“I didn’t say there wouldn’t be another meteor,” Tech said. “I meant, they’re crazy if they think they can stop it.”
“You don’t think…” Sal looked at him, and then laughed. “Ah, you’re putting me on.”
Tech shook his head. “I can’t tell you all the stuff I have access to. But I estimate a 78% chance that it was deliberate, and a 34% chance that there will be another one in the next ten years.”
“Deliberate? But who… I mean, we’re talking about a meteor. That’s like, out of a cartoon or something.”
“I know. I don’t really have more information than that. And don’t worry, we’re not in any danger yet. The soonest a new one would show up—I think—is 4.8 years. This is just a side project of mine.” He grinned. “A little hobby.”
“I like my hobby better,” Sal said. “It’s cheaper, and if they come back in five years, the most I have to worry about is that they won’t be as good-looking.”
Tech laughed. “Would you believe me if I told you the meteor was the least of my worries?”
“I don’t think I want to hear about any of the other ones,” Sal said. “Okay, yes I do. What could be worse than a meteor?”
“The meteor caused a lot of strange phenomena, and several of them can’t be explained by the impact or the nature of the meteor.” He probably shouldn’t be saying this much to Sal, but it was such a relief to talk to another academic, someone who wouldn’t tell Tech he was wasting his time with this crackpot theory. The funny thing was that he knew it was crazy, he knew that it didn’t make any sense, but he knew it was right.
Of course, that seemed to be describing a lot of things in his life, just at that time.
“So what can explain them?”
“I don’t know. Maybe Ralph.”
Sal raised an eyebrow. “Oh, come on. He was bad, but not that bad.”
“I think he’s worse. He’s arming lunatics—not Loonatics, the other kind—with some pretty advanced stuff.”
“Like what?”
Tech lifted a paw and counted off fingers. “Neural disruptors, xion-matrix-shielded projectiles and reflex enhancement drugs. And those are just the ones I know about for sure.”
Sal whistled. “He’s come a long way since the fusion-powered slingshot.”
Tech nodded. “He’s got money and support. And I think he’s based down in the Warren. I’ve been hearing rumors of someone with weapons expertise down there, and it just made sense that it would be him.”
“Made sense?”
“I can’t really explain it.” Tech grinned and tapped his head. “It’s just these things seem to connect, you know.”
Air rushed by him, a red blur that stopped at their table and started to speak. “Speaking of connections sorry I’m late traffic was a bitch hey you must be Sal I’ve heard a lot about you I’m Rev mind if I take this seat thanks so what are you guys talking about I miss anything good?” Rev had spun the chair around and sat down before Tech could close his jaw. The roadrunner reached over and lifted it for him, giving him a private wink.
Sal just stared. Tech tore himself away from Rev’s smile and grinned at Sal, presenting Rev with one paw. “Sal, Rev Runner.”
“I got that,” Sal said faintly, extending a hand. Rev pumped it enthusiastically. “Did he want to ask me about my research too?”
“Nah I heard you wanted to meet me and I woulda come with Tech but I had a couple things to sort out so I just came by myself later hope I’m not interrupting anything but it is nice to meet ya so tell me was Tech like this in school too or did he just get this way after the meteor hit?”
“Oh, he’s always been like this,” Sal said. “I’m sorry, did you say I wanted to meet you? Not that it isn’t an honor, you know.”
Rev looked at Tech, who cleared his throat. “Well, you did say you wanted to meet the guy…”
Sal lit up, and extended his hand again. “Oh, I see! In that case, let me shake your hand again, congratulations, I was delighted to hear that someone is showing this boy how to have a little fun. He’s cute, too, even in that uniform. And the whole washroom thing makes more sense now, of course it would be easy for you to get in and out, and listen to me, you must be contagious or something.” He chuckled as Rev shook his hand, matching the roadrunner’s enthusiasm now.
“Nobody can keep up with Rev,” Tech said, still digesting the roadrunner’s appearance. “We’ve given up trying.”
“Ah you do pretty well there cutey not that I don’t slow down for ya every now and then and sometimes I even have to catch up with you but that’s okay fair’s fair after all so why didn’t you tell me your friend was this cute maybe you didn’t know but he’s got the same hair as Snap McCoy who won the championship for the Maulers twice in a row three years ago man he was cute!” Rev waved his hands around and leaned forward. Tech couldn’t help but grin.
“Okay,” Sal said, “I caught that first part, but I think I missed most of the last half.”
“He said you look like Snap McCoy, who was a basherball player, I guess.” Tech felt a little swell of happiness at being able to translate the roadrunner’s chatter. “But you don’t have his poster up anymore.”
Rev grinned at him with a sparkle in his green eyes. “Snap retired last year and Trick Daly is the man now he’s not as cute but he’s way more talented and we didn’t come here to talk about basherball cause I know you’re not into it Tech but I am gonna try to make you watch some games
