Blackstone

A Vision of the Future

We walked back to our barracks in silence. I thought about Carrie's vision. Blackstone was a dangerous place and highly competitive. Anything could happen. I remembered the Miller's brother promised at dinner. The finger slit across the throat. Could they be planning something? I decided to seek out B'Zide for his advice.

            I knocked on the Alpha Company MechaNect's office door. "Come in," the MechaNect's elegant voice said behind the closed door.

            I stepped into the dimly lit room. I had to hand it to B'Zide; the MechaNect obviously had fine taste. Fine oak Bookshelves lined with musty old books filled the small space and a large Persian rug lay across the wooden floor. B'Zide sat in a large antique armchair reading an old hardcover book. I looked at the title on the book – David Copperfield by Charles Dickens. The book looked old enough to be a first edition.

            "Hello, Eliza. How can I be of assistance?" B'Zide said, shutting his book.

            I pointed to the book. "David Copperfield. I think I read that last year in English class."

            B'Zide extended his arm and carefully placed the book on his bookshelf. "Yes, I've always enjoyed Dickens. Reading is a delightful way to pass the time, don't you think?"

            "I've always found it boring."

            B'Zide's metal antenna stood straight up, "Boring, my goodness. Why would you ever think that?"

            "I'd just rather be outside. Look..." I paused. I'd never liked visiting the guidance counselor in high school and that's what this felt like, except the guidance counselor was a seven foot tall robot insect.

            "Mr. B'Zide. Do you mind if I call you B," I said shifting my weight from one foot to another.

            "Not at all. Whatever makes you feel more comfortable. But please, have a seat, " B'Zide said and pointed to a matching armchair across from his.

            I sank into the comfortable armchair and put my feet up on a little footstool. "I feel like I should have a smoking jacket on with a snifter of  brandy," I joked.

            B'Zide cocked his head to one side and looked at me with a puzzled expression. "Alcohol isn't allowed here at Blackstone. As for a smoking jacket..." He sat up with excitement, "Ah, I see you're being humorous. You must forgive me. It's taken me a few hundred years to figure out the human sense of humor. I'm afraid I'm still working on it."

            "That's all right. Nobody's perfect."

            "I see. Did you wish to engage in a philosophical discussion or is there something else I can help you with?"

            "Yeah, I think somebody's going to hurt one of my team members," I said.

            B'Zide leaned forward. "I see. What has happened to make you suspect this?"

            "One of my teammates, Carrie Brunner, she's a psionic and has these visions of the future."

            "Yes, I'm aware of Ms. Brunner's abilities. A highly recruited Ranger/Psionic with gifted abilities to read the time streams," B'Zide said.

            "Yeah, well she had a vision that saw only two of us on my team."

            I went on and explained about Alexis Van Leer and the Miller's threats. B'Zide sat back and reflected.