Sunrise on Cooper Island, Greenworld was a spectacular event on some mornings, but this wasn't one of them. Mike Lance woke to the sound of a steady rain pummelling the roof over his head. He groaned softly and looked at the other bed, where his twin brother Len was fast asleep. There was no chance, he knew, that he could persuade his sibling to swop duties with him. When he reached out into the other rooms, he could sense his sister Laura was slowing stirring out of her slumbers, just as loathe as he to get up on a drenching morning such as this. Beyond her, Quentin was already up and half-dressed, thinking loudly about ducks. More accurately, about what they called ducks on this world.
But we're not waterfowl'' Mike thought glumly. He heaved himself out from under the covers, shivering slightly at the loss of the accumulated warmth of the bed, and quickly dressed. Easing himself out into the passageway, he saw Laura sleepily making her way towards the back door. Young Quentin was already there, eagerly opening the back door.
Is the kid mad, Laura sent him a private thought, wanting to get wet?
Probably, Mike replied, then tensed as he felt Quentin's eagerness turn to shock.
Both his older siblings quickened their paces to reach the twelve-year-old who was standing motionless in the open doorway. They already knew that what had frightened their younger brother was in the sky and that it wasn't an airborne predator. For all that they were shaken as they stared upwards in disbelief. From somewhere in the north, an ugly red stain was spreading across the sky. It was miles away still, but even so -
Pollution was the thought in all their minds. Followed swiftly by A.R.G.U.S. There was no one, outside of the base, who operated any technology other than what was strictly needed.
Laura was looking towards him for guidance, so Mike made a quick decision. He nudged Len awake, over-riding his brother's grumbles with an image of the stain in the sky. Wake Dad and Mum up - some of the other council members may already be gathering. As for the three of them, the livestock still needed to be fed, milked, eggs collected. It was still a normal day, even if a miserable wet one.
X
Joe West looked around the assembled council members from his seat at the head of the table. Without anyone actually nominating him for that position he had found himself the de facto chairman/president/call it what you will, of the growing number of colonies on Greenworld. It wasn't a position he especially enjoyed, even less so when something like this happened. His eyes lingered for a moment on his son-in-law Terry, who had become influential among those who were the most anti-technology/pollution and would have liked to see A.R.G.U.S. 'persuaded' to leave Greenworld. There's no one more puritanical than a reformed sinner, Joe thought. Fortunately, his level-headed daughter Iris was also on the council.
It was well on into the afternoon, for it had taken hours in some cases for the leaders to arrive from the further off-islands and the mainland colonies. Looking round, he realised that there were some of them that he barely knew - the population had been growing steadily in the last twenty years.
Joe nodded towards Curtis Denton, indicating that the other man should make his report. When Denton had first told his neighbours what he planned to construct, he had been considered a harmless eccentric - the only problem being that he might get himself killed if he actually built this - whatever. When he had built it - and flown it successfully - the amazement had turned o enthusiasm. The council had had to step in and insist that the use of hang gliders be restricted to those who were willing to learn from Denton how to do so safely. That had sparked a minor rebellion among the younger members of the community.
Denton had flown north earlier in the day to check out whatever was in the sky.
''It definitely came from the A.R.G.U.S. base'' he began. ''Although it seems to be dissipating. Stinks a bit, but I couldn't identify the smell. I flew over a wide area and there were no noticeable effects on the wildlife or vegetation - yet.''
''What do A.R.G.U. say about it?'' Leonard asked.
Joe grimaced. He had been on the radio early in the day and at intervals since then. ''That it was nothing we need worry about and that it won't happen again'' he told the meeting in a flat tone. He knew he was being stonewalled.
''We should demand a better answer'' was Terry's opinion.
''There's something in what Terry says'' Catherine put in. ''But we should be a bit more diplomatic''
Joe nodded. He would have to be one of the delegation - he'd need to speak to Wally before he left. And Catherine, he thought - she had the diplomatic skills she'd mentioned. We'd better keep this small, he thought, for now. He glanced around the table and made his choice.
''I'll go. Catherine - and Sara - you know A.R.G.U.S. better than any of us.''
But A.R.G.U.S., as it turned out, came to them first.