Escape into the Unknown
Chapter 4
By NostalgieMalaak
Notes: a little AU but follows AC timeline. Takes place in AC 110. I kept thinking what it must have taken for a family, more specifically the Winner family, to give up living on the Earth and move into space when the colonies were first being constructed.
Summary: AC 110. The civil wars in the Middle East have left many searching for a new home including one family that will begin a dynasty of historic proportions.
Zamir Fayiz fairly bounced through the spaceport until he reached a spacious vehicle. He slung their suitcases into the trunk as though they weighed nothing and then gently set Hala down on the sidewalk so he could swing open the car doors.
"Everybody in!"
With a nod to his personal driver the electric car started up with a whisper of sound and soon they were speeding through the streets of the colony.
Zamir smiled at Abdullah's expression as he took everything in. Far from being the sterile environment Abdullah was expecting the colony was flourishing with life. Everywhere he looked there were parks with grass and even a few small trees. There was more greenery here in space than in his hometown on earth! Small, whitewashed houses dotted the landscape, each complete with its own yard and garden. Even the light was gentler than he had imagined. Although the light was artificial it was diffused and subtle enough that it gave the impression of being outside during an early summer evening.
Abdullah reluctantly turned away from the window to listen to what Zamir was saying.
"You'll be free to choose where you would like to live, of course. All colonists are given their own home and property. That's the upside. The downside is you'll have to remember which house is yours because they all look the same! Each house was built with one of three different designs. People are free to paint them and add whatever personal touches they choose, but it can't really change the fact that you could be inside your neighbor's house and forget that you don't live there yourself!
"The other option, if you'd rather, is to live with me and my family. Our property is…unique to say the least. We have plenty of room and I know that Marie would be more than happy to have more little ones running around. But, there's no need to decide right away. Just so that you know that you are always welcome in our house."
Abdullah nodded his thanks, his throat tight with the magnitude of the big man's generosity. Welcoming a guest into one's home was only right and proper, but to offer to let them live there? That was too kind. Abdullah had never even felt that kind of welcome in his parent's home on earth.
"If you look up now you'll see the house coming into view," Zamir said, pointing at the wall of the colony.
At first Abdullah thought that he was looking at some sort of strange vertical park or hanging garden. Flowers, vines, and small trees and bushes clung to the railings and balconies of one of the most impressive structures he had ever seen. The house was set into the very wall of the colony and stretched from the ground up thirteen, maybe fourteen stories. It was hard to tell how many exactly because the balconies and clinging gardens were set at irregular intervals. There appeared to be pathways and steps snaking up through each level, winding along both the inside and outside wall of the house.
"Wow!" Sani squealed. "It's beautiful!"
"Wait until you see the inside!" Zamir laughed.
Hala was trying to climb over Abdullah's lap and over the seats of the car so that she could see the home better. Abdullah gently pulled her into his lap where she whined at not being able to see.
"Hush now, you'll see it in a moment," he chided.
The car rolled though an ornate gate that Abdullah noticed was controlled by a guard in a small hut just inside the property. The grounds surrounding the home weren't large, but that was to be expected, as it appeared that most of the gardens were built as part of the tall house.
"My great grandfather built this house. My side of the family has been living here since the very beginning of this colony's creation. We even helped build most of it ourselves! Great Grandfather got the idea to build the house this way from the vertical farms. There isn't enough room on the colony to have big spread out farms, so we farm upward instead of sideways! I'll take you on a tour of the farm buildings some day, they're incredible! But, I was talking about the house. There are fourteen stories, ten gardens fed by one continuous waterfall, over 70 rooms, and even an arboretum. Our family has never been afraid of a little engineering challenge!" Zamir beamed upward at his family's creation before motioning his relatives though the colorful Moroccan style front door.
Abdullah stopped and stared up and up and up into the house. All of the rooms of the house were built around a central courtyard that extended all the way to the very top. Each floor had a wraparound balcony that looked down into the main courtyard and the fountain burbling at its center. Latticework and beautiful iron-wrought railings lined the edges of each balcony. A large sandstone staircase connected each floor and Abdullah imagined that these Fayizes must have been in excellent shape to walk up so many flights of steps.
"I'll take you through the house a little later. Now though, I imagine you're all quite hungry and tired."
"And dizzy," Sani mumbled.
"Marie will have something to help with that," Zamir said kindly. "If you'll follow me!"
Zamir led the four past the great courtyard to the very back of the house where a cleverly concealed elevator waited to carry them up. They got out on the fifth floor and were immediately greeted with the smell of something delicious cooking.
"Marie? Marie, where are you my girl?" Zamir boomed.
"I'm here, you silly man!" Marie was a broad woman with a kind face. Her most astonishing feature were her eyes, a brown so dark they almost appeared black. They were alight with good humor as she gave her husband a peck on the cheek. She turned to greet her new guests, giving each of the children a warm hug.
"Dinner will be ready in no time. Why don't you just go wash up? The bathroom is right through there," she said pointing across the room.
The dinning room was as elegant as the rest of the house. It was a big room facing out into the colony. Pillows and short couches gave the room a relaxed and comfortable look. Several doors had been propped open and peering though one Abdullah saw that they led out onto one of the outer balconies. The smell of growing herbs mingled pleasantly with whatever Marie was cooking off to the side in the kitchen.
Abdullah took his children back to the washroom. Just the act of splashing cool water on his face and hands was refreshing. He was looking forward to when he would be able to take a shower.
The noise level in the dinning room rose appreciably and Abdullah walked out to investigate. His children were shyly being introduced to Marie and Zamir's children. The children were just as exuberant and boisterous as their parents. They asked so many questions that Sani and Hala looked overwhelmed at having to answer them all.
Marie came to their rescue and told the children to sit down and prepare to eat. Zamir beckoned Abdullah to sit beside him and the two men watched the antics of Zamir's six children and Abdullah's three trying to sort out the seating arrangements. All of Zamir's children wanted to seat by one of their new "cousins."
"You have a wonderful family here, Zamir," Abdullah remarked.
"They're a handful, that's for sure! Can't hardly keep up with them all. Doesn't help that they're all smarter than me," he said with a grin.
"Then they're….they're…"
"Test tube babies? Yep, every one. I wasn't going to risk Marie. Her family has been here almost as long as mine so that means the only way to have them is through artificial means. Doesn't really make much difference though. They're a little smarter and a little healthier, but that's about it."
"Were you a test tube baby as well?" Abdullah asked. It was curious that the big man didn't seem offended at his questions.
"Yes and Marie as well. Most of the colonists that were born here are. There are a few exceptions of course, mothers who couldn't bear the thought of not carrying their own child. Most of them…don't make it. Most of their children don't either. It's a hard thing. Besides, with all the breakthroughs in artificial conception, who would want to do it that way? My kids are smarter than I'll ever be, and their kids will probably be smarter than them. That's just the way it is."
Abdullah would have kept questioning the man but just then the food was brought in. Marie had obviously put a lot of time and effort into the meal because the diversity of dishes was astounding. There were traditional Middle Eastern dishes but also food from many different cultures.
Abdullah asked Marie where all of the recipes had come from. She laughed and explained that the colonies were a melting pot of cultures. Even though each colony had a predominant ethnic group there were many other cultures and ethnicities mixed in. All of the colonies traded with one another and so it was just as likely for there to be Japanese and American dishes on the table as Middle Eastern. The culture of L1, which was predominately Japanese, had especially flourished in the colonies. The Japanese language had become the common one for all the people living in space.
"Hala, Sani and Qadir will take Japanese when they start school. We place a lot of emphasis on being able to communicate with one another. That's how we've all been able to maintain peaceful relations, through communication and respect," Zamir explained.
"Will they be able to continue most of their classes here?" Abdullah asked.
"Most likely. English and French are also taught in school. They'll take art, history, and literature classes as well. Due to the nature of the work we do on the colony we put a lot of emphasis on math and science. Most of the colonists are scientists, engineers, and laborers. Of course, we still need the liberal arts, but because our population is so small, everyone is required to be able to do some construction."
"You're constantly building then?"
"Yes. There are always more colonies to be built, especially as more and more people immigrate here. Has the Earth truly become that dangerous?"
"Yes," Abdullah sighed sadly, "It is not only dangerous but also difficult to find work. The Earth is simply overpopulated. There aren't enough jobs so the young men turn against a government that won't help them and join up with fanatical groups who do promise help. It has led to a drastic escalation in violence. There are so many people who have nothing to focus on but their anger. But tell me, how is it that your family was able to build such a magnificent home? What role does your family play exactly?"
"My great grandfather was related to royalty in the Middle East and his family had been vastly successful during the oil boom-"
"You're descended from Nasser al-Fayiz then?"
"Yes, that's right. He used the family's wealth to establish himself here in space and build this home. He used the rest of his money to fund the construction of the colony. At first he was simply a benefactor but as time went on many people began coming to him for leadership and guidance. The colonies have their own government system, but the amount of money he was putting into the colony insured that he always had a say in any major decisions.
"Now we own the largest construction company in L4. Most of the money it generates is reinvested into the colony and its people. Our purpose, I suppose you could say is to support the spirit of such people who would risk everything to come here. We look out for the wellbeing of all the colonists in this colony cluster."
"That sounds very noble," Abdullah said judiciously.
"Hah, well, I'm not sure it's exactly what Great Grandfather intended. I think he just wanted to be left alone so he went as far away from people as he possibly could! But supporting the people has become central to what we do here. You should see all the amazing things technology has been able to accomplish! Soon, the Earth won't even be able to compete with us. It will be like they're stuck in the Stone Age." Zamir laughed and dug into his meal.
Despite his exhaustion Abdullah wasn't able to fall asleep right away. So much had happened and his mind was still buzzing with all the information. The warmth of Zamir's family brought a smile to his lips. Sani had already made friends with one of Zamir's daughters and had begged her father to let them stay. It was true enough that the mansion had room for them all. Ten families could have lived there comfortably.
Abdullah too had already come to think of Zamir as a friend and hoped that his offer still stood. If only for the sake of the children. Abdullah had done his best with them, but he was a poor substitute for his loving wife. He knew his children missed her terribly but perhaps they could find a similar relationship with Marie.
Maybe if they stayed in such a comfortable and welcoming environment Qadir would be able to find himself. Zamir's eldest child, a daughter, was Qadir's age and had been stealing looks at the boy all during dinner. A friend was just what Qadir needed.
Zamir had promised Abdullah a tour of the colony in the morning. With an exasperated huff he rolled over in the luxurious bed and willed himself to sleep.
Maya cautiously opened the door to her room and peaked out into the hallway. Soft yellow light from the study across the hall spilled over her bare toes and she pulled the door almost all the way closed. Pressing her face against the crack in the door she watched for several tense seconds, waiting to be discovered. At last she let out the breath she hadn't known she was holding and strained to hear if anyone was still up and awake. Satisfied that no one would notice her escape she slipped from her room and ran on tiptoes to the flower room just down the hall.
The flower room was awash in simulated moonlight. She brushed her fingers against the trumpet-like blooms of the Jasmine flowers and paused to sniff the Lily of the Valley blooms before sweeping through the open archway out onto the balcony. With sure feet she hopped up the dark stairs and slopping pathways until she reached the water garden on the ninth floor.
The sleepy koi fish in the pound mouthed the surface of the water at her approach but she didn't have time to stop and feed them. She was on a different mission tonight. The sound of trickling water masked the sound of the inner door catching and scraping on the bamboo floor.
And then she was there. Standing outside her destination. She opened the bedroom door and crept, tense and watchful, over to the bed by the window. The boy was asleep, breathing softly and steadily.
Maya carefully knelt by the bed and watched him.
Qadir. What a strange name.
Her fingers reached up and fluttered on the boy's sleeve. They wandered downward until they were mere millimeters from Qadir's hand…and then she was touching him. Skin to skin.
The swirl of emotions almost made her jerk away. He was in so much pain. Maya forced herself to look closely at the turbulent swarm, feeling her way around the raw ragged edges of his pain. Qadir let out a tiny moan.
Maya snatched her hand back. Again she waited, watching him until his mind drifted deeper into sleep.
The second time was easier. She was able to find her way around most of the pain, to block the overwhelming loss and confusion, until she found his innermost state of being. Maya smiled to herself. She was going to like this boy.
As she was slowly reeling in the wisps of herself, her own emotional consciousness, she felt it. A tiny reaction. An answer to her questioning probe.
Maya looked up and gasped. Qadir stared back at her, his blue-green eyes glowing in the colony light from the window. He smiled. Maya smiled back, grateful that he wasn't angry. Qadir tapped the side of his head with a finger and looked at Maya questioningly. She smirked back and tapped her own head.
Using the bed as leverage Maya stood up and winced as she felt the blood come back into her legs. She rubbed them with her hands and when the pins and needles sensation faded she flounced to the bedroom door. Qadir sat up in bed and raised an eyebrow.
Maya smiled and stuck her tongue out at him. With a parting wave she closed the door behind her and raced back to her own room, Qadir's amusement following her all the way down.
Tbc