Spirit Tree of the Red Rocks: Future

by Clay, Verna

  Bren wanted to roll his eyes, but because Agent Jensen carried a higher rank he would never be disrespectful, not even in private.

  Before Violet could answer, Agent Jensen said, "Drs. Vesper and Chandler and the technicians will be here momentarily. We've been up since dawn awaiting your arrival, but since everyone was starving, I sent them to the refectory."

  Unexpectedly, another hidden door on the opposite wall slid open and four people entered. They were all slipping into white lab coats. The first person to speak was a man shorter than Violet and very thin, but not in a sickly way. He said in a high pitched, piercing voice, "This is marvelous; simply marvelous!" He placed his hand over his heart in an effeminate gesture and continued, "Dr. Morningstar, you are my idol. I began secretly studying your work while I was a student at the Academy of Scientific Innovations many, many years ago. Although the academy does not teach terraforming, you are a legend among the students." He waved both his hands in front of his face as though cooling himself and glanced at Bren, launching into another avalanche of words. "Agent Bren, my condolences and those of my staff for the loss of Dr. Glasmir. He will be sorely missed. I think I speak for everyone here in saying that being aboveground places us in a position of not being able to grieve with those below. However, our grief is just as intense, and with that in mind, I would like to observe a moment of silence."

  The others in the room concurred and Violet, still not having spoken, glanced at Bren. She could see impatience in his eyes for Dr. Vesper.

  Dr. Vesper lowered his head and everyone followed his lead. In his high-pitched voice he said, "We honor those who have fallen and promise to carry on the work they gave their lives for. We shall prevail!"

  Violet raised her gaze in time to see the small doctor dramatically thrust his fist into the air.

  Murmurs of agreement were heard from the others.

  Dr. Vesper returned his attention to Violet. "Dr. Morningstar, please allow me to introduce my co-workers." He pointed to the woman next to him. "This is Dr. Anita Chandler, my associate and a specialist in soil reconfiguration. I'm sure the two of you will have much to discuss."

  Dr. Chandler nodded and spoke a polite greeting.

  Next, Dr. Vesper motioned two men forward, one disheveled, the other distinguished looking. "And this is Ryan Hawthorn our clinical analyst." He pointed to the disheveled man. "And his brother Tobias Hawthorn, our statistician."

  Both men said hello as Dr. Vesper motioned toward Agent Jensen. "And, of course, you've already met Agent Jensen."

  Bren, who had been silent, interrupted the conversation. "Dr. Morningstar has been through a nightmare, so why don't I take her to her room. Perhaps tomorrow morning would be a good time to acquaint her with the compound and strategize our next step."

  "I couldn't agree more," said Dr. Vesper.

  Violet suddenly felt deflated. "Yes, I'd like that." She glanced at Dr. Vesper and momentarily saw something flicker in his eyes—anger, jealousy—maybe neither. Maybe she was just seeing things because she was so exhausted.

  23: Tour

  The living quarter Violet was assigned was sparse but satisfactory. The bed was adjustable to the softness or hardness she desired and after a long, hot shower in the adjoining lavatory, she crawled under the thermal blanket, found a bed setting that suited her, and immediately fell asleep. She slept throughout the afternoon and awakened only when Bren knocked on her door to check on her and give her a supply of sustenance bars. He asked if she wanted to go to the refectory to eat and she declined. They talked for several minutes and after he left, she returned to bed. Her sleep was dreamless and deep, and although groggy when she woke, she could feel the results of their escape. Her muscles were sore and bruises were apparent on her legs and arms. Her knees ached from crawling through the tunnel.

  She released a long sigh. When she finally motivated herself to climb out of bed, she stretched and then tried to bend over and touch the ground. She didn't quite make it. Basically, I'm a mess.

  A knock on her door interrupted her stretching torture and she tightened the belt of the robe provided with a supply of other clothing in her room. She opened the door to a rested looking Bren who glanced from her head to her toes and back. His expression turned to one of concern. "You still look exhausted. I think you need to rest all day."

  "No. Just give me an hour and I'll be fine. A hot shower can do wonders for a sore body."

  He didn't look convinced. "Violet, you only came out of cryogenics a few months ago and you've just survived a harrowing escape that would try the strongest of men."

  She grinned. "Except you. You look amazing."

  The same spark that had flickered between them before did so again and Violet wanted to take the words back.

  Agent Bren's expression darkened as if reminding her that he was her bodyguard, nothing more. His tone was emotionless when he said, "All right, I'll return in an hour."

  Bren blew a breath as he walked down the hallway away from Dr. Morningstar's room. No matter how much he tried to quell his feelings for her, they were expanding exponentially. He was attracted to her, not only physically, but emotionally; something he had to avoid at any cost. From an early age the fact that he was different had been drilled into him. He wasn't quite human and he wasn't quite machine. He was a hybrid without a soul. He was an experiment gone awry. And although his defection from the Secret Police had confirmed that he had a sense of right and wrong, he was still a hybrid, unable to relate to the nuances that drove humanity to heroic deeds or despicable ones.

  He heard movement behind him. "Agent Bren, please wait up."

  He recognized the high-pitched voice of Dr. Vesper and quietly groaned before turning around. "What can I do for you Doctor?"

  "I thought you were bringing Dr. Morningstar to the lab. Why isn't she with you?"

  "She said she needed an hour to get ready."

  Dr. Vesper frowned and the action irritated Bren. He said, "If I had my way she'd rest the entire day and maybe another one, too, before being thrust back into the lab."

  Dr. Vesper's expression became sympathetic. "Yes, of course, you're right. Please tell her to take all the time she needs."

  "She'll be in the lab in an hour. She wouldn't listen to my advice."

  Dr. Vesper nodded and started to turn around, but paused. "Did she happen to mention if she made any progress in Dr. Glasmir's lab?"

  "No," Bren replied without elaboration.

  Violet heard a knock on her door exactly an hour later and opened it to Agent Bren.

  "Are you feeling better?" he asked.

  She smiled. "Yes, Bodyguard Bren. I'm feeling much better and ready for my tour of the compound." She thought she detected a smile trying to break through his stern expression, but she couldn't be sure. He escorted her to the lab and once again she was met by Dr. Vesper and his associates. Pleasantries were exchanged and the doctor said in his unusual voice, "So, Dr. Morningstar, it is with pleasure that I show you our lab and accomplishments. We believe we've had a breakthrough in your groundbreaking work." He paused. "But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's start the tour."

  For an hour the skinny doctor dominated the conversation, only allowing Dr. Morningstar to speak when he asked her a question. And every question tended to be scientifically oriented, prodding her for information. He led her to their testing site, a large cavern filled with soil and open to the sun's rays by a natural skylight. The doctor chuckled. "It took months for us to transport enough soil here." He made one of his effeminate waving motions. "But I want to show you something." Violet, followed by Bren, trailed behind the doctor as he pointed to at least a dozen rows of corn. "So far, these stalks have been thriving better than any we've sown before." Violet enthusiastically agreed. "How long have they been growing?"

  Dr. Vesper's chest appeared to visibly puff out when he replied, "Six weeks."

  Violet inhaled sharply and exclaimed, "That's the longest I've ever heard of!"

  "Yes. I've d
one very well in modifying your formula."

  Violet saw Bren's jaw tighten when he said, "Perhaps the underground scientists had something to do with that also."

  Dr. Vesper glanced sharply at Bren. "Agent Bren, I believe you are speaking out of line. However, I will address that. Dr. Glasmir sent the formula to us, but it was my rearranging of the ratios of trace elements that brought about what you now see." His expression was one of displeasure as he returned his attention to Violet.

  Feeling as if she were caught in the middle of a battle of wills, she tried to ease the tension by saying, "Dr. Vesper, I would love to see the formula that's produced these amazing results."

  The doctor looked pensive, as though considering her request.

  Bren stepped closer to Dr. Vesper and said low, "She's the one who formulated the basic recipe, why would you not show it to her?"

  Dr. Vesper straightened his shoulders and replied, "Now, for certain, you are out of line. Your duty is to protect Dr. Morningstar, not question my decisions. I intend to report you to the governing board."

  "And what? Get me replaced?" When the doctor didn't respond, Bren said, "Dr. Morningstar, I don't believe you've eaten yet. Come with me to the cafeteria. Afterward, I'll show you the rest of the compound. By the end of the week you should be rested enough to take leadership in the lab."

  Both Violet and Dr. Vesper gasped.

  The doctor said, "What are you talking about? No one is taking my position."

  Bren's expression remained impassive when he replied, "That's where you're wrong. The High Panel sent orders with me to give to you. You'll have them within the hour."

  Dr. Vesper's jaw dropped.

  As soon as they were out of earshot Violet stopped walking and said, "What was that all about?"

  Bren merely pulled her forward again. "That man is a pompous idiot."

  "Can he get you fired?"

  "Probably not. Firing me would be a big mistake and the organization knows it."

  "Why would it be a mistake?"

  When he didn't respond, she stopped walking again and jerked her arm out of his grasp. "Why would it be a mistake?"

  "Because I have more experience than any of the guards." His expression softened. "Now let's get you something to eat. You must be sick of sustenance bars, something that our self-absorbed tour guide seemed to have overlooked."

  Violet's stomach growled and she started forward. Although she believed Bren's explanation about his expertise to be true, her gut instinct told her there was more that he hadn't said.

  After eating tasteless food auto-generated from prepackaged spores, they returned to the lab. Violet wondered at the reception they would receive, and was shocked when Dr. Vesper acted as if nothing untoward had happened earlier. He motioned for her to join him and his associate and said, "Dr. Chandler will explain our current formula and the reasoning behind it." He glanced at Bren. "And Agent Bren, I would be more than happy to step down as lead scientist. Dr. Morningstar is much more worthy of that position. I stand corrected. You can leave the orders with Agent Jensen."

  Before Bren could respond, Dr. Vesper shifted his attention to the technicians and began giving instructions. The whole turnaround in his attitude was strange, but Violet didn't have time to reflect on it as Dr. Chandler began an intense description of their current formulation.

  24: Plant Detective

  A week after arriving at the outpost Violet analyzed the latest terraforming statistics and found them to be amazing. The plants continued to thrive.

  Dr. Vesper, however, perplexed her. He seemed to be on board with anything she suggested and treated Bren extremely well. Occasionally, he even brought them synthesized coffee. But Bren, on the other hand, always seemed to be on guard around Dr. Vesper.

  Regarding the other staff members, Dr. Chandler, although quiet, appeared to be very knowledgeable and proficient. The technicians were always pleasant and helpful. They did their jobs extremely well. So why was Violet feeling such unease? Was it because Bren still seemed wary?

  On the morning of her eighth day, she arrived at the lab early and decided to review the leaf specimens from the previous day. Pressing her eye to the amplification lens, she smiled. Although smaller than she would have expected, the leaves were as perfect as all the other days. It appeared Dr. Vesper may have solved the problem of soil rejection. To study the current day's specimens, she made the decision to go to the growing cavern on her own to obtain fresh samples. The technicians were the ones who daily cut what was needed, but she didn't want to wait for them to arrive. With an expectation she hadn't felt in literally hundreds of years, she followed the hallway to the tunnel leading to the corn crop and cut a few leaf slivers to be examined.

  Back in her lab she hummed and placed a portion of a sliver under the amplification-scope and crossed her fingers that it would be just as perfect as the day before. She lowered her eye to the viewing piece…and gasped. Something was wrong; terribly wrong. She had seen this in her former life. The plant had been genetically modified. It was not true to nature.

  She moved to the other amplification-scope and viewed the leaf from the previous day. It was natural. What's going on?

  She glanced at the clock and made a decision. Rather than announce her finding, she would wait to see what the technicians delivered that morning.

  Returning to her room she hid the samples she had clipped, and, as if nothing were awry, arrived at the lab at her usual time. Dr. Vesper was already there and greeted her cheerily. "I'm really impressed with the leaf results from yesterday. I only hope today is just as successful."

  "Me, too," she responded as the technicians entered the lab with specimens. She and Dr. Vesper set about preparing them for viewing under their amplification-scopes.

  When Dr. Vesper viewed his, he exclaimed, "Wonderful! Wonderful! My leaves are exquisite. What about yours."

  "Mine are too," Violet said, hoping she sounded just as excited. The leaf she'd examined was exquisite, which sounded alarm bells in her mind.

  Agent Jensen entered the lab and said he had just completed his rounds and would be the agent on duty that day. He said Agent Bren was checking the outside perimeter for any security issues and then he was headed to the cave near the elevator to do the same and replenish supplies; he wouldn't return until late that night.

  By the end of the day, Violet was frustrated and angry. Something untoward was happening and she didn't have Bren to confide in.

  After she crawled into bed she tossed for over an hour before falling asleep.

  "Violet, you must do as I say."

  "Frannie, what's wrong? You sound anxious."

  "I'm concerned for your safety, dear child."

  "But I have Bren watching over me."

  "Yes, but I see more than he does. You must wake as soon as I leave and pack a bag. It's time for you and Bren to flee the outpost. You must go to his room and tell him that I insist you both leave immediately."

  "But why, Frannie? And where will we go?"

  "To the red rocks, of course."

  "But nothing lives there except scrub brush and weeds."

  "Tsk. Tsk, Violet. You are quite wrong. Have you already forgotten about the Spirit Tree?"

  Violet started to ask Frannie to explain the importance of the tree, but her grandmother interrupted. "We will speak later. Now you must pack and wake Bren. Tell him I will guide you to the red rocks."

  "But what if he refuses because he doesn't believe me?"

  "He will not refuse. It is his destiny. Now no more questions. Up with you, girl!"

  25: Caught

  Violet jerked awake and sat straight up. She hesitated only long enough for her eyes to adjust to the darkness before jumping from bed, switching on the overhead lamp, and packing the meager possessions supplied with her room. Turning the light off, she peeked out her door and slipped to the adjacent one, knocking lightly. Almost immediately Bren opened it a crack and then swung it wide enough to pull her inside. Holdi
ng her against the closed door he demanded, "What's wrong?"

  Her words were urgent when she replied, "We have to leave, now!"

  "What? Why?"

  Violet inhaled before answering, "Because Frannie told me so. She says we're in danger." Violet felt Bren's hands on her shoulders relax.

  "Your dead ancestor is telling us to leave? Do you know how crazy that sounds? And did she tell us where to go?"

  "Of course. We must go to the red rocks."

  "Violet, we don't even know where they are."

  "Frannie is going to guide us."

  Bren removed one hand from Violet's shoulder and ran it through his dark, short cropped hair. In the dim light his gaze met hers and they stared at each other for long moments. Finally, he said, "Are you sure you're not just trying to reenact Frannie's journey to the red rocks?"

  "Positive." They continued staring at each other until she said, "So you never really believed me when I told you about Frannie?"

  He said nothing for a few seconds and then released a long sigh. "Give me five minutes to pack my backpack. I don't like what's going on around here anyway. When we're outside, where do we go?"

  "West."

  "That's it? Just west?"

  "For now, yes. My bag is in my room."

  "Okay. But I need to disarm the hallway cameras and the outside motion sensors. If Agent Jensen saw you come inside my room, he'll likely think we're, ah, having a romantic encounter."

  Violet had no response as she watched him walk to his nightstand, pick up a small device, and start punching codes.