They all head out the door and I follow. Once outside I look around. “You know this would be so much easier if I could find my way through this maze,” I say looking around.

“The computer will guide you,” Grass says. “We have been setting the guide line so everyone can see it. All you have to do is ask the computer, and it will direct.”

“Oh duh, that makes sense. Do you have to find a station of some type to ask?”

“No,” Grass responds. “It monitors every conversation in the city. It is designed to anticipate requests.”

“Awesome,” I say, “Now where do I want a place? I would love to be on the edge so I can enjoy the landscape, but I would also love to be close to the center of the city and all the action. I guess when everyone has found their place, we will meet at the main office. Sounds good?” I ask.

Everyone nods and heads out. I guess they already have a place in mind. “Computer how do I get to the arena?” I ask and a line appears.

As I am following the line Grass asks, “Why there? That is not a residence.”

“Oh I know that, but if I choose a place I am saying I will never get home. I don't know if I am ready for that. With this new ability I don't want something to get me too emotional.”

“We can understand that. We would like to ask you a question that we are unable to understand,” Grass says and I can hear the hesitancy in their voice.

“Sure, if I can answer it,” I say.

“We have watched you and monitored the others for some time. The other four, and even the others in town, have emotional changes that follow an easy pattern for us. But you defy all attempts to find a pattern.

You can be emotionally distraught one second and the next you seem the most exciting and happiest person. We would like to know why?”

I think about it for a moment. “I was actually hoping you could answer that one for me. You are able to read my mind better than I can. You can't see why I do it either?”

“No. We are limited on what we hear and read. We are unable to read beyond your surface thoughts, unless you allow us.

We have attempted to give you lies to make you think we can read more. It was a theory, and a hope, but you shattered them both.”

I chuckle, “I'm good at that. For all I know it may be linked to my unknown.” I stop in front of a building that the line has stopped at. “Or it could be an earth, or even human thing. I have never met anyone that flips that fast, except maybe mentally ill patients. Maybe I have a mental illness I do not know of.”

“No, if you had, the health station would detect it. We suspected that too, but we done some checking and you have no symptoms or anomalies that would indicate any.”

“Then your guess is as good as mine,” I return. “I just don't see a reason to stay upset for very long. And anger has always hit a peak then vanishes.

Maybe that is why the unknown talent didn't show itself till I got here. I don't remember getting upset for very long while on earth.”

“We are unable to check earth for anomalies, so that time of your life will remain unknown. But we have continued scanning the areas you have been since you got here, even since she has resumed,” I hear resentment at the word 'she'.

“We have detected a faint anomaly everywhere you have been. We have even checked on the destination planet. Even there you have left a signature. We believe that is what we sensed when you arrived. We do have a confession to make,” Grass says with guilt.

“What?” I stretch out the pronunciation of the word.

“We have already known how to open up the clause,” Grass says and I can almost hear them slowly retreat.

“Since when?”

“About two minutes after we started. She just seemed like she really needed to test us, so we let her go.”

“But now she will know,” I say concerned.

“No she doesn't. We have already made this conversation unavailable to the computer. We had learned how to hide info from the computer a day ago.

It was actually quite easy. Since she is in essence just a computer program, she is just as limited as it is. We feel guilty doing it, but so much didn't make sense to us. We wanted to test a few more theories.”

“Sounds like everyone has way underestimated you,” I say, impressed.

“Not everyone. You never did. We think you expect more from us then we can deliver,” Grass sounds a little depressed.

“No Grass, I just expect, or hope the best for you. I doubt I can ever have kids and to me you're my child,” I say compassionately.

“Thank you,” Grass says and the door opens to the arena. “Why don't you step in. It is easier to hide the conversation in a building, then outside,” Grass says and I hear a falsehood in the statement but don't press.

I entered the large room I saw the octopus in. I can see that to each side of the long building are areas for people to sit. The ceiling is highly reflective.

“You are quite welcome. Now can you tell me anything about these theories?” I ask.

“No, most of them are still being tested and the others are more based on the computer,” Grass says.

“There is something else you wanted, otherwise you wouldn't ask me in here,” I say.

“Well yes and no. We had some things to say or ask, but we are uncertain how you will take them. And for certain reasons we don't want to upset you,” Grass says nervously.

“Understandable, but you are one of the few that can get me out of a mood fast. So ask away,” I say.

“We hope you are right. We have been watching how you look at Peth. If you were not hindered, would you try to get her?”

I laugh, “That would not upset me coming from you. I know you have a hard time with the male, female thing.

And no I would never even try. The way I was raised, that would get you in big trouble. Plus anyways I have too much respect for Berg to even hurt him. Plus I don't know anything about this connect thingy. I would hate to be zapped.”

Grass laughs, “Oh no nothing that extreme. Well we don't think so anyway. That disciplinary action requires council judgment, not computer.”

“Oh that would go over good. Their savior under disciplinary action for taking another man's connect,” I say.

“That would be something to see,” Grass comments.

“Was there anything else?” I ask.

“Well yes, why do you find it offensive for others to think highly of you?” I can hear the hesitation in their voice.

“Not sure really. I just don't see myself as better than anyone else. No one should look up to another, where they can be the same.”

“We have gathered that in your thoughts, but you are not something they can be. You alter the very fabric of existence. They could never do that.”

“You know I never thought of that. But that still does not make me better than them, just different. What I have been doing they could do. Well, other than change into a tree,” I chuckle, “The only thing they could not do was talk to you. You are the true hero here, not me. Without you guys I would have failed,” I say.

“We think not,” Grass says bluntly.

“How so?” I asked, confused.

“Look at what you have done,” Grass states.

I realize I have not been really paying attention to things around me or what I was doing. I focus ahead of me. The room has been completely altered.

I am standing in a room, but it looks like I am standing in front of the alignment stone, with grass around me. “Why did you make the room like this?” I ask.

“We didn't. Oh and you got the scientist attention. You did this. Sorry for tricking you, but we had to test a theory again,” Grass says.

“But... But...” I stutter.

“While we were outside talking to you we noticed an increase in spatial distortions around you. So we headed you in here. When we did, we saw the distortions follow you. In fact all distortions you have created in the past are now gone.

We had to keep you talking and distracted. So we asked you random questions that we knew would keep your attention.

We watched as you altered the room to reflect who or what you were talking about. After about the third alteration you finally caught the attention of the computer, and the scientist. Both tried to correct what you had altered. We know the computer still is.

When we saw that you had altered the reality of the area outside, we did a scan. The hole you had created is gone and the area now looks as it did prior to what you did.”

Grass laughs, “The scientist had to go check. We think it is time to end this part.” There is a slight pause, “Ben could you clear your work please? It would make this so much easier. Just concentrate on how the room looked when you got here and think full return.”

I did as grass said and the room instantly returns to its original look. As I watch, a ghost image of a lady slowly solidifies in front of me.

She stands about five foot with dark black hair. The hair is straight and ends at her shoulders. I would guess her to be in her thirties. Her eyes show intelligence and her demeanor is that of a teacher.

She blinks to focus on me, “Ben?”

I nod and say, “Yes.”

“How?” she asks.

“We gave you your body back,” Grass says, “Your last transport was still in the computer. In combination with it and your self imprinted in the computer, we gave in essence your life back.

We believe there will be fractions in your memory, but that should fill over time. We apologize for leading you on, but there were too many unanswered questions that needed filled first.”

“But this isn't possible,” She says.

“You of all people should know with a little thought and ingenuity, just about anything is possible. Even your coworkers say you could not do what you did,” Grass says.

She looks in thought for a few moments, “You are right, I see it now. I wish I had thought of it,” she returns disappointed.

“We believe you would have in time Mesuna. We were just lucky enough to beat you to it. Your program is locked right now. But we hope after your lifespan ends, you will rejoin us, in here. With us and you there is nothing we could not do for your people.”

“I look forward to it, Grass,” She returns.

“Ben, the theories we have been working on is on you. We could not elude to them around you. We have talked with the others at length about it.

They are at the fun house, now, while we talk. We hated to deceive the one person that never doubted us. But we had to know a few things.”

“Like what?” I ask, disgusted.

“We told you that we believe it was your effect on reality that drew us to you.”

“Yes,” I retort.

“We believe it was much more than that. When you mimicked us, we got a glimpse of a reality we knew did not exist. We could not comprehend this, so we had to know more.

Even your perception of reality is different then anyone else's, even your grandfathers.”

“Did you know then he was my grandfather?” I snap.

“No or we would have told you. We never want to hurt you Ben. You gave us a life where just a computer used to exist.

You showed us that anything could be more than it starts. Your inspiration is what gave us the desire to learn. At the first we thought you were just another subject we had to deal with.

But you showed compassion on life that most would consider unimportant. That in essence is what all Oranians strive to be. You are the ultimate Oranian essence. We believe even in that Mesuna can agree.”

“Yes, your alignment test surpassed even an Oranians result. Every Oranian is raised to be what you are,” Mesuna says with wanted desire.

“Mesuna we know what the answer is to your quest of the talents,” Grass says.

“What?” Mesuna asks with excitement.

“These talents are the mutilator of reality. And we see that it is way too dangerous, and will block all attempts from now on to use or manipulate them,” Grass says solemnly.

“What, you have no right,” she flurries.

“Maybe not, but we will do it anyway. Perhaps one day you will understand our reasoning.

We desire the same as all of you, to exist and continue as long as we can. But if one person is able to do what Ben can do, then who is to say more cannot. It takes, but one to unravel everything and make all life extinct.”

Mesuna looks at me in study, “I see your point Grass. As much as I would desire to study it more, the idea of one of the more violent races getting this talent scares me. I think we need to find a new course of study.”

“Agreed, and we have a few ideas we would love to discuss with you at a later time,” Grass says.

“I look forward to it. As callas as it sounds we still have the Ben problem,” she says.

I look at her angrily, “Ben,” Grass interrupts, “She is meaning how we can help you, not get rid of you.”

Mesuna cowers, “Yes, Yes, I find the notion of working with you too fascinating.”

Grass laughs, “You really never had people skills did you Mesuna?”

“No, everyone hated me,” she says shakily.

I could not help but laugh, “Well that does make more sense.”

Mesuna looks at me with questioning dismay.

“You will get used to that Mesuna. He flips quite often. It's the one trait we love about him,” Grass says.

I look up at an angle, “So that was just a filler question?”

“Yes, we had to keep you thinking and distracted,” Grass chuckles.

“Sure just pull those strings, like I don't have a life of my own,” I say sarcastically.

“But they are so easily pulled,” Grass responds with a laugh and I join them.

I stop laughing and see Mesuna looking at me confused, “Okay no one here gets humor,” I say.

“I see nothing funny about pulling strings,” she says.

“Of course, I guess there are no puppets here,” I say flabbergasted.

“There are more important issues that need to be addressed than a puppet,” she says sternly.

“Oh take a chill pill. You've been in a computer for a few millennia, a few more hours or days won't hurt,” I say.

I see shock on her face, “A few millennium? It's been that long?”

“Um yeah, you didn't look at the time in there?” I ask.

“No, I shut my program down till the computer found it necessary to wake me. When I was shut down it had only been a few months,” she says with a hint of fear.

“Well I guess you have a few millennia to cat up on. What's the big deal?” I ask, confused.

“You don't understand. A few codes I sent while in the computer are still running, and have been running for that long,” she says in total fear.

“Why, what is so bad about it?” I ask, getting impatient.

“It could be catastrophic,” she says then fades away.

“Um, Grass what was that about?” I ask.

“Unfortunately she will find out. She created genocide on two planets. Why it didn't happen on earth we do not know,” Grass answers sadly.

“What do you mean earth?” I ask in fear.

“We found her coding and are analyzing it. If what we gather was her plan, she tried to super accelerate on the forbidden planets.

She did the coding while in the computer so her human compassion did not make her question it. Now that she is human again she realizes what she could have or actually did.”

“What?” I ask, almost terrified, but trying to keep my composure.

“The way she did it could cause strange and violent mutations if not kept in check. Well it eventually wiped out the other two planets.

We are doing some checks in the computer, but we cannot find out why it did not occur on earth. It could take us several hours to get the feedback, from the earth station. Till then we have no way of knowing why earth survived.”

“Great earth could still kill itself,” I say flabbergasted.

“We believe not. All scenarios we have run says if the acceleration were active, earth would have already annihilated itself.”

“How?”

“Well the way the programming works, it gives a quick boost from the temple to accelerate growth. Each time this happens there will be a big jump in evolution. Well it was set to do this on a schedule.”

“Well I do remember in school that there are at least two jumps in evolution that scientist can not explain. I know one is when life first started, and the other is when modern man showed up on earth. There could be more, I just didn't pay attention,” I say trying to help.

“Interesting, but we will know more when the station gets back to us.”

“Why does it take you so long from earth?” I ask.

“Couple of reasons. One is that earth is so far away. Even in underspace there is time, so it affects slightly the time it takes information to travel.

And secondly the station on earth is older than the rest. No one has sent upgrades to it. So it works at a more sluggish pace.”

I laugh, “She could have just asked you all about it.”

“Yeah, but she still has the old computer mentality. It will take time to adjust, just like Althoos,” Grass says matter of fact.

“Althoos, but he is in the computer,” I point out.

“At the moment yes, but the last time he used the transporter was several months after the virus outbreak. We calculate that he could have lived a lot longer, if he had not been so focused on the virus.

He neglected his health trying to find a solution to the outbreak. We figure he will be needed to reeducate everyone. We didn't bring him back with Mesuna because we figured he would be more of a hindrance at this point.”

I chuckle, “You are probably right. Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Not right now but we anticipate that you are going to have a larger role to play soon. While you have taught us a lot, we have been training you too.

As insightful and ingenious as people are, they tend not to see the full picture. Since there are thousands of us with slightly different perceptions, we see a little more than just one human,” Grass says. I hear no pride or superiority in their tone.

“Grass?” I ask.

“Yes?”

“When you talk is it just one of you or what?”

“Only you, we think, would wonder that. It actually is several of us speaking at once. We have chosen to create groups of us designated for certain tasks. That way the group can double check all tasks. Even in speaking we are discussing what to say. Our communication is much faster than we can speak.”

I smile, “Like I said the ultimate super computer and I helped.”

Grass chuckles, “Yes you did, yes you did.”

“Well now what do I do?” I ask.

“Look perty,” Grass returns.