Spring Break
Chapter 30
By Rachel76m
Edited by Don Kaufman

I find myself walking down a street that is totally different than being on Earth or Twainor. I see unusual flowers and trees. I see mountains and valleys everywhere.

Before I can think of what is going on, I hear horns blaring in the air. I see people running around like crazy.

“Run, run! We're being invaded!”

People look up in the sky. I look up as well. I don't see anything happening.

I look around quickly to see what is happening. People run from the buildings seeking shelter. Then a bright light shines upon on several people. They disappear in a blink of an eye each time.

I see that only a few people noticed they disappeared. I look up in the sky and still see nothing.

Then the scene changes to another planet. On each planet I see the same thing happening.

Then I see complete star systems totally destroyed. However, the suns are still shining brightly. I see planets torn apart. I see many bodies of people floating dead in space. Some tears come down my face when I see their faces.

Then the scene changes to the familiar white room I have seen before.

“You're trying to tell me something, Maker. What is it?”

Then I hear a voice in front of me, “Remember your lessons, Richard.”

~~~000~~~

I then wake up in bed and look at the ceiling. I see the white light fading from memory.

“Hmm... okay Maker. I'll remember my lessons. I don't know which ones, but I'll remember as many as I can.”

I get out of bed when the alarm sounds on my clock. I get up to turn it off and get ready for the day as usual.

Once I'm all packed up I walk to the cafeteria for a quick breakfast of cereal, fruit and toast. My first class is at 9AM. This is the one that has the last computer project to do. After breakfast I walk to the CE building. I get in my classroom on time. I see some students there already. Then the last four come into the room.

“Okay class. I know you've already have the outline needed for the final project. Richard, here is your copy. You have your work cut out for you.”

The instructor hands me the two page outline for the project.

“Yes sir. Fortunately I can devote my time to it this week because of what I did during Spring Break.”

“Yes, you really outdid yourself. Okay, you have the class period to continue with the project. Don't forget, finals are next week. Ours is Monday at this time from 9 to 11.”

We all respond, “Yes, sir.”

I read the two page outline carefully. I see it is a very complex problem dealing with a network in a building of two floors. I have to design a network for one hundred users with five divisions. I read here that it is not an even split of users among the divisions. Division One has ten for admin. Division Two has ten for accounting. Division Three has thirty for engineering. Division Four has forty for production. Division Five has ten for shipping. Well that part is taken care of. I have to set up the permissions, log-ins, network style, cabling, printers, routers, bridges, servers, firewalls and security. Oops... I read the last line — It must be cost effective.

Hmm... routers, bridges and firewalls are usually another set of computers. Print servers will work well in all of them. If it is to be cost effective I can save money on some print servers where I need them. To save on cabling, I can go wireless. That means there are five wireless networks with different names. But I need to provide protection against hackers as well. Well, let's get busy on the hardware aspect.

I get up from my desk and walk up to the instructor.

“Have some questions, Richard?”

“I do sir. Did the class put together a FAQ list for this?”

“There were a lot of questions asked, Richard. I told them they must think on their feet for this one. Everyone is on their own.”

“Are there any floor plans for this building?”

“There are no floor plans.”

“Okay, did they ask how many rooms are on each floor?”

“They did, Richard. I told them it is based on the number of users.”

“That means one user per room except for production and shipping.”

“That's right, Richard.”

“I see where this is going now.”

“Good luck, Richard.”

“Thank you, sir.”

I sit back down at my desk. I get out some graph paper and draw some diagrams of floor layouts that I have seen in the textbooks all semester long. I set up wireless hubs for admin and accounting. For Engineering I break it down to three wireless hubs. Each wireless hub has it own PC and set of printers. Then the three PCs are connected to the servers. All three of these divisions can be connected to the net. Half of each user in a hub are wireless, the other half are cabling near the hub. The entire building is also designed as an intranet.

For production it has the cabling to avoid interference from machinery. Again it is divided into four groups of ten. One of the groups is wireless and connected to the business network with its own set of printers. The other PCs in production are data entry points. Shipping is just like the first two. There is a central data core that handles the everyday work. That has ten servers. Five of them are used for backups. I also set up a line for offsite backup as well.

Well, that should do it. I count up the hardware items needed for the network and make a list of what I need. Just about I start on the permissions I hear someone.

“Richard, it is time to go.”

“Huh?” I look around and see no one in the classroom.

“It's 10 AM. You're back here on Wednesday.”

“Thank you, sir. I got into a zone here. I just finished sketching out the hardware and the network needed. I was just about to start the permissions.”

“That was fast, Richard. Can I see what you have done so far?”

“Sure, I can show you.”

I hand the sheets of paper that I have done so far to the instructor.

“This is very good, Richard. I see you mixed it up between wireless and cabling. You have the cabling where you need it the most.”

“It has to be sir. Machinery can cause interference in wireless networks.”

“It looks good. I have seen the others, Richard. They are on the right track as well. Use your talent Richard on security to separate yourself from the others. The others are getting it slowly.”

“I was going to do that anyway sir.”

“Don't forget this is a report that is bound in a notebook. There is no actual program to turn in for me to run. For the security aspect, provide flow charts. Have the CD containing a copy of your drawings and text.”

“But I can provide CAD sketches to make it look neat.”

“It has to be a professional presentation as much as possible. It will be returned to you when you get back.”

“Yes sir. Thank you very much.”

“How are you doing otherwise, Richard?”

“I'm hanging in there day by day.”

“That's good, Richard.”

We both leave the classroom and go our ways. I walk to the department office to give a report on what happened yesterday.

I walk into the office and see the secretary there doing her work. She sees me come in.

“Hello, Richard. How are you doing?”

“I'm doing fine so far ma'am. I've come by to let you know what happened yesterday at Raleigh First.”

“I just received a note about it, Richard, from the police department. I'm surprised you were able to take them down.”

“Well, I had some martial arts training. I do some teaching at the police station during the summer. I'll be there after my last class today.”

“Okay, Richard. Have a good day.”

I leave the department office and out of the building. I walk towards the snack bar on this side of the campus. I purchase a sandwich and a drink. I walk over to a bench under a tree to have my lunch.

I have a lot to do on that project. Tomorrow I have three classes. I'm thankful I got all that homework done before this week.

I take out a sheet of paper to do a flow diagram. I look at it when I'm done. Not bad. I'll clean it up later.

I look at my watch and see it is time for the next class at 1 PM in ten minutes. As I walk to the building, I get a ring on my cell phone. I look at it to see that it is Anna. I open the cell phone.

“Hello, Richard.”

“Hello, Anna. I'm about to step into my last class.”

“That's good. I'll be in your department office waiting for you.”

“Okay, Anna. See you then.” I close the cell phone and put it in my holder.

I walk into the classroom. The class is Computer Ethics. I take more notes from the instructor as we review the material. In this class the grade is based on points per report we did the entire semester, the quarter tests and the final. Well, if I do a B or better on the final, I will get an A for the class. That's great.

The time flies by quickly in class. We then all get up and leave the classroom at 2 PM. I walk back to the department office. I see Anna sitting there waiting for me.

“There you are, Richard. Are you ready?”

“I am, Anna.”

We walk out together and to her car in the parking lot near the Engineering Bldg. It takes about thirty minutes to arrive in downtown Raleigh. It takes another five minutes to find an empty parking spot.

I leave my book bag in the car. Anna locks the car. I talk to Anna on the way in.

“The Captain asked me if I could do another training session with the recruits and first year officers after I give my statement.”

“I think I can work with that. It will give me time to finish filing the paper work on this case. You still have your clothes here?”

“I do, Anna. I have a typical gi outfit here I borrow from them. I have my old purple belt here as well.”

“Okay.”

We walk inside to the main lobby area. I follow Anna to the information desk. After asking some questions, she makes a phone call to Captain Jackson and the prosecutor. We wait in the lobby area for them to arrive. It takes a few minutes for them to show up.

“Hello, Richard.”

“Hello, Captain.”

“Anna Dawson, this is our city prosecutor, Mr. Palmer.”

“I'm pleased to meet you Ms. Dawson and Richard. Please come this way so we can get your statement.”

We follow them down the hallway until we come to a room. It has a glass window to the hallway. Inside the room is a table and four chairs. We each take a chair around the table. The prosecutor places a recording device on the table. Anna opens her brief case to get her paperwork out that she needs.

“Before we start, sir. Did Mr. Hawkins come by to give his statement?”

“He did, Richard. He provided us the connection as to how Josh was able to find you.”

“I'm just making sure. He did express regret to me that he was misled by Josh.”

“We have that all recorded for the time line. At this time we have no intention of connecting him to the Des-Marte gang. He is just an innocent citizen who was lied to.”

“That's good, Mr. Palmer. I dropped by the church to get a feel for how it went down. I didn't go inside and talk to the pastor.”

“We have a lot of statements from the various eyewitnesses there. The recordings on the cell phones will be the most damaging evidence against the gang.”

“Richard did a fantastic job of defending himself. He didn't shrink back despite being outnumbered.”

“I should hope so, Captain.”

“I can replay it here for you, Ms. Dawson after we get Richard's statement.”

“I would greatly appreciate that, Mr. Palmer.”

“Are you ready, Richard?”

“Where do you want to me start?”

“When you came out after the service.”

“Okay.”

The prosecutor presses a button on the recorder. I begin by recounting from the time I stepped out of the church. It takes about forty-five minutes to describe everything that I did until I give my signal for the police force to come in and make the arrests.

Anna looks at me and smiles. She sees she has a good case to really put the screws to Josh. Of course she realizes the pain I gave to the four idiots was merciful compared to what I went through twelve years ago.

When I get done, Mr. Palmer ends the recording.

Captain Jackson looks at me with a smile. “You really kept your cool, Richard. I really admire that.”

“Thank you,Captain. My sensei made sure of that while I had my classes. He pushed some very difficult situations on me to make sure I don't crack under pressure. I learned how to defend myself when it appears I have nothing.”

“You were fortunate they didn't show any guns. The five other men had guns concealed on themselves.”

“I think Josh just wanted an old fashion beat down like he gave me the first time.”

“I'm sure that is the case here, Richard.”

“Do you need Richard for anything else, Mr. Palmer?”

“I don't, Captain.”

“Good. Richard you may leave and get ready for another teaching session.”

“Yes, sir.”

I get up and leave the room.

~~~000~~~

“I have some news to give you. There is a change in Richard’s medical records.”

“What is it, Ms. Dawson?”

“During the two weeks of taking care of the burials and reading of wills. We came across a sealed medical envelope. I have a copy here for your records.”

Anna takes out a folder. She removes the document and hands it to them to read.

“You're kidding me. Aren't you?”

“I'm not kidding, Captain. Richard has a set of female organs. However, the vaginal opening is still closed. The organs are small; they seem to be in a state of hibernation.”

“That's odd. So, for the time being we'll still consider Richard a man.”

“What will be his classification if they become active?”

“I don't know, Captain. Do you have any ideas on this Mr. Palmer?”

“I've come across TG and TV cases where they are the victims. It depends on which level they are in the mind. There are TV's that enjoy dressing up once in awhile and are still hetero and married to a female wife. There are many different shades here.”

“But what about Richard? Is he a Pre-Op TG?”

“Well, actually he's a natural hermaphrodite. However, the female aspect is not active at this time. If the female aspect does become active I have no clue what will happen next. I'm sure there will be some sort of change in his hormonal make up.”

“Well, let's cross that bridge when we need to.”

“Josh did mention this and he knows about Richard's dual-gender situation. Could it come out in court?”

“Richard just learned it himself during the burials. I know his input will be very minimal. We might have to play his parent's recording to satisfy the defendant's curiosity. This can be new territory to defend.”

“But what we have going for us is the lateness in learning this, Ms. Dawson. That is the key. It was never revealed to Richard until now.”

“Also the parents didn't know at birth either.”

“They didn't?”

“No, the birth doctor kept all records for himself. He published a book some years later after leaving the hospital. There are no records of Richard's x-rays where he was born. The only birth record there shows he is a male.”

“That's not good. We'll have to track down that doctor to get the original or copies of the manuscripts and photos. He might still have the x-rays. We won't know for sure until we search for it.”

“How long is the wait until it comes to trial Mr. Palmer?”

“Probably, late fall. There has been a push to get these types of crimes to court as quickly as possible. Why do you ask?”

“Richard is planning to take off at the end of the semester for a three month summer break. This is to give him time to reflect on what he lost and regroup emotionally. He really has been going non-stop since the funerals.”

“That is no problem, Ms. Dawson.”

“Thank you, Mr. Palmer. This time will allow us to get our evidence in order. We need to know how Josh found out about Richard, Captain Jackson.”

“Yes, we must determine that. Were those medical records sealed, Ms. Dawson?”

“They were at the time. There could have been an expiration date on the records. We'll need to double check that anyway.”

Captain Jackson, Mr. Palmer and Ms. Dawson continue talking about what is needed to prosecute Josh and his gang. They replay one of the videos taken on one of the cell phones.

~~~000~~~

I walk down the hallway to the weight training room and showers. I meet some familiar people there.

“Hey, Richard. Are you here to teach?”

“I am Corporal Miller.”

“That's good. There are twenty people there waiting for you. The other instructors are there as well.”

“Then I better hurry it up and get there.”

Then another officer sees me while I change clothes.

“That was an amazing, Richard, how you took them down. You really put to practice what you've been trying to teach us.”

“That's the idea, Officer Thomson. Be calm and use the pressure points. I'm glad they didn't show any guns. Then that changes everything.”

“It sure would. See you later, Richard.”

“See you later.”

I get done changing my clothes into the gi outfit. I close the locker and lock it. I take the key and wrap it in a towel. I walk to the training room. As soon as I walk inside I'm greeted by a thunderous ovation of clapping of hands and cheering.

“There he is. There is not one scratch on him.”

“He took down all four. He sure gave them a painful lesson.”

I bow quickly to everyone. They all bow as well. I walk up and line up with the other two instructors. I bow to them quickly. They bow back.

“Well done Richard.”

“Thank you, sergeant.”

“We can discuss and demonstrate what you did later.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Okay class. Let's do our five minute stretching period.”

Everyone shouts out loud, “Yes, sensei.”

I toss my rolled up towel over to a spot on the floor near the wall.

We all begin to do our stretch routine for the next five minutes. After that we start to pair up. We go through the forms in defense when an attacker comes. Usually this is needed when dealing with large crowds and you hope no guns are used.

I work with the ladies and men who are my height and build. Once they get a good understanding and memorize the move, we let them try to take us down. They all show great improvement as they keep it up.

After the hour is up, I then go about the moves I did when I dodged and defended myself against the club, knife and if someone already knows martial arts. When we get to the part about me pulling their arms and legs, they stop me right there.

“I think we can do without that demonstration Richard.”

“Why? Aren't you afraid of knowing what the pain is like?” I smile at them.

“You did that to us last summer.”

They all laugh and giggle. I laugh along with them.

“I remember that officers. Some of you became pretty good in applying the pressure points. I can still remember it.”

“Well at least we get to return the favor, Richard.”

“But for the limb pulling, I'm used to it. I didn't limp around as much as you did.”

We laugh again.

“Well, that is it, class. We'll be back here next week.”

“Are you going to be here, Richard?”

“I don't think I will be here this summer at least.”

“What are your plans, Richard?”

“Well, I don't know if you have been told this. But I know the Captain will. I lost my parents and brothers in the first week of April.”

“I heard about that Richard. We are sorry for you loss.”

“Thank you, sergeant.”

“I need some time for myself to regroup and get my emotions understood.”

“We understand, Richard. What about afterwards?”

“Anna Dawson and I have discussed it. I will be here going after my Master Degree.”

“That's great Richard. We get to have you here a little while longer.”

“Aren't you going to finish your training and earn the brown and black degrees?”

“I would like to do that, Corporal. That is something to consider as well. How to fit that in the schedule will take some hard thinking and planning. I would like to keep that effort with the dojo where I started.”

“Well, whatever your decision is, we'll support it. You have taught us a lot of defense techniques. Getting your brown and black belts will help a great deal for yourself and as being a teacher.”

“Thank you for supporting me, my friends.”

“The class is now at end. The clock on the wall shows 4:45 PM. It's time to get cleaned up and change back into our regular clothes.”

We all line up. We quickly bow. The ladies come up to me and hug me. I get a strange look from them after they hug me. Oh, oh...

“Is that new cologne you have on Richard?”

“Are you telling me you're attracted to my sweat?”

She snaps out of it. “Uh, I'm sorry, Richard.”

We both smile at each other.

“Come on people, it's time for a shower.”

“Yes, sergeant.”

We all walk back to the changing rooms. We take a hot shower to get our sweat off. We then get dressed back into our clothes. I fold up the gi and leave my purple belt there until I'm here the next time.

“Everyone report to the main room, people.”

We all go out to the main room. All of the officers are there. I see Anna, Mr. Palmer and Captain Jackson standing together. I walk towards them.

“Raleigh Blue, I have an announcement to make. It concerns Richard. If you don't know, you will now. During the first week in April, Richard loss his entire family in a plane crash in the mountains.”

I look down momentarily then I look up again.

“Richard will be taking a summer break from classes and from us. He will be back this fall semester. I also understand, Richard will be here going after his Master Degree.”

Then there is some hand clapping. Then the Captain looks at me to stand by his side. “Any words, Richard?”

“There is not much, Captain. First I want to thank you for all of your support while I have been here as your instructor and as a student. During the class today, someone asked me if I was going to earn my brown and black belts. That has to be planned out as well and when. Those two belts will take the longest time to earn.”

“There are three degrees in the brown and ten in the black belt at the dojo where I started. The last four degrees of the black belt are for the serious student. They are for the teacher and being a Grand Master. I'll be in consultation with my sensei and their leaders to determine how far to go.”

“Thank you again for all of your help. I have a lot of studying to do this week. I have one computer project to do. Plus I need to get ready for the finals next week.”

“Then we won't bother you until you come back.”

“Provided Josh doesn't come after me.”

Everyone laughs.

“That's true, Richard. That was a beautiful piece of work you did to them. I pity anyone who tries to come after you.”

Everyone laughs again.

“Well, let's hope they learn their lesson this time.”

“We hope so too, Richard. Josh might be a tougher nut to crack than the others. But at least you got their attention. See you in August when you come back in town.”

“Until then, Raleigh Blue, keep the peace on the streets.”

Everyone claps and cheers. They all come up to me to shake my hand, hug me and give me words of encouragement.

Ms. Dawson smiles proudly at what she sees.

After fifteen minutes or so Miss Dawson and I walk back to her car. “I got all of the filing I could do today. I'll be back here a few more times until the trial. We need to do a search how Josh found you and knows about your dual-gender status.”

“Okay. Anna.”

“Come, I'll treat you to dinner before I drop you off.”

“That sounds good, Anna. Especially after that class session today.”

Anna treats me to a good restaurant in town. She decides to have a meal at one of the better Italian restaurants in town that won't blow her wallet. Besides it’s an excuse for her to put it on her expense sheet in being with a client.

After we get done in an hour; Anna takes me back to my dorm building and drops me off. She gives me a quick hug. We promise to stay in touch as much as possible because of the trial.

I walk back into my room and sit on the couch in the living room. Then I see Bill walk into the room.

“Who was that lady you were with a little while ago, Richard?”

“You saw that?”

“Several of us did. She is pretty good looking.”

“Quit your drooling, Bill. That's Anna Dawson, my family attorney. She already has a fiancé.” I smile at him.

“Oops... Sorry about that Richard.”

“That's all right, Bill. Even my brothers would make a comment about her a few times. They even did it in front of her, once.”

“Did she slap them silly?” Bill smiles at me.

I smile back. “She sure did Bill. You could see her hand print on their cheeks the next day.”

Bill laughs, “Then I better keep my distance so I won't be accused of harassment.”

“You better tell the other drooling wolf pack members here as well. She'll be around this fall when I have my court date against Josh and his gang.”

“I will, Richard.”

We then laugh together.

“I've got some homework to do, Bill.”

“Right, so do I.”

I go to my room and sit my desk.

I continue to work on the final computer project until 10 PM. I then change clothes and get ready for bed.

I set the clock for 6 AM this time. It is three classes tomorrow. The first one begins at 8 AM.

I get under the covers and go to bed.

I don't get any special dreams from the Maker this time. In fact all this week and next week; I don't get any dreams at all from the Maker. The only dreams I get are the usual times I'm with family and friends. I feel comforted that everything will be all right.

I go to my classes as expected all this week. I stop by the Registrar's Office to do the Drop/Add form to drop the two summer classes I signed up for earlier.

I get the computer project completed by Friday, when it's due. I really make the report look professional as much as possible. All of the pages are done with presentation graphics and a text writer. There is nothing hand written on any of the pages.

For the security portion and virus protection I do a killer flow diagram that shows most of the known problems in networks are solved. It takes a combination of firewalls and bridges to do that. There has to be more. I know there are other issues. These hackers seem to be one step of the competition. I wish there was a way to keep them out one hundred percent of the time.

The weekend proves to be typical as well. I stop by Rav Shlomo's shul for the services there. I see some more people that I haven't seen some time. We have a good time in discussing the current issues afterwards during the oneg.

I tell them it looks good; I will be here next Shabbat before I take off Sunday for my summer vacation.

Sunday is a repeat as well at Raleigh First, except for the fight. However, this time I sense the youth are making headway in being a force for G-d. There are still some parents with a scowl on their faces when they are near me. Hopefully there will be an improvement when I come back this fall, Maker.

It's getting there, Richard. It takes time for their children to get their parent's attention.

I tell Pastor Wellington I won't be there next Sunday, because I'll be on the road. I'll be driving to the mountain cabin to begin my summer vacation.

He and the rest of the students there wish me a safe journey and to come back safely. They hug me and give thanks for sharing the gift to them.

Monday finally comes. The days of Finals won't end until Thursday for me. On Wednesday I have two finals. Fortunately one is in the morning, the other is afternoon.

The only way to do this is one day at a time. Fortunately for Tuesday, the final is in the morning. That gives me plenty of time to study for Wednesday. After each final is over with, the instructor shows me the grade I will get for each class.

Usually the students don't know until they receive it in the mail. But since I told them I'm going on a summer vacation, they agreed to show it me. For all of my hard work and effort this semester; I see I'm getting straight A's in all of my classes this time.

Friday proved to be a wind down day. Bill and I with some of the students in our dorm building go out to the favorite campus hang out for a night of pizza. Of course I skip the beer that everyone else is having.

Saturday at the shul turned out to be a repeat as well. I met with the leadership to talk about many things. When it is time for me to leave; they wish and pray for a safe journey and to come back fully rested and charge with a purpose in life.

When I get back to my dorm room; I see Bill has left to go home in Greensboro. I then do the last bit of laundry before packing my suitcase up. I do some last minute shopping of what I promised. I purchase a flower book, a wind up watch and another watch that is extra large size. I also purchase a general Multimedia/Book combo.

I go to bed as I usually do. I wake up in the morning at 7 AM to get ready for some driving. I pack up the car. I see my breast and back plate are still there with the clothes and medallion. I check to make sure the four gems and gem bag are there as well. I get on the road and drive to Mt Blanc, NC. I have breakfast along the way.

I continue to drive safely along the roads in North Carolina. Soon the hills start to rise up as I get closer to the Appalachian Mountains.

Thus ends my first book 'Spring Break' and the Winter Semester of 2098 at NC State. The rest of my journey continues in the next book 'The Summer Vacation'. This is Book Two of The Omega Unicorn Chronicles.