Vallar

by Cindy Borgne

  The holo beeped. It was Clare, but there was no time. My stomach twinged, warning me not to miss breakfast.

  I flipped the switch. “I’m okay, but I gotta go.”

  “Just one moment.” Clare said. “I wanted to warn you that Beacon asks me every day about your visions. It won’t be long before he’ll be expecting results.”

  “Okay, okay.” I switched her off and set my mind to find a way to escape after I helped Hector.

  ****

  Whenever we worked on an elevator, we made sure the power was off. Hector wasn’t one to forget something like that. So how did it happen?

  I rushed to make it back to my station before anyone else. Only one chubby man across the aisle beat me. The same one in my vision who’d stood at his station under the flickering light. Nothing looked unusual at Hector’s station next to mine.

  The workers filled up their workstations and the sounds of the shop increased. Toward the back of the shop, men unloaded cargo from a docked hovercraft. Could that be a way to escape?

  I took a step forward, wanting to investigate, but stopped.

  Hector came along whistling to himself. He peered over the workbench. “You still here?”

  I nodded while keeping a careful eye on him.

  “Attention staff,” Sonny’s voice came over the intercom. “Rumor has it the inspectors are in our area, so we could have one any time now. Get this place in order.” The intercom clicked off.

  I pretended to work, but instead watched Hector press some buttons on the control box. The top right button changed from red to green, indicating that no power ran to the elevator. Hector took his power drill out and stepped toward the elevator. Yet, this was going to happen today, maybe soon. But with no power, it couldn’t happen.

  But what if the control box malfunctioned?

  “Wait.” I hurried around to his station. “I think you should check the back of the control box.”

  “Why?”

  “To make sure the power is off.”

  “You’re edgy today.” Hector waved his hands with annoyance at the control box. “You can see the green light, can’t you?”

  “Yes, but I’ll check it.” I picked up a screwdriver.

  “No, you won’t. You’re slowing me down.” Hector pulled the screwdriver out of my hand and put it back on the bench. “This one has a bad rotor.” He stepped back to the elevator.

  Again, the suspicious worker watched from his station across from us.

  “Stop.” I grabbed his arm.

  Hector glared at me and clenched his fists. “You’re blowing my production rate.”

  I tried to think of an excuse. “I thought I saw a spark inside your elevator.”

  “A spark? You’re loco. Now leave me alone.” He gave me a small shove and turned back to the elevator.

  “I’m serious.” I pulled the drill’s plug out of the wall. “Put it down and don’t touch anything.”

  “Would you get the hell away from me – greenhorn?” Hector pushed me aside and fumbled with the cord of the drill.

  I was tempted to let Hector fry, but Sonny depended on the guy too much. I reached for the back of the control box, wanting to open it.

  “You’re not allowed to open that.” Hector shoved me back and knocked me to the floor. He grabbed the drill and hurried to the back of the elevator.

  “Stop!” My voice sounded squeaky.

  Hector turned his back and stuck the drill inside the elevator. A spark flashed from the back of the elevator. Hector let out a startled cry and pulled back, unable to escape.

  I scrambled to my feet and yanked the control box out of the station. The elevator sparked and smoked. Hector struggled and screamed, but the electrical monster didn’t want to let go. Hector slid to his knees. The smell of burning wires filled the air.

  “Help!” I yelled, but the roar of machines drowned out my voice.

  If I grabbed Hector, I would end up electrocuted as well. There was no other way to cut the power other than the circuit breakers in Sonny’s office, but it would take too long to get there. Hector went limp as he stuck to the side of the elevator. A sparking wire broke loose and lashed above his head.

  I looked around the shop. Everything was brick and metal, until my eyes stopped on a rubber mat in the next station over. I sprinted toward it. A worker stood on top of it. I shoved him off and grabbed it.

  “Hey!”

  I raced back to Hector and wrapped the mat around his waist. The vibrations made my hands feel about to be shaken off. I tightened my grip and pulled backwards. The arcing wire struck me in the hand. I refused to let go and stumbled backwards into the tool bench, hitting my head and back.

  Hector dropped, landing face up. He appeared lifeless. The live wire continued to flail about angrily, threatening to touch Hector’s feet. The burn on the back of my right hand stung. The shop radio was next to Hector.

  I grabbed the radio and keyed it. “Sonny!”

  “Sonny here.”

  “Cut the power to Hector’s station.” My voice shook with panic.

  “What?”

  “Cut the power!” I screamed.

  A second later the power went out on all the stations. Complete silence fell in the shop, followed by workers talking in confusion. Hector moaned on the floor in front of the elevator. I leaned against the tool bench. Blood seeped from a burn on the back of my hand. Scorch marks sprinkled the back of the elevator. Tools were scattered everywhere. A crowd gathered around Hector’s station and several yelled for Sonny.

  Sonny pushed his way through. “Dieter, call the medics.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  I rolled to my knees and a worker helped me onto the stool. Burns covered Hector’s hands. He tried to move and gasped painfully.

  “Lay still.” Sonny knelt by Hector, looked around and swore under his breath.

  Another worker handed Sonny a first aid kit. I came over and touched his shoulder while holding my injured hand toward my chest. Hector moaned while Sonny tried to treat his hands with burn cream and wrap them up.

  “Ian tried to warn me,” Hector mumbled weakly. “The power was still on.”

  “You forgot to turn the power off?” Sonny snapped.

  “How stupid do you think I am?” His voice rose. “The control box lied.”

  “I tried to warn you,” I said, irritated and softened my voice, “that I thought I saw a spark.”

  “You saw a spark from your station after he turned the power off?” Sonny asked.

  “Uh huh.” I pointed at the control box on the floor behind them.

  Sonny grabbed it. “The light was green?”

  “Yes.”

  “You’re sure?” Sonny pressed.

  “Would you open the damn box?” Hector grumbled and winced.

  Sonny got up, went to the tool bench and removed the black lid. His eyes hardened as he looked inside. His fair face turned red. Everyone in the crowd stared at him, waiting for him to speak.

  “Everyone back to work.” He grabbed his radio. “Dieter, get the power back on - all but Hector’s station.”

  The radio beeped. “Yes, sir.”

  Hector squirmed and moaned.

  “Easy now,” I said. “The medics are coming.”

  “Sorry I was such an ass,” Hector mumbled.

  “It’s okay.” I stumbled to my feet and moved toward my station.

  “Where are you going?” Sonny pulled me over to the bench. “Take a look.”

  I squinted at the wires in the control box. Two of them were crossed. “How?”

  “Someone tampered with it.”

  “It seems harsh for a practical joke,” I said, remembering the joke Sonny played on me yesterday.

  Sonny huffed and rolled his eyes. “No kid, someone tried to kill him.” He scanned his workers across the aisle and shook his head. “I’ve heard of things like this happening in other shops, but I’ll be damned if I let it happen here.”

  The power came back on a
nd everyone went back to work. Two medics came through the front door, carrying a gurney.

  “What the hell took so long?” Sonny directed them over to Hector.

  “Sorry,” said a female medic. “We’re shorthanded.”

  They prepared to take Hector out on a gurney.

  Sonny patted me on the back. “Good job.”

  His praise made me realize that I saved a life using a vision. The future was not set in stone, and I could change it. I winced from the burn on the back of my hand. Changing the future was difficult and painful, but worth it.

  I smiled for the first time since the battle and slowly moved toward my station. “I’ll get back to work now.”

  Sonny held back a laugh. “As much as I’d love that, a medic should look you over. I mean you’re an elite . . . .”

  I frowned. “I was an elite.”

  “But your hand?” Sonny tried to get a look at it.

  I shifted my hand behind my back. “It just needs a bandage.” I grinned, not wanting him to know how much it hurt.

  “At least take a break. I mean if you hadn’t - well Hector’d be dead. Besides, I owe you.” Sonny held the door as the medics went out with Hector.

  I couldn’t help noticing the flickering light above Dan’s station. It was the same as in my vision. Across from me, the production board displayed Dan’s name ranked at the top – a sudden fifty percent improvement in one day. Dan could’ve done the tampering. Part of me didn’t want to keep getting involved – fearing that eventually they would wonder how I knew things, but Sonny didn’t need any more workers sidelined.

  I hurried over and stopped Sonny in front of his office. “Wait, there’s something else I noticed.” I pointed at the production board. “See Dan’s rate?”

  Sonny tilted his head forward and stared. “What the hell?”

  I gave Sonny my most serious look. “Could you check his control box?”

  “You think his control box is tampered with too?”

  I weaved on my legs. “It could be.”

  “But how would you know that?”

  I thought of an excuse fast. “He’s the only one who didn’t run over when Hector was injured.” I glanced away, hoping he wouldn’t question me further.

  Sonny picked up his radio. “Dieter, we might have another situation. Meet me at Dan’s station.” Sonny picked up a screwdriver and walked to Dan’s station. “C’mon.”

  We arrived at the same time as Dieter. I stayed a few paces behind Sonny.

  “Boss?” Dan looked up with beads of sweat dribbling down his hairless head.

  “Stop for a moment.” Sonny stepped over to the control box.

  Dan jumped up and wedged himself between Sonny and the control box. “What are you doing?”

  “You saw the accident. I need to check something.”

  “But,” Dan’s eyes wrinkled with a hint of fear, “why my station?”

  Sonny gave Dieter a worried glance. “Step aside.”

  Dieter took a step forward. Dan backed up, and his eyes darted around. The second Sonny touched the screwdriver Dan bolted out of the station and tried to push past me. Dieter grabbed him in a hammer lock and pushed him face first against the elevator with a slam.

  “What’s going on here?” Sonny asked. “Why are you so afraid?”

  “Yeah, why?” Dieter said.

  Dan only sneered at them.

  “We’ll see.” Sonny pulled the power cord out the back and opened the box. He froze in disbelief at what he saw. “Ian, take a look.”

  I leaned over and squinted. “The control chip looks different.”

  “It is different.” Sonny lowered his eyes. “That’s a black market chip designed to send false production data through the system.”

  Dan squirmed under Dieter's iron grip. His flabby gut squished against the elevator.

  “Knock it off.” Dieter gave him a shove.

  The elevator rattled as Dan smashed against it.

  Sonny shoved the box in his face. “What’s this?” He said through gritted teeth.

  “Please, I just wanted to . . . .” Dan half cried.

  Sonny grabbed his collar. “Did you try to kill Hector?”

  “No.” Dan trembled.

  Sonny shook him. “I want the truth.”

  “Sonny.” I touched his shoulder. “Don’t.”

  Sonny paused and released Dan. “Security will get the truth out of you. Dieter, take him to detention.”

  Dieter kept a firm grip on Dan’s arm and pushed him along the aisle. Several workers stared with big eyes.

  “Everyone, we’re way behind today.” He leaned by my ear. “Great, I’m going to have to check all the control boxes after the shift.”

  I lumbered back to my station. “Has this ever happened before?”

  “Not since I’ve been manager, but yes it happens. Anyway, I’d like to do something for you, but what?”

  I smiled hesitantly. “Actually, there is something. I noticed we’re near a repair hangar. Do you think I could have a look around it?”

  “No problem. I’m good friends with the manager over there.”

  “Great, I would love to see it.” I hurried into my station.

  “Are you sure you don’t need a break today?” Sonny tried again to get a better look at the burn.

  I tucked my hand into a pocket. “Of course not.”

  “Okay, tough guy.”

  I nodded and went back to my station. Sonny watched me for a moment and headed to his office. Getting the work done would make the others respect and see me as one of their own. Even though I wasn’t staying, this somehow mattered.

  I picked up the electric screwdriver and went to work on the back of the elevator. The vibrating increased the burning sensation. As the hours went on, I forced my hand to work. Using any tool made the abrasion sting and fighting back the pain wore me down.

  When the shift ended, I went to my room and removed a blood-stained rag and winced. It looked worse than before. I ran water in the sink and submerged the burn. The wet coolness brought instant relief, making me want to leave my hand in the water indefinitely.

  I sat on the edge of the wall by the shower and rested my head on the sink, at the same time keeping my hand in the water. My eyes shut halfway and my head leaned to the side. Dinner would be served soon, but I wanted to sleep.

  I soaked a rag, wrapped it around my hand, went over to the bunk and flopped down. Using my feet, I pushed off my shoes. If only Hector wouldn’t have been so stubborn. Still, he didn’t deserve what he got.

  My heavy eyelids went up and down. Every time they shut I saw a brief flash of the Phantom flying in the darkness. Inside the small bridge, the pilot gripped the controls. Next to him at the navigation console was Kayla. They both wore black envirosuits and helmets. A brief glimpse of the radar, gave a way they headed south. But why? South was opposite of the mine. Toward Marscorp.

  The vision faded into darkness. I gave into the fatigue and allowed myself to go into a deep sleep. Too tired to even realize what I was doing. Then, a few seconds later, the metal door rattled from someone pounding away. I lifted my head, which felt like it gained ten pounds.

  “Hey Ian, you in there?” Sonny called from the hall.

  I sat up still half asleep in the dimly lit room.

  “Ian!” Sonny pounded again.

  “Just a minute.” I put the damp rag around my hand and opened the door.

  Sonny tilted his head. “What are you doing?”

  I blinked in the sudden brightness of the hall. “Nothing, why?”

  He peered at me, eyes bent in concern. “You missed dinner and didn’t return to your station.”

  “Oh crap.” I hurried to find my shoes. “I’ll be right there.”

  Sonny leaned in the doorway and glanced in the bathroom. “There’s blood in the sink.”

  “There is?” I struggled to get the shoes on despite my swollen hand.

  “Let me see it.” Sonny’s tone indicat
ed he wouldn’t take no for an answer.

  I extended my hand.

  He shook his head. “Dang, why didn’t you tell me?”

  I shrugged and grabbed the other shoe.

  “Oh no, you’re not working. You will take the day off tomorrow.”

  “But . . . .”

  Sonny raised his voice. “As I said, you will take a mandatory day off.”

  I nodded, somewhat startled.

  “I’m going to get the medic and bring you something to eat,” Sonny bellowed and lowered his voice. “After everything that happened today, it’s the least I can do.”

  Chapter 13

  I jolted awake late in the morning after seeing an image of Nate glaring at me. He’d stood with a serious face, his eyebrows slightly bent and arms folded. He wore an elite uniform and stared, tilting his head and raising his eyebrows like he expected me to explain something. His expression reminded me of how he often looked at me when I didn’t have my homework done. Perhaps he was frustrated with my lack of progress in leaving Marscorp.

  I flung off the covers, feeling a new round of curiosity over Kayla and her organization, so I headed to the holo to do some research. “Bring up the history of Gentech.”

  Text scrawled across the projected flat screen.

  Gentech is made up of former members of an organization once known as Orissa. It was thought to be disbanded, until they formed an alliance with Deltoton – now known as Vallar. We are currently working to break up this alliance and obtain the Vallar platinum mine in the Noctis Labyrinthus.(See map).

  I thought back to the day on Beacon’s flagship when they chased Gentech away from the ruins of Orissa. Somehow, I sensed they were doing something more than getting water. Not something against the Marcs or anyone, but maybe doing research in those broken down buildings.

  A team has been assigned to see if they can locate a possible hidden Gentech base.

  My jaw tightened. If there was a hidden base, what if Kayla had gone back there? What if the Marcs find it? It would be linked to my mistakes. Yet, they had the help of the Deltas. At least they weren’t an easy target anymore.