Shift

4- A New Age

"How are we going to prove to our people that what the Leaders are enforcing is wrong?" Klisa asked the crowd with her smile that lightens the mood.

"We could mail the Leaders telling them that we disapprove of their laws." A smaller Shift suggested sweetly.

"We need to take action. Do something big, something that will make a difference." I said firmly and they all were thrown back. They were startled easily.

"Excuse me Brooke, who made you the leader?" A Shift asked with wide eyes.

"Listen, I'm here to help," I announced.

"She really is, she will lead us to a new age. We will be able to talk, have a say!" Klisa proclaimed.

"I trust her, she will give us freedom and that's just what we need." A friend of Klisa, named Daz, agreed. Daz sat comfortably, cross-legged, slouched on the heel of her hand. But, she knew when to be serious. She sat up straight as she talked and relaxed again after she was done.

Slowly, all the Shifts began to nod in agreement. It was settled, I would lead them to their new age. Over twenty Shifts were depending on me to set them free. Young and old were watching me, waiting for me to say something.

"So Brooke, what are we going to do?" An elderly Shift asked as he stretched his back and leaned against the side of the bridge.

"Sorry, I wasn't expecting that. Let me think." I replied a bit unfocused. Shifts throughout the crowd tilted their heads as they got impatient and curious.

"I got it!"

"We should find a way to make the O.P technology send everyone who is out of phase into phase. So many Shifts would be seen throughout the universe!"

"That's perfect!" Someone yelled.

"That'd be difficult. Does anyone know how to operate O.P beyond basic phase shifts?" Daz asked the crowd in hope. Most shook the heads "no". But, in the back a hand popped up out of the crowd. A young male Shift volunteered to hack the central O.P station. He proposed a plan.

"I can get access to the O.P mainframe. It requires a specific frequency to transmit to stations throughout the universe and from them to all O.P tech. If you get me into the building, I can override the security in order to cancel transmissions that keep the Shifts out of phase. They would all be seen!"

"Great!" I replied but I was still concerned. He didn't look very old.

"Is anyone able to help him with that?" Klisa pulled the boy in and ruffled his curly purple hair.

"I can get us past door security. I know all the ins and outs of the building, no problem." A taller Shift, around 5'5, answered. When he stepped out of the crowd, I chuckled. He wore overalls and let his hair grow long. I noticed that all male Shifts have short, curly, purple hair but this one decided to grow his out over his shoulders.

"Good" I replied, covering my mouth to hide my smile.

"How many stations are across the universe?"

"About 10," replied a slim Shift with long, light-pink hair.

Another Shift added. "12 max"

"Teams of 2 should go to each station to make sure the frequency ends. Someone find out for sure how many stations exist and where they are," I instructed. The Shifts, young and old, all nodded, they understood.

After the crowd dissipated, Daz came over to me and tapped me on my knee. I invited her to join me. I was sitting comfortably on a rock under the bridge. The rock that I sat on when I was getting over my ex-boyfriend. Daz sat alongside me and rhythmically tapped her leg. Even before she talked, I could tell something was bugging her.

"The little boy who volunteered, his name is Meben. Meben is my little brother. He never told me that he knew so much about O.P. I assumed he was just into ships and building and kid stuff. I guess we haven't really been close since I started my assignments. I was partnered up with one of my close friends so I never really thought about home." Daz explained.

"Ah, I understand." I replied.

"I don't want him to get in trouble with our leaders. They are very harsh when they see a reason to be. But, I still want Meben to be a part of this. It's just, well, I don't know."I patted her on the back but she reacted a bit uncomfortably. I hadn't known the customs of comforting Shifts.

"Don't worry; we will make sure he's safe." I said, adding to the promises that will weigh on me. But, that's only if I fail to keep them.

"Thank you so much! He is only 2. You are studying Earth, right?" Daz asked.

"Yeah, something like that."

"Well, in earth years and then accounting for a human lifespan, he would be about 12 in human terms. If he was actually 12 he would be well into retirement." Daz explained and giggled. I laughed with her, mainly because I was picturing a 12 year old boy with a beard and cane playing shuffleboard.

"Maybe after all this changing of our lives and such, we might be able to hang out. As long as we don't all get killed."Daz offered with a laugh.

"What do you mean 'as long as we don't get killed'"? How would that happen?"I asked, suddenly afraid that my plan might get people killed.

"If anyone is in the same place as someone else when we turn O.P off, they'd die. Two people can't survive in the same point in the universe without O.P technology. And then, there are the Leaders. They would kill if they felt it was necessary." She explained sadly.

"But, how likely is it that they would be in the same place?" I responded nervously.

"Small percent probably. A lot of Shifts will be on Shafalia. They won't be hurt. A lot of Shifts prefer to study from afar so that they can easily see what's happening. So, they should be good too."

Meben raced around the bottom of the bridge with a few other young Shifts. He came over to us with a toothy grin. He was out of breath, leaned over with his hands on his knees. The other kids were doing the same. The tips of their noses were turning white from the cold. They were all only wearing thin, hooded jackets over their arms.

"Daz, I made some new friends! We're going to save the world together. Isn't that so exciting?" Meben exclaimed once he caught his breath. Daz looked over to me with hopeful eyes but I didn't know how to respond. Instead, I just encouraged him to stay young and be excited as I pulled the hood over his whitening ears.

"I'm Meben, who are you?"

"Hi Meben, my name is Brooke. I'm friends with your sister's friend, Klisa."

"Cool, Klisa is the best. She gives out treats and hosts parties for the kids."

"When was her last one?" Daz asked, leaning forward.

"Probably a few months ago. She held a costume party. I dressed up like a wurkal. I made its wings out of a big sheet of flexible glass and sea stones."

"Sounds like fun" I laughed.

"I wish I could've been there. I should visit more often, sorry. Maybe you can show me your costume later?" Daz suggested.

"Sure thing!" Meben exclaimed and looked back at his new friends. He introduced us to them all and shortly after, Klisa came down to bring us back to the ships.