Calypso Directive by Brian Andrews Page A

not what Mr. Nicolora had in mind when he chose the bee as the symbol of this organization. The ancients revered bees, not only because of their industriousness and loyal diligence, but also because bees are agents of fertility, renewing the cycle of life in the flora community around them.”
    AJ nodded, making a connection in his mind. “Information is our pollen?”
    The corners of Briggs mouth turned up ever so slightly. “And the wisdom distilled from our efforts is our honey.”
    Briggs pressed a small black button next to the door. A bell rang, and AJ heard the heavy click of a magnetic lock disengaging. They walked into an elegant foyer that smelled of fresh-cut flowers and furniture polish. A brass plaque next to a grand wooden staircase read: Reception—2nd Floor.
    He headed toward the stairs.
    â€œNot so fast,” Briggs called after him. “That’s where the tour ends .”
    AJ nodded, trying to hide his confusion.
    Briggs walked to the back of the tiny foyer and disappeared behind a corner. AJ chased after him. He found the recruiter standing inside a polished stainless steel elevator, holding the door open, and tapping his foot.
    He stepped in without a word, and the door slid shut. He spied something flat and silver in Briggs’ hand, but it was back in the recruiter’s pocket before he could identify what it was. The elevator began to move, accelerating downward with the smoothness of a well-tuned German automobile.
    â€œSome elevator,” AJ said.
    â€œIt’s German.”
    The doors slid open just as he was beginning to notice what a strange elevator it was. No railing. No keypad. No floor indicator. No emergency call button.
    â€œFirst stop, Level Zero,” Briggs said.
    They stepped out of the elevator into a sea of office cubicles. Briggs kept a half-pace ahead of AJ as they walked, steering his duckling among the cramped walkways. AJ took in the scene, trying not to gawk. He had seemingly stepped out of the lobby of a nineteenth-century vintage brownstone and into the middle of a humming research facility.
    Technicians greeted Briggs and nodded at AJ as they passed. They soon arrived at a corner office. The nameplate next to the open door said: A. St. Jean . Briggs knocked on the door frame, and a woman looked up from the computer where she was typing. She smiled.
    â€œJack!”
    â€œAbbey.”
    â€œNice to see you still find time to visit The Pit.”
    Briggs turned to AJ.
    â€œAJ Archer, meet Abbey St. Jean, our Chief Engineer.”
    Her mousy brown hair was pulled back in a short ponytail, and two perfect dimples framed her easy smile. AJ was hypnotized at once by her huge brown eyes, and although he offered his hand to her, the words of salutation in his mind never manifested from his lips.
    â€œNice to meet you too,” she said, chuckling. “Everyone down here calls me Jeanie; they know I hate it, of course. You can me Eng, or Gadget Girl, or GG, or Queen of the Nerds, or Abbey, or even St. Jean. I have so many handles that it’s hard to keep up with the flavor of the day.”
    â€œI think I’ll go with Gadget Girl,” he said.
    Briggs rolled his eyes.
    â€œSo, what do you do down here?”
    She smiled. “What we do down here is kick the collective butts of Apple, IBM, and DARPA eight days a week. You know the IT race you hear about in the media all the time? We’re winning it.” She shrugged, and then added, “Not that anyone will ever know.”
    AJ raised an eyebrow.
    â€œIs his welcome kit ready?” Briggs interjected.
    â€œI have it right here.”
    â€œAnd his phone?”
    â€œOf course. What kind of ship do you think I run down here?”
    â€œA tight one.”
    â€œThat’s right, and don’t you forget it, Briggs.” She winked at AJ. “Alrighty, then. First stop: the dentist. Follow me.”
    He followed her to a small room outfitted like a