Clarkesworld Magazine Issue 144 by Neil Clarke

Author:Neil Clarke [Clarke, Neil]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: chinese, clarkesworld, magazine, novelette, science fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy, science fiction magazine, short fiction, short story, world sf
Publisher: Wyrm Publishing
Published: 2018-09-01T00:00:00+00:00

6

He huddled in the cockpit with the device in his hands. His trembling finger entered the wrong number several times, but he finally connected to the 045 Meat Union factory assistant director’s office. “Director!” he shouted. “It’s A Lei! I’m trapped in Rhea!”

“A Lei?” The assistant director sounded frightened. “You’re still alive?”

“If not, who are you talking to?”

“We all assumed you’d been eaten, so we didn’t arrange a rescue team. But on the bright side, financial affairs offered their condolences. They paid for the funeral, and the accidental death insurance has paid out to your parents. Quite a sum!”

A Lei had to stop himself from smashing the hand device. “So my family’s quite happy with everything then? You were worried about further losses if you dispatched rescue, is that it? Why eat more financial loss when you can just write me off? Well let me tell you . . . you’ve got bigger problems. These dracopiens aren’t merely lashing out at the factory. They’re conspiring to revolt. They mean to establish a huge tribal coalition. They want to overthrow human civilization and replace it. We need to sound the alarm. Better yet, we need to report this to SA government. We need the Marines if we’re going to suppress these fucking lizards!”

“So you want to smash everyone’s rice bowls,” the assistant director said, growing incensed himself. “You know if Accidents and Safety inspects, all Union factories have to shut down and reorganize. What’s everyone supposed to eat? The Northwest Wind? Now wait . . . if you’re really saying the dracopiens are conspiring to overthrow humanity . . . Just hold on, I’ll report it to the higher-ups and call you right back.” The assistant director disconnected.

A few minutes later, the device buzzed in A Lei’s hand, and he answered. An old, dignified voice came through, claiming to be the AFF executive director in charge of Rhea.

“Executive d-director.” A Lei was low-level, a Union factory worker. He was talking to the man in charge of all food enterprises in Rhea.

“Young man,” the old voice said, “tell me frankly . . . what’s happening there?”

A Lei dared not hold anything back. He recounted the whole disaster, systematically and in full detail.

“That’s quite a story,” the old man said. “You’re sure my friend Ai Li-ke was eaten?”

“Y-yes.”

The old man sighed. “No wonder I haven’t heard from him in so long. Ai Li-ke was an outstanding researcher for us. He played an important role in constructing the dinosaur pasturelands. And he was a skilled cook! Specialized in dinosaur eggs. Do you have anything of his? Keepsakes? If so, bring them back to me, and I’ll reward you well.”

A Lei sifted through the materials he’d collected. “There’s only fragments of his notebooks left, and a few memory chips. Sir, you must think of a way to rescue me from Rhea. Otherwise I have no way of getting this stuff to you.” He had to prioritize his own little life.

“You’re sitting in a mecha now?”

“Of course.

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