103. Max's 61st Birthday

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July 18, 2010. Again.

Jumping out of the portal, we found ourselves in a familiar clearing from which we disappeared a few days ago, although no more than five minutes had passed here. Fortunately, this time there were no troubles and we did not have to fall from a kilometer height.

- We have returned. - Ashley said happily when she saw our RV.

- Yes, and no one seems to have noticed our absence. - I said when I saw Grandpa, Gwen and Nebula sleeping inside the RV.

- Do you think we should tell about this adventure? - Ashley asked as we walked towards the bus.

- I don't think so today. Let's focus on the holiday. And only then, when there is a good chance, we will tell everything. - Thinking for a bit, I said.

- You're right. Today is Grandpa Max's day, so let's not draw attention. Besides, I'm sure Gwen will be very jealous of us. Especially when he finds out what happened between us. Thrice. - Ashley said with a smile, leaning against my arm.

- Yeah, let's not upset her. Moreover, she has a boycott now. - I hugged the girl and said.

- I'm sorry, but I'll have to support her in this. At least for a while. It turns out that she is now an outsider and I do not want to offend her even more. - the girl said sadly, letting go of me.

- Nothing, I understand. It will take time for everything to be the same as before. Besides, it's a well-deserved punishment. - I said honestly.

- I love you. - Ashley said as she kissed me.

- I love you too. - I said, taking her kiss, and then added: - All right, go wake up Grandpa and Gwen. Until then, I'll buy a cake again. We already ate the previous one at another birthday party. - I said, releasing the girl from my arms.

- Alright, just don't linger. - Ashley said as she entered the RV.

As soon as the girl was out of my sight, I used the Infinity Tattoo and moved to Paris, and headed to the same candy store. Approaching the seller, I asked in excellent French for the same cake as before. Luckily, they still have the necessary cakes, but they will have to wait half an hour while the filling is prepared and the cake itself is packaged.

Sitting in the waiting room, I took out my smartphone and was about to turn on some movie, when suddenly my acquaintance thief called me. After making sure that no one could see me, I only put on a mask to change my voice and answered the call.

- Legion listens. - I said kindly.

- It's Shadow. I need your help. - Lee Shen said seriously.

- What's happened? - I asked, leaning forward.

- Were you the one who broke into the Forever Knights Castle a month ago? - Lee asked.

- Yes, it was. It was after this incident that I decided that I should keep an eye on alien technology that fell into the wrong hands. That's why I contacted you. - I said honestly.

- I need you to do it again. Help me infiltrate the Forever Knights London branch. - Lee asked.

- Did they take something from you? - I immediately guessed. Given Lee's tone, it's understandable that this is personal.

- My legacy. Fifty years ago, someone broke into our house and stole an ancient artifact from my grandfather that he brought back from his home planet. As you understand, these were the Forever Knights. - Lee said with anger in his voice.

- An artifact from Umbalux? - I asked curiously, mentioning the homeworld of the Umbramants.

- Yes. Ubramant's Diadem, to be precise. All these years I have been looking for it, and recently, when I was looking for information for you through my channels, I managed to find out that it is now stored in London, in the main repository of alien technologies collected by the Forever Knights throughout their existence. I thought you might be interested. - Lee said, luring me in.

- Of course, I'll be glad to help you. - I instantly agreed.

- What? Is it that simple? - Lee asked in surprise.

- Well, yes. I don't mind helping you. I promised to repay you for your help. Moreover, this is a good chance to annoy the Forever Knights. I never liked them. - I said the honest truth.

- Thanks. It is very important for me. - Lee said sincerely.

- Don't worry, it's not difficult for me. So, what is this diadem? - I asked curiously.

- I don't know much about her, after all, It was stolen shortly before my birth, but my father told me that the diadem had mysterious powers. Even magical ones. - Lee said.

- Yes? Interesting. I have one person who is well versed in all things magical. If you don't mind, she can check the diadem when it's over. - I said. My intuition tells me that all this is not without reason and that I may need this diadem.

- I do not mind. The main thing is that It was safe and sound. Still, this is the last thing left of my grandfather's homeland. - Lee said after a second of thinking.

- Do not worry, it will be good. So, when is the invasion planned? - I asked.

- Tomorrow at one o'clock, London time. The Forever Knights warehouse is located directly below the British Museum, and at this time there are the most visitors. Thanks to this, we will be able to get inside without any problems. - Lee replied.

'It's one o'clock in London, so I'll have 8 am.' I thought, and only then gave my answer: - Great, I'm free at this time. I hope this time will do without your theatricality?

- Ha ha, no. I'll do without it this time. Moreover, this warehouse is the most protected place on Earth, which is why I need your help. Even my abilities are not enough to penetrate there. - Lee said honestly.

- Yes, I think the Knights were not stingy in protecting their treasures. Okay, then I'll meet you tomorrow at Bedford Square at 12:45. - I said.

- Fine. Thank you for your help, even though you don't have to. Just come without a suit, we will act quietly, without attracting attention. - Lee said at the end.

- No problem. Till tomorrow. - I said as I hung up the phone and then took off my mask.

A couple of minutes later the confectioner came with a cake. Having taken the cake and paid for it, I calmly went outside, after which, having found a secluded place, I teleported to my Cave. First I need to do one thing.

- Morgana, wake up. I have a task for you. - I said as I sat down at my supercomputer.

- [I lost your signal for 4 minutes. Were you out of universe again?] & Morgana asked as she appeared next to me as a hologram.

- To be more precise, in another universe and in another time. And I came with a gift. - I said as I connected my phone to my computer. It was on him that the clone downloaded all the stolen information.

- [There is a lot of information here. And very tasty.] - Morgana said erotically licking her lips after finding the drawings of the advanced technologies of the future. She has such a habit when she finds new knowledge. I think she got it from me.

- Process all the data, remove the most uninteresting, save what we don't need now, and then send me the most interesting. This is a chance to improve our technology. Including your server. - I ordered, picking up the phone.

- [As you say, dear. Thank you for the gift.] - Morgana said after sending me a virtual kiss.

- How are our projects progressing? & I asked curiously, glancing at the DNA analyzer.

- [I've already processed DNA samples from twenty aliens. The analyzer was able to find the alpha gene, but it looks like it would require a powerful DNA catalyst to activate it.] - Morgana replied.

- As I thought. Well, nothing, sooner or later, I will find the answer. What about our friends? - I asked, looking at the cryo-pods with the Circus Freak Trio.

- [Apparently, when they were in the womb, they were affected by radiation from space material. My scanners couldn't identify what the material was.] - Morgana replied.

- It's clear. And in order to cure the Freaks, I will have to find this material. It turned out that not everything is so simple. Okay, do some processing. Let me know when you're done. - I said and took the cake and moved to the bus.

As soon as I arrived, I saw Grandpa and the girls who were setting the breakfast table. Before they noticed me, I removed the packaging from the cake and with the help of a spell, I lit two candles in the form of the numbers '6' and '1'.

- Grandpa… - I called out to get his attention.

As soon as he turned and saw the cake, I said with a smile: - Happy birthday!

- HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRANDPA! - Gwen and Ashley shouted happily.

Moving away from such a surprise, grandfather smiled softly and, coming up to me, blew out the candles on the cake, saying: - Thank you.

- Grandfather, congratulations on your sixty-first birthday. I hope you live three times as long. - Gwen said with a smile as she hugged grandfather.

- Thanks guys. I couldn't even dream of better grandchildren. - Wiping a tear, said Grandpa, hugging Gwen.

- Let's eat the cake while it's fresh. - I said walking up to the table.

- This is... - Max said quietly, following me.

- Yes, this is the same cake from Paris. - I said with a smile, cutting the cake.

- You shouldn't have tried so hard for me. - said Grandfather, although he couldn't help smiling happily.

- Drop it. Isn't it right for moments like this to use superpowers? - I replied with a smile, passing the plates with a slice of cake for Grandpa, Gwen and Ashley.

- Maybe you're right. - Max said quietly, eating half a piece in one fell swoop.

Ashley and Gwen also began to eat their portions, but I was stopped by a message that came to my phone. Taking out my smartphone, I read a message from Zak, and then turned to Max: - Grandfather, the Saturday family send you greetings and wish you a happy birthday.

- Give them my thanks. - Max said and started on the second piece of cake.

- Okey. - I said and started writing a reply to Zak.

After a couple of minutes, I finished and was about to eat my portion, but this time Gwen interrupted me, saying:

- Enough eating, it's time for presents.

Looking at the girl, I saw a vindictive gleam in her eyes. Looks like I won't get a tasty treat today.

- Hold on, grandpa. I tied it myself. - Gwen said, pulling out a bundle from under the table, handing it to Max.

- Thanks, Gwen. You are doing great. - said Grandpa, pulling out a beautiful red and beige handmade scarf from the bundle, and then hugging Gwen and kissing her on the forehead.

- And this is from me. - Ashley said, handing Max a large, and obviously heavy, box.

- This is ... - Grandfather said with surprise when he opened the box.

- Yes, this is a new carburetor for your RV. When we dealt with the fungus on the engine, I noticed that the carburetor that is now on the bus is already quite old. So I decided to get a new one. - Ashley said with a smile.

- Wow, Ashley, I didn't know you were good at auto mechanics. - Gwen said in surprise, looking at the gift.

- This is my little hobby. - Ashley said shyly.

- How did you find him? It's such a rarity. I've been trying to find one for years, but nothing worked. - with delight, said Max.

- Actually, I made it myself. - Ashley said.

We looked at her in surprise, not expecting this. Seeing our gaze, Ashley explained: - I used my powers. I found a drawing of a carburetor on the Internet. It took time and many attempts, but I managed to create all the necessary details using matter manipulation, as Lex calls it. In the end, it turned out even better than at the factory.

- Marvelous. - Grandpa said.

- Well done, Ashley. I didn't think you had already achieved such control in your powers. - I said sincerely.

- Hehe, I tried. - Ashley said shyly.

- Now it's my turn. - I said, showing grandfather the Jaeger figurine, and passing him the control keychain.

- What is it? - Max asked curiously, examining the gift.

- Look. - moving away, I put the figurine on the ground, and then shouted, having previously moved to a safe distance: - Press the big blue button.

As soon as Max did this, the small figure instantly increased in size, and now a sixty-meter robot appeared in front of us. My family's faces were quite funny when they saw this.

- This is the Jaeger - MK 1. A combat robot that can be controlled by one person, as if it were his second body. As you can see, it can change its dimensions. He is strong, sturdy and so on. Many times superior to any Vilgax drones. True, there are no weapons in it, except for the repulsors on the hands, but I will modify it in the future, as you wish, Grandpa. I will send you instructions on how to manage it to your phone. - With a smile, I said.

- Lex… Wuhh, I don't know what to say. - Grandfather said with a sigh, massaging his temples.

- I think you overdid it. - Gwen said, addressing me for the first time in two days.

- I think it's very cool. - Ashley said. But shouldn't have expected anything else from her.

- Grandfather, now you can help us in battles. - I said with a smile, going up to Grandpa and pressing the red button on the key fob to make the Jaeger shrink again.

- Anyway, thanks. - said Grandfather, accepting from me the figure of the Jaeger, which I pulled with telekinesis.

- You're welcome. - I said without ceasing to smile.

Even though Grandpa is acting like a responsible adult now, deep down he was very happy to get this giant fighting robot. Despite his age, he is still a child inside, like any man, and of course he will love such a gift.

- Oh yes, I almost forgot. Here's another gift. For all of you. - I said and took out the magic bags created by Hope and handed them over to my family.

- What is it? - Ashley asked curiously, examining her briefcase.

- Magic bags. Small spatial storages are attached to them, so you can now keep your important things or weapons with you. They work on Mana from the outside world, so you don't have to worry about that. Thanks to this, even you, Grandpa, and you, Ashley, will be able to use them. Although, it also means that someone will be able to steal things from these bags. Be careful with this. - I said.

- Thanks. - Gwen muttered as she pulled on her red purse.

- All right, let's have a feast, if that's the case. I just had some frozen Mycete Swamp Jumpers somewhere. This is a very tasty delicacy, I am sure you will like it. - said Grandpa, putting on his fanny pack. Immediately putting the Jaeger and a keychain from him into it, he went to the bus.

- And it will be a feast? - Ashley said in disgust when she heard the name of the dish.

- Hmm… We will have to eat. - Defeated, I said.

- But… - Ashley tried to say something, but her friend interrupted her.

- Necessary. It's grandpa's birthday. We cannot refuse. - Gwen said with a pale face.

- Eh…- I just sighed heavily, looking at my grandfather, who got off the bus with a bag of some purple clams. And the day started out so well.