__________________
The red-haired boomer stood in front of the Chairman.
"Quincey."
The Chairman was shocked. How dare she call him 'Quincey?' This term was never applied to him, especially from his boomers, which he fully controlled.
"Quincey." The boomer repeated.
"How...Dare....You...Boomer! No boomer...SHALL...Dare...Insult ME!"
"Quincey...The old fool...Doesn't yet realise his tool is thinking other thoughts..." The boomer continued, as though unaware of the Chairman's anger.
The Chairman groaned, and closed his eyes.
"You shall pay..."
Some of the cords that held him twitched, and the boomer collapsed, seemingly in pain.
"Now go back to Mason, and deliver this message: I have heard him well."
The boomer nodded, and slouched back, out of the chamber.
___________________
-5th February 2040-
I collapse upon my bed, exhausted from experiencing near death.
If one of the boomers there had struck me when I was trying to leave, that would have been my coup de grace. I shudder at the thought, and roll off the bed. There is no time to sleep - I must now consult the media about the events of yesterday.
The kitchen table is overflowing from periodicals and e-mail printouts.
I grab a bundle that seems to be today's and flop into the chair to read. A short message from Langley to tell me Tamaritha will be arriving. ELLE Tokyo...Some fashion guide about this month.
Although it has only been two days since I have arrived here, but already a whole pile has gathered. I must speak to the apartment manager. He is one of us, and will take care of the junk.
My laptop is beeping with more messages, and I feel slightly annoyed as Unidexta comes on and starts reciting all the "latest news" as she calls it.
What? The portal? I could not believe my eyes. If that happened yesterday, then where is...
WHAM!
The window, pane and all, falls into the kitchen as a bedraggled girl with long black hair straightens herself up, smiling guiltily.
"Tamaritha..." I greet her.
"Well, good morning. I can see you haven't slept this past few days...Lionel must be annoyed...You should get your sleep sometimes..." As she said this, she shook the glass shards out of her hair.
They fell glittering to the floor, and I roll my eyes. Klutzy girl. I will need to call the manager.
"I think I'll go downstairs now, see to this apartment with the undermaid and the manager. I'll see you soon."
With that, I left her stranded in the kitchen.
Second time I left someone stranded, but who cares?
___________________
Lina, Priss, Nene, Sylia, Mackay and Nigel drank their coffee simultaneously. None spoke; they vaguely understood each other's feelings and thoughts about the whole situation. Fighting un-rogue boomers was one thing.
Breaking into GENOM was quite another, and finding a fake Knightsaber there was nerve-wercking.
Finally, Priss stood up.
"Linna and Nene, you guys better go to work. Sylia, I think your shop needs a little tending to, I'll help."
Nobody laughed at this however; and they all soon stood up to leave.
"Er, see you later." Linna stammered, then she turned and suddenly dashed out.
"Uh-er...I guess I'll see you soon too..." Nene mumbled and ran after Linna, leaving Priss and Sylia looking at each other blankly.
After a few minutes of silence, Priss shrugged her shoulders.
"OK What have I gotta do - wear skimpy leather?"
A faint smile played around Sylia's mouth.
"Priss, you demon.."
___________________
Adrian opened his eyes. A padded cell.
They think I'm crazy! He thought as he ran to the door and rapped at it furiously. A nurse looked at him from outside, then drew down the blinds with a switch.
Adrian slumped to the floor, his head swimming with vivid images of yesterday. Sara Estella...Langley...Tamaritha...Tienx...Thalassa...All women, all maniacal about something. All Unit Minus employees.
Unti Minus. A total cult.
Adrian shook his head and sighed. He did not understand why, what or who. Was he the only sane person in here? Probably, since they had locked him in here.
___________________
Langley opened her eyes. Sunlight was filtering through the shimmery white curtains in the french windows.
She sat up, and stretched her arm towards the window. The curtains drew up, and the window opened into a view of the courtyard.
Slipping off her bed, Langley looked around the room. A bottle of scotch lay at the side table in the corner, hinting at how she spent the night.
She walked to the dressing table, and tried to straighten out her hair. The cream-coloured carpet felt plush under her feet, and with a start Langley realised how tired her feet were.
Ringing the bell, Langley told the housemaid to bring her breakfast into the downstairs chamber. The maid, shaking her head in disbelief, went off to obey her command.
Fixing her hair and dress, Langley walked down the stairs into the eggshell-blue chamber. There was a heap of letters, mostly invitations, in the letter-table.
Langley sniffed the room. The air was stuffy, Sure she hadn't used this chamber for the last three months, but this doesn't mean they keep it in canvas drapery! She rang the bell, and it was three times before the under-housemaid answered.
"Mei Xiang, I told you this room was to be aired, whether it was in use or not! I have not been absent from the house during these months, and I smell canvas!"
"I am sorry ma'am. I will see to your particulars." The maid bowed, at ninety-degree angle.
Langley glared at her for a few moments, then changing her tone, asked: "How has the priestess been?"
Mei Xiang was surprised. "Priestess Kei? She has not been very well, you see, her meals have been ordered to be brought up to her room by her maid."
"Very well. Commence your duties then."
Mei Xiang bowed repeatedly before leaving, and the letter-table wheeled itself to Langley. Where was her secretary? Most likely to be still at the so-called "conference", where they gossip on in stupid addresses, when they're supposed to...
A letter rose into the air, to her eye level. Addressed to Domberley Estate - must be general catalogues for kitchen orders or something. Langley settled all the letters addressed to "Domberley Estate" in a separate pile, and rang for someone.
This time, Adrian's valet entered, blwed repeatedly before taking the letters and seeing to her schedule - and saying something about taking over for her secretary today.
Then the cook herself entered to ask her particulars about sauces, cheese and wine combinations, how much cream should be taken out of her milk today...Langley shook her head as she listed her particulars about the wine sauce.
"But you see ma'am, the shiraz doesn't uncork from the oak drums until this April."
"Mount St Helens does, and I would like shiraz in my wine sauce." Langley firmly replied, her eyes in clear defiance of the cook.
"Mount St Helens ma'am? But that would degrade the reputation of Domberley Estate's wine sauce..."
"Look this is for MY personal morning tea isn't it?" Langley snapped, and the cook flinched.
"Well ma'am, I'll look it up for you..." she mumbled before bowing repeatedly and leaving.
Langley sighed, and walked to the main table where the breakfast was laid out for her. Souffle made of table water biscuits, blueberry tarts, a pitcher of full-cream jersey milk, and some peaches and cherries.
She laid her napkin upon her lap, and reached out for the souffle. Sure it was not a very nice choice for breakfast, but her usual favourites now made her feel like throwing up...throwing up?
Langley flinched as possibilities loomed inside her mind, and she dropped her fork. She did not pick it up, and instead rang for the butler.
"Tell my physiotherapist that I am pregnant."
The butler bowed, and murmured his congratulations before leaving.
Langley picked up her fork and started eating again, but could not taste the food.
______________________
"Linna! Linna! Wake up! Do you want to miss lunch or something?"
"Hm-mmph.." Linna straightened herself up. A workmate was looking over her, concerned.
"Linna you idiot, stop sleeping on the job if you want to skip cleaning up the floor again!"
"I'm all right, just go to lunch yourself..."
"Well I can't, someone's waiting out the door asking for you! Says she's your relative."
My relative? Linna thought. But I have no relatives in the city! Then...Who is she?
Suddenly awake, she faced the girl. "OK I'll be out in a sec, just need to close this program."
______________________
The sun is high up in the sky, brightly shining. But in this office it is not hot and glaring. The sun - it's just throwing in a soft light.
Miss Yamazaki is late, I see, as I look at my watch. I wonder if she'll appear in her uniform - nah, probably mufti.
I now see Miss yamazaki walking up towards me. Brown hair, cropped short with sidefringes. Pixie pink lipstick... She sends a sardonical smile at me as she tells another employee "Yes, she is my relaitive." I bow.
"Miss Linna Yamazaki?" I ask. She nods.
"So what have you to see me? You're a complete stranger to me, yet you know my name..."
She sounded tough, but I knew she was flinching. A falter in her speech told me that.
"I have my own methods. But that is not why I am here to see you. I am in fact here to talk about..."
An employee sidled up to us, trying to listen to our conversation. I gesture to her to go to another place, and she walked out the building with me.
Once outside, she nodded to a certain cafe. I follow her, and there sat the blonde girl - Nene Romanova. The red one. Was this a trap? I do not think so - they do not know who I am yet.
"Hi Linna! You're a bit late today," Miss Romanova smiles, and she points to me. " Who's this?"
"A person claiming to be one of my long lost relatives in the city." Miss Yamazaki replies, then turns to me.
"So what story have you got to tell?"
______________________
"Hey Leon, I see the women's intuition girl!"
'...???...' The blank expression was evident on Leon's face.
"You know, the gal I told you about!"
You can tell that Daley was clearly excited, from the way he waved his hands around and talked. This was not the usual sardonical Daley Wong, Leon observed.
"Yea so? You going hetero on me now, Wong?"
Daley grinned. "Whatever you think. Why so angry? Don't tell me, you're secretly in..."
"NO I AM NOT!" Leon was fast losing his control. Jeezuz Chrissy why wouldn't he stop jeering and get to the point?
"I'm going for a walk down Harajuku...Wanna come, Leon? Actually, I think you might be too busy from the paperwork about the GENOM INCIDENT..."
Leon's face flushed as he threw the documents he was holding aside and ran towards Daley, but he was already disappearing.
"No, No, I'll come, so wait.. Wait a sec, Daley? Daley!!!"
_____________________
The red-haired boomer stood in front of the Chairman.
"Quincey."
The Chairman was shocked. How dare she call him 'Quincey?' This term was never applied to him, especially from his boomers, which he fully controlled.
"Quincey." The boomer repeated.
"How...Dare....You...Boomer! No boomer...SHALL...Dare...Insult ME!"
"Quincey...The old fool...Doesn't yet realise his tool is thinking other thoughts..." The boomer continued, as though unaware of the Chairman's anger.
The Chairman groaned, and closed his eyes.
"You shall pay..."
Some of the cords that held him twitched, and the boomer collapsed, seemingly in pain.
"Now go back to Mason, and deliver this message: I have heard him well."
The boomer nodded, and slouched back, out of the chamber.
___________________
-5th February 2040-
I collapse upon my bed, exhausted from experiencing near death.
If one of the boomers there had struck me when I was trying to leave, that would have been my coup de grace. I shudder at the thought, and roll off the bed. There is no time to sleep - I must now consult the media about the events of yesterday.
The kitchen table is overflowing from periodicals and e-mail printouts.
I grab a bundle that seems to be today's and flop into the chair to read. A short message from Langley to tell me Tamaritha will be arriving. ELLE Tokyo...Some fashion guide about this month.
Although it has only been two days since I have arrived here, but already a whole pile has gathered. I must speak to the apartment manager. He is one of us, and will take care of the junk.
My laptop is beeping with more messages, and I feel slightly annoyed as Unidexta comes on and starts reciting all the "latest news" as she calls it.
What? The portal? I could not believe my eyes. If that happened yesterday, then where is...
WHAM!
The window, pane and all, falls into the kitchen as a bedraggled girl with long black hair straightens herself up, smiling guiltily.
"Tamaritha..." I greet her.
"Well, good morning. I can see you haven't slept this past few days...Lionel must be annoyed...You should get your sleep sometimes..." As she said this, she shook the glass shards out of her hair.
They fell glittering to the floor, and I roll my eyes. Klutzy girl. I will need to call the manager.
"I think I'll go downstairs now, see to this apartment with the undermaid and the manager. I'll see you soon."
With that, I left her stranded in the kitchen.
Second time I left someone stranded, but who cares?
___________________
Lina, Priss, Nene, Sylia, Mackay and Nigel drank their coffee simultaneously. None spoke; they vaguely understood each other's feelings and thoughts about the whole situation. Fighting un-rogue boomers was one thing.
Breaking into GENOM was quite another, and finding a fake Knightsaber there was nerve-wercking.
Finally, Priss stood up.
"Linna and Nene, you guys better go to work. Sylia, I think your shop needs a little tending to, I'll help."
Nobody laughed at this however; and they all soon stood up to leave.
"Er, see you later." Linna stammered, then she turned and suddenly dashed out.
"Uh-er...I guess I'll see you soon too..." Nene mumbled and ran after Linna, leaving Priss and Sylia looking at each other blankly.
After a few minutes of silence, Priss shrugged her shoulders.
"OK What have I gotta do - wear skimpy leather?"
A faint smile played around Sylia's mouth.
"Priss, you demon.."
___________________
Adrian opened his eyes. A padded cell.
They think I'm crazy! He thought as he ran to the door and rapped at it furiously. A nurse looked at him from outside, then drew down the blinds with a switch.
Adrian slumped to the floor, his head swimming with vivid images of yesterday. Sara Estella...Langley...Tamaritha...Tienx...Thalassa...All women, all maniacal about something. All Unit Minus employees.
Unti Minus. A total cult.
Adrian shook his head and sighed. He did not understand why, what or who. Was he the only sane person in here? Probably, since they had locked him in here.
___________________
Langley opened her eyes. Sunlight was filtering through the shimmery white curtains in the french windows.
She sat up, and stretched her arm towards the window. The curtains drew up, and the window opened into a view of the courtyard.
Slipping off her bed, Langley looked around the room. A bottle of scotch lay at the side table in the corner, hinting at how she spent the night.
She walked to the dressing table, and tried to straighten out her hair. The cream-coloured carpet felt plush under her feet, and with a start Langley realised how tired her feet were.
Ringing the bell, Langley told the housemaid to bring her breakfast into the downstairs chamber. The maid, shaking her head in disbelief, went off to obey her command.
Fixing her hair and dress, Langley walked down the stairs into the eggshell-blue chamber. There was a heap of letters, mostly invitations, in the letter-table.
Langley sniffed the room. The air was stuffy, Sure she hadn't used this chamber for the last three months, but this doesn't mean they keep it in canvas drapery! She rang the bell, and it was three times before the under-housemaid answered.
"Mei Xiang, I told you this room was to be aired, whether it was in use or not! I have not been absent from the house during these months, and I smell canvas!"
"I am sorry ma'am. I will see to your particulars." The maid bowed, at ninety-degree angle.
Langley glared at her for a few moments, then changing her tone, asked: "How has the priestess been?"
Mei Xiang was surprised. "Priestess Kei? She has not been very well, you see, her meals have been ordered to be brought up to her room by her maid."
"Very well. Commence your duties then."
Mei Xiang bowed repeatedly before leaving, and the letter-table wheeled itself to Langley. Where was her secretary? Most likely to be still at the so-called "conference", where they gossip on in stupid addresses, when they're supposed to...
A letter rose into the air, to her eye level. Addressed to Domberley Estate - must be general catalogues for kitchen orders or something. Langley settled all the letters addressed to "Domberley Estate" in a separate pile, and rang for someone.
This time, Adrian's valet entered, blwed repeatedly before taking the letters and seeing to her schedule - and saying something about taking over for her secretary today.
Then the cook herself entered to ask her particulars about sauces, cheese and wine combinations, how much cream should be taken out of her milk today...Langley shook her head as she listed her particulars about the wine sauce.
"But you see ma'am, the shiraz doesn't uncork from the oak drums until this April."
"Mount St Helens does, and I would like shiraz in my wine sauce." Langley firmly replied, her eyes in clear defiance of the cook.
"Mount St Helens ma'am? But that would degrade the reputation of Domberley Estate's wine sauce..."
"Look this is for MY personal morning tea isn't it?" Langley snapped, and the cook flinched.
"Well ma'am, I'll look it up for you..." she mumbled before bowing repeatedly and leaving.
Langley sighed, and walked to the main table where the breakfast was laid out for her. Souffle made of table water biscuits, blueberry tarts, a pitcher of full-cream jersey milk, and some peaches and cherries.
She laid her napkin upon her lap, and reached out for the souffle. Sure it was not a very nice choice for breakfast, but her usual favourites now made her feel like throwing up...throwing up?
Langley flinched as possibilities loomed inside her mind, and she dropped her fork. She did not pick it up, and instead rang for the butler.
"Tell my physiotherapist that I am pregnant."
The butler bowed, and murmured his congratulations before leaving.
Langley picked up her fork and started eating again, but could not taste the food.
______________________
"Linna! Linna! Wake up! Do you want to miss lunch or something?"
"Hm-mmph.." Linna straightened herself up. A workmate was looking over her, concerned.
"Linna you idiot, stop sleeping on the job if you want to skip cleaning up the floor again!"
"I'm all right, just go to lunch yourself..."
"Well I can't, someone's waiting out the door asking for you! Says she's your relative."
My relative? Linna thought. But I have no relatives in the city! Then...Who is she?
Suddenly awake, she faced the girl. "OK I'll be out in a sec, just need to close this program."
______________________
The sun is high up in the sky, brightly shining. But in this office it is not hot and glaring. The sun - it's just throwing in a soft light.
Miss Yamazaki is late, I see, as I look at my watch. I wonder if she'll appear in her uniform - nah, probably mufti.
I now see Miss yamazaki walking up towards me. Brown hair, cropped short with sidefringes. Pixie pink lipstick... She sends a sardonical smile at me as she tells another employee "Yes, she is my relaitive." I bow.
"Miss Linna Yamazaki?" I ask. She nods.
"So what have you to see me? You're a complete stranger to me, yet you know my name..."
She sounded tough, but I knew she was flinching. A falter in her speech told me that.
"I have my own methods. But that is not why I am here to see you. I am in fact here to talk about..."
An employee sidled up to us, trying to listen to our conversation. I gesture to her to go to another place, and she walked out the building with me.
Once outside, she nodded to a certain cafe. I follow her, and there sat the blonde girl - Nene Romanova. The red one. Was this a trap? I do not think so - they do not know who I am yet.
"Hi Linna! You're a bit late today," Miss Romanova smiles, and she points to me. " Who's this?"
"A person claiming to be one of my long lost relatives in the city." Miss Yamazaki replies, then turns to me.
"So what story have you got to tell?"
______________________
"Hey Leon, I see the women's intuition girl!"
'...???...' The blank expression was evident on Leon's face.
"You know, the gal I told you about!"
You can tell that Daley was clearly excited, from the way he waved his hands around and talked. This was not the usual sardonical Daley Wong, Leon observed.
"Yea so? You going hetero on me now, Wong?"
Daley grinned. "Whatever you think. Why so angry? Don't tell me, you're secretly in..."
"NO I AM NOT!" Leon was fast losing his control. Jeezuz Chrissy why wouldn't he stop jeering and get to the point?
"I'm going for a walk down Harajuku...Wanna come, Leon? Actually, I think you might be too busy from the paperwork about the GENOM INCIDENT..."
Leon's face flushed as he threw the documents he was holding aside and ran towards Daley, but he was already disappearing.
"No, No, I'll come, so wait.. Wait a sec, Daley? Daley!!!"
_____________________