Alto Valeur, Fleurdelis, New Corsica
March 2, 2558
It was getting closer to the evening when Austal and Gabrielle finished practicing at the shooting range. His warthog quickly exited the base and they headed back onto the Alonso Highway that circled Fleurdelis. The roadware was equipped and he took his hands off the wheel as the artificial driver took over, speeding up and changing lanes. Every now and then, Marcus enjoyed driving with himself in control of the car, even with roadware enabled, but once the open highway was present, free of crowded traffic congestion and the need to constantly jump in and out of lanes, the speed limits were much faster with dire consequences of accidents.
That was a time when having a second pair of hands on the wheel was much appreciated. In fact, when driving on the high-speed freeways and certain streets; it was illegal to drive with it disabled.
"So where are we going now Spartan?" Gabrielle asked, stretching out in the passenger seat.
"We're going home."
"We don't even have a house," She protested, "We sold our place in San Diego and you're telling me that we have our own place already?"
"Yep," He chuckled at the surprise on her face, "I think you'll like it. It's basically ready for us to move in, but I think you will still make some adjustments."
The highway curved back westward where they could see the waterfront on their left side. On the right was downtown Alto Valeur, a collection of silvery blue skyscrapers in unique and extravagant designs. The sun was beginning to vanish on the western horizon and it already cast a beautiful orange and pink glow, surrounded by a fading blue. Some dark clouds hung low in the sky, creating a picturesque atmosphere.
"Don't tell me you got an apartment in the six hundred Stratosphere!"
He chuckled, "Oh goodness no. We don't make enough to pay for half a month!" As he said that, the building came into view. "Besides, I don't think you want a place where the bed is the size of a cage boxing ring."
It was one of the tallest skyscrapers in downtown Alto Valeur, going nearly a hundred stories high. The most exclusive residential building on the continent and possibly the planet; there were more than a thousand lavish and prestigious apartments inside with each individual tenant in a uniquely designed space where some could be twice the size of an even wealthier New Corsican home. From the very top floors, people could literally look down at a panoramic view of the entire city and miles on end.
Celebrities, business tycoons, affluent politicians, sports stars and many more extremely wealthy people made this as their primary residences. Some vacation businesses even made their owned suites as destination packages, since Alto Valeur was another one of the ideal honeymoon destinations, the chance to spend an entire vacation right after marriage in possibly the most famous building on Fleurdelis was a once in a lifetime experience.
Residents had an enormous garage just at the base where their own vehicle's roadware would drop them off at the entrance, the car would park itself in its assigned spot and the occupant could access one of four hundred lifts that ran on the inside of the building. These dynamic moveable elevators could move both medially and laterally through a nexus of pathways that delivered them virtually right in front of their home. They were managed by an AI for efficiency and to reduce chances of accidents. Every residence had access to a lift terminal less than thirty feet from their front door. Even on a busy day at the upper floors, the wait and travel time in or out of the building could be less than three minutes.
The highest levels had a promenade that featured award winning clubs, penthouses, restaurants, spas and an enormous infinity pool. At the western section was a large landing platform for private aircraft and a hangar for tenants that could afford the ridiculous fees of keeping them there. Although there were plenty of shopping options in nearby Prais Frais and downtown, the five star hotel at the bottom along with the skypark at the building's top featured a number of popular boutiques.
Security was not spared either; the operator of the building ran a company-sized armed staff that was both visible and undercover, protecting its occupants nonstop around the clock. They were armed with enough firepower to combat anything from a lone gunman to an invading Covenant legion. These men and women were elite fighters and usually veterans with virtually flawless records to fit very specific criteria. Even battle-hardened Marines could find themselves rather uneasy when applying for a vacant position in the Stratosphere's security staff.
600 Stratosphere apartments were notoriously difficult to get, even for more wealthy individuals. There was an infamous waiting list that had started when the building was being constructed, which subsequently had more than ten thousand applicants seeking a prestigious residence inside the tower. Many played dirty; resorting to wrangling, bribing and manipulating zealously and feuds lasting for generations. Although the building was constructed nearly a century ago in 2462, some of the original individuals who had staked a claim on the waiting list had yet to obtain their turn for a first offer and the average waiting time for a new applicant could be up to sixty years. Therefore it was not uncommon for them to place or change their hold onto their offspring or next of kin.
"It's like gambling in a real estate form," Austal remarked as they passed an exit that led onto the very busy Montre Way with the main access to the Stratosphere.
The suite lease for a month was said to be more than what some earned in their lifetimes, which increased as it headed to the higher floors. It was typically very big news when one of the apartments was on the open market and eager bidders would pour in offers moments after the first done by the successive person on the waiting list.
"It would be a dream come true," Gabrielle glanced back dreamily at the tower before Austal continued north.
The highway headed up the east coast where there were more highrise buildings that lined the beaches. This was the Kadaria and Ayunean districts, the primary tourist area with plenty of hotels, shopping and nightlife. On average it attracted more than thirteen million visitors annually.
Along the highway, he exited and began driving west, heading up the gradually rising hills alongside the majestic Montagne Sereno. They kept driving up when the homes began to get larger and the properties became more and more expensive.
"Where are we going now?"
"Home. It's this way."
Turning into a gate that slid open, they entered the neighborhood named "Estates at the Point" and drove down the street, stopping at the second intersection with the houses lining the side that had a view of the coast.
He stopped at a single story California style home with her car parked in the front driveway.
"Welcome home love,"
Taking her hand and leading up to the entrance just on the right side of a stone path, it was thrown open before they had reached the door.
Gabrielle's best friend Madeline was not shy about openly flirting with men and Marcus was no exception. Although it annoyed her even when he was already married, it evolved into more of a teasing type. Behind her was Kate, another childhood friend that was less extroverted than her long haired blonde sidekick.
Madeline squealed and practically jumped into her best friend's arms with both of them laughing.
"I can't believe you're getting your dream house!" She exclaimed.
"Dream house?" Gabrielle looked back at her husband.
He couldn't help but thinly smile, "Madeline helped me out a lot. Everything from your dream layout and location. You think I picked Alto Valeur as our home just by coincidence?" Gesturing inside, he put an arm around his wife's shoulder, ushering both inside.
"Hang on," Kate stopped the newlyweds before they crossed the threshold, "Aren't you forgetting something?"
"What?" They perplexedly glanced over.
"You know," She curled her arms as if cradling something large.
"Oh yes," With a squeal of surprise from his wife, Marcus scooped her up, opening the door and carrying her through the front, kissing her through the whole time. He set her down to the applause of her two best friends.
"You two are soo romantic!" Madeline gushed, causing both of them to merely smile in a combination of both humbleness and embarrassment. "C'mon, let's go see the house!"
The foyer had a higher ceiling to compensate for the slightly enlarged door (Since Austal was taller than the average New Corsican) and it branched out straight and right. Located adjacent was the "family room" a general area where guests would sit down and chat with their hosts just after arriving. From there was another room that served as a formal dining area before it led out into the kitchen. The entire floor was a smooth, sandstone tile with whitish grout.
Although he would never admit it, Marcus was nearly sold on the kitchen. It featured a three way countertop with almost enough room to prepare a four course meal at the same time. The tops were made of glassy granite in a midnight black color. There were three drawers on each of the angles facing inward and overhanging from the top were even more cupboards. Each one had a cream colored trim with a stainless steel handle and a glass panel. A five burner range and twin oven set were further down, just next to the wall.
There was a long table that was also granite close to the counter with four leather dining chairs underneath a five-light chandelier that hung directly over the dining area.
The windows were polarized, preventing either of them from looking out and Gabrielle reached for the controls.
Marcus quickly placed his hand over hers, "Not right now love. We're going to save the best for last."
The hallway to the rest of the house was in front, with two large leather sofas were behind a divider that cut off the rest of the house from the adjacent end. A holo-screen sat at the back.
Just down the hallway, the first entrance was the master bedroom. With another polarized sliding door with access to the outside, just to their left was the master bathroom.
Another holo-screen sat atop a dark wooden dresser on the right side across from a king-sized bed.
Proceeding into the bathroom, there was a huge sliding glass for a stall with four different shower heads facing different directions with distinctly separate nozzles. Twin sinks were just across from it and in the corner was another tile wall, that blocked off a doorless section that held a toilet.
There were two guest bedrooms further down the hall, one to the very end and another that was after a main bathroom on the right side. The only entrance to the left was access to the garage that could hold three cars or their equivalent of storage.
"Okay, now the outside."
Through the master bedroom, there was a small panel with a few buttons. He hit one and the pane slowly began to fade.
To give a breathtaking view of the coast. They were higher up the Montagne Sereno, still in the Lougheed sector and nearly all of the touristy Ayunean and part of Kadaria could be seen down below.
Just before the view, they stepped out onto a large concrete area with a neatly trimmed lawn and gardens of multicolored iris and zinnia flowers on the left. On the right side was a vegetable and fruit garden, some of which was already bearing product.
What was the most distinctive feature was the large pool in the middle. It was sixty feet in length and fifteen feet wide and had two ladder and two pairs of steps. One on each end and corner.
There was also a niche for a customized grill to the left of the pool. To its right was a large canopy that was backed by a few tall palm trees with a pentagonal gazebo canopy with a quartet of wicker chairs with cushions clustered around. A stone table had a firepit in the center.
Beyond the pool, the grass ended at a small barrier before it gradually declined through several large slabs of rock and ended at a fence, squaring off the neighbors' property.
"What do you think?"
"This was everything I wrote about in my dream house," Gabrielle whispered, "When I would become a model and afford my own place in Alto Valeur with a fantastic view of the ocean. It's all coming true," Before the Spartan could react, his wife seized him, hugging tightly.
"Thank you," She looked up at him, "I don't even want to know how much we're going to have to spend to keep this place."
Marcus nodded to the pool and the gorgeous star Ensee, which was making its signature daily sunset. "Our exact location, right here is why it was priced how it was."
I think I pretty much described my dream house. One that is totally out of my price range. Same goes for the 600 Stratosphere. It's largely based off of Star Wars' 500 Republica.
Thanks for reading and reviewing, you give my writing purpose.