He nervously patted his suit-coat pocket, looking for his Foozle. Good, it was still secure. With a PhD in nuclear astrophysics from Peking University, Chief knew how dangerous it was to attempt a transport with a Foozle, but they needed it to complete their mission. The Xie Organization had invented it as both an instrument for regenerating power and a weapon for inflicting mass destruction.

Traveling in time with an instrument as powerful as the Foozle could be catastrophic; when the prototype’s flash went off, he and his teammates could all disintegrate. 

Dr. Yang stepped onto the stage and walked over to Chief, acting as if she were adjusting his place on his X, but then she slid her hand into his suit pocket and carefully removed the Foozle, cupping it discreetly in the palm of her hand. 

“I am saving your life,” she said under her breath. “Now you must save theirs.” 

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