Page 203 of The Examiner

AetherGen WhatsApp group members Ludya Parak, Suzie Danners and Jonathan Danners, 27 February 2024:

Jonathan

Trying to fathom the workings of this thing. They’re so old and delicate. It wouldn’t surprise me if some of these were pure gold. The circuit was deliberately disabled and the case sealed, so it couldn’t be plugged in and used. Jem and Patrick opened the case, saw where the cable had been stored and wired a plug to it.

Ludya

We can’t rule out the Jem factor.

Jonathan

There are no obvious modern additions to the old components. When Jem says she and Patrick ‘got the radio working’, she means just that – they plugged it in. The result seems to be an unstable wavelength that’s ultra-sensitive to atmospheric activity.

Ludya

The voice, though.

Suzie

It’s potentially a holding broadcast, like the old numbers stations. A channel they keep open with creepy mysterious shit that only spies can understand. So when they need it, it’s there.

Jonathan

Give me some time. I’m going to try something.

Ludya

Did it work?

Jonathan

It worked. Shit!

Ludya

What?

Jonathan

The voice is Cameron’s.

Ludya

WTF? No, it isn’t.

Suzie

It is.

Jonathan

I recorded the broadcast and played it back using the technique Jem showed me when we worked on Assignment Four. It clarified the voice and, believe me, it’s Cameron. He says something different every day and hasn’t repeated himself yet.

Ludya

This has got to be Jem.

Suzie