Aelita pulled a semi-restraining Jeremie and Ulrich out of the room, closing the door with her foot behind them.

As soon as they were gone, Odd turned to Marie. "I didn't know girls as gorgeous as you could be smart!" he complimented.

Marie felt her nose and cheeks turn crimson. "It was simple. Anyone would know that he was trying to trap some people in an alternate universe. I didn't know who he'd be targeting, so I followed my gut. I tweaked it so the effect would be neutral."

"So, if there would be no effect, why'd that screen pop-up?" Odd asked, actually understanding.

"To fool him into thinking I helped him!" she concluded.

Odd paced in front of him. He stopped almost suddenly. "I can think of only one program-er, person that would be evil enough to alter Jeremie's free will to do it's-his bidding."

"Who's that?" Marie asked.

"I'll tell you on the way to the factory." Odd said, not taking time to think if it was the right thing to do.