Read Online Strangers and Shadows by John Kowalsky - Free Book Online Page B

 
    “Why not just give us the nanites that the rest of you have?” Asher asked.
    “I’m afraid that I haven’t been told the reason for that.  I’m sure there is a good one,” Sylvia said.  “It may just be a matter of time.  The procedure can take a while.  The nanites have to be matched to your specific DNA so the immune system doesn’t fight them.”  She brought the matter to a close.  “Anyway, why don’t you two practice using the bands while we tour the city.”  She disappeared to the cockpit and several moments later the hover pushed away from the observation deck.
    They flew out over the city merging with the flow of traffic.
    Ava saw a beautiful skyscraper sparkling in the distance and wondered about it.
    Startling her, the building was suddenly highlighted in her vision and the name was flying in the air next to it.  In her ears she heard a pleasant, gender-neutral voice giving her the date the building was created, its architect, what the building was used for, and a host of other facts.
    Beside her, Asher was lost in his own experience, no doubt drawn to the shiny flying things.  “This is incredible.”  
    “Indeed it is,” Ava replied.  She was about to wonder how the bands worked when her band projected the information for her.
    Sensors over the eyes tracked eye movement and also projected images directly onto the lenses of the eyes.  The ear buds analyzed any audio coming in, as well as sending its own audio out.  The entire band itself imaged the brain and monitored various brain waves, intuitively knowing what the wearer was thinking.
    Ava was impressed.
    “ Thank you,” the pleasant voice in her ear said.
    Ava shouldn’t have been surprised, but she was.  It was unnerving having something know what she was thinking.
    “ If you prefer, you can turn my AI function off.”  
    “No, that’s fine,” Ava replied.  She just needed to get used to it.
    “Who are you talking to?” Asher asked.
    “The band.”
    He was about to follow up with another question, but stopped short as his own band filled him in.  “Ah, I see.”
    As they flew over the capital city, their bands gave them the relevant information of the tour.  Parks, museums, architecture, history—it was all fascinating to the couple from the Fourth.
    The tour lasted about an hour.  When it was finished, the hover docked with the Embassy building where the dinner would take place.  It was also where their apartments were located.
    Sylvia reappeared from the cockpit.  “I hope you enjoyed the tour.  Your bands will show you to your suites, I trust you will find them accommodating.  If you need anything, just ask, and the bands will put you in contact with an appropriate aide.”
    The hover door slid open and Sylvia walked them to the platform. 
    They stepped onto the landing platform and the door closed with Sylvia still on board.  Ava and Asher watched as the hover pulled away.
    “How—?” Asher began to ask, when his band responded.
    “ This way please.”
    A highlighted path was displayed on the landing platform.  It started at his feet and led inside the Embassy building.
    They followed the band’s instructions as it led them to their separate but adjoined apartments.  
    The apartments were spacious and elegant.  With the band’s assistance on the controls, they had showered and changed into the clothing provided for them with no trouble at all.  
     
    Ava and Asher arrived at the dining hall, and were greeted by Dorian.
    “You made it.  Excellent,” he said.  “You look wonderful.  Give us a twirl.”
    Ava complied, showing off the extravagant dress that had been provided for her.  Nothing she had ever owned back home came close to it.
    Asher, in a dark suit, could barely contain himself.  “These bands are amazing!” he blurted out.  “I wish we’d had these in Chicago.”
    Dorian chuckled at the young man’s excitement.
    Ava, however, reddened.  “Mind your tongue,