Remember that I have power; you believe yourself miserable, but I can make you so wretched that the light of day will be hateful to you. You are my creator, but I am your master.
- Frankenstein's Monster Speaks, Shiprecords
OAKES WOKE out of his first sound sleep groundside to muffled pounding outside his cubby.
His fingers reached his com-console before he was even awake and the viewscreen showed complete madness up and down Colony's corridors.
Even outside his own locked hatchway!
"I'm hungry now! I'm hungry now! I'm hungry now!"
The chant was a snarl in the throat of the night.
There were no guns in evidence, but plenty of rocks.
In a matter of blinks, Lewis was on the line.
"Morgan, we've lost them for now. This thing will have to run its course unti...."
"What the hell is happening?" Oakes did not like it that his voice cracked.
"It started out as a round of The Game down in the 'ponicsways. Lots of drinking. Now it's a food riot. We can flood 'em out wit...."
"Wait a minute! Are the perimeters still secure?"
"Yes. My people out there."
"Then wh....?"
"Water in the passages will slow 'em down until w...."
"No!" Oakes took a deep breath. "You're out of your league, Jesus. What we'll do is let them go. If they seize food, then it'll be their responsibility when food gets even shorter. The supply does not change, you hear me? No extra food!"
"But they're running wild throug...."
"Let them rip things up. The repairs afterward will keep them busy. And a good riot will purge emotions for a time, wear them out physically. Then we turn it to our advantage, but only after well-reasoned consideration."