Jupiter's Reef by Karl Kofoed Page B

then when were we allowed to go to Earth?” asked Mary.
    Alex listened with great interest. He realized two things; that his knowledge of the clone history was lacking and that the subject wasn’t normally discussed.
    The Professor’s voice lowered a bit as he paused to choose his words. “Artemis is the gateway. And it was a private concern. They owned the first big operational mass driver and eventually started dictating terms to the World League. You know that? Right?
    Alex nodded. But Mary looked disgusted. “I wanted to hear about Earth, not clone history.” She got out of her seat and pushed off the floor with her toes. She glided past Alex and Johnny like a sleek swimmer, headed for the back of the cabin. “Where is Stubbs? What is it like there? Is it wet? Talk to us.”
    The Professor bit his lip. “They’ll have to certify you, Mary,” said Johnny assertively.
    Mary grabbed an overhead compartment handle, stopping her flight and wheeled around to ask a question. But before she could speak, Johnny tried to explain.
    “MarsCorp saw you as a renegade. For a while, at least. Until I spoke to them.”
    The Professor paused to consider his words. Alex urged him to continue. Mary remained frozen spread-eagle in space held by fingers and toes as she stared back at the Professor.
    “When I certified the ship in Alex’s name I had to give the reason,” continued Professor Baltadonis. “I told you that science rules on Mars. Christine found records of several Inter-space Com links between you and Stubbs about the reef. They were enough, along with a small description of your discovery, to make you a certified arm of science.” Johnny rubbed his chin doubtfully and continued. “Though you and Mary are without letters. I called Mary a bio-electrical Sensor and specialist, and, perhaps even more important, a translator.”
    “Translator?” asked Mary.
    “Your clicker men, of course,” said Johnny. He paused to think for a second then continued. His eyes looked deep into Mary’s as if he was looking for a reaction. “Don’t forget, Mary. Not every clone can visit Earth. You need certification. It’s nothing more than a formality but it can’t be avoided. Call it an in-depth passport evaluation, I guess.”
    Mary righted herself and placed both feet squarely on the floor. She looked at the Professor sadly. “You’re avoiding telling me about Earth. Why?”
    Johnny smiled. It’s not so ominous as that, Mary. I just wanted you to know everything. I covered you more than you know. They were talking of shipping you to Ceres. They needed a Sensor.”
    “No one contacted me,” said Mary. “There was no chatter about us ... about me ... even after I visited the Marys’ compound.”
    “That’s right,” said Johnny. “But it doesn’t matter. You now fly under the protective wing of MarsCorp with their full blessings. There are no records to corroborate how you took the ship or whether you did or didn’t survive the Ra Patera disaster. Fact is, they’d rather think of you as survivors than thieves. The fates were good to you. You couldn’t have picked a better time to spring for Jupiter.”
    Alex frowned. “People died, and if I could have saved them I would have. We arrived too late.”
    “I want to hear about Earth,” interrupted Mary. “You haven’t said that we’re not going there. Or that we won’t meet Stubbs.”
    “Oh, you’ll meet him,” said Johnny. “I never said you wouldn’t. He’s in a small Massachusetts town located on a hill that sticks out into the ocean. It’s on the new shore. It used to be miles inland, before the oceans rose.”
    Mary asked Johnny to describe the ocean. But the Professor shook his head and apologized, saying that he felt his descriptions couldn’t do justice to real thing. “Besides,” he reminded her, “You’ll be seeing it for yourself.”
    Later, over dinner, the Professor told them what he knew of Earth’s recent history.
    “The climate and