Inception - Ascension Paradox, Book 1
Copyright© 2023 by L.R. Thornton
Chapter 14
Jillian glanced out at the enthralled crowd and a sudden tension whipped along her spine.
She’d never seen the man before in person but she’d know him anywhere. He had the kind of face that one didn’t forget. Not because the man was attractive but because his intellect made him so compelling. His features forged themselves in your mind, never to be forgotten.
Just like with Sarah. Years had gone by but she’d never forgotten her. Tossed her into the back of her mind, yes. Beaten down her image with a mental baseball bat? Sure. Forgotten? Never.
“Mark,” she whispered in an aside as C. A. D. I. stood next to Jackson, telling the audience about her favorite mathematical equation.
“What is it?” He said under his breath, trying to look as if he were though tying a shoe.
“Professor Lawton’s here.” Her fingers contracted on Mark’s arm.
She’d read a number of the professor’s articles, intrigued by many of his ideas and thoughts. His understanding of robotics and his cautionary notes about advancing artificial intelligence without some sort of restrictions had titillated her although she didn’t agree with his concerns.
“I see him,” Mark whispered. “We’ll knock him down and pin him to the wall before we let the good professor leave.”
She gave a pensive laugh which was conveniently well-timed because C. A. D. I. had made the audience laugh at the exact moment. There was no way they could leave VEX without contacting the professor. He ... and Sarah, were the key to everything.
Or were they?
Jillian bit her lower lip, worried. What if she had spent all this time waiting for the opportunity to meet this man and it didn’t do anything to answer the questions which had plagued her for so long?
She watched as a girl with dark curly hair came up to the professor to whisper something to him. A moment later he got up and left the room.
Consternation filled her. Had he gone for the rest of the day? Jillian took note of which door they went out. As soon as the opportunity availed itself, she was going to drag C. A. D. I. with her and drag her in front of the professor.
“We’ll now entertain one or two questions from the audience.” Jack’s voice brought her back to the matter at hand.
Everyone clamored for an opportunity to speak. Jackson pointed to a young girl of about twelve years old who had a toothy grin, big fat pigtails, and a “nerdiness” made cute by her adolescence. Jackson jumped from the stage and went over to the young girl.
“And what’s your name?”
“My name’s Tamara, but everyone calls me Pinky.”
Jackson grinned, his silver hair catching glints of sunlight. “And why’s that?”
Pinky tugged nervously on the edge of her T-shirt, her head bent down in embarrassment. “Because I like the color pink.” Her voice had gone low but was still audible.
The crowd laughed. “And you look great in it too. What did you want to ask C. A. D. I.?”
Pinky gripped the microphone then tugged it out of his hand, to everyone’s delight. Jackson made a neat joke. “The lady’s always right.”
“C. A. D. I., what is your favorite poem?”