Readyworld

fiction by michael werneburg

"Shall I submit my work to the nets?" I asked, hoping to cover my faux pas.

"No, this is sensitive data! Just spit it out. What are we dealing with?"

"It's just what it looks like. A piece of metamorphic rock that's been shot with a high-energy weapon."

"When? What kind of weapon?"

"Well, I don't have access to a military database, but I can state that at just past local noon, it will be two Readyworld days old."

The crowd of scientists—and even a few of the military staff—gasped at that. "Are you certain?" asked the woman who'd spoken earlier.

"Sure," I replied, welcoming the chance to speak to her. "This is my field of expertise," I added, with a touch of sass.

"But what does that mean?" asked a plaintive scientist from the back of the pack.

"We don't have energy side-arms or field weapons here on Readyworld, Doctor," said the Major. "They proved to be too difficult to operate remotely on Readyworld, thanks to the interference coming from the lithosphere. Since we're sure that none of our energy weapons aboard this vessel or the mother-ship have been discharged, we can only assume a foreign source for that blast."

There was a moment of stunned silence. "Thank you Doctor," said the Major, turning to me. "I suggest you go with the lieutenant to your debriefing."

He turned away, and I was dismissed. The fellow who'd warned me about sending my findings to my employers touched my wrist, indicating that I follow him. Behind him, I noticed the striking image of the flying creature with the fish. A sudden thought hit me.

"Just a moment," I said. One or two of the local military suits glanced in my direction, but no one else seemed to even have heard. "Hang on, did you know that we've got something happening in the Big Room, as well?"

The Major glanced back at me impatiently, and said, "Yes, thank you, Doctor. We've been monitoring the situation with the flooding and the changes in the topography. You are dismissed."

How dare he!

I said, "Did you know that the floor is made of food stuffs, Major?"