Arlen read the text converted video on his wrist pad, watching the worried expression on Horace's face. The tests they ran on inorganic materials caused a general error and a warning. Their experiments were denied.
The next message read. "I must have that machine of Frost's!"
Arlen responded with his usual, I'm working on it comment and disconnected. Frost wasn't at his office and finding his home address had taken more time than he thought it would. He had arrived as Dr. Sommers and Hunter were leaving.
He waited until their autocab left then entered the building and took the elevator to Frost's floor. Arlen knocked and received no reply then he noticed the tiny blinking light in the door's header and realized he was on camera. Another knock yielded nothing and Arlen set his weapon on a lower charge and blew out the lock.
********
The park outside the HEEP building was busy with lunch break employees exercising, eating together in cliques or sunning on the heat pads that lined the massive pool. Security, in their arterial red uniforms, cruised the large area on airbikes, enforcing behaviour protocols for the more daring, and devious couples seeking privacy.
Hunter gathered the food wrappings from their lunch and inserted them in the combustible waste disposal. Diane had been quiet, offering only token responses and he was uncertain as to how he might get her to relax and stop worrying about Alice.
"You know with all the amazing technical advances," she said as he sat back down beside her, "Dr. Frost has jumped years ahead with Alice. As much as she frightens me I find that her ability to evolve and teach herself fascinating."
"You didn't sound so fascinated a while ago. And a virtual AI strolling around inside my head doesn't qualify as fascinating to me. More like the Big Brother of years ago."
"Yes . . ."
"Look, the Doc's working on a solution so why don't you just give it a rest and enjoy a bit of non-scientific thinking for a while."
"I have to get back in to work."
"Not for an hour or more yet. Let's take spin around the Haruspex Biosphere. It will help you clear your mind and we can see right there what you go looking for in space."
"I haven't been for years . . . maybe you're right."
Hunter ordered up an airlimo and saw the look on her face when it arrived.
"Just thought you would be more comfortable than in an autocab."
"That remains to be seen." She stepped into the spacious interior and sank into the luxurious fabric that lined the interior.
He spoke their destination then settled back beside her. They were silent for a moment then both spoke at once.
"Sorry, you go ahead." he said.
"No you, please. I was just- you go."
"Okay." He turned toward her, seeking her eyes and blurted his statement. "Diane, I've fallen for you . . . I don't know how you feel but I had to say this. I don't want to make you angry, mooning around like an idiot if you don't--"
Her finger pressed his lip and silenced him. "Hunter what we did before at your place- that wasn't- I didn't- it was just a- a thing."
"A thing."
"Yes. I mean it was great and all but--"
"But just a thing." He held her eyes, reading them. "Cab, stop."
The airlimo pulled to the side of the traffic lane and halted.
"What are you doing?" Diane sat up straighter.
YOU ARE READING
Transition
Misteri / ThrillerWhat they found, arriving at the planet was the entire research team, except for one terrified doctor, had been wiped out by a deadly organism and rescuing her cost the supply ship its crew. The Commander, his Executive Officer and the survivor were...
