Written by Jan | 24 September 2011

Present day outside the UN in New York City, New York

Arda hit the pavement, then her knees, belly and hands. A moment later she was sitting on the ground, looking up.

"Hrrump" came from one of the security guards as they turned, shutting the door behind them.

Arda? Said Scotty in her head.

HyMa, I need a drink! Arda thought to Scotty as she walked down the street.

Uhh…Startled, Scotty paused. She hadn't had a drink since her partner died.

He searched. Keep going through the two stoplights and its up three buildings. It's called THE INTERNATIONAL.

The only response was a mild grunt.

Arda entered and sought out a quiet booth. Then she had her head on the table, staring at her drink. The waiter had not responded to her request but patiently waited. Scotty quickly supplied a more appropriate selection- Whiskey and water.. good Scotch Whiskey. Even though Scotty had cleared and verified it was a Macallan and water, she just stared at it.

"You sure caused quite a stir." Arda sat up and looked at the woman standing in front of her table. Scotty could see she was quite sophisticated. The woman had wonderful bone structure, clear blue grey eyes and white hair in a classic chin length style. He could sense Arda's surprise.

She's cute!

Scotty

"Can I join you?" The woman asked.

Arda gestured to the seat in the booth. The waiter approached.

"I'll have what she's having." Nodding, the waiter went off.

"So, you're interested in Individual Sovereignty?"

At first Scotty could feel Arda's confusion, but before he could suggest something, Arda answered the woman. "If you mean I want to be my own master? Yes."

"I'm Suzanne Warren." She held out her hand and Arda shook it. "I work in International Law. I have seen this individual sovereignty tried for taxes but generally you have to stay below the radar for that, but you…." Suzanne shook her head.

Arda rolled her eyes, "It was stupid!" she said.

"Not that stupid. I believe you were using logic and the law. As you found out that doesn’t always work. You did cause a stir and that's why I found out about it. I belong to a group that that believes in this idea, too." Suzanne looked up as the waiter returned and accepted her drink.

"I think you would be a good addition." She said as she raised her glass. "Here's to Fantastic Dreams!" They toasted. Suzanne's eyebrows shot up as she swallowed the liquid. Scotty wanted to laugh; it amused him that women rarely drank whisky.

"Here is my card if you're interested. We need someone with such intestinal fortitude."

Arda took the card and shook Suzanne's hand again. Suzanne rose, left a twenty on the table, smiled and left.

Sighing, Arda said: Scotty, pick me up, please.

Anticipated, the hover awaits.

****

Arda's ship lay, just outside of the United State's territorial limits. The hovercraft could mimic a boat, especially when it was so near other craft and radar, but once the main congestion was cleared, Arda sped up, riding on a cushion of air at over two hundred miles per hour. Arda had quite a bit of sophisticated gadgets and equipment, but she had to be careful. Sometimes that meant taking more time to travel than she would have preferred but seeing the ship slowly rise over the horizon Arda felt it was worth it.

The Meris, Arda's ship, was the size of an average two story home, at least the part that was visible. It was solid, glistening red at the moment; no windows to be seen. Scotty, her AI, didn't need windows, he was able to see from the skin of the ship, but when Arda was aboard the whole surface could be cleared to allow in as much light as she wanted. Shaped like a water droplet, it had a control room at the peak with quarters, mess and rec room underneath. At the water line was an open area large enough for a barbeque and a table and chairs! Now, why did she think of that? It was all that Googling of real estate ads, they were so peculiarly arty. She had caught herself surfing for hours, fascinated by the lovely language and the ideas they spawned. Barbeques sounded homey and familiar. Maybe she could have one.

Beneath the water line was the docking area, as well as the hold for all her goods, a gym and engine room. Just as the hovercraft reached the Meris it submerged and came up underneath to access the dock. Opening the door on the side of the hovercraft, Arda stepped out onto the deck.

"I am going to my quarters. Give me some mellow music please Scotty and how about some food?" She said out loud. Scotty chose some Enya and the Irish woman's voice enveloped her like she was floating right into her quarters.

Arda changed into her comfy clothes. The quarters were large, one thing Arda knew was a must when choosing a vessel. It had a study with a sitting area, a large bed, very large bath complete with a soaking tub and finally space to dance.

"Scotty could you open a phone line and dial the number of George's brother Dr. Mapu in Australia?". Arda started eating her dinner as she waited. Soon she heard a dial tone in her head.

Sea Turtle Foundation, office of Dr. Mapu.

***

David was fussing at his desk. He needed to get this speech in order. The plane was leaving soon and he his mind was wandering. The phone buzzed.

"Yes, Marsha?" Not looking at the phone.

"You have a phone call on Line 1."

He was so tired but David tried not to snap. "Thanks" he said.

"Hello?"

"Dr. Mapu?"

"This is David Mapu, yes."

"This is Arda."

The world stopped. "Arda?"

"Yes, I know it has been awhile, but I am here now."

Yeah, it had been awhile. The last time he had heard from Arda, the only time, was a note that came with the coffin.

David,

I know your last meeting with your brother was hard but he still cared very much for you. I was his partner for ten years and though I will miss him very much I thought it would be appropriate to send him home to you now.

Please know he comes with my love,

Arda

"David?"

"Yes, I'm here."

"Good, I would like to come see you maybe next week?"

Shaking himself, David tried to concentrate. "Next week, yes, ..oh no, no, I will be at a conference in Hawaii. Uhh.." He faltered.

"Hawaii? That would be fine. Could I meet you there?"

Confused, David continued the conversation wondering how could she accept Hawaii if she though it was going to be Australia?

"Sure, I will be delivering my paper on Wednesday morning. Would you like to attend the lecture?"

"Yes, yes I would."

"I'll make the arrangements. Do you know where the Hilton Waikola is on the Big Island?"

"Yes." Or at least I will. Scotty was already working on the location.

"Meet me in the lobby at say," He looked at his watch. "Umm..7:30 in the morning. We could have breakfast and then go to the conference room. How will I know you?" David looked up trying to picture her.

"Don't worry, I'll know you. See you then." And she hung up.

David stared at the phone not knowing what to think. Where was this woman from? And what did she do as a partner with her brother?

***

Arda presented herself at the front desk of the Conrad Hotel in New York. It hadn't taken much to convince Arda to make the call to Suzanne especially since she hadn't come up with any good ideas on her own how to proceed. Her group was holding a meeting on Friday and Arda was invited to attend. The hotel manager was expecting her, coming around and escorting Arda to a large conference room. Suzanne met her and they both walked into the room. It was not quite full yet but Suzanne led her to the front row and sat down with her. Shortly a man came up to the podium. Seeing Arda he smiled then introduced himself to the audience as Pete Freeman starting his speech. Arda had researched his group in reference to declaring independence and it seemed to be just as she had pictured it. An independent colony in the ocean, which was not a new idea but she wondered how far it could go considering the resistance she had received. The lecture took predictable journeys into how to build it and why it was so great and the neat little legal obstacles in their path. In the end the outcome was they needed more money.

Ah, yes that is a surprise!

Give them a chance Scotty, they are just starting.

Yeah, but they're still fooling around with stuff like those inefficient photovoltaics while I sit on all this tritium. What do you think their interest is in you?

I don't know, maybe compatriots?

The lecture was over and Mr. Freeman was walking up to the two woman.

"Arda, I'd like to introduce you to a good friend, Mr. Pete Freeman."

"Please, call me Pete, how did you like the lecture?" he asked as he stuck out his hand, smiling.

"Very interesting, how far have you gotten?" Arda asked.

"Pretty far, we have a working platform with plans to expand."

Suzanne turned to Arda, "I think you two have much in common, I'll leave you in his capable hands." And with that Suzanne turned to some of the other audience members.

"Have you had breakfast? We could talk ..." Pete asked with a big grin gesturing out of the conference room.

"No, thank you." He face lost its smile. "But I would like to talk. How about some water?

Smiling again Pete led her to a quiet place in the hotel's coffee shop, ordered her a bottle of water while he had coffee.

"What is it that you do, Miss Arda?"

"Arda, please. I am a trader in ethnic goods."

"Uh, huh. You are looking for markets?"

"Mmm… yes." She smiled and took the top off the bottle scrutinizing the fluid.

All clear, practically pure H₂o, minimal contaminants.

Thanks, Scotty.

"But you still have some matters to work out, like I do?" She asked raising her eyebrows.

"Yes, we do, but I have high hopes. I hear you caused a ruckus over at the UN?"

"Yeah," she blushed. "I jumped in too fast."

"You ruffled a few feathers. I think it's great, they are so full of themselves over there, they need something to worry about."

"HyMa, I hope not too much. I prefer not to be noticed."

"Well, might be too late for that. How would you like to visit my platform? I might have something interesting for you to consider."

"Yes, I would like that."

"Why don't you leave me your contact info and I'll call you."

Good luck investigating pal. Scotty said.

Don't worry Scotty.

I always worry, he answered.

"I look forward to your call." Arda said to Pete.

Arda stuck out her hand to shake. He took and kissed the back of it. Arda blushed.

Ho, ho, looks like he may want a date!

Oh Scotty, I think he is just a gentleman. But Arda was pleased.

After Pete left Arda thought Pick me up, Scotty

Aye, Aye captain

Arda smiled, it was nice to hear Scotty joke.

##

Arda got back to her ship earlier than the last night and much happier. She walked onto the bridge and asked the status.

"Everything is perfect, as usual. Had some dolphins swim by, I tooted at them but I don't think they liked it."

"Tooted, why did you do that?

"I like to see creatures jump."

Arda rolled her eyes. This was Scotty's version of buzzing sheep. "You know, these creatures might not take that so easily."

She checked the satellite feeds and started to narrow down the location of the Seastead wondering what they had named it. Maybe something like Atlantis, that seemed logical, but it was probably FREEMANLAND.

"I found some likely prospects, I like this one." Scotty produced a picture of the North Pacific on the tabletop panels in front of her. "It's in a region known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch about twice the size of Texas. It collects the pollution of the ocean because of the rotating currents that leave the middle pretty quiet."

Arda leaned over and looked at the picture. "A cool idea to pick up this stuff, it’s a way to clean up the ocean and get some interesting material. I wonder if that was their intention, if this is it, of course."

"Oh, I think it is." And Scotty zoomed in. There on the board stood a platform, much larger than the models, all floating innocently on the water."

"HyMa, that is not little. I guess they have done well."

Scotty agreed as Arda bent closer to the board.

"Now what do you think he has in mind from you?" Scotty asked

"Better be the prospect of my trading with them."

"Hmm… they are so strange."

"Not that strange, Scotty." She smiled and went back to the readouts. This would be a nice trip. After an hour hunched over the panels, Scotty opened the call that was coming in to Arda. It was Pete Freeman asking if she wanted to visit in the next week. Arda was glad he still found her interesting. Arrangements were made. It was no surprise when Pete revealed the location of the Seastead but to his credit, Pete asked few questions and accepted that Arda would be stepping on board the Seastead Monday morning but without any detail of how that would be accomplished. This trip would be interesting. Straightening up she arched her back.

"You know, you haven't worked out for a couple of days." Scotty said.

"Yeah, that sounds good." She walked out of the bridge and headed down the corridor. All the way down the length of the ship, down the stairs three flights and into the gym. This ship wasn't large as these things go, but it took a bit of time getting there. Opening the door, she stripped down and started running.

How about Beethoven's Fifth? Arda thought there was such good music in this part of the world.

As Scotty turned off the gravity she jumped up and floated the rest of the way to the ceiling doing cartwheels in the air, timing it with the music. Flipping around she floated to the top and turned, heading to the port wall, touching briefly, then repeated the motion on the starboard side. For the next two hours Arda worked out her kinks, worked and tired out all of her muscles. Touching down, she walked back up to her cabin and luxuriated in a nice, long hot immersion right up to her chin. Scotty monitored to make sure she didn't slip under from falling asleep and picked up her clothes in the gym. Confident in her ship, Arda soaked for a good long time, finally having enough she drained the tank and dried off.

Tomorrow, let's head out, take our time. I'd like to go around the horn, stop and see some penguins. Arda thought between yawns. She had planned to see some of the Pacific waters, but again she had to be careful. All of her super gadgets (if discovered) would invite scrutiny. She could be a super spy, a military agent or even (she smiled) an alien from outer space coming to greet the earthlings. Very advanced, of course, and perfectly wise which meant totally peaceful. What a silly but useful cover.

Penguins, you and the animals, we'll be lucky if we don't end up with some pets.

HyMa, no pets, that's too much trouble, like children and anyway, admit it, you like them, too! She climbed into her bed. Make sure to lock up.

Aye, Aye, captain.

Thanks, Scotty.