One for Kami by Charlene A. Wilson Read Free Book Online Page B

activity surrounded them as travelers and advisors headed from the hub through the web of paths that led to their transport sites.
    She turned to her advisor’s image. Even though his hologram stood on a six-inch stage, the man’s head reached her shoulders at best. She had a perfect view of his cheap toffee-colored toupee. If he’d gone a shade lighter, it might not be so bad.
    “I’m sorry Henson. I needed to say good-bye.”
    He nodded and pushed his black-rimmed glasses up his narrow nose. They obviously didn’t fit right, and Kami wondered if he didn’t have the money to purchase better items or it wasn’t on his list of priorities. Regardless, he held himself with a confident demeanor.
    “Well, they’re on standby at transport Three Ober . Your baggage has been sent and placed in your temporary stay. Escorts are waiting to show you around.”
    Kami blew a long stream of air through her lips and then allowed her nod to confirm her readiness.
    Cocking his head to the side, he motioned toward the North-East facility. His starched lab coat swung like a bell as he leaned into his steps along the Visioneer runway. She imagined his black trousers banging against the sides with a deep bong and the white glow that pulsed on the platform beneath each step could serve as a drum’s beat. Seeing the action as musical interlude lightened her mood and made it easier to keep pace on her way to her life-changing decision to leave.
    As she entered the transport room, a sense of new beginnings blossomed in her heart. Amaryllis lined the right side of the cobbled path in shades of red and pink. A three-tier fountain stood among a spray of green and yellow ivy, the trellis wall curving to enclose the setting in a cozy nook. Tree ferns slumped beside it, blocking out much of the light from the few bobbles that peeked from beneath the throng—not that they were needed, Henson’s specialized trail gleamed to the left and highlighted the walkway plenty.
    He led the way to a small clearing in the middle of the arboretum. A silvery glow rose at the center like a magical globe sliced in half by a pool of achromatic liquid. Though his path met the low platform, he halted before the circular stage. Kami’s heart skipped. Pinching her lips together, she ran her hands down her stomach to settle her nerves.
    Henson turned and clasped his hands in front of him. “ Vella Keagan, you’ve been found deserving of this transfer to plane Three-Two-Three for the requested six month leave. Keep the laws of this privilege at the forefront of your mind at all times.” He shoved his oblong glasses up his nose and lifted his chin to look at her through the spectacles. “You’ve been through briefing. Do you have any final questions?”
    Kami heaved a sigh and shook her head, looking back at the argent circle.
    “Very well.” At the little man’s nod, a pillar of blue and gray light issued from the base, silver sparks dancing through the bright illuminations. He held out a hand, motioning for her to proceed. “Should you wish to return before your allotted time, come back to the arboretum and hail dimension Two-Eight-Five-Henson. Be certain it is what you want to do. Not fulfilling your obligation set by the consort will blacken our credibility. And you do not want to be the cause of that. I believe you understand the consequences.”
    She flexed her fingers and then bunched them into fists. “Don’t worry, Henson. Nothing’s going to get me earthbound.” She inched toward the glowing cylinder. “I’m late enough to everything already. Can you imagine if I couldn’t sync with space? I’d have to walk everywhere.”
    A nervous chuckle followed her words and she caught the slight grin on his lips in her periphery.
    “Remember your training. There will be pressure. Try to stay calm and allow Ober to do its job. Fighting the procedure will only cause more discomfort and possible harm.”
    If that’s meant to put me at ease, it