Crisis Memes - 4 - Tue 05 Aug 2256 09:10

With help of a couple of emergency wind-up torches, Amber and Harry had quickly found the remaining children in the air duct - the echoing sound of the baby crying had made it simple. They had all been brought back and lowered down into the safety of the Marines meeting room.

Harry jumped down, but as Amber prepared to follow she could still hear distant eerie echoes of crying through the passages. She hesitated. The baby in the room below was now silent, yet the echoes continued.

“I think there’s another one still in here,” she called down to Harry. “I’ll just go and check.”

“No! Amber! Come back here! We have everyone.”

“I’ll just be a minute,” she called over her shoulder and crawled away.
Finding the next inclined section she was soon sliding down to the level of the next deck. Muffled thuds from behind told her that her brother was following. Ahead, the crying had become a subdued sobbing noise, and as she moved nearer she became aware of two small bright lights on either side of a shadowy face.

“Hello Amber,” a voice said.

The lights intensified, and the reflections from the metal walls now created a general glow that revealed a seated female figure. Amber recognised her as Selena, one of the star-liners service androids, which she had often seen around their accommodation sector. Selena’s earrings were the light source – two small but intensely bright LEDs. The humanoid girl was holding a white blanket, from the depths of which a small baby was now making contented gurgling sounds.

“Hello Selena. What are you doing in here?”

“My internal log indicates that I am inspecting the air ducts for possible damage,” the android responded. “The following information may also be relevant. Whist I appear to be undamaged I have been in a state of hibernation until 3 minutes and 37 seconds ago, when my functional systems rebooted. I am currently running diagnostics and attempting to establish a link to Service Net. I am also holding a small human child – origin unknown – DNA analysis pending.”

Amber looked around at a noise behind her. Harry had caught up. She signalled to him to keep quiet.

“Selena, do you know what has happened to the Delta Destiny?”

“Access to Service Net has been re-established. All systems are in disaster recovery mode. An electro-magnetic pulse has caused widespread disruption to the ships electronic and cybernetic systems. The ships Star-Drive functionality is severely compromised by physical damage, most probably caused by an explosion. Life support systems are on back-up power and operating at minimal survival level.”

“Can the star-drive be repaired?” asked Amber.

“Unknown.”

“So, is a rescue ship coming for us?”

“Unknown.”

“Where in the Galaxy are we, Selena”

“Unknown.”

Amber suspected that Selena was operating below specification and not making complete sense. A full system restore might take a while.

“What about the baby, Selena?” Harry asked.

“He is new-born with no genetic record on file. He is in some danger.”

“You mean he’s ill or something?”

“No, but I have instructions that he should be given protection and anonymity. Since I cannot provide for his needs, I conclude that I should entrust him to you. But you must follow the instructions I am about to give you.”

Amber took a breath and noticed a strange odour. She knew that Selena was using a behaviour-influencing drug - her father had told her about the capabilities of the androids on board the Delta Destiny. But she didn’t actually care. Whatever Selena said next would be important and entirely plausible.

“You must tell anyone who sees him that this baby is part of your family. Do you both understand?”

“OK, Selena,” Amber said.

“No problem,” Harry added.

“I will find you later and give your parents further instructions about the baby,” the Android continued. “Now please take him with you. I have other duties to perform.”

***

Major Allason was about to send two Marines into the air-ducts when Amber and Harry arrived back with the baby a few minutes later. The other children had been taken away for a medical checks and some hot soup.

“He’s another one of ours,” lied Amber, in response to the Majors questions about the baby. “He’d just slid down to the next level. Lucky that I heard him. His name? Oh, it’s err, Moses – our cousin, Moses McLaren.”

Major Allason’s thoughts skated over the deception – she had other pressing matters to deal with.

“Well, there’s good news anyway. Your parents are safe and well. These men will take you to them – we’ve found some temporary accommodation for you in a safe area. Off you go, and try to keep out of trouble.”