[story][Fenspace Alternates] The South Is Rising, Someone Get A Hammer

[robkelk]

Looking at the readings, A.C. felt a cold pit start to form in the bottom of her stomach.

~ I do hope he kept a full copy from the Girls. We'll need it. ~

"Stellvia is calling us, actually."

"Hardly a surprise. Put them through."

A video window appeared in the holodisplay, with Noah's face filling the virtual screen. "A.C., we have a problem."

She nodded at the NASA-like understatement, and returned it. "I noticed."

"Of course. I've called an emergency Convention - Safety is sending the official notice to the SMOF and all-call mailing lists as we speak, Kagome is coordinating with Buckaroo to call everyone with a go-phone, and Yuu's recording a video announcement for the press. Officially, the Con will be at Odyssey, starting the day after tomorrow. Unofficially, I'm gathering all the Mads I can reach right away, and that includes you. When can you make it to Mars?"

"I'll gather some data here before I leave, but I should be there by noon."

"Thanks. A.C., could you do me a big favor?"

"That depends on the favor."

"Earth orbit isn't safe any more. Would you be willing to take in two long-term guests?"

"Leda and Helen?"

He nodded.
--
Rob Kelk
"Governments have no right to question the loyalty of those who oppose
them. Adversaries remain citizens of the same state, common subjects of
the same sovereign, servants of the same law."

- Michael Ignatieff, addressing Stanford University in 2012