CHAPTER 141: THE CALL

When Marcus Chen woke up next to Irene he immediately remembered yesterday through his counterpart's eyes. Finding the Keepers. Showing proof. Alexi finally believing. It relaxed him to know they had found potential help.

He washed his face and immediately prepared the coffee. He saw Tyler had left for college. Since Marcus was unemployed he created tasks for himself. First thing to do: call Marcus.

"Hi Marcus good morning." He waved his hand and saw Tom sleeping at Dr. Gurbanov's house on the screen.

"Good morning to you too bro.. no no not bro. Twin.." Marcus looked puzzled on the screen.

"Let's call each other brother. As you saw my nanme became Chen while you are here."

"Yeah I was mad when I was living in your shoes but now I am on the opposite side. It is hilarious." Marcus laughed.

"Now that we have some time and breathing room I have this idea."

"Yeah I remember. Asking money from dad right?"

"Correct. But also drawing the mind freeing machine and finding a manufacturer." Marcus suggested while pouring himself coffee.

"You are right. We can't take with us a giant antenna and electrical plant to stop him. We need multiple portable versions."

"Yeah a self contained and durable version rather than our crude attempt."

For a couple of hours until Numan cut their conversation the duo drew the mind machine while brainstorming. They argued at some parts but since the machine was simple without any electric board or chip they decided to pay more to a manufacturer for eleven permutations of their disputed designs.

"Marcus. Sorry Chen," his counterpart smiled on screen. "I am headed to breakfast. We are going to settle some things with Mr. Gurbanov. Text me before calling dad. I want to join that call."

Marcus headed to his bedroom and woke up Irene for breakfast. Since she was getting rid of bad stuff from her body it was crucial she had good eating habits.

While they were eating breakfast Marcus explained to her about the plans. Kickstarting otherworldly items before it was too late.

"Marcus I know you need money but I..." She bowed her head.

Marcus understood why she was squirming. He smiled. "I thought I became Chen. Mr. Chen." He reached for her chin and lifted it gently. "Don't worry I can find money."

"I can sell my car." She suggested.

"I thought it was your mother's car. No I am not going to allow that. I have faith our business will work. In the meantime I will ask my dad."

"To take a loan?" Irene asked.

"Yeah." Marcus forced a smile. Asking his father to jeopardize everything he had built as an immigrant for a planet he would never see was hurting Marcus. But what else was he going to do?

"Did you get price points for my designs?"

"I did yeah. For gold and silver separate. I will process the numbers after breakfast and make the site go online."

"Then we should start running ads and potential viral videos."

"Yeah we will do that too."

Marcus opened his laptop and looked at the list and online tutorials on how to implement what was necessary. After crucial hours trying to make sense of everything and countless mistakes he got the hang of it. He connected payment methods to his bank account.

When he was halfway through he got a message from Marcus. "My job is done. Let's call dad."

Marcus sighed. A mix of anxiety and fear to call his father for the first time about something like this. But he called him anyway. He picked up immediately.

"Hey dad I hope you are not busy?"

"No son. I was just waiting for customers and cleaning the warehouse."

"Good good." He connected the other Marcus as well.

"Hi dad."

His dad looked puzzled for a second then smiled warmly. "Hi other son."

"Dad we called you because of something important."

"Yeah dad as you know I am trying my hardest to return to my planet." Other Marcus said.

"It is still crazy but..." He trailed off for a second. "...this is not AI right?" He asked suspiciously.

"Dad you met him in flesh."

"Yeah okay."

"Dad Marcus needs lots of materials to save his planet."

"And he needs money." Their father completed the sentence.

"Sorry dad. The manufacturing of some of the stuff needs to start as soon as possible because some technology doesn't exist on Earth and we need to experiment then manufacture a huge amount."

David Chen bowed his head. A heavy silence hung over the call. "Okay how much do you need?"

"Everything you can get from the bank."

"From the bank?" He asked. "Like a loan?" He looked to the side for a couple of seconds and both Marcus let him think without intervening. "I can't use the house as collateral because they would want your mother's signature as well. But..." He scratched his chin. "I can get a loan against the store." He finished his suggestion with a forced smile.

"Dad I understand this is scary and downright stupid for...."

But David Chen cut him. "No.. no... Marcus stop. You are both my son and I believe you. Everything I did was for you and your mother. Of course I would sell all my stuff for you."

"Dad..."

"Look. If you didn't understand, my hesitations were about your safety. You don't have to go back. And I can adopt your giant cousin."

"Dad.."

"Wait. But you need to go back. You cannot escape from your responsibilities. When you started neglecting school I was disappointed but when I saw the fire in your eyes I didn't know what it was for. Now I understand. Go for it son." He wiped his watery eyes. "Do what you must. Become your own man. Write your own history. Either way I am proud. Even if I have gone mad and am imagining this scenario."

"Dad."

"Dad."

Both Marcus called him at the same time.

"Tonight I am counting every valuable thing at the shop. And tomorrow first thing in the morning I am going to the bank and getting a loan against everything." He sniffed.

Both Marcus thanked their dad for minutes and gave promises to pay back. And now their vigor and determination burned high. They didn't have a second to burn. They had to make it work no matter what.