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They stayed there for three days, in which time both Bob and Jenny were training, counseling with the Council members and resting in their private suites in the building.
During that time, Jenny was glad to have the time to get to know both Bob and the Chief Councilors much better.
She was surprised to find that the draconic entity, Liliath was a gentle person with a mischievous sense of humor who was more than a little amused at the preconceived notions Jenny and Bob had about dragon-kind. She was exceptionally intelligent, often baffling even Bob with her lectures on the science of the dimensional portals. She admitted, again, that there was still much that even the most advanced cultures in the Dimensional Alliance did not completely understand.
Myla was also exceptionally intelligent, but of a more serious demeanor. He was a trained scientist, negotiator and scholar. He was fascinated about the variety of cultures on earth and had been a good friend with Lizzie, whose sense of adventure paired with a bright and inquiring mind was very attractive to the serious avian.
Ingot gave an appearance of gruffness, but when you got to know him, he turned out to be a sensitive soul, who listened carefully to everything that was said by all members of the group before making any pronouncements. He always continued discussions until every viewpoint had been heard and then reached a conclusion only after all had been taken under discussion.
It turned out that Bob knew way more than Jenny had suspected about the different theories about alternate timelines, contrasting dimensions and even theory about time travel. He had more than one PHD in physics, engineering and, of all things, social science. He was able to keep up his end of conversations that went way over Jenny's head, taking time to explain things to her in Earth terms when she got lost in the science that seemed to be beyond her. He was really good at breaking down complex concepts into terms that were easy to understand. His military service before college also gave him a fairly good grasp of tactics and strategy.
She commented to him that he would have been a great teacher. He was surprised, "Didn't you know? I thought I told you. I was an engineering professor at Cal Tech."
Jenny thought back on all the conversations they had had over the last few months. "Nope, but it fits."
Among other things, Bob received a necklace similar to Jenny's in function, but instead of a key, it was the infinity symbol. This designated him as an Agent of the Alliance. As an agent he had similar privileges as Jenny for the gateways, but he still needed to go through a Guardian or Gatekeeper to get access to the gate rooms. To his delight, he was also issued an MDP and a quarterstaff as well as having the Alliance apps installed on his cell phone. He was now included in Jenny and Tarafau's workouts. Jenny was surprised how quickly he picked it up.
"It's very similar to pugil stick fighting. It was part of basic training when I was in the military," he replied when Jenny asked him about it. "However, it hurts more when you make contact," he grimaced, rubbing his shin where Jenny had whacked him earlier. "You're pretty good at it yourself."
"I train every day with Tarafau," Jenny admitted. "I'm still learning."
"Well, Tarafau must be a great trainer," Bob said, wryly. "You sure surprised the heck out of me. I've got to learn not to 'go easy' on you." And he laughed.
Jenny giggled, despite herself. It had really helped her confidence to get in some good blows on both Tarafau and Bob that day.
The three days passed rapidly, with very little time to rest mentally or physically. Jenny's confidence was definitely shored up by all of the new information, training and the comradery she now felt with both the Chief Councilors and Bob.
She had been trained more thoroughly, alongside Bob on tactics using the MDP. She was taught how to transfer mindspeech to someone who did not have the ability, and she learned more about how her key worked as a universal pass to the entire dimensional network. She alone did not need another person to access every gateway in the network. It was politeness and protocol to access gates through the Guardian of that gate, but it was not necessary for her.
She also discovered that it was her responsibility to help Guardians choose their successors. Apparently, Miriha had been involved in her aunt's choice. And in the process of that training, she also learned that she had a method for observing potential future Guardians with tech that was painlessly inserted under the skin. This was why her aunt knew enough about her to choose her. As it turned out, she had not been the only one in her family that Lizzie had been observing, but evidently Lizzie had liked what she saw in Jenny.
One of the things she also began to realize was that the time would come for her to choose a successor. She would want to spend enough time with people outside the Earth Guardian council to allow herself access to potential candidates. Where she would find time for that, she had no idea.
Jenny wasn't sure what, in particular, her aunt had observed about her behavior that had helped her decide that Jenny would inherit the position, and she had mixed feelings about having been chosen. She was still filled with awe that her aunt had decided that she had the qualifications even for the Guardian position and she wondered, if Miriha had been able to choose her successor, if she would have decided to choose her, after all.
The time came for them to return to Earth. Ingot laid his hands on both of Bob's shoulders, looking directly up into his eyes. "Your first assignment will be to protect The Gatekeeper and aid Burt in his search for Sam. She must be found and questioned. I have a really bad feeling about her. You now have the same tech as Burt, and he will instruct you more fully in their use. Keep a careful eye on Jenny and her house. It is doubtful that Sam will suspect you, as she could have no idea you have been received into The Alliance."
Bob nodded. "I will see to it," he said gravely. The determination in his dark eyes appeared rock hard. "If it is within my power, no harm will come to Jenny. I owe that to her aunt. I am also glad to be able to call Jenny 'friend'."
He looked over at Jenny. "I'll be your nosy neighbor. Maybe Burt and I can concoct some misinformation to send her way, if she doesn't suspect my involvement."
Ingot released Bob and stood before Tarafau. Unable to reach his shoulders, he looked seriously up into Tarafau's eyes. "Take care, my friend. I know you to be a fierce warrior and a faithful companion. You are one of our most trustworthy and skilled Guides. I know you will continue to oversee the training of these with diligence and kindness. Know that our best wishes and hopes go with you."
He then turned to Jenny. "Gatekeeper, you have come to your position unexpectedly and unprepared. You have shouldered a great burden with integrity and valor. I know we ask more of you than you ever expected to be responsible for. However, even in your youth, you have the qualities we value most in a Gatekeeper. Honesty, diligence, compassion and the willingness and humility to take on tasks greater than you think you are. If ever you need anything, you may text me."
Jenny goggled at him and he grinned. "I have taken the liberty to add all three of us to your contacts on the dimensional aspect of your phone," he said with a smile. "I hope you don't mind." And his shoulders shook with suppressed laughter.
Jenny threw her arms around him, surprising him only for a moment. He hugged her back with feeling then drew back and smiled up at her. "Thank you, Jenny," he said gently.
Jenny then went to Myla and Liliath and hugged each in turn. Hugging a dragon...who knew they gave great, and gentle, hugs?
Her eyes now tearing up, she put one arm through Tarafau's and the other through Bob's and like Dorothy, she started down a road that she never expected to follow, with a faithful companion on either side.
