Who you give your heart to

“Shall we begin?”

He sat comfortably in the centre of the over-large sofa, arms stretched wide across the back of the chair. The top three buttons of his shirt hung open, revealing the silvery lines of his signature ZetaReader expanding out from the centre of his chest.

“Why don’t we start with biotech?” Pallas asked, pulling her lips up into a polite smile. “There’s a lot of buzz about recent developments at New Frontiers. What can you tell us?”

He smiled broadly, reaching for his glass. “Yes, we’ve made some excellent progress since you left us. Would you care for some wine? It’s traditionally made.”

Without waiting for Pallas to verbalise her polite decline, he continued, “Our work with neural interfacing has been advancing rapidly, opening the door to innumerable possibilities which might have seemed fantastical as recently as a couple of years ago.”

“Yes, in your interview with H.I. last August you mentioned the transfer and processing speeds now possible with Frontiers’ Zeta Techno-“

“What I’m discussing goes far beyond faster data processing.” he cut in. “This work will enable us to fully map human consciousness in a digital space. All of a person’s memories, their thoughts, feelings - all captured and preserved independent from the body.”

He paused, presumably allowing Pallas time to be appropriately awe-stricken. “Imagine the possibilities.” he said in a tone which suggested she couldn’t. “We have less than twenty habitable cities left on Earth. Most of the remaining human population is scattered across space stations, lunar colonies, and the few outposts we’ve been able to establish on Mars. We have no home to sustain us and the continuation of the species is increasingly under threat.” He reclined in his chair, legs crossed, sipping the wine Pallas knew would have cost more than the average colony worker earned in a year. “We’ve reached the limits of modern rocketry. For all our advancements it still takes more than five months to reach Mars, and that’s our closest planetary neighbour! We cannot rebuild while every opportunity to do so lies beyond our reach, but with this technology that changes.”

Working under Dominic had acquainted Pallas with his sizeable ego, but even she was taken aback by the grandeur and bullishness of his claim.

“By preserving the mind and body in stasis, it will finally become feasible to travel en masse to our far away neighbours and re-settle humanity. A permanent home on Europa or Encleadus will be within reach, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. How much further could we advance, freed from the constraints of human fragility?”

Pallas paused, lowering her gaze, and considering her words before returning to Dominic with a polite smile. “That’s quite amazing. Undoubtedly this breakthrough will unlock many doors for humanity and it’s always exciting to hear your theories on where a breakthrough could take us.”

He let out a bemused breath, which quickly spread into a satisfied smile as he locked eyes with Pallas, “Oh this is beyond theoretical. We’re already testing.” He wore the same smug expression when he added, “I appreciate it could be hard to imagine, particularly if that’s an area you struggle with. Perhaps what led you to write about innovation rather than driving it!” His mocking laugh was devoid of warmth.

Pallas laughed pleasantly, “Possibly so! I must say though”, she continued seriously, “since leaving New Frontiers, I’ve been so inspired by the strength and leadership you’ve demonstrated. It’s remarkable how you’ve continued to be so pioneering in recent months despite the terrible personal tragedy you’ve suffered.” She observed as he continued to smile into the swirling wine glass. “Your wife was an amazing woman and all of us at H.I. had so much respect for her. We were all very sorry for your loss.”

“Thank you. It was difficult. She continues to be an inspiration and drives me to propel humanity forward. I know that’s what she would have wanted and she would be delighted by my progress.” The smirk crossing his lips grated at Pallas’ skin but she maintained her sympathetic smile. After all, she couldn’t reach a conclusion based on her opinion of the man alone. Her theory was unproven and she needed more information. She needed answers.

Still, the mocking glint she’d observed in his eyes played on her mind as she pressed on. “I’m sure. But to have lost her so suddenly, in such a tragic accident – It must have been hard to move forward. Could you tell us how you approached returning to the important work you’ve been doing here?” Dominic opened his mouth but, before he could speak Pallas added gently, “If you’re able to discuss it.”

He stopped, eyes narrowing on her, any pretence of charm faltering momentarily. Pallas realised she was holding her breath when he continued casually, “Of course I can – but there’s not much to say on the subject. I loved my wife and she was devoted to me. She knew how important my work was so, when confronted with her loss, pushing forward felt like the best way to keep her with me.” He stood, signifying the end of this particular discussion, and announced, “Now. Come through to my office. There’s a few interesting pieces which I think your publication would be interested in covering.”

...

Pallas’ eyes stuck on the embossed ‘New Frontiers Sub-Orbital’ logo in the centre of the well-cushioned office chair Dominic now leaned on. Less than a year before she had headed up New Frontiers’ Terrestrial Transport Lab. Even more recently her friend was killed in a bizarre incident involving one of their low-orbit shuttles. Dominic gestured towards a holographic hypercube.

“Self-referential polytopic processing may be difficult for you to grasp, but this model might provide a reference point that facilitates some understanding.” Pallas focused. She couldn’t let his taunts get her riled. This was a high-profile interview for H.I. and she needed to stay cool to get information.

Pallas nodded with feigned enthusiasm as Dominic explained how Zeta Tech’s use of five-dimensional data structures exponentially increased processing capability. It was challenging to maintain. She glanced around the room when something caught her eye.

“That’s a beautiful memorial. Was it Philly’s?” She indicated towards a simple display cabinet which contained an angular, heart-shaped locket of the deepest black, held in place with a plain, sturdy chain.

“Yes”, he replied, stopping to glance over at the pedestal where the necklace sat. “It gives me great pleasure to still have her heart with me. I know that’s what she would have wanted.”

Pallas felt her irritation rising and responded, perhaps over-zealously, “Such a tragedy. To have lost her in one of New Frontier’s own low-orbit shuttles – It almost makes the loss more heart-breaking.” She glanced back to find his neutral expression contrasting the intensity in his eyes, now firmly locked on hers. She proceeded, “I’m sure your company will have conducted its own internal review into the failure. Has any new information emerged which may shed some light on what took place?” She added into the momentary silence which followed, “Your wife was well respected and many of our readers use your inner-orbital transport shuttles. I’m sure they would be very appreciative of anything you can share.”

He paused a moment longer and Pallas began to worry she’d pushed too far when Dominic nodded gently. Without breaking eye contact he responded, “Yes. I won’t to dwell on the subject, but I will say that the wreckage was recovered and a thorough review was carried out. This revealed that the terrible accident was caused by a combination of atmospheric conditions and undocumented shuttle modifications which were improperly applied.”

Pallas’ heartbeat quickened, “That’s quite a discovery. How would Mrs. Hanson have had these mods installed without it being fully documented?”

“Well, isn’t it obvious?” He replied in a level-tone, but his eyes betrayed his irritation. “Philly likely had friends in New Frontiers. She was also passionate about technology. Knowing her as well as I do, I’m sure she leveraged her connections to get the latest tech installed before it had been properly approved. Undoubtedly any of my engineers would have warned her not to, but she was always strong-willed. You’ll understand I’m not at liberty to say anymore as the investigation is ongoing.”

Pallas bit her lip, thinking quickly. “Of course.” she continued, “I know first-hand from my time here that safety is paramount in the design and operation of every shuttle. Accidents are extremely rare but even so, it must have been difficult to not feel in some way responsible for her death?”

His stare was icy cool and Pallas felt frozen until the corners of his mouth pulled up and a wide, non-Duchenne smile broke out across his face. “No, not at all. My wife was a passionate advocate of both me and my company. She often told me how proud she was of everything I had achieved.” He walked towards Pallas as he spoke, perching on the side of the desk next to her. “While my wife could never find fault with me, I assure you everyone makes mistakes Miss. Li, and no matter the preparation, things sometimes go wrong.”

He was lying. Pallas’ mind raced; her suspicions confirmed. There was more to Philly’s death than had been reported and Dominic was concealing the truth. She needed to compose herself. She couldn’t risk pushing him too far. If Dominic decided he was unhappy with her line of questioning any chance of getting answers would be gone, and her career with it.

She became aware of him watching her and was unsettled by his perceptive gaze. He smiled as if he knew just what she was thinking. “Perhaps this interview was another mistake of mine, Miss. Li.”, he said, settling back into the chair opposite Pallas. “You seem to have very little respect for the emotional anguish you’re causing and insist on questioning me about the loss of my dearly departed wife.” Feigning a moment of revelation, he added, “Unless of course it is you who feels guilty? After all, you did lead our Terrestrial Transport Lab. Was it because you were unable to perform your duties effectively that you decided to leave?”

Rage exploded in Pallas’ head, thoughts of maintaining composure forgotten. When she opened her mouth to speak, she was surprised to hear her words projected in a cool and steady tone, rather than the bestial growl she’d expected. “Mr. Hanson, the reason, both for my leaving your company and my asking the questions you alluded to, stems from the fact that I actually knew your wife quite well. In fact, we became good friends during my time at New Frontiers. Such good friends that she shared with me her plans to leave you. It was learning about how you treated your wife and about the sort of man you are that made my position untenable.”

A pregnant silence occupied the room as Pallas waited for the inevitable consequences of her bold words. Adrenalin flooded her as she anticipated the worst. She was caught off-guard then when Dominic’s smile returned and he broke into laughter, “Interesting, Ms. Li! I’m surprised H.I. was comfortable with such an inflammatory line of questioning! It’s a pity I am not.”

Pallas froze. What the hell had she been thinking.

Reclining, Dominic continued, “Perhaps I should go back to your publication and tell them I am no longer interested in being featured. When asked why, I shall tell them how deeply saddened I was that ‘Human Innovation’. would stoop so low as to ambush a man around the death of his wife to draw readers. I may also have to express my utmost concern at their decision to send a disgruntled former employee, who’s currently being investigated on suspicion of tampering with my dear Philly’s shuttle, ultimately causing her tragic death.”

His mocking smile returned, “But perhaps not. Now that I understand how close you were to Philly, I realise this must have been a difficult time for you as well. I understand you are feeling a bit over-whelmed and likely misspoke. Is that the case?”

Pallas felt like her world was collapsing around her as he continued to press her.

“Or perhaps you can find opportunity elsewhere? With another employer, who’s prepared to overlook your indiscretions?”

She trembled under his Cheshire cat grin, feeling like the fly stuck tight, watching as the spider approaches to drain it of life.

“Would you like to take ownership for your mistake and we can proceed with the interview? Perhaps your piece can serve as a fitting tribute to the love Philly and I share?”

She looked away but Pallas could still see his mocking grin in front of her. She wanted to scream, to hit him, but it was useless. She’d played her cards badly, she’d lost, and there was nothing left to do. Her voice was a cracked whisper as she spoke, “Yes”.

“Excellent” he said, rising back to his feet. “Some more wine then.”

...

Pallas stood alone in the large reception area while Dominic took his time selecting an appropriate celebratory vintage. His tuneless humming carried across the room’s expansive open-plan layout and made her feel sick. She’d not only failed her friend, but now found herself at the mercy of her jailor. She needed to get this done. She took a deep breath to calm herself but felt a wave of nausea rolling over her instead.

“Can I use your restroom?” she asked.

Dominic looked across the large room and sniggered at the sight of her. Returning to his wine rack he called back, “Don’t be long. Let’s get this finished.”

Pallas wondered through the hallways in a daze until she found herself standing in front of the simple memorial again. “I’m sorry Philly” she whispered, feeling warm tears rolling down her cheeks. She wondered at her own stupidity. What the hell did she think she was going to achieve?

As she looked down at the impossibly black, heart-shaped locket she felt as though she was staring into an abyss. In truth, she felt as though she was being pulled into an abyss. She remembered her final conversations with Philly, her desperation to get free of Dominic, to no longer be controlled. She remembered her elation when she decided to leave him for good. Pallas had been happy for her then. And now this. Against her wishes, she also remembered Dominic’s words and they broke her heart.

“It gives me great pleasure to still have her heart with me… that’s what she would have wanted.”

She opened the case. She didn’t know what the hell she was doing but she couldn’t leave all that was left of Philly with that monster. Her heart thumped as she slipped the locket out and into her pocket. She didn’t have a plan. She was sure to lose her job for this and that may not be the worst of the fallout, but she knew now that she didn’t have an option. It was all she could do.

Pallas walked directly out of the office, tracing her steps through the stately residence, back to the main entrance. She nodded to the on-duty guard as stepped on to the shuttle dock. Though she knew it was less than a minute, to Pallas the wait for her shuttle to arrive felt like an eternity. As the door opened, her efforts to remain calm were forgotten and she almost threw herself into the bay.

Once inside, Pallas inhaled for what felt like the first time since picking up the necklace. The breath was not as effective as she would have hoped as panic started to rise in her chest. “Take me home.” she choked out. She felt the low hum of the thrusters as the shuttle rose off the ground and began to angle away from the property. What had she done? She was so screwed. She needed to go back and return the necklace, but even as the thought crossed her mind, she knew it was too late for that. She would never have returned it anyway.

“What the hell am I going to do?” she whispered, retrieving the locket.

Philly.

She held it in her hands, admiring its beauty and remembering her friend. Pallas was captivated by the way it seemed to drink in light, until she turned the heart over and saw something that made her stop in her tracks.

Like a slivery vein through the stone, the distinctive pattern of a ZetaMatrix could be seen across the back of the locket. All doubts forgotten; Pallas stared with her mouth agape. What the hell was in there? What was so sensitive that Dominic disguised it as his deceased wife’s jewellery? In that moment Pallas knew with certainty that she’d found what she was looking for. She would find the truth of what happened to her friend and, ensure that sadistic bastard paid for whatever role he played.

She slapped the locket down on her shuttle’s ZetaReader. The lights in the passenger bay began brightening, dimming, and changing colours synchronously but Pallas was too focused on what she was about to uncover to care. Sensors beeping across the dash, adding to the white noise in the background.

“This is for you Philly. We’re gonna get the bastard.” Pallas whispered into the empty cockpit. The lights normalised, the shuttle became silent but for the engine’s hum and Pallas’ world changed forever as the empty cockpit answered back.

A woman’s voice came softly through the shuttle’s speakers. At the same time both alien and familiar, and unmistakably frightened.

“Where am I Pallas?” asked Philly.