Page 32 of Harbinger of Destiny

Joshua tapped on his holocom and held it over the scanner at the machine’s entrance. Again, there was a beep. This time, Joshua’s photo appeared on the screen next to the scanner. Then Amy saw an old photo of herself appear next to his: a photo that was taken before she’d sustained her disfiguring injury.

“Joshua Fletcher, please step into the scanner,” the man said.

It took only a few seconds, before Joshua was done, and left the machine again.

“Now your guest from 2025,” he said and looked at the name below Amy’s picture. He glanced back at her. “I guess this picture is from a while ago.” He pointed to the scanner. “Please step inside.”

Amy followed his instructions. When she exited the machine, the man was already pressing a cylinder the diameter of a shot glass onto the inside of Joshua’s elbow. A moment later, there was a hissing sound, then the man removed the item and slid it into a machine, where it disappeared. He tapped on a virtual keyboard, before a hologram with the message Blood sample for Joshua Fletcher accepted popped up.

She barely had time to take in the technology she was faced with, and realize how automated everything seemed to be, when the man pressed a fresh cylinder onto her arm. She felt a sting, and gasped in shock, but the pain was only temporary. Moments later, her blood sample was accepted by the machine.

“That’s it. The results will be available in approximately twenty-four hours. During this time, you’ll both be staying together in a self-contained pod. Please follow the signs to Pods 1 – 50 at the end of this corridor.” The man pushed the curtain aside, and revealed a corridor. “An assistant will meet you there to explain everything.”

Amy nodded numbly. “Thank you.” This looked more and more like they were lab rats that were being led to the slaughter. A cold shiver ran down her spine. Had she made the biggest mistake of her life by trusting Joshua?

At the end of the corridor, a woman dressed like a nurse was expecting them.

“Romeo 48?” she asked with a smile.

This time, Amy could see her smile, because this woman wore a facemask with a clear plastic insert where her mouth was.

“Yes, Joshua Fletcher and Amy Brooks,” Joshua confirmed.

“Please follow me.”

Around the next corner, the woman opened a door. The first thing Amy saw was sunshine and a blue sky. As she walked through the door, she realized that they were outside now, leaving the sterile interior behind them. In the open space, she saw dozens of tiny houses. In between the cute, colorful cottages were walking paths, trees and bushes, and even a small creek winding its way through the grounds. The area reminded her of a resort in a foreign country. Not that she’d ever been to such a luxurious place, nor a foreign country.

“This way.”

Amy turned to the woman who was directing them, and only realized now that she’d stopped walking. “What is this place?”

“It’s a temporary housing center we built for the arrivals from 2025, for women like you.”

Then she pointed to the path ahead of them, and Amy followed her, Joshua by her side. Along the path were fruit trees with signs inviting everybody to pick fruit for their consumption. She also saw smaller bushes with berries and the same inviting signs. At a tiny house that was labeled as Pod 48, they stopped. The woman opened the door and ushered them inside.

The moment Amy entered the pod, she felt a calmness come over her. This was more luxury than she’d ever expected. The large room was a living area with large floor-to-ceiling French doors leading to a small wooden terrace. The room was fully furnished and looked comfortable. To the left of the entrance was a small kitchenette.

“While you’re in quarantine, your meals will be delivered to you three times daily. Just use your holocom to order what you want. Or you can use the built-in order screen on your TV.”

Amy peered past a room divider. Behind it, she saw a king-sized bed and a door leading into an ensuite bathroom. This pod was larger than a regular hotel room. This was more like a suite in an expensive five-star hotel.

“You’ll find clothing in various sizes in the bedroom closet, as well as all necessary toiletries. If you need anything else, just order it via Joshua’s holocom or the TV set.” She smiled. “The door to your pod will remain locked until your quarantine is over. Expect the results of your medical tests within the next twenty-four hours. If you haven’t brought any infectious diseases with you, you will be free to roam around the grounds.”

Then she turned directly to Amy. “Your orientation will begin the day after you’re out of quarantine.”

“Orientation? What do you mean?”

“You’ll be introduced to life in 2085, so you can familiarize yourself with our technology, your rights as a global citizen, and be fitted with your own holocom. While you’re going through the orientation and waiting for your holocom to be programmed, your Romeo may visit you at any time, day or night.”

Panic rose inside her. “You mean, Joshua is leaving? And I’m staying here, alone?”

“During orientation, you’ll be very busy. That’s why we suggest that the Romeos leave to see their families, and make arrangements for your life together.” She cast a look at Joshua. “If that’s what you’ve both decided.”

Joshua took her hand and squeezed it. “Don’t worry, it’ll be all right.”

“Well,” the woman said and headed to the door. “I’ll leave you alone now. The results of your blood tests will be showing up on your TV screen as soon as they become available. If they’re negative, the doors will unlock at the same time.”

“And if not?”