Saving Mars by Cidney Swanson

Author:Cidney Swanson [Swanson, Cidney]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Williams Press
Published: 2012-08-13T17:10:25+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

REAL SILK

Ethan surprised everyone by suggesting that Jessamyn leave the group prior to their arrival at the Terran satellite communication facility.

“Not going to happen,” said Jessamyn. “I came to make sure you can do your job and I intend to see it through.”

Her brother spoke again. “I have recovered sufficiently from my confinement to perform my task. However, I find that I am distressed at the thought of Jessamyn’s safety. I believe it would be difficult for me to concentrate on hacking ancient Terran code while knowing her to be in harm’s way.”

“Don’t be ridiculous,” said Jess. “We’ve been in harm’s way every minute since we boarded the Galleon.”

“I have been researching the customs surrounding first-body apprenticeship examinations,” said Ethan, ignoring his sister’s retort. “Budapest throws the largest awards banquet. The opportunity to purchase admission is earned through a merit system. Jessamyn has been given a ticket and I believe the awards banquet would be a remarkably safe place.”

“Humph,” said Jess.

“The party lasts all night and the examination is held in the upper portion of the same building the following morning,” concluded her brother.

“That’s a ridiculous way to prepare for an important exam,” muttered Jess.

“We are attempting an important task, and we are under-rested,” Ethan countered.

Kipper glanced back at Ethan. “Your suggestion to increase your sister’s safety has merit. First Officer, is it your conclusion that your brother has made a full recovery?”

Jess, out of the Captain’s range of vision, rolled her eyes and muttered. “He just disabled the tracking device those Terrans placed on the front window.”

“Indeed?” Kipper sounded impressed. “Harpreet, what is your recommendation?”

“Ethan has watched over his sister her entire life. If he feels her presence would compromise his productivity, I suggest we do as he asks. A Terran banquet is certainly a safer location than a cloaked transport, should we encounter … difficulties.” Harpreet paused to smile at Jess. “And daughter, I must implore you, for my sake, to sample a raspberry at the banquet.”

“Very well. First Officer,” said Kipper, “You will await us at the banquet.”

And so Jessamyn found it a settled thing: she would remove herself from the rest of the crew, maintaining communication through the audio device of Ethan’s invention. She felt disgruntled at being set aside during the real action. Then she remembered a conversation around Brian Wallace’s table. She recalled how her brother had seemed to be trying to convince himself that she would be safe under the cloaking tarp. He’s been worrying about this all along, she realized. Her brother didn’t need additional worries. She smiled softly. She was doing what Harpreet said she needed to do: to consider a situation from someone else’s point of view.

Budapest sprawled, a vast city on either side of the Danube River. The boundaries of the capitol had doubled several times over in the centuries since colonists first left for Mars. The city center maintained some of its antique beauty, the ancient buildings in warm browns, golds, and pinks that felt restful to Jess’s eyes after the blue-greys and greens of Scotland.

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