REDEMPTION

— by Jeff Karamales

Chapter 3
Something Old, Something New
 

JOACHIM KESSLER, the Director for the Stockholm Branch of the Anthro Human Colonization Project, Furmankind Institute, was involved in a conversation with Doctor Dimitri Kavalos when the receptionist rang through the intercom.

  “Ms. Talova has arrived, Director,” the woman, Miss Egil informed him.

  Joachim smiled at the small video screen on the interoffice phone. “Excellent. Allow her in, please,” he instructed. Less than thirty seconds passed before the heavy wooden door opened, revealing the Vulps female who looked around the office a little warily having only been in the domain of the Institute Director once before when she first arrived. “Welcome, Sofiya,” the man said cheerfully. “Please come in and have a seat. This is an informal meeting. Can I interest you in refreshments?”

  “Water please, Sir.”

  While she was a little intimidated by the Director, who reminded her a great deal of the classic actor Max Von Sydow with his height, short styled grey hair, merry blue eyes and deep bass voice, the other occupant was an individual she was quite fond of for his similarity to her father and smiled warmly, not having seen Dimitri Kavalos for some time as he was busy with the latest Class of volunteers.

  “Sofiya, you are looking well!” the Vulps Wing Doctor said as he stood up to give the Fur an embrace.

  “Thank you,” she said happily before claiming the other available seat and accepting the requested water.

  “I suppose there’s no reason to really prolong our talk,” Kessler said as he picked up his tea. “Sofiya, you received my message about the colony records?” He smiled as the vixen nodded. “Good. Now, before we go any further, I would like for you to understand that until a formal announcement is made, everything that is said here today is to be kept confidential. I cannot stress the importance of keeping the information you are about to receive to yourself for the moment.”

  The Fur nodded as she sat up straighter, though her interest was exhibited by her suddenly twitching tail. “I understand, Sir.”

  Joachim smiled in acceptance of his request. “The next colony mission has been approved. Despite the apparent success of Second Chance and sending a mixed Fur colony out, the event that precipitated that decision has been under review. I know that you’re familiar with the incident on Bastien. What isn’t common knowledge is that there were two survivors of the Bastien event. As there were no medical personnel within the Felis group, two volunteers, a married couple that are both doctors, accompanied the mission. They are the only two that weren’t affected by the illness that obliterated the Felis.

  “Because of their apparent immunity to this illness, and several other factors, it has been determined that Bastien is to be reseeded with a second colony attempt. This is one of the reasons that you have been granted access to the colony archives. The mission to reclaim Bastien is to be comprised of the same Fur type as the survivors, who, just so you know, are still sending regular updates. And you, my dear, have been selected to be the leader of the Vulps contingent that will do this.”

  Sofiya blinked twice as what she’d been told sank in. “The survivors are Vulps, a mission is being sent to reestablish the colony, and you want me to be the colony leader?”

  Joachim nodded. “Yes.”

  “Sofiya, I know that there is some concern about a return mission to Bastien, but you have my assurance that the illness that devastated the Felis colony does not pose a threat to you or the other Vulps,” Doctor Kavalos told her, his gaze unflinching. “I have also given this same assurance to Asmundr Gustavsson. This decision was not taken lightly, and if I hadn’t agreed, it wouldn’t have been approved. I swear to you, the illness does not pose a threat to non-Felis.”

  The vixen let out a slow breath. “If another had told me the same thing, I would not have believed them. To hear it from you, that is all the reassurance that I need.” Sofiya looked at Dimitri and smiled before turning to Director Kessler. “What I do not understand is why I am being selected as colony leader. Surely there are others that are more experienced…more qualified for this than I? I am not so old to have the same experience as others.”

  Joachim chuckled. “Granted, you are relatively young, but even at twenty seven you have experiences that others certainly don’t. We asked for, and were given, full disclosure of your time with the United Nations as an investigator. We know that you are familiar with hazardous situations, are able to make decisions that aren’t colored by personal preference, but by what is best for the whole. That and while you’ve been here at the Institute, you, and every other volunteer, has been given a series of tests that are used to determine the best candidates for the position we’ve just offered you. You were the highest scoring individual from all four Furmankind Institutes and beat out the other three candidates by a substantial margin.”

  “Sofiya, if you feel you need, you may decline,” Dimitri told the Fur. “This is an offer for the one we feel would do the best job, it is not mandatory or something that you have no choice to.”

  The vixen looked at the Director who nodded to indicate the Doctor spoke the truth. “But if I decline, who becomes the leader for the colony?”

“One of the other three candidates. They’ll go through the leadership courses that you would have,” Kessler told her.

  Sofiya brushed her hair back in thought. The AHCP had proven to be very thorough from the start and left as little to random chance as possible. Granted, she did have some leadership skills from her time as an investigator, but at the same time her last assignment had gone horribly wrong costing the lives of three of her team members and husband.

  “We know of the…situation that caused you to resign from the UN,” Joachim told her in a soft voice. “That you were able to make it out of that, and save one of your team members is a testament to your resourcefulness and determination. All of us, especially Asmundr, feel that this is precisely what the reseeding attempt needs.”

  “President Gustavsson feels this?” Sofiya asked, gulping slightly.

  Doctor Kavalos nodded. “He selected you personally.”

  “That he has,” the Director confirmed. “Which is why the three of us will be dining with him tonight.” He was able to hide his smile at the Fur’s sudden display of nervousness. “He is very interested in meeting you.”

  Sofiya looked down at her clothing with a feeling of dismay and plucked at the hem of her robe top.

  “Don’t worry,” Dimitri said with a grin. “You look fine. I think you’ll be rather surprised at Asmundr, and as he is the primary designer for most of the clothing you Furs have, I don’t think he’ll be upset that you are not dressed in an evening gown.”

  “Speaking of which, we should head over to the other complex,” Joachim told the other two after looking at his watch.

***

SOFIYA had no opportunity to balk at the sudden dinner appointment as the two men all but lifted her up and carried her outside where Joachim had a small electric cart waiting near the main door of the administration building. The Vulps female sat on the front passenger seat next to Director Kessler while Dimitri Kavalos took the back seat.

  They passed through the Stockholm Furmankind Institute grounds at a speed that was a little more brisk than a jog. The buildings that were a curious but attractive combination of Alpine style stone and plaster with heavy timber construction and only a few hints of modern technology in the form of solar powered street lamps interspersed by planters with decorative trees, both deciduous and coniferous, that lined the wide, paved pathways and surrounded the large grassy fields that were used for training and relaxing alike. Several Furs were sprawled on the immaculately groomed lawns, bathing in the warm light before the sun dipped behind the trees for the night. The overall effect was more like a quaint vacation village, though the size of some of the structures indicated that this was no simple resort.

  The large iron gate was opened by one of the Institute guards as they approached, the man dressed in a smart combination of white dress shirt with open collar, blue blazer with the Anthro Human Colonization Project logo on the left breast pocket, tan slacks and black casual shoes. The attire only further enhanced the feeling that the facility was some form of resort until one noticed the distinct bulge of a sidearm in a shoulder holster.

  An incident a little over a year before at the American Institute had prompted an increase in the number of and improved arming of the security personnel at all four Furmankind Institutes.

  The gate let the trio out onto a lane that could have been anywhere in Europe, the green trees and rich scents of the forest soothing to Sofiya, and she found her earlier unease at the sudden change in plans dissipating. At one point a rabbit ran across the road, and the Fur, lulled by the dark verdant light, smells of the deep woods, and extended period since lunch, almost gave in to the instincts that were now a part of her and launched herself after the tasty looking little creature. The vixen was only restrained by the calm, reassuring hand of Dimitri Kavalos on her shoulder. When she turned her head to thank him, Sofiya found the Doctor smiling at her knowingly.

  The tree lined lane ended after almost two miles and let out in an area that looked like something from a movie. The grounds here were even more park-like with wide patches of manicured lawns, fruit trees and flower beds laid out in mathematical precision around buildings that were completely modern in appearance. These housed laboratories, workshops, testing stations and the living quarters for both staff and visiting dignitaries or guests.

  While the base of each structure was dark granite, the upper portions, differing but complimentary geometric shapes with clean lines and angles, were made of black glass, the panes fit together so carefully that impossibly huge flat surfaces looked almost to be a single piece of obsidian. In the center of it all stood the actual headquarters building. Looming over the entire complex, much like the ancient structures that once dominated Egypt, was the great black pyramid of the Anthro Human Colonization Project.

  Sofiya had heard that Asmundr Gustavsson enjoyed archeology as a hobby, and had borrowed the most recognizable building feat from humanity’s past to show how far the species had progressed, utilizing the old with a very modern appearance. The pyramid loomed over the entire facility at the geographic center of the AHCP, its sheer size seeming to weigh down on the Fur with its presence.

  Only a little less impressive was the fountain that rested before the main entrance. The enormous circular pool was crafted out of granite as well, and the basin was black, giving the water a far deeper appearance and acting like a gigantic mirror, reflecting all around it. In testament to the contributions of the affiliated nations that supported the project were flagpoles around the circumference, the colors of countries from all over the globe flowing in the light breeze. The centermost poles had the Swedish national flag of a light blue field and gold cross and next to it was the AHCP ensign of a blue field with human and furman hands clasped over a generic looking planet.

  A small square plot opposite the two tallest flagpoles had a small torch that flickered fitfully surrounded by small, souvenir type flags of countries that weren’t affiliated with the AHCP, and some that even violently opposed what it did, but represented individuals that had come through the program and was set for recognition of the deeds and sometimes sacrifices of those brave people.

  Like others all over the world, Sofiya had seen pictures of the home of the Furmankind program, but it really didn’t prepare her for the unadulterated magnificence of the place. It was with some embarrassment that Joachim glanced at her and chuckled heartily.

  “Sofiya, please close your mouth. You look like a tourist!” Dimitri chided gently, also laughing.

  The Fur did as she was told, her jaws making a clopping sound, though she continued to look around as they continued on to the main entrance with wide-eyed astonishment. Just as they pulled closer to the pyramid, the glass sides caught the setting sun and seemed to flare to life with red fire.

  Another of the security guards was waiting for them as Joachim stopped the cart. As yet another at the main doors nodded, the first got in the cart to remove it to a parking area. Two huge slabs of the obsidian colored glass parted in virtual silence, a breath of cool air washing out over the trio.

  While the grounds outside looked imposing, it paled in comparison to the main lobby of the pyramid. Instead of the black and grey that predominated the exterior, the interior was full of greens and browns. The flooring, what Sofiya thought at first to be ceramic tile turned out to be some form of resin casting. She learned this as the dress shoes that both men accompanying her hit the tiles with a muffled sound as opposed to the crisp clicks from outside.

  The lobby was divided into small nooks that while open gave a sense of seclusion as low boxes filled with ferns and tall grasses provided dividers. What was most astounding, though, were the plants that sat in encapsulated nooks that were quite obviously not native to Earth. There were small trees, shrubs, flowers and vines of extraterrestrial origin that were exotic beyond imagining and in colors that went against everything Sofiya was familiar with.

  One vine was red with indigo colored leaves and vibrant orange flowers. A small bush in grey with huge blossoms of magenta rested in one cell, the flowers actually moving to follow the slowly revolving sunlamp above it. There were other things that the Fur couldn’t even put a name to in all the colors of the rainbow, though each one was hauntingly familiar and identifiable as either grass, shrub, tree or flower.

  In the center of the lobby was a bronze fountain and statue combination. The statue was one each of the four furman types. The Canis, Felis, Ursis and Vulps faced inward with their right arms lifted, their extended fingers stretched forth and supporting a globe that was obviously Earth. It was no secret that Asmundr Gustavsson saw the Furs as the potential salvation of the planet, and the statue only confirmed this. From a shallow bowl beneath the different paw-like hands and globe flowed a shimmering curtain of water to splash musically at the bottom of the fountain.

  A circular reception desk sat past the statue and fountain combination, staffed with both men and women in the AHCP uniforms. A young man with black hair smiled and stood as the two men and Vulps female drew near. “Mister Gustavsson is ready for you,” he told the small entourage in crisp English. “If you’ll follow me, please?”

  The Director nodded and led Sofiya along behind the staffer to a secluded elevator that was made of one-way glass and vanished into the ceiling almost fifty feet above. Still overwhelmed by the headquarters complex and wonders of the inside of the main lobby, Sofiya followed mutely, though she did notice that the elevator, while it didn’t start counting floors until they reached the ceiling level, went farther up than she’d thought. Apparently there were twenty eight levels to the pyramid, most of the floors visible through the doors. Many of the hallways she saw looked like offices, though some of the floors were obviously large labs that even had a few Furs helping out with different projects.

  When the doors finally opened on the twenty fourth floor, the young man gestured for the group to exit, riding the lift back down once the doors closed. The vixen again found herself staring at the room around her. While the center was dominated by a large table surfaced in a mosaic of bright hued exotic looking woods, the walls were decorated with images, both two and three dimensional, of alien vistas and landscapes. These were obviously from worlds where Furs like herself had gone as advance scouts and explorers. The images were just as astounding as the enclosed alien plants and even other displays of what appeared to be insects and various life forms between them.

  An older human rose from his seat as the trio made their way into the large space, and stood before a large window that looked out over the complex grounds, a warm and inviting smile on his face. Asmundr was taller than Sofiya had thought, easily six feet, and looked just as approachable and confident as he did in all of the pictures that she’d seen of the man. He held out his hand once he drew close enough.

  “And this must be Sofiya Talova,” the head of the AHCP said pleasantly. “It’s quite the pleasure to meet you.” He took her hand in a firm, but comfortable grip.

  For her part, Sofiya was completely caught off guard by being in the presence of the icon. Gustavsson was a brilliant scientist, to be sure, but his true genius was using his knowledge with foresight, intuition and a vision of a better future to turn it into a multi-billion dollar business. That he had some of the most talented geneticists, mechanical engineers, as much collective brain power as Oxford, MIT and CalTech combined, plus a bevy of other professions to call upon was staggering.

  “It is truly an honor, Sir,” the Fur replied softly.

  Asmundr chuckled, the sound coming easily from the man. “No. Just Asmundr, please. We still have a few minutes before supper. May I interest you in a drink?”

  Sofiya was hesitant before answering. “A tonic water with twist of lime, if I may.”

  The Anthro Human Colonization Project President nodded. “Dimitri? Would you mind getting Miss Talova her drink? I’d like to chat with her before we eat.” He turned to look at the vixen. “I’ve never cared for lengthy or heavy discussions during a meal. It throws everything off and when the subject is fascinating, the food gets cold as the conversation warms!”

  Acquiescing, Sofiya let the man lead her to a series of low, comfortable chairs near the window, sitting as ladylike as possible, something she hadn’t really done for quite some time. Keeping her knees together, she draped her long, full tail over her thighs and paid attention to Gustavsson. She thanked the Greek as he handed her a glass, fortunately it was one of the wide tumblers that would allow her to lap without sloshing the contents too badly.

  Of course, lapping at the tonic water in front of Asmundr was a rather embarrassing prospect, one that the human was able to tell was causing her a moment of consternation.

  “Sofiya, I think that I have seen enough Furs at their best and worse not to be dismayed by anything you do,” Gustavsson told her with another easy smile. “I remember back when we had our first Class of Furs come through…of course much of the complex was still under construction and the actual Institute grounds were a few years down the road. I decided to throw a simple dinner party for them once they came out of the floatation tanks. You were sent to Sebra Space Station instead, and unfamiliar with the waking process. To have sixteen nearly fully formed Furs all waking at once was quite the sight. And all of them were ravenous!

“After so long without solid food, it was astonishing to see them eat! Fortunately I was familiar with the dietary changes they’d all gone through, and it did me good to see that my efforts for a good supper were appreciated. So have no fear about offending me. You’ll find I’m made of far sterner stuff than most!”

  The vixen smiled in gratitude. Like so many others, with her new facial configuration, it was impossible to be dainty with certain things. Though still a little self conscious, she drank from the straw the Doctor had added to her drink. It was a little embarrassing to have to drink like a child, though none of the men in the room paid it any mind.

  Asmundr crossed one leg over the other, a glass of red wine in hand and draped an arm over the back of his chair. “I’m sure that you are feeling a little confusion at being selected for the position of colony leader, and the decision to resettle Bastien. I wanted to talk to you about this, but I also wanted to meet you. I’m asking you and the other Vulps to undertake a challenge that many others would walk away from, and I wanted you to know that if we had any doubts about your safety in regards to what happened to the Felis contingent, we wouldn’t be sending another group back out.”

  Sofiya nodded. “Doctor Kavalos has assured me that what happened with the Felis will not happen to myself or the other Vulps. I know that the Doctor cares about us very much, and that he would not lie.” She dropped her head before looking up and fixing Asmundr Gustavsson with her yellow-green eyes. “Though I do not know if I am the leader that you need for this.”

  “Maybe not yet,” Gustavsson told the vixen with a grin. “That’s why you will be focusing most of your study time on the leadership training we provide. As you’ll be going to Bastien, your other studies will be specifically directed at the information that has been gathered on that world by the previous colony.” He took a sip of his wine after gently swirling the contents around in the glass. “I would like to make the announcement at the beginning of October about the mission. At the same time you and the other Vulps here will be flying to America and one of the new training centers that are being constructed around the world for more in depth colony preparation.”

  “America?” Sofiya asked with surprise.

  Asmundr nodded. “Budgetary increases have enabled us to secure several sites around the globe for training facilities. These regions are rather remote, which makes them perfect to set up colony simulations in conditions that are similar to a number of worlds. While they will only be simulations, they will enable more in depth immersion into the type of situation that you will find yourselves in. As such, the Olympic peninsula of Washington State in the U.S. has a very similar climate to the colony site on Bastien. Not to mention the United States has a number of convenient launch facilities when it comes time for your group to head to Sebra for final departure.

— NEXT CHAPTER —

Unless otherwise noted, all material © Ted R. Blasingame. All rights reserved.