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Authors: Sean Williams
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around him as a whole. “We were just a small city in a small country. Why look for Adelaide when Sydney, New York, London, Tokyo, and Paris are gone? I know I wouldn’t waste my energy.”
“But if they were looking for survivors, surely they’d look everywhere?”
“And,” interjected another, “they’d be using infra-red—”
“Maybe the shit in the atmosphere interferes with infra-red, or the thermal signals are too weak against the background. I don’t know.”
“What about the OEG? What if we’re still at war!”
“Christ.” Davo ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Anything could have happened. Ten years is a long time.”
There were a few more shouts, and some voices raised in anger— so many that Davo couldn’t respond to all of them.
“Where would they land?” someone called. “All the launch and landing facilities must be destroyed!”
“And they could still drop something on us!” This from a woman towards the back of the gathering, her eyes wide and frightened.
Kris again placated the gathering with his upraised palms, then turned back to Davo.
“I don’t think you’ve considered this matter nearly well enough my boy. Experiments of this nature have potentially disastrous ramifications for the community as a whole. They need to be discussed before you will be allowed to continue.”
Leaning on the podium, Kris assumed the patient, preaching stance we all knew so well. His voice became less accusing, more mellow and charismatic.
“There are those,” he said, “of which I am one, who believe that the past is better left forgotten. We have survived here in peace since war destroyed our old world, and I am loath for this peace to be shattered simply to satisfy one young man’s curiosity regarding the ghosts of a life long dead.
“I have accepted the need for electric power, and might even be convinced that an intercom is necessary, but my sensibilities baulk at the possibility of recontact with any hypothetical outside world. I believe it is foolish to hope that there are others out there who survived the Fall. Even if they are there, they must be in much the same position as we.
“Similarly, lacking evidence to support the continued existence of the OEG, it seems pointless to wonder about the war. The OEG might have crumbled after the Fall, or left the Earth’s vicinity. Certainly, no one has seen them in over a decade, and I would be surprised if they’re still searching or even listening for survivors.
“My mind is unclear, but I see two options open to us. One: allow David to continue with his experiments and attempt to contact any other survivors. Two: ban all further research entirely, on the grounds that it is almost certainly pointless and potentially very dangerous.
“As is customary, we will take a vote.”
The gathering stirred, discussing the options, until Kris called for silence.
“Those for allowing David to continue with his experiment, please raise one hand.” I immediately voted in favour, as did Davo and a few others. I was dismayed by the poor turnout, and that Max did not vote.
When the counting finished, Kris called for the second vote. “Those against—that is, in favour of ceasing the experiment immediately.”
More hands went up this time and my hopes sank. A surprising number of young ones voted against Davo’s project—but at least Max again did not raise his hand.
When the tallies double-checked, Kris announced the results.
“For: twenty-seven. Against: thirty-nine. Abstentions: thirty-five. Not a clear majority either way, so we’ll need to discuss this further. Before we do, however: Max, I couldn’t help but note that you abstained from casting a vote. May I ask why?”
My foster rose to his feet, and heads turned to look at him. His face was shadowed and serious when he tugged away his mask.
“There is a third
“But if they were looking for survivors, surely they’d look everywhere?”
“And,” interjected another, “they’d be using infra-red—”
“Maybe the shit in the atmosphere interferes with infra-red, or the thermal signals are too weak against the background. I don’t know.”
“What about the OEG? What if we’re still at war!”
“Christ.” Davo ran his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Anything could have happened. Ten years is a long time.”
There were a few more shouts, and some voices raised in anger— so many that Davo couldn’t respond to all of them.
“Where would they land?” someone called. “All the launch and landing facilities must be destroyed!”
“And they could still drop something on us!” This from a woman towards the back of the gathering, her eyes wide and frightened.
Kris again placated the gathering with his upraised palms, then turned back to Davo.
“I don’t think you’ve considered this matter nearly well enough my boy. Experiments of this nature have potentially disastrous ramifications for the community as a whole. They need to be discussed before you will be allowed to continue.”
Leaning on the podium, Kris assumed the patient, preaching stance we all knew so well. His voice became less accusing, more mellow and charismatic.
“There are those,” he said, “of which I am one, who believe that the past is better left forgotten. We have survived here in peace since war destroyed our old world, and I am loath for this peace to be shattered simply to satisfy one young man’s curiosity regarding the ghosts of a life long dead.
“I have accepted the need for electric power, and might even be convinced that an intercom is necessary, but my sensibilities baulk at the possibility of recontact with any hypothetical outside world. I believe it is foolish to hope that there are others out there who survived the Fall. Even if they are there, they must be in much the same position as we.
“Similarly, lacking evidence to support the continued existence of the OEG, it seems pointless to wonder about the war. The OEG might have crumbled after the Fall, or left the Earth’s vicinity. Certainly, no one has seen them in over a decade, and I would be surprised if they’re still searching or even listening for survivors.
“My mind is unclear, but I see two options open to us. One: allow David to continue with his experiments and attempt to contact any other survivors. Two: ban all further research entirely, on the grounds that it is almost certainly pointless and potentially very dangerous.
“As is customary, we will take a vote.”
The gathering stirred, discussing the options, until Kris called for silence.
“Those for allowing David to continue with his experiment, please raise one hand.” I immediately voted in favour, as did Davo and a few others. I was dismayed by the poor turnout, and that Max did not vote.
When the counting finished, Kris called for the second vote. “Those against—that is, in favour of ceasing the experiment immediately.”
More hands went up this time and my hopes sank. A surprising number of young ones voted against Davo’s project—but at least Max again did not raise his hand.
When the tallies double-checked, Kris announced the results.
“For: twenty-seven. Against: thirty-nine. Abstentions: thirty-five. Not a clear majority either way, so we’ll need to discuss this further. Before we do, however: Max, I couldn’t help but note that you abstained from casting a vote. May I ask why?”
My foster rose to his feet, and heads turned to look at him. His face was shadowed and serious when he tugged away his mask.
“There is a third
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