Page 4 of Latham
Latham paused in what he was doing with the crewperson, sorting out two antigrav harnesses from the gear hung on the bulkhead. Now it was his turn to stare. “It’s no big deal. I’ve made the jump hundreds of times in the military. I’m certified to teach jumping. The antigrav drops you to the ground at whatever speed you choose. Let me get this fastened on you before the door opens. It’s going to get hella windy in here then.”
She shrank back against her seat and locked her hands on the armrests. “If it’s so easy then fine, you go ahead and enjoy yourself. I’ll wait for the landing, thanks.”
“Helaine, did you not read the details of this excursion? It’s an adventure destination. The robo won’t be landing. Antigrav descent is the first leg of the adventure.” He made a gesture for her to come to him and held out the harness he’d picked for her.
“There’s no fucking way,” she said, anxiety making her sick and dizzy. Risking a peek out the window she figured the flyer must be hovering at least a mile off the ground. “I can’t do it Our date is over. If they won’t land for me here I’ll go back to the main resort by myself. It’s been nice knowing you.”
“There’s nowhere to land,” the crewperson said with raised eyebrows. “This is the middle of the jungle out here.”
Latham spoke up again. “Come on, Helaine, quit kidding. Your matching profile said you’d done dozens of antigrav jumps. Why the jitters today?”
“I lied,” she said, feeling cornered.
“What?” He leaned closer, eyes wide.
“I lied. None of the stuff on my profile is true. I—I led a boring life as an office manager. I never have adventures.” She stuck out her foot as if modeling the boot and laughed bitterly. “I’ve never even worn hiking boots before, let alone hiked.”
Hands on his hips he seemed more puzzled than angry. “Why make stuff up then? I can assure you all the details on my profile are true with a lot more I didn’t share.”
It had been a fun lark back home on Earth the night she’d done it but now, in this shuttle high above the planet, Helaine regretted ever signing up for IDA. “It was a dare. My friends dared me to go onto the IDA app and try to meet someone. I was a little tipsy…well, okay I was drunk if you must know and I checked off all the boxes that weren’t me. I thought no one would be interested in the real me and maybe I’d meet a few interesting guys. Like in the books I read.” She wiped away a tear, embarrassed beyond belief to be making this confession. “I didn’t get any matches, or rather no one I’d care to date, and frankly I forgot all about it until I got the notice from IDA I’d been picked by them to come here and then it was too late to change my details.” She hid her face in her hands, tears falling rapidly now. “I’m sorry to ruin your week,” she said.
There was a moment of silence broken by the AI’s flat voice mentioning the time left before the door would open.
“I got this,” she heard Latham assure the crewperson.
She felt his hands on her shoulders and opened her eyes to find him kneeling in front of her, face full of concern, not anger or disgust. “Hey, I’m not here to judge you for wanting a taste of adventure and then getting more than you bargained for. But don’t give up so easily. Where’s the fighter who got our accommodations changed? There’s a pretty cove and a bungalow waiting for us down there and all you have to do is step out of the flyer and drift to the ground like a leaf.”
Helaine shook her head. “I can’t. I’m deathly afraid of heights.”
Latham took a deep breath. “We’re a team,” he said. “Do you trust me to get you to the surface safely? You can keep your eyes closed the whole time if you want,” he added in a cajoling tone.
Desperate to find a way out of the situation she asked, “How exactly would we do that?”
He wiped her tears away with his thumb. “We buddy jump. I’ll connect our two harnesses and I’ll hold you the entire time. I’ve done this before, including tandem jumping and never hit the ground yet.” He grinned.
She found herself offering him a tentative smile. She didn’t want to end their date like this. Latham intrigued her, especially now he wasn’t uptight and tense. “You swear it’ll be safe?”
He rose to his feet and pointed at the harnesses. “We’ve got two rigs, each rated for more weight than the two of us combined. Even if one failed—which they never do let me hasten to add—we’ll descend safely.” Holding out his hand to her, he said, “Trust me.”
Helaine took a deep breath and then another. She rose from her seat and he helped her get her backpack over her shoulders before he began fastening the harness onto her body. “What if I pass out?” she asked as he checked the buckles.
“Then I’ll get to hold you in my arms till we’re down.” He winked.
“Door opening,” the AI said.
The whole side panel slid aside and wind rushed into the cabin. Helaine was battered by the gusts and retreated toward her seat but Latham had her hand in a tight grip, tugging her toward the opening.
“Guests must depart promptly,” the AI said. “Your guide is waiting at the landing site. Schedules must be kept.”
“Better get going, buddy,” the crewperson said.
Latham took her in his arms, facing away from him and basically lifted her bodily off the deck. He took two giant steps and they fell into the empty air, descending rapidly.
* * *
Helaine screamed and tried to turn toward his body but Latham held her firmly. He allowed the drop to be fairly rapid at first and then worked the controls to slow them until they were descending more like the leaves he’d spoken of. The view was astonishing, the ocean sparkling off to their left and tree covered mountains rising to the right..
“You could open your eyes now,” he said in Helaine’s ear. “You don’t want to miss the beautiful bird’s eye view.”
