Read Online Idols by Margaret Stohl - Free Book Online Page A

EYES ONLY
    Internal Investigative Subcommittee IIS211B
    RE: The Incident at SEA Colonies
    Note: Contact Jasmine3k, Virt. Hybrid Human 39261.SEA, Laboratory Assistant to Dr. E. Yang, for future commentary, as necessary.
    PERSES
    Transcript - ComLog 12.25.2042
    NULL::FORTIS
    NULL::HAL
    //lognote: comlink initiated by NULL;
    //comlog begin;
    external uplink established;
    sendline: Merry Christmas FORTIS.;
    delayed response;
    sendline: Merry Christmas HAL0.;
    delayed response;
    delayed response;
    delayed response;
    comlink terminated;
    //comlog end;
    //lognote:… oh my, I can’t believe I missed this one. Our “conversations” seem to be evolving… NULL seems to be both highly curious and a quick study.;
    //lognote: Is NULL changing?;

8
    COLD WELCOME
    “Maybe it’s not working,” Lucas says. His eyes are still closed, his fingers clenched into fists at his sides.
    Tima grins stupidly at him, though, and even Ro can’t help but smile.
    Brutus wags his little tail.
    “It’s working,” I say. It takes everything in me not to fling my arms around him.
    “I’m going to kill you myself if you don’t turn that crap off me,” Ro says cheerfully.
    “Really, Lucas.” Tima giggles. “Stop it. Not us.”
    “Tima—are you giggling?” Ro is intrigued.
    “No.” Tima giggles again.
    “I’m sorry. I can’t control it that easily,” Lucas says, sounding miserable. “Any change out there?” He opens his eyes, slowly.
    But there isn’t—I only wish there were.
    It doesn’t matter how hard Lucas tries. These men are unwavering. They must be made of stone.
    As I stare at the uneven line of guns, I can only hope that the Grass militia will trust us enough to let us in.
    Because none of the weapons seem to be lowering themselves, and none of the lights seem to be coming to greet us.
    “Come out,” Lucas calls across the clearing, in the direction of the armed men. “You can trust us.”
    He takes a step forward, raising his hands. I want to hold him back, but I don’t dare.
    Lucas is in control now. If only for the moment.
    As I stare in the darkness, my eyes begin to pick out the details of the three tunnels behind them. The third one, especially, is broad as a road, and probably runs straight into the heart of the hill.
    “I’m right here,” Lucas calls out again. “See? You can see I’m unarmed. I’m not hiding anything.” He waves his arms.
    No answer. Nothing.
    You wouldn’t know they were there—any of these tunnels—if you didn’t know where to look.
    Like so many things , I think. I am only now beginning to know where to look.
    “I give up,” Lucas says.
    I can feel the warmth receding. He’s letting it go, shutting it down—
    “Stand down.”
    It’s them, the Grass.
    I hear the words but I don’t see where they’re coming from.
    “I’ll be damned,” Ro says, whistling. “All right, Buttons.”
    But Lucas keeps his eyes on the Grass.
    “Who are you all?” the Belter Grass voice asks. It’s not so much a person as a voice—a shout, and a gun, and another bright light. A brighter one this time.
    Lucas looks relieved to even be talking to someone. He takes a second and third step forward. “A friend. We mean you no harm. We’re all on the same side here.” His voice is low and soothing. I find myself closing my eyes while he speaks.
    “I guess I’m going to have to ask you to be a little more specific, brother,” says a low voice. I shield my eyes but I still can’t make out a face.
    All around us, Grass soldiers emerge from the trees, and there are more and more lights, with more and more guns. More guns than I’ve ever seen before, even back at the Embassy, even at the Cathedral. These Grass Belters are seriously stocked when it comes to ammunition. But from here, it only looks like a mess of fireflies, drawn toward us as if we were the ones with the light.
    I hold up a hand, stepping forward. “Look. No offense. We all have plenty of reasons not to trust each other. I