As the Gravity Flipped

by Herschel K. Stroganoff

  "What?" Garrett leaned forward.

  "Nothing."

  "Oh." Garrett's smile dropped.

  "Well, nothing at first," Wynn chuckled. "Ifan kept that with him for months. Once we passed our apprenticeship and were put on new shifts, he came into my room and woke me. He'd waited for all those months for Daffid to be on a different shift so he could return the prank.

  "So, we got a dolly and wheeled it to his room. Obviously, a dolly wouldn't fit through a standard door, so we spent half the night taking it apart and then reassembling it in Daffid's room.

  "As a final touch he added some grip tape to the left-hand-side of the handle," Wynn smirked.

  "It was jammed in his room for days before he managed to get in a take it apart. Daffid fumed for weeks after that, but he never knew it was us."

  Garrett laughed. "I never saw that side of Ifan."

  "Well, we all do daft things when we're young."

  Garrett leaned back and took a long sip of tea. "Did you hear what happened on V5?"

  "With the exodus? It's pretty bad." Wynn said. "I hear there's a lot of people in limbo on L2."

  "Not that," Garrett looked into his tea. "The Molotok."

  Wynn shook his head. "What do you mean?"

  "I was in a bad way when they found me. V5 has gone to complete ruin - it was crazy. The Molotok saved me, but they also killed a lot of citizens. It was a massacre.

  "I didn't see what happened, but all I know is that anyone who wasn't an Affiliate didn't make it."

  Wynn rose from his seat. "Are you sure about this?"

  "As sure as I can be - definitely in the docking area at least. They had weapons, and they used them on citizens. I get that some of them were up to no good - they were desperate. But there were people still on there who were just trying to survive." Garrett leaned forward. Resting his elbows on his knees, he held his head in hands and sighed.

  "This is why I'm going to go into politics." Garrett turned to see Natsuki dressed in a brown rough wool tunic. "I mean it," she said. "The system is rotten to the core and I want to be there to make that change."

  "One thing at a time," Wynn said. "We've got more pressing matters to deal with - clearing your name for one thing."

  "I know," Natsuki said firmly. "But I've spent my adult life being a wife and a mother and waiting around while other people do things for me. I know what goes on in that Assembly, and who it really works for. If we have a government run by self-serving factions, then is it any surprise that we're in this mess?"

  Wynn gave a grim smile. "You're right, but what can you do?"

  Natsuki folded her arms and lifted her chin. "You'll see what I can do."

  # # #

  Janis: Cleaning Stores, Titan Orbiter, Saturn

  16/07/6,544, 08:35 (IST)

  "We need to see what's happening on the orbiter," Ajay said.

  "I'm not putting the Coraygar at risk for a mining platform," Azra said.

  Ajay stared at her for a long moment. "I couldn't give a shit about a mining platform," he growled. "I could give a shit about the hundreds of workers on there."

  "And I need to think about the hundreds of people on this ship," Azra said. "You saw the weapons those vessels were armed with. They'd make short work of tearing through my ship and taking the crew with it. No - we wait and hide," she said.

  Ajay frowned. "I thought we were better than that," he said. "If we sent out a distress signal, wouldn't you want someone to rescue you?"

  "Of course, but we're not officially here. Helping out will only open us up to more trouble. I've made a decision, Ajay." Azra folded her arms, her expression daring him to contradict her order.

  Ajay brushed his hair back. "I'll go alone," he said. "I'll take the Segrado and dock at the orbiter. I'll take some generic goods to trade."

  "I can't allow that--," Azra began.

  "This may be your ship Azra, but you do not give me orders concerning missions." He got to his feet and yawned. "I am taking the Segrado to the orbiter. You can help me, or you can hinder me - that is your choice, but I'd prefer it you were at my side."

  "I can't do that. My decision is made."

  # # #

  Akira: Gustav's Bar, Insularum 3, Lunar

  25/07/6,544, 18:31 (IST)

  Akira sipped at her bitter cider as Wynn's hands trembled. "What's going on?" she asked.

  Wynn sighed. "I've found something out that's pretty bad," he said..

  Akira licked her lips. "What is it?"

  "It's about V5," Wynn leaned forward as he whispered. "You know how Ozu sent a rescue mission?"

  Akira raised a shoulder in a half shrug. "They're back, I know." She lifted the drink to her mouth.

  "They sent the Molotok in to deal with the residents," he said with a dark expression.

  Akira placed her drink down and frowned. "I don't understand. I thought they were basically hired thugs."

  "Exactly," he said. "But this is where it gets bad. I know someone who was on V5. He reckons they only rescued Affiliates."

  Akira laughed. "That's not a story," she said. "Of course that's what they did - it's what they always do. If they went and rescued--."

  "Listen," Wynn said, grabbing her hand. "Let me explain. My friend said the Molotok killed anyone that wasn't an Affiliate."

  Akira raised her eyebrows.

  "He said it was a massacre. Innocent people--." Wynn shook his head.

  "How do you know this is true?"

  "I trust the person who told me. He's got no reason to lie."

  "Didn't one of your guys get killed on there?"

  "Ifan Walbeoff. He was a good man. That had nothing to do with the Molotok though. He got stabbed by some kid. Muedin wouldn't help him unless he paid up-front - so he bled out on their doorstep."

  "That's awful," Akira said. "I didn't know."

  The pair sat in silence for a long moment.

  "Ooh, I've got something for you." Akira reached into her jacket pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper.

  "What's this?"

  "It's for Natsuki," she said as Wynn pocketed the note. "Well, aren't you going to read it?"

  Wynn scowled. "I thought it was for Natsuki?"

  "It is," she said. "But I would have read it."

  "I'm sure you would Akira," Wynn said, shaking his head. "I'm sure you would."

  # # #

  Pregnancy vote passes, but only just

  Originally published by Lunar Chronicle, 22/12/6,341

  United Solar has agreed to measures banning women from becoming pregnant in five provinces of the Union.

  Women living in the Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus or Neptune provinces will now have to apply to United Solar if they wish to become pregnant.

  The laws are said to be necessary to stabilise the economy, reducing the need for women to be away from productive work.

  Rep Inge Tomas (Muedin) said the measures would protect the health and safety of the Union.

  She said: "Many of the outlying orbiters are no place to raise a child. We feel it necessary that the environments of Lunar and Mars are the only places where children should be bore."

  Yao members called for an amendment to Rep Tomas proposals, suggesting that some of Venus's orbiters were suitable for the raising of children.

  Rep Hast Adamine (N4) said the measures were bad for non-terrestrial provinces.

  He said: "Once again, Lunar is making life impossible for the rest of us."

  The motion was passed by four votes.

  # # #

  Chapter Seventeen

  Natsuki: Efans Household, Insularum 3, Lunar

  26/07/6,544, 07:11 (IST)

  Natsuki awoke with a stiff neck. She looked around and realised she'd fallen asleep on Wynn's sofa.

  "Morning," Wynn said. "Sleep well?"

  She rolled her eyes and rubbed her neck. "Is there any tea on the go?"

  "Always," said Wynn. "Considering how much cider I drank last night, I feel surprisingly g
reat."

  "I feel awful. I can't believe I fell asleep." She stood and rolled her neck and shoulders.

  "Do you want any breakfast?" Wynn asked, pouring the teas.

  "If you've got any eggs?"

  Wynn fumbled in his jacket and pulled out a crumpled note.

  "Akira told me to give you this," he said, handing her the piece of paper.

  "What is it?"

  Wynn shrugged. "It's not my note."

  Natsuki opened it and read the name and address scrawled in scratchy handwriting. Her eyes widened as she read the final line: 'custodian of Riko Kurosawa.'

  "Fuck." Natsuki bit her lip. "Wynn," she said in a low whisper. "We've found Riko." Frantic, she pulled her boots on.

  Wynn's smile turn into a frown. "What are you doing?" he asked.

  "I'm getting my daughter back."

  "Natsuki, wait," Wynn pleaded. "Do you think it's a good idea to be sneaking around? You're pregnant, you're wanted by the Judiciary and there are so many patrols and checkpoints around that if you go out there, you're going to be taken in."

  "But I need to find Riko," she said, her mouth trembling.

  "We'll get Riko back, but we need a plan. You can't just go running around out there, banging on doors and expecting to get caught. Let's have breakfast, then we'll work this out properly."

  "Damn it, Wynn," she said. "Why do you always have to be right?"

  "Can I see the address?"

  Natsuki handed Wynn the note. He frowned.

  "What is it?"

  "It's one of the Ranghis. Don't know this one, but I've dealt with the family over the years. They own the lumber monopoly on Mars. Wealthy as anything, but not the easiest folk to deal with."

  "Great, so my daughter's living with one of them."

  "I know what to expect. I can go and talk to her if you'd like?"

  "While I sit here and do nothing?" she snarled. "Do you know how frustrating it is just sitting here when I know my daughter is in the same city?"

  "I know," Wynn said.

  "I'm going stir crazy. I feel as much in prison in here as I would in the cells."

  "Except that you're still alive. Remember that."

  Natsuki grimaced. "I know. I'm sorry. You've already done so much for me."

  "I'm free all day today, so I'm going to call on this Meer Vin Ranghi and talk to her about Riko."

  "Do you think you'll be able to get her back?" Natsuki asked.

  "No, but if I can get a sense of where she is, we might be able to get a plan together."

  Natsuki nodded. "Thank you - again."

  # # #

  Azra: The Coraygar, in region of Titan, Saturn

  21/06/6,544, 22:02 (IST)

  "I'm not sure what to do," Azra said, as the she replayed the message on her terminal. "Well?" she asked, turning to Taslim.

  "The Boeki deal seems simple," said Taslim, leaning over her shoulder. "It's exactly what Ajay's been working towards for a while. If they're reaching out to us, I think it can only be beneficial to everyone."

  Azra turned back to the display, replaying the message. "Part of me thinks this is some kind of United Solar trap. Why would the Boeki put themselves at risk by aligning with us?"

  Taslim paced around the research lab behind her. She picked up a colourful three-dimensional model of a protein cluster and regarded it as it were a sculpture, appreciating its lines and forms.

  "From what I know of the Boeki, they always seemed pretty straightforward," Taslim said. "If you look at how they vote in the Assembly, they always seem at odds with Aghoro and Muedin.

  "Think about it, if the Boeki align themselves with us, then they can discredit Ozu's propaganda and give us more... what's the word I'm looking for?"

  Azra placed the protein model down and turned to Taslim. "Credibility?"

  "Legitimacy," Taslim said. "If we're seen as more legitimate, then we might actually be able to push for real change rather than the ad hoc approach we've got at the moment."

  Azra frowned. "We're doing good work."

  "I know," Taslim said with a placating tone. "But we can do a lot more. We're not just fighting against vested interests; we're fighting an ideological war."

  "So you're buying into the war rhetoric now?" Azra said, her eyes narrowed.

  "Ozu brought the war to us - we can either run and hide, or we can stand proud and show the Union what we're actually trying to achieve. If we keep hiding, citizens are going to think we have something to hide."

  Azra gave a slow nod. "You're right," she said. "I'll find out what Ajay and Armand want to do, but I think you're right."

  "We can do so much more than we already are - having the Boeki on our side will only serve to bolster that. I can't see Ajay being against this."

  # # #

  Akira: Offices of Lunar Chronicle, Insularum 2, Lunar

  26/07/6,544, 10:35 (IST)

  "This explains why Ozu sent the notice from his office," Ken said as he read over Akira's shoulder. "They didn't want us to report on the events on V5 - I thought they meant the exodus."

  Akira turned to Ken. "We can't keep this buried. Citizens need to know the truth. They need to know what's happening in their name."

  "I've no intention of burying this one," Ken said, his voice sober. "This is too big a story."

  Akira grinned. "Well, good."

  "And your sources are good on this?"

  "They were there. They've no reason to lie."

  Akira turned back to her terminal and continued writing.

  Ken pointed to her display. "Can you change 'massacre' to read 'alleged massacre'?"

  "Please, just let me write," Akira said, her eyes not leaving the text. "This is too important to dilute with doubt. If I put 'alleged' then it takes away from the power of the story."

  "We're taking a huge risk with this," Ken said.

  "It's about time you took a risk," Akira whispered under her breath.

  "What was that?"

  "Nothing. Just, please--. Can you leave me to it? I can't concentrate with you standing over me." Akira's jaw tightened.

  "Are we sure this was the Molotok?" Ken asked, pointing to another line of text.

  "Yes," Akira spat.

  "No wonder you and Osuma are always clashing."

  Akira turned back to Ken. "What's that supposed to mean?"

  "You can be very hostile to people who are trying to help you," Ken said.

  "Perhaps it's because I don't need help." Akira turned back to her terminal, frowning.

  "Fine," Ken said. "Just remember you can work with people or you can work against them."

  Akira tutted as Ken walked away. "The Chronicle would be nothing without me," she muttered.

  # # #

  Ajay: Titan Orbiter, Saturn

  16/07/6,544, 18:37 (IST)

  Ajay watched wide-eyed as three more bodies drifted past the Segrado. "What the fuck has been going on here?" he said to himself.

  Moving closer to the pair of orbiting platforms he counted twenty ships barnacled to its sides. He made the Segrado complete a full sweep of the station before making his final approach, scanning all the while for a vacant airlock.

  Ajay did not risk contact the station in case his presence attracted hostile attention. He'd seen the weapons attached to the Muedin ships and didn't want to find out what damage they could do.

  Noticing a free airlock on the opposite platform to the docked ships, Ajay banked the Segrado to the right and matched the station's orbit as he sent out his own docking lines.

  Patiently, he watched as the trio of lines snaked ahead, then hit their mark with ease. Ajay swept his hair back as his heartbeat echoed in his ears. He felt the tension and pull of the docking lines as they drew him closer to the airlock. He dropped the Segrado's engines.

  After a few long minutes, Ajay felt the satisfying mechanical click that came with a successful connection. The confirmation message flashed on his console a second, later.

  Getting to his
feet, Ajay looked around his cabin for something he could use as a weapon. He stopped himself: if the ships were armed, the chances were that their crews would be too.

  He waited for the outer airlock of the Segrado to open. He'd done this countless times, but there was always a small part of him wondering if the airlock had completely sealed, and what would happen if it didn't.

  Ajay's tensed, clenching his fists and forcing his shoulders back as he stepped onto the platform, its final airlock opening with a low clunk and hiss.

  Leaning inside, Ajay heard the hum of the station, the whistle of the air ducts, the buzz of the daylight lamps. One sound was missing: the sound of people. Looking around at the delivery crates he figured he must have locked onto an airlock backed onto the cleaning stores. His chest squeeze and knees strained against the increased gravity.

  Moving out of the docking area, Ajay passed a trio stationary cleaning drones, crab-like with their sharp pincers and broad, curved body. Light rippled like water across their gleaming surfaces.

  Ajay leaned out into the main corridor. His movements were slow, deliberate, cautious. He saw closed doors, a stairwell, an office. He heard no movement. The sight of bodies floating past him on the approached to the station was all he could think about.

  "This doesn't look good," he said to himself, edging along the corridor. With a gentle push, he peeked through a door to see the corridor open out into a waiting area for the capsule line to the opposite side of the station.

  Reaching the platform edge, Ajay looked up at the tunnel fading into darkness. He took a deep breath and stepped into the nearest capsule. He fastened himself in and pressed the button to move. His body tensed as he passed through weightlessness, disorientation taking hold as the gravity flipped. What was up became down.

  The capsule reached its destination. Ajay unfastened himself, then stepped out onto a mirror-image of the platform he'd just left.