The Octopus Effect by Michael Reisman Read Free Book Online Page A

evaluating Simon and Ralfagon?”
    â€œYoung lady,” Standrus said, “you are speaking out of turn. We have a procedure for non-Keeper interrogatives, and you are clearly not following it.”
    Gilio chuckled. “That’s kids for you, Standrus. Minds of their own and everything. It’s what makes them humans, instead of dull robots!”
    Olvero held up his hands in a calming gesture. “Whoa there! No need to get excited, everyone. Standrus, members of the Board, I think what Gilio is trying to say is that Alysha has a valid question. These kids don’t know your procedures.”
    Standrus frowned deeply. “Janathus, you are liaison to the Council. Handle this.”
    Janathus nodded. “We on the Board are charged with doing our best to maintain the order of things. To keep the universe from getting disturbed, perhaps destroyed, by anyone unworthy of their place in the Union. Keepers face the strictest judgment, since they have the most potential to cause disasters.”
    Alysha rolled her eyes. “That’s great, but you didn’t really answer my question.”
    â€œThere are schedules and procedures, child, and we must keep to them.”
    â€œWhy?” Alysha asked. “Is asking a question without filling out a form going to destroy the universe?”
    Standrus checked a shiny metal pocket watch. “We have wasted enough time,” he said with a scowl. “Keepers, follow us.” He flicked his eyes over to Alysha. “Non-Keepers must remain outside. Which includes Narrators.” He looked up in the sky, somehow gazing into my eyes from the Viewing Screen. “All observing Narrators will put their Chronicles on hold for the duration of our meeting.”
    Simon’s, Owen’s, and Alysha’s jaws dropped open, as did mine. No Narrator? Outrageous! You cannot put History on hold!
    Ralfagon cleared his throat and raised his cane into the air. “Might I have a moment? I am, as Janathus says, elderly. I would love to catch my breath.”
    Janathus turned to Madda, who frowned. Standrus didn’t look up from his watch as he said, “You have exactly fifty-seven seconds before you disrupt our schedule.”
    Simon turned away from his friends and the Council members. He closed his eyes, feeling as if he’d been dropped into a nightmare. He had to know something.
    Book, he thought, contacting the Teacher’s Edition of Physics through their mental link. If they make Ralfagon the only Physics Keeper or if they fire both of us, will I have to give up some of my formulas?
    It responded quickly. Yes.
    Simon frowned. Will I still be able to talk to you like this?
    There was a slight pause. No, you would lose that ability, as would Ralfagon if he is removed from his post .
    That hit Simon hard. He hated the idea of being separated from the Book, but he also worried about Ralfagon. The old Keeper was a bit nutty, but he was a good person and a good friend. If the Book was taken from him, what would he have left?
    Simon braced himself and asked one last question. Will the new Keeper at least let my friends and me stay in the Order? Or could we be kicked out?
    This time, there was a long pause. Finally, the Book responded. Given your age and the attitude of the Board, it is unlikely you’d be allowed to remain. You’d probably have your minds cleared of all your experiences with the Union, too.
    Simon shuddered at the thought of losing it all—not just his powers and the Order, but his memories, too. Worst of all, he became friends with Owen and Alysha around the time he found the Book. That meant they might lose the memories of their friendship, too!
    â€œEnough time-wasting,” Standrus said, jarring Simon from his thoughts.
    Janathus gestured to the BOA building. “Council, Simon Bloom, follow me.”
    Ralfagon’s face was tight with concentration, but at Janathus’s words, his expression smoothed