“Let me show you something.”
She spared him the explanations, and just gently touched the virtual keys on the screen causing the lights to go dim. And the walls, so white just a second before, flashed with an image of a soft sunset. Then, the silence of the room was interrupted by a light breeze and a melodic swishing of the surf.
“Get some rest,” Lora said quietly.
Giving him back the panel, she lightly touched his hand, which was motionlessly lying on the arm of the chair and left the apartment immediately. In this way she expressed her profound compassion and genuine support. She said nothing because she was sure that Derek was not a man in need of pity and consolation. Her silent presence was more important than words filled with sympathy.
Chapter 4
The next couple of days saw Lora and the man in her care embark on endless trips around the city. The teleport proved to be a convenient and fast transport means. When the distances were not very long, the young people preferred to walk. And anywhere they went they could see that life on Titanium followed its quiet and measured flow regardless of the circumstances. Everything, they said, was in its time. Even when a hasty evacuation from Taria began, the people did not panic; instead, everyone continued doing their job.
Studying anew the history of his own native planet and getting to know the world of the future, Derek recalled the Earth cities, traditions and laws more and more. However, Lora sometimes felt that his memory, despite the fast recovery, remained a picturesque but lifeless picture. He still didn’t remember the details of his own private life, events of previous years and the reasons why the earthlings had sent their transport on such a long voyage.
One evening, after having worn their feet out the busy streets and having spent endless hours in the archive, Lora announced intriguingly.
“You know, you still haven’t seen the most impressive place on Titanium!”
She typed the destination in the teleport control panel and smiled mysteriously.
“You can’t keep me in the dark for long ,” Derek chuckled, because the glass cabin doors slid open almost immediately.
“Yes, our transport system has its drawbacks…” answered Lora with pretentious sadness.
“Welcome to the viewpoint, sector B-153,” announced the programme politely.