Illuminae (The Illuminae Files #1)(42)



Mason, E, LT 2nd: jesus, Kady, she might still be alive

ByteMe: if she’s alive and insane, I’d rather think she was dead. she’d rather I believed it too. if she’s alive and one of those psychopaths in hangar 4, then she IS dead. i’d rather believe it happened on the Copernicus. fast. painless.

Mason, E, LT 2nd: hold up

Mason, E, LT 2nd: give me a minute, checking something

ByteMe: k

Mason, E, LT 2nd: jesus, i thought so. Kady in this report you sent me, the AAR from McCall. She talks about seeing something in the windwos of the shuttles in Bay 4. But sigma squad never got close enough to check it out

Mason, E, LT 2nd: “I thought I saw a flicker of movement in a porthole for an instant, and then it was gone.”

Mason, E, LT 2nd: kady your mom could still be in there

Mason, E, LT 2nd: she could still be okay

ByteMe: oh my god

ByteMe: they could be sick inside there. or maybe the door wasn’t sealed and they were just hiding. or maybe the psychos knocked it down and got in

ByteMe: oh my f*cking god, maybe they didn’t.

ByteMe: Ez, help me, there’s no way in there. I have to try something.

Mason, E, LT 2nd: whatever you need

Mason, E, LT 2nd: what DO you need?

ByteMe: i don’t know.

ByteMe: i have to think.

Mason, E, LT 2nd: well I don’t want to pressure you or anything, K

Mason, E, LT 2nd: but u better think quick

COUNTDOWN TO LINCOLN INTERCEPTION OF ALEXANDER FLEET:

32 hours: 13 minutes

COMMAND TRANSMISSION SENT 07/29/75 01:00

ALEXANDER HAILS HYPATIA: COMMANDER’S SECURE FREQUENCY

ALEXANDER: Hypatia, Hypatia, Hypatia, this is Alexander, Alexander, Alexander. Do you copy? Over.

[NO RESPONSE]

ALEXANDER: Hypatia, Hypatia, Hypatia, this is Alexander, Alexander, Alexander. Do you copy? It looks to us like you’re receiving. Over.

[NO RESPONSE]

ALEXANDER: Hypatia, Hypatia, Hypatia, this is Alexander, Alexander, Alexander. Do you copy? If you are experiencing a transmission error, please signal with static burst. Over.

HYPATIA: Alexander, this is Hypatia. Acting Captain Syra Boll speaking. We are not prepared to communicate at this time. Over.

ALEXANDER: Hypatia, please elaborate, over.

HYPATIA: Alexander, hear this. We are considering our position. Any attempt to communicate, close the distance between our ships or harm any of our personnel you have on board will be considered a hostile act. We will advise our intentions within the hour. Over.

ALEXANDER: Captain, this is General Torrence. What the hell do you mean, “your intentions”?

[NO RESPONSE]

Officers of the Hypatia,

We are united in our grief for the gifted leader and outstanding human being we have lost in Captain Ann Chau. Captain Chau was a friend, leader and inspiration to many of us, and the grace and determination she brought to the task of preserving our lives will not be forgotten. As Captain of a research vessel, she took on her role seeking to further scientific understanding and provide the best possible support for Hypatia’s crew. When BeiTech attacked at Kerenza, it was her quick decision making and cool head that saved our lives, as well as those of the refugees we carry.

As you are all aware, there has been spirited debate as to our new course of action, given the events of the last twenty-four hours. Many of you have advocated leaving the Alexander and making for safety alone. You have pointed out that without her main engines, the Alexander can only slow us down, and is not in a position to offer us protection. You have argued—and I cannot disagree—that we cannot trust the Alexander’s commanders.

Others say that even crippled, the Alexander offers some protection. Her crew may yet repair AIDAN, and the chance that she will be able to start her engines and use her weaponry when the Lincoln arrives may present a better opportunity for survival than simply hoping the Lincoln does not catch us once she has disposed of the Alexander.

Perhaps most compellingly, you have reminded me that many of our friends and family are aboard the Alexander. From the most recent conscripts—our top technicians, Byron Zhang and Consuela Nestor—back to the early recruits from among our crew and refugees.

The responsibility for this decision weighs heavily upon me, and I assure you all I have wrestled with it for as long as I can safely permit myself to do so. I am ordering the Hypatia to hold position with the Alexander. I believe we have at least an equal chance of safety in doing so, and I am not yet prepared to abandon our crew members.

We will keep our distance. If I form the view that the odds have shifted against us, should we stay with the Alexander, I will order our navigators to leave her behind, and I will expect your cooperation as we chart our new course. I know some of you will disagree with my decision, however we must remain united, and I expect you all to carry out your duties.

A memorial service for Captain Chau will be held in a few days—I know, as do you, that right now she would want us at our posts. I thank you all for your support. I am honored to serve with you.

Syra BollCaptain (Acting)—Science Vessel Hypatia
Wallace Ulyanov Consortium

Zhang, B: how u holding up, my petal?

ByteMe: fine. hungry.

Zhang, B: talk to lover boy?

ByteMe: yes

Zhang, B: you guys okay?

ByteMe: fine. keep ur mind on the job Zhang. flying death machine incoming. tick tock tick tock

Amie Kaufman, Jay Kr's Books