Chet mulled over the last few hours as he prodded home. Unbeknownst to Walker, this was his first task completed with the Pavilion too. He couldn’t help but wonder if Walker would be someone who would just weigh him down or would be an asset to the team. Perhaps, he would have been able to catch the dog-like cat without Walker’s help.

Chet muttered to himself and shook his head at the thought. There was no point in not giving people the benefit of the doubt and Walker clearly demonstrated that he was a valuable asset to a situation that required a hands-on approach, at least. He made a mental note to jot down future tasks that he could ask Walker’s opinion on and hear his perspective.

He made it to the apartment complex, entered the elevator, and keyed himself into the penthouse. He slinked to the only bedroom on the first floor to dispose of his equipment and backpack. Unlike the rest of the lofty apartment, his room was not filled with crystal chandeliers and jaunty decorations. However, the scattered circuitry strewn across the room and the LED-exuding PC comforted him more than any pretentious decoration could. Curiously, the idea that the same belief could be applied to his room did not enter his mind.

Soon enough, rousing laughter from upstairs goaded Chet out of his lair and stomped up the stairs to the dining room.

“—We shimmied through a hole the width of my body into a cavern where I was able to recover this…”

The speaker, his older brother Gary, dramatically stepped out to retrieve a metallic case with a jet-black padlock that he quickly unlocked. Gary’s wax-like skin and shining teeth contrasted with the dull case before him.

Gary caught Chet standing at the hallway entrance and gave him an inconspicuous wink before opening the case. Inside sat a Robur Geode about the height and width of my hand.

“It’s so big,” cried his mother.

His mother and father both gray and old, sat side by side at the table as they marveled at the geode.

“One of the biggest ever found. We’re auctioning it off at the Pavilion in a few days during this month’s event.” Gary flashed a devilish smile and added, “already got a few eyes on it and it should make a splash.”

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

Chet finally stepped forward into the dining room.

“Chet, I called you to come up to eat earlier. You shouldn’t be in your room all day fiddling with your toys, it’s not good for your eyes.” She lectured.

He took a deep breath and said, “I was actually out most of the day, and…” His voice softened at the sight of his mother’s encouraging eyes. “Turned in a commission at the Pavilion. Should be getting the reward in the next couple days.”

“That’s nice dear, mommy is very proud.” Her mouth stretched into an uncomfortable smile. “Aren’t you proud Robert?” she asked as she elbowed his dad.

Robert turned his head while his eyes stayed glued to the Robur Geode, “Hmm? Yes, very good son.” He leaned in closer to Gary, is it worth more opened or in raw form? ‘Cause it varies from vender to vender.”

Chet, who during the conversation had slowly walked to the table, stood idle by the table waiting his turn. Gary, who had been stealing glances at Chet during the entire conversation, asked “Let’s hear more about Chet’s adventure. I’m sure it’s equally as exciting!”

Reluctantly, all eyes were on him once again.

“Well, the goal was to locate and find an escaped laboratory animal in the city and return it to the Pavilion alive.”

Robert's head shot up, “How dangerous was this thing?”

Chet bit his lip, “Well it was about twice the size of a normal cat, looked like it was crossed with a wolf. Real muscular too.”

Robert squinted at Gary. “He caught a cat?”

Gary shrugged, “Guess so.”

Chet held his hands up, “Well hold on now, this thing was the size of a German shepherd and had these big claws…” Chet’s bravado slowly receded like the air out of an old balloon.

The three of them stared at Chet.

“Keep it up, Chet.” Gary strutted around the table to face him. “You know, if you want, I can talk to the guys to get you an interview to join our team,” Gary offered.

Chet’s eyes flickered between his parents' excited, but unsurprised, faces to Gary.

Biting his tongue he responded, “I'll um, let you know.”

“In the meantime, what did you make for dinner?” Chet asked.

Gary slapped Chet on the back as he re-locked the case and returned it to his other belongings.

His mother turned sheepish, “Well, we didn’t know if you wanted to eat too and Gary already had seconds…”

“No, it’s okay. Already ate, don’t worry about it mom.”

Chet marched out of the dining room before his parents could say a word and made his way back to his room. He grabbed a protein bar before opening his closet door to reveal a crammed desk and chair with metal and circuitry scattered upon it.

He sat down in the chair, turned on the lamp, and began to tinker.