Saven Deception

by Siobhan Davis

  ***

  Entering the cafeteria the next morning, I trail anxiously behind Jenna, keeping my eyes welded to the floor. I’m purposely not looking around in case I see him again. Jenna stares at me quizzically but mercifully passes no comment. I scarf down my fruit and toast, as if it’s going out of fashion, and heckle Jenna until she’s finished so fast she’s developed a bad case of the hiccups.

  We follow the directions on our digipads to the allocated meeting room. We’ve both been told to report to the same room, and I’m hoping that means we’ll be assigned to the same unit.

  As I push the door open, the hum of excited chatter reaches my eardrums. This room is a miniature version of the amphitheater we were in yesterday. Finding an empty row near the front, we plonk down into two adjoining seats as a tall man with skin the color of rich toffee enters from a narrow door at the side.

  He drags a chair to the front of the podium and sits down, placing his hands on his knees. He surveys the crowd. Most of the people in the room have yet to notice him, but as his eyes wander in our direction, he acknowledges us with a subtle nod of his head.

  Gradually, people start to notice him until everyone has focused their attention and the room is deathly quiet.

  “Good morning,” he says in a strong, commanding voice. “My name is Vin Muller, and I will be your Adaptation Officer for the entire duration of your stay in Thalassic City.” He stands upright and clasps his hands in front of his body. The man oozes quiet confidence.

  “We will shortly travel to our designated unit where we’ll remain for the next three weeks. Once we are settled, I’ll outline the schedule for your acclimatization and explain the process when we reach Thalassic City. Firstly, I need to communicate a couple of announcements which the government has this morning advised us of.”

  He scans the crowd from left to right until he’s assured of everyone’s attention. “This is an important new initiative for our country and one which the government hopes will help manage the rising overcrowding in the cities. In addition, they hope this will kick-start a new era of growth and prosperity. The importance of ‘The Experimento’ cannot be underestimated. You all have a vital role to play.”

  We know all this! I wish he’d get to the point.

  He clears his throat. “The government has decided to create a new project team after ‘The Experimento’ has concluded to assist new residents with the transition to a life underwater, and to support the authorities in implementing other proposed initiatives. They have set aside one hundred positions exclusively for participants of ‘The Experimento.’ This is your one opportunity to shine, people. Showcase your talent, impress the authorities, and your life could change forever.”

  CHAPTER 4

  My foot taps incessantly off the ground, and my wide grin threatens to split my face. This is all I’d hoped for and more. Vowing to work hard, I’m determined to make damn sure one of those positions has my name on it. If the VP were here, I’d slap a sloppy kiss on his face right about now.

  Vin is currently facing a mounting barrage of questions which are thrown at him in rapid-fire succession. “Hold up,” he pleads, raising his hands in front of him. “One at a time.”

  “Can you elaborate on how they’ll select candidates for these roles?” someone behind me asks.

  “I can’t,” Vin replies calmly. “I’ve told you as much as I know.”

  “Can you offer any advice on how to impress the authorities?” a girl to my right asks.

  “Whatever you end up doing in Thalassic City, give it one hundred percent. Work hard and excel. Attend promptly and completely to any tasks asked of you. In other words, make a good impression. Feedback reports will be submitted by superiors, and these will undoubtedly form a part of any recruitment decision. There are cameras all over the city monitoring progress, so remember to always be on your best behavior.”

  “Will there be cameras in our homes?” Jenna asks, a layer of unease in her tone.

  “I doubt they’ll be that intrusive. The cameras are primarily there for security purposes. The intent isn’t voyeuristic.” A small smile tugs up the corners of his mouth. “Rest assured, I’ll identify as much as I can in the coming days, and I’ll share that knowledge with you then. For now, we need to head out.”

  We follow Vin in single file out into the elevator and assemble in the main lobby. Once everyone is accounted for, Vin gathers us into a circle around him. “First things first. Everyone is required to attend a medical exam with one of our physicians. They have reviewed the medical questionnaires, which you submitted last night. Provided you receive clearance to progress”—worried looks are exchanged which Vin ignores—“you’ll then undergo standard sanitization. Thereafter, we’ll journey to our new temporary home. Any questions?”

  After a minute of silence, he directs us to a seated area off to the left. We all sit down and wait to be called.

  I’m one of the first to be summoned for medical examination. The female doctor greets me pleasantly and processes me quickly. My entire body is scanned to ensure I’m free from underlying illness or hidden injury. Afterward, she takes blood and runs a battery of other tests. Her facial expression never changes as she taps away on her digipad, and I’ve no idea if I’m flunking or not. I’m sick at the prospect of being kicked out before I’ve even sampled a different life.

  The doctor secures a small circular black disc to my inner left wrist. No explanation is offered up and I dare not ask. I quell my rising nausea.

  “Follow me, Ms. Owens,” she says, striding briskly toward the door.

  We step out into a white-walled corridor. At the end of the passageway, she stops in front of silver double doors and scans her wrist at the keypad on the wall. “This is the sanitization area. The nurse will explain the procedure.”

  The doors glide open and she walks away.

  I step into the room and give my details to the nurse. She explains about the sanitizing procedure and leads me to one of the chambers. Once she has set the timer, I hop in and stand motionless as the unit moves through the various sequences. After I’m cleaned, a fine layer of sanitizing spray coats my skin from head to toe. When it’s sunk into my skin, the door unlocks automatically and I get out.

  ***

  I’ve dried my hair and now I’m dressed in the short-sleeved white shirt, black cargo pants, and black sneakers that were left out for me.

  Scouring the space in front of me, I try to get a fix on Jenna. Her dry laugh rings out as she saunters through the room as naked as the day she was born. She’s chatting to another girl as if it’s nothing out of the ordinary.

  Focusing on her face, I raise my hand and catch her attention. She waggles her fingers as she makes a beeline for me, snatching a towel from an overhead cabinet on her way. I’m in awe of her confidence and her zest for life. I wish I could throw off my inhibitions as easily, but it’s baby steps for me.

  She plonks down on the bench beside me. “So, we both made it.” She elbows me jovially in the ribs. Her impressive boobs are at my eye level, and it’s impossible not to look.

  “I’ve got it going on, huh?” she says, pouting seductively.

  I crack out a grin. I’ve never met anyone like Jenna before. She’s a welcome breath of fresh air, a glimmer of light amidst the darkness. The more time I spend in her company, the more I seem to relax. I fervently hope we get to stay together for the duration of “The Experimento.”

  ***

  Ten minutes later, we’re standing in the corridor with the rest of our group waiting for Vin to make a move. “Right, gang,” he says decisively. “We’re up. Enjoy your last few minutes of fresh air. Follow me.”

  I squeeze into the first elevator with Jenna and we travel deep into the building. As the door glides open, I step out on wobbly limbs. We are far underground and the air is frigid. I shiver.

  Vin tries to hide his grin as he surveys the disorientated faces in front of him. Once our entire group is lined up, he escorts us
down the length of the corridor, through one set of metallic double doors, and out into a seemingly never-ending passageway. A heavy concrete wall spans the corridor on my right, and on my left is a succession of numbered entrances with wide, white-painted corrugated steel shutters. Each shutter is numbered in big, bold, red lettering.

  Rounding a corner at the end, we progress another hundred yards before stopping. “This is us,” he simply states. He inserts a code in the wall-mounted keypad, and the creaky steel shutter slowly rises.

  My breath hitches as I wait to catch a first glimpse of our new home.

  My feet squelch on the tiled floor as I follow Vin into an empty, square room with a thick, frosted glass wall at the far end. Jenna and I exchange excited looks.

  Vin presses a red button on the wall. A tinny clanging sound rings out as the shutter seals into place, confining us. “Welcome to our Mock-Up Facility.”

  The glass doors glide open revealing a spacious, lavishly furnished living room. Ten large tan leather couches line the perimeter of the room, and a myriad of brightly colored beanbags are scattered across the white tiled floor. Potted plants dot the four corners of the room, and two massive painted canvases occupy the left wall.

  Vin leads us out through a door into a narrow corridor. Turning right, we enter a large rectangular room with uniform rows of desks. Digi-pods line the walls on both sides. “This is the training room,” Vin explains. “You’re required to attend some set presentations to assist with your preparation, and this room is available to you at all times should you wish to conduct further studies. Full podcasts and virtual tours of Thalassic City are available to view twenty-four-seven.”

  I resist the urge to squeal with delight.

  Coming back out into the corridor, we walk in the opposite direction, and Vin points out the separate male and female dorms, compact gym, large kitchen, and dining area.

  I trail Jenna into one of the two female dorms, and we pick adjoining bunks. After dumping our bags, we set out for our introductory presentation.

  A low gurgling sound reverberates all around us as we walk back down the corridor. When we pass an unexplored room, my inquisition gets the better of me. “Wait up, Jen.”

  Stepping into the spacious room, I release an awed gasp. A vast curved glass window encases the room at the far side, looking out into a swirling column of water. A luxurious strip of cushioned seating lines the base of the window, and it calls out invitingly to me. I gravitate toward it without thinking.

  The water is crystal clear and it dapples gently, curving and angling gracefully against the window. I’m mesmerized. Although the Medi-Tech factory laps the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, I’ve never been to the sea. An extreme craving to dip my fingers in the water seizes hold of me, and I flatten myself to the glass, as if I can somehow magically transport myself outside.

  “Wow. This is awesome,” Jenna says, dragging me back into the moment. In a daze, I check out the rest of the space. Sleek white shelving lines both sides of the room from ceiling to floor, crammed with row upon row of books. That’s it: I’ve died and gone to heaven.

  Ten small tables with accompanying pairs of chairs occupy the rest of the floor space. The gurgling sound is louder in here.

  “Oh my God, I love it,” I exclaim, pinching my arm. Yep, definitely real. “I think I’ll be spending a lot of time in here.”

  “Do you think Thalassic City will be like this?” Jenna looks reflective.

  “Maybe, just on a larger scale. Gosh, the air already feels so dry—can you feel it?” The skin on my face stretches taut as soon as I express the sentiment.

  “Yeah. My nose feels itchy.”

  A stunning girl with eyes the color of emeralds pops her head through the door. “Vin says we’re starting now.” She flashes a radiant smile and her flowing blonde tresses swish over her shoulders.

  “Okay. Thanks.” I tug Jenna by the elbow and we make our way to the training room.

  Most seats are occupied at this stage, so Jenna and I are forced to split up. I slip into a seat beside the girl with the green eyes. She smiles widely and I acknowledge the gesture.

  “Okay,” Vin says, resting against the edge of a desk at the top of the room, “Let’s get started. This room contains vital information about Thalassic City and the structure for the next six months. I’ll give you some of the basics, but thereafter, it’s up to you to conduct your own research. My job is to act as a guide during ‘The Experimento’ so come and talk to me whenever you have questions, and seek out my support in whatever way you need it. I want to make this transition as easy as possible for you all.” His warm brown eyes glisten with sincerity. He pulls himself up on the desk and crosses his feet at the ankles.

  “One of the biggest challenges you face is actually adapting to the setting underwater. That’s the primary reason why we’re in this temporary accommodation. This facility replicates the synthetic environment you’ll find in Thalassic City. The best government scientists have worked alongside some of the leading physicians to create a manufactured atmosphere that is akin to the environment we are used to above ground. However, your bodies will need a period of adjustment, and you will experience some initial side effects. It’s hoped that by the time we leave here, you will be accustomed to the conditions, and it will help you to settle into Thalassic City more easily.” He pauses briefly and a hand shoots into the air. Vin acknowledges the good-looking guy with blackish-brown hair.

  “What type of side effects are we talking about?” he asks.

  “It’s hard to be specific as it will differ from person to person. But things like discoloration of skin, headaches, nausea, difficulty sleeping, and fatigue will most likely be common. Less common symptoms include pneumonia, hallucinations, seizures, possible anxiety, and depression.”

  I sit up straighter in my chair, not liking the sound of that.

  “Each of you will attend a medical check-up on a weekly basis to start off with, and thereafter, it will be on a monthly basis, or as the need arises. Remember, this is a key part of the pilot program. The government needs to closely monitor individual health to ascertain if humans can survive and thrive in the artificial environment they’ve created. That’s why you were all fitted with a medical disc—so any anomalies in your health are detected and dealt with promptly. Medical teams will monitor your stats on a daily basis. I can assure you that you’re in the safest hands.”

  Unconsciously running the tip of my finger over the cool black disc secured to my left wrist, I’m slightly more assured. Although, the government should’ve put this in the public domain before people volunteered. We’ve all walked into this blindfolded. Not that it would’ve made the slightest difference to me, I concede. I’d have signed up irrespective of the side effects such was my desperation to escape the depression of my life.

  “You are also required to keep a weekly video log, a ‘journal’ of sorts, documenting your progress during ‘The Experimento.’ I’m not sure how the government intends to use this information besides collating research to feed into the overall outcome of the project.”

  A few quiet groans echo around the room and Vin laughs quietly. “Any other questions?” His eyes dart around the room.

  “What jobs will we be performing in Thalassic City? Is it tied to the work we do now?” Jenna speaks up.

  “Excellent question, Ms.?” He raises a brow.

  “I’m Jenna.”

  “Well, Jenna, I’m delighted you asked that question. This is the part of the project that I think you’ll be most excited about.” He pauses dramatically and you could hear a pin drop in the room. “You get to decide what you’d like to do with your time.”

  “Honestly?” Jenna squeals.

  Vin laughs as he nods. Incredulous looks are traded around the room. I glance at the girl with the green eyes, and she looks slightly bewildered. Then I spot the gold bullion tattoo on her wrist and it makes sense. Of course, an upper class girl would fail to comprehend the enormit
y of Vin’s last statement. Having options is a normal way of life for her. Not so much for me, or the majority of our unit, who is mostly stars.

  Anger courses through my veins at her blatant ignorance. Perhaps, that’s why my hand shoots up before I’ve comprehended the action or had time to talk myself out of it. Vin tips his head at me, and I moisten my lips.

  “What kind of options are available to us?” Inwardly I rejoice. I used my words, and spoke my mind, and no one is laughing or ridiculing me.

  “And your name is?” Vin tilts his head to the side.

  “Sadie.”

  “Essentially the options are education or work, Sadie. If you choose the education stream, you can pick modules based on your education to date and your subject-matter interests. If you choose the work module, you’ll be given access to the jobs portal, and you can apply for any job you like. Some basic skills may be a requirement for certain jobs, but in most cases, all positions allow open applications and on-the-job training will be provided. This is something you need to decide on before you reach Thalassic City, so you should spend the next few days assessing the options and carefully thinking about what it is you’d like to do.”

  Another girl asks for clarification on the rules, and Vin confirms there is a relaxation on the normal rules for the duration of the project.

  No curfew. No segregation. And after we’ve finished work or school each day, we are free to do as we please.

  My incredulity mirrors that of all the other stars in the room. This seems too good to be true, and I’m naturally suspicious. Why is the government doing this? Are they seriously thinking of changing things up this much? Are they considering reorganizing the entire class structure? Is this experiment really about monitoring social integration without the usual restraints more so than testing how well humans adapt to life underwater?

  Whatever the motivation, of one thing I’m sure.

  The future is most definitely looking brighter.