Cameron was practically bouncing in his excitement. Three very good things had happened to him in the last week: His two best friends had gotten engaged, the Geek-Con festival was here in town again, and he was having a Girls day out sans kids. Life just could not be better.

“So, when you said a fun-filled day out?” Ezza asked skeptically.

“Oh Pretty Baby, this is going to be fun. Pitting your skills against others, coming out on top, showing everyone what your made of. Plus the food’s greasy; so bad for you food, lots of games, an old rundown rocket that simulates space, but never gets you there, no kids, and best of all time alone with me!” Cameron said puffing out his chest. Ezza couldn’t help but giggle a little. It was good to be out with Cameron again.

“I see. So where shall we start first?” She asked looking around.

“Well, the tournaments won’t start for a bit, so I say we eat and play some games. Also if you pass the simulations in the rocket, you win some cool prizes. The two best prizes of course come from the tournaments.” Cameron said leading the way into the center of the festival. Ezza shook her head and followed behind him smiling as she listened to him prattle on. 

 

Ezza sat chewing the last of the hot dog she had bought. She and Cameron had spent the morning chatting with each other and testing out the games. Cameron kept trying to educate her on how they worked, so she would know better how to win. They had even tried out the rocket simulator, which had made Cameron and Ezza laugh until they cried. Then Ezza had gotten hungry, she tried to get Cameron to join her, but it was 30 minutes until the Hack-A-Thon started and Cameron wanted to check out the systems they were running.

Ezza sighed and got up, dumping her plate in the garbage. Looking around she found Cameron glued to a computer, and working away diligently.

The Hack-A-Thon must have started. Sighing a little, she started wandering over towards the gaming section.

“Ezza? Is that you? I haven’t seen you in forever.” 

Ezza turned towards the voice. Penny was standing there smiling at her.

“Penny.” Ezza said. Penny came over and gave her a hug. Holding Ezza at arm’s length, she gave her a quick once over.

“Are you here with the family?” Penny inquired. Ezza shook her head.

“I’m here with a friend, whose participating in the Hack-A-Thon right now. I was just going to try out the gaming challenge and then wait for him to finish.” Ezza said glancing over her shoulder. Penny grinned.

“Mind if I join you?” She said taking Ezza arm and leading her to the gaming mats.

 

Ezza was sweating by the time the game challenges ended. Penny was gasping for breath beside her. 

“Dang!” Penny said between breaths. “You sure know how to move on those mats. You been practicing?” 

Ezza smiled, she hadn’t actually, but living with one of the world’s top gamers had taught her a few things about how to play games.

“No, but you did well too. I thought I was going to lose for sure.” Ezza said. She wanted to placate Penny’s ego, but she wouldn’t lose to her; in anything anymore. Taking a quick photo to remind themselves of the memory, they chatted while looking around.

After they caught their breath, Penny suggested they work on “building” the rundown rocket together. Ezza agreed and followed her over. They were given some tools and instructions by the person in charge of the activity and then let loose with a few other people. At first Ezza followed the instructions, but she quickly realized that by following them, the rocket wasn’t going to work. She switched gears and began fixing the things she could see. She worked diligently, smiling as she remembered all her old Academy days with Zas and her other Pod-mates fixing up rockets and trying to improve them, so that when they graduated they would be able to service their own rockets along with the pilots on missions.

After a bit, the Activity Director came over, and tapped her on the shoulder. At first Ezza didn’t register the touch, but after a few more taps she finally looked up. 

“Amazing work you’re doing there. Have you thought about changing Careers? We have a Government sponsored program that helps talented individuals like your self reach their maximum potential in a safe, ordered, and highly funded environment. Would you be interested in learning more?” He asked her.

“Sorry, she isn’t.” Cameron said putting his arm around her and leading her away. Ezza looked at Cameron confused and then back at the rocket, which now had several Activities Directors looking at her modifications. 

“Cameron what’s going on?” Ezza asked. He was leading her out of the plaza and towards home. Penny stood half way between them and the rocket calling out her name. After a few moments, when they didn’t turn around she shook her head and walked away. One of the Activity Directors watched where Penny went and made a mental note. The modifications were amazing, quite genius; just who was the lady that had made them?

“It’s a scouting ring Pretty Baby. All the Festivals are. They all scout for different types of talent, but they scout none the less. The Geek-a-Thon scouts for talented hackers, and scientists. You showed talent at building rockets and scientific understanding. They wanted you to join one of their programs funded by the Council. You, for very obvious reasons, cannot do that. Working at a level like that once is a break-thru. Having it on a consistent basis, over and over, is a red flag. We’re leaving Pretty Baby before the trouble starts.” Ezza nodded, and picked up her pace a little, forcing Cameron to keep up.

 

 

Zas sighed in frustration as he searched the bushes around their yard. The kids would wake up soon from their nap, and he had to be back inside by then. He stood up and started heading for the front yard. He needed to find the dog. Pepper had been whiny lately, and no one had really paid attention to her. She had disappeared three days ago, and with the chaotic days they’d be having, Zas had managed to hide it so far. But he couldn’t hide it forever. 

He finished checking all the bushes, and then stood up scanning the neighbourhood. The sun was setting and Ezza and Cameron would be home from the Festival soon. Turning to go into the house, a blue sweater on a dog caught his eye on the next block. Of course…

Locking the door behind him, and hustling he headed over to the next block, asking for whoever listening in the Divine Realms to make sure his kids napped longer than usual. He had just rounded the far corner when he spotted Pepper digging through some trash for some scraps. 

Pepper!

Pepper jolted as her name sounded in her head. Looking up, she recognized her Master, and started to whine. Zas approached her slowly, and scooped her up. Then he nuzzled her head and when she licked his chin, he headed home in a hurry; Pepper in his arms snuggled down. 

 

“We’re home!” Ezza called out coming into the house, followed by Cameron. Tixxis and Nigel Su came running over to greet them. After hugs and a few kisses and giggling, the four of the joined Zas, Yara, and Xias in the living room playing with Pepper.

“Pitty Oggy.” Yara said excitedly pointing to Pepper. Zas smiled and told them the adventure of bathing the dog with the kids. The adults all burst into laughter, as the kids excitedly danced and laughed. They chatted for a bit and then started tucking the kids into bed. Zas made sure to give Pepper lots of pets.