Under Vanishing Skies

by G. S. Fields

  Chapter 11

  I flew to Male in a helojumper, but once again it wasn’t by choice. Kamish had gotten a message from a friend on another island. There were new sightings of pirates in and around the channels. I didn’t want to take the chance of bumping into Jamal and his buddies.

  When I called the MDF operations center to request the flight, the officer on duty refused my request. He said that he required twenty-four hours' advance notice. But I reminded him of my rights as a Council member, and after dropping my share of F-bombs, he reluctantly agreed to schedule the flight.

  I don’t know what that guy thought I was trying to do…go for a goddammed joy ride? Clearly he didn’t understand my feelings for that machine. The only reason I opted for the helojumper was that my fear of grappling hooks had recently outweighed my fear of being chopped into tiny, bite-sized pieces by the turbo blades.

  By the time I had arrived at the Male airport, it was already eleven o’clock and it was cold again…winter wonderland cold. There weren’t any storm clouds in the sky, so at least I didn’t have to worry about snow this time. However, my ears felt like they would snap off if someone flicked them.

  Ahmed had called for a vote at noon, so I didn’t have much time to find Shannon and explain everything.

  I knew that Shannon was tired of the council. I could tell that she wanted it to end as much as I did. I just hoped that she’d understand why we can't vote for the list after I told her what I found. Of course there was always a chance that her Irish temper might flare up.

  I had considered explaining everything to her in a message, but I had a hard enough time formulating what I would write. It would be easier to do in person.

  As I walked to the hotel, I was surprised at how many people were on the streets. On an average day, I’d see a couple dozen people milling about. Today, I had to push my way through a large crowd. When I finally made it to the hotel, I understood why. Hung over the hotel door, I saw a giant, hand-painted banner welcoming the Mars rescue mission.

  In a few days, the massive interplanetary cargo ship would arrive in orbit and start hauling a thousand people up there. William would be one of them. The thought unexpectedly brought a tear to my eye. I wiped it away.

  What the hell was wrong with me? Mars was William’s best shot at a future, so why was I acting like Helen? I blinked the tears away and went inside.

  On the helojumper ride over, I had sent Shannon a message and asked her to meet me in the lobby. She didn’t reply. And now, as I looked around the crowded lobby, I began to get an uneasy feeling. What if Ahmed had tried to get even for her blackmailing him? I ran up the stairs two at a time and sprinted down the hall to her door. My knocks went unanswered.

  Where the hell was she? The Council session began in less than an hour.

  I went to my room and dropped off my bag. Grabbing the data mat from the pouch, I ran to the Council chambers, but no one was there yet, just a few hotel workers setting up the refreshment table in the back.

  I tried the café where she usually hung out. She wasn’t there either. My frazzled nerves were on the verge of a meltdown. I searched the promenade and followed the narrow streets that crisscrossed the town, but there was no sign of her.

  I looked at my watch. I was out of time. The meeting would start in less than ten minutes. I decided to search one last place before heading back. I ran up the stairs of the communications tower to the observation deck. It was deserted except for a young man who was rounding second base with his girlfriend. I apologized for interrupting and left.

  That was it. I ran back to the hotel.

  When I entered the Council chambers, I was greeted by expressions of surprise. They looked like they hadn’t expected me to show up.

  Now it was my turn to be surprised, but in a good way. Shannon was here and she was safe. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly.

  She stood at the head table arguing with Ahmed about something. Viyaja stood behind Ahmed intently watching the two of them go at each another. Ahmed looked up at me. Shannon turned and followed the direction of his gaze. She saw me and I watched her face change from surprise to a sad sort of happiness in a split second. It wasn’t pity, not exactly. It reminded me of how Sarah had looked at me when we discussed William; sad about the circumstances, but happy that I had agreed to watch over him.

  Shannon gave Ahmed one final glare before walking over to me. She took my hands and said, “I didn’t think you would make it given...everything. How are you holding up?”

  Her touch sent a warm current through my cold body. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had made me feel like that. “I’m fine.” I squeezed her hands and said, “Where’ve you been? Didn’t you get my message to meet at the hotel?”

  “No. I left my data mat in my room.” She let go and patted her pockets. “I haven’t had it on me all day.”

  There wasn’t time to tell her everything, not the way I had rehearsed it in my head, so I cut to the chase. “We can’t vote for the list.”

  Her smile vanished. “What are you talking about?”

  “Look, I know the odds are against us, but listen to me... we can’t vote for the list, not yet. There’s something really screwy going on. Ahmed’s up to something and I think it’s bad…really bad.”

  “I don't understand.” The pitch of her voice increased and her Irish accent got heavier. “Didn’t you see the revised list? Ahmed removed over a hundred more candidates from the list, the ones who weren’t eligible. Don’t you see? We’ve won.”

  Nodding, I said, “Yeah, I saw it. But did you see who they added? There are people on the list that I’ve never heard of and they're listed as living on Hanikada.” I waited to see her reaction, but she just stared at me. “Come on, you know Hanikada, it’s in the Gan island chain. It’s been uninhabited since the storm. Don’t you see? They’re trying to pull some kind of bait and switch.”

  “Aron, I know who those people are and you should too.”

  I stared at her, my brow furrowed. What the hell was she was talking about?

  “They’re the last group of refugees from Sri Lanka. They were given sanctuary on Hanikada after their flotilla was rescued three years ago.” She sighed. “Ever since this Council began, I’ve been trying to get Ahmed to acknowledge that they are equal citizens and add them to the inhabitant list.” Shaking her head, she said, “But then again, how could you have known? You’ve spent the last three years fishing and feeling sorry for yourself.” She took a step away from me. “Take a good look in the mirror, Aron. You’re not the only victim of the storm. There are a lot of people in that reflection with you.”

  Her comment hit me harder than that wave that almost capsized me. She was right. I hadn’t paid much attention to what went on. After the IICN was completed, I disengaged from everyone and everything. It was the only way I knew to keep from getting hurt again. But that didn’t explain what I saw on North Point, the MDF officer and Jamal. I knew in the pit of my stomach that something still wasn’t right.

  “I’m sorry, but listen to me.” I said taking a step toward her.

  She held up her hands and waved me off. “No. No! We’re not changing the plan now. We had a deal.”

  “I know, but...look. There’s more you need to know. Just help me block this vote and I’ll explain everything. Okay? If I can’t convince you, then—”

  “Aron, you don’t know what you’re asking me to do. You don’t understand what’s at stake.”

  “I do know what’s at stake. A ten-year-old's future is at stake and the future of the human race is at stake and all I’m asking for is a little goddammed time so I can explain what—”

  The clack of Ahmed’s gavel cut me off. I looked over at the head table and watched Ahmed pound it again before saying, “Lady and gentlemen. It is time to begin the meeting. Please take your seats.”

  Everyone returned to their seats and I looked over at Shannon begging with my eyes. She stared at me for a few seconds and then
looked away.

  Ahmed pounded his gavel one final time. “The Council of Thirteen is now called to order. Mr. Secretary, will you please take roll call?”

  Viyaja apparently had taken Michio’s place as the Council secretary because he called out each Council member by name and made a check mark on a sheet of paper as each person responded with “present.” The last name he called was Michio, but Michio wasn’t there and that bastard knew it. He called Michio again. What the hell was he up to? Why were they going through all of the theatrics. They knew he wasn’t coming. They had made sure of it.

  “Mr. President, all members are accounted for except for Mr. Shimizu.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Secretary. I have a letter of resignation from him that I will now read to the Council.” Ahmed held up his data mat and ceremoniously read, “Mr. President, it is with much regret that I must resign my seat on the Council effective immediately. Sincerely, Mr. Michio Shimizu.”

  Ahmed looked around the room and then rested his gaze on me. “It is with equal regret that I have accepted his letter of resignation. Given our timeline, I believe we must dispense with the normal selection process. So I move that the Council authorize me to name a successor for the post. Do I have a second?”

  Viyaja raised his hand before Ahmed finished his sentence and said, “I second the motion.”

  “Very well,” Ahmed said. “Then I put the motion to the Council for vote. Will all those in favor of authorizing Ahmed to appoint a replacement please say aye.”

  Everyone said aye.

  “All opposed?”

  “Nay,” I said.

  “Very well then,” Ahmed said. “With the new authority invested in me, I hereby appoint Mr. Ramdas Prasad to the Council.”

  I shot out of my seat. “Goddammit Ahmed! You said you would select a fair representative. Ramdas isn’t from the same island chain as Michio. How can he fairly represent the people of those islands?”

  “You are out of order, Mr. Atherton.”

  “Well, you’re out of your fucking mind if you think you’re going to get away with this.”

  He pounded his gavel and cut me off. “Mr. Atherton, I said you are out of order. If you wish to make a motion, please use the proper protocol.”

  I wanted to make a motion that he shove the gavel up his ass, but instead I said, “Mr. President, I propose a motion.”

  In an annoyed tone, he said, “Please precede, Mr. Atherton.”

  “I would like to propose that you appoint someone from the Huran island chain.”

  He smiled. “A motion is on the floor. Are there any seconds?”

  I looked around the table. Everyone avoided making eye contact...even Shannon.

  “If there is not a second, then I am afraid the motion is dropped from consideration.” He brought the gavel down hard with a sharp crack, causing me to flinch. I sat down, stunned by Shannon’s abandonment.

  The chamber doors opened and Ahmed called his cousin, Ramdas, to enter. He walked in and took Michio’s seat at the table. Ahmed applauded. Everyone joined in, everyone except me.

  I stared at Shannon, but she wouldn’t look my way. I racked my brain for an excuse to stall the vote. If I could just speak with her, I knew that I could convince her.

  “The Council will now consider the next item of business,” Ahmed said, “a vote on the revised list of candidates for relocation to the Mars colony.”

  If Michio had been here, he would know what to do. Michio had memorized the parliamentary procedure book and could recall obscure rules at the drop of a hat. He once told me that the key to winning any game was to understand the rules better than your opponent.

  Wait. That was it. I suddenly remembered a story that Rick had told me of how Michio had made Ahmed read the entire list of candidates before the Council could vote on it. He had said that it was a stalling maneuver to give Shannon time to make the meeting. I could pull the same move. It wouldn’t stop the vote, but it might give me the time I needed to talk to Shannon. I knocked my chair over as I jumped to my feet. “Mr. President, point of order.”

  Ahmed looked like he had run out of patience. “Yes, Mr. Atherton? What is it this time?”

  The crash of the chair made Shannon finally look over at me. I locked eyes with her as I spoke. “Mr. President. Given the importance of this vote and since this will be the final action of the Council and given that we have plenty of time left today, I move that the list be read in its entirety prior to the vote in accordance with the rules of the Council.”

  I looked at Shannon in desperation.

  “Mr. Atherton, reading the list will only slow down the proceedings, not stop them.” Ahmed gave me a patronizing smile. “But I will open your motion to the Council. Is there a second for the motion?”

  I kept my gaze glued to Shannon’s face. For a second, I thought she would look away, but instead she brushed the bangs out of her eyes and raised her hand. It hung next to her head for a second. My heart pounded in my chest. Finally, arching her eyebrow, she raised her hand and said, “I second the motion.”

  “Very well,” Ahmed said. From his tone, I knew that he was pissed off, but it didn’t matter because Shannon had seconded the vote. “A motion was made. All in favor, please raise their hands.”

  I raised my hand and Shannon followed suit. I looked around the room. Everyone’s eyes were on Shannon. Then I watched as hand after hand lifted into the air.

  Holy shit! This might actually work.

  Ahmed’s face was the color of the pomegranate on the top of the fruit bowl in front of him. Viyaja looked more puzzled than angry, but even he raised his hand.

  “Fine!” Ahmed spit the word out. “The motion is passed. Mr. Secretary, will you please read the names?”

  Viyaja stood up and read from his data mat. “Mr. Hariaban Kapoor from the island of Male. Miss Anaka Olsen of...”

  I got up and walked to the back of the room, where pitchers of water and plates of fruit were laid out on the refreshment table. Shannon got up and joined me. I poured a glass of water. She came up beside me and whispered, “What are you up to, Aron?”

  In a hushed voice I said, “Thank you.” She didn’t say anything, so I continued. “We have to stop the vote. There’s more going on here than you know.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Remember what I told you about my friend Jin? The satellite? Do you remember that?”

  She nodded again.

  “Jin stumbled onto something. He found out that either Ahmed or someone using Ahmed’s IICN user account was sending messages back and forth with the pirates.”

  She turned pale and asked, “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive. And when I was on North Point, I accidently interrupted a video conference between an MDF officer and Jamal.”

  Her lip trembled. “How do you know it was Jamal?”

  “The scar. It was him. Trust me.”

  “What were they saying?”

  “Nothing. They stopped talking when I joined the net. But look, it doesn’t matter that I didn’t hear what they were saying. What matters is that I have the messages that were sent and we know that someone from the MDF is talking to pirates.”

  Her shoulders slumped and she asked, “What do the messages say?”

  “I don’t know. They’re encrypted. But Jin figured out a way to decrypt them.”

  “But...he’s missing, Aron. If he hasn’t turned up by now, you know what that means. So what good are the encrypted messages now? Did he tell you how to do decrypt them?”

  I shook my head. “No, but I think the answer is somewhere on his data mat and I have it.”

  She studied my face as if she didn’t quite believe me.

  “Shannon, all I need is a couple of days to figure out how to decrypt the messages. So vote with me to block the list. Give me time to figure out what they’re up to and then I promise…if there’s nothing in the messages about the list then I’ll vote for it. Hell, I’ll even raise the
motion myself.”

  She wrinkled her brow and said, “I don’t know.” I could tell she still didn’t believe me. “How did Jin figure out what was happening?”

  Viyaja’s voice droned on in the background as he read name after name.

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Don’t pull that shit on me. If you want me to trust you, then you need to trust me.”

  She was right. “He used the satellite to intercept emails from our network.”

  “I thought you said it was a reconnaissance satellite? How could he—”

  “I said it was complicated. I’m not entirely sure how he did it, but he did. Before he could tell me how to break the encryption, he disappeared.”

  “And can you do it? Break the encryption, I mean.”

  I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe.”

  Before returning to her seat, she said, “I need time to digest all of this.”

  What the hell was she digesting? It was clear that something was going on.

  It took nearly an hour before all the names were read. The whole time I kept studying Shannon’s face, searching for some sign, any sign, that she was with me. But her face was a closed book. When Viyaja finished, he turned the floor back to Ahmed.

  “Thank you, Mr. Secretary.” Ahmed paused and looked at me. “With no further objections we will now vote on the list. All in favor, please signify by—”

  “I request a twenty-four hour recess,” I said.

  “Mr. Atherton, what reason could you possibly have for a recess?” Ahmed asked.

  “I need time to certify the list and I’m sure our newest member, Mr. Prasad, needs time as well.”

  “I don’t want to speak for Mr. Prasad, but I’m sure he is fine with the list.” Ramdas smiled and nodded. “However, since you made a motion I’ll ask…is there anyone who will second Mr. Atherton’s request for a recess?”

  Once again, I looked at Shannon, but she just stared at her hands.