Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1)(40)
ByteMe: i promised Byron i wouldn’t stop trying. so get your head out of your ass and help me, Ezra.
Mason, E, LT 2nd: god this is so like you. Little Miss Bigbrain. You always think you knwo better. Always think you know the score. ALWAYS
ByteMe: right, what’s your idea?
ByteMe: seriously, I’m listening. got anything better than sitting and waiting to die?
ByteMe: i’m sorry they brigged your friends, i am. but that’s not on me. that’s on your command. they got themselves into this situation by lying, and now they’re covering it up by taking the only people who might be able to help, and locking them up. so really, you tell me your ideas about what to do next.
Mason, E, LT 2nd: how about i go tell command i know how you’re getting access to the system before anyone else gets imprisoned or killed?
Mason, E, LT 2nd: better yet, how about this?
Mason, E, LT 2nd: < connection terminated >
Ezra,
I’m sorry. Please, please don’t shut me out. Whatever else happens, please talk to me. I don’t want to miss out on the last conversations we might have.
I owe you an explanation, so I’ve attached a stack of documents. You can read for yourself.
I promise you Byron is the best chance this fleet has of getting us away from the Lincoln without AIDAN killing us. But he doesn’t have enough time. I need to help him, and that’s what I’m doing inside the system.
I can climb around the quantum core like a playground, but I can’t make you sit down and read my IMs. And I promise I’m not trying to play you when I say I really, really don’t want to die before I see you again.
K
Attached:
Civilian Transfer Authorization (03/29/75)
Civilian Transfer Request (03/31/75)
Civilian Transfer Request (04/06/75)
Email: Interfleet—Copernicus to Hypatia (04/07/75)
Civilian Transfer Request (04/19/75)
Email: Interfleet—Hypatia to Copernicus (04/19/75)
Email: Interfleet—Copernicus to Hypatia (05/14/75)
Email: Interfleet—Hypatia to Copernicus (06/01/75)
Email: Interfleet—Hypatia to Copernicus (07/10/75)
I finally have a moment to check in. I wish we’d had more time to say goodbye, but I understand now that there’s limited movement between the ships because we need to preserve fuel for our supply vessels. I hope you’re feeling better about the transfer now you’ve had a little time.
I’m settling in very well aboard the Copernicus, which is different to the Hypatia in some ways, and very much the same in others. The lab here is actually quite well-equipped, and it’s almost a relief to get back to what I’m good at. There’s plenty to do, but I’m sure we can get it sorted out in no time. We have a surprisingly good team, given our limited pool of candidates.
I’ve been thinking about our discussion the other day at dinner, and I really think you should give some more thought to joining one of the sports teams. I know it was always more Ezra’s thing than yours, but it would be an excellent way to preserve muscle tone during the journey, and you might meet some more people. I worry about you not having the support network you need, no matter how many times you assure me you’re tough as nails. I know you are, my darling—you’re your father’s daughter—but worrying is a part of my job description.
I’ll wrap up here, but please do let me know how you’re settling without me. I know you’ll handle it with the same determination you apply to everything in your life.
Love always,
Mom
Hey Mom,
So good to hear from you! I admit I half wasn’t expecting it, knowing how lost you get in your work. What’s going on over there that they need a pathologist so badly. Nothing serious, right?
I’ve put in a transfer request to see if I can get over there and join you, but no word yet. I don’t really have any news here. I’m taking the programming classes but I don’t think it’s really my thing. I promise you indoor sports are not my thing either, but I also promise I’ll make sure I make more friends, so you don’t have to worry. Hopefully I’ll be over to the Copernicus soon and you can supervise me doing it yourself!
I’ve been thinking about Dad more, with you gone. I guess he thinks we’re both dead. I know it’ll take months, but I can’t help imagining what it’ll be like when we’re close enough to transmit and he knows we’re okay. I really miss him. I miss you too, but don’t stress about it. Just make sure you TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF. Seriously, I know what you’re like!
Looking forward to hearing about life on the Copernicus when you’re not so beat.
xoxoxo
Kady
Hello darling,
Sorry I’m such a bad penpal. It’s extremely busy over here, and we both know I get a bit distracted. The health concerns here are nothing to worry about, so please don’t. Pathology is just a specialized skill, and it wasn’t going to be practical to send blood samples across to the Hypatia when I could be here.
I really wouldn’t worry about putting in a transfer to move across to the Copernicus. Now I’ve had a chance to look around, it really isn’t as nice a ship as the Hypatia, and I’d be more comfortable knowing you were over there, focusing on your classes. You’ll have a life to pick up when this is over, and your education matters.