Terra Nova

by David C. Garland

  Richard grunted, then raised another question.

  ‘But where are these machines located? I haven’t seen anything remotely resembling a machine since I’ve been here.’

  Noah nodded.

  ‘Excellent, then that’s another unexpected bonus,’ he said. ‘The equipment is underground, buried deep beneath the surface. These amazing machines produce abundant energy for the needs of all on Terra Nova at minimal cost and with no pollution whatsoever. To say we are proud to have reached this perfect state would be a major understatement.’

  He paused, a look of sadness appeared on his face.

  ‘To think we have advanced so far and achieved so much for our people and now here we are, fugitives from a government that I once loved and loyally supported. But our situation is a hard fact and I have to face the consequences. Tomorrow we go to meet those who may be in a position to help us.’

  Chapter Nineteen

  After a tense, disturbed night, Noah and Richard arose to the sounds of passers-by flocking the labyrinthine streets of Trastavere, despite the early hour. Sharing a frugal breakfast Noah and Richard then left the safe house and began walking towards a destination known only to Noah.

  ‘If we are arrested and tortured,’ warned Noah. ’it is best that you do not know where we are going or the names of the persons we are going to see.’

  Richard was again warned, very firmly, not to speak to anyone for fear that his strange accent would attract unwanted attention. Both were dressed in the scruffiest of clothing in order to blend with the locals, although Noah couldn’t resist wearing his expensive, comfortable leather sandals: ‘Who is going to see them beneath this monstrosity?’ he remarked as he struggled reluctantly into the rough-hewn, sack-like dirty brown robe that was overly long and consequently brushed constantly against the dusty earth.

  There was little conversation during the walk that, to Richard, seemed never ending. Noah occasionally pointed to specific landmarks for this was an area of Leviticus which, though built in the image of Rome, was unfamiliar to Richard. They crossed the bridge over the wide, winding river Tiber that separates the city in two and carried on walking with dogged determination through winding, cobbled streets towards the western fringes of the city. They passed street markets bustling with hectic life. They peered into the gloomy interiors of shops offering all manner of goods. Ancient, scruffy donkeys shuffled along, heads down, despondent, heavily loaded, led by aimless Leviticans, who showed no interest whatsoever as Noah and his silent companion passed them by. There was no sign or sight of magnificent horses pulling gold-embossed chariots - sights that were commonplace in the heart of the city.

  This is a revelation, thought Richard. Noah told me Terra Nova was a paradise compared with what they left behind on their Earth, but all I see around me is poverty and wretched, downtrodden people trying to exist on the basics. I have a bunch of questions requiring truthful answers, once I’m allowed to open my mouth to speak!

  The street narrowed to a dark passageway. Noah urged Richard on until a crumbling arch came into view. Beyond the arch was a large rectangular square. In the centre was an ornate fountain spurting sparkling jets of water high into the air. The cobble stones throughout the square were deeply grooved as if a giant had been running an equally giant, metal-wheeled, train across the surface for years on end. All around the square excited children played, screaming and shouting with delight. Adults were seated at open-air trattorias enjoying the warmth of the morning sun while drinking what appeared to be steaming cups of coffee and tea. Richard’s throat, already parched from the heat and the effects of the ubiquitous dust, plus the debilitating effects of the long walk, became even drier at the sight of thirsts being quenched.

  ‘Noah, I’m parched, I need a drink.’ he quietly hissed.

  Noah smiled.

  ‘And so do I Richard. The journey is at an end. I am sure you will be pleased to learn we have reached our destination!’

  Richard looked up and saw a sign posted above the entrance to a very unattractive building.

  “TRATTORIA PANEM ET CIRCENSES”

  ‘This is it?’ he asked.

  ‘This is it.’ Noah replied.

  ‘Who are we meeting?’

  ‘You will see.’

  What does the name mean?’ asked Richard.

  Noah smiled.

  ‘It translates literally to ”Bread and Circuses” which was what many emperors felt was all that was needed to placate the Roman plebeians. Obviously the owner has an acute sense of humour. The square where we are standing was once a major venue for chariot racing - that was until our Great Leader Ezra decided the sport generated too much excitement for the masses and outlawed it about two years ago. There were huge riots in the wake of the ban, because the races attracted spectators in their hundreds and, as a direct consequence, the local economy has suffered a dramatic falling off. The area is now one of the poorest in Leviticus.’

  Richard nodded his understanding.

  ‘So it’s the wheels of chariots that caused all these deep ruts?’

  Richard bent to his knees and inserted two fingers into one of the depressions.

  ‘This idiot Ezra needs institutionalising if you ask me. He’s supposed to have learned from the lessons of the past and yet here he is banning a sport because the onlookers get too excited!’

  He paused, brushing dirt from his fingers.

  ‘Seems to me the sooner I get back to Earth the better. From what I’ve seen so far I prefer Earth, despite all its faults.’

  Noah squirmed and quickly placed a hand over Richard’s mouth.

  ‘Hush Richard, your voice carries far and can be easily heard by those sitting outside the café. Now, be silent and follow me. It’s time to meet those who, hopefully, will assist us in our escape.’

  ***

  Julia Brownstone was not about to give up on her boy friend Richard Moss. The reminder she felt every time her hand smoothed the firm roundness of her distended stomach caused her eyes to well with tears. There was still no news of Richard in the eight days that have elapsed since his disappearance. She was standing at the spot where his abandoned car was found. Today’s visit was her third since the father of her unborn child vanished without trace. Her eyes scanned the immediate area where the car had been parked and then shifted upwards to take in the broad sweep of the vista before her. The year’s ongoing drought was relentlessly transforming the verdant grass into graduated shades of brown while the scattered patches of yellow speckled gorse bushes looked forlorn and neglected. Julia noticed little of this as her thoughts wandered in questioning circles. Tears continued to flow and rolled slowly to embrace her flushed cheeks and then dripped to kiss the grateful undergrowth around her feet.

  She raised her arms aloft, looked up and shouted defiantly at the infinite emptiness soaring above her.

  ‘He will come back. He will, he will, he will come back!’

  Her words echoed eerily before ascending towards the limitless of space. She shouted once more.

  ‘He will come back.’

  Then she spoke softly, reassuring herself.

  ‘I know he’ll come back.’

  She paused briefly, then emitted a lung bursting yell.

  ‘Richard, Richard, Richard, don’t you dare let me down.’

  Chapter Twenty

  Richard heard his name being called and looked around, startled, surprised that anyone in the vicinity, other than Noah, could possibly know him.

  ‘Was that you?’ he asked, his eyebrows bunched in puzzlement. ‘Did you call me?’

  Noah shushed, holding a finger to his lips.

  ‘I told you not to utter a word,’ he said nervously. ‘People are looking at us and the last thing we want is to become the centre of attention. So please do not... ’

  Ri
chard lowered his voice to a hissed whisper.

  ‘Okay, I know. I know. But didn’t you hear it? My name, someone called my name, three times. If it wasn’t you who could it be? No one else here knows me but you - come on Noah, you must have heard it!’

  Noah shook his head.

  ‘I heard nothing, now will you please be silent and follow me into the trattoria? Remember, not a word. What happens next will determine whether we have any future here or on Earth, so bear that in mind before raising more imbecilic questions about someone calling out your name!’

  Richard was deflated. He had never known Noah as emotional as he was right now. What was this nonsense about emotions being eradicated from those living on Terra Nova? Noah now had a full complement of emotions and was revealing and exhibiting most of them on a minute-by-minute basis as if they had been stored in his memory bank and were now spilling out uncontrollably.

  ‘Walk right behind me Richard and lock your eyes on the back of my neck. I don’t want you looking around or attracting any kind of attention.’

  Noah shuffled nervously forward while Richard obeyed his partner’s command acquiescently by following, head down, as does a dog upon being chastised by its master. The trattoria was almost full. Some vacant chairs were available at tables occupied by three persons but Noah ignored these and made for a door at the rear and to the left of a bar where several customers were drinking from large, roughly hewn tankards. Noah rapped sharply on the door then looked around at Richard, his eyes projecting an unspoken warning. He lifted a finger to his lips and waited.

  The heavy oak door was opened by a large, full-bearded man whose ample frame dominated the entrance. He was dressed in similar clothing to that worn by Noah and Richard. Around his neck was a chain. The chain carried a large crucifix formed from what appeared to be pure gold.

  A wide-eyed look of surprise crossed Richard’s face. The crucifix was a replica of the one his mother wore with pride, the one he remembered with fondness from his childhood, the one that played such a large part in the development of his religious beliefs. The bearded man stared unblinking as he caught sight of Richard’s eyes fixed inquiringly upon the crucifix. His dark brown eyes swiveled to confront Noah.

  ‘Is this man you spoke of?’ he growled in a voice as coarse as the rough-hewn granite surrounding the doorway.

  Noah nodded.

  ‘May we come inside please?’ he asked quietly.

  The man grunted and took a step back. He opened the heavy door to its full width. He grunted again, motioned for the two of them to enter, but kept his eyes firmly fixed on Richard who was now cowered by the unusual attention he was receiving, although he was completely bewildered as to what was causing it.

  The room was dark, dank and dismal. A musty smell, it reminded Richard of the prison cell where he had been recently incarcerated, permeated an atmosphere so thick it could almost be touched. In the centre of the room was a badly stained, round wooden table with four equally stained chairs arranged untidily around it. The only lighting was from a spluttering candle standing forlorn in the centre of the table dripping yellow candle wax, adding yet more debris to the already scuffed surface of the table.

  The man with the beard continued to scowl menacingly at Richard. Noah noted Richard’s discomfort but chose to ignore it. Instead he turned his attention upon the bearded stranger.

  ‘Yes Joshua,’ he said. ‘This is the young man I told you about; the one recently arrived from Mother Earth.’

  Joshua looked decidedly unimpressed.

  ‘May I introduce you?’ continued Noah. ‘Joshua, meet Richard Moss. Richard this is my elder brother Joshua!’

  Richard raised his eyebrows. Joshua continued to look unimpressed. Richard, however, emboldened to learn that Joshua and Noah were brothers, gathered his composure and extended his right hand, expecting reciprocity. Joshua completely ignored it and continued to grimace, scowl and behave in a strange, hostile manner.

  ‘What is the problem?’ asked Noah. ‘Does my friend Richard annoy you for some reason?’

  Joshua held the crucifix in the palm of one hand and held it aloft.

  ‘He keeps staring, at this,’ he said, indicating towards the crucifix. ‘Hasn’t he seen a crucifix before? The looks he’s giving it, you’d think it belongs to him!’

  Suddenly Richard realised why Joshua had been acting in such an antagonistic way towards him. He knew that he had been staring open-mouthed at the crucifix, but it was for no reason other than total surprise at seeing a Christian symbol hanging from the neck of someone whose religious belief was supposed to be directed only at The Creator; at least that was the impression given by Noah when Richard first landed on Terra Nova.

  Noah patted his brother gently on the shoulder, then turned and addressed Richard.

  ‘Joshua is a practicing Christian,’ he explained softly. ‘It is one of the reasons why he, and thousands of others for that matter, is resisting the government of Terra Nova in its imposition of the draconian ruling regarding total, obligatory deference to The Creator. In spite of the passage of over five thousand years, in spite of all of the problems which beset our version of Earth, Christianity remained the most resolute religion among the early settlers. Some believed, and I have to say I have much empathy with them, that Jesus Christ was actively responsible for their safe passage from Earth to Terra Nova. ‘

  Noah noted the quizzical expression on Richard’s face.

  ‘You do recall the earlier conversation we had?’ he asked. ‘When I told you that Jesus existed on our Earth exactly as He did on yours? You remember you asked me whether he returned to save the world as predicted in the Bible? Well, the answer is yes. He eventually returned to what was left of our Earth in order to save our descendents, your ancestors, from another repeat of the dreadful errors we made of the Earth we had once inhabited. But, just as happened to many others who tried to bring sanity to a sordid world, he was sentenced to death.’

  Richard’s quizzical look remained.

  ‘I know what you are thinking,’ continued Noah. ‘But you need only to rely on your faith to dispel any misconceptions or doubts you may still be harbouring.’

  He looked at Richard, aware that his words had added to Richard’s confusion.

  ‘Let us put aside any more questions for now. We can revisit the issue later, because right now we must determine how we are going to extricate ourselves from the dire situation in which we find ourselves.’

  Noah turned to his brother.

  ‘May we sit?’

  Joshua nodded his assent and motioned towards the chairs arranged around the table. Richard shuffled forward and sat down. Noah took the seat opposite while Joshua, the candle’s reflection adding a sparkle to his dark-brown eyes, slumped heavily next to Richard.

  ‘Allow me to explain,’ said Richard, still sensing hostility emanating from Joshua.

  ‘Your crucifix! It’s the same, exactly the same, size, colour, everything, as the one my mother wears; that’s why I was staring. That’s the only reason. I couldn’t believe I would see a crucifix on Terra Nova, and especially one that looks like an exact replica of the one my mother wears. It was so bizarre that it threw me completely - I apologise if I caused you upset...’

  Joshua stroked the crucifix lovingly, then raised it carefully over the mane of hair blanketing his head: the long chain snagged his bushy beard. He fluffed the hair back into a semblance of order, paused, and tenderly stroked the crucifix once again. He studied it once more and then, smiling, handed it to Richard.

  ‘Take it,’ he said. ‘From what my brother has told me about your predicament, you are going to need as much divine help as possible!’

  Richard shook his head.

  ‘No, no, I can’t accept it. It’s very generous of you but...’

  Joshua smiled.

 
‘Richard, this is one of a pair that has been passed down through our family, generation by generation. Fate, however, has intervened and I would be honored if you take it and wear it around your neck. Please, take it, cherish it, and you will benefit from the protection it affords.’

  Chapter Twenty One

  ‘Where are they? Why have they not been found?’

  Ezra, the Great Leader, was frenetic with rage. Cowering before him were the three guards who were on duty the day Richard Moss escaped from the prison beneath the Coliseum. To his rear, standing rigidly to attention, were six praetorian guards. Kneeling before him, head bowed, hand placed over heart, was the deferential, genuflecting governor of the prison which was located underneath the Coliseum.

  The open-air Forum of Leviticus was uncomfortably hot resulting from several hours of being bathed in the bright light being emitted by Terra Nova’s sun, Helios. Ezra, beads of sweat glistening on his forehead, was seated upon the same marble throne where he had listened to, and ultimately rejected, Noah’s pleas for mercy on behalf of Richard Moss.

  ‘You!’

  Ezra pointed an accusing finger at the unfortunate prison governor. ‘Get off your knees, behave like a man and tell me how these miserable wretches allowed this man...’

  He hesitated and glanced at the roll of parchment paper held in his hand.

  ‘...Moss, Richard Moss, to escape. Where is he? Why has he not been found?’

  The Great Leader was shouting, spitting, losing whatever was left of his self-control. His hands were shaking, his breathing was audible and laboured, and his eyes stared as if he had seen an apparition. He leaped to his feet, stepped forward and swiped the shocked face of the prison governor with the roll of parchment paper.

  ‘Answer you wretch,’ he yelled. ‘And consider your answer well or you’ll spend the rest of your life in chains.’