Ultraviolet Catastrophe (12 page)

“Ha! Checkmate!” Zella jumped to her feet and the holographic chess board they’d been using flickered into a burst of miniature fireworks over the lunch table. She did a little dance as Max sat back in his chair and glowered at her.

“You just got lucky.”

“Don’t you dare. I worked hard for that win. Do you know how many chess sites I had to study to figure out how to beat you?” She grinned and popped a grape into her mouth. “You’re just a sore loser.”

Max shook his head but a smile played on his lips. “Fine. It was a good match. But watch out next time. I’m going to destroy you.”

I rolled my eyes and took another bite of peanut butter and jelly. I’d given up trying to follow their game. I’d never quite gotten the hang of chess and these moves were way beyond me. Even at lunch, my teammates were overachievers.

Across the room, I spotted Asher striding toward us. I ran a hand through my hair and swiped at my mouth with a napkin. With my luck, I’d have jelly smeared across my chin and never even know.

Asher straddled one of the empty chairs at our table and leaned his arms along the back of the seat, his whole body quivering with suppressed excitement. “Did you guys hear the news?”

Zella popped a grape in her mouth and shook her head. “No, but I bet you’re going to tell us.”

His knees bounced up and down. “It’s still a secret, so keep this between us, but QT just got awarded a huge new contract. It’s going to change everything.”

Zella stopped eating and stared at him with wide eyes. “What’s it for?”

I wasn’t nearly as impressed with his news as I was with the way his “Got Science?” shirt hugged his chest or brought out the blue in his eyes. A bite of sandwich lodged itself in my suddenly dry throat, and I quickly took a drink of water as Asher leaned forward, glanced around the cafeteria to make sure no one was listening.

“It’s for an Einstein-Rosen bridge,” he whispered.

Max dropped his fork on his lunch tray with a clatter. “A wormhole machine?”

“Shhh!” Asher glared at him.

“But the Einstein-Rosen bridge is theoretical. It doesn’t exist.” Max shook his head. “It’s impossible. They’re too unstable to create in the first place.”

Asher merely raised an eyebrow. “This is Quantum Technologies. Do you have any idea what kinds of projects they’ve been working on in secret?”

“So what does that mean for QT?” I asked, trying to find a way into the conversation. Three pairs of eyes turned to me, and Asher’s grin was smug.

“It’s going to be a huge project. They’ll need all the help they can get, which means they’ll be pulling select groups of students into the project as part of their modules. We’ll be a part of the group of scientists who prove wormholes exist. It’s historic. It’s as important as the Manhattan Project or the Mars Rover.”

“Oh.”
Way to go, Kepler. Nothing like flaunting your ignorance.

My tablet dinged on the table, followed by three more dings as Zella, Max, and Asher all got the same email.

Zella pulled it up and read it aloud. “Attention all staff and students. Please plan to meet in the auditorium at four o’clock today to be part of a historic announcement regarding Quantum Technologies and our future. I look forward to sharing this exciting news with you. Signed, Dr. Carla Danvers.”

“This is it,” Asher said with a grin.

“How does your dad feel about all this?” Zella asked. “Will your mom be coming back to work on the project?”

The smile slipped from Asher’s face. “As far as I know, Mom’s still in Seattle with no plans to return.”

She nodded. “I just wondered. I know her focus is a bit different, but she’s still one of the best physicists in the country.”

“QT is smart to let someone else lead up the project. Dr. Jessica Rosen is kind of an asshole.” Asher stood up, scraping his chair across the floor. “Anyway, just wanted to give you guys a heads up. I’ll catch you later.” He shoved his hands into his jeans pockets and strode away.

I frowned at his retreating back. “What was that about?”

Zella shook her head. “Asher’s mom left them years ago and hasn’t bothered to keep in touch even though she still works for QT. It’s kind of sad.” She popped another grape in her mouth. “Asher hasn’t been the same since she left. I think that’s when he started his flirting phase. I guess it keeps his mind off other things.”

Max shook his head. “Dr. Rosen is a genius, but he’s kind of that stereotypical absentminded-professor type. Asher’s had to fend for himself. I think he blames his dad for his mom leaving.” He got to his feet. “But not like we can do anything about it. Time for some more research before the staff meeting. You done yet, Zella?”

She snatched the bag of grapes off her tray and shoved it into her bag. “I am now. We’ll see you later, Lexie.” Her expression was almost friendly as she and Max walked away.

The Quantum Technologies auditorium looked like a shining glass bubble on the side of the main QT facility, the curved glass walls and ceiling giving it an open, airy feel. Even with the hundreds of bodies milling around, the place was huge. It could probably fit two thousand people in the soft, movie-theater-style chairs ringing the center stage.

“The auditorium is made from high-tech glass,” Max explained as we shuffled toward the middle of the auditorium with the rest of the students. “It’s filled with heavy particles that can be turned on or off to block the light. Comes in handy when you want to display a presentation in the middle of the day. Especially since QT hosts an annual conference every scientist in the world would kill to be invited to.”

“More of the QT exclusivity?”

“Of course. How else do you generate buzz?” He let me shuffle first into our row. The other students whispered and giggled as they filtered in behind. I guessed there were about a hundred of us total, twenty or so in each level.

Below us, closer to the stage, the scientists and staffers wandered in, chatting with each other as they took their seats. I think the IQ number in the room was at least a zillion and three, based on the lab coats. My dad even sported his crazy scientist hair; it stood on end like he’d run his hands through it a dozen times. Evidently, it had been a rough morning in the labs. Unfortunately, Jordan seemed more than happy to make him feel better, giggling and flirting with him as they took their seats. Dad looked more annoyed with her behavior than anything as he tried to speak with the scientist seated on the other side of him.

I spotted Dr. Rosen entering the auditorium with the medical team. Dr. Danvers mingled with three people in business suits near the stage. Unusual, since most of the staff here wore lab coats or scrubs.

I searched the rest of the crowds. Of course, I wasn’t looking specifically for him, but I didn’t spot Asher anywhere. Amy sat a few rows behind us, craning her neck as she scanned the crowds, too. There was an empty seat beside her.

At four sharp, Dr. Danvers moved to the podium and tapped the microphone. “Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you for coming on such short notice. We have an amazing announcement to make, and I hope you’ll all be as excited about it as I am. Quantum Technologies is about to take a major leap into the future. I am pleased to have two of the regents of the Quantum Technologies board here to help share this news with you — Director Dr. Elisabeth Franklin and Assistant Director Dr. John Evans.”

The two scientists in suits stepped forward and nodded to the crowd. Dr. Franklin was a petite black woman with a steely expression. She scanned the crowd, and when her eyes passed over me, I shivered. This was a woman who didn’t put up with nonsense. I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.

Satisfied with whatever she’d been looking for, Dr. Franklin nodded at Danvers, who continued. “The board of directors has been working diligently to get funding for a very special project based on the research we’ve been doing into mathematical models of space-time and their physical manifestations.” Danvers paused, her eyes gleaming. “I am happy to announce we have been awarded a grant to develop a small-scale working model of an Einstein-Rosen bridge.”

The crowd murmured, and the students sitting around us buzzed with excitement. Beside me, Max and Zella looked a bit smug.

“This is a great honor and a great responsibility. If we are successful, this will put QT at the cutting-edge of quantum physics research and discovery. To head up this project, we need someone who is both a strong leader and a strong scientist. I am very pleased to announce Dr. Michael Avery as the director of Project Infinity.” Dr. Danvers stepped back from the podium, clapping.

I frowned as my skeevy advisor sprinted to the stage, his button-down shirt pressed neatly. No crazy scientist look for him. He waved with both arms, like he was some kind of celebrity, and the room thundered with applause. But I noticed several scientists with their heads together, whispering. Even Dad had a slight frown on his face.

“Thank you, everyone,” Dr. Avery said, adjusting the microphone to his height. “I am humbled and honored to be chosen as the lead for this important project. This momentous day has been in the works for almost two years, so I am happy to tell you work on Project Infinity will begin immediately. Dr. Danvers and I have assigned the project teams, so without further ado, let me introduce you to the assistant leads on the project.”

He tapped at a tablet on the podium and began to read a list of names. Most of them I didn’t know, but then he said, “Dr. William Kepler will be heading up the particle physics lab. His broad knowledge of string theory will play an important role in understanding the potential of the Einstein-Rosen bridge.”

I wanted to cheer for Dad — I knew this was huge for him — but I restrained myself and only clapped loudly. Max glanced at me and grinned before clapping harder as well.

Avery raised his hands and the applause stopped. “I am also pleased to announce that the student liaison for this project will be Asher Rosen, grandson of Nathan Rosen, who contributed so much to the original theory. He’ll work as an intermediary between scientists and our talented students, and generally lead the effort from our trainees.”

The student section erupted in cheers, and Asher stood up from his seat at the front of the auditorium to wave at the crowd. Someone in the back row gave a shrill whistle and cat call and he flashed us a cocky grin before sitting back down with the rest of the project leads.

Dr. Danvers watched him with an indulgent smile before resuming her place. “To celebrate this amazing announcement, we’ll be having a special gala in a few weeks to celebrate the project kick off. I’ll expect you all there in black tie.” She paused, her face serious. “I can’t tell you how important this project is to QT. And to all of us. I am honored we were awarded this contract, but there will be a lot of work ahead of us for the next several years. I have full faith that, together, we can achieve what no one thought possible!”

The scientists erupted into cheers again, and many of them shot to their feet. It was like watching a high school pep rally in reverse. And slightly painful to see grown men high-fiving each other.

Then again, the idea of an actual wormhole was pretty cool. If QT could pull this off, it would be a huge deal, and I was going to get to be a part of it.

As long as Branston left me alone.

Three days later, QT still buzzed with the news. Even tucked in my back corner of the library, I heard Joan gossiping with every scientist who visited about the first phase of the project and who Avery was going to choose to head up the building of the actual wormhole machine.

When even the robots were excited, you knew it was big.

My email dinged, and I pulled my tablet from my bag. My chest lightened when I saw I had one from Asher, but the subject line quickly squashed any pleasure.

Meeting @ 2:00 for Project Assignments.

I skimmed quickly. Asher wanted to meet with our group to talk about where we fit into Project Infinity. I still wasn’t sure where I fit at QT, let alone on a project like this, but I wanted to be part of it, more than I’d ever wanted anything. Somewhere I’d gone from hating the fact that I was stuck here at QT to wanting to be a part of it.

Ten minutes before two, I packed up my stuff and headed to the labs. Asher’s office was in the Project Infinity wing in Division Nine where he could run the student projects. I caught sight of my wavy reflection in the metal elevators doors and tugged at my ponytail as I waited. Why hadn’t I worn something besides my old hoodie and a plain white t-shirt? I looked like such a mess.

Quickly, I pulled my hair free from the rubber band and shook it out with my fingers, letting it fall around my shoulders. Not much better, but it would have to do. At least I’d straightened it this morning. My usual Hermione hair was not a good look. I stuck my tongue out at my reflection just as the elevator doors slid open.

“Is that an invitation?” Asher asked with a grin. He was slouched against the wall, hands shoved into his pockets.

I forced a laugh. “Only in your dreams.”

“Ah, Lexicon, you don’t even know how often that’s true.”

I didn’t think it was possible, but I got even redder and my insides dropped before the elevator had even started to move.

Asher chuckled. “Yeah, sorry. That was probably a bit much. You headed to my office?”

I nodded, not confident I could form a coherent sentence. My brain whirled from his flirting. We were just friends, weren’t we? From the corner of my eye, I noticed Asher’s hair was carefully messy, and instead of just his usual geeky t-shirt, he’d thrown a khaki blazer over it. I had to admit, he looked even hotter than normal.

The tension between us crackled like the air before a thunderstorm, and the space around me shrank until there was only Asher. Only the sound of his breathing, his clean-laundry scent. He straightened from his slouch to stare at the numbers on the panel as if he needed to focus on something else.

The doors finally slid open, and he gestured with a flourish. “After you, Lexicon.”

I could feel his gaze on me, heavy and hot like a hand on my back, and I shivered. Luckily, the walk to his office was short, and we made it in silence. I couldn’t have thought of a witty comeback if my life had depended on it.

Max, Zella, and Amy were already waiting for us when we got there.

“We were just going to send out a search party,” Amy said as we entered the office. “But then I realized how busy you must be, Ash. Hopefully we can take some of that off your hands.” She paused, noticing my flushed cheeks, and narrowed her eyes.

Asher shrugged and flopped into the chair behind the sleek glass desk. “It’s not bad. I’ll deal.”

I slid into the empty chair beside the door. Max scooted his chair over to give me some more room and leaned over to whisper, “I’m glad you guys showed up. Amy was about to call out the rescue robots.”

I sighed. “She keeps a short chain on him, doesn’t she?”

Asher tapped furiously at his keyboard. “Just tweaking a few last-minute assignments. Be right with you guys.”

Amy still glared at me, like I’d done something wrong by being alone in Asher’s company. He was just a friend, but I’d be damned if someone was going to dictate who I hung out with. If she was going to go there, I could play that game, too.

“Take your time, Ash.” I smiled slowly at him. “I’m just excited I was included. I’m sure you have something cool for all of us to work on.”

An amused smile twisted his lips, and he paused to look up at me. “Glad you think so, Lexicon. I have something special planned just for you.” His gaze was challenging and suggestive.

“I bet you do.”

Max and Zella glanced between us, plainly confused. Amy just looked pissed off.

“Okay, I’m done. Let’s get started, shall we?” Asher tapped at the keyboard on his desk, and a project plan popped up on his huge, flat panel monitor. There were columns for each research area of Project Infinity and student teams listed below.

“All of the QT students will be rotating through projects, but with all endeavors like this, there are some premium assignments held for the smartest and best. I’ve been meeting with small groups all week to talk about their interest and skill level, and I think I have most of the assignments done. But since you’re my project group, I wanted to give you guys the option to think about where you might fit in best.”

Amy rolled her eyes. “Seriously, Asher. You sound as pompous as Dr. Avery. Give us a break already — we’re all friends here.”

Zella snickered. “You know, she’s right. I was trying to figure out who you reminded me of.”

“Thanks, I love being compared to that douchebag.” He raised an eyebrow at us. “Don’t you know you’re supposed to flatter your project lead and do anything he says?”

“Anything?” Amy purred. She looked like she was going to climb across the desk and rip his shirt off.

Zella shook her head and rolled her eyes at me. I froze — she was actually being friendly — before rolling mine back at her. Time to interrupt the suddenly skanky vibe filling the room.

“Since I’m the new girl here, can you explain all this?” I gestured to the computer and Asher’s spreadsheets.

“Of course.” He sounded relieved as he pulled up a few more documents, pointedly ignoring Amy’s loud sigh. “I think it would probably help everyone here to know a little more about the project. Several years ago, Dr. Avery had a breakthrough in proving that an Einstein-Rosen bridge wasn’t just theoretical. He discovered a new particle, in line with the Higgs boson, that hinted that a space-time continuum might be possible. Around the same time, the government also became interested in his research and contacted QT to talk about a partnership. With their resources and our scientists, it’s only a matter of time before we have a working model.” Asher’s eyes flashed with excitement, and I could tell this was something he loved. It made me love it, too. I was glad to be part of QT and the work they were doing here.

“One of the first tasks is verifying Dr. Avery’s calculations and recreating his first tests to make sure there are no mistakes while the machine is being built.” Asher paused and looked around the room. “I’ve handpicked you four as my own special team. I want the best students at QT to help me validate the tests and make sure we’re on the right track. What do you say?”

Zella did a little chair-dance, her curly black hair bouncing. “Count me in. I’ve been waiting for this my whole life.”

Beside her, Max nodded. “I’m in. My grandfather is going to be so freaked out when I tell him. He was part of the original work done here in Oak Ridge.”

Amy stared at Asher almost reverently. “I never thought I’d get to be included in something like this. Thank you.”

Everyone in the room turned to look at me. Zella’s lips thinned before she said, “What’s Lexie going to do?”

I blinked at her. So much for Zella being nice. “Not quite sure why I was included in with the rest of you, huh, Zella? I mean it’s not like I’m as smart or as advanced, so how could I possibly manage this kind of project?”

Zella’s face flushed, and she looked down at her hands. “You just started at QT. You don’t have our experience. And this project is too important to mess up. It’s not like I don’t like you personally, but…”

I narrowed my eyes at her. “But why am I here?”

She shrugged, and Asher slammed his hand down on the desk. “I don’t appreciate you questioning my choices here, Z. I’m the one who pulled this team together, and everyone in this room has something to contribute.”

He turned to me, dismissing Zella. “Lexie, you and I are going to take a first pass at this calculation. Amy, you’ll be working with Max and Zella to create a simulation of the machine.”

Amy’s face fell. “I thought we’d be… If you guys need help…”

“We’ll call you guys in if we need it. Right now, we need to focus on both of these things. They want to have a first test of the system before the big conference in December. Which means we need to get to work right away.” Asher paused, pinning each of us with his gaze. “Unless someone objects to my choices.”

No one moved.

“Then I suggest we all get to work.”

Max got to his feet and extended his hand. “Thanks for including me, man. I appreciate it.”

Asher shook it. “I can’t think of anyone I’d want on my team more.”

Max beamed and nodded at Zella and Amy. “Let’s get moving, ladies. We have some research to do. See you later, Lexie?”

I nodded at him as they shuffled out of Asher’s office. The air grew heavy with whatever was between us, and I suddenly wished I was going with them — even with Zella. Shifting in my chair, I studied the sonic screwdriver Asher had in a stand on his desk so I wouldn’t have to meet his gaze. “Thanks for including me.”

He looked up from his keyboard. “Lexie, I know how smart you are. And I know you’re going to add a lot to this team.”

“You keep saying that, but how do you know? I sure haven’t seen it. And I’ve been looking.”

Asher leaned forward, and I forced myself to meet his gaze.

“Remember your first day here at QT? As soon as my dad introduced you, all these memories of you came rushing back. When I was a kid, I overheard Mom and Dad talking about what they were doing to you, and I was horrified. I bugged my mom for weeks to get her to tell me more, but she wouldn’t. Eventually, I let it go. Forgot about it. Until I saw you.”

He looked down at his desk. At his hands. Anywhere but at me. “And then I finally did what I couldn’t do all those years ago. I hacked into your files to see what they’d done. I know why your dad was scared for you. Your test scores are astonishing, Lexie.”

I shook my head, too confused to even know how to feel any more. “It still didn’t give them the right to experiment on me. Why didn’t my dad just bring me to QT?”

“This place isn’t as bad as Branston, but it has its problems, too. I mean, yeah, we’re building a wormhole machine, but at what price?” Asher rolled a pen between his long fingers, and I knew he was talking about his absentee mom.

A pang of sympathy rushed through me, and I ran a finger along the beveled edge of the glass desk. I’d never told anyone about this, not even my mom. “When I was a kid, I memorized the entire periodic table so I could impress my dad. And then he got too busy with something here at work to call. I waited by the phone every day for two weeks.”

Asher glanced up, slid a hand over mine and squeezed. “My mom and I were supposed to go camping when I was eight. I memorized all the constellations in the summer sky. Then she went to Switzerland for a conference and never came back.”

Our gazes met, and I knew the pain I saw in his eyes looked exactly like my own. I wanted to hug him, to make it go away.

He kept talking, like he’d never said the words before. “I know I should forgive her, but I hate my mom for abandoning me. I understand her reason — my dad is the worst person in the world to be married to. He can barely remember to brush his teeth, let alone remember he has a family, but it doesn’t make it any easier.”

I nodded. “I have my own parental abandonment and lying issues to deal with. But you already know about those.” I was being more honest with Asher than I’d ever been with anyone. It felt good but scary.

He gave me one of those twisted smiles, and where our hands touched, my body felt like it was on fire. Like there was more than just skin connecting us. “Your parents’ behavior has nothing to do with who you are. You are an amazing person, and if you hadn’t experienced this, you wouldn’t be you, Lexie.”

I nodded. “That’s good advice. Perhaps something you should consider for yourself?” He grimaced, but I continued. “It works both ways. Just because your dad is sometimes too blind to see what an astonishing person you are, doesn’t mean it’s not true.”

Asher glanced away, his shoulders tense. Both of us had been broken by what our parents had done, but maybe together we could be all right. Maybe together we could work through it. And that first step was to stop feeling sorry for ourselves.

I pulled back. “Wait just a minute, Asher Rosen. Did I hear you right? You hacked into my records? Doesn’t QT have even tougher security than Branston?”

A grin crept to his lips. “You saw my skills. I watched that movie
War Games
when I was six. When it was over, it only took me half an hour to break into NASA. Mom didn’t let me watch TV again for months.”

“I don’t even want to know what other trouble you’ve gotten into, do I?”