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Dymond in the Rough
(© C.E. Gee)

Page 3

"Yes."

The servingbot rolled away after saying, "Thank you."

Because of low gravity the beers were not served in glasses. Flasks with thumb activated caps that swiveled up then down to the side were the norm.

Both Julie and Russ took sips. Russ then announced, "On Earth they charge almost twice as much for this stuff."

Julie made no reply. Russ found himself attracted to Julie. However, he had a strict policy of not becoming involved with his clients, considered such very non-professional.

Keeping her voice low, Julie asked, "I assume you know all about the baby born over 30 years ago in basecamp Bradbury, the original site of this city?"

"Of course."

Julie took another sip. She wiped her lips with the back of a pressure suit glove, said, "After the basecamp grew into the settlement of Bradbury, the girl, by then a young woman, declared herself the first modern and real Martian, disappeared."

Russ replied, "That's the story."

Julie went on with, "Though it's not known where she is, a cult of mostly young people worship her. By the way, immediately after she was born her mother named her Caitlin after a long past relative. This so-called real Martian's followers call her Cat."

Russ chuckled before he said, "There was once a botball coach named Cat. If you ever watch botball, the announcers often refer to the effect that coach had on the sport."

Julie seemed completely uninterested, said, "Think you can track down this Cat?"

Russ smirked, replied, "Haven't had a missing persons case yet that I couldn't solve."

"Good," replied Julie. "Now listen very carefully, but don't pass this on to anyone. Through the good graces of a relative of mine living in the Heights neighborhood of Bradbury I found out that Cat is able to transmigrate the spirits of long dead original Martians to Solarians."

Russ huffed as he raised his eyebrows. He replied, "Jeez, I gotta wrap my mind around that one!"

Julie nodded, smiled, rose, walked away.

Russ went back to his room, climbed into his pressure suit, closed the visor.

As a youth, Russ had served his mandatory public service in the Solarian Guard.

Using the suit's cell channel, he called Pat, once a guard buddy of his. Pat now lived in Bradbury.

Pat answered, "Whoa man! What's happenin'?"

"I'm on Mars," replied Russ. I gotta assignment here, but before I get to work I'd sure like to visit, do a little reminiscing."

Pat gave Russ his address, told Russ to come over anytime, though now would be good.

Russ went out to the taxi stand, was delivered promptly to Pat's place, a dome.

The housebot, equipped with a channel to monitor and operate the airlock entrance opened the outer airlock, said over the open channel, "Welcome. We've been expecting you. Come in."

Though double airlocks were not required in single family dwellings, Pat's home had one. Russ figured Pat must have plenty of credits.

Once inside, Russ opened his visor, was enthusiastically greeted by Pat.

Russ peeled himself out of his pressure suit. Pat gestured for Russ to sit.

After a long session of reminiscing, during a pause, Russ got to his point. "You know anything about Cat? Her whereabouts for instance?

Pat replied, "Don't know anything for sure 'bout her whereabouts. But if I had to make a good guess I'd say she's probably somewhere in the Heights neighborhood."

While making a reply, Russ squirmed in his chair. "I've seen some programs and news clips about that place. Isn't that where kids hang out?"

Pat grinned around his answer. "They're hardly kids. Most of 'em are from late teens through twenties. Pretty much free spirits they are."

[ Continue to page 4 ]

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Genre:Science Fiction
Type:Short story
Rating:5.5 / 10
Rated By:7 users
Comments: 2 users
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