by E. L. Morrow
Ugh. I need to go to sleep before my PA lectures me again about not conserving my strength.
Twenty-Two
Apprentice
Wichita
2094-10-12, Tuesday
The Personal Assistant indicates the call is connecting. At her console, Marie opens the video channel.
“Hello…. Oh, God, it is Marie.”
“My PA confirmed a call with Alexia Lane, to be placed 4:05 pm Eastern time.”
“We thought it was one of the computer geeks playing a joke, because well … you’re our hero.”
The camera pulls back, revealing eight other people in the room with Lexie. The next 10 minutes are spent with introductions and comments about their special friendships with Lexie. Admiration for Marie is also expressed.
Reading energy fields reveals true respect for their colleague. Some of them are a bit envious that I’m calling her, but no animosity. Three of the four men said they’ve had sex with her. She is a bit embarrassed by those revelations—even though they are accurate.
“Sounds like there’s a lot more sex in Philly than KC.”
One of the men, Derick, responds, “My dad said KC was a party school. He wanted me to go somewhere else.”
“What did your dad study?”
“Engineering.”
“Of course, they are notorious for their libido. When approaching that part of campus warning signs say do not approach unless wearing a SOG and not to accept drinks from strangers.”
“You made that up.”
“Derick, you sound like a Doorkeeper. What were the signs I might be untruthful?”
“You glanced away when you started the part about the signs.”
Another added, “And when you turned back, you looked at me and not him.”
“Correct. I did make it up. The lessons about ‘getting at the truth’ must’ve sunk-in.”
They are all pleased with themselves. My praise seems to mean more than I would’ve expected.”
“Well, I anticipate getting acquainted with each of you. But for now, I need a private conversation with Alexia.”
Everyone says goodbye, and Alexia moves to her room and closes the door.
Marie starts, “I like your friends. Are they all completing their Teaching Assistantships next month?”
“No, only two of them. Others wanted to be here, on the off chance that it might be you—not a prank.”
They talk about Lexie’s friends, her experience as a TA, and whom she will miss the most. Alexia reveals that she is sexually experienced, but there is no committed relationship. After a bit, the conversation turns to the call’s subject.
“Well, you may be wondering why I called you.”
“I’m dying to hear.”
“I’m authorized to make an offer—which you are under no obligation to accept. I must insist that you take at least 24 hours to mull it over. Talk to those you respect about the impact this might make on your career and pray about it. And, yes I know you are a person of faith—so I’m not a ‘holier than thou’ type—trying to push my assumption on anyone else.”
“Now, I’m nervous.”
“So, your spirit recognizes this could be good or bad—trust your feelings. Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
“I’m offering you the opportunity to be my Apprentice for a minimum of three years. You would need to move to Wichita and start no later than December 15.
“If you say yes, you will put yourself under some strict guidelines, both professionally and behaviorally. Everyone associated with me – in more than a casual relationship – is in danger. If you accept, you will be in danger and must submit to regular round the clock surveillance any time you are anywhere other than your home or workspace.
“You will learn everything about my role as a Doorkeeper and Security Coordinator. You will be under my supervision as well as standard probation. I tell you now—my expectations will be the strictest.
“So, I’ve only been a Keeper for two months—how do I rate an Apprentice? Three reasons.
“First, I’m serving on a joint-taskforce between Door and Security Services to develop a better working relationship. We must create a series of in-service training events. Meaning I must take time away from my work.
“Second, the Door Services Guidance team has asked me to take a primary role in speaking throughout the country about the issues in the Stop-the-Lies movement. I need to be away for several days at a time.
“And finally, not many people are aware that my predecessor created production centers for products he designed. He made me the manager—CEO of the company. Consequently, I must be out of the country several days every six to eight weeks and spend 20 hours each week keeping up.
“So, they say I need an apprentice I can trust to do the work when I’m not here. Now, I’ll let you speak.”
“Wow … It feels like a train just ran over me.”
“Should I call the medics?”
“No, I only need to recover. How are you doing that now?”
“With much help from friends, but they need to return to their lives.”
“You had me at ‘… my apprentice.’ There is so much I could learn from you, and … well, I’m a fan. It would be such an honor to work with you.”
“Do I sense a ‘but’ coming?”
“No! You said I must take time. I probably should because at this moment I would try to swim the Atlantic if you asked me.”
“I won’t ask that, but you should know some other things. Your home will be next door to me. You will need to do additional study to be ready to hit the ground running in mid-December. You’ll be unable to leave Wichita for several months—there’ll be vacation time, but visitors must come to you. Also, every visitor, family or friend, will be vetted before they can enter your home.
“What else should I tell you? You’ll be sick of seeing me, and the six walls of this workspace. Your social life will be minimal—except what you can conduct over electronic devices. Your time off may be shifted at the last minute to accommodate my changing schedules. Now, what are your questions?”
“Why me?”
“You’re top in your class. You are levelheaded, possess strong self-esteem, and are mentally balanced. Since you will be working in my living space, I thought it preferable for us to be of the same gender. It is also helpful that you do not have relatives or any ties others could use against you. I’m sorry both your parents are no longer living, but everything else being equal—lack of family ties will keep you safer.”
“You still believe we are in danger?”
“I’m sure of it—but not when or how.”
They discussed whom Lexie could tell about this conversation, and how to connect when her decision is final.
No doors are calling for her attention, so Marie stays with her thoughts about the call.
The electronic connection is severed, but I’m still in her energy trail. She is on her feet and leaving the room. Her friends are waiting in the common area, they stop what they are doing and turn toward her expectantly. The woman named, Herrington says, “Well?”
Lexie says, “I’m going to be her Apprentice.” They are all jumping up and down, hugging her, and talking over one another. It’s a celebration, acting like third graders on a playground.
Real friends. My friends keep me alive; her friends party with her. Just once I’d like some friends like hers: I would not eliminate the others. Staying alive is always helpful.
The next day at 4:01 pm Marie’s communicator indicated a call. The caller is Lexie and that her response is positive.
Alexia had talked with three of her professors, and her mentor, who retired this past spring. All encouraged her to “go for it.”
“One of my professors said, being associated with you can only be a plus for my career.”
After she accepts, they discuss what she needs to study before arriving. Times for twi
ce-weekly conversations are established.
Marie says, “A ‘signal scrambler’ will be delivered to you tomorrow. Wessel is our Personal Services Coordinator. He will contact you about your preferences for living and dining room furniture, and your first food delivery. He’ll provide diagrams and pictures of your home. If you want to change the color scheme now is the time. Be warned he is quite a comic, but completely serious about his work.
“As your Mentor, I recommend two things to start practicing. First is practice keeping confidences. I know that’s part of what we learn; however, an academic subject is different from life-and-death. There will be secrets you must keep—some of them will keep us alive. Second, start journaling your thoughts, and perceptions, even questions—now. If you don’t start now, it will be too much to remember later.”
After further discussion, Alexia is told about the pay increase to level five rather than four and additional vacation. She is as surprised as Marie had been. That’s a positive sign.
Twenty-Three
Help Wanted
Wichita
2094-10-13, Wednesday, 9:30 pm
Good news. My Apprentice is lined up. She will be a significant help in the long run, but in the short term—I take on new responsibilities: supervision, mentoring, reports, and developing a working relationship. I must be able to trust her, which means she must trust me.
Something else I can do is get help with the Stop-the-Lies organization. Nest made it clear that I need to take the lead. But if we don’t organize it will fizzle, or I will run myself ragged trying to do it. So, I recruit help. But who?
All the people I might consider are already as busy as me. Wait a minute, what about Dr. Samuel from the church.
I was put off by his ambition, and how he views everything through its impact on his influence. That trait can be beneficial as a leader in this kind of grassroots movement.
He also teaches philosophy and ethics. He has a network of colleagues that would be useful. Leading a faith community puts him in another network. He also serves on at least one local board perhaps more. His connections could be quite helpful in building a grass-roots organization.
Marie calls Danzella, “Can you do a security vetting on Dr. Samuel, the leader of Protestant Faith Community 186?”
“Completed, along with most of the regular attendees.”
“Of course, it’s a place where I might be in danger. You and Rudy amaze me about how you plan ahead—where I only plunge ahead.
“That’s my job.”
“You do it very well. I’m glad you have my back.”
“Thanks.”
“Any concerns about my working with Pastor Sam on the Stop-the-Lies movement?”
“None. He’s a true activist. I’ll glance at his file … by the way, his last name is Trent. He holds memberships in 11 different progressive and liberal organizations. All clean groups. Not a hint of scandal or impropriety in any of them.”
“He may be too committed to take on this responsibility—someone to help organize and recruit. They can do the groundwork before and after we show up with our dog and pony show.”
“He is not an officer in any of those groups. He seems to participate mainly for the connections and information. But what’s a ‘dog and pony show?’”
“Sorry, an old expression used in the Age of Confusion. It means we come to show off what we can, and then move on. The leaders begin to feel like trained dogs or ponies—running in circles and jumping through hoops.”
Danzella says, “I can’t imagine you ever jumping through someone else’s hoops.”
“Thanks. I think.”
Marie sets-up a lunch date with Dr. Samuel for the next day. His injury is healing, but he teaches no classes until January.
No persuasion is necessary. The pastor jumps at the opportunity to work with Marie and help defend The Plan.
He has already thought about strategies for the campaign. “I think we need to shore up our strength in the states that are already staunch Plan supporters. That way we produce a groundswell of energy to carry over into the swing states. Finally, we develop a strategy for the Anti-Plan areas.”
Marie says, “You’re aware no funding exists for this work. But I hoped your connections and networking would make it easier for you to engage others. You know lots of people I don’t. And they trust you as someone who is loyal to the cause.”
“Precisely, I try to pay my dues, so to speak, so when something comes along like Stop-the-Lies I have some chips to cash. And don’t worry about the time I might spend. During my recovery time—all I can do is talk.
“Also, I have nine weeks of vacation. I’ll use it if necessary.”
“Danzella, my security head, will inform you of my trips as soon as they are secure. You can rally supporters.” They also talk about developing a coordinating committee. Dr. Walter Derrick, a retired professor of Life Sciences, member of the congregation and a strong supporter of The Plan was the first name suggested. They brainstormed others and the need for people from all over the US and Canada.
Dr. Samuel Trent is now the official director of Grassroots Development for Stop-the-Lies. After setting up a regular contact schedule, Dr. Samuel asks Marie to make a presentation to the congregation.
While leaving the restaurant, Marie notices one of the local Security people following her. Remembering her wager with Security 17, that she would spot his invisible protection force, Marie says, “Friend, message Security 17 with details of the five times I have noticed his force tailing me. Suggest he starts to look for a leopard suit.”
Twenty-Four
Flying Lessons
There are two types of private pilots’ licenses. “Class C” is for the casual aviator who may want to take his or her family or friends on a vacation or adventure trip once every year or two. To qualify one must be at least at compensation level five, to be able to afford the aircraft fees.
“Class B” is for people who must regularly fly for their work including transporting significant amounts of equipment, or hazardous materials. This class accommodates anyone whose presence on a public airliner would bring danger to other passengers. Marie falls into the second category.
Application for aviation training is made on October 6 and approved two days later. Marie gains access to all the training materials. The process has been streamlined into four steps.
1. Text study. Independent Study followed by taking a test. Or Classroom study: next class begins January 4th and runs for 90 days to prepare for the test.
The test may be taken up to three times in a 12-month period. Passing is 85%.
2. Cockpit Simulator. A minimum of 20 hours; depending on one’s proficiency this may be increased to 100 hours. The average is 55 hours.
3. In-Plane Instruction. Flying an actual aircraft for a minimum of 10 hours—direct instruction. The teacher may require additional classes if skills are lacking.
4. A solo flight of no less than one hour.
The independent studies route is Marie’s choice. On October 12th she takes the test and receives a perfect score. Simulator time is scheduled starting the 14th. She completes 20 hours during her downtime October 19th. The system informed her that her Instructor is F. Bird. Marie is unaware that she is the first in more than a decade to complete flight simulation in the minimum time.
Her in-plane instruction occurred October 30 and November 6, leaving only one three-hour training scheduled for Saturday, November 13th at 10:00 am.
I’m so pumped about today. My last lesson is flying to KC and an evening with my friends; spend the night; then I make a solo trip back to Wichita and receive my Pilot’s License.
It’ll be interesting to see how my friends react to me, now that I’m no longer the study group hero. I wonder do I have friends like Lexie? This is the first two full days off since coming to 86.
After checking in and filing a flight plan, Marie learns her regular instruct
or is ill, and D. Hanger is taking his place. At the plane, she meets Duncan, and they proceed immediately into the external examination checklist, followed by the pre-flight, taxiing and take off.
Three minutes after leaving the ground, her instructor pops a pill into his mouth and takes a sip of water.
Marie asks, “What are you taking?” His anxiety is palpable, how did I miss it?
“Airsickness medicine.”
He’s lying. “I don’t buy it! You’re an aviation instructor, what’s going on?”
“You need to listen to this, Please, it’s my children…,” he says passing her a hand-held voice recorder.
His energy trail is screaming at me. Following it back, I find Hanger with his wife and two children. Everyone is frightened. Following the wife’s trail forward … there she and the children are being held captive, together with two other women and a child. All are bound and gagged. Not sure who the others are—bet I’ll find out soon.
What they hear is a recording of a man’s voice sounding like mid-nineties with severe respiratory issues.
“Hello, gr-r-r-i-i-al-l, did you real-l-l-y think you could defeat me-e? HA HA (hac). Silly child. I’m The General. I made Bluefoot and dozens like him. He’s a coward who ran to hide, but I’ll replace him so-o-o-n.
“But you…. You’ve cost me … lots of money and time… and for that…you…must…die. So (cough) I want you to know… who is kil-l-ling you. And that your life was waist-ted. Your precious Plan will go down. The Programmed States will all disappear… Aww, it was such a noble idea—that little people could have money too. You’re no more than a fly on my ass. I will smash you, and everyone who helped you.
“Your teacher has taken poison. As he dies, he will bend forward, pushing the controls into a dive. Don’t bother trying to pull out of it.
“So now…you must… die-e. HA, Ha.”