DON’T WORRY, Cyrus told him, entirely not helping. I THINK HE’S HEADING THERE NOW.

“Ah, I was just bringing him to see you,” Sierra said, using her Dr. Opps tone again. “We’ve, um, got something to speak to you about, ah… Charles?”

Fort bit his lip hard. You don’t know his first name?!

NO, DO YOU? I’M NOT EVEN SURE HE HAS ONE!

Charles was clearly not the right answer, as the colonel clenched his jaw tightly. “I know you don’t agree with the committee granting me control over the school, Oppenheimer, but I’d appreciate it if you respected my rank.”

“Right, I apologize, Colonel,” Sierra said, then did a little bow. Fort rolled his eyes.

Colonel Charles just stared for a moment before speaking. “Now, what is so urgent?” he asked finally. “If this is about… the matter we just went over, then I have nothing more to say.”

Sierra’s mouth opened, but no words came out, and Fort’s eyes widened as he realized she had no idea what to say. “It’s not that,” he said, then noticed the cameras above. “But it’s sensitive, and it has to be discussed in secret.”

“Yeah,” Sierra said. “We should go to your office so we have some privacy. Can’t have anyone overhearing, Colonel.”

Colonel Charles nodded. “I was heading that way now, to secure the… items. It’s just down the hall.”

“Oh, that’s great news,” Fort said, relieved that the books were in the duffel bag. At Colonel Charles’s odd look, though, he quickly added, “I mean, about your office. Being close. To talk in. For privacy.”

Sierra slapped him on the back of the head, and he closed his mouth.

“And this can’t wait?” Colonel Charles asked, hefting the bag with the books.

“It’s very urgent,” Sierra said. “It involves Sierra, the little genius who wiped your mind. Fort thinks he knows where she is.”

What? Fort said. You want me to tell him where you are?

OF COURSE NOT! she said in his head. WE’RE GOING TO LIE. TELL HIM DAMIAN AND I WERE SPOTTED IN CANADA OR SOMETHING.

“Of course,” Colonel Charles said. “This way, then.”

He walked them back to his office and led them inside. It wasn’t big, but at least it looked like it’d had its technology updated. The decor matched the rest of the facility, though, with two puke-green chairs facing a desk in a small, cramped area. Could this be the best office the facility had for the coheadmaster of the school?

“Sit, please,” the colonel said, waving Fort and Sierra into the two chairs. “Now, tell me what you’ve got for me.”

“She’s in Canada,” Fort said, right as Sierra said, “We’ve tracked her to California.”

They turned to each other, Fort blushing, Sierra glaring. I thought you said “Canada”!

I SAID MAYBE CANADA! I’M STILL IMPROVISING!