Chapter 8

  Solomon stared at the doors in frustration, but Luna immediately spun around and wove her way through the lab stations just behind them. The scientists had all left for the day, so everything was closed up and the lights were dimmed. Solomon trailed behind his twin curiously as she made her way to Dr. Fischer's desk. "What are you doing?" he asked as she sat in the scientist's rolling chair and pulled herself up to his computer.

  "What does it look like I'm doing?" Luna quickly typed in the computer's password, then pulled a USB drive out of her backpack and plugged it in. "There's obviously something they don't want us to know. And if they're not going to tell us, then we'll just have to figure it out ourselves."

  "Well, yeah, I agree with that wholeheartedly! We deserve to know what's going on! but how do you know Dr. Fischer's password? Aren't there security cameras recording us right now? And why do you carry a USB around?"

  Luna gave him a quizzical look. "Why don't you?" She turned back to the computer, dragging different files across the screen and dropping them onto the USB's icon. "I'll explain later. For now, just keep an eye out and let me know when they finish their meeting or guards come after us. Whichever one comes first."

  Solomon did as requested, feeling very conspicuous as he stood watch over his sister. Amid the darkened lab stations, the light from Dr. Fischer's computer was like a bright flashlight in a pitch-black room - very obvious.

  Barely two minutes had passed before a pair of burly security guards stomped into the room. Solomon ducked behind a table. "Guards incoming!" he whisper-hissed.

  "Almost done... There!" Luna clicked a few buttons, ejecting the USB drive to make sure the files were secure. Then she shut down Dr. Fischer's computer and grabbed the USB, shoving it into her pocket and slinging her backpack over one shoulder.

  The guards strode up to the twins, their faces masks of boredom. "Alright, hand it over," one of the guards said tiredly. Solomon even thought he saw the guard yawn a little. "We both know what you did, so hand it over. Stealing federal files is punishable with twenty years or more in prison, but since you're kids, we'll overlook it if you hand over the USB."

  Solomon's face paled. Twenty years in prison?! What on earth are we doing? It's probably for the best that they're stopping us before we got any farther... After all, I'd like to keep my freedom, thank you very much!

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  Luna hesitated, her face showing conflicting emotions. The guard held out his hand, raising an eyebrow at yer. "Well?" he asked. Luna grimaced. She reached into her pocket and pulled out the USB, reluctantly putting it into the guard's cupped hand. "Thank you, ma'am." The guard dropped the USB onto the floor and ground down on it with the heel of his boot, reducing the twins' intel to chips of plastic, cracked pieces of metal, and what looked like a crushed circuit board.

  Luna bit her lip, her eyes tearing up a little. "That was my favorite USB," she whispered. Solomon put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

  "Until Mr. Igna, Mr. Miller, and Dr. Fischer finish up their meeting, you two need to stand against that wall," the other guard ordered, pointing a finger. "No more funny business, okay? We'll be keeping an eye on you."

  "Come on, sis." Solomon took Luna's hand. "We won't sin here." He led his twin to the wall in question. She pulled free from his grip in order to cross her arms, letting out a sad sigh. Solomon put his hands in his pockets and leaned back, his head bumping into the wall. "What's our next move?" he asked softly. "Break all their stuff? Run away? Go on strike until they tell us everything?"

  Luna stared at the ground, her eyes unfocused. "We have no next move. That USB was our only chance, and now it's gone." She glanced up and met her brother's gaze, her shoulders slumped in defeat. "Igor holds all the cards here. He could do whatever he wants, and we'll be none the wiser. For all we know, he's totally gaslighting us and we're not actually going to get superpowers."

  "Hey, don't think that!" Solomon nudged her with his shoulder. "If we have to do this, at least we're doing it together, right? That's what's really matters."

  Luna opened her mouth to add something - probably a negative comment - but she was interrupted by the conference room's doors bursting open. Solomon flinched in surprise and twisted his head to get a good view of the action.

  Derek stomped out of the conference room, storming right by the twins. His face bore a scowl hot enough to melt butter with one look, and Solomon felt his blood run cold. I'm glad I'm not the person who made him this furious!

  Igor scurried into eyesight as he tried to catch up with Derek. It was hard for the smaller man to match Derek's long and heavy stride, but he managed to pull up next to him. "But please, Derek, just consider it a little longer!" Igor pleaded, clasping his hands together in earnestness. "Why don't you sleep on it before you make any major decisions?"

  Derek whirled around, jabbing a thick finger at Igor's chest. You would have me turn two twelve-year-olds into government agents! Absolutely not! It's out of the question! Unless you have a different program that follows logic, brings in steady results, and doesn't violate child labor laws, then I'd suggest you keep your mouth shut. From this moment forward, Project Lepidoptera is officially deactivated and S.A.M. is dismantled. Pack your bags, Igor. You're fired."