Chapter 2: CommLink

The CommLink chatroom showed the participants in a group they’d named Conner Crew 2.

Two women--users Dr. Bekah Greenberg and Dr. Alayna Higgins--leaned forward, elbows on their desks. Their eyelids fluttered shut.

“We’re gonna need to wake the women,” user Bryce McKeehan said.

“I’ll fill Bekah in later, and I’m sure Dr. Higgins will do the same for his wife. Both are currently expecting. They might doze off, and that is understandable.”

Dannon Higgins cleared his throat and said, “Yes. Speaking of the children, the infectious disease authority has issued guidance. They recommend giving up firstborn children as a way to slow the spread.”

Silence enveloped the call.

“I see,” Bryce muttered. “We’ll be launching next Wednesday, January 18, at 12:00. As you all know, we’re calling the planet Conner after our commander.”

“Where is he?” User Kaylin Nader asked. “Shouldn’t he be on this call?”

Bryce scratched his head while giving his reply: “He is actually--you won’t believe this--from several hundred years in the past. He contacted me as his backup; his time vehicle has broken down. He’ll be moving to Conner, but at a later date than expected. Go ahead and put that on your calendar apps.”

The call paused as the participants entered the data into their devices.

“Done,” said Kaylin’s brother Ethan.

“Same,” Kaylin replied.

The rest of the group nodded their echoes.

“Alright,” Bryce said. “That concludes this call. See everyone Wednesday.”