ARC10

Chapter 30.2

I guard the entrance of ARC10 where thousands of civilians attempt to cram their lives into tight racks. The civs scuttle around like wayward ants, traipsing around the massive harbor, buzzing with excitement.

A small vibration buzzes through my PAHLM. A hum emits from Coodi as well. We check our notifications.

***LAUNCH STATUS***

SECURE HATCH: 4 HOURS - MARK

I find my VIPERs in my peripherals. For me, they appear like Invader beams in moonless nights. The civs don't acknowledge us—to them, we're as alien as the ship.

"Commander." Norbit approaches. "There's been a report of a disturbance in Quad-One."

"Check it out." I continue to monitor the crowd. "Coodi, go with him."

The two descend into the bowels of the ship.

I stand sentry with Love, my hands behind my back. We scan the crowd for trouble.

***LAUNCH STATUS***

SECURE HATCH: 3 HOURS - MARK

Two engines explode to life. The ARCs have been activated.

The roar startles the civilians. They drop to the ground while screaming, covering their heads.

The soothing purr of ARC9 whirrs over the cries of the people in the harbor.

ARC10 sounds nothing like that.

ARC10 sounds like copper chomping on aluminum.

ARC10 sounds like steel giving birth to titanium.

It's the worst racket I've ever heard. I flush because if there was any doubt before, it's now confirmed that ARC10 will be the official pariah of the universe.

***LAUNCH STATUS***

SECURE HATCH: 2 HOURS TO CLEAR

I note a pair of lovers to the side of ARC10. The woman wipes a tear off his face. He returns the gesture. They are statuesque fixtures in the middle of a river. A gold flash pulls my attention.

Hayomo appears on the east end of the harbor. She nods in my direction.

"How many aboard so far?" I ask Umpire.

He taps into his PAHLM. "One-zero-zero-three of two-zero-twelve."

I return to my vigil. "So far so good."

The engines growl louder. Civs cover their ears and scurry away from the horrible howl of ARC10 in idle. At last, the people of Earth are unified. They're finally moving in the same direction.

I hear Norbit's voice through my earpiece.

"Lorn to Norbit, send your traffic," I respond.

"Commander, continued disturbance in Quad-One. Requesting backup."

With a lift of my chin, I send Umpire off to deal with whatever the hell is going on. "Ump en-route."

"Copy that."

The earpiece crackles to silence again.

***LAUNCH STATUS***

SECURE HATCH: 60 MIKES

The people of Earth move at full throttle. I check on the couple splitting the streams of panicking civilians. He opens his arms to crush her body into his. She locks him in place with her hands gripping the shirt on his back. I can't hear her open-mouthed sobs over the boisterous fuss of the harbor. Their bags lie abandoned at their feet. Someone running toward ARC9 trips over one lover's duffle, trampling it.