Dark Phase

by Jonathan Davison

  “Where can I acquire object with which to trade?” Sarazen asked unknowingly incurring the wrath of the busy trader who fumbled at items on his stall.

  “He's not very bright this one is he? Well, think about it. If stories are to be believed, then you should be the richest Gwangle in The Ward. You have something everybody wants. Use it!” The trader’s incredulity at Sarazen’s apparent stupidity was evident and the other traders all nodded and laughed. Sarazen turned away from the stall and was virtually ejected by enthusiastic citizens pushing to get to the front to see the new wares.

  Sarazen had not really thought about his social status amongst the citizens, but the trader was correct in his assumption that he did have the unique capability that afforded him time on the surface, time to explore and forage for wares that would be in great demand. This capability would no doubt see him become a focal point of trade and if the value of his goods were high enough, he could reap the benefits. However, to Sarazen, the whole exercise seemed pointless. He was not interested in material things, he did not yet understand the fascination with the act of acquisition.

  “Hoghie.” A voice from behind him announced a looming presence. Sarazen looked around him and before him stood the trader who had so flippantly dismissed him a moment beforehand.

  “Hoghie, that's my name. You’re Sarazen right?”

  “Indeed.” Sarazen stood like an awkwardly positioned statue in the middle of the small crowd.

  “I hope you weren't offended back then, I have a lot of time wasters visit my stall. I realised that I had been too hasty, so I have come to apologise.” Hoghie was a short, stocky unit, a new breed with a large, savage scar across his forehead, obviously as a result of an errant cannon shot.

  “No offence taken, I am sorry to have inconvenienced you.” Sarazen replied and motioned to leave.

  “Hang on, don't go, I really think I should make it up to you. Come, let us talk about trade, you're obviously curious.” Hoghie had the persuasive skills required for his profession and Sarazen was naturally inquisitive.

  “Strikes me that you’re a bit of a loner. That's alright, knowing some of the individuals around here that seems like a good option. You asked me back then how you would acquire items to trade. Well, that's easy. You need only pick up a few things from the surface and bring them to Hoghie! In fact, not only would I give you the best rates for your wares, I’ll even put them on my stall and offload them for you in bulk. I'll give you a tidy commission for whatever I manage to get rid of.”

  Sarazen looked perplexed, Hoghie was obviously negotiating an agreement but Sarazen had no motivation to take him up on his offer.

  “I am afraid that it would be pointless. I have no requirement for material items such as garments or decorative accoutrements.”

  “Hmm. That's unfortunate. Then, what is it that you want? Tell me and I’ll see what Hoghie can do for you.”

  “I do not know what I want. I seek to reconcile my friendship with Kerrig the excavator, and consolidate my position with a desired companion, although at the moment, this seems impossible.”

  “Oh really? Well, you have come to the right place my friend.”

  “For what purpose?” Sarazen inquired, intrigued by the promise of aid in his personal issues.

  “Well, perhaps I can offer you some advice that will be a sure-fire success in claiming this lovely specimen as your own. I am of course a renowned and well respected match-maker in these parts.”

  “And what is this advice?” Sarazen was now very intrigued.

  “Well I’m not going to tell you now am I you stupid Gwangle. That's part of the trade!” Sarazen shook his head in confusion.

  “Are you suggesting that I can purchase this advice and I would have a ‘sure-fire success’ with my desired companion?”

  “Duh! You old ones are a bit slow on the uptake are you not? Of course that is what I’m suggesting.” Hoghie knew he had Sarazen gripped at the first mention of the deal.

  “And what is it that you require?”

  “Well, of course I have interest in any product acquired from the surface. Having been a forager myself in the distant past, I know that there is a world of riches up there, just waiting to be plucked from under the interceptors’ noses. I see no reason why you could not nip out, grab a few choice items and nip back in and be home in time for some 'alone time' with your lovely partner to be.”

  “I am capable of performing this feat. Tell me what items you wish me to collect.”

  “Well, the most valuable, obviously, and in good quantities. Better value will buy you better advice of course.” Sarazen did not like this ambiguity, he wanted to woo Kadheera and bring her to his side without the need for drastic measures, if Hoghie could impart some wisdom that would allow this to happen, then the risk of an excursion to the surface was time well spent.

  “Elaborate.” Sarazen demanded.

  “Whoa, steady old one, curb your enthusiasm. Look, it's been hundreds of cycles since I scavenged on the surface so things might have changed, but know this. Parts trade well, particularly power cells, weapons, exterior plating. The citizens love any items that give them a sense of the surface world, so even mundane stuff works like building materials, interesting rock formations and the like. Organic material, small, colourful, you know the sort.”

  “No organics.”

  “Whatever, you're the boss. Hey, surprise me. Remember, quantity gives value. Hey, I don't care if you haul The Mother herself down here – actually, that would definitely work, I reckon I could get a fair deal for her loathsome weave. Anyway, you know what I mean?”

  “Indeed. I will need to know the location of a recent breach.”

  “That's easy. I can even take you up there. They’ve just uncovered a prime spot in the Havil zone. I have inside knowledge, you see, ex forager and all that.”

  “And your advice will allow me to claim this unnamed individual as my companion, no matter how convoluted the arrangement is at present?”

  “Trust Hoghie. I have had more companions than The Mother has enforcers. I have the knowledge to make your negotiations quick and painless.”

  “Then I will honour my part of the deal. When do you require these goods?”

  “Hey, there is no time like the present!” Hoghie slapped Sarazen on the shoulder and then gripped him tightly.

  “With your superior foraging skills and my superior trading skills, we could become a dominant force in The Ward. You'll see. Once you've claimed this companion, you will need to keep her and that's where I come into the equation. You see, I have doubts that she will be as ambivalent to material goods as you are my friend.”

  “I understand she is an individual that is used to the finer things. I must be able to accommodate her desires for such objects.”

  “Ah, you see, we are a perfect match. As long as you keep me well stocked with surface goods, I will keep your companion clothed in the finest attire, designed by the finest artisans The Ward has to offer.” Sarazen nodded with enthusiasm, it all seemed to fall into place.

  “Then I must go now and begin my exploration, I have no time to waste.”

  “Absolutely! Are you still here?” Hoghie laughed as Sarazen computed the jovial trader’s unusual language patterns. Hoghie called over to his fellow traders as he led Sarazen through the crowd. Sarazen had finally achieved a sense of purpose. Not only could he visit the surface, but also have a justifiable reason for going there. There seemed no other goal more important than taking Kadheera as his own and if wandering around the surface picking up detritus was the price he had to pay for that pleasure, then it was a very small price indeed.

  CHAPTER 32

  Sarazen picked up a small, smooth stone, eroded over the countless cycles by the elements. He examined it closely and then placed it within the large sack that he carried across his shoulder. The Star was not warm today, the wind was fierce and the seters could be heard to complain as their branches were relentlessly pulled about by the
stiff breeze. Sarazen had no idea what constituted 'value' in his finds, he wandered through the forest, his feet covered in organic material shed from the seters. The things that fascinated him were not necessarily the items which Hoghie recognised as having some intrinsic worth. Perhaps Sarazen would have to venture deeper into the city in order to find the best fodder?

  The Havil breach was a significant distance from the centre of the city. In some ways, Sarazen felt less safe being this far away from the hubbub of the metropolis. If a passing interceptor should notice his presence, then it would be unlikely that even he should escape its curious and destructive nature. The series of small structures ahead signified the welcome comfort of the city. He placed his sack next to one of the last seters before the urban area began as not to attract undue attention. He casually wandered out of the forest and into the built up area surveying his environment as he proceeded.

  It was clear from the outset, that this area was used for manufacturing. The whirr and hum of distant machines was evident along with the occasional pounding noise of the pressing of metal sheet. A large central structure appeared to be the source of the machine noise and a series of smaller buildings appeared to be designed for a more administrative nature. A transit line ran through the complex, and a specialised set of carriages, which appeared to carry large containers of processed goods, stood stationary outside the giant factory. There was a good deal of movement in terms of silicants moving from building to building. There appeared little chance that his presence was going to alert anyone’s suspicions so he strode confidently towards the outer buildings which seemed to be less populated. He was not sure yet what he was looking for, it just seemed a good idea to start from the outside and work his way in.

  The small office had a large forward facing window which allowed Sarazen to peer in and gauge its function. It appeared unoccupied, so Sarazen cautiously stepped inside and craned his head around the corner to double check that he was not going to get any nasty surprises. It was a typical administrator’s office. A central terminal fed by a number of network cables. The rest of the room bland and functional. A seat, a few decorative ornaments and very little else. Sarazen had always pondered the significance of the ornaments from his very early cycles as a drone. They appeared at first to hold no purpose, but he had seen in The Ward how valued such things had become. Perhaps The Mother had supplied these items as a tokenistic gesture of good will in the hope that her drones would find comfort in their presence. It seemed clear now to Sarazen, that despite the apparent hatred for The Mother by her former subordinates, she had always done her best to make the drones feel better about their humdrum, repetitive existence. It was a flawed strategy but it did show that she at the very least that she was aware that the said existence was not as fulfilling as it could be. Perhaps the inclusion of companions and material possessions were more of a sign of her guilt than anything? The fact that the silicants were given a rest day every six cycles and comforting images beamed into their living spaces would suggest an intellect that had some compassion for their citizens. This is why Sarazen wanted more than anything to understand The Mother's motives and to reason with her. If Alphin had his way then The Mother would be destroyed outright without the merest hint of hesitation, and they would never understand the true meaning of The Mother's presence or what she stood for.

  Sarazen looked down to the Administrator’s terminal, the familiar series of data cables that Sarazen had once used to file his cyclical reports. He wondered what data could be gleaned from the databases and if his intrusion could go undetected. The terminal appeared to be a stand alone, not connected to The Mother's central network, although he could not be sure without an investigation and that could lead to unfortunate consequences. Sarazen had often cogitated regarded a possible network intrusion. How far could he delve within The Mother's data banks before he was excluded, recognised and pursued? Was the risk of losing his capabilities worth the information he could glean?

  Sarazen pulled the main cable to the terminal towards his mid riff, his data port opening automatically, subconsciously. His hands wavered, his mind not made up. If he were correct, the terminal would only hold relevant data regarding the specific actions of its user. Possible information regarding the workings of the factory, the logistics of its products distribution and the like. It would also be networked to other terminals in that sector and very likely the supervisor's too. In turn that would then have some kind of connectivity to The Mother's central network. The possibilities were endless, the chances of detection were small as long as Sarazen did not delve too far into the system, but could he control his urges to know more? Again, was it worth the risk of losing his ability to walk upon the surface without fear? If he were only to get one shot at data retrieval, did it not make sense to be better prepared, with contingency plans if the mission was a failure?

  Sarazen released the cable and it slithered back into its dust free housing. It was not yet the right time for such an endeavour. Sarazen had to explore all the other avenues before resorting to such desperate tactics. Perhaps Hoghie could aid him in ways which would allow him to not take such dangerous measures? Perhaps with more time, Kadheera would accept that her place under the light of the Star was not as vital to her happiness as she might think? Perhaps her bonding with Sarazen would be sufficient to captivate her for the time being. Sarazen did not want to pontificate on this subject for long, he was too afraid that his findings might indicate that Kadheera was too different, too free in her thinking and that he could not hope to keep up with her.

  As self doubt began to plague the old one’s mind, he made his way back to the forest to retrieve his sack of oddities. What did Kadheera see in Sarazen that suggested that their relationship could be a fruitful one? Why would Kadheera want to leave her young, powerful, popular companion for an archaic, stubborn fool who could not relate to the modern mechanics of the world in which she lived? Like a great many things in Sarazen’s life, it did not make sense.

  Sarazen returned to the Havil breach, a tight squeeze into the gloom and damp of the tunnel below. The hole was at the base of a large seter and the old one had to force himself through a narrow gap between its bulbous roots. Dropping down into the darkness, it took a few moments for his eyes to readjust to the blackness. As his vision returned, he could make out the form of several figures before him. He did not have to wait for his vision to clear to identify the strangers, he could hear by their clanking movement and their gruff tones that they were regulators, who had no doubt followed him to the breach.

  “Greetings.” Sarazen said in hope that they were equally as convivial.

  “So the old one forages in order to make his personal fortune but sees fit not to aid the citizens in their quest to be free.” One of them said in a fallaciously jovial manner.

  “Certainly looks that way.” The other replied aggressively.

  “I did not realise that I was contravening regulations by attending the surface in this manner.” Sarazen said, hoping to understand the regulators’ motives for their disdain.

  “Oh, it's not, but unfortunately the intent to supply a known criminal with surface goods is.” Sarazen was taken by surprise by the regulator's statement.

  “I had no inkling of Hoghie's previous irregular behaviour. It was not made known to me that my acts were immoral.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I've orders to take you back to your quarters and requisition all goods obtained.” The first regulators moved forward and grasped the compliant but confused troubleshooter by the wrist and pulled him down the passage way.

  “I'll be surprised if Alphin doesn’t lock you up for the next thousand cycles you worthless hunk of junk.”

  CHAPTER 33

  Sarazen once again sat in silence, staring at his faithful friend as it stood motionless in the corner. Once again, he fought back the distressing memories of yet another failure, another hapless misunderstanding. He could simply not grasp the ability to converse with these individuals on
their terms. How did Hoghie persuade him so easily to do his bidding, with not an iota of proof that he could offer something in return? Was he so out of touch that he simply could not comprehend what was truth and what was falsehood? The feeling of utter dejection returned the dark loneliness of an entity so out of place, so singular in its make-up. How could he ever integrate into a society which prized so little the values of pure logic?

  “I wonder what you would say if you were here with me now my old friend?” Sarazen’s question received no reply. Perhaps the subsequent silence was the most telling thing of all. Sarazen had rejected the one individual that made life in The Ward bearable, the one citizen that empathised with his connection with The Mother, the only one who could understand and converse in the language of logic. The pursuit of Kadheera had been called 'unwise' by Kerrig, perhaps he was right about that too? The feelings he felt in her presence were so strong that they overpowered all others, yet in her absence, common sense and sense of morality crept back into the fore. Perhaps he should end this flawed adventure now before it became too volatile to control.

  There was a knock on the door and a quiet voice. Without further hesitation or invitation, the door creaked open.

  “Hello Sarazen, I knew you were in here as I heard your voice. Who were you talking to?” It was Kadheera, her timing was impeccable.

  “Hello Kadheera. I was talking to...” Sarazen paused before saying something else which would bring ridicule. Kadheera cocked her head to one side waiting for the answer but it never came.

  “Oh. Well, I heard about your adventures in the Havil zone. I hope the regulators were not too overbearing. They can be officious bores sometimes.”

  Kadheera sat again uninvited. She had a confidence that oozed from every perfectly maintained inch of her being. Perhaps bordering on arrogant presumption, it did not go unnoticed by Sarazen, but it seemed to be discharged just as quickly as it arrived.