“Yes, Jasper Adams?”
“Tomorrow I only need twenty minutes to get ready, okay?”
“That will require an override.”
The Force even controls when I sleep? Great.
I drag myself to the bathroom. After a hot shower, I dig through the trunk Jayne had delivered for me. It’s filled with a full set of Earth Force uniforms—dress, dailies, shoes, even a new Earth Force coat. There’s also a brand-new blast pack. I can’t wait to use that!
I hold up the dress uniform. It looks huge, at least a size bigger than the one I used last tour. I head back to the bathroom and stand in front of the mirror. Am I really that much taller? I turn my head from side to side. My skin’s not the greatest these days. There’s a kind of nasty pimple on my nose. Other than that, I look exactly how I’ve always looked. Except maybe my jaw’s a bit pointier. And maybe my shoulders are a bit wider. I drag my fingers through my messy, wet hair.
After I get dressed, I pour a glass of juice from my fridge and sit down at the small kitchen table. It’s only 0615.
“Hey, Florine!”
“How may I be of service, Officer Adams?”
Florine Statton asking what she can do for me? I could definitely get used to this room computer. “Make that fifteen minutes.”
“Noted, Officer Adams.”
“So can I get that override?”
“You will need to clear that with your superiors.”
Terrific. I’ll have to ask Jayne if I can sleep in. It seems like I shouldn’t have to ask permission for that. “Fine. Turn off . . . or . . . whatever it is you do when I’m not here. I’m going to find some breakfast.”
“Understood. Have a great day, Officer Adams.”
“Thanks. You, too.” Geez. Now I’m talking to a computer. And not just any computer, a Florine Statton computer. I’m worse than Cole.
I pound the rest of my juice, grab my new blast pack, and am halfway out the door before I stop. Earth Force is so focused on catching the mole that I wouldn’t put it past them to search rooms. I shouldn’t leave my gloves here. I head back to my bedroom and extract the gloves from their soft pouch. I stuff them in a side pocket of my blast pack.
Wait . . . what if they search my blast pack? I take the gloves out of the pack and lay them on my bed. If there’s anything to take from Gedney’s visit, it’s that these gloves might prove to be very important. Where should I put them to make sure they stay safe? I pull up my pant legs and slip one glove into each sock. It’s not the most comfortable solution, but at least they’re safe.
I open my door and nearly collide with Bai Liu, who’s sprinting down the hall in shorts and a tank top. Her muscles are enormous. I better stay on Bai’s good side.
“Morning,” she says when we reach the elevator bank. “Figured I’d head out for a run before breakfast to see how much the place has changed.”
“This is where you’re from?” I ask.
The elevator dings, and the doors peel back.
She nods as we walk on. “It’s surreal. I feel like I’ve been gone six months, but in reality, I haven’t set foot here in fifteen years.”
That must be strange. I feel pretty weird about missing a whole year. The lost aeronauts have been gone longer than I’ve been alive. “Do you have family coming to the visiting hour before the rally tonight?”
Bai’s shoulders droop, and she stares at her shoes. “Sort of. My mother died when I was young, and apparently my father died while I was in the rift. My wife remarried. She’s coming, but I don’t know if I’d call her family anymore.”
I watch the numbers count down on the elevator panel. “I’m sorry.”
We ride the rest of the way in silence. There’s not much to say. I’ve been so focused on myself, I never fully realized how bittersweet this homecoming must be for the lost aeronauts. Life went on without them. Even for the ones whose welcome homes are better than Bai’s, there’s no getting around the fact that they’ve missed a huge chunk of life.
Bai gets off at the ground floor, and I continue on to the basement where the dining hall is located. I’m starving, and for once I feel pretty confident about what I might find to eat. After all, we’re on Earth.
The dining hall is basically deserted. I head to the kitchen line and take a peek. There are noodles, tofu pudding, and three different kinds of steamed buns. I’m guessing those are traditional Eurasian foods. There’s also a large vat of rice porridge with toppings like dried fruits, nuts, and honey. A huge pan of fluffed tofu sits under a heat lamp (no surprise there—Earth Force loves its fluffed tofu, the galaxy’s most efficient food source). Next to the tofu, something delicious catches my eye: pancakes. I toss a steamed bun on my plate and then heap on a stack of pancakes with butter and maple syrup.
I find a table in the corner and dig in. Shivers run through my body when the sugary syrup hits my taste buds. You’d think I hadn’t eaten in a year, which is kind of true. Even the greatest food will never taste quite as good as it used to, though, not after Alkalinia.
I get the feeling that someone is staring at me. I take a break from the pancakes and look around. Sure enough, an EFAN cameraman is headed my way, his lens already locked on my face. He stops on the other side of the table and adjusts his zoom lens.
“You really expect me to eat while you’re filming?”
No response.
“Did you film me asking that?” Ugh. This is going to ruin a perfectly good breakfast.
“Get lost!” Jayne’s bright voice calls behind me. When the cameraman doesn’t react, she shoves her press badge in his face until he lowers the camera and heads to the food line where others are starting to line up for breakfast.
“Thanks,” I say, covering my mouth filled with the giant bite I took while she was getting rid of the cameraman.
“Sure.” She sets her tablet down on the table. “Aren’t you an early riser!”
Something’s different with her hair. She’s tied it on the side. And she’s painted her eyelids so that her eyes look even more purple. They must loosen up the Earth Force dress code for press events. She looks pretty, not that I care or anything.
“Actually, I’m not an early riser at all,” I tell her. “My room computer woke me up. By the way, do they all sound like Florine Statton?”
She laughs. “Apparently, yes. Earth Force upgraded their system a few weeks ago.”
“Upgrade? I’m afraid of what the computers must have sounded like before. I asked for a snooze tomorrow, but Florine said I had to get authorization.”
Jayne taps on her tablet. “I’ll make sure to green-light your snooze since it’s clear you can get ready on the fast track.”
“What’s on the agenda today?”
She tips her head up. “Rehearsal, styling, and then the big rally tonight! Plus a bit of interrogation thrown in for good measure.”
“Interrogation?”
“There was another intelligence leak last night. The webs are rattling with news that Earth Force has been holding back information about the aeronauts’ rescue.”
“You mean they know about the lost time?”
“Only rumors. You don’t need to worry. They know you’re not the mole. You were stuck in the rift during most of the leaks.”
The smell of roses nearly makes me choke on my pancakes. “Good morning, sunshine!” Lucy plants a kiss on my cheek. “You’re just the guy I’m looking for.” She slides into the seat across from me. “Are those script changes uploaded?” she asks Jayne in a much less friendly tone.
Jayne and Lucy talk briefly about the script, and then Jayne hurries out of the dining hall, leaving me and Lucy alone at the table.
“You were looking for me?” I remind Lucy. I’m ready for seconds on pancakes, but Lucy will consider it a major snub if I leave before she says what she came to say.
“Oh yes!” She leans close. I hold my breath. I don’t know what’s with the overdose of perfume, but she has to be taking tips from Florine (
the real Florine, not the computerized version). “I saw you talking to Denver on the flight yesterday. Did he say anything about me?”
What is this about? Lucy always has an agenda with these types of questions. I think back to the ride and my conversation with Denver. “Actually, yes.”
She bites her lip. “Oh my God, what was it?”
Hmmm . . . Denver and I were talking about how Lucy never shuts up. “I kind of forget.”
She grabs my hand. “Think, Jasper. What did he say?”
“Not much, really. He asked me if I knew you, and I told him we used to be pod mates.”
“He asked about me?” When I nod, she leans even closer. “Okay, Jasper, this is not your forte, but I need some advice. I know in some ways Denver is a lot older than me. But in other ways, he’s not that much older. In fact, he was younger than Sheek is now when he went missing. So even though there’s a bit of an age difference, it’s not terrible, do you think?”
I have no idea what she’s asking. “Do I think what?”
“Me and Denver?”
“You and Denver, what?”
She slaps my arm. “Me and Denver together. You know, as a couple. What do you think?”
I burst out laughing. “You’re joking, right?”
Lucy glares at me. I guess she wasn’t joking.
“Sorry,” I stammer. “I must be one of those people who looks at his age the other way. He’s a lot older than you, Lucy.”
Lucy stands and puts her hands on her hips. “I disagree. Remember, Jasper, I have a lot more life experience than you. While you were in the rift, I was moving up the ranks of Earth Force. We stand on opposite ends of a vast maturity gap.” She turns and walks across the dining hall to where the EFAN crew is filming.
I’m pretty sure Lucy just insulted me, but I don’t care. I like the view from this side of the maturity gap. At least I’m free to get some more pancakes. I’m going to need them. This is lining up to be a very long day.
12
“PLACES!” LUCY SHOUTS. “PLACES, PLEASE!”
We’ve already run through the script for today’s rally three times. I’m practically asleep on my feet. I got up too early thanks to Computer Florine, and the sugar crash from this morning’s maple syrup definitely isn’t helping.
“Haven’t we been through this enough?” Denver asks, walking to the other side of the Earth Force conference room where we’ve been practicing. “And where’s Max?”
Sheek, Lucy, Denver, and I are the only ones who have speaking roles at the rally. Since Sheek is a no-show (something Lucy won’t shut up about), Jayne is reading his lines.
“I guess he’s okay with looking like an idiot in front of millions,” Lucy replies, “but I’m not. As I always say, practice makes perfect. In fact, when I was one of the leads in the Pacific Players performance of Dear Evan Hansen . . .” I tune Lucy out. I’ve found I can use her excessive talking time to catch a short snooze.
When I open my eyes, Lucy has Denver by the hand and is walking him back to the group. “What do you say, Den? You want to be at your best tonight, don’t you?”
Den? I’m convinced Lucy has extended this rehearsal just so she can spend more time with Denver.
Jayne rolls her eyes. She must have reached the same conclusion.
“One more time,” Denver says. “That’s it. And no more talking. Stick to the script.”
Somehow Lucy turns one more time into five more times. Our rehearsal runs so late we have no break before lunch and then the mandatory Earth Force security training.
I try to hide in the back during training, but I’m not so lucky. After the introduction, we’re divided into small groups, and the lost aeronauts and I are sent to a breakaway room.
The young officer assigned to us is clearly overwhelmed.
“Is this really necessary?” Bai asks for the second time. Her bad mood hangs in the air like a dark cloud. She must be nervous about the visitation hour immediately after the training.
“Just give us the basics,” Denver says to the officer. “All of us went through the security training protocol back at the space station, except maybe the kid, not to mention all of us were thoroughly trained fifteen years ago, when we joined the Force.”
I pretend not to understand that the kid means me. The last thing I need is a one-on-one training session.
“The security protocol has changed,” the officer says. “First, it’s important that you review the updated, official Earth Force rules and positions that have been uploaded to your tablets. For example, you are not allowed to talk to your friends and family about the rift, including any mention of the time differential. Stick to the official narrative at all times.”
“What am I supposed to say when my ex-wife asks why I haven’t aged a day in fifteen years?” Bai asks.
The officer ignores Bai’s totally legitimate question and continues reading from his notes. “Second, Earth Force wants to remind you of your confidentiality obligations. When you took your oath, you agreed to follow orders, and that includes complying with all rules pertaining to your security clearance.”
“We all know there’s a mole,” Denver says, “and we all know it’s not us. We’ve been lost in the rift for fifteen years, remember?” He nods at me. “Even the kid’s been gone for a year.”
I sink deeper into my chair, trying to disappear.
“Third,” the security officer continues, “it’s imperative that you follow all security precautions in place for the rallies. We are on high alert for a potential incident. Consider this an official warning.”
“What kind of incident?” Bai asks.
“We have reason to believe there could be an attack by domestic terrorists.”
I sit up. “You mean the Resistance?”
All eyes in the room turn in my direction. So much for disappearing.
How do I explain why I know about the Resistance without spotlighting myself for the security team? “Umm . . . I overheard one of the officers at the space station mention the Resistance. I thought maybe that’s what you were talking about.”
“That subject is above your clearance level,” the officer says. He makes a note on his tablet, probably flagging me for future interrogations.
I don’t care too much, because I’m thinking about the Resistance and what his warning might mean. I’m sure I’m the only one here who’s excited about the possibility of domestic terrorism. It might help me find out exactly what’s going on with my sister.
• • •
The hovers drop us off at a large, heavily guarded tower that looks exactly like every other large tower we’ve passed on our way here. On the outside.
When we walk in, my eyes go wide. It’s like walking into Lucy’s office times a billion. Everything is either gold or pink and totally over the top. The reception area has five enormous, glittering chandeliers hanging from the ceilings. The floor is covered in a pink plush rug with a twirly gold pattern. Right in the middle of the room is a circular gold desk with a pink robot receptionist.
As soon as we walk in, the robot greets us. Guess whose voice it is? That’s right. Florine Statton. Not only is Florine my room computer, she’s the pink robot. She must be really desperate for work.
“Greetings and welcome to the Style Gallery. Your design is our desire. How may I assist you?”
Jayne registers our arrival and seconds later we’re escorted down the hall to a large room that’s just as pink as the first. The ceiling is domed, and the walls are rimmed with pink plush sofas complete with pink pillows with gold tassels. I take a seat next to Denver on the closest sofa to the door, unrealistically hoping I can make a fast getaway.
Lucy is buzzing around, talking a mile a minute, giving a tour of the dome room for the EFAN cameras. She’s as excited as I’ve ever seen her. It’s like the Style Gallery was made for Lucy.
“Yoo-hoo!” Lucy calls from the center of the room. She holds her arms to the side and twirls. “Isn’t this place fant
astic? You are in for a real treat! We have something super special planned for all of you! The Style Gallery helped me find my signature style when I became the fresh face of Earth Force. And today my stylist friends will help you find yours! As they say, your design is their desire!”
I’m pretty sure my dread levels reach record heights. Signature style? No thanks.
The next thing I know, the stylists walk in. They’re all wearing pale pink pants and tight shirts striped in pink and gold. Lucy greets each of them with a triple air kiss.
“Is this for real?” Denver whispers beside me during the kissing. “Or is EFAN filming this for a candid camera show?”
“I wish. Knowing Lucy, this is as real as it gets.”
Lucy squeals with delight and claps her hands. “I’m just so excited! Each of you have been assigned to one of these fantabulous stylists, who has already developed your signature glam plan! So when they call your name, come on up!”
This is a nightmare. As in, I’m pretty much convinced I’m asleep right now. My sleeping brain has mashed up pod selection from my first tour of duty with my recent visit to Lucy’s pink office. That’s the only explanation for the horror that’s unfolding in front of me.
I pinch my forearm. It hurts. And I don’t wake up.
One of the stylists steps forward. She has jet-black hair cut short to her scalp. “Bai Liu?”
Bai tentatively stands. Lucy introduces the pair, and they head off through one of the side doors. Two more aeronauts are called and exit with their stylists.
The next stylist to step forward is actually not one but two. They’re virtually indistinguishable from each other. They’re both tall and thin with warm brown skin and gold spiky hair that matches the tassels on the pillows.
“We have . . . ,” the one on the left starts.
“. . . the poster boy himself . . . ,” the one on the right continues.
“. . . Jasper Adams!” the one on the left finishes.
Great. Double trouble.
Denver slaps my back. “Go get ’em, kid.”
I slowly walk across the wide room to where my stylists are waiting.
“Hi, Jasper!” they both say together.
The Heroes Return Page 10
