Moving Mars by Greg Bear Read Free Book Online

disgust.
    Gretyl pulled her mask off, I said.
    Insane, Charles said.
    She had her reasons, Chao said.
    Anyway, Diane went on. We need leaders.
    Were not going to be here much longer, Oliver said.
    Olivers right. Were not guarded. Somethings changed, Charles said.
    We have to stick together, Diane insisted.
    If somethings changed, it has to have changed in our favor, Oliver said. It couldnt get any worse.
    We still need leaders, I said. We should wake people up now and see what the group thinks.
    What if weve won? Felicia asked. What do we do?
    Find out how much weve won, and why, Charles said.
    We explored the tunnels around the dining hall, venturing back to the old dorms, all quite empty now. We encountered a few arbeiters about their maintenance business, but no humans. After an hour, we begin to worrythe situation was spooky.
    Fanning out, we began a systematic exploration of the upper levels of the entire university, reporting to each other on local links. Charles volunteered to join me. We took the north tunnels, closest to emergency external shafts and farthest from the administration chambers. The tunnels were dark but warm; the air smelled stale, but it was breathable. Our feet made hollow scuffing echoes in the deserted halls. The university seemed to be in an emergency power-down.
    Charles walked a step ahead. I watched him closely, wondering why he wanted to be so friendly when I had given him so little encouragement.
    We didnt say much, simply stating the obvious, signaling to each other with whistles after splitting to try separate tunnels, nodding cordially when we rejoined and moved on. Gradually we moved south again, expecting to meet up with other students.
    We explored a dark corridor connecting the old dorm branch with UMSs newer tunnels. A bright light flashed ahead. We stood our ground. A woman in an ill-fitting pressure suit shined her light directly into our faces.
    University staff? she asked.
    Hell, no. Who are you? Charles asked.
    Im an advocate, the woman said. Pardon the stolen suit. I flew in through the storm about half an hour ago. Landed during a dust lull and found a few of these abandoned near the locks. We were told there was no air in here.
    Who told you that?
    The last man out, and he went in a hurry, too. Are you all right?
    Im fine, I said. Where is everybody?
    The advocate lifted her face plate and sniffed noisily. Sorry. My nose hates flopsand. The university was evacuated seven hours ago. Bomb threat. They said a bunch of Gobacks had dumped air and planted charges in the administration chambers. Everybody left in ground vehicles. They took them overland by tractor to an intact train line.
    Youre brave to come this far, Charles said. You dont think there is a bomb, do you?
    The woman removed her helmet and smiled wolfishly. Probably not. They didnt tell us anybody was here. They must not like you. How many are here?
    Ninety.
    They voided the reporters before they evacuated. I saw you on LitVid. Press conference didnt go well. So where are the rest of you?
    We led her to the dining hall. All the far-flung explorers were called in.
    The advocate stood in the middle of the assembly, asking and answering questions. I presume Im the first advocate to get here. First off, my name is Maria Sanchez Ochoa. Im an independent employed by Grigio BM from Tharsis.
    Felicia stepped forward. Thats my family, she said. Two others came forward as well.
    Good to see you, Maria Sanchez Ochoa said. The familys worried. Id like to get your names and report that youre all safe.
    Whats happened? Diane asked. Im very confused. Others joined in.
    What happened to Sean and Gretyl? I asked, interrupting the babble.
    University security handed them over to Sinai district police early yesterday morning. Both were injured, but I dont know to what extent. The university claimed they were injured by their own hands.
    Theyre alive? I continued.
    I presume so. Theyre at Times River Canyon Hospital. She started recording