Geneva Elizaveta Hawthorne

  2510.08.10

  Sol 3UN1A Adjunct to Universe 0

  Reflexis City

  Campbell Books

  “Fancy seeing you here.” Ryan said. He stood by the bookshop waving at her with an eager grin. His eyes tightened as he took in her haggard state. “What happened? Did someone come after you?”

  “Nothing of the sort.” Geneva said, perturbed.

  “Why do you look so-” Ryan said. His eyes lost focus for a moment. “-sour?”

  “You paused for several seconds to think of a word and sour is what you pull out of your hat?”

  “Hey, hey, hey. What made you so cranky today?”

  Geneva weaved dodging an attempted hug from the man.

  “Sorry. I forget sometimes.” Ryan said. His hair fell into his face as he focused on something in the distance.

  “No. We’ve been hanging out for weeks and I haven't let you as much as hold my hand. You have nothing to be sorry for.”

  “We’ve all got secrets, Geneva. And while I may not have as many as you do. And I'll be honest, you have a lot for someone our age. It's okay. I get it. You have a reason, and thats all that matters. Besides I like them hard to get.” Ryan said, wiggling his eyebrows.

  Just like that, the turmoil in the world seemed to settle. And Geneva took a deep breath.

  “I think it's time we have a conversation.” She said. An air of determination propelled her thought.

  “Whoa, whoa, hold up. We can have all the conversations you want.” He gestured towards the bookstore behind them. “But I think I'd rather we get this boring adventure out of the way first. I can promise dinner as a follow up. You aren't the only one who has things they want to discuss.”

  “But.”

  “No. I don't care. No buts. I don’t want to hear it. We are going to do this right. And that means not having this conversation in the middle of a crowded street during rush hour.”

  She looked around and noticed how many people were moving around her. It confused her how much one person can affect her perception of the world. And puzzles pieces began to sort themselves in her head.

  “It's serious Ryan.” She said.

  “Uh uh, stop right there. We will get to it. I promise.” He hovered his finger an inch from her lips. “Lets just go intside.”

  “Alright.” She said. She brushed his arm. Aside. She exhaled a large deep breath “Let’s see if where you brought me is worth it.”

  The bookstore had an ancient air to it. The scent of mildew and dust permeated the space. Something Geneva felt didnt belong in a place that held actual books. Of course, the only books she had seen in her lifetime had been within research centers and archives. Their pages locked behind glass displays and expertly conditioned environments.

  Calling it a bookstore was a massive understatment. The building, while small from the outside, was surprisingly vast on the inside. Wooden shelves seemed to endlessly extend deep into the room.

  “Are we sure we can find information thats relevant here? It seems a bit dated forwhat I’m after.” Geneva said after they had traveled a bit inside.

  “Shipment movements?” Ryan asked more than saying.

  “What’s that supposed to mean.”

  “You are aware of my power set?”

  “What is levitating metal going to provide me in context?”

  “That’s just a byproduct.” Ryan said. He gestured for Geneva to follow him deeper into the store. From what she could tell there didnt seem to be some kind of help desk or automata available for them to ask questions.

  “Beside, we arent here to find a book.” Ryan said. After several long minutes of walking, the duo came to a far corner where two walls met. A small door labeled administration in a simple font opened. Geneva could tell it was Ryan as the quantum energy of abilities was something she could detect.

  “Okay know how I wanted to have a conversation out in the open street?” Geneva said. She followed him through the doorway. “This is one of those times we should have a conversation first.”

  They were standing at the end of a thin long hallway that seemed to cuve slowly out of sight.

  “Calm down.” Ryan said. He winked an eye. “Im not some man looking to take advantage of a young innocent girl like you.”

  “Well start saying something more than ‘dont mind the suspicious lack of information’.” Geneva said.

  “Give me a moment.” Ryan said. As he continued down the hallway. He waved his right arm up and down as if he were feeling something along the wall. “Alright here.”

  He wiggled his fingers in a garrish gesture. With a loud clunk, the wall section infront of him slid in a few inches. What was apparently a hidden door then slid to the right. Inside a bright room cast light into the hallway. Geneva followed him inside, suddenly on gaurd.

  “’Bout time you showed up.” A man on the couch said. He was a little older than the duo. Looking similar enough to Ryan she realized he must be a relative of some kind. He sat on a couch facing a large window that showed a view of the earth.

  “I was waiting on someone.” Ryan said waving at Geneva.

  “Oh, so this is the one I’ve been hearing about every day and night for the past two weeks.” The man said.

  “And his name?” Geneva said. Picking up of the tension he hadnt expected Ryan quickly answered.

  “This is Jaime, my roommate.” Ryan said.

  “And cousin.” Jaime said. “He always leaves out that last bit.”

  Geneva reevaluated the space around her. To the left a kitchen spanned one wall. It looked like something out of a professional kitchen. Not fitting the ideals of what a residential space should have. The opposite wall was lined with several doors. Aside from the massive window of space in front of her, there weren't any other windows.

  “I thought we were deep below the surface.” Geneva said after a minute.

  “No no, we are.” Jaime said. Suddenly the view outside changed to a view of a martian city. “See? It a just a large holo screen.”

  Geneva realized then, that while she had never seen one this large, it did have some of the signs of being a holographic display. There was an energetic nuance that most people couldnt pick up on.

  “Welcome to my humble abode.” Ryan said, bowing deeply towards her.

  “Yeah yeah. I get it. You could have just said come check out my place.” She said.

  “I didnt think you would have come.” Ryan said.

  “Why wouldn’t I have?” Geneva said. She realized there were a lot of details they hadn’t shared between one another. Had she been so caught up in the new city she forgot to ask him more personal questions?

  “I dont know. I kind of felt like you were a bit nervous.” Ryan said. He quickly continued seeing the change of expression on Genevas face. “Hey! I wasn't planning on anything nefarious. Besides I may have more information about you than I should at this point.”

  This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

  Geneva's face grew even more stern. A radiation seemed to eminate from her skin.

  “No, no! It's not what you think. I promise. It's about what we need to discuss. And why I wanted to discuss it after we came here.”

  Geneva’s posture seemed to heighten as she spoke her next words.

  “Are you... is there... explain Ryan.” Geneva said. Her tone softened as she looked for words that wouldn't immediately end the time they had spent together.

  “I am a level II as registered in the system. However ,I am not a magnetic manipulator. That is a lie I tell so I don't have to face the implications of my actual abilities. My parents run and operate CB Data. They didn’t want the nefarious nature of a computer manipulator to be on record for their own child. Especially if he was supposed to eventually inherit a company whose entire mission plan was to be a non-biased secure provider of connection to the internet.” Ryan said. His words blurred together in cadence that far faster than normal.

  “Yeah, yeah. Hes right.” Jaime said. Huddling against the wall. At some point he had slid off the couch and back against the edge of the room. “I see what you mean about how she feels, Ryan.”

  “How I feel?” Geneva said. She had somewhat mellowed after Ryans brief explanation but the already volatile energy that poured off her increased dramatically.

  “You have this nature about you. It's like complex data is being constantly received and transmitted. I mean everyone does to some degree; we’re just complex patterns of electrical impulses. I can kind of pick up on that as it's similar to some degree to computer systems. But for you it's off the charts. The day we met I felt something in that promenade that resonated with my abilities. And I was shocked that such complex and power emanations were infact not a machine. But a human. You Geneva.” Ryan said. He panted, his long rant winding him.

  “Oh. That's why you make me feel calm.” Geneva said. This explained away the turmoil that had been brewing that day. “You’ve been manipulating me? Is this why you wanted this conversation held here? In this private space”

  “You have the wrong idea.” Jaime said. He held his arms out in silent surrender.

  “I can’t manipulate you, Geneva. Thats not the power of my ability. I chose computer manipulation for what my level II should be. But as you must know given what you seem capable of, you get much more when you chose a complicated task as your level ability.” Ryan said.

  “I didn’t choose my level ability.” Geneva said. She sat down on the couch. He was harmless. She hoped to calm the two men in the room. This was out of her depth.

  “You mean, you aren't a level I with the ability to manifest electricity?” Ryan asked. He stood in silence.

  Geneva burst into a fit of cackling laughter. A move that flipped the status quo in the room. After several minutes the other two came and sat on the couch albeit at the opposite end from her.

  “Electricity.” Geneva said. The laughter died slowly. She wiped a tear from her eye as she continued. “Technically, I can if I wanted to. It’s a kind of energy although it’s more complicated to produce due to the nature of my powers. I was going to have this conversation with you before we came in here. But I guess now is a good time as any to have it now.”

  “While you guys have your moment I’ll cook something up for the three of us.” Jaime said. He slowly got up and headed into the kitchen.

  “You can hear this if you want.” Geneva said.

  “I’ll hear it regardless if you’re near me.” Jaime said.

  “Level II” Ryan said. “Sensing.”

  “Interesting choice, I guess. Before I continue, I need you to explain what exactly you meant when you hinted that you knew why I was here.” Geneva said. She focused her full attention on the boy seated across from her. Ryan sat back under an oppressive force that seemed to eminate from the fabric of space around him.

  “My ability is computer manipulation. That means on a fundamental aspect I can see, interpret, and modify the workings of complex electrical patterns-” Ryan said.

  “He can see into computers without needing to access them.” Jaime called from the kitchen.

  “I was getting there.”

  “Yeah, well you explain it like shit man.” Jaime said.

  “Anyways. I basically can read your bracelet.” Ryan said. He sank imperceptibly deeper into the couch.

  “You can what?” Geneva said in a quiet shock. “You mean everything I have communicated? So, you know I’m a level 0?”

  There was a loud clash of dishes from the kitchen.

  “A what?” Ryan and Jaime both said at the same time.

  “That's not real, right? You’re kidding.” Ryan said after a moment.

  “Oh well I guess you didn't see everything.” Geneva said.

  “I can only see what I look for, and I tried to avoid glancing in the first place. I just saw communications between you and this Archaeus guy.” Ryan said.

  Geneva froze for a milisecond. She wasnt ready to merge this fantasy life she had constructed in the city with the restrained life she had lived before. Ryan mistaking her silence for a breach of privacy continued.

  “I didn’t read the chat history. I just got some of the updates he had sent you. I didn't mean to pry if he's your boyfriend or something. I assumed that's why you were a bit physically distant with me.” Ryan said quickly.

  “I am physically distant with you because I am a level 0.”

  Another loud crash echoed from the kitchen.

  “Are you gonna be able to continue over there?” Ryan said annoyed.

  “I, I’m fine.” Jaime said from the kitchen. “I just slipped.”

  “Is this going to happen every time I say level 0.”

  Another loud crash echoed from the kitchen.

  “Alright Jaime. You got one more chance. One. More. Otherwise I’m ordering takeout.” Ryan said.

  “No. No please anything but that.” Jaime said. He went back to cooking with ferver.

  As she ignored the two, Geneva took a few breaths. A notification chimed from her wristband. A holographic message that was supposed to only be visible to her shown from Archaeus.

  ‘Find anything?’

  ‘No’ she replied with the interface. She looked at Ryan; who made a considerable effort to look in any direction other than her wrist.

  “You can chill.” Geneva said. “You might have seen enough to compromise your situation already. So, no harm now.”

  Ryan visibly gulped. Geneva raised her hand to silence him before he could ask a question.

  “Don’t worry, I hold some sway even if it's not the most sway. My mother runs the organization.”

  Another loud crash echoed from the kitchen. Ryan sighed but he didnt make a move to call for takeout.

  “You know what that is too?” Geneva asked.

  “I know enough to know it's something serious.” Ryan said.

  “And you want to continue hanging out with me?” Geneva asked.

  “Yes.”

  “So, is that why I feel so calm when I'm around you?” Geneva asked under her breath.

  “Probably not.” Jaime chided from the other room.

  “What?” Ryan said. He looked at his cousin confused.

  “Nothing.” Jaime said. He now realized he had heard Geneva muttering to herself.

  “Anyways. My powers-” Geneva said. Ryan cut her off.

  “Wait powers? Not ability?” Ryan asked.

  “They don't scale like that. As you said before, if you have a complex ability, it manifests in more ways than it at first appears. My tutor would probably have a thousand explanations on the origins of this, but that's not our focus. I can manipulate energy. I didn't choose it. It was thrust upon me. Limitlessly, I can create, destroy, or alter any energy I encounter.” Geneva said.

  Another-

  “Can you stop whatever procedure is causing you to drop soemthing large and metallic over there. I’d like to have a reaction of my own here Jaime.” Ryan yelled into the kitchen. After a minute to gain his composure, he continued. “How does this relate to me?”

  “Well for starters, everything in the universe is energy. Every atom you are comprised of is a form of energy. Such a blanket statement has implications. From my understanding, I'm limited by my interpretation of my power more than anything. I currently operate under the thought that I can store and exhaust this power. As a side effect it makes me super sensitive to other people. I dont know why. But when I’m with you. That overwhelming sensation dwindles to nothing. And its calm.”

  “That’s a lot to process. And here I thought I had all the bombs to drop today.” Ryan said.

  “You arent afraid of me?” Geneva asked.

  “Why would I be?” Ryan asked. “Besides, stop being so cliche. I understand just as you do, that people's abilities can cause insane situations. I don't judge.”

  Geneva felt that calm wash over her again. The feelings of confinement and isolation that had been resonating with her for the past few hours faded.

  “Now that we’ve aired out everything-” Ryan said.

  “Not everything.” Geneva said, meeting his eyes. “I was originally here for a mission. It was supposed to be quick. Come in, seize a quantum drive-” Geneva paused looking towards the kitchen waiting for the expectant crash of surprise.

  “We know about that.” Jaime said, continuing to cook. He didn’t even look up. Geneva shrank back as she continued her story.

  “We were only going to be here for a night or two and then back up into the system, but we didn’t find anything. Just empty leads.”

  “Are you allowed to be telling us this?” Ryan asked.

  “Originally no. But after your breach of security, it's out of the bag now.” Geneva said. “Anyways, we got stuck here and then I met you. And I thought we were only going to have a few weeks together. But after today it's going to be months before they can work their way into the systems of the corporation we are after. So, we will have more time to adventure.”

  “That's why I brought you here.” Ryan said.

  Geneva watched as the holographic display changed from the scenic view of Olympus, the capital of mars, to a complex schematic of a highrise that seemed to stretch vertically through the center of the city cavern. As she studied the screen, her eyes widened.

  “I think, we can work with this.” Geneva said. “You might have just bought your freedom.”

  “Well that a good reason to celebrate with a nice home cooked meal.” Jaime said. He crossed the room with three plates balanced on his arm and hands. He set the plates in seemingly open air. One in front of each of them. “Now tell us, what do you mean by freedom?”