by Claire Buss
Jed nodded and the two men stood in quiet reflection for a moment, watching as more crows began circling the field.
'We need to get a body count. Is it safe?' Jed asked.
'It appears to be. I wouldn't touch anyone for now but walking past, getting a head count, should be fine. Shall I start this end?'
Jed nodded gratefully and strode off to the far side of the bodies. It was eerie. He kept expecting someone to move, kept thinking he saw something in the corner of his eye. But there was nothing. Each and everyone looked like they'd just lain down for a nap. It wasn't long before the two men met in the middle. They took a note of each other's numbers and then continued. When Max returned to the city walls with his final count, the skimmer had returned with Dina.
'I make it four hundred and twenty-eight - you?'
'Same.'
Dina hurried over, pale-faced but determined to do whatever she needed. 'I bought the full sample kit. I wasn't sure what you'd want to test.' Her eyes strayed over to the bodies and she swallowed. 'Do we know anything?'
'Nothing I'd care to share without further investigation. Come on, we've got work to do.' Max gave her a brief hug and then opened up one of the cases she had brought. He extracted protective suits for them both to wear. Dina prepared the sample kits and once they'd both suited up, the two scientists bent to their task. They took samples of skin, hair, sediment from under the fingernails, swatches of cloth, made soil and grass solutions as well as taking samples of any food they could see. They tried to be random with their sampling yet followed a loose grid pattern to ensure they had something to test from across the site. It was getting dark by the time they'd finished.
'Do we need to worry about scavengers, Max?' Jed asked when they returned.
'It's a distinct possibility. I'm surprised we haven't seen anything more than the crows if I'm honest.'
'I'll set up a stasis field, then. Can you do the tests here, or do you need to go back to the other skimmer?'
'I think we should test here. I'd hate to bring back any potential contaminants.' Max looked back at the bodies. 'Whatever it is, it was done deliberately and clearly by someone these citizens trusted. There are no signs of violence whatsoever.'
Jed nodded grimly and left Max with Dina to sort out a quick field lab in order to process their samples. He went to the skimmer and activated the comms.
'Beta Camp. Beta Camp, Operative Ash, are you there?' asked Jed.
'Receiving you loud and clear, Sir.'
'As am I.' Kira's voice sounded strained.
Jed closed his eyes in dismay. He hadn't wanted her to see this.
'Jed, are you still there?' asked Kira.
'Yes, I'm still here.'
'What happened?'
'I don't know, love. We're running tests. Max and Dina will know more soon. Is Grace alright? Are you okay?'
'We're fine. Martha's sent a message. She wants an update.'
'What did you tell her?'
'Nothing, we haven't replied yet.'
'Please keep it that way. I'll report in and give her an update, don't worry. I'll let you know when we find anything out. I need to have a private word with Ash now, is that alright?'
'Yes hon, of course. I'll speak to you later?'
'Yep. Love you.'
'Love you too.'
There was a crackle and a fair amount of static as Kira unplugged herself from the comms system and climbed out of the skimmer, taking Grace with her. The baby began whimpering, she'd been happily playing with the skimmer belts in the back. Kira distracted her with an old-fashioned chew toy she had in her pocket. Grace's teeth were coming in and at least this way she could enjoy gnawing on a brightly coloured toy rather than endure semi-painful injections into her gums. Besides, they weren't even anywhere near a working med centre and there was no-one here to make those injections. Kira felt miserable, her heart aching for all those dead people she'd seen through Jed's cam.
'Ash, try and keep Kira busy. Away from here. I don't know how long this testing will take but I don't want too much traffic between the sites until I know there is no risk of contamination. If something happens out here I need you to take Kira back to City 42. Understood?'
'Yes, Sir.'
'How much did she see?'
'Er, the bodies, Sir. We both saw the bodies before I cut the feed. Sorry, Sir.'
'It's alright. I need you to send a message to Governor Hamble to contact me on a secure line. In the interim, you're in charge of Beta Team. Make the camp secure, get the pods set up for sleeping and make sure you rotate a night watch.'
'Yes, Sir.'
'Oh and I need a headcount for City 15 when you get a moment please.'
'I have that, Sir. It's four hundred and twenty-eight according to the Archive log. It's the only thing I've been able to hack so far.'
'Right. Thanks. I'll radio in again at 1900 hours but if you see anything, anything unusual, you get in touch. Understood.'
'Yes, Sir.'
'Over and out.'
Kira and Grace were waiting outside the skimmer when Ash opened the door.
'What did he say?'
'Um, they are staying there to run the analysis. In case of contamination.' Ash replied.
'Okay, so we're meant to stay here and camp in the plaza?'
'That's about the size of it, Ma'am.'
'Oh don't Ma'am me, Ash. Kira is fine. Can we get a comms link back to City 42? To Martha's office?'
Feeling relieved that Kira wasn't asking about the other campsite, Ash nodded and turned back to establish a connection. He pulled the screen out and round so Kira could see from outside the skimmer. It took longer than expected but eventually he'd managed to open a channel to Martha's office.
'Here you go, it's ready when you are. Can you ask the governor to check her secure messages as well, please? There should be one from us, telling her to contact Captain Jenkins in the field.'
'Yes, of course. Thanks, Ash.'
'Also...'
'You don't want me to mention the bodies do you?' asked Kira, her voice quiet.
'No Ma'am. We should wait for the Captain to report in.' Ash was relieved she'd mentioned it first. He didn't want to tell Mrs Jenkins what she could and couldn't say.
'It's okay, Ash. I won't tell her what we've seen. I just want to talk to her.' Kira peered through the static as the connection stabilised, she was barely able to make out a desk and a shadowy shape. 'Martha? Are you there?'
'Who is this?' It was a man's voice. Kira couldn't quite place him but he sounded familiar.
'Kira Jenkins. Who is this? Where's Martha?'
'Ms Hamble is... unavailable for comment.' And the line went dead. Kira blinked in surprise. What was all that about? She turned to look for Ash to tell him what happened but he was helping the rest of Beta Team make up the sleeping pods for the night. Perhaps Kira had tried at a bad time. She carried Grace over to one of the larger pods and was relieved to see her cube already set up. A good night's sleep. That's what everyone needed. Kira began sorting out her daughter for bed, hoping things would seem clearer in the morning.
ENCRYPTED MESSAGE FROM NEW CORP TO 7421
>>IMPLEMENT OPERATION VNC - CONFIRM<<
ENCRYPTED MESSAGE FROM 7421 TO NEW CORP
>>Absolutely confirmed! You won't be disappointed.<<
Chapter 9
C42N: No news from City 15. Do you have an update? Sweep what you know.
SMAC: The Governor will release a statement about City 15.
ANON17: What's going on? They should've been there by now! Who's keeping secrets? Together they're telling us lies!
'Who was that on the comms?' Martha frowned at Sean as she came back into her office. She was sure she'd seen Kira's face on the screen behind him but the image had been distorted so it was difficult to know for sure.
'No-one, Ma'am. A poor connection with the news feed. Seems we're having static issues.'
'Wonderful,' said Martha. 'I suppose we'd better add
that to the long list of things to resolve.'
'Yes, Ma'am.'
'That was meant to be rhetorical, Sean.'
'Yes, Ma'am.'
Martha pinched her nose and closed her eyes briefly. She had never warmed to Sean. He was efficient at his job, invaluable really, but he always seemed to be lurking at the edges of City 42's latest disaster. Ruth was convinced he was going to make a play for power but so far all he'd done was simply be everywhere. Usually before Martha had the chance to respond publicly and often with all the information at his fingertips, before she had even had chance to review the latest reports. With herself and Ruth feeling exhausted all the time Martha supposed it was important to have at least one fully capable team member. Stimulants only went so far and when their effects wore off, she often felt worse than she had before.
'Sean, have we heard from the expedition team at City 15 yet?'
'No, Ma'am.'
'So why did you sweep about the update? Without my authority?'
'There was a lot of negative chatter on the Sweeps, Ma'am. I thought we'd get ahead of it, for once,' Sean replied.
Martha couldn't fault his logic.
'Next time, run it past me first, please. All sweeps from government officials have to be pre-approved, you know that - it was your idea,' she said.
'Yes, Ma'am.' Sean cocked his head to one side as he checked his handheld. 'There is only one more meeting today - about the waste removal system. Why don't you let me deal with that and I'll let you know if the team check in. You look tired.'
Martha bristled slightly. She knew she looked tired, she didn't need to be reminded about it but her sensible side was leaping with joy at the thought of being able to leave the office early or at least on time for once.
'Are you sure you're happy to take that meeting solo? It's fairly routine, so there shouldn't be anything untoward and you can ping me instantly if anything...'
Sean broke in smoothly. 'It will be fine. Go. Relax. I've got everything covered.'
Martha felt like she was being dismissed but chalked it up to being tired and overreacting. She gathered her handheld and her jacket and smiled gratefully at Sean as they both walked to her office door. After all, he was only trying to help. She stopped at the door and turned to him.
'One more thing, Sean. How many babies are left in the growth labs?' asked Martha, hoping that she hadn't already asked him that question today. The earlier meeting had reminded her that there were still a few collections left. She was so tired, she thought if she closed her eyes she might never wake up again.
'Seven, plus one unclaimed in the lab,' Sean replied.
'Unclaimed? How did that happen? Don't we have a waiting list?' Martha rubbed her temple with one hand, swiping her handheld with the other, trying to find the report.
'I can't speak for my predecessor.' Sean was calm, cool and collected, as always. 'But yes, there is an unclaimed child in the lab.' He checked his own handheld. 'Looks like mixed race, four months old.' He looked up at Martha. 'I can have it reassigned.'
'It? Boy or girl, Sean?'
'Er, boy.'
Martha felt a pang of sadness. The same age as Pete and Ingrid's baby, if it had survived. And mixed race. She started to feel more awake as she considered the possibility. No. It couldn't be. Could it?
'Can you transfer that file over to my personal handheld please?'
'The orphan? Why?'
'Thank you, Sean. As for the babies left in the growth lab, have they all been assigned?'
The lines around Sean's mouth tightened momentarily before he replied. 'Yes, but we have eight families petitioning for new ones to be grown. They're getting more and more support daily for reopening the labs. Couldn't the orphan could be sent off to one of them?'
'I want to look into where he came from first. Thank you, Sean. Is there anything else?' Martha hoped not.
'No, Ma'am. But we do need to discuss the baby lab reopening...'
'Tomorrow, Sean. Tomorrow.'
He nodded, swiped his handheld and flashed a half grin at Martha as he left her to lock her office behind them.
Checking the time Martha realised that it was already past the end of normal office hours. She pinged her friend.
'Are Lucas and Sarah alright?'
'Yeah, they're fine. You finished already?'
'On way now, just need to check one thing.'
'Don't be too late.'
Martha smiled, feeling lighter. For once she had an earlier finish than usual and time to spend with her son. It was looking like a good evening ahead. As soon as she'd looked into the orphaned boy situation.
MSCHILD: Governor Hamble consistently refuses to discuss reopening the growth labs. Who does she think she is? Just because she had her baby. It's not fair.
Sean smiled at the collection of people around the table. They were what was left of the Corporation supporters in City 42. Those who had held powerful positions before the uprising and had now been left to obscurity. It was true, some had made it onto Governor Hamble's advisory team but in low level positions. He would still have to be wary of them, if they didn't feel like they were being offered something more than they already had they might inform Martha of what was happening here today. And Sean wasn't quite ready for that, yet.
'Gentlemen, Ladies, let's open the discussion, shall we? First item of business - level of confidence in the current administration.'
Chapter 10
C42N: Do you think we should have an election? Join the conversation in social hub beta.
ANON17: GOVHAM can't even attend her own meetings. What can possibly be more important?
SMAC: Waste management is at the top of the Governor's agenda.
Martha pinged Ruth again but there was no reply. That was nothing new. She probably had her hands full with Sarah and Lucas. Martha felt a pang of guilt for not being at home with her baby but their childcare arrangement was part of their working agreement. Ruth shouldered the bulk of childcare whilst Martha focused on her role as governor of City 42. So far, so good, but it was only a temporary fix. They would have to come up with something more permanent, especially if Martha's hunch was right.
She thanked Gaia that the baby lab was in the same building as her office, she didn't think she could bear to travel half way across the city to find out whether she was right or not.
Inside the baby lab, the seven infants that were still growing pulsed gently within their synthetic cocoons. Such a peaceful environment thought Martha as she looked for a staff member. There should always be someone on duty but there didn't seem to be anyone here. A low rumbling noise was coming from the left hand side of the room. Martha went over to investigate.
There, in the large cube, designed for sleeping multiple infants, a grown man lay snoring. A baby was tucked into the crook of his arm and was also peacefully sleeping. It was a surprising scene yet one that tugged Martha's heartstrings. She too wished she could nap so contentedly, with her baby but, she never seemed to have the time. She cleared her throat and the snoozing giant snorted then opened his eyes.
'Don't wake the baby,' he whispered as he extended the crook of his arm, releasing the child from his embrace and snuggling him into a pile of nearby blankets. Then there was a rather inelegant scramble for the man to get up off the floor and out of the cube. He stretched his neck making it crack loudly then peered intently at his visitor. 'Do I know you?'
'I hope so. Governor Hamble.' Martha extended her hand and smiled warmly at the surprised look on the man's face.
He hurriedly wiped his hands on his trousers and then double shook Martha's hand. 'Marty, Miss Hamble. An honour to meet you. Great to see you here. An honour, truly an honour. How can I help you? You don't need another baby, do you? I mean, you already have one, don't you.' He trailed off, realising that what he was saying wasn't coming out quite right. He tried again. 'Governor Hamble, what can I do for you?'
She smiled at him, letting him know that he wasn't in any kind of trouble, th
en pointed to the child in the cube.
'What can you tell me about this baby?'
Marty looked at the little boy. 'Well, bit of an odd one this. He came to us from Corp Medical, about four months ago. It was around the time of the terrorist attack so we figured the family who were assigned him had perished in the tragedy.'
'Why wasn't he reported?'
'Ah, well, you see. There was a lot of confusion after the terrorist attack. We lost valuable staff members and then the computer lock-down didn't help. It was tricky to back track the files, find out who this little fella belongs to and then of course your governorship came into being and it all sort of, well...' He trailed off not entirely sure how to explain what had happened.
'This little guy got lost in the system.' Martha's eyes filled with tears. 'Has he been well looked after?'
'Yes, yes, of course. We all cherish him dearly. Mr Sean knows all about him of course. He told us the little lad would be reassigned soon.'
'I see.' Martha's brain whirled. Surely Sean should've bought this information to her sooner. It felt like he had been trying to hide it. But to what end? 'I'd like to take him home with me. What do I need to do?'
'Er, Governor Hamble, um, that's kind of you but, don't you already have a child at home?'
'I do.' Martha waited to see what the man would say next. She wasn't sure she should be doing this but she needed to take the baby home. She had to know if her hunch was right.
C42N: GOVHAM leaves Hamble HQ with new baby.
MSCHILD: How dare Hamble take that baby! She already has one. Who else is she screwing over? It should've been mine!
ANON17: Hamble is a baby-stealer. I bet she's still selling them.
'Where have you been?' Ruth sounded harassed. The children had been irritable, when one stopped mithering, the other one started. It was as though they had an evil plan. She stopped in her tracks, mouth open in surprise when she saw Martha carrying another baby. 'Is there something you want to tell me?'