Shattered Truth

by Michael Anderle

  In truth, the heavy light pollution of Neo SoCal meant most people couldn’t make out a single star in the sky at night, let alone the Milky Way. The beauty of the night was something he had always appreciated on less populated planets.

  Erik trudged along, his hands in his pockets, among the stores and kiosks for anything of interest or distracting.

  He’d asked Emma to leave him alone, but he’d not planned to go shopping that night. He’d wanted to have a beer with Jia at Remembrance, but she had gone on another date set up by her sister.

  For a woman who constantly complained about her family’s interference with her personal life, she didn’t do much to set them straight. It also wasn’t his place to tell her how to deal with her family. His relationship with his brother was one of the few areas of his life he was unsure about.

  For now, he had enough to worry about.

  He stopped and peered into a shop selling custom holographic plants. An excited clerk chatting with a frowning woman gestured to a flickering cherry tree. Erik continued along, not interested in more illusions in his life.

  He might lie and put on a mask to deceive his enemies, but he wanted to cling to the truth.

  Something about Jia’s date continued to poke at his mind, but he wasn’t sure why. Was it because she had a life? Maybe that was it.

  She’d insisted several times he needed to start building a life and developing hobbies, even if she’d been less insistent since he’d told her the truth about Mu Arae and Molino. He couldn’t resent her for living her life. That was what normal people did.

  Erik sucked in a deep breath. He occupied a liminal space, neither living nor dead. The bullets and bombs hadn’t killed him on Molino, but he’d awoken as a revenant nonetheless. He breathed. He ate. He slept, but everything was focused toward an end goal.

  But that mission was coming along slowly, even with the aid he’d gathered. He’d passed on what little information he had to Colonel Adeyemi, but the officer had made it clear that he didn’t think that would lead to anything.

  He wasn’t ready to give up. The enemy felt vulnerable. That was the only explanation for why they would try to kill him.

  Cornered opponents made mistakes, and if he were patient, he could exploit those errors.

  Was it wrong to try to live a normal life while also being dedicated to vengeance? Erik didn’t know.

  Anger and planning had consumed the year it took him to return to Earth, but he had known it wouldn’t be as simple as showing up and killing the people responsible. He wouldn’t have bothered with becoming a detective otherwise.

  He grunted. Jia had agreed to help him, but when it came time to take down the people responsible for killing the Knights Errant, Erik wouldn’t let legal formalities get in the way. If he could do it that way, he would consider it, but he suspected his quest would end with him shoving the TR-7 into someone’s face and holding down the trigger until nothing was left.

  Someone powerful and arrogant stood at the end of his trail, and he would enjoy inflicting the same fear his soldiers had felt on them, if only for a few moments.

  Erik brushed past a distracted man chattering away on a one-sided PNIU call. The man looked up to scowl at him before wincing and ducking his head.

  “It wouldn’t hurt to build a life in the meantime,” Erik murmured to himself as he looked around.

  He stopped and stepped into a pet store. Holographic images of animals from dogs to lizards filled the mostly empty area. A few clerks stood behind a circular counter near the center. One of them, a young man who looked like he should be in school, not selling animals, stepped out from behind the counter and walked toward the potential customer with the desperate grin of a hungry predator.

  “Hello, sir,” the salesman offered, painting a smile on his face. “Welcome to Forever Friends! Do you have a preference regarding your future companion?”

  Erik shrugged. “I was curious. Not sure about a pet. Just figured I’d stop in and check things out.”

  The salesman’s smile grew larger. He gestured to a holographic parrot flying near the ceiling. “Every animal we sell here is biological. We custom grow them from high-quality germline samples that have been treated for telomerase stability. All come standard with normal anti-disease genetic modifications, but we are a Terran Purist Association-certified company, so you can rest easy knowing your Forever Friend is the best fusion of science and nature and not anything you have to be ashamed of.” He leaned in and lowered his voice. “Yes, our prices are a little higher, but you can sleep easy at night, knowing you have an animal and not some twisted monster that just looks like a pet.”

  He nodded as if the Purist scaremongering was simply common sense.

  Erik wasn’t sure if he agreed with not tinkering with animals, but given humans’ tendency to mess up, a little extra caution was arguably a good idea.

  “Sure. That makes sense.” His gaze shifted to a simulated Golden Retriever playing catch with a boy. “Like I said, though, I don’t even know if I need a pet, or what kind I might need.”

  “Dogs are excellent pets,” the salesman offered. “Please note we have TPA approval on quick-batch gene mixing for dogs. We can isolate traits to customize the Forever Friend so that it best fits your lifestyle.”

  Erik pointed at a meowing cat hologram. “But they are still animals. You still need to take care of them, right?”

  “True,” the other man replied, nodding at the Golden Retriever. “But you’ll quickly find that once you bring home your Forever Friend, you’ll fall in love with them. Humanity has lived with domestic animals since before we had writing, and owning a pet in modern times means we can truly explore what it means to live a natural lifestyle. Alternatives such as robots are never as satisfying. If you would like, I could show you various third-party reports and polls that prove living pets are vastly preferable to robotic or virtual pets.”

  Erik shook his head. “That’s okay. I’ll take your word for it.”

  Despite the temptation to buy a dog, Erik doubted living in massive towers with grown pets was all that natural, but the recent attempt on his life gave him a far different perspective on why a pet would be a bad idea, grown, robotic, or freeborn.

  Some stupid criminal group in the Shadow Zone might be too afraid to try to kill him, but they might hurt or kill his dog to make a point. Then he would have to spend a year wiping out some random stubborn criminal organization as a side project. He didn’t need that trouble.

  His vengeance dance card was already full.

  Erik turned to leave. “I’ll have to think about it, but I don’t think I’m ready for that responsibility.”

  “You could consider giving us a down payment,” the salesman suggested, desperation creeping into his voice. “It assures you get priority at the growth center. A lot of people think they aren’t ready, but then they change their minds when they later think about it. I’d hate for you to have to wait when you’ve finally committed to your new friend.”

  Erik shrugged and continued out of the store. “Don’t worry, I’m a patient guy.” He rejoined the crowds between the stores.

  The salesman heaved a sigh and returned to the counter, muttering under his breath.

  The man wasn’t totally wrong. Something was lacking in Erik’s apartment. He’d always sensed it, but Jia’s continued prodding about his hobbies and personal life had drawn the background thoughts to the forefront.

  Sphere ball matches and tactical training didn’t fill that void, and vengeance wasn’t enough when he didn’t have an immediate viable target. The gnawing hole remained and he wanted something to fill it, just not a pet. Not that level of responsibility.

  He continued flowing with the streams of people, his hands in his pockets. He was in a commerce tower on Earth. Anything he could possibly desire to fill his evenings was there: advanced VR equipment, musical instruments, furniture, ingredients, art supplies.

  He could take up painting or drawing, or he co
uld buy a house and build himself a sphere ball court and start his own neighborhood league.

  Erik stopped and tilted his head. A miniature landscape of dwarf trees and shrubs in pots or in dirt and rock in shallow trays filled the tables in a nearby store. The simple, non-holographic sign declared the shop to be The Floating Tree.

  A beautiful smiling young woman stood inside, her raven-black hair up in a complicated series of braids that seemed popular among many of the wealthy elite in Neo SoCal.

  The crisp white of her shirt was a stark contrast to her voluminous dark skirt. She stood next to a long counter filled with tiny shaped trees and shrubs, some upright, some slanted, others in more complicated configurations invoking a full-sized landscape. Rocks and miniature buildings decorated some of the scenes.

  He stopped outside the shop. The smiling woman’s nametag read Li Feng.

  She spread her arms out. “Welcome, sir, to The Floating Tree.”

  Erik looked around, trying to figure out what he was seeing. “So is this a bonsai tree store?”

  Li Feng shook her head. “This is a penjing center, where we introduce people to the art and provide them with the initial supplies they need to enjoy this ancient pastime. Bonsai is a descendant, in a sense, of the original techniques from China, but both traditions have spread and grown many subtypes, fueling each other’s growth throughout the centuries.”

  She smiled. “Are you interested in getting started with this spiritually fulfilling and relaxing pursuit?”

  “You mean, am I interested in growing tiny plants?” Erik let his dubiousness filter into his voice.

  “It’s less about growing tiny plants than cultivating a relationship with nature, including artistic development of landscapes in miniature,” Li Feng explained. She pointed to several tiny trees arranged around a series of freestanding rocks. The entire setup gave the impression of a tree-covered mountain range. “But you need this, sir. I can tell.”

  “I need it?” Erik folded his arms across his chest. “Why do I need it?”

  “Easy to see you’re stressed out, and need a hobby to balance yourself.” She winked, a forced and awkward gesture. “If you don’t do something like this now, you’ll push forward until you destroy yourself. Just think, how often will a reasonable investment provide both an interesting new hobby and save you from self-destruction?”

  Erik laughed. “I don’t think I’ll be destroyed if I don’t take up penjing. I vaguely remember hearing of it before now, but I don’t think I’ve ever known anyone who did it.”

  “I understand why, from your perspective, you might think I’m attempting to sell you expensive plants and supplies, but from my perspective, I’m simply asking for the exchange of something transitory, money, for a tool to alter your soul.” Li Feng placed her palms together, a serene look on her face. “Life is about balance, is it not? And you’re a very unbalanced man. I can tell just by looking at you. If you leave without enhancing your life and achieving that balance, I fear for your future health and sanity.” She placed a hand over her chest and sighed. “It weighs on me when I see customers like you who could benefit from penjing never taking the first step.”

  “Bit of a hard sell, isn’t it?” Erik scratched his eyebrow. “I feel like you’re trying to sell me a new flitter here.”

  Li Feng’s smile didn’t falter. “I’ve been gifted with knowing when people need certain things. I would argue some of that comes from my practice of penjing.” She swept her hand over a carefully pruned bamboo penjing standing on a bright white tray. Carefully placed worn and cracked stones surrounded the dwarf tree, along with a miniature wooden shack. “Of course, those who cling to their money will never find the serenity true balance can provide. Is it a ‘hard sell’ when one knows people can be steered toward a better life?”

  Erik knelt and studied the crafted scene in front of him. “But it goes beyond just buying one of these. How much does this even cost?” He noticed there were no prices anywhere, which was a universal indication of something being expensive. It wasn’t that he cared all that much since he had a lifetime of savings, but it amused him. “I have to actually study the techniques. It’s like taking care of a pet, and I just walked out of a pet store a few minutes ago.”

  “No, that’s worrying about something else, whereas this is about worrying about you. Think of it as an artform that cultivates the soul as well as improves your life aesthetically. Price shouldn’t be a consideration when you’re talking about your soul, right?”

  “It’s at least a little bit of a consideration,” Erik countered. “You say you care, but you’re not giving this away for free.”

  “We do live in a world constrained, alas, by certain realities, but that doesn’t mean we have to let them overwhelm us. The very nature of this art means that it can’t be easily automated, and meaning is lost with quick production. That, in turn, enforces certain economic realities until such time as humanity has truly unlimited resources.” Li Feng walked up to him and put her hands on her hips. She stared into his eyes. “You don’t want to leave today without taking your first step into the art of penjing. I can’t allow it because you’ll regret it.” The last words were nearly a whisper. “But if you take up this lifelong hobby, you’ll find the peace denied you by the intense pace of modern life. You’ll become a much better man for only a modest upfront investment. How many times in life can a man say that?”

  Erik backed away, a soft chuckle escaping his lips. The ridiculousness of the woman’s sales approach was entertaining enough in and of itself. “Fine, fine.” He looked around, realizing he was already sold. “But I’m new at this. I don’t even know what I should buy.”

  The woman clasped her hands together, a euphoric smile on her face. “I told him I could do it. I finally sold one!” She blinked and cleared her throat, her serene demeanor returning. “I mean, I would be more than happy to recommend useful starting techniques, resources, and materials. We’re a complete penjing solution.” She tittered nervously.

  “Don’t worry. I could use a little slowness in my life.” He eyed her, a glint of humor reflecting off the dark holes into his soul. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  October 20, 2228, Neo Southern California Metroplex, Police Enforcement Zone 122 Station, Office of Detectives Jia Lin and Erik Blackwell

  Jia gasped. “You’re joking. You must be. That’s the only explanation.” She nodded to seal the explanation before her whole view of Erik shattered.

  He frowned.

  He’d just gotten done explaining that most of his weekend had been taken up by his new hobby. After the purchase of a few penjing trees and shrubs, he’d started reading about the different techniques and was admittedly overwhelmed.

  From what he explained, he now had a nice dwarf banyan tree surrounded by small stones on his coffee table. The good thing about having a plant instead of a pet was there was more time to figure out what you were doing before you caused any permanent harm.

  “Why do you think it’s a joke?” Erik asked. He almost felt offended.

  “I just…” Jia shrugged, trying not to smirk. She was more surprised than amused. “I think my mother would die of happiness if I took up something like penjing. It just doesn’t seem very…hmmm…you. Sphere ball and shooting simulated criminals is more you. That’s all I’m saying, so having you come in here and talk about penjing?” She shook her head. “You might as well have come in here and told me you were taking up the violin.”

  “Hey, I’m older than I look,” Erik argued. “Maybe I need a few hobbies other than beignet appreciation and watching sphere ball?” He jabbed a finger at her. “And you’re the one who’s been telling me to get a life.”

  “I’m sorry.” A soft smile replaced Jia’s smirk. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that. I’m glad to hear you’re taking up something…peaceful. It’ll be interesting to see what happens with your artistic side. I’m happy for you, even if it did take m
e by surprise.”

  Erik leaned back with a satisfied look. “Good. What about you? How was your date?” He eyed her. “I got the impression you were going to lay off that sort of thing for a while. I didn’t want to sound like I was too into your personal life, but it surprised me.”

  “Well, Mei had another candidate, and you know how she can get.” Jia shrugged. “And I figured it couldn’t hurt. We actually…” She laughed, the sound merry. “I had a good time with Corbin. He’s a businessman, but he’s very down to earth. We didn’t go to a super-fancy place, and he didn’t seem out of place there, whereas the last few guys my family set me up viewed restaurants as another place to prove how wealthy they are. He’s also the first guy I’ve dated sent by my family who didn’t seem totally freaked out or disgusted by the idea that I actually enjoy being a detective.”

  “That sounds good.” Erik’s expression turned pensive for a moment before relaxing.

  “Something wrong?”

  Erik shook his head. “Nah. Nothing. Are you going to see this guy again?”

  “I…” Jia frowned. She’d had a good time, and they had each other’s PNIU addresses, but they had not talked about a follow-up date. She’d stressed that she would be busy for a few weeks, at least until after Halloween, and he had accepted that with a smile. Now she wasn’t sure if she had killed any chance for another date.

  “You what?” Erik prodded.

  “There’s a lot more to dating than just whether you have a good time, so I don’t know.”

  “Sounds like an excuse.”

  “Maybe now that my professional life is leveling out, my personal life will naturally level out as well, and I don’t have to worry about it so much. Or my family won’t.”

  He snorted.

  Jia looked at Erik with concern. “I know your life is more complicated than mine in a lot of ways, but there’s nothing wrong with seeking happiness in the meantime. Seeking justice doesn’t preclude it. I worry about you, and I don’t know that a few artistically staged dwarf trees will be enough.”