All We See or Seem

by Leah Sanders

  Danger level was low, but the risk of being caught was enough to raise his blood pressure. Compared to his high-stakes missions, this felt like a game. Of course, the practice was good for keeping his skill sharp and his mind focused.

  He didn’t know exactly what he was looking for; although, he had completed innumerable reconnaissance orders with far less information.

  Silently, he crept down the back stairs, careful to avoid the third step, which he knew would creak. Even though this was a new house, Aaron had already memorized its subtle nuances — force of habit. Knowing the terrain was critical to survival in his line of work.

  As he wove his way through the kitchen, he scanned door frames for any hint of light. So far, so good.

  None of the door hinges squeaked in this house. It was the one advantage of his mother’s obsessive pet peeve. The kitchen door swung open silently, and Aaron eased himself into the living room. In a few more steps he was in his father’s office, taking a deep breath of relief.

  His father was old school and, therefore, likely to keep hard copies of sensitive materials hidden somewhere he deemed unfindable. Fortunately, Aaron knew his father well enough to deduce the most likely places. And while the house was new, the desk was not.

  General Jennings had commissioned the desk to be specially made when he received his first Pentagon assignment. It had several inscrutable hiding places, which Aaron had long since discovered. It was almost too easy.

  One by one, Aaron went through each cache, all the while listening carefully for foreign noises that might signal someone was coming. None of the papers he found seemed to be relevant, so he locked them back into their secure spaces, meticulously placing them exactly how he had found them. He lowered himself silently into his father’s chair and propped his elbows on the desk. Leaning his chin onto his fists, he thought for a moment about what to do next. There was a safe in the wall, but it was used mainly for family documents — birth certificates, insurance policies, that kind of thing. Aaron was looking for something work-related, so it didn’t make sense to check the safe.

  Still, it wouldn’t hurt.

  Aaron made a decision, stood, and strode to the safe. As a long shot he tried the date of his parents’ anniversary. The lock clicked as he turned the handle. He had to laugh. For as smart as his father was, he was entirely too sentimental — a trait Aaron had not inherited.

  Just as Aaron expected, the safe held all the important family documents. Each member of the family had a portfolio designated as his or her own. Aaron slipped his from its place in the stack and opened it, out of pure morbid curiosity. There was his birth certificate and his high school diploma, some insurance policies, and military enlistment papers.

  He glanced through the papers. Obviously, he wasn’t going to find anything in here. As he allowed the portfolio to fall closed, however, one of the pages caught his eye.

  Quickly he opened it again and leafed through the papers to get a second glance. It looked like the other insurance papers, but at the top it held the familiar insignia.

  EROMI.

  At first he thought maybe it was a copy of his orders. His father liked to keep things like that — sentimental reasons. But it wasn’t Aaron’s orders.

  Aaron’s full name was typed in the insurance line. It had all his pertinent information there too. Odd that he had never known of this coverage, especially considering he would be stationed there in just a few short days. It stood to reason he should be told of any prior connection he had with the company.

  What kind of insurance company needed military intelligence security anyway? Obviously, he would be brought up-to-date on his arrival, but usually he wasn’t going in with such minimal information.

  On a whim, Aaron snatched Bobby’s portfolio and quickly leafed through it until he found another EROMI policy, this one with Bobby’s name. Then he found his father’s and his mother’s. They were covering the whole family.

  He replaced the papers in the portfolios and slipped them back into the safe, keeping only his own to look over, and began to read it silently.

  He didn’t get far.

  Upstairs, heavy feet shuffled down the hall that was directly over the office. Aaron heard them receding toward the back stairs leading to the kitchen. Dad was definitely coming downstairs.

  One last glance — he needed enough information to do some follow-up later — and Aaron returned the papers carefully to their place and closed the safe gently. Then tip-toeing out of the office, he skulked up in the front stairs and snuck safely back into his room.

  ****

  Endfield Replacement Organ Management Institute – Was that all? His father had mentioned a replacement. Maybe Aaron had had an organ transplant because of the accident. Seemed strange they wouldn’t have told him about something like that.

  Things were not adding up.

  It did make sense his father would have such an insurance policy, and it made sense the general would also deem his family important enough to cover. But there were so many details that seemed hidden unnecessarily. What were they not telling him?

  Chapter Twelve

  Gem trusted Ms. Birger. It seemed she was the only one who would tell her the truth, and ever since their first meeting a few days ago, Gem had started to notice all the other Endfield personnel seemed to be hiding something.

  Even Aria was strangely quiet — maybe even avoiding Gem. She would smile when they met in the dormitory hall and speak to Gem like always, but there was a sad glint in her eyes and something she didn’t want to say lurking in the silence between them.

  For Gem, everyone was suspect now.

  The way the food service staff looked at her, the ever-distant clinical staff, even the recreational staff seemed to see something she did not. And perhaps it was only her imagination, but they seemed to be amused, as if laughing at her. It was a new experience. Gem didn’t like it.

  This morning she had received instructions to go to Clinic-M again. It was twice in three days. Since a pregnancy assignment was new to Gem, she didn’t know what to expect or whether or not this was normal. However, she was required to follow all instructions, and she did not want to let anyone suspect how much she knew.

  Gem was met at the front desk by Ms. Birger, who immediately ushered Gem into her office and away from the scornful glower of the desk attendant.

  “Good morning, Gemini. Please, sit down.” Ms. Birger motioned to a soft, gray chair near the table. Gem sat uneasily and waited for Ms. Birger to explain what the meeting was about.

  “First of all, you should know these meetings are normal for any female in your position. I was assigned to your case, so I am expected to meet with you regularly and monitor your progress.”

  She was writing on a small piece of paper as she spoke. Gem had never seen anyone write on paper before. Endfield staff used touch-screen, handheld devices. The rest of the community recorded information by speaking into their monitors.

  Ms. Birger finished scribbling her note and slipped it into her own pocket while she continued speaking. “There are several changes to your daily routine. We can accomplish two things at once if we discuss the changes while we go for a walk.”

  It wasn’t a question, and Ms. Birger pushed back from the desk and stood abruptly. Gem stood also, turned to the door and followed her out of the office, down the hall, and out the back door of Clinic-M.

  It opened onto a well-manicured garden, surrounded by a cobblestone path. Gem inhaled the sweet fragrance of the flowers and closed her eyes momentarily.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Ms. Birger broke into Gem’s solitude. “This is one of my favorite things about my clinic assignment. Most of the other clinic posts do not allow for any outdoor recreation.”

  Gem had never considered what the Endfield staff did outside of their clinics. It was a strange idea. She looked at Ms. Birger. “I’ve never thought of it before.”

  Ms. Birger glanced at Gem questioningly. “What’s that?”

/>   “The clinicians. How they see things.”

  They stepped onto the path and began walking at a brisk pace. “Part of your routine will be walking here.” It was several moments before either of them spoke again.

  “It’s safe out here, Gemini. They don’t observe the gardens. They assume my supervision is sufficient. Do you have questions?”

  Gem understood why she trusted Ms. Birger. She looked her in the eyes and talked to her like they’re equals. Nevertheless, Ms. Birger was still Endfield staff. It was difficult for Gem to overcome her discomfort in asking questions, not to mention the strangeness of interacting so closely with a clinician. The expectations she had been ingrained with since the first moment she was cognizant plagued her, warned her not to speak. It could mean nothing but trouble for her. Still — Gem couldn’t help but ask the questions in her mind. Why? Why was she chosen for a pregnancy? Why was Gryff chosen for the honor of a Code Green? Why was he taken from her? Why did her world seem to be crumbling without him? And why was Ms. Birger so interested in helping her?

  Nothing made sense anymore.

  It hadn’t made sense since Gryff left. As far as Gem could tell, it would never make sense again.

  There were so many questions, and no matter what Ms. Birger told her, there was no one to answer them.

  They walked on in silence. Gem could feel the moisture rise in her eyes and begin to slip down her cheeks freely. Even that made no sense.

  Before Gryff had left, Gem had never been teary. She was content to be with her friends, to follow her routine, to meet expectations. Now she was a mess. Not a day went by without the emotion surfacing.

  “Gemini. You’re crying.”

  “Yes.”

  Ms. Birger led Gem to a wicker bench off the path and helped her to sit down. “I realize this is a lot to take all at once. It’s okay to feel overwhelmed.”

  Gem stared at her own hands. They were trembling — the way Gryff’s had trembled when he opened his orders.

  “I can help you, Gemini. I want to help you.”

  Gem looked up at her then. Ms. Birger met her gaze and waited silently. “Why?” The word burned on Gem’s tongue, rebelling against her better judgment. But her companion seemed unfazed. She only blinked and smiled sadly.

  “I can’t really explain it, Gemini. It’s just something I need to do.”

  Gem looked back at her hands. Somehow that did make sense. The unexplainable need, like how she needed Gryff — she would never be able to describe that. It just was.

  “I’m sorry, Gemini. I know you don’t understand what I mean, but it’s the best I can do now.”

  They stood and returned to the path, this time at a slower pace. Ms. Birger laughed suddenly. “Wow!” I’m a great help, aren’t I? I tell you to ask questions, but when you do, I can’t answer them!” Her face lit up with amusement. The delight was contagious, and Gem couldn’t help but echo her laughter.

  ****

  Aaron had spent the morning packing the last of his belongings for the movers, who had arrived and carted them off right after lunch. There wasn’t much, actually. He and his parents had agreed it would be better to take what he knew he couldn’t live without and just acquire anything else he needed when he had settled in. All he had left in his room was his deployment bag and his laptop.

  His flight was in just four hours. The shuttle would be here to take him to the airport in just a few minutes. His mother had objected to the shuttle at first. In fact, it had been the subject of a much-heated discussion the day before. She had been adamant about seeing him off herself, and Aaron had been fighting a losing battle until his father had stepped in and explained it in that special way only he could.

  “Cary, he doesn’t want you crying all over him at the airport. Do it here. You can drip snot everywhere and nobody will care.”

  She had, of course, clamped her mouth shut dramatically and stormed into her room, but it was the end of the discussion… at least the end of it for Aaron. He had a sneaking suspicion his father had borne the brunt of her wrath privately.

  At any rate, she had been handling the situation surprisingly well today, though her puffy eyes betrayed her true feelings. Aaron was relieved she had gotten it out of her system. Crying women were not his favorite.

  “Car’s here, Aaron!” Bobby called from the front hall.

  Aaron grabbed his bags and headed down the stairs. His mom and dad met him by the door.

  “Okay,” Cary sighed. “Well, call us when you get there, and be sure to let us know how things are going every couple of days.”

  Bobby rolled his eyes and reached for Aaron’s bags. In a high-pitched voice he mimicked, “Yes, sweetheart. Every few days… Better yet, darling, post a play-by-play of your day on your profile page, so we know what you’re doing every minute.”

  Aaron chuckled, and Cary frowned.

  “Nice, Bobby. Maybe you would like to leave too?” she warned.

  “Yes. We could arrange that, I’m sure,” chimed his father. “Get rid of you and those ugly, stinking Navy rags. Clean up the air around here.” His mouth widened into a grin as he slipped his arm around his wife’s shoulders.

  “Okay, okay,” Bobby recanted. “I always knew you guys liked Aaron best.” He slung Aaron’s bag over his shoulder and stepped through the open door. “Just, can you get the kissing part over with while I’m outside, please?”

  Cary swung her foot up to help Bobby out the door, narrowly missing as he hopped out of the way laughing.

  Aaron took a step toward the door. What are the chances he could make a quick escape and skip the goodbye part just this once?

  “So…” his father started.

  Aaron sighed. No chance. Perfect.

  “Take care, son.”

  “I will.” Aaron grasped his father’s outstretched hand then turned to his mom. “Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll call you in the morning.”

  “Tonight. Don’t make me come all the way out there to check on you.” She reached out and squeezed his arm briefly. “I expect reports, soldier.”

  “Yes, ma’am!” He stood at attention and saluted her. Then pulled her in for a tight hug and kissed her lightly on the cheek. “Bye, Mom.” He stepped back and spun on his heel toward the door.

  A horn honked, and Bobby popped his head inside cautiously. “Is it safe?” he ventured.

  “Yeah… for now,” Aaron answered. As he stepped around Bobby he whispered confidentially, “But I don’t envy you the evening you have in store for you.”

  Bobby laughed. “Oh, don’t worry about me. I’m not gonna be hanging around here. I have a date.”

  “What was that?” Cary interrupted.

  “Oh, nothing, Mom. Just saying goodbye to your favorite son.” Bobby winked at Aaron and stepped out of the doorway to make room for his brother. “You better escape while you have the chance, dude. If she gets her claws into you, she’ll lock you in the attic and force you to choose a wife from her collection of eligible senators’ daughters — perfect candidates for a plastic surgery reality show, every one of them. She keeps them locked up in there too. I’ve seen them.”

  “Robert, will you please do something about your son?”

  “All right, all right. Aaron, go on. Get outta here. Bobby? Run.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Aaron glanced at his watch. It was going to be a long layover in Chicago — four hours. He checked the wall monitor for his next flight. It would be leaving from another terminal, so he decided to make his way over there and look for a place to set up camp for his four-hour vigil.

  He slung his laptop bag over his shoulder and followed the signs to the skyway. It was later in the evening, but there still seemed to be massive throngs of people everywhere he looked. There was a reason O‘Hare was proclaimed the third busiest airport in the world.

  There weren’t so many people out west where he was headed. It would be a nice change, and Aaron was looking forward to the peace.

  Finding a
quiet corner near his gate, he set down his bag and made himself comfortable — well, as comfortable as a person could be, considering the construction of the gate seats. He reached into his satchel and slipped out his laptop. This was a good time to do a little research. He powered up and set to work.

  If EROMI was a publicly-traded company, he wouldn’t have to look far for information.

  Turned out the information was relatively scarce, EROMI’s official site proclaimed itself as the top organ transplant supplier. They offered genetically engineered organs to match any recipient. No more waiting lists. Need a kidney? Can’t find a donor? We’ve got what you need!

  Aaron knew stem cell research was unpopular in many circles, and EROMI’s website never used that term. But if they needed military security and intelligence personnel, it was pretty obvious they didn’t want the general population snooping around their modes of operation. He wouldn’t find what he was looking for on their website, at any rate.

  Another search, maybe. If any pro-life groups suspected EROMI’s methods, they would be writing about it somewhere. Stem Cell + EROMI, he typed. Nothing. It was amazing they were able to fly so far beneath the radar. Endfield organ research, Aaron punched in. A few hits this time.

  An article about Dr. Joseph Admatha appeared at the top of the list. Aaron knew the name from his orders. The article said Dr. Admatha was the head of EROMI and the leading expert in the area of organ replacement research, not to mention his many papers on the subject of genetic research. His colleague and partner in the EROMI endeavor was Dr. Haruki Izanagi who brought the top Asian research with him to the project. Between the two of them, they formed a global brain trust in the field, and all others in that scientific community deferred to them.