Young writers don’t get much more impressive than Abby Rustad. In November, she wrote a novel. A whole novel. Over 100,000 words, started and finished in a single month. That’s right. I’ll pause presently and let that settle in.

Fresh off being featured in Issue 8, Abby returns to us, this time offering up a very clever science fiction story that considers a future with a most bizarre (yet frighteningly believable) law…

"Don't Lie To Me"
by Abby Rustad

"I'm going to tell a lie," I said.

Jenny gaped at me. "Are you _mad_, Audra?"

I rolled my eyes at my best friend. "No, I just want to cause a sensation."

"But it's illegal to lie!"

"Why do you think I want to do it?" I tossed my bangs from my eyes and grabbed my hovercar key. "I think the National Mars Conference this afternoon would be a good place."

Jenny groaned, shutting her eyes. "You're going to get yourself killed."

"I don't intend to just stand around afterward." I strapped a bio-laser
pistol to my hip. "You going to help me or not?"

Jenny looked me in the eyes and swallowed. But she didn't answer. I took
her silence for "no."

"Well," I said. "I'll probably be on the news. Keep an eye out for the
cover story, 'Woman Shocks Planet with Lie'." I chuckled and headed out of
my apartment.

"Audra, wait!"

I turned at Jenny's call.

She grabbed her NoSee purse and fused it to her slim middle. It immediately
blended into her skin; no one could tell she was wearing it. "I... I'll
come with you." She sighed. "I don't like it, though."

I smiled. "I'm not asking you to lie," I said. "I just want a little moral
support, okay?"

She nervously nodded.

We hopped in my Mercury X7UL hovercar and I pulled out into traffic, heading
for the Capital Dome. I felt the beginnings of anxiety forming in my
stomach. I wanted the fame more than anything. Right now I was a nobody, a
cleaner for _Mars Intentional Bulletin_. I was expected to keep the place
spotless, which wasn't hard because of all the technology and robotic help I
had, but it was still pathetic. Except for Jenny and my employers--and of
course the government--no one really knew I existed, and if they did, no one
would care.

Life was boring, actually, and for me, a third caste civilian, it was
destined to be short. I probably wouldn't be allowed to live past
thirty-five. Also, since my genes and blood type weren't clean enough, I
couldn't have a boyfriend or kids.

Even though it was likely I wouldn't survive the day, at least I would have
a few hours of fame, and people would remember me, the woman who committed
the ultimate crime: telling a lie.

The parking bays were filling up rapidly as I swerved my hovercar into a
back row space. The scanner read my license chip and my ID, then a green
light flashed on the dashboard. I was approved to park here. I pulled out
the keycard and looked at Jenny.

To my surprise, she had tears in her eyes. "What's wrong?" I asked.

"I don't want to lose you, Audra," she whispered. "You're one of my only
friends."

I felt guilty at that. I didn't want to let Jenny down, and thinking about
it, I would miss our little parties we had every Fifteenth Night and just
having someone to relate to. With a sigh, I opened the door. "Come on, or
we'll be late."

"Will you consider dropping this plan?" Jenny asked.

"Yes, I'll consider it." And I did, for about two seconds. "But I'm still
going to do it," I said.

"Why, Audra? Aren't you happy?"

I stepped onto the speedwalk and let the moving silver band carry me toward
the Capital Dome. "I... I'm just tired of being a nobody. I can never rise
above the third caste. I can't do anything but jobs that don't require me
to be in public view." I sighed. "I want to be famous before I die."

Jenny sniffed and pulled a tear-dryer pad out of her purse. She wiped it
over her face and all traces of her grief disappeared, leaving her makeup
perfect once more. "I guess. It's your future. You have to decide its
course."

I smiled at her.

We entered the crowded first room of Capital Dome. A security droid buzzed
up to us. "What can I assist you with?"

"We'd like two seats near the Comment Ring. I'd like to speak after the
debates."

"Please follow me," said the droid.

It didn't bother to confiscate my pistol. Anybody could carry weapons, and
I noticed several guys fondling heavy assault and sniping rifles. Looked
like they were planning to assassinate someone. It wasn't a big deal, as
long as they were honest in their reasons for killing their target.

I ignored them and followed the droid. It led us to a fine pair of seats
near the aisle on the third tier above the speaking platform. I couldn't
have asked for better--I was within twenty feet of the Comment Ring for this
level. Third-caste people weren't allowed to make comments, but I didn't
care. It would be all the more sensational when I lied.

The usual blathering of the senators and spokespeople and Earth delegates
and other high-rankers want on about political issues while I fiddled with
my nails. I was busy formulating just what I would say--my lie--and
considering my options in escaping before half the guards in the Dome
pounced on me.

A sudden shot pierced the stream of conversation, and I looked up. The
cameras swooped in on one of the riflemen I had seen earlier. He still had
his gun aimed down at the platform. I flicked my gaze below and saw one of
the senators lying dead just outside the shield-ring. A mild buzz of voices
filled the Dome, and I watched with trivial interest as the guards arrested
the assassin and demanded to know why he had shot the senator.

"I don't like how he handles his power," the rifleman replied.

His truthful statement was noted, and he was sentenced to three weeks in
prison without parole, and his life span was shortened by three years.

A replacement senator was brought in and things went on as usual.

My stomach tightened as the session wrapped up and the chairwoman of the
Comment Board opened the Comment Rings to the viewers. I sprinted for the
Comment Ring and shoved my way past the four people already in line. They
grumbled but I ignored them. This was it.

"Your rank and name?" the bored security guard at the Ring asked.

"First-caste reporter." I had actually lied. A thrill of exhilaration went
through me. "The name's Audra."

The guard waved me into the Ring. There were no computerized checkers to
make sure I was actually of an appropriate rank to speak, because it was a
given that no one would lie about their social position.

I cleared my throat, waiting until the cameras were fixed on me. My moment
of fame was here.

"All first-caste people are jerks," I stated. Lie number two. "I think Mars
should rejoin with Earth under the Unified Galaxy Confederation." Lie number
three. "And I have an announcement to make: I'm actually a third-caste
worker, a cleaner at the _Mars Intentional Bulletin_ HQ, and I just told you
all _three lies_."

A stunned uproar shook the Dome. Alarms went off, and I knew all security
within three floors would be descending on me. I bounded from the Ring,
laughing, easily evading the shocked guard at the gate, and ran for the exit,
pushing past flabbergasted citizens.

Pure adrenaline raced through my body. This was awesome! I had pulled off
three lies in public, on Planetary Viewscreen Network, even. I would be
remembered for years to come, though I wouldn't live long enough to see
that.

A droid whirred toward me. I pulled out my pistol, flicked the setting to
"artificial" and blasted the droid in the chest. It fell back, blackened
chaises smoking and setting off foam sprinklers.

"Halt, Audra. Throw down your weapon and surrender. You are under arrest
for capital treason. You have violated the Supreme Rule of Truth!" The
loud speakers continued to blare such messages around me.

I didn't care. I could only feel the jittery thrill of what I had done.
This would make history. Maybe I'd be known as an example, a villain,
someone to show the kids in the future what they must never become. I
didn't care. I would be remembered, and that was what counted.

I was somebody important now.

Something slammed into my back, making me stumble. I dropped to my knees,
my legs suddenly weak, and looked to my right, where a guard with a
stun-rifle stood. The numbing sensation raced through my limbs and up
toward my head. I'd pass out soon, and when I regained consciousness, I'd
probably be executed. I didn't feel afraid.

As grayness clouded my vision and began to darken it, I heard a signal word
echoing around me, spoken by the masses who would remember what I had done
for a long time. "Liar!"

Yes, I was a liar. That was the truth of the matter.

END