by Mark Lingane
He wandered down the stairs from his office to Albert’s laboratory below. He knocked on the door, and when no explosions shook the walls, he entered. The room was dark, and vivid blue sparks were leaping from one side of the room to the other. He coughed, the sparks stopped and the blinds on the window were opened, revealing Albert and Sebastian looking guilty.
“Sebastian, I’m surprised to see you here,” Nikola said.
“It’s a school day. I had to go to bed early last night and everything.” His hair was standing on end and he moved tentatively, keeping well away from anything metal.
Nikola looked at his watch. It was mid-morning. “But you’re not in bed.”
“Ve are doing something exciting,” Albert said.
“Does it involve explosions or weaponry?”
“Sort of,” Sebastian said, with a fair degree of trepidation.
“Ja,” Albert said.
“That would explain it. Sorry to do this to you, Sebastian, but I’d like to have a chat with Albert.”
“After we finish this,” Albert said.
Nikola spotted a pile of junk in the corner. “What are you doing?”
“We’re converting inert electrical states,” Albert said, indicating a stack of rusty metal scrap, “into the destructive power of lightning itself,” he added with dramatic flourish.
“As a weapon?”
“That was the idea. But at the moment it’s simply a colorful display, all noise and fury with no detrimental impact. It’s more appropriate for New Year’s Eve festivities.”
They all watched the metal dissolve into dust.
“It’s a vork in progress,” Albert said.
“Walk with me, Albert.”
The two men had left the building and were walking the streets where Nikola was more confident that ears weren’t as open.
“How is Sebastian doing with the training?” he asked.
“He’s still inconsistent. He only focuses sufficiently and consistently ven under extreme duress. Otherwise ve hope, vait and see.”
“I had hoped he would have progressed further in a year.”
“He thinks of his mother much of the time, and is easily distracted.”
“Yes, his mother.” Nikola clasped his hands behind his back. “We hear nothing. We learn nothing. I would guess that she’s either dead, or in a state none of us would like to see her in. He needs to deal with the loss. We need him to be focused.”
“But it is not Sebastian that troubles you.”
“No. Number Two has been acting out of character, and I’m concerned there may be external influences at play.” He looked up at the cityscape inching past as they wound through the streets toward the city center. “You know the guards found a cyborg inside the city, trying to set fire to the library. It self-combusted when it was caught. We have no idea how it got in.”
“There is a traitor. This ve know.”
“But there are no clues. Whoever it is, they’re made of smoke.”
“You suspect Number Two to be involved somehow?” Albert said.
“I’m not sure. It would be the most disturbing of political maneuvers. But then that’s politics. You can’t do any good if you’re not in power. Isn’t that what they tell themselves?”
“Is this important enough to tell Number One?”
“I don’t think anything could possibly be that important. This is something we need to sort out at this level. Escalation should be avoided at all costs.”
“Should ve lay a trap? See who bites?”
“I would love to say we’re above such petty-minded activities, and have our dignity and ethical behavior to think about, but it’s a good idea.”
A smile slowly crept across Nikola’s tired face. “Sometimes you have to take such an enormous risk that even thinking about it is crazy. But when the stakes are similarly enormous, it becomes crazy to not take the risk. There’s a change in the air, and if we don’t rise to the challenge we’ll be swept aside, just like those before us.”
Nikola and Albert rounded the corner and were confronted by a large crowd. A plaintive voice could be heard above the affirming audience assembling around the now-familiar banner.
“… and my husband, who recently stepped into the mantle of mayor of this great city, has pledged his commitment to rid us of those who threaten us.”
“That is certainly news to me,” Nikola said. He folded his arms across his chest as he glared at Kerry. “I am going to have words with Number Two.”
“She has certainly been a busy woman. I have seen many similar women around town with the Ladies’ Union banner. The movement is growing.”
There was a cheer from the crowd. The two men looked around at the audience, stunned by the crowd’s involvement.
“People are scared,” Albert said. “They look to someone for answers and hope. You can’t give that to them because you’re being realistic and honest. She is filling their heads vit lies and false hope. But it fits into their heads in a vay that makes them feel better. They are desperate and vant to believe it, so they do. If there is any doubt in their minds they vill believe anything at all. Tell any lie, and they vill follow. And once they believe in her, they vill believe anything she says. You think you have faced darkness, but you haven’t seen anything yet. Nothing is as dark as vat dwells in the heart of man. Evil doesn’t exist, ve bring it vit us.”
“Is that what happened to you?”
“Ja. I have seen this before in my homeland. And I had to run for fear of my life from these same people. Darkness looked into me. I chose to look avay. Commander, vat vill you do?”
Nikola was quiet for a long time as the words of fear and discrimination flowed out of Kerry’s mouth and over the crowd. He sensed the changing of the mood. “How do you beat it?”
“How can one man of science fight back against so much hate? I couldn’t. I ran.”
Nikola looked at the man he had known for years. Albert was mad as a bag of cats, but they had been through so much together he hoped he could call him a friend. And as the plan came to him, he felt a deep pang of sadness and guilt. He turned and walked wordlessly away.
23
“I’M SURPRISED TO see you here,” Gavin said. He had on his usual tesla costume, a series of exquisitely cut pieces of leather loosely stitched together into mock armor. His cape was absent.
“Doctor’s orders.” Melanie said after seeing the expression on his face. “He says I have to hang out with you and do more ‘young lady’ things.”
He scratched his head. “Like what?”
“How should I know? But I thought it could be fun finding out. I’ve even dressed for the occasion.”
She gave him a twirl. She had on a countess walking dress in daring dark red, and a black corset heavily embroidered with gold stitching. The dress tiered down with cascading layers of rich materials. She raised an arm delicately, placed it high against the doorframe and leaned her head back. Her eyes smoldered as she looked off toward the ceiling, thinking about lost cake.
“You look magnificent, Melanie,” Melanie said.
“Was that an impersonation of me?”
“We could go for a walk down by the …” She searched her memory for some romantic place in the city. “Er, we could look at those exotic photographs they found in the ruins of Sydney. I hear there are lots of naked bodies.”
She quickly looked from side to side and lowered her voice to a whisper. “And I could even show you my ankle.” She raised an eyebrow at him.
“I’ve seen your ankle. When you take your boots off, and we have the agreement about that.”
“Yes, yes, I have to give you written warning and set up a safety perimeter.”
“Of …”
She sighed. “At least seventy-five yards.” She folded her arms over her chest. “I find that overreacting in the extreme.”
“You don’t have to tolerate the smell.”
“It was one time, on a very long, hot day with lots of run
ning and fighting. Anyway, I’ve got my city shoes on. Let’s do something civilized.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Build an aqueduct? Use your imagination. I tell you, boy, it’s just as well you’re good-looking.” She grabbed him by his hand and dragged him out. “We’re walking out. Okay?”
Gavin nodded in his usual semi-distracted way and followed her out the door, trying to grab a last glimpse of himself in the large mirror on the wall next to the door.
They wandered idly through the streets as she steered them toward the city art gallery. She had her hands clasped behind her back and walked with a free and bouncy gait.
“When’s your next captains’ meeting?” she asked him.
“Tomorrow.”
“Anything exciting being discussed?”
“Yeah. I’m sure they’ll have some new strategy that’ll fail. I’d like to turn up somewhere, just once, where the cyborgs weren’t already waiting. It makes our ambushes much more difficult. Anyway, we’re doing couples’ things today.”
She stopped, deep in thought. Eventually an idea came. “Any word from home?” she asked.
“Not for the last few months.”
“Are you worried? Cyborgs have been taking down towns where teslas have lived.”
“Not really.” He shrugged. “Whatever is, is whatever is. I’ve left home. The decisions I make are about my life now, and my future.” He wrapped an arm around her waist.
Melanie giggled and pushed him away. “We’re in public,” she hissed. “People will talk.” She wheeled around, deliberately bumping into him. “You don’t miss your old life?”
“I don’t miss getting up before the sun rises to bake bread. I don’t miss being shouted at when the tops get slightly too brown. I don’t miss the complaints from people who think all food should be free.”
“You must miss your family, though.”
A look of disdain flashed across his face. “They’re dull and embarrassing. I felt like an adult for the first time the day I left. Oliver came to town and said all the things they never had. It was a no-brainer.” He gave her a sideways glance. “Do you ever want to talk about your family?”
“Never,” she said. She smiled at him but it was without any warmth. “Not when there are glorious pictures to look at.”
“You seem keen on looking at these naked bodies.”
“Isn’t that what we’re meant to be looking at when we’re trying to impress someone on a date?”
“I suppose bowling’s out of the question?”
“Next time.”
They went up the wide stone stairs into the large foyer. Melanie flashed her army badge and coerced the man behind the counter into giving them two free tickets. They wandered around the large halls, examining the ceiling-high photographs.
“These pictures are a bit dull,” Gavin said. “It’s just people sitting around on old furniture. They’re not even in color.”
“No, look at the way she’s staring out the window.” Melanie ran her hand over one of the photographs, reaching out for the woman frozen on the other side of the glass. “It’s so sad. She cries over the things she’s lost. Her hope of a returning love is taken from her, and she sits alone staring out the window, thinking of what might have been.”
Gavin gave her a strange look.
She dashed over to another huge photograph that took up most of the wall. “And the children. So innocent and young, running together, hand in hand down an uncertain road, a dark future they cannot know, yet they charge into it smiling.” She wiped away a tear.
“And her,” she said as she turned to another portrait. “A young lady sits on an unmade bed. Is she waiting? Who for? Her eyes, full of desire, look back over her shoulder and she sees someone. But who is it? Is it her lover? Is it her destiny?”
She walked to another picture. “And look at him, he’s … oh gosh. I’m not sure where to look. Oh. My. Maybe they could have hidden his lower half behind … is it suddenly hot in here?” She fanned herself frantically.
She wheeled around into the center of the room and came face-to-groin with the anatomically accurate statue of David. Her heart skipped a beat, until she realized he had a fig leaf.
“Let’s look at something else.” She consulted the small booklet. “Dr. Taylor’s Hysteria Collection sounds interesting. It’s just in here.” They moved off in the direction of a small, dark doorway.
“Not quite a great exhibition but certainly an education,” Melanie said as they walked out into the foyer of the gallery. She had loosened her collar and was amazed not to see steam rising out of her clothes. “I was surprised to see so many middle-aged ladies in there. They sure looked eager.”
“Is that enough art? Now can we eat?”
“Yeah, let’s sit down, preferably on a large block of ice.”
A shrill voice echoed out of the expectant viewers who were entering the gallery. They all turned to observe the confrontation.
“You’re peddling filth,” said the woman confronting a man behind the counter. “These pictures depict illegal and immoral acts of nudity.”
“What are you talking about? It’s art.” The man was small with expertly brushed black hair and a part so sharp it was a member of Mensa. His large, dark-rimmed glasses magnified his eyes, which often scared small children.
“It is not art. Art is flowers in pots, horses running through meadows, and fruit in bowls. What you are displaying is sin. Photographs and statues designed to incite evil thoughts and deeds.”
“What about the Hysteria Collection?”
“Well, obviously that is purely medicinal with well-documented health benefits. But if you are uncertain, I can store them away for you.”
“If you can find a senior government official to complain, then we’ll do something about it. But as most of them are the first ones down here, demanding their own special day to view the exhibitions, I doubt you’ll be successful.”
“We shall see about that,” said the slightly portly, middle-aged lady wearing a sensible wide-brimmed hat.
“There’s always someone who wants to ruin it for everyone,” Melanie muttered. “And I think it’s always going to be her.”
24
“COLONEL PARKER, I’M glad you came.” Nikola was sitting on a large rock scanning the horizon. Twilight was approaching. He hadn’t turned around as Parker had approached.
“Yes, Commander. We meet outside the city like the old days.”
“I want you to do some things for me.”
“Always, Commander.”
“Like before.”
“I see, Commander. You’re not getting nostalgic?”
“We’re losing. Our time is coming to an end. I can feel it.”
“It’s inevitable. We did it, now someone is doing it to us.”
Nikola looked down into his hands. They were clasped together. “I had hoped that we were different, that we were making the world better.”
“Doesn’t everyone who challenges think like that?”
“I’m beginning to have my doubts. Anyway,” he handed over a small piece of paper.
Parker took it, unfolded the grubby sheet and nodded. “There are some important names on here. And some friends. But I’m glad to see my name missing. That could have been surreal.”
“Don’t worry, I’ve already dealt with you.”
“Some of the tasks seem a little odd. If it comes out you’re behind this, you won’t have many friends.”
“Sometimes that doesn’t matter. You know what to do.”
Parker saluted, turned and melted into the dusk. Nikola stayed and watched the sunset. He didn’t know how many sunsets he had left.
The figure watched the boys wander. A cowl was pulled over the head, hiding all distinguishing features. Set back in the shadows, the figure was just another homeless person, one that was watching carefully.
The path the boys had followed for the last week was the same, day after day. They came
down this little alleyway each day. They never noticed the destitute people huddling on the side. It was a poor street, with packed-in families. Animals roamed the area on the lookout for discarded scraps of food. It was unfortunate that some food found on the street could be less than healthy, less than nourishing. Some food could be filled with stomach-wrenching poisons best used for keeping down vermin.
That was the problem with pets; they often ate things they shouldn’t.
The school day had ended and Isaac and Sebastian wandered the streets avoiding the duty of homework. They stopped at a busy intersection, looking for an unsuspecting shopkeeper to play some amusing jape. One young man shouted something abusive at them, forcing them to move along.
Sebastian toyed with one of Albert’s small batteries in his pocket. “Hey, see if you can sense which hand’s got the battery.”
Isaac closed his eyes and screwed up his face in the effort of concentration. “Left?” he guessed.
“Yes. Try again.” Sebastian shuffled the battery behind his back and placed it back in his pocket.
Isaac guessed, successfully, again.
They idled away five minutes watching the passing trade, and Isaac continued to impress Sebastian with his increased electromagnetic sensory perception. The sun began to disappear behind the taller of the city buildings and the two set off back to their quarters.
They turned into a small alley to find it strewn with dead animals. Birds, cats, dogs and rats lay scattered with glassy eyes starting sightlessly. Shadows crawled across the lane, like a dark creature devouring the lifeless animals. They stood looking in shock at the macabre scene.
“What the …” Isaac stuttered.
Kerry Constantine appeared around the corner with her Bible in hand, eagerly followed by a small band of appreciators. She gasped in horror then shrieked to make sure everyone noticed the disturbing scene in front of them.
“You.” She leveled an accusatory finger at Sebastian and Isaac. “What have you done?”