Synthetics (4 page)

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not sure it’s my place to say. But to put it simply, that man should be a mess.”

“He seems so cheerful and positive though,” I said.

“Yeah, I know,” said Kate, “He plays the part, doesn’t he?”

I frowned, not following.

“It’s all an act Fletch,” she said, “He is in pain… Constantly. I’m worried about him.”

“Is that part of why you’re here?” I asked, “To keep an eye on him?”

“Yeah,” she replied, “That is a part of why I’m here.”

After that we kept talking for what must have been hours because an aggressive looking lady came over and told us that the cafeteria was closing, so could we kindly move on so she could clean around our table. I still hadn’t finished my steak, which was now cold, but we got up and moved on.

On the way back to our rooms Kate touched me on the shoulder and said, “I’m glad you’re here Fletch.”

I smiled back. So was I.

Chapter 5

“My mice have started a family. They have a son.”

All three of us sat outside, eating sandwiches and enjoying our lunch-break.

“How?” asked Kate, “They don’t technically have physical bodies…”

“They adopted,” replied Stuart, “It’s more common than you think.”

“But how?” I asked, “Did you integrate a baby mouse?”

“No, I coded him.”

“Oh very talented,” said Kate.

“Must’ve taken ages,” I said, “What’s its name?”

“Its name is Freddy.”

“Like the Synthetic?” asked Kate, “You better hope he doesn’t find out. He might think you're mocking him.”

“Yeah, he doesn’t look like the kind of guy who appreciates a joke,” I added. “Is the mouse a Synthetic?”

“No,” said Stuart, “He is blue.”

Kate’s eyebrows rose. “Have you ever thought that you might be spending too much time with those mice, Stuart?”

Stuart shrugged. “He’s only two-dimensional at the moment but I’m working on it. It keeps me occupied. This is our last week before we rotate labs anyway. When do we find out where our next placement is?”

“Not a clue,” said Kate.

Stuart looked at me and I shook my head.

“As long as I don’t get coolants like you got, aye Staggers,” said Stuart.

“You can’t make friends with low silicate inhibitor fluids,” I said while nodding.

“It does sound tedious,” said Kate, “At least I get to watch robots fall over.”

“Actually?” asked Stuart, turning to her, “You watch Synthetics fall over all day?”

“Nah, no Synthetics,” she replied, “Just the bodies. No ones home. From what I gather, Frederick is the only Synthetic so far. But there may be others. CANA is worldwide so you never know.”

We lapsed into silence. Stuart started grinning.

“What?” I asked.

“Just thinking,” he replied.

“Thinking about?”

“They should have selected four interns instead of three.”

“And why is that?” asked Kate.

“Because,” said Stuart, “You two have already paired off. What about me?”

Kate laughed.

“Whoa, Staggers bro, how red can you possibly get?” laughed Stuart, “I’m just playing with you.”

“Embarrassed are we Fletch?” said Kate with a slim smile.

“I… Um… No? It’s just the sun. I burn easily.” In truth I had fairly tan skin and was not prone to sunburn.

“And within a matter of seconds,” quipped Stuart.

“I’m sensitive,” I said back.

“Good on you Staggers,” said Stuart, “Chicks dig that in a guy.”

“So you’re feeling left out Stuart?” cut in Kate, “Is that why you’ve been so quiet lately.”

“No, of course not,” said Stuart, “I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”

“I think we all have,” I said, “I wonder when we will get to meet a Synthetic face to face.”

“We might do more than just meet them,” said Stuart looking at his phone, “Right, better get back to work, it’s one o’clock. Have fun in your labs you two lovebirds.”

I saw Kate smile as we all walked back inside.

***

Later that day Stuart approached me while I was working in the labs.

“Staggers man,” he said, while giving his hair a flick, “Cole says he is going to take us out sightseeing finally. About time huh.”

I dropped what I was doing and stretched.

“Yeah I could use a break,” I said, “Are we leaving now.”

“Yup,” replied Stuart, already heading off, “Kate and Cole are waiting.”

***

Cole dropped us off in a company car and then left, saying that he would meet up with us later for a coffee. He was always busy with something. Stuart was playing at stereotypes by photographing everything.

“Kate, plant a big kiss on Stagger’s cheek,” he said.

We were taking a picture from the Lincoln Memorial, looking out over the Reflecting Pool with the Washington Memorial in the background.

“Now that’s a profile picture right there,” said Stuart before handing me the camera, “Now get a few of me and Kate so I have something to send home. I’ve been giving them pictures from image search for the past month.”

“Better get the pictures before the sun goes,” said Kate, throwing her arm around Stuart who was half a head shorter than her, “Forecast said a storms coming.”

I glanced behind me and saw a row of dark clouds on the horizon.

“Smile guys,” I said, turning back to them.

After spending a few hours wandering around we met up with Cole, had a coffee and then headed back to CANA. If we had looked closely at the photographs, in the background of nearly every photo, we would have seen the same man, wearing dark glasses and talking on his phone.

***

We arrived back at CANA just after dark. Cole left us at the door and went to return the car while Stuart said his goodbyes and headed straight up to his room.

Kate and I stood in silence as we waited for the elevator. I contemplated grabbing her hand but decided it wasn’t the right moment. The bell of the elevator arriving awoke me from my reverie and we stepped inside. I hobbled into the back and Kate pushed the button, but she didn’t choose the sixth floor where our living quarters were, she chose the roof where the swimming pool was.

She noticed my confused stare and asked, “You keen?”

“But I don’t have my togs or a towel.”

“Don’t need them. I just wanna see the city lights. That storm is coming. It could be cool.”

“Yeah,” I said shrugging, “Why not?

***

The elevator door opened, revealing a stormy night. The pool was overflowing, and the moon's reflection danced across the thrashing water. Chunks of the city appeared powerless, leaving patches of darkness across the cityscape. The Washington Monument was still visible through the thick haze.

“You still sure you wanna go out there?” I was almost yelling.

We hadn’t left the shelter of the elevator yet.

“Of course Fletch,” she laughed and took my hand, “You coming?”

I was afraid, but then I was always afraid of something. Why not be fearless? Why not live a little? Even if that just meant going out into a rainstorm and getting a little wet. I let Kate lead me, limping along, to the waters edge where she paused, gave me a cheeky look and then pushed me in. I laughed, grasped her arm, and dragged her in with me. I heard a muted splash from under the water as Kate followed me in, both of us fully clothed. When we surfaced I yelled at her above the thunder, “What are we doing?”

“Isn’t it obvious Fletch?” she laughed, “We are swimming in the rain.”

“But why?” I shouted.

“What a dumb question,” she said, splashing me in the face. “We don’t need a reason.”

I smiled and ducked under the water. The world was colorless and mute under the water. It was peaceful. I opened my eyes to see Kate’s face through the haze. We surfaced for air. Her mascara was running like obsidian tears, lips trembling from the cold. She took my hands. Hers were white and blue and purple and white. Mine were just white.

“Fletch,” she shouted, “I think I’ve figured something out.”

I was intrigued. I still didn’t know Stuart’s secret, or who the man was that was following us, or even who the other people were on the screens in the conference room. Come to think of it. I didn’t know what the hell was going on with anything.

“It’s a secret though,” she continued, “I had to take you up here where no one could hear us.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“I think you’re a good person. I like you.”

I was stunned. I couldn’t speak because I thought if I said anything then I would wake up from this dream.

She kept staring at me, looking more and more vulnerable with every second.

Finally I said, “Well I think you’re beautiful.”

“Beautiful aye? Is that a step up from pretty?”

“Well I think lots of girls are pretty.” She shot me a disapproving look. “But,” I continued, “I only think one girl is beautiful.”

And then I kissed her. In the pouring rain, under the stormy sky, I had my first kiss with the most beautiful girl in the universe. Suddenly the internship didn’t matter. None of it mattered.

***

After coming down from the roof, we stood, soaking wet, outside her room. She was shivering, holding her shoes in one hand.

“You look so cold,” I said.

She smiled, “Yeah I better get warmed up?”

“There is always sharing body heat?” I said with a grin, “Just joking.”

“Oh really Fletch?” she said, “Just joking?”

Chapter 6

The next day I woke up with a smile on my face. That entire morning I wandered around CANA in a state of contented euphoria. I hadn’t got much sleep the night before, but I felt refreshed and ready for anything. That is, until Cole came and found me. He told me that Sasha wanted to see me as soon as possible. I felt like a naughty school kid being summoned to the principal’s office.

I sat in the waiting room with his secretary for a couple of minutes before being allowed in. Limping through the doors, I realized that I was not afraid. Usually I would be shaking by now in apprehension, but I was strangely calm. The internship no longer mattered to me. The freaky metal guy on the screen no longer mattered. Kate mattered.

“Fletcher!” exclaimed Sasha, “It is good to see you. Do take a seat.”

Judging by the tone of his voice, I wasn’t in trouble.

“How have you been Fletcher? Things have been rough this past week.”

“Best few days of my life,” I said nonchalantly.

Sasha looked taken aback but then brightened up considerably.

“I’m glad to hear it Fletcher. It is good to see you making the most of things. So you are probably wondering why you are here?”

“Um yup.”

“Cookie?” he said, offering me an iced biscuit from a little tin.

“Cheers.” I took one.

Not bad. Trust Sasha to have cookies.

“I have already talked to Stuart,” he continued, “and I’ll get around to Kate next. Each of you is being sent to a CANA operated research facility for a month. It’ll give you a bit of in the field experience. The locations of these facilities must be kept secret for security reasons, but I can tell you that you can look forward to some fresh snow, and not American snow.”

“And Kate’s going as well?” I asked, “And Stuart?”

That was more of an afterthought.

“No,” said Sasha raising one bushy eyebrow, “You are being sent to separate research facilities.”

“Oh…”

“Is this okay?”

“Yeah it’s fine. You’re the boss.”

Hell no, it’s not fine!

“Good to hear,” said Sasha taking a bite from a biscuit, “You will leave in a week, on the twenty first. I’m sure it will be a fascinating excursion for you. You even get the added pleasure of having Cole accompany you.”

Oh joy.

***

“Gutted that you have to go.”

The two of us were sitting on a crusty bench atop a footbridge. Kate was leaning forward, both hands gripping the bench, looking out across the steady stream of traffic. The wind swept her hair across her face. She didn't react.

“You should have pulled some strings,” I joked, “You are family.”

“Huh, I wish. Are you sick of this internship yet?” Kate asked. Her knuckles were white and purple. Her face was ashen. It wasn't even that cold. She better not cry. I couldn’t handle crying.

“I am sick of the internship, but I’m still liking the interns,” I said with a smile, “Where are they sending you?”

“Just up north or something. Canada maybe, or Alaska.”

“So you don’t get to go overseas?”

She shook her head.

“I am, I think. Well he was hinting at it.”

“I'll miss you,” said Kate quietly.

“Same,” I replied.

“You're so romantic Fletch,” she joked.

“Sorry then,” I was starting to perk up, “My heart is already consumed by such an agony over our impending separation, that I cannot find the appropriate words to express it.”

Kate laughed, a real laugh. I was stoked. It tore me out of reality to a place where there was just Kate. No CANA, no Frankensteins and Synthetics, no worries.

“You're such a muppet Fletch. I bet, secretly you've read Pride and Prejudice like twenty times.”

“You can start calling me Mister Darcy if you want.”

“Nah, I like Fletch better. Let's go grab something to eat. I have a craving for pizza.”

***

We found a gourmet pizza shop called Mama Mia’s, a few blocks down from the CANA head office.

“I’ll pay,” I said as we reached the front of the line.

“Nah, it’s fine Fletch. We’re interns. You can barely afford one pizza.”

“We can share a large one,” I said.

Kate pouted her lips in thought.

“Okay, deal and I’ll buy drinks.”

After getting our pizza we found a seat in the back corner. The restaurant was dimly lit, possibly to hide the dirt. It was nice though. Checkered tablecloths and local art on the walls, it was romantic. Well I hoped it was romantic. I did notice, however, that we were being tailed again. I had to remember to ask Sasha about that. It was a tad disconcerting.

“So,” said Kate. Stringy mozzarella cheese was hanging out of her mouth. “I don’t think there is anyway to eat pizza daintily,” she laughed.

I smiled, “At least you found a way to eat it cutely.”

“Cutely?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

“It’s the best I could come up with.”

“Bit cheesy ain’t it?”

I shook my head, in mock disgust. “At least I’m not pulling out puns like that. And I thought girls like cheesy anyway.”

“Oh some do. But it more depends on who says it.” She paused to take a drink. “So, Fletcher James Harris, where are you from?”

“Well New Zealand, but you knew…”

“Yes that’s why you have that cute little accent of yours.”

“How can an accent be little?” I asked.

“Anything that is cute is automatically little as well. It’s just a fact.”

“So am I little?” I asked.

She laughed. “Well...”

I shrugged. “You’ve lost me.”

“Sure I have Fletch. So come on, where are you from?”

“Um, I’m from New Zealand?”

“And?”

“Well, I grew up on a dairy farm outside of Otorohanga…”

“That’s so kiwi!” she interrupted. She said Kiwi as Keewee, stretching the vowel sounds like a medieval torturer.

“Yes, and I was wearing gumboots before I could walk and shearing sheep before I could talk.”

“Oh right,” she said, “Just like all Kiwis aye?”

“Exactly,” I said, “But we left the farm when my dad got arthritis and moved to Hamilton. My parents bought a furniture shop, which I worked in a bit. From there I went to university and yeah. I have lived an exceptionally boring life.”

“A boring life is just another way of saying a stable life,” said Kate, “I bet you wish your life was a little more boring now.”

“That is so true. No more mad scientists to worry about.”

“Hey, that’s my great uncle you’re talking about.”

“Sorry,” I replied quickly, “Just joking.”

“I know,” she said with a smile, “so was I.”

“He’s not your great uncle then?”

“No,” she rolled her eyes, “I was joking about being offended. Sometimes I wonder about you Fletch. You’re like a kid. Oblivious.”

I smiled and shrugged my shoulders. “I can’t stand kids. So tell me about you? Where are your parents?”

Kate seemed to become smaller. It may have been her posture changing.

“I don’t know,” she said, “They both left when I was little.”

“Left?” I asked, “Like, abandoned you?”

“No, they just had to leave.”

“Why? Then where did they go?”

“I dunno,” she shrugged her shoulders, “I guess it depends what religion your from.”

“Oh,” I said, mentally kicking myself, “I’m sorry.”

“Sorry for what? I hate it when people say that. How could it possibly be your fault?”

I didn’t know what to say.

“I’m not angry by the way,” she added.

“I meant I’m sorry for you.”

“Well I don’t want pity. I don’t even remember them anyway. They went in a plane crash.”

I nodded and kept my mouth shut.

“My grandparents raised me.”

“So your dad’s parents?” I asked.

“Yeah, Sasha is the only one left on my Mum’s side of the family. And Cole I guess. But he isn’t a blood relative.”

I nodded again.

“Let’s go see a movie,” she said, “A comedy, maybe even something romantic.”

She winked at me.

“I am so keen,” I said standing up and offering her my hand, “Shall we walk hand in hand through the streets of Georgetown?”

“I do think we shall.”

I was still amazed that she was talking to me and would even hold my hand. It was a good, good day. With one hand holding my cane and the other holding Kate. It was a good, good day.

***

Well it was a good, good day, until we decided to take a shortcut down a dark alley. To be honest, I was not even surprised when a shadowy stranger approached us.

The stranger approached us ominously, and ominously is never a good way to be approached. As the stranger drew closer, I realized that it was our tag along, who had been following us lately. Thinking without my brain, I pushed Kate behind me and drew back my cane like I was about to hit a home run for the… I’m from New Zealand. I don’t know anything about baseball to be honest.

“Get back,” I said, in what I imagined was a gruff, intimidating voice which oozed masculinity. In reality I cracked a high and sounded like a squeaky version of Gandalf. You shall not pass! I planted my feet firmly, ready for the charge.

“Settle down,” said the man, “I just wanna talk.”

Sure he just wanted to talk. He wanted to steal Kate’s handbag, and spend all her money on crack.  I wasn’t about to let that happen. The fact that Kate wasn’t carrying a handbag slipped my mind.

I waved my cane in his face… Ominously.

“Put it down,” said the ominous man.

“No,” I said. Waving it about even more for a little dramatic effect.

“Fine then,” said the man.

He lashed out, ripped the cane from my sweaty hands, and snapped it over his knee, for a little dramatic effect of course.

“My Granddad made that,” I said, eyes wide.

This just got personal. I charged him; which is hard to do with only one good leg. It was less of a charge, and more of an awkward side-shuffle, like an angry crab. The end effect was good though. We both fell to the pavement. I was on top and feeling like a genuine Arnold Schwarzenegger. The ominous man was all red in the face and was looking more than a little bit angry.

“What the hell kid?”

We wrestled for a bit before he got the better of me and rolled me on my back. He then got to his feet and started kicking me in the ribs.

“I just wanted to talk,” he screamed. This guy would probably need counseling.

Kate, seeing me being kicked, put her phone down (911 of course), grabbed a handy piece of discarded drainpipe and rapped him on the back. He staggered to the side and glared at Kate. Thinking better of assaulting a girl, he turned back to me. I was on my feet now. He came in low, so I deflected his charge and stumbled to the side. I gave him a good kick as he flew by. Turning to face me he raised his fists, but despite his guard and with ninja speed, I jabbed him in the face. It wasn’t a particularly solid hit, but it disorientated him enough for me to land a few more into his stomach.

“Screw this,” I heard him mumble before he cracked me in the ribs with his knee.

I went down hard, gasping for air.

“Now,” he said, blood pouring from his nose. “I just want to talk!”

I was up on my feet again and keen for round two. Kate stopped me however.

“Fletch, stop,” she put a hand in front of me, the other still holding the drainpipe. “I think there has been a big misunderstanding.”

“But he was trying to rob us!” I pointed out between gasps. “He started kicking me in the ribs.”

“If I was trying to rob you,” the man pulled back his jacket to reveal a gun, “Then I would have used this, you moron! What is wrong with you?”

I smiled. Too tell the truth this had been great fun. I hadn’t felt an adrenalin rush like this since I thought I was Mary Poppins.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, “You broke my cane.”

“Because you kept screwing me around!”

“We won’t press charges if you don’t,” said Kate. The cops were arriving.

“Deal,” said the ominous man, “My name is Agent Jones, and I’m here on behalf of Kevin Cosworth, the Secretary of Homeland Security. We need to talk.”

***

After flashing his credentials about and shooing away the cops, Agent Jones (possibly the most generic name ever, in my opinion) led us to a coffee shop and sat us down. After returning from the restroom (he had to clean up his blood nose, it was looking pretty gruesome), he sat down opposite us and shook his head slowly.