He didn’t have the hands of a man who sat behind a desk.
“I’m not sure what I can do for you. I’m the museum curator for the Natural History Museum of New Englandia. I know little about weaponry or their development,” I said. I wasn’t lying. I knew bits and pieces from old textbooks and sources, but nothing that he probably wasn’t already aware of.
“Your knowledge of twenty-first century history and your expertise in topography is world renowned. I’ve asked in many circles and your name is the only one that is consistently brought up with confidence time and time again.”
I cocked my head, quite taken aback by his compliment. It wasn’t often a stranger said such things. For some reason, it felt heavier coming from him.
“That is good to hear,” I smiled gratefully.
“Let me explain why I’m here. My job is to acquire specialized technologies that have been lost to history. My intel has uncovered the name of a research facility that disappeared in the years of the cyberwar and the subsequent collapse of the old world, but we have no idea where it could be and what exactly was being studied there. All we have is a crumbling piece of paper that hints at certain supplies that could have been used to create weapons long ago.”
“I see.”
“I hoped that you would help me to find it,” he continued. His tone was serious, his expression genuine, which was unexpected.
For some reason, I expected him to be cruel.
I’d never met a man from his part of the country, but I’d heard stories about them.
They were different than we were. Their society was modeled after something that pre-dated the collapse of human society. There were still relationships between men and women, large families, and tradition. In Pacifica, the use of artificial procreation was extremely uncommon, most women choosing to carry their children instead.
It was foreign to me in a way that both fascinated and terrified me all the same.
I glanced at the crate, the sudden image of the pictures flashing through my mind. I started, and he looked at me with concern before I quickly smiled and tried to cover up my embarrassment the best that I could.
“What is the name of the facility?”
“Cressida Labs.”
I glanced up in his direction. I didn’t let on right away, but I recognized the name or at the very least, I had seen it somewhere before. I’d have to do some searching to find out where, but I kept impeccable notes so it likely wouldn’t take long.
“Is there something you’d like to acquire from the site?” I asked pointedly. I wanted to know what I was getting into before I said too much.
He smiled knowingly. With a start, I noticed that his eyes were the color of a simmering summer storm, a tumultuous slate blue that practically sparkled with his amusement. There were flecks of silver and darker shades of sapphire that reminded me of waves crashing against a white sandy beach.
I glanced back at the clock, needing to look away and wanting to stare into those eyes all at once. They drew me in and that made me feel decidedly off balance.
“You’re everything they said you would be and even more than I expected,” he mused. As if he was remembering himself, he cleared his throat. “There are a few different things I’d like to acquire. One is a solar cell. The other is a fusion reactor.”
My eyes flicked to his. The solar cell was inconsequential, but I knew that the fusion reactor was not. I gazed at him, more wary than before.
“I need you. In return for your expertise, Pacifica is prepared to share the knowledge we obtain with New Englandia,” he explained further.
So, this was the point of this whole meeting.
Pacifica and New Englandia had been tenuous allies for the past several years, but with their growing population and power, there was an unstated rivalry that simmered beneath the surface. If it continued in the manner that it was now, all that tension could result in open war.
This could be very dangerous.
“I will need to consult with the council before I can give my answer,” I replied carefully.
“That is understandable,” he sighed. With a tight smile, he studied me for a moment. “I’m really hoping to work on this with you.”
He seemed sincere, at least. I stared at him, trying to find some ulterior motive, but I saw nothing.
The clock ticked, flashing over to five o’clock. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small piece of thick paper. He slid it across the clear surface of my desk. I took it from him and studied it.
It was a business card.