They’ll eventually tell her, the bitter taste though, never left his mouth.
Reliving death was not something he particularly excelled at. In a matter of weeks, they’ve all gone through what had seemed a thousand lifetimes. That finish line couldn’t come into view sooner, so his gaze switched to Jasper. He and Lilou were now toying with an intersat at the courtesy of George, while still going over the bits and pieces with Alex over the earpiece.
Twenty minutes later, the hype seemed to have stilled, although they were all still pacing left right and center. Jasper though, looked fully immersed in strategy. Every once in a while he’d dare a peek at Zoey, and she’d instinctively turn her eyes to him as if she felt it.
“What are you looking at?” Caught with the hand in the cookie jar, she stuck her tongue at Rufus, sliding closer to him. They bumped shoulders and shared a knowing look.
“You got him all smitten.” He made a face and batted his ginger lashes at Zoey. “Cute… very cute.” She sighed, relieved Jasper hadn’t made it public. It was hard not looking at him when she still had him around, so she decided not to punish herself and at least take him all in when he wasn’t looking.
Relish now, lobotomy later, Zoey bit her lip and swallowed the swarming anxiety invading her chest. “I guess I have Mia to thank for this marshmellowy you, right?” She skillfully tried to change the subject.
Rufus let out a soft chuckle in return. “You got that right. God, I’m ready for all of this to be over with. When do you think we’ll have news?” Lilou and Jasper suddenly looked their way as if they’d caught a thread.
“To save you a good number of beard strokes, tomorrow.” Lilou confirmed. “We’re not wasting a second longer. Mezin’s got intel and evidence from others as well.”
“Chamber of Interplanetary Affairs, here we come.” Jasper’s smiled without a trace of humor. “We have a solid case.”
It made Zoey stiffen though. “And what’s going to happen to us? Rufus, Mia and I are still anomalies. They’ll see us as a threat.”
“Not if I get you immunity first.” Jasper’s hands darted for her shoulders, yet stopped midway.
“Doesn’t the Chamber respond to the Minister? To Richard?” Was Zoey’s next question. She bit her lip, switching her gaze to Lilou who was tapping away on an intersat.
Lilou swiftly lifted her head from the screen to meet her eyes. “The Chamber currently has one hundred and fifty seven Ministers. Richard can only go so far. George pulled some strings to call an emergency meeting tomorrow. He’s one of many talents.” Jasper’s dad certainly was. He’d fixed their comms, fed them and hid them from whoever wanted them six feet under.
Rufus pulled himself further on the window sill. “Is Richard going to be there? His men?”
“Everyone’s going to be there.” Jasper fixed Rufus with a confident stare. “Weapons are not allowed at the Chamber. Soldiers will guard the premises but they’re the only ones allowed to use weaponry around the building.” Jasper switched his gaze to Zoey for that quick second. “We’ll make sure we go through only after everyone else is seated. They’ll search all of us and we’ll be cuffed with the same bands you had on back on IG-47 to prevent any unwanted use of enhancements.”
Rufus interrupted “—But you know those don’t work on me.” An involuntary shrug took over his shoulders.
“Which is why you will be the only weapon we’ll need should it come to anything,” Lilou added on her walk toward Rufus. “No pressure though.” She winked too. As if he wasn’t feeling edgy enough. “Mia and the rest will be here tomorrow morning and we’ll portal there when Jasper’s dad confirms.”
Zoey folded her arms across the chest. Easy enough, she thought but felt far from it. Emma and Sam were probably going to serve as witnesses for Richard’s deviant behavior in Pamplona. Still, if there was another way, Zoey wanted them far from Opt. At this point in time, the universal truth was that they weren’t really safe anywhere. Her teeth instinctively grinded against each other. Stress did that to her since she was little. She’d tuned out of the room so much that Jasper’s voice was barely a hum she couldn’t focus on. Somewhere back in the darkest corner of her mind, she knew James would’ve wanted this too. He’d probably be three steps ahead of everyone else though, because that’s who he was—always ahead, with a panoramic multi-angle vision of everyone and everything else.
“Zoey?” Lilou’s grin brought her back into the present.
“So this is it, I guess.” She heard herself saying. “Lilou, aren’t you… afraid for your sister? I mean she’s a soldier who went AWOL, faked her own death and everything.”
Lilou shook her head, visibly amused. “She’ll probably end up as an intergalactic general after the stunt she’s pulled.” There was no doubt in her mind the innovative rebel in Mezin was to be rewarded for her efforts, risking it all to reveal she still fought for her own. “About time they bent some rules too.” This time, her wink was directed at Jasper.
“Don’t.” He shrugged in his attempt to laugh it off, praying Lilou’d pin it to his overall weirdness. He didn’t feel ready for the aftermath of Zoey’s change of heart.
Zoey’s hands curled around her elbows, somehow trying to back him up. “It’s too soon.” A relieved breath escaped as she saw Judy making her gracious way though the bedroom door.
“I know you guys have a busy day tomorrow, but George and I are starving and we were wondering if you’d like to join us.” Judy’s excitement over having brand new names never seemed to fade. She’d changed into a white dress shirt for the evening and it looked regal against her skin. It was only then when Zoey realized George must’ve skipped dinner altogether while fixing their comms.
“Sure.” She smiled back and nodded, hopping off the window sill. She should’ve asked more questions about optan protocol and the thought returned every single time she found herself in their presence. As did the questions involving how much the new Jetsons knew about Jasper’s mission.
“Let’s then!” Jasper followed his mom out as did everyone else, and before they knew it, George was already getting comfy at the dinner table. He met the incoming crew wide eyed and as serene as Judy.
“You must have quite the endurance on Earth if you’re not starving by now.” Watching Zoey and Rufus ever so carefully bending their knees, still unsure if the chairs would blossom from underneath, provided all the entertainment. He bit his lip and handed Judy a glass of sparkling something.
“I bet you weren’t expecting to have dinner with such primitive species, were you?” Rufus jokingly patted George’s back. “This must be like National Geographic for them.” He winked at Zoey while Jasper already took to explaining what National Geographic actually meant.
Judy giggled, leaning in from the other side of the table. “I’d say we have a lot to learn from each other. When Jasper was dispatched to Earth, he didn’t even know you’d look so much like us.” She threw him the quickest glance before returning to Zoey. “It was only when he portalled to Earth when Lilou took him through the ropes of what you do, who you are, how you function. I’ve heard fascinating stories. He brought me a picture book from your planet although it’s technically forbidden to sneak in such valuable things.” Zoey’s brows shot up in pure astonishment. Optans thought books were valuable. “We don’t have paper here.” Judy continued. “We used to have something similar very long ago.”
“What do you have now?” Zoey asked, all wide-eyed.
In response, Judy shot up and started rummaging through something which could only be described as a handbag of sorts. She produced a file similar to what the former Chancellor’s wife held back at her place, and handed it over to Zoey. The pale blue looking folder felt extremely light to touch. It definitely wasn’t paper nor plastic either, but it was bendy enough. Once open, three sheets of the same material popped out displaying changing symbols and pictures of optan officials. “It’s like a thin screen.” Zoey passed the evidence on to Rufus whose fingers br
ushed against the surface in a mix of wariness and awe.
“That’s Richard!” Rufus recognized his picture straight away. “That’s your Chancellor! What does it say? Who’s the guy next to him?”
Jasper sighed, peering over. “The Chancellor is aiding the new member of the I.P.A. with the transition, a victory for progress and development, blah, blah.”
“So this is like a newspaper?” Rufus eyed him.
“Bingo. An internal newspaper if you wish, highlighting the latest and greatest.” Jasper added. He switched his gaze to the food panel and made his selection.
“Judy, George, do you really know why we’re all here?” Zoey’s voice cracked. “Are you aware of what’s happening tomorrow?” She could feel Rufus’s stare burning on her. She heard him fidgeting in his seat and clearing his throat as a warning for her to possibly change the topic.
“They know.” Jasper’s tone was worryingly calm.
“This is what my son was meant to do.” Judy spoke with a chilling calm herself. “We stand by his decision, we stand by all of you. My partner and I didn’t want to create more discomfort than you might be feeling right now, but yes, we know.”
It was then when Jasper’s father looked at his mom with the softest smile and placed his hand atop hers on the table. “When Jasper’s enhancements started evolving as a kid, we had no clue as to how the percentages would develop. Ambassadors are a mix of righteousness, honor and strategy. It’s what we wanted for him.” The pride in his voice was undeniable. “Sure he’s young, but I know what he is, I trust his decision-making better than my own.”
It was Rufus this time who leaned in and locked eyes with George. “When you chose his gifts though, you knew they’d take him far away from you, didn’t you?”
“There weren’t enough ambassadors then as there aren’t now,” Judy spoke without a hint of hesitation. “We have a duty to our people, to our planet, and to our family, and we honor that because our actions will eventually determine a better future.” She looked at her son over her shoulder and gave him a knowing smile. “The easy thing, the selfish thing would’ve been to choose enhancements to guarantee we’d have him near and safe all our lives. Jasper came into this family, into this world to make a difference.”
An unwavering glee flickered in everyone’s eyes except for Jasper’s who was forcefully willing himself not to storm outside and scream all that rage out of his lungs. His mother had unknowingly bolstered up Zoey’s deranged idea that somehow, the world would be better off without the two of them together. He shifted in his seat, clenching at its sides, yet controlling his grasp.
When Zoey extended her arm across the table and dared to lay her hand over Judy’s, his jaw simply locked. “Thank you. Thank you for seeing beyond your comfort zone and caring enough to make the difference that you’re making in the world.”
Delusional. She was completely delusional and Jasper couldn’t take it a second longer. “Can you guys stop speaking about me as if I wasn’t here? It’s weird.” No one was used to seeing Jasper in a state of discomfort. Both Zoey and Judy shared a knowing look and grabbed the cutlery in an attempt to ease Jasper’s embarrassment.
“Dig in!” George went first and man, he was hungry. “For what it’s worth, I hope this won’t be our last supper together.” He casually added between bites. What he didn’t expect was the wave of laughter his innocent statement was met with. A casual comment, but one which carried a special meaning for the two human guests seated at the dinner table.
When Lilou had to explain what ‘the last supper’ really meant in Earthly terms, they all watched George sheepishly melting in his seat.
“Never thought I’d say this, but you are the first and coolest alien parents I’ve met.” Rufus wiped away a residue tear from so much belly laughing. “And by all means, I pray this won’t be our last supper; I have big plans after this is over.”
“Plans?” Lilou smirked, steepling her fingers impishly. “Do tell.”
“Well, she’s probably going to erase me from existence for making the announcement without her, but I asked Mia to marry me. And I’ll be damned if I wait a second longer once this blows over.” He didn’t even have time to catch his breath because Zoey was squeezing him in the mother of hugs.
“I’m guessing she said ‘yes’?” She whispered in his ear seeing his Cheshire grin. “Sam’s going to want in on the planning, be warned.”
“That’s a good reason to stay alive tomorrow.” Lilou gave him a soldier pat on the shoulder.
Jasper followed suit and pulled his beard. “You’re really doing this, huh?”
He turned to Jasper with a broad smile. “Don’t get too comfy, you’re best man. I’ll need help picking a ring and all.”
“I think George might be able to give you a hand with that actually.” Jasper elbowed him once again. “No, I mean it. We wear rings here too, only on our thumbs. Tell him, dad.”
“It’s a hobby.” George confirmed under Judy’s proud gaze. “I’m pretty handy. I fix things, make things, you name it.” It didn’t take long for Judy to jump from her seat. When she returned, she was holding an intricate box in her arms.
“Take your pick.” She winked, placing the box in front of Rufus. Once open, it was clear George was a man of many talents. A ring was a ring back home, on Earth and here on Opt. The colors though, as expected, were different. Some pieces looked like glass, some like metals of sorts and all lighter than anything Rufus had ever touched. Neither looked like your typical solitaire engagement ring and for Rufus that was a plus. Mia wasn’t your typical fiancée either.
“But isn’t this… illegal? Bringing this stuff to Earth?” He asked, reasonably baffled at the display. “If bringing a picture book over here is wrong, imagine this.”
“As best man, I think we can make an exception.” Zoey dared a peek at Jasper and her heart sunk in her stomach. How he lit up, the special bond he had with Rufus. There was nothing alien about that.
“Be my guest.” George leaned back, visibly satisfied at the awe surrounding his work. “I could engrave anything for you as long as you decide quickly. I have to catch up on some of the paperwork for tomorrow.”
Thankfully, it took under a minute for Rufus to make his choice. A simple, delicate band. It looked like some sort of green metal, however, when light fell on it, it glowed soft pink.
“Excellent choice.” George approved. “Jasper’s mother and I have similar ones. Now, you guys can head to your bedrooms and Rufus here and I can talk details. Scram.”
They all nodded like good little kids, and much to Jasper’s dismay, Rufus was left with no backup. Not that he needed any. Even Lilou’s mood had improved as she whistled on the way to her bedroom.
“See you guys early tomorrow.” She disappeared through her bedroom door and two steps later, so did Jasper and Zoey.
Coulomb's Law
“The magnitude of the electrostatic force of attraction or repulsion between two point charges is directly proportional to the product of the magnitudes of charges and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them.”
“We doing this or what?” Sam held a bucket of fresh strawberries against her chest, oblivious to the annoyance radiating off Alex. Showered, makeup on and braided ponytail so high even Arianna Grande would stop to take a selfie, Sam defied the early morning hours in style and a pink apron.
“It’s 5 frigging a.m. Sam.” Alex paused, studying her intently. Why did he even bother opening the door? “Do you even know what we’re up against in a few hours?” He brushed a hand over his face in an exasperated move. “I’ve had it with the ice cream making!” His voice cracked. “I humored you at first because I honestly didn’t want any hard feelings between us after… you know, but damn it, I’m not your emotional cushion, your testosterone replacement or whatever’s going through your head to make this okay.”
Her brow shot up mockingly. “Who farted, am I right?” She shoved the bucket in his arms. “F
ollow me!” Sam swung her ponytail aiming for decapitation, and marched for the kitchen.
“What do you mean ‘who farted’?! No one farted!” Still in his pajamas, Alex found himself baffled by his legs quickening the pace to fall in step with Sam. He couldn’t see her face, yet pictured that eye roll plenty. What he didn’t see though, was Sam biting her lip trying to suppress that chuckle at his lack of lingo. “Are you or are you not aware of what’s going on today?” He whispered lumbering close behind.
“The Chamber full of douchebags, Mezin bringing the evidence, yadda yadda.”
If whispers could kill Alex was about to let a murderous one fly. “And you think it’s time to make frigging ice cream?!”
She turned around just as she stepped into the kitchen, grabbed the bucket back and slammed the door shut. “I can’t sleep, okay? Is that what you want me to say?” Sam nearly choked as she spoke. “I’m worried neither of us will live past today and I haven’t said goodbye to my dad.” She crossed her arms casting him an eye-spear. “I might never even see him again!”
Alexandre had his stomach tied in a sailor knot. He swallowed hard, tilting his head slightly back. “I’m sorry, Sam.” Her eyes were already glazed and she was trying to fight that trembling lip. “You don’t want to worry Emma, do you?” Realization stung.
“Quite the observer you are.” She scowled and swung her nose looking anywhere but in his eyes. She was tense. Too tense.
“Come here.” He figured her out. For the first time since he’d set foot on this planet, the puzzle of how humans worked seemed to come together. She fought his awkward hug until she realized Alex wasn’t going to let go. This time, he knew exactly what to do. “You want Emma to feel hope seeing you’re miss Braveheart, but you’re not afraid to fall apart with me because you don’t really care what I think or how I see you.” He held her head against his chest and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. It was enough for her to start quivering. Sam didn’t like to be vulnerable. She was not that girl. Except now. “Very well. We’ll make ice cream. If you stop crying, that is.”
Found in Amber Page 26
