'SEE YOU MORNING' 026 Bait

Golden sunlight pierced through the canopy of green leaves, scattering across the road and walls. Amidst the morning birdsong, the roar of turbofan engines slicing through the air grew louder from a distance. Qin Wenjing glanced outside, then turned to shout toward the open basement doorway,
"Haojun, it seems Malaya’s private aircraft for you has arrived."
After a moment, Li Haojun emerged from the basement, a backpack slung across his chest and a suitcase in his right hand.
"Is Malaya going with you?" Qin Wenjing asked, stepping closer.
Li Haojun wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close before kissing her lips.
"No, she only arranged the trip remotely."
"Oh, so only you will meet with Lily?" Qin Wenjing studied his eyes, smiling silently.
Li Haojun, of course, did not overlook her expression. Setting down his backpack, he drew her against him, one hand firm on her waist, the other threading through her hair to cradle her head against his cheek. He whispered in her ear,
"Don’t worry. I’ll keep myself safe."
He inhaled her scent deeply, then kissed her goodbye.
Today’s aircraft, booked by Malaya, was a single-seat blended wing-body lifting body, its nose tilted upward by the roadside, multiple ducted fans at the tail. Li Haojun found the ride novel—his suitcase stowed beneath the seat, he fastened the harness, confirmed the takeoff sequence, and watched as the seat rotated upright, positioning him face-to-face with the windshield.
As engines and turbofans roared, the craft ascended smoothly, then accelerated with startling speed, pressing him into his seat like an astronaut aboard a rocket. Curious about Malaya’s choice, Li Haojun checked the time—it was already work hours—and sent a message. The reply came swiftly:Company assignment.
Amid the novelty, Li Haojun couldn’t suppress doubt. Was this what a business trip should feel like? The craft soon climbed into the stratosphere, where morning sunlight clashed sharply with the deep indigo of space, and the cloud layer below shimmered with intricate, blinding ripples. He pulled the sunshade down, opened his laptop to remotely inspect the virtual environment of the meeting location. Li Haojun preferred thorough preparation, avoiding aimlessness or chaos whenever possible. The site lay in Rocklin, a highland northeast of Sacramento. A 360-degree scan revealed desolation: no grand structures, only modest wooden motels, taverns, and auto-boat repair shops. Lily would wait at the parking lot exit opposite the landing field, driving a vintage 1960s Jaguar XJ sedan—burgundy body, four round headlights with chrome bezels, a prominent grille, chrome bumper trim, whitewall tires, and hubcaps evoking nostalgic charm. License plate: NV382HT.

After familiarizing himself with the location and protocol, Li Haojun idly observed other aircraft at varying altitudes and directions along the route, as well as the mountain ranges and coastline to starboard. On impulse, he searched for details about his own craft. This VTOL-capable lifting body had both civilian and military variants, explaining its high maneuverability—though most would find it uncomfortable. He adapted well, despite the cramped cabin of this single-seat model, its compact size and short wingspan leaving little room. Passengers felt like pilots in a solo combat aircraft. Still, its blistering cruise speed brought him near the destination swiftly.

The craft decelerated at a steep angle, descending toward Sacramento—a region now partially submerged. After the earthquake sank Southern California’s coast, mountain ranges north and south of San Francisco trapped tidal surges driven by lunar gravity, subjecting Sacramento to cyclical seawater invasions. Yet some refused to leave, building clusters of stilt houses from treated timber atop the ruins. Whether clinging to home or chasing freedom, they endured. California’s government had long collapsed, its welfare system bankrupt after unsustainable transfer payments. Now, no public aid or taxes existed here—a societal case study that had since outlawed large-scale welfare spending as electoral bribery.

As altitude dropped, the midday sun glinted fiercely off blackwater ripples beneath the stilt houses, flashes of light piercing the cockpit at sharp angles. Just before landing, a new company alert arrived: "Ethan, plans changed. Board Lily Brent’s vehicle and accompany her to Nevada for client technical training. She will provide all provisions. Safe travels."
Confirming the order, Li Haojun double-checked his electronic ID terminal. The turbofans’ roar faded as the craft touched down smoothly. The door opened to sweltering, humid air. Following signs, he walked quickly from the rudimentary air hub. Population decline had erased the bustle of early-century Rocklin. A handful of timber-built motels, restaurants, and parking lots clung to existence, their dark-brown wood and desolate streets evoking a Gold Rush-era time warp.

Across Highway 80 stood the burgundy Jaguar. After crossing a wooden footbridge, Li Haojun hesitated—how to confirm her identity? The driver’s door opened, and a blonde woman stepped out: forest-green plaid cropped trench coat contrasting vividly with her golden wavy hair, slim blue jeans, and black leather shoes.
"Ethan Li," she greeted first, thick British accent unmistakable.
"Yes. Lily Brent?"
"That’s me."
"Pleasure." As they exchanged pleasantries, Li Haojun stowed his suitcase, glanced at his watch to verify her ID, and scanned the area. No suspicious figures. He reached for the front door.
"No, no—back seat," Lily said. But Li Haojun had already opened it, noticing the passenger seat piled with her clothes and accessories.
"Oh, sorry." He shut the door, catching Lily’s amused glance. She smiled back, understanding.
They drove a short way before turning right onto a secluded side road. "Lunch here," Lily said as they parked outside a timber-framed diner. "We’ve a long drive ahead."
"Where exactly are we headed? The notice didn’t specify."
"Nevada."
Inside, the dimly lit room relied on municipal-free power: low-watt bulbs and slow ceiling fans stirring ice-chill air. They chose a window table. Li Haojun’s gaze swept the sparse crowd until it snagged on a man—long face, pale lips, muscular build, a thick matching belt cinching his waist.
Lily noticed his distraction, following his line of sight.
"Gene-mod," she murmured.
"I think I’ve seen him before," Li Haojun said, puzzled.
"They all look like this. Donkey gene blends—great stamina and endurance."
"Oh." Li Haojun held her gaze, urging her to continue.
"But side effects include facial structure, skin tone, and that belt. Compare it to a donkey’s corresponding anatomy."
Li Haojun stifled a laugh, mindful of her presence.Maybe other traits are the side effects, he almost quipped but held his tongue.

Lily handed him the menu. "Pick what you’d like."
He ordered kung pao chicken, then studied the diners. In a corner, two sat together: one with pale blue-tinged skin, narrow eyes, long ears, and Buddha-like hair knots; the other swarthy, with heavy brows, fierce eyes, and a thick beard. Friends, perhaps—gene-mods or just eccentric surgery. At another table, an androgynous, heavyset person with fair skin, crimson lips, a round face, and fiery red hair sported facial piercings yet savored a steak without distraction. Three others in matching uniforms—a crew of locals—seemed the only "normal" patrons. Few travelers passed through; this was a town of residents.

Though California’s government had vanished, its legacy of radical diversity and anti-traditionalism thrived here. Li Haojun ate distractedly, exchanging sparse words with Lily. He disliked the atmosphere—oppressive, unsafe.

Afternoon sunlight streamed through warped windowpanes, casting fractured light onto tables and floors. As dust motes danced in the beams, more patrons arrived: middle-aged men in varied attire, rugged and seemingly converging from different paths. Lily noticed them too but merely glanced at Li Haojun, saying nothing. They finished hastily and left. Outside, Li Haojun chatted with Lily about the meal while subtly checking behind them. No one followed. Retrieving his backpack from the trunk, he settled into the back seat, uneasy. He knew this was a lawless free zone, but experiencing it firsthand deepened his discomfort.

They’d barely driven a block when a black sedan emerged from the parking lot behind them. "A black car’s tailing us. Not sure if coincidence," Li Haojun warned, watching Lily. She gave no reaction. Though she was field staff, relying on a woman for protection wasn’t his style. Unsure if he was overreacting, he pulled his backpack close, monitoring the rearview mirror.

Lily turned right at the next intersection, accelerating. The Jaguar’s large engine growled as they sped to the next junction, turning right again. The sedan didn’t follow. Li Haojun assessed:Now we’re heading 180 degrees opposite. Where next? How did I even get into this? Must discuss with the company later—why send a tech specialist into a lawless zone?

Lily turned right once more, driving calmly now. "Safe now? I’ve never been here. Hard to judge. But those people in the diner… they unsettled me."
Lily glanced at him in the mirror. "Don’t worry. They just look scary." Her crisp British diction felt alien, as if bridging two different worlds. A gap in shared understanding yawned between them. "Do you often meet people like that here?"
"Yes. Frequently."
"How do you gauge if they’re a threat? Or safe?"
"Some I know. The rest—I go by feel."
"Oh. How accurate is that feel?" The question slipped out before he recalled it was unseemly to press a lady. But survival mattered.
"We have gear to detect weapons and read intentions."
"Good to know," Li Haojun said quickly, eager to drop the topic.
"Reassured?"
"Ha, yes. Thanks for explaining."

Lily turned right again, realigning with their original route. "First time here?"
"Not exactly. John and I visited the San Francisco ruins before."
"Oh, that area’s calmer—still some industry needing order. Simpler residents. Here? A free-zone transport hub. Complex."

As they merged onto Highway 80, Lily saw Li Haojun’s tense reflection in the mirror. "We’re tech. Competitors exist, but nothing like arms or drug wars."
"Heh, fair enough," he chuckled weakly.
"But… could others want our tech?" he probed.
Lily shot him a look, then a faint smile. "Yes." After a pause, she added, "But nothing extreme."
"Is there some hidden order controlling things? The world?" Li Haojun pressed, studying her for clues about this strange world he’d woken into.
Lily stayed silent, focused on driving. Finally, she sighed, "Where isn’t there?"

The highway snaked east into barren hills. Harsh afternoon sun reflected off denuded, sandy slopes, nearly blinding. Lily donned sunglasses, then a single-ear headset. Li Haojun assumed music, but she seemed to mutter numeric codes. Unconsciously, she sped up. The road, long neglected, had narrowed to half its former width. Li Haojun tightened his seatbelt.

Lily broke the silence. "Reno’s ahead, but we’ve company. We’ll leave Highway 80. Don’t worry—we’ve drone support overhead and monitor comms."
"What do they want?"
"Commercial rivals. Just tracking our movements and personnel. No harm to you."
"Oh, please. I just want my quiet life," Li Haojun joked bitterly.Why risk a tech specialist in unrelated corporate squabbles?
"Act like a man. Nothing’s free," she retorted coolly.
Stung but unwilling to confront her, Li Haojun tempered his tone. "True. But trading my life for a meal? Not a fair deal, is it?"
"Not fair. But you weren’t like this before—resolute, brave."
Doubtful, Li Haojun pressed, "You knew the old me?"
In the mirror, Lily’s red lips curled. "Yes. We’ve had missions together."
Skeptical that "a few missions" meant deep understanding, he still leaned in. "How long have we known each other?"
"Over a decade."
"And… Qin Wenjing? Do you know about her?"
Lily’s smirk widened. "Hmph. Still the same. You’ve known her for decades."
Flustered by this confidante’s knowledge of another woman, Li Haojun lapsed into silence, scanning the landscape.

They drove through an alluvial valley flanked by flat plains before rising into mountains. The road was empty, lined with gravel and sparse shrubs. "Ethan, look here," Lily said, removing her sunglasses to show the central display—real-time moving targets with velocity vectors. "On Highway 80, vehicles trailed us front and back. They’ve drones too. Good thing they haven’t closed in yet—we’ll ditch the main road for now."
"How do you know they’re hostile?"
"Certain indicators. Plus, they share a comms frequency."
"Ah. Sorry—I don’t recall past skills. Need you to explain everything. Useless to you."
"Don’t mention it. You’re welcome."
"Thanks. Flattering. Was I field staff like you before?"
"No. Same as now—tech. Though… you occasionally lent a hand."
"Great. Still happy to help."
"Hmph. Smooth talker. Not needed yet." Her large eyes held his gaze two seconds longer than necessary.

Past a narrow stretch lay a small lake. Lily pulled off-road into scrub, then pointed at the screen. "They’ve regrouped in Reno but missed us. Just circling the town outskirts. Those drones patrol the highway north-south. We’ll wait. The larger one approaching from the southwest hasn’t arrived yet—so we’re stuck here awhile. Maybe longer."
"Northern one’s still distant too."
"Right."
Before she finished, Li Haojun had exited, survival knife in hand. He circled the scrub, cutting branches to toss onto the car. Lily shook her head, smiling, then joined him—gathering camouflage herself. The burgundy paint helped, but chrome hood trim needed covering. Li Haojun draped a camouflage rain poncho over it, spraying water onto the engine cover to dull reflections. As he worked, Lily watched, amused. Catching his eye, they shared a grin before climbing back inside. This time, she sat beside him in the rear, both watching the screen.

As the drone’s icon neared, Li Haojun held his breath, analyzing its path for signs they’d been spotted. Lily, unfazed, studiedhim until the drone passed. "Nervous?" she asked, nudging him.
"No. Didn’t want to complicate things for you."
"Haha. This is routine for me." She nodded at the screen. "See their pattern? They’re locking down the area. We’re not moving soon."

They waited out the afternoon. Resuming at dusk, darkness soon swallowed the desert. Headlights barely pierced the void, illuminating only the reflective strips on the road ahead. Dashboard glow traced Lily’s lips and jawline. Li Haojun watched her face in the flickering dark, straining to recall memories of her.
"Tell me something about me—from your memory," he said, leaning over the front seatback.
"Not much. Roughly ten years back, we fought competitors in life-or-death market battles. You were busier then. Bolder."
"Maybe I was younger?"
"Maybe. Or maybe you’ve changed. Grown older, less passionate." She chuckled. "Truth is, I didn’t know you well. The company rotated different field agents to work with you. People come and go." A sigh. Time’s passage hung in her voice.

What should’ve been a sunlit Highway 5 drive had become a nocturnal sprint, slowed by rival interference. Night deepened; Lily’s long hours at the wheel showed. She lowered her window, letting wind whip through her hair. Strands flew wildly, accentuating her feminine allure. Li Haojun, watching, felt a pang of protectiveness and volunteered to drive.

She agreed readily, projecting navigation onto the windshield’s edge before switching seats. Settling into the driver’s seat, Li Haojun savored the feel of this large, rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan—a different beast. The navigation was sparse: no destination name, remaining distance, or landmarks. Perimeter sensors and alerts remained eerily dormant.

He glanced back. Lily lay curled on the rear seat, calves folded, thighs full, hips tilted against the center console, her flat abdomen and modest chest rising gently with each breath. The seatback hid her face—likely napping. Just as well; he could admire her freely without awkwardness.

Unfamiliar with the car’s handling and mindful of her rest, Li Haojun drove cautiously. But the monotonous rhythm soon lured drowsiness. He realized his mistake—he wasn’t built for long-haul driving. After trying open windows, AC blasts, and deep breathing, he found relief in an odd trick: spraying washer fluid. Watching it streak unpredictably across the windshield under headlights banished sleep.

The respite ended when the fluid ran dry.Women and machines, he mused.I’d have topped everything off before leaving. Overcome by exhaustion, he pulled onto a dirt patch behind sparse scrub.

The desert night held no moon, only countless stars. Li Haojun reclined his seat, lulled by Lily’s steady breathing and the faint scent of her skin and perfume behind him.