by J. N. Chaney
“It’s never before been recorded,” confirmed Janus. “Nor have they ever exhibited a desire to enter the caves. Certainly, tunneling has not been used as a method.”
“Mario thinks they’re testing out our defenses. Response time and all that,” finished my father.
I looked at my mother for confirmation, and she shrugged. She was just as involved in the colony as my father. A tall woman who commanded respect from her actions as much as her imposing stature. Worry now marred her features just as it had with Josef. I began to feel uneasy.
“We know the Boneclaws are smart,” she said. “That’s how they escaped in the first place. If they’re entering the caves, there has to be a reason.”
“What is Mario proposing?” I asked, already fearing the answer.
“He wants to exterminate the Boneclaws.”
“Father… there’s something else you need to know.”
I told him about the conversation outside the lab, but he only frowned.
“I think you misunderstood. There is a meeting tonight to discuss all this. The Boneclaw incursions. That must have been what they meant.”
“What if it wasn’t?” asked my mother.
At least she was taking it seriously.
My father just shook his head. “You’re talking about Mario going behind my back. He may not always like my decisions, but he would never do that.”
My mother didn’t argue, but I could tell that she didn’t share the same belief. I didn’t either.
“For the time being, the caves are off limits to anyone not scavenging or hunting,” my father said.
“What?!” I protested.
He held up a hand. “You and the other prospus will continue your training. But no more hunts until after the ceremony.”
I relaxed a little at that. It wasn’t ideal, but I’d take it over nothing.
“I have to go prepare for this meeting,” he said, walking to the door with my mother following behind. “Lucia,” he said, pausing before they exited.
“Yes?”
“How’s your weapon coming along?”
I grinned. “It’s only waiting for a fusion core.”
“Excellent. I knew you would figure it out,” he said, then they were gone.
“Is everything all right, Miss Visaro?”
I’d forgotten Janus was still in the room and nearly jumped when he spoke, but I managed to contain it.
“Yes, I’m fine. Just worried about the Boneclaw situation.”
“Ah, of course.” The Cognitive nodded sagely. “It is troublesome to be sure. I noticed you accessed the old records last night. Did you have a question I could answer?”
I looked up, expecting to find some kind of accusation in his eyes, but of course there wasn’t. Janus was the only Cognitive I’d ever met, but all the Eternal’s data explicitly said the AIs would only ever be of service. He didn’t have the capability of getting angry or trying to deceive us.
Janus had been around from the very beginning, created for the sole purpose of helping the Eternal scientists figure out their gene degradation problems. He’d fulfilled that purpose until the Boneclaws escaped and wreaked havoc on the facilities.
After that, his objective changed to aiding the remaining survivors. Two millennia later, he was still here, doing just that. He’d helped the people come up with a governing system based on old Earth. From that, the Primes had come into power.
Primes were chosen by their aptitude and expertise in five different fields: computing and information sciences, physics, chemistry, geological and environmental sciences, and biology. Together, they chose the leader of the colony from a pool of prospus who had expressed an interest in leadership or demonstrated natural ability.
During the ceremony, the prospus would answer questions to display their knowledge on whatever their specialization happened to be. Afterward, each would enter the caves in search of items that might be useful to the colony. Those who were successful were scored against each other, with the person on top becoming the next leader. Years ago, most people had returned with whatever they could find, never wanting to venture too far from home or risk exposure or death. Sometimes a prospus would come back with something truly extraordinary, but that sort of thing was rare. In recent years, due to the growing energy crisis, and for as long as I could remember now, the search had evolved into a hunt for fusion cores.
Their term of service lasted for 50 years or until death. Whichever came first. Fifteen years before they were set to vacate the position, the successor was chosen and began training. If anything happened to the leader before their term was over, the next in line would take their place until the original term was complete.
It was a good system and Janus was rarely involved anymore since it ran smoothly. Now he acted as educator, from the very young all the way to the elders who simply wished to fill their days.
It was easy to forget that Janus wasn’t made of flesh and bone because he’d always been around. I also thought it had something to do with his natural movement and speech, even temperament, and guileless eyes. You couldn’t help but feel comfortable around him.
Still, I didn’t know if I wanted to share my thoughts on the Boneclaws with anyone just yet.
“No, thanks,” I said. “Just doing some research.”
“A prudent use of your time with the ceremony just around the corner. As always, I am here if you need assistance.”
“Thanks, Janus.”
He bowed his head slightly, then disappeared.
Alone in the room, I thought of the conversation I overheard. Despite my father’s explanation and dismissal of the men, I felt deep down that something was very wrong. Janus had been quiet through most of the exchange.
A thought came to mind that chilled me. If Mario was plotting to take over the leadership, he could challenge my father. Then it would be up to the Primes to decide what to do. For all we knew, they were already aware of Mario's plans.
In that case, would Janus be forced to follow their directive, or would he be able to side with my father? I supposed that depended on who he felt would be the best leader for the colony.
I left the room feeling grim and went in search of Josef.
The hangar buzzed with the overlapping voices of over two hundred people. The entire community had gathered for the meeting and used the time before it to socialize.
It was hard to blame them. Daily life in the facility could get tedious. Besides meetings, the only time we got together like this was during weddings, funerals, and Selection ceremonies.
My father and mother waited for the meeting to start with the Primes on a slightly raised stage made out of material from the tear down area.
I couldn’t really make out their faces, but the tone looked serious.
“Hey, Lucia!” a voice called out behind me.
I turned to see Karin threading through the crowd and waving at me. I lifted a hand and waited for her to reach me so I didn’t have to yell.
“What are you doing all the way back here?” she asked, slightly out of breath.
I didn’t want to say that I was keeping an eye on the crowd and shrugged noncommittally. “It’s not as packed back here. Why do you look like you ran here?”
She blushed a little and wiped at a bead of sweat.
“Don’t tell me you had your head in a book again,” I teased, narrowing my eyes in mock suspicion.
“Not this time. I was finishing my project. It’s—”
“Shh…” I said, lifting my hands to quiet her. “We’re not supposed to talk about them to each other, remember?”
Karin rolled her eyes. “Oh, come on. Who’s going to say anything? It’s not like Elder Bara can even hear us.” She gestured at the old man who looked like he had fallen asleep standing up. “It’s not like it matters. I’m not going to win. Everyone knows it will come down to you and Nero.”
I stared at her open mouthed for a few beats. My friend grinned at me playfully and I did
n’t see any anger from her, but the words surprised me.
“What do you mean everyone knows?”
“Like you don’t know.”
She laughed at my blank look and opened her mouth to say more when the hangar’s single working speaker crackled on.
“I’ll tell you later,” Karin whispered as the crowd went silent.
I nodded and turned my attention back to the stage, focusing on my father.
“As you all know, there have been some recent developments in the cave system. Mario Costas has also brought word of a missing hunting party. The third this month.”
Murmurs broke out from the crowd, prompting him to raise a quieting hand. Janus sometimes did the same thing when class got too rowdy. Apparently, it worked on bigger groups too, as the noise level dropped again.
“I know some of you have loved ones among the missing. In order to find them, I will assign two groups of senior hunters to the task of discovering what happened. There is hope that they are alive.”
A movement to the left of the crowd caught my eye and I saw that it was Mario. He strode to the stage with an arrogant expression that I immediately disliked. Nero trailed behind him but stopped short of climbing the steps.
If this irritated Cyril, he didn’t show it and instead swept an arm, motioning for Mario to join him.
“Mario will lead one of the groups while I take the other and track down our missing people.”
Mario nodded and addressed the crowd. “The attacks from the Boneclaws are not usual. They have become coordinated and systematic.”
His words caused another outburst of chatter from the crowd, but from the grim satisfaction on his face that was his intention. Mario didn’t use the amicable gestures to quiet them that my father had. Instead, he let the crowd talk amongst themselves until the din became a roar.
I realized what he was doing. Fear was a powerful motivator, and from the looks of those around me, there was plenty to go around. Some anger too. I had to hand it to Mario—it was a smart tactic, but I didn’t like it.
“What does that mean?” someone called out.
“I’m not sure yet,” he admitted. “But I do not think it is in the best interest of the colony to send our leader into unknown danger. For that reason, I propose that the panel approve only sending one group.”
He smiled respectfully at his leader, then turned to the Primes, who began to talk amongst themselves.
The crowd stayed quiet this time as we waited to see what the Primes would do. It didn’t take long for them to come to a decision in Mario's favor.
5
A week had passed since Mario and his group left in search of the missing hunters. Every day they didn’t come back, the tension grew within the compound. A few fights broke out over food rations, people seemed to always be in a rush, and my father’s office was flooded with aggrieved colonists.
The Selection was only days away and that only added to the stress for the prospus. Even Karin, who was usually happy as a rule, had begun to show signs of strain under the added pressure. She changed out the romances for study material and spent more time in the lab, often coming to the breakfast table bleary-eyed and sluggish, as she did today.
“You alright?” I asked her, setting my tray down a little hard and bobbling the orange juice.
“Hm? Oh, yeah. Just tired from studying,” she said, not bothering to stifle a yawn.
“So, what were you going to tell me at the meeting?” I asked, spooning up another of Janus’ concoctions.
This one he called “eggs,” which I’d always thought was a weird name. The yellow appearance and runny texture didn’t make it one of my favorite breakfasts, but I couldn’t say it was the worst.
That prize went to—
“Huh?” said Karin, confused.
“You said you were going to tell me something about the Selection,” I reminded her. “Something that ‘everyone knows’ about me and Nero.”
“Oh that,” she said, smirking. “People are placing bets on you two.”
“Bets? What are they betting?” I laughed.
“The usual. Chores, extra shifts, trinkets.” Karin shrugged. “It’s just for fun. Anyhow, you and Nero seem to be the ones it's down to.”
I scoffed at that. “Please. That doesn’t mean a thing. Besides, anything can happen during the tests.”
She looked pensive and I nudged her. “No matter what happens, we’ll stay friends, right?”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course. Nothing could change that.”
“Good,” I said, standing up and gathering my mess. “Look, I want to make sure I’m prepared. Talk to you later?”
Karin nodded sleepily.
Deciding there wasn’t enough organic material to bother with the recycler, I took my dishes in the wash pile to rinse them out. A lot of people just left them there, but I’d scrubbed enough dried, caked oatmeal to have a healthy respect for those in the kitchen.
“The ration count is off again,” said Mary Reynolds, the kitchen boss, from around the corner.
“Are you sure?” The second voice was Jacob Abbot, the Sustainability Prime. “Maybe you should count it again.
“If you would like me to, but I assure you there’s no mistake. I’ve already counted it twice and asked another person to as well. The number of ready meals in storage doesn’t match what we’ve produced and sent out.”
“Perhaps the initial counts were off,” suggested Abbot.
“I suppose that’s a possibility,” Mary replied, though she sounded doubtful.
Why would anyone want to take ready meals? I thought to myself as the voices receded.
I kept trying to figure it out as I went to do a final check on my staff when I spotted Nero coming my way.
He slowed as he drew closer in the corridor and I groaned inwardly. We hadn’t spoken since the day of the meeting and I wouldn’t have minded if it stayed that way.
“Hey, Luce.”
One of my eyebrows winged up involuntarily. He never called me anything besides Lucia or Visaro. Nero’s use of a nickname and winsome smile told me he wanted something.
It reminded me of how Mario had addressed the crowd during the meeting. He’d used evocative language and took control with a confidence that spoke volumes. I wasn’t the only one who noticed. Both my parents had been reserved and talking in hushed tones, stopping abruptly when I came within earshot.
The uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach had only grown, and though I couldn’t explain it, I knew it was just the beginning.
Resigning myself to a talk with Nero, I nodded and stopped walking. “Nero. What’s up?”
He looked around conspiratorially then motioned me off to the side.
“You up for a hunt?”
“What are you talking about?” I folded my arms across my chest and looked at him expectantly.
He stepped closer and leaned in to speak without his voice carrying.
“All the prospus are going into the caves tonight to check out the Boneclaw tunnel.”
I just stared. My father had instituted a curfew and put out the order that no one was to go in the caves unless he approved it. We’d gone with Alma as planned, but not very far and definitely not anywhere near the tunnel.
“Unless you’re too much of a coward to go against your dad?”
My temper flared at his words, even though I knew it was what he wanted.
“I am not,” I said hotly. “But Selection is almost here. Do you really want to get caught going against leadership right now?”
Nero smirked. “No, but what are they going to do, kick us all out?”
Much as I hated to admit it, he had a point. Still, my stomach churned at the idea.
“Everyone is going?” I asked suspiciously.
“Yeah. As soon as you convince Karin. She won’t go unless you do.”
That gave me pause. If I wanted to avoid a potential catastrophe, I could refuse to pressure Karin, though it probably wouldn’t t
ake much to get her to go. Part of me wanted to explore the tunnel. Being confined to the facility had started to make me a little claustrophobic and it would be interesting to look into the mystery of the tunnel.
He must have sensed I was close to agreeing because Nero pressed on. “C’mon Luce. With my dad out there, I could use the distraction.”
That tipped the scales for me and I softened at his plea. Nero might be a jerk at times, but I could understand the worry.
Giving in, I let my arms drop. “Alright, fine. When?”
He grinned. “A few hours before curfew. We’ll say we’re studying so no one will come looking for us.”
“Okay,” I said with a sigh. “I’ll talk to Karin. You better hope we don’t get caught, Costas.”
Nero waved my warning away with a flick of his hand and continued down the hall. “Make sure you two aren’t late, Visaro,” he called over his shoulder.
I rolled my eyes at his back and sent Karin a message to meet me.
A few hours later, the six of us were standing inside a room near one of the entrances to the cave dressed in hunting armor. It had taken a solid ten minutes just to make our way through the maze of corridors to get to this point. I was a little concerned that we wouldn’t be back in time for curfew, but we’d come too far to go home now.
Surprisingly, Karin hadn’t balked at the idea. I figured she felt cooped up like I did and wanted to expend some energy. The excursion had already taken my mind off the apprehension that gripped the compound. Unfortunately, it had only been replaced with anxiety of getting caught.
The room was large and filled with broken furniture and equipment that had been too much of a hassle to haul into the compound.
Nero pulled out his datapad and motioned for us to do the same. We’d planned the route beforehand and our progress showed in the form of a green marker on the screen.
“Make sure we stick together,” he said, pausing when his voice echoed off the walls in the empty space. “Nell,” he continued in a quieter tone, “you’re the best at tracking. Once we get there, you take point. I’ll take the lead for now.”
Part of me wanted to object and ask why he should be leading, but I held my tongue. This wasn’t the time or place to start an argument. Besides, it gave him something to focus on other than the fact that Mario still hadn’t returned.