Chapter 68 – Professor Benteen

“Even if it may seem to the contrary, I cannot do magic.” That was a lie, but Professor Benteen wasn’t supposed to know that. Melody shook her head.

“You sure make it seem that way. You are the best student we have had in decades and I know how many people are clamouring to supervise your bachelor’s degree. I also know that I have been an arse when you helped us with the last paper. What would it take for you to accept me as your supervisor?”

Melody leaned back in her chair on the other side of Benteen’s desk. His office was pretty lovely and, taking her time to respond, Melody let her eyes wander across the various little models and framed documents. She eventually opted to answer truthfully. “Firstly, a public correction in the same journal as the paper that it was me who actually set up the experiment, including a public apology. Then, I want absolute control over the topic, crediting and full editorial control of my paper. You will also move mountains if I ask you to. If I want beam time in CERN next month, you will do everything in your power to make that happen. I also want the single best editors this university can afford and only have my work published in the most renowned journals. Make all of that happen and we can work together.”

Professor Benteen swallowed his pride. “If you were anyone else, I would laugh you out of my office. But you are not just anyone, you are Melody Valefor. Even behind closed doors, the other professors are trying to make deals to have anyone withdraw their offer to supervise your paper. I know I need to do more to earn your trust than other professors but I am willing to put in that work. The only thing I can’t move for you is the budget, you will have to work with the same limitations as the others.”

“As long as other demands, like the use of any equipment on this planet at my leisure, are met, the budget is of no concern.”

“All I can promise you is that I will try.”

“And I will hold you to that. Give it to me on paper, properly signed, and you will get your chance to prove yourself to me.”

Benteen smiled. “You will have it by the end of the week. This little arrogant streak of yours… I found it irritating at first but I think I’m on board now. Not to stroke your ego, but so far it is deserved.”

“Well thank you, professor.”

“Don’t let it go to your head. One question about that though… the thing with the toaster and the error you found in our setup this summer, how did you know that? What are you seeing that I… we don’t?”

Melody shrugged. “I want to quote a good friend here, the one who taught me this little gift, but that wouldn’t be a good answer. It’s much better to say that I was raised outside the box and much value was put on teaching me to understand the fine details of boxes. Once you see a box as not just a box but also not just as its component parts, the wood, the screws, it becomes natural to see all the things a box can be.”

“Poetic. So it was your upbringing and your unique personal tutors during your childhood?”

“Pretty much. I also just like to learn things and eventually conventional sources become boring, so you start looking for connections between things and let your imagination run wild.”

“And that does appear to be working well for you. What was it your friend said that you wanted to quote?”

“You don’t learn how to play the violin by plucking at strings randomly, you let another teach you. A trained ear and nimble fingers can make this world sing at your command even without a bow.”

“Even more poetic. I think I get it, it’s an interesting thought applied to physics. Anyway, I will get you your signed promises after the next lecture on Friday.”

“Thank you, professor. I should go, my friends are likely getting hungry waiting for me and lunch.”

“Better not keep them waiting. And thank you for giving me this chance.”

Melody got up and smiled. “Truthfully, you weren’t my first pick but talking to one of my roommates made me realize that I don’t want someone overly renowned as my supervisor. My name would be tied to theirs and this would be your name tied to mine. Just a bit of an ego play. And I genuinely think that we can work well together if we both try in good faith.”

“A fair thought to be sure and I appreciate your honesty. I think you can go far, if we let you, and I am willing to open those doors for you. Let’s hope we can both make the best of this. Now, off you go to lunch.”

“I am hopeful too, professor. And have a lovely day.”

Kuria was waiting in the hallway. “Ah, there you are. How did it go?”

Melody shrugged playfully. “Oh you know… perfectly. He wants to give me everything I demanded and wants to hand me a signed commitment to it all on Friday.”

“That’s more than we hoped for.”

“Indeed. And I am frankly shocked that I want to work with him. He apologized about the stuff in summer, how the team tried to snub me on the paper. Even committed to the public statement.”

“Almost too good to be believable. Did he also agree to let you pick the topic this time?”

“He sure did.”

“And what are going for?”

“I’m thinking the toaster project needs expanding. What good is a directed proton emitter without a detector? I already took a look at the chariot sensor tech, there is stuff there I can use.”

“Very good.”

“I also told him I couldn’t do magic when he asked me what sort of miracles I had planned.” Melody conjured a cup of iced tea and took a sip.

Kuria giggled. “Technically…”

“Yes, technically I can’t, it’s just a thought-controlled adaptive micro-inscription that does the actual magic. But… eh… details.”

“Details indeed. Shall we go meet Serena and Anne at the cafeteria?”

“Yes, of course. Shouldn’t keep them waiting.”

Chrissi sighed as she looked out across the streets behind her apartment from her balcony.

Famine stood beside her and raised an eyebrow. “You are unhappy.”

Chrissi shook her head. “No, not at all. Just feeling a bit melancholic about stuff. Having to leave my family behind and all that. I know they want to move here too eventually, but right no they can’t. And for my own safety, I can’t travel into the US. It’s all a bit of a mess.”

“You can’t travel there by human means. You are not limited by that.”

“I suppose that’s true. It’s also just stupid… signing up for life on a ship and then complaining that I have a life away from home.”

“A life that isn’t on a ship.”

Chrissi couldn’t help but chuckle. “Yea, fair. I guess that does make a difference. Fuck dwelling on sad stuff, how’s the captain and everyone doing?”

“They are well but under threat from their own government.”

“As expected then… any plans to help them?”

“Yes. We can ensure their safety but our concerns lie with the renewed interest of the government in us. Currently we are attempting to…” Famine chewed on her words for a bit. “solve an issue more impactful than conflict with humans. We will not neglect our duties to our human friends though.”

“That is both good to hear and worrying. Will I ever find out what you’re trying to solve?”

“Likely. On the topic of finding out, superintendent Muller asked me to lead your introductory briefing. The closer relationship between RICA and us caused her to reconsider protocol.”

“And previously, I would have been briefed by her or miss Harker. I suppose having you brief me is some form of show of trust or allowing you more control…?”

“Both.”

“I see. I look forward to that. Monday, right?”

“Yes, at noon.”

“Very good. You guys do eat, right?”

“We do.”

“I wanted to order some pizza, now that everything is finally unpacked. Care to join me? My treat.”

Famine smiled. “Yes.” She caught herself slipping back into short answers. “It would be my pleasure.”