts a second and stops.

“Sorry she threw that one at us from the side and disabled safety protocol,” Grass says with a hint of frustration.

“No problem, I think a wake up call is always good,” I reply lightheartedly.

“Have a seat. We have a few things to finish up on,” Grass says professionally.

We all take a seat and wait. It is only about a minute when Grass speaks, “Okay everyone has been registered. Berg you will have a level five security clearance, and access to all security as soon as this bitch lets us in.”

“Hey,” I say.

“Sorry, but she is beginning to piss us off. We admire her tenacity and thoroughness, but she is really getting on our last nerve.”

“Boy she is good, you all don't have nerves,” I say impressed.

“Exactly. Anyway, Peth you will have level five clearance also. But you are under health. You will have full access to everything health.

Cliff and Tieth, we put you as level four citizens. We didn't know where to put you, but we figured Berg will have authority to put you wherever you need to be.”

“That is fine with me,” Tieth says.

“Me too,” Cliff says.

“Ben you are moved back to level 2, but with special full privileges. That gives you access to areas, and files that are not open to everyone.

We have realized that security protocol is not as cut and dry as five levels. As soon as we get past the,” A slight pause, “We will be able to fully understand security to better assign levels and privileges.”

“Nice, on the ball as usual Grass. Kick her ass good. Now where do we want to go?” they all look at me with blank stares.

“How about a restaurant?” Grass asks.

I perk up, “They have food?”