The Jesus Incident

Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master.



- Frankenstein's Monster Speaks, Shiprecords



OAKES WOKE out of his first sound sleep groundside to muffled pounding outside his cubby.



His fingers reached his com-console before he was even awake and the viewscreen showed complete madness up and down Colony's corridors.



Even outside his own locked hatchway!



"I'm hungry now! I'm hungry now! I'm hungry now!"



The chant was a snarl in the throat of the night.



There were no guns in evidence, but plenty of rocks.



In a matter of blinks, Lewis was on the line.



"Morgan, we've lost them for now. This thing will have to run its course unti...."



"What the hell is happening?" Oakes did not like it that his voice cracked.



"It started out as a round of The Game down in the 'ponicsways. Lots of drinking. Now it's a food riot. We can flood 'em out wit...."



"Wait a minute! Are the perimeters still secure?"



"Yes. My people out there."



"Then wh....?"



"Water in the passages will slow 'em down until w...."



"No!" Oakes took a deep breath. "You're out of your league, Jesus. What we'll do is let them go. If they seize food, then it'll be their responsibility when food gets even shorter. The supply does not change, you hear me? No extra food!"



"But they're running wild throug...."



"Let them rip things up. The repairs afterward will keep them busy. And a good riot will purge emotions for a time, wear them out physically. Then we turn it to our advantage, but only after well-reasoned consideration."



Oakes listened for some response from Lewis, but the 'coder remained silent.



"Jesus?"



"Yes, Morgan." Lewis sounded out of breath. "I think that yo.... had better mov.... to the Redoubt immediately. We can't wait for dayside, but you'l...."



"Where are you, Jesus?"



"Old Lab One complex. We were moving out the last o...."



"Why must I go to the Redoubt now?" Oakes blinked and turned up the illumination in his cubby. "The riots will pass. As long as the perimeter's secure we ca...."



"They're not stamping their feet and whining, Morgan. They're killing people. We've sealed off the gun lockers but some of the rioter...."



"The Redoubt cannot be ready yet! The damage there wa.... I mean, is it safe?"



"It's ready enough. And the crew there is handpicked by Murdoch. They're the best. You can rely on them. And, Morga...."



Oakes tried to swallow, then: "Yes?"



Another long pause, garbled snatches of conversation.



"Morgan?"



"I'm still on."



"You should go now. I've arranged everything. We'll flood 'em out of the necessary passages. My people will be there within minutes: our usual signal. You should be at the shuttle hangar within fifteen minutes."



"But my records here! I haven't finished th...."



"We'll get that later. I'll leave a briefing disc for you with the shuttle crew. I'll expect to hear from you as soon as you get to the Redoubt."



"Bu.... I mea.... what about Legata?"



"She's safe shipside! Call her when you get to the Redoubt."



"It'.... that bad?"



"Yes."



The connection went dead.