Metafire

In the Metafire colony, Frank was monitoring the communications console. There was not much activity, so the fact that incoming communications had halted was not noticed. Most people in the colony were asleep. He sent out a message, a quote on a Metafire software system to Vietnam, but there was no indication on his console that the message was being blocked. He settled down to reading the copy of USA Today that had been broadcast to him an hour earlier...

"Sir. They are shut down."

"Take all the Sante Fe Metafire personnel in custody immediately. Suspicion of kidnapping."

"Yes sir." A moment later, "Orders issued, sir."

"I will be there in thirty minutes."

"Yes sir. The Major will be here as well."

"Well, John, evidently there was a guy in the Metafire office yesterday asking questions. Looks like he was a reporter. God only knows how USA Today got wind of this!" The Major was catching Ferguson as he walked in. Ferguson was dressed in a sports shirt and a pair of Dockers. He was not listening.