Earth Star(100)

‘We believe the power cells of the device are drained, so in theory there shouldn’t be any especial danger, but we’re dealing with a complete unknown. Shut down all lift beams the second you locate it and clear the area as a safety precaution.’

Pereth nodded. ‘What happens after that?’

I smiled. I wasn’t worried about what happened when we found the alien device, but what happened if we didn’t. ‘The Military take over full responsibility at that point.’

He seemed relieved.

‘I’m sorry, but I have to go,’ I said. ‘Thanks to Devon, I need to organize vids for a public announcement.’

‘Of course. We’ll be with you soon, Major.’

I ended the call, and looked around the crowd of fascinated bystanders. The dig teams were obviously more interested in my conversation with Pereth than in Earth Rolling News, which was still talking away to itself in excited tones in the background.

‘Dalmora, Krath, Amalie.’ I resorted to using the microphone, since I couldn’t see them.

Three dazed figures came forward in response.

‘I need you to set up some vid bees. The Military are preparing a detailed announcement, and want to include images of what’s happening here. Dalmora, I’m sending you information on how to link your vid feed to the Military.’

Dalmora checked her lookup, and suddenly changed from grazzed to professional. ‘Of course.’ She looked across at where Pereth’s image was floating above the Dig Site Command desk, busily conferring with a group of team leaders. ‘Should we be showing anything in particular?’

‘We just want viewers to see us looking reassuringly busy and professional.’ I looked around and used the microphone again. ‘People wearing silly party hats, can you please lose them or keep out of vid bee view. We’re going to be on the newzies, and we want to inspire confidence not laughter.’

Several people sprinted off to change their clothes, including Rono, Playdon and Stephan. I was relieved. Dalmora just looked like a vid star, but the rest of the Replays were in reproduction archaic costumes, and telling my lecturer he was unsuitably dressed might have been a bit awkward.

Fian looked worried. ‘Do I have to be in the vid?’

‘Definitely,’ I said. ‘You’re half the Military presence here.’

Vid bees began to patrol the hall. Those clustered around the Dig Site Command desk shot nervous glances at them and continued their discussion with a self-conscious air. For the next twenty minutes, Fian and I were each stalked by a vid bee, before Dalmora announced the Military had enough images and called a halt to the persecution.

I checked the time and resorted to the microphone again. ‘Everyone from Asgard 6, and Rono from Cassandra 2, we need a quick conference in …’ I glanced towards the Dig Site Command desk.

‘Alpha corridor, Area 1 is still empty,’ Ellen said. ‘We thought it might be a bit noisy so close to the main hall.’

‘That will be fine.’ I led the way to Area 1. As the others gathered around me, I said three words. ‘Impact suit. Help!’

‘What?’ asked Rono.

‘You know Jarra and Fian had a major accident recently,’ said Playdon. ‘Jarra has impact suit phobia.’

‘This excavation was supposed to be happening in secret using people from the Stasis Q list,’ said Fian. ‘We thought …’

‘It was?’ Playdon asked. ‘When did …? No, it doesn’t matter now, sorry for interrupting. Carry on.’

‘We thought we could just explain Jarra’s problem to people,’ continued Fian, ‘and she could lead the excavation from inside a dome. Anyone on the Stasis Q list would understand, but now …’

‘The dig teams will understand too,’ said Rono.

‘Yes, they’d understand,’ I said, ‘but what about the rest of humanity? Gaius Devon has scared people to death, and this operation is supposed to happen in a blaze of publicity to reassure them. I won’t inspire much confidence by cowering inside a dome, terrified of my own impact suit.’

I shook my head. ‘I have to get back into a suit. I’ve already asked Major Tar Cameron of Command Support to send over impact suits and skintights for Fian and myself. Some poor Lieutenant is probably hiking across Ark, right now, to bring them over. Any suggestions on how I get into mine?’ I looked hopefully at Rono.

‘I had the same problem, but it took me two months before I could make myself put a suit on.’

‘If I can’t make myself … Is it possible to force me into one?’

‘No!’ said Playdon. ‘Jarra, be reasonable. Even if it was physically possible, what state would you be in afterwards?’