by Ivan Svogor
Lee interjected by saying, “he is probably using some kind of a computer or robotic assistance, you know that those have warning systems in place and if anything is to happen that they would call for the proper help and even perform emergency intervention if necessary.“
Jess then tried once again, and this time she left a message for him.
* * *
At the end of the evening, a problem became very apparent. Hank didn't announce his visit so proper accommodation was not prepared. Of course, there were quick apartments available, however, he went with the old “I’m-pretending-those-don’t-exist” move, in the hope that Jess will offer to share her room.
“Jess, I have an issue”, Hank said just as they approached the door to the place she was staying.
“What?”, asked Jess.
“I have nowhere to sleep”, he replied.
Jess soon realized where this was going, and continued to play the game, “I am sure that we can find some arrangements for you, let me call someone to fix you up with a nice place for a sleepover.”
“I believe it's pretty late for calls”, said Hank, “and it is impolite to wake people up. The entire facility has had a rough day, I don't want people bad naming you if you start waking them up.”
Jess thought to herself, “well, two can play this game”.
“OK, Hank, I have an idea, there is a spare bed in my room, so you can take that one, only if you promise to behave like a gentleman.”
Hank, somewhat disappointed, agreed to this arrangement, while Jess, smilingly went to her room and fell asleep.
The next morning, Hank was up early and exercising which woke up Jess. As she was struggling to open her eyes, Hank knocked on her doors and loudly said, “Good morning!” As he was setting the window to the morning setting, he asked, “So Dr. Winson, are you ready for a little road trip?”.
“Sure, let me just take a shower”, replied Jess, “collect my computer and we can get going. Would you please prepare some breakfast?”
Since Hank was not a gourmet, he made auto-cook do all the work, while he just sipped coffee and worked on his 3D crossword puzzle.
* * *
Hank and Jess were approaching the security checkpoint one needs to go through when leaving the research facility. As there have been hard restrictions on the information flow, mostly they only cared about computing equipment and memory devices.
As they were approaching, one of the scanning clerks approached them. “Dr. Winson, how are you doing today?”, one of them asked.
“I'm fine, I'm leaving to have a couple of days off, so actually, I am pretty well.” - she replied.
The clerk looked at her for a second and said, “As you may know, in the event of personal leaving the premises, we need to perform a full scan of all the computing and memory devices.”
“Yes, I am aware of this”, said Jess. “I only have my computer.”
Both Hank and Jess took their computers to have put them in the scanning area.
After about ten seconds, the clerk said, “Mr. Hank, you are cleared to pass, while Dr. Winson, I've noticed that you have been working on your personal computer, and therefore, it would need to stay in this facility, until you return.”
While Jess’s face was going from anger to disbelief to complete indifference, she just rolled her eyes and said, “Sure, do what you need to do.”
The clerk took her computer, placed it into a cabinet and said, ”It will be waiting for you here Dr. Wilson, I am truly sorry about the inconvenience.”
“Alright”, he proceeded, “you are clear to go, have a safe journey and a good vacation.”
Just as they passed the scanning area, Jess heard a familiar voice behind her, “Dr. Winson?”
It was Dr. Quill. “I was hoping to bump into you before you leave”, he said. “Listen, about yesterday, I would just like to say that you did good work and that sometimes politics disagree with science.”
As Quill was passing through the scanning area the alarm went off and the security clerk was very confused as to what to do. However, Dr. Quill raised a hand to hold off the security and said, “I'm not leaving, just a few words with Dr. Winson.”
Jess said, “Dr. Quill, I do remember from my history lessons about the times when science and politics disagreed.”
Dr. Quill sighed and said, “I know, I know”. He pulled her aside so Hank wouldn't be able to hear what they were talking, and continued. “Dr. Winson, you are young and smart, and seeing how you struggled yesterday with comments from a politician, I've come to the realization that perhaps, I was wrong.”
“What are you on to Dr. Quill?” - Jess asked.
“Let's just say that keeping information locked away, and letting politics dictate how we conduct research is not something my young self would be proud of”, replied Dr. Quill and took a pause as he was staring into the distance. “Ah, and suddenly, my whole life has passed in a blink of an eye and I'm an old man now.”
Quill smiled as he was looking through the window and turned to Jess.
“Dr. Winson, have a safe journey”, he said, and then, rather awkwardly he hugged her.
She was a bit surprised so she didn't react much except tapping him on the back, and then he just turned away and left his way.
“What was that about?”, asked Hank.
Jess made a confusing grimace and said, “I'm not sure. A weird old man, hum.”
* * *
On their way home, they did a flyby over the area that Dave was working on, however, no human presence was visible, nor Dave's transporter, so she concluded that he went home.
“He will hear me when I get home”, Jess said. “I am here worried sick, and he ditches me off for dinner and doesn't respond to my messages.”
Chapter 13
Dr. Quill was reading the latest report on the work that Jess and his and her team have been working on. He was nodding his head as if to appreciate the progress and the ideas. He was deeply immersed in his reading, so much so, that when Ashley knocked at his door he twitched a bit.
“Dr. Quill, Mr. Garcia is here as you requested.”
Kent went past Ashley and stood in front of Dr. Quill looking him straight in his eyes.
“That would be all Mrs. Green”, said Dr. Quill. He calmly finished reading the last paragraph, sighed, and turned off his computer. By that time Kent was visibly upset.
“So, Mr. Garcia”, said Dr. Quill. “It seems to me that you are at a crossroads. You were traveling with me so far, you have been a good and valuable passenger, however, it seems that you were only in for a ride, and nothing more. You were not in for the learning and wisdom, it's all about the power with you, hum?”
“Nothing”, said Kent.
“Oh”, continued Dr. Quill, “you were pretty vocal about your opinions yesterday, you don't think there is anything to discuss?”
“No. There is nothing to discuss, I said what I said and I am doubling down on it”, said Kent.
“It seems to me then”, continued Dr. Quill, “that I will be making the choice for you, as to which path to take. From this moment on, you are suspended from all the activities at the Antarctica research facility. You are to stay here for a week until you get your personal and work-related matters in order, and after that, you are to leave this facility. What you do, and how you proceed with your path, is no longer of my interest and concern.”
Kent, in disbelief and full of anger, started laughing while saying, “you can’t do that old man! You are done!”
He took Dr. Quill’s phone and punched in a number. The computer recognized this number and displayed an image of Earth with text saying, Waiting for Thomas Krueger to pick up the call.
As Dr. Quill saw that, he made a frowning face. Thomas Krueger appeared on the holo-screen.
“Good evening Dr. Quill and Mr. Garcia”, said councilor Krueger, and continued. “Mr. Garcia thank you for making the call, Dr. Quill, I would like to inform you about some leadership changes down
at the Antarctica research facility. It came to my attention yesterday that your choices of researchers for the chemistry of the Rock haven’t been so wise. The work suffers in both quality and schedule. I must admit that I am disappointed with this development and that I will be informing the Council that new leadership should be assigned to your current post.”
Dr. Quill stood up in protest as Councilor Krueger raised his hand as if to stop him. Dr. Quill looked in Kent’s direction and noticed a satisfying smirk.
Councilor Krueger continued, “it seems to me that maybe your age has deceived you in the choice of your colleagues and the agility necessary for the leadership of this project. Therefore, until the end of the month, you will be transferring your position to a new director that the Council appoints, while in the meantime, the chemistry of the Rock research assigned to Mr. Garcia will be reporting directly to me.”
Dr. Quill, disappointed and after a moment of silence said, “but you aren't scientists, you are not chemists or biologists. You have no idea what you are doing.”
“Be that as it may, Dr. Quill”, said councilor Krueger, “however, I am sorry to deliver this message to you. After yesterday’s visit, it was clear to me what needs to be done. Personally, Dr. Quill, I am sorry for that development but you did do amazing things in your time at the Antarctica research facility and I am sure that the Council will decorate you with the highest honors.”
Dr. Quill managed to stretch a painful smile, he kindly and respectfully nodded saying, “thank you gentleman, and excuse me.”
Dr. Quill opened his top drawer and took some notes with him and he just left the room. Councilor Krueger ended the call while Kent just stood there smirking and a bit lost, as he didn't know how to proceed. While he expected Dr. Quill to give some reaction as he has just been served, Dr. Quill didn't allow him the pleasure.
* * *
Moments later, Dr. Quill was rushing down the hallway. He knew that Jess took some time off, since he approved of her vacation, so he was hoping to catch her before she leaves. He spotted Jess and Hank just past the security checkpoint, so he increased his pace to intercept them.
He passed through the security and waved off the security officer and said he isn’t going outside. He knew that the councilor will push the project further and that Jess, along with all his team members are likely to leave the Antarctic research facility. The work that has been completed was extraordinary and that the leadership change is just a political move. The Council wanted a tighter grip on the project so they found a useful fool to do it for them. However, he needs to make sure of one thing, before he lets this happen.
Deep inside, Dr. Quill knew that what they did here wasn't up to moral standards, and his younger self, that was a bit of a rebel, would never approve of the information hiding like they have been doing, so he decided to release everything.
He approached Jess to explain that this is a political decision and that he is sorry. However, there was no time to do this, nor was the hallway the best place for it. In his pocket, he had a memory device containing all the backups from the research facility, and he is going to give it to Jess. The scanner at the facility exit detected the memory data and raised an alarm, however, Dr. Quill didn’t care, wasn’t going outside and simply approached Jess, while the security officer was standing there in confusion, not sure how to act. “Dr. Winson, I hope you have a good vacation, I’m satisfied with everything you have done so far. Goodbye, and good luck”, he said, and hugged Jess. He slipped a memory device to her pocket.
This would be better in Jess's hands and she will know how to properly use this information, Dr. Quill thought to himself as he was going back.
* * *
It was not a long flight back home, however, it did take some time. As Jess and Hank were flying back they enjoyed discussing many different topics. They covered everything from science to space mining and even some gossiping back from their days in school.
No matter how many times I fly around here, I can never stop being amazed by the way that the busy sky near the city slowly begins to fade out into these peaceful mountains and the valley, Hank commented just as they were approaching their destination.
“Actually”, started Jess, “On one of the small hills, there is almost something like a natural podium which gives you the view of the entire valley, and from there, you can see the sky highway. Sometimes, I get this weird feeling that it fits there. Although it isn't the part of the valley and people say that it's ruining the view, somehow, it's there just as it belongs there."
Hank smiled at this and they just went by the last mountain peak that made the house of Jess’s parents visible. From a distance, they have noticed that there are several hars parked there.
“Hum, it usually isn't that busy there. I hope they didn't prepare a welcome party for me. I would really want some peace now”, said Jess.
Hank pulled over and parked, and just as Jess was exiting the har, she noticed her mother in the garden and her brother Miller right next to her. That was very weird at first, and the situation became weirder as her father came to greet them, with watering eyes.
Hey Jess, he said, we didn't want to disturb your travel, but I am afraid we have terrible news for you.
Jess’s wonder quickly became a genuine concern as she began to have a stabbing feeling in the middle of her chest. What's happening, dad? - she asked.
“It's Dave Jess”, her father replied, “He had an accident. Your little brother is gone.”
For a moment, Jess stopped in disbelief, how can that be, she just heard from him yesterday? How did this happen? This must be a mistake, he cannot be dead, that's her little brother. Upon sudden realization of her helplessness, Jess burst into tears.
* * *
Several hours later, when everyone got some time to process this new development, they received an official call from the investigation officer in charge of the case. Hank, Jess, her parents, Miller, and even Mr. Holtzman were there and watched the 3D projection of an officer.
“Dear Winson family, once again, I would like to offer my honest and sincere condolences. Losing a young family member is a tragedy that scars a family for a lifetime, one of the worst fears for each parent and one of the hardest losses for a sibling or spouse. I am sorry as I cannot offer any words of consolation as I can only imagine what you are going through. I only wish that you find a way out of this situation without further pain. The officer paused for a moment, and said, guys, I am truly sorry.
Yesterday evening, at the Antarctica research facility, Dave performed tests on this camera array to capture the South Pole sunset for the latest virtual reality research. He was accompanied by two robots that were helping him and at some point, all we know is that there has been a malfunction in the battery system of both units. This is the reason why we didn't receive any warning signals or distress calls for the event that followed.
By the markings on the ice, we found out that Dave was working on one of the cameras, standing on a very rigid piece of ice that broke off. Dave slipped and scared his head causing major trauma. By our reports, it seems that Dave went unconscious and, due to the ice and snow coverage, the coat he was wearing wasn't able to keep him warm, so he finally froze to death.”
Jess interrupted by asking, “But, just this morning I was flying through this area and there was no sign of any presence. There was only the camera array, nor his har, tent, robots, anything. I thought he went home. How can that be?”
“We have found his har partially immersed in snow, and since it is white, do you think you might have misplaced it for something?” - asked the officer.
A tear started to fall along Jess’s cheek as she started saying, “I don't know. I was mad at him as he stood me off for dinner and didn't reply to any of my calls.”
The officer frowned at this and said, “Once again, I am really sorry, it just seems that Dave was hit by a series of unfortunate events that ultimately led to this situation.”
Ha
nk stood up and asked the officer, “did you find any of the recordings in his har or computing equipment? He was setting up the camera array and there should be a video of everything.“
The officer sighed and said, “None of the memory devices were found. I'm not an expert in what Dave was doing, but he wasn't recording, apparently, he has a home computer that he was using for calibration and he was just streaming the raw data, without recording.”
For a brief moment, Hank saw Mr. Holtzman raising his eyebrow at this and looking through the window as if deeply concerned about something.
The officer continued, “we have searched through his equipment and found no recorded evidence. The car was partially under the snow and didn't record anything, while the robot’s memory was damaged due to the battery issue. I am really sorry.”
Mr. Winson stood up and said, “thank you officer for your report and for conducting this investigation. Indeed, as Dave was hit by a series of misfortunes, we are the ones who need to carry it through now.”
The officer produced a sad frown and respectfully nodded as his projection went away.
* * *
