Project Lightning, page 27
“Brother.” Daddy says as he takes a couple of slow steps toward Uncle Greg.
“Marcus...” Uncle Greg rasps as he looks on with wide eyes. Aunt Myrna makes a surprised sound in her throat as she covers her mouth in surprise. She walks over and puts her arms around my uncle. He looks down briefly and pats her arms. “But...your...your dead.”
Daddy looks down at himself. “I feel pretty alive.” he jokes.
Uncle Greg closes his eyes and rubs them before opening them back up. “But...how?”
“Doesn't matter right now.” Daddy says. “What matters is I'm back.” Uncle Greg smiles and pulls Daddy into an aggressive hug. They stand there patting each other's back for several moments before Daddy pulls back. “Myrna.” Daddy says.
“Oh get over here, you big lunk.” Aunt Myrna says as she pulls him in for a hug. He picks her up and swings her around. I smile brightly as Caleb leans down and kisses my head. They all talk furiously as Uncle Greg grabs Daddy's bag. Caleb grabs our bags and we follow them down the street to the brownstone.
The afternoon is filled with stories and laughter. Daddy and Uncle Greg have a small conversation on the side. Uncle Greg returns with an ashen face and tears streaming down his cheeks. My father gives me a small smile and I get up. He puts his arms around me and gives me a kiss on the head. “Love you babygirl.”
“Love you too, Daddy.”
He sways with me in his arms and I can't believe how happy I am. It almost feels surreal. But a part of me is missing. I look up at Daddy and somehow he knows. “It's okay, babygirl. We will find her.” He kisses my forehead before returning to rocking me. I look over at Caleb and he smiles at me. His eyes soft with love. Maddy gets his attention and I turn back to the conversation surrounding me.
After dinner that night, Caleb, Daddy and I take the bus over to Fenway District. We make a quick stop at Caleb's house. His mother holds him tight. When he told her about our ordeal, she was outraged but she held it together.
Her motherly arms come around me as I am pulled into a soft hug. Tears spring into my eyes and I have to step back. I don't have time to break down now. Caleb tells his mom about what we are up to and she says good-bye. We promise to visit before we leave the city.
Caleb leads us down the street to a small building. A bouncer stands at the door. Major Halley had provided us all with military police badges. We flash our badges to him and he steps back away from the door.
We walk into the smoky scene. The smell of stale beer envelopes my senses and I feel like puking. Caleb grabs my hand and leads us to the bar. My father sidles up to the bar and has a word with the bartender. Caleb and I scan the bar. Looking over at my father, I shrug. He pulls the bartender in for another word and he points out Juliet over at a group of tables.
We make our way over to her.
“Juliet Koller?” my father asks.
Juliet turns toward us with wide eyes. She gulps. “Yes.”
“Is there somewhere we can talk privately?” he asks firmly.
“There is...but...who are you?” she stutters as she walks over to another table and clears it.
I step up and hold up my badge. “We're with military police. Can we speak with you?” It is hard to be like this with her. I want to fold her into my arms and giggle like we used to as kids. But I can’t.
She swallows hard and nods. Leading us down a dark hallway, she opens the door to an office. We all walk in and she shuts the door. “What is all this about? I haven't done anything.” she complains. Her eyes wide and her chest heaving.
“Juliet.” I say in the most neutral tone I can gather. “Have you recently had an accident where you lost your memory?”
Her eyes widen and nostrils flare. “How...how did...you...”
“It's okay.” I say a little softer trying a different approach, “We are not here to hurt you.”
“Then what do you want?” Her voice is small.
“We want to help you.” Caleb says gently. “We have a piece of technology that may help you recover your memories.”
Her mouth falls open. “How do I not know about this? My parents...well they are pretty powerful and they...the doctors said...”
“I understand, Juliet.” I say, “This piece of technology is fairly new and is part of top secret research. We would like to try it on you.”
She tilts her head to the side as she looks at each of us. “How...when...”
“Tomorrow.” Caleb says quickly. “Meet us at this address.” He hands her a piece of paper with my uncle's address on it. “Remember this is top secret. No one can know.”
She nods slightly and puts the paper in her pocket. We all walk out of the office and make our way out into the bar. We all order a drink and watch the bar. Juliet scrambles out a few minutes later. Her eyes widen when she sees us sitting there. Hopefully she comes.
Daddy slaps Caleb's shoulder and we make our way out of the bar. We get around the corner and Caleb grabs my hand. We walk in silence back to the bus station.
When we get into our room at my uncle's house, I ask. “Do you think she will come?” I ask as we get ready for bed.
“I don't know.” Caleb says as he slips into bed. I slip in beside him and snuggle into his side. “We can only hope.” He leans down and kisses me sweetly. I have more thoughts I want to express but Caleb does his best to distract me that night. It works.
Chapter 47
The next morning, we all eat in silence as we wait for Juliet to get here. Uncle Greg lent us his office for the procedure but he wanted to see if it worked. He was very interested and wanted to know everything about it. I could only give him a rough overview because I didn't have my mother's journal. Plus it was top secret medical technology and I didn't know how much I was allowed to say.
A knock sounds on the door and my heart seizes in my chest. My hands shake slightly. Aunt Myrna and Maddy went out to the store. I didn't want Maddy giving anything away. She knew Juliet from before and we couldn't risk it.
Daddy goes to the door and opens it. Juliet stands there behind a well decorated General and his wife. Both with concerned looks on their faces. Daddy lets them inside and looks at Caleb and I. I shrug and he leads them into the living room.
“Tell me what is going on.” General Koller demands as soon as he sits down. “My daughter came home last night claiming she had met military police that could cure her.” Mrs. Koller places her hand on his arm and he relaxes slightly. Juliet is sitting silently beside him looking at her lap.
“General.” Daddy says. “My name is Marcus St. Pope and I am a part of Project Lightning.”
The general's brows furrow. “Project Lightning. Barnum's outfit out of Natick?”
“Well actually,” Caleb says. “Barnum is dead. It is now run by Major Margaret Halley, sir.”
“You are?” General Koller states.
“I'm sorry sir,” Caleb says. “My name is Private 2nd Class Caleb Warner, also of Project Lightning.”
I had been waiting in the other room as the Koller's would recognize me. “Excuse me if I am skeptical,” General Warner says. “But when my daughter left for Project Lightning, she was her normal self and when she returned she couldn't remember anything.”
“I understand, sir.” I say stepping into the room. “But we only want to help.”
“Brinna?” Mrs. Koller says. “What...How are...How are you involved?” She looks around wildly at the other people in the room.
“It's good to see you, Mrs. Koller. General, sir.” I say as I sit down next to Caleb. “Juliet and I went to Project Lightning together. I made it into training and Juliet didn't. I had no idea about her memory loss until around Christmas when I met her in a club and she didn't recognize me.”
“Sir.” Daddy interjects. “May I have your promise to keep what you hear top secret.”
“Of course.” General says. “I have a top secret clearance. My wife...”
“Ma'am.” Daddy says. “What you hear in here cannot be repeated to anyone. If you wish not to hear it we can move to another room.”
“No.” Mrs. Koller says. “I want to be here.” She grabs Juliet's hand and squeezes. I see a small smile on Juliet's face and I am thankful for it.
Daddy nods to me and I continue. “Ten years ago, Captain Barnum captured my father and mother because my mother had built a machine called the Memory Replacement Machine during her training at Project Lightning. I was the first subject of this machine. For many years, I didn't remember the first eight years of my life.”
Mrs. Koller gasps and puts her hand on General Koller's arm. General Koller places his arm around Mrs. Koller and squeezes her shoulder lovingly. “I'm listening.” he says.
“When I went into training, I started remembering things through dreams. But it wasn't until I had hypnotherapy that I truly was able to remember everything. My mother had left me her journal with notes about an adaptation to the machine that could reverse its effects. Captain Barnum was crazed and wanted my mother's notes, so he captured me after I had completed the modifications. But it wasn't what he wanted. So he erased my memories again. My father killed Captain Barnum. But thanks to Caleb and another friend who had worked on the machine with me, I was able to recover my memories.”
General Koller nods briefly. He is silent for a moment but then speaks, “That is a very nice story. But what does it have to do with my Juliet.”
I nod understanding that he is skeptical. He was always very protective of Juliet. This incident would only make it worse. “Captain Barnum wanted me to remember so he started erasing the memories of people I was close with. Juliet was the first and when I wasn't remembering quickly enough, he attacked Dr. Murphy, the psychiatrist on the base who was good friends with my mother in childhood.”
General Koller looks over at his wife and then Juliet. “So you can reverse the process?”
“Yes.” I say. “It is painless and she should remember instantaneously. But she may have some short term memory loss.”
“What do you mean?” Mrs. Koller asks.
“Well, when her brain is flooded with the lost memories, she may forget the memories she has made since...”
“Since the accident.” General Koller supplies. I nod. “Can you give us a few minutes?”
“Of course, sir.” Caleb says, “We will be in the kitchen when you are ready.” The general nods.
We get up and walk into the kitchen. Uncle Greg is waiting as patiently as possible for us. “So?”
“Well...” Daddy says.
“She wasn't alone.” Caleb finishes.
“What do you mean she wasn't alone?” Uncle Greg asks.
“She brought her parents.” I say.
“General Koller is out there?” Uncle Greg exclaims.
“Shh...” Daddy says, “Keep it down.”
Uncle Greg nods and closes his mouth. “Maybe I can help.”
“How?” I ask.
“General Koller is my boss.” Uncle Greg supplies. I look at him and he smiles. “You're not the only one with secrets.” He smiles and walks swiftly out into the living room. We follow him out of the kitchen. “General Koller.” Uncle Greg says.
“Captain St. Pope.” He says standing and holding his hand out to him. Uncle Greg and he shakes hands before they both sit down. He looks over at Daddy and I in the doorway. “I didn't realize the relation.”
Uncle Greg looks in our direction and nods, “Sergeant and Private St. Pope are my brother and his daughter. I have raised Private St. Pope since she was eight.”
General Koller and Mrs. Koller's eyes widen. “What happened?”
“It was discovered recently that Colonel Barnum was holding my brother captive at Natick.” Uncle Greg stated.
“So what your niece said is true?” Mrs. Koller says.
“Yes, ma'am.” Uncle Greg says, “It does seem rather unbelievable but I have lived it. Ten years ago, soldiers came and took my niece and nephew from my house. They returned Brinna, but I never knew what happened to my brother, his wife and my nephew. When Brinna was returned, she had no memories. They claimed there was an accident that caused her memory loss but I was always skeptical.”
“But your daughter has her memories back?” Mrs. Koller says.
“Yes.” Uncle Greg says softly, “Thanks to my sister in law. She designed the Memory Replacement Machine under duress but also created a reversal machine. Brinna was able to reproduce her mother's work.”
Juliet looks at me. “Will I be able to remember?”
“Yes.” I say as I make my way over to Juliet. “You will be able to remember.”
She turns to her parents. “I want to try.”
“But sweetie...” Mrs. Koller begins.
“No Mom,” Juliet states, “I want to try. I don't want to feel lost anymore.”
Mrs. Koller blinks rapidly before a tear escapes down her cheek. She looks over at General Koller and he nods. “Okay. It can't hurt to try.”
Caleb stands up. “Due to the nature of this technology, we ask that you remain out here. Marcus will keep you company.”
“But...” General Koller interjects.
“General.” Uncle Greg says. “You understand that I am being given a chance to watch this technology in person. I will report to you directly about her condition.”
General Koller nods and pulls his daughter in for a hug. “I look forward to seeing you after.”
“Thanks.” Juliet says stiffly.
“Right this way.” I say as I lead her down the hall to Uncle Greg's office. Her hands are shaking as she takes a seat. I grab her hand and she looks at me. “It's okay. I have gone through this myself. You won't feel anything okay?” I place the helmet on her head and she flinches as I tighten the strap around her chin. She nods and grips the chair arms. Uncle Greg stands in the corner as I boot up the program on the computer terminal. A loud beeping causes Juliet to jump. “That is just the program booting up.” I say reassuringly. “I will let you know when I execute the program, okay?” She swallows hard and nods lightly. Caleb takes his place behind me and kisses my cheek.
“Are you ready?” I ask and she nods again. “Okay. In three, two, one.” I press the button and watch her eyes flutter then close. Caleb walks over and removes the helmet off her head.
“That's it?” Uncle Greg says. “When will she wake?”
“Any moment.” I say as I walk over to the chair. “Juliet?”
Her eyes blink open and widen. “Brinna?” She looks around swiftly. “What are you doing....Where am I?”
I smile sadly thinking of how long my friend was in the dark. “You're in my uncle's home. Welcome back.”
“Was I in a coma or something?” Juliet asks as she sits up slowly.
“In a manner of speaking, yes.” I say as I hug my friend. Her arms come around me and I feel tears stream down my face. “It is so good to see you.”
“I thought you were training. Didn't you just move into the training building?” Juliet asks.
“Juliet.” Caleb says as he approaches her.
Her eyes widen. She looks between us and Uncle Greg desperately trying to understand what is going on. “Private Warner. What...I am so confused.”
I motion for her to stay seated for a moment. “I will try to explain. You had an accident with some prototype technology before you left base. It resulted in complete memory loss.”
Her eyes narrow and her jaw drops. She is silent for moments. “How long?”
“About nine months.” I say.
“How did you get it back?”
“My mother was a medical technology student at Project Lightning. She left me detailed notes on how to reverse the process.” I say. We had decided to keep the true details a secret to ease her transition back to normal life.
“So I lost nine months of my life.” Juliet says sadly.
I smile grimly. “Yes. But you are back now.” I stand up and hold my hand out. She grasps it tightly. “Are you ready to see your parents?”
“My parents are here?” She begins rubbing her clothes in a frenzy to get them looking good.
I still her hands and she lifts her eyes to me. “I can guarantee they won't care what you look like.”
“But my father...” Juliet says trying to wrest her hands from mine.
“I promise.” I say as I grab her hand and lead her out of the room. Caleb precedes me. The General and Mrs. Koller stand sharply when he enters.
“So...” General Koller says his eyes wide. His tone is clipped and I can tell he is hopeful but realistic.
“Daddy?” Juliet says softly as she moves from behind me.
“Juliet...is that you?” General Koller says as a tear prick in the corner of his eyes. “You remember me?” She nods swiftly and his arms are open. She runs into them and he pulls them around her in a fierce hug. Mrs. Koller joins in and I look over at my own father. He has his arms open and I walk into them. I know what she is feeling. His loving arms surround me and I am taken back to a time when he used to hold me and rock me to sleep at night. I watch their tearful reunion before they break apart. General Koller approaches me and I let go of my father. “Thank you, Brinna.” General Koller says with his hand out.
I shake his hand. “Your welcome, sir.”
“I am very interested in this technology.” he states softly. “Do you think it could be adapted for traditional memory loss?”
“I'm not sure.” I say briefly. “It is possible but I would need to get permission from my superiors to share the technology.”
“Of course.” General Koller states. “I will have my team contact Major Halley on Monday.”
I nod. “I look forward to working with you.”
“It will be a pleasure.” General Koller says as he turns to face his family.
Juliet comes forward and puts her arms around me. “Please come see me soon. I want to hear all about how you and Warner ended up together.” She wiggles her brows and I chuckle softly. Caleb puts his arm around me and squeezes my shoulders..
I roll my eyes. “That is a very long story.” I say as I settle back in his arms.
