by Adam Steel
She was thinking about the other name on the list.
Corporal Kristoff Ranger.
She wondered if he was one of Mason Deckler’s up and coming prodigies.
It was a lifetime ago that she had first seen Mason Deckler. He had arrived at Arethusa a short time after her, to take control of the base. He rarely attended any social events; not that there were hardly any in the early days. She recalled that he seemed cold and distant and seemed to avoid getting involved with the women on the base. She had been too busy working in the medical tents to notice the changes that were taking place in the hierarchy of Arethusa.
The jolt of the monorail brought her thoughts back to Corporal Richards.
He was once her Mr Right. His face was as handsome in her vision as it was twenty years ago and his voice still as strong as when she had first stood before him as a frightened young woman at Arethusa.
“We need people here that are useful. In return we’ll give you a safe place to live and feed you and believe me you’re going to need that.”
He’d been true to his word and she thanked him for that. If it weren’t for him, she thought. It doesn’t bear thinking about. We would have been raped, or murdered or starved to death. Another time, another place, he might have lived, but not in those days – no chance.
She mentally slapped herself to stop the downward spiral into thinking about those awful days and returned to thinking about the intriguing name of the list.
Corporal Kristoff Ranger.
He had not been at Arethusa – at least not to her knowledge. Over the years the facility had swelled to gargantuan proportions and she only knew a handful of soldiers well enough to know their names. She imagined what he might look like: darkly handsome, disciplined, tall and muscular. He would be a confident man that could take care of a woman. She wanted a man like that – one who would understand and take care of her.
She found her mind playing tricks as her thoughts kept returning to Mr Right. The idea bounced backwards and forwards – Mr Right – Corporal Ranger – Mr Right – Corporal Ranger. An outsider would have seen her expression as someone who was deeply absorbed.
‘Is this seat taken?’ a soft and polite voice was asking.
Ellie’s thoughts broke off abruptly and she looked up at the handsome man standing in front of her.
He had risen from his seat across from her and silently approached after she had taken her seat. He had boarded the monorail in Sector One and had been watching Ellie with interest.
He was holding something she instantly recognised. The paper and seal were unmistakable.
She looked up the man’s body. She had been expecting to see the bulky build of a man in prime condition, right up to the short military haircut that would sit above his spotless red and black TALOS uniform. Doubtless, he would be smiling at her, ready to gather her up in his strong arms, his keen eyes looking her over and liking what they saw. However, the man was not wearing a TALOS uniform, nor a short military haircut, instead he sported shoulder length, wavy, jet black hair and he was oriental looking. She figured that he must be of Asian-European origin. He had fine and delicate features. Ellie’s expectations of the mythical ‘Corporal Ranger’ vanished faster than a magician’s rabbit. This man was better than she could have imagined. She was caught completely off guard by the pleasant surprise. A bolt of something cold shot through her core and headed straight down to the warmth of her groin.
She hesitated as though he had read all of her thoughts in the seconds before he had approached her. Her mind quickly fumbled for a response to the man’s polite request.
‘No,’ she said in a lighter than average voice. It had somehow jumped up an octave without her mental consent.
‘No…it’s empty. Please help yourself,’ she affirmed, and shuffled toward the window.
He swung his lithe body into the seat and accidentally dropped an electronic tablet on the floor as the monorail train jerked slightly, as it resumed the journey. The device clattered on the floor.
“Lecturon” was printed across the front.
They both went for the device at the same time and bumped heads.
‘Ouch,’ Ellie said rubbing her forehead.
He looked embarrassed. ‘I’m so sorry. Are you okay?’ he said, picking up the device and rubbing his own head.
Ellie felt the sudden urge to compensate for his awkwardness. She noticed that he was holding a candidate list just like hers.
‘Yes, I’m okay, it’s fine really,’ she replied, trying hard to break the awkward feeling between them.
He held out his hand and she noticed that his nails were immaculate. Around his wrist he wore a solid gold band, with a detailed and very beautiful engraving of a phoenix, which curled itself around the band.
‘Shall we start again?’ he said, holding out his hand and smiling.
Ellie blushed and rubbed her head again, ‘Good idea,’ she replied and took his open hand.
‘Jon Li…and you must be Dr Rushford?’ he said, gesturing at her identical copy of the tour documents.
His hand felt warm and soft and something else: that intangible thing that can’t be measured – the little spark that starts with a look, or a smile, or a gentle touch.
He had it.
She scolded herself. Idiot. You got it so wrong. No more mistakes!
‘Yes! I mean, Yes, I’m Dr Rushford. Please call me Ellie,’ she said, brandishing her most winning smile. ‘It looks like we are going to the same place,’ she added nodding at the list he was holding. She immediately cursed herself for stating the obvious.
‘Looks like it,’ the handsome man said, and smiled, dispelling her fears of saying the wrong thing effortlessly.
When he smiled his face did not just spell sex, it ran the entire alphabet for Ellie. Mentally she heard something click. Corporal ‘nobody’ couldn’t possibly compete with this man.
His warm brown eyes met hers and she felt the pace of her heart quicken.
She was love-struck.
Ellie shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Her eyes were down looking at the request letter. The raised red seal and smudge of blood from her finger had mingled together to form a pattern which looked like the wings of a butterfly. She was tracing the waxy seal with her thumb, as though reading Braille. She dared not look into his dark brown eyes, for fear of giving away her unexpected desire for him.
His jet black hair curled on the top of his shoulder line.
She liked it a lot.
She guessed his age to be around thirty years old, and she wondered when he had come to Coney City, for she knew that he could not have been born into ‘her’ world.
For a few minutes they both sat quietly, unsure of what to say next.
Ellie could feel the charged tension between them.
He settled into the seat beside her and she could feel the heat from his body through his perfectly fitting suit. He smelled beautifully clean in a way that only a well groomed man could smell. Her brain circuits went into overdrive and every nerve connection sizzled. Her mind and body blew a fuse, as her liberated hormones raced uncontrollably through her system like a million dandelion seeds in a strong breeze, Mr Right – Mr Right –Mr Right, they seemed to sing. Ellie didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. It was an overwhelming and frightening reaction which she was finding almost impossible to control. She vaguely remembered that feeling from a lifetime ago - with Corporal Richards. Had it been so long since she could feel anything like this towards another man? she asked herself, and a complete stranger at that. It seemed impossible.
Ellie was thankful that neither Victor Archer, nor Kristoff Ranger, had approached to join them. She figured that they must have both been in a different carriage of the monorail train. Ellie was glad. She had no interest in meeting them at the moment and wanted as much time with Jon Li as possible before any outsiders could interrupt and contaminate their budding relationship.
After a short time, their conversation started up aga
in; polite and awkward at first, but soon blossoming into light hearted banter as they continued to get to know each other. They discussed work and other pleasantries, and by the time the monorail was approaching their stop they had already began discussing their personal lives, amongst bouts of nervous chuckles.
Ellie had told Jon Li about Irene and her scheme and Jon Li’s expression had caused them both to burst into laughter. An executive with a sense of humour. Jesus, it was a miracle, she thought. Ellie felt liberated.
Jon Li could listen like no other man she had ever met, and it had left her feeling giddy. He seemed younger than his years; naive almost, but she could see plainly how intelligent he was. He was exacting, thoughtful and careful. In his presence she felt different. It took her a while to pin down exactly what it was. When she was with him she no longer felt lonely.
Jon Li was mesmerised.
Dr Rushford was enchanting.
He was never very good with women, they unnerved him. In truth, he was so consumed with his work at Fin-Sen, that he rarely got out to meet any. This was his first time outside of Sector One in months. It was refreshing.
As an executive, he worked closely with Masons’ Katcher and Royale. Women unnerved him, but Royale terrified him. She was predatory and Jon Li suspected she eyed him as prey. He suspected his ‘invitation’ to the F2-Genie Project Facility, had just as much to do with Royale’s scheming, as it did his admittedly, brilliant work.
He nodded politely as Dr Rushford – Ellie, asked him “if he was okay.”
He saw her through the eyes of a new love for the first time: a woman so lovely that she was beyond the words of any poet. There was no going back for him. He was hoping that she was feeling the same thing. He thought she was, but he found women hard to predict. Mentally he tried to construct how he could ask her out. It seemed impossible to find the right words. He focused back on her words, they were hypnotic. He found himself laughing. Amidst the laughter the initial hesitation was gone, like fog rolling down a steep valley to reveal the green and fertile land behind it.
In the time it took them to get to their destination Ellie had decided that he was Mr Right and he was also hers.
The monorail came to a silent stop at The Port of Utopiana.
Ellie could see the sea in the distance.
She had not been back to the area since the Day of Reckoning. She thought that she wouldn’t be affected by it, but she was wrong. Being near the port left her feeling anxious and brought back some of the horrifying memories. To her surprise, and amusement, Jon Li escorted her off the monorail and into the warm morning sunshine. His courtesy banished the bad memories, like smoke on the wind.
All around them at the station, the docks workers filed off the train, including a number of CURE Security guards. They jostled with each other, as they switched places with the docking station’s night shift staff that were beginning the journey home. As the crowds dispersed, two figures were left standing up the platform looking disorientated. Ellie realised they had found the rest of their party. When they were spotted, the pair approached with Victor Archer in the lead.
Ellie’s smile turned sickly when she saw him.
Professor Victor Archer was a small, dark haired man, of South American origin.
He grinned broadly at Ellie. His teeth were perfectly white and fitted with porcelain veneers. Ellie supposed that he could have been one of Brian’s regular clients, judging by the perfect job that had been done on his teeth. He seemed exactly as Bridget had described him, “sleazy.” His dark brown eyes peered back at her from behind rounded spectacles. She could see why Bridget associated him with the plague and she disliked him instantly.
He extended a hand to greet her. It glistened with sweat.
‘Dr Rushford. I’m Professor Archer. Victor Archer. How quaint for two ISIAH colleagues to be along on the same jaunt. Wouldn’t you agree?’ he said smugly.
Kristoff remained behind Professor Archer, contented with waiting for the moment.
Ellie looked distastefully at Victor’s outstretched hand. Dr Plague’s hand. Reluctantly, she went to shake it.
Jon Li cut in from the side to grasp the hand, stepping in neatly to rescue her from the uncomfortable situation.
‘Dr Archer. A pleasure. I’m Executive Li. Clearly ISIAH has many talented individuals, like yourself, and the dear Dr Rushford.’
Victor made a face, ‘Yes. Quite. I believe we should move now. Our transport is waiting,’ he said and gestured behind them.
Ellie thought she saw a spiteful look on Victors face.
The red shuttle bus was parked off to the side of the station: its engine running. A grim faced guard wearing a red uniform waited for them.
The aggrieved Victor, pushed past them and made for the bus, leaving Kristoff behind with Ellie and Jon Li.
Kristoff Ranger was quite the opposite of Ellie’s imagined Mr Right. He was an older man, in his fifties. He was thick set, rugged and looked like he had done ten rounds with a boxer and come off worse. He wore his hair in a crew cut style. His face was shiny and he was sweating heavily. His pale green eyes regarded her: around the edges they looked sore, and more than once, while he had been standing there, he had rubbed them. He wore a full Red and Black, TALOS uniform, but it was not crisp, like she had expected, rather it was uneven and creased.
Perhaps he had been running late, she thought. Unusual for a military man. They were usually very precise when it came to timing.
She noted the chunky, grey watch on his wrist, and dismissed the idea. Perhaps he’s just untidy?
Jon Li introduced them but Kristoff merely nodded and mopped his brow with a cloth, keeping any conversation to a minimum.
They all quickly followed the disappearing Victor towards the shuttle bus. The driver was sitting inside whilst the grim-faced guard, waited by the doors. He was TALOS, except, instead of wearing the standard black and red uniform, his was opposite. It was red, trimmed with black. A Genie badge was clearly visible on the breast pocket.
It read: F2-GENIE PROJECT. SECURITY.
He had an earpiece in one ear and a small microphone on an invisible wire hovered in front of his lips. Around his waist, and over one shoulder, was a thick leather strap, to which was attached a short gun. His matching red cap covered his eyes. He whispered something into his mouthpiece as Victor approached him. He halted Victor and waited until the small party had gathered. He addressed them all together and presented a small electronic clipboard which he operated with swift movements of his fingers.
‘Utopian numbers and Genie authorisation codes please,’ he stated in an authoritative voice.
The party dug in their document packs for the correct numbers they had been issued as part of their security documents and one by one the guard checked them off on the clipboard. As they presented their numbers, he scanned them across the clipboard, which responded with their photographic ID’s and reams of information beside it.
Victor went first. His Genie authorisation code was entered into the device and it confirmed back with the words: APPROVED. VALID FOR 24 HOURS.
The guard ushered Victor onto the bus and began checking Jon Li. As soon as Jon Li passed the guards security, he took a seat as far from Victor as he could get.
Ellie went next, with Kristoff bringing up the rear.
When the guard scanned Kristoff’s Utopian number he stared at the clipboard and back at the man in front of him. The photograph on screen shimmered. Kristoff looked older in person. Also, he hadn’t shaved. The guard compared the image with the man again.
Kristoff caught his look, ‘Problem private?’ he barked, and mopped his brow again.
The guard said nothing. He glanced at the photograph again, considering. He looked hesitant.
Kristoff became agitated, ‘Photo ID needs updating. Hell, life’s been tough on my face,’ he said, trying to sound humorous.
It was lost on the guard who looked unimpressed.
The guard tapped his finger on
the device.
‘Sir, would you mind putting your finger on the reader?’ he said, in a cold flat voice. His expression was hard and uncompromising.
Kristoff glared at him. ‘Why?’ he argued.
The guard didn’t flinch.
‘Procedure sir. Please put your finger on the reader,’ he repeated, this time more forcefully.
Kristoff shrugged, ‘Thought you did that down at the plant. Whatever. You’re starting to waste my time private,’ he said, and jammed his finger down on the clipboard waiting for the device to scan it.
A few seconds later a brief ‘beep’ announced ‘Kristoff Ranger’ as being the undisputed owner of the finger.
‘Satisfied son?’ Kristoff snorted in a way that said “I told you so.”
The guard wasn’t.
‘And your authorisation code?’ he ordered. His eyes now firmly locked on the angry Kristoff.
Kristoff thrust the paperwork at him.
On the bus, Ellie had taken the seat next to Jon Li, much to his delight and together they watched Kristoff with the guard.
‘What’s taking so long?’ Jon Li whispered, leaning in close to Ellie.
Ellie watched the two men with interest.
‘Maybe the guard is enjoying ordering a Corporal around for once. They get very particular about their ranks you know,’ she said, making light of the situation.
Jon Li nodded, even though he knew very little about military protocol. Kristoff was the first military man he had ever met.
Kristoff stepped onto the bus, followed by the guard. It was clear that the problem had been resolved. Ellie was sure that for the briefest second, she saw a flash of relief in Kristoff’s face. It was quickly replaced by his stern expression. He took a seat on his own, at the very back of the bus, checked his watch, and the journey got underway.
F2-Genie Project Facility: South Downs
They were only on the shuttle bus for a short time before they approached the area where Genie was located. At the brow of the hill, looking down over the stunning landscape of the South Downs, with its gentle, rolling hills and little copses, Ellie could see into the far distance. The enormity of the Genie facility was staggering. One road led up to the security gates. A huge wire fence circled the vast complex. In the centre was a massive black-domed structure, its tinted solar panels glinting in the sunshine. Several, smaller, glass covered domes clustered around it, like budding yeast cells. At the far end of the complex there were multiple long green hangers and a large loading area. A collection of tall, silver towers, with pipes pointed skywards, platforms and metal stairways spiralled around them like twisted, metal snakes. The domes hugged the ground like a silent, glass, sleeping creature that blended into the velvet, sculpted lawns.
