The Messengers Series, Book 1: World’s Apart, Chapter 10
Today’s chapter is short, and it is a good read. Check it out.
If you missed a chapter or two or three, then you should head to the ever-updating index here.
Anyway, the chapter is after the jump.
Chapter 10
The auditorium was filled, and it was standing room only for the latecomers that slowly filtered in. Phillip took his place at the podium, and turned on the microphone.
“I am told that all of Hardy’s information has now been put on a disk. Does everyone have a copy?” Phillip’s amplified voiced startled him. He could easily detect the nervous tones of it. It wasn’t that he was speaking in front of an audience of one hundred and forty. He was used to that, but he knew that he had to say something that wasn’t going to be easy.
“Go ahead and raise you hand if you do not have a copy. I see that there’s still a few in the back. Please be patient, we should have enough for all of you.”
Phillip had made certain that Kenneth and Bunyan handed disks out to every audience member as they came in. Phillip had figured that once he made his announcement, the people might not be calm enough to remember to pick up one on the way out.
“It looks like they’ve all been passed out. I’d like everybody to be seated, please. And we need to be quiet. I know you’re all excited to look at the information Hardy has bought us, but I’m going to need you all to pay attention to me. I have very bad news.”
Phillip was glad that everyone quieted down, but he wished the silence wasn’t so dead. There was no doubt everyone knew what Phillip was going to report. After all, they all knew that they were copying stolen information, and were prepared to face the consequences of that.
Phillip realized that he could just quit speaking. The people already knew what he was going to say. They were just waiting for it to be official. He looked deeply into the faces of each of them, and unlocked the memory within. He had always enjoyed being their leader, for he knew everyone’s story, both the good and the bad. Now, he was about to bear one of the great burdens of leadership.
“One hour ago, while Gaius and Bunyan were retrieving some information from the starcruiser, they discovered a device upon the hull. We have determined it to be a tracer of some kind, and it has been broadcasting a signal since Hardy’s arrival yesterday. We have calculated that this signal has had plenty of time to reach Earth.
“Even though we cut the signal, I still believe that the Theocrats will undoubtedly send reinforcements to find Hardy and his stolen information. I do not know what form these reinforcements will take . . .”
Phillip heard the murmurs of the people who could not help but talk amongst themselves. He knew it would somehow help them calm their fears.
“Panic will get us nowhere. I already have a plan to evacuate the school before any reinforcements arrive. Bunyan and Kenneth will ready the Starship Redcrosse for takeoff. I want all non-native Burisians to work with those two in order to convert the Redcrosse from a cargo ship to a passenger ship. But please run to your quarters first and quickly pack a suitcase of supplies for a week’s journey. Travel light and pack fast. We hope to disembark in less than a half-hour.
“As for the native Burisians, I want you to look at the disk in your hand. I want you to guard that disk with your life. I want you to come to the front of the room as soon as this meeting is ended. I ask anyone who has room on their transport to give it to the ones who have no transport at all. Once your transport is full, leave immediately, and head back to your homes. Do not come back until you hear the all-clear code from me.”
“What if they attack us?”
The question was repeated again by others who demanded an answer.
Phillip had to speak loudly “The Terran Guard may be given a temporary right to an isolated attack on this school, but only if they can prove that it is a threat to both Earth and the Colonies! Either way, it is direct violation of the Terran-Colony Treaty to go after our native vehicles, or invade your individual homes.”
“I appoint Fischer as command of the school until I arrive safely back with the Redcrosse. Hopefully, the Terran military will search the school, find absolutely nothing, and leave in a week or so. Do not come back to the school until you receive a personalized call from Fischer or me, with the appropriate codes. Any questions?”
If anyone had a question, they dared not waste the time to ask it.
“You are dismissed.”
Tags: The Messengers, The Messengers Book 1, The Messengers book 1 chapter 10, The Messengers Series, The Messengers World's Apart, Worlds Apart, Worlds apart chapter 10
