Free Contact Imminent by Kristine Smith Page A

Families know they’re losing money and their grip on the Commonwealth frontier. Everyone’s trying to figure out a way to keep what they have, and that ozonelike odor you smell is the short, sharp scent of panic in the wind.”
    John sighed as he slipped the Beecham back inside his jacket pocket. “That misplaced mine didn’t help, I’m sure.”
    â€œNo, it didn’t help one bit.” Jani slid off the counter and walked to the table. Val had stacked the dirty plates and cutlery to one side in order to deposit his and John’s medical gear. She picked them up and carried them to the cleaner. “I need to take a trip back across the lake. Break the news to Tsecha about the ship, find out what transpired at the enclave after I left.” She inserted all the tableware into the appropriate slots and holders. “I thought I’d try to catch some sleep first.”
    â€œAre you going to tell him about our possible hybrid?” John pushed off the counter, then paused to fuss with his jacket.
    Jani closed the cleaner, then activated it. “I have to, especially if it’s possible that it may be entangled with Feyó’s problem.”
    â€œHow do you think he’ll take it?”
    â€œIt’s what he prophesied. What he prayed for all theseyears.” Jani yanked a dispo towel from a countertop dispenser and wiped her hands. “On the other hand, considering the current climate, he may wish our young friend had chosen a less tangled time to make his appearance.” She crumpled the dispo and tossed it into the trash, followed the flash and the puff of smoke that signaled its demise, then walked with John into the hall.
    â€œI don’t know if I’ll see you before we leave.” He seemed subdued, as though the import of their upcoming journey had just struck home. “Seventeen-up is the usual departure time for an afternoon trip. I’ll send a skimmer for you at about sixteen.”
    â€œAll right.” Jani felt his presence beside her, and tried not to think about it. “I should have called. I’m sorry.”
    John grinned weakly. “You have this knack for putting yourself in the middle of things. When I heard that a mine had exploded at the enclave, I thought the worst.”
    Jani touched John’s arm, pulling away just as a look of surprise crossed his face. “I was in a bunker, 200 meters away, with Niall, Tsecha, and a comtech who didn’t like me very much.”
    â€œMore fool him.” John hesitated at the door, as though he wanted to say more. Then he saw Val lower the skimmer boot lid and circle around to the driver’s side. “Tomorrow,” he said, his businesslike demeanor returned.
    Jani took John’s coat from the rack and handed it to him, feeling its softness long after she released it. “Tomorrow.” She saw him out, watched him get into the skimmer, then watched the vehicle float out of sight.
    She then returned to the library to find Lucien standing at the bar sink cleaning the glasses. He looked up when she entered, then quickly away. Jani walked to the couch and lowered onto it, yawning as the cushions swallowed her up. The remains of her augmentation, her idomeni nature, both had retreated, leaving her drained. She hoisted her legs aboard, lay back, and contemplated the square of blue sky visible through the skylight.
    â€œYou embarrassed me.”
    Jani lifted her head. Lucien had finished with the glasses and now wandered the room, straightening and adjusting. When he’s on edge, he needs to move. Just like John. Just like me. We’re none of us comfortable enough in our skins to stay in one place . “It’s going to happen more and more often. My brain is changing. My bioemotional balances.” She tried to inject some levity into her voice. “If you think you’re getting the raw end, look at me. I’m going to wind up even more popular than I