Martin had not seen Laura Lockwood since that night at the captain's table. Eventually, he asked the Chief Purser if she knew of Ms. Lockwood.
“Yes,” said the purser. “Ms. Lockwood has been taken off ship by a United Nations cruiser.”
“When did this happen?” asked Martin, surprised by what he had heard.
It turned out it had happened the same night that Martin had met Lockwood.
“I didn't know we were scheduled to rendezvous with a cruiser that night,” said Martin.
“Yes,” said the purser. “I believe you are right, but still that is what happened.”
“Thank you. Oh, one other thing. Do you know where this cruiser was headed?”
“Well, just between you and me sir, I believe it was headed for the Belt.”
"The Belt," thought Martin as he watched the woman walk away.
Martin had just reached his room when the door announced a visitor. Opening the door Martin found one of the robot butlers waiting. The robot asked Martin's Annie for his transit authorization and once scanned presented Martin with a telegram. Martin’s Annie then downloaded the message. The robot thanked Martin and rolled back down the hallway.
His Annie read the message; it was from his father. “Martin, I have to send you the bad news of the death of Uncle Abram. It seems to be carbon monoxide poisoning. The police are involved. Conduct yourself accordingly.”
Martin sat down on the edge of the bed.
Poor uncle Abram. He was so kind and sweet.
He picked up his Annie and read again the words. “The police are involved. Conduct yourself accordingly”. Dad was telling him something wasn't right. He would have to be careful. Then the danger of the situation hit him.
Why did I say anything to that Lockwood woman? I suspect her sudden disappearance and Uncle Abram's death are connected. It's too coincidental. She was either working for the same people that killed Uncle Abram, or she was working for another group just as capable of such an act. I'll have to keep my mouth shut from now on, he thought.
Regardless, whoever these people are they have proved they are willing to do whatever is necessary to get their way. They are also moving too fast for the law to provide much protection. It will take Randall Benchley some time before he gets a ruling of res nullis or even a stay of proceedings out of the courts. By that time, it could be settled in fact by actions in the field, not in the courts.
We are going to have to move faster than we thought. This fact-finding mission needs to become more. We need to bring together all the independents in the Belt and reach a decision. We need to assert self-determination before the governments on Earth assert their suffocating authority. We . . .
He stopped himself.
No, I am going to have to take the initiative to make this happen. No one else can reach the Belt in time to handle the preparations. I don't know if they'll listen to a kid just out of the Academy, but I have to try. Even if I fail, I know that Uncle Abram would have been proud of my efforts.
Martin contacted the communications officer and requested passage aboard a Belt-direct fusion ship as soon as possible. He knew the cost would be prohibitive, but it was the Foundation's only chance to get to the Belt before Lockwood.
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