by J. J. Green
“I’ve been thinking about what happened on K. 67092d and Dawn,” Sayen said. “There’s so much that doesn’t add up. How long has the government known about Shadows? Long enough for them to set up at least two testing centers, on Dawn and here, for people exposed to them, but I haven’t seen anything in the media about them. Have you? I’ve been searching for days. Why are they keeping the Shadows a secret? Do all the prospecting companies know about them? Is the government doing anything to stop them from spreading? Are the Transgalactic Council and Unity involved?”
“They made us sign a secrecy agreement on Dawn,” Jas said. “It was really shady. And they wouldn’t tell us what they did with any Shadows they caught.”
Sayen frowned. “There has to be a way we can find out more. Then maybe we can shine some light on Carl’s parents’ disappearance. I need to think about it.
“Do y’all want to come with me for my daily walk?”
Sayen rose from her seat and the animal on her lap jumped down. Lingiari gazed after it as it trotted away. “Is that a dog or a cat?”
“Neither, or both,” said Sayen, “depending on how you look at it. Beau’s a cag, or a dot. I don’t know what the official word is.”
“It’s a hybrid cat and dog?”
“Yes, he is. He was a present to welcome me home. He’s soft as a cat to cuddle, but loyal as a dog. He doesn’t scratch up the furniture, and he takes himself for walks if you want. And you can teach him tricks. He’s the ideal pet.”
She opened the French doors, and Beau ran outside. They stepped into the garden—except her family garden was more like a park. A lush, vivid green grass carpet flowed down a slight incline at the back of the house and out as far as the eye could see. Ornamental trees dotted the verdant expanse, and in the distance was a bright, silvery lake with...Jas stopped. It couldn’t be.
“Are those flamingoes?” she asked, pointing at the moving pink dots on the watery expanse.
“Yeah,” Lee replied in a mildly abashed tone, as if she’d been asked the question many times before and found the admission a little shameful.
“Hey, the temperature’s cooled down a lot,” Lingiari said. “It’s...” He looked up at the cloudless sky, leaving his sentence hanging.
Lee sighed. “It’s air-conditioned.”
“It’s what?” said Jas. “You mean...the whole place?”
“Yeah. I sometimes forget how it must seem to strangers.”
“But, how?” asked Lingiari.
“There’s a forcefield dome over the house and grounds. You drove through it, but you wouldn’t have noticed. Underground machines cool the air, and the dome prevents the air inside from mixing with the air outside.”
“Woah,” Lingiari said. “Can you fly through it?”
“Yeah. I could explain how the forcefield works, but it’s a little complicated.”
“That’s okay,” Jas said. If Sayen found the explanation complicated, it would be beyond her and Lingiari’s understanding. “Where do you want to walk?”
“I usually go to the lake and back. My mama and daddy get antsy if I go too far. I have to stay in sight of the house.”
“I guess what happened to you was pretty tough on them,” said Jas.
“You don’t know the half of it. My mama always wanted to wrap me in cotton wool, but my daddy encouraged me to spread my wings. Now, they’re both the same. It’s like I’m five years old again.”
Lingiari had drawn a little ahead of them. Jas wondered if he was going to trip over his feet because he wasn’t looking where he was going. He was looking upward, as if trying to spot the forcefield holding the cool air in. The pilot stopped and turned. “Hey, I just remembered something. When you were breaking the comm links on the Galathea’s defense units, you said you used to tamper with the android servants at home. Is Florence an android?”
“Yeah, she is. They all are. Me, mama, and daddy are the only humans in the house.”
“You’re kidding,” exclaimed Jas. It was her turn to stop in her tracks. “Then, what was all that about her preferring to be called by her name? You’re saying they have feelings?”
“Our androids aren’t like your defense units, Jas. The ratio of human cells to synthetic components is much higher than usual. They aren’t commercially available. To be honest, they sit the border of the legislation on android ethics. But they’ve always seemed happy to me. And it’s better than using humans for menial work, don’t you think?”
Lingiari asked the question that was also on Jas’ lips. “Sayen, what the hell do your parents do? I mean, if it’s okay to ask.”
“You know, that’s a good question, Carl. I wish I knew. When I was younger, I tried asking them a few times. My brother and I had a competition going to see who’d be the first to figure it out. But they always said it was better that I didn’t know.” She smiled a little wistfully. “It’s something that brings in a lot of money, that’s for sure. My grandparents aren’t nearly so well off.
“And my parents know plenty of important people. We’ve had all kinds of visitors over the years—people on the news, celebrities, government ministers, heads of global corporations, and so on.”
They were nearing the lake. The flamingoes looked almost unreal. Their feathers were the color of fairy floss, and they were standing on one stick-like leg each. Jas thought she’d heard that they were extinct in the wild.
She’d often heard the phrase, how the other half live, but Sayen’s family didn’t belong to the other half, they belonged a tiny fraction of the very richest of Earth’s population. It was lucky for the navigator, and maybe, with her family connections, it would be lucky for them too in their quest to find out about the Shadows.
Chapter Nine
Sayen studied her reflection in her dressing room mirror. She wanted to look smart and professional. Her silver-blue pant-suit achieved just the right effect, she concluded. The color looked good against her blonde hair, and the suit’s lines were neat and fitted her figure perfectly. If she wanted her interviewer to take her seriously, she would have to look the part, even if she had no intention of staying in the job longer than it took her to snoop behind the scenes, and even if her mama and daddy had told her she didn’t even need to interview.
They’d pleaded with her not to go back to work, but when they’d finally relented, they’d said any job that she wanted was hers, providing she had the skills and qualifications. She only had to ask and they would arrange it. But she couldn’t risk the Global Government thinking she was there for any other reason than that she wanted to work. She didn’t want to be observed beyond the normal level of interest in a new employee.
She made a final check of her appearance before going downstairs to say goodbye to her parents. They were each in their home offices. Her mother was reading something. As she looked up, it was clear she’d been crying.
“Sayen,” her mother said as she went in, “for the last time, why? Why can’t you stay here and have fun doing whatever you want? You know that you only have to give the word, and we’ll make it happen for you.”
“Mama, I told you. What I want is a job. I’m dying stuck in here all day. Can’t you at least try to understand that?”
“I’m trying, honey, I’m trying. But when I think of seeing you after your accident...”
“But I got better, didn’t I? I’m better than ever. And I want to do something with my life. Not spend it hiding away from the tiniest little thing that might hurt me.”
“Oh, sweetheart, I’m just worried about you. And when you have kids of your own you’ll know how I feel.”
“I’m sorry, Mama. Can you at least wish me well?”
“Of course I wish you well. I always wish you well, honey. Come and give your mama a hug.”
Sayen’s father didn’t say anything to her when she went to see him. She was interrupting a vidcall. He asked the person he was speaking with to excuse him for a moment, and he came over to Sayen and wrapped his arms around her
. After planting a kiss on her head, he turned back to the screen, giving her a half wave. He hadn’t gone on and on trying to dissuade her like her mama had, but she could tell he was just as against the idea.
As she went downstairs and out to the chauffeur-driven heli that awaited her, she tried to ease her guilt at making her parents worry about her with the thought that, though it was true she really did want to get out of the house and start working again, she also had a more serious and less selfish reason for applying for the government job.
***
The downdraft from the heli messed up her hair as she got out on the roof of the GGSHQ, or Global Government Security Headquarters. It was a stroke of luck that the place was within an hour by heli from Sayen’s family property. She didn’t think her parents were ready yet to agree to her living away from home, if they would ever be.
A man in a suit was holding open a door, and she crossed the roof to go through it as the heli took off. The man smiled at her, and they went down in the elevator. Sayen thought he looked familiar. The more she glimpsed him from the corners of her eyes, the surer she was that she knew him, but she couldn’t remember from where. She was sure that if she saw him in the right context, she would know him right away, but there, he seemed out of place. Or was her confusion an effect of the mind transfer treatment she’d undergone?
She faced the man. “Excuse me, do I know you?”
“I don’t think so, ma’am,” he replied.
They’d reached their floor, and the doors opened. The man told her the room number as Sayen stepped out, but he didn’t accompany her. He remained in the elevator as the doors closed, and Sayen was left none the wiser. She shrugged. Maybe she would get a chance to talk to him later if she got the job. What was she thinking? Of course she’d get the job. She only had to go through the motions.
***
The Minister for Global Security was a large woman. In her expansive kaftan and long, straightened hair, she didn’t really look like she was responsible for the security of every living human being on the planet, but her manner made up for her relaxed dress code. When Sayen was shown into her office, the woman didn’t look up from her interface for several long moments.
Sayen wondered if she should cough or something. She hadn’t expected this kind of reception.
“Sit down,” said the woman without looking up.
Sayen sat opposite her and folded her hands in her lap, wondering if she was in for a long wait.
The woman swiped her interface, and the screen turned black. Only then did she lift her head. She looked into Sayen’s eyes for an uncomfortably long time.
“Sayen Lee,” she said.
“Yes, ma’am, I’m here for—”
“I know why you’re here.” She reactivated her interface and brought up a new screen. After scanning the information, she glanced at Sayen and then back at the screen.
“You served aboard the Galathea, a prospecting starship belonging to Polestar Corp, which visited the planets K. 67092d and Dawn, among others. You were critically injured.” She looked at Sayen again. “It says here that you made a full recovery.” Her gaze roved Sayen’s face and the upper half of her body. Sayen shrank a little at this frank inspection, but she supposed the woman had to be sure she was fit to work.
“Yes, ma’am. I’m completely well again.”
“Your personal record stands up to scrutiny, and your qualifications and transcripts are excellent. There doesn’t seem any doubt in your ability to perform your duties after the relevant training. Very well. I accept your application. Your employment begins Monday. Your position is probationary for six months.”
The interview seemed to be over. The Minister for Global Security hadn’t asked her if she had any questions. Didn’t they always ask if you had any questions? Sayen rose from her seat uncertainly.
As she went toward the door, the woman spoke. “Talk to my secretary. He’ll tell you where your office is and anything else you need to know.”
“Uh, thanks. Goodbye.”
The woman didn’t reply.
Sayen closed the door and went down the hallway. That had to be the quickest interview she’d ever had. She poked her head in at the first open door. An older man in an expensive navy blue suit sat at a desk inside the room. His hair and beard were snowy white and closely clipped.
“Hello,” he said in a British accent. “You must be Ms. Lee.” He stood and went to Sayen to shake her hand.
After her frosty experience in the Minister for Global Security’s office, she was relieved by the man’s kindly smile that crinkled the skin around his eyes. Though she only intended to stay in the job as long she needed to, she hadn’t relished the thought of spending even a short time working there if they were all like the kaftan-wearing woman. Then she scolded herself for the thought. Hadn’t she decided she wanted to take risks and do more challenging things with her life?
“Yes, that’s me,” she said.
“Wonderful. I’m Mr. Lombard, but you can call me Bernie. Do come and sit down, and we’ll go over everything so you’re ready to hit the ground running on Monday.”
Sayen took a seat next to the man, and he explained the ins and outs of her role. Cyber intelligence seemed as interesting and difficult as she’d imagined it would be.
After they’d been speaking for a while, Sayen felt comfortable enough to ask Bernie about their boss. “Is the Minister always so...formal?”
“Hmm...I understand why you ask. You see, things are quite tense around here at the moment. We’re dealing with threats on several fronts, which you’ll find out about as you begin your job. In fact, I and a few others would usually be the ones conducting the interviews for positions like yours, but the Minister has taken it upon herself to speak to each applicant individually, and double-check all the background searches we do on them. It’s admirable, really. We can’t take the slightest risk when it comes to global security.”
“Oh, I understand.”
“I’m sure you do. Shall we carry on? We have quite a bit to get through this morning.”
“Yes, of course.”
As she listened to Bernie telling her what information she was to look for and how she was to look for it, Sayen made a mental note every time she heard anything that might lead her to the Shadows.
Chapter Ten
Carl had returned to Australia, but he was regretting his decision. There seemed to be nothing he could do there, and waiting for Sayen to investigate the possibility of there being Shadows on Earth was agonizing. Every moment that passed increased his chances of never seeing his parents again. Every moment might mean the difference between life and death. He wondered if he would be more useful on the other side of the world with Sayen and Harrington.
Unable to bear the quiet, empty farmhouse any longer, he’d rented a small flat in Sydney, close to the spaceport in case he needed to be somewhere in a hurry. Flux had stayed on at the farm in case anything new turned up. The little fella could get into places and see things that would be impossible for a human. If he had anything to report, he would tell Mrs. Jesson, who would then contact Carl.
At first, the messages that had arrived from Sayen had been discouraging. She hadn’t been able to find out anything about the Shadows, even though in her role she had access to highly classified material. Along with Jas, they’d concluded that it was very strange, considering that they were a known threat. The Global Government had commissioned Dawn as a quarantine and testing area, and scientists on Earth were testing exposed arrivals from deep space. So Shadows weren’t that much of a secret. But no one was talking about them, and the government hadn’t seemed to hold any information on them.
Then Sayen had discovered that there were hidden files—files that even she wasn’t supposed to know about. They’d agreed they had to contain something worth knowing. But for days on end, Sayen hadn’t been able to get into them. Each day that she failed, Carl had been more and more convinced that the files had to contain wh
at they were looking for. If someone of Sayen’s caliber couldn’t crack them, they had to be something very special.
Carl was out walking the waterfront at The Rocks when the call came. He took out his interface. Jas was requesting a vidcall. Could this be it? Had Sayen uncovered the truth about the Shadows? He pressed accept key, and Jas appeared on the screen.
“Sayen’s gone missing,” she exclaimed.
“What? She...how?” he asked.
“Carl, can you get over here? Her parents are going crazy. They want us to go and see them. They won’t talk over any messaging service. They’re insisting on speaking to us face to face.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can. Meet me at the spaceport, and we’ll go from there. I’m hanging up now to call a cab. Be careful, Jas. If anything’s happened to Sayen because she was snooping, you and I could both be in danger.”
***
Mrs. Lee looked very different from the last time Carl had seen her. When they arrived at the door, she let them in herself. Her face had lost its color except for her eyes, which were red-rimmed. She was a ghost of her former self, as if all life had been drained from her. Mr. Lee was waiting in the first room they came to. He was trying to put on a brave front, but it was clear that beneath the veneer, he was crumbling.
“Thank you for coming so quickly,” said Mr. Lee. “Please, sit down.”
“It’s no problem,” said Carl. “Has there been any word from Sayen?”
“Nothing,” Mrs. Lee said. “Not a single sight or sound of her since yesterday evening.”
Harrington said, “Is it possible she—”
“Ms. Harrington,” said Mrs. Lee. “Let me show you something.” She handed over an interface. On the screen was a message from Sayen to her mother, saying that she would be spending the weekend with a friend, and her mother was not to worry about her. “It’s a lie.”
“Something’s happened to her,” Mr. Lee said. “You two seem close with Sayen, and I’ve a feeling you might know something about it.” He held up a hand to silence Harrington as she began to speak. “We don’t have time for denials. We have to get our daughter back, and we need you to help us.”
