Read No True Echo for Free Online Page B

question is not whether we should play God, but how we should do so responsibly.’
    When the final bell rang, the whole class walked out quieter than usual, wary of this new version of our English teacher sitting at his desk, clutching his copy of
Frankenstein
.
    â€˜What was that all about?’ asked Angus once we were out of the room.
    â€˜Don’t ask me,’ I replied. ‘You catching the bus?’
    â€˜No. Dad’s coming to pick us up. We’re going to see that new space film. I could ask if we could squeeze you in?’
    â€˜Sounds good but Ruby will be expecting me.’
    â€˜All right, suit yourself. Come round tomorrow and we’ll begin the project.’
    â€˜The project?’ I replied.
    â€˜The Ten Top Challenge. You and I on a mission of discovery, boldly going where no one has gone before. Reaching new heights —’
    â€˜Climbing trees,’ I interrupted.
    â€˜Climbing trees,’ repeated Angus.

Conspiracy Theories
    â€˜Another thing that never changes here at the National Museum of Echo Technology is the recording made by Professor Maguire,’ said the man in the orange T-shirt, ‘in which he demonstrated how echo jumping works.’
    A screen showed a man in a white coat. ‘My name is David Maguire and this is a scientific demonstration,’ he began.
    â€˜Turn it off,’ said Liphook.
    The nice young man waved his arm and the image vanished. ‘Of course, you’ve seen it before,’ he said apologetically. ‘Everyone has.’
    â€˜It’s not that,’ said Liphook. ‘It’s just that before that message, before all this  … ’ She gesticulated around her. ‘The world was simpler back then. Things made sense.’
    â€˜Echo technology is certainly complicated but if you’d care to visit the explanation room you’ll find very clear displays about the time particle, version creation, and echo jumping.’
    â€˜I’m not interested in any of that,’ said Liphook dismissively.
    The young man looked momentarily confused by this. ‘Then why are you here?’ he asked.
    â€˜To remember.’
    He smiled. ‘Of course people visit for all sorts of reasons. We get a lot interested in the truth behind David Maguire’s murder. Apparently there are now over two hundred different theories about who was behind it.’
    â€˜I don’t care about that either,’ said Liphook. ‘I know the truth.’
    From the young man’s expression, Liphook could tell he had heard this before but she couldn’t be bothered to explain that she was different from all the other conspiracy theorists. She knew the truth and it had turned out to be more outlandish than the most extraordinary explanation.
    Liphook realised the man had spoken. ‘I’m sorry?’ she said. ‘What was that?’
    â€˜I was asking about your theory,’ he said.
    â€˜It’s not a theory,’ she said. ‘At least, it’s not my theory. I’m not even sure if it’s our truth, but it was someone’s truth. I don’t suppose this makes much sense to you, does it?’
    The man kindly avoided answering the question. ‘Personally, I don’t think we’ll ever know the truth, but did you really come here when Maguire still lived here?’
    â€˜Only once.’
    â€˜When?’
    â€˜I came the day he died.’

Plausible Lies
    I had never thought the bus seats too small before but, with Scarlett sitting next to me, I had no idea what to do with my arms. The whole set up felt ridiculously awkward. As a last resort, I gripped my elbows to avoid any unnecessary contact.
    â€˜Are you cold?’ asked Scarlett.
    â€˜No. I’m fine.’
    â€˜Only, you look like you’re cold.’
    I placed my hands on my knees instead and the bus went lurching forward like a hiccupping camel, making it impossible to avoid banging into