Zero Sum Game (19 page)

"Stay out of Fujiya's way," she said.

"Will do." He tapped his jacket above the front pocket then pointed to her. "What's his name?"

"Voice," Hina said, "because he's a voice in my head."

It made sense to Ozaki now. At the port, Hina hadn't said, "I know that voice." She had said, "I know that, Voice." He smiled at her. "Not very original," he said.

Her eyes took on that brief faraway gaze. "Shut up, Voice," she said.

Ozaki recalled what had happened in his English class, the perfect pronunciation and the lack of an accent when Hina had read the passage from the book. She'd had some help. "Takamachi-san, you have to be responsible. This suit, Voice, is powerful. You need to use him with caution."

"He can't control me," she said.

Ozaki shook his head. "Not that, it's not what I meant.
You
have to be careful. You can't use his abilities to pass the English test or get perfect scores in math. Or let him do your homework for you."

"I had never thought about that. He did help me but…" She trailed off.

"It wouldn't be fair to everyone else. They don't have the advantage you have. Besides, it would raise suspicions if you are suddenly getting perfect marks on all of your assignments. What about gym class?"

"He can't help me. Voice is only my uniform, I can't wear it during PE or anything like that. "

"That's good," Ozaki said. "You'll have to practice hard next week for the sports festival like everyone else. Do you understand?"

Her shoulders slumped, a pained expression on her face. "You mean I have to do all my homework as usual and study and all that? Seriously?"

Ozaki smiled. He stood, Hina following suit. "I have to go," he said. "Remember what I said. And if you ever need to talk, about anything, feel free. You can find me in the staff room. You know that."

Hina nodded and bowed. "Thanks for…believing me."

He shrugged. "You had strong evidence." He mentally winced at his choice of words.
No pun intended,
he thought.

Hina smiled. "You're…easy to talk to."

He thought it was his training at the butler cafe where he had spent hours a day listening to women talk to him about a myriad of topics. Butler cafes weren't therapy, but the illusion they offered for a bit of time seemed to help their customers. He often had people complain about their jobs, husbands, kids, or whatever else they had on their minds. He couldn't sit with them of course, as he had other customers to serve, but as he made his rounds he always stayed at a customer's table for a few minutes and they often unloaded their problems on him. They weren't expecting him to solve their worries, but they were happy to have an ear that was listening.

Ozaki bowed to Hina and said, "See you in class. Take care." Hina bowed in return, and he left Shukkei Park.

CHAPTER 17

Shimizu didn't breeze past the security at the gate and the front entrance of the research facility, he blew through like a typhoon barreling across the land. His quick and heavy steps made sure no one interrupted his journey. He stalked down the central hallway of AHI's main research building. He was nervous, and it was a feeling he didn't like.

The facility had three buildings nestled close together on a small patch of land on the outskirts of Hiroshima. When Shimizu had first met Amano, the facility hadn't existed. After a couple of years and billions of yen in profits, Shimizu had suggested its construction although he had talked to Amano about it after the approval for its construction had already been authorized; by himself in actuality, and by Amano according to the paperwork.

It had been Shimizu who had approved of the design of the facility and every piece of equipment in it. This was the most important set of buildings in all of AHI. Here the catoms needed for terraforming were designed, tested, and built. He couldn't supply the researchers with all of the information about catoms and their construction; to do so would raise too much suspicion. It was also impossible for him to make them himself. The resources to do so couldn't fit on his craft. While there were resources on the ark, they were being regulated to keeping the populace alive. That left the Noigel with the final alternative: use the native technologies of a planet, supplemented with Noigel knowledge, to build the catoms.

At a plain door, Shimizu swiped his security card and entered a small anteroom decorated in warm colors. Opposite from him was the door to one of the main labs. A desk sat on each side of the room, both topped with a computer and stacks of papers, folders, and writing supplies.

Only one of the assigned scientists was in the room. She stood at the corner of her desk, shuffling through a thick folder stuffed with papers. "Shimizu-san." She tried to straighten her pants suit. Almost no one at the facility wore lab coats or other "scientist apparel." The rules of fashion were somewhat strict, but as long as people operated within those rules, they were free to wear what they wanted. Her name tag identified her as Dr. Koda.

"Amano-san hasn't arrived yet," the woman said. "We're about to start the test, and if you'd like to wait-"

"Are those the results of the simulations?" He flicked his eyes to the folder in her hand. She nodded and Shimizu snatched it from her. He scanned the complex data, flipping through the pages in a rush. Everything seemed in order, and it increased his nervousness. Today was one of the most important steps in his journey to terraform the planet, and it would be decided in the room beyond. His nervousness didn't stem from fear of failure, but being so close to success. He couldn't explain it, but something in his gut told him the catoms would work. He wondered, was knowing this was the last chance to succeed making him see success where there would be none? He didn't think so. This would work. He could feel his heart beating faster as he read the data charts in his hands. Everything indicated today's test would be successful.

Koda fluttered her hands in front of her stomach. "The simulations came back positive. I would be happy to summarize the results." She nodded at the folder. "I don't think you'll understand—"

Shimizu snapped the folder shut. He grabbed her around the neck in one hand and pushed her backwards until she slammed against the wall behind her desk. In an effortless motion, he lifted her up, holding her by the throat. She dug her fingers into his grip but couldn't break free. Shimizu clenched his teeth and his words hissed out from him. "Don't presume to tell me what you think I will or won't understand. I know more about planetary geology and nanotechnology than everyone else in this facility combined. I don't need a little fish like you to tell me it's too difficult to understand."

Koda gasped and twisted her head to get air. It amazed Shimizu how easy he could hold her aloft. He could break her neck with a squeeze. The same hand that could stroke her hair could now either permanently injure or kill this woman. He wondered which would be worse for her: never speaking again or being paralyzed from the neck down.

He couldn't maim or kill at the moment, and that angered him more. He reeled it in. His anger balked like an untamed horse who didn't want to be put back into the barn. But he managed. He let go of Koda and she dropped to the floor, coughing and rubbing her throat. Shimizu saw red marks forming on her neck. He stepped back and held out a hand towards the door of the lab, like a gentleman at a restaurant entrance. "After you," he said, his voice the icy opposite of the burning anger it had been a moment ago.

Koda, fear in her eyes, gathered her folder against her chest. She took out her card key and swiped it across the sensor. The access panel beeped. Deep within the door, bolts made a dull thunk as they unlocked.

Harsh fluorescent lighting washed the lab. It gave everyone a pale pallor, and Shimizu noticed the red marks on Koda's neck were washed out but not gone. The entire room was metal and painted a stark white with a large table set in the middle. On it sat a large glass container, filled a quarter of the way with dirt and tiny plants. A tall lamp pointed towards the container. The tank's clear lid was propped against the backside.

Two other scientists were present: one man and one woman. Koda put as much distance as she could between herself and Shimizu. The other two people didn't notice, but Shimizu did and he smiled at her. She rubbed her neck and brought the collar of her coat up higher, holding it closed at the base of her neck.

"Shimizu-san," the man said. Both scientists bowed. He returned it. Shimizu recognized Doctor Kanemoto, the head scientist of the project. The woman introduced herself as Doctor Iue.

Shimizu gestured to the tank holding the miniature landscape. "Is this it?" He bent down and peered through the clear glass.

Kanemoto nodded, a smile on his face. "Yes, sir."

This is what Shimizu had come to see: a small, half meter by one meter tank filled with dirt and plants. But if the simulations were correct, which, according to Doctor Koda, they were—and he flicked his eyes towards Koda, enjoying watching her pull her coat tighter around herself as he gazed at her—then this tank was about to make history.

The door opened and Amano stepped through. He greeted the other two scientists and they exchanged quick employer/employee pleasantries. Shimizu resumed his viewing of the tank while Amano asked, "Are they in there?"

Kanemoto and Iue looked at Koda, who glanced at Shimizu. "Not yet," she answered. She pointed to a small apparatus above the tank. It looked like a futuristic cannon, smooth and round, attached to a swivel that connected to a thin rod mounted into the ceiling. Two small handles were attached to the bulbous end of the cannon, making it easy to point it at any spot in the room.

"We'll transfer the catoms from Lab One with this injector," Koda said. "Then we'll attach the top and seal it. With the catoms being so small, carrying them from the manufacturing lab is too risky. If their container broke, they would be impossible to detect. The catoms will instead be transferred through the building via the injector."

The device had been Shimizu's idea. He didn't trust the fish with their butterfingers.

Iue patted the lamp on the table. "This special lamp will simulate our sun. We'll have to shut down most of the equipment here to make sure there is no interference from outside sources. If you have cell phones, we would appreciate it if you would switch them off now."

The two men complied. Only the lamp, computers, and sensors would be in operation, along with the cannon.

A small intercom buzzed on the far side of the room, and Kanemoto answered it. After a brief conversation, he disconnected. Shimizu smiled because he had heard the entire conversation. It had been Lab One, confirming all was green across the board on their end.

Kanemoto said, "We're ready." He, Iue, and Koda deactivated all of the non-vital equipment, then turned off the lights. The glow of the computer monitors provided dim illumination. But Shimizu could see everything.

"I'm about to turn on the lamp," announced Iue. "Please don't let it surprise you. It will be quite bright." She reached into her coat pocket and clicked a remote button. Everyone except Shimizu turned away at the sudden light. The bright lamp didn't spread its light far, it was focused on the tank. Darkness still enveloped most of the room.

When their eyesight adjusted, they turned their attention to the tank. Koda replaced her bulging folder with a slim clipboard, and Kanemoto stood on the other side of the tank by the glass top. He pulled on a pair of safety gloves and grabbed the edges of the lid while Iue took her place near the injector. She rested one hand against the rounded surface.

"Releasing the catoms in three…two…one…now." She pressed a small button on a panel and the device flashed green. Kanemoto put the lid on the tank, pushing it down into its track to make sure it sealed. The two scientists hurried to the computer stations.

Nothing happened. The five people in the room stared at the dirt and plants lit by the bright lamp. Shimizu knew the transformation wasn't instantaneous, he had to wait. He smiled his shark-like smile and waited. With his enhanced senses he noticed the changes before the others. His heartbeat increased in anticipation.

The dirt moved and buckled, like a giant worm was working its way beneath the surface. The churning became more pronounced, then the dirt exploded upwards like magma spewed from a volcano. It settled, but the once flat surface was now broken into small hills and mounds. Bright bits sparkled, like quartz reflecting light, although there had been nothing reflective in the tank. Small wisps of gray vapor appeared and filled the tank. The seal of the lid held and none of the vapor escaped. Shimizu could tell it had taken on an almost imperceptible purple hue. With his enhanced vision, he could also detect the slight silvery coloring of the terraformed dirt.

Like the simulations had predicted.

After several more minutes, Kanemoto called the experiment to an end and brought the computers and overhead lights to life. The smoke vanished under the harsh lights, but the dirt had taken on a more silver-like hue than before. The plants were brown and gray. Dead.

The three scientists studied the findings on the computer monitors. After several more moments, they faced the two men. If Kanemoto's smile grew any larger, his head would split in half. "It worked," he announced, breathless, as if he had finished a hundred meter dash. "All the predictions came true."

Iue smiled as well. "Every reaction was textbook perfect."

The three scientists looked at each other, then started to cheer, soft at first then louder and louder. After their impromptu celebration, they turned their attention to the data on the computer screens.

As the three scientists studied their findings, Shimizu walked to the tank and bent eye level with the dirt and rocks. He increased his eyesight and detected the colors of Noigel. If a human had visited his homeworld, they would have seen a sky tinged purple, with a slight haze over everything. The ground would have been a dull silver instead of brown, and the plants would have been colors and shapes they had never seen. He saw that now, except for the plants. The terraforming wouldn't transform most of the Earth's plants, but there would be enough Noigel-breathable air for him and Fujiya to survive until the ark came and transplanted the necessary flora and crops. Soon the planet would be teeming with life again.