The next morning, Josef heard them out in thoughtful silence. Then he told Sean to describe the process a second time. Josef sat in utter stillness. Gone was the jovial giant, the caring teacher. His intensity was so overpowering Sean was left stammering.
Josef opened a drawer and pulled out two pads and pens, handed one of each to Sean, rose to his feet, and said to Dillon, “Come with me.” A few minutes later he returned and asked, “Can you read Lothian?”
“I’m learning.”
“Then we will use my own home world’s language. Give me your pad.” Josef wrote swiftly, then showed the page to Sean. “Do you know what this means?”
“No, sir.”
“Good. Send it to your brother.”
“We’ve never tried doing an image.”
“Even better. Go ahead. Do it now.”
Josef had not said to try. Do. Sean focused as tight as he knew how. Then he sent.
When he looked up, Josef asked, “Is it finished?”
“I think so.”
He left, moving amazingly fast for such a big man. He was gone long enough for Sean to grow more nervous still. He finally shot off to Dillon, What’s going on?
He’s writing. Hang on. There was a pause, then an image flashed in Sean’s mind, this one of a script he had never seen before. It looked like cursive hieroglyphics. Sean was afraid he’d lose it, so he bent over the pad and got busy. Josef entered and loomed over him as he worked.
When he was done, Josef frowned over the pad and slipped behind his desk. “Tell your brother to come back in.” When Dillon entered, Josef said, “It seems remarkably simple, which some say is the standard for all brilliant ideas. I wish to try this communication. Are you willing?”
“Sure. I mean, yes, sir.”
“All right.” Josef shut his eyes. Then, “Do you hear me?”
“No, sir.” Sean turned to his brother. “Anything?”
“Not a peep.”
“Sorry, Professor.”
“No, no, this is important. There have only been a few other twins who both became recruits. A significant percentage have proven to be what we refer to as adepts.” Josef pondered for a long moment, then sighed and placed his massive hands on the desk. “But that is for later, yes? You did as I asked, and now I must live up to my side of the agreement. Give me a few hours . . . This will be your first Lothian Solstice, yes?”
“We don’t even know what it is.”
“Then you are in for a treat.” Josef tried to offer them an encouraging smile. “Come see me when it is over. I should have made arrangements by then.”