Orphans of Apollo - S1 E12
September 2055
From the ashes of forgotten space dreams, a new era of exploration begins.
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Previously: Lana heads out to meet her oldest friend from school, for a catchup before they head back to college. However, it is not the Jess of old.
“You don’t like the hair, do you? I can tell. It’s ok, you don’t have to pretend.”
“I…I…It’s so blue!”
“Doesn’t fit in with your image of me, does it?”
“Er…no, I guess not.”
They both stared at each other. Lana felt she should say something, but what? Her thought process had been blindsided.
“Oh, and while we’re starting with surprises, this is Edward, but he prefers Ed.”
“H…hi.” She looked down at the bench where their hands were together, fingers intertwined. “So you are…”
“Dating? I guess so, but it’s pretty casual.”
Ed gave Jess a sideways look.
“I see,” said Lana.
“I’m sorry Lana, we just had to do it. Your reaction was even better than I could have hoped for.”
“Yes, well, it’s good to see you,” said Lana deflatedly.
“Jess has told me a lot about you Lana. It’s great to finally meet you.” He sounded upbeat, trying to rescue a situation he feared could turn for the worse. Lana instantly decided she liked him.
“It seems like you guys had a great time growing up here.”
Lana detected the trace of a New York accent. Not strong but definitely present. He was slightly built and not much taller than Jess. His left ear was pierced with a small black earring.
“Yes, we were pretty lucky to grow up here,” said Lana wistfully. “You’re from New York right?”
“Is it that obvious?”
“Your accent kind of gives it away.”
“Yep, born and bred. I moved up state for school though. That’s where we met,” he said, putting his arm around Jess. “I’d never really been out west. Came out to spend the summer with Jess. It’s really great out here. It’s a shame I’ve only just got to meet you, we’re heading back in a few days.”
“Yes, well Lana has been busy all summer at the Foundation,” said Jess, taking care to emphasise each syllable in “Lana”.
“I’d love to hear more about what you do there,” said Ed
“You know it’s only for the chosen few Ed, I told you.” She leaned in and whispered, but Lana still heard, “it’s almost like some sort of cult.”
Lana felt the sickness of knowing things would never be the same between them.
“Still, I’d like to hear about it and what you two used to get up to when you were little girls,” he stood up. “Shall we go and get a drink?”
They started to walk towards downtown. Ed and Lana seemed to be doing most of the talking. Jess joined in semi-politely, but remained somewhat detached.
“Jess said she tried to join the Foundation a few years ago?” Said Ed.
“I thought we agreed we weren’t going to talk about this,” snapped Jess.
“I’m just curious, and you never want to talk about it. I just want to understand why. You know it’s good to talk about these things, rather than keeping them bottled up inside.”
They carried on for a few more paces. Jess focused straight ahead.
“I applied and did all the aptitude tests,” said Jess with a sigh. “Oh, which I aced, by the way. But apparently some psych didn’t think I had the right personality. I’m just not one of the chosen few, end of.”
They walked in silence for a minute or so.
“Anyway, I thought you were going to bring your boyfriend, so we could have a couple’s day out,” said Jess.
“I don’t have a boyfriend,” said Lana matter-of-factly.
“That’s not what I’ve heard.”
“Oh? I’m not sure what you are talking about.”
“Come on Lana, we’re not ten years old anymore. You don’t have to pretend.” She cocked her head in thought. “Maybe I did get it wrong. I can’t imagine you have much time for a life with all the time you put into study and the Foundation, anyway.”
They passed the entrance to a cafe, Ed stopped.
“How about we stop and get a drink and a bite? What do you girls say?”
“Sounds good to me,” said Jess. “Lana…Lana?”
Lana was totally engrossed in her phone.
“Earth to Lana.”
“I’m…sorry…I’ve got to go.”
“You’ve only just got here.”
“No, sorry, I’ve got to get back now.”
“Is everything ok?” said Ed.
“I don’t know. I’ve just got to get back to the Foundation.”
“But what about school? You start back at Stanford next week, don’t you?” Said Ed.
“I’m not sure…I’ve…just. It was nice to meet you, sorry I’ll try and catch you before you head back.”
“You must have graduated to saving the World have you? I guess I’ll see you in another two years then.”
“Let’s not make it that long. I’m sorry. Good to meet you Ed.” With that she turned and quickly walked back the way they had come.
When Lana got home, her father was already out in the driveway loading up the car. Logan came out a moment later carrying his bags.
“There you are. Mum’s just up in your room starting to pack up your things,” said her Father. He appeared calm but preoccupied and was moving with a purpose Lana rarely saw in him.
“What’s going on Dad? This is scaring me.”
“Look, I probably know just about as much as you. I think all the families got the same message, from what I can make out.”
“Is this not some kind of sick joke?” Said Lana, her voice starting to quiver.
“It may well be darling. But for now, all we know is that someone or some group of people have made a threat against families that are involved with the Foundation. Christian wants all the students back at the headquarters where he is organising security.”
Lana looked at her father with the look of a child that knows they are being lied to for their own good, but they cannot figure out why.
“Look, I’m sure this will all blow over in a few days. Mum’s upstairs packing your things. Why don’t you go and help her? We might find out more once we get going.”
Lana headed into the house without replying to her father. She went upstairs. Her mother was organising piles of clothes on her bed, an open bag lay on the floor next to her. She looked up when she heard Lana enter the room. Her eyes were red and puffy.
“Mum are you ok?”
Her Mum sniffed and cleared her throat. “Yes, I’m fine. This is just a shock to all of us. They want us to get going as soon as we can, so I’ve started packing some things for you.”
“How long do you think we’ll be back at the Foundation for?” Asked Lana.
“I’m sure this will all blow over in a few days.”
“That’s what Dad said.”
“Your father is normally right about things.”
“Yeah, I guess so. Looks like we won’t get to see Grandpa today then.”
“No honey, I’m afraid not.”
Lana sighed. “Let me help you with that.”
Lana dropped her shoulder bag by the door and started to help her Mum pack. Five minutes later, they headed downstairs.
“Are you guys about ready to rock and roll?” called her father from the driveway.
“We’re right here Glenn,” replied her Mum.
Two minutes later, they were on the road.
If you know someone you think would enjoy “Orphans of Apollo” or any of the other writing in “Explorations” please share this publication with them.
As ever, I hope you enjoyed the latest episode of “Orphans of Apollo”. It’s the first week of school holidays here so I’ve been busy with the kids, which doesn’t leave a lot of time for writing, but so be it. It is gradually turning into spring here. Although it has been incredibly wet. Check out the picture of Lake Erskine slowly thawing.
This week I came across an article about astronauts potentially being able to eat asteroids. Ok, not literally, the asteroid would be broken down chemically and the organic compounds fed to bacteria. In this sense, we are not talking about organic as in living but as in carbon based. The bacteria, which would consist of something resembling a “flesh-coloured slurry” would then be consumed. Yummy! I can see how this may at sometime work its way into my fiction.
Thanks for reading,
Alex