November 1, 2010

Jo Lupo stormed down the halls of Global Dynamics. She weaved through wondering scientist without a second glance. She was set on her destination with a burning fury. In her left arm she carried a datapad while her right arm swung by her side. Her hand was balled into a tight fist as she walked. The lights above her flickered as the power surged, fueling her rage even further.

Jo stopped at the lab doors. She placed her thumb over the scanner and waited for the doors to open. Jo stormed through the door into the lab. It was empty save for the one person Jo was ready to kill, the source of her rage for the day.

Zane stood in the center of his lab. The lab was completely clear of all project save for two devices. Zane was station at one of them, working. His back was to Jo, completely unaware of her presence. He held a black geometric rod in his hands. He placed into a holding case filled with at least twenty more, all different sized. Zane picked up one of his tools and reached into the bed of the device, most likely to secure the rod in place.

"Zane!" Jo yelled.

Zane jerked in surprise, dropping the tool he was using. He glanced over his shoulder. He shot Jo a severally annoyed look before relaxing, slightly. He dropped to his knee and retrieved his tool before setting back to his work. "What did I do?"

"Well, let's see. Seventeen labs all over GD running on backup power while the rest are working with power fluctuations. Grid maintenance explained the power is failing because of an antimatter fluctuation." Jo explained. She folded her arms in front of her chest. "Guess which lab has been deemed the source."

"My lab." Zane answered.

"Good guess." Jo snapped. She walked from the door down to the floor of his lab. "Just what the hell are you doing?"

Zane glanced over his shoulder. "What does it look like?"

"Like you're making my life hell." Jo answered. She dropped her arms.

Zane laughed. "Ha ha…funny Lupo, I can do that in my spare time. No, this is an antimatter power converter."

"Oh god. Please do not tell me you're planning to create another positronic lightning storm." Jo said.

Zane turned, smirking. "That's the plan."

Jo took a deep breath. "Zane can you tell me why I am now only hearing of this project?"

Zane shrugged. "Nope, can't. Because I personally placed that file on your desk and got it returned with a signature of approval."

"Did you read over the signature?" Jo asked.

"Nope." Zane answered.

Jo took another deep breath, trying to calm her already fraying nerves. "Where is your file?"

Zane jerked his head to the left, on his desk. "Take a look."

Jo walked to Zane's desk. It was covered in a mass of design specs and other notes. Jo picked up the file. It hadn't even been opened. Jo flipped the file over. On the back of the file was a digital seal with Fargo's monogram. Jo turned the folder over and looked back to Zane.

"You satisfied Lupo?" Zane asked.

Jo shook her head. "Not in the least."

Zane turned to look at her, giving her his infamous sexy smirk. "Anything I can do to help?"

"Yes there is. You can stop working on this until I clear this entire project with the director personally." Jo informed.

Zane dropped his tool. "You're kidding?"

Jo shook her head. "I never saw this file and I'm going to review this with Director Fargo before this goes on any further."

"Lupo, come on." Zane groaned.

"Zane, not only is your project dangerous enough to be on the white list, but your project is not the only one in Global Dynamics. Your project is screwing with the other projects at the moment in GD, this very moment." Jo explained.

"Yeah I figured that would happen. The energy the positronic lightning creates overwhelms any power grid." Zane said.

"Shut it off." Jo ordered.

Zane folded his arms across his chest. "You don't get it, Lupo. I can't just shut this off. I have to test this thing in seven hours and I need this thing producing ample amounts of energy."

"And I need to have GD running at prime capacity or I have a pissy Director and a General breathing down my back." Lupo replied.

Zane chuckled lightly. "What the hell is your problem Lupo?"

"My problem is that I have an arrogant smartass scientist, working on a white list project, and overloading the power grid to GD." Jo replied. She turned and headed for the door.

Zane took a long look at Jo before he shook his head. "No, it's more than that."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Jo stopped and turned back toward Zane.

"You've been nothing but a hardass hardcore bitch ever since I kissed you over two months ago. Now I know that's your usual Lupo setting, but it's getting really old." Zane replied.

"It has nothing to do with that." Jo said.

"Really? You go out of your way to avoid me, here. You're always sending your staff to do whatever you want me to do." Zane explained. He crossed his arms. "I mean if I'd known that kissing you would've turned you into a hardass bitch I wouldn't have done it."

Jo snapped. Her internal battle of whether to punch Zane or not had ended. Jo spun on her heels and headed out the door.

"You can't keep running from me, Lupo. Zane called.

Jo said nothing as she walked out of the lab.

Zane shook his head and turned back to his conductor. Something was up with Lupo, and if she wasn't going to tell him, Zane was just going to have to push her until she did, or until she kills him. Hopefully it was the first one, or at least until he'd finished the project.

so here we go...