Outside In by Maria V. Snyder

here to warn of an impending explosion. No spike in power, no jammed valves, no fire or anything unusual.”
    “But the computer might not have registered it in time. Did you examine the plant?”
    “Of course. Went over it with a couple of the supervisors. They’re equally puzzled about the cause.”
    “But that isn’t enough to suggest sabotage,” Riley said.
    Logan uncovered a glass container. “Final clue. At the explosion site, I found an oily residue coating the walls, and pieces of a timer and switch. And before you try to explain them, I tested the residue and it’s a flammable substance not found anywhere in the power plant. It’s used in the recycling kilns on level one.”
    Riley picked up one of the twisted hunks of metal from the container. As he examined it, a shocked horror filled his eyes. “This could detonate a bomb.”
    A bomb. Spoken aloud, the words slammed into me. Some one had set off a bomb, killing people on purpose, risking all our lives—thousands of people. I let the stunned outrage roll through me. It took me a few minutes to pull my emotions together and think.
    “Who did this? Why?” I asked.
    “Who would have to be someone who knew about the Transmission, and had enough knowledge to make and place the bomb so it didn’t blow a hole to Outside,” Logan said. “As for why, I can only guess. Since the Transmission was the target, either someone doesn’t want us traveling through Outer Space or someone wants to get our attention.”
    “Do you think they will make demands or threaten to damage another system if we don’t comply?”
    “I’ve no idea, Trell. This is all new territory for me.”
    “If they plan to make demands, it should be sooner rather than later,” Riley said. “Actually, if they do contact Logan or the Committee, we might be able to find out who they are.”
    “Have you informed the Committee?” I asked Logan.
    “No.”
    “Why not?” I demanded.
    “I just connected the clues. And this information needs to be handled with care. Knowing we’re dealing with a saboteur gives us an advantage. If nothing is said, maybe the person will relax and give himself away.”
    “And if word gets out, there could be panic,” Riley added.
    “This is too big. The Committee needs to know.”
    “Nineteen people can’t keep a secret. It’s statistically impossible,” Logan said.
    “What if the saboteur makes a demand?” I asked.
    “The Committee will know then, won’t they?”
    I huffed in frustration. “You need to tell someone,” I said.
    “I did.”
    “Besides us.”
    “I think that’s unwise.”
    “Do you have any suspects?” Riley asked.
    “Don’t encourage him,” I said.
    “He’s right and you know it.”
    “I can pull together a list of all those who know about the Transmission for you and Trella,” Logan said.
    “Us?”
    He ignored me. “Anne-Jade is still trying to find out which Travas worked on the Transmission equipment. Once we have those names, I’ll add them to the list. It’s doubtful the Travas pulled it off, but one of them could have given the information to someone who isn’t under constant surveillance.”
    “I can talk to the maintenance scrubs, see if they know more than they’re letting on,” Riley offered.
    “Are you going to tell Anne-Jade?” I asked.
    “Of course. She can be trusted.”
    Still not convinced we were doing the right thing, I knew when I was outnumbered. “We’re going to need Jacy’s help. He has kept his network of contacts.”
    “Is he trustworthy?” Riley asked. “He’s on the Committee.”
    Remembering how he had bartered and traded for services and favors, I said, “I’ll talk to him.”
     

    From the air shaft, I searched for Jacy among the Committee members’ offices in Sector H3. Each of the nineteen had been given a small space and computer to use when they weren’t sitting in meetings. Using the ducts had been a cowardly act on my part. I didn’t want to encounter any of