by T. C. Edge
“Likewise, young Mr Kane,” responds the old woman. “Now, I hear you have something for me?”
I nod and swing the bag from my back. My hand dips inside and pulls out the file. Eagerly, the Professor takes it from me, eyeing the cover with great interest.
“Hmmmm,” she says. “The Seekers of Knight. What has Augustus been up to now…”
She turns and begins walking back towards her computers. Jackson and I follow as she gently lowers herself into a chair and opens the file. She quickly flicks past the picture of Knight without so much as a flicker of the eyes, before passing over page after page, only stopping a second to inspect each one. After a few moments, she looks back up to us.
“This might take a while,” she says. “The coding looks to be quite sophisticated. Tell me, Theo. Where exactly did you find it?”
“In Baron Reinhold’s compound,” I say. “There was an underground lab and training area through a secret tunnel at the back of the main house. It was where these clones were grown and trained. The file was in a locked drawer. There were lots of others, but we didn’t have time to retrieve them.”
“I see. Well, you’ve done extremely well to get it to us. We just have to hope it offers us some clues. If it is merely dedicated to the Baron’s cloning experiments, I fear it may be of little use. As I see it, these clones are already fully mature and wreaking havoc. Knowing the science behind their development won’t change that.”
“Well, Professor, I’m sure you’ll find something important that we can use,” says Jackson. “Get working on it, and we’ll return soon.”
“Of course. I’ll put it as a top priority.”
“Thank you,” says Jackson, turning me towards the door.
We begin walking away, heading for the exit, as Professor Lane starts barking orders behind us, gathering her own troops for their assault on the file.
“So…what now?” I ask my dad as we make our way back to the level.
“Now,” he says, “we can only wait. This is a game of chess, son, and we have to be patient. We’ll make our move when we have to. But right now, we can do little from the confines of this city.”
I hate the thought. That, out there, the Baron is holding all the cards. That he’s planning his next assault on God-knows-where and God-knows-who, while all we can do is stay here and hide.
But maybe that’s my biggest failing. Like my mother, I’ve got an impulsive streak that’s hard to suppress. I look at my father, a born leader, and realise he’s right. That we have to wait, and be smart, and gather our own resources.
Because right now, we’re losing this fight. And if we don’t consolidate what we have, the whole world might just collapse from under us.
9
Links to the Past
That evening, I return to our quarters to find the girls chatting with Leeta around a large table in the kitchen. She appears to be cooking, and telling them stories of the old days when the world was so very different.
It’s interesting, looking upon the frumpy old woman from Eden and the two young girls from the far side of the Deadlands. Such different backgrounds and experiences, but now a shared goal: to see the Baron pay for his atrocities; to once more wipe the lingering evil of Augustus Knight from this world.
I join them, and listen to Velia and Vesuvia excitedly talk of the city. For them, the bustling energy of the place is so new and enticing, the same as it was for Ajax and I only months ago when we first came here.
Soon enough, such a thing will fade when reality sets back in. For now, though, it’s nice to see them smiling and happy, their expressions usually perpetually dominated by frowns and grimaces.
As we sit there, we hear the sound of footsteps behind us, and turn to see Cyra and Jackson return, this time accompanied by Ellie and Ajax. Leeta is quick to step away from her cooking duties to offer her condolences to the two of them, although is typically upbeat with her assertion that Link will be ‘just fine.’
The looks on their faces suggest otherwise, forcing me to ask how things are.
“He’s stable,” says Ellie. “But…the doctors are unsure as to how long he’ll be under.”
The energy in the room is immediately expunged, the frowns returning to the girls’ faces. We eat dinner under a heavy weight, talking through the events of the last few days and once more trying to bring things together in our heads. Ajax stays quiet throughout, the girls and me doing the talking for our part of the story.
Aside from the concerns about Link, we turn our attention to the fact that Drake is missing. Naturally, no one makes the assertion that he might well be dead, even though it’s probably what we’re all thinking.
With President Stein having died so recently, and the new President missing in action, I begin to wonder just who is in charge in the city. I pose the question, and get an ambiguous response.
“The Senators are deliberating on that very topic right now,” my father says. “There is no protocol in place for this eventuality. The leading candidates will be Senator Alber, who heads the Defence Council, and Senator Doryen, who is in charge of the Trade Council. They’re the most powerful offices behind the President and Vice President.”
I hear Leeta huff at the end of the table.
“I hope it’s not Senator Alber,” she says. “I don’t want to work for that man.”
“Why’s that?” I ask.
“Ah, he’s just a horrible man. Rude and entitled. After working for Aeneas for so long, I can’t imagine a man more opposed to his philosophy on life.”
“Which was?” asks Velia.
“Oh, just to be the most delightful person you can be, I suppose. He was so welcoming, so charming and friendly. I think all who knew him would agree?”
I see the heads of my parents nodding, along with Ellie’s
“Yes, I’d have to admit that Senator Alber is a difficult man,” says Jackson. “I’ve dealt with him before and he doesn’t have too many endearing qualities. Not, as Leeta says, like Aeneas.”
“You’ve dealt with him?” I ask.
“Yes, on security and military matters,” says Jackson. “As head of the Defence Council, all regional Governors meet with him to discuss local security.”
“So, how do they decide who takes temporary charge?” asks Ellie.
“They’ll vote in the Senate,” says Jackson. “Obviously, Drake has only just gone missing, and we don’t yet know his fate, so the vote his been delayed.”
“But he’s been off hunting clues for months,” I say. “Why didn’t they have someone in place before?”
“As I say, no protocol was in place for that. Whilst Drake was in contact, his position wasn’t in doubt. Now, though…”
“Can we please change the subject…”
All eyes sweep towards Cyra, who’s maintained a stoic silence throughout much of the conversation. However, speaking about her father in such terms has clearly got to her.
“You’re right,” says Jackson. “I don’t mean to speak so flippantly about Drake’s disappearance. You know how much he means to me.”
“I know, Jack,” says Cyra. “But all this speculating…I think we’ve had enough of it for one evening.”
Several heads nod, and the conversation breaks down as the dinner concludes. As soon as it does, Ajax and Ellie rise again and tell us they’re returning to the hospital. As they leave, I rush to my friend’s side.
“I’ll come to the hospital tomorrow, AJ,” I say. “OK?”
He nods and moves off as Leeta begins clearing the table. I add my hands to the task, and together we make light work of it.
“That was delicious, Leeta,” says Jackson before he departs. “Thank you. It’s important that we stay together at times like this. Your wonderful cooking helps to ensure that.”
She smiles at my dad, half blushing through the praise.
“If only you could be President,” she says. “You have a lot of Aeneas in you.”
He nods to her in thanks,
before moving off with Cyra to perform a few security checks outside. I watch them as they go, proud to see my mum now fully committed to her role.
Now back with only the girls and Leeta, I sit at the table and our discussion resumes. Mostly, I want to know more about these Senators, Alber in particular.
“Well, Senator Doryen would be far better to work for,” says Leeta. “He was a merchant for years, and knows trade and the economy inside out. He’s not a man of war like Alber. Sometimes, they can be less pleasant to deal with.”
“So, has he been around for a long time?” I ask.
“Alber? Oh, quite some time, yes.”
“During the reign of Knight?”
She nods. “Yes, he was on the Junior Council, as it was then if my memory serves. He’d probably have graduated to become a full Councillor at Knight’s table had certain events not taken place.”
“You mean the war?” asks Velia.
“Yes, indeed.”
“And…are there lots of Senators who were once under Knight’s thumb?” I ask.
“A few, perhaps,” she says, peering at me. “I wouldn’t put much stock on that, though, young Theo. Lots of people were around during Knight’s rule. That doesn’t mean they were loyal to him. As much as I dislike Senator Alber, he’s done better under this new regime than he ever did, or would have done, under Knight. Back then, the High Chancellor made all the calls. It was nothing but a dictatorship. Now, a politician can have ambitions of being President. It’s a better world for everyone.”
“Not everyone,” says Velia quickly. “What about all those who were driven out when Knight was defeated. The likes of Baron Reinhold, and others across the Deadlands?”
“Well, of course there were some. But…none left in Eden. Not after so long, anyway.”
“Yeah, well after what’s been happening, I think you’ll excuse us for being suspicious,” I say. “I mean, President Stein was killed, and now Drake’s missing. Maybe all this was a set up?”
Leeta shakes her head, and rises from the table, the suggestion seemingly making her uncomfortable.
“I wouldn’t let your thoughts run away with you like that, young Theo. Now, it’s getting rather late, and I have a very early morning.” She turns to the girls. “It was lovely to meet you, ladies. I hope to hear more of your stories from the Deadlands sometime.”
“And you, Leeta,” comes their reply, before she scuttles off out of the kitchen.
“She’s easily rattled, isn’t she,” say Vesuvia, watching on as she disappears down the corridor.
“Head in the sand mentality,” I say. “Most people don’t want to believe what’s happening right now.”
“Yeah, but come on, Theo…you think this Senator is on the Baron’s side?” asks Velia.
“Maybe, maybe not. I’m just saying, anyone who was close to Knight in any way needs to be considered as a possible threat. At least, we should be wary of them.”
“I think you’re reaching,” says Vesuvia. “All this mess has come from the Deadlands. I think we can discount a Senator who’s been working under this new regime for 20 years.”
I let out a breath, and then offer a shrug.
“I dunno…maybe you’re right. Let’s just wait and see how the vote goes first. I’m not gonna trust anyone right now.”
“Except for us?” asks Velia with a smile. “You trust us, right?”
I glare at her, and closely consider the question.
“Hey!” she says, slapping my arm. “I think your mum’s right. Enough speculating, hey? My brain’s starting to hurt.”
“Fine. I’ll give it a rest,” I say. “Just to spare your poor brain.”
She crinkles her nose at me as we stand and leave the kitchen. Once more, I part with them down the corridor to our rooms, and step into my own, vast and empty after the various places I’ve slept in recent months.
I settle into the bed, my mind so filled with questions, and look up at the ceiling. And slowly, as the room fades to darkness, and I fall into an uneasy sleep, flashes of carnage come to me.
Raging fire, consuming buildings. Screaming people, cut down by guns and shrapnel. Images of death and destruction on a grander scale than what I’ve seen before.
I don’t know where it is, and I don’t know when. But I do know one thing: soon, the Seekers are going to strike again. And this time, it’s not going to be quiet assassinations.
This time, I’ll be terror.
And chaos.
10
The Grid
I wake in a cold sweat, the morning light emerging through the window. In a flash, my mind reawakens with the images that filled it as I slept, forcing me straight to my feet and into my clothes. I rush out of my room and down the corridor to where my parents sleep, before knocking loudly.
When no one answers, it’s a clear indication that they’re already up. I open the door to double check that they’re not there, before heading towards the kitchen. I find them both there preparing their morning coffee.
It’s my mum’s eyes that find me first. Immediately, she knows something’s up.
“What is it? What have you seen?” she asks.
“Destruction, death,” I say breathlessly. “Somewhere…in a city. Buildings were on fire. People were being killed. I don’t know when…”
My parents forget their coffee, and come straight towards me.
“The buildings,” says Jackson. “What did they look like?”
I shut my eyes and think. “I don’t know. Just buildings.”
“Think, Theo,” he says loudly.
“I don’t know! It was blurred and rushed. It could be anywhere.”
“Leave it, Jack,” says Cyra. “I know what it’s like. When you can’t see it, you can’t see it. We’ll have to search for more. I’ll talk with the Watchers, see if they’ve seen anything.”
“And Ellie…Ajax,” I add.
“Ellie’s visions are still weak, like mine,” says Cyra. I see her grimace in anger, unable to utilise her full strength. Her visions were always the clearest, the most wide ranging, of everyone’s. “I’ll talk to her, though,” she says. “Stay here, I’ll be back soon.”
As she leaves, my dad continues to question me on what I saw. I have nothing else to say other than what I’ve already told him.
“Trust me, dad, if I had any clues, I’d tell you. I’ve been having visions for months now. Not once have I known exactly where they were or when. It’s not as easy as that…”
He places a hand to my shoulder. “I understand, son. It’s just, we’ve had nothing for months, no sign of any threat. And now this. It has to be another attack.” He takes a quick glance at his watch. “Look, I’ve got some things to do. Stay here and wait for your mother.”
He picks up his coffee to go, and leaves the other one for me. I take a sip before realising I hate the stuff, sending the rest down the drain. Then, I remember that there are two other people here who might have seen something.
I jog back through the residence towards Velia and Vesuvia’s room, and knock lightly. A louder knock yields better results, and I hear one of them answer, I can’t tell which.
I open the door to find them both sitting up in their beds, their eyes sleepy.
“Theo,” yawns Velia. “What’s up?”
“You two didn’t see anything last night did you? Any visions?”
They look at each other.
“No, why?” asks Velia. “Did you?”
“Get dressed, and I’ll tell you about it in the kitchen.”
Five minutes later, the girls and I are back in the kitchen, the two of them now garbed as I am in more appropriate Eden clothes rather than the desert outfits we arrived in. I quickly tell them what I saw, and see their eyes shrink.
“Do you reckon it’s soon?” asks Velia.
“I have no idea. Probably.”
“And what about your mum? She didn’t see anything?”
“No. Her powers are weak at the moment
because of the medication. No one really knows how long its effects last.”
“That’s not good.”
“Tell me about it.”
As we speak, the woman herself comes marching back into the room.
“No one saw anything much,” she says hurriedly. “One of the Watchers says he saw blurred flames, but that’s nothing to go on. Probably from the same event, but his abilities are weaker than yours.”
“And Ajax?”
“He still hasn’t slept,” says Cyra. “He’s been too worried about Link. Ellie too. But their minds are primed now, particularly Ajax. It’s in times of stress like this that we often see the clearest visions.”
She comes straight for us, closing us into a circle.
“All three of you need to focus when you fall asleep. Make sure that your minds are ready and free to explore. I know it’s not pleasant, but think of things that make you sad and upset. Any loved ones you’ve lost, or things that you’re afraid of. Fracture your minds and they’ll search deeper.” She looks directly at the girls. “Have you had any training?”
“A bit,” says Velia. “Our dad trained us when he could.”
“Troy?”
They nod.
“Well, he’s clearly done a good job. I’ve been told you can see well into the Void. However, we have provisions here to extend your training. I think it’s time that I revisited a room I know well. All of you, come with me.”
We follow my mother through the city and into the perimeter wall, dropping right down further than I did the day before with my dad. Soon enough, we’re at Underwater 5, stepping out into total silence, the world dim and empty. To the left and right, the entire level looks completely abandoned.
“What is this place?” asks Vesuvia. “Leeta didn’t show us down to these levels yesterday.”
“Well, no one has access here any more,” says Cyra, walking us down a long corridor into the interior of the level. “This place was always quiet, even when I came here over twenty years ago. Now, it’s totally dormant.”