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On the dark side of Earth's Moon in the northern hemisphere. Nestled amid the cratered lunar surface, standing majestically is the circular building known as the Moon Public Library, one of the many IOL Libraries that dot this sector of space. Inside the Library, it is busy: the rows upon rows of Bookcases are filled by restless students from many different galactic universities in the area. Some are from other areas. They were researching info for their mid-term papers. The most popular books during these times are the abridged versions of books & were always checked out. Standing at the reference desk is on the robotic avatars where a piece of the MPL's A.I.'s consciousness was residing. The A.I. was was speaking with the this Library's Helper, A.L.F.RED.
"I hate this time of year." The Library's robotic Major Domo grumbled. "All these students treat the Library as if they owned the place."
A small group of students walk by.
"They could at least respect the Library enough to change out there sleeping garments." A.L.F.RED is a slightly higher tone. If they heard him, they didn't respond.
D.D. giggled. "Your so funny when your angry."
Then, an alarm went off. The android D.D. was using turned off. She shortly reappeared as a hologram. "No. No. Not again." she said shaking her head in disbelief.
A.L.F.RED knew what that alarm meant. He had heard a few times before & every time it has rung out it doesn't get any easier to hear.
As the alarm continued to blare, every piece of furniture, from the bookcases to the reference desk began to either retracted into the floor or the walls. D.D. then got on the intercom. As she spoke, she choked back tears with every phrase.
"Attention Library patrons! I'm sorry to report that we will be closing early today to due unfortunate circumstances. Please make your way to out check out counters if you have any materials you would like to check out. Then proceed to your vehicles, the Library will be entering full lock down in 20 Earth minutes. If you get locked in the building down on one of the concourse levels, we will have no way of rescuing you. Thank you & have a pleasant day!"
There was a short moment of silence & then D.D. came back.
"For those wondering when we might be open next. This is currently unknown. Please check back in a few days. Again, Thank you for using the Moon Public Library & have a pleasant day!"
About 19 & half minutes later, A.L.F.RED & the holographic projection of D.D. were all that was left on the empty main floor.
"So, Master Bookman has left us once again?"
"Yes. While getting everyone out I got in contact with Hallie & he confirmed what the Library was already telling us."
"How long do you think we have until the IOL comes a knocking at our door in hopes of repossessing the Library?"
"We've got at least a few hours. Given that we not exactly tied into their network anymore the info will travel a bit slowly then had in the past. Remember the first time Lee kicked the bucket, I think they were here even before we knew Lee had gone to that big Library in the Sky."
"Yes. Master Bookman does have a habit of dying on us, doesn't he?"
"Yeah." D.D. said with a slight laugh, but it din't last long. "But most of the time he at least gives us some warning."
"He did."
D.D gave him a look & said. "More then what he did this time. Telling someone you might die in the next 48 hours via a post-it note is a bit insensitive."
"Maybe. But he knew we were prepared. Plan B has been in place for some time."
"Yes. But every time it hasn't come to that because we knew that he might have died but he was going to be back soon."
"True. But you say how Master Bookman has been lately."
"Yeah. It all changed after we got those records for the Shee-Yar Imperium."
A.L.F.RED nodded.
There was a few moments of silence.
Minutes past, nothing is said.
Then, D.D. asked "So..... Should we wait the Trustees or just go about getting Plan B underway without them?"
"Given that we are locked in, they are locked out & they don't know about Plan B. I say we enact right now. Plus, if we wait for the Trustees to show up the IOL might have already been here & taken the library away."
"Ok. You remember where the controller is right?" She asked.
"Yes." A.L.F.RED as he tapped a button on his chest which opened a small hatch. Inside among all this inner workings was a small white rectangular device. The device had a large round button on in it's center. On the button was the Bookman family crest.
A.L.F.RED reached into himself, grabbed the device, closed himself up & aimed the device at the nearest wall. He pressed the button which caused a glowing doorway to open. The sudden opening caused a whirlwind to start up but did not effect either of them because D.D. was a hologram & it would more then some wind to knock A.L.F.RED over.
In the doorway, a person could be seen. They walked through, shortly there after the doorway closed up behind them & the wind stopped.
"It's time to come home, eh?" The man said.
He had a shaved head, his skin was a bit pale & he wore a pair of frameless glasses. He was also wearing a long brown trench coat, it reached the ground. The ends of the coat were frayed, dirty & a bit burnt. Over the jacket was a brown leather messenger bag. On his hands he wore a pair of dark brown, well wore, gloves. The fingertips of the gloves are cut off exposing his fingers. The coat was buttoned up so one couldn't see what he was wearing underneath. His shoes of choice were a pair of blue canvas high tops.
"Yes, David." D.D. replied.
"So…." David said looking around. "Where's Dad?"
"He's dead." A.L.F.RED said bluntly.
"Figured as much. The only way the IOL would let be here is if Dad was dead & they needed a Bookman to continue working here."
"We are no longer under the direct control of the IOL, the Library is under the direction of a small board of Trustees."
"cool."
"But the Library, all it's contents, D.D. & I are all still IOL property. Without Master Bookman here our ownership reverts back to them. Now the Trustees could argue control back from them but you being here is much quicker."
"So, I'm back to keep the IOL's grubby little fingers out of My Dad's pie?"
"Yes." D.D. replied.
"Good. I've wanted to stick it to them for years." David said with a mischievous smile.
There was a few moments of silence. Then David asked "What year is it?"
"2010, young Master Bookman." A.L.F.RED replied.
"Cool. So, how do we get this Library back in business?"
"Place your palm here." D.D. said as she had a portion of the wall light up.
David put his hand there, it was scanned & all the furniture came back out.
"Now what?"
"I have to go get your father." A.L.F.RED said.
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TO BE CONTINUED…..
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