“Exactly. I see the inspector has been promoted, judging by the change in the uniform.”
“I’ve had this honor.”
“And tell me, have you been promoted thanks to a history of insinuations?”
She smiled, drawing from her repertoire of Ministerial courtesy.
“I don’t know what you are talking about. Insinuations have never been in my agenda, only facts.”
“You know what I mean!”
F17 raised an eyebrow.
“You wrote that I am CURRENTLY fit for the role of Commander.”
Julia nodded nonchalantly.
“Yes, I did.”
“Insinuating that as I grow older I may not be fit anymore!”
At this, Rossis was struck by a cold stare and an even colder smile.
“On the contrary, I was merely remarking you were not when the fire occurred.”
She turned on her heels and returned to Marcus and Cleo, leaving him frozen behind her.
They left the Palace late that evening. Emperor and Empress had not graced them with their presence, merely sending written notice of their regards to the court. After that, the nobles that had gathered had started taking their leave. Julia had remained at Marcus’ side, following his instructions on protocol.
“Will you escort me home, F17?”
She smiled at him.
“It will be an honor, Secretary.”
They first dropped off Cleo, then climbed the escalators, sleeping mechanical beasts in the silent and dark city.
“I am confused, Marcus.”
As always, Marcus remained silent, waiting for her to express what she wanted to say.
“The world is suddenly much bigger.”
“Seeing a Jovian has that effect, doesn’t it?”
“I… I realized I had never believed up to this moment the information regarding the Emperor’s intergalactic travels.”
“And yet they are true, I can assure you.”
Julia stopped, leaning against the wall of Marcus’s villa, struggling to find the right words.
“It’s like I have always lived fighting blindly to procrastinate the end…”
She paused, her face pinched by the effort of expressing a deep feeling.
“… and only now I realized it’s not only about procrastination, but choice. I guess I am here now because I chose to let go, but also to insult, Rossis…”
“Do you regret your choice?”
“No. But I never had a choice before that.”
She bowed her head.
“I’ve never been free and it’s something I don’t know how to handle.”
Marcus leaned against the wall next to her, delicately brushing her arm.
“I remember we have an open conversation on freedom of choice. Perhaps it’s time to talk about it.”
Julia lifted her eyes and Marcus continued.
“You’ve always been free. You always had an alternative. When you didn’t see it, it was simply because you had already decided what to do.”
He noticed her perplexed eyes.
“Look at you! You don’t allow others to write your destiny. Your instinct reacts to anything that is imposed on you, which is why you are such a fearsome fighter.”
“What do you mean? I never said no to what was asked of me.”
“Oh, but you never chose the easiest way! You reacted to Yrenes sacrificing you, surprising everyone. Despite the lack of earlier military training, you completed your way into the Advanced Corps. You were outstanding against the Terrorists. You didn’t fall in the trap of the inspection at OB26. You survived disease and are now a BioMec unit, something completely new and innovative even for the Empire…”
Julia shrugged.
“And then?”
Marcus shook his head, smiling.
“And so, you have a fire burning inside you and a will guiding you, don’t you think? Or do you think you are simply lucky?”
F17 blushed.
“I…”
“You’re not even 20, and have responsibilities and experiences that would make many people sick. I know. But always remember this is an advantage you have, however heavy to bear it may seem to you.”
He smiled at her.
“And remember you are not alone.”
Julia gingerly smiled back, her eyes apparently lost in the night, yet directed to the future.
Acknowledgements
I am extremely grateful to all my friends and family (I’m thinking of you, Auntie G. and Nonna) for their precious support as I was writing, and ultimately publishing, Julia Dream.
Special thanks go to my parents, Bianca, and Gabriele P. for being some of my very first readers. You too, Flavia.
Giovanna and Emil, I don’t think I have enough words to express how important your feedback, enthusiasm and help were to me.
Gabriele C., thank you for the amazing cover, as always.
And thank you Brad for constantly believing in me, while pushing me to publish this already.
Finally, thank you dear reader.
Ad maiora.
About the Author
Fabia Scali-Warner is a blogger and a writer. She has lived on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean, and holds a degree in Publishing and Journalism from the Third University of Rome.
Julia Dream is her first sci-fi novel.
For more info, please visit:
http://www.viralstorytelling.com
Julia Dream Page 16
