Nemecene: The Epoch of Redress (12 page)

"Excuse me, my appointment is at, or was at, three." Whoa! Have I been here that long?

"Your name?"

"Eli Simone." Oh oh, she's frowning. This is not a good sign. Someone must have given me the wrong date, or worse, what if they already know... I'm in deep...

"Oh yes, Elize. Dr. Phelophelus will see you at 4:50." That does not qualify as a smile. "You were rescheduled." That one even less.

I wonder if there's a special school they go to learn that, or maybe it's Darwinian breeding techniques. You know. Survival of the clueless. Be careful, girl. Ill-thoughts breed ill-deeds, Keet would say. I'm messing with spooky Karma now. Boo! Who says being trapped in a room with a bunch of diseased people can't be fun.

Ok. Back to my seat and… Crap. Where did it go? "Hey! Come back here!" These newer models are just too neurotic. Keet finds them cute, but I'd rather be sitting on the floor instead. Well, a solid floor at least. Yeah. Solid. Not like the shaggy one in my room. "Ok. I promise not to fidget." Just don't go taking off on me.

I can't help it. He'll know right away that I don't have a working biochip and then I'm busted. Think, girl, think. I need to come up with a really good excuse. The trick is how not to get flagged and then sent to the Ministry for tracing. Then it's over and Father will find us, once they run the DNA check. What's that kid staring at anyway? I think I'm pretty well dressed normally now. I've had three weeks to figure out what works and what doesn't. What if I just stare back. Geez. She's relentless. Does she know me? That's enough. I'm going to get on the comm with Keet. We were supposed to meet beforehand and figure something out. That was the plan. Better switch to hush mode.

"Where are you? You're hush."

Here comes the storm. "I'm at a medi clinic waiting to see a doctor."

"Are you ok? What happened? Ohhhm gee. We're busted! What happens if they find out, I mean, when they find out you have no—"

"Shhh. Don't panic." That's why the hush mode. "Well, not yet anyway. We still have a few minutes to come up with something. It's just part of the student requirements, remember? I've been trying to get out of it but then the counsellor nabbed me and—"

"And now you're busted. I completely forgot about it. The archives. I get so lost in them. They're revamping the entire cataloging system you know. It's absolutely riveting! The artifacts I get to handle. I mean, some of the things in Mother's books are actually real!"

"That's all juicy, Keet, you having fun digging around, but didn't you put it in your strawberry?"

"It's a—"

"Yeah, I know, pup." Oops. I slipped.

"Eli, I thought you promised to stop calling me that. I'm an adult now you know, just like you." He sounds annoyed. Rightly so.

"Sorry. It just slipped out. But seriously, why do you even use that relic anyway? There are better systems."

"Sure there are, and then the Ministry knows your every move. But wait! I can get a bioCal now, so I can buzz your new and improved biochip. Muahahaha."

He can't be serious. "Rip.Very funny.
Not
helping. I can't focus. Keet?" Breathe. Everything's loose. "Better." It's quiet up there now.

"Just a rib. It might be ancient but it's well cloaked, just in case. Anyway, at this age, it's a big operation, so they can't just do it right there. They'll put a tag on you for sure, but we'll work with that. Let me comm our special friends. Don't worry."

Hey. There's Caroline from registration. She seems healthy enough. I wonder...

"Way, Eli. Got caught. Sucks. What about you? Counsellor's on the prowl these days, yeah?" I thought everyone from the lowlands had perfect biochips. She's born and raised here. How could she… "Who are you talking to?" She squeezes in to peek and one eyebrow goes up.

Oh, right. Still on hush with Keet. "It's my cousin. Hang for a sec, Caroline." I'd better just comm out before he starts asking too many questions. "Ease, Keet. Just a friend from school who walked in. She's juicy."

"Niiiiiice. When do I get to meet her?" Yuck. That joke's getting old. And she heard that.

"You bet I am, girl!" She winks at me and lowers her voice. "You still trip for the daze tomorrow?" Hick! I hope he didn't hear that.

"Did she say daze? Eli? Don't think I don't know what she is talking about. I don't think it's safe to start—"

"Whoops. Gotta go. My seat's making a move, so I'm next."

"Juicy! You're on a crabseat. They're so cute. Especially the way they just scooch along, and they're so comfy."

Comfy? Who's he kidding. Snappy more like. They're called crabseats for a reason. "Sure. See you tonight. Off now." Phew. I'll deal with him later. Now back to Caroline.

"Hey lo, Caroline." She giggles. "You slacked on your scan too?" That should give her a hook. Let's see if she bites.

"Neah. Caught with my head down. They're so anal, yeah? I just had a draining night and they think it's contagious. Crazed! What's your story?"

That reminds me. I'd better think of one fast. There were scanning stations set up at registration, but I managed to slip through them, until now. She'll be wondering how I did that.

"The scan showed an 'exception' they called it. Oooooo." Let's add some little wavering fingers for good measure. Great. She's caught on the line.

"Must be coming from your language center." A snicker and more giggles. I like her. She's loose. It's her first time with us highlanders, so I sound really funny to her. I don't mind. I can always use it to flip the topic when I need to, just like now. "You'll pass, Eli. The GHU has to come up with all sorts of excuses to keep themselves busy. It's Ministry, yeah?"

"Yeah. Same plan for tomorrow then?" She nods, and my throat goes dry. My turn.

The seat takes me through the scanner in the center of the office, then parks itself in front of the doctor's desk. He's staring at his slippad and looking a little concerned. Toes, stop it. Maybe he thinks the scanner's broken. He's still scouring the slips for something.

"Miss Elize? That is your name. Elize Simone from…" He's squinting now and pursing his lips. "Blarney Way?"

Hick, the minute I open my mouth he's going to know I lied on my application. He lifts his eyes slightly, so I just nod then. Make believe I have a sore throat. Quick thinking. He starts flipping the slips. What do I do now?

I should be starting to sweat already but I'm not. I'm feeling chilled. He's looking full up now. That's it. Here comes my stomach.

"Set it over there, please."

What? Oh. Someone just walked in with some food. The last thing on
my
mind at this very moment.

"Working through meals again, Dr. Phelophelus?"

"Always a pleasure to see you, Nepharisse."

Well, she just brightened his mood. I can see why too. She's quite stunning. Beautiful deep blue eyes and a mesmerizing smile. He's like a giddy school boy. This is too funny. He's in la-la-land. Hey. Just the distraction I need. Ok. Think fast, girl. Yes. Show time.

"Thank you for the prescription, Dr. Phelophelus. I'll get the patch right away." If I hold out my hand, palm up, and stand, maybe it'll work. Come on. All you need to do is sign the slip and hand it over. Nepharisse walks past me and gently touches him on the shoulder. Seriously. He looks like he's going to pass out. Wonder where his blood is going. Hehehe. How salacious!

"I think the girl needs the slips for school, Terence." Perfect! That's exactly what I was hoping I could dupe him into doing while his brain is floating around somewhere else. He signs the top one and then hands me the whole pad. Juicy! She's looking straight at me, her hand stroking his back. There's something so calming about her, I feel like... Legs. Let's move before the doctor wakes up. Let's dart right past the scan and head for the exit. Better hide this in my bag.

"Way, Eli. Slow down a bit. I think he likes you."

Huh? Sure. Cute. "Go back! I'm done." Those crabseats, I tell you. "Thanks, Caroline."

Don't want to be around when he starts looking for his slippad, and it'll be dark soon. Famished finally. Just a quick something before I head back. Should still be enough light. Besides, things have been pretty quiet lately. Don't think I need to be quite so paranoid.

Good. On the left. The Snack Shack. "I'll have a two hundred in a maple bake." That should sink down there for the night. "Oh, sorry. The white one please." The red flyers tend to drip everywhere and they leave stains, dark red ones. Like dried blood flakes. I need to drop my slip off to the counsellor tonight and I'm already on his "special" list. He might be thinking I'm the one getting creepy in the medical lab and that'll dump all matter of crap on me. "Thanks, Ashton." Mmmmmm. Now
this
is what I call a flyer bake.

I should probably check the notes while I finish this. Let me find a corner somewhere…there. Quick look around and...no sniffers. I'll just shift the bake to the right, grab the notes with the left and go easy on the mess. Let's see what kind of medical history I paid for. Elize Simone, 18 years old, baptized Unified. Sure. In your dreams, Pramam. Father factory worker…natural causes, mother transport operator...natural causes, no siblings...orphaned age 17, education credits.... Next slip. All updates in order, no major drifting. What's this? Age 9, MPD afflicted? Explode details. Defects found, biochip patched, noted as per procedure B4UC-F8. Defective biochip? Odd. Maybe Keet has access to the procedural archives. I wonder who these entries belonged to. Shudder. It's just creepy thinking about it, but it was the way to disappear.

What about the rest of the notes? Maybe there's something here on that gawking kid. Let's see, she was just after me, ahead of Caroline. Here she is: Mashrin Tamehr, 9, recently orphaned...transport accident...emotional drifting. Aw. The poor girl. If only I knew. And here's Caroline. Interesting. Seems like my fun-loving friend is having a little trouble staying upright recently. Oh no. She's being tracked. She needs to read this, and I also might want to rethink dazing with her too often. Avoid complications. Time? Oh oh. I'd better get back before the counsellor opens a case on me. Pull off my official scan, release and tuck it in my jacket, then back in the bag for the rest. I'll hand it to my snarly little privyshelf for safekeeping when I get home. It's Keet.

"I found a mick who can hack into the medi files. It'll cost us plenty, but we can disable the tag and change the logs. He'll meet us at 7:20, tonight, at the ivy wall. You yay with that?"

"Wow! You're blistering, Keet! No crisis. Everything's juicy." It's getting warm.

"How? Why? You didn't do something bent now did you? Where are you?"

"Of course not! The doctor had a little problem with his blood flow. Hehehe."

I have to take my jacket off. There. Around my waist is good.

"What's that supposed to mean? He's still alive, eh?"

"Unless she killed him after I left. Heart attack maybe?" Give it a silent pause. Ok. Enough torture. "Don't panic. He was just distracted by a woman. You know what that's like now, don't you?"

"Rip. Guess his biochip isn't working either then." Good whip!

"I'm walking back now to drop it off. Won't be too long. I'll comm you. We can meet the hack at the ivy anyway. He might be someone to keep handy." Equilibrium tends to rule and the balance has been tipped in our favor so far. It's just logic.

"Ok."

Faster. The top floor is dark and that means the counsellor's leaving. Crap. Run for the gate. Phew. Beat the autolock. I see him at the window and he sees me, and he doesn't look very pleased. Oh well. Let's get this over with.

"Miss Elize. You have something for me I presume...for your sake."

What's with the nose, señor. Any higher in the air and I'd see his frontal lobe. Assuming he has one of course. "Yes, in my...right here in my..." Crap crap crap. It's not in either pocket. Crap! "It must have fallen out when I ran for the gate. It's not far, I'll go get it. Please, sir, I really do have it." Oh, he's changing color now. Not good. What do I do?

"Well, don't just stand there. You have until I lock the front door to receive my charity."

I never thought my eyes could get so big. I'm a hurricane. Thank the itty bitty baby prophet. Just grab it and... Eyes really big now! Heart, get ready. I'm soaked. Muscles, time to fire now, let's go. Don't like standing here in front of these three. Listen, I'm begging, please, don't start. I don't need you in my head right now. Breathe. Calm down. Maybe they're on their way somewhere? Say something.

"Miss Elize!" Relief. It's the counsellor. He's broken their focus.

Run.

"Here it is, sir." I'm shaking so hard I can barely hand it over. His features soften and he brings me inside. I'm almost crying I'm so scared.

"Best stay here for a few moments while they go about their business. You've had an eventful day I am sure. The door is already locked, all you need to do is shut it behind you. I must leave. Avoid Osler Hall on your way back to your room and you'll be safe." He rubs my shoulder and smiles warmly.

Maybe I misjudged him.

"Thank you, sir."

He's gone now. I can't hold myself together anymore. Be strong, Eli. Deep breath in, open the door, all clear, time to go. What were they doing here? I thought the break-ins had stopped and the lab was off curfew? Certainly nothing has happened this past week. The techs would have mentioned it, especially for the ghoul factor. Well, that's as close as I want to get to them ever again. Staring at me like that. It was just...my skin is still crawling. Let's get this jacket back on so I can stop shivering. This city must have a defective thermostat, unless I caught something at the sick fest. Clear that thought, girl. No GHU in my near future, thanks.

I'll have to take the path through Rubrique Court if I want to avoid the lab. I should be able to sneak a peak at it through those trees over there and still keep cover. All the lights are on. What was that? It sounded like shattering. The lights are off now. Every single one of them all at once. I wish I had night lenses. I can make out some shadows, away from the windows. Looks like they're leaving. Shhh. My comm.