Genesis

by Bernard Beckett

Adam stayed staring at the screen. It was against regulations. The assigned shooter had to leave the watchtower before the victim had been identified. By the time the Soldier saw what it was he was dealing with, he had to know there was a gun aimed at the back of his head. It made perfect sense. It didn’t matter how good the training was, there would always be a chance the Soldier would hesitate when it came to shooting a helpless victim. And in a time of plague the state couldn’t take chances. JOSEPH [His hand slipping to his gun] You know what my orders are. ADAM Oh my God, look, it’s a girl. It’s just a little girl. Where the hell has that come from? Both of them stared at the screen. The boat was indeed tiny. It was difficult to believe it could have made the journey from the nearest land. Adam saw her eyes. That’s the way he explained it to the court. Huge and frightened, staring uncomprehendingly at the great metal barrier rearing up out of the ocean. The makeshift triangular sail of her small craft was tattered and useless. The boat bobbed dangerously close to the floating explosives. JOSEPH [Voice shaking] Man, please, get out of here. I don’t want to have to shoot you. ADAM Joseph, there’s something I should have told you. JOSEPH What? ADAM I’ve never done this before. JOSEPH But I’ve seen your file. ADAM I got it changed. JOSEPH How? ADAM It’s best you don’t know that. JOSEPH Okay, so this is your first. Don’t worry. It’s not too hard. It’s just like training. On...