And hope can be a poison.
Just as happened a whole week ago, back on their first night as interstellar castaways, when the pep-rally spirit concluded in disaster and death, on this occasion the Lake Expedition’s evening report raised everyone’s spirits … only to be followed by acrimony and strife. And then much worse, when the same enemy returned.
Even at the outset, there were mixed feelings. Just as the sight of food will make a hungry person ravenous, projected photo-images of a hilltop lake can amplify thirst, making it unbearable.
I might have expected that. Maybe we shouldn’t have shown everyone pictures of all that water.
And yet, that was the evening’s high point.
“Give us a week. Maybe ten days,” he asked at the nightly Big Meeting, under a projected image depicting the planned aqueduct. And everyone applauded, while Principal Jeffers slapped Mark’s back approvingly, showing no hard feelings over being left out of the loop. The Bamboo Pipeline plan was clearly good. In fact, Dave McCarty and Jane Shevtsov thought it could be done in half the time.
On the other hand … I should never have shown that image of me and Nick and Micah washing up by the lake, toweling off our faces and pits with kamen-filtered water. Intended as encouragement and a promise, the image roused groans in the gymnasium, pungent with a thousand reeking teens.
“It looks great up there!” Someone shouted. “I want to move now!”
“Yeah. Screw the aqueduct and screw Gornet’s Wall!” called a supporting voice, seconding the motion “I’m going there tomorrow!”
Murmurs of agreement crisscrossed the gymnasium … till Sophie next put up images that triggered abrupt silence … a herd of weird, stony-lipped arm-ears shambled past, grumbling threateningly, followed by a pack of nastier-looking hell-lions.
“On second thought, you go first,” amended the supporting-voice.
“So?” Zach Serpa snapped. “We’ll go lion and … weird-thing hunting. Probably taste good, too. Take the land. Make it ours!”
Mark felt glad the resulting applause seemed sparse and tepid, though it covered one of the carnies asking:
“Um, Zach, aren’t you half Kiowa?”
That won a glare from his boss. “So?”
Mark still had the floor, and he used the hand-held mic to keep it.
“In fact, our full report will suggest planting a secondary colony in the hills. Assuming we can work out an arrangement to co-exist with the dam builders—whoever they are.” Yet another complication that could unfold, in time.
“But at best, that’s going to take patience. Colin Gornet’s right about making security a first priority.” He glimpsed a look of surprise on Gornet’s face, a wan smile of respect from Scott Tepper.
I’m learning from the best, Scott.
“Here we have the advantage of the Rock’s inherent barrier. But up there by the lake, we’d need to build first a protected construction camp, while crews make a wall and then housing and sanitation for those who transplant up there. That’ll take a lot of supply runs, even if local raw materials are easy to use. And all of that before the rainy season! That’s why the aqueduct has to come first. This—” he waved at the gym, but clearly meant the high school and patch of city beyond. “This Rock is still the place with all we need.”
“Assuming we can bring water,” Alex added.
“And food—” Scott Tepper said, stepping up. “Which brings up our next—”
“Which brings up our next report, with pretty good news … well, preliminary good news … from Ms. Takka’s bio-crew.” Principal Jeffers cut in, interrupting Scott, something Mark hadn’t seen before. “But first let’s have a cheer for the Bamford-Behr expedition!”
Almost a thousand pairs of feet thundered on the wooden bleachers and hands clapped and voices shouted so loudly, and for so long, that it took at least a minute for another sound to penetrate—
The warning siren, triggered by guardians on duty at the Rock’s edge. Its fearsome ululation wailed across campus and through doors that were left open for the cooling breeze. Barry Tang showed his tablet to Gracie Donner, who stepped up to announce in a firm voice:
“Bats! A big swarm incoming.”
Now Scott was in his element, holding up both arms to quiet waves of fearful murmurs. “You all know the drill we practiced yesterday. Except for those of you with emergency duties, we’ll all just shut the doors and stay safe in here, till they go.”
About two dozen students and townies hurried to exits where helmets and other gear awaited, along with umbrellas and fire extinguishers. Then the doors slammed and the assembly was left to swelter in their tension. And wait.
✽✽✽
Mark made a move to join the emergency teams, but a female hand on his arm arrested the move. And it wasn’t Alex, this time, but Helene.
“You are exhausted. And you weren’t here for the drill. You won’t be of any use to anybody, out there.”
Funny thing, her concern, her touch, and the look in her eyes—he had wanted all of those for so long. And yet he turned impatiently to seek out Alex. Who was nearby. And who nodded in agreement. And who mouthed two silent words that he understood with clarity.
Stand down.
So, he sat back down with his friends, half-listening as Ms. Takka’s team proceeded to report terrific news. That two kinds of local root appeared to be both safe and nourishing. “Though we all could wish they tasted better.”
And so, just like that, it appeared that human existence on this new world was possible, after all. Life would go on.
Though maybe not for everyone, he thought grimly as shrill screams penetrated from the outside. And guards cracked open the doorway nearest to the Old School Building, letting in a messenger who charged over toward the veterinarian, Doctor Hutnicki, gasping:
“Miz …Miz O’Brien needs you, ma’am. At the infirmary … There’s … there’s wounded …”
During the food-report, Hutnicki had been conferring over to one side with the Principal and Scott and Barry and Gracie—and Colin Gornet. Anyone watching knew what she told the messenger: “I’ll be right there.” And yet Hutnicki stood, rooted, giving Jeffers a look that blatantly said: Well?
The ex-pro football player-turned-educator straightened to his full two meters and nodded. His voice carried well enough for Mark and those nearby to hear.
“Okay then. Tomorrow morning.
“Go get ’em. Burn ’em all.”