A science fiction story that hits home during this virus era of uncertainty
"Professor Scarpnell you are wanted on the phone" says an automated voice coming out of the message system. He slips the disk into the back of his neck and listens carefully to the data that is about to be imputed.
Twenty four hours later all over the world, seven individuals are diving into water searching for something that will change the world for good.
In a circular library sits an old librarian who has never left the City since the day she was born. "Off to pack my little bag" she says as she re-aligns a bobby pin gone askew. At home she eats a modest egg then goes to the bedroom to search for her overnight bag.
In another corner of the world Jim a retired fireman is peeled to the television watching the news. It appears that the virus has mutated and spread across the land faster than the speed of light. For the umpteenth time he wishes the department hadn't served him papers then retired him like an old dog. At the age of fifty he was still fit as a fiddle. The phone rings at the cutting edge and a green horizontal line appears. Jack hears, 'four' imprinted words:
" IT'S IN THE WATER "
He packs his suitcase with toiletries and a couple of soft wool sweaters.
This will be a welcome change for him rather then the bunker gear that
always fit him like a second skin for years. No matter what his duty will be in Venice, he knows one thing for sure, he won't be asked to smite any fires, and that is fine by him.
Its a cool evening in Venice, an October wind twines itself around the gondolas like an old friend. Autumn is a time for customary dishes and the staff is working diligently in the kitchen while Chef Marco Battalione catches up on paper work. He opens an email from an unknown source asking for a reservation for seven, October 18, 7pm . Included is an e-transfer of $5,000 euros.
"I will be needing a private room with absolute privacy without the threat of being overheard. The menu I leave to your discretion. I will arrive shortly after diner to introduce myself to my guests. Please do not contact me at this email address. It is obsolete for reasons of confidentiality and safety of all persons involved. "
At first Marco is toted by the audacity of this person but when he realizes that due to COVID he no longer receives a satisfactory income in his establishment, he realizes he can ill afford to refuse this generous offer. Setting aside a stack of bills he begins to plan a special menu, sparing no cost.
With a red felt pen he circles the date on his calendar then pours himself a drink. He raises a glass to the neon lights echoing over labyrinth streets and canals, and says "Salute"
The Marco Polo Lounge
Sitting in the Marco Polo lounge, Almirra crosses her legs then flips through the glossy pages of a magazine. It's an early morning flight and for the umpteenth time she wishes she was capable of ingesting some of that dark liquid that most humans rave about each morning.
An anemic sun caresses the windows of the airport and bathes the Marco polo lounge with liquid light. She closes her eyes for a few moments giving feigned appearance to sleep as she waits for the arrival of her human contact. They were supposed to pick her up at 5:42 am. Staring at the octagon watch she computes and all systems are in alert as the colored hour-tiles come to life on her digital interface. It reads 5:44 am. This metal signet watch has been designed to foretell precisely to the second, the moment of encounter.
She realigns her synthetic wig then places one purple drop in each spherically perfect blue eye. Purinex is a soluble substance able to dissolve into a gelatinous organ and still keep the mechanics behind it, both dry and functional. She owns the replicated look of a starlet from a bygone era but behind her beauteous frontage lives a mechanical precise computer of diamond saw precision. Its exactitude can incise a heart and keep it humanly functional using a heat activated propulsion system and a sonar energetic encrypted code.
To Be Continued...
Because you have introduced us to these seven individuals so well, I for one, would want to read to the end, so I hope it does continue. For one thing, any time a story begins from seven different angles (like the movie ‘Crash’ or any other film that does this weaving participants’ lives) I find myself wanting to get to know them lots more, and the introduction here delivers that invite. Also, “ITS IN THE WATER’” has a curiosity magnitude of plus 10x. I enjoy the definers, those details like ‘old librarian,’ ‘modest egg,’ ‘soft sweater,’ ‘labyrinth streets,’ ‘purple drop.’ One place needs a different word, “…fireman is peeled to the television,” — I think you mean ‘glued to the television,’ I hope you write more on this, I want to know what will ‘change the world for the good.’ ~~ djl
I have spotted a number of incongruencies that would need to be corrected for this to be respected by science fiction readers. Also a number of simple errors that a good editor could improve.
There is a certain anticipation set up by going around the world and giving just a little bit of information about characters and what they are doing, but I don't see anything connecting at all in this very short, "to be continued," story. In other words, nothing is happening here to cause anyone concern. What would be overwhelming making me want to read to the finish?
Sounds to me the beginning of a good sci-fi story! I'm not sure what year or century this story is taking place, but it seems to me the COVID virus still exists in this era. Need to read more.
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