Kelan's mind should be on the upcoming meeting. It was important to convince the investors to give his company the money to produce and test the new laser weapon designs. These lasers were the answer to his mission. The design was simple, easy to reproduce, efficient, and most of all would not harm the atmosphere. If they worked as promised, he could return home triumphant.

But, his brain wouldn't stay on business. He was concerned about Michelle and frustrated by her obvious lies. As his personal assistant, she had always been forthcoming, honest, and outspoken. She had aided his business in ways he couldn't explain. There were times he wanted to scream and curse the scientists for their slow progress. It was Michelle who reminded him the weapons must be safe to use, which took time. It was also Michelle that discovered the new, lightweight material that was durable enough to withstand the power of the laser blast. Without it, they would still be at square one. The woman didn't know how valuable she was to the company, and him as well. She kept him on track and made his days bearable. At times, he was too involved in business and she forced him to let it go and have some fun. That's why he now included food and beverages in the meetings. It relaxed the atmosphere, and all the people involved were more willing to negotiate.

Kelan's frown darkened. The marks on Michelle's faced had upset him tremendously. He knew she had lied about falling. She wasn't a clumsy person, and the bruises weren't consistent with landing on your face. Her nose and chin would have suffered from a face-down fall. The marks were more consistent with a slap. Kelan knew little about her private life, but he would soon remedy that. If someone was abusing her, it couldn't be allowed to continue. Men who hit women were lower than a slug. They had no honor or self control and used women to make themselves feel powerful and in charge. Women were to be loved and cherished, not beaten senseless. If a man couldn't treat a woman well, he didn't deserve to have one at all. If he beat her, he deserved to receive the same punishment he meted out. Whoever was hurting Michelle would pay for marring her lovely face. Kelan shouldn't be concerned with how attractive his assistant's appearance was, but he often enjoyed watching her through the glass walls when she wasn't aware of it. Her long black hair fell in waves all the way to her tiny waist. Its silky texture allowed it to sway gently from side to side as she turned her head. Those deep brown eyes held a sadness and mistrust that contrasted with her big, bright smile. Michelle was a mystery waiting to be unraveled. She dressed in very feminine clothing, yet there was a strength hidden inside her that he didn't think she knew she possessed.

Kelan didn't have time to dig too deeply into Michelle's life. He might have enough to get her out of whatever bad situation she was presently involved in, but no more. He was here for another reason. All the work it had taken to build up Rankin World Defense was for the goal of saving his world, not Earth. He had come here to gain knowledge and weaponry to fight a war against an alien race who was determined to attack Talonia, his home planet, with nuclear weapons that would destroy its atmosphere. Earth had used such weapons once and almost become a wasteland. Somehow, they had survived using technology that quickly repaired the atmosphere. He was here to discover how to duplicate it on Talonia if it became necessary and to study their newest weaponry. Kelan's company was on the verge of finding the perfect weapon, one his planet could benefit from. The power and respect he had gained here on Earth would aid him in getting the funding necessary to implement the new design. The blueprints could be taken home and used to make the same weapon there. He would be rewarded with a higher rank for his efforts. However, the real reward would be keeping Talonia viable for future generations.

Kelan's business associates and investors didn't know his true identity. The fact of the matter was, no one knew. He kept the truth a secret to protect his species. Humans now had the capability to quickly travel through space, and they were aware of many inhabited worlds. Talonia was farther away than most of those planets and remained hidden from Earth's technology. The Talonians wanted to keep their existence undiscovered. They feared human interference would bring trouble to their home. It was bad enough that it was being threatened by another alien species who didn't have the capacity or weaponry of Earth.

At times, Kelan's body ached to change forms. He held back his instincts for weeks at a time. Anger made it more difficult to stay in the form of a man, so he had learned breathing exercises, kick boxing, and other techniques to dispel his frustration. When his need to change reached a breaking point, there was an isolated meadow deep in the woods where he could become his other self. Among the flowers, surrounded by trees, he could relax his vigil and be freed for a short span of time. He returned to the city refreshed and ready to be the powerful businessman everyone expected him to be.

His worry for Michelle was causing his deep-seated frustration to rise. He would need to tamp it down before today's meeting. He certainly couldn't shock the investors by accidentally changing form before their eyes. It would ruin all that he had worked for and have hunters seeking to find his kind. Kelan opened the windows, looked at the clouds, and began his breathing ritual. His home was out there awaiting him, though he couldn't see it from here. It wouldn't be long until he could return if all went as he predicted with the investors.

The investors, male and female, arrived at the designated time and were escorted to a large conference room by security. No one, other than fully screened employees of Rankin World Defense, was ever allowed to roam the building unescorted. It held too many highly valuable blueprints and technological discoveries that other companies would pay billions to get their greedy hands on. The weapon prototypes were enough to tempt the most honorable of persons.

The wealth represented by the people who sat at the conference table was intimidating to Michelle. She was trained to hide it behind her welcoming smile. Not even Kelan was aware of how badly she was shaking inside as she presented each investor with a meal especially ordered to their personal tastes. Everything from steak to sushi was distributed among the richest people on the planet. Many had arrived just moments ago on private jets, having been summoned by Kelan only that morning. He alone held that kind of power.

Michelle set his rare steak in front of him and poured a glass of expensive wine. Normally, there would have been a serving staff who catered to the wants and desires of the investors, but what was to be discussed here today couldn't be allowed to be overheard by extra ears. Kelan only trusted Michelle. Once everyone had been served and their drinks refreshed, she took her own seat at Kelan's right hand. Though every word said in this room would be recorded by highly sensitive equipment, Michelle would still jot down notes. These would involve her perception of the investors' attitudes. Kelan would want to hear her perspective to see if it matched his own.

Kelan let the meal continue without bringing up the business at hand. He preferred his audience sated and compliant when he asked for money. He could have funded most of his discoveries all by himself, but he knew that wasn't wise. Cooperation among the rich and powerful kept the world at peace. If everyone had a piece of the pie, then no one could control it alone. Michelle held his same beliefs and was proud to be at his side.

Kelan pushed his plate aside, cleared his throat, and stood. All eyes turned to the head of the table. It was time to answer all the questions that had been buzzing among the investors while they ate. Michelle pushed a pair of buttons underneath the conference table. The cameras would zoom in and capture the faces of each person, and the recording equipment would filter out any sound other than the voices of the investors.

Kelan stated, "I appreciate all of you dropping your other important duties and rushing to Rankin World Defense on such short notice. I plan to make it worth the sacrifice. I believe you will be as pleased as I am to hear the news. The weapon we have been searching for is within our grasp. It will become the greatest in our arsenal, perhaps the only one needed. It contains more power than any bomb, gun, or nuclear weapon ever built. Its power can be isolated to a single target, saving the lives of innocent individuals standing within inches of the threat, or spread wide to destroy an army. The possibilities are endless. It is extremely lightweight and small enough for each soldier to carry. Most important, at least in my eyes, is the fact that it will not damage the atmosphere of the planet. We can continue to breathe clean air and drink unpolluted water. Your children and grandchildren will have a safe environment, unaffected by deformities and diseases caused by weapons of mass destructions. However, these weapons are expensive to build and test, so I need your help."

The French investor inquired, "What type of weapon is it? What's its source of power?"

Kelan replied, "It's a refined form of laser that takes its energy from the very air we breathe. Within its mechanisms, the air is compacted so densely that it is emitted as a killing ray. If you will give your attention to the monitor, we have a visual recording of a test done in the lab."

Michelle touched her keyboard, and the twelve-foot monitor came to life. On screen, a lab technician held a dull gray piece of metal. It was shaped like a water pipe but had two triggers. The technician tossed it into the air and caught it easily with one hand to demonstrate its light weight. He walked to a glass enclosure and slid the end of the weapon through a hole that was just its size. Within the enclosure, there were mannequins representing men, women, and children. In their center, was a gunman. The technician pulled the smallest trigger, a thin white light streaked across the room, and the gunman fell. The camera zoomed in to show there wasn't a mark on any other mannequin. It then turned on the equipment that monitored chemicals, radiation, and other destructive components. The air was clear. The camera came back to the technician. He pulled the larger trigger, the end of the pipe spread into hundreds of tiny fingerlike projections. The white light shot out of each one, destroying all the mannequins. The equipment proclaimed that the air was still clean. Michelle stopped the recording.

Kelan declared, "This was a prototype, and the results were recorded last night. The room has continued to be monitored for pollutants. None have been detected. The weapon needs to be tested on larger targets: planes and tanks for example. We need to see its actions in open spaces and perfect its rather ugly appearance. For these things, we need money and the power to get the governments behind the project. In other words, I need all of you. Everyone in this room has reason to want this weapon to succeed. With the universe opening to our eyes, it's essential to protect not just our own countries, but the entire planet. We don't want the wars to touch a hair on our families’ heads. We don't even want them to realize those wars are a possibility. This weapon is our best defense against Earth being touched by anyone and keeping the peace between countries. It can ensure that there is still an inhabitable planet for future generations. Do I have your backing?"

The woman from England replied, "You have earned my trust over the last two years. I've never been disappointed in anything you've built or discovered. My riches have been quadrupled by investing in your enterprises. The weapon seems viable and revolutionary. You have my backing."

The French gentleman stated, "I'm impressed by the lab tests and would like to see more. If you will allow me to attend some of the future testing, I will back you as well."

Kelan's biggest rival, the owner of another defense company, demanded, "Before I hand over any money, I want to shoot that thing myself. Recordings can be faked. I'm a skeptical man, and my company has never seen such technology despite my contacts in the government."

Kelan smiled and answered, "I expected there to be skepticism and demands for hands-on proof. Of course, I will accommodate your wishes. I have nothing to hide." Not in business anyway, he said to himself.

All in attendance agreed to invest vast amounts of money to build and test the weapon. Michelle spent the next several hours writing separate agreements to specify each investor's demands. Dessert and wine were served while she sat with each one and carefully constructed the deals and had them signed. Kelan wouldn't want them to leave without striking an agreement. He was careful to have them sign before they were influenced by outsiders. Michelle also followed his requirement to have them sign a nondisclosure agreement. What was seen and heard in this room was to remain there. It was simply good business.

By the time everyone had left, it was late in the evening. Michelle cleared the conference room, gathered her personal belongings, and tried to shake off her worry. It was far later than she usually worked, and she feared what Jackson would have in store for her as punishment. Maybe she would get lucky, and he would be out drinking with his buddies or passed out in the bed. If not, his anger at her for not having a meal ready would probably earn her some more bruises. Since she was already so late, she would stop and pick up his favorite pizza and beer. It might placate him enough to save her from a beating. The triumph and pride the meeting had provided slipped into oblivion. Reality came crashing down as she drove toward home.