Milo Moon: It Never Happened

by Derek Haines

  The grill cover was vertical and the shape of the cement walls around them formed a curved top and back with flat walls on either side. The grill was a few feet above the ground that they could see below them. As they worked away at the remaining bolts, they were both looking at what they could see, but had no words for. Fields, grass, trees, birds, sky, clouds, mountains, roads and sunlight. They didn’t know that they were experiencing their first ever, real morning. A beautiful autumn morning in the Geneva countryside.

  With the last bolt finally removed, Michael gave the grill a hefty shove with his shoulder. It moved a little and he needed to give it two more hard shoves before it dropped to the ground. They manoeuvred themselves through the opening, dropped to the ground, and stood in front of the shaft opening, and looking around at a new world.

  ‘Better get that grill back on. Don’t want to leave too many signs for anyone to follow us,’ Milo suggested, and Michael and Anne immediately went about putting the grill back in place.

  ‘Now what?’ Mary asked.

  ‘Good question,’ Michael replied.

  ‘And the answer?’ Anne asked.

  ‘Start walking I suppose,’ was Milo’s considered wisdom.

  ‘Look. Over there!’ Anne half shrieked.

  They all turned and looked. Not far behind the exhaust shaft was a large and very long blue sign.

  ‘CERN - Aimant Dipôle - Superconductor - LHC’

  ‘What’s that big brown ball?’ Mary asked.

  ‘No idea, but I think the opposite direction might be a better thought,’ Milo warned.

  The exhaust shaft they had exited from was located in a field bordered by small roads on three sides and on one side by a major highway; Route de Meyrin. They looked in both directions, and decided that the direction away from the big brown ball and CERN sign was their preferred choice. They were not to know that they were heading towards Geneva. If they had chosen the opposite direction, they would have arrived at the French border within a short distance. They passed a large square blue road sign on their left that read,

  ‘CERN ENTREE A - PARKING GLOBE’

  With an arrow indication to turn right. They didn’t, and kept walking directly ahead on Route de Meyrin. After only ten minutes of walking, they saw another sign that gave them their first choice to make. Left to Meyrin Village. Straight ahead was indicated by a big red circle, and right, something indicated with a big ‘H’ and also something called Genève. After a while, they decided to keep following the same road straight ahead.

  Another half an hour of walking saw them pass a green sign on their right saying, ‘FRANCE’, but they didn’t turn. They stopped to drink some water from their sacks and realised that their supply was nearly gone. There was no food left either. They kept walking ahead still not knowing what they were looking for.

  Large and noisy cars were crowding Route de Meyrin in both directions. Tall buildings on either sides of the road were bigger than anything they had ever seen. Above them was blue with white fluffy things seemingly floating high above them. A strong light was beaming down on them, and so strong that they couldn’t look at it. There were large vehicles carrying many people. Huge vehicles carrying cargo roared passed them making a noise so loud it hurt their ears. They walked on the part of the road where they noticed other people were walking, and were very happy that the cars did not use it too.

  Another sign. ‘Lausanne - Aéroport’, but the road ahead still looked more inviting.

  ‘Have you noticed all these little red circular signs saying fifty?’

  ‘Yes, there’s been a lot of them. Don’t know what they mean though,’ Anne replied.

  ‘Are you doing all right, Anne?’

  ‘Fine, Michael.’

  They continued walking. Luckily they came across a small stone fountain on the roadside, and they drank to quench their thirst and refill their containers. As they passed by the buildings that were now lining both sides of the road, they could smell food from time to time. Although hungry, they didn’t really know what to do or how to ask, so they kept going forward.

  ‘Avez-vous l’heure Monsieur?’ a man passing in the street asked Michael. He didn’t understand what the man said and had never heard such strange words.

  ‘I’m sorry, I don’t understand.’

  ‘Vous-êtes anglais?’

  ‘I’m very sorry. I don’t….’

  ‘Are you English?’ the man asked in heavily French accented English.

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘C’est pas grave Monsieur. Bonne journée,’ the man said, and continued on his way.

  ‘Did you understand, Anne?’

  ‘No. It’s a very strange sound.’

  ‘The road has change names,’ Milo commented. ‘The sign up there says Rue de la Servette.’

  ‘Do we keep going then?’ Anne asked.

  All agreed to continue on, occasionally being spoken to by passers by but not understanding anything. There were many more people around them now, and it was becoming difficult to walk on the small roadside path that was narrower than before. Both Anne and Michael excused themselves when they bumped into people coming towards them and kept an eye on those behind them. They had been walking for more than two hours, and were hot, and feeling burnt by the light that was shining down from the blue above them. Taking a rest in the shade of a building, Anne saw a display of sandwiches, rolls and fruit, and noticed that people were taking what they wanted. Unfortunately, she didn’t understand what was being said, or what it meant when the people exchanged pieces of paper and small pieces of metal.

  ‘I’m hungry.’

  ‘Me too,’ Michael replied, and after observing other people for a short while, they also selected some items and promptly sat down at a small table on the roadside and ate their food. They continued to eat while a woman shouted at them in the same strange sounds that they had been hearing all morning. They finished the sandwiches they had taken at first, and then still hungry, went back to select some more, plus two bottles of something that Anne had noticed were popular with other people. All the while, the woman was shouting at them, and shouting to another woman inside. When they returned and started on their second servings, the screaming woman had gone back inside, so they ate their food in peace.

  ‘What do we do now?’ Anne asked.

  ‘A rest here for a little while won’t hurt. My legs are very tired,’ Michael said.

  ‘Well, one thing is for sure. George was right. We do look just like these humans. But he didn’t say anything about the strange sounds they make,’ Milo added. ‘I think we need to find someone who we can understand.’

  ‘You’re right Milo. But how do we do that?’ Mary asked.

  ‘I’ve noticed that I understand some of the signs we have passed,’ Milo said. ‘So I’m presuming that there are people who will understand us. Maybe we should start asking people if they understand us until we find one who does.’

  ‘Well, after a short rest here, we’ll try. Okay?’ Michael asked, and all seemed to agree that Milo’s idea was worth pursuing.

  ‘What do you think that means?’ Anne asked, as she pointed to a sign that read;

  ‘Gare Cornavin - 200 meters’

  ‘No idea, Anne,’ Milo replied.

  The rest was doing them good after the physical exertion of climbing through the ducts and walking all morning. While keen to move on, the comfort offered by the chairs was so welcomed by their legs that they remained long enough to meet the results of the woman’s earlier screaming.

  ‘Votre nom Monsieur?’ a man in a uniform, accompanied by a woman in a similar uniform said.

  ‘I’m sorry, I don’t understand,’ Michael said, for what he thought must have been the fiftieth time.

  ‘What is your name sir?’ the uniformed woman asked.

  ‘Oh, I’m so glad someone understands me. My name is Michael. Michael Fischer.’

  ‘And you madam?’

  ‘Anne Drayford. Nice to meet you. Wh
at’s your name?’ Anne asked innocently.

  ‘I am Police Officer Marie Dupont, and my colleague is Police Officer Marc Renoir. He doesn’t speak English very well though.’

  ‘Well very nice to meet you,’ Michael said, enthusiastically as he was very pleased to finally meet someone he could understand.

  ‘We were called because the owner of the shop said you didn’t pay for your food,’ Officer Dupont stated.

  ‘What is pay?’ Michael asked.

  ‘Money, Monsieur.’

  ‘No, I’m Michael,’ he corrected Officer Dupont.

  ‘Can I see your identification please?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Your identity card or passport.’

  ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know what you mean,’ Anne answered in all honesty.

  ‘You must have some kind of identification, surely,’ an exasperated Office Dupont said, now becoming a little annoyed.

  ‘Only this,’ Michael said as he pulled up his right sleeve to reveal ‘M41-6779-78-gamma-13.bod’ branded along the length of his forearm. Anne took the cue to reveal hers as well for Officer Dupont. ‘F47-7876-81-beta-15.bod’.

  ‘Where did you get those?’

  ‘We’ve always had them,’ Anne replied.

  ‘And how long have you been here?’

  ‘We arrived this morning.’ Michael said.

  ‘And from where?’

  ‘Sootere.’

  ‘Sous terre! Underground!’ Officer Dupont inflected in disbelief.

  ‘Yes. We climbed through the exhaust ducting system to escape.’

  ‘The exhaust system from where?’

  ‘As I said, Sootere. That’s where we lived. We escaped because we believed we were going to be terminated.’

  ‘So…..’ Officer Dupont paused in total disbelief at Michael’s story so far. ‘So, where exactly did you enter, here. From the exhaust system that is?’

  ‘Near a blue sign that read CERN - Aimant Dipôle - Superconductor - LHC, just in front of a big brown ball.’

  The mention of CERN had Officer Dupont on guard immediately, and suspected she had two possible nut cases on her hands. She started taking notes in her notebook, and continued.

  ‘So, it is only the two of you then?’

  ‘Sort of,’ Anne replied.

  ‘What do you mean? Sort of.’

  ‘Hello, I’m Milo Moon.’

  ‘And I’m Mary Seaton.’

  The voices ever so slightly different from Anne and Michael, but not enough for Officer Dupont to notice.

  ‘I think you had better come with us,’ Officer Dupont said firmly.

  ‘Oh, thank you,’ Michael said. ‘That’s very generous of you.’

  Officer Dupont turned to her colleague and told him to call in to base to tell them they were bringing in a couple of junkies.

  After being processed and having their files started, Officer Dupont asked them to put their possessions on the table. Both complied happily and once again thanked Officer Dupont for the time she was taking in helping them. After going through their sacks and pockets it was clear that they had no money at all, nor any identification. Some tools, maps and scraps of food and water bottles. It was only when she came across the file and opened it that she realised this was going to be a long day.

  ‘Oh merde!’ Officer Dupont said, as she read the first few pages.

  ‘Where did you get this from?’

  ‘George gave it to us. He wanted us to escape before we were terminated. That’s the date next to your finger there.’ Michael said, as he pointed to the date marked in the file.

  ‘And where is this George?’

  ‘He has been terminated.’

  ‘What? Killed?’

  ‘We only know the word terminated.’

  ‘I’m having trouble believing all this,’ Officer Dupont said, almost to herself.

  ‘We have cameras implanted in our heads,’ Milo interjected. ‘Maybe you could download the data.’

  ‘Cameras in your head!’ she exclaimed in disbelief.

  Michael turned his head and lifted his hair slightly, as the light reflected from the small lens.

  ‘Oh, putain.’ Officer Dupont hissed to herself as she realised she had a serious problem on her hands. ‘Look, it’s getting late. I think I’ll arrange your accommodation here for the night and I’d like to get a doctor to have a look at you. Is that okay with you?’

  ‘Oh, please don’t go to any trouble,’ Anne said.

  ‘No, it’s fine Anne. Really. I think you both need a good meal and a some sleep tonight. I’d just like the doctor to make sure you are both fit and well. That’s all.’

  ‘All right. If it’s no trouble for you, that’s very nice of you. Umm, can we have our things back?’

  ‘Sure Anne. Would you mind if I just make a copy of your file?’

  ‘Oh, if you like. Sure,’ Michael said innocently.

  ‘Great. Thanks. I’ll get you settled in straight away then.’

  ‘Can I ask you something?’ Milo said.

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘What’s your name?’

  ‘Marie.’

  ‘That’s a nice name.’

  ‘Thank you, Milo.’

  Dr. Luc Fleury reported back to Officer Dupont after he had completed his examinations.

  ‘I think there is a major problem here officer. I’ve taken blood for analysis and will have the results by morning. But these two are drugged to the gills. That’s for sure. I just don’t know what with. There are also signs of repetitive trauma injuries and scarring from any number of surgical procedures.’

  ‘What? Oh my god,’ Officer Dupont said, and picked up the file, opened it at the page with the copy of the document referring to human experimentation, and handed it to the Dr. Fleury.

  ‘I think you had better have your commander contact Bern immediately, Officer Dupont.’

  ‘Yes Dr. Fleury.’

  ‘I’ll be back around eleven tomorrow with the results of the blood tests.’

  ‘Yes. I’ll be here.’

  Dr. Fleury left, and Officer Dupont headed off nervously to see her commander without an appointment. Something she had never done before. Within an hour, telephones were ringing in the Swiss capital, Bern.

  Chapter 12 - Cold Turkey

  ‘Good morning, Dr. Fleury.’

  ‘Good morning, Officer Dupont. Look, the blood test results are frightening. Their blood is more like a chemical cocktail. I’ve never seen anything like it before in my life.’

  ‘All right. Can you wait for a short while? I’m expecting my commander any minute with some people from Bern. They may want to see the results.’

  ‘Can I check on Anne and Michael?’

  ‘Not at the moment I’m afraid doctor. We’ll have to wait. It’s out of my hands now. My commander just wanted me here to make sure they were calm when I introduce them to him and the other people.’

  ‘Do you know who they are? These people from Bern?’

  ‘No idea. As soon as I told my commander, he took over the case.’

  ‘All right. I’ll get a coffee in the cafeteria. Come and grab me when you need me. I’ll have to go by midday though.’

  ‘Yes, I understand. They should be here any minute. I’ll find you.’

  ‘Right. See you soon then.’

  Marie Dupont waited anxiously for her commander to arrive. She also had in her mind that she wanted to see if Anne and Michael were well after a night’s sleep. Her commander’s arrival was heralded by a lot of shuffling and movement, as he made his way through the building towards the secure area where Marie Dupont was waiting.

  ‘Are we ready, Dupont?’ he half barked, as he arrived with three men and a woman.

  ‘I believe so sir.’

  ‘Right, let’s go. I’ll come in with you and you can introduce me. Then our friends here will join me once they’re settled and comfortable. By the way, is the doctor here?’

  ‘He’s in the cafeteria sir.’<
br />
  The commander turned and instructed one of the men behind him where to find the doctor.

  ‘Right. Ready Dupont?’

  ‘Yes sir, eh, can I ask who these people are?’

  ‘No Dupont, you can’t.’

  ‘Sorry sir.’

  ‘Let’s get moving.’

  ‘Good morning, Anne. Good morning, Michael.’

  ‘Oh hello, Marie. How are you?’ Anne replied.

  ‘I’m fine thanks. I’d like to introduce you to my commander. He would like to help with your file if that’s ok?’

  ‘Sure,’ Michael said agreeably.

  ‘Good morning Michael, I’m Pierre André.’

  ‘Nice to meet you Pierre. Is it all right if I call you, Pierre?’

  ‘Certainly, Michael. And Anne. Nice to meet you too,’ Pierre André said, in such a friendly tone it surprised Marie Dupont. She had never even seen him smile before.

  ‘Thank you. Everyone has been so nice to us. Especially Marie. She’s been wonderful, hasn’t she, Michael?’

  ‘Yes. That’s for sure.’

  ‘All right,’ Pierre started. ‘I’ve seen a copy of your file and it would seem that this is a very sensitive story you have bought with you. You say you were held underground.’

  ‘That’s right. In Sootere.’ Milo said. ‘Oh I’m sorry I interrupted. My name is Milo Moon. Nice to meet you too, Pierre.’

  Pierre André did notice the subtle change in voice, as to did Marie this time.

  ‘I see Milo, and yes, nice to meet you too,’ he said, as he shook hands again to greet Milo.

  ‘And I’m Mary Seaton Pierre. Nice to meet you.’

  ‘The pleasure is mine Mary,’ Pierre said politely and without showing any surprise. ‘Well, now that we have all met, could I ask you if it would be ok with you to have some friends have a chat with you? We would really like to understand what has happened to you, and what we should do next,’ Pierre said.

  ‘How many friends do you have?’ Milo asked, and Pierre to his credit was sharp enough to know it was Milo talking.

  ‘Oh Milo, I have many friends, but this morning only four. They are from the government.’

  ‘And what’s a government?’

  ‘My bosses, Milo.’

  ‘Oh. Understood. No problem. Will Marie be staying too?’