Chapter 4

The rest of the summer went by so fast as Mom got the companies established and accounts created for each division. We marketed the games at all the magazines and resellers we could find prior to releasing the games. Sales started with a trickle until the reviews came out, with most gushing in their praise of both games. After that, sales took off on both and money started pouring in. Mom transferred some of the money to the parent company and then allocated it to the Robotics division so we could start buying all the components for the version one robot. Dad and I worked on assembling it and hoped the physical body and wiring of the electronics could be done by end of Labour Day weekend.

While all of that was going on, Base and I worked on the programming for the robot, modifying code he had already had for the AI and the physical control of the robot from the Telan’s versions. We didn’t want the AI for these robots to be sophisticated at all, just be able to control the robot to be able to move around, step up or down stairs and pick and place objects via a remote-control device and limited voice commands. Base obviously could to all the programming but it was essential that I was able to explain and reproduce the programming if someone didn’t believe I was capable of programming at that level and that I might have stole it from somewhere. I wanted to learn everything anyway so I dove in headfirst into the programming. We made sure to make up task lists and completions notes for each day of work on both the software and the robotic projects as well as saving programming files each day as evidence of our work. We figured we would be ready to install the first version of our AI as soon as the physical unit was ready.

On the software division side, the programming was done for version two of the flying game as we added space ships to it. We planned to offer it as a standalone purchase or an upgrade to version one in a month or two. The sports games, bobsledding, luge, skiing and biathlon, were almost done and were so realistic you’d think you were following a video camera down the mountain until you switched to third party view behind the sled or skier. I just had to finish the interface and then upload to the website next week in time for the marketing blitz.

On a personal front, I was growing like a weed, both in height, now almost six feet, and in shoulder width. While still thin in the waist, I was putting on muscle on my chest, back, arms, legs and core, so I hoped it would be enough to deter any bullies while also attracting the attention of the girls. Mom took me shopping for new clothes and made sure I picked decent style and colour combinations. While at the mall, I purchased a new adult backpack and some school supplies. We had already registered me at the high school and I received my schedule and home room assignment via email so I was ready to go to school on Tuesday.

Base and I talked about school on Monday evening after supper.

“Your blood pressure is a bit high Ben, are you nervous about going to go to school tomorrow?” Base asked.

“A bit, I won’t know anyone there or even the layout of the school,” I answered. “I know none of the grade nine students will know the layout either but most will have friends or family to help out.”

“I will help with directions and will also keep my sensors working to warn you of any approaching issues or with questions you might not know the answer to,” Base told me. “With your growth spurt, you are now above average in height and size for grade ten males let alone those of grade nine. You are stronger and more resistant to damage so you should not have to worry about bullies. Your growth spurt will also have the females interested in getting to know you so you won’t be friendless for long.”

“I hope all of that will come true,” I said. “I may be nervous for nothing but I probably won’t be able to change that until I see how things go.”

“Just try to relax and project a confident aura,” Base suggested.

“If you can’t be confident, then fake it?” I responded.

“Exactly,” Base agreed. “You don’t need to say much at the beginning, just be confident and firm when you answer questions. It’s easier to stay quiet and let people only suspect you’re an idiot than to open your mouth and prove it.”

“Strong, silent type will be my goal then,” I said.

“Until you have to answer, and then be the smart, confident type, without looking like a know-it-all,” Base added.

“Have you been reading up on high school life?” I asked.

“Of course, I need to be aware of anything that could derail our goals,” Base answered. “Your brain improvements will have you stand out academically but we need to also temper that so you will fit in with people to start and then rise to the top as you are accepted.”

“That’s it, no more teen Cosmo for you,” I said.

Base was silent for a few seconds before he responded, “A joke, Ben?”

“Yes Base, that was a joke,” I replied, smiling.

“That was funny,” Base admitted.

“Just a heads up, guys don’t like to talk too much about their emotions while girls are all about emotions and like to gossip about just about anything,” I told him. “Obviously, that’s a stereotype and not all girls are like that. It’s going to be very interesting for you I think.”

“I’m sure it will be,” Base agreed.

“Alright, I’m going to get some sleep,” I said. “Good night Base.”

“Good night Ben,” Base replied.

Tuesday morning, I was up early and showered before even my parents were up. As it was now cool in the mornings, I threw on some jeans and a navy-coloured tee shirt after a quick shower downstairs. I had all my school stuff in my backpack waiting at the door and was eating some cereal when my parents came down.

“You’re up early,” Mom said as she poured them both a cup of coffee.

“Yeah, wanted to shower before school,” I said.

“Good idea, not good to have bedhead and smell bad for the ladies,” Dad responded with a grin.

“True,” I agreed. “I even combed my hair and put on clean clothes.”

“Look Pa, our son is growing up,” mom said, with an answering grin.

“Pretty soon he’ll be bringing home a wife, Ma,” Dad responded.

I just shook my head and finished my cereal. After rinsing my bowl out, I hit the washroom and brushed my teeth.

“Alright, I’ll see you two tonight, try not to get into any trouble while I’m gone,” I said as I put my shoes on.

Mom came and gave me a hug while dad just patted my shoulder and both wished me luck before I left the house to walk to end of the driveway to wait for the bus. Our driveway was long and meandering through the woods to miss some of the big trees and to make sure the cabin was not seen from the road. I waited by the mailbox and talked internally to Base.

“All set to get immersed into teen culture, Base?” I asked.

“I find I am looking forward to it,” Base admitted. “I have never been around more than a few humans at a time.”

“Just don’t get overwhelmed,” I cautioned. “The hallways of a school can be crowded and are no place for the timid. Just remember, not everyone is a potential enemy out to attack.”

“Understood,” Base said.

I waited for about ten minutes before an old yellow bus appeared from the north. I waited until it was almost stopped before moving closer to the road. Once the driver opened the door I climbed up and nodded to the older gentleman who nodded back as I found an empty seat about half way back in the quarter-filled bus. I glanced around and saw a few people looking at me while others were either just sitting by themselves quietly or talking to someone they knew. There were a few good-looking girls that I snuck some looks at while also categorizing the guys. None of the guys looked particularly tough or mean, but a few in the back looked to be my size or even bigger. When we were living in our previous city, there were always a few gangbangers, druggies and punks you had to look out for and steer away from. School bully encounters and fights were almost a daily occurrence and I had a few fights until bullies knew I didn’t quit, no matter who was fighting. With my new build and enhanced strength and speed, I wasn’t particularly worried about being bullied, though no one triggered any internal alarms so far.