The Constant Star (21)

THE STORY SO FAR

“What the hell did you think was going to happen, Siff?!”

“We need to let her go, or we’re going to lose control of the populace.” Saturn’s clenched fists betray her anger, “We need to get our tech back under control. Mars, can you do that?”

“We’re working on it right now. And I agree, get her out of here. Take her to the elevators, I’m sure they’ll work for her.”

As Siff is marched out of the room she hears Mars continue, “Saturn, we need you to work on damage control…”

15

Bellerophon sprints to the Bridge elevators carrying a research screen, his eyes wide with what he has discovered. He tells the guards he has intel for Jupiter and they call up to the commander’s office. A few seconds later they receive the go-ahead and escort him to wait outside the conference room. It is a few minutes before a visibly frustrated Jupiter approaches, making his way straight to the Bridge, “Sir! Sir. I have some important information.” The generals surrounding Jupiter look up as Bear makes eye contact, “I need to speak with you Sir.”

Jupiter nods and his generals disperse, “Walk with me Private.”

They enter the Bridge and make their way to Jupiter’s office. Bellerophon waits for the door to shut, then immediately starts speaking, “Sir, I think I saw Siff yesterday. In the courtyard. I think I know how she got to the lower levels. I looked into the plans for those service areas and found a furnace chute. Is it true, Sir? Are there slaves down there?”

“There are rebellious enemies down there. And they need to be stopped, Private.”

Bellerophon’s disappointment cracks his face, “Yes, Sir.”

“What was top secret information is now being made public. And the narrative is being dictated by one side only. I know you wish this weren’t true, but our priority right now is to subdue a rebellion and regain control of our systems. Let me see those plans.” Bear hands him the screen showing blueprints of the security and service systems in the area where Siff disappeared, “Very good, Private. How did you get through the firewall to access this data?”

“Everything is fluctuating right now, Sir. Janus’ AI systems and protocols are combatting and trying to find ways around Diana’s hacks. I managed to find a weakened point and took a back road to the architecture. This wasn’t that hard to find.” Jupiter raises an eyebrow, “If someone was looking for it, I mean. Plus, I think Janus’ AI might be looking for help in restoring itself. I think Janus might see me as a friendly, and if so, the AI might be granting me access or even guiding me to what I’m looking for.”

Jupiter mulls this over, “If Janus sees you as someone it can trust…okay, keep this between us, Private. You now work for me, and me only. I want you looking through Janus’ AI systems and pull apart anything that seems odd to you. You bring whatever you find to me. You don’t send it. You bring it. Understand?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Excellent, get to work immediately.”

“Yes, Sir.” Bellerophon exits the office and sprints away from the Bridge and all its officers, trying to think of a good place to work where he won’t be seen accessing sensitive data. He remembers playing with Siff as kids, and the loose floor panel only they knew about. Somewhere he can go and not be seen by anyone. Bellerophon smiles to himself and heads to their old hiding place.

His thrill of being trusted with such an important mission is tempered by his concern for his friend. He needs to help end this conflict right now. The thought of those suffering on the lower levels gnaws at his conscience, but things can be challenged and changed later: right now, lives need to be saved.

16

Siff walks in wonder through the crowds of the upper levels as they stare at the images around them. She recognizes Macy’s voice sharing about the lower levels and their suffering, the images are hard to look at: children starving in the street, parents being beaten by security, sickly and elderly being forced to work to death. Siff is escorted through a security door and to a hallway where several squadrons are waiting to be deployed, if only the elevators would work. She approaches one of the elevators and it does not open. Her escorts step back from her and the doors slide apart. She takes a gulp, steels herself, and steps inside the large room designed to hold security squadrons; she feels tiny and alone in the empty space. As she turns she sees the faces of men and women staring at her before the doors shut and she feels the elevator begin its long trip down.

It is a much different ride than her previous experience. There is no rushing of air past her face, nor abject terror of the risk of being burned alive, nor sliding down cold steel in the dark. But there is still fear. Fear of what she has done. Fear of what she is about to be a part of. Fear of what might happen next. Fear of never seeing her father again, and of being responsible for the deaths of men, women, and children. All she wanted was to have hope, and now she may have brought about the end of hope for all humanity.

This journey takes a few minutes less than her previous one, and when the doors do inevitably open she finds herself in a security hangar with soldiers kneeling at gunpoint, waiting to be deported to the upper levels. One of Macy’s bodyguards is waiting for her and motions for Siff to exit. She steps out and follows him as the Upper Level soldiers she walks by are commanded to stand.

The city Siff walks into is a different place than earlier, with people laughing and celebrating and armed militias

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