New Atlantis

Donna Marie Robb

Kate sighed as she signed what seemed like her thousandth autograph that day. In spite of the weather-protective dome that covered the entire theme park New Atlantis, it still felt as if it were over a hundred degrees in that heavy alien costume she was wearing. Sweat tickled her face and made her clothes cling to her skin like damp rags. What made matters even worse were the tiny scraps of paper and even tinier pens that the fans thrust at her. Her hands were concealed beneath padded tentacles and the long name of her character, “Ori’arman’do,” frustrated her further. She ended up shortening it to “Ori.” Her handwriting was still illegible.  Not that the fans really cared. The Last Chance, part of the popular Galactic Battle series, was the only holovid that this character appeared in. . . and for her own sake, hopefully the last.

Ori’s companion Sonia portrayed the part of Areathia, the Warrior Queen of Eden II, a fictional planet in a distant galaxy.  Relief washed over her as she felt Sonia grab her heavily padded hand. “Come on, Ori. Our spaceship has landed backstage. It’s time to go.”

Kate wobbled beside tall, slender Sonia as they trudged toward the backstage area of Eden II, the “land” that this section of New Atlantis represented, ignoring multiple requests for “one last picture” and the grasps of overly eager guests. Even through the heavy netting, Kate caught the whiffs of cigarette smoke blending with the scents of popcorn, hot dogs and sweating human bodies. If she was separated from Sonia in their upstream struggle, the young woman’s silver, mock-mail costume and thick crimson wig was not difficult to lose in a crowd, in spite of the meshed vision that the cumbersome costume provided.

I’ll never be able to wear a costume with my face showing, Kate thought as she wobbled past the press of humanity into the cool, refreshing quite of the backstage area. I’m too short and don’t have the right look. Her body was solid and athletic, not the willowy, delicate build that was favored by the holovid creators. And while her cheekbones were high and her features pleasant, her skin was freckled, not translucent or golden-brown like a holovid heroine’s. Still, she was grateful for her unique looks. They revealed that her parents had opted for natural children, not genetically enhanced ones. Really, who in the real world outside of New Atlantis would want the generic beauty that those heroines possessed? Kate assured herself of this every time she found herself getting discouraged over the sore limbs and overheating that movement inside one of those heavy costumes produced.

At least this is just a temporary job, one to help my family until I get my degree, she thought as she popped off the costumed head and felt the chill of the air conditioning brush against her sweaty face. Sonia had already disappeared into the break area. Once I finish with school, I’m out of here. I’m not making this my life career like some of the others.

In the break room, Kate gratefully peeled out of her costume and hung it on the rack, amongst the other bulky, alien costumes. She plopped the head onto the nearest stump, next to other random alien and monster heads that stared vacantly from their stumps, appearing like decapitated victims on a faraway planet. The rest of the character crew were scattered around the break room. The others who wore full costumes were sitting on the ground, playing cards. They were dressed in the Park issued baggy T-shirts and shorts, identical to Kate’s, and some had their hair wrapped in scarves. Sonia and Noreen, who portrayed Lunia, Princess of the Third Moon of the planet Astaris, were discussing plans to meet Marcus Gomez, the handsome Icon who was the star of several holovids. That morning, there had been an announcement that he would be in the Park, in the land called Aquarius, for several hours, greeting fans and taking photos. Noreen continued to preen her long platinum wig as they spoke.

Kate shook her head as she picked her book bag off the floor and headed for the lunchroom so she could study with a limited amount of noise. She secretly wished to meet Marcus as well since it wasn’t often that ordinary citizens had the advantage to meet a holovid Icon but it didn’t matter since the only way she’d get close enough to him would be when she was in costume, hidden beneath layers of foam padding and plastic scales. Besides, tonight she had a calculus final that she needed to study for.

There weren’t very many people in the lunchroom, just a sweeper sitting at a far table smoking a cigarette, a small group of shopkeepers eating an early lunch and two men in black suits chatting next to the doorway. Kate found an empty table and shuffled through the pages of her book.

At least this was one of the few classes that still used books. Her calculus teacher, an older gentleman, preferred tradition and refused to bend to the new trend of teaching by vids and computer tutorials.

“The boss told me that Marcus’ popularity is declining,” said one of the suited men. Kate continued to stare at the first problem in her book but focused her ears on what the men were discussing. “And you know what that means. I have my instructions.” Through the corner of her eye, she saw him pat his coat pocket.

“But here, at the Park?” The second man looked around then glanced at his watch. He lowered his voice when he saw Kate and the others. “I suppose now is best. The boss will come up with a good story. He always does. Let’s go.”

Kate, still keeping her head lowered, watched as they slid noiselessly through the exit. A numbing sickness spread through her. No. It couldn’t be true. Were they really going to kill Marcus? Could she be sure of that?

She remembered a book she had come across, buried in the dusty stacks of her college library called The Secret Life of Icons. This book, which had been banned years ago, described how certain couples, selected by the holovid studio executives, were taken to a private resort where they spent several months in a beautiful setting with every need catered to. When the woman became pregnant, she began treatments that would enhance the physical attributes of the developing embryo, a practice that was nowadays also done among ordinary people, as some of Kate’s coworkers revealed. These parents could remain at the resort for years, until it was determined that the child was Icon material. If so, the birth parents were disposed of quickly, painlessly and without publicity and the child raised by Guardians hand selected by the studio executives.

Kate’s hands and feet felt numb. The Secret Life of Icons had also explained that Icons who were losing favor with the public were disposed of, the cause of their deaths fabricated by the news media.

Marcus was in trouble.

Kate toyed with the idea of explaining this to Sonia and Noreen but changed her mind. They would never understand. She doubted they had ever even seen a print book. When they weren’t auditioning to become Icons themselves, their lives revolved around the Park. Since the competition to become an Icon as a teen or adult was harsh—in spite of most starring roles only being suitable for those who were genetically enhanced—Sonia and Noreen would most likely remain here until they grew too old to work in the Park portraying youthful holovid heroines. After that, they would be transferred to the corporate offices for clerical jobs. Her mind tuned out their giggling gossip as she climbed back into her costume. The interior padding felt cool against her skin, something she knew wouldn’t last once she began once again intermingling with the pressing crowds.

“You’re both going to find Marcus?” she asked, clutching the costume head beneath one arm as she waddled toward Sonia and Noreen who were still primping in front of the break room vanity. Kate felt herself blush; she hated the awkward gait that this short-legged costume gave her. Only a few more months of this before she graduated and then. . .

“You can come if you like,” Sonia said with a slightly flippant tone. “But we have to get over to Aquarius. You’ll have to keep up.”

“Okay.” Kate took a deep breath before she submerged her own head once again in the costume head’s musty interior.

She stumbled after the slender, costumed forms of Sonia and Noreen, who glided effortlessly through the crowd. Kate brushed aside the children and adults that grasped at her, begging for an autograph or picture.

I don’t care if I get fired, she thought, determined, ignoring her sore joints, the sweat that trickled into her eyes and the irritating itch on the side of her nose that she couldn’t scratch. I can always get another job, just not one as novel as this. The Park was a cacophony of noise, ranging from the conversations of countless guests to the distant screams coming from the surrounding thrill attractions.

She and her companions reached the outskirts of Eden II, the land that was designed to resemble the planetary utopia-empire of the Galactic Battle series and were plunging into Aquarius, the undersea world of Children of the Sea. Even through her mask, Kate could see the scenery shift from a plush garden of unusual terraformed flora into one of vast, too-blue lakes and waterfalls. Marcus was stationed next to Tsunami, the world’s fastest roller coaster. Standing at over a thousand feet, guests were swept along the tracks in enclosed, bullet-shaped cars that shot through an airless interior vacuum at over 300 miles per hour. Three-dimensional holovids of deep ocean life formed the background to the attraction. The interior and outside of the building housing the coaster were identical. Kate herself had ridden Tsunami dozens of times. It was her favorite.

She longed to stare at the swaying plant life and darting, colorful fish that flickered over the outside of the building, as if it were a giant window looking out at the ocean depths. Occasionally the distant, eerie sounds of whale-song broke through the crowd noise. She turned her focus to a grotto at the base of the building where Marcus was standing on a platform, posing for photos. It was then that Kate realized her exhaustion. Her face felt hot and red beneath her mask, her heart was rapid. Nerves slithered through her stomach as she looked up at the tall, handsome Icon surrounded by bodyguards and camera-hungry fans. Squinting through the mesh, she recognized the two men that she had overheard in the lunchroom.

“Can I get a picture with all of you?” someone from the crowd asked.

Marcus smiled shyly and motioned Sonia, Noreen and Kate over to him. Sonia and Noreen squealed with delight.

“Careful, Ori,” Sonia chided as Kate tripped on a step leading onto the platform.

“Are you all right?” Marcus grabbed one of her costume’s tentacled arms to steady her. She nodded but was sure the gesture had gone unnoticed. She wasn’t permitted to speak among the guests while in costume. She kept an eye fixed on the man standing the closest to them, the one who had hinted at killing Marcus. He continued to touch his breast pocket as if he were concealing something.

Kate’s stomach tensed. He couldn’t do anything to Marcus here in full view of the public, could he? She was relieved that her costume concealed her face since no one would be able to see her pensive expression as she mulled over what to do.

“That’s enough,” said the pocket-patting bodyguard as he motioned for Marcus to step down from the platform. “Marcus needs a break.” 

Sonia and Noreen groaned. Kate took a deep breath, tore off the head of her costume and grabbed Marcus’s arm. “Follow me. These men want to kill you.”

Marcus stared down at her, stunned. She could feel countless prying eyes of the guests, staring, gasping and heard the surprised murmurs of her coworkers. “Her head must have overheated in that costume,” Sonia whispered.

“She’s going to be in so much trouble,” Noreen returned.

“Young lady, you’ve been watching too many holovids,” said the bodyguard. He gazed at her with eyes that were as pale and lifeless as blighted grass. “Mr. Marcus has many other obligations and—“

Kate hurled the heavy costumed head into his chest. He stumbled backwards into the amazed crowd.

She awkwardly clutched Marcus’s arm with a padded, fingerless hand and pulled him into the nearest backstage alley.

“What are you doing?” he gasped, his dark eyes flashing. “Don’t you know the penalty for—?“

“You have to trust me.” Kate could hear the bodyguards’ rapid footfalls. “Follow me. I’ll tell you what’s going on when we get away from your guards.”

Marcus shrugged and, to her relief, complied. “I don’t understand what you’re up to but at least it’s a novelty. I’m so tired of having every minute of my life scheduled for me.”

His words surprised Kate but she didn’t have time to ponder them. She was thankful that she was familiar with the mazelike patterns of this dimly lit backstage area and, wishing to shed the rest of her costume, charged ahead of Marcus, leading him down a winding path. The thick walls surrounding them created a refreshing coolness although the air was damp and smelled musty.

“They went this way,” said one of the bodyguards. Their footsteps echoed loudly through the passageway.

“Where are we going?” asked Marcus.

“Away from them!” Kate found herself almost snapping at him. Her sweat-beaded face was chilled but the rest of her was roasting, both from the costume and tingling anxiety. What had she gotten herself into? Could she really save Marcus from his own people?

They reached a three-pronged fork in the hallway. Kate took a deep breath and plunged to the left, which led to a short stairwell that ended at the stage where the live show based on Children of the Sea took place. She hoped that, should the guards choose this direction, she and Marcus would be harder to locate amongst the costumed performers. Besides, the bottom of the stairwell provided a snug hiding place.

It was between shows right now. The curtains were drawn and Kate could heart the performers’ voices coming from the nearby greenroom, mingling with the holovid ads that were blaring from the screens surrounding the outside theater. Kate had seen this show once before, a garish mixture of lavish costumes, 3-D fantasy seascapes that completely surrounded the audience, making them feel as if they were part of the show, and loud, piped-in music.

“Help me get out of this thing and I’ll explain what’s happening,” Kate said as she led him into their hiding place. They should be safe here, at least long enough to think of a plan. . . she hoped.

“This I’d like to hear.” Marcus fumbled with the zipper and Velcro. “I’m starting to think you’re some crazy undercover reporter.”

“Believe me, I’m not,” Kate said as she stepped out of the costume and kicked it into a corner. She felt as if she had suddenly become so light she could float. She ran a hand through her sweaty hair and felt suddenly self-conscious as the reality of her situation became clear. She was just an ordinary girl, someone born in the natural way, standing in damp, baggy, Park-issued clothes before a well dressed, genetically enhanced Icon that the entire world recognized. He was even better looking now, with his black, wavy hair slightly mussed and an appealing flush brightening his dusky complexion. Kate’s knees began to tremble. She leaned against the wall to steady herself and took a deep breath before continuing. “Have you ever heard of a book called The Secret Life of Icons?”

Marcus’s eyes widened. “An actual book? I think I’ve only seen those in museums.”

An unexpected twinge of sympathy squeezed Kate. “You. . . “She shifted from one foot to the other as she struggled to think of a polite way to phrase her question. “Can you read?” She blushed.

Marcus nodded. “Of course. But all I ever get to read are holovid scripts and speeches for interviews that are written out for me. But even these come on computer-cards, never actual print and paper. Where did you find such an artifact? I didn’t think they made books anymore.”

“In my college library. What you must—“

“College? Do you get to choose what you want to be?”

Kate nodded and could feel her tension rising. He kept getting off the subject. And it was his life that was in jeopardy. “My major is in cellular biology. But Marcus, that’s not the point. I—“

“I never had a choice.” He slumped onto a nearby bench. “My destiny was decided before I was born.”

“I know.” A sudden thought occurred to Kate. “Have you ever wanted to be anything besides an Icon?”

He nodded. “Lots of times. But I don’t know what else I could do. Acting in holovids is all I’ve ever done.”

“Marcus, you have to listen to me.” Kate could hear voices but, whether they were the performers getting ready or the guards closing in, she couldn’t be sure; the roar in her ears was louder. “Your bodyguards are planning to kill you.” He jerked his head back in shock. “It’s true. I overheard them when I was on my break. That’s why I had to get to you. They do it quickly, with a needle and syringe, a quick shot to the arm.”

“I don’t believe you. They sometimes give me shots to help me relax when I’m too wound up but they’ve never tried to kill me.” He rose. His voice had gone cold. “Their job is to protect me. It doesn’t make sense—“

“You’ve been gradually losing popularity, haven’t you, now that you’re getting older?” His wounded look stabbed at Kate. She cursed herself for spewing those words but it was too late for her to take them back now. “You must believe me. I’ve read that book. Icons who lose popularity are quickly and painlessly disposed of. But I thought if you can—“

“That’s impossible. The media—“

“Reports what it’s told. The stories range from heart attacks to suicides to drug overdoses.” Marcus was shaking his head. His expression was a mixture of rage and despair. “But maybe you can convince them not to and become something else. If not—“

“There you are.” A chill iced Kate’s neck and back when she heard that familiar voice echoing through the room. It was the pale-eyed guard she had thrown the head at. Several others flanked him. “Arrest that girl,” he commanded, pointing at Kate. “She will be charged with assault and kidnapping.” He drew close to her, his icy gaze eerie against the dull lighting. “You realize that the kidnapping of a public Icon carries the death penalty.” His tone was a sneer.

“Leave her alone, George,” said Marcus, stepping in front of Kate. She sighed, struggling to find relief but feeling only a rising tension. Over her heartbeat she could hear the announcer stating that the Children of the Sea stage show would be starting in moments. The glittering performers were gathering onto the stairs above them, awaiting their cue. “She thought I was in danger and tried to protect me.”

“In danger? Then what are we being paid for?” George laughed, a hollow sound. “It sounds like she’s been reading too many tabloids. Let’s forget this nonsense, okay? You’ve had too much excitement for today. I’ll give you a sedative to help you relax. Then we’ll take you through the backstage area so you won’t have to meet any of your fans, to the front of the Park where the limo is waiting. You can then rest and watch vids for a few hours before your interview this evening, okay?”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a needle-tipped syringe.

Kate’s mind was a flurry as she grabbed Marcus’s hand and pulled him up the stairs, trailing a small group of veiled, bejeweled dancers as they glided onto the stage. George’s heavy footsteps clumped behind.

“What are you doing?” Marcus whispered into her ear. “He’s just going to give me a sedative. I could use the rest after this day.” 

“He won’t do this in front of an audience.” She felt a quick stinging sensation on her arm as she pushed Marcus onto the stage and stumbled after him. She grew suddenly limp. The spotlights dazzled her vision and gleaming dancers and performers costumed as glittering fish and merpeople swirled around her. The surrounding holovids displayed a wavering underwater seascape dominated by a crystalline palace and coral villages. But everything was blurred. Kate collapsed onto the stage.

“What happened?” She was aware of Marcus scrambling to her side, pulling her into his arms. The music had stopped. Everything was growing quiet except for murmurs and gasps coming from the audience and the surrounding performers.

“She got in the way,” said George.

“You gave her the sedative by accident? It’s never had this reaction on me.”

Everything was starting to go dark. Kate struggled to hold onto her consciousness.

“That wasn’t a sedative, was it? It was poison. Poison that was intended for me.” Marcus’s horrified voice echoed throughout the hushed auditorium, ringing in Kate’s ears. “She saved me . . . isn’t there anything we can do?”

“The poison works fast,” said George. “It would be too late by the time we could get an antidote.”

Kate’s consciousness dimmed. She managed a faint smile as she looked up into Marcus’s blurred face. Thousands had just witnessed George’s act and confession. Maybe the word would spread. Maybe Marcus will be safe, along with any other Icon in danger of losing popularity with the masses. Because of her. . .

A brief wave of triumph passed through Kate before everything faded. 

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