The Boy Who Fell from the Sky by Jule Owen

Author:Jule Owen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Teen dystopia, Ya time travel series, Dystopian science fiction YA, Dystopian science fiction novels, Young adult science fiction action adventure series, Dystopian science fiction novels, cli-fi
Publisher: Jule Owen
Published: 2015-10-27T16:00:00+00:00

16 The Beekeeper

DAY EIGHT: Monday, 29 November 2055, London

Nan Absolem is sitting in her office. The war has killed her exuberance, or perhaps she thinks it’s a more fitting setting to pass on bad news.

“I’m afraid it’s no go with Eva and your dragons project, Mathew. I’m sorry.”

He considers whether he should tell her that he’s already started working with Eva. He thinks better of it and says, “Oh. Bad news.”

She doesn’t notice how flat his voice sounds. She says, “Yes. I know. I did try. I argued that your project would be a symbol and hope of peace, a beacon in the darkness, but the school board, the regional education board, and the police thought it would be a security risk. I hope you’re not too upset.”

“No, it’s fine. Really.”

“I’m afraid it means we still need to find a way to get you collaboration credits. We’re scheduling a holophone session on the Nexus with your robotics class.”

“Alright.”

“Are you okay?” she says.

“Yes. Why?”

“You’re unusually agreeable.”

“I was bioIDed yesterday,” he says.

“Me too.”

“The official who processed me said I wasn’t British.”

“Outrageous! Did you complain?”

“Who to?”

Nan thinks. She doesn’t know what to say.

He says, “Don’t worry, Nan. I’m going to do some courses on quantum computing and security, if that’s okay.”

“Sure, that’s fine. Do you need anything from me?”

“No. Thanks. Not a thing.”

The locksmiths arrive at 2:30 on the dot, a tall, thin, grey-haired man with a moustache, wearing a shirt and tie, and a younger man wearing jeans and a sweatshirt.

While the men are bringing in their tools, Mathew holds O’Malley. “We don’t want him to get out,” he says to the younger man. “I’ll put him in here.” He indicates the Darkroom. “The police will shoot him if he escapes, and there’s a roadblock at the end of the street now, so the chances are high. Make sure you don’t open the door. It’s important.”

“Are there any doors or windows in your Darkroom?” the younger locksmith asks.

“No.”

“Then we won’t be going in there.”

Mathew fixes the Darkroom with all the things O’Malley needs – food, water, his bed, and his litter tray. O’Malley scratches at the door and jumps and stretches at the door handle, wanting to be freed. Mathew feels guilty, so he starts a natural history holofilm. O’Malley starts to chatter and leap at the birds flying across his path.

Mathew shuts the door tightly behind him and goes to the front room while the men work.

Mathew works on the beebot, turning it into a Blackweb communications device. Based on a course provided by the school curriculum and a bit of research on MUUT about the quantum security his anonymous friend suggested, he manages to build something he is fairly sure will allow him to have a private conversation with Clara. The first beebot was primitive in design, an off-the-shelf agricultural model. Last night he printed a new beebot for Clara with flourishes. It’s covered in tiny gold and black hairs, has iridescent eyes, and long, elaborate, tightly curling antennae. The finished product is like a pendant or a brooch.

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