‘Oh, they’ll be staying outside,’ Hart said. ‘We had this discussion. If I’m not safe with you, who am I safe with?’
‘I’m not sure the Secret Service has the same opinion of me that you do.’ Cygnus stepped back and ushered the Democratic candidate inside. ‘It’s straight through to the lounge.’
‘This house is unusual.’
‘Yeah, I guess. It was designed by an Ultra who could fly. The middle floor is a dojo and aerobatics gym. The master bedroom is at the top, but we don’t use that. My partner can’t fly.’
June was standing in the kitchen area when they walked into the lounge. She had changed out of a robe and into a minidress, and she was putting a pot of coffee together. ‘Ah, yes,’ Hart said. ‘June Summerfield, I believe. Model and dress designer to the stars.’
June flashed a bright smile. ‘That’s me. Good morning, Mrs Hart. Coffee?’
‘Thank you, yes. Black, no sugar.’ Cygnus waved Hart to one of the sofas and then sat down opposite, saying nothing. After a second or two of silence, Hart decided that she was supposed to speak. ‘As I’m sure you know, I’m running for president. I don’t have political experience – as my competitors continually point out – but I have a strong running mate and a constitutional lawyer for a husband, so that’s died down a little. I’m seen as someone who could bring in new ideas. I’m a woman. I’m an Ultra.’
‘And I probably shouldn’t say this, but you have my vote,’ Cygnus said. ‘Well, technically, you have my alter ego’s vote. I can’t actually vote.’
‘You have mine too,’ June added happily.
‘Thank you, both. I need more than that.’
Cygnus tried not to sag. ‘Kilmer has Captain Freedom on his side and you want an endorsement from me.’ Definitely not a question.
‘That’s basically it,’ Hart said, nodding. ‘I wouldn’t ask. Really, I wouldn’t ask, but with the Captain coming out for Kilmer… Have you seen the polls?’
‘Senator Kilmer currently leads the aggregated polls by seventeen points,’ Denny announced, and Hart jumped. ‘The five-day trend suggests that this could increase to twenty points over the weekend.’
Smirking a little, June walked down from the kitchen with three mugs of coffee. ‘That’s Denny. She’s our house.’
‘An alien artificial intelligence,’ Cygnus explained. ‘She’s very good with numbers. Among other things.’
‘Oh,’ Hart said. ‘Well, thank you, Denny.’
‘It was my pleasure, Mrs Hart,’ Denny replied. ‘I am sorry I could not provide nicer news.’
‘That’s fine. It’s accurate. If this keeps up, the GOP are going to walk away with this election and I hate to think what other lunatic ideas Kilmer is going to try to push if he gets in. His views on Ultras are… conservative.’
‘The space prison idea had Cygnus laughing,’ June said. ‘Well, banging her head on the table, but I could tell she was laughing inside.’
‘That one is going down very well with his supporters. They’ve started chanting “send them to space” at his rallies.’ Hart grimaced. ‘I suppose it might be a solution to the Fortress problem, but–’
‘It will cost billions,’ Cygnus said. ‘We don’t currently have the technology to make a prison in space viable. We have one space station up there, sure, but that only works because everyone in it wants to be there. Can you image The Freak in a ship he could rip apart with a shrug of his shoulders? The only viable support mechanism you’d have is me. There’s a new hero, Astraea, who can fly into space, but that’s about it. Captain Freedom can’t get into orbit. And what does it solve? The Fortress was destroyed from space. If you put the new one in orbit, it just makes it easier to get to.’
‘You’ve thought about this,’ Hart said, smiling. ‘Mind if I use some of that in the debates?’
‘Be my guest. If you asked Doctor Ultimate nicely, he could probably give you precise figures on how stupid it would be.’
‘I’ll keep that in mind. I could really use your endorsement, Cygnus.’
‘I’m not so sure you want it. My public image has taken a dive since Naryan Tan nuked DC. Captain Freedom is going on about needing a military force in space to fight alien invasions and half of the internet thinks I’m not human. If I endorse you, you’re going to get backlash from a lot of people.’
‘People who probably weren’t going to vote for me anyway.’
Cygnus sighed. ‘I don’t want to be involved in politics. I have enough trouble with the UID.’ She held up a hand. ‘I’ll think about it. Maybe when I’ve heard more of the kind of policies you and Kilmer have, I’ll be better able to make a decision.’
‘I guess that’s all I can ask.’ Hart settled back on the sofa and sipped her coffee. ‘Oh, that hits the spot. Okay, so did you really capture drug smugglers by lifting a submarine out of Chesapeake Bay?’
Cygnus laughed. ‘Why is it always the submarine?’
3rd August.
It took five days. At a rally in Albuquerque on the first of August, Kilmer proposed lifting the federal reserve status of the DC area, which everyone aside from his supporters seemed to know was hanging onto life by a thread anyway. In his next breath, he put forward a plan to ‘ensure the security of the entire nation’ by making the registration of Ultras mandatory for anyone exhibiting Ultrahuman powers. That had gone down a storm in a city which had faced an attack from The Freak the year before. No one mentioned that it had been three Ultras who had stopped the monster’s rampage. Or if they did, no one was listening.
In L.A. the following evening, Hart had stated flatly that a universal registration of Ultras was unconstitutional and would simply drive Ultrahumans underground. It was hardly a surprise that she was against such a policy – she was not registered because she had no desire to enforce the law, which was more or less the only reason for registering currently – but it had set down the first really major policy difference between the two candidates, and it was one Cygnus could not ignore.
At midday on the third, Penny called through to L.A. where it was nine in the morning. It was almost as though Hart’s people had been expecting the call because she was put straight through.
‘Cygnus?’ Hart asked. ‘Obviously, I was hoping to hear from you.’
‘Yeah, well. Kilmer has pretty much forced my hand. You know the polls are suggesting people like the idea.’
‘I know. It’s my job to make them understand what it would actually mean.’
‘Then I hope you do your job well. I’ll call ACPN as soon as I’m done here. They’ll send someone out to hear what I have to say. I’d expect the report to go out on the evening news.’
‘You don’t sound pleased about doing this.’
‘I’m not. I don’t put on a costume and fly around the city looking for trouble so I can make political speeches. But I’ll look really convincing on camera.’
‘Well, I know this sounds like I’m just boot-licking, but thanks for this. The fact that you’d rather not be doing it means I have more to thank you for.’
Penny sighed softly. ‘See what the polls do. Then you can thank me, or curse me.’
~~~
‘Most of the policies Senator Kilmer has put forward have been ill-conceived,’ Cygnus said from the wall screen. The backdrop was the trees outside the house; the camera crew and reporter had turned up and been perfectly happy with that arrangement. ‘I can actually get behind his proposal to lift the DC federal reserve status. I’ve been quietly suggesting that for quite a while. But his universal registration idea is a step too far. I believe he is an inadvisable choice for the presidency and I am endorsing Francesca Hart for president.’
‘You look amazing,’ June commented.
‘I tweaked a few settings,’ Penny replied.
‘Cygnus,’ the off-screen reporter said, ‘you are registered yourself. Why would you be against the registration of other Ultrahumans?’
‘I chose to register,’ Cygnus replied. ‘I made
a decision to use my talents to uphold the law and help people. I was able to do so without the need to reveal my real identity, which allowed me to go out and do what I do without putting my friends and family in danger. What Senator Kilmer is proposing is an involuntary registration without that anonymity.’
‘He hasn’t stated that the anonymity clause would be revoked.’
‘He has, because he proposes it as a replacement for the federal exclusion zone. How can the UID keep track of Ultras in the DC area if they only have information on a masked alter ego? Has anyone considered how a mandatory registration system is going to be enforced at all? There are ways to detect Ultrahuman activity. Are we going to have UID patrols scanning for Ultrahuman powers and then checking IDs? How about scanners in schools? That’s how the Superhuman Orientation Programme in the Soviet Union works. Is that what we want in America?’
The scene cut back to the studio and the presenter appeared, looking concerned. ‘That was New Millennium City heroine Cygnus confirming her endorsement of Mrs Francesca Hart’s campaign this afternoon.’
‘That’s not faked,’ June said. ‘You actually got to her with that little speech.’
‘In further good news for the Hart/Walker campaign,’ the presenter went on, ‘Fullerton Technologies announced this morning that they will be making a contribution to their funds described as “substantial.”’
‘Huh, I can’t imagine Damian is keen on the idea of mandatory registration.’
Penny shook her head. ‘No, he wouldn’t be, but I’m betting that’s not Bianca’s only reason for this.’
The presenter appeared to be listening. ‘Bianca Fullerton appeared at a press conference this afternoon where she had this to say.’
‘I’m sure you’ll all be expecting me to come out in favour of Senator Kilmer,’ Bianca said. She was at a podium in what was probably a press room somewhere in the main FTI building. ‘I’m quite sure my company could bleed the national coffers of a small fortune attempting to put a super-max prison in orbit. Frankly, we don’t need the bad press that will come when it fails. I’m a businesswoman, and I refuse to see hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayers’ money flushed away on a vanity project. Beyond that, I refuse to see this country haemorrhage talented individuals who just happen to have Ultrahuman genetics as they run for Canada or Europe, where they won’t be forced to reveal themselves. I’m putting my money where my mouth is. Francesca Hart for president.’
‘Mute,’ Penny said. ‘That was certainly telling them.’
‘Well, Bianca’s that kind of woman,’ June said. ‘How are the polls, Denny?’
‘Unchanged, June,’ Denny replied immediately, ‘but they will not have taken these latest developments into account. Ask me again in a couple of days.’
‘Oh, I will. Trust me, I will.’
4th August.
Fleet sucked on her slushy, her face a little pensive even without the pursed ‘sucking lips.’ Brian could have watched her doing that for hours: she had a way of sucking semi-frozen liquids that made ungentlemanly thoughts float through his head.
She stopped, somewhat to his disappointment, and licked her lips. ‘I’ve never asked,’ she said. ‘What are you planning to do now high school is over?’
‘College,’ Brian responded automatically. ‘Uh, just the local one. I’ve got courses lined up on being an electrician.’
Fleet grinned. ‘That’s certainly focusing on your strong points. So, you’re going to New Millennium College?’
‘Uh-huh. It’s on the rail extension out to the airport, so I can get there easily enough and save money on housing. Even if that means staying at home for another year or two.’
‘No, that’s a good idea. Financially, I mean. Student loans suck.’
He grinned. ‘No kidding. You?’ Brian had a sudden sinking feeling that she would be moving away from the area. This was Fleet, so if she moved to L.A. she could still visit pretty regularly, but… Was this about to be a break-up talk?
‘I’m leaving home.’ Brian’s stomach sank a little further. ‘Not far, but I’m getting my own apartment in, uh, Uptown. Not far from the college. I’m doing dance and some acting courses. At New Millennium College.’ When Brian just blinked at her, she decided to keep talking because she was not really sure what the blinking meant. ‘My parents are paying for the apartment. They said I should get out on my own and they’re not moving to the city for at least another year. Dad has a position lined up at Friendship General, so they’ll probably get a house in Friendship anyway. So, um, I’ll have a place of my own. In New Millennium. I thought that might be good.’ Pause. ‘You’re not saying anything.’
Brian closed his mouth. ‘It’s your birthday today. I thought I was supposed to get a present for you.’
Fleet giggled and sucked on her drink. ‘I’ll be moving in on Labor Day. I was sort of hoping you could come over and help. You’d, um, meet my parents.’
Cringing, Brian managed to say, ‘That’ll be fun then.’
‘Don’t be silly. They’ll love you. It’s not like we’re sleeping together, so Dad won’t have anything to worry over.’
Brian’s cheeks coloured. ‘Well, no, but–’
‘I really want you to meet them before we do christen my new bed.’
Oh yes, meeting Fleet’s mother and father was going to be enormous fun.
5th August.
‘This morning’s aggregate polls show a significant narrowing of the margins,’ Denny said. The morning news had been watched and grumbled about. June had asked about the polls, as she had promised. ‘Senator Kilmer is ahead by five point eight points. There has also been a reduction in negative comments about Cygnus.’
‘Small victories,’ Penny said.
‘It’s an improvement,’ June said. ‘It may be the start of–’
‘Denny, have you enough poll data to make a prediction on the outcome of the electoral colleges?’
‘My data is more limited,’ Denny replied, ‘but my current analysis suggests a win for Senator Kilmer in all but three states.’
‘Oh,’ June said.
‘That’s representative democracy for you,’ Penny said, adding a bleak smile for good measure.
‘Why do we still do it that way?’
‘There are various arguments, but I suspect it’s because it benefits the two major parties. You see–’
‘Penny, my connection to NMCPD dispatch has been shut down.’ Denny sounded annoyed. That was new.
‘Shut down? That implies something deliberate.’
‘There was a full protocol shutdown. When the camera router went down, that did not happen. The camera feeds have never been re-established. Now the dispatch feed appears to have been deliberately closed. I was not made aware of any planned maintenance operations.’
Penny frowned. June frowned. Penny said, ‘Give it an hour and then remind me. If it hasn’t come back, I’ll make some calls.’
~~~
It had taken a couple of hours to get to speak to the one man who seemed willing to actually give Penny answers. Police Commissioner Harold Mainworthing sounded uncomfortable under his usual gruff demeanour, but he seemed willing to talk.
‘I’ve been arguing this for a month,’ Mainworthing said. ‘The council finally forced my hand.’
‘A month?’ Penny asked. ‘It was about a month ago we had a mysterious, unrepairable router failure blocking the camera feeds the city finally organised for us.’
‘They could turn that off themselves. The dispatch connection required that they talk to me.’
‘Okay, but why–’
‘Captain Freedom asked for and received a city-funded communications connection to the police department. We have him on call. He… expressed certain security concerns. He didn’t exactly state that he wouldn’t work with the department if you were still connected to it, but that was the basic message.’
‘Thank you for your honesty, Commissioner,’ Penny said. Then she disconnected th
e call. ‘Denny, monitor the police frequencies for any indications of problems we can deal with. Emergencies only.’
‘It’s not some kind of mistake?’ June asked.
‘No. It seems as though Captain Freedom has decided that Cygnus is a threat to the security of the city. The police have him on call, so they don’t need us. We patrol as usual, right up until the time the people of New Millennium tell me I’m not wanted. Then… Then, I’m not sure what I’ll do.’
10th August.
Penny poured herself fresh coffee and attempted to establish a philosophical viewpoint on things. The police dispatch feed had been dropped on Friday. The camera feed from the banks had died on Monday morning. In a little over a week, she would be twenty-six. Somehow, the fact that she was getting older had become another indication that the world was quietly working to piss her off. Which was silly: the world was not doing anything of the sort, but Captain Freedom seemed to be.
A movement pulled her attention to the real world. No, not a movement: the big screen was showing Denny’s sensor display with a flashing marker on the eastern edge. She had just taken in that the icon did not have the usual details beside it, which marked it as a commercial flight, when Denny spoke.
‘I am detecting a space vehicle entering the atmosphere on a ballistic trajectory,’ Denny announced.
‘Do you have an identification?’ Penny asked.
‘Not at this time. If the vehicle does not correct its fall, it will impact the ground approximately five kilometres southwest of here, in the vicinity of Brighton Woods.’
Penny bolted for the bedroom. ‘Crap. How long?’
‘The trajectory is fluctuating. I believe the vessel has a partially functioning antigravity system.’
‘Denny?’
‘Approximately five minutes.’
‘Right. June, get changed and follow me out there. We might need your healing.’
June walked into the bedroom, stripping out of her shirt. ‘I’m on it.’
Cygnus pulled her suit up her legs. ‘Let’s just hope I can get there in time.’
~~~
The alien ship was a rather pleasing shape, smoothly changing from a slightly bulbous prow to a triangular aft. It was streamlined, if not exactly aerodynamic, the hull a gleaming white except where the surface had been scuffed, pitted, and/or burned. This was a vessel which had been through a rough time.
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