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Though already summer, the Center for Sustainability Research boasted a spring break vibe the next day. Outside of the residence building, a dump truck left a load of pristine, white sand to set up for a day of beach volleyball, while caterers filled tubs of ice with beer and wine under a nearby marquee. At a temporary stage, technicians completed their soundcheck ahead of an evening of live entertainment.
In support of the retro theme, the Center had booked Earth, Wind, & Fire and Abba tribute band Bj?rn Again to provide the campy entertainment. The Gamma recruits were under strict orders to forget about the mission for the weekend and let loose.
“Jayson!” called out a voice from the crowd.
Jen. The pretty Navy logistics expert from the night before.
“Hey.”
“Nothing like beer for brunch,” she said, raising a bottle.
He clinked his beer against hers.
“Not a wine girl, huh?”
“I can be—when the occasion suits it.”
“Looking forward to the show?”
“I am. Even though it’s supposed to be kind of cheesy, I have to admit I love Abba.”
“Really? Did you inherit that from your parents?”
“No,” she said with a laugh. “They grew up on grunge. I think I started listening to Abba to piss them off.”
“The goal of teenagers everywhere, I guess.”
“You sign up for volleyball?”
Jayson shook his head.
“I’m not much of a jock.”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s just for fun.”
“I don’t—”
“Come on,” she said, “Let’s do it together.”
She took him by the hand before he could respond, pulling him along behind as she headed for the courts.
<div>
***
<div>
Not everyone at the Center had time for fun. The day’s events, like the party the night before, were part of the plan to get the recruits in the right frame of mind, and someone had to monitor the data.
“What do we have since last night?” asked Richard.
“A lot of good news and some not-so-good news,” replied Cal.
He sighed.
“Let’s go with the good first.”
“Hits among the recruits are significantly more positive. Internet searches are trending toward things like survival tactics, self-sustained living, and the history of the islands. For the most part, they’re preparing to go.”
“And the bad news?”
“Hitarthi Srinivasan. She’s freaking out.”
Richard looked at Denise, leaning against the wall, staring at her phone. She ignored him.
“That’s not an analysis. I need details.”
“Mainly still reaching out to her mother,” said Cal. “But a few friends are in the mix now, too. We’ve got bots responding.”
“Any risk she’ll figure it out?”
“The bots are good—mannerisms, vernacular, everything. But she’s gonna wonder why they keep deferring video calls.”
“We can’t fake that in real-time?”
“Still experimental,” he said, shaking his head. “And to make things worse, she’s looking at flights.”
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
“Shit,” said Richard.
Denise glanced up from her phone.
“She’s not looking anymore,” said the recruiter. “She just booked.”
<div>
***
<div>
Hitarthi emerged from her room after nearly a day of self-imposed isolation, pulling a carry-on bag. The only contact she’d had with her teammates were a few brief exchanges via the Hitz-It app, assuring them she was okay. She didn’t want a fuss. With any luck, she could slip away unnoticed amid the distraction of the party. As she passed through the lobby, Olena bounded down the spiral staircase from the mezzanine.
“Morning, Hitarthi. Going somewhere?”
“Just a quick trip home.”
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah. Nothing major. I’ll be back before anyone notices.”
“Need a ride?”
“I’ve got a ride share meeting me at the outer gate.”
“Cancel it,” said Olena. “I’m heading to Honolulu.”
“Now? You’ll miss the excitement.”
“It’s only a quick trip.”
Olena glanced over her shoulder.
“I need to get some things,” she added with a wink.
Hitarthi broke into a grin.
“What?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“Now you have to tell me.”
“I’m going to a thrift shop for some funky seventies clothes to wear tonight. Just a fun little gag to go along with the music.”
“That’s so cute. Sorry I’m going to miss it.”
“I’ll post some videos. Ready to go?”
<div>
***
<div>
Jayson was better at beach volleyball than he’d let on. He knew the rules, could get the ball mostly where he wanted it, and rarely missed a serve—though he could only deliver them underhand. Jen, on the other hand, dominated. From the moment she slipped off her t-shirt and track shorts to reveal her athletic form in a sports bikini, she made it clear she wanted to win.
He deferred to her knowledge of the game, following directions as she guided his positioning, and called out where she needed him to put the ball. They dispatched their rivals one after the other in the round-robin style tournament and, after a close call in the semi-final against Josh and Kailani, cruised to victory in the last game. She gave him a high-five and a slap across the butt.
“Aren’t you glad you decided to play?”
“That was incredible!” he replied. “You’re incredible!”
She squeezed his hand and whispered, “I might have played semi-professionally for a while, but don’t tell anyone.”
“You’re lucky my partner bailed on me,” said Aiden, approaching from the sideline. “We’d have kicked your asses.”
“Samaira’s not your partner?” asked Jayson.
“Told me it wasn’t her thing. I was supposed to play with Olena.”
“Well, she’s here now.”
He pointed at Aiden’s AWOL teammate, dragging a pair of garbage bags as she approached.
“I have a surprise,” she called in a sing-song voice.
The recruits gathered around, forming a semi-circle around her.
“What is it?” asked Kailani, rubbing her hands together.
Olena dumped the contents onto the grass, revealing a collection of vintage seventies clothing.
“My God! Where did you get all this?” asked Jen.
“I cleared out every thrift store in Honolulu.”
Kailani gasped, raising a hand to her mouth.
“That must have cost you a fortune.”
“I put it on credit,” replied Olena. “I’d love to see them collect.”
Everyone laughed as they crowded around to inspect the haul.
<div>
***
<div>
A wild party followed that evening—at least relative to the ordinarily restrained and professional behavior of the young scientists and engineers. Lubricated by alcohol, the recruits let loose in a kind of shared catharsis after weeks of disorienting emotional whiplash. Their new Navy colleagues joined in with at least as much enthusiasm, dancing and drinking as though the world was ending.
Earth, Wind, and Fire put on an incredible show. Their practice of cycling in young talent provided an opportunity for the aging original members to pace themselves while a new generation took the spotlight in front of the dancing crowd. Boogie Wonderland, Sing a Song, and September—even though the songs were hits decades before anyone in the audience was born, the young revelers grooved along as if they’d grown up on them.
The closing act, Bj?rn Again, had evolved from its original form into a franchise of several Abba tribute groups touring under the same name. Careful quality control ensured fans could expect a similar, high-quality experience no matter which one of the band’s incarnations they saw. The antiseptic practices of big business behind the routine couldn’t spoil the fun for even the most cynical of minds among the crowd.
Jayson had found an undersized, long white jacket and a comically short pair of matching bell-bottom pants to complement the evening’s seventies theme. A sequined fedora with a feather in it topped off his ridiculous ensemble. It didn’t feel out of place, as others had gone for equally outlandish looks.
Jen had opted for a leopard print halter top and a pair of hot pants that looked as though they might burst apart under pressure from her bulging quadriceps. As they bounced in unison to the chorus of Waterloo, Jayson tuned out the jostling crowd, focusing only on her. Her flirtatious behavior had been evolving throughout the day, and she now clung to him as they danced. He found it impossible to hide his growing interest, and knew she must be able to feel it as she pressed against him.
“I’d like to see your room,” she yelled in his ear over the din of the music.
“It’s nothing special. Same as all the others.”
She cocked her head to the side and raised an eyebrow.
“Oh,” he said, his eyes going wide. “Yeah, of course.”
She grabbed his hand and guided him through the crowd toward the residence building. Jayson glanced back to see if anyone saw them leave, unsure if he wanted people to notice or not. Either way, it seemed everyone was having too much fun to care. He rummaged through his pockets for the key card with his free hand as they hurried into the building, not wanting to waste time trying to find it when they got to his room.
As they reached the door, he unlocked it with a quick pass of the card, and Jen pushed him over the threshold to the bed. She pressed her lips to his as they collapsed onto the pillows.