MIRAI

Two-hundred and three days of anticipation climaxed violently with a heartbeat, only to bleed away into a pool of foreboding. A sudden lump caught deep within Dr. Vaclav Meidl’s throat as the Network of Orbital Processing And Screening Stations, affectionately known as “NO PASS” by some of the smugglers and hackers that numbered among their colony, loomed into view. Vaclav smiled thinly. From this distance, the orbital strata of Earth always appeared like thousands of phosphorescent spiders circling around a giant blue and white cocoon.

As his grip tightened on the small metallic case on his lap, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, the corners of his eyes creasing in a wince at the tickle of the shuttle’s crisp air. It had been the better part of a decade since he’d set eyes on the society that had cast him out, and looking upon its pinnacle now, he realized that, despite the many days and nights he’d spent away from its comforts, he was certainly not long for this world. He hoped the trip would be short.

Vaclav sat in the aft cabin of the shuttle, silently preparing himself for return. In the cockpit, his two companions, Linda Perrucci and Dr. Maria Estrada, busied themselves preparing for planetfall. Vaclav shuddered at the thought of spending another day with the two, trapped inside the confines of the shuttle. They had been welcome company at first, but he had grown far too tired of arguing with Dr. Estrada. Had it not been for Linda, quite possibly Dr. Estrada would have been ejected into space fifty or so days ago.

“So how’s it feel to be home, Meidl?” Linda Perrucci called out, her eyes following hands that danced across an array of touch-screens surrounding the pilot’s chair.

“As far as I am concerned, Ms. Perrucci, this seems the very farthest planet from home.” Vaclav sighed.

“Yep. No doubt. But don’t worry, Meidl. Shouldn’t take too long to unload your little secret there. At least I hope it won’t take long.”

“Dr. Meidl, are you sure Infinitum has the money to pay what we want? I was flipping through the Aurora MediaStream last night, and it seems they’re a bit hard up financially right now.” Maria said.

Linda’s hands stopped, as her head turned slightly to catch Vaclav in her gaze. “They’re apparently auctioning colonies all over the galaxy.”