Legacy (The Biodome Chronicles) (44 page)

“Hi. I’m John Abrahms, lawyer for New Eden Enterprises,” he said slowly while removing his blindfold, placing it atop his head. His dark eyes looked over both Oaklee and Leaf for a moment, as if memorizing their appearance and clothing. Oaklee looked away as she felt her face flush, knowing that she was overdressed.

“Are you Jeff’s cousin?”

“Yes. How is the old man?” John asked casually, attempting to make conversation.

“Lately, not so well, but otherwise he is generally in good spirits,” Leaf replied casually in response, as if speaking with the Outside world was a normal event.

Oaklee looked up at her brother in wonder, grateful he was so steadfast. She could not sort her thoughts, let alone her words, and every
second was a test to her system as a scream formed in her gut.

“My condolences to your community. Joel Watson was the best of men.” John hung his head in respect.

“Thank you,” Leaf said with restrained emotion.

“I am surprised that Jeff is not here with you. Is he sick?”

“My… Joel’s death was very hard on him,” Leaf stumbled, almost giving away his identity. Oaklee creased her brows. Why would Leaf wish to hide his connection to father?

John stilled for a few heartbeats, glanced over his shoulder, and then his eyes zeroed in on her brother. Cautiously, she peered up at him hoping she was not the next target of his judgment.

“They were good friends,” John stated in an open-ended fashion, baiting Leaf to say something more.

Instead, Leaf ran his hand through his hair, the curls bouncing back into place, ignoring the statement.

A few beats later, John continued, “Well, Coal Hansen is in the biospherics building as we speak. He is the spitting image of Connor.” John gave a small laugh, lost in his thoughts for a moment. “The staff will ensure his comfort and slowly help him acclimate to this atmosphere and climate, catching him up on social and technological changes.”

Finishing his speech, John reached up to his ear and a document appeared in the air, causing Oaklee to gasp audibly.

“What magic do you use, sir?” she asked while curiously touching the document. Her fingers crossed the line of the door into the Outside world and she let out a delighted “oh”. Sunlight glowed on her skin, competing for attention against the flying paper.

Leaf gently pulled her hand back inside while giving her a stern look. Was he concerned it could be interpreted as leaving New Eden? Remembering the warmth on her skin, she touched the fingers, curious what the feeling would be like on her entire face.

“It is not magic, dear, it is technology.” John gave them both a smile, clearly enjoying their reaction. “Before the new resident can enter, I need a signature at the bottom of this document, ensuring his safety and holding him harmless against any damages and injuries within New Eden Township. Are you granted permission to sign on behalf of the community?”

Oaklee lifted her
eyes upon hearing the word “his”. Ember was right, it was a man.

“Yes, I have legal authority in New Eden,” her brother stated confidently. He paused and rubbed his forehead in deep thought and then continued, “In other words, this new resident is not responsible for whatever he may do within New Eden?”

“Very good. I am impressed,” John said, quirking an eyebrow.

The lawyer appeared taken aback by Leaf’s astuteness, a quality he clearly did not expect from the second generation, Oaklee surmised. Offended, she looked past him to the blue sky, feeling the tears form once again.

“What rights do we have as citizens of this township—for recourse, if any is needed?”

“Again, very good. It appears they have a fine education system in New Eden. I presume, then, that you can read?”

“Yes, we can read. All children of New Eden can read. Our books and materials are limited, but we are taught to read and write,” Leaf stated simply.

Oaklee felt insulted that the Outside world thought they were such simpletons, clenching her fists at her side.

Leaf continued in a casual tone, “Some are taught second and third languages as well. I speak French and Latin in addition to English.”

“Excellent. Who taught you to think in legal terms?”

“My father. He arranged for lessons with Jeff. He felt it would become useful one day.”

“As I said before, your father was the best of men.” John gave Leaf a look, willing him to reveal the truth, and then looked over his shoulder in a nervous gesture.

“He
is
the best of men,” Oaklee said, finally finding her voice.

“Indeed, my dear.”

He glanced her direction, and communicated his appreciation of her courage and her quick cover with a kind expression. Oaklee felt her face flush, and looked over the man’s shoulder to absorb more of the blue sky.

Returning his attention to Leaf, he continued, “Please read this document, I believe all your questions are answered here. When you are finished let me know.”

John stood still as Leaf came closer to review the legal terms and conditions. At first Leaf recoiled, a response both John and Oaklee did not expect. Covering his nose with his hand, he approached again, tentatively and with obvious measured movements to control his breathing. Oaklee began shifting on her feet, anxious and hot, and the stifling air made her sweat. When finished, Leaf looked back up to John for further instruction.

John pulled out a small black stick and pointed to a line requiring a signature. “This is a stylus and will capture your signature on this line. It works similar to a quill, but ink is not necessary. The stylus wirelessly communicates to the hologram.”

Leaf furrowed his brows, and then said, “I do not find where our recourse is mentioned,” while his fingers pinched his nose, changing his tone as he spoke.

Oaklee gave her brother a mortified look, his behavior so very odd. If John was offended, he gave no indication.

“No? What recourse would you like?”

“To remove this newcomer permanently from our premises should we decide his presence is no longer welcome, based on our terms and as determined by the community.”

John turned the document his direction with his hands, causing Oaklee to gasp audibly once again. Using the stylus, he made an amendment per Leaf’s request, placing a strange sign next to it, appearing like two letters followed by some numbers, which Oaklee guessed was a dating system. He turned the document back toward Leaf and offered the stylus. Leaf took it, turned the strange stick in his hand while studying it for a few moments, and then wrote his name on the line, followed by his title, matching the number system in the line that requested a date.

“It was a pleasure discussing terms with you,” John turned the document toward him and his eyes widened as he read, “Lord Leaf Dylan Watson, Earth Element Noble,” in a faraway voice.

His dark eyes perused Leaf’s features, and then he looked over his shoulder once more before facing them again. He stuck out his hand for a shake, and Leaf grabbed it firmly with his free hand, the other still pinching his nose. John smiled at him curiously, dipping his head in a gesture of acknowledgment at Oaklee, and then disappeared behind the door.

“Leaf, whatever are you doing?” Oaklee felt immensely embarrassed.

“I could not restrain myself. People from the Outside—stink.” Leaf gave her an apologetic frown.

John soon returned with a young man by his side as well as two decorated men, whom she guessed were soldiers or law enforcement officers, a position she had heard referred to as “police” by the first generation. Were these decorated men working for a Dungeon Master?

Oaklee was surprised that the young man wore similar clothing to the fashion of New Eden, a linen tunic tied with a leather belt and breeches. What was on his shirt? She narrowed her eyes in concern as she stared at the stains curiously. His feet were protected by leather shoes and a sack was placed on the dirt near his left foot. His hair was a very dark shade of brown and when he moved his head in the sunlight, it reflected lovely shades of red.

Their eyes met, and she sucked in a breath, surprised by a large swelling around his right eye. His eyes were a gray-blue framed in dark blue. They were beautiful, like the sky, and he stared at her as if she was the light of day after a long dark night. His face softened as he searched her eyes, taking in her appearance as subtly as he could, his lips parted in an expression of wonder as he admired her silently. Dressed as a bride, she felt awkward and embarrassed standing before him, but she could not look away, her eyes fastened to his face as she read every expression and every thought that flitted across his features. The young man looked back into her eyes and blinked slowly in communication, offering a shy smile so small, she knew it was meant only for her.

Her heart began to pound against her chest and she felt the air stirred by his presence. Ember was right. She felt his energy, strong and passionate, and she strangely knew without question that he would revolutionize their world.

As she continued to stare at the new resident, her thoughts flitted back to Coal, wondering if he was faring well, if he was scared, and if he regretted his decision upon seeing the Outside world. The guilt heavily weighed down her heart, especially as she was unable to deny the feelings during their kiss, one that marked a sorrow that she would never be his, despite his yearnings.

The young man before her took a deep breath as he lowered his eyes, the muscles in his neck twitching. Oaklee reasoned his nerves were on edge, a feeling she completely understood presently. She was ready to spring with the slightest provocation.

“This is Corlan…” John said.

The lawyer used his hands to pull a document closer, his eyes skimming back and forth as if in search for something. Had she been staring at Corlan so long that she had not noticed another flying piece of paper?

“It’s Jayne,” the young man offered.

His voice caught Oaklee’s acute attention. He shifted his eyes toward the magic paper and then met John’s eyes, raising his eyebrows slightly before returning his stare to the floor. The lawyer used a finger to push the flying paper to the right until it disappeared, and another piece of flying paper appeared from the left. Where did the first paper go? How did it disappear? Her heart raced, spooked by the magic the man used.

“Oh, yes, here it is. My apologies, Mr. Jayne.”

John made the flying paper vanish with a swift hand movement, and then turned off his device, and she brought a hand to her chest before redirecting her gaze to Corlan.

Oaklee observed the young man with interest as he tensely kept his eyes fastened upon the floor. The imposing men in uniform stood behind him with stiff expressions. And this is when Oaklee noticed that his feet were chained and his arms remained at his back. Baffled, she looked up and studied the stain again, the swelling around his upper eye more prominent with his lowered head, and near his nose and mouth were faint smudges the color of blood.

***

     Can live action role-playing create a community and experience necessary to foster a successful enclosed society? And, can those who live on Mars travel to Earth and integrate with society? And vice-versa?

     These questions will be observed during Project Phase Two, also known as the second wave of colonists. The question is, when will we need to create a storyline for the second generation that bumps them out of their mundane life to accept technology and Outsider ways? That is something I am not able to fully plot until I have more information closer to Project Phase Two. But I have an idea of how I could to do so, and let’s just say that it will involve a young adult from their own generation who is tech-savvy and belongs to the Outside world they will come to know.

—Hanley Nichols, on
Atoms to Adams Daily Show
, August 15, 2030

***

W
illow stared at him with widened eyes. “Are you injured, sir?” she asked. Fillion swallowed realizing that she spoke to him directly.

Leaf placed a warning hand on his sister’s shoulder. But she did not budge, continuing to stare at him as she played with a strand of hair, winding it onto a finger.

“Thank you, I’m fine,” Fillion said in a shaky voice. “It’s nothing.” He shrugged for further effect, looking at Leaf briefly before returning his stare to the ground.

Fillion’s heart pounded wildly. There she stood, in the shadows of The Door. Willow was real and he bit the inside of his cheek to stay in control. She took in a sharp breath when spotting the bruise that was forming around his eye. The sound verified a vital sign, a sound that also made him want to breathe deeply. Especially during a few panic-filled seconds when he thought she recognized him.

His memories of her didn’t compare to the person standing before him now. The dress was elegant and made her figure more prominent, especially the copper belt that hung loosely on her hips accentuating her waist. Leaves and ribbons decorated her long wavy hair. At this moment, he didn’t care that he was supposed to detest all things earthy. She was the most beautiful girl he had ever seen. A breeze danced around everyone and he faintly smelled lavender, hoping it was her. He inhaled deeply against his rapid breathing as he began to feel dizzy.

John appeared rattled and had obviously forgotten his alternate identity. So weird as John had known his family all his life. Somehow his dad had slipped legal documents with his handle to the authorities in Imperial County, something about a witness protection plan although he was a criminal. Even more surprising was a judge’s signature on the documents, something he glimpsed before John closed the document. Was this for media protection?

“Corlan Jayne, are you joining the private township of New Eden of your own free will without force or coercion?” John droned in a monotone voice, amusement in his eyes.

He looked at John with disbelief that he was being asked such a stupid question. “Yes,” he said flatly, knowing it was all a farce. He closed his eyes a moment, and took in a slow, labored breath. He needed to calm down.

“Do you understand your residency is of a ninety-day duration, unless otherwise indicated by the community of New Eden?” The last part John said with a humored glint in his eye at Leaf. Fillion looked up at John, raising his eyebrow. “The duration was amended by Mr. Watson.” John extended a hand in Leaf’s direction.

“Then, yes,” he answered in a strong voice, acknowledging Leaf with a slight nod. He studied the Noble a few moments before returning his eyes to the floor. John knew his name? Did his dad share the situation with him? Or was this why he was rattled? God, he wished he could have a cigarette right now.

“Have you left the technology of this world behind you, taking only items that existed before the Industrial Revolution and age of modern machines?”

“Yes,” Fillion sighed, giving the family friend a bored look.

“You may enter New Eden.”

An officer came forward to unlock the cuffs around his wrists that were resting against his back. He looked up at the sky embarrassed. Seeing movement to his left, he turned and noticed his dad nearby, watching and listening, out of sight from the Watsons. Fillion straightened and met Leaf’s eyes, offering a cool smile, not wanting to give his dad the pleasure of being in discomfort. The young noble creased his brows and assessed him warily. Fillion didn’t look away, refusing to be a doormat for anyone to wipe their feet on. His wrists were released and he brought his arms forward, gently rubbing the irritated skin.

A familiar mechanical sound buzzed in his ear and he focused his gaze just beyond John as a media drone approached. For a terrifying second, Fillion stood stunned, unsure of how the drone had gained access to cross the property line of New Eden Biospherics. This was private property, hosting a government-sanctioned experiment. Drones and the media weren’t allowed on the premises. The drone continued to approach and then slowed as it neared The Door.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he said. “John, right behind you.”

The lawyer turned and shook his head in annoyance. John immediately shouted orders at the police officers to use their EMP guns and take it down. One of the officers pointed his weapon at the drone, sending electromagnetic pulses into the robot, but nothing happened. The police and security had limited weapon choices on New Eden property due to the biodome panes.

God, this was ridiculous. Men sprang into action against a harmless machine as if it could destroy them all. The only destruction this machine was capable of unleashing was social chaos and ruin. It was the search-and-destroy code it was programmed with, providing a live feed for the entire world without human interaction. He tucked his thumbs into the top of his breeches, not knowing what to do. His ankles were still cuffed. Did he wait for the officers to finish battling the drone or just go inside the cave and figure it out?

The drone hovered comfortably near The Door. Fillion worried that the machine would have opportunity to record Willow and Leaf, providing fodder for the world to laugh at, and also for conspiracy theorists to prove they were alive. He couldn’t go through a second Watson Trial. And he refused to allow the media-saturated culture to receive sick and twisted entertainment when the police removed the cuffs from his ankles. Or the awkward moment when he would enter New Eden Township. Nausea rolled in his stomach as he thought of all the shame he would face after his ninety days were complete.

The thought added to the dull ache in his head as the beginning stages of withdrawals tormented his body. It was a pain made worse by the bruise around his right eye and his throbbing nose. He wanted a cigarette so bad.
No, he wanted a whole pack, a dark corner, and a bottle of whiskey.

With a nervous look toward The Door, Fillion stilled when his eyes took in Willow’s expression. She stood shell-shocked, and her emerald eyes rounded as she paled while watching another officer try to shoot the drone with an electromagnetic pulse. Leaf grabbed Willow and placed her behind him, pushing her up against the wall for protection. She shrieked, and Fillion’s adrenaline rushed knowing she would really lose it when the hologram appeared. Hell, they freaked him out and he had grown up with them. He didn’t want her to fear the Outside, though.

God, he hated this. It was just a stupid media drone. At least, he hoped so. How did it get onto New Eden property? He looked closely at the drone and noticed the copper plating, rolling his eyes. Drones were usually stainless steel.

“Give me your Cranium!” Fillion yelled at John. “It has copper walls the EMP can’t penetrate, and it’s probably insulated with boPET polyester film too. Let me hack it and shut it off.”

“Just go inside. I’ll shut the door.” John grabbed his tunic and began pushing him.

Fillion resisted John’s shove, reaching out and taking the Cranium right off of John’s head. In quick motions he placed it against his skull, turning it on. He should listen to John, but a nebulous idea was surfacing that he couldn’t ignore.

One thing he did know, he didn’t wanted to look weak in front of Willow. She needed to see that the computer-generated image wasn’t anything to fear, even if it appears, talks, and behaves human to the point of disturbance.

An officer seized his arm, but John told him it was all right, giving Fillion a distracted smile. He looked over at his dad, and his whole system froze. Hanley’s face was emotionless, and then
his dad arched an eyebrow at him before giving a permissive nod. What the hell was going on? Had his dad planned this? Out of all the people who wouldn’t want the media on his property, it would be his dad. And yet he stood as if there was really nothing to worry over.

With confident movements, Fillion brought up the user interface screen and then typed in a command that enabled a backdoor function. He swiped the screen, tapped on a hidden control panel, and then expanded a prompt screen by cupping his hands over the minimized box and pulling it out slowly. The holographic image before him was too light, making it difficult to read the script. With a frustrated sigh, Fillion squinted as he looked up at the sun.

“John, take off your coat and shade me!”

“Allow me,” Leaf said.

Fillion cast a wary glance as the young noble walked toward him while removing his cloak. Willow pressed herself against the stone wall as her skin turned another sickly shade of white. Her eyes widened as she slowly pointed in horror with a shaky finger. He felt a chill prickle his skin and knew without looking that the hologram had appeared.

Whipping his head around, his stomach lurched and he jumped, swearing under his breath, when a middle-aged woman suddenly stood before him, giving everyone a welcoming smile. Her eyes wandered and met his, and then a light appeared, scanning his face. Fillion held his breath, not sure what would happen if he moved. She was programmed to search for him specifically and knew his face and biometric vitals. What if it wasn’t a media drone?

“How do you do, Fillion Nichols,” the smooth voice said, her eyes blinking.

He closed his eyes as his stomach rolled again, panic tightening his throat. He couldn’t breathe. Everyone knew who he was now, and he opened his eyes to face his worst nightmare. There was nowhere to hide, and only one place to go.

Leaf halted his steps mid-stride and blanched as he stared at the hologram in curious terror, and then turned his head to look at him, anger brewing in his eyes. A fierce look of protection flashed on Leaf’s face and he glanced over his shoulder at his sister. Startling, he ran her direction, throwing his cloak at John who caught the garment and then held it up to block the sun.

The prompt screen brightened and sharpened, and Fillion lifted a trembling hand, resisting the urge to look over his shoulder at Willow. Did she hate him like Leaf? The rejection made him stop breathing, and everything inside of him wanted to die. He couldn’t face her. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, and sweat began trickling down his face and into his eyes. A heat coursed through him as he felt his face flush, and his eyes began to blink rapidly.

“Stay focused,” John said. “Shut it down quick. The girl fainted before the hologram said your name.”

Fillion gave him a tight nod, unsure how John knew what he was thinking. He typed a command, trying to ignore the fear pooling in his stomach. Leaf knew who he was; it was only a matter of time until Willow did. The Cranium confirmed that it was communicating with the drone, linking to its system, and Fillion took a deep shuddered breath.

“How did the drone get past the property lines?” Fillion quickly looked at John, then his dad, and back to the Cranium as the holographic images changed to show the drone’s interface.

“I’m not sure,” John said in a quiet voice.

He thought of his dad’s words, that a Gamemaster didn’t focus on the obvious, but pondered the hidden. Everything downloaded into his brain at once and he looked up sharply at his dad who gave him a smug smile.
You are an entirely different character, son.

Disgusted, Fillion looked away with crushing disappointment as he understood who Corlan Jayne was supposed to be. His dad had secluded people from technology, and Fillion was supposed to bring it back. Hanley had known how he would respond in this situation, predicting that he would want to protect Willow and not look like a coward by running inside. As usual, his dad had manipulated him, knowing his vulnerabilities. Fillion felt every nerve in his body become inflamed with rage once again.

Once he shut down the drone, he would become a hero in Leaf and Willow’s eyes. It would permit him to discuss technology in a way that would be natural. He was a soldier and this was his battle. The Watsons would have witnessed holographic technology, sharing with their community what they experienced. Why did his dad allow the drone to say his name, though? He would figure that out later. But for now, he needed to shut down the drone and show Leaf that he possessed powerful magical abilities.

His fingers shook as they flew through the air, swiping commands from the Cranium to the drone.

“Are you ready to discover what is real?” the hologram asked Fillion, her eyes fixed on his face.

He tensed, and then looked up at Hanley who smirked in response while crossing his arms across his chest in triumph.

Fillion narrowed his eyes, and then shouted, “Need a drone to do your dirty work, Hanley?”