Greenshift

by Heidi Ruby Miller

  Preparing to enter the universe of the virtual world made him feel like going home. More so, considering he held power as a fragger node inside the V-side while at his childhood home on Tampa Quad there was only the helplessness of grief that touched every part of him. Somehow his mother had overcome the loss of both her prime amour and eldest son, but Sean just shoved their deaths further inside himself. There the memories of the two men in his life warped over the past decade and a half—he now associated them more with pain and abandonment than anything else. It might not be a fair association, but in his mind it rang true.

  When David first came aboard the Bard, feelings which Sean hadn’t felt in years suddenly accosted him, not all of them unpleasant, like maybe this was how his father had been when he was alive, before combat and duty took him. Or how his brother Jameson might have turned out. Jameson was always bigger, had the stronger bearing, even as a teenager, but it turned out Jameson didn’t have any guts—otherwise he wouldn’t have killed himself at sixteen and left behind a heart-broken mother and little brother.

  That’s why Sean had turned to a new family, the fraggers. Their anti-caste, anti-government sentiments filled his emptiness and made him strong against his grief, if not a bit hardened toward life. A softness remained in his heart for his mother, for most women really. That’s why he was so protective of Mari. She might annoy him with her constant chatter and immature notions, but she was a kind, beautiful person with a great mind. He’d entertained certain thoughts about her when she first arrived on the Bard, then realized how old she was and decided they’d be better as friends.

  Now she was friends with David. The idea bothered him. He wouldn’t exactly call it jealousy—he just didn’t like having to worry about her. Of course there probably wouldn’t be anything to worry about as far as David Anlow was concerned. The man was by the book and unruffled in every aspect of his life. The military may have drummed discipline into him, but it also bound him to rules and societal expectations. For Sean, too much of life had to be lived outside the rules, outside the law, in fact. Would David ever break the law, even for reasons beyond the law itself? Sean thought not, and that’s why he had a problem with the ex-fleet captain.

  His thoughts of David drifted away with the cool sensation spreading behind his eyes into his brain. Within a few seconds the pressure changed inside his head, announcing the arrival of Sean’s avatar Zak into the floating V-side lobby. An endless ocean of gentle purple waves met a silvery sky in this alternate reality which was just a step beyond dreaming. His av Zak stood alone on a meter square platform, undulating with the soft roll of the lobby’s sea while Sean’s body remained safe aboard the Bard. Should anyone come into his bedroom, it would simply look as though he were in a deep sleep.

  But his senses were active, all except his ability to smell—once the architects found a way to make scent active within the V-side the experience would truly become immersive. His synapses fired, processing his environment as though Sean were physically there, not just represented by Zak. He could even feel and react to the moving balance of the slate-colored raft as the sea lapped beneath it.

  Invites to multiple worlds within the V-side awaited him in the form of small, blue globes the size of Sean’s fist. The lighter the shade of blue, the more important the invite. Sean still ignored them all, even one powdery blue one from a fragger boss. He hadn’t been officially summoned so whatever it was could wait until he found out about Mari’s new business associate.

  Sean didn’t even plan to enter a V-side world right now, just wait in the lobby for Bullseye, one of his fragger contingency whom he trusted with the delicate nature of information gathering.

  A second pop preceded the appearance of a second raft. A young man with green spiky hair waved. “Hey, Zak! Found what you wanted.”

  Bullseye was always eager to please. What the man, if indeed he even was male, did in real life, Sean couldn’t say. For security reasons, no one except the bosses knew any other fragger’s identity. That’s why Sean was Zak, a generic-looking blonde guy whose features only vaguely resembled his own and whose build was much smaller than Sean’s actual half-Armadan frame.

  “Thanks, Bullseye. What’s the deal with Dale Zapona?”

  “He’s squeaky clean.”

  “In other words, he’s hiding something,” Sean said in Zak’s voice, a tad more tenor than the real thing.

  “You better believe it. Take a look.”

  A tingle sparked to life in the back of Sean’s mind as he received the data from Bullseye. He processed the official Embassy file and found markers where sections had been deleted at the source. The Embassy tech who had performed the erasure did a better job than most Sean had run across, but still left a dusting of code like a trail to each instance of removal.

  “That Dale guy has friends in high places,” Bullseye said.

  “Looks that way. I appreciate your help with this, and your discretion.”

  “No problem.” Bullseye hesitated, then said almost sheepishly, “I’m heading to a slasher session with some of the other guys. You want to join us? We could use you to balance out the teams.”

  “Not this time.”

  Bullseye’s expression read disappointment, though Sean never took any facial or body cues as sincere in the V-side—it was too easy to program certain responses and call them up as desired. However, since Sean’s contingency was always trying to get him to enter a gaming world with them, Bullseye’s reaction was probably honest. Sean just didn’t like to get too close to anyone in here. Or anyone out there, he decided as he unplugged to rejoin the real world.

  NINE

  “Thank you for coming with me,” Mari said to David. “I’m a little nervous. How’s my outfit? Is it too stuffy?” Perhaps she should have dressed more practically. This morning the little grey skirt, which rode a bit high on her thighs, and the white sleeveless blouse which plunged a bit low at her neck, seemed like a good idea. Of course, she didn’t really own anything practical, so this was the least ostentatious outfit she could come up with.

  “Definitely not too stuffy,” David murmured.

  Her head snapped around. “Should I have tried to look more scientific?” She had no idea how she would do that.

  David’s warm hand cupped her bare knee and gave it a little squeeze as the Wrights Landing transport curved past another private gate leading to a palatial stretch of grounds. She’d been so pre-occupied she’d missed the gardenia bloom on the way here.

  “You look nice. The important thing is you know more about hydroponics systems than anyone I’ve ever met. You’re ready to take the greenshift head on.”

  “How many other botanists have you met?” she joked, happy that David had taken an interest in her career. Not even her family had. Or maybe they simply couldn’t understand her need to be more than a mother, not that she wasn’t looking forward to that role, especially now that she had become so close to David. She imagined more than a few times since their coupling session about conceiving with him. She’d keep those thoughts to herself, however. After all, last night was only her first time. If she convinced Dale to give her this contract, she and David could have many nights together.

  And if Dale decided not to hire her…she’d probably have to go back to Deleine. A sickness roiled in her stomach at the possibility.

  “Here we are,” David said.

  Anxiety flooded through Mari as the transport waited at the elaborate wrought iron gate marking the entrance to Dale’s estate. The metal relief of a massive tree with exposed roots and gnarled limbs devoid of leaves loomed in front of them.

  “That is the ugliest, scariest tree I’ve ever seen,” Mari said.

  David smiled as he helped her out of the transport. He had such a nice, subtle smile. She kept hold of his hand, maybe holding it a bit too tightly. If she returned home would he come to visit her? Maybe at first, but it would only be for a few sporadic weeks throughout the year until maybe he couldn’t come at all o
r wouldn’t want to. Suddenly the pressure of winning Dale over veiled her in sadness.

  David must have caught her mood.

  “Dale isn’t the only client in the system, you know. If this doesn’t work out, there are other options. Just a matter of finding them.”

  She appreciated David’s encouragement, but she knew the truth—it was this job or nothing.

  A tall man with cropped blonde hair met them inside the gate. The elegant cut of his grey suit and light blue button-down shirt couldn’t disguise the mass of muscles beneath.

  “Is he an Armadan?” Mari asked.

  “Looks like it.” David’s tone took on a slight derision. “Merc-ing himself out as a bodyguard apparently. I guess no rogue contractors were available.”

  The blonde Armadan looked at David like he was unwelcome. Maybe Mari should have mentioned to Dale specifically that David would be coming with her, but she hadn’t thought it necessary.

  She took the initiative, hoping her confidence and use of formal titles would persuade the Armadan that this had been the plan all along. “Hello, I’m Scientist Boston Maribu and this is Navigational Leader David Anlow. Chairman Zapona is expecting us.”

  “The chairman is expecting you, Scientist Maribu,” the bodyguard said. “I’m not sure he understood you would be bringing a guest.”

  She chewed on her lip.

  David spoke up. “Dale’s well aware I would be accompanying her after our meeting at Shiraz last night. Maybe you should ask him.”

  She didn’t miss the fact that David used Dale’s first name, maybe that familiarity would work in place of her formality.

  “I already contacted Chairman Zapona when you arrived. Since you’re here, he’s happy to welcome you both into his home.”

  Mari wasn’t convinced of that by the man’s inflection.

  “My name is Carlos. Please follow me.”

  This wasn’t the start she had been hoping for today. She dropped David’s hand and donned a serious expression, hoping her professionalism would show through to Dale.

  “Chairman Zapona thought you would enjoy meeting in his conservatory,” Carlos said. “It’s through the garden.”

  Another iron gate, matching the one at the entry, fit snugly into a towering stone wall which went along the property as far as Mari could see.

  “That must be his house behind there.” Mari kept her voice quiet so only David could hear her as she gestured with her chin at the steepled roofs peeking from behind the wall and the large palm trees somewhere on the other side.

  “Looks like,” David said in a distracted voice as he scanned the gardens in front of them.

  He considered his surroundings with such focus, even studying the erratic flight of a butterfly as though it carried a secret upon its wings. His behavior only served to unnerve her more.

  Mari teetered on her heels as they crunched through the pea gravel strewn along the main track. David offered her an elbow to steady herself as they walked. She appreciated that Dale wanted to go natural, but not at the expense of her ankles. And this was probably ruining her shoes.

  Enticing pathways lined with vibrantly colorful flowerbeds wove through the walled garden. In all, it must have covered four hectares. Footpaths narrowed off to secret spots with benches waiting under trees and burbling fountains. Along both sides of the winding main conduit stretched well-ordered beds in blooms themed by fragrance and color.

  “It smells so good here,” she said.

  “Like your suite,” David said. “And, it’s just as colorful.” His tone was playfully mocking.

  At the path’s terminus, a glass and steel building greeted them. The interior appeared to be stuffed with as much foliage and flora as the garden surrounding it. The humidity hit them as soon as Carlos opened the door.

  “He had to have this meeting in a sauna, didn’t he?” Beads of perspiration dotted David’s hairline. Mari actually felt quite comfortable, but David had an extra hundred kilograms of muscle to carry around.

  She paused inside the double glass doors. “You don’t have to come in if you don’t want to.”

  He waved her off. “I’m fine, just occasionally prone to complaining.”

  “This way,” Carlos said with a touch of impatience in his voice.

  She didn’t miss the antagonizing looks he and David exchanged.

  The conservatory sheltered rare palms and tropical vines and had an entire wing devoted to orchids. Dale sat at a table surrounded by these botanical gems, which showed off their brilliance in the glass-walled room. A nest of bedding plants were tucked in another wing, ready to replace any of the exterior florae which might die off and spoil the perfection of the design. This elegant space with its exotic greenery should have brought a sense of peace to Mari, but as she faced Dale, her stomach tightened. It was time to prove her worth.

  Dale stood to greet them, wearing a crisp, blue tunic and casual pants. Though quite a few centimeters taller than Mari, Dale looked diminutive next to the Armadan males. What he missed in height and bulk, he made up for in a brilliant, white smile.

  “So glad we can have this meeting, dear.”

  She noticed he completely ignored David, as though he were nothing more than a hired bodyguard like Carlos.

  “This is really just a formality,” Dale continued. “The job is yours if you want it.”

  “Just like that?” David asked

  Mari shot him a look, but he stared at Dale.

  “I have your curriculum vitae from the last time I wanted to hire you and I would assume you’ve only added to your wonderful resume since then.”

  The excitement Mari felt at being offered the contract waivered ever so slightly upon mention of her wonderful resume. It had been less than stellar back on Deleine—Dale had even commented on that at the time. And except for a couple of landscaping jobs for hire when she first came to the Bard, her skills list hadn’t grown much. Even with her mine experience, she couldn’t boast any work that had to do with designing a hydroponics system for a freighter.

  She pushed the needling doubt away to concentrate on what Dale was saying now.

  “We can leave tomorrow. I’ll just have Carlos provide you with the proper documents—”

  “Leave?” Mari asked.

  “Yes, the Thrall 7 will depart for its run back to Deleine tomorrow, hopefully with our new botanist on board,” Dale said.

  “I’ll be working on the design on-site, in-transit?”

  “Of course, dear. The design process alone takes a few weeks, no? Add another month for installation. That is much too long for the Thrall to be off route.”

  “I wouldn’t think I have to be on-site to oversee the installation,” Mari said.

  “I would insist upon it, dear. Don’t you want to make sure the mech techs don’t corrupt your beautiful design? There will be several cargo stops to and from Deleine, so consider it a way to see more of the system on your off-time.”

  “Aboard a freighter? That sounds like fun,” David said.

  “I’m sorry,” Dale said. “What’s he doing here?”

  “Moral support,” David said.

  Mari gave David a pleading look. “Maybe you could give us a minute?” she asked.

  David’s visage remained unreadable. When he finally pulled his attention away from Dale to look at her, she wondered if he would refuse to leave, but he surprised her with a small kiss. “I’ll be outside, in the shade, if you need me.”

  “Thank you,” she said.

  Maybe if David weren’t standing right beside her she could think more clearly about Dale’s offer. It wasn’t exactly what she had anticipated, but six weeks away from David was better than losing her suite on the Bard and maybe never seeing him again.

  “Your pilot’s quite friendly.” Dale broke into her thoughts. “Or maybe he’s just marking his territory?”

  He waited for Mari to respond, but she remained uncharacteristically quiet. She was afraid anything she said might make Dale r
econsider. Maybe it wouldn’t be so bad if he did. If she walked away from this job, others would be out there. Isn’t that what David had insisted when they first arrived?

  “He’s not your amour, is he?”

  “No,” Mari said quickly. “We’re…friends and we share a lot of our time together on the Bard.” She could feel the heat rising into her cheeks, giving her away. “It’s a small ship.”

  Dale walked closer. “Very intimate accommodations, I imagine.”

  She studied the light blue polish on her fingernails to avoid looking at Dale, but still caught the leer peeking from the side of his mouth.

  “The Thrall isn’t like your refurbished pleasure cruiser, but you’ll see that it can still be surprisingly intimate.”

  The remark brought that needling caution back into Mari’s mind. What if Dale wanted more than a hydroponics bay from her?

  “May I have a little time to think about this?” Mari asked. “I know you’re scheduled to leave tomorrow, so I would let you know by morning. Please, don’t think I’m ungrateful. I just have to put some things in order.”

  “Not a problem, dear.” He leaned in to say, “A word of advice, though, Armadans are a pushy lot. If you don’t show your nav leader that you won’t be ordered about like a crewman, he’ll expect your obedience to his every whim forever after. Very similar to the situation you left at home, as I recall.”

  Mari didn’t disagree. In fact she said nothing as she left.

  “The Armadan will be a problem. He already has influence over her. I could see it in their body language,” Dale said. “He’ll convince her not to take my offer so that he doesn’t lose her.”

  “What do you want to do about it?” Carlos asked.

  “Not give her a chance to say no. The other women didn’t have that luxury. Why should this one?”