The Earthrise Trilogy Read Online Free

what Clare had just said. "He's using your notes for something illicit. We've got to find out what it is and put a stop to it Sweetie."  
    "That we have, I'm not having that weasel stealing my work." With that she hit the delete key.  
    "No wait," Steve said, grabbing her arm, but it was too late. Clare had wiped everything.  
    "That'll teach him," she said, smugly, "let's see him use it now."  
    "I do wish you hadn't done that Sweetie," Steve said, "now he'll know that someone has rumbled him, and he'll go to ground."  
    "Ah, didn't think of that," Clare said, "sorry Hun, but he deserves it anyway."  
    "Never mind that now, let's get out of here before the cleaners arrive." Steve reset Vink's computer and turned it off.  
    They left the building the same way they had come in. Once they were in the alley, Clare caught hold of Steve's arm and said, "I think it's time for some straight talking, don't you?"  
    "OK," Steve replied, "let's get back to the car."  
    They drove around nervously, the car seeming to be the safest place for them to talk. Having seen what Vink' was up to, it might not be safe even at home.  
    "Do you think that Vink' would bug our house?" Clare asked.  
    "No," Steve replied, "but I wouldn't put it past Carter! We'll need to be careful from now on."  
    "So," Clare said after a short silence, "just what are you working on Hun?"  
    Steve thought for a moment, he had never broken a confidence like this before, and it took him a few seconds to summon up the courage now, but he knew he had to.  
    "For the last year Sweetie, I've been working on a top secret project called Moon Base Alpha. Star Labs have been involved with it for ten years, and they drafted me in when the last project head was taken ill and had to retire."  
    "Retire? Do you believe that?" Clare asked.  
    "Not on your life," Steve's replied, "I think he was sidelined by Vink' or Carter for some reason. MBA was his project, he would never have retired."  
    "Do you mean to tell me that there are people actually living on the moon?" Clare asked wide-eyed.  
    "Yes, there are Sweetie, the base is still under construction, but there are people up there right now."  
    "So what's your part in this?"  
    "I'm in charge of technology, it's my job to invent new systems and make sure that they function in space. There's a lot of new stuff gone into this project, why, even the communication system uses a totally new form of interface. It's neural based-"  
    "Neural?" Clare interrupted.  
    "Yes, neural. It's not perfected yet, but it has the capability to sense your feelings, at least it will one day. Right now, it can detect micro changes in skin resistance and body temperature, which are signs of the situation you are in, i.e. restful, active, danger etc."  
    "Clever," Clare said, "and you invented it?"  
    "Well, yes, I did," Steve said, a little hesitantly, "that and other stuff."  
    "I'm impressed," she said snuggling down onto his shoulder. "You're my little professor."  
    Steve was glad that Clare finally knew what he was doing, he'd hated keeping secrets from her, but the work was classified as top secret, and that meant telling no one, no one at all.  
    Suddenly, a thought dawned on him. Clare's life might now be in danger. If they'd done away with the project leader, they wouldn't think twice about someone like Clare. The thought frightened him, and Clare became aware of his fear.  
    "What is it Hun?" She asked.  
    "It's you Sweetie," he answered, "by telling you, I may have put your life at risk."  
    "It probably was anyway." Clare replied. "'That Forester woman,' remember? And all my notes were on his computer. I figure I'm involved in Moon Base Alpha as much as you are."  
    Clare was smart, Steve hadn't made the connection, but it had not escaped his wife.
    "So, why do you think they've got your study notes?" Steve asked.  
    "Well, there are some things about my work that you don't know. My field is hybrid plants