Six

by M. M. Vaughan

  An image of a blue planet appeared.

  “Imagine you could create your own perfect world. Imagine the possibilities.”

  Three gold letters appeared on the screen: SIX.

  “Discovered in 1981,” continued the woman’s voice, “the planet SIX lies in the Milky Way galaxy in the constellation of Libra.”

  The planet on the screen grew smaller until the entire galaxy was visible, and a straight red line appeared that connected the two labeled planets: Earth and SIX.

  “This extraordinary planet—the first and only truly habitable planet ever discovered—is over nine billion years old, twice the size of Earth, and orbits a sun only slightly smaller than ours.”

  Parker watched as the camera zoomed back in on SIX, breaking the cloud cover to reveal a brilliant turquoise sea dotted with large islands. It looked, thought Parker, like somewhere in the Caribbean, with one notable exception: all the trees and plants were shades of purple.

  “With its shallow waters, temperate climate, an abundance of natural resources, and vibrant vegetation, SIX is the planet that nobody ever thought would be found—a place even more hospitable to humans than Earth.”

  The scene cut to a brilliant white waterfall cascading into a blue lagoon.

  “You’ll find no treacherous dark rocky landscapes here. No aliens. No toxic air. You can forget everything that the movies have told you, because SIX is science fact, not science fiction.”

  Michael nodded his approval. “Good line,” he said.

  The film cut to a landfill.

  “This is Earth today. It is accepted now that the damage done to our environment is irreversible. Soon—within our lifetimes—our planet will become uninhabitable. Now is the time to think about you and your family’s future.”

  A clean white laboratory appeared, sunlight sweeping in through the tall glass windows in the background. Sitting around a table, a group of smiling but serious-looking people in white coats were conducting a meeting.

  “Over the last decade, Avecto Enterprises has been laying the foundations that will move our vision of paradise into reality. We are now ready to enter the next phase of our ambitious plan—the building of a new world of a magnitude and magnificence never seen before.”

  The video went back to sweeping panoramic shots of blue waters, purple forests, and pure white beaches.

  “Avecto Enterprises is now inviting investment in this magical paradise—a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to purchase land on which to build your own perfect nation.”

  A quaint street scene of redbrick buildings and strolling couples appeared.

  “Perhaps you’ll choose to model your territory on the carefree days of the 1950s.”

  The image was replaced with a futuristic landscape of glass buildings and wide plazas.

  “Or you might prefer a futuristic state-of-the-art way of living. Whatever your vision of paradise is, Avecto Enterprises can make it a reality.”

  The scene cut to a computer-generated view of a city center with wide empty avenues and buildings made of wood and glass, separated by squares of water and purple-leaved trees dotted with bright colorful flowers. A large glass archway formed a glistening rainbow over the scene. It was only when the camera zoomed in that Parker was able to see the archway was, in fact, a building made of glass. Running along the outside of it, a clear tube filled with glass capsule elevators delivered workers to their office buildings.

  “This is Great Bowveld, the heart of SIX. Here, all nations will be able to work together to ensure that the practical needs of our generation and of generations to come are met. Taking the best of what we have here, then discarding the worst, we will be able to provide the finest standards of living. Together we can make this new world the very best that it can be. Together we can make sure that the mistakes made on Earth are never repeated. Together we can create paradise.”

  The film cut to a man sitting reclined on a sleek leather armchair, looking out of his floor-to-ceiling window at the blue skies and equally blue waters in the distance.

  “Imagine a world of luxury. Imagine a world created to your vision of perfection.”

  The blue planet appeared on the screen.

  “Imagine SIX.”

  The screen went black and the gold letters of SIX appeared above the words PRACTICE MADE PERFECT.

  * * * * * *

  “Wow,” whispered Michael and Parker at the same time.

  “It actually looks kind of cool,” said Michael.

  Parker didn’t respond, but he was thinking the same thing. He had been so focused on the process of getting to SIX, and on the thought of not being able to return, that he had not stopped to consider exactly what living there might be like. By the looks of it, it would be just like Earth, but better. And surprisingly familiar.

  “Do you think it’s true?” asked Parker finally.

  “Are you okay?” asked Michael.

  Parker turned, confused, and saw that Michael was looking at Emma. Emma, in response, wiped the tear running down her cheek and sniffed.

  “I don’t want to go, Parker,” said Emma, her lip trembling as she signed.

  Parker put his arm around his sister. “It’s going to be okay,” said Parker. “I promise.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Parker awoke the next morning with a sense of clarity and calmness that took him completely by surprise. The same could not be said for Emma, who clambered down from the bunk bed with bleary eyes. She looked like she hadn’t slept all night.

  Parker, having already showered and dressed (in the treetop tower), put down his toast.

  “You okay?” he signed.

  Emma shook her head and walked over to the sofa where Parker was sitting. She glanced down at the plate of toast and croissants that Michael had brought up for them before leaving for school, then turned away.

  “What are we going to do?” signed Emma.

  “We’re going to go. We have to.”

  “Really?”

  Parker shrugged and switched on Effie. What choice do we have? he asked. We can’t hide here forever. We haven’t got anyone else to go to. We have no money, and, even if we did, at some point somebody’s going to notice two kids living on their own.

  But shouldn’t we wait?

  For what? asked Parker calmly. Dad’s message said he wasn’t going to be able to fix it in time. How long are we supposed to wait?

  Emma stared at Parker as if he’d gone mad. Parker sighed.

  What Dad said makes sense—if he fixes it, we can all come back together. If not, at least we’re with him.

  Emma shook her head. So you think it’s true?

  Don’t you? asked Parker.

  I don’t know. I thought so, but it’s all so crazy. Do you really believe it?

  Not really. Well, I’m not sure. But that doesn’t matter. What difference does it make if we go along with it? If it’s not true, nothing’s changed. If it is, then we go spend some time in paradise, right?

  That’s not paradise!

  I don’t know, said Parker with a shrug, I think it looks nice.

  It doesn’t look like nice to me, Parker. Just a few rich people running away from everything they’ve messed up here—how is that paradise?

  Dad’s there. That’s all that matters right now.

  Emma looked ready to argue back and then, as Parker’s logic began to sink in, the fight seemed to leave her. She dropped her head and slumped down next to Parker.

  What if we end up like Solomon? Her thought was weak.

  If what Solomon says is true—then that won’t happen.

  And if it isn’t?

  Parker shrugged again. It’s a risk I think we have to take.

  Emma thought about this as Parker picked up his toast and took a bite. Finally she leaned over and grabbed a piece herself. Okay, she said. Let’s do it.

  It’s not so bad, Emma, he said. He smiled. What’s the worst that can happen . . . happen . . . happen . . . ALBERTA!
/>   Emma stared at Parker and then, in spite of their nerves—or perhaps because of them—they both began to laugh.

  * * * * * *

  From the moment Parker made his decision that morning, his mood had lifted. All the tension and fear—despite what they might be about to be putting themselves through—had inexplicably disappeared. Perhaps it was that they finally had a plan. It was a crazy plan, sure, and it might not even be possible, but it was still a plan. Over the course of the morning, his calmness began to rub off on Emma, and by the time Michael returned from school, the two of them were happily teaching Polly new tricks in the field next to the tree house.

  “I’m coming with you,” called out Michael. The expression on his face was thunderous. “I hate that school.”

  Parker patted Polly on the head and stood up. He waited until Michael reached them.

  “Really?” asked Parker. His face broke out into a wide grin. “That’s great!”

  Michael sighed. “No. I wish I could though. Aaron is such an idiot.”

  “What happened?” signed Emma.

  “He tried to take my money again.”

  Parker raised his eyebrows. “Tried?” he asked.

  “I didn’t let him.”

  Parker’s mouth dropped open and then curled into a wide smile. He thumped Michael on the back. “No way! What did you do?”

  Michael gave a heavy sigh. “I punched him.”

  Parker took a step back and stared at Michael. “You punched him?”

  Michael nodded. “And now I have three days detention.”

  Parker laughed—more out of shock than anything.

  “It’s not funny,” muttered Michael. “My parents are back tomorrow. They’re going to kill me.”

  Parker gave Emma a sideways grimace. “Sorry, Michael,” he said. “I don’t think it’s funny—I just didn’t think you’d do something like that.”

  Michael looked up at Parker with wide eyes. “Me neither! I don’t know what happened—one moment he had his hand on my throat in the corridor, and then next he was lying on the floor.”

  “You knocked him out?”

  Michael nodded slowly, and before Parker could stop himself, he let out a laugh that he immediately covered up with his hand.

  “Sorry,” said Parker. “What did Aaron do?”

  “He cried a bit. I feel really bad.”

  Parker saw Emma turning her back to them to hide her giggles. Michael looked over at her and then back at Parker with narrowed eyes.

  “Why are you two in such a good mood, anyway?”

  “We’ve decided we’re going to SIX.”

  It was Michael’s turn to look shocked. “You spoke to Solomon?”

  Parker pursed his lips. “No. But if he says he can get us there—then we’re going.”

  “But it’s probably not even true!”

  “Probably—but not definitely. I can’t think of any other good reason that Solomon looks like he does.”

  Michael sighed. “Me neither. I’ve looked up all his symptoms, and I can’t find any condition that’s even close to it.” He paused. “So what now?”

  Parker shrugged. “I guess we wait for Solomon to call.”

  * * * * * *

  “It’s all arranged.”

  Those were Solomon’s first words when he called that afternoon, and they took Parker completely by surprise. He had expected to discuss his decision with him, perhaps, or to hear Solomon’s ideas for getting them there—he had not expected to hear that it had all already been arranged.

  “What?”

  “I spoke to Lina. If it’s going to happen, it has to happen straightaway.”

  “But . . . why?”

  “There is one trip for new personnel scheduled every month. That’s tonight.”

  “Tonight?”

  “It’s that, or we wait another month.”

  Parker didn’t say anything. He looked at Emma, and she seemed just as surprised—and unsure—as he was.

  “Parker? Do you want to go?”

  Parker hesitated. “Yes . . . I think so . . . but I didn’t think it would happen . . .”

  “So soon?”

  Parker nodded and then remembered that he was on the phone. “Yes,” he said.

  “You don’t have to go. You really don’t. We can work something out here. Your father will understand.”

  At the mention of his father, Parker’s resolve returned. “No. No—we want to go. What’s going to happen?”

  “Okay. Good. Listen carefully—there’s a lot to do before we go.”

  “We?”

  There was a pause. “You’ll need an adult to accompany you. Children would never be sent to SIX on their own.”

  “So why couldn’t Dad have taken us?” asked Parker. As he asked the question, he realized he already knew the answer.

  “Your dad did not go willingly. And if you were there, what incentive would he have to sort the problem out?”

  “I get it,” said Parker. “You’re coming with us?”

  “Well, I could do with a holiday,” he answered.

  Nobody laughed.

  “Parker. I have nobody here to stay for. I want to do this.” He paused. “I need to do this.”

  “Won’t another teleportation hurt you?”

  There was a slight pause. “I’ll be fine. I have a resistance to it, remember? And it’s not like I could end up looking much stranger than I already do.”

  “But . . . why would you take the risk?” asked Parker. He wasn’t sure why he would try to sow seeds of doubt in Solomon’s mind if this was the only way they were going to see their father again. Solomon, however, had clearly already made his mind up.

  “I’m not taking any risks—I know what I’m doing—and it’s not up for discussion. If you’re going, I’m going.”

  Michael leaned into the phone. “How are you going to get out, though?”

  Parker hadn’t even thought about this.

  “Well, that’s the easy part. I go out every night.”

  “Really?”

  “The night attendant is saving up for a new car and I need some fresh air—it’s a mutually beneficial arrangement. There are some things to work out, though.”

  “Like what?”

  “You both need to look different. Lina doesn’t think Bowveld will be there—he doesn’t bother with the run-of-the-mill stuff—but in case he, or anybody else who might recognize you is.”

  “What do we have to do?”

  “There’s not much we can do with you both. Change your hair. Dress you different. Lina has arranged for her sister to meet you. If it’s a problem to meet at Michael’s, we can meet at a hotel—”

  “No,” interrupted Michael. “Here’s fine. My parents aren’t back till tomorrow.”

  “What about Hilda?” whispered Parker.

  “I’ll speak to Brendan—he’ll make sure she isn’t around.”

  “If you’re sure, Michael.”

  “I am.”

  “Okay, I’ll need your address.”

  Michael told Solomon, who then repeated it back to make sure he’d written it down correctly.

  “Lina’s sister’s name is Mai. She’ll come to yours by cab at eight. She’ll fix you two up. When you’re ready, she’ll call a cab—I’ve sorted out all the money for that with Lina—you don’t need to worry about anything.”

  “And then?”

  “Then you’ll all come to collect me. I’ll be waiting by the road—Mai already knows to call me when you’re near. She’ll fix me up, and the cab will take her to her house. Mai doesn’t know anything about what’s actually happening, and Lina doesn’t want her any more involved than she needs to be.”

  “Why does she think she’s doing this?” asked Parker.

  “Filming for a promotional video. It’s the best we could come up with. You don’t need to say anything—pretend you know nothing about it.”

  “Okay,” said Parker. He couldn’t imagine Mai would buy that expl
anation, but if that’s what they had agreed on, then he wasn’t going to argue.

  “We’ll take another cab from the hospital to the train station and board the bus to the Avecto Terminal. There’ll be other people there who’ll be on the same trip—so you both need to keep up our story the whole way.”

  “What’s the story?” asked Parker.

  “I’ll explain when I see you. We’ll have plenty of time. That’s all. I’ll see you at nine.”

  “Wait,” said Michael.

  “Yes?”

  “Can Brendan take us from here? He can take us all to collect you.”

  “Who’s Brendan?” asked Solomon.

  “Michael’s driver,” replied Parker before Michael could respond.

  Parker saw a brief grimace cross Michael’s face as he glanced over at Emma.

  “He’s not just a driver,” said Michael. “He’s . . . well . . . he’s more like family, really.”

  Parker could see that Michael was embarrassed.

  “Can Brendan be trusted?” asked Solomon.

  “Yes,” they all replied in unison.

  “Definitely,” added Parker. “He knows everything.”

  There was another pause.

  “Okay,” said Solomon. “I don’t see a problem with that.”

  “I’ll call Brendan,” said Michael.

  “If there’s any problem—just let me know, and we can go back to the original plan.”

  “There won’t be,” said Michael.

  “Well then, I guess that’s that. I’ll see you at nine.”

  “Wait!” called Parker. “What do we need to bring?”

  “Nothing. Just yourselves. Lina’s taken care of everything on her end, and I’ve made a few phone calls to some old friends. Everything is taken care of.”

  “So that’s it?” asked Parker.

  “I think that’s—” Solomon stopped talking. “Someone’s coming, sorry. I have to go . . . go . . . ALBER—”

  The line went dead.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

  Mai arrived at ten minutes past eight. Brendan stood with them at the doorway to greet her. He had convinced Hilda to go home and take the night off while he took over her duties.

  Parker watched as Mai paid the cab driver and, with Brendan’s help, started to pull out bag after bag from the backseat.