Strangers and Shadows

by John Kowalsky

  Seventh Heaven

  The door opened into a brightly lit hallway. Ava and Asher had to squint, the light was so bright. Dorian seemed to have no such problem with the change.

  The hallway was five meters tall and ten meters long. It opened into a large room filled with people moving about.

  Dorian led the way. “Welcome to the Seventh. This is our Jump Center. It’s an airport of sorts, where all our agents jump from and back to. Ages ago we used to just jump in and out anywhere, but random accidents kept occurring. Agents jumping in right in front of a speeding hover bus—that sort of thing. We find this simplifies things.”

  He showed them to the observatory deck where they could see for miles in every direction.

  The Jump Center was high above the city below. Outside, the afternoon sun was shining. Skyscrapers and walkways stretched as far as the eye could see, with hovers and speeders zipping every which way.

  Asher’s jaw dropped as he looked out over the vista. If Chicago had been impressive, this was absolutely mind-blowing. He could almost feel the masses of people that surrounded him below.

  “We’re lucky the skies are clear. Sometimes the clouds interfere with the view.” Dorian allowed the couple to make their way around the observatory, checking out the full three hundred and sixty degrees. “Sorry to interrupt, but we are on a bit of a schedule, I’m afraid. There is a tour waiting for you, and then we have prepared a dinner for your arrival. Many members of the cabinet will be attending, as well as the Prime Minister, herself. She is most looking forward to meeting you two.”

  The couple exchanged glances, neither one knowing quite what to make of the news. Ava was the first to break eye contact. “Lead the way,” she said.

  “I’m afraid I won’t be able to join you for the tour, but I’ll see you again at the dinner tonight. Not to worry though, you’ll be well taken care of,” Dorian replied.

  As he was speaking, a hover pulled alongside the observatory deck and docked with it. A door slid open, and a smiling woman greeted them. “Ava, Asher, I’d like you to meet Sylvia. She’ll be giving you your tour and anything else that you might require during your stay with us.”

  They said, hello, and Sylvia showed them on board. Inside, the hover was spacious. Long couches lined the passenger cabin walls. There was a door at one end of the cabin leading to the cockpit.

  Dorian said goodbye, and took his leave.

  The hover’s door slid down, leaving Ava, Asher, and Sylvia in relative silence.

  “I understand you two haven’t been fitted with any tech yet, is that correct?” Sylvia asked.

  Bewildered expressions crossed the couple’s faces.

  “Right, I’ll take that as a yes.” The tour guide left the cabin and returned holding two thin bands in her hands. “Here we go.” She fitted the first on Ava.

  The ends of the horseshoe-shaped bands went in the ears where they expanded gently, filling her earlobe. Even though her ear canal was blocked off, Ava could still hear everything around her perfectly.

  The rest of the band ran up the temples and across the forehead where two slim projectors protruded slightly at the left and right eyes. After a few moments, she could no longer tell that she was even wearing the band.

  Sylvia helped Asher with his and then gave them a brief tutorial.

  “These will allow you to interact with our world and each other. You’ll also be linked into the grid so you can access any info you may need know. The bands will monitor your brain waves, much like the nanites that we use do, and if you want it, provide the information that you seek. Only if that information is known, however. For instance, it can’t give you any information about future events or what lies beyond our galaxy in space.”

  “Why not just give us the nanites that the rest of you have?” Asher asked.

  “I’m afraid that I haven’t been told the reason for that. I’m sure there is a good one,” Sylvia said. “It may just be a matter of time. The procedure can take a while. The nanites have to be matched to your specific DNA so the immune system doesn’t fight them.” She brought the matter to a close. “Anyway, why don’t you two practice using the bands while we tour the city.” She disappeared to the cockpit and several moments later the hover pushed away from the observation deck.

  They flew out over the city merging with the flow of traffic.

  Ava saw a beautiful skyscraper sparkling in the distance and wondered about it.

  Startling her, the building was suddenly highlighted in her vision and the name was flying in the air next to it. In her ears she heard a pleasant, gender-neutral voice giving her the date the building was created, its architect, what the building was used for, and a host of other facts.

  Beside her, Asher was lost in his own experience, no doubt drawn to the shiny flying things. “This is incredible.”

  “Indeed it is,” Ava replied. She was about to wonder how the bands worked when her band projected the information for her.

  Sensors over the eyes tracked eye movement and also projected images directly onto the lenses of the eyes. The ear buds analyzed any audio coming in, as well as sending its own audio out. The entire band itself imaged the brain and monitored various brain waves, intuitively knowing what the wearer was thinking.

  Ava was impressed.

  “Thank you,” the pleasant voice in her ear said.

  Ava shouldn’t have been surprised, but she was. It was unnerving having something know what she was thinking.

  “If you prefer, you can turn my AI function off.”

  “No, that’s fine,” Ava replied. She just needed to get used to it.

  “Who are you talking to?” Asher asked.

  “The band.”

  He was about to follow up with another question, but stopped short as his own band filled him in. “Ah, I see.”

  As they flew over the capital city, their bands gave them the relevant information of the tour. Parks, museums, architecture, history—it was all fascinating to the couple from the Fourth.

  The tour lasted about an hour. When it was finished, the hover docked with the Embassy building where the dinner would take place. It was also where their apartments were located.

  Sylvia reappeared from the cockpit. “I hope you enjoyed the tour. Your bands will show you to your suites, I trust you will find them accommodating. If you need anything, just ask, and the bands will put you in contact with an appropriate aide.”

  The hover door slid open and Sylvia walked them to the platform.

  They stepped onto the landing platform and the door closed with Sylvia still on board. Ava and Asher watched as the hover pulled away.

  “How—?” Asher began to ask, when his band responded.

  “This way please.”

  A highlighted path was displayed on the landing platform. It started at his feet and led inside the Embassy building.

  They followed the band’s instructions as it led them to their separate but adjoined apartments.

  The apartments were spacious and elegant. With the band’s assistance on the controls, they had showered and changed into the clothing provided for them with no trouble at all.

  Ava and Asher arrived at the dining hall, and were greeted by Dorian.

  “You made it. Excellent,” he said. “You look wonderful. Give us a twirl.”

  Ava complied, showing off the extravagant dress that had been provided for her. Nothing she had ever owned back home came close to it.

  Asher, in a dark suit, could barely contain himself. “These bands are amazing!” he blurted out. “I wish we’d had these in Chicago.”

  Dorian chuckled at the young man’s excitement.

  Ava, however, reddened. “Mind your tongue, Asher. And for the remainder of the evening, see that you don’t do or say anything that will embarrass us. Or our Verse, for that matter.”

  What could he say to that, Asher wondered. He hid his extreme annoyance at being scolded like a five year old child and responded, “I will do my be
st, Your Highness. My humble apologies.”

  Ava nodded her assent and Asher pushed his feelings farther down, willing them not to show on his face.

  Dorian seemed amused with the exchange. “Shall we?”

  He led them into the large dining hall. Long tables lined the walls with a large open courtyard area in the middle leading up to a raised platform with a lone podium on it. Behind the podium another table was set, this one not as long as the ones on the side walls.

  Guests had already arrived and were seated at the tables. Dorian took them straight toward the podium, past ornate centerpieces, water fountains, and platters of appetizers.

  Asher felt his mouth water at the smells coming from the serving trays. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was. Then again, he couldn’t remember the last time he had eaten a decent meal either.

  As they walked, the ongoing conversation died down with the room’s growing curiosity at the new arrivals. When they were halfway to the dais, Dorian stopped, and a woman stepped up to the podium and began speaking.

  The woman was beautiful, that was plain to see, even at their distance. She had long white hair even though she appeared to only be in her mid-thirties. She carried herself with an air of grace and power. She reminded Asher of Ava’s mother, Queen Emille, in bearing, if not necessarily in looks.

  “Senators, cabinet members, and esteemed guests, I’d like to welcome you all,” the woman began. “Thank you for coming on such short notice. I apologize for the haste, but I thought you all would cherish the opportunity to meet our visitors from the Fourth Verse.

  “In these trying times, it is our deepest hope that our dear friends from the Fourth can help us in our time of need, and that we may, in turn, extend our arms in friendship to them. Please join me in welcoming our guests, Princess Avialle of New Britain and her Chief Economist and Royal Consort, Asher Bancroft.”

  The room erupted into applause.

  Ava curtsied, bowing slightly, graciously accepting the welcome.

  Asher, having never been in such a situation before, found himself blushing with embarrassment. He quickly followed Ava’s lead and bowed low.

  When the applause died down, Ava raised her voice and addressed the room. “Citizens of the Seventh, and gracious hosts, on behalf of myself and my world, thank you for your warmest welcome. It is indeed my hope that our Verses may be friends and allies forever more.”

  Again the gathered guests showered the room with applause.

  As it died down, the woman at the podium spoke again. “Very good. Our friendship is begun. Now then, let us celebrate the arrival of our new friends!”

  With that, dancers streamed into the courtyard from all sides and an orchestra, descending from the ceiling on a floating platform, began to play.

  Dorian led Ava and Asher up on the dais where the white-haired woman waited.

  “Hello,” the woman said, extending her hand first to Ava and then to Asher.

  Dorian introduced her. “This is the Prime Minister, Lady Julia White.”

  “A pleasure to make your acquaintance,” Ava said.

  “Prime Minister, may I introduce, Princess Ava, and Asher,” Dorian said.

  “The pleasure in our meeting is all mine, I assure you,” Lady White said. “Come, there will be time for talk later. Let us eat, I’m sure you must be famished by now. You’ve had quite a trip, from what Dorian tells me.” She showed them to their seats at the table and they all sat down. Asher beside Dorian who sat next to Lady White, with Ava on the other side of her.

  The dinner consisted of course after course of every kind of food that Ava and Asher could imagine and many more that they could not. Asher lost count of the courses after fourteen.

  After what seemed like hours, the dinner ended and the cocktails began. Guests stood and began to mingle as servers came around and took drink orders. They had had several different wines with dinner, and both Ava and Asher felt a slight buzz despite all of the food they had consumed. When the server came around to take their cocktail order they first stared at each other blankly and then at Dorian. “Would you mind ordering something that you think we both might like?” Ava asked to Asher’s surprise. It wasn’t like her to ask a man for help or advice.

  Dorian was delighted to help and ordered separate drinks for the two. Asher tried to catch the names, but they just sounded like random words strung together to him.

  While they waited, Dorian introduced them to several of the guests near them. The first was a senator and his wife, who as it happened, was also a senator. Drinks arrived and small talk was made, usually beginning with exclamations of amazement over the quality of the cocktails. After the senators came more senators and then a cabinet member and still another senator.

  Asher listened quietly, minding Ava’s instructions earlier at the door. Every now and again he would nod in agreement at one of Ava’s remarks. Mostly he just sipped his drink, which was a little strong and bitter for his taste. He didn’t mind being ignored in these circumstances, as most of the politicians they met were interested in the beautiful princess standing next to him. He never was comfortable in affairs of the state. Too much pageantry and play-acting, in his opinion.

  Ava, on the other hand, excelled at it. She was born into this sort of life and groomed for this kind of interaction. She was a statesman in every sense, and it showed in all of her movements. A slight bow of the head, a raised eyebrow, the polite laugh in response to a joke that plainly was not funny. This was her world, Asher realized, and one that he would never fully be able to comprehend or be a part of.

  Asher finished his drink and a server came around with a tray to take the empty glass.

  “Care for another, sir?”

  Asher glanced at Ava, trying to judge whether or not he should, but she was deep in conversation and not paying him any attention. “Another drink would be lovely, yes. Thank you.”

  While he waited and pretended to follow the conversation around him, he was overcome with the need to empty his bladder. “Would you excuse me for just a moment?” he asked those gathered around.

  Ava glared at him questioningly.

  “I’m afraid I must make some more room if I’m to keep enjoying your Verse’s hospitality.”

  A statesman laughed politely and several of the others joined him. “Please do. I fear I will be joining you shortly.”

  Asher saw Ava relax with the group’s acceptance of his interruption, and he breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t want any more stress between them right now. And certainly not for having to take a piss.

  He took his leave from the conversation and his band guided him out of the dining hall and down the hallway to the restroom. Upon his return, he was greeted by a smiling middle-aged man with wild, wispy white hair and a long beard to match. The man had a pot belly and rosy cheeks. No doubt a result of the drink, Asher thought. Something else about the man gave Asher pause until he put his finger on it—the pot belly—Asher hadn’t seen anyone in this Verse who didn’t appear to be in prime physical condition until now. How strange.

  “Hello!” the white-haired man said boisterously. He was holding a drink in each hand and extended one to Asher. “Here, I noticed you were out.”

  “Thank you, sir, but I have another drink already ordered.” Asher didn’t know what to make of the man. He didn’t seem like the rest of the guests he’d met tonight. He was more intense, but less serious at the same time.

  “I took the liberty of canceling your order. My son is good at a great many things, but ordering drinks for strangers is not one of them. Here,” he said, again extending the glass. “Try this. I’m almost certain you’ll like it better than your last.”

  Asher took the drink from the man’s hand. “Your son?”

  “Dorian.”

  He nearly choked on his surprise. “Dorian is your son?”

  “Don’t look so surprised.” The man held out his hand, now that it was free. “My name is Ander, but most folks just call me Wizar
d, and you may do the same.”

  Asher shook his hand. “Asher. Nice to meet you… Wizard?”

  Wizard laughed. “It’s an odd name to be called, I’ll give you that. It began as a joke a long time ago. I’m good with tech and machines… a wizard as it were. Hence, the name. It caught on, and over the years it seems to be the only thing anybody calls me anymore… Aside from the curse words, of course.”

  “I see…” Asher tasted his drink, as the old man chuckled at his own joke, and felt his mouth explode with flavors. He was so shocked, he nearly spit it out.

  “It’s not that bad, is it?” Wizard laughed.

  “No! Not at all. It’s delicious! I just wasn’t expecting it.” Asher could swear that his tongue was vibrating. “What’s it called?”

  “Why, The Wizard, of course. After all, it’s of my own invention.”

  “Well, it’s very good. Thank you.” Asher made his way to rejoin Ava with her now growing crowd of conversationalists.

  Wizard reached out and grabbed Asher’s arm with the quickness of a much younger man and held him in place. “Pardon my rudeness,” he said, “but I was wondering if my son had explained to you the reason that you are here.”

  “Uh…” Asher stammered, caught off guard by the sudden change of topic.

  “Hmmm…” Wizard mused. “So you haven’t made it that far yet, I see.” He pulled Asher in close and lowered his voice. “They want something—no, need something from you. Something they cannot do themselves. Which says something right there, as their power is considerable. What they want, I can only guess at, but it can’t be good. You can’t trust them, Asher, they will—”

  “I see you’ve met my father,” Dorian interrupted, clapping Asher on the shoulder like they were old school chums.

  “Yes, a most interesting man, your father,” Asher replied, his heart racing now. He felt like he had been caught stealing test answers from the teacher’s desk at the academy.

  “Father, I wasn’t aware that you would be attending this evening,” Dorian said. His mouth barely opened as he spoke.