by Steven Oaks
“Why didn't we start with our nearest neighbors, like Mars and Venus?” I asked.
“Perhaps we still will, but I think the reason for this particular world was that it was far enough away you would not notice it. While it would have taken you months to get to Mars with your current technology, there would have been another world you could use without bargaining with the Outsiders,” she said.
“That makes a kind of sense. Except it would have given us an example to view. Right now we are all taking it on faith that they can do the things they claim. They also have yet to show they can rejuvenate anyone, even though that was a part of the bargain to become one of their pilots. Perhaps they fear dangling temptation in front of us if it is something we might grasp ourselves. I do wonder what the weather might be like on this world. Will they have made it like Earth with different zones throughout, or do they conceivably have the power to make it a world of uniform temperature?” I asked.
“That I do not know. The world which they have made is of similar size, and has the same make up as Earth. Mostly oceans, and several continents. I do not know whether it has even a tilt or an ellipsis orbit to promote seasons. It could be warm at the equator and colder uniformly as you travel closer to either pole. Sadly I am lacking any detail save where it is located. Since I am only able to tap into what humans can see of it, I am lacking much data as your technology, while able to detect planets, cannot see them at any great distance, especially smaller Earth-like worlds,” she responded.
“There's nothing else left to talk about until we arrive I suppose, unless we are given additional data by the Outsiders before we leave. In which case the months traveling might give us more to discuss,” I said, frustrated at the lack of information.
“Michael we have nearly arrived. It will be a tad bit on the chilly side outside. New Hampshire is not known for the warmer weather Indiana has in April, and it might feel closer to March to you. It will be a high of 58 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course if you were to wear the protective suit you would find it comfortable, otherwise I would recommend wearing you warmest biking clothes,” Athene said.
“I guess I will just put the suit back on. I don't wish to dirty up these clothes with my sweat.” I said gesturing down towards the clothes I was wearing. I had not removed the suit when I was out shopping, but having been dressed by Athene that morning hurriedly I still wore the black dress pants and white button up shirt. While not dirty, I did not wish to wear them to exercise in.
“I have selected the exercise outfit you wore this morning. I have already cleaned it, but that should not stop you from putting it on,” she said with a small laugh.
I tore off the clothes that I had been thrown into that morning and tossed them across the room to land on various furniture in the lounge. Finding the clothes Athene had laid out, I slipped them over my head, and put my legs through them respectively. They were a short sleeve red shirt I picked up for running in, and black pants that had lasted me for years. I had to tie the shorts into place since I had lost some weight as they would slip down if I did not make sure to shore them up. I pulled my wavy brown hair back into a pony tail using a hair tie Athene had placed out, and felt ready to face the world.
Pulling the black space like suit over this outfit seemed silly, but I hardly wanted to find myself uncomfortably cold. While 58 was not freezing in the least, I found after loosing weight years ago I no longer had the ability to deal with colder temperatures. My ideal weather was considered hot by most, whereas when I was younger I thrived in the snow.
As I turned around I noticed the electric bike and its trailer containing my new collection of records had disappeared, and in their place stood my bicycle. I was feeling tired already from my exercise this morning, but I was looking forward to a new challenge. I had no idea how rugged these trails would be, but I hoped they were easy as I was not sure how long I might last.
I needed to give Athene around an hour to load people. I wondered if they had been out camping for weeks waiting on me, or if they had gotten an indication I had headed out. Then I remembered Athene would be searching the sites we would be going to, and that would give them an indication based upon her IP Address. Jennifer and her group had been able to insert a simple piece of code into websites where I might show up. When Athene loaded those pages a message would be sent to an anonymous email address on the TOR network to alert them to where I would be heading.
I walked over to the bike, and straddled it ready to make my excursion into the world. When Athene opened the door I could see grass and trees, and off in the distant mountains. It looked like I would have to peddle very hard to make it up slopes, but going down should be fine.
“Wish me luck Athene. I am used to the Indiana landscape, and that is mostly flat. I have rarely had such a steep incline to my own outings,” I said, already exhausted at the prospect of all these hills.
“Good luck Michael. If you run into any trouble I shall try to help you,” she said. I did not know what she could do, though I supposed she could hover over me and pick me up if I was unable to complete these trails on my own.
Athene had parked us over some trees and had extended the ramp down to meet the parking lot nearby. This time however the slope was a gentle incline, and I was easily able to coast down.
When I had reached the ground I was going at a good speed, but I saw a person in the distance waving me over. I shrugged my shoulders mentally, and headed towards them.
As I made my way over I noticed several people looking up at Athene and pointing. I seemed to have made a spectacle of us simply by being here.
When I reached the person waving I saw it was a young man. He was wearing biking gear himself, though it seemed more thermal wear than anything I had. He wore a long sleeve shirt with fleece around the neck, and tight black pants along with ridiculously orange shoes. He had short blond hair and a grin that creased his whole face, making his deep blue eyes twinkle in the afternoon sun, which reminded me of Derick's almost permanent smile.
“I assume you are Michael? I don't suppose many other people fly around in space ships,” he laughed at his own statement.
I pulled the helmet up partially to expose my face and said, “I am Michael. How do you know me?” I asked.
“Your assistant called us just a little while ago and said you'd be coming. I just wanted to come out and greet you. Don't worry, she already paid the ten dollar bike pass for you today over the phone. I just wanted to mention some of the trails may still have some trees or branches across them as there has been a couple storms that have come through here. So keep your eye out for them.”
“Of course. I don't imagine I will be getting at any speed that would cause me to not notice them. This will be my first time dealing with so many steep inclines,” I said with a breathless sigh.
“You don't have to ride any of the rugged trails. We have something called carriage trails that are easier. While they are not all paved, they at least have gravel instead of mud paths. I would stick with them as you haven't dealt with inclines before.”
“True enough. I don't want to wind up injured and stranded out here,” I said feeling slightly inadequate.
“Here, take this map and stick to the ones labeled as easier. You'll be fine. If you start to feel too tired head back, that's my suggestion. Don't stay out until you can't move,” he said with his friendly smile.
I was upset, and almost got angry at him, but I realized my anger was at my own lack of ability. I had been practicing for years on my bike, and even been out on a few trails over the years, but these last several months I had been stuck inside left with only my trainer to keep me fit.
I took the map from him and said, “Thank you.”
Glancing down at the map I decided to head to the nearest easy trail, which began only a small distance away. Taking a deep breath, and pulling down my helmet again, I made my way towards it.
“Good luck,” he called after me.
I just waved my han
d over my back, and then gripped my handlebars tightly as I nearly lost my balance. It had been far too long since I had ridden a bike outside.
“Maybe I should have just stuck with a trail I know,” I muttered.
“You could have, but did you not want to enjoy something different?” Athene said, sounding slightly worried.
I was already breathing heavier than I was used to. “I suppose. I am here now, so I'll just have to try to squeeze a little bit of fun out of this,” I said between intakes of breath.
I was finding even this slight sloping of the trail a bit more difficult than I imagined. I shifted my bike into a lower gear, and I was more comfortable. I usually kept it maxed out in the highest gear, and only at near the end of my day's efforts did I even consider reducing it. Today after already riding the bike inside Athene, I found my legs were a little stiff.
Once I got going onto the main path it evened out, and I was able to enjoy being surrounded by trees and mountains. I had never really been one for mountains, but the view that day was especially fantastic. I felt myself relaxing, and getting into the zone. The only thing missing was some music, but alas I had not thought to prepare any for the ride.
Then I had a thought. “Athene could you maybe give me some music? I find the silence a bit much right now,” I said.
“Of course Micheal, what would you like to listen to?” Athene said.
“How about 2112 from Rush. I just bought the vinyl, and am in the mood,” I said.
“Certainly, enjoy,” she said, and as soon as her voice disappeared the familiar throb and sweep of the intro came to life in my ear. I was mildly disappointed that it was not in stereo, but beggars cannot be choosers.
As I listened to the familiar tale set to music I zoned out for a bit, and found myself turned around. I stopped for a moment and took out the bottle attached to my bike Athene had thankfully filled with water, and took a mouthful. When I placed it back on its mounted rack, I pulled out the map I was given. It seems I was at a half way point. It had already been about a half an hour since I started, and I felt safe enough to start my return.
Picking my bike up, I set it back down facing the way I came. Doing a little run to keep the bike from falling over, I hopped back up, and pedaled away.
My legs were burning from all this exercise, and now and again on my way back I had to walk the bike. Instead of feeling frustrated I tried to concentrate on the scenery, and the good workout I was getting that day.
The clouds were low, and they swooped down among the mountain tops. They hid the peaks from view until the sun blasted them away, and yet the fog still rolled in around me. I had not expected this view later in the day like this, and I noticed droplets of water forming on the helmets clear portion as I peered out at the world. I was so taken by the view I removed my helmet to feel the cool breeze of that April afternoon. The sweat that had been building up on my brow chilled me further as the wind touched my face and hair. Had it been cooler I suspect I would have shot a burst of steam into the air when I removed my helmet.
I felt at peace and one with the world as the sun shone down on me, and as the embrace of the worlds breath encompassed me. I finally felt I was where I needed to be. I was out among the natural world, smelling the scent of earth and trees.
Glancing around at the beauty of this forest, with its pine trees that were ever green, and the new buds forming among the previously bare wood, I knew life would always find a way to survive. I was the instrument that would save life on this world from the control of the Outsiders.
“Michael, you have been in one spot for a few minutes. Is everything alright?” Athene suddenly asked as the music cut out.
“I'm alright Athene. I'm just thinking of things, and enjoying the vast openness that we can still enjoy here on Earth,” I said. Then I laughed a little, “Also I'm a tad bit tired, I may be some time in getting back, my legs feel like a fire is running through them any time I try to push the pedals with any force.”
“Would you like some help?” she asked.
“No thank you Athene, I don't need you to come get me or anything,” I said.
“To help you I do not need to come there. Just get on your bike and I will show you,” Athene said mysteriously.
I placed the helmet back over my head, and pulling it down it sealed itself once more with a hiss. Sighing I lifted myself back onto the back of the bike, and proceeded to push myself forward.
Suddenly my legs seem to have a life of their own, but I felt no strain.
“What's going on?” I asked surprised.
“Remember that suit is much like my body's surface. It can flow and change. I currently am making it move in the same manner you have been using while pedaling.
I laughed at this and said, “You have now made an interesting powered bicycle.”
“You may put it up to the highest gear, and we shall get you back very shortly,” she said.
“Now don't make this thing go too fast, I still have to steer,” I said while shifting it back up to the highest gear.
My legs began to move even faster, which without my control felt very peculiar. The road beneath me began to blur, and trees sped past with an increasingly fast tempo. I had never felt as exhilarated. I was doing very little work, save for directing my course, and was moving I suspect near 40 miles an hour on a gravel path. If anyone had seen me I think they would have taken me for some sort of Olympic athlete, or maybe just a mad person on a bike. While I was not exactly pedaling myself, I felt very powerful as my legs continued to push me forward. In a suit like this I think I could overpower anyone.
As I was thinking these thoughts the trees parted and I could see the large round shape that was Athene hovering in the near distance. She continued to grow in my sight as I kept traveling forward with this enhanced speed. It took me mere minutes to reach her side. If left to myself it certainly would have taken at least another forty-five minutes to return.
As I pulled up, the ships surface seemed to shimmer and melt to one side, and as it once more puddled towards the ground a ramp was extended. Steering my bike towards it I thought the ramp looked steeper from this angle. While I was not worried about getting myself up there as my legs were not under my control, I was still concerned with the speed at which I would rise.
I need not have worried, as soon as the bike tires were both on the ramp they were engulfed by the surface, and I was dragged upward into Athene. As the bike entered, the door irised closed behind me, and the bike began to sink into the floor beneath me.
“Whoa, what is going on?” I shouted as I was suddenly standing.
“I just thought I would save some time. I have already plotted the course to a city in which we had some of our people gather, and as luck would have it a gentleman is at home willing to sell an autographed copy of Stranger in a Strange Land,” Athene said pleased with herself.
“Well I hope there is enough time for a 'normal' shower. I'm tired and very much covered in sweat,” I said, walking myself towards the bathroom.
“There is still time. We are headed to the west coast now, California to be exact. As luck would have it there is a bookstore that has your desired object. Of course the price is rather heftier than the ones we could have ordered on-line, but if you are to get it before leaving, we will have to pick it up now,” Athene said.
As I was stripping away the suit, and the running clothes that I had worn underneath, I said, “Hefty you say. What price are we talking about?”
“Do not worry too much about it. I already made the payment directly to them. All you have to do is get there before they close today, and it is yours,” she said cheerfully.
“I'm not sure I like the mystery behind this price,” I said with some trepidation.
“You have surplus capital. What is the point of having money if you do not spend it?” she said.
“Fine. Now let's get me cleaned up so I can at least sit down for a minute,” I said, trying not to let the unknown bother me
.
As the powerful spray of water covered my naked form, I let the warmth spread through me until I could barely stand the heat. My muscles softened, and I felt the weariness drain away from me.
When I was finished I dressed in the black pants and white buttoned up shirt I had worn earlier to talk with Adam, and wandered into the library.
I thought of reading, but as I lay out on the couch I slipped into a restful sleep.
I must have been out for an hour or so, and felt refreshed when I woke from my nap. Athene had let me sleep, and for that I was grateful. Sleep is something that does not come easily, and thinking of leaving Earth for a prolonged period I did not think I would get much sleep that night.
“Michael I see that you are awake, we are nearly there. Would you like something to eat, as you have only had breakfast today,” Athene asked.
“Hmm, I think it would be best, though the butterflies tumble around inside me. You know this day will be one I shall remember always. Not only did I get to enjoy the outdoors, but I get to hold in my hand something that was once touched by Heinlein,” I said, beginning to feel exhilarated at the idea.
“You are, I believe, a bit of a fanatic for this man,” she said simply.
“I suppose I must be. I don't put many on pedestals, especially those I've never met, but he effected me in many ways. I would call him close to family, as his words help mold the way I live my life. His stories, and the more I learn about him, have help shape me into the person I am today,” I said.
“Very well captain. What would you care to dine on?” she asked.
“I think a steak with a potato, and let's not forget a salad,” I said.
I felt like splurging a little, and as I had clearly been working out most of the day, I felt I could take the calories. Then again when Athene feeds me she is calculating all of it to make sure I get the optimum nutrition. With a cook like her I could not see myself gaining weight even if I were to stop working out. I do not think she would let me, but some days it is nice to dream about a relaxing time without any work.
