Chapter 37: Acceptance and Forgiveness

There was nothing for a little period. Then there was a little glimmer coming from the piece, stronger than previously. An exhilarating surge swept over them. Although it wasn't flawless, it was functional. The joy didn't last long. A sequence of irate cries were followed by a loud banging sounding from above. It was the Syndicate. Dr. Petrova muttered obscenities. "They are too near together. We must stop them." Quickly thinking, John reached for the case with the dismantled pieces of the memory amplifier. "Marie, remain here and work on improving the prototype. I'll set up a distraction." Marie nodded, sensing the need. With a strategy in mind, John ran for the concealed stairway. When he arrived to the bookshop upstairs, he startled the owner by bursting through the front door. John began shouting about a buried treasure in the back room and randomly grabbed a book before the owner could respond. The owner followed John, confused yet drawn to the ruckus. John took