The Long Sunset

by Jack McDevitt

  One of the guards, a heavyset guy who looked annoyed, carried a scanner. He signaled Hutch to move to one side. “Over here.” He pointed at the wall. “You have a commlink?”

  She produced it for him. He took it. “Any other devices?”

  “There’s a notebook in my baggage.”

  They opened her bags and went through them. He took the notebook. “That’s all?”

  “Yes.”

  “Okay. Lean forward, please. Put your hands on the wall.” She complied and he turned the scanner on and aimed it at her feet. Satisfied she had nothing hidden in her shoes, he went behind her. She could hear the soft hum of the instrument rise and fall as it checked legs and arms, front and back. She remained quiet, unmoving. Then the guard was signaling for her to lower her left arm.

  She did.

  She probably should have carried something in a pocket to serve as a distraction. But it was too late for that.

  “Take off the hat, please.”

  She removed it, turning it so the interior was plainly visible. Which might discourage a closer examination. Meanwhile, she tried to look bored. The guard handed the scanner to one of his partners and held out his hand for the cap. Hutch gave it to him. He saw the chip, removed it and shook his head. Idiot. His contempt was visible.

  • • •

  Ken was a few meters away, surrendering his commlink. He wasn’t being very cooperative, and one of the security guys shoved him against the wall. They opened his baggage, began sorting through everything, and removed his notebook. “We’ll get this back to you, sir,” the guard said.

  “Please. There’s several months’ work in there.”

  “We’ll have it for you shortly.”

  “What’s your name, please?” Ken asked.

  The guard laughed. “Louis.”

  They took everybody’s commlinks and notebooks. And a couple of Wally’s electronic devices that Hutch didn’t even recognize.

  • • •

  “This way.” Beth, Ken, Wally, Derek, and Hutch followed their escorts to a stock room with a few plastic chairs. “Make yourselves comfortable,” said the sergeant. They left and closed the door. The lock clicked. There was a second door at the other end of the room, but it was locked too.

  “What could we do anyway?” asked Beth. “Escape?”

  “I’m sorry they found the chip,” said Derek. “I was thinking about asking you to make a copy for me, but I figured trying to get two of them through would just reduce our chances. If they caught either of us, they’d just intensify the search.”

  “Well,” said Wally, “in the end—”

  He was probably going to say something about the transmission to Hutch’s mom. But Hutch broke in. “We’ll be okay,” she said, shaking her head to signal that Zhang was probably listening.

  “They can’t keep us quiet,” said Ken. “I’m going to tell the world what these sons of bitches are doing.”

  Derek lowered himself into one of the chairs. “I’m sorry you guys got caught up in all this.”

  The room grew quiet. There wasn’t much to talk about. And everybody had gotten the message that somebody was probably listening. Eventually, two of the guards came back in. They returned the equipment they’d taken, other than Hutch’s chip, thanked them for their cooperation, and left without saying anything more.

  A few minutes later, the guy who’d searched Hutch entered. “Captain Hutchins?” he said. “Please come with me.”

  She followed him down a corridor. They took an elevator up two levels, made a couple of turns, and entered an office where a young woman in a dark blue suit was studying a computer display. “Thanks, Ed,” she said. “Captain Hutchins, please have a seat. The director will see you shortly.”

  She waited only about three minutes before she was ushered into a connecting office. Zhang sat behind a desk. Family pictures were all over the walls. He looked up at her and flipped a hand in the direction of a chair. Then he dismissed the assistant and produced the chip.

  “Hutchins,” he said, “I wish I could trust you.”

  “You can trust me to do the right thing, Director.”

  “I can trust you to assume you know better than anyone else.” He dropped the chip on his desk. “Have you any idea at all how much damage this thing could cause? You’re lucky the security guys found it. If this had gotten out, I’d have had no choice but to prosecute you. You were defying the instructions of your superiors. And even acting against the intentions of your president.”

  He looked at her and took a deep breath. “You would have ruined Derek’s career, too. You understand that, I hope. And I should inform you if you go out and start blabbering about this, I’ll have no choice but to have you arrested. Is that clear? And I can guarantee, if that happens, you’ll never set foot on an interstellar in any capacity again.”

  Zhang looked utterly frustrated. He rubbed the back of his hand against his lips and took a deep breath. “Priscilla,” he said, “I’m sorry. I understand what you’re going through. But I need you to be aware of what’s at stake. You want us to construct what, twenty Evening Star liners? I’m sure you’re aware who would have to pay for them. We are already underwater in debt. But that’s not the issue.” His voice hardened. “Once we have them, once your aliens have been rescued, there’ll be no stopping an expansion into deep space. Inevitably, one of those vehicles will bring home something lethal. Aliens, maybe, who aren’t quite as friendly as your buddies. Or maybe a disease that will take everyone down because we have no defense against it. That possibility is now a prime concern in the medical community.”

  Hutch broke in: “The medical people have been saying for years that a disease that evolved elsewhere would almost certainly have no effect on us.”

  “That’s pure theory.”

  “So’s gravity. You want to go up on a rooftop somewhere and test it?”

  Zhang cleared his throat. “Recent research has brought about a change in perspective. There is serious concern. Your first obligation is to humanity. But you really don’t give a damn about that, do you? You’re putting a lot of lives at risk, and I have to wonder what makes you think you have the right to do that.” He got up and pointed at the door. “Please leave. You disgust me.”

  NEWSDESK

  Thursday, October 9, 2256

  HOLLANDER BILL DEFEATED IN HOUSE

  Proposal to Provide Govt Funding for Elections Fails

  Contributions to Politicians Would

  Have Been Illegal

  ESTHER WATKINS WINS WORLD CHESS CHAMPIONSHIP

  First Human Champion in 86 Years

  First Woman Champion Ever

  VIOLENT CRIME RATE IN NAU REACHES

  ALL-TIME LOW

  Murders Drop First Time Below 1,000 Nationwide

  TREES COMING BACK

  Reforesting Project Combats Climate Change

  Seas Still Rising, But Rate of Increase Finally Slows

  SUCCESSFUL MARRIAGE RATE

  CONTINUES TO IMPROVE

  85% of First Marriages Now Last Lifetime

  STUDIES SHOW MOST PEOPLE ARE SMARTER

  THAN THEY THINK

  Authority Figures Create Problems by Showing Us Where We Get Things Wrong

  Advice to Parents, Teachers, and Bosses: Emphasize the Positive

  MCDERMOTT WINS CONCILIAR PRIZE

  British Physicist Claims Physics Award with Humanitarian Application

  GEORGE PARRIN DEAD AT 141

  Actor Best Known for Role as Albert Einstein

  WHITE HOUSE: NO COMMENT ON CENTAURI INITIATIVE

  42.

  Engage the passions, and no mere argument, however reasonable, can stand.

  —Gregory MacAllister, “The Café Across the Street,” Collected Essays, 2251

  They took Hutch back to the stock room. Derek asked what had happened. She saw immediately that Ken’s eyes were filled with rage. This was the guy who never got upset. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “The
y deleted everything,” said Beth.

  “The book?”

  “Yeah,” said Ken.

  Hutch would be able to reconstruct some of her notes, as would the others. But rewriting a book? “I’m sorry, Ken.”

  His notebook was on the floor beside his chair. “I can live with it.”

  The bags they’d brought out of the Eiferman were scattered around the room. And her commlink was waiting for her.

  “So, what happened?” said Derek. “He still talking about prosecution?”

  “If we say anything, yes.”

  “They won’t bother anybody,” said Derek. “Zhang and whoever else was behind this just want it to go away now. The last thing they’ll want would be media attention.”

  • • •

  None of the others were with Hutch in the shuttle ride down to the DC spaceport. Usually, she would have spent her time reading. She told herself that she didn’t bother because her notebook had been emptied. But the shuttle had a library. So, the reality was that she was too excited, or maybe too annoyed. Her attention was concentrated on finding out whether the transmission had gotten through to her mother.

  They were out over the Atlantic, descending through a bright, sunlit morning, when her commlink sounded. It was Tom. “Hi, Hutch,” he said. “Welcome home.”

  “Hello, Tom. Good to hear from you.” He sounded less belligerent than he had the last time they’d talked.

  “I was glad to see you got home okay. I missed you.”

  “I missed you, too, Thomas.”

  “I wanted to apologize. I wasn’t thinking clearly.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “I didn’t like having you out of my life. I think that’s what the real problem was.”

  “Let it go, Tom. I understand.”

  “How are you? Everything all right?”

  “I’m good.”

  “I love you, Hutch.” It wasn’t the first time he’d said that, but somehow, there was more warmth in his voice than she’d ever felt before. “I don’t ever want to lose you.”

  She could feel the emotion. And she wasn’t sure how to respond. “I’m sorry it happened,” she said finally.

  “So, tell me about the flight.” His disappointment was evident. “What was the waterfall all about?”

  She explained about Calliope and the ice world and Tarka, and when opportunity presented itself, she asked about Tom’s new career as a detective. “I just got a new assignment today. There’s a corporate guy who’s been stealing millions. A woman who had to have known about it was found dead at the bottom of a staircase a few days ago. The injuries weren’t consistent with what you’d expect from a fall.”

  “That sounds intriguing.”

  “Says the lady who helped solve the strange case of the missing star. My life’s not quite as exciting as yours. When you get home, Hutch, I’d like to take you out to dinner. Can we do that?”

  “Sure, Tom. I’ll be on the run for a couple of days, but I’ll give you a call when things calm down.”

  • • •

  There were only about a dozen people in the cabin. None of them looked like someone who might be tracking her. Well, one woman who sat behind her did. But when they landed, the woman wasted no time disappearing into the crowd.

  Hutch got a taxi, climbed in, and called her mother. “Welcome home, love,” she said.

  “Mom, you got the package?”

  “Yes. I couldn’t find a number for Crispee, so I just sent it to Cosmic Broadcasting. With his name on it.”

  “You just sent it? What took so long?”

  “I’ve only had it a couple of days. I wasn’t aware there was a rush about it.”

  “I guess not.” She’d assumed her mother would realize. “It’s all right. Sorry. My fault.”

  “I watched it before I sent it out. It’s an incredible show. It’s real, right? You actually had aliens on board?”

  “Yes.”

  “I’ll tell you, you should have been a talk show host, Priscilla. Are we going to be able to save them?”

  “I don’t know. I hope so.”

  “It’s terrible, that black hole thing. They sure look funny, but they seem nice. How come they speak English?”

  “They worked on it a lot.” It was good to hear her voice again. She sat back in the cab, watched the trees go by, and they talked about Arin and Kwylla, and her confrontation with Zhang.

  Hutch was assuring her everything would be okay when Mom broke in: “Hold on a second.” She was gone for a moment. Then: “I’ve got company. Just pulled up in the driveway. Looks like official types.”

  “Damn. They’re monitoring me. You said you sent the package, right?” She heard her mother’s doorbell ring.

  “Yes. Are these guys going to be unhappy about that?”

  “Probably.” Now there was a loud banging. Somebody pounding on her door.

  The commlink clicked. “Mom, you there?” She was gone. She called again. And listened to her phone ringing until finally a voice informed her that the party she was trying to reach was not available. Damn. They must’ve had a monitor in the cab. Or, more likely, they’d inserted one in her commlink.

  Her instinct was to make directly for Cherry Hill. But that wouldn’t be a good idea. Just get her in deeper. Not to mention that it would take three hours. She could call Crispee. But that might give him away as well. She sat undecided, watching the fluttering leaves of October drifting down onto the windshield. Finally, the taxi pulled up in front of her home. She paid up, got out of the cab, got into her car, and went down to Keifer’s Electronics. She bought a new commlink, gave it the same code, and junked the old one.

  On the way home, she got Cosmic’s number from Information and made the call. They picked up on the third ring. She identified herself and asked to be connected to Jack Crispee. A phone rang at the other end as the car pulled into her driveway. She got out and stood, watching tree branches across the street sway gently in the wind. A bus went by. And a couple of kids tossed a ball around.

  Finally, Crispee answered. “Hi, Priscilla. Good to hear from you again.”

  “Hello, Jack. My mom sent you a package. Teresa Hutchins. Did you receive it?”

  “Teresa Hutchins?”

  “Yes.”

  “How could I have missed that? Hold on.” One of the kids threw the ball over his pal’s head and it bounced across her lawn.

  “I got nothing,” said Crispee. “Did she send it to me?”

  “No. We didn’t have your number. She sent it to Cosmic Broadcasting. Your name would have been on it, though.”

  “Give me a second to check.” He was talking to somebody as she let herself into the house. Then: “Yes, it’s here.”

  “Good. The WSA won’t be happy about it, and they may try to prevent your using it. But if you want it, it’s yours.”

  “Let me take a look.”

  He was back in about five minutes. “Hutch, perfect. Is this for real? They really there?”

  “Yes. They came back with us.”

  “Okay, give me a chance to watch the rest of it and I’ll get back to you. We’ll break it tonight.”

  “You probably don’t have until tonight. The Feds may be getting a subpoena now. Also, they’re sending the Volarians back home. I’m not sure when, but I suspect it’ll be as quickly as they can.”

  “How long is the interview?”

  “It’s a half hour. Give or take a few minutes.”

  “Can you come in for this?”

  “Jack, I already have too much visibility. If we’re going to save these guys, we need to have them front and center. And you’re probably out of time.”

  “Priscilla, I don’t like running it until I’ve seen it.”

  “Your call, Jack. But if you wait, you may not get to see it.”

  “Is there anything in there that might cause a lawsuit?”

  “There’s nothing defamatory in it. Just aliens in a desperate condition caused by natural forces
. And some high-level people who don’t want it getting out.”

  “So, you’re saying there’d be no legal liability?”

  “I’m not a lawyer, Jack, but I don’t see how there could be.”

  “Okay. Hold on.” Again she heard him talking to someone else. Then he came back: “Priscilla, we’re going to need you. And the aliens. Where are they now?”

  “As far as I know, they’re still on board the Eiferman. They won’t be available.”

  “I guess that doesn’t surprise me. How much time do we have before they ship them out?”

  “It’ll probably happen as soon as they can manage it. I didn’t see another interstellar in the dock, so they may need a couple of days for maintenance. But they’ll be pushing hard to get rid of them. Especially since Zhang knows about the interview.”

  “How’d he find out about it? Come to think of it, how do the Feds know?”

  “It’s a long story, Jack. Listen, I have to go.”

  “Hold on. We need you here, Priscilla. As soon as you can get here.”

  “Jack, that’s not the way to do it.”

  “Priscilla, please.”

  “Okay. I’ll be on my way in a minute. But don’t wait for me. Get started.” She told Cary, her AI, to record whatever was playing on Cosmic Broadcasting. Then she tried again to call her mother but still got no response. Her commlink, a recording told her, was no longer in service.

  Okay. First things first. She set out for Cosmic Broadcasting, which was a half hour away. Fortunately, traffic was light on the expressway. She was passing Lorton when her commlink sounded. It was Mom.

  Thank heaven. “Mom,” she said, “you okay?”

  “I’m all right. Where are you?”

  “On the expressway. I’m headed for Cosmic Broadcasting. Who was at your door?”

  “Feds. They had a warrant to seize my electronic gear. They took everything. Except Gina.” Her AI. “They shut her down.”

  “What are you using now?”

  “I’m next door. At Larry’s.”

  “Damn. This is my fault.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “Did they tell you what it was about?”

  “They wanted to know about you. And they knew about the interview.”