by Vicky Savage
“Okay, Blackthorn, you win. I guess we can try. To be friends, I mean.”
The joy in his grin sends a little thrill through me.
“Then will you have dinner with me?”
“Umm, no. Not dinner. Dinner’s too much. We need to start slower. I haven’t gone out since…”
He sits back and holds up both hands. “No problem. We’ll do this any way that makes you comfortable. You tell me the next step.”
I drum my fingers against my coffee cup. “I’ll be on exploration for five days. How about I call you when I get back, and we’ll set something up? Maybe you can show me your studio, or we can go werewolf hunting at Virtual World or something.”
He laughs. “Sounds good. I’ll expect to hear from you on the weekend, then?”
“Right.” I stand and slip on my sweater.
“May I walk you home?” He helps me with my bags.
“No. I need some time to wrap my head around this. Thanks for the coffee, though.”
He extends his hand to me. The gesture strikes me as ironic, but I set down my bags and slide my hand into his. The connection is immediate and electric. He startles at the energetic charge, but I expected it.
“Talk to you soon.” I tuck the hat box under my arm and hurry through the door, feeling his eyes on me as I go.
Outside my feet barely touch the sidewalk. My previously agreeable mood soars to astronomical heights, and it hits me like a bolt of lightning—within the span of thirty minutes, my entire world has changed. Things that mattered so much this morning—my upcoming exploration, the pending IGC Court decision, working to control the strange power in my hands—have shrunk to near insignificance in comparison with the fact that I have a date with Ryder Blackthorn.
FIFTY-THREE
After dinner, I take Callie and her things to Ralston’s apartment. I make a big deal of presenting him with his new hat as a token of my gratitude. He tries it on and preens in front of the mirror above his mantle.
“It looks good on you,” I say. “The hat shop was very nice, and I ran into Ryder Blackthorn there. We had coffee together this afternoon.”
His expression in the mirror registers astonishment. He turns away from his reflection and back to me. “Oh my, that must have been quite an experience. You seem in good spirits, though. It must have gone well?”
“Yes. I enjoyed myself. He’s intelligent and interesting, and surprisingly laid-back. Very different from the Ryder I knew in Domerica.”
“I imagine he must be. The environments they grew up in are strikingly dissimilar. Not having experienced the stresses and strains of losing both parents and assuming the role as tribal chief, I suspect our local Ryder is probably a more carefree soul.”
“Yes, and creative, and kind, and funny too. He owns a small film production company. Hey, wait. How did you know his parents are alive here?”
“I looked him up online after you bumped into him at Mrs. Beckett’s. Didn’t you?”
“Uh, no. I think I was still in denial back then.”
“Well, he sounds like a rather intriguing chap. Do you two plan to see each other again?”
“Yes.” I conceal a sheepish smile with the back of my hand. “I promised I’d call him when I’m back from exploration. We plan to get together then.”
His eyebrows shoot up. “I see. So does this mean you no longer have reservations about the whole mirror situation or the perpetual contract? Did he expect you to be more like his late wife?”
“I really don’t think so. In fact I had a little epiphany at the coffee shop. I realized I was the one who was hung up on him being my Ryder’s doppelganger. He seems cool with the fact that I’m so different. He pointed out to me that we could spend the rest of our lives trying to avoid each other or we could make an effort to be friends.”
“Wise words, my dear. But I would be cautious until you know him better. I do not want to see you hurt again.”
“I know Rals. I’m not going into this with any illusions. But he did force me to consider another possible perspective on the whole mirror thing.”
Ralston takes off the hat and tucks it back into its box. “What perspective is that?”
“What if he’s not my Ryder’s mirror? What if he and I were supposed to be together all along and Ryder was his mirror?”
He smiles. “How cheeky. I like him already.”
“Could he be right about that, Rals? I mean, that he’s the one I was always supposed to be with?”
He lifts one eyebrow. “If you recall, I’m out of that business now, old girl. I’m afraid you’re on your own with this one.”
“Okay, that’s fair, but can I ask you a personal question, Rals?”
“Of course, you may ask.”
“Are you dating anyone?”
He blinks like the question didn’t compute. “How do you mean that?”
“Well I heard that some humans here date automatons. I know you have a great capacity for love, but we’ve never talked about your love life.”
Clearly uncomfortable with the question, he makes a production of refolding the tissue paper neatly around his new hat. “Actually, Gil and I have something of an understanding in that area, and that is all I’m willing to say on the subject.”
“That’s okay.” Because that’s all I’m willing to hear on the subject. “I just want you to have someone to love.”
“I wish the same for you, my dear. Now come here and allow me to bestow a proper thank you hug upon you. I’m thrilled with my new hat. We must go to the yacht races next month. It’ll be the perfect venue for showing it off.”
“It’s a date,” I say. “Take good care of my girl. Love you guys.” I kiss Callie on the nose and head back to my apartment to finish packing.
* * *
Five days on Earth J999, which we not so affectionately nicknamed The Monkey House, was about four and a half days too long. I land back at the Chateau, weary, filthy, and covered with flea bites. Even after spending a good thirty minutes under the shower lathering up with scented gel and washing my hair twice, I don’t feel entirely clean. When Ralston brings Callie home, after her initial excitement to see me, she sniffs me up and down, as if the monkey smell still clings to my skin.
“How was the exploration, old girl?” Ralston asks.
“Hot, bug infested, and hostile. The apes we worked with were mean, but the humans were downright malicious. Our camp was attacked twice by the natives. We used flares to scare them off. But I would have been in fear for our lives if we hadn’t brought firearms with us.”
“Goodness. Were you able to collect any useful information at all?”
“Oh, yeah. We collected a number of blood samples and brain scans by bribing our human subjects with chocolate and other food and by using tranquilizers on the animals. We also got a ton of photos and video. I think the Institute of Science will be happy.”
“Well, Callie was a perfect angel,” Ralston says. “Gil and I will miss her company.”
“Tell Gil thanks. You know I appreciate all you do, Rals.”
Back in my apartment, Callie and I crawl up on my bed, while I check my email and think about getting organized for the upcoming week. I consider calling Ryder Blackthorn to set up our date, but decide to wait until tomorrow so as not to appear overly anxious. Though, I admit, the thought of coming home and seeing him again kept my spirits buoyed through some of the worst experiences in The Monkey House.
I never appreciated how comfortable my bed is until I spent several nights in a sleeping bag inside a crowded tent on a hostile earth. I awake on Saturday morning refreshed and thankful for my cushy surroundings.
After I’ve showered again and dressed, I allow myself to telephone Ryder. He seems happy to hear from me, and when I suggest we get together tomorrow, he asks if I am free to spend the day with him today. He proposes that we meet at the same coffee shop as before, and make plans from there.
When I arrive, Ryder’s already sitting at the sa
me sunlit table near the window. He stands when he sees me and holds out my chair. His grin is endearing, and he looks carelessly cute in jeans and a gray linen shirt.
“I got you an iced caramel latte,” he says when I sit down in front of a tall frosty drink. “I hope that’s okay.”
For a fleeting second, I wonder if this was his wife’s favorite flavor, but then I realize he’s drinking the same thing, so I choose to believe it’s his favorite instead.“Sounds perfect.”
“I didn’t know if you’d call me this weekend,” he says. “I planned to stop by the Chateau if you didn’t.”
I smile at his seeming insecurity. “I told you I would. I usually do what I say I will.”
“Now I know. How was your exploration?”
“Awful.” I take a taste of my latte. “Mmm, that’s delicious. Anyway, it was a primitive earth where the insects outnumber the mammals by ten million to one, the temperature hovers around ninety-five even at night, and it rains every day. We slept on the floor of a tent, and had no place to bathe—but those were just the good parts.”
He laughs. “What were the bad parts?”
“The locals, both man and beast, were openly hostile to us. We were trying to understand why the simian population way outnumbers the human population on this particular earth.”
“Amazing. Did you get your answer?”
“Our scientist, Dr. McDonald, says it appears to be a case of stunted human evolution. For some reason the people still look and behave like cavemen. They don’t even have much language. We won’t know why until all the data we collected is analyzed by the Institute of Science. But if they lack enough data to draw any conclusions, they may ask us to go back.”
“I assume you won’t be volunteering for that mission?”
Before I can answer, the polycom goes off in my pocket. “Sorry. I wasn’t expecting a call,” I say, pulling it out. “It’s Narowyn. I’d better take it.”
“No problem. Go ahead.”
I punch the answer button. “Narowyn?”
“Jaden, I apologize for disturbing you.” Her voice sounds strained. “Ted just telephoned. The IGC Court filed its decision moments ago. He and Corinne are on their way here. Can you come to my office right away?”
My stomach twists into knots. “I’m about ten minutes from the Chateau. Do you want me to shift?”
“That’s not necessary. It will be a while before the lawyers arrive.”
I sign off and quickly get to my feet. “I’m so sorry, but I need to go. We have a decision from the IGC Court.”
Ryder reaches for my hand. “Are you worried?”
“Yes. Wouldn’t you be?”
“I’d like to go with you, if that’s all right.”
The request throws me for a second, but then I realize I’d like him to be there—whether good news, or bad. “Yes you can come as long as you’re prepared to see me cry, if they ruled against us.”
When Ryder and I arrive at Narowyn’s office door, surprise is apparent in her eyes.
“Narowyn, this is Ryder Blackthorn,” I say. “We were spending the day together when you called. He sat through the hearing with Eleanor Beckett. I told him it would be all right if he came along to hear the court’s decision.”
She smiles graciously and shakes Ryder’s hand. “Of course. Nice to meet you Mr. Blackthorn. Please come in.”
I spot Ted and Corinne already seated at the conference table with copies of the court order in front of them.
“Is it good news or bad news?” I say to Ted.
He grins. “Good news.”
“What about Ralston? Did they order him sent back to IUGA?”
“No, no. Ralston’s safe. Please sit down. We’ll go over everything with you.”
Narowyn wraps an arm around my shoulder. “It’s really quite wonderful news, dear. The court went beyond what we had asked for.”
Ryder and I take seats at the table. I flip through the pages of the court order, while Ryder introduces himself to Ted and Corinne. It might as well be in Russian. My brain doesn’t process the words, only that everyone seems happy, and I don’t need to smuggle Ralston off of this earth.
“Let’s go over our claims first,” Ted says. “The court found in our favor on every point.”
“That’s great,” I say. “But exactly what does it mean?”
“After reviewing all the testimony and briefs, the court found that IUGA had grossly violated its power and authority by helping the Noirs plan and carry out the attack on Warrington Palace. In addition, it found that IUGA took this action not to further the unfolding of destiny, as they claim, but to get rid of you because they see you as a threat.”
“That’s awesome, so did they make the Temporary Restraining Order permanent?” I ask.
“Yes,” Corinne says, “and they extended it to include all members of the Transcender Society, not just you.”
“But they went much further than that,” Ted says. “They ordered IUGA to cease operating in the country of Arumel permanently. The justices gave it six months to wind up its business. They warned IUGA that another major violation such as this could result in the court permanently revoking the agency’s charter to operate on this earth at all.”
“Wow, that’s pretty severe.”
“It is, and IUGA also must leave Earth H87D where Domerica is located.”
“What? Are you serious?”
“The court said that since this was IUGA’s second major violation on that earth—the first one being the unauthorized erection of the domes—IUGA is no longer allowed to operate there. Period.”
I clamp my hands over my mouth to muffle a laugh. Ryder smiles like he doesn’t really get it, but he’s happy that I’m happy.
“You haven’t even heard the best part, yet,” Corinne says.
“What could be better?” I ask.
Ted speaks up. “The court found that IUGA’s actions in Domerica were so egregious, that it ordered them to pay punitive damages—fifteen million CD to you for the loss of your husband, and twenty million CD in reparations to Domerica to rebuild Warrington Palace and compensate for the loss of life there. The money will be distributed to the Domericans through various channels friendly to the Confederation.”
I’m happy the victims will be compensated, but I’m stunned and a little embarrassed by the unfathomable sum of money IUGA’s been ordered to pay me. “I didn’t ask for that,” I say. “Do I have to take it? What would I do with all that money?”
“Give it to charity. Use it for something good. The Court felt it was fair,” Ted says.
Thoughts of the San Francisco tsunami victims float through my mind, and I wonder if Narowyn would object to me setting up a foundation to help fund work in some of the places where we conduct explorations.
“There’s something else, Jaden,” Ted says. “Let me read a paragraph to you. You’ll find it halfway down on page three.”
I turn to the appropriate page and follow along as he reads:
This Court is particularly troubled by the testimony indicating that IUGA may have employed automatons to fight and kill humans. If true, this flagrantly illegal use of automatons would constitute grounds for the revocation of IUGA’s license to employ automatons anywhere in the galaxy. This court feels additional investigation is warranted, and hereby orders that a special investigatory commission be immediately convened by the Inter-Galactic Confederation for the specific purpose of determining if IUGA has employed automatons in such a way.
“So they may not be allowed to use automatons at all? Ever?” I ask.
“That’s a possibility,” Ted says, “if the investigatory commission uncovers additional evidence.”
I shake my head. “This is all so unbelievable. Where’s the part about Ralston?”
“It’s on the last page,” Ted says. “Unsurprisingly, the court found in your favor on the contract issue. It also found that you did not alter Ralston’s program or use information he gave you to thwart the o
rderly unfolding of destiny. Oh, and here it is right here.” He points to the last paragraph.
In light of the facts and circumstances of this case and the heroic actions of the automaton, Constantine Albrecht Ralston, IUGA ID Number D7829, in defying IUGA’s instructions, in order to save human lives, this Court cannot find any justification at law or in equity for returning the automaton, its mass storage data, or its memory module to IUGA.
