Op File Treason

by J. Clifton Slater

  Hello home decorators, I’m Jade Satsuki, your fashion travel agent and weaver of dreams. Welcome to Million Peseta Elements.

  This is a show where we take you on tours of fabulous residences. And show you design ideas that you can incorporate into your very own home. Not for the exorbitant fees these owners paid to enhance their out-of-the-galaxy homes. But with your vision, some ingenuity, and a few Pesetas, you too can make your dreams come true. Pay attention, take lots of notes, and your home can feature Million Peseta Elements.

  On today’s episode, we’ll tour a condominium in the clouds. A palace fit for a King, located high above the city. This urban escape is the home of entrepreneur, philanthropist and all-around fashion fan, Jordy Katrijn.

  Diosa shot upright in her chair.

  “That’s? How did you find this?” she stammered.

  “I sent out a search on the net when we left salvage base,” explained Walden. “It was a broad search. I was looking for backdoor data. Like, the types of furniture he buys, hoping to find delivery instructions and a way into the building. But I couldn’t find any secret information. Instead, four episodes of Million Peseta Elements, all featuring Highrise condos, landed in my inbox. Let’s watch and, as Jade Satsuki suggested, take lots of notes.”

  Walden restarted the show.

  We’ll start where the sky is always clear and the sun shines every day. On Jordy Katrijn’s rooftop deck above the clouds. Besides the panoramic view, the deck has a pool. Now you might not have a pool, but here’s an element that you can use.

  Diosa slumped again.

  “There goes my plan to avoid the pool,” Diosa said as Jade Satsuki talked about a wall with spikes sticking up that separated the patio deck. “And if I hit those spikes, I’m done.”

  “So, you jump with waders,” suggested Walden. “Water’s only wet. Walls are hard.”

  “When did you become an enabler?” she asked.

  “When you decided to go after a man who can crush us with one phone call,” Walden advised. “I’m either all in or I’m out. And seeing as I’m sharing my video viewing with you, I’m in up to my neck.”

  They turned their attention back to Jade Satsuki.

  Notice the seating, all weather and designed to withstand the elements. Another tip for your outdoor spaces. Unfortunately, you my not have a view of the bay, the Katrijn Fine Arts Theater House, the city or the Katrijn Museum to the south. However, pictures and posters of these amazing sites are available at my web site.

  The camera displayed the bay, theater and museum before swinging across the deck.

  Now, let’s leave the roof but how do we get down?

  The camera panned over the edge and projected a dizzying view of sixty-four stories down. Then, it drew back and the viewers were transported across the deck to a circular railing. Another downward view showed glass risers and a glass door at the bottom of a circular staircase.

  Should we take the stairs? They might be fine for deck sandals. But ladies, we know steep steps are not fun in high heels.

  The camera panned up from the stairs and focused on a section of the deck. Suddenly, a square planter rose in the air revealing a glass box coming from below.

  But look, there’s an elevator. Come with me and let’s get a peek at the real living space.

  There was a pause and the view changed to another angle of the glass box. With this one, the box lowered through the ceiling and came to rest at the top of three marble steps.

  This is beautiful. Floor to ceiling windows on three walls with a view of the bay, the city, and the magnificent neighbors. Once you depart the elevator, you come face to face with the stairs. I’m glad I didn’t try those treads in my heels. Beyond the stairs, is a huge alcove.

  Let’s go see Jordy Katrijn’s secret work area. Here’s an interesting and functional idea.

  The camera moved towards a wood paneled double front door, then made a sharp left and closed in on a paneled wall. A man’s hand reached out and rotated the wall. It turned as if on a track. The rotation revealed three big screens on the back of the wall and a comfortable desk and chair that had been hidden.

  Surprise. A hidden office. If you need a home office, you could build a wall on a track and hide your work area in plain sight. But there are elements hiding in plain sight all throughout this luxurious space. Look at the corners and false walls. Each is encased in mahogany floor to ceiling. It lends a touch of rustic outdoors to a room two hundred meters in the sky.

  Diosa stopped the video.

  “Do you think he keeps the computer in the hidden office?” inquired Diosa.

  “Too obvious and accessible to anyone in the condo,” replied Walden. “It’ll be locked up. Keep an eye out for a safe or a likely place for a strongbox.”

  Walden pressed forward and the video started.

  The camera rolled back towards the main area before dipping to the right.

  Near the food preparation area is a fully stocked wine room. It appears Jordy Katrijn beside being a fashion fan and an art aficionado, is a wine lover. Every appliance is top quality and the area has enough counter space to satisfy the most accomplished of chefs. Enough of the utility, let’s go see the rest of this amazing condominium.

  The view changed and the camera retreated from the food area and swung around to show the elevator. Than it rotated around the marble steps to show a fireplace on the back side.

  Imagine a lovely evening enjoying a crackling fire. And the open space is convertible. See these walls, they move so the room can be configured to suit the event. There’s an idea for you. Solid movable screens are affordable. Do you have an open area that would be transformed by artificial partitions?

  The camera scanned the area and moved towards the opposite side of the condo. Beyond the glass, the bay shimmered in the midday sun until the view was cut off by a short wall.

  And for those who love the feel of real books, Jordy Katrijn has an exposed library. Shelves of master pieces for his reading pleasure. And, a library is a show piece that can change a bare wall into a conversation piece. Even a small book collection can add an air of sophistication to your home.

  The camera drifted by the books and stopped with a view of double doors.

  On the other side of the library is a trophy wall. When you’re as accomplished as the owner of this sky-high paradise, you want to show off your awards. And ladies, behind those doors is Jordy Katrijn’s bedroom. We’re not going to invade his personal space, although, he is one of the Realm’s most eligible bachelors.

  Quick shots of everything the viewer had seen during the episode flashed by on the screen.

  I hope you enjoyed the tour and discovered some amazing details that you can incorporate in your decorating. Until next time, this is Jade Satsuki, your fashion travel agent and weaver of dreams. Thank you for watching Million Peseta Elements.

  ***

  “Jade was never in the condo,” announced Walden. “And I’d bet Jordy Katrijn had never been there when they filmed the show.”

  “How can you say that? The library and the award wall and the wine room,” offered Diosa. “If he didn’t live there, then he was ready to move in.”

  “We never saw the awards or the bottles of wine. Plus, the lamps and potted flowers, I’ve seen on other episodes in other condos,” explained Walden. “The place was staged as if a model for rent. But one thing doesn’t make sense.”

  “What doesn’t make sense?” inquired Diosa as the pilot scrolled back through the episode.

  “The library. It’s full of books. Why is the library complete and not the rest of the condo?” Walden pointed out. “Also, there is nothing of Jordy Katrijn in the place. No pictures on the walls, no clutter on his desk and no computer, or odd personal knickknacks on the surfaces. Again, why is the library complete?”

  Walden fast forwarded to the food preparation area shots. As the camera left the area, it showed the length of the wall separating the kitchen from the living room.

/>   “The book shelves are a false front,” announced Walden. “Depth wise it’s sticking out a little over a meter further than is necessary.”

  “What did Jade Satsuki say? There are hidden elements in Jordy Katrijn’s condo,” ventured Diosa. “I believe you’ve identified one.”

  “And we know how you’re getting into the building,” added Walden.

  “We do?” asked Diosa.

  “Yes, we do. And you can relax, your landing won’t be that difficult,” responded Walden. “Let’s watch it again.”

  “And make more notes,” suggested Diosa.

  Chapter – 22 Nice Features

  The Talon nosed through the intake tube, passed the last air curtain, and settled on a sled.

  “Flight Control. We have a slaved shuttle in tow,” Walden reminded Orbital Stations’ flight handlers.

  “Docking has another sled coming,” replied Control. “They’ve been tied up but have released one.”

  “Thank you, Control,” the pilot said as the sled moved the converted patrol boat off to the side of the intake tube.

  Behind them, the four-man shuttle floated and followed in their wake.

  “I’m not a pilot. But I believe having a live drive and a free ship on the landing deck is frowned upon,” offered Diosa.

  “It is. If the shuttle gets bumped out of the way, it’ll fly back to the original position,” explained Walden. “That’s not a problem, unless another ship is occupying the space. Then it’s a bad fender bender as a ship on a sled sits lower. A free ship could rip a gash in both hulls.”

  “Talon. Your secondary sled is coming through the feeder now,” Control reported.

  “Control, I see it,” Walden responded. In a viewer, he watched a sled push through a slot in the station’s bulkhead. When it stopped under the shuttle, the pilot cut power and the shuttle lowered onto the sled. “Control. We are two for docking.”

  “Talon, turning you over to dock management now,” Flight Control replied. “Welcome to Orbital Station.”

  Diosa and Walden felt the acceleration as the sled whisked them from the landing deck and deeper into the station. After dropping down on an elevator, the sled made two sharp turns before guiding the Talon into a docking bay. The shuttle’s sled settled in the adjacent dock.

  “If you need access to the Talon for research, we can get rooms and stay on the station. Or should we head for the surface?” inquired Diosa.

  “There’s nothing secret about Jordy Katrijn’s social schedule. And we’ve pulled enough off the net about Mr. Katrijn. Any more and we might get flagged by his security,” Walden warned. “Let’s load our gear on the shuttle and head down. It’ll be nice to walk in an open area with gravity.”

  “Speaking of security. Do we have the name of Jordy’s bodyguard?” Diosa asked as she unbuckled and stood.

  “Mikael Veeti. I’m still searching for background on him,” Walden said. The pilot swiped his PID. “Is that the man from the hunting and fishing lodge fire?

  Diosa studied the image that appeared on her device. After a few moments she smiled.

  “Hello, Mikael Veeti,” she whispered.

  ***

  The Talon’s shuttle entered orbit and Walden dropped it to level flight while still above commercial air traffic. Banking slowly, he circled the city.

  “The tower on the edge of the bay is the Katrijn Headquarters building,” he stated. “The one in the center of the low ornate buildings.”

  “It’s not the tallest,” Diosa observed. “There are two other buildings in the city that seem to have more stories.”

  “None have the view but both have flight platforms,” Walden informed her.

  “But you can’t land a shuttle on them. Even one this size,” stated Diosa.

  “You’re correct. However, you can land on one,” Walden informed her.

  “And be arrested,” Diosa guessed. “Almost as soon as I touch down.”

  “Not if you don’t stay on the platform,” Walden suggested.

  “Get us on the ground,” ordered Diosa. “You have some explaining to do.”

  “Yes ma’am,” the pilot replied as he nosed over, heading for a small suburban spaceport.

  ***

  “I thought you’d be more of a sports car guy?” commented Diosa.

  Walden dropped the transmission into drive and pulled out of the rental lot. The cargo van turned and merged with the traffic.

  “I normally am. However, no sports car could accommodate your luggage and wardrobe,” he said pointing a finger over his shoulder towards the storage area.

  Four sealed boxes held ammo, pistols, rifles, two kinds of body armor and a set of GCMC armor. On the floor between the boxes rested the long case with the sniper rifle.

  “You wouldn’t want me to go around naked. Would you?” she responded.

  Poet avoided replying to the comment.

  They’d driven an hour when Walden pulled off the road and into the parking lot of a small shopping center.

  “Hungry?” inquired Diosa.

  “Supplies,” he said as he climbed out. Looking back at Diosa, he indicated a restaurant on the other side of the parking lot. “But food sounds good. Go get us dinner. I’ll meet you back here.”

  “What do you want?” she asked.

  “Anything cooked over an open flame,” Walden replied. “I’m sick of microwaved anything.”

  “I feel the same,” Diosa said as she opened the door and got out.

  Five minutes later, they met back at the van.

  “Ribs and corn on the cob. Both cooked over a live flame,” Diosa reported. “What’s in the bags?”

  “Energy bars, invisible ink markers, distilled water, an empty spray bottle and bandages,” he listed. “Needle and thread, scissors, razor blades and antiseptic, lots and lots of antiseptic.”

  “Sounds like you’re preparing for surgery,” Diosa observed.

  “Exactly,” the pilot answered as he placed the bags in the back of the van.

  “Aren’t we going to eat?” asked Diosa when Walden climbed behind the wheel.

  “In the park,” he said as he turned the key and let the ion motor cycle up.

  “There’s are park here?” Diosa asked while looking around. All she could see were commercial buildings.

  “Another forty minutes and closer to the city,” he said.

  They rode in silence with the windows open. Both scooping fresh air with a cupped hand to their faces. Thirty-five minutes later, as the structures marking the downtown area grew into a skyline, Walden pulled off onto a side road. That road turned into a narrow lane. A short distance later, it became a rutted dirt path as they entered a forest.

  “The park,” announced Walden.

  “No fooling, Poet. I just assumed you transported us to the mountains,” teased Diosa.

  The van bounced over ruts until the trees thinned and Walden pulled off the dirt path. A picnic table sat in the shade of a large oak tree.

  “A picnic? How picturesque,” commented Diosa. “I assume the rented house is around here?”

  “No, it’s three hours back the way we came,” Walden corrected her.

  “Three hours?” remarked Diosa as Walden pulled the food from the van. “Couldn’t find a park closer to the house?”

  “Not with these features,” he replied while carrying the food to a picnic table.

  They ate but didn’t look at each other. It wasn’t that they’d spent weeks together on a spaceship and had seen each other every day. It was the ability to look off into the distance unencumbered by a rebreather mask. Greenery, plenty of air, and food cooked over a flame was a luxury they savored individually.

  When the food was gone, down to the last drop of barbeque sauce and only the rough cobs remained, Walden stood.

  “Come with me,” he directed.

  They walked out from under the trees and onto an open field of grass. Turning, he pointed towards the city’s skyline.

  “You can�
��t see Katrijn’s building from here. But the skyscraper in the distance is eight blocks from the boardwalk and a few more from the Katrijn Headquarters,” he explained. “Between that building and here is a warehouse with a flat roof.”

  Diosa didn’t reply. Her mind was busy drawing invisible lines and geometrical shapes between the structures.

  “Communications?” she asked after three minutes.

  “I can hide an antenna in the trees,” Walden replied. “We should have comm throughout the operation.”

  “Nice park,” Diosa said as she strolled back towards the van. “And I agree, excellent features.”

  ***

  Once at the rented house, Walden carried his purchases to the kitchen. He stowed all but a few of the items in the cabinets. The items left out he placed by the kitchen sink.

  Diosa came from the garage and leaned against the wall.

  “The van is unloaded and everything is unpacked and stacked behind the boxes,” she stated. “What are you doing?”

  Walden picked up the spray bottle, unscrewed the hand-pump top and set it aside. Then he slipped on a pair of rubber gloves and opened the first package of five invisible ink markers. With his knife, he popped off the top and pulled out the absorbent felt insert. He squeezed the felt until no more liquid dropped into the bottle. After four more markers suffered the same fate, he poured in some distilled water and screwed on the cap.

  “Come over here and tell me what you see,” he requested while shaking the bottle. Then he squirted two pumps into the sink.

  “A few drops of water, I assume,” Diosa announced.

  “Take off your goggle and look with your right eye,” Walden encouraged her.

  “Blue splashes and, oh god, that sink needs to be disinfected before we use it,” Diosa said in disgust. “What is that concoction?”

  “Fluorescent marker for your ultra violet sensor,” Walden explained. “No proper safecracker should be without it.”

  “But I don’t know how to crack open a safe,” confessed Diosa. “I’m really good at blowing things up. I guess I could spray it before setting off the charge.”