by SW Matthews
“Don’t know. Maybe Braxton headquarters?”
“I’ll call ahead and find out,” said Doc from the doorway. “Can I use your commlink?”
Piper stood and offered her seat to Doc. “Here,” she said. “Call from there.” She pointed at the onboard commlink.
Doc sat down and placed the call. After two rings, a female voice answered.
“Braxton Incorporated, executive offices, can I help you?”
“Ellie?” Doc said.
There was a pause, then: “Billy? Is that you?”
“Ellie! What are you doing at work so late?” Doc was grinning.
“It is you! Oh, Billy, I haven’t spoken to you in years!”
“It has been too long, Ellie.”
“How are you?”
“Good, good…”
“And the family?”
“Good.”
“Your father never tells me anything about you anymore.”
“Well, he wasn’t very happy about me retiring. You know, he thinks everyone should work until they die.”
Ellie laughed. “Isn’t that the truth?”
“Is he around?”
“He’s already left for the day. Long day, lots of meetings. I was just getting ready to go, but I’m sure glad I didn’t. It’s so good to hear your voice!”
“Yours too, Ellie. It really is. I can’t believe you’re still working for the old slave driver.”
“Oh, he’s not so bad, Billy. He’s been good to me and my family for many years. I’m sure he’d love to speak to you.”
Andy could tell by the expression on Doc’s face that he wasn’t so sure about that last part.
“Did he go to dinner?” Doc asked. “Or home? Do you know?”
“He was going to the cabin, I believe. He had a drone pick him up about twenty minutes ago.”
“Okay, I’ll try him there. Thanks, Ellie.”
“You’re welcome, Billy. Stop by and let me see you next time you’re in the city.”
“Will do,” Doc lied as he disconnected.
He turned to Piper. “He’s got a private cabin in the mountains. If you can pull up a map, I’ll show you where it is.”
Piper leaned over Doc’s shoulder and brought up a map on one of the screens. Doc pinpointed the location of the cabin, and Piper locked in the coordinates.
“Did she say a drone picked him up?” Andy asked.
“Yes,” said Doc. “Drone taxis are all over the city. Of course, Braxton has their own personal drones.”
“Of course,” Andy replied drily.
“Well,” said Doc with a sigh, “I’d better call him before we arrive.” He made another call.
A deep male voice answered. “Hello?”
“Dad?”
“Billy?”
“Hi, Dad. Yes, it’s me.”
“Billy, what a surprise! It’s good to hear from you!”
“Thanks, Dad. Hey, listen—can I talk to you?”
“Of course! What’s going on?”
“I mean in person.”
“Sure, when would you—”
“I’ll be there in about an hour.”
“An hour? Wow. Okay, great. I’ll notify security.”
“I’m coming by air.”
“That’s fine. I’ll see you in an hour. What is this about?”
“It’s… it’s about Cregor. I’ll tell you more when I get there.”
“Okay, one hour then?”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Doc disconnected, stood, and allowed Piper to reclaim her seat.
“I haven’t seen that man in five years,” he said sadly.
“What do you think will happen when he finds out about Kat?” Piper asked.
Doc shrugged. “I don’t know. She was always the apple of his eye. Clearly the favorite, from the day she was born. And she adored him as well. He changed on the day she died—or the day he thought she died. He became more detached, more driven on the business side.”
“What happened to your mom?” Andy asked.
“She died a few years after my brother. He committed suicide in 2081, the same year Rosie was born. No one knows why he did it. My mom died of a drug overdose a couple of years later. I think it was accidental. She was very depressed.”
“Wow, Doc… I’m sorry.” Andy said.
“It’s okay. My dad had already written me off since I had decided to go to medical school instead of taking over Braxton, but he and Kat became even closer. He really guided her education and training, and even introduced her to Cregor. I think he was hoping the two of them would take over the company when he retired.”
“So he could really have a breakdown when he finds out what happened,” Piper said.
“It’s possible. I’ll take it slow. I don’t want to just burst in and lay all of this on him. But we should probably be prepared for the worst.”
“Like he’s going to have a stroke or something?”
Doc shrugged. “He’s always been pretty healthy, but he’s pushing ninety.”
“Maybe we should just wait outside for you,” Piper suggested.
“Oh, I think he’ll want to meet you all. He’ll be very grateful for all you’ve done, just like I am.”
“Okay,” Andy said. “I think I’d like to meet the man behind Braxton Incorporated.”
Doc smiled. “You may change your mind about that.”
Chapter 17
The “cabin” was actually a massive building, with a three-story central portion, and one-story wings to the north and south. It faced west, overlooking a dark valley, but the house itself was brightly lit with floodlights.
“That’s a cabin?” Andy said.
“A lot of the space is for the staff,” Doc explained. “And he holds corporate getaways here for the executives. He really only uses the southern wing.” He pointed at a large bay window at the end. The glass was gleaming like a beacon. “That’s probably where he is now.”
A fence, which appeared to go on for miles, surrounded the property. A long driveway wound up the side of the mountain to a gated entrance with a small house behind it, presumably for sentries.
“Tight security,” remarked Tuck from below.
“That’s why I told him we were coming by air. Otherwise we’d probably be shot out of the sky.”
“Seriously?” Piper said.
“He’s very cautious. Leaves nothing to chance. And Braxton has a lot of weapons contracts with the UNA, so there are probably some pretty advanced systems in place. This cabin may be more secure than the president’s mansion.”
Andy and Piper exchanged a look. Andy still couldn’t believe that his friend Doc was part of the Braxton family.
“There,” said Doc, pointing. “That clear area on the driveway. Land there.”
A few moments later the helijet touched down, and the crew gathered in the passenger area.
“I should stay out here with Aunt Kat,” Rosie said. “She’s all set up and comfortable here. Grandpa can come out here to see her—when you think he’s ready.”
Doc nodded. “I think the boys should stay out here too. I don’t know how he’s going to handle all this, and I don’t want to send him over the edge by hitting him with too much at once.”
“Sounds like a plan,” said Andy, opening the cargo ramp.
He turned back to Piper, and saw her using her reflection in the window to straighten her clothes and smooth her hair back. “Ready, Mrs. Matteo?” he asked sarcastically.
“Hey,” she said, still looking at her reflection. “It’s not every day I get to meet a trillionaire.”
Andy grabbed her hand, and pulled her down the ramp.
As Doc started to follow, Kat beckoned him over. She covered her trach so she could speak.
“T-t-t-tell h-him I’m f-f-fine,” she whispered. “T-t-t-tell him to c-c-come see me.”
Doc kissed his sister on the forehead, then followed the others out of the craft.
***
Up close, Andy saw that the mansion was built in the style of a log cabin—but on an extravagant scale. Almost everything was made of wood and stone, including river stone chimneys and stacked stone around the foundation. Huge logs topped stone pillars that lined the enormous front porch, which was accessible only by a twenty-foot-wide stairway.
When they crested the stairs they noticed the front door was open, and a small, well-groomed man was waiting for them. He looked to be about eighty years old. He wore a crisp denim shirt with a tan sweater vest, finely pressed khaki pants, and leather loafers. He smiled broadly as Doc approached.
“Horace!” exclaimed Doc. He hugged the old man, lifting him slightly off the ground.
“Master Billy!” Horace managed through the squeeze.
Doc set hid down and held him by the shoulders, at arm’s length. “It is so good to see you!”
“And you! It’s been too long!” Horace turned to Bandit. “And Master William! You look marvelous! Quite vibrant!”
“Thank you, Horace. You look well also.”
Horace looked toward the others, raising an eyebrow.
“These are my friends. Andy, Piper, and Tucker,” Doc said, gesturing to each of them in turn. “Guys, this is Horace. He’s my dad’s valet, and has been for many, many years.”
“It’s true,” Horace replied. “For over fifty years now. And the old man is still as much of a handful as ever.” He stepped back and gestured for them to enter the house. “Welcome to you all. Mr. Braxton is waiting for you in his study.”
They all stepped into the largest foyer Andy had ever seen. Like the exterior, the interior design was based on lots of wood and stone. The vaulted ceiling was made up of thin wooden planks and held up by giant exposed wooden beams. The floor was polished river stone, and the walls were decorated with paintings of Native American scenes. A young woman stood quietly by another doorway, but said nothing.
“Would any of you care for a refreshment? Food, drink?” Horace asked.
“Yes, please,” Doc said. “I’m hungry, and I’m sure everyone else is too.”
Horace turned to the woman. “Freda, refreshments for five in Mr. Braxton’s study, please.”
The woman nodded and disappeared.
“Follow me,” Horace said to the others. “Mr. Braxton is anxious to see you.” He started down a hallway to the south.
“I’m anxious to see him too,” Doc said as they followed. “Tell me, Horace, how is he doing? His health okay?”
“Oh, he’s doing quite well, Master Billy. Still very active. Works late every night. Many trips every month. I really don’t see him very much.”
“He’s making deals, no doubt,” said Doc.
“Always the businessman, as you know.”
Horace stopped at a door and tapped quietly. “Mr. Braxton,” he said loudly. “Master Billy and Master William, and their friends, to see you, sir.”
“Thank you, Horace,” came a muffled reply. A moment later the door opened, and a tall elderly man stepped through. His thick white hair was perfectly coiffed, and his cleanly shaven face was slightly tanned. His shining white teeth flashed in a terrific smile as his bright blue eyes scanned the group. He wore a light brown cashmere sport coat over a cream-colored shirt, open at the collar, and blue jeans with pointed-toe alligator skin cowboy boots. His belt matched the boots, and the buckle was polished silver with turquoise.
“Ahh, Billy,” he sighed as he hugged Doc.
“Hi, Dad.”
“Good to see you, son.”
“You too.”
“And William!” Mr. Braxton turned to his grandson. “You are quite the strapping young man!” He embraced him as well.
“Thank you, Grandfather,” Bandit replied stoically.
Braxton stepped back. “Well, come in, come in, all of you.”
Horace disappeared to help Freda, and the others entered the massive study of William Braxton the Sixth. The floor here changed from stone to wood, matching the planks above. One side of the room was dominated by a colossal stone fireplace, which contained a roaring fire, and a sitting area consisting of leather chairs and couches. The other side of the room was lined with filled bookshelves and several large tables. And across from the door, on an elevated landing, stood a huge desk and chair. The oak behemoth was surrounded by a bay window.
They sat down in the seating area by the fireplace. “Now,” said Braxton to Doc, “tell me who your friends are, and what brings you to see me after all this time.”
Doc motioned to the others. “This is Andy, Piper, and Tucker. They flew us here.”
“Nice to meet you all.” Braxton shook hands with all three. He turned back to Doc. “I could have sent a drone for you, son.”
“They were with us when we decided to come talk to you.”
Horace and Freda entered with a cart of food and drinks. Once Bandit had his water, Doc and Piper their wine, and Andy and Tuck had their whiskey, Horace and Freda started passing out small plates filled with samples of many types of food.
Andy took a sip and smiled at Braxton. “Mr. Braxton, I believe this is the best whiskey I’ve ever tried!”
Braxton beamed. “Well, thank you very much Andy! It’s my own recipe.”
“You make your own?” Andy took another swallow.
“Of course! I made all of this.” Braxton swept his hand toward the cart.
“You mean this is all synthetic?” Piper asked, accepting a plate from Freda.
“Of course.”
Andy took a bite of what appeared to be beef steak. “This is delicious,” he mumbled through the mouthful. “Much better than the synthetics we had in the navy.”
“Yes, I’m afraid budget limitations require us to cut back on some of the taste profiles for the military contracts.”
“I never knew Braxton made synthetic food,” Piper said.
“Really? It’s our biggest success to date,” said Braxton. “It was actually my first major project with the company.”
“You developed synthetic food?” asked Andy, now trying one of the other meat choices.
“Oh, yes. I was the lead scientist of the SynBio division. That was many years ago. Of course, the first products were very primitive by today’s standards.”
Horace dropped a cup, and it shattered on the floor. He looked mortified. “I’m sorry, sir,” he said. He and Freda immediately began cleaning up the broken pieces.
“Don’t worry, Horace.” Braxton waved him off. “Now, where was I? Synthetic food. We started by growing raw meat, but the taste and texture was never quite right.” He picked up a piece of meat from the tray. “So next we grew cooked meat—which is to say, we grew the meat in the form it takes after being cooked. The flavor was better, plus it just needed to be heated before eating.”
Piper took a bite of the meat, which looked like high-quality steak. She closed her eyes and savored the morsel. “This may be the most perfect steak I have ever eaten,” she said. She looked at Tuck. “Sorry.”
Tuck shrugged and took a huge bite of his own steak.
“How do you make everything? In a lab?” Piper asked.
Braxton nodded. “That’s right. Genetically modified bacteria, yeast, and algae do most of the work. The fine tuning is the secret, and the most difficult aspect. Painstakingly developed enzymes are the key.”
“How long does it all take?” Piper asked.
“It’s different for every type of food and drink. The whiskey takes just a few weeks. Prime tenderloin steak, like what you’re eating, takes six months.”
“It really is delicious,” Andy said.
“Yes, and it saved the world,” Braxton stated matter-of-factly. “After World War 3 and the subsequent climate change, large-scale farming and ranching was no longer possible. If we hadn’t been successful with the synthetics, everyone left on Earth might have starved.”
“No wonder Braxton is the largest company in the world,” Andy said.
“It’s been a long road a
nd a lot of hard work to get us there,” Braxton said with a hint of pride. “We started out as a tiny surgical supply company, then transformed into a pharmaceutical company. It was synthetic food that really spurred our growth though, and we used that capital to invest in other products that would improve people’s lives—especially people with disabilities. Medication pumps, powered mobility systems, and the like. And when some of these devices required compact energy sources that weren’t readily available, we developed our own. This led us to the energy sector, and ultimately into the transportation sector as well, as our new energy sources were perfect for more efficient vehicles. The military ended up being one of our largest customers at that point, which led to our involvement with aerospace design and development, and of course, weapons.”
“Wow, sounds like you do a little of everything,” Piper said.
“We try,” Braxton said with a smile.
“What’s your biggest project right now?” Andy asked.
Braxton thought for a moment. “Biggest? That’s hard to say. But I would say human genetic engineering is the most interesting at the moment.”
Doc looked up. “That’s actually why we’re here.”
Braxton nodded. “Yes, Cregor. He’s been working on a special project.”
“It’s more than that, Dad,” said Doc. “Much more.” He set his empty plate on the cart and faced his father directly. “Cregor has a son.”
***
Doc watched his father carefully. The older man was squinting his eyes as if trying to understand.
“Actually,” Doc said slowly, “he has three sons.”
Braxton continued to look bewildered. He rose from his seat and walked slowly toward his desk. “How…?”
“His sons… they’re genetic experiments. He altered his and Kat’s cells, and he used Kat as the incubator—”
Braxton turned sharply. He had a wild look in his eye. “What did you say?”
“He used Kat to grow the babies. She’s still alive, Dad.”
Braxton stared at his son, then over at the others, as if waiting for someone to contradict what Doc had said. Finally, he turned to Horace and motioned toward the door with his head.
Horace and Freda nodded and left, closing the door behind them.