Questions about Nebula

James stared at him for some time, sorting through the questions to ask. Finally, he decided to just go for the first one.

"So...they told me you were more creative than they can be."

"Yep."

"But that doesn't explain the whole...mini genius thing you have going on."

Nebula nodded. "You're right, it doesn't."

"And so far Novaxan minds aren't much more advanced than ours."

"Also correct."

"So where did that come from? I should think if they knew you were this smart they'd have told me..."

"No, they wouldn't have...but they don't know either. Not really."

"You've just...hidden it for that long?"

He shook his head. "No, and it isn't permanent."

James scrunched his eyebrows. "What?"

Nebula pointed at the empty bottle of adenosine. "That stuff. I've been drinking it since I was little. One day they taught us that iodine is the difference between an average member of our race, and an alpha."

"That's what makes them so big?"

Nebula nodded. "Yep. And I'm the result of ingesting adenosine. Now, the idea to do that was my creative mind at work. I've noticed it isn't permanent though. I have a few hours left today and then I'm a dope with a sketchbook again."

"So how are you going to follow through with your plan when you aren't smart enough to pull it off anymore?"

"That box had an extra bottle."

Oh. Wait... "So why isn't this permanent exactly?"

"Neither one is, as the iodine or adenosine is processed through our system it reverts the change. The more frequently you ingest it the slower it fades. An alpha would turn skinny and blue in a few months if he stopped eating iodine rich foods."

"And you're eating seaweed..."

Nebula smiled. "Observant. Yeah, I'm going to need to shock the alpha when he gets here."

"What if something unexpected happens?"

"That's where my creativity comes in. I'll figure it out. The day of, I'll drink the rest of the adenosine in the morning."

"Huh...so. When it wears off, do you go back to...not knowing english?"

Nebula gave him a slightly condescending look. "Yes, because my brain deletes the information... No, I'm still just as capable with what I know. Adenosine doesn't make you more capable in general, it makes information stick better, and it makes your brain process faster."

"Cool...so what's your next step?"

"Well, if I'm right, alpha will come in all hot headed and upset and when he sees me growing taller and turning colors he'll have to listen. Part of the hierarchy thing."

"And if he lashes out instead?"

"He won't...he's really a big softie past the face he gives everyone. He worries. Like a big brother."

"Huh...I guess that just leaves me with one question."

"That is?"

"How did you even know about all of this? Me, Aurora, everything that happened...how?"

"Oh! Wow...he didn't tell you."

"What?"

"I'll let you find out the right way."

"And if I never find out?"

"Then you weren't supposed to."

James pursed his lips and slumped into the chair. Someone is pulling strings behind his back? Who? Why?

Dammit.