Saven Deception (5 page)

“That’s because you’ve never seen anyone
as hot as him before.” She twists onto her back.

“I can’t deny that. He’s totally gorgeous,
isn’t he?”

“Hells, yeah. I’m hoping he has a clone
because I’d so like me a piece of that.” She stares off into space.

 I wonder exactly what’s going through her
mind. I swat her with my pillow and she shrieks. “What was that for?”

“I was trying to knock those dirty
thoughts out of your head.” She chuckles darkly and I know I’ve hit my mark.
“You know I don’t have any claim on him, and it’s not like he’s into me or
anything, so if you want a piece of
that
”—I waggle my fingers in the air—“you
can have at him.” Even as the words leave my mouth, I wish to reclaim them,
though I’ve no idea why.

“Delusional as well as innocent,” Jenna
mutters.

“I am not,” I protest.

“I saw the way he looked at you. He’s
interested, believe me. I actually can’t believe you’re so inexperienced. If
you lived in my Sector, the guys would be tripping over themselves to date
you.”

Nothing in her look tells me she’s toying
with me. I stare at her as if she has drunk ten beers and can’t see straight.
“Now who’s being delusional?”

“Sorry, hon, that’s totally your cap.
Please don’t pretend like you don’t know how drop dead gorgeous you are. You’ve
got that whole exotic pale gray shimmery eye thing going on, and the male
preoccupation with blondes is well-renowned. And you’re a teeny, tiny thing.
Guys would kill to wrap you up in cotton wool and indulge their inner
protector.”

“I do get asked on dates, but I think it’s
more the ‘freak factor’ than any genuine interest.”

She props up on her elbows. “What?”

“I shouldn’t have admitted that. Forget
it.” I fist my hands distractedly in the comforter.

Jenna stares at me strangely. “Has anyone
told you that you’re a little bit quirky, Sadie?”

I think that’s her roundabout way of
saying I’m weird.

“Sure. I’m told that about twenty times a
day.”

She opens her mouth to say something.

“But I’d rather not talk about that,” I
preempt.

Reaching out, she squeezes my hand. “Well,
I think quirky is good. Quirky is great.” She smiles reassuringly at me and my
heart melts.

It feels insanely good to have a real
friend, someone who actually cares about not hurting my feelings.

Our conversation dries up as the other
girls arrive back in drips and drabs. We both log onto our digipads and
complete the never-ending medical questionnaire.

As I sink into the downy mattress, the
crisp, fresh sheets swathe my skin, and I savor the blissful feeling as I fall
into a deep sleep. I don’t stir once during the night.

***

Entering the cafeteria the next morning, I trail anxiously
behind Jenna, keeping my eyes welded to the floor. I’m purposely not looking
around in case I see
him
again. Jenna stares at me quizzically but
mercifully passes no comment. I scarf down my fruit and toast, as if it’s going
out of fashion, and heckle Jenna until she’s finished so fast she’s developed a
bad case of the hiccups.

We follow the directions on our digipads
to the allocated meeting room. We’ve both been told to report to the same room,
and I’m hoping that means we’ll be assigned to the same unit.

As I push the door open, the hum of
excited chatter reaches my eardrums. This room is a miniature version of the
amphitheater we were in yesterday. Finding an empty row near the front, we
plonk down into two adjoining seats as a tall man with skin the color of rich
toffee enters from a narrow door at the side.

He drags a chair to the front of the
podium and sits down, placing his hands on his knees. He surveys the crowd.
Most of the people in the room have yet to notice him, but as his eyes wander
in our direction, he acknowledges us with a subtle nod of his head.

Gradually, people start to notice him until
everyone has focused their attention and the room is deathly quiet.

“Good morning,” he says in a strong,
commanding voice. “My name is Vin Muller, and I will be your Adaptation Officer
for the entire duration of your stay in Thalassic City.” He stands upright and
clasps his hands in front of his body. The man oozes quiet confidence.

“We will shortly travel to our designated
unit where we’ll remain for the next three weeks. Once we are settled, I’ll
outline the schedule for your acclimatization and explain the process when we
reach Thalassic City. Firstly, I need to communicate a couple of announcements
which the government has this morning advised us of.”

He scans the crowd from left to right
until he’s assured of everyone’s attention. “This is an important new
initiative for our country and one which the government hopes will help manage
the rising overcrowding in the cities. In addition, they hope this will kick-start
a new era of growth and prosperity. The importance of ‘The Experimento’ cannot
be underestimated. You all have a vital role to play.”

We know all this!
I wish he’d get to the point.

He clears his throat. “The government has
decided to create a new project team after ‘The Experimento’ has concluded to
assist new residents with the transition to a life underwater, and to support
the authorities in implementing other proposed initiatives. They have set aside
one hundred positions exclusively for participants of ‘The Experimento.’ This
is your one opportunity to shine, people. Showcase your talent, impress the
authorities, and your life could change forever.”

My foot taps incessantly off the ground, and my wide grin
threatens to split my face. This is all I’d hoped for and more. Vowing to work
hard, I’m determined to make damn sure one of those positions has my name on
it. If the VP were here, I’d slap a sloppy kiss on his face right about now.

Vin is currently facing a mounting barrage
of questions which are thrown at him in rapid-fire succession. “Hold up,” he
pleads, raising his hands in front of him. “One at a time.”

“Can you elaborate on how they’ll select
candidates for these roles?” someone behind me asks.

“I can’t,” Vin replies calmly. “I’ve told
you as much as I know.”

“Can you offer any advice on how to
impress the authorities?” a girl to my right asks.

“Whatever you end up doing in Thalassic
City, give it one hundred percent. Work hard and excel. Attend promptly and
completely to any tasks asked of you. In other words, make a
good
impression. Feedback reports will be submitted by superiors, and these will
undoubtedly form a part of any recruitment decision. There are cameras all over
the city monitoring progress, so remember to always be on your best behavior.”

 “Will there be cameras in our homes?”
Jenna asks, a layer of unease in her tone.

“I doubt they’ll be that intrusive. The
cameras are primarily there for security purposes. The intent isn’t
voyeuristic.” A small smile tugs up the corners of his mouth. “Rest assured,
I’ll identify as much as I can in the coming days, and I’ll share that
knowledge with you then. For now, we need to head out.”

We follow Vin in single file out into the
elevator and assemble in the main lobby. Once everyone is accounted for, Vin
gathers us into a circle around him. “First things first. Everyone is required
to attend a medical exam with one of our physicians. They have reviewed the
medical questionnaires, which you submitted last night. Provided you receive
clearance to progress”—worried looks are exchanged which Vin ignores—“you’ll
then undergo standard sanitization. Thereafter, we’ll journey to our new
temporary home. Any questions?”

After a minute of silence, he directs us
to a seated area off to the left. We all sit down and wait to be called.

I’m one of the first to be summoned for
medical examination. The female doctor greets me pleasantly and processes me
quickly. My entire body is scanned to ensure I’m free from underlying illness
or hidden injury. Afterward, she takes blood and runs a battery of other tests.
Her facial expression never changes as she taps away on her digipad, and I’ve
no idea if I’m flunking or not. I’m sick at the prospect of being kicked out
before I’ve even sampled a different life.

The doctor secures a small circular black
disc to my inner left wrist. No explanation is offered up and I dare not ask. I
quell my rising nausea.

“Follow me, Ms. Owens,” she says, striding
briskly toward the door.

We step out into a white-walled corridor.
At the end of the passageway, she stops in front of silver double doors and
scans her wrist at the keypad on the wall. “This is the sanitization area. The
nurse will explain the procedure.”

The doors glide open and she walks away.

I step into the room and give my details
to the nurse. She explains about the sanitizing procedure and leads me to one
of the chambers. Once she has set the timer, I hop in and stand motionless as
the unit moves through the various sequences. After I’m cleaned, a fine layer
of sanitizing spray coats my skin from head to toe. When it’s sunk into my
skin, the door unlocks automatically and I get out.

***

I’ve dried my hair and now I’m dressed in the short-sleeved
white shirt, black cargo pants, and black sneakers that were left out for me.

Scouring the space in front of me, I try
to get a fix on Jenna. Her dry laugh rings out as she saunters through the room
as naked as the day she was born. She’s chatting to another girl as if it’s
nothing out of the ordinary.

Focusing on her face, I raise my hand and
catch her attention. She waggles her fingers as she makes a beeline for me,
snatching a towel from an overhead cabinet on her way. I’m in awe of her
confidence and her zest for life. I wish I could throw off my inhibitions as
easily, but it’s baby steps for me.

She plonks down on the bench beside me.
“So, we both made it.” She elbows me jovially in the ribs. Her impressive boobs
are at my eye level, and it’s impossible not to look.

“I’ve got it going on, huh?” she says,
pouting seductively.

I crack out a grin. I’ve never met anyone
like Jenna before. She’s a welcome breath of fresh air, a glimmer of light
amidst the darkness. The more time I spend in her company, the more I seem to
relax. I fervently hope we get to stay together for the duration of “The
Experimento.”

***

Ten minutes later, we’re standing in the corridor with the
rest of our group waiting for Vin to make a move. “Right, gang,” he says
decisively. “We’re up. Enjoy your last few minutes of fresh air. Follow me.”

I squeeze into the first elevator with
Jenna and we travel deep into the building. As the door glides open, I step out
on wobbly limbs. We are far underground and the air is frigid. I shiver.

Vin tries to hide his grin as he surveys
the disorientated faces in front of him. Once our entire group is lined up, he
escorts us down the length of the corridor, through one set of metallic double
doors, and out into a seemingly never-ending passageway. A heavy concrete wall
spans the corridor on my right, and on my left is a succession of numbered
entrances with wide, white-painted corrugated steel shutters. Each shutter is
numbered in big, bold, red lettering.

Rounding a corner at the end, we progress
another hundred yards before stopping. “This is us,” he simply states. He
inserts a code in the wall-mounted keypad, and the creaky steel shutter slowly
rises.

My breath hitches as I wait to catch a
first glimpse of our new home.

My feet squelch on the tiled floor as I
follow Vin into an empty, square room with a thick, frosted glass wall at the
far end. Jenna and I exchange excited looks.

Vin presses a red button on the wall. A
tinny clanging sound rings out as the shutter seals into place, confining us.
“Welcome to our Mock-Up Facility.”

The glass doors glide open revealing a
spacious, lavishly furnished living room. Ten large tan leather couches line
the perimeter of the room, and a myriad of brightly colored beanbags are
scattered across the white tiled floor. Potted plants dot the four corners of
the room, and two massive painted canvases occupy the left wall.

Vin leads us out through a door into a
narrow corridor. Turning right, we enter a large rectangular room with uniform
rows of desks. Digi-pods line the walls on both sides. “This is the training
room,” Vin explains. “You’re required to attend some set presentations to
assist with your preparation, and this room is available to you at all times
should you wish to conduct further studies. Full podcasts and virtual tours of
Thalassic City are available to view twenty-four-seven.”

I resist the urge to squeal with delight.

Coming back out into the corridor, we walk
in the opposite direction, and Vin points out the separate male and female
dorms, compact gym, large kitchen, and dining area.

I trail Jenna into one of the two female
dorms, and we pick adjoining bunks. After dumping our bags, we set out for our
introductory presentation.

A low gurgling sound reverberates all
around us as we walk back down the corridor. When we pass an unexplored room,
my inquisition gets the better of me. “Wait up, Jen.”

Stepping into the spacious room, I release
an awed gasp. A vast curved glass window encases the room at the far side,
looking out into a swirling column of water. A luxurious strip of cushioned
seating lines the base of the window, and it calls out invitingly to me. I
gravitate toward it without thinking.

The water is crystal clear and it dapples
gently, curving and angling gracefully against the window. I’m mesmerized.
Although the Medi-Tech factory laps the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, I’ve never
been to the sea. An extreme craving to dip my fingers in the water seizes hold
of me, and I flatten myself to the glass, as if I can somehow magically
transport myself outside.

“Wow. This is awesome,” Jenna says,
dragging me back into the moment. In a daze, I check out the rest of the space.
Sleek white shelving lines both sides of the room from ceiling to floor,
crammed with row upon row of books. That’s it: I’ve died and gone to heaven.

Ten small tables with accompanying pairs
of chairs occupy the rest of the floor space. The gurgling sound is louder in
here.

“Oh my God, I love it,” I exclaim,
pinching my arm. Yep, definitely real. “I think I’ll be spending a lot of time
in here.”

“Do you think Thalassic City will be like
this?” Jenna looks reflective.

“Maybe, just on a larger scale. Gosh, the
air already feels so dry—can you feel it?” The skin on my face stretches taut
as soon as I express the sentiment.

“Yeah. My nose feels itchy.”

A stunning girl with eyes the color of
emeralds pops her head through the door. “Vin says we’re starting now.” She
flashes a radiant smile and her flowing blonde tresses swish over her
shoulders.

“Okay. Thanks.” I tug Jenna by the elbow
and we make our way to the training room.

Most seats are occupied at this stage, so
Jenna and I are forced to split up. I slip into a seat beside the girl with the
green eyes. She smiles widely and I acknowledge the gesture.

“Okay,” Vin says, resting against the edge
of a desk at the top of the room, “Let’s get started. This room contains vital
information about Thalassic City and the structure for the next six months.
I’ll give you some of the basics, but thereafter, it’s up to you to conduct
your own research. My job is to act as a guide during ‘The Experimento’ so come
and talk to me whenever you have questions, and seek out my support in whatever
way you need it. I want to make this transition as easy as possible for you
all.” His warm brown eyes glisten with sincerity. He pulls himself up on the
desk and crosses his feet at the ankles.

“One of the biggest challenges you face is
actually adapting to the setting underwater. That’s the primary reason why
we’re in this temporary accommodation. This facility replicates the synthetic
environment you’ll find in Thalassic City. The best government scientists have
worked alongside some of the leading physicians to create a manufactured atmosphere
that is akin to the environment we are used to above ground. However, your
bodies will need a period of adjustment, and you will experience some initial
side effects. It’s hoped that by the time we leave here, you will be accustomed
to the conditions, and it will help you to settle into Thalassic City more
easily.” He pauses briefly and a hand shoots into the air. Vin acknowledges the
good-looking guy with blackish-brown hair.

“What type of side effects are we talking
about?” he asks.

“It’s hard to be specific as it will
differ from person to person. But things like discoloration of skin, headaches,
nausea, difficulty sleeping, and fatigue will most likely be common. Less
common symptoms include pneumonia, hallucinations, seizures, possible anxiety,
and depression.”

I sit up straighter in my chair, not
liking the sound of that.

“Each of you will attend a medical
check-up on a weekly basis to start off with, and thereafter, it will be on a
monthly basis, or as the need arises. Remember, this is a key part of the pilot
program. The government needs to closely monitor individual health to ascertain
if humans can survive and thrive in the artificial environment they’ve created.
That’s why you were all fitted with a medical disc—so any anomalies in your
health are detected and dealt with promptly. Medical teams will monitor your
stats on a daily basis. I can assure you that you’re in the safest hands.”

Unconsciously running the tip of my finger
over the cool black disc secured to my left wrist, I’m slightly more assured. Although,
the government should’ve put this in the public domain
before
people
volunteered. We’ve all walked into this blindfolded. Not that it would’ve made
the slightest difference to me, I concede. I’d have signed up irrespective of
the side effects such was my desperation to escape the depression of my life.

“You are also required to keep a weekly
video log, a ‘journal’ of sorts, documenting your progress during ‘The
Experimento.’ I’m not sure how the government intends to use this information
besides collating research to feed into the overall outcome of the project.”

A few quiet groans echo around the room
and Vin laughs quietly. “Any other questions?” His eyes dart around the room.

“What jobs will we be performing in
Thalassic City? Is it tied to the work we do now?” Jenna speaks up.

“Excellent question, Ms.?” He raises a
brow.