by John Zakour
I had to admit that I was bothered by Dex being so good at balancing everything while still maintaining a 4.0 school grade. Plus, he’d come up with a better design for our bot. Though to be fair to me, he didn’t have a secret lab to run. Or a mutineer computer. I suppose I had a lot more to juggle than he did. I guess it's a good thing that I’m young and I still have lots of energy.
After many disagreements, making up, building, more disagreements, and making up again, our robot was built. He looked like a little metal box on wheels with a plow. We named him Sebastian. We were all very excited to try him out. Since he was remotely controlled, we decided to have Sebastian do some simple tasks to see if he was up to snuff.
The test we designed for him was pretty basic. We wanted him to pick up a grape with his plow and move it from Point A to Point B. Once Seb delivered the grape, he had to squish it with his plow or wheels, depending on what we felt like. Yes, it might have been a tad ambitious, but we were fairly confident that he’d be able to do it.
We put Seb down in the cardboard box arena with the grape and tried to control him so he would fetch the grape. Pretty basic stuff. But instead of moving forward, he began flipping over and over. I was unaware that he was even able to do that.
“Ah, that’s a cool trick,” I offered.
“Awh, I thought we’d finally got it down!” Tina said, a tinge of frustration in her voice.
“I’m so mad! We’ve been working on Sebastian for so long, and he can’t even move over to a grape!” Dex said, exasperated and frustrated.
“He can’t move at all,” Tina pointed out. “Well, I guess that technically, flipping is moving, but still. Maybe we should go back to the metal design?”
“No!” Dex insisted. “This is simpler! Yet more elegant.”
“It does flip pretty well,” Tina said. “Maybe the other robots will laugh themselves to defeat.”
“Listen, guys,” I tried to diffuse the situation. “I know this is a little disheartening, but I feel as though there’s a simple answer to this. Let’s just brainstorm.”
Maya Message: Grandpa always says, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” If I can just get my team to work together, I bet we can find a simple solution to what seems like a complex problem.
We sat and thought about it as a team, and tried tweaking Sebastian in different ways. Dex tried rewiring Seb, but that just made the lights glow a different color. Tina tried weighing down the rear parts, but that made it impossible for Seb to drive. I tried putting the plow on the other side, but that made Seb flip in the other direction. Finally, Dex and I realized at the same time that maybe the wheels were the problem.
“The wheels are pretty big. Maybe if we try a different kind of wheel, that will be the solution!” Dex said, suddenly much more enthusiastic.
“Or, what if the wheels are just the wrong size? We have some smaller ones right here.” I offered.
Tina unscrewed the big wheels, and gave Sebastian tiny wheels, like on a toy truck. Now it was the deciding moment we'd all been waiting for. We put Sebastian back in the cardboard box arena. Point A and Point B were clearly labeled. The suspense was almost as strong as the day that Dex and I arm wrestled.
Dex pressed the ‘on’ button on the remote control. Sebastian whirred to life. When Dex moved the joystick forward, Sebastian moved too! We all hooted and hollered, thrilled by our success. After a round of high fives, the first big test was upon us. Could Sebastian pick up the grape with his plow?
Dex made Seb drive right up next to the grape at Point A. He lowered the plow to the ground and drove forward, rolling the grape to the wall. Dex lifted the plow, effectively scooping up the grape. Slowly, carefully, Sebastian carried the grape over to Point B. Even slower still, Dex lowered the plow to the ground. The grape rolled out of the plow and landed almost perfectly at Point B. Now it was time for the ultimate test. Could Seb put the finishing blow on the grape?
“Do it!” I shouted very dramatically.
Dex pushed the plow control forward. It jammed a bit. We held our collective breath. Dex pushed a little harder. The plow dropped down and squished the grape!
All three of us went crazy. We hooped and hollered like we had just cured the common cold! There was no way we were going to lose. Even though Sebastian was an unthinking robot, we put a little flower on his ‘head' and drove him around the box. It was his victory lap. I could tell that we all felt better. Dex relaxed, and Tina and I were just giddy.
Chapter XVII
Back at the lab, I decided to spend time investigating the Venus flytrap incident more carefully.
Walking up to Computer’s main interface, I spoke with him as kindly as possible. “Computer, can we have a chat?” I didn’t want to make him nervous.
“Yes, miss?” Computer replied shyly.
“Are you sure you don’t know why you disregarded my orders and continued work on the flytraps? You're not in trouble, but I need to get to the bottom of this.”
“The only thing I can think is that I’ve been feeling a little foggy lately. Some of my decisions are out of character. The other day, I installed fourteen games without even realizing it. Maybe I’m just having an off period to reboot,” Computer told me.
“Hmmm. Very interesting. I'll run a diagnostic check, if you're okay with that?” I asked, not wanting to invade Computer's personal space without asking first.
“Yes, of course. I'll do anything you think is in the best interest of our team,” Computer said, clearly wanting to be helpful.
After running the check, I found that all fourteen games Computer had installed were viruses. I knew Computer would never intentionally hurt himself, or me, so that was a big red flag in my eyes.
Next, I wanted to question Grandpa, and even K9 and Crash if I had to. As far as Grandpa was concerned, I was a little surprised that he’d allowed the viruses to be installed. At the very least, he could have explained to Computer what was wrong with the choice that Computer made.
Gramps had been napping a lot lately, and he also seemed a little down. He hadn’t been using his regular witty sayings as much, and he'd been generally very grumpy, at least by Grandpa’s standards. I hoped that if I approached him, he might be able to help or at least yield some answers.
“Hey, Grandpa,” I said in the same friendly tone I’d used with Computer.
“Yes?” Grandpa demanded, in an uncharacteristically mean voice.
“I was just wondering if you feel okay? I can tell you’ve been a little off and after the Fly Trap debacle...” I began slowly.
“Listen, kid. I’m fine,” Grandpa snapped at me. “Leave me alone, and leave Computer alone too. Don’t you think we get tired of doing all your work for you? We do all the thinking; you get all the credit!”
The idea of Grandpa being angry or rude was shocking. He was never like that, even when he was alive. The other day I asked Mom and Dad if Grandpa ever got snippy or depressed. Dad told me that Gramps was the most positive and upbeat man who never had a bad thing to say about anybody, or even so much as a snarl in his tone. Gramps believed strongly in positive psychology.
Maya Fact: Positive psychology focuses on improving the good things in life. It's kind of like counting your blessings every day.
I felt like there was something wrong with Grandpa because he certainly wasn’t behaving the way he always had in the past.
“I just wanted to check in on you,” I said, more than a little offended.
“I can handle myself. Matter of fact, get out!” Grandpa barked. “This is my lab. This is my computer, and these are my experiments. It was a bad idea for me to have given them to you. I don't want to see you or your punk brother, or those friends in this laboratory again. You can see yourself out. Now!"
I left, shocked, but thinking that maybe it was best to give Grandpa some space. When I tried to go down to the lab the next morning, my closet door was locked.
Polly was sitting on his perch in my room. He called out to me. “You�
�re not going to be able to open it. Grandpa J has decided that from now on, no non-machines are allowed in the lab.” Polly sighed. “Dang, they had some good crackers down there! I hope you’ll improve your cracker game from now on!” he told me.
That confirmed what I’d been thinking. Something bad had infected Grandpa and Computer. I had to find out what, and fix them fast. I needed to sneak into my own lab!
Chapter XVIII
The following morning, as I was eating my breakfast, Polly flew over and sat down on the table across from me. He looked tired, which I didn’t realize was even possible for a parrot.
“Hey, Maya,” he said. He seemed like he hadn’t slept in days. “I have bad news for ya.”
“Go on,” I replied.
“I know we aren’t best friends or anything, but you're the only reason I’m getting fed, and you're the only human being I get to talk to. Well, besides Marko, and he’s not the brightest bulb in the pack. I mean, I guess I could talk to Tina, but I don’t want to show any weakness to her.”
“Go on,” I repeated.
“You know I’ve been thinking a lot about our situation,” Polly said. “I think somebody put a virus into the system!”
“Yeah, any idea who?” I asked.
“Well, that’s what I’m getting to. I snooped around a little before I got kicked out. What I found out was pretty unexpected. I’ve since done some more checking as well,” Polly said, hesitantly.
“How? Without access to the lab?” I asked him.
“I asked the local birds and bees. They know stuff. They’re always watching and listening. I think I know who’s behind this!”
“Okay…” I frowned as I waited for him to continue.
“Turns out Marko's babysitter, Tammy Payne, is an agent working for the government. She was assigned to watch Grandpa just in case bad people tried to corrupt him, which they couldn't do when he was alive. But now I think she’s given him a computer virus!” Polly blurted out. “But I don’t know why…”
I was surprised and impressed. I stared at Polly in amazement. At the same time, I knew exactly what to do. Marko and Tina wouldn’t be super helpful right now. I had to contact Tammy and get to the bottom of this. I decided to entice her over. And the perfect solution presented itself that afternoon when Mom, Dad and Marko went out for ice cream. They asked me to go but I figured it was the ideal opportunity for me to get time alone with Tammy. I texted her, telling her Mom and Dad needed her to watch Marko while they went to see a movie. Tammy replied straight away and said she’d be right over.
I waited in the living room recliner with the lights off, for added effect. I heard Tammy’s car pull into the driveway. I then heard the keys jangle out of the ignition, the car door shutting, and her sneakers on the front steps. She seemed genuinely startled when she turned the lights on and saw me waiting for her. She gasped aloud.
Maya Message: It was kind of fun to be sneaky and intimidating! I couldn’t let her know that, though.
“Oh! I didn’t see you there, Maya. You scared me!” Tammy joked.
With a straight face, I said, "I thought nothing was supposed to scare secret agents.”
“I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about, Maya. I’m here to watch Marko.” She was now a little flustered.
“Give up the act, Tammy. I believe that the computer which controls, well, both Computer and Grandpa, has been compromised. I believe you are the one who caused it!” I told her matter-of-factly.
It was good that I’d kept the bionic arm strength enhancer in my room. I had already put it on in case Tammy played dumb.
I stood up and took a fighting stance. “I warn you, talk or else!”
Tammy stayed cool. “Or else what?” She smiled.
I walked towards her. “I warn you, I’ve been practicing, and I am strong!”
Tammy took a seat on the couch. She laughed. “Sit down, Maya, before you get hurt! Let me explain to you what’s going on…”
I didn’t like the fact that Tammy wasn’t taking me seriously. I showed her my fists. “You’d better!” I growled.
Tammy laughed harder. “Maya, please don’t try to play tough girl with me. It doesn’t suit you. Besides, I’m not one of your little middle school friends. I’m also not a mean girl. I’m a woman doing a job!”
I lunged at her. “And that job is to hurt my family!” I yelled, swinging away.
Tammy effortlessly blocked my punch. She swept my legs out from under me, knocking me to the ground. She put her foot on my stomach. “Maya, if I wanted to hurt you, believe me, you would be hurt.”
Polly flew into the room. He landed on my head. “Girl, you are so out-classed here!” he told me.
“Yeah, I see that!” I said.
“Now, are we going to talk like civilized people or do I make you smell my feet? BTW it’s been a long hot day!” Tammy said.
Polly flew onto Tammy’s shoulder. “I like your style. Make her smell your feet!”
Tammy turned to Polly and laughed. “I’d like to keep her conscious!”
“Okay, I’ll talk!” I said.
Tammy let me up. She patted the couch. “Now come, sit!”
I followed her instructions. Sitting next to her, I said. “So, what’s going on?”
She nodded. “You were right. The computer and your grandpa have been infected by a virus. But it wasn’t caused by me. My job is to keep an eye on you and the lab.”
Polly leaned into her face. “Not doing a very good at that. Are you?”
“You know I could make you smell my shoes?” Tammy told him.
Polly shrugged. “Of course, anybody can have an off day!”
“We need to figure out who or what has caused the problem,” Tammy said to me. “And there’s only one way to find that out!”
“We need to break into the lab,” I replied.
She grinned. “Exactly!”
“What about using the underground entrance to the lab?” Tammy suggested. “The one Polly used to draw the rogue plants back in?”
Polly shook his head. “Nah, the computer and Doctor J closed that off. But I have it covered. Doctor J also has a secret elevator from the lab to his den, which has been deactivated!” Polly told us.
“Why are you telling us about doors we can’t use?” I scolded Polly.
Polly rolled his eyes at me. He flew over onto my shoulder. He patted me gently on the head with his wing. “Oh simple, Maya. If you are quiet, I’ll tell you. You see, before installing the secret elevators, Doctor J used a secret tunnel in the basement to go back and forth. I believe that in his weird state, the doc forgot about that!”
“Polly you’re a genius!” I said.
“True dat!” he exclaimed, giving us a dab and a bow.
When we arrived in the basement, I saw that it certainly didn't look like much; worn floors and cracked walls. The room smelled damp. There appeared to be nothing there but an old bed, some pictures and books, dusty boxes and cobwebs.
Polly flew over to the far wall. “Come on, slowpokes!” he yelled. “Pick up the pace! Move it! Move it!”
We reached the wall.
“This is a wall, not a door!” I said.
Polly rolled his eyes again. He pointed to a spot on the wall. “Knock three times.”
I knocked three times. I looked at the wall. Nothing happened.
“Now knock one time!” Polly said.
I knocked once. Still nothing. I shot Polly a look. “If you’re playing with us…”
Polly shook his head. “Knock four times!”
Knock, knock, knock, knock.
The wall rolled sideways, revealing a long dark tunnel.
“Tada!” Polly said, waving us into the tunnel. “Move it! Move it! This only stays open for 30 seconds!”
Tammy and I ducked into the tunnel. Polly flew in after us and whispered in a quiet voice, “I’ve already convinced K9 and Crash to help us. They’re waiting by the door on the inside. To the best of my kn
owledge, Grandpa J is asleep. I think, deep down, he might believe this is how he can fix himself. I also think the computer is in a deep think mode. I don’t know why; but it can’t be good.”
"Thank you, Polly! I'll make sure to get you some top-notch bird seed as a treat for your hard work and bravery," I whispered back.
We crawled through a long silver metal tunnel that seemed a lot like an air duct. It was smelly and cramped. Not ideal. When we finally got to the end, Tammy gave the door a light push, and we dropped down into the lab.
Crash and K9 were waiting for us, just like they’d told Polly they would be. “Hey, guys. Just make sure to be very quiet! We don’t want to wake your grandfather up,” Crash whispered.
Now we understood why Polly had been whispering.
Tammy got out her tools and opened the main computer to look for viruses. She hooked it to a monitor.
“The computer downloaded fourteen viruses that were installed and masked as games,” I explained.
“Thank you for telling me! That’s super helpful” Tammy said.
I winced as Grandpa’s image whirred and flickered to life.
“WHO IS IN MY LABORATORY?!” Grandpa’s image bellowed.
The lab was no longer the pleasant space it had been. There was now a weird mechanical and evil vibe going on. I shuddered as I glanced at Grandpa.
“The computer and I have combined into a super duper uber grandpa creation!” Grandpa cackled.
Oh, I did not like this new Grandpa!
Without even giving any of us time to respond, Grandpa’s image attacked us by flooding the lab with bright, blinding lights. I could barely even open my eyes. My brain felt like it had bees in it; I could already feel a headache coming on. Tammy was rolling around on the ground with her eyes covered.
“I thought I kicked you out of here! I don’t want to see you!” Grandpa’s voice boomed so loudly that it made both Tammy and I shake.
