Into the Ether - Complete

Spring, When New Things Grow: Part 25

Abe got the property with an immediate settlement. Four and a half acres of prime fenced treed land, the huge house, and assorted outbuildings twenty minutes from Court. Hell knows what it cost him, but I was thrilled. It meant I had a job and a place for Rose and me to call home!

True to his word, Abe had an allocation contract drawn up that morning. I took a good look, and it was mostly standard. The only significant elements were that it specifically included Rose and her children in all my entitlements, including top of the range medical cover. I wasn't sure whether to be reassured or paranoid that she was also listed as the beneficiary of a very generous Guardian pension should something happen to me.

We were due to fly out later in the afternoon so we could be in Missoula by 9 am. So that gave me about three hours to come up with the perfect eighteenth birthday present for Rose. And I was struggling. I wanted to get her something she would always treasure, but I couldn't think of anything. So after checking that Rose was happy studying at the unit, I headed into the central shopping area looking for inspiration.

After our experience buying her pendant, I knew she was particular with jewelry, so I wasn't sure that would be a winner. I didn't want to get her anything to do with the baby – this was her eighteenth, and while she was expecting our child I wanted this celebration to be separate to that. I finally settled on three gift ideas. None of them the 'wow' gift I wanted, but I just couldn't think of anything.

Surprisingly the gifts were relatively easy to source, and when I looked at the three together, they didn't look too disappointing. On a whim, I added a fourth present and was satisfied. I had them all gift wrapped and spent ten minutes choosing a card. With gift buying completed I walked towards Guardian Headquarters, stopping along the way at the pâtisserie to purchase a selection of sweet treats for Rose.

Stepping inside the Guardian Headquarters was always soothing. Something about the meticulous order of the place appealed. I stopped at the front desk, pretending not to notice the appreciative glance the twenty-something Guardian on reception gave me.

"I'm here to hand in some allocation papers, but I was wondering whether Guardian Schoenberg is around?" I asked.

"He is. He's in a meeting with Guardians Erskine and Croft. Shall I tell him you're here?" she inquired.

"Never mind, that sounds important. I'll see him another time."

I was just walking through the double doors to hand in my papers when Schoenberg, Croft, and Erskine appeared at the other end of the corridor still discussing something.

"Belikov," Schoenberg greeted. "Good timing. Let me introduce you to Hans Croft. He's head of Guardians at Court." I shook hands with Croft. It was thoughtful of Art to introduce me; Hans could be a useful contact. "What are you doing up here this morning?" Schoenberg continued.

"Submitting allocation papers," I replied.

"Where did you end up?" he asked curiously.

"I've taken a private position," I admitted, "but I'll still be around. I'm to be the team leader at a local residence for Abe Mazur. He's bought a property about twenty minutes outside Court. It's live-in, and while I never thought I'd work privately, right now it offers everything I need."

Schoenberg smiled in understanding.

"Then I'm happy for you. And it's good news for us that you'll still be local. I meant what I said about nominating you for the Guardian Council."

"Still? As a private Guardian?" I said surprised.

"Well we've never had one on there," he admitted, "but private allocations are becoming more common. I think it's an oversight not to have at least one private Guardian on the Council."