The Clock Winked (The Sagittan Chronicles Book 2) by Ariele Sieling

happens out here,” Samson said into his mic as he led Misty across the
cement floor. “It’s mostly solar powered. We have so much sunlight out here, we
can use it to do just about anything we need, as long as we don’t stray too far
from the sun or get stuck in the planet’s shadow for too long. In case of
emergencies we can revert to gas, but that will only help us for a short period
of time. We also have batteries for our alarm clocks.” He smiled. “We try to
keep her as clean and as cared for as possible.”
    “It’s magnificent and beneficent!” Misty replied. “It takes care
of you and you take care of it, even though you keep it in this giant pit.”
    Samson chuckled.
    “What’s your energy use policy?” Robspar asked as Samson
drew near.
    “Far side of Sagitta is no personal use except for as
defined in the ‘necessary’ list, and we cut back on all extraneous processes,
such as opening and closing the window gates, cooking, bathing, lights, etc. Every department has a list of rules and regulations regarding the far side of
Sagitta, to prevent us from losing power for even a short time. Emergency
systems are powered by gasoline.”
    “Ugh.” Robspar frowned. “Nasty stuff. Crude.”
    “Yes,” Samson replied. “And we need massive amounts of it to
power anything here. Which is why we have scientists working
on other methods of energy generation and why we have such stringent rules when
the station is not directly facing the sun. We haven’t lost power in
nearly three years, you know. I think my system is working nicely.” He smiled.
    “I’ve seen enough here,” Chair Rizinski said, turning on his
heel, with his back to the massive machinery rising from the floor. “I wish to
see the living quarters, kitchens, classrooms, and offices briefly, and I would
like to take a more extensive look at the pilot chambers.”
    “Of course. Follow me.” Samson led
them out of the engine rooms and back up the stairs.
    *****
    Bronwyn liked to walk by the river. The main reason for this
was because she could always see Auntie’s butler behind her, following, and it
amused her to watch his figure dart from tree to tree as if he were trying to
prevent her from discovering his presence. Except that he always followed her,
everywhere she went, and she always knew it. Except when he thought he was
following her, but wasn’t.
    It was rather creepy, really.
    The boathouse sat close to the water. She slipped down
behind the wall where Lindsey waited.
    “You’re the best,” Bronwyn whispered, shrugging off her
jacket and handing it to Lindsey.
    “No problem,” Lindsey replied , reaching out to take the money Bronwyn held in her other hand.
    Lindsey slipped the jacket over her shoulders and walked
casually down the dock. Bronwyn sneaked into the boathouse and peered through a
window as Butler darted up to the side of the building. He peered around the
edge to where the fake Bronwyn stood, gazing out at the water.
    Butler was used to this routine. He sat down in the grass
and waited.
    Bronwyn counted to ten and then slipped out the door and
sprinted into the trees. He never knew that the figure on the dock wasn’t her;
he had never figured it out, and hopefully, never would.
    A few minutes later she ducked into Hal’s Chou Mein Coffee.
Sauvignon Pincer was sitting in a chair by the window.
    “I ordered you coffee,” he said.
    “Oh thanks,” she replied. “Do you mind if we don’t sit by
the window?” A small smile played around her lips and her flushed cheeks
brought out the large brown eyes that looked pleadingly towards him.
    “Hiding?” he joked, standing. He gestured towards the back
of the coffee shop.
    “Yes. So, this article you’re writing—I’m anonymous for the
time being.”
    He made a face. “I wanted it to be about your family!” he
protested.
    “I’m not saying you can’t do that, but you need to either
find the information I give you someplace else and cite it, or save the