Free 2042: The Great Cataclysm by Melisande Mason Page A

voice command dissolved the painting to reveal the paper thin display screen. The wall opposite the windows housed the other amenities and the entrance to the large bathroom. Nick temporarily decline the offerings of the mini bar, instead heading immediately into the shower where he lingered as the eight water jets massaged his weary body.
    After the shower he decided to get something from the mini bar after all, and was surprised and pleased to see a small bottle of Johnny Walker Black label and a bucket of ice on the shelf.  He realised Josh must have ordered it for him on the way from the airport, and felt guilty at the way he had greeted his friend.  Usually Nick was highly respectful of other’s feelings and Josh, most of all deserved better treatment.
    He poured himself a generous slug and flopped onto the lounge.  He wished he had his guitar to take his mind away for a short time.
    ‘Internet - Netzone.’ He commanded. The display screen shimmered and his favourite search engine awaited his commands. He wanted to see what was happening to the volcanoes being monitored in the Bering Sea.
    The news was not good.
    He downed his drink.’Internet off. ‘Bed please.’ He commanded. Immediately the lights dimmed and the wall behind the lounge area swivelled around to replace the lounge with a king-size bed, it’s thick mattress covered with cream silken sheets,
    ***
    Saturday, May 27
    The next morning Nick had waited in line for a single Trancab. Single passengers were not permitted to ride in a dual cab. He arrived late at Josh’s office where he was met by a shapely blond woman in her forties, dressed in a red bodysuit with a cropped jacket trimmed with black. She scraped back her chair and scowled up at him. ‘You’re late! Mr. Harrington went into another meeting.’ She nodded to a lounge in a waiting area. ‘You’ll have to wait over there.’
    He didn’t apologise. He waited impatiently, fidgeting, nibbling his sore forefinger and going over his story. Despite his luxury hotel room, sleep had been spasmodic and disturbing and his head still ached. He took some papers from his briefcase and busied himself perusing the contents.
    Josh arrived thirty minutes later and beckoned to his haughty secretary who stood and grabbed a notepad.  ‘You’re late!’ He growled. ‘I hope you’re in a better mood than last night.’
    Nick wasn’t. Especially after his recent scolding from the secretary. He promised himself he would be more courteous this morning, but had been immediately put offside by the secretary’s attitude. He glared at her. ‘If y’ don’t mind I’d prefer we had this meeting in private.’
    ‘C’mon, Nick, I do mind. What’s wrong with you?’ Josh said. ‘You know I like to have everything documented.’
    ‘This time I’m calling the shots, and after you hear what I’ve got to say you can decide what to do with it.  For now it’s just between you and me.’
    Josh studied the serious look on Nick’s face and realised he meant what he had said.  Perplexed and a little angry he nodded to his secretary, who sniffed and promptly and left them. They entered the office and Josh quietly closed the door. Nick pushed the pile of papers toward him.
    ‘There’s enough documentation there to suit you or anybody.  Jeremy’s been very thorough.  After you’ve absorbed that lot you’ll understand my attitude!’
    ***
    Josh’s office at the Capitol was sparsely furnished by comparison to most executive offices.  Heavy chairs of emerald-green leather arranged around a large ten-seater boardroom table dominated the room. It smelled of carnations, and indeed there was a vase of red carnations on the table . Secretary must be okay after all . Nick thought.   A cluttered desk near the window housed books and a telescope.  A single painting depicting the fine lines of a classic black thoroughbred dominated one wall.  In the world of horses it would be described as having a head like a