Read Online Magic Dirt: The Best of Sean Williams by Sean Williams - Free Book Online
Authors: Sean Williams
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hair put up her hand, and Kris invited her to speak. Her fresh-water tank had developed a leak, allowing the precious reservoir to trickle away. In times of a bad tide, this was a serious matter. The woman accepted that the best course of action was to relocate the people living in her building and to transfer her crops before they wilted. The Council voted, and agreed. The move would take place the next day, or sooner if convenient.
I tried to put myself in her position. She was leaving her home and the crops she had tended with back-breaking care since the Fall. I felt sorry for her, and was selfishly glad that it hadn’t happened to Max and me.
Somebody else reported that one of the older buildings had collapsed. Although uninhabited and therefore a relatively minor loss, it was disturbing nonetheless. All the skyscrapers had a slight lean, and it was only a matter of time before the stronger structures capitulated to the force of gravity.
Kris waited a few moments for further queries, but none were forthcoming. No one mentioned the ever-present threat of crop failure, which was unusual; I supposed that the earthquake had erased the more conventional concerns of Adelaide, for a while.
“Very well. Let’s move on to the next and final matter. I’ve had a request from someone who wishes to remain nameless for information on a matter I know nothing about. The last, in itself, is not unusual—” a smattering of laughter greeted the small joke “— but the subject is one of some significance for our entire community. I therefore called this Council in order to discuss it.
“I’d like to call David Rothbaum to the podium to answer a few questions.”
I stared in surprise at Davo, who struggled to his feet and removed his mask.
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather stay here.” My friend indicated the splint and bandages on his leg and exaggerated slightly. “Dislocated, you see.”
Kris nodded. “My sympathies. By all means, remain where you are.”
“What would you like to know?”
Kris paused slightly before voicing the question. “The person I speak for would like to ask what you’ve been doing in that laboratory of yours. Is there anything you should tell us all about?”
“Let’s see.” Davo shuffled on his crutches. “I looked at the easy stuff first, so it’s only getting harder as time goes on. But there are two more panels working, if anybody needs power.” There was an immediate buzz: everybody wanted more light, more heat. “And I’ve developed a primitive intercom system—a bit like telephone, but not as sophisticated. If we can find some unbroken wire I can link all the buildings together. That way we won’t have to shout across the gaps any more, or blow trumpets every time we have a Council meeting.”
Kris smiled widely, but the incisiveness in his eyes told me that he expected more. “And?”
“Well, there is something else I’ve been mucking around with. Not really a project, though—more a sort of hobby.”
“This is?”
Davo hesitated, and the Council awaited his reply.
“Uh, there was an old radio amongst all the junk, and I’ve been trying to make it work.”
Instantly the citizens of Adelaide stirred and whispered. There was a shout of protest, to which came answering cries of support.
Kris waved his arms for silence. When he had it, he continued the interrogation. “Why?”
“To see if there are any other survivors, of course.”
“Does the radio work?”
“No. It doesn’t.”
“Not yet, you mean?”
“I doubt even I’ll be able to fix the damn thing.”
“But you were attempting to do so?”
“Yes. Why not?”
One of the crowd shouted at Davo: “If they’re there, why haven’t they found us already?”
Davo sought to locate his interrogator, but was unable to. “Who would bother to look here?” He addressed the ring of faces
I tried to put myself in her position. She was leaving her home and the crops she had tended with back-breaking care since the Fall. I felt sorry for her, and was selfishly glad that it hadn’t happened to Max and me.
Somebody else reported that one of the older buildings had collapsed. Although uninhabited and therefore a relatively minor loss, it was disturbing nonetheless. All the skyscrapers had a slight lean, and it was only a matter of time before the stronger structures capitulated to the force of gravity.
Kris waited a few moments for further queries, but none were forthcoming. No one mentioned the ever-present threat of crop failure, which was unusual; I supposed that the earthquake had erased the more conventional concerns of Adelaide, for a while.
“Very well. Let’s move on to the next and final matter. I’ve had a request from someone who wishes to remain nameless for information on a matter I know nothing about. The last, in itself, is not unusual—” a smattering of laughter greeted the small joke “— but the subject is one of some significance for our entire community. I therefore called this Council in order to discuss it.
“I’d like to call David Rothbaum to the podium to answer a few questions.”
I stared in surprise at Davo, who struggled to his feet and removed his mask.
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather stay here.” My friend indicated the splint and bandages on his leg and exaggerated slightly. “Dislocated, you see.”
Kris nodded. “My sympathies. By all means, remain where you are.”
“What would you like to know?”
Kris paused slightly before voicing the question. “The person I speak for would like to ask what you’ve been doing in that laboratory of yours. Is there anything you should tell us all about?”
“Let’s see.” Davo shuffled on his crutches. “I looked at the easy stuff first, so it’s only getting harder as time goes on. But there are two more panels working, if anybody needs power.” There was an immediate buzz: everybody wanted more light, more heat. “And I’ve developed a primitive intercom system—a bit like telephone, but not as sophisticated. If we can find some unbroken wire I can link all the buildings together. That way we won’t have to shout across the gaps any more, or blow trumpets every time we have a Council meeting.”
Kris smiled widely, but the incisiveness in his eyes told me that he expected more. “And?”
“Well, there is something else I’ve been mucking around with. Not really a project, though—more a sort of hobby.”
“This is?”
Davo hesitated, and the Council awaited his reply.
“Uh, there was an old radio amongst all the junk, and I’ve been trying to make it work.”
Instantly the citizens of Adelaide stirred and whispered. There was a shout of protest, to which came answering cries of support.
Kris waved his arms for silence. When he had it, he continued the interrogation. “Why?”
“To see if there are any other survivors, of course.”
“Does the radio work?”
“No. It doesn’t.”
“Not yet, you mean?”
“I doubt even I’ll be able to fix the damn thing.”
“But you were attempting to do so?”
“Yes. Why not?”
One of the crowd shouted at Davo: “If they’re there, why haven’t they found us already?”
Davo sought to locate his interrogator, but was unable to. “Who would bother to look here?” He addressed the ring of faces
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