by Robin Roseau
“No,” I said. “It’s not.” I looked over at her. “I’ve seen photos like this, but...”
“But when this isn’t something you can have, dreaming is dangerous,” she suggested.
“Yes. Just so.” I gestured. “You are a powerful woman.”
“This isn’t about power, Maddalyn.” She made her own gesture. “Tarriton is one of the most beautiful planets we have settled, but so many of them are beautiful.”
“Frantzland isn’t at all beautiful.”
“Not this way, but the people are good,” she said.
“Most of them.”
“Most of them,” she agreed. “Maddalyn, on Hope there is a large bay on the ocean. Living in the ocean are these great creatures. And every year, the creatures come to this one bay to mate. Like many species, it is the male who must begin the courtship ritual, and it is the female who chooses. And for this species, courtship involves singing.”
“Singing?”
“Yes. These creatures are twenty meters long. They spend most of their lives far, far to sea, but to mate, they come to this bay. The males choose an area, which they patrol carefully, driving other males away. And then they rise from the water and sing, calling to potential mates. They can be heard ten kilometers away.”
I stared at her. I wasn’t sure what her point was.
“In the Bathys sector is a cold little planet called Hella Five.”
“Five?” I confirmed. “I bet it is quite cold.”
“Yes,” she said. “Unexpectedly, there is sentient life on Hella Five, a small furry creature of about twenty kilograms. They are typically quadrupeds, but they use their front paws as hands. They live in small colonies of up to one hundred creatures. They have simple tools and have a rudimentary language.”
I smiled. They sounded amazing.
“On Vespa Three there is a volcano that rises so high that its peak is in the stratosphere. It is so massive that the disturbance to the weather patterns can be felt a third of the way around the globe.”
She gestured again. “The galaxy is filled with wonders, Maddalyn. This view is one of them, but just this planet has ten thousand valleys as beautiful as this one. Think of the possibilities.”
I didn’t know what to say, but I nodded, trying to understand what she was trying to tell me. Finally she said, “Come. I wish to show you Artemia.”
* * * *
Everything on Tarriton was new to me, and I was left entirely overwhelmed. On Frantzland, nearly everything we do is underground, safe from the harsh sun and elements on the surface. While intellectually I knew it was different on other planets, to be thrust into the reality was shocking.
It began, of course, upon descending the beanstalk. And then Herr Parsons took me for a trip in an open-air vehicle. And now I was here, high on a mountain, looking down into a beautiful, beautiful valley.
We’d ridden Aunt Anna’s jumper from her offices to her home. She let me settle in, and we both changed clothes. And then it was another trip in her jumper, back to the valley floor below. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
Aunt Anna showed me Artemia, some by air, but then we parked her jumper and took a walking tour of what she called “Old Town”, tucked in a corner formed by a river flowing into a lake. “This was first home on Tarriton,” she explained to me.
For humans on each of the settled planets, first home holds great significance. On Frantzland, we had Ersteheim, or First Home. Other places called their first settlement by a similar name or simply Landing, or some such name. Oh, not all. Some named the town after a place from Earth, or the name of one of the first settlers, or something else of significance. But all, the best I know, hold reverence for the site of their original landing and the first settlement, which were usually close, but not always.
And so Anna showed me Old Town at the heart of Artemia. We toured the museum beside the landing site. We ate at a small café, right beside the lake.
And the entire time, we talked. We talked about so many things. Aunt Anna talked about her job, about what she was trying to do, and I was so overwhelmed. But I was fascinated by her passion, and I was entirely in love with Tarriton. And so, when it was late and time to take her jumper back to her home, I said, “Aunt Anna, I want to work for you. Please, is there something I can do?”
“Yes, Maddalyn, there most certainly is. I just do not yet know what.”
“You would make a job for me?”
“There are more jobs than there are people to fill them, Maddalyn, but it must be the right job.” She shifted in her seat and caressed my cheek. “You are so young and have so much to learn. I must send you to the right people, those who will teach you.”
“I want to stay here, with you. I want to help you.”
“Oh, Maddalyn, the real work doesn’t happen here. It happens on Tresjolie and Newland, and Far and Away. It happens on Talmon and Blessed. The settlers here on Tarriton were lucky. They made home on a planet filled with riches, and they arrived with everything they needed, much like they did on Frantzland.
“Frantzland is an ugly place.”
“The surface, yes, but you kept an industrial base, and you kept the things that made the settlers of Frantzland so special. Frantzland does not need help. Tarriton does not need help. But these other places do. They need special people to help them rejoin the Empire. They need people who will care about the people and what happens to them. Are you one of those people, Maddalyn?”
“Yes, Aunt Anna. I am.”
She reached over and squeezed my hand. “Good. I thought so. Maddalyn, what has happened to you, what your former girlfriend did to you: this is what some people would do to entire planets.”
“No.”
“Oh, not exactly, of course, but do you know what I mean.”
“They would take advantage of their naïveté.”
“Yes. And now you know what it feels, to trust and be betrayed for trusting.”
“I won’t let anyone do that to an entire planet!”
“That’s right,” she said. “But you are young. Your experience with Frau Langenberg will do you well. But you have much to learn. The Empire does not operate speaking German, I am afraid.”
“I never thought I would need to speak English.”
“No, I imagine not. And many of the planets also have their own language. You would need to learn two languages. Tell me, Maddalyn: are you up to a challenge.”
“Yes, Aunt Anna!”
“Good. I thought so. And so, we will get to know each other better, and then we’ll discuss what the future may bring you.”
“I’d like that, Aunt Anna.”
“Good. So would I.” At that, the jumper settled back at her home, but she set her hand on my arm. “I know you are anxious to have these changes reversed, but we must have a plan before we act. This is important, and it is the first lesson I will teach you. Think before you act.”
“Yes, Aunt Anna. Thank you so much.”
“You are welcome, My Dear. Now, tomorrow we will spend the day together, just getting to know each other better. The day after, we will return to work, and I will show you all the homes I oversee. And then the day after we can discuss your future.”
And so, that was how it would be.
Reborn
We spent the time as Aunt Anna had indicated. I remained entirely amazed by this woman. She reminded me in many ways of Frau Langenberg, but even more so. Frau Langenberg was someone on Frantzland, but her influence had limits. I’m not sure that Aunt Anna’s did.
It seemed she never stopped, but then, just like that, she would stop. She found something fascinating in what might seem the most mundane things. Sometimes it was a view, but usually that was I. But once she stopped to watch two sisters. They were both young, but one was clearly older and clearly taking care of the younger. I didn’t understand what she found so fascinating, although she tried to explain.
Another time she took my hand and pulled me across th
e street. “Oh, Maddalyn, they have my favorites.” She tugged me to a man beside a large metal cart from which wafted the most unexpected scents. “We’ll take one bag,” she said. And then she proceeded to tell me what we were buying.
I didn’t understand, but the little treats were quite good.
Once she caught me looking at her. She smiled knowingly. “I know. I should act my age.”
“You are a marvel.”
“Life should be lived,” she said. “Don’t you agree?” And then we were rushing off to do something else.
I could barely keep up.
We spent the next day at her office. She showed me a map of the local star systems, all the inhabited worlds in the Tarriton sector. She told me about the planets and the people, and sometimes talked at length about specific people, the people working for her, or perhaps a leader on the planet in question. She told me about the special challenges of each planet, and what she hoped to do.
I took notes on my tablet, not really knowing how she would decide what to do with me. But I took notes on notes, and in the end, I wouldn’t need any of them.
And then the next day came. We rode in her jumper, and then I watched as she handled this item or that one, directing her staff efficiently, before she sent them away and indicated I should take the chair across from her. Nervously, I did so.
She folded her hands. “Well, Maddalyn. You are everything your mother said you were, everything I remember.”
“I am?”
“I will help you. I already promised I would. As we discussed, I can have this reversed. We can discuss the details.” She gestured to me. “You then have options.”
“I do?”
“You may stay here. You may return to Frantzland. Perhaps you would prefer to go somewhere else.”
“I want to work for you, Aunt Anna. Please. Is there some way I can help?”
She began to smile then straightened her features. “It won’t be easy, Maddalyn. I’ve told you about the planets.”
“They’re all so beautiful.”
“And many of them don’t have running water,” she said. “They no longer even know what electricity is.”
“But we would bring technology with us.”
“Yes, but if you go to one of these planets, you must learn what life is like for the people there. How can you help them if you do not, at least in part, become one of them?”
I looked down. “I don’t know.”
“Do you see? It isn’t an easy life, Maddalyn.”
“I don’t want an easy life, Aunt Anna.” I looked up. “I want to help. But will you send me somewhere beautiful?”
“Oh, Maddalyn, that I can promise you.” She began smiling again. “But are you sure?”
“I’m sure.”
“Are you willing to commit?” She said the last word with a certain emphasis, and I thought she meant something by it.
“What do you mean?”
“Would you sign a contract?”
“What sort of contract?”
“A thirty-year employment contract.”
“That isn’t so long,” I said.
“I do not mean a Frantzland year, Maddalyn.”
Just then, I felt very stupid. She just asked me if I would commit for a period equal to longer than I’d been alive. When you are somewhat older, thirty years may seem like nothing, but when you are only in your very young twenties yourself, thirty years seems like a lifetime.
“I know that is a serious commitment, Maddalyn.”
“Will you explain why?”
“You can’t guess?”
“I imagine it is very expensive to send me wherever you will send me.”
“Yes, but that has little to do with it. Try again.”
“Because I need to learn so much, and I won’t truly be useful for the first half of that?”
“No. I imagine your initial duties will be quite a bit like your old duties for Frau Langenberg, and so it is only English and perhaps a local language that you must learn.”
“Because it takes twenty of those years to learn what life is like for the people of my new home?”
“Now, that is a good reason,” she said. “And it’s part of it. But the answer is somewhat closer to home.”
That should have told me, but finally I said, “I don’t know.”
“I can have your changes reversed quite readily, and change your body as necessary to live on your new home,” she said. “And I don’t even need to pay for it myself, if you agree to a five-year commitment.”
“But you said you want thirty.”
“Do you know what typically requires a much lengthier commitment, Maddalyn?”
My jaw dropped. “You want to give me an implant?”
“I do. You are exactly the sort of person I want working for me for a long, long time, and I want to tie you to this job whether you love it or not.”
I laughed. “It doesn’t sound like easy work.”
“It can be very rewarding work,” she said.
“Yes,” I said. “I would have agreed even without an implant. I only wanted to understand why.” I paused. “Are you offering this because you really want me?”
“Oh, yes, Maddalyn. When I find someone like you, I don’t let go easily.”
After that, everything happened so quickly. It began with her inviting Herr Parsons into her office. We greeted, and he said he hoped I was enjoying my stay.
“Thank you so much for the welcome you have given me,” I replied.
“Devon,” Aunt Anna said, “Frau Herschel has verbally accepted employment with me.”
“Excellent,” he replied.
“I need you to prepare a thirty-year contract and make an appointment with a rejuvenation center. She’ll be getting a Model 27A.”
“Congratulations, Frau Herschel,” said Herr Parsons warmly. “Welcome to the team. I’ll take care of everything, Anna.”
“I’ll have the remaining particulars when we’ve decided where we’re sending her.”
“Bellamy Massey put in a request for more staff.”
“Blessed is doing fine with the staff they have,” Anna said. “No, no. I’m thinking somewhere much... newer to the fold.”
“Oh,” said Herr Parsons. He offered a smile. “Talmon hasn’t asked for additional personal.”
“Which only offers proof they need it more than others.”
I didn’t think that made sense, but by then, I was so in awe of Aunt Anna that I was sure I just wasn’t smart enough to always understand her.
“Talmon?” I asked.
“Yes,” Aunt Anna said. “Talmon. Oh, Maddalyn, you are going to love Talmon. The people are the kindest you could ever meet. It’s a beautiful planet, raw and unsullied.” She smiled broadly. “They have some of the most interesting customs. When I’m ready to take a couple of decades from my duties here, I may go experience them for myself. But I’ll let you make your own discoveries.” She smiled broadly. “Oh, yes. It is decided. You need say one word, Maddalyn: Yes, or No?”
“Yes, Aunt Anna. I’ll go to Talmon. I’ll go wherever you need me.”
“Then Talmon it is. Devon, see to the paperwork, please, and make an appointment.”
It was his turn to smile. “Is an hour too soon?”
“You devilish little man,” she said. “An hour is perfect.”
* * * *
From there, after weeks of travel and only days with Aunt Anna, everything happened so quickly. Devon drove us, but Aunt Anna herself escorted me into the rejuvenation center located just outside Artemia. It was a stunning location, a cluster of low buildings surrounded by gardens. I thought it was so nice of Aunt Anna to accompany me, but then I would learn it wasn’t only nice, but necessary. No one spoke German, and I spoke only a few words of English.
We met a woman who was introduced to me as Doctor Phelps, the head of the facility. It was, of course, not my first time through rejuvenation, but it was the first time I’d been introduced to anyo
ne so lofty. Doctor Phelps herself provided a tour of the facility, Aunt Anna translating as we walked. We ended in a meeting room, and if not for a window looking out into the beautiful gardens, it could have been the rejuvenation center I’d visited on Frantzland.
Already waiting was a technician, a man introduced as Digby Mayo. Herr Mayo spoke no German, of course, and so Aunt Anna was busy translating. I was surprised that Doctor Phelps remained with us as well, but she would oversee my entire procedure.
Aunt Anna could be a very patient person, but when she was decided, she didn’t stand on ceremony. She listened to the technician for about three sentences then waved him away. She turned to me. “Let us begin with the basics. You wish these modifications reversed.”
“Yes,” I said. “All of them. Don’t I need an exam?”
Aunt Anna spoke in English and listened to the reply. “We have your latest records,” she said. “Little will have changed.”
Then again she spoke to the technician, and a moment later, a hologram appeared before us, an image of me in my birth form, shall we say, sparsely dressed. It stood a half-meter high and rotated slowly. Then beside it, a life-size image of my head, also rotating at the same rate as the full body image.
“My hands,” I said. “My fingers were a little pudgy.”
Anna spoke, and then a third image appeared, one of my hands. I held up my current hand. It was one thing Berdine hadn’t changed. “Like this.”
The technician spoke, and Aunt Anna said, “We have those records from your first visit.”
“Just like that,” I said. “Can they put me back to how I was after my first visit, but I want to appear as my natural age. Can they do that, Aunt Anna?”
“They can, Maddalyn,” she said.
“That is what I want.”
“Your face,” she said. She gestured and began talking about changes I could make. They would have made me more distinctive. I listened and said nothing.
Aunt Anna turned back to me. She smiled. “It is your face, Maddalyn.”
“Will it help me do my job better if we make these changes?”
“It may be different,” she said. “The Talmonese will have questions about everything, Maddalyn, about absolutely everything. They are not stupid people, and it wouldn’t be fair to call them ignorant, either, but there is so much they don’t know, and so much they have lost. You could find yourself explaining things you have known since you were a little girl.”