Immortal (14 page)

“There you are.” Vanessa said, as she walked
out onto the patio. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” Her
long black dress caught a gentle breeze and ruffled as she
walked.

“I’m not missing.” Jonah laughed. “Just
having a smoke, while I was waiting for you. Are you ready?” He
said as he pocketed his pipe, and turned towards her. She took his
arm in hers.

“I am quite ready. Shall we?” She asked, as
she took a step towards open glass wall.

“We shall.” He exclaimed, as they entered the
living area, and the wall slid shut behind them. “Video off.” He
said as they walked past the video wall, which instantly changed to
a soothing pattern of colors. He led her back to the kitchen, where
he picked up the bottle he had left before, took a quick sip, and
then tossed the still mostly full bottle towards a cabinet. In a
flash, the cabinet opened and accepted bottle in flight, and then
as quickly, closed silently.

“Aren’t you excited?” Vanessa asked. “I mean,
you’re one of the honored ones at this year’s Accession Ball.” She
said as they walked across the living space again.

“I am a little excited.” He said, as they
approached the far wall, and a section slid to the side, and an
opening appeared. “But in a way, don’t you think it’s all a little
silly. Everybody showing off their latest rejuvenation or fancy new
upgrade.”

“Oh, no!” Vanessa exclaimed. “Not at all. I
always love when we get to see the latest and greatest
biotechnologies. I especially love to see the newest artistic
improvements.” They stepped from the living area, through the
opening into a large square room. The wall slid shut behind
them.

“But some of them are so…out there.” He said,
as the wall slid open again, this time at street level.

“Oh, you mean like Maria’s skin tone
enhancement last year?” Vanessa exclaimed, as they walked onto the
street arm in arm, and began to stroll at a casual pace. “You know,
I heard that she had that changed just a few weeks later.” She
laughed, and he joined in.

“Absolutely.” He said. “It was quite
disturbing, with the big splotches every where that matched her
evening gown. Was she planning to always wear blue after that? I
mean really.”

“Well, darling...” Vanessa began in a sultry
voice, “You know how much I love red…I was thinking-”

“Oh no you weren’t!” He exclaimed.

“But Jonah, large bright red dots across my
delectable body would simply look smashing with this black dress,
don’t you think?” She giggled. “Or, especially irresistible without
the dress at all.”

“Not a chance. Don’t even think about it.” He
said with definite authority.

“But dearest, next year is my turn to be
honored at the Accession ball. I just must find something to
enhance that will blow their minds.” She said, with
exasperation.

“What about that new set of kidneys that you
had installed after your last Ball? They’re pretty fantastic. Seem
to be working just fine, the way you always have to pee.”

“Jonah! Really! I can’t help that I have a
small bladder.” She argued.

“Well why don’t you have that enhanced then.
Imagine how they would idolize you when they find out you that
could have the largest bladder of them all.” He said in an
exaggerated fairy tale dialect.

“That’s just ridiculous!” She exclaimed.

“Imagine! You might be able to hold it for
days…or even weeks.”

“Stop it!” She yelled, and smacked him on the
shoulder. “You’re just being silly now.”

“That’ll blow their minds.” He mimicked her
in a high voice, “And ladies, let me just tell you…I haven’t peed
in three weeks!” She smacked him again. “Ow!” He exclaimed. “Okay,
okay. I’ll stop.” He conceded. They walked a bit in silence, but
the grin on his face never left. Soon, a grin appeared across her
face as well.

“Besides,” She began, “It’s the same issue as
the kidneys. Nobody can see it. What’s the sense in an upgrade that
nobody can see. I’ll never make them jealous unless they can see
the fabulous new whatever.”

“I don’t know. I wish I had a bladder like
that.” He chuckled.

“Oh Jonah, you just don’t understand these
things, do you?”

“No, I guess I don’t.” He sighed. “Like, for
instance, why I am being honored this year. It’s not like you can
see any of my enhancements. At least the recent ones.”

“No, my dear. No one can see them, but
they’ll certainly be able to hear them.” She laughed, and relaxed
back into easy conversation. “You know…that last skin rejuvenation
you had has been remarkable. Still so soft, young and totally
caressable.” She said as she brought her hand to his cheek. “But
the brain augmentation and vocal chord update is as remarkable just
the same. It’s truly magic the way your voice creates such
beautiful notes now.” She shrugged her shoulders, and gave a slight
shake to her head. “Such beautiful music just goes right through
me. I get goose bumps just thinking of it.” She said, and he
laughed easily.

“All for you, my love.” He said as he
embraced her ever tightly. “My gift to you. After all, it was our
centennial anniversary.”

“And what a centennial it was, my dearest.”
She smiled gaily now. “Perfect in every way. Your beautiful
serenade. The guest list. How did you every remember all of those
people to invite?” She asked.

“Part of that augmentation.” He laughed.
“Couldn’t have done it without it.”

“Oh, and that beautiful dinner. It was so
amazing. The piles and piles of sumptuous delectables, and the
never ending fountains of sparkle water in every shade.” She
laughed. “There was such a mound of food left when it was over. But
I just had to save room for that delicious cake. I’m still amazed
you were able to find someone to make such a glamorous cake. It
truly looked just like the sculpture that I created for my first
Accession Ball. And was the same size.” She said, as she held her
hand up at eye level. “I’ll never know how they held it together to
get it to the banquet hall.”

“They didn’t.” He laughed. “I had them make
three of them exactly alike. And sure enough, during transport,
they destroyed one beyond recognition.”

“Really?” She asked.

“Yes. The other two made it to the hall, but
one of them started coming apart just as they brought into the
dining area, so it had to be tossed as well. I was certainly
thankful the last one held together.” He said solemnly.

“I had no idea you had gone through all
that.” She said.

“For you, my love. Anything.” He embraced her
warmly as they continued to walk, and simply enjoyed each other’s
company. “So do you think that Roger will be an ass again this
year?” He asked solemnly.

“Ha.” She laughed. “Of course he will, my
dear. Your cousin is quite good at it, after all. You know, it just
wouldn’t be a true Accession ball without the great Premier causing
a little trouble.”

“Why does he have to be like that? I just
don’t get it.” He said.

“It’s jealousy, my dear Jonah. Pure unabashed
jealousy.” She stated knowingly.

“But jealousy of what?” He asked stupefied.
“He has all of the power. His father saw to that. What in the world
is he jealous of?”

“Happiness.” She stated firmly.

“Happiness?” He asked.

“Absolutely, my dear. Happiness.”

“I don’t get it.” Jonah exclaimed.

“Look dear, it’s as simple as this. He’s not
content with what he has. Or his place in life.” She said.

“But he is the Premier!” He exclaimed. “There
is no higher power in all of New Sebastian. There never has been
and there never will be. My uncle named him as his successor years
before he passed on, and those last few years of his life, he
groomed Roger to be ready to lead our society for the next hundred
years. What more could he need? What more could he want?” He asked,
perplexed.

“Well…he doesn’t have me, for one.” She
laughed.

“And he never will!” Jonah exclaimed.

“No dear, he never will.”

“So what you will be singing tonight, my
love?” She asked. He was silent for a few steps, and then
smiled.

“Not sure yet.” He answered. “Maybe
‘Figaro’…or possibly ‘The Barber in Seville.’” He laughed. “But
certainly nothing from the last hundred years. I just don’t like
that pop music they have today.” He said, as he shook his head.

“Nor I.” She said. “Nor I. Whatever you
choose to sing, I’m certain it will be just divine.”

“I guess I’m just an old fashioned guy.” He
said. She laughed easily.

“You’re my old fashioned guy, dearest. And I
wouldn’t have it any other way.” She laid her head against his
shoulder, as they continued to walk.

The Premier smiled, nodded, shook hands, and
kissed cheeks, as he greeted the throngs of attendees at this years
Accession Ball. He appeared perfectly at home as the ambassador of
ceremonies, and executed flawlessly the skills that his father had
taught him long ago. Though a bit of a bore, and always
pretentious, he did enjoy this part of his life. There was truly
something addictive to him about the constant flow of adoration
that he received from his subjects. That was how Father had taught
him to think of all of the others that he ruled over. Subjects.
True, as their Premier, he must see to their well being. He must
ensure that there was food, safety, and the opportunity to seek
happiness, in whatever strange form that may take. But most of all,
he must provide them with a clear image of what a true leader
should be. Father had taught him that at all times, he must be
above reproach, unless of course, he was not. Then in those cases,
he must make sure that those who might know the truth, would never
have a chance to speak of it.

There were no prisons or dungeons to throw
people into any longer, so often it came down to a little
persuasion. Sometimes the persuasion could be very subtle. Just a
suggestion, really. And sometimes, the suggestion may have to carry
weight with it, in the form of one consequence or the other. In
most cases, careful explanation and communication of the potential
consequences would quickly resolve the problem at hand.

In an extreme case, the Premier might even
suggest that all rejuvenation treatments may no longer be available
to the person in question, or worse, to their spouse. And the few
times that Roger had employed this technique, there had been
immediate compliance without fail. Rarely did Roger find himself in
the situation when he needed to address these issues, but as his
Father had said, at some time, all leaders will find the need for
discretion, and he had been right. Very right indeed. It had been
in the first year of his inherited office as Premier that Roger had
in fact faced such a problem. A relatively minor problem at the
start, it seemed, which had quickly changed in to what could have
become a major issue. A few suggestions to the people involved, and
all was resolved. That first time was not at all like the second
time. That one had become quite an issue. An almost irresolvable
issue in fact. That was until his Chancellor, Charles had offered a
solution. Not a perfect solution, but definitely a solution. A
solution that had laid that problem to rest permanently.

Roger did not so much trust Charles and his
judgment, as he needed him. Charles had been his father’s
Chancellor when he was Premier, and knew how the systems worked
better than anyone else alive. He had an uncanny understanding of
the balance of the Premier’s power and responsibility. Though his
father had been the first Premier in the two hundred and fifty year
history of New Sebastian, and therefore, he himself was the second
Premier, Charles too was only the second Chancellor to the Premier
in that same length of time. One day in some unknown future, both
Roger and Charles would each be required to sire a male child, and
in later years groom them for their future responsibilities. The
ruling lineage must go on, his father had explained. And since the
population cap that had been implemented a little over a hundred
years ago, only the Premier and his Chancellor were allowed to have
children, and only then, a male child.

But for now, it was time to turn on the
charm, and allow his subjects to bathe in his glory. He smiled as a
charming young man in a devilishly handsome grey tunic introduced
his wife.

“Your Lordship, I present the Lady Markery,
my wife.” He said proudly, as he held her hand of his wife, as she
curtsied. The young man followed with a shallow bow.

She smiled, though it was obvious that the
movement caused her great pain. Her snow white hair was braided
into an intricate headdress, woven with sparkling ribbons and lace.
A few tendrils had been intentionally left loose, and curled so
that they hung close to her face, with an obvious attempt to soften
the sagging wrinkles that time had stamped into her papery thin
skin. After a slight smile, and brief nod from Roger, she
straightened her thin frail body, and smiled weakly.

“Thomas.” Roger began. “I see that Elizabeth
is as beautiful as ever.” He said as he smiled ever so slightly at
the lady.

“Well, sir. It’s been a rough year, but she
is finally scheduled for rejuvenation next week.”

“Thank you, my Lordship.” She said weakly,
her voice barely audible.

“Yes, thank you.” Said Thomas. “She has been
so weak lately, I was beginning to worry if we would ever get word
on the rejuvenation.” Roger caught Elizabeth’s gaze, and a slight
smirk came to his lips. Just a flash, and then he went into a full
smile.

“Glad to be of assistance to the both of
you.” He said with an air of graciousness that his eyes did not
carry. “So, Thomas. You’ll be part of the big unveil?”

“No, Sire. Not this year. I just received the
standard rejuvenation. No enhancements. I wanted to wait until
Elizabeth had received her rejuvenation as well. Thank you again,
your Lordship.” He bowed once again, and Roger nodded his approval,
and dismissal. Thomas took his frail bride by one hand, and wrapped
his arm gently around her waist to guide her away. He did not
notice as her stare lingered after the Premier, or the Premier’s
continued glance in return. Thomas did not know that anything had
transpired between his beloved wife and the Premier, nor did he
know that the horrible condition that he had been in before his
most recent rejuvenation, and the frail condition his wife was in
now, was the result of that past incident. He also did not know
that his beloved wife would see to it that he would never know.