"We both know that isn't going to happen. If Mr. Pike survived, he will be brought to the surface. We will do our best to extract him from there."
The bracelet on Bersa's arm beeped. She answered, "Master. I can only guess you were watching."
"Tragic. I just wanted to let the team know I'm on my way there now. If Mr. Pike is still with us, I'll be bringing him back. Was everyone watching?"
"Yes."
"That means they're as shocked as I am. Send them to the lounge for the remainder of the day."
"Sir, we have much work to do. Mr. Turnbull must be prepared for his mission. It was my understanding that might happen as soon as tomorrow."
"That mission is important. And I want the team focused on successfully completing it and not on the loss of one of their members. Mr. Turnbull, and the rest of you, I made the promise of freeing all Humans should you enable me to one day be emperor. I stand by that offer. Stand by me and I'll see to it you are all citizens in equal standing to the others."
Jamus stepped forward. "Master Hallik, I can't speak for the others, but I would prefer to continue our work. I want to do this for Daniel, and for all the Humans who have perished in captivity. Daniel was the first Human to die somewhat free in the last ten thousand years. I say we honor his death by continuing our work."
The others stepped in behind him, including Dester Marr.
"You all feel this way?"
Jamus glanced around at the others. "We do."
"Remarkable. I am astounded by what I see in this small group almost every day. The commitment. The honor. The respect and caring for others. Those are traits that once made you the premier species in this galaxy. They are traits that are often missing in my own people.
"We have become fat, lazy, abusive… our technology has changed little since we took control. We lack the creativity and the drive to do anything other than to take power and profit. I can only imagine what could have been accomplished had the Humans remained in control. Do as you wish here today, Mr. Turnbull. Your team has earned the right to make that decision."
The comm closed. The time was checked and the second meal of the day eaten. Immediately following, the group returned to the classroom and Bersa’s instruction. The following morning, Hallik's shuttle landed just outside.
The rotund Brekan waddled into the classroom, where the others were busy at study. "My team, I have good news and bad news. Mr. Pike is alive. He has, however, lost the use of his legs. His lower spine was fractured in the accident. He's resting now. I had my surgeons do for him what they could."
"Can we see him?" Jamus asked.
"I'm afraid he's currently in a medically induced coma. Should my medical team decide his wounds are healing, he will be brought back and you will be allowed to see him then."
"Healed as in how?"
"Healed as in there is no sign of infection or further complication. I'm afraid he will never have use of his legs."
"And if he's brought back while unable to walk?"
"A good possibility. I suppose I will have to evaluate his future at that time. At the moment I have no way to care for him, no way to bring a quality of life that should come with being aware. When and if that time comes for a determination as to what to do, I may come to you here for advice."
The news was crushing to morale but added to their resolve. A cherished member of the team, a person of innocence who was kind and caring and friendly to everyone, had been taken away. After a long day of study, an hour of free time was given. The lounge was quiet. Dester sat in his chair with a sulking look on his face.
Jamus said, "You almost act as if you care."
"I do care. He's a Human. I've been mean and nasty to him since we came here. He showed me nothing but kindness in return. I may be stubborn, and selfish, and opinionated, but deep inside I still have a heart. I wish the kid well... if that's possible."
"We'll do our best to see that he recovers, or is at least taken care of."
The solemn evening soon came to an end. Sleep was followed by breakfast and the rumble of Hallik's shuttle as it again landed. Jamus Turnbull was collected, and the shuttle returned to flight.
Hallik sat in an ultra-plush chair across from Jamus. "You don't seem at all nervous."
"I've been in the mines before. I'll be the one wearing a rag over his mouth."
"Yes. About that. I would ask that you not do that in this instance. We don't want to draw unneeded attention to you. Given your age, you will most likely be using a shovel. I understand that to be the dustier of the two jobs, but it will also allow you to observe, which is required in this mission."
"I can work a shovel. And you're right, I'm not nervous. But I don’t like the prospect of spending ten days at the end of a mine shaft. It's dark. It's hard to breathe. And depending on the depth, it can be hot."
"If there was any way possible to bring you out early, I would do so. With Mr. Pike and the juicing of the workers, they were in constant need of sending in new slaves. That won't be the case here. Your shift team will be expected to meet their quota, regardless of the number of bodies being carried out. If their reason for productivity can be determined early, perhaps we can figure out a way to shut down the mine. I have no clue as to how that might happen, but I will work on it."
"You seem to be going over and above on this whole team thing. I don't get it."
"I see it as a rare opportunity to move up in the circles of power. Wealth buys power in this empire, Mr. Turnbull. Imagine the production of Human workers who were not on Shackle. Imagine Human workers working for their own profits. And then imagine Human workers who care about their performance and the company they work for. The potential productivity would be ground-shattering.
"Now contemplate an empire where Human scientists and engineers are once again contributing to our technologies. Can you imagine how much better life would be for all empire citizens if that were true? Of course there would be the elite few who currently hold power who would be the losers in all this, but I don't see as how anyone else would care."
Jamus sighed. "You paint a pretty picture, Hallik. And so long as I believe that scenario to be your intent, I will work my ass off to make it happen. And I do have one more question. Why is it slaves are used in the mines instead of machinery?"
Hallik clasped his hands together. "Yes. A question I have asked many times. Slaves are inexpensive. Their only real cost is food. And food is plentiful in the empire. Having slaves is also a status symbol. The more you have, the more power and prestige you command.
"There is also a distinct lack of science and engineering talent among our people. We don't have the compunction to do that type of work. It's actually looked down upon by society. They seem to be content with the status quo. I've read where in the past it was posited that Humans be trained and allowed to do that science and engineering work. But those in power felt it to be too dangerous. And to deter further requests, those who had brought the idea forward were severely chastised by government officials and then publicly shunned, two things that will end any career and put one quickly into near poverty."
"So we toil till death where a machine could do the work of a hundred. It doesn't make sense."
"It makes perfect sense to the people in charge. Humanity is not only suppressed but made to labor for us. And as to the general populace, they seem to be quite happy with things the way they are as well. Work hours are generally short, pensions are generous, and jobs are plentiful, not to mention physically easy. Most citizens are quite content with doing the minimum while living in relative luxury. Which is also a reason our population has ceased to grow during our reign. Citizens do not want to be bothered with children. Most parents are paid, and generously so, for siring a child."
"Sounds backwards."
"Quite. So let's see what we can do about that, shall we?"
The shuttle landed on Gatemon. A hover taxi was called. Jamus and a handler were dispatched. Two additional ride transfers were made
before the Human shoveler was delivered to the gates of the mine. The handler watched as Jamus was hurried through processing, as was paid for. The new worker was then taken through a door leading back to the slave housing building.
Five hours later, the group watched as Jamus followed a crowd of miners to a huge elevator. The main tunnel through which all the coal was delivered ran for three kilometers, half a kilometer below the surface. The miners were then walked to a second elevator that would take them down another half kilometer to the new working main. They were then led to a train that carried the four hundred miners in his group to the end of the current working shaft.
At the end of the track, picks and shovels were issued and teams of three established. Two men, or women, would pick while the third shoveled the coal into a waiting wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow operator would then carry his load back to the train, where it was dumped into ore cars for transport out. Shifts ran sixteen hours, with a short break for food every four hours, starting at hour number two.
After glancing around and taking note of another shoveler who had a rag strapped over his mouth, Jamus began to pull out his own. Several seconds of hesitation saw him slowly wiping his brow before sliding it back into his pocket. He would heed Hallik's request.
As he worked the shovel, the aware Human had taken the initiative to glance around at the other dozen teams who were hard at work. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, and the crew he was with were not producing at an above average pace.
Bersa commented as they watched the video feed back at the compound. "Anyone notice anything out of place? I'm not seeing where this shaft, or this shift, is being overly productive. In fact, this appears to be a very average crew."
Nobody had any comments.
A buzzer sounded. The workers stepped back to a section of the shaft that had been fully trussed. Thirty seconds later a rumble went through the mine.
Jamus turned to the man standing next to him. "What was that?"
No reply was given.
Bersa stood. "What is he doing? There should be no talking. He will only draw attention to himself."
A second buzzer saw the work crews moving back to their stations. A supervisor, housed in a sealed suit with a breathing mask, was watching from five meters away. A glance by Jamus had the super walking up to him.
"Why aren't you working?"
Jamus asked, "This is my first time in a mine. What was that noise?"
The super pointed. "Give me your shovel."
Bersa shook her head. "This is bad. Very bad."
Jamus held out his hand with the shovel handle toward the super. "I'm sorry, sir. I was just brought to the mine today. I wasn't given my Smudge."
"What? How did this happen?"
"I... I don't know. Please... may I have my Smudge?"
The super let out a sigh before opening a comm. "I'm in B442. I have a new miner down here who wasn't given his Shackle. Please send someone down with a dose so I don't have to listen to his whine."
"He off the Shackle? Do you need help?"
"No, you idiot. He claims he wasn't given it. Please send someone down with a dose. I don't feel like pancaking his skull today and doing the paperwork about the incident."
"I have a dose coming your way. And how'd you know he was in need? Was he going all crazy for it?"
"He asked what the blast noise was. I think he was scared. Now he's begging for his dose."
"It's on its way."
The super handed back the shovel. "Your crew is getting ahead of you. I will be expecting you to catch up. I will not have smudgers in my shaft who cannot carry their load."
Jamus nodded with his best submissive smile. "Yes, sir. Thank you sir."
Minutes later, a courier arrived with a single pill. Jamus popped it into his mouth and swallowed it dry. After a short struggle, the pill made its way down. The Shackled miner turned back to his team with shovel in hand and was soon on his way to removing the small stack of coal that covered his section of floor.
Bersa sat while shaking her head. "He can't take risks like that. None of you can take risks like that. Another super might have happily used that shovel on his head and then called for a new miner. The paperwork one must do for a replacement is minimal."
Kerena asked, "What did he mean by the blast scared him?"
Dester replied, "They're not doing traditional mining. In this shaft, yes, but in others, it would appear they are doing something quite different. Maybe explosives?"
Bersa shook her head. "Hydraulics. Explosives and coal in a shaft don't mix. And both hydraulics and explosives are illegal. A pilot hole is drilled. A hydraulic device is placed inside. Pressure is applied until the coal seam gives way. I've heard of this idea. I've never heard of it being used. We will have to get someone back in there and onto the proper crew."
Martin asked, "Is this something Master Hallik could employ in his mines?"
"No. This technology is not supposed to be used in mining. If true, Master Hilgess is cheating. A steep penalty will be paid if this is discovered. He is being foolish in his pursuit of profit."
Dester said, "Why not report him?"
"The reporting process has its own flaws. By the time an investigative team reached that shaft, all evidence of illegality will have been removed or covered over with a collapse. Hard evidence must be presented or accusations not only become useless, but are a detriment to the accuser's reputation. We need someone in the shaft where this is being used. And we need them to turn at least one of the supervisors."
"How would we do that? Won't it look suspicious if they're approached by a slave? I would think that would be a dead giveaway of being aware."
"Indeed it would. Which is why we are going to work to resolve this as a team. I need ideas. Tell me what Human treachery could be used to turn a supervisor to report this transgression."
"Keep it simple," said Dester. "Write up several notes promising a big reward, with a number for the super to call to claim it."
"And just how would the note be delivered?"
"Just have Jamus drop it. If done without being noticed, he should be in the clear. And if he can drop the blame on some other slave, all the better."
Martin leaned forward with a scowl. "I will not be part of abusing another slave for this purpose."
Bersa held up a hand. "It would not be advisable anyway. There are too many eyes that can be questioned. Perhaps we should direct our effort back to the current video stream. Sometimes a single clue can be enough to set in motion a chain of events that resolves the issue at hand."
The next two feed breaks came and went without incident. After the third, instead of returning to his post, Jamus began to walk up the shaft in the other direction. Several minutes passed before the super took notice that a Human on his team had gone missing. Just after the missing miner turned down the next adjacent shaft, a pair of individuals on foot jogged toward the original shaft-end with clubs in hand.
Jamus hurried along, soon coming into view of a drilling rig as it was pulled back from a fresh hole. A machine was pushed forward, inserting a long pole with a split down the middle. An engine roared to life for most of a minute, before a high-pressure pump got to work filling a cylinder. Seconds after a chime was heard, the loud buzzer again kicked off, and the workers moved back to the trussed part of the shaft.
A giant ram then forced hydraulic fluid into the inserted tube, where immense pressure was used to thrust two plates outward. The coal cracked with a loud pop, fracturing and dropping into a pile that was two meters high by two meters wide by twenty meters deep. A second buzzer sounded as the hydraulic ram device was pulled back. The work crew with their shovels then moved in behind it.
Not being noticed by the super of the hydraulic crew, Jamus hurried back before turning into the original shaft. The super and his two clubbed assistants stood staring at the empty position as they talked. The missing miner quietly walked past and began to shovel.
Once noticed, the supe
r grabbed his shoulder, jerking him around. "Where were you?"
Jamus looked at the super with crossed eyes and his best empty smile, displaying his smudginess.
The super let out a sigh as he turned to the others. "Another smudged up wanderer. Return to your posts. And ask them to increase the oxygen in this shaft by 1 percent. I don't need Human workers that are already dumber than they are."
Chapter 7
* * *
Ten days came and went without further incident. After pick-up, Jamus was taken to a medical facility, where Hallik ordered an experimental procedure to be performed. It would be the first lung-wash in Human history.
After being strapped to a vertical table, a mask was attached. Six liters of perfluorocarbon was pumped into his lungs, spewing out from the sides of the mask when full. Convulsions followed for several seconds before the table was spun upside-down, placing his head near the floor. The mask was removed and the breathable liquid was ejected into a specially placed bucket. Jamus was allowed most of a minute to return to a somewhat normal breathing pattern before the process was repeated.
After the fifth such procedure, the fluid was declared free of contaminants and the cleansing was ruled a success. That evening, during a special session of free time, the cleaned-up miner walked into the lounge with the others to find Daniel seated on a special chair, his broken spine held in a rigid position.
Jamus hurried over with an excited smile. "You're back?"
The young Daniel Pike returned a pained smile of his own. "I'm messed up, Jamus. Master Hallik's people have done all they can so far. I'm told I'll be in this contraption for another three months, and that I won't ever walk."
"I was terrified that I'd never see you again. Are you back here now?"
"That hasn't been decided. I've been given the option to return here, but only if I can contribute. I don't want to be a burden to the team."
Jamus smirked. "Forget about being a burden. I'm sure everyone here would be happy to make up for any issues we'd have with having you around."
FREEDOM Legends Page 6