The walls of the Curator’s office were lined with shelves, packed full of objects. Some of them Kate recognized; some she did not.
She slowly walked around the room, stopping only once. Sitting in the back of the fourth shelf down was a small, wooden carving of a tree with one branch broken off. As she reached in and picked it up, Kate began to cry.
It wasn’t a very good tree, but it was something she had given Yori over a decade ago.
Every Alexander had to take a wood class, learning how to carve it, how to build with it, how to distinguish different types, and how to cultivate it. The first Alexander, Paul, was a tree farmer. Trees were a part of Alexander history, and Paul believed keeping his own family tree together was an important part of their future. So, he taught every one of his children and grandchildren the trade.
Kate took the tree back to her desk, and placed it front and center. A reminder of her relationship with Yori, and the unfinished business she had with her brother.
On one corner of the desk sat Yori’s journal and his notebooks. Her father suggested she start by reading those. But, Kate had other plans.
She opened the communicator. First, she contacted the librarian at Shackleton Base to request he collect some data. Then, she contacted Io.
“Greetings, cousin,” she said.
“Greetings. How is the family?” Io asked.
“Wounded, but strong,” Kate told her.
“And yourself?”
“The same.”
“Are we still bound for Jupiter Station?”
“Yes. But, I have another mission for you.”
“What is it?”
“I’ve spoken to the librarian on Shackleton Base,” Kate told her. “He’s gathering together all the data we have on the Odyssey. I want you to turn your Engineer’s eye to it.”
“What am I looking for?”
“Examine the ship’s transmissions for any irregularities. See if you can back track them; find out where they were sent from. I’m not sure they were sent from the ship. Also, check the coding, the wording, anything and everything.”
“You want me to do this on the journey to Jupiter Station?”
“You’ve got more than three months. It might even make the trip bearable.”
“This is true.” Io even cracked a smile at this, but noticed that Kate never did. “Do you know something you’re not telling me, Kate?”
“We have reason to believe the transmissions could be originating in the Nekuian system,” she said.
“But that’s practically on the other side of the galaxy.”
“I know,” Kate admitted. “But, when you’re looking, you should start with that system.”
“Tell me what’s going on,” Io demanded.
“I’m not certain myself. Besides, it would be best if you just examined the data objectively. Tell me what you find, if anything.”
“I will.”
“And, just one more thing,” Kate said. “It’s about the box.”
“Have you discovered something new?”
“No. But, if you think of any questions that might help you understand what’s going, or narrow your search, send word right away,” she said. “Father and I can ask for you.”
“But, the questioner is supposed to come from outside the family,” Io told her.
“Father is not part of the Alexander bloodline.”
“I realize that you and William can ask questions, but I’m wondering whether or not you should.”
“We have no choice,” Kate said.
“There is always a choice.”
“You don’t have to ask a single question.”
“If I didn’t know you, I’d think you were trying to avoid the people. And, that’s not like you, Kate.”
“The only thing I’m hoping to avoid is unnecessary panic.”
“Don’t you think our ancestors had the same concerns when they first got the box?”
“How do we know they always made their revelations public?”
“You’re right. We don’t.”
“Io, I believe that during your analysis you might find gaps that can only be filled by consulting the box. If you do, know that you contact me immediately,” Kate said. “You probably won’t understand what I’m saying until you find yourself asking the question.”
“Very well. I’ll trust you,” Io said. “For now.”
“I’d like updates as often as possible.”
“I understand.”
“I’m not trying to keep anything from the people, Io. I’m just trying to understand what to tell them,” Kate said. “You and I both know that misinformation can be even more deadly than no information at all.”
Io smiled, “you know, you’re already starting to sound like your mother.”
For the first time in days, Kate let a smile escape. “And, you sound like yours,” she told Io.
“I guess I do.”
“Take care and be safe, cousin.”
“I will. And Kate,” she said, “I’m glad you let him live.”
Kate quickly ended the communication.
She knew that Io was talking about her brother, James. But she did not let him live. The fact was that she was too much of a coward to kill him. At least, that’s what she believed.
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