where the distinction between using paper, and not using it was.
“That’s true, but that’s recycled paper,” Wolfe explained. “The amount of paper required to print a book was considered obscene, so the Federation outlawed it about a hundred years ago, and cutting down a tree became a felony. It was done in an effort to preserve the quality of air. If we chopped down trees at the same rate they did in the 20 th Century, we’d quickly lose all O 2 in the atmosphere of Earth. The only paper now is made from diseased or naturally fallen trees, and then it’s recycled. The Federation has yet to find a planet under its rule where trees can be used for the production of paper. By the time they do, I’m sure no one will want it any longer, accustomed to life without it.” He gave me an odd look. “Where have you been for the last hundred years?”
I laughed nervously. “I’ve been traveling. You know, you kind of miss things.”
Wolfe didn’t look convinced. “Sure.”
“What else is there to know about the crystals?” I asked, changing subjects again.
There was a lot more actually. Inscribing the crystals was a skill like any other, and I was going to have to spend a lot of time studying and practicing. I had months on a spaceship though, with not much else to do aside from learn something useful.
I didn’t mind. It was easy to spend time with Wolfe when he was actually being himself and not just the captain.
I watched him as we bent over the table. He studied the crystals while I studied him. I wondered again what Wolfe wanted from me. He didn’t seem to be the type to just rescue damsels in distress and then ask them to join his crew.
But then again, I didn’t know the whole story behind Celeste either.
The next day, Wolfe showed me where he kept the raw crystals, uncut and rough, as well as the crystals that were shaped, but still blank. Each type of crystal had a drawer or two built into the table, velvet-lined with slots to hold each individual piece without scratching them. Velvet cushioned the drawers to prevent static electricity; even the slightest electrical shock would initiate the crystals before all the inscriptions were in place.
A lot of backups sat ready and waiting for when we needed them. Wolfe had a case of tools also lined with the black velvet. Each tool had its own spot within the case, and they shone with care, the diamond tips glinting in the glowing light.
Briefly, I wondered what diamonds were worth now. I still had some of the jewels I’d inherited from my grandfather safely tucked away in my trunk—like my great-grandmother’s ring she managed to get out of Russia during the revolution.
I smiled sadly as I thought about her. If only she could see me now. Every once in a while my memories caught up with me, and I would get lost in them for hours. Occasionally, time was lost and in the blink of an eye a few hours had passed. I still wasn’t sure exactly why it happened, but my thoughts were almost impossible to control once something triggered a memory.
My hands clenched. It was getting harder to stay focused the more time I spent with Wolfe. I was afraid he would notice exactly how peculiar I was and worry at it like a dog with a bone. So far, I’d managed to keep my past and the truth of how I’d woken up with no identity from him. He had to be suspicious, or at the least bit, curious. How long could I hide my genetic alterations when even I didn’t know the extent of them?
Wolfe sighed, noticing I was distracted. He started putting everything away. “It’s been a few hours already. Let’s take a break and get something to eat. Maybe some java – or coffee – as you say.” He put away his tools, and the crystals went back in their drawers. “We can eat in my office if you want. I have the book stored there.”
I hoped I didn’t upset him. “Thank you. That would be nice,” I said, feeling guilty. “I appreciate your help.”
Wolfe gave me a small
“That’s true, but that’s recycled paper,” Wolfe explained. “The amount of paper required to print a book was considered obscene, so the Federation outlawed it about a hundred years ago, and cutting down a tree became a felony. It was done in an effort to preserve the quality of air. If we chopped down trees at the same rate they did in the 20 th Century, we’d quickly lose all O 2 in the atmosphere of Earth. The only paper now is made from diseased or naturally fallen trees, and then it’s recycled. The Federation has yet to find a planet under its rule where trees can be used for the production of paper. By the time they do, I’m sure no one will want it any longer, accustomed to life without it.” He gave me an odd look. “Where have you been for the last hundred years?”
I laughed nervously. “I’ve been traveling. You know, you kind of miss things.”
Wolfe didn’t look convinced. “Sure.”
“What else is there to know about the crystals?” I asked, changing subjects again.
There was a lot more actually. Inscribing the crystals was a skill like any other, and I was going to have to spend a lot of time studying and practicing. I had months on a spaceship though, with not much else to do aside from learn something useful.
I didn’t mind. It was easy to spend time with Wolfe when he was actually being himself and not just the captain.
I watched him as we bent over the table. He studied the crystals while I studied him. I wondered again what Wolfe wanted from me. He didn’t seem to be the type to just rescue damsels in distress and then ask them to join his crew.
But then again, I didn’t know the whole story behind Celeste either.
The next day, Wolfe showed me where he kept the raw crystals, uncut and rough, as well as the crystals that were shaped, but still blank. Each type of crystal had a drawer or two built into the table, velvet-lined with slots to hold each individual piece without scratching them. Velvet cushioned the drawers to prevent static electricity; even the slightest electrical shock would initiate the crystals before all the inscriptions were in place.
A lot of backups sat ready and waiting for when we needed them. Wolfe had a case of tools also lined with the black velvet. Each tool had its own spot within the case, and they shone with care, the diamond tips glinting in the glowing light.
Briefly, I wondered what diamonds were worth now. I still had some of the jewels I’d inherited from my grandfather safely tucked away in my trunk—like my great-grandmother’s ring she managed to get out of Russia during the revolution.
I smiled sadly as I thought about her. If only she could see me now. Every once in a while my memories caught up with me, and I would get lost in them for hours. Occasionally, time was lost and in the blink of an eye a few hours had passed. I still wasn’t sure exactly why it happened, but my thoughts were almost impossible to control once something triggered a memory.
My hands clenched. It was getting harder to stay focused the more time I spent with Wolfe. I was afraid he would notice exactly how peculiar I was and worry at it like a dog with a bone. So far, I’d managed to keep my past and the truth of how I’d woken up with no identity from him. He had to be suspicious, or at the least bit, curious. How long could I hide my genetic alterations when even I didn’t know the extent of them?
Wolfe sighed, noticing I was distracted. He started putting everything away. “It’s been a few hours already. Let’s take a break and get something to eat. Maybe some java – or coffee – as you say.” He put away his tools, and the crystals went back in their drawers. “We can eat in my office if you want. I have the book stored there.”
I hoped I didn’t upset him. “Thank you. That would be nice,” I said, feeling guilty. “I appreciate your help.”
Wolfe gave me a small
Similar Books
