Zach side-stepped them and put the book away.
George grabbed his arm.
Zach didn’t look at him; he looked at Fred instead.
“Look, I get you are in charge here, but you can’t talk to people that way.
You should learn something from your old man about what an ambassador does and how they do it.”
Fred gripped his dad’s wrist.
“Dad let go, you are over stepping right now.
Mom was wrong; we both know she memorized at least two or three formulas and will probably try to post them later.
The fact Zach hasn’t done anything is already him being patient.”
Jared also stepped up and put pressure on George.
“I will say this once and only once.
Release my son, now.” George’s face was becoming red as he looked around.
“George, let him go.
I can handle myself.” George swallowed his anger and walked off.
Fred rubbed his forehead.
“I apologize, Zach.” Zach waved his hand away and turned to his mom.
“Mrs.
Adams, is what Fred said true?
Do you plan on leaking information?” His eyes drilled into hers.
She took a step back and swallowed.
She looked at Fred for support, but didn’t see him making any moves to help her.
She turned back to Zach and straightened up.
“Yes its true.
This can improve space travel by at least 80 years, Zach.
We could finally start colonizing other planets and getting more resources for Earth.”
Zach didn’t say anything to her.
“Fred, go grab your father, make sure he doesn’t take anything, and meet up on the first floor.” He walked away with his parents.
Fred said nothing as he walked past him and looked down at the floor.
Jared and Nyla followed Zach as he finished showing them around the fourth floor.
He brought them to the meeting hall.
He turned around and asked his dad for his advice.
“What should I do, Dad?
You have more experience as an actual ambassador than I do.
How would you handle this situation?” Jared looked at Nyla, who walked away from them.
He took a seat and had Zach sit across from him.
“First, I wouldn’t have shut down all negotiations because the other party is only going to be more determined to get whatever they want.
Secondly, I would weigh my options.
Is this information truly dangerous, or is it the potential that’s dangerous?
Thirdly, what would I gain from this?
Fourthly, if negotiations fail, then damage control.
That means controlling the narrative.”
“The only good narrative is one where you are the author.
People tend to believe the person who speaks up first and has credibility.
In this case, you can expect her to share and spread any knowledge she has learned the second she leaves this place.
If you have a way to make sure she doesn’t, that is probably the best option for you.”
Zach sighed.
“I was hoping you would have something else for me.
It’s ok.
I do have a way to make sure no one speaks about what they experienced today.
Perhaps it was a bit naive on my part.”
Jared patted his shoulder.
“I know being an ambassador is hard and can make making friends even harder, let alone trustworthy ones.
I am always around if you ever want to talk or if you need advice.”
Zach gave him a hug.
“Let’s get back to the first floor.
George and Lily didn’t have the friendliest of faces, but he ignored them for now.
He addressed everyone.
“I am happy to be able to serve as your host this evening.
I hope you enjoyed your stay and the tours.
It has come time for everyone to leave and return home.”
He paused and looked around.
The saddest was Piper.
“Do we really have to go?
Can’t we have a slumber party?” She gave Zach the biggest puppy eyes she could.
Everyone chuckled.
Zach still nodded his head yes.
She frowned but didn’t ask about staying again.
“Before you all leave, you have a decision to make.
I am offering you all to join us.” He gestured to Fred, Blair, and himself.
The first one to ask a question was Lily.
“If we join, are we allowed to share knowledge?” Zach sighed.
“It depends on the knowledge, and the answer to most of the knowledge you want to share is no.” He left no room for negotiations.
David asked his question next.
“Who would be in charge?” Zach’s response was quick.
“I will be in charge, Fred is my second, and when we aren’t around, Blair.
That may change depending on everyone’s answers tonight.”
George spoke next.
“What if we join but then decide to leave?
Will we be allowed to?” Zach answered him smoothly.
“You can leave anytime you want.
Just know that the moment you do leave, you lose everything.
You lose any powers, knowledge, and benefits you earn during your time here.”
Phobe raised her concerns.
“Is it safe for children?” Zach nodded.
“It’s perfectly safe.
You, as her parents, will be able to monitor and control her system to some extent, at least until she reaches the age of 16.
From there, all your privileges and access will be revoked.”
This largely eased David’s and her worries.
Lily spoke again.
“What if we don’t want to join?” Fred stepped up to speak, but was stopped by Zach.
“If you don’t choose to join, then so be it.
But you will receive a mark so that you can’t speak about this to anyone.
Ever.”
He narrowed his eyes at her.
“Allow me to be clear.
Even if you do decide to join, you will still receive this marking.
Until you have been proven trustworthy or until I say otherwise.” His voice was cold and hard.
He addressed them as a group.
“Make your choices within the next 15 minutes.” He walked away and went into his office.
Lily walked to Jared and Nyla.
“Your son can’t be serious!
He can’t really expect us to make this type of decision so quickly.”
Jared smiled politely.
“Yes, he can.
He is the boss and leader.
He is offering everyone here a chance to gain powers we could never hold or get in our entire lifetimes.
They looked at the desk where a bust of the ALL of Nature face sat.
Lily scoffed.
“You can’t really believe that nonsense.” Fred finally snapped.
“Mom!
Either choose yes or no already.
Or just shut the hell up.
You have no right, no authority, and definitely no powers here.
Dad, I swear if you even so much as try to threaten me, I will put you on your ass.”
To prove his point, he made everyone float.
He set them down before storming off.
He walked into the office near Zach’s and slammed the door.
Lily and George were surprised.
Jared and Nyla nodded to each other.
Jared spoke to everyone, “My wife and I will be joining.” David and Phobe also chose to join.
Piper didn’t understand, but hugged her mom because she was scared.
Blair crouched down.
“Hey Pipes, I know that was pretty scary just now, but I promise you everything is ok.
Look, I will even pinky promise.” This eased Piper.
She smiled at her older sister.
Zach came out and waited to hear their answers.
He already knew his parents would join him.
He was surprised to see George and Lily join.
He looked at them skeptically.
“We may feel differently when it comes down to sharing and being open to the world, but we aren’t stupid.
Besides, our son yelled and threatened us.
It’s the first time he has ever done so.”
Zach nodded and shot a glance at Fred.
Fred’s gaze was hard, and he nodded at Zach.
Zach turned to them, “In that case, you should all see a screen in front of you.
Click yes and go through the tutorial.”
Zach watched as they all went through the same process.
‘I bet it looks like I am some weird cult leader.’ The first one to wake up was Piper.
She looked around and tried to get her parents attention.
Blair stopped her.
“Hold on Piper.
Daddy and Mommy are going through a very special process right now.
Come here and tell us what you can do?” Piper beamed and ran over to them.
“It was so cool!
There were animals everywhere, there was even a huugggeee lizard in the sky.
It said I was meant to soar and took me for a ride!”
Piper spoke quickly but everyone was able to keep up.
“What happened next?” Blair asked.
Piper pointed to the bust of the ALL of Nature and said, “That pretty lady appeared and gave me a kiss on my forehead and told me that all animals would be my friends and listen to me.
I can also summon them but told I shouldn’t summon the big flying lizard unless Zach told me I could.”
Blair and Fred turned to Zach.
Zach felt his palms sweating.
‘Holy shit, she can summon an actual freaking dragon!?
If she can summon a dragon then she can probably summon other mythological creatures possibly even take on certain characteristics for battles.’
Fred bought him out of it with an elbow.
Zach blinked and knelt down to her level.
“Thank you for telling us Piper.
I know you want to summon the big lizard to fly again but you must never summon it.
One day you will understand why.
Let’s wait for everyone else to wake up.”