Kate sat in a small room in the back corner of the library at Shackleton Base. It would fit at least four people, but Omari wouldn’t allow anyone near Kate. He stood outside the room, occasionally looking in through the glass window in the top of the door.
The library at the base wasn’t even as large as one section of the Alexander library, and it held no paper books. All the words and stories in this library had been coded into the language of ones and zeros. Everything was digital. It made good use of the space, but it was cold and lifeless.
She was studying the final logs from the Odyssey. Kate wanted to please her father, as if helping him would help find Yori’s killer. She didn’t believe the assassination had anything to do with the Odyssey, but it made her feel she was doing something. Besides she would have been studying the ship’s logs anyway. The purpose of her trip was to be at Jupiter Station for its return, so it was necessary to know everything about the ship and its mission.
Finally, the base’s librarian showed up at the study room door with some information she requested. She stood up to greet him, but Omari refused to let him enter. Kate opened the door, “What’s going on here?”
“Kate, please step back inside the room,” Omari demanded.
“No, I’ve asked the librarian to assist me.”
“This individual has not been scanned,” Omari told her. “I cannot allow him this close.”
“I requested he come here,” she said. The librarian waited and watched the two debate his presence. Then he squeaked in, “I really just came to drop off some files.”
Omari snatched the small piece of glass from his hands, “I will examine this and give it to Miss Alexander when I’m finished.”
“Thank you, sir,” the librarian said. “May I contact Kate, or Miss Alexander, from my office with a summary of the findings?”
“You may,” Omari responded. Then the librarian quickly exited the scene.
“What’s wrong with you?” Kate asked.
“You don’t understand the dangers around you.”
“I understand the dangers, Omari, but you’re taking this too far.”
“It can’t be taken far enough,” he said.
“This man is not going to hurt me,” Kate told him. “He was a friend of Yori’s.”
“So was the professor.”
With that, Kate pursed her lips and stepped back inside the study room. She slammed the door behind her, but knew part of what he said was true. Still, he couldn’t protect her from everything.
“What are you going to do? Take away the air I breathe?” she said to herself. “Someone might poison the station just to poison me.”
She slammed her fist down on the desk. This journey was supposed to be an escape from the compound, but all she found was another cage. Like a prisoner, she starting searching for a way out. Perhaps it contained some secret hatch or door she could slip out, escaping into the bowels of the base. Then she remembered the small door in the corner of the training room.
It was an access panel for the elements of the training room. Gravity could be altered; the practice dummies turned on and off, even water features could be added. It gave the room versatility and its residents plenty of exercise. It also would give her a way out.
It was an access panel for the elements of the training room. Gravity could be altered; the practice dummies turned on and off, even water features could be added. It gave the room versatility and its residents plenty of exercise. It also would give her a way out.
“Miss Alexander, are you there?” the librarian asked from the communicator.
Kate let go of her daydreams and turned to the device. “Yes, thank you for contacting me. I’m sorry about my overzealous bodyguard.”
“It’s quite alright,” he said. “I certainly understand, especially after what happened on Earth.”
“What did you find?” Kate asked curtly.
“You were right,” he said. “I took the logs from the first year after the Odyssey left the planet and compared them to the ones from the trip out there. I found identical logs scattered throughout.”
“Completely identical?”
“Word for word.”
“Was there any information added?”
“No, it’s as if they were just copied and resent.”
“Do the same search with the logs from the following year and let me know what you find,” Kate said. She paused and added, “and just contact me through the communicator to let me know what you find.”
“Yes, Miss Alexander.”
“Don’t start that,” she said. “You’ve always called me Kate.”
“Ok, Kate. I’ll contact you soon.”
•••
When James arrived at the entrance to the council chamber, Io and William were sitting on the bench in the alcove.
“I had the same suspicions,” she told William as James came within earshot.
Io noticed him, immediately stopped speaking and stood up.
“James,” Io said. She bowed politely before turning back to William. “I’ll speak with you after the meeting.”
“Excellent,” William responded. He looked over at James and motioned toward the chamber doors. “We should go in.”
James bowed to his father and entered, but he couldn’t stop wondering what the two had been discussing. He and Io had been working on the search for the Odyssey together. However, nothing about that investigation should be off limits. And he was the Commander. All military and security matters were his concern. His suspicion grew as he took his seat at Sun’s side.
“Several matters require our attention this morning,” Sun announced. “First, Lucas will be changing Yori’s inscription on the wall in the library’s vestibule tomorrow morning. We will all be in attendance.”
“Thank you,” Lucas said.
“Next, Maria has been speaking with several leaders around the world and informed me that the people are mourning our loss with us.”
Sun turned to Maria and nodded.
“Yes, they are more supportive than ever," Maria announced. "I have received condolences from every corner of the globe, as well as strong support for our investigation. Any news I receive has been sent directly to William.”
“Thank you, Maria.” Sun said.
“William, is there anything you need to request from us or reveal about your investigation?”
“No, thank you. Everyone has been helpful and open during my initial interviews and I will contact each of you individually when I need to more information.”
“James, I understand you have been working with the troops and increased security throughout the compound,” Sun said.
“Yes. Introductions are complete. I have begun selecting individuals for a special group of security members that will focus on the council members in addition to your personal bodyguards. I believe the additional level of security will be appropriate at this time.”
“Is there any news from your investigation into the whereabouts of the Odyssey?” Sun asked.
James turned to Io, waiting for her to jump up and respond.
“Our current schedule for scanning the skies is still underway, but I have nothing new to report,” she said.
“Nor do I,” James said.
“Thank you both.” Sun told them. “Ceres, would you like to add anything?”
“No, my sister.” Ceres said. “We have spent a great deal on the funeral and additional security costs, but as you know we are to absorb it without concern. I will send you estimates for the reconstruction efforts on the library as soon as I get security approval from James.”
Ceres and James looked at each other and nodded.
“Very well. If there are no other concerns we will reconvene after the ceremony tomorrow morning,” Sun said.
No one attempted to add any comments. Sun stood up and exited onto the balcony. Everyone else headed out of the council doors, except James who held back. He watched uneasily as Io and William exited the chamber together, deep in conversation.
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