Wraith

by Shane Smithers

  ‘A mixture of high altitude ebony scud and ethanol,’ said Cirro.

  ‘It’s alcoholic?’ spluttered James, almost spilling his drink. His parents never let him drink alcohol.

  ‘Not unless you are over twenty-five,’ said Nimbus, casually taking a sip. ‘It’s formulated to only react with genes of that age or older.’

  James wondered if he could get the recipe – he could make millions of dollars, billions even. He was just about to ask when Dr Kawasaki appeared at the door.

  ‘Ah, Doctor, so glad that you could make it,’ said Nimbus, an unmistakable coolness in his tone.

  ‘Thank you for the invitation, Your Excellency,’ replied Kawasaki, bowing. Hurriedly, he continued, ‘I suppose you’d like to hear how things have been progressing with James?’

  Nimbus handed the doctor a Zephyr. ‘How about we leave that until after dinner?’ he said.

  ‘Sorry. Rightly so. Please forgive my impatience.’ Kawasaki took a long sip of his drink. He saw James watching him and lifted his glass in salutation. James returned the greeting, wondering why the doctor was acting so nervously. Maybe he wasn’t used to formal occasions either.

  While they waited for dinner to be served, the three men chatted about the weather, a pastime that was, apparently, very popular in Nebulosity. James yawned and let his gaze wonder over a number of photographs hanging on the wall opposite him. One was of a much younger and fitter Nimbus. Next to that was a family portrait showing a woman with pale skin and warm golden-orange hair, cradling a baby – Aureole, James guessed, eyeing the baby’s long blonde hair. Standing beside them was Nimbus and, kneeling in front, two teenage boys – they looked like a close, happy family.

  James felt a spark of jealousy; he hadn’t seen his mum and dad for weeks. He wondered what they were doing. Were they really still away, overseas? To James that just didn’t add up. By now they would have rung to see how he was. They’d know that he was missing. They would have come straight home. He thought it more likely that Cirro wasn’t telling him the truth, and he had a sinking feeling he knew why. They wanted to keep him here in Nebulosity.

  He skimmed over a few more photos, and another caught his attention. It was of Aureole as a young girl, poking her tongue out at a scruffy man with warm brown skin, light hair and a cracker of a black eye. He was laughing at her. It was a cute picture.

  Just then Aureole burst in and flopped down onto a chair opposite him. ‘Sorry I am late,’ she said loudly. ‘An awful little man was badgering me in the library.’

  James leaned over to Cirro who was seated beside him, and whispered, ‘Does she always make such a dramatic entrance?’

  Cirro rolled his eyes exactly the same way Nimbus had done earlier when Aureole had interrupted their first meeting, then looked across the table at Aureole. ‘Do you mean the librarian?’ he teased.

  Aureole looked at Cirro and then at James. ‘What is he doing here?’ Her voice sounded sneery.

  ‘He is our guest, Aureole, and you will treat him as such,’ said Nimbus in a stern tone. ‘So solidify!’

  Aureole crossed her arms in a huff, but said nothing. Slowly her body came into focus. James realised that he was seeing her properly for the first time. She looked about his age, maybe a little older. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail. She had a round face with a sprinkling of freckles across her nose. Her Azurien eyes looked amazing against her pale skin. She was wearing a fitted sleeveless brown vest that showed off her toned arms. She caught him looking at her and narrowed her eyes at him. He began inspecting the lacy pattern on the tablecloth.

  Not long after that, dinner was served and he was able to concentrate on filling his plate with delicious food. The conversation around the table rapidly turned to James’s remarkable ability to fly. He felt himself flush several times as he revealed some of his more embarrassing mishaps from early on. He wasn’t used to being the centre of attention and making people laugh, but he kind of liked it.

  Opposite him, Aureole toyed with her food and said nothing. She didn’t seem at all shocked to hear that he could fly. She didn’t even look up when Kawasaki mentioned that James’s ability had improved since he’d come to Nebulosity. James felt a little disappointed. He would have liked to see some reaction from her. But she seemed to have other things on her mind.

  Near the end of dinner Aureole finally spoke. ‘How can you men sit here and talk and laugh as if nothing is going on?’

  Everyone went quiet and Nimbus fixed her with a steady eye. ‘Aureole, now is not the time,’ he said firmly.

  ‘That is what you always say,’ said Aureole, banging her fist on the table and making the cutlery in front of them jump. ‘It will be too late when you decide it is the right time.’

  ‘It is not for you to decide what happens and when,’ snapped Nimbus. ‘I am taking care of the situation. I do not need you to tell me what to do.’ This time, Nimbus banged the table.

  Like father, like daughter, James guessed.

  Aureole raised her glass, ‘Let us eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow . . .’

  ‘Enough!’ bellowed Nimbus.

  ‘If we do not find the SAFFIRE . . .’

  ‘I said, enough!’ bellowed Nimbus, even louder.

  ‘Let us all calm down,’ said Cirro. ‘There is no point discussing this now.’

  ‘The thief could be anywhere,’ said Aureole. She shot a glance at James.

  James sat up straight. ‘Don’t look at me!’ he said. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. I haven’t stolen anything.’ He glared at Aureole. ‘You’re accusing me of something I know nothing about!’

  ‘I’m not accusing you of anything. And besides . . .’ Cirro broke in. ‘Next you will be blaming it on the Aethiens.’ His tone was mocking.

  ‘Do not be so stupid!’ hissed Aureole. Her hair flamed bright red, and James gaped. He looked at the others, but they didn’t seem to have noticed. Or, at least, they weren’t surprised that her hair had changed colour.

  ‘It wasn’t stolen, Aureole,’ Kawasaki said in a calm voice. ‘It was under maximum security. No one could get in or out without Angie alerting us. The Forensics Team used high-tech scanners, photon imprint lifters and biological signature detectors in their investigations and came up blank. There’s been no evidence of human interference.’

  ‘Aureole,’ said Cirro, patiently. ‘You have to let this go. It was just an unfortunate, random accident.’

  ‘You are all wrong!’ Aureole looked as if she were about to explode. Her face was red and she was trembling. ‘You never found it. And you know why? Because it landed on a ship!’ When no one responded, she threw her chair back and jumped to her feet. ‘And someone made that happen,’ she said, pointing at them all in turn, including James, who was mystified. Then her figure blurred and her hair swished as she stormed out of the room.

  When the door had closed, James quietly asked, ‘What’s the SAFFIRE?’

  It was the Empyrean who answered. ‘The SAFFIRE was a device MAL laboratories engineered. It disappeared about a month ago.’ He looked at Kawasaki. ‘I think the doctor can explain it better.’

  Kawasaki looked a little surprised. ‘Your Excellency, I’m not sure that we should be discussing Top Secret –’

  Nimbus stopped him with a single raised hand. ‘Have you not noticed, Doctor?’ he said, in a dry tone. ‘Even my teenage daughter knows about it . . . and I can assure you that she did not get the information from me.’

  Kawasaki’s face went red. He turned to James, and in a single breath said, ‘SAFFIRE stands for Sequestration of Atmospheric Fossil Fuel Impurities and Removal Engine.’ James hoped that he wasn’t going to be asked to repeat that. ‘Simply put,’ continued the doctor, ‘it absorbs and stores carbon from the air. MAL laboratories worked on it for over a decade, it was almost complete. But then we had a tremor and it fell into the ocean.’

  He took a gulp of his drink, swallowed and then said bitterly, ‘Ironically, destroyed by the thing it w
as going to stop.’

  ‘How do you mean?’ asked James, not quite following.

  ‘The Earth’s changing climate is having a serious effect on the city. We are experiencing larger and more frequent tremors,’ said Kawasaki. ‘The SAFFIRE could have begun reversing the climatic conditions, hence lessening the tremors.’

  James knew from school about rising sea levels, but they’d never mentioned anything about tremors in the sky. He could see why Aureole was so upset about the missing SAFFIRE; her home was in danger. He didn’t necessarily want to defend her, but he didn’t understand why they were so dismissive of her theory. ‘So,’ he said slowly, ‘why couldn’t it have landed on a ship?’

  Cirro groaned and momentarily shifted his gaze to the ceiling. ‘Do you know the probability of that happening?’ He didn’t wait for a reply. ‘It is five hundred and fifty-five million to one. Angie calculated it.’

  ‘That does sound rather high,’ mumbled James.

  ‘But we checked it out anyway,’ said Cirro, sitting back and crossing his arms. ‘There were no ships anywhere near the region at that time.’

  ‘What about the Aethiens you mentioned before?’ asked James, hopeful. ‘Could they have stolen it?’

  Cirro patted James on the shoulder in a rather condescending way. ‘Aethiens are a mythical species,’ he said, lightly.

  ‘Azuriens use the term Aethien like Agrariens use the term ghost, or a . . . a phantom,’ said Kawasaki. ‘They don’t exist.’

  ‘Oh,’ said James, his shoulders slumping. Aureole’s reaction to that suggestion now made sense to him.

  ‘My daughter,’ Nimbus shook his head sadly, ‘is very stubborn.’ The corners of his mouth curled up ever so slightly. ‘Just like me. But, she is also very passionate.’ He smiled properly then. ‘Like her mother; rest her soul.’

  ‘Her passion could be put to better use,’ said Cirro sharply. ‘Like towards her studies, and she could stop playing detective.’

  ‘Alas, she takes after her brother in that regard,’ said Nimbus and Kawasaki chuckled softly. ‘But she means well.’ The affection in his voice was strong. He clearly loved his daughter, no matter how annoying she could be. He rose to his feet. ‘Well, good night, gentlemen.’ He looked tired. They all stood up and bowed politely.

  On the way out, James glanced at the Empyrean’s family photo again, the smiling faces. I really miss my parents, he thought. Wherever they were, he had no doubt they would be worried about him. He was worried about them! If they didn’t turn up soon, he was going to go and find them. And nothing was going to stop him.

  SEVENTEEN

  Welkin Palace, Nebulosity

  Kawasaki’s heart was thumping hard, and not just from running up several flights of stairs. He had news, amazing news, news he could still hardly believe himself. He found the Empyrean standing on his office balcony, gazing out from Nebulosity down across the Pacific. Thunder rumbled through the air, and far below rain fell in sheets of grey on a wild and stormy ocean. Any other day, the doctor would have taken time to appreciate the view.

  ‘You’re not going to believe this, Your Excellency,’ he said, quickly bowing.

  ‘What am I not going to believe, Doctor?’ Nimbus replied over his shoulder.

  Kawasaki noted the Empyrean’s dry tone and tried to disguise his excitement, something he found difficult to achieve. ‘It’s about James, Your Excellency.’

  Nimbus turned sharply. ‘Has something happened?’

  Kawasaki took a step back and held up a reassuring hand. ‘No, nothing’s happened, he’s fine.’ He paused, struggling to keep his voice even. Best just to come straight out with it, he thought. ‘James isn’t an Agrarien!’ He beamed.

  ‘I’m sorry, Doctor,’ said Nimbus, tilting his head. ‘Did you just say, James is not an Agrarien?’

  Kawasaki nodded. Nimbus looked confused.

  ‘What do you mean he is not an Agrarien?’

  ‘Just that, Your Excellency. I have completed his DNA profile,’ Kawasaki said with satisfaction. He knew that Nimbus had been questioning his testing methods, complaining that they were taking too long. ‘And it shows a significant variance from that of the Agrarien species.’

  Nimbus hesitated and then frowned. ‘What are you telling me? He is a mutant?’

  Kawasaki drew a sharp breath, and shook his head vehemently. ‘No, no, not a mutant. He’s a hybrid. A cross between an Agrarien and . . .’ He thought this so exciting, he could barely spit it out.

  ‘And what?’ said Nimbus, impatiently.

  ‘An Azurien!’

  To the doctor’s surprise, Nimbus just laughed and shook his head. ‘Ridiculous! Your tests are faulty, Doctor. Different human species cannot interbreed, that is basic Biology 101. The sample must have been contaminated.’

  Kawasaki straightened himself up to full height, though he was still a good few centimetres shorter than Nimbus. ‘The sample was NOT contaminated.’ How dare he be accused of poor scientific rigour! He was one of the top scientists in his field! ‘I had the mapping repeated three more times, which is why it took so long.’

  Nimbus eyed him sceptically. ‘Then, Doctor, explain how it could happen?’

  Kawasaki had a fledgling of a theory and eagerly shared it. ‘I noticed, when reading the background check on James, that he is Aboriginal. And given that Aboriginal genes are the oldest and purest of all humans, I believe they hold the key.’ He paused, reluctant to say the next thing. ‘But I’ll need more time to . . .’

  ‘There will be no more tests on the boy,’ said Nimbus firmly before he could finish his sentence.

  Kawasaki wasn’t a monster, far from it; he cared for James very much. ‘I wasn’t going to ask that,’ he replied, trying not to sound annoyed. ‘I’m happy to use the results and samples I already have. But I need more time to analyse the data.’

  ‘Of course,’ said Nimbus with a wave of his hand.

  The Empyrean went to turn and Kawasaki stopped him. ‘However,’ Kawasaki said quickly. ‘I know for certain why James can fly and how he does it.’

  Nimbus glanced at the doctor’s hand on his arm and then said slowly, ‘Go on.’

  Kawasaki gave an awkward smile and removed his hand. ‘Interspecies breeding has produced something called hybrid vigour. That’s where . . .’

  ‘Yes, yes, I know what hybrid vigour is,’ said Nimbus, cutting him off. ‘The offspring show qualities superior to that of either parent.’ He stopped and seemed to ponder for a moment. ‘That would make sense. But it does not explain how he can fly.’

  Kawasaki’s mouth twitched. If the Empyrean would let him finish . . . ‘The hybrid vigour has enhanced James’s Azurien abilities. In particular, the one to do with frequency.’ ‘While we’re in the same frequency range as water vapour, giving us the ability to live in clouds, James can adjust his frequency . . .’ The doctor could feel he was speaking a little too fast but couldn’t help himself. ‘. . . to the surrounding gases. Which is how he can fly.’

  ‘And how do you know this for sure?’

  ‘I was able to isolate the exact genes. It’s an amazing metamorphosis.’ His glasses slipped slightly and he pushed them back in place before continuing, ‘But I believe James is only using a small part of his frequency range. I think he can do a lot more than fly.’

  Nimbus looked alarmed. ‘Like what?’

  Kawasaki thought for a moment, said the first thing that came to mind. ‘Like walk through walls. Maybe even play with light, the possibilities are . . . almost endless.’

  ‘I see,’ said Nimbus slowly. ‘Does the boy know any of this?’

  ‘I haven’t told him, yet.’

  ‘Do not tell him.’

  Kawasaki’s shoulders slumped. He didn’t like the idea of keeping this information from James. And how could he help James realise his full potential, if James didn’t know he had further abilities? But it was not for him to question the Empyrean’s orders. At least, not at this point.

  ‘It wi
ll just bring more uncertainty to the situation,’ said Nimbus. ‘We cannot protect him if he is walking through walls!’

  Kawasaki disagreed but simply said, ‘As you wish, Your Excellency.’

  ‘Continue to help him with his flying,’ said Nimbus, relenting slightly. ‘Have you informed Primary Agent Cirro?’

  ‘Not yet. I thought you should know first. I came here as soon as I had confirmation of the results.’

  Nimbus nodded. ‘Thank you. Make sure Primary Agent Cirro is brought up to speed.’

  ‘Right away, Your Excellency.’ Kawasaki bowed and went to leave, but he had only taken a few steps when the palace began to shake.

  The two men looked at each other and, without a word, hurried to the nearest doorway, braced themselves and waited for the tremor to stop. In the distance, sirens blared. Twenty seconds later, a painting fell from a hook in Nimbus’s office and then the shaking stopped. The tremor wasn’t a bad one, but the fact that it had happened at all was a matter for concern.

  ‘They are getting more frequent,’ said Nimbus. He stooped and lifted the fallen painting, gently laid it on his desk.

  ‘At least they’re not getting any more severe,’ said Kawasaki, though he knew this was little comfort.

  Nimbus sighed. ‘Best do another inventory. Let us hope nothing else has gone missing.’

  ‘Yes, Your Excellency,’ said Kawasaki with a bow. ‘I will have it attended to immediately.’

  ~

  Cirro cocked his head to the side. ‘Up a little more on the right,’ he said.

  Nimbus adjusted the picture frame ever so slightly.

  ‘A little more,’ said Cirro. ‘Stop. That is about right.’ Nimbus eyed the painting for a moment, then, seeming satisfied, turned to Cirro. ‘Kawasaki has told you about James?’

  ‘He has.’ According to Kawasaki, Cirro had responded to the news in the same manner as the Empyrean.

  ‘I believe these latest developments change things, do you not agree?’

  Cirro raised an eyebrow. ‘Your Excellency?’

  ‘If James is part Azurien, it makes it much easier for us to keep him here.’