As the Gravity Flipped

by Herschel K. Stroganoff

  Meer followed as the young woman wove her way through the children.

  "There!" Meer pointed to a little girl with short black pigtails who looked up at her with a broad smile. "That one. I want that one."

  Meer strode over to the girl. "Can you talk? Do you have a name?" she said shortly.

  The little girl laughed.

  "What's so funny?" Meer asked.

  "You're funny," the girl said.

  "Tell me your name little girl," Meer demanded, folding her arms.

  "Riko," the girl said. "Where's Mummy?"

  "I'm your new mummy," Meer said. "I'll take this one," she said, turning to the young woman. "Where do I pay?"

  # # #

  Chao-xing, The Occulto, in region of Phobos, Mars

  04/06/6,544, 16:03 (IST)

  Chao-xing's face grew taut as Armand poured teas for her and Guan-yin from an ornamental blue and white teapot.

  "There were two things you wanted to know about," said Armand, taking a seat on the opposite side of the table from Chao-xing.

  Her eyes stung as she sipped the warm, sweet tea. "I really am sorry," she said. "I am so ashamed for what I was going to do."

  "And for the concussion?" Guan-yin asked, rubbing the back of her head.

  "I acted terribly. There is no excuse." Chao-xing shook her head and stared into her tea, its surface forming a parabola as she swirled the cup in her right hand.

  "Remember, you wanted to ask about the drones, about the slip," said Armand.

  Guan-yin sniffed. "Do you always need this Purdah man to speak for you?"

  "Why are you building those drones?" Chao-xing asked. "And the truth."

  "They are for mining," said Guan-yin with a half-shrug. "It really is that simple."

  Chao-xing placed her cup on the table and clenched her jaw. "I regret what I was going to do to you, but I only regret it because I did not try talking to you rationally first. I will not hesitate--."

  "You dare to threaten me?" Guan-yin spat. "You didn't have the strength in your convictions to--."

  "Do not underestimate me Guan-yin. Now, tell me the truth. The size and number of the drones make no sense for a simple mining operation - there's something else going on isn't there?"

  "You have our knowledge, why don't you work it out for yourself?" Guan-yin smiled, leaning back in her chair.

  Chao-xing rose from her seat, grabbed Guan-yin's thin spike of hair then yanked her head to the table. She leaned down, her mouth touching Guan-yin's ear. "I am not fucking around. Give me straight answers or I will not hesitate to throw you out of the fucking airlock."

  "I don't think she's joking," Armand said.

  Chao-xing released her grip and returned to her seat. "Do we understand each other?"

  "We understand each other," Guan-yin said as she took a sip from her tea with trembling hands. "But you are not going to like it."

  Chao-xing exchanged a quick glance with Armand.

  "What you have to realise is that United Solar is holding us all back. Restrictive, suppressive, repressive - they privilege protectionism over innovation. Look at what we can do - look at our knowledge. Compare that to everyone else. In the guise of protecting its citizens, protecting the Affiliates, they haven't advanced - if anything they've regressed--."

  "This is all well and good, but this isn't what I asked you. Tell me about the drones," said Chao-xing.

  "This is what I'm trying to tell you. Without context, our plans are meaningless. We're intervening in humanity's demise before it's too late. We did it three millennia ago with Earth, and we will do the same with Lunar."

  Chao-xing's eyes widened with astonishment. "Are you saying the slip was an intervention? The Yao did it on purpose?"

  "You would have known this if you had read the knowledge through our network." Guan-yin sighed and opened her palms. "We wanted humanity to leave Earth with the hope they would populate the system - perhaps even the galaxy. But rather than expanding and building on our early colonisation, humanity focused on survival when it should have focused on improvement."

  "Do you not see why that was madness? Those living on Earth must have been wiped out."

  "They would have died anyway - Earth was already beyond saving. Regrettably, the slip didn't achieve the results we hoped. We developed, we evolved, we transcended the mundane trappings of humanity - but their legislature has made it so we are a legal anomaly, a quirky oddity on the fringes. They have made us powerless when we have more knowledge than they could ever dream."

  " I thought the Yao were keeping their knowledge to themselves?" Armand asked.

  "Don't be so ridiculous - it is the other Affiliates that have resisted development."

  Gaun-yin rose to her feet and paced. "It's pathetic. It's all pathetic," she spat. "This is why we need to take the slip to the next level. We will deploy the drones to cause a slip on Lunar and then Mars. It's the only way we can force the hands of United Solar."

  "You're mad," whispered Armand.

  "Mad?" Guan-yin turned to Armand. "Tell me what is mad: leaving humanity to fester and degenerate over centuries or to free humanity from its shackles, free it to evolve to the next level? This isn't madness, Armand Gul. This is the only way."

  Chao-xing shook her head. "Because it worked so well the first time?"

  "Our predecessors didn't go far enough last time. Our political system has remained stagnant; our laws have remained largely unchanged and what's worse, they work against what best for humanity's interests. Do you not agree?"

  "So your plan is to destroy everything until you're left with something manageable?" asked Chao-xing.

  Guan-yin shrugged. "I'll admit the method isn't ideal, but we have the means to repopulate with transhumans within a generation. We can use our knowledge to go beyond cloning ourselves and herald in a new era."

  "I've heard enough," said Chao-xing as she flexed her fingers. "The Yao destroyed our home to improve humanity and it failed. Now you think you're going to get different results by destroying our only terrestrial planets? I'm sorry, that's insanity."

  "I don't expect you to see my vision - this is why humanity is forcing my hand. I wish you could see, but then you always were short-sighted."

  Armand shook his head and turned to Chao-xing. "What shall we do?"

  "We'll return her to Phobos and figure something out. I've heard more than I need."

  "I knew this would be beyond your comprehension," Guan-yin spat. "You were always the weak one."

  "You arrogant..." Chao-xing's voice trailed off as she rose from her seat and grabbed Guan-yin's hair. "Come," she snapped.

  Chao-xing yanked Guan-yin's arm behind her back with a swift snapping motion, then dragged her through the door and into the docking bay.

  "Fuck it," said Chao-xing. "We need to stop this now. Open the airlock."

  Guan-yin laughed. "There are five of us committed to this plan - you're making a mistake if you think killing me will make a difference."

  Armand pushed the button to open the first airlock. As it hissed open, Chao-xing shoved Guan-yin inside.

  "Then I'll kill you all," growled Chao-xing. She pushed the button to close the inner seal. There was a muffled banging through the airlock door. Then silence.

  "It's done," she said.

  # # #

  Ajay: The Coraygar, in region of Titan, Saturn

  06/07/6,544, 15:24 (IST)

  "It was an accident," Ajay said.

  "You expect me to believe that?" Azra said, furious. "You've had a grudge against Taslim since you first met him. I knew you were jealous, but this--." She pulled at her hair.

  "I don't know what to say. Something shorted on the terminal," he said. "If I'd have turned it on, it would have been me."

  Azra shook her head. "But it wasn't you, was it?"

  Ajay sighed. "You're right," he said, his voice calm and measured. "I know it looks bad, but you've got to believe me."

  "I'm so angry with you - you have no idea,"
Azra snapped. "Oh yes, I thought if you got to work with Taslim you'd see he wasn't a threat - you'd see what a great mind he is. I should airlock you for this."

  Ajay put his head in hands and looked up to Azra's tear-stained face. "How is he doing?"

  "He'll be fine no thanks to you."

  Ajay shook his head. "How many times do I have to explain," he said slowly and deliberately, emphasising each word in turn. "It was an accident."

  "I wish I could believe you, Ajay, I really do. But there were other people there who saw what happened."

  Ajay scowled. "What did they see? Tell me?"

  "They--."

  "I'll tell you what they saw," Ajay interrupted. "They saw me trying to fix a terminal and Taslim getting a shock. This happened, I was there, but if anyone has said anything about my intentions, about what I meant to do--," Ajay shook his head, "--then they are mistaken."

  Azra grimaced as she bit her lip. Ajay thought she might see things from his perspective.

  "One of my crew said you gave a weird cough like you were hiding something," she said.

  "A cough? A fucking cough? Is that your evidence? Is that what you're going off? Did I cough? I don't know." Ajay shrugged dramatically, defiantly. "Have you seen the state of their repair room? Have you seen the state of the terminal I was trying to fix? I'm surprised I didn't do more than cough."

  Azra blinked. "Have you finished?".

  Ajay fixed her with a hard stare for a long moment then folded his arms. "Now what?"

  "I can't have you on my ship anymore. I can't trust you."

  "How many--."

  "Please, Ajay. The only reason you haven't been air-locked is because I respect you, but you went too far with Taslim. I'm sorry. Your ship is being prepped to leave, so please make sure you have all your things and I'll make sure you're escorted out."

  Ajay frowned as he rose to his feet. "Don't worry, I'm going - I thought you of all people would believe me."

  # # #

  Janis, Cleaning Stores, Titan Orbiter, Saturn

  12/07/6,544, 12:08 (IST)

  Janis wiped another tear away as she programmed the cleaning drones for another day's work. She paid no attention to the smiles and greetings of other workers as she turned to the stairwell and made her way to the upper levels.

  As she entered the former living quarters of the higher-ups, she cupped hand over her nose. The bodies had been removed, but the smell of death still lingered - at least for her it did.

  The level was quiet save for the hum of the reactors above and the occasional whistle of the air ducts. With a deep breath, she pulled open a single door to the communication room and sat down in front of the console. She spent several minutes examining the black sheen of the buttons and turning the receiver in her hand.

  Nodding to herself, she switched on the console and opened the communicator to broadcast on all external channels. She wasn't sure if this would register with those onboard the orbiter, but it was a risk she had to take.

  The betrayal was too much. They'd used her.

  "Hello," she said. "I'm on the Titan Orbiter and, well--." She paused, checking over her shoulder. "The workers have taken over. Please send help or something. Arfo and Mataes did it. They killed the higher-ups." She frowned. "Please."

  Trembling, she replaced the receiver, unsure whether the communication had worked.

  # # #

  Wynn: Efans Household, Insularum 5, Lunar

  13/07/6,544, 08:34 (IST)

  Wynn stopped chewing his cereal and was roused from a moment's micro sleep by a tapping at his door. Pulling his nightgown around him, he rose and opened the door.

  "You're early--," he began. Confused, he looked down at a maintenance worker. "Sorry, can I help--." He froze as recognition set in. "Natsuki?"

  Natsuki removed her cap and dipped her head. "May I come in?"

  Wynn opened his door. "Come in, come in. Please, excuse me, I'm not long awake. Is everything okay?"

  Natsuki flopped onto the sofa then, all at once, she broke down into uncontrollable sobs. Awkwardly, he stepped over to her and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Natsuki?" She squeezed his, but gave no reply.

  He stood with his hand resting on Natsuki's shoulder, not knowing where to look or what to do. "Can I get you some tea? Breakfast maybe?" he asked as Natsuki's sobs waivered.

  Natsuki looked up, her eyes were red and tired, then gave a weak nod. "Tea, please," she whispered. She looked terrible - exhausted beyond measure.

  Removing his hand from her shoulder, Wynn walked to his kitchen to pour the tea. After a few moments, he returned and placed a cup in Natsuki's trembling hands.

  "What's happened?" he asked, taking the seat on the sofa next to Natsuki.

  "Takeshi had me arrested," she said.

  Wynn sat up, eyebrows raised. "Arrested? For what?"

  "Treason." Natsuki sipped her tea and sniffed.

  Wynn got up from the sofa. "That bastard," he growled, pacing. "On what grounds?"

  "The article Madam Yamamoto wrote about me, about Hayao."

  Wynn shook his head. "I read that. I'm so sorry."

  "I escaped from the Judiciary."

  Wynn halted and stared in disbelief at Natsuki.

  "Wynn, please. I had nowhere else to turn."

  Wynn sat down next to her and sighed. "This is bad," he said, letting out big, long sigh. "I mean, how?"

  "One of the guards - he made me wear this," Natsuki looked down at the maintenance worker's clothes.

  "When did this happen?"

  "Just. Well, tonight. This morning, I suppose."

  Wynn nodded. "There's a chance the alert won't have been sent out yet. You've still got time to hand yourself in."

  Natsuki glared at him. "Wynn. I was arrested for treason. Takeshi visited me last night and said he was going to do to me what he did to Hayao. If I hand myself in--."

  "This is bad," he repeated. "This is really bad." Wynn rose to his feet and began to pace again. He scratched his head and nodded to himself. "I'll help you. Ozu's out of control."

  Natsuki forced a smile and sipped her tea as a small tear made its way down her face.

  "I can probably get you off Lunar on one of our ships," Wynn said. "Do you have any family away from Lunar?"

  Natsuki shook her head. "I need to get Riko," she said.

  "Riko. Of course. Where is she?"

  Natsuki's lip trembled. "They took her when they arrested me."

  Wynn nodded. "If she's with the Judiciary, I should be able to help. I can't promise anything, but I'll, at least be able to find out where she is."

  Wynn passed a handkerchief to Natsuki, turning away from her as she blew her nose.

  "Thank you," she said.

  "I could kick myself," he said. "If I hadn't told Akira about Ozu's visit on Hayao's memorial, I don't know if she'd have thought to call on you."

  "I spoke to her voluntarily, Wynn," Natsuki said. "It seems to me that Takeshi would have found an excuse to arrest me, one way or another."

  "I think you're right," Wynn sighed.

  "Wait," Natsuki said, her eyes fixing on Wynn's for the first time. "Did you say you told Madam Yamamoto about Takeshi's--," she paused, reaching for the word, "--visit?"

  Wynn nodded. "I shouldn't have said anything, I know. But I was so angry. I'm very sorry."

  "She told me she didn't know about his visit. Does that seem odd to you? Why would she do that?" Natsuki's face creased into a baffled scowl.

  "I don't know. Perhaps she wanted to hear it from you." he suggested. "Perhaps she was testing what I'd said."

  Natsuki scratched her hair. "Perhaps," she said.

  "If you need to freshen up, you're welcome to use the bathroom. There's some of--." Wynn paused and looked down at his hands. "There's some of Carys's clothes you could wear if you wanted. You don't have to, and I'll understand if you--."

  "That would be very good Wynn, thank you."

  Wynn leaned back in his seat as Natsuki ro
se to the bathroom. "I'm going to dress too," he said, picking up Natsuki's teacup.

  He started as an insistent knock came from his door. He turned to Natsuki as she froze in the bathroom doorway. "Go in," he whispered, flapping free hand.

  Wynn walked over to the door and cleared his throat. "Who is it?" He looked back to see the bathroom door closed.

  "Representative Efans - we have an appointment," the voice said.

  Wynn opened the door. "Mister Dumi," he sighed.

  "Is this a bad time Representative Efans?" Tshilidzi asked.

  "Not at all. Please, come in."

  Tshilidzi wore a loose grey shirt and black trousers. His brown shoes squeaked as he stepped inside.

  "Please, take a seat," said Wynn, gesturing to the sofa. He looked down at his nightgown and frowned. "It's been a strange morning Mister Dumi. I'll put some tea on while I dress if that's okay?"

  "Take your time," Tshilidzi said. "We're in no rush."

  Wynn left his bedroom door open behind him as he changed into a plain brown shirt and trousers. "How's the investigation going?" he called.

  "Oh, you know. It's all a bit confusing at the moment. Too many things to make sense of."

  Wynn emerged from his bedroom and poured two cups of tea. "I don't envy your task. Everything's moving so quickly." He handed Tshilidzi a cup and took a seat on a chair to his right. "You wanted to question me about the Yao murders?"

  Tshilidzi nodded. "Do you know anything that may be of use to the investigation?"

  "I've got theories - I'm sure everyone's got theories," said Wynn. "But I think you'll probably know more about what happened than I do."

  "A couple of your traders found a body on V5," Tshilidzi said. "I understand that transport will be returning stranded Affiliates to Lunar, so it would be great if I could speak to them."

  Wynn frowned. "That would be Garrett." With a grim smile, he shook his head. "Ifan didn't make it."

  "I understand. I'm very sorry for your loss. Perhaps you might want to share your theories?"

  "I'm not sure how that will help - they're just thoughts."

  "You might help the investigation without realising," Tshilidzi said, his tone reassuring.