Silent Flyght – Chapter 7

The warm, yellow sunlight on Sonoma always makes me think of a late day on Ossun. I squint up into the sky as our autocab speeds along a highway between vineyards. Wine grape vines cling to rocky hills and undulate up and down as the scenery slips past my window. It’s a short ride from our hotel to the meeting site today, and the Amagi is close by as well. All in all, proper planning on Marcelo’s part.

I close my eyes and lean my head against the window’s ledge. I don’t know where I’m going or who I’ll meet, so I don’t have any prep work to worry about. In the seat next to me, Marcelo swipes through screens on his datapad, getting work done. Gus, Ken, and Jinzo sit across from us.

“It’s a beautiful day,” Marcelo says, leaning past me to peer out the window too. I sit back and allow him the space to stare up at the sky. The clouds race by, the wind pushing them at breakneck speed. The three moons of Sonoma — Brea, Coloma, and Selma — all make weather control difficult; there are no guarantees of good weather here. Still, the climate is warm and dry, and when poor weather strikes, the farmers here are aware of it well in advance. I shield my eyes from the sunlight bouncing off distant greenhouses. This world reminds me so much of home.

“Good weather can cure a lot of ills, as my father used to say. He’s always been an outdoors person, loved being out on the property on a sunny day…” My lips grind to a halt as our car turns onto a new road, and the sign out front reads ‘Casa Aravena Estates.’

Casa Aravena.

My face cools as I sit back in my seat. I’ve had enough wine from this winery to recognize it’s some of the best in the Duo Systems. I also know that the owner is a recluse, and he’s hardly ever seen out in public. What’s his name again? I grasp at threads of memories of this place, but nothing comes up. Twisting my wrist, I’m tempted to look him up right now.

Marcelo’s hand comes down on my arm. “Remember, you wanted to be surprised.”

I did want to be surprised, and now I want to know.

This could be a meetup with my intended date at a neutral location, though. This could be anything.

I glance across the car at Gus, and his smile is tinged with regret. He and Marcelo have been working hard on this trip, and I’m expected to do well with this new suitor. But Gus just entered the network not even a few days ago. He’s barely had the chance for a honeymoon before I’ve moved onto another man. Ken had me for several years. Jinzo only a few weeks. How could I have done this to Gus? Done this to them all?

“I know what you’re thinking,” Gus says, startling the other guys in the car. “And I’m proud of you for putting yourself out there, risking your neck and your reputation on men like us. The only remorse I feel is because I can’t be enough and that you need to keep doing this to secure our future.”

My bottom lip trembles. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. It was supposed to be dinners and parties and dances and one or two men tops.

Jinzo tears his eyes from the rolling hills outside. “Don’t be upset, Vivi. You need to be strong for all of us.”

I sniff up and dab at the corners of my eyes. He’s right. This is my problem to solve for my whole network. One more man and his assets could change the tide of what’s to come.

For fuck’s sake, six-point-five million credits.

My stomach tightens into a ball, and a surge of nausea makes me sweat.

“Be calm,” Marcelo whispers as the autocab pulls into a gravel circle drive and curves around a giant stone fountain in the center.

My gaze travels up to admire the manor of cinnamon-colored stone walls and glass windows framed in white. The main building is three-stories tall with two wings off the back and a horse barn at the rear of the property. That’s quaint. Only rich people can afford horses. The large animal breeds we brought from Earth were hard to replicate once we got to the Duo Systems. It’s not like we had horses on the generation ships. Stretching my neck as the autocab comes to a halt, I spot a warehouse in the back of the main house with giant steel vats inside. That must be where they process the wine. Even farther in the distance are more warehouses. This place is enormous.

I lick my lips and straighten my hair. I really want to learn what’s involved with making wine. I love wine, but I only know the barest of information on its manufacture. How long will it take to get me a tour?

I smooth out my pants, wiggle my toes in my flats, and nod to Marcelo as the door opens. I’m ready.

“The host has invited you for a harvest afternoon gathering. He has these every weekend through the late summer months,” Marcelo says, alighting from the car and holding out his hand to me. Right. It’s late summer here. Hard to remember when I just came from winter in Sakata City and permanent-summer on Laguna. “There are other local neighbors who will be here. It’s important that you get along with these people too. Our host relies on his neighbors for cultivation help, water diversion for crops, and management of his estate when he’s not at home. This area of Sonoma is cooperative. Everyone chips in.”

I nod, but don’t say anything. I’m afraid I’ll vomit if I open my mouth.

I need to get inside and get moving, then everything will be fine.

Everything’s going to be fine, Vivian.

My shoes crunch on the gravel driveway before we reach the stone pavers. What is it about Sonoma that makes people crave the Old Earth ways? The first settlers modeled this planet after the wine regions of Central and Northern California with heavy nods to old Italian architecture. A Sonoman’s nod to wealth is never overt. There are no fancy, modern AIs or automated buildings or flashy decorations here to signal money. Everything is clean, understated, and the best of the best.

The walk up to the house feels like I’m stepping through a dream. I was never meant to do this, and yet here I am. I’m just beginning to accept that my life will not be what I planned for, yet each new event is surprising and challenging. I suppose I still have a long way to go before nothing fazes me.

Inside the main house, a staff member leads our party to a sunny arboretum at the rear of the building overlooking the vast vineyards. High cocktail tables and a long bar occupy one side, and people are already standing, drinking, and chatting among them. Plants in giant containers with a bubbling indoor pond are on the opposite side of the enormous room. I love the smell of arboretums. I smile as I inhale the fresh scent of greenery.

“What do you think?” Marcelo asks me, leading me to a high-top table.

“It’s a lovely place. Whoever takes care of it knows their business.” I glance around, trying not to be nosey and wondering if I know anyone in the room. Most of the famous vineyard owners are well known throughout the Duo Systems, but none of these people are familiar. They notice me, though, and soon, most of the men and women present are whispering and glancing my way.

I clear my throat and adjust my hair, aware that everyone knows who I am… and not in a good way. I’ve been all over the gossip sites for the past few weeks, and my face is recognizable now. Damn. I never wanted to be famous.

Marcelo peers around, leaning back and to the side. “I… Hmmm. Ms. Vivian, I wonder —”

“Maybe we should get something to drink and try to blend in?” My voice cracks. Marcelo is suddenly nervous. He was the picture of calm until we entered the room. I think he now realizes how much attention I’ve gained recently. It can’t be easy to find men for my network. If I could give him a raise, I would in a heartbeat.

“Sure,” he says, but then his face relaxes, and a smile blooms. My stomach produces a flock of butterflies before I even see what he sees. “Actually, it looks like the drinks are coming to you.”

I turn around and straighten up as the crowd parts, and a man approaches with two glasses of champagne in his hands. My jaw relaxes and hangs open, and the butterflies speed up, ready to fly right out of my gaping mouth.

That ghost of déjà vu settles on my shoulders, and instead of scaring me, this time I’m delighted. I shut my mouth and smile. Hot damn, I knew I had met him somewhere, but it turns out it wasn’t in my past.

It was in my prescient dreams.

His smile is sexy and bright as he sets the glasses of champagne on the table. I can’t tear my eyes from him and his gorgeous face, his strong jaw, and wild curly, dark hair. He’s so handsome, my breath is absent, long gone, never to return.

I lift my hands and sign, “Hello again, Mat.”