Fallen from Grace by Merry Farmer

Author:Merry Farmer [Farmer, Merry]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2014-07-13T05:00:00+00:00

“So it’s decided then.” Sean had set his handheld on the table. He had called the informal meeting while the rest of them had still been eating their lunches. The cafeteria had been buzzing with conversation and laughter, but Sean had pushed their group into a black hole of needless seriousness. “We release the information that the genetics team has gathered for the Secondary Protocol.”

“Only if you want to cause an undue amount of stress on board a cramped ship full of horny men and women who have been told not to form intimate relationships or they will face a penalty,” Danny replied with deliberate sarcasm. He kept outwardly calm, though his skin prickled. He didn’t care whose toes he stepped on. The last thing he wanted was for the information he’d spent years compiling to end up public knowledge. “Besides, people are already stirred up because of the Kutrosky incident.”

Stacey and Jonah and a few of the others hummed in agreement. Sean stared at him as though Danny had spit on his father’s grave.

“The Secondary Protocol isn’t a secret, unlike whatever other work you geneticists are here to do.” He braced his hands on the table and leaned forward as though he would attack. “It isn’t even policy. It’s a back-up measure. Releasing it will simply mean that people can see who in the Project would be the best genetic match for them.”

“But what purpose would it serve?” Beth joined the conversation from a few seats down.

“Are we going to post it in the cafeteria?” Stacey grinned, winking at Grace from where she sat across the table chewing on her sandwich. “Will we get to walk up to it and check to see if we got the part, like high school?”

“No.” Sean frowned at her. “We’ll simply make the file available online. People can check it or not check it at their leisure.” He darted a quick glance to Grace. Danny caught the look in spite of the fact that Sean tried to hide it. He was attempting to stack the deck, there was no doubt. At least Grace was still busy making faces at Stacey.

“What, so once this list is posted people can see who they’re supposed to be talking to and who they’re supposed to be avoiding? Are they going to be requiring us to only associate with certain people and forcing us to avoid others because of it?” Beth shook her head and stabbed her salad. “I refuse to approve any measure that would impede the freedom of the people involved in The Terra Project.”

“Our freedom is restricted enough as is,” Grace said softly, her face losing its playful light. She touched Danny’s leg under the table, then focused on her lunch. Danny’s heart turned over in his chest. He needed to step up his efforts to get her out of the Project, the sooner the better. As soon as he found Carrie, they would set the wheels in motion.

“Grace.” Sean shifted in his seat, disapproval mingled with desperation.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.