The Genius Asylum: Sic Transit Terra Book 1 by Arlene F. Marks Page B
Authors: Arlene F. Marks
Tags: Humor, thriller, Mystery, E-Book, Literature, cyberpunk, book, Aliens, books, reading, alien technology, Space Station, Amazon Kindle, genes, science fiction mystery, contact, sic transit terra, future policing, sociological sf, sf spy story, human-alien relationships
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we did was—!”
“Isn’t the life support console supposed to—?”
“But nothing happened, I told you! It just ran for a while and then it—!”
“I never programmed that routine. It was—!”
“It was the Nandrians, when they installed the—!”
“It was encrypted, for crysakes! How was I supposed to know—?”
“The Nandrians warned us, remember? They told us—!”
“Damn!” Gavin Holchuk crossed the remaining distance between them and planted himself directly in front of Drew. “You knew,” he declared accusingly.
Instantly, the room went quiet again.
“I suspected,” Drew replied. “When we stopped over on the Zoo, Bonelli hinted to me that they had had an accident involving the Meniscus Field. He explained in great detail how the field worked, dropping the temperature, sealing the doors…. The puzzle pieces were there,” he continued, raising his voice to include the assembled crewmembers in the discussion. “I just needed your help to put them all together.”
But Holchuk wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easily. “So the Ranger kommandant was giving you a starting point for your own investigation, one cop to another.”
Drew uttered a rueful laugh. “Not a chance. As far as Bonelli is concerned, my Security background is useless and so am I. That’s why I’m going to close this case, file the report, and kick his sorry behind all the way back to the Zoo. And you’re going to help me.”
The atmosphere in the room lightened perceptibly as the meaning of his words sank in.
“So, are we agreed then?” said Drew. “If I overheard correctly, when the Nandrians installed the Meniscus Field generator on the landing deck, they also very generously supplied some encrypted security software, which was unintentionally activated when some naturally curious individuals got too close to the device. As a totally unexpected result, a field formed outside the landing deck — in Khaloub’s quarters, in fact — where he had the bad luck to be sleeping, and he accidentally froze to death because access doors automatically seal shut when the generator starts up, making rescue impossible . Does that about cover it?”
The room rippled with muffled laughter.
“Is that what you’re putting in the official report?” Holchuk wanted to know.
“I wish it were,” Drew replied grimly. “Unfortunately, Earth Council got this technology from the Nandrians illegally. They probably chose these locations to test it in order to give themselves deniability with the Galactic Council in case of an accident just like this one. After all, you’ve been trading with the Nandrians for years. Thanks to a nonstop flow of lemon juice, there’s alien technology all over Daisy Hub.”
Beside him, Ruby hissed angrily, “Those bastards set us up!”
“Don’t worry, Mom,” he assured her. “Deniability is a double-edged sword. When they set us up, they set themselves up as well.”
Chapter 10
SISCO SISCO.
Time of report: Year 6040 G.C.E., Interval 37, Day 5, 2240 hours, station time.
I have been able to determine that the death of Karim Khaloub was , in fact, accidental. I repeat, there was no foul play . However, the circumstances leading up to the death of the station manager were unusual and may have involved an alien species. Any reports filed through official channels must therefore be regarded as incomplete, as I am covertly continuing to investigate . Details will follow as soon as I have confirmed them beyond any doubt. Especially if they implicate an alien species , it is essential that all information pertaining to this matter be both completely accurate and classified top secret until further notice. Do not send additional personnel. I am well placed to conduct the investigation alone and will keep my cover for as long as necessary.
SISCO SISCO.
Chapter 11
The countdown had begun. Bonelli would be arriving in under two station hours. Departments had met to discuss the
“Isn’t the life support console supposed to—?”
“But nothing happened, I told you! It just ran for a while and then it—!”
“I never programmed that routine. It was—!”
“It was the Nandrians, when they installed the—!”
“It was encrypted, for crysakes! How was I supposed to know—?”
“The Nandrians warned us, remember? They told us—!”
“Damn!” Gavin Holchuk crossed the remaining distance between them and planted himself directly in front of Drew. “You knew,” he declared accusingly.
Instantly, the room went quiet again.
“I suspected,” Drew replied. “When we stopped over on the Zoo, Bonelli hinted to me that they had had an accident involving the Meniscus Field. He explained in great detail how the field worked, dropping the temperature, sealing the doors…. The puzzle pieces were there,” he continued, raising his voice to include the assembled crewmembers in the discussion. “I just needed your help to put them all together.”
But Holchuk wasn’t about to let him off the hook that easily. “So the Ranger kommandant was giving you a starting point for your own investigation, one cop to another.”
Drew uttered a rueful laugh. “Not a chance. As far as Bonelli is concerned, my Security background is useless and so am I. That’s why I’m going to close this case, file the report, and kick his sorry behind all the way back to the Zoo. And you’re going to help me.”
The atmosphere in the room lightened perceptibly as the meaning of his words sank in.
“So, are we agreed then?” said Drew. “If I overheard correctly, when the Nandrians installed the Meniscus Field generator on the landing deck, they also very generously supplied some encrypted security software, which was unintentionally activated when some naturally curious individuals got too close to the device. As a totally unexpected result, a field formed outside the landing deck — in Khaloub’s quarters, in fact — where he had the bad luck to be sleeping, and he accidentally froze to death because access doors automatically seal shut when the generator starts up, making rescue impossible . Does that about cover it?”
The room rippled with muffled laughter.
“Is that what you’re putting in the official report?” Holchuk wanted to know.
“I wish it were,” Drew replied grimly. “Unfortunately, Earth Council got this technology from the Nandrians illegally. They probably chose these locations to test it in order to give themselves deniability with the Galactic Council in case of an accident just like this one. After all, you’ve been trading with the Nandrians for years. Thanks to a nonstop flow of lemon juice, there’s alien technology all over Daisy Hub.”
Beside him, Ruby hissed angrily, “Those bastards set us up!”
“Don’t worry, Mom,” he assured her. “Deniability is a double-edged sword. When they set us up, they set themselves up as well.”
Chapter 10
SISCO SISCO.
Time of report: Year 6040 G.C.E., Interval 37, Day 5, 2240 hours, station time.
I have been able to determine that the death of Karim Khaloub was , in fact, accidental. I repeat, there was no foul play . However, the circumstances leading up to the death of the station manager were unusual and may have involved an alien species. Any reports filed through official channels must therefore be regarded as incomplete, as I am covertly continuing to investigate . Details will follow as soon as I have confirmed them beyond any doubt. Especially if they implicate an alien species , it is essential that all information pertaining to this matter be both completely accurate and classified top secret until further notice. Do not send additional personnel. I am well placed to conduct the investigation alone and will keep my cover for as long as necessary.
SISCO SISCO.
Chapter 11
The countdown had begun. Bonelli would be arriving in under two station hours. Departments had met to discuss the