The Cord by Jim O'Loughlin

Author:Jim O'Loughlin
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: speculative fiction, science fiction, literary sagas, space exploration, hard science fiction, time travel science fiction, postcyberpunk
Publisher: BHC Press
Published: 2022-01-17T00:00:00+00:00

ATTENTION

TODAY, A GREAT TRAGEDY BEFELL HUMANITY, AND REST ASSURED THAT VENGEANCE WILL REST WITH THE STRONG! OUR BROTHERS’ LIVES WILL NOT HAVE BEEN LOST IN VEIN, AND THE PERPETRATORS OF THIS AWFUL CRIME WILL FEEL JUSTICE! STATION WILL BE SEARCHED FROM ONE END TO THE OTHER. DO NOT LEAVE QUARTERS UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE!

Suha read the message twice, with her father looking over her shoulders.

“What does this mean?” she asked.

“I’m not sure,” her father said, “but it appears they think the destruction of the ship was intentional.”

“Was it?”

“It—why would you ask me? I can’t imagine it could be. No, we would know if it was. But then again…I really don’t know anything.”

“Well, what are they searching for?”

“At this point, anything they can find, it appears. Don’t be fooled by the bravado. Whoever wrote this message is scared.”

“And also needs to go easy on the caps lock. Well, what do you think happened?”

“I don’t know. A spaceship is a complicated machine. Any number of things could have gone wrong. But the Marsites will need someone to blame. We must all be careful, particularly—”

Her father stopped midsentence and quickly turned into his bedroom. He came out a few seconds later with a package in his hand and headed toward the door. This time, it was Suha who held out a blocking hand.

“Wait, you can’t go out there. It’s not safe. Who knows what the Marsites will do?”

“I can’t wait. They will likely be searching rooms.”

“What’s in the bag?” Suha asked.

“I can’t tell you.”

Suha and her dad stared at each other.

“I can help you hide it,” she said, maintaining eye contact.

Her father’s eyes narrowed and then blinked. “Very well. How?”

Suha stepped over Jati and led her father to her room. She tipped back the bed and opened up her hiding place. Her father looked in at the VRCam and power stick. He stared back at her and started to say something before pausing.

Suha spoke. “The panel is heavy, and it’s lead-lined, so it will be hard for a scan to pick up anything back here.”

“Yes, this will do.” He opened up his package and took out a gun. Suha stared at him.

“I don’t want you to think I use this,” her father said. “Nor do I hope to use it. And I am counting on you not to touch it or let Jati know that it is here. I will remove it from our rooms when I can. I must be able to trust you.”

Suha nodded. “I know. I’m not a child.”

“You are a child,” her father said. “I’m sorry to involve you, but there is no choice. There are some of us organizing to oppose the Marsites. We are gaining in numbers, but our cells are isolated. I cannot imagine blowing up a ship. No, something mechanical must have gone wrong. Still, you must tell no one, not even your closest friends, especially not your Marsite friend. One misspoken word and lives could be lost.”

“Ayah, I understand.”

“You must.”

He placed the gun into the hiding place and secured the panel.

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