Free Dark Star by Lara Morgan Page B

no time to wonder about it. Operatives could be here at any moment to check on the surveillance. She pushed herself off the bed, ran for the door and shoved the stylus in the lock. The hub near the door showed that the surveillance was back on in the hall again. Had an operative done that? Hands shaking, she forced it to suspend for five more minutes, praying it would be enough for her to get back to the iris, then she pushed open the door and peered out. The hall was still empty and she ran, sprinting up the corridor, leg muscles shaking and unsteady, sticking close to the wall for support.
    She didn’t get far.
    Without warning, her vision blurred and a wave of dizziness sent her to her knees. Her sight darkened at the edges and a flurry of information appeared as the implant opened, transforming reality to green tinted words and numbers. She tried to command the implant to slow down, to organise the information. The pain increased, but things slowed, and the spinning information became clearer. Words began to make sense. She had no idea of whether this was her doing or if the implant was operating on its own.
    Gliese. Equinox Gate. Population Control
. They were the names of files.
    The
Population Control
file unfolded with a sensation like serrated wings brushing her skull. A concertina-like display of information spun open. The first was about the MalX dated around the time Riley’s parents had been unknowingly working for Helios.
    Latest population statistics show the planet’s inability to withstand any more growth. In fact, we have already gone past the tipping point. Clearly, there are subsections of the population which are better retained, and others which are superfluous. To ensure the continued viability of the human race, it is imperative those most suitable are protected and those who have least to offer are sacrificed for the greater good. The development of this disease and its cure will enable us to target those groups unsuitable for the longevity of our race, and protect those who can enhance it. Its release should be carefully timed to ensure we have a vaccine for those viable specimens and we are developing a delivery system which will control that release. (See additional plans.) The vaccine will then be made available to those most worthy – at a considerable fee. This MalX and vaccine release must be timed to coincide with the successful completion of the Equinox Gate wormhole in order to control traffic off world. Aspects that determine a person’s viability to receive the vaccine are as follows …
    A tearing pain ripped through Rosie and the information collapsed, the words dissolving in a bright stream of green light. The implant closed with a sudden snap, taking the pain with it. Rosie was aware of cool floor under her cheek, her thudding heart. She opened her eyes. Everything was dim and blurry. She pushed herself up against the wall. All she could make out was the vague length of floor and wall, the hall. Thankfully, she was still alone. She staggered to her feet and checked the timer on the stylus. There was now only thirteen minutes left on the surveillance suspension she’d put on the hall near her room. And the operatives could have switched it back on by now.
    Move, Rosie Black
. She ran. She was disorientated, unsteady on her feet. And the meaning of what she’d seen kept rushing through her mind.
    The MalX as a means for population control
. The whole thing about it being released on Earth accidentally wasn’t true. They’d been going to do it all along; but it had happened ahead of schedule, before they had the gate finished. No wonder Helios wanted the cure so badly. It was their personal safety net.
    Rosie had not seen the list of what they deemed acceptable traits, but she could guess. Centrals would stay, Ferals and Bankers were expendable. Even Rim dwellers, if need be. She wasn’t surprised. This was Helios. Building a better world – just for them.
    She kept running,