The Seekers of Knight (The Seekers Trilogy, Book Two) (The Watchers Series 5)

by T. C. Edge

  “It was abolished,” I say blankly after a short hesitation.

  He smiles, and his eyes open up wide. “Ah, exactly. You know your history, Mr Kane. Now, the program remains in the same state as it has since that day. It is still abolished, and illegal. Do you understand what that means?”

  None of us answer, unwilling to rise to his patronising tone.

  “It means, boys and girls, that Underwater Level 5 is officially off limits. I know that you’ve been going to the Grid every day. And I know that Mrs Drayton has been training you. That, I’m afraid, is illegal.”

  I feel my head shaking, my eyes narrowing, and my heart beating wildly. I can’t help what I say next, despite who I’m talking to.

  “Are you joking,” I say, unable to stomach the nonsense he’s spouting. “Do you have any idea what we’re up against?!”

  “Mind your tongue, Mr Kane,” he says, his voice lowering. “Training Watchers is an illegal act. Underwater Level 5 has been shut down. On this occasion, I will let you, and your mother, off with a warning. However, should you continue to circumvent my authority, I will have no choice but to expel you all from this city. Do I make myself clear?”

  “Yeah…good luck if you do that,” snarls Ajax. “You think you can defend yourself against what’s coming? We’re your only hope.”

  “Oh, child, how naïve of you to think that. I understand that you are young and ignorant and looking for adventure. But this city is perfectly safe, and there is no great threat out there that we cannot face.”

  “You’re a fool…” I whisper.

  His eyes burn, spitting flames. He looks at me with total indignation.

  “What did you say to me!”

  I look him straight in the eye, refusing to turn from his glare, and merely smile.

  “I didn’t say anything, Mr President,” I say, standing tall. “Congratulations on your new appointment. Now, I think it’s time my friends and I were off to bed. It’s late and we are just children after all…”

  I turn away from him, and we move through the crowd. When we get to the door, leading to a corridor filled with lifts, I spare a look back and see his gaze still on me, eyes still burning.

  If he has it his way, soon enough this city is going to be burning as well.

  What a damn fool…

  15

  Expelled

  We sit around the main table in the kitchen, discussing the day’s events. The question that we’re trying to answer is: what the hell do we do now?

  “Keep training, I’d say,” announces Ajax, back to his belligerent best. “If he wants to kick us out of the city, let him. We’ll see how they do without us.”

  Velia offers another argument.

  “We need to do what he says,” she tells us. “Honestly, we have no choice. We don’t want to make an enemy of the new President. We have enough of those as it is.”

  We discuss the two options briefly, but all end up agreeing that Velia’s right. Even Ajax, after venting, allows his logic to take charge once more.

  As the evening grows a little later, Ellie and Cyra return. We’re quick to inform them of our little run-in with President Alber.

  “Yes, he told me the same,” says Cyra. “I suspected this would happen at some point.”

  “So, what do we do?” we ask.

  “There’s nothing we can do but keep searching for the next attack. Maybe then Alber will realise our worth.”

  That night, further flashes come to me of the city burning. But my mind is too wired, my thoughts all over the place, that nothing settles. I think I see water, splashing on one side, but can’t be sure what it means.

  It’s a loud knock at the door that wakes me. Ajax, too, opens his eyes abruptly at the sound. I say ‘come in’ in a raspy, early morning croak, and Jackson’s face appears.

  “Right boys, get your stuff packed up. We’re moving out.”

  “Wh…what?” I say, the fog in my head clearing.

  “This residence is reserved for the President. We have a new one now, so we’re out. Get your things, and gather in the main hall.”

  We do as ordered, pulling together our meagre possessions and going to the hall. The twins appear too, looking tired with their hair all over the place and eyes still half closed.

  “Did he have to chuck us out so early,” yawns Vesuvia.

  “It’s OK. We’re only moving up a few floors,” says Jackson. “The place will be smaller, but it’ll fit us all just fine.”

  We’re led as a troop down into the main foyer, before getting in the lifts and heading up to the eighth floor. There, down a long corridor, we find that an apartment has been prepared for us. As my father said, it’s smaller, but only by comparison to our previous home. When compared to any other place I’ve stayed, it’s still a real palace.

  We drop our things in our new rooms and get settled in before taking a look out of the window. There, down at the foot of the building, I see my mother in conversation with a few guards. It looks heated.

  Then, my eyes turn to see more soldiers coming in, weapons raised. Behind my mother, I see the six Watchers from Petram standing in a group, taking positions of defence against the incoming soldiers.

  “Jeez! Do you see what’s going on down there!” says Vesuvia.

  “We need to help…” says Velia.

  I’m already on it, turning and rushing out of the residence and towards the lifts. The others trail behind me, just jumping inside before the doors close. The metal box quickly drops down to the ground floor, before opening back up and releasing us into the foyer.

  I run quickly towards the main doors, and as soon as they open, the sound of voices fills the air, an argument in full force.

  “These men and women are here for our protection!” shouts Cyra.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs Drayton…but we have our orders.”

  “What orders?” I ask, rushing forward. Immediately, several soldiers raise their weapons to me, my friends stepping in behind.

  “Stay back, Theo,” calls Cyra. “Stay out of this.”

  “No! I want to know what’s going on?”

  The main soldier looks at me, his eyes nervous. “We have orders to return these men and women to Petram. They are here illegally.”

  “Illegally? What the hell does that mean?” asks Ajax.

  “They are Watchers,” says the guard, “trained against the wishes of the Senate and the abolition of the Watcher program. The President has ordered that they be expelled from the city and returned to where they came from.”

  “But they are here to protect the Senate, for God’s sake,” says Cyra. “Is your new President so stupid as to turn away such guards?”

  The man doesn’t answer. In fact, he looks torn, barely knowing what to do or where to look. The other soldiers, now numbering in the dozens as they surround us, appear equally unsure of what to do. Only the Watchers, standing within their cordon, look on with fierce eyes, their expressions unwavering.

  “I’m sorry, Mrs Drayton, I have to follow my orders.”

  “Where is the President?” asks Cyra firmly. “I need to speak with him.”

  Now, another voice enters the fray. From the building, Jackson comes rushing out, calling for calm.

  “Everyone, lower your weapons right now,” he says, moving right between the circle of soldiers. He turns to them all, his hands raised out ahead of him, gesturing for them to lower their arms.

  The soldiers look at each other nervously.

  “I am the head of security for the city. Now do as I say.”

  Slowly, their weapons are lowered. Jackson moves towards Cyra and the guard ahead of her.

  “Major…we are all on the same side here. What on earth are you doing?” he asks, his voice a harsh whisper.

  “Governor Kane…as I told you wife, I have my orders. They come right from the top.”

  “President Alber has ordered the Watchers out of the city,” says Cyra. “He considers them to be here illegally. It�
��s madness.”

  Jackson considers things a moment.

  “And where is the President?” he asks.

  “I’m right here…” comes a loud voice behind us.

  We turn, and see President Alber stepping out of the back of a luxurious and armoured hovercar. Ahead and behind, a convoy of security vehicles let loose their occupants, heavily armed guards flanking him as he walks towards us.

  “Mr President,” says Jackson. “Is this true? You are expelling these men and women from the city?”

  “I am,” he says dispassionately. “The termination of the Watcher program is still in place. These people have been illegally trained on Petram, and have no place here in Eden.”

  “But, sir, they are here to protect us. To protect you…”

  “We have no need for such protection, Governor,” says Alber. “As you can see, we have more than enough guards and soldiers in the city. These people are to be sent back to Petram where they belong. And they should think themselves lucky. I have half a mind to arrest them, and have Athena arrested for her part in all this as well.”

  “Arrest Athena!” laughs Ajax. “I’d like to see you try.”

  Alber’s eyes flash on Ajax in anger. Then he turns back to Jackson and Cyra, his voice lowering.

  “I suggest you keep these children in check,” he growls. “They have also been training illegally. I will give them a pass, because of the things you have done for this country…but know that my patience has its limits.”

  He takes a breath and plants a smile on his face.

  “Now, see to it that these men and women are returned to Petram. And Governor, I trust my residence is ready?”

  Jackson nods without speaking.

  “Excellent. Now, continue with your duties. And don’t question my authority again.”

  He turns and begins walking towards the Senate building, not even looking at my friends and me as he passes. And, gradually, the tension in the air begins to clear, and the soldiers around us start to relax.

  I see Cyra go over to the Watchers to pacify them as Jackson looks at me, a flame behind his eyes.

  “Theo, come here, I need to talk to you.”

  I move over towards him, and he lowers his voice.

  “I’ve just had a communication from Professor Lane,” he whispers.

  My heart flares. “She’s unlocked the file?!” I ask quickly.

  His eyes glance around.

  “Quiet,” he says. “We need to keep this between us. She didn’t tell me exactly what, but she’s found something that may be of interest.” He leans in even closer, his voice going even quieter. “I’ll come for you tonight. We’ll be seeing her in secret. Don’t tell anyone for now, OK? Not even Ajax.”

  “OK, dad. I’ll keep it quiet. I promise.”

  “Good. Stay awake, and come to the kitchen at 2 AM. Then we go.”

  I nod, and he lifts his body up to its full height once more, before moving over towards Cyra and the Watchers to see them on their way back to Petram. I return to my friends.

  “What was that about?” asks Ajax.

  “Nothing,” I say. “He’s just not sure about Alber either,” I lie.

  “Well, that makes about ten of us then,” he says.

  I put on a slightly fake laugh, my mind now stuck on a single thought: the fruits of our labour are about to be realised…

  16

  The Cabal

  In the darkness of my new bedroom, I check my watch. 1.57 AM.

  As silently as I can, I slip from my bed and put on my clothes. Across the room, Ajax snores quietly, enjoying an untroubled phase of sleep. These days, such things are rare. I’m glad he’s stumbled upon one.

  Silently, I creep across the room and open the door. Outside, a shard of light spills in from the corridor, illuminating Ajax’s face. His eyes scrunch up a little, and he shuffles his position. Quickly, I slide through the crack and shut the door tight.

  When I reach the kitchen, I find it empty. I pour myself a glass of water and gulp it down, just as my father emerges from a dark corridor.

  “You ready?” he asks.

  I nod.

  “Good. Let’s go.”

  The city is quiet as we cross it. We pass by soldiers here and there, still maintaining a vigil on the city at night, but they do little to hinder us. Given my dad’s position as head of security, seeing him out at this hour isn’t completely unusual.

  It also allows him access to just about everywhere in the city, save those places that have now been locked down. Among them is the entirety of Underwater 5, making it impossible for us to get to the Grid, even if we wanted to.

  We move into the lifts, and drop into the depths of the great city, emerging at Underwater 3. Now, all is dark and quiet, unlike when we first came here. The labs ahead are empty, their daily occupants asleep up on the deck above. We move through the level without seeing a single soul, heading down the long corridor towards the inner wall of the level.

  My dad enters his keycard, which for some reason I think won’t work. Thankfully, it does, and through the large security door we go, straight into Professor Lane’s lab.

  It’s quiet inside, the hum of activity absent. All of the machines that would usually be whirring away are silent. Only the large screens ahead remain active.

  “Good. You came,” comes a voice from beneath them.

  Emerging from the shadows to one side, the elderly figure of Professor Lane appears. It seems that she’s the only one here.

  “Come forward,” she says. “And let’s get to this.”

  We move towards the screens, empty of data this time but glowing a pale white. Beneath them, the various computers appear to be off. All except one.

  “OK, Professor,” says Jackson. “What do you have for us?”

  She sits in a chair, and begins typing on the computer, speaking as she goes.

  “We’ve been working at decoding this thing for days now,” she says. “However, we’ve only cracked a portion of it. Most of what we’ve found is as I suspected, just science relating to the creation of the clones. It’s quite beautiful work, really, but doesn’t help us.”

  “So, what does?” I ask.

  She swivels on her chair and looks at me.

  “Names,” she says.

  “Names?”

  She nods, and swivels back.

  “We have uncovered and deciphered a portion of the file that discusses the financials of this venture. It seems that Baron Reinhold isn’t alone out there…”

  She taps a few more times, and up on the screen, a list of names appears. There’s got to be a couple dozen of them, all under a single heading: The Cabal.

  “The Cabal,” says Jackson, looking at the screen.

  “Yes,” says Professor Lane. “It looks like that’s what they call themselves, a given name for this particular band of baddies. It seems that many of the rich who were expelled from Eden after the war are on the list. Some I recognise. Others are alien to me, perhaps secret names or aliases. I suspect, in the cases of the latter, that these men are still operating under the nose of Eden and our new regime.”

  I look at the list, and quickly scour the names. None of them mean anything to me. I turn to my father, who is doing the same. He nods at a few of them, and shakes his head at others.

  “I recognise some of these too,” he says. “They were loyal to Knight and fled the city, just like the Baron. It appears we have a bunch of very wealthy and powerful men working together on this. It’s much worse than I thought…”

  “Worse…I didn’t think thing could get worse,” I say.

  “Well they just have. These men have a great deal of combined wealth. Enough to buy soldiers and mercenaries. Beyond these Seekers, we could be facing an army.”

  OK...it’s worse.

  I turn again to the list, and scan my eyes down it for a second and third time. Then a fourth, just to be sure.

  “Damn…I thought he’d be there. Well, hoped, anyway,�
� I say.

  “Who?” asks Professor Lane. “What are you talking about?”

  “Our great new President,” I say. “I was sure he was working for the Baron.”

  “Alber?” says Professor Lane. “That’s a little far fetched.”

  “Hmmmm, not so much,” says Jackson. “He does seem adamant that we weaken ourselves at this critical juncture. Only today, he ordered six Watchers from the city, and has actively prevented Theo and his friends from training. It’s an odd move at the very least.”

  “Odd indeed,” says Professor Lane, “but not necessarily incriminating. Alber voted against the Watcher program years ago. It only stands to reason that he’d still be against it.”

  “Yeah, but at a time like this?” I ask. “We need all the help we can get.”

  “True, but these politicians don’t think like that. Some of them will deny it all until their final breath. Alber has always had an unhealthy distrust of Watchers. He’s foolish, yes, but on the Baron’s side…I’m not so sure. What could he gain from it?”

  “The Presidency,” I say quickly. The others go quiet and look at me. “All these leaders were killed, to help destabilise us. But maybe the idea is to plant some of Knight’s old allies in the top jobs.”

  “To weaken us,” says Jackson, nodding. “And divide us. It would make any coup far easier to achieve.”

  “Exactly,” I say, delighted to hear my father beginning to agree with me.

  He looks back at the screen and starts shaking his head.

  “I just don’t know,” he says. “We’ll just have to keep a close eye on Alber, and try to find any links between him and the Baron. And these other names…we need to discover all we can about them. But we have to be discreet. That is absolutely essential.”

  He turns again to Professor Lane.

  “Winifred, do what you can. And keep trying to decode the file. There may be more evidence inside it that we can use.”

  “Yes, of course.”

  “But make sure nothing you find leaves this room. Work on this alone if you have to. I want as few people involved as possible. Only use technicians you can completely trust.”