Ryan frowned. Outside, the generator continued to hum. He looked over at the lamp on the console table. It was switched on and glowing brightly. He went into the kitchen to try the appliances. The microwave was dead, but the hob burners came on when he pressed the electric igniter button. The kettle boiled without issue. “I don’t get it. Some things turn on and others don’t.”
“EMP,” said Aaron. He almost shouted it, and his face lit up like he had the answer for everything. “The lights and the kettle switch on because they don’t have computers in them. A light is just a simple circuit. So is the element in a kettle, I suppose.” He tapped a finger against his chin, clearly trying to figure things out. “Our phones and tablets have computers. The TV looks modern, so it’s probably a smart TV.”
“Tom’s car is smart too,” said Loobey. “It’s filled with gadgets and screens. Almost drove itself here. The satnav, the keyless ignition… It’s all computers, man. I read something about new cars having more lines of code in them than the computers NASA used to put people on the moon.”
Ryan looked at his brother. “So what are you saying? EMP is like a shockwave, right? A blast that knocks out all of the electronics?”
Aaron grew animated, excited once more as things re-entered his geeky wheelhouse of Internet conspiracy theories and cheesy special-effects laden movies. “The military are working on all kinds of EMP devices to knock out enemy infrastructure. When that corkscrew landed on the hill, it must have sent out a massive pulse.”
“The earthquake,” said Loobey. “We all felt it.”
“Hold on,” said Brett. “First, you were telling us that the corkscrew is some kind of alien canister meant to transform Earth. Now you’re saying it’s a military EMP device? EMP can be caused by many things, even lightning, but modern computers and equipment are shielded from the effects.”
Aaron narrowed his eyes. “How do you even know about EMP? You’re a vet.”
“I’m a vet that likes to read science fiction in his spare time. There are dozens of books about EMP scenarios, which is why I know it would take something monumental to take out our phones – a nuclear blast or an unprecedented solar storm, that kind of thing.”
Aaron’s eyes went wide. “How about an alien artefact crashing through our atmosphere? Would that do it? It’s that thing on the hill, I’m telling you. It could all be part of what I said earlier about aliens readying the planet for invasion. Knocking out communications sounds like a good way to help an infection spread, don’t you think? We can’t call for help. We can’t warn anyone.”
Brett tossed his useless phone down on the counter, rattling the knives he had placed there. “We are not being invaded by aliens. I’m more inclined to believe your imbecilic theories about military weapons. Grow the hell up, Aaron.”
Aaron flinched. “Sorry, I was just—”
“Just keep your stupid fantasies to yourself, okay? It’s just worrying everyone.”
Ryan glared at Brett across the counter. “He’s just a kid, man, and he’s as freaked out as the rest of us.”
“Exactly,” said Brett, “he’s just a kid. What the hell were you thinking bringing him along on a stag do?”
“I assumed I could trust my mates to show him a good time and keep him safe.”
Brett huffed and folded his arms. “And how’s that going?”
“Back off, Brett. Having a pop isn’t going to help, is it? We all came here because we’re mates.”
“Are we? I mean, really, are we mates? I haven’t seen you in six months. I haven’t seen Sean in even longer. I’m assuming you haven’t seen much of Tom either? We’ve moved on with our lives, Ryan. We have careers and other interests. I don’t understand your fixation on trying to keep us all together. What was so great about the old days that you miss them so much? Was it drinking ourselves stupid every night of the week? Or was it never having any money? Is your life really so awful that you want to stay stuck in the past? Newsflash, Ryan, but the past was awful.”
Ryan reeled, taking Brett’s words like a blast to the face. “What are you talking about? We were inseparable. The laughs we used to have…”
“The laughs might have seemed worth it at the time, but I’m embarrassed about the things we used to get up to. It’s a miracle none of us ended up in prison or a coffin. We were idiots, and I don’t miss it at all. I finally have my life exactly how I want it, and unfortunately that doesn’t include the likes of Sean or—” Brett shook his head and turned away.
Or you. That’s what he was about to say.
Ryan’s body betrayed him and a tear spilled down his cheek. He quickly wiped it away, trying to hold onto the anger instead of letting it give way to sadness. With all that was happening, it was getting harder and harder to keep himself together. “I always knew you would end up doing something great with your life, Brett. You were always so smart, so dedicated. There was no question that you would succeed. I just didn’t realise the kind of person you would turn into.”
Brett kept his back turned. “I’m not going to feel guilty for growing up. If you had any—”
“I was just disposable to you, huh?” Ryan shook his head, more disappointed than angry. “Just a mate to fill the time while you worked towards something better, yeah? Well, thanks for using me for the last ten years, mate. Feels great.”
Brett turned around. He pulled off his glasses and glared. “I didn’t use you. We grew apart, like most people do when they become adults and other things become priorities. You should be planning a future with Sophie, not looking back at the past and wishing you were still living it. You don’t even want to get married,
