DECEMBER FORTH
ANNIE O’CONNOR
PLANET EARTH
YEAR 2100
Annie stood outside the headquarter of NASA.
‘BUILT 2040’ a sign told her. Like it was something to see. Not that it was hard to miss; Annie had been told how they had to bomb a part of central London to fit the space station.
They had to have it here, Annie's mother had told her. There was no other place for it, the earth have no place left.
That was before she had lost her mind.
Annie stopped in the scanner.
It told her politely to wait.
It didn’t hesitate before it spoke, it was expensive, new, fast. NASA could afford such things.
“Annie Eileen O’Connor,” it said, voice cool, professional, impersonal, but very realistic. “You do not have access to the area of NASA headquarter, old London.”
“I wish to speak to someone,” Annie blunted out.
“Who do you wish to speak with?”
“Someone,” she tried. “I- I want a job.”
“Do you wish to speak with Niall Ross, head of employment?”
“Yes!”
The voice went quiet for a short moment, then said; “Annie Eileen O'Connor have acressed a limited area of the NASA headquarter, old London.”
A door opened it what had first seemed like a plain wall. Annie stepped inside, and found herself in a all white room, only with a chair and a screen.
“Sit down,” the voice said.
Annie did as told.
“Wait for further instructions.”
Annie looked down at her wrist. The time was 12.9.30. Her mum had told her that people used to have small machines on their wrists, rather than the implant that all children got at birth, when the government still had money.
The screen lit up, showing her the face of a man. Annie couldn’t help but feel surprised, she had expected a advanced AI.
“Annie O’Connor,” Ross said. She supposed that he had already scanned her. “What brings you here?”
“I’d like a job,” she said. She took her cap of, didn’t want to seem impolite.
“And why would I give you a job, Annie?”
Annie was about to say ‘because I can keep my mouth shut’, but knew that the man she had met the day before was serious with his threat. Instead, she took a deep breath.
“My dad was one of The 100 Rich, I’d like to see him.”
This was a lie. Annie had never met her dad before - he didn't even know she existed. Though, she knew his name. She knew his name, that he had a wife that was a one of the Old Millionaires and two other kids.
“Name?” Ross asked, sounding rather skeptical.
“Ruben Brian King.”
“Ruben Brian King, the March project,” Ross commanded.
The cool voice appeared again.
“Ruben Brian King, born 2044, married to Bruna Elise King, one of The 100 Richest, Old Millionaire.”
“Scan the girl again.”
Two seconds passed. “Scanned.”
“Is she lying?”
Another moment of silence. Annie held her breath.
“Annie Eileen O’Connor is the youngest child of Ruben Brian King.”
Ross eyed her, appearing impressed, and obviously interested.
“Why aren’t you at March then?”
“He doesn’t know I exist.”
“Interesting,” Ross said. “So why do you care?”
“He’s my dad!” She raised her voice. It wasn’t even relevant. She hated her father, she hated everyone that now lived a better life at Mars than anyone left on Earth.
“I see.” Ross leaned back in his chair. “I won't give you a job, that’s for sure, but I’ll pay you to spread my word.”
Annie was about to ask a question, but got interrupted before she could even begin to talk. “I’ve spoken to the Mayor, and the head woman of NASA. It’s all set and done, we’re bringing the dead back to life: this year, we’ll celebrate christmas.”
