Cal was sitting down for some food after a break from the day of kid training when Harold sat down in front of him, actually showing a little concern on his face. It was rare Cal was able to spot any emotion on the man’s face. What had happened?


    “What’s up? Something change for the worse?” Cal asked, hoping it hadn’t. They had had enough problems as it was.


    “Change? No, but what I learned from the Gryalth could be a problem. The oldest one has certainly been on Earth for a while. He claims seventy years, but anything he says isn’t necessarily true. Especially when you consider the second claim, he also said that the Gryalth created our universe as a mana battery, and the real they are here is to accelerate its use. To be clear, I don’t believe that’s true. I do think he does though, which points to some shared myth by their people, likely to help keep them all in line on the same goal,” Harold explained.


    “I hope it’s not true. The thing that grabbed me scary enough, I’d really rather not deal with the idea that they are creating universes,” Cal said, noticing another figure heading for the table.


    “Have you seen Andy or Libby?” Serilina asked, also sounding worried. Had something happened with her kid?


    “I think they were checking mana readings in Ethel’s realm. Why is something wrong?” Cal asked.


    “Yes, not immediately, but Dennis and I somehow caused another wing in the library to unlock when he contacted his mana spirit. I don’t know what that means, but I don’t think it’s good. And without Andy or Bill here, that leaves Andrew as the only one who might really be allowed in, assuming that’s even a thing we want to risk doing,” Serilina answered.


    “Oh, damn. Have I mentioned I don’t really like the Under Library?” Cal asked.


    “You have, Serilina, since you’re here, I have a question for you. I understand you didn’t grow up with the Gryalth, but would you be interested in speaking to some of our prisoners? I’m not sure how they would react, and I want to throw them off for better intel gathering,” Harold asked.


    “I mean, sure, but I’ve gotta go find Andrew and Libby right now,” she answered.


    “I’ll join you. I was finishing up my food anyway, need to get back to the gardens,” Cal said, standing up to join the woman.


    “I’m heading back to the Gryalth, if you could stop by when you have some time, Serilina I’d appreciate it,” Harold said as he headed in the opposite direction.


    “Once we figure out this mess, you’re next on my stop, I promise,” Serilina said as she and Cal headed for the gardens.The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    “Do you know what wing you unlocked?” Cal asked as they walked. He remembered Andy telling him about the others, but not any details. He doubted Andrew knew much more, to be honest. Hopefully, Libby did.


    “I’m guessing the will be wing, but how that even works with your time loops, I have no idea. Does the future even currently exist anymore?” Serilina asked.


    “Yeah, that’s a good point, we are overwriting futures constantly, who knows,” Cal answered. How did an area dedicated to the future handle the constantly shifting futures Cal was involved in? He decided it was best not to dwell on the idea that would be a topic for the big brains if only they weren’t missing two. Two of the remaining ones they found in the center of the realm both carrying devices and making notes as they looked at them.


    “Hey, uh, guys, got a new problem,” Cal said as Serilina stood next to him awkwardly, smiling.


    “What did you do now?” Andrew asked, looking at Cal.


    “Hey, just because it’s usually me doesn’t mean it’s always me. This time it was Serilina. She apparently opened another wing at the Under Library and has no idea what to do about it,” Cal said. Serilina nodded along.


    “Oh, I suggest nothing. I understand the place somewhat recognizes me as well, but I believe it’s best to wait until Andy and Bill have returned before we touch anything else there,” Andrew answered.


    “I agree with Andrew. Whatever resides in that wing will likely be of extreme danger, and without the stewards, it is best not to attempt an exploration of that wing,” Libby answered. Cal wasn’t about to argue. He had no real desire to explore the place at all and certainly didn’t want to do it without Andy.


    “There, easy enough, nothing to worry about yet, Serilina. Now…” Cal started to say before being interrupted by a slightly panicked Gus.


    “Hey, we’ve got a situation boss!” Gus called as he ran up to them.


    “We always have situations. What’s this one about?” Cal asked the bird. Today was turning into a surprisingly chaotic day, more so than usual, which was saying something for his life.


    “They know we are watching the house. I don’t think they know how or where we are watching from, but they know,” Gus said.


    “What makes you say that?” Cal asked, concerned.


    “Come see for yourself,” Gus answered. All four of the people who had heard this followed after the odd bird to the control room.


    “So, these tapes were scattered everywhere around the property. At first, Cindy debated not touching them, but after a day of nothing happening, she decided to risk it. She brought one to me, and I gave it a watch. Now it’s your turn,” Gus said, pressing play on the VCR hooked up to one of the monitors in the room. There were no people on the tape, just a simple message.


    Cal and company, the Agency wishes to speak to you about a nonaggression treaty. We doubt that a full peace agreement could ever be reached, but this war has grown beyond what is likely useful for any of us. For the next three weeks, we will be waiting at your house with a delegation to discuss this. Please bring no more than five people.


    “I see. Yep, this is certainly a situation,” Cal said, unsure how to proceed.