“Well, that sucks.”
“So, you wanna learn to ride or what?”
“Just don’t hurt me. My first day of work is Monday and I’m already bruised. Is this the best way to get around? My meeting place seems pretty far, and those weird elevators gave me a headache.”
“The Maglev is definitely more fun, but not the way the old farts use the board, you have to surf the fast currents… the deeper waves.”
Logan handed Jessica her board. “Rule #1: Always make sure the power light is off before you place the board on the Maglev. Next, slip whichever foot you prefer to steer the board with into the rear sleeve.”
Jessica placed her right foot inside the rear stirrup, the left in front.
Logan leaned over and adjusted the straps. “You want these snug, but not so tight that you can’t slip out of them.” He placed the cuff around her right ankle and handed her the slack. “Hold the leash with your left hand. When you’re ready just give it a tug.”
She pulled on the cord, registering the click as the board powered up and levitated off the electromagnetic track, slowly propelling forward on an unseen cushion of energy.
Logan positioned his feet on his own board, yanked his power cord and quickly caught up with her. “See? Easy, right? Okay, you’re in what we call ‘the shallows,’ the kiddie pool. To actually surf the Mag you have to go out into the deep.”
Jessica watched as Logan aimed his hoverboard to the outer section of the track.
Veering to the right she followed in his path, feeling the EM field beneath her board intensify. Imitating the teen, she cut S-patterns back and forth across unseen waves of energy, her lower torso registering patterns within the EM field.
Quickly picking up speed, the two riders soared past the gym and continued on, the ride exhilarating and yet hard work, Jessica’s flexed quadriceps and glutes taking a pounding as she dug into the Maglev equivalent of a river’s rapids.
After several minutes her face hurt from smiling.
As they ventured farther down the concourse, she noticed the suites had become two-story row homes, the “neighborhood” seeming more middle-class. Logan pointed to the second floor balcony of Unit 545-B. “That’s where I live.”
Jessica offered a thumbs-up.
They continued along the Maglev track for another mile before the concourse dead-ended at an eatery and small shopping plaza. A domed ceiling loomed three stories overhead, projecting a blue sky that appeared anything but artificial.
She signaled him to pull over and the two riders powered down.
“Quitting?”
“I’m old. This is harder on the quads than cross-country skiing. Besides, I’ve never been down here; let’s check out the shops.”
“It’s just a mall. Every residential level has one, The eatery has a small grocery store; the shops are kind of lame. But the movie theater’s cool. Level-4 is even better, it has private—”
His expression changed, as if he had said too much.
Jessica brushed it aside. “Are you hungry?”
“I’m good. Anyway, I’m saving my credits for tomorrow. It’s Dim-Sum Sunday. Three to six p.m. Definitely worth checking out.”
“I’ll keep it in mind, but today I’m buying.”
“Oh? Okay, maybe a quick snack.”
Carrying their boards, they entered the eatery — an open-seating café adjacent to three restaurants and a small market. Jessica estimated there were forty people in the complex but saw no staff. “Logan, how many people live down here?”
The teen had loaded a cheeseburger, soda, and two bottled waters onto his tray. “Couple hundred maybe, but that’s just Level-5.”
“What about the other levels?”
“Dunno. I’ve never been on another level. Only Cosmic Clearance can do that.”
She smiled. “Come on, now. I know you and Kariane have been checking out those private boxes in the Level-4 theater. A quick peek at your father’s security schematics and, you probably downloaded at least two secret access routes up to Level-4.”
Logan offered a mischievous grin, holding up three fingers.
“Good for you.” Jessica added an apple to the tray and then took over for Logan, sliding it beneath a scanner to tally the bill.
The machine spoke: “Your total is $7.28. Please swipe your identification and have a nice day.”
Reaching for the lanyard hanging around her neck, she removed the I.D. badge from inside her shirt and glanced back at Logan. “Anything else you’d like before I swipe? Dessert?”
The teenager had gone pale, his jaw slack, his blue eyes staring at the I.D. card in her hand. “You’re Cosmic Clearance?”
“Yes. So what?”
“I was lying. I’ve never been on Level-4, I swear.”
“Okay. Logan, calm down — you’re hyperventilating.”
He wiped tears from his eyes. “I gotta be somewhere, I just remembered.”
He jogged back to the Maglev track, stepped on his board and took off, accelerating down the concourse.
19
Adam lay awake in bed, staring at the sun-drenched window. Ten hours before, he had been convinced a species from another world had been observing him from the other side of the glass.
Seven hours of sleep later, and he wasn’t sure if it had really happened or if it was just a dream.
The scent of brunch and a freshly-brewed pot of coffee drove him from his bed. Guiding his pant leg over his prosthetic he dressed, used the bathroom, and made his way down the stairs.
He found Emily Greer in the kitchen, transferring a pan of hash browns into a serving dish.
She greeted him with a smile. “Good afternoon. How did you sleep?”
“Surprisingly well considering a spaceship from another world practically landed on your house.
Emily smiled. “Just another night at the Greers.”
“Are you saying that this kind of thing happens often?”
“Not often, but it happens. However, you definitely received the VIP treatment. I made hash browns and scrambled eggs, and we have fresh bagels and cream cheese, unless you’d prefer toast. Go on and help yourself; I have to run into town before this afternoon’s training session. Steven pushed it back until four p.m.”
“Where is Steven?”
“Where else? In his study.”
Adam fixed himself a plate of food, poured a cup of coffee, and crossed the hall.
He found Dr. Greer at his desk, reading through a file. He looked up as Adam entered. “Sleep well?”
“All things considered. What are you doing?”
“Reviewing the personnel files of this week’s CE-5 group. I suspect at least one of our guests is not quite who they claim to be.”
“CIA?”
“Or MAJI. The ETs knew, they always do. I think that’s why they waited until the group left before revealing themselves to you.”
“You knew they were coming, didn’t you?”
“I always ask them to make an appearance; I never know if they’ll actually show. As I said last night, every CE-5 session is different. But I did ask them to do something that would eliminate your doubts. And that was impressive.”
“Ya think?” Adam sat on one of the folding chairs. “How do you communicate with another species and ask them to pop in for a visit? Do you have an ET hotline or something?”
“Thought-energy and consciousness is my hotline and it’s theirs; it’s how they communicate with one another across millions of light years. I meditate before each session. Last night I communicated to them that you were on a mission to help us, and if they felt you were worthy, then I suggested they do something to remove your doubts. Years ago, I did the same thing when I was in Phoenix preparing for an important briefing. Google ‘Phoenix Lights’ when you have a chance. That event was bigger; last night was far more personal. I’m sure you thought I was a bit of a kook.”