Page 218 of The Examiner

Ben

But you never thought to tell them the truth, even then?

Jem

They said the radio went back to RD8, so no. Now Cameron’s dead, I’m *really* sorry, but it’s all we’ve got left of him. I want to save the clay head and the radio from the incinerator. Putting my phone away now.

Ben

Jem, this is important. Do not look inside the clay head. The radio wasn’t all they put inside it. Stay where you are.

WhatsApp chat between Mae Blackwell and Gela Nathaniel, 30 May 2024:

Mae

Jem has wandered into the room and is talking into her phone at the back. I wonder if she’s lost? Our CEO is addressing the guests and we’re about to play the ICES promo film. It’s such an important moment for us. I wonder if you could pop in and lead her out?

Gela

I just tried to stand up and can’t.

Mae

She’s reached the clay head. I wonder if she’s checking it? Oh well, the lights have gone down and the film is starting now.

Gela

She’s blind, Mae. The dark won’t stop her. Please, get her away from the head.

Gela

She wants to rescue the old radio, but there’s something else in there.

WhatsApp chat between Ben Sketcher and Jem Badhuri, 30 May 2024:

Ben

You may remember Cameron had a phone that emitted an alarm if it detected a face other than his. The warning onscreen claimed the police would be dialled automatically, but that wasn’t strictly true. It dialled his office. When they received a text from Cameron telling them everything was OK, they were convinced he was safe.

Ben

The Danners thought they’d found RD8’s atmospheric defence technology at Thorney Coffin, but they were wrong. A simple change in direction from right to left. A mistake made by their mole was all it took. Ludya’s codes worked like a skeleton key and could open any door in that place – I know the company will be grateful to have that weakness exposed. RD8 had planted a decoy for them to find, but Suzie went to the wrong room and, acting on impulse, stole what was there. Not the decoy, something else.

Ben

Mae told Cameron to get it back at all costs. There’s only one item at Thorney Coffin that warrants that level of order.

Ben

While the Dead Hand is invisible technology buried deep inside military systems, the radio phase looks, to the untrained eye, exactly like an old wireless. It’s kept in carefully controlled conditions, deep in the countryside, covered in stealth technology and surrounded by an invisible ring of steel. The company contracted to maintain this system will protect such sensitive technology to the death.

Ben

The moment the Radio Phase is removed from its magnetic plinth, its power is cut. Only, Patrick wired it right back into active mode.

Ben

When you added a new chip, you disconnected the original circuit and neutralised it completely. Is it an exaggeration to say you saved the world, Jem, with your instinct to disrupt?