Chapter Ten

The air surrounding Coalition HQ the next day was, quite literally, buzzing. There had been an accident at a disused metalworks factory nearby and the area was crackling with waste static electricity with nowhere to go. To avoid getting hurt – as Jule learned the hard way, after attempting to close the door of his upcar – it was advisable not to come into contact with conductible metals or other people.

Electricity was not the only thing passing through the air; from the fragmented chat that reached his ears, Jule gathered that the unrelenting Kiaran had left for the moon on an untold mission. Jule remembered the argument he'd overheard outside Jared Wiles' office; he had a good idea of just what the secret mission was to be.

After all, hadn't Jared stated that his rival could do what he liked under his own ID? Kiaran had gone to broadcast his message to holidaymakers from every part of the world. Jule wondered what action his leader would take.

By the afternoon, it was evident that there would be no action taken against Kiaran at all. Jule had chosen a seat at the dining bench within hearing distance of Jared and a worried Marton. As he ate, Jule kept an ear trained on the conversation.

"Really, I don't think any action is necessary, Marton. I believe Kiaran will act under his own name. So if he gets himself arrested it should be of no concern of ours."

"But," Marton pressed, "what if he mentions the Coalition?"

"Then the Coalition will deal with it as – and if - it arises."

Marton, plainly still troubled, looked away and caught Jule's eye across the table. For that second, things seemed almost normal again; but then Marton's gaze passed on, seemingly without recognition.

Wounded, Jule fought the impulse to lead up from his chair and storm away, until a sudden nudge from within his feed settled his mental struggle for him.

Alone in his haven, Jule began to investigate just what could have been strong enough to slip pas the barrier he'd placed around his cache. He found a message with a large attachment.

"Greetings, Earthling!
Violet Durn has invited you to view a magical montage from up here on the moon!"
A satellite view of the moon.
Bright, crowded streets.
A market selling moon memorabilia.
Grinning faces attached to floating bodies in a lo-grav café.
A boy in a spacesuit waving to his parents.
A slim waitress carrying a large sundae in a half-moon dish.
Families lazing around a glass-roofed pool, gazing up at a dark, starry sky.
Teenage couples dancing and grinding in a dimly-lit club.
Dancing. Music. Fun and happiness. Dancing-

Jule stopped the images. Sighing bitterly, he opened the feed message.

Hi, Jule. You might've guessed where I am…wishing you were here? I'm not sure. The truth is, I've come to the moon to have some fun. To finally live like a normal teenager.
And it's working, Jule. I've met these people – I'm in their hotel room – and they're all, like, completely unhinged but for once I don't even give a damn! Because this is how we're supposed to be living!
Living with the feed.
So I guess this is probably the last time I contact you.
So, goodbye, Earthling. Violet.