CHAPTER 3 - THE EPICENE CENTER
AT 298 – November 1
At what was once the platform on Jerusalem’s temple mount Lucan stopped at the head of Avenue Johanan and let its peace embrace him. The low glow of Elysium tinted the light evening mist. Friends who had been promoted to Phyle-II and beyond might have compared the glow to a seduction, like the scent of perfume trailing a beautiful woman. But for Lucan it was just a visual delight. What had once been said of Paris was true also of his city – La Vie en Rose. A loved place for life, wrapped in a faint pink as soft as water color, too lovely to be found anywhere else.
The directive on his return from Québec had been brief:
Two weeks R&R. The Epicene Center. Report persons you meet to your Caput de Curia.
His friends and curia members couldn’t help him take up the time. Mikal was being briefed at the EcoCenter for a new tour (his 19th) and their only time together had been a hurried lunch. Finian was on an undercover assignment to shadow a young man showing signs of a data oracle. If true, Finian would take him on as the boy's mentor. Data oracles were too rare and too valuable to leave at large. It seemed Lucan was expected to forget Eco-engineering and spend his time people-watching.
Lucan drifted down the sloping tree-lined avenue, his hand brushing the leaves overhanging the walkway. He was in no hurry. The violet light at the bottom of the street over the entrance to the Center was always on. The 10-person hot tub would be just as warm when he got there. The conversation would be just as stimulating as the last visit years ago, the familiar androgyny of the members as comfortable. Stendor could have explained why he wasn’t a member anymore, what his transition to Phyle-II was all about, but he was off somewhere and incommunicado. The last contact with him had included a cryptic reference to “gender roles.” It sounded like code. It confused him more than informed him.
At the Center’s entrance Lucan paused at the door handle. The door frame seemed smaller, lower than he remembered. He mused, Will nine inches taller be noticed if I meet anyone I know?
“Good evening.” The porter looked vaguely familiar. The plain service uniform was at odds with the air of command in the face. “May I inquire . . . “
“Lucan. Curia seventeen. Assigned to billet here for two weeks.”
“Of course. Always an honor to meet someone from Gen One. Four of the nine I invited to meet and welcome you are still in the hot tub so there’s plenty of space on the bench for your clothes as well. Will you make your own introductions or shall I?”
“No, I’m fine,” said Lucan. He nodded to the group as he moved to the bench to undress. It felt so good to be naked after the heavy boots and clothing on tour. He picked up the drift of conversation. One male and three females. A good balance; three to two. Girls don't leave holes in conversation and laugh easier. It would make for a lively evening.
Two of the girls moved apart and left room between them. He slid in slowly to his neck, enjoying every inch of the warm water’s advance over his bare skin. “Ahhh.”
Chuckling at his pleasure, the girl to his left extended a hand. “Casia. In transition from a Curia over limit. Any room in seventeen? I overheard you and the porter.”
“I’m Lucan. And, No. We’ve been together over three years now so we’re permanent at seven members. Are you on leave like me or attached to something in the city?”
“In limbo, really. I can’t move from the Center until my assignment to a new Curia’s final. They won’t budge on the personal profile. Forgive me, but you’re on the tall side, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I guess so. My work has agreed with me and, forgive the pun, it’s stretched me as well.”
The other male reached over Casia and offered his hand. “Penta. Mikal spoke of you just the other day. Said we should get together. I met Mikal on a tour before you two started traveling together. “
“Well, Penta, what fun to meet someone else who will put up with Mikal’s dry wit and restless mind. Let’s do breakfast in the morning.”
Lucan turned to his right. She was quicker, hand already poised. “Stara. My whole Curia’s assigned to the Elysium Mission Training Center for something no one will describe for us. We drill every day on the Reviv protocols so there must be risk involved. I’m here on holiday. Five of the other six members were here earlier but went out to eat.”
“What holiday?” said Lucan. “I’ve just come from beating through the woods and I’m out of step.”
“It’s All Saints Day. Toussaint, November 1. Too many off-the-grid saints to each have a day on the calendar. Here, you haven’t met my friend, Prisca.”
He reached across Stara and took Prisca’s hand. “Lucan. My pleasure.” It was instinct that noted the imperceptible hesitation in the turn of her head, the soft grip of her hand. It engaged a fleck of memory. “A lovely name, Prisca. It rings a bell. Where’s it from?”
“Thanks. But, not where it's from, rather, from what period. It’s Old Solar that surfaced in the Roman period. You might have come across it as Priscilla in an ancient history class.”
“Ah. Caught it. I learned in Gen One orientation that my given name BT was Lucius. Shades of the Old Roman world courtesy of my father’s history hobby. What keeps you here at the Center?”
“I spent a few years in dolphin communication research. My director felt I had such a talent for crossing the language bridge to other life forms that I was appointed to a special project for the administration. Since that has concluded I find myself nominated for Phyle-II training. Whatever that is. When I mention it, conversation stops. But, for some reason, congratulations are often offered when conversation resumes, along with quiet smiles, even from people I barely know. Weird. So, I work out daily while I’m waiting and the hot tub here is a kind of home base.”
“Maybe if strangers could squeak like a dolphin you’d be able to read their minds and solve the mystery.”
“Very funny, wild man. You haven’t told us why you’re here. Working on a comedy routine?”
“Touché. Actually, I’ve got the same puzzle to solve. When my Caput de Curia sent me here he also referred to Phyle-II. Plus, I’m directed to report on the people I meet here at the Center. I’ll have to noodle my brain to find a way to describe the dolphin-talker in the hot tub.”
His reward was a splash of water in the face delivered with an innocent child’s laugh. It was both a dare and a surrender; at once the bubbling froth of a breaking wave and the soft swish of the outflow that follows. Catching the sparkle in her eyes, his riposte vanished.
Penta saved him. “So, Lucan, you’ve been gone so long on projects for the EcoCenter you’ve missed some of the big changes in the city. Let’s do a walkabout this fine evening and get acquainted. Breakfast tomorrow can wait.”
Lucan stood up, the water sliding off his straight bare body in streams. He nodded to Casia, then Stara. “It’s been a pleasure.” But facing Prisca his brain blinked. “I’ll have to polish my lines,” he said. “You bested me in the humor department.” He noted the slope of her shoulders, the softly sculpted upper body development from serious training. The slight tilt of the head, and the eyes . . .
Suspense!