Written by Charles Hightower
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Dr. Thomas Bordon held before his eyes a stoppered glass beaker containing an inch of bright red fluid. The fluid consisted of millions of one-celled organisms he'd engineered, along with their nutrient solution. Their waste byproduct was supposed to change the world, instead it did nothing. Nothing! These organisms were merely the latest failure in a long series of experiments. He tilted the beaker. The viscous liquid hesitated, then began to slide toward the lowest point.

Mouth opened wide, Bordon gave voice to a yawn. He was close to an answer; he had to be. There must be some small detail he was overlooking. But once he succeeded, he would be praised for all time as the scientist who provided anti-gravity to mankind. Methods of travel, transportation, and construction would all be revolutionized. Even the space shuttle would become obsolete. By his efforts alone, the stars and planets would move within easy reach of all humankind.

His head throbbed, but with no assistants in the home laboratory, there was much to do. He must destroy the beaker's contents, alter the DNA sequence, and start culturing another line of organisms. Rubbing a bleary eye, he saw it was two in the morning. This knowledge somehow made him feel even more exhausted. Thinking he'd rest for just five minutes, he laid his head on the desk.

Bordon awoke to a dog's excited yipping. Stretching one eye open to peer at his watch, he saw two hours had passed. Five yards away, Lucky, his Jack Russell Terrier jumped four feet in the air. Landing, Lucky wagged his tail and woofed a muffled bark.

Bordon sat up. "How'd you get in here, fella? Did I leave the door open again? Bad scientist." He shifted so he could see Lucky better. There was a red stain around Lucky's mouth. At first Bordon was concerned it was blood, but this passed quickly since no blood carried that bright a shade of red. Then he remembered the beaker and searched for it, finding it shattered on the floor, a small red puddle around it tracked with paw prints.

Lucky chuffed and opened his mouth. A marble-sized brown ball popped out and slowly tumbled like a planet on its axis, easing its way toward the ceiling. Bordon's jaw dropped in astonishment. Lucky barked in obvious excitement and then leaped and deftly caught the ball.

Bordon rose quickly, upending his chair, suddenly full awake. He'd done it! Everything he'd ever dreamed was now possible! He frowned at Lucky. But what had he done? What exactly did Lucky have?

Bordon said, "Release."

The ball appeared and climbed toward the ceiling like a lazy bubble from a scuba diver. Lucky crouched, obviously planning to spring for the ball.

"Stay."

Lucky whined but obeyed.

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