day 8. I am loving it, though I have no idea.
Families, John thought, well they were there a lot, so I guess they could have formed some attachments. So that is why the extra faces. His grandfather and dad spotted him at the same moment. His grandfather frowned. “So how long have you been standing there listen? Where did you get the idea that it was a good thing to do? I am sure you have others things to do. If not we can find you some.”
Will said, “Give the boy a break, it is not like he knew we were having a secret meeting. After all we were standing in the road. Not exactly a typical meeting place.”
John grinned, “Hay dad, welcome home.” There was a dozen things he wanted to say, but with his grandfather there he settled on. “How was the trip, did you see anything new?” Grandfather frowned and John mentally kicked himself. There he went showing interest in things beyond the cities. He was going to hear about it later. He could see the lecture coming.
Will grinned. “The trip was fine. We came home thorough Juda. Making a point to stop in Alba. I have pitchers for you, later. Right now why don’t you help us get that truck unloaded, and the stuff moved in.”
John looked where he pointed and saw a group of people waiting. Well that explained why his dad wasn’t interested in anyone here But why hadn’t he ever said any thing? Just how old were those kids? One looked to be his age. No need to get into it now though. “Sure thing. Where do I take the stuff?”
Will said, “Is the east hall still unused?” John nodded. “Ok then for now we line things up there and then sort it out. It is weather jumbled in the truck.”
John headed to the truck P said. “Now wait a minuet. You think you are going to move those in here. That boy is all ready far to interested in the outside. Don’t need to be string him up more with their lies.”
Will looked at his father and shook his head. You could tell he had been expecting this. From the looks on the other faces, he had told them it was coming. “What do you expect us to do? Live in the truck? Your friends would like that. In case you have forgotten, you told me to sell my house and just move in here. As for John, he has a good head on him, He is not going to run off. He is being perfectly reasonable. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know what is going on outside. In fact it was found to be far more dangers not to know. That is why trade was established. If this move turns out to be for more than a few months I will see to getting anther house built for us. But until we know there is no since in it. Besides witch house are not built in an eye blink.”
P said, “Just how do you plan on getting them back? I said that it was foolish to let you all make attachments. It plus us all in more danger.”
Will shook his head. “There is no added danger we will go back the same way we came in. though Alba. There is enough traffic that way that we will not be noticed. If there is less traffic we will not be going back. It will not be safe for any but the specialist to be in Snap. This is my home I am not going to bring more trouble down on it. “
P thew up his hands. “You are impossible. You know that. You could have had any number of truth loving, but you had to.” He turned and stormed off.
John reached in the truck and grabbed a box. “Don’t mind him, he will cool off in a bit. Storming off is his way of giving in.” With that he turned and took the box in. Soon the others were following him. P came back in time to carry in the last box. No more was said about them being there.
Once the boxes were in and diner was out of the way John headed into his room. There was nothing he could do to help sort the boxes, and he felt out of place standing there. He turned on his computer and started chatting with his friends while attempting to start one of his essays. They were enjoying a nice rant about homework taking up all there vacation when P entered his room. “What are you up to now? Plotting anther camping trip I bet just because you are out of school it doesn’t mean you can go wondering off. You still have work to do. It is not healthy to spend so much time in the woods away from civilization.”
John grumbled. “I am just talking to my friends about the amount of home work we got laid on us. Though as hot as it is a camping trip would be nice, I know you wouldn’t let me. So why even try. We are just talking home work.”
P said, “Is that all you were talking?”
John said, “Well that and the fact that dad was home and that he said yes there was a rumor going around that there had been a boat in at Jearn from over the ocean, but it was unsubstantiated. That most thought it more likely to be a ship from Harem that got storm lost, and didn’t know where it was. Like you said to when I asked about it. You kids are getting to lazy.”
P said, Is that all, or were you sharing your eavesdropping? We don’t need more rumors flying. There is to much talk of the outside as it is. All this nonsense and it will only get worse. Bringing new folks in. Unheard of. Maybe I should turn the cable off for the night. You should be concentrating more on your grades anyway. You spend far to little time working and far to much chatting. Those rooms were a bad idea.”
John said, “We were discussing the amount of homework. Good grief I am not an idiot. I know not to blab meeting stuff. You talk about it at the table all the time and I say nothing. Why would this be different? What is wrong with you tonight?” You want to read my chats like I am some truth-missing toddler? Here have at it!” he shoved his computer towards him. “See. Nothing there. Yes we were talking over impacts, but that is because we were given a stupid paper on the subject. See nothing that wasn’t know on the streets this morning. Good grief I didn’t even say that any one extra came home with dad and his team. Yet I bet it is all over town by now. But I am not a gossip! I know how to keep my mouth shut. I didn’t realize I wasn’t allowed to talk to people at all! What when you were my age you spent all day studding? Yea right. That is how you fell from that loft. Studding!”
P glared. “How dare you talk to me like that! I”
Will came up. “I could hear you down the hall. Dad your problem is with me not John. Let the kid be. John don’t forget to talk about suger and grain in that essay. Remember that push last year for us to import more and grow less. You should be able to get a few words there. All so it will take about three years before there is enough chocolate to do anything with.”
Will led P away John got up and slammed his door behind them.. Soon their voices had fade away. John spent some time blogging out his anger and ranting with his friends. Then he was settled enough to think about that silly five-page paper again. Talking over what his dad had said. He and his friends were able to hammer out four pages that were just different enough from each other’s, so as to not look like they were copied. He had just finished stretching the four pages into five when the door opened. Thinking it was his grandfather again, as it was his habit to just barge in any room he pleased without a thought to the occupant, John growled with out turn. “What? I am typing that stupid essay. Ok gees I don’t even have school for two weeks.”
“Um. I think I’m lost. Sorry.”
The door creaked as John turned. “Sorry, I thought you were Grandfather. He tends to just walking and start yelling. I wanted to get the first word for once.” He could now see it was the older boy who had come with his dad. “Um Fender is it? Where are you trying to get to?”
Fember shrugged “I was looking for the kitchen. I am in dire need of a drink. I thought it was this way, nut I must have gotten turned around. And it is Fember. Though I think Fender would be easier to say.”
John looks at the person standing in his room. He was no longer so sure that it was a boy. The name was unambiguous, but the voice was soft. “Um you are a bit turned around, and you don’t want the kitchen. Not if you want you head in one piece. The cook is very territorial. But there will be drinks in the family room. Come on I should get something myself.” He stood and said, “It is just a ways down that hall. You went left when you should have went right at the T.” Fember nodded and they headed of. “Just take what ever you would like. Drinks are on that board snacks on that one. There will be something here most any hour of the day. But it is not wise to miss meals. Grandfather is a bit stiff about what is proper behavior. All meals must be attend unless you are known to be else where. Like at school. Not coming to a meal, or arriving late has led to being grounded. Meaning even less time away from the house, and if he is in really foul mood he will shut down the cable.”
Fember looked puzzled. “Cable? You mean you can’t watch television?”
John said, “I don’t know if it affects the TV or not. The only one is in the den, and I don’t spend much time there. It is not worth it. No I meant for my computer. Though it hasn’t had a physical cable in years, so that is kind of a truth-missing name, the name is still stuck. I meant the link that lets me get on to the cities wide linkage system. It is a away to share information and talk from one city to anther, or even just one house to anther. Some times just from one room to anther. I think you had a similar system in Snap. I can’t think what Dad said you called it. Something about a web maybe?”
Fember said, “I think you might mean something like the inter-web. It is a network contacting computers to each other though huge servers. Dose that sound right?” John nodded. “So you can get on with out a physical cable? But it only lets you talk to the other cities? How about when your dad was with us could you talk to him?”
John shook his head. “It only works with in the cities, and a short ways into the forest. Though I understand that the miners are trying to set up a relay on the mountain. That would extend the range. But the safety of it is still being explored. There was a proposal to join up with Snap. But that was mostly the crazies. It is to dangerous to make to many connections with the outside. It would draw unwanted attention on us.”
Fember said, “You are big on isolation here. I see. So what is the story on the mountains? Any good caves? How about waterfalls? I bet there are some pretty places. Is it always so hot? I wasn’t expecting that.”
John blinked what ever Fember was shy wasn’t it. “The mountains are largely uncharted. They tend to eat people. I know sounds silly. But anyone who has gone more than fifty feet into them has never returned. And a lot who have gone less are missing to, though of course we cannot know just where they went. Just where they had planed on going. Of those who go out side the fifteen feet of mapped space few come back uninjured, and even fewer have any useable data. Though there is a mapping party that is crossing at forty-five feet just now. It was doing fine at last check. They have found two new mine sites, that is where the relay comes from, one of witch is operating all ready. The other will be going by next fall. It is in a bit trickier place.”
Fember said, “So how are they letting you know what they find?”
John was thinking how to answer when Will spoke from the door. “I believe they are using radios, but it has to be at night.” John nodded, relived that someone else was there to answer.
John said, “Though if they are in the right place they can get though to the mine at other times. But night is best.”
Fember said, “So no computers there either. How are they mapping with out them? Though I guess they would just die anyway. No way to recharge.”
John said. “Why would you need a computer to map? Mapping is just drawing to scale. All you need is the distance and a decent eye. No computer needs. Not that they aren’t handy, but they are not required.” He was going to add the group had one, but he remembered that the solar was being kept on the down low. Still being tested, they should be on the market after the trip, if they held out.
Fember said, “I guess you could us a calculator. But it would take forever. All that math. So what do you do for fun around here?”
John mental shook his head. These people sound so depended on tools. First using a calculator on a trading run. Now this. There was nothing overly complex about figuring out scale. “Oh we might play around of ball, or go for a hike. The usual stuff I guess. That is when not bogged down with chores and homework. What with no school for the next two weeks the teachers had to over load the work.”
Fember’s noses wrinkled. “Ugh you are still in school? Back hone we got out weeks ago for summer. How late do you go here? Any arcades, or clubs. Where’s the hang?”
John blink and was rescued by Will. “It is preferred that children spend any off time outdoors. It is healthier, so there are no clubs or arcades. Few restaurants, and no big malls. Most goods are sold in open are markets. The exception being food, as it needs more control to be safe. The schools here go year pretty much year round. There are a few weeks of every three months and other random days each month. John in Snap schools only run for eight months of the year, with three other weeks of around midwinter. Arcades are places young folks go to play video games, like that block thing Kim was working on. Only with out the purpose that is they are just to take up time. Nothing real comes from them.”
Fember said, “Year round? What do you do in school for that long? Do you just go half day or something? Just what am I in for?”
John said, “I don’t know what you would consider half day. We go from eight in the morning to three. Or later depending on talents and the reason you are going. Most of my friends and I go for anther hour after that. One goes even longer. She is big into programming, so has more to learn. As to what we do. Well study, and take test and what have you.”
Fember said, “Wow I am domed. I hate school, and that is just going tell two. All those wasted hours.”
Will said, “Give the boy a break, it is not like he knew we were having a secret meeting. After all we were standing in the road. Not exactly a typical meeting place.”
John grinned, “Hay dad, welcome home.” There was a dozen things he wanted to say, but with his grandfather there he settled on. “How was the trip, did you see anything new?” Grandfather frowned and John mentally kicked himself. There he went showing interest in things beyond the cities. He was going to hear about it later. He could see the lecture coming.
Will grinned. “The trip was fine. We came home thorough Juda. Making a point to stop in Alba. I have pitchers for you, later. Right now why don’t you help us get that truck unloaded, and the stuff moved in.”
John looked where he pointed and saw a group of people waiting. Well that explained why his dad wasn’t interested in anyone here But why hadn’t he ever said any thing? Just how old were those kids? One looked to be his age. No need to get into it now though. “Sure thing. Where do I take the stuff?”
Will said, “Is the east hall still unused?” John nodded. “Ok then for now we line things up there and then sort it out. It is weather jumbled in the truck.”
John headed to the truck P said. “Now wait a minuet. You think you are going to move those in here. That boy is all ready far to interested in the outside. Don’t need to be string him up more with their lies.”
Will looked at his father and shook his head. You could tell he had been expecting this. From the looks on the other faces, he had told them it was coming. “What do you expect us to do? Live in the truck? Your friends would like that. In case you have forgotten, you told me to sell my house and just move in here. As for John, he has a good head on him, He is not going to run off. He is being perfectly reasonable. There is nothing wrong with wanting to know what is going on outside. In fact it was found to be far more dangers not to know. That is why trade was established. If this move turns out to be for more than a few months I will see to getting anther house built for us. But until we know there is no since in it. Besides witch house are not built in an eye blink.”
P said, “Just how do you plan on getting them back? I said that it was foolish to let you all make attachments. It plus us all in more danger.”
Will shook his head. “There is no added danger we will go back the same way we came in. though Alba. There is enough traffic that way that we will not be noticed. If there is less traffic we will not be going back. It will not be safe for any but the specialist to be in Snap. This is my home I am not going to bring more trouble down on it. “
P thew up his hands. “You are impossible. You know that. You could have had any number of truth loving, but you had to.” He turned and stormed off.
John reached in the truck and grabbed a box. “Don’t mind him, he will cool off in a bit. Storming off is his way of giving in.” With that he turned and took the box in. Soon the others were following him. P came back in time to carry in the last box. No more was said about them being there.
Once the boxes were in and diner was out of the way John headed into his room. There was nothing he could do to help sort the boxes, and he felt out of place standing there. He turned on his computer and started chatting with his friends while attempting to start one of his essays. They were enjoying a nice rant about homework taking up all there vacation when P entered his room. “What are you up to now? Plotting anther camping trip I bet just because you are out of school it doesn’t mean you can go wondering off. You still have work to do. It is not healthy to spend so much time in the woods away from civilization.”
John grumbled. “I am just talking to my friends about the amount of home work we got laid on us. Though as hot as it is a camping trip would be nice, I know you wouldn’t let me. So why even try. We are just talking home work.”
P said, “Is that all you were talking?”
John said, “Well that and the fact that dad was home and that he said yes there was a rumor going around that there had been a boat in at Jearn from over the ocean, but it was unsubstantiated. That most thought it more likely to be a ship from Harem that got storm lost, and didn’t know where it was. Like you said to when I asked about it. You kids are getting to lazy.”
P said, Is that all, or were you sharing your eavesdropping? We don’t need more rumors flying. There is to much talk of the outside as it is. All this nonsense and it will only get worse. Bringing new folks in. Unheard of. Maybe I should turn the cable off for the night. You should be concentrating more on your grades anyway. You spend far to little time working and far to much chatting. Those rooms were a bad idea.”
John said, “We were discussing the amount of homework. Good grief I am not an idiot. I know not to blab meeting stuff. You talk about it at the table all the time and I say nothing. Why would this be different? What is wrong with you tonight?” You want to read my chats like I am some truth-missing toddler? Here have at it!” he shoved his computer towards him. “See. Nothing there. Yes we were talking over impacts, but that is because we were given a stupid paper on the subject. See nothing that wasn’t know on the streets this morning. Good grief I didn’t even say that any one extra came home with dad and his team. Yet I bet it is all over town by now. But I am not a gossip! I know how to keep my mouth shut. I didn’t realize I wasn’t allowed to talk to people at all! What when you were my age you spent all day studding? Yea right. That is how you fell from that loft. Studding!”
P glared. “How dare you talk to me like that! I”
Will came up. “I could hear you down the hall. Dad your problem is with me not John. Let the kid be. John don’t forget to talk about suger and grain in that essay. Remember that push last year for us to import more and grow less. You should be able to get a few words there. All so it will take about three years before there is enough chocolate to do anything with.”
Will led P away John got up and slammed his door behind them.. Soon their voices had fade away. John spent some time blogging out his anger and ranting with his friends. Then he was settled enough to think about that silly five-page paper again. Talking over what his dad had said. He and his friends were able to hammer out four pages that were just different enough from each other’s, so as to not look like they were copied. He had just finished stretching the four pages into five when the door opened. Thinking it was his grandfather again, as it was his habit to just barge in any room he pleased without a thought to the occupant, John growled with out turn. “What? I am typing that stupid essay. Ok gees I don’t even have school for two weeks.”
“Um. I think I’m lost. Sorry.”
The door creaked as John turned. “Sorry, I thought you were Grandfather. He tends to just walking and start yelling. I wanted to get the first word for once.” He could now see it was the older boy who had come with his dad. “Um Fender is it? Where are you trying to get to?”
Fember shrugged “I was looking for the kitchen. I am in dire need of a drink. I thought it was this way, nut I must have gotten turned around. And it is Fember. Though I think Fender would be easier to say.”
John looks at the person standing in his room. He was no longer so sure that it was a boy. The name was unambiguous, but the voice was soft. “Um you are a bit turned around, and you don’t want the kitchen. Not if you want you head in one piece. The cook is very territorial. But there will be drinks in the family room. Come on I should get something myself.” He stood and said, “It is just a ways down that hall. You went left when you should have went right at the T.” Fember nodded and they headed of. “Just take what ever you would like. Drinks are on that board snacks on that one. There will be something here most any hour of the day. But it is not wise to miss meals. Grandfather is a bit stiff about what is proper behavior. All meals must be attend unless you are known to be else where. Like at school. Not coming to a meal, or arriving late has led to being grounded. Meaning even less time away from the house, and if he is in really foul mood he will shut down the cable.”
Fember looked puzzled. “Cable? You mean you can’t watch television?”
John said, “I don’t know if it affects the TV or not. The only one is in the den, and I don’t spend much time there. It is not worth it. No I meant for my computer. Though it hasn’t had a physical cable in years, so that is kind of a truth-missing name, the name is still stuck. I meant the link that lets me get on to the cities wide linkage system. It is a away to share information and talk from one city to anther, or even just one house to anther. Some times just from one room to anther. I think you had a similar system in Snap. I can’t think what Dad said you called it. Something about a web maybe?”
Fember said, “I think you might mean something like the inter-web. It is a network contacting computers to each other though huge servers. Dose that sound right?” John nodded. “So you can get on with out a physical cable? But it only lets you talk to the other cities? How about when your dad was with us could you talk to him?”
John shook his head. “It only works with in the cities, and a short ways into the forest. Though I understand that the miners are trying to set up a relay on the mountain. That would extend the range. But the safety of it is still being explored. There was a proposal to join up with Snap. But that was mostly the crazies. It is to dangerous to make to many connections with the outside. It would draw unwanted attention on us.”
Fember said, “You are big on isolation here. I see. So what is the story on the mountains? Any good caves? How about waterfalls? I bet there are some pretty places. Is it always so hot? I wasn’t expecting that.”
John blinked what ever Fember was shy wasn’t it. “The mountains are largely uncharted. They tend to eat people. I know sounds silly. But anyone who has gone more than fifty feet into them has never returned. And a lot who have gone less are missing to, though of course we cannot know just where they went. Just where they had planed on going. Of those who go out side the fifteen feet of mapped space few come back uninjured, and even fewer have any useable data. Though there is a mapping party that is crossing at forty-five feet just now. It was doing fine at last check. They have found two new mine sites, that is where the relay comes from, one of witch is operating all ready. The other will be going by next fall. It is in a bit trickier place.”
Fember said, “So how are they letting you know what they find?”
John was thinking how to answer when Will spoke from the door. “I believe they are using radios, but it has to be at night.” John nodded, relived that someone else was there to answer.
John said, “Though if they are in the right place they can get though to the mine at other times. But night is best.”
Fember said, “So no computers there either. How are they mapping with out them? Though I guess they would just die anyway. No way to recharge.”
John said. “Why would you need a computer to map? Mapping is just drawing to scale. All you need is the distance and a decent eye. No computer needs. Not that they aren’t handy, but they are not required.” He was going to add the group had one, but he remembered that the solar was being kept on the down low. Still being tested, they should be on the market after the trip, if they held out.
Fember said, “I guess you could us a calculator. But it would take forever. All that math. So what do you do for fun around here?”
John mental shook his head. These people sound so depended on tools. First using a calculator on a trading run. Now this. There was nothing overly complex about figuring out scale. “Oh we might play around of ball, or go for a hike. The usual stuff I guess. That is when not bogged down with chores and homework. What with no school for the next two weeks the teachers had to over load the work.”
Fember’s noses wrinkled. “Ugh you are still in school? Back hone we got out weeks ago for summer. How late do you go here? Any arcades, or clubs. Where’s the hang?”
John blink and was rescued by Will. “It is preferred that children spend any off time outdoors. It is healthier, so there are no clubs or arcades. Few restaurants, and no big malls. Most goods are sold in open are markets. The exception being food, as it needs more control to be safe. The schools here go year pretty much year round. There are a few weeks of every three months and other random days each month. John in Snap schools only run for eight months of the year, with three other weeks of around midwinter. Arcades are places young folks go to play video games, like that block thing Kim was working on. Only with out the purpose that is they are just to take up time. Nothing real comes from them.”
Fember said, “Year round? What do you do in school for that long? Do you just go half day or something? Just what am I in for?”
John said, “I don’t know what you would consider half day. We go from eight in the morning to three. Or later depending on talents and the reason you are going. Most of my friends and I go for anther hour after that. One goes even longer. She is big into programming, so has more to learn. As to what we do. Well study, and take test and what have you.”
Fember said, “Wow I am domed. I hate school, and that is just going tell two. All those wasted hours.”
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