The Cosmotix 2198

by Billy Purnell

  “Tude, you better be legit. I’ll probably just see you at the club. Be kak.”

  “I will…sorry, Pel. When we see the show, I’m paying.”

  “Yeah you are. No worries, brother. Don’t wear the green shirt, you are not right about that.”

  Corey checked himself one more time. He was wearing the green shirt.

  This shirt rocs, Pel is wrong. Classic Martian. He smoothed his hair, grabbed his wallet, and buzzed the door open. A swipe of the wrist to lock it, and he was on his way.

  It was a scheduled rain day in Zubrin, and it found him as he stepped outside. Reaching into his wallet, he pulled out his saver card, swiped his wrist, and gave himself an umbrella force field. The water was beautiful to see, cleaning the air, the buildings, the streets. It occurred to Corey that he had not seen rain since the rationing started on Moon. He swiped for a Muver and ducked inside, telling the driver, “Tres Lagos Hills, please.”

  Corey and the band had been so busy getting ready for the gig that none of them had really gotten out to see Zubrin or the surrounding areas yet, so he was enjoying the ride. Zubrin wasn’t at all like Concordia, especially with the presence of Saturn overhead all the time. Today’s rain and low climate shield meant the ringed giant wasn’t fully visible, but the building architecture, the street layout, the open fields…it suddenly hit him.

  This is it; this is my future. So far from home. Corey’s face opened up with an ear to ear smile as he caught a vision of the possibilities. He would be seeing hundreds of new and exciting places in his travels as a playroc, and this was just the beginning. All these people here, all over the solsys…everyone with a different life, a different story. How amazing it will be to bring them together with something in common: me and my music. This will happen. This has to happen.

  A thought popped into his head and he said, “Hey driver, I’m thinking of visiting the-”

  “Shit!”

  The car lurched to a stop and Corey’s chest felt like it was caving against the restraint field. A long line of well-organized first-level kids had started to cross at the corner, and the driver just missed running over two of them by less than a foot. He was adjusting his retinas at the wrong time. The teacher at the front of the line rushed to the driver’s window and pounded it several times, screaming. Corey dissolved his own window and stuck his head out, yelling, “So sorry, kids!” A seven-year-old boy with a Halo Fro and a New York Bites t-shirt made an impressive spinning dance move and landed right in front of the stopped car. He then bowed gracefully, smiled, and lifted two middle fingers at the driver. Corey laughed out loud, nervously, as he watched the kids pass. That was scary. The other children seemed unaffected.

  They wore a private school uniform with grey and white colors, and the Titan flag displayed on the left arm of each jacket. They each had their own little rain shield above them, and Corey couldn’t help but picture a line of cute little ducks following their mother. She was turning every few seconds to make sure the line was moving and safe, constantly glancing back at Corey’s driver.

  The car moved forward again, and as it progressed, the buildings, streets, and homes had a more elegant flair, and Corey knew they were getting close. They turned left onto Armstrong Avenue, right on Benitez, and pulled up to the curb in front of a beautiful lawn of crystal white American grass. The house was modern and classy, but not as big as he expected.

  “Watch out for kids, huh?” laughed Corey. “And thank you.” He swiped his wrist over a panel on the door and stepped out, nervously savoring every step up the elegant red brick walkway. At the porch, a beautifully carved mahogany door swung inward, old style. A large, well-dressed artiman asked for his identification. Behind him was the petite and lovely Reena.

  “Charl, he’s a friend.”

  Corey stepped in. The first thing that hit him was her apparel, which put him at ease. In the back of his mind, he was scared to death that she would answer the door in something sexy, flowing, and perfect, and that this was a real date, where he would have to say all the right things and be some sort of eligible bachelor. To the contrary, she looked like she was about to do yard work. He reached out to give her a hug, surprising himself. She returned it, and Corey was feeling happy to be with someone who could be a new friend.

  “Come in, make yourself at home, Corey,” Reena beckoned. Her Apple viewer was the size of an entire wall, and the Telcom logo was lighting up the room.

  “Wow, your shirt!” Reena said, smiling.

  “What, what about it?” Uh-oh.

  “It’ s…kak. Kinda retro, huh, with the shoulder pads?”

  “Yeah, well I got it from-”

  “Are you hungry?” she interrupted.

  “Yeah, I can use a bite.” She hates my shirt. Damn it.

  “I don’t really have killerfish, sorry, but please, feel free to have what you want.”

  “What, no killerfish? Well, look at the time, I’d best be going,” Corey smirked. Tude, that’s Pel humor. Good.

  “Well, don’t let the door hit ya where the good Lord split ya,” she came back.

  “You did NOT just say that; my grandpa used to say that,” Corey laughed. He put his hand up for a slap, and she returned it. This was going to be fun.

  Reena laid out a little spread. There was mini-toast with Martian artichoke butter, Starbucks dippers, Vietnam seaweed chips and all the sauces.

  Impressive. Don’t eat like a pig Corey, go slow.

  They sat on the floor, Japanese style.

  “So…you came over!”

  “Yeah. Thanks for inviting me. Seems kinda unrocstar, inviting a stranger over to your shell?”

  “You don’t seem like a stranger to me. It was basto talking to you and Pel the other night, you guys are smack kak. He’s funny!”

  “Yeah, he melts.”

  “You guys seem to be close.”

  “We are; our whole family is. I told him what you told me about what’s happening. He wasn’t freaking. He’s more interested that I was coming over here.”

  “Oh my moons, I should have told you to bring him! I was just-”

  “Hey, no, it’s ok. He was at the gym, and we don’t have much time before I have to get ready.” There was a pause.

  “Jim says they made some good dish Sunday night at the counter. You guys dusted it!”

  “I tell you, Reena, I’ve never had a gig quite that smack. I mean, we pretty much own the Tranquility scene, and those are good gigs, but these people-”

  “They know how to party!”

  “Yeah, they know how to party. I mean, it was New Years, but…” Corey dipped his chip into a whale sauce. “This stuff is good, miss perfect hostess!”

  “I try… I’m really not a party person, kinda keep to myself a lot.”

  “Yeah, me too. My favorite pastime is thinking.”

  “Right? I mean, all the kruk on com and Apple; I barely wrist anything these days.”

  “Seriously. I try to keep up on solsys events when I can. That’s kind of a thing from my mom and dad.”

  “Here, let’s just watch some of this…” She waved her hand.

  “It is important that everyone remain calm during these next few weeks, as we ascertain just exactly what the situation is and how we can best handle it. This blatant leak is unfortunate because as your government, we were preparing to decipher the information before handing it over to you. Now there is rampant speculation, and we can only pray it doesn’t cause a panic. So, let me say one more time, there is no reason to believe this incoming migration is hostile. No reason.”

  “So, the trinitium…how would the Foon even know it’s here?” asked Corey. “I mean, the Foon here don’t talk to them, right?”

  “I studied a lot of Far Side stuff in Lunar History, and I have an idea. The initial meetings with the Foon refugees were aboard the New Moscow, which is over Moon of course, so the Foon ship was parked in lunar orbit, right? If their home planet was tracking that ship, they may have been monitor
ing it. One orbit around Far Side and boom... they spot the trinitium quarry. That’s getting a lot of people pissed because Euro President Olig wanted to meet on Mars to avoid just that.

  “Pissed?”

  “It’s an Earth word. Crappo, angry.”

  “I do remember that whole thing from school,” Corey was happy to be able to say. “The Russians went monkey to have the public spotlight on their station.”

  “Right, so now the Tribunal is blaming the Kiev party for going against Olig’s advice and having that meeting on the New Moscow.”

  “You’re really on top of this stuff, huh? I thought you were just a basto singer...”

  “Haha, you don’t know me, I could run this solsys,” said Reena.

  “I’ll take your word on that.”

  “I’m baking you…well, sort of. Truth is, I’ve been interested in politics and how things are done since I was a kid. I majored in Solsys Logistics as a sophomore in second-school. The Chief of Academics said that, for a nine-year-old, I was a “pain in the ass.” I had to look it up! It meant that I did not conform to their way of thinking or teaching.”

  “You’re more than a thinker, you’re a doer.”

  “Hey. I’ve been lucky in my career, and it’s given me some opportunities to help out, that’s all. I like making a difference. My biggest rocket was that I was part of Cardigan’s campaign.”

  “What? President Cardigan?” Corey was lit.

  “Yeah!” Reena’s eyes widened. “He was born here, on the American Orbiter; did you know that?”

  “No, actually.” Corey felt a little uneducated right then.

  “I grew up knowing who he was as a community leader, so when he moved to Earth, I just kept following his career. He’s done some amazing things.”

  “Seems like they give him a lot of kruk in the news.”

  “That’s because it’s his first year as President and he hasn’t been able to get much done. He’ll get going.”

  “So what did you do? To help, I mean?”

  “I worked several campaign offices during his run. I’m sure you didn’t see them on Moon, but I was in a few of his poli-ads here in the outskirts. It was the Titan and Outer Rim vote that got him through the Electoral College, and I know I was a big part of that. Not bragging, that’s just how it was.”

  “Wow, I’m impressed! Have you like, have you met him?”

  “No! I doubt he knows who I am. I was just a volunteer that happened to have a big following, so I was useful.” She paused, thinking back. “I was scared to get involved at first. It’s easy as an entertainer to lose people if you put yourself out like that, and end up betting on the wrong horse. And I’m not exactly Kika Jakker popular. It was a risk. Truth is, Cardigan’s first year hasn’t been stellar, but he’s the reason that water distribution policies on Moon and Mars have been re-visited. He’ll be remembered for quelling that crisis.”

  “Wow. Reena, I think it’s hivol thrust that you did that. You’re probably gonna get a statue.”

  Reena couldn’t resist. “Thrust? What, now you’re from Earth?”

  “I didn’t just say that.” Corey was embarrassed.

  They talked for a couple hours. They spoke of their lives, singing, the Rochaus, and more. As much as he was infatuated with her, Corey was relieved that it wasn’t really a date date, just two people getting to know each other. He was startled when she grabbed his hand with both of hers.

  “So, what do you want out of life?”

  “Huh?” He blushed. His hand went limp.

  “What is your goal, your mission? What do you want to accomplish?”

  Say something funny. What would you say to Pel?

  “Well, I’d like to get some new shoes…” He sat up tall. “And then I-”

  “You’re shit,” she laughed while pushing him over, sending his long legs flailing into the air. “Seriously…”

  Way to go! Stupid, but clever.

  Corey, feeling quite proud and oddly self-assured, righted himself and thought a little more. “Ok, seriously? I’d really like to make it as a playroc and have my music heard all throughout the solsys,” he intimated, “and make a great living at it, like Reena awesome Coolie.” He smiled and bowed his head to her.

  “Perfect response, now what about the truth?” from Reena, with a grin.

  “Well, aren’t you intense!” They both laughed. There was so much he could tell her about his life goals, but it just didn’t seem like the right time.

  “Corey, I’m asking because I think you’re a leader. I know we just met, but I saw you working the stage, the people, and how Ari and Jim and your brother respond to you.”

  She paused to think. “This will be a really pivotal time. You just saw the newsplates, this thing is about to happen. The Foon will be here in maybe three months, and you and I, as influential as we are on one level, are powerless to do anything to help the solsys.”

  Corey couldn’t believe she was putting herself and him on the same level. What’s she getting at?

  “I cannot stand the thought of Earth or Moon being destroyed or maimed in any way,” she continued.

  “Of course not, but…what-?” Corey stumbled, “I mean, can we even trust these reports? Why are they assuming the Foon want to do us harm and steal our energy? This is too weird, too new.” He looked away to gather his thoughts. The room was silent for several seconds. “But if the Foon are coming,” he said, “Pel and I need to be in Concordia with our parents before it goes fullon.”

  Reena leaned forward into his view and looked up to meet his eyes with a soft smile. “I’ve only known you one day, and I already know that,” she said.

  She is so much more than a rocstar; how is it possible I am even here? How am I here with Reena Coolie, goddess and apparent genius, at this place and time in history? “I can’t believe this is happening,” he uttered. Oh crap, I said that out loud-

  “Well it is happening Corey; who’s gonna make this up? I mean, nobody’s sure they’re hostile, of course. But if they are… Look, most of my family is here on Titan. There won’t be any immediate danger to them, I suppose. But I have a very special allegiance to Earth and Moon, and I have to do something.”

  “Do you know something I don’t?” Back to reality, Corey. “You’re a singer! I mean, you’re amazing, Reena, and so popular and successful…but seriously, what do you want to do, sing them to death?” Dammit, nice one, Corey.

  Reena rolled her eyes. “Sing them to death…” She turned her head. Corey felt like an insect, but she blew it off.

  “You know that Matthews used to live on Ceres2, right?” she continued, undaunted. “He is a good friend, and he knows the Foon. Very few people in the solsys know the Foon, and now President Cardigan and all the heads on Earth are going to ‘interview’ them...code word: interrogate. They will get nowhere, I assure you.”

  “How do you know?” asked Corey.

  “The Foon are a very sensitive people. An intense interrogation could actually kill them. I’ve heard Jim’s stories.”

  “But they can invade us and kill us for our energy?” Corey was confused.

  “I hear you, but…remember, the approaching Foon are well over two hundred years removed from the ones here. It’s something in their genes, or whatever. Jim tried to explain it to me; it’s like extreme shyness. They can’t process stressful social interaction with people outside their species. I promise you that if what Jim has told me is true, they will not survive any kind of military interrogation. And UE will know nothing.”

  “So, what if you and Jim go and talk to the Foon yourselves?” Corey conceded. It was the first thing that came into his head.

  Reena gave a sigh and looked into Corey’s eyes. “Precisely what I was thinking. And you should come, too.”

  10

  REENA’S IDEA

  “Whooooaaaah!” exclaimed Corey as he stood and paced the room, “I was kidding!”

  “I’m not.”

  “Reena, how w
ould you...I mean, do they allow people-”

  “Ceres2 is basically off-limits, but plenty of people have been there, just not officially. And Jim lived there. From what I gather, they are easy to communicate with, as long as you have a trusted liaison. Jim is definitely that. Translation is easy, but you have to have someone who knows how they think and feel if you really want to get anywhere with them. He was there for almost four years.”

  “What about UE? I mean, they’re probably there by now.”

  “I doubt it; they have to farm Pluto to even land there. It’s a serious treaty,” said Reena. “Besides, they have three or more months to put this together, and you know they don’t move that fast.”

  “Well, why me?” asked Corey. “You want me to help?” He went down to his knees and sat on his heels.

  “No, I’m not asking for help. Ceres2 is in Earth/Moon’s first perimeter. We can get you and Pel home, high-speed,” Reena said, very matter-of-fact. “So you can be with your parents if everything goes crazy.”

  “Oh, ok, I get it. That’s really kind of you, Reena.” Are you sure you don’t need my help?

  “You might have to leave your tour early though,” Reena added. “I’m not sure when we’d be going, but it would be soon.”

  “No, that wouldn’t be an option,” Corey said, up and pacing again. “We only have two weeks here, but then we’re on the Orbiter for two more, and then the Martian leg of the tour. We’re going home in March. That’s still before they’ll get here, I guess.”

  That sounded stupid, even as it left his mouth. How vital was this tour if Earth really was going to be invaded? And how could he possibly put a schedule to the arrival of the Foon?

  Corey sat back down, not on one of the beautifully crafted wooden chairs or the grav-option sofa, but back on the floor. Feet together, knees apart, elbows on knees, head in hands…his favorite thinking position. Reena smiled; she thought it was cute. She hoped she wasn’t overwhelming her new friend.

  “Corey, I wouldn’t have said anything if your parents weren’t on Moon, but I’m pretty sure Jim and I are gonna do this. The question is, can you really see yourself playing gigs while these people are planning to do a London on your family’s planet?”