Underestimated enemies are the most dangerous. If they are also smart, they know of that and make use of it like The Scorpio. On the videos we had he used simple and effective self-defense techniques. Against me he went full force. He studied my movements well enough. I didn’t. Touché. But I won’t be caught unprepared anymore. In fact, it’s time I get some info on him.

Mister Mile is sitting with us at the briefing room.

“Did the person on the tablet introduce themselves? Did they call each other by any name?” Dad asks.

“No… God gracious, they tried to kill me, no? With those guns exploding and throwing me!” The man is a little shaken up, but physically he is alright.

“I don’t think so, sir. They were probably destroying anything that could lead to them…” I start.

“Destroy me?!”

“No. With you he was just buying some time. He knew I would jump.” Still, that was some quick thinking. “The Scorpio has never killed anyone.” Yet.

“What did you talk with them?” The general is eager for some answers.

“The one in black said nothing, he just shoved the tablet to my hands. The other asked about details to build a reactor.”

“A nuclear reactor?”

“Not really. More like a containment reactor using magnetism.”

“What for?”

“Well, to contain something obviously.” Dad frowns. “But he didn’t say what.”

“Any guess?”

“Judging by the structure he described, it could be to contain something radioactive.”

“He wants to not let radiation out? Wow, what a villain.” Not exactly what I expected.

“Could this thing be overheated or somehow broken?” Mom questions.

“It could.”

“And the material inside would have been charging?” I don’t like where mom thinks their plan is going.

“It… Yes…” Thales shares my dislike. “It could also be used as a bomb of sorts, depending on what was inside.”

“If it was phi radiation you would say that’s very likely the case, no?” Her usual smile is nowhere to be seen.

“Oh my God! Phi radiation is more of a particle than a wave, so of course it could be kept inside a container and then released…” The scholar is livid. “I… I helped with constructing a bomb…”

“Wait a minute, we don’t know that for sure.” I’m still holding onto hope.

“I was really bothered by that incursion to the Humane Institute. Now it makes sense.” Even father is accepting the theory.

“Why would anyone do that?” But I can’t believe it.

“Madness. Revenge. Cruelty. There are tons of reasons. None matters. We must stop it anyway.” Mom pats my shoulder and looks at mister Mile. “How long do you think until the device is ready?”

“From what we talked, they still need at least a few pieces. I can write them down. They are not common, you could track the suppliers.”

“Let’s start there. Come with me, sir.” Dad takes him away.

I look at my mother still in disbelief. She takes my hand and we head to the gates.

“Go to your house, honey. Have a good night of sleep.” She kisses me on the forehead and goes back in. My legs take me home, but my brain is still absent.