Mindspace - Complete Series

by A. K. DuBoff

  Kira’s mouth dropped open. “You shouldn’t have…”

  “Oh, good! Because we’re just having noodle packets.” He grinned. “Stars, Kira, I have a doctorate in genetics and regularly work eleven-hour days in an underground lab. You won’t find a master chef over here.”

  Smooth. She sighed. “You know, noodles sound just fine.”

  — — —

  Kira awoke the following morning with a grin after the evening with Leon. It had been years since she’d had a proper night of relaxation, and she could think of few people who offered better company. Though there were moments of flirtation, Leon was a perfect gentleman, as always. Kira knew all too well just how hard that was to find.

  Still, the mission came first. After the business with MTech was straightened out, she could revisit the past.

  A knock sounded on Kira’s front door while she was blow-drying her hair. “Coming!”

  She finished up and ran for the door in the low heels she’d paired with slacks and a long-sleeve blouse. Leon isn’t supposed to be here for another five minutes!

  Except it wasn’t Leon at the door.

  “Mom, Dad? How did you—”

  “Kira!” her mother exclaimed. “Why didn’t you tell us you were coming back to visit?”

  Yet another complication I don’t need. “This isn’t a vacation.”

  “I don’t care why you’re here,” her father said. “We haven’t seen you for ages. We’ve missed you.”

  Kira deflated. “Leon told you I was here, didn’t he?”

  “We’re still good friends with his parents. They mentioned it to us,” her mother confirmed.

  Way to keep things undercover, Leon! Kira took a step back into the living room and left the door open for her parents to enter. There was no way they would leave without getting some semblance of an explanation. “I know I should call more often. The Guard keeps me busy.”

  Her father closed the front door behind him. “Such a waste of your gifts.”

  Oh, here we go. Kira’s eyes narrowed. “No, Dad, a waste would have been staying here and playing games with tourists. I am out there helping the rest of the galaxy.”

  “Come on, Harold, arguing won’t get us anywhere,” Kira’s mother placed a hand on her husband’s arm.

  “Don’t pretend you haven’t thought the same things, Ruth.”

  Is it any wonder I don’t call often? Kira took a calming breath. “I not sure what Leon’s parents may have told you, but I don’t have time to socialize right now.”

  “You can’t take a few minutes for your parents?” Harold asked.

  Kira held in a groan. “I need a few days to get my head in the right place.”

  “We didn’t mean to barge in on you,” her mother said.

  “I didn’t mean it like that.”

  In recent years, it seemed like any of Kira’s conversations with her parents quickly turned into a guilt trip or misunderstanding in one way or another. They’d had hopes for her to follow in her grandmother’s footsteps and become a Reader in their local community, but Kira’s military aspirations had derailed their plans for her. Even after a number attempts to explain, they’d never understood her desire to put her life at risk to help strangers—their perspective was too focused on their small, peaceful world in a city where hotel over-booking was the biggest concern.

  Kira centered herself. “Look, you caught me by surprise. Let’s start over.”

  Her mother smiled. “Good idea. Are soldiers allowed to give hugs?” She held out her arms.

  A smile broke through on Kira’s face. “Of course.” She stepped forward and embraced her mother.

  Ruth rocked Kira back and forth. “Whatever brought you back here, I’m glad to see you doing well.” She pulled back from the hug and brushed her fingers along Kira’s short hair at her temple.

  “No long braids in the Guard,” Kira replied to the unspoken question.

  Her mother nodded and silently admired her.

  “All right, now. Don’t keep her all to yourself.” Harold wrapped Kira in a bear hug.

  “It’s good to see you too, Dad,” she mumbled into his shoulder. He released her.

  “I’m sorry I haven’t stayed in touch,” Kira continued. “So much of what I’m working on is classified.”

  “You’re okay. That’s the important thing,” Ruth said as she hesitantly took a step back toward the door. “We should let you finish getting settled in. Maybe we can have lunch later to catch up?”

  “I’d love to, but—”

  “Oh, sorry to interrupt.”

  Kira turned to see Leon standing in the doorway. “We have to get over to the MTech lab,” Kira finished her statement. “I’m sorry, this just isn’t a good time. I should be less distracted in a few days.”

  Harold frowned. “What are you doing over there with MTech?”

  “Working on a special project,” Kira replied.

  Her parents frowned.

  “They’re very impressed with her,” Leon chimed in on her behalf. He held up a white paper bag. “I got you a scone for the road.”

  Bringing me fresh pastries? That almost made up for tipping off her parents. “Thanks.”

  She took one of each of her parents’ hands. “I need to take care of this business, but once I’m done, we can spend some time together. I promise.”

  Ruth pulled her in for another hug. “I hope you mean that.”

  “I do. This isn’t like that time.”

  She parted ways from her parents, feeling simultaneously relieved that the overdue reunion was out of the way and also nervous for how she’d answer their inevitable questions about what she’d been up to for the last decade. There was no easy way to explain that she’d been trained as a killer and had been involved in pivotal events that had impacted thousands of lives. Even if they professed to be proud of her—which she wasn’t sure they would—she knew their perception of their little girl would be forever changed.

  They said their goodbyes, and her parents climbed into their vehicle, waving while they backed out.

  Once the car was down the driveway, Kira sighed and fixed Leon with dagger eyes. “You shouldn’t have told anyone I was here.”

  “Don’t pull that ‘undercover op’ shite, Kira. Your cover is you returning home. It’d be suspicious if you didn’t see your parents while you were back here supposedly reconnecting with your roots. I put the word out there because I knew you wouldn’t do it yourself.”

  Kira huffed. “Give me that scone, Puppetmaster.”

  He chuckled and handed over the bag. “Don’t worry, I have no intention of controlling your life or pretending I know what’s best for you. I just know MTech and how they think. That’s why I’m here to help.”

  “Next time, check with me first.”

  “Would you have agreed?” he asked.

  “Probably not.”

  Leon raised an eyebrow.

  “All right, fine. Maybe this was a helpful nudge in the right direction, one friend to another.”

  “Family can be challenging. I’ll be the first to admit it.”

  “You didn’t bail on your folks like I did.”

  He hesitated. “I think all of us would have liked a little more warning, not going to lie.”

  “I learned my lesson, believe me.” Kira looked him over. His gaze met hers for a moment, but she quickly refocused on the task at hand. “Anyway, thanks for helping me maintain my cover. Most of my recent missions have involved blowing things up with tac teams and plasma rifles, so I’m still remembering how to do this whole subtle infiltration thing.”

  “Remember faster, because we have to get to the lab.”

  She scowled playfully. “What do you take me for?”

  “Yes, your majesty, I know you’re a pro. Come on, you can eat in the car.”

  Kira grinned. “Good, because I was going to anyway.”

  She had devoured the scone by the time the car had made it out of the housing complex to
the main road. While she licked the orange frosting from her fingers, she gazed out the window at the surrounding hills and the wispy clouds drifting through the sky.

  Sky. It had been years since she’d spent any appreciable time on a planet. Space had become her home. Yet, being back on Valta and feeling real gravity underfoot, breathing fresh air, she realized that she did miss being planetside. Perhaps future assignments would afford more time on the ground.

  They arrived at the MTech parking lot and then got out and walked the short path to the facility’s entrance.

  Once inside, Kira approached the reception desk. “Good morning.”

  “Hello, Kira,” Martha greeted. “I have your visitor badge for you.” She handed it over the counter. “I’ll let Dr. Waylon know you’re here.”

  “No need to bother her,” Leon said. “I can get Kira oriented to whatever assignment Dr. Waylon wanted her to work on.”

  “I was given specific instructions.” Martha made entries on the desktop in front of her. “You can get to your duties, Dr. Calleti. I’ll keep Kira company while she waits.”

  Kira gave Leon a nod to let him know it was all right.

  He acquiesced. “Very well. Maybe I’ll see you at lunch?”

  “I’ll let you know,” Kira said. “If not, dinner.”

  He smiled. “Have a good day.” He headed for the security arch into A Wing.

  “Any more details involved with the orders Dr. Waylon left?” Kira asked the receptionist.

  “No, but your badge now has access to C Wing.”

  “What’s in there?” Kira already had a rough idea based on Leon’s orientation, but she was curious how Martha would reply.

  “It’s some of our most exciting technology. You’re in for a treat.”

  “Looking forward to it.”

  When Martha didn’t say anything more, Kira began strolling around the lobby, making note of the security details and points for entry or emergency egress. While sleek and architecturally stunning, the place was built like a fortress—but every fortress had its vulnerabilities.

  “Enjoying the view?” Monica said from behind Kira.

  She turned to greet her. “I was admiring those pendant lights. Were they made by our local glass craftsmen at Trileo Studio?”

  “Good eye. They were,” Monica confirmed. “We tried to bring as much local flavor to the facility as possible. MTech is grateful to have been welcomed to Valta with such open arms.”

  Like anyone had a choice, I’m sure. Kira smiled. “That’s great to see. So, what did you want to meet with me about?”

  “Come. We’ll talk in private.”

  Monica led her to the security arch on the left. In contrast to A Wing’s door-lined corridors, this wing entrance was a featureless hallway that terminated in an elevator door.

  “Your secret lair?” Kira asked.

  “Hardly.” Monica pressed the call button. “Due to the nature of the research in this division, we constructed the lab four stories underground to minimize external interference.”

  The logic was sound, but the hairs on the back of Kira’s neck stood up when the elevator door opened. If I don’t go with her now, I’m out for good. She steeled her nerves and stepped into the elevator car.

  The control panel consisted of a single button, marked ‘Sublevel 4’.

  They rode down the four stories in silence. When the doors opened, the temperature was a couple of degrees cooler than on the surface, even though Kira detected the telltale signs of environmental controls.

  “I have a lab set aside for us to chat in,” Monica said as she stepped into the corridor.

  The hallway more closely resembled A Wing, but Kira was still on edge. She didn’t like being in a place with only one way out.

  “Dr. Waylon—er, Monica—may I ask why you’ve taken an interest in me rather than any of the other Readers on Valta? I’m hardly the only telepath around here.”

  “Oh, I have spoken with others. I’m curious to see how an extended time away from Valta has impacted your abilities.”

  A slight pitch in her tone gave her away. She’s lying.

  Kira had been given complete authority to use any means necessary for investigation, so she may as well take advantage of that freedom. She prepared for an assessment of Monica’s inner thoughts.

  Invading someone’s mind turned her stomach, especially for someone who hadn’t actually done anything to wrong her—yet. Still, the MTech lab was up to something, and there wouldn’t be an easier way to find out what that was other than to read the lab director’s thoughts.

  Kira waited for the right moment when she was able to make eye contact for long enough to initiate a telepathic link with Monica’s mind. However, Kira’s probe met only a blank mental wall.

  The fok? She tried to push through, but the barrier was impenetrable, even for her advanced skills.

  “That’s not polite,” Monica said without breaking stride.

  “Oh, shite.” The words slipped out before Kira could stop herself.

  Only one group aside from the Readers on Valta were capable of such thorough mental blocks, due to their own telepathic abilities. But that meant Monica had trained as a TSS Agent, and she may also possess telekinetic abilities.

  “You’re…” Kira began.

  “Yes, I spent a year training as a TSS Agent before I was enlightened about their ass-backward ways,” Monica completed. “You shouldn’t be so surprised, knowing firsthand what it’s like to have the military use you for your special abilities.”

  Kira’s pulse spiked. She tried to settle it, knowing the telepath would be able to pick up on the slightest changes to her demeanor. Shite! Did I tip her off to my mission during our last meeting? She couldn’t remember if she’d tensed or hesitated while responding to any questions. “You’ve read my file.”

  “Of course I have. Why do you think I was so eager to chat with you? You are quite a fascinating individual, Kira Elsar.”

  “My abilities aren’t like those who train with the TSS,” Kira said after a pause.

  “Yes, you are quite a curious case.” Monica studied her. “Telepathy but none of the other traits that are typically associated with the Gifted bloodlines.”

  “Makes us Valtan telepaths kinda boring compared to a telekinetic like you.”

  Monica smiled slightly. “I’ve never liked that name, since the abilities are more than just object levitation and what one typically thinks of as ‘telekinesis’. I much prefer the ‘Gifted’ label rather than calling us ‘TK’.”

  Kira had heard that some Gifted could perform extraordinary feats beyond levitation—electromagnetic manipulation, focusing their power through objects, ultra-fast movements through spatial distortions. She had no interest in finding out the extent of Monica’s abilities firsthand.

  “What do you expect to learn from me that you don’t already know from your own experience?” Kira asked.

  A slight smile touched Monica’s lips. “I’m certain you’ve seen the recent news reports about the Priesthood’s genetic experimentations on Tararia—how their interventions led to the Generation Cycle, yes?”

  Kira nodded. The information she’d seen had been sensationalized by the media, but there must have been enough truth in it for the High Dynasties to have successfully removed the Priesthood from power. Accordingly to the recent information leaks, telepathic and telekinetic abilities used to be much more common, except clandestine genetic modifications gone wrong had permanently altered the general population. Learning that, it was no surprise Kira’s ancestors had chosen to flee the central worlds.

  “Well, the powers that be have been looking for a genetic patch,” Monica continued. “Since the origins of Valta’s telepathic skills appear to be distinct from standard Taran gifts, learning more about the expression of your abilities might yield insights about how to correct other genetic anomalies.”

  “What kind of study?” Kira pressed.

  “I’d like to take a look
inside your brain.”

  Kira tensed. She was down four stories with no way to get in touch with anyone. Her hands curled into fists, ready to fight her way out if she needed to.

  “Are you all right?” Monica asked, pausing in the middle of the hall.

  “What are you going to do to me?” Kira demanded.

  Monica stared at her for five seconds then broke into a musical laugh. “What, do you think I brought you down here to lock you up like a lab animal?” She placed a hand on Kira’s shoulder and looked her in the eyes. “Kira, I just want to learn more about the nature of your abilities—a non-invasive examination. You needn’t worry.”

  The words were genuine, as far as Kira could tell, but it was all way too suspicious. This woman was hiding something, and Kira could tell that she personally somehow fit into a larger plan. However, there was no way that she could take on a combatant with telekinetic abilities single-handedly. She needed to play along.

  “Sorry, I just get a bit claustrophobic underground.”

  Monica raised one of her shapely eyebrows. “Even after all your time in space?”

  “We have viewports. It’s a weird psychological quirk, what can I say?”

  “One of the great things that makes us special.” The doctor smiled.

  Kira held out her hand. “Lead the way.”

  They traversed another fifteen meters of hall and then turned to the left. Monica opened the second door on the right, revealing a stark white five-by-five meter room with a table and two chairs in the center and a computer panel along the back wall.

  “Have a seat.” Monica walked to the computer and began navigating through a menu.

  Kira selected the chair with the better view of the door. “You’re not big on color around here.”

  “The white brings some brightness to the space, though, don’t you think?”

  “I suppose.”

  Monica stopped her entries on the touchscreen and turned to face Kira. “Have I offended you in some way by inviting you here?”

  All right, time to try a straight approach. Kira shrugged. “I know you’re busy and must have a lot of other, better things to do than talk with some Guard officer visiting Valta on leave. I’m curious what you’re working on that would make me a priority.”