Calbas opened his clenched fist, forming a funnel that drew in all the lightning and started sucking up the creature. Asariel tried to resist but before he could be pulled in, he turned into a heap of ash on the ground and vanished. Just then the thunder ceased. Rogers wondered if vanishing meant that Asariel was dead and gone forever, but he wasn’t sure.
Zebe fell to the ground, coughing and unfastening his tie. Rogers and Joe rushed over and helped the young man sit upright. Zebe rubbed both hands on his throat. He was still coughing, trying to catch his breath, which came in the form of deep panting as though the air had formed bubbles in his throat and lungs.
Rogers looked at Zebe’s throat. I’m pretty sure that if Asariel had lasted a little longer, Zebe would have lost every sensation in his body, he thought.
Zebe blinked continuously, as though the darkness that had enveloped him had gradually started to dissipate. ‘Are you all right, Zebe?’ Rogers asked but the boy didn’t answer; he was too busy clearing his throat.
Calbas turned towards the flames, channelling the funnel and drawing in the fire, ashes and some half-burnt papers. The wooden table was now scorched and the smell of burnt wood hit Rogers’ nose, where it stayed as a reminder of what had just happened.
A final wave of wind swept across the room, lifting the papers that had settled on the floor. For a moment the room was quiet in the aftershock of what had happened. Specks of dust drifted in slow motion around the dim wall lights. The rest of the guests had stayed low to the ground.
Calbas returned to his seat and sat down, then the chairman rose and returned to his position, followed by the rest of the attendees. Joe and Rogers pulled Zebe to his feet. He staggered when they let go but they quickly led him back to his seat. He looked tired and devastated; even some of his stiffly comb-raked hair had shifted from its position.
The silence seemed louder now after the commotion that had just taken place.
Rupeta Kaya cleared his throat. Standing up, he said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, let us disregard this. It is just a minor glitch in this process.’ Rogers knew that Rupeta was only responding that way because of the advantage of having the Gatekeepers on their side.
Rupeta continued, ‘I promise you—’ Before he could finish his sentence, there was the sound of disgust from someone clearing his throat.
‘That’s preposterous! You’re a joker! Do you hear me?’ barked Anderson Motos, glaring at the astrobiologists. Maybe he was expecting a rapid response but none came. ‘I’m completely outraged at your nonchalant attitude towards human life. You should be ashamed,’ he continued.
Rupeta Kaya picked up the glass of water in front of him. Clearing his throat, he took a sip and set it down. A few of the astrobiologists sitting alongside copied him, as though the pressure had dehydrated them.
‘I understand your frustration, my friend,’ Rupeta Kaya said. ‘We are not trying to make light of threats to human life – not at all. Far from it. That’s why we’ve been working tirelessly over the years to make sure our findings are as accurate as possible. We have only presented this proposal now that we are confident in our conclusions.’
Another man working on behalf of the government, Sir Clive, nervously swept his fingers over the few scattered papers in front of him. He had been waiting for his turn to speak ever since Rupeta Kaya had explained the reason for the project. ‘Please tell me you are not still presenting this matter to the panel, let alone seeking approval for this dangerous voyage?’ he asked with blatant disbelief. His eyes darted to the burnt part of the table.
‘Of course. You must disregard what happened here today. Pay no attention to the threat made by, you know… What is his name? Asariel?’ replied Rupeta Kaya, waving his hand.
His answer did not come as a surprise to Rogers. He’d known Rupeta over the years as someone who was fearless and a go-getter. Rupeta certainly had an incurable appetite to see this project through; he would never let anything stand in the way of him achieving anything he believed in. It was a trait they both shared. The harder the project, the more attractive it sounded to them.
‘A man almost died in our presence. In fact, we all could have died. Yet you are still trying to carry on with this project. Besides the fact that it would be astronomically expensive to maintain such an arduous, unnecessary and futile venture – it is a thoughtless and total waste of time. Let the astrobiologists conduct the experiment using astrobiologists as guinea pigs and at their own risk, but don’t expect us to support you,’ Sir Clive said.
‘Believe me, the astrobiologists would all be prepared to conduct the experiment. However, such findings would not provide accurate results because we are viewed as highly intelligent people. Whether or not we would pass a test of what a reasonable man would do in a situation is another matter. In reality, many humans are neither intelligent nor reasonable, just ordinary people, prone to mistakes and carelessness. This is what makes them human and therefore qualified for this project,’ Rupeta Kaya explained.
Rogers gave a proud smile at Rupeta’s explanation but his smile was quickly wiped away when an argument erupted, directed mostly at the astrobiologists. The only group not involved in the quarrelling were the Gatekeepers, who just sat and listened. Words became harsh, flying from one direction to another, and nobody was listening.
Rupeta Kaya did most of the talking on the astrobiologists’ behalf. The others in their group were silent. As the argument grew more heated, Rogers saw that some of the other delegates were very angry. They began spitting strong words and, as if that were not enough, stood up ready to leave the room.
Just then, a rumble of thunder was heard in the distance. The ground heaved and the large table rocked side to side. The people who were standing staggered to maintain their balance.
Fear returned to the room as everyone peered from corner to corner, expecting another visitation from the creature. Nothing happened.
The room was silent for a few seconds then they heard the chairman’s voice. ‘As we’ve now heard from both sides, we will take time to consider the information presented today and go forward from there,’ he said, before dismissing the meeting.
After that meeting, Rogers and the astrobiologists decided to work even harder to prove that their practical application would work, as well as the notion they’d put forward.
*
Rogers went to Rupeta’s office to discuss the paper containing the supporting evidence for the proposal they’d already put forward.
‘Old boy, we must make this last paper count. We may never get another chance to do so,’ Rupeta Kaya, said, even before Rogers could sit down.
‘Yes, sir,’ Rogers replied.
Rupeta Kaya had always called Rogers ‘old boy’, though Rogers was no older than him. In fact, at almost sixty-nine, Rupeta Kaya was at least ten years older than Rogers, who was still in his fifties. For what it was worth, Rogers had always answered to ‘old boy’. He sat down in front of a table facing Rupeta, who was reclining comfortably in an armchair.
Rogers opened the folder he was carrying and presented a drawing with some site maps for the new city. ‘Sir, here is a detailed analysis. It explains that a practical, functioning city could be built on Mars without its citizens needing to wear space suits and oxygen masks every day of their lives.’
Immediately, Rupeta Kaya’s face lit up with excitement. He pulled over the papers and started looking through them. ‘It’s all so exciting, don’t you think, old boy?’ he asked.
‘Extremely, sir. We went further to demonstrate that the Martian terrain could be tamed into a lush vegetation, like the Amazon rainforest, and would start to sustain wildlife and plantations. It could produce enough food for its citizens without outsourcing.’
‘Interesting,’ Rupeta Kaya said, beaming as he ran his hand over his head. ‘If you don’t mind me asking, was the issue of interplanetary travel taken care of?’ he continued.
‘Of course, sir, it’s the most important issue to address,’
Rogers said, pulling out more papers and setting them in front of Rupeta. ‘We’ve provided the solution for the most cost-effective interplanetary travel.’
Rupeta Kaya scrolled through the papers. ‘Ha-ha-ha,’ he laughed out loud and Rogers smiled broadly too. ‘We’ve made it, old boy,’ Rupeta said. They shook hands firmly before Rogers departed, leaving the file containing the papers.
Rogers and his colleagues were really happy about their achievement, having put together all the evidence required to advance their case.
*
Atta Rogers and his colleagues felt relieved when they had colonised Mars and built a brand-new city. The astrobiologists finally got the backing of the Gatekeepers to provide security for their workforce and the migrants when the city was completed. The government grudgingly gave the financial backing that was required and approval to use humans for the test project. It took Rogers and his colleagues a decade to complete the new city after that meeting.
CHAPTER 2
KEVIN AT MARS HARROGATE
Calbas and the other Gatekeepers were startled by whimpering noises, which echoed from a corner in the room they occupied at Mars Harrogate. Calbas saw that the human named Kevin, who was lying down on a clinical table, had begun to regain consciousness. Supernaturally, he began analysing and observing Kevin’s well-being and his state of mind. He listened in on Kevin’s thoughts.
Kevin’s body was riddled with pins and needles, pricking, burning and tingling, which he felt all the way down to his feet. His left arm felt heavy. He wasn’t sure whether he was alive or dead, and couldn’t distinguish between what was fake and real. He had no recollection of where he was, not to mention who he was. With his eyes still shut, the only thing he was sure of was the disorienting sensation he felt all over his body. He wasn’t sure if he’d sustained injuries.
I might be dreaming – or hallucinating, he thought. This notion sent shivers down to the pit of his belly. Anxiously he tried to open his eyes as quickly as possible but his eyelashes were gummed together. After several attempts, he managed to open his eyes, only to instantly slam them shut again after glimpsing a torrent of bright light. He couldn’t see anything other than its dazzling glow, but that didn’t stop him from trying again.
His heart continued to race. He only remembered ordinary things, cars, houses and even trees, but nothing relating to his life except going out for a drink. Where he went for the drink, or the country in which he lived, he couldn’t remember. What has caused my amnesia? Was it a physical trauma I’ve suffered? Or a mental one? Kevin thought.
‘I must have been a fool to have underestimated the effect of alcohol,’ he muttered under his breath. Wait a minute, what was I drinking? He paused and gasped in disappointment. I’m having a near-death experience, aren’t I? If so, how come I still haven’t experienced my whole life flashing before my eyes? At least that’s what people who’ve had near-death experiences always say happened to them. Ah, maybe I’m not having a near-death experience – I’m already dead! It all makes sense. The big bright light.
Suddenly he felt a sharp pain surging through his medulla oblongata and spreading through his whole body, especially his left shoulder which felt broken or dislocated. Wait, how did I know about the medulla oblongata? He paused to give it thought. He certainly knew it was something to do with the human brain but couldn’t remember how he had learned the word. It was just one of those things he knew and still remembered, perhaps picked up during his early years learning about human anatomy.
He started making whimpering noises again from the pain. He tried to open his eyes for the third time but the light blinded him. Calbas tilted his head towards Kevin as he listened in.
Oh my God, I really am dead. So, I finally killed myself, Kevin concluded in dismay. His mind continued to flicker. Part of him felt happy that it was all over, even without remembering why he’d wanted his life to end, but part of him felt sad not to know what had happened.
In this short space of time, Kevin decided to make peace with the Divine One. He tried to sit up to pray or to lace his fingers in a praying manner but no part of his body would move – not even his head. He lay still but still managed to say a few words to appease God. ‘Dear Lord, please forgive me for being so stupid and reckless as to kill myself. I don’t know how I did it, but so be it.’
There was absolute silence in the room except in Kevin’s head, where his imagination ran wild. He realised his fingers were clutching a piece of metal as though his life depended on it. Suddenly, darkness enveloped him.
Calbas’ eyes scrolled through that finger clutching the metal before focusing again on Kevin’s body as he continued to listen in.
Kevin gradually opened his eyes but the light persisted. He squinted, opening and closing them until his eyes adjusted. Everything looked hazy, including the people in the room. He sighed in relief. I’m not dead, he thought.
As Kevin looked around the large room, Calbas’s eyes followed his. The room was about two hundred square metres. It was surrounded by heavy-duty computer workstations. Kevin’s bed was placed close to one of the walls and beside his bed was a smaller workstation, which stood alone. The middle of the room was empty.
He took in his surroundings slowly. He was fully encased in an iron contraption that was moulded like a straitjacket, making it impossible to move any part of his body. His head pounded with a throbbing headache. He could see there were people watching him but they looked blurry. He was very frightened, wondering why he was caged and who his captors were.
The Gatekeepers hadn’t expected him to wake during the process. This was the first time he’d woken up in a whole year, since they’d been working on his transformation. Astounded, none of the Gatekeepers uttered a word; they just sat quietly, staring. However, Calbas thought Kevin’s reaction and his thought processes were normal for someone who had been unconscious for such a long time. He continued to listen to Kevin’s thoughts.
Calbas was sitting in front of an enormous workstation, his body tilted slightly towards Kevin. He started assessing, mixing and fine-tuning the machinery in front of him. He attempted to put on a brave face as he desperately tried to figure out what had gone wrong and correct it, but his stress showed.
Kevin, in spite of his pain, struggled to make out the faces of the people in front of him. He felt more afraid than he had with his eyes closed. His mouth was dry and his nose itched but there was no way of reaching his face with his bound hands. Calbas felt sorry for him but did nothing to help him. Kevin strained to speak but no words came out. Swallowing hard didn’t help, but he kept trying desperately to moisten his dry tongue.
Kevin gathered the courage to say something. As he opened his mouth, the same wrenching pain shot through his left arm, reaching into every part of his body. He shrieked and convulsed uncontrollably, causing the cage to rattle.
Just like robots, everyone in the room except Calbas sprang to their feet – and then hovered about three feet above the ground as they started to transform into their battle forms. Ai transformed into a man of steel, standing tall with a glowing amber light on his helmet. Every part of his body was equipped with computers. His right hand, which was raised, had spikes of steel poking out from it.
Wood became a man of sand with short trees growing out of him. He looked like he weighed a ton. Whilst he hovered, not a grain of sand or any leaves or even the little tree branches fell to the ground, despite all the movement that took place during the transformation.
Naffata transformed into water in the shape of a woman. She was like a being of translucent fluid, glistening and reflecting the colours of light in the room.
Each of the Gatekeepers recited their code systems for attack so they could fully engage their scientific ability and also use their supernatural powers at will.
‘Name: Ai. Code GK100-940 SRMS.’ Gatekeeper 100-940, the commander of steel, rocks, minerals and everything solid.
‘Name: Wood. Code GK100-336 ESWTA.’ Gatekeeper 100-
336, the commander of earth, sand, wood, trees and air.
‘Name: Naffata. Code GK100-111 TTSWW.’ Gatekeeper 100-111, the commander of temperature, tempestuous storms, wind and water.
His convulsions dying down, Kevin caught a glimpse of what was happening but it only made him more scared and he screamed louder. When the Gatekeepers finished transforming, the teleporting process did not discharge automatically as it should have done. Slowly they realised that the distress call was coming from inside the room, meaning there was no imminent danger to themselves or anyone else. No rescue or defence was necessary.
Kevin stopped screaming just in time to pass out. Everyone transformed back to their normal human-like bodies and returned to their workstations to figure out what had gone wrong with the transformation system. After discovering that the plugs responsible for keeping Kevin unconscious had almost been pulled out of their sockets, Calbas promptly rectified the situation.
Calbas reminisced for a second on how these events had started. It was after the meeting between the Astronomical Society, the World Government and the Gatekeepers. That meeting was held in a remote location on Earth.
Calbas and his colleagues had deemed it necessary to improve their combat machines to meet the ever-increasing demand for their services since they had offered to provide security for the new city. They had begun working on a new combat machine once the new city was built on Mars Rothadam. That was why Kevin was at Mars Harrogate, on the eastern side of Mars, where the Gatekeepers’ head office was located.
CHAPTER 3
THE MIGRANTS’ ARRIVAL AT THE CAMP
Rogers and his colleagues spent another year and one month after the construction of the new city dealing with all the logistics, making sure everything worked. The astrobiologists decided to collaborate with the Gatekeepers, as well as cosmic beings and other mythical creatures that had for centuries inhabited the Red Planet.
The Gate Page 3