Sol 2781 by Janet Edwards

Author:Janet Edwards
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Science Fiction, Space Opera, Young Adult Science Fiction, Dystopia, Military Science Fiction
Publisher: Wallam-Crane Press
Published: 2022-07-08T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-nine

I projected Leveque’s analysis mosaic on the wall of my room. It showed the coverage from a couple of dozen leading newzie channels, each image labelled with graphics to show their current viewer numbers. Alpha and Omega News was at the centre of the mosaic, dominating it with an image twice the size of the other newzie channels, and with its audio playing. On the right side of the mosaic was another graphic that seemed to be connected to public reaction on the chat webs, and was a reassuring pale pink.

I sat on my bed, watching Alpha and Omega’s deeply unnerving feature about how the chimera infiltrated humanity’s worlds. In normal circumstances, people would have wanted to forget those terrifying events, so the piece would have sent the viewer numbers plummeting. Aanya had made people worried about the illegal freight portal though, so viewer numbers were steadily building as they watched the feature in fascinated horror. On the right side of the mosaic, the chat webs graphic was darkening towards red, which I guessed was a bad sign.

The feature was followed by a special report from Aanya, explaining how it was only bio-filters that prevented the current block portal travel system from being just as vulnerable to quarantine breaches as the old-style active portal routes. When she started speaking, the other newzie channels were mentioning the illegal freight portal story, but showing multiple other news stories as well. As Aanya began passionately declaiming that Weslen Mitchall handing over an interstellar freight portal to criminals had recklessly endangered humanity, I saw the crucial moment when her face started appearing on other newzie channels.

Aanya’s report had sent the viewer figures of Alpha and Omega News soaring off the scale. Rather than have more of their viewers start watching Alpha and Omega News, other channels were surrendering, and streaming her report themselves. The chat webs graphic was responding by darkening through red to a deep burgundy.

Virtually every image on the mosaic was showing Aanya’s face, when she abruptly broke off her diatribe against Storban Mitchall protecting his son from justice. “Alpha and Omega now has breaking news on this story,” she said, in a triumphant voice. “Joint Sector High Congress Committee has responded to widespread public concern by holding an emergency debate on Storban Mitchall’s complaint against the Military.”

Aanya paused for dramatic effect. “Joint Sector High Congress Committee has now responded on behalf of Parliament of Planets, dismissing Storban Mitchall’s complaint, and instructing Military Security to escort Weslen Mitchall to Academy immediately!”

The mosaic of images on my wall was changing to show Quilla Amarion, the Aadi of Alpha sector, her silver hair looking its striking best against one of her favourite dark blue robes. I didn’t wait to hear the Aadi recite the full response from Joint Sector High Congress Committee, just tapped at my lookup to cut off the mosaic, and lay back on my bed.

Nuking hell! It had only taken Aanya’s publicity storm a couple of hours to force Joint Sector High Congress Committee into taking action.

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