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"So, I've been working on the design for a certain weapon." Greg had sprawled a massive paper over the counter, depicting a glove with a strange metal thing in the palm.

"Why am I not surprised?" [Me]

"Well it's more for self-defense. Using this as a main weapon would be like using a grenade as your main weapon, there's certainly better things to use."

"Right. So what's it do." [Penny]

"Simple. You push these buttons, wait a second or two, then clap in the direction of your choosing. It targets the sound in that direction."

"So it's a directional clapper?" [Casper]

"How is this a weapon?" [Penny]

"The button activates a Theorium circuit. When you clap, it disperses the energy into a single atom in the form of kinetic energy. From there, a chain reaction takes place that blasts the energy through every atom until the energy is gone."

"So it's a clap of death. Cheery." [Me]

"How are we supposed to test this?" [Penny]

"Small amounts of energy."

"Huh. I don't know about this, it seems kinda dangerous." [Casper]

"It's only dangerous if you do it wrong."

"Well that can be said about a lot of things." [Me]

"How are we even going to turn the electricity into sound?" [Penny]

"I... I don't entirely know. I was thinking we could transfer all the energy into a couple atoms, or into a metal plate that vibrates, or something."

"Oh, so you only have an idea, and no actual logic? Great..." [Me]

"Well if you're so smart, what do you want to build?"

"I don't know, but weaponry is a bad idea. What if other countries find out we're building weaponry? They'll try to break in and steal it, and we'll have no choice but to use it on them, simply out of self defense!" [Me]

"Then they won't find out about it."

"And we'll keep this from them, how?" [Penny]

"We won't even tell the rest of Theorium Industries. No one will know, except us."

"You're insane." [Me]

"I'm not building weapons." [Penny]

"Yeah, Greg, I... I don't think this is a good idea. I'm sorry, I just... I just don't like it." [Casper]

"Casper, I only want to protect you, and keep you safe. I don't want anything bad to happen to you, and weaponry... it'd make me feel like I can better protect you."

"Really?" [Casper]

"No! He's just trying to get you to side with him!" [Penny]

"Casper, please. I just want to keep you safe..."

"But..." [Casper]

"Casper, listen to me, he's playing you. He's not going to-" [Me]

"Casper, I'd do anything in my power to keep you safe, and these weapons are something I can do. Please..."

"I..." [Casper]

"Please, Casper..."

I couldn't stand it. The tone in his voice, the way he was acting, I just instincually shoved Greg to the ground and scolded him, "Stop! You're only confusing him! Greg, if you really want to protect him, then protect him from yourself! Realize what you're doing, you're manipulating the person you love just to get what you want!"

"I- I... I'm sorry... I don't know what got into me... Casper, please, can you forgive me?"

"Y-yeah... I just need a minute to take this all in." Casper got up and left the workshop, wandering off to god knows where. I looked back over to Greg who was tearing up a bit as he got up.

"I can't believe you'd do that." [Me]

"I know... I just-"

"No, there's no excuse for trying to take advantage of him!"

"I know, but I-"

"No, you can't do that. That's not okay. You can't do that to people, especially Casper." [Penny]

"I know! I-"

"Casper loves you! He'd do anything for you, and you just tried to use him to get what you wanted!" [Me]

"I know!! Shut up already, I get it! I did something horrible! I can't even wrap my head around what- or even why- I did that! I just... I just wish I could it back..."

"Greg... Look, the Casper thing can slip, I'm sure he's going to go running back to you like he always does when anything freaks him out, but... Seriously. Weapons can't happen. I don't even know why you want to build these things in the first place."

"I... I don't know. I just get an idea in my head, and it's not laid to rest until the thing itself at least has a blue print. I've got millions of ideas that could change war so drastically that Theorium Industries could lay waste to the world, and yet... And yet everyone hates me for my designs."

"Does Casper know about them?" [Penny]

Greg shook his head, "No... If I told him, it'd... It'd terrify him. I do want what's best for him, and knowing about my designs isn't included in that list. If he found out, he might grow a fear... of me. And... I'm his only safety, I'm the person in his life that he can always come to for safety and protection, and if he finds out about the designs..."

"I understand. But, Greg, I know you didn't mean it, but manipulating him is going to do the same. You need to be careful."

"I know. I know..."

Chapter 3

* *

* Indefinite Motor *

* *

For being such a shy, wimpy, kid, Casper's pretty damn smart. We didn't have to make anything this week, he did all the work, and he did it with ease.

He'd gotten over the thing with Greg, who had caved in and ordered a massive teddy bear from America, and it was supposeddly going to get here with a bunch of new workers at the end of the week. Three new families, all joining the fun, here at Theorium Industries.

In case you didn't know, Theorium Industries is a sort of a family business. Once you've been here for a year, you pretty much have your entire blood line gauranteed to be scientists and inventors. We really make money off of metal exports, but only in certain materials that we've all agreed, are either useless, or we have way too much of. Gold? More than you'd think, and more than is actually safe to admit. Annually, we auction off a megagram of solid gold bars, and that money alone supports the entire company.

Of course, we're a company, that has been declared a micronation. Cool, right? Well, not really. Money doesn't work for us like it does with others. For us, money is something we have in abundance, especially since the company hasn't been involved in any wars, international disputes, or anything of the sort. Quite frankly, the nation itself is considerably rich, and is arguably a first world country. The population just doesn't reflect that.

The real reason only some three hundred people live on Theorium Island, is because no one knows about it. You know those companies that make everything from espresso machines to calculators to motor boats? That's us. Honsetly, no one pays attention to the brand names, and those who do, wouldn't think the same company that gave you that coffee maker would also have a particle accelerator. Or have discovered a strange metal that tends to defy reason and logic.

And the few people who do consider those things, either end up working here, or demand that the governments do something to shut down our company. No one does. Seriously, nearly every government on the planet has been trying to keep us alive and healthy. We supply much needed resources, and in turn they give us money to keep our economy flowing smoothly.

The country itself is fairly similar to America, minus the majority of the crimes, and with a higher average IQ. Although, the real thing we've started priding ourselves on, is general respect. Homophobia, racism, sexism, religious hate, and so on, it's pretty much nil. And not the kind of nil you hear about, it's a little more... true. It's not about showing the world we're the most respectful, it's about being a better person, and working together to further anthran discoveries.

Speaking of anthran discoveries, Casper made something amazing. It was a small ring, with every other centimeter of the copper wire being Theorium instead. It all hooked up to a series of magnets. Power one part of the ring, it sends a pulse around and around the circuit. Slowly, energy yield increases, and a small compass-like dial in the middle picks up steady, and strong speeds that could power anything.

"I call it the Indefinite Motor!"

"Why would that ever be useful?" [Penny]

"I-... I just thought it was cool..."

"It is, but... what uses does it have?" [Me]

"It doesn't matter, it's just something cool! And anyways, what uses does your stupid Atomic Constructor have?!" [Greg]

"Why are you being so defensive of Casper?" [Penny]

"'Cause you hurt his feelings!"

"Honestly, it's okay-" [Casper]

"No, it isn't! They just dismissed the value of your machine and they're not even considering it's potential!"

"Greg, what's wrong?" [Me]

"Nothing! I'm fine!"

"I didn't say anything about you."

"I-..." He just slammed his into the counter, and Casper ran around it to hold him. It was strange seeing Casper being the supportive one, usually Greg was calming him down, but... this was different. Something was seriously off with Greg.

"It's okay... It's okay... It's okay..." [Casper]

We just kind of sat there in awkward silence, save for the occasional sobs from Greg. I tapped on Casper's shoulder and pointed to the door. He nodded, and me and Penny left the workshop. We headed to the usual diner, and just stayed there for a while.

Valery came over and joked with us a bit, "You two look like you've seen a ghost." Valery Asterson had always come off as a cousin to me, even though she was six years younger. Her father had known mine since before they founded Theorium Industries, and those first six people were always more family than friends. She was working at a diner for extra cash, and it's not like she actually cared about science. Not like the rest of us.

"A ghost would've been less strange." [Penny]

"Why?" [Valery]

"Casper supported Greg." [Me]

"Huh?"

"Val, you know how Greg is always being so kind and supportive to Casper?"

"Yeah, it's really sweet, and honestly the only thing he needed to do for Casper to love him."

"Well, the rolls switched."

"Wait, what?"

"Exactly." [Penny]

Casper came in, and seemed kinda down. He sat down at our table and waited a second before realizing we were all starring at him.

"Hey, they told me what happened, is everything alright?" [Val]

"Uhh... Yeah. Greg just needs some time to calm down. He told me about the weapons." [Casper]

"Man, I'm sorry, but his reason for not telling was a good one, and-" [Me]

"I already knew."

"Wait, how?" [Val]

"When we moved in to the new house, I saw him packing up some massive box of blue prints. He wasn't home one day, so I decided to open it and look at them."

"Did you tell him?" [Penny]

"Not then. I knew he was trying to keep it a secret, and honestly I don't care. I've seen the designs and they aren't normal. I get why he tried keeping them a secret. They aren't things like guns or tanks, they're machines that super heat the air to plasma, and create magnetic fields so strong they rip apart their target. They're terrifying, and more terrifyingly easy to build. If they fell into the wrong hands, global war wouldn't even happen. Who ever has those weapons, has ownership of the world."

"Casper, I'm so sorry-" [Penny]

"I just don't get why he told you guys."

"Well, I already knew. I figured it out when we were kids, he had a strange obsession with weapons and destruction. He always liked drawing swords and guns, and I guess it just got out of hand." [Me]

"My dad told me, and I told Penny before their fifth date." [Val]

"I guess we never told you because, well, it'd be kind of a big turn off." [Penny]

"Well they aren't. I don't care, he's always there for me, and I'll always be there for him, and if that means helping him design these weapons, then I don't care. Anyways, they're... sort of cool. In a really sick and disturbed way, but still, they're kinda cool."

"You obviously didn't see the one about people." [Me]

"Oh right, the mysterious plan to destroy the Anthran body." [Val]

"Wait, what?" [Casper]

"Greg has some idea that he can achieve more potential of the anthran body through Theorium." [Me]

"Right, 'cause that wouldn't just straight up kill someone." [Penny]

"Well, we have proof that it does enhance certain parts of the body. That's why we leave it in the water, remember?" [Casper]

"But he's talking about creating an aquatic solution from it, and pumping it into a living body." [Me]

"Well, you just need the right volunteers." [Casper]

"We did, and only one of twelve survived. That one, went on to develop dementia and several addictions to strange things like iron, nickel, and iridium. They died a week later from blood poisoning." [Me]

"Wait, why? That's-" [Penny]

"He had made the serum, but I found it was just water and Theorium. Last I checked, he thought it needed more nutrients, and a chemical compound of the Theorium and one of said nutrients. He's insane."

"Maybe... Maybe he's given up on it." [Casper]

"That was two weeks ago, Casper. It's still on his mind."