Boundary by Simon Winstanley

Author:Simon Winstanley [Winstanley, Simon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-11-14T22:00:00+00:00

POWERS OF TEN

DAY10 : 05NOV2046

The table at the mid-point of the meeting room was circular. The theory was that every voice at the table had equal weighting; a geometric representation of democracy. However, like most rooms within the Node, the architecture surrounding the table was that of an arc; the viewpoint of each individual would always differ.

Colonel Beck looked around at the others. If the world outside had truly ended, then upon completion of the Node’s journey these people would be the founders of a new era.

The door opened at the far end of the room and Scott Dexter hurried in, holding the door open for Kate Walker. She appeared to be leaning more heavily on her crutch than usual. Recently, her physical health seemed to have taken a downturn. According to Dr. Smith, Kate was refusing treatment, citing the importance of preserving available medical resources. He wasn’t sure if she was putting on a brave face or if she was somehow punishing herself for the death of her father. Beck himself had lost his only daughter before his posting to Öskjuvatn Lake; he knew grief affected people in different ways.

Once everyone was comfortably seated, he stood to address the other nine members of the Node’s Council.

“Good to see you up and about again, Kate,” he began.

There were unanimous comments of agreement from all around the table, something Kate tried to wave away.

“It was a really dumb fall,” she replied, “I guess the next time I want to walk down three… er, three…”

From her mid-air finger movements, he could see she was searching for the words, but they were eluding her.

“The steps,” he interrupted to save her embarrassment, “weren’t properly surface-finished. Something that’s now been fixed.”

Kate nodded and shuffled in her seat slightly, avoiding the eyes of the others around the table.

“Firstly,” he said, turning to address the others, “I’d like to welcome our civilian liaison appointment, Miss Cassidy Briars.”

He gestured to the pink-haired woman on the far side of the table and everyone turned to politely exchange smiles.

“She’s here at Kate’s recommendation,” he continued, “Cassidy found the DRB video post-processor unit, down in Sub-4 Alpha. Without it, we wouldn’t have been able to decode Douglas Walker’s message. Cassidy, thank you and welcome.”

Cassidy blushed and replied in Kate’s direction.

“I want to thank you for the opportunity, Miss Walker.”

“It seemed fitting,” Kate replied, “a way of honouring his memory.”

“Here, here,” agreed Alfred Barnes, initiating a round of similar sentiments.

“So,” said Colonel Beck, turning to Marshall Redings, “perhaps we should begin?”

Marshall gave a report on the status of the Chronomagnetic Field and its new stable operating configuration. Occasionally, Trevor Pike also added details he found worthy of note which turned the conversation towards the failure of Gail Armstrong’s Biomag.

“I’m just glad you both were there,” Gail acknowledged both Trevor and Roy, “I hope no-one else has to go through it.”

“Colonel,” Caroline Smith gave a small cough, “I’d like to recommend that, as a precaution, we re-administer the Bergstrom isotope to everyone aboard. We have more than enough supplies.

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