by Andy Briggs
Even with his mind racing, his body ached as he finally relaxed from a chaotic day in which he’d been involved in both a helicopter crash and a lethal underground bike race.
Still, it beat school.
Dev must have drifted off because his body jolted and he opened his eyes. All he could see around him was blackness. What had woken him? The Avro was soundproofed from the world outside and all the interior systems were powered down.
Then he heard it, a faint whispering in the darkness. He felt the hairs on his arm stand up. Somebody was in here with him…
No, that was impossible. It was too small a space, and if any of the hatches had opened he would have heard them. Yet the whispering continued. He couldn’t make out actual words, but there was a sense of urgency to them. He twisted his head around to see if he could detect where they were coming from.
Then an incomprehensible murmur rose to a distinct phrase that sounded as if it were being whispered in his ear: Black Knight.
Dev leapt from the chair, his hand mashing the lighting controls. The lights came on and the ship’s systems powered up with a gentle hum. Dev looked around – he was completely alone. The whispering had stopped.
“Who’s there?” he said aloud.
The fact there was no reply actually made him more nervous. He sat back in the chair. Black Knight, what did that mean? Perhaps he had been dreaming it? No, he was pretty sure he’d been awake … which meant it probably was another memory. He was getting used to seeing flashes of Liu’s memories appearing like pre-recorded ghosts around him, and he’d heard disembodied voices talking in broad daylight, but whispered conversations in the dark were more unsettling. He vowed to expunge the professor’s memories from his brain once he had got to the bottom of the Black Zone.
Dev settled back in his chair and tried to sleep once more. He decided to leave the light on … just in case.
As he began to drift off, his thoughts cycled back to Aaron’s theory about a mole … then they drifted to Lot … and then to Lot’s phone and the fragmented text message he wished he’d never seen from Nathan Fielder:
I TOLD U TO STOP THEM!
It was a simple message. It could mean almost anything, especially as he hadn’t had time to accidentally read the rest, to understand the context.
But Aaron’s warning about the mole circled back to him…
Lee was pleasantly surprised to be alive. Triggering his personal teleportation device just beneath the seabed was a very bad idea. He knew the risks; teleporting through water almost always resulted in the teleportee drifting off course and even risked them losing anything from a few atoms to entire limbs when they were reassembled on the other side. And there was always the risk of simply not reassembling back in the same shape you’d originally left. He’d seen more than his fair share of puddles of flesh that had once been people he’d been speaking to moments earlier. That was a common consequence of teleporting, which is why the technology was banned, and nobody, apart from the most desperate, ever tried to gain access to it.
Not that Lee had had any choice. Breaking through the seabed would have resulted in either the surge of water drowning him as he was pushed back into the tunnel, or if he had been lucky enough to make it into the ocean, he would have been so deep he would have either been crushed to death or drowned before he could swim to the surface.
He felt a little bad knowing that he must have killed the kids. He sort of liked Dev, or at least admired his fighting spirit – not that he’d lose sleep over it. Lee didn’t possess the usual gamut of emotions, such as empathy, pity or remorse. He was a self-confessed happy-go-lucky maniac, but as he grew older he was starting to think of the future. Or rather, reshaping the future.
Safely back on-board the oil rig, he had handed the Antikythera Mechanism over to his boffins to be X-rayed while he took a shower. By the time he returned to the control room, the 3D printer had just finished recreating a fully working mechanism out of metal.
This version was subtly different from the pictures of all the others he had seen. The new X-ray had revealed the gear array that had been deliberately erased for public consumption and clearly showed the extra third face on the back of the device, just below the dial that indicated the eclipse cycles.
The hand on this new display rotated like the others, pointing to one of eight numerals etched on the face, but it only did so when the other indicator marked an eclipse. The clever mechanism meant that a unique sequence of numbers was selected for each of the forecasted eclipses.
Lee clapped his hand. “OK, brains. Let’s get this clock rocking.”
“The eclipse is next week, so…” Dougal turned the mechanism’s dial to select the upcoming event. “We’re set on the year and the event. Now all we have to do is crank that handle, and see what numbers come out.”
Fletch turned the handle, while Dougal typed the string of numbers into the computer as they were selected. After a moment the little hand stopped moving as the rest of the Antikythera Mechanism cranked forward to mark the next celestial event.
Lee tapped the numbers on the screen. “And that’s supposed to represent sounds? I don’t get it. Why sound? Why not some digital code? A password or something.”
Fletch bounced in his seat with excitement. “You’re missing the point. None of that stuff was around back then. No electronics, MP3s, nothing. This is all real mechanics. This is old school genius! The tone is the password, impossible then to fake and not so easy nowadays, especially when we don’t know what we’re looking for. And then to base it on the tones of a two-thousand-year-old machine… How much more secure could you get?”
Hugo was already powering up the communicator to the satellite relays. “The eight numbers represent a whole musical octave. Listen.” Moments later the pulsing tone played through the speakers. He nodded to Dougal, who double clicked on the string of numbers. A melodic tune suddenly played, the computer using the incoming pulse as a metronome to pace the sounds.
“Catchy. But nothing happening,” said Lee after an anticlimactic pause.
“Remember, this all predates computers. This is real gears and—”
A heavy bass tone suddenly washed over the speakers. It was so deep that they all felt their ribs vibrate.
“What was that?” said Lee, bemused as everybody swapped high-fives.
“That was ‘hello’,” grinned Hugo. “We’ve just been granted access to Black Knight, and it’s moving into position to welcome us!”
Dev was awoken by a message from the Avro’s communications system. As before, it had been an audio broadcast from his uncle. Only when Dev assured him that he was alone did Charles Parker finally appear on the screen.
“I couldn’t risk Klaus Tyker seeing my face,” Charles explained, confirming Dev’s suspicions.
“Is that because he’d recognize you?”
Charles’s hesitation was confirmation enough, yet he still shook his head. “Don’t be silly, Devon. We can’t risk him knowing too much.” Charles ignored the rest of Dev’s questions by speaking over him. “You are finally getting your wish. Eema told me how desperate you were to visit the World Consortium headquarters, so that is where you’re going next. Including Mr Tyker.”
Dev was surprised, but then he supposed it was far less of a risk than letting Tyker visit the Inventory.
“Eema has sent the autopilot instructions. Sergeant Wade will be waiting to meet you.”
“Why now?”
“Because you let Lee escape with the Antikythera Mechanism, things have moved on a pace.”
“What things? And we didn’t let him escape. I think you should have been a little more honest about what you and the rest of the World Consortium know, because right now those secrets you like holding on to are likely to get us killed.” Dev was feeling furious, and he no longer cared if he upset his uncle.
Charles nodded. “You are right. We had hoped that by limiting knowledge then the problem would just … go away.” He sighed heavi
ly. “Wake the others and get there as quickly as you can.”
“What about the Assessor?”
Dev thought there must be something wrong with the video link because he could have sworn he saw his uncle smile. “He will stay there. How is the old fool?”
“Annoyed that I destroyed his house.”
“He’s a very old friend. Trustworthy.”
“It’s hard to tell who is, these days.”
Charles frowned. “Pardon?”
“Nothing.” He killed the video link before Charles could pry any further.
“I’ve always wanted to go to New York!” Lot exclaimed, her face pushed against the minibus window as they crossed the Brooklyn Bridge. The gleaming spire of One World Trade Center stood like a majestic sentinel against the famous skyline. She had practically squealed with joy when Charles Parker had announced it was finally time they visit the headquarters of the World Consortium, located deep inside the United Nations building.
Mason agreed. “As long as we don’t get shot at or chased, then it should be cool.”
Dev gave them a nervous smile, then continued gazing through the window. A quick glance at Tyker showed that the German was vying for second place in the excitement scale, as he was learning that all his conspiracy theories were in fact real.
Sergeant Wade had met them at the landing site outside of Manhattan and brought a fresh set of clothes for them all, which was just as well, as they were beginning to smell a little rank. Then she drove the minibus into the city, assuring them that as loud and brash as New York was, it probably was best that they kept a low profile and didn’t try and land a flying saucer on top of a skyscraper.
They headed north on FDR Drive, the thick traffic moving at a snail’s pace until they eventually reached their destination. The tall blue-grey glass Secretariat Building reflected the clouds, and a squatter white trapezoid-shaped building lay to one side. Flags of all nations fluttered outside.
Wan-Soo was the first to identify it. “This is the United Nations.”
“Correct,” said Wade as she passed through the security gate. “One hundred and ninety-three countries lend their voices to this place, so it’s only natural the Consortium is here too.”
Tyker slapped his palms on his knees. “I knew it! I just knew the UN would be behind all of this!”
Wade pulled into an underground parking lot, and a welcoming committee of shades-wearing, suited men greeted them the moment they stopped. Wade stayed behind and nothing was said as the team followed one of the suits at a brisk pace through a series of narrow corridors, ones that Dev doubted any world leader had graced. Probably just the cleaners.
They reached a door with the number 01100101 written on the front.
“Is that even a real number?” Diya asked as she stepped inside.
Wan-Soo frowned as he entered, then turned to the suit and laughed. “That’s smart.”
The others exchanged baffled looks then followed them into a large office. There was a distinct 1970s vibe to the decor. A large desk had a single laptop on it and a pair of large mustard-yellow leather couches sat facing each other in the middle of the room.
One of the suited men spoke up. “The director will be with you shortly.” He closed the door, leaving the team alone.
Lot kicked at the blue shagpile carpet. “Looks like this place is hardly used.”
Aaron pointed at the desk. “That looks like a prop in a game show or something.”
Before they could speculate any further, the door opened and Sergeant Wade entered and sat down behind the desk.
“Isn’t the director supposed to be joining us?”
“She has.” Wade smiled at them and steepled her fingers.
Lot grinned. “You? You’re the big bad boss of the World Consortium?”
Wade laughed. “Enough of the big and bad. But yes, me.” She held up her hand to stop a barrage of questions. “First of all, I am the current Director of Operations. And it’s a job just like any other. And if you really need to know, I was awarded the position for my role in helping protect the Inventory when you guys were stuck down there.”
Mason was surprised. “From sergeant to director. You were rewarded with running an ultra-secret worldwide organization and all they gave me was a new bike.”
Dev almost sprang out of his chair. “They gave you a bike?”
Wade raised her hands. “Settle down. Like the CIA and all those other organizations, somebody is required to run it on a daily basis, but they’re answerable to a higher authority.”
Tyker rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “And who has more authority than you?”
Wade met his gaze with a hint of a knowing smile. “You don’t know?”
Dev sighed. “Are we really here to play guessing games?”
Wade cleared her throat and her serious face returned. “Yes, back to the matter at hand.” She tapped her laptop and the walls around them became giant floor-to-ceiling displays. Lee’s picture and the stolen mechanism hung on opposite walls.
“The last time you saw Lee, he was working for Helix. Since then there have been some intriguing events. Even when you were sabotaging Helix’s big plan, Lee had other ideas.”
Dev’s eyes widened. “He’s a double agent?”
Wade nodded. “And it appears that Helix now wants to get their hands on him just as much as we do.”
Lot looked from wall to wall. “So when Helix attacked his motorhome, and the Louvre … it wasn’t Helix?”
“No. It was Lee’s organization posing as them to throw us off the scent. They’re called the Company of Merchant Adventurers.”
Mason nodded approvingly. “They sound cool. Like a band of pirates!”
“You might have heard of the more famous East Indian Trading Company. They were given the mandate to run India on behalf of Queen Victoria. There were many other such organizations around the world, backed by different governments, but all created to loot the wealth of the world. They were ruthless thieves, but backed by their governments, which made it OK.
“But the Company of Merchant Adventurers was a much older entity, founded in about 1551 and, believe me, it’s still going strong. They had the mandate to seek their fortune … everywhere. However, since World War II they receded into the shadows as the world changed…”
“And the World Consortium filled the vacuum,” Tyker finished off.
Wade nodded. “We had long thought the Company had disappeared, but no. They were there, in the shadows, looking for the opportunity to re-form.”
Aaron suddenly burst into laughter. “Wait a second. So, you’re telling me this Company is reappearing to make Britain great again? That’s hysterical!” Nobody else laughed. He looked around the room, expecting them to join in. “Oh, come on. It’s a tiny island that had its moment in history.” He sat back down, totally bemused.
“Thank you for your analysis, Mister Lerner.” Wade’s tone clearly indicated he shouldn’t interrupt again. “The Company has been tracking Herr Tyker for some time because of interest in the Antikythera Mechanism.” She looked straight at him. “Do you remember yet?”
Tyker shook his head. “I knew it was important, that it was linked to all of you in some way … but I am unable to connect the pieces.”
Wade stood up and began pacing the room. Dev noticed that her gaze drifted but always seemed to settle back on Klaus. “Next week there is a total eclipse of the sun.” Dev caught Lot glancing at him, but she looked away the moment he fully turned around.
Wade thumbed a controller in her hand and a new object appeared on the wall. “The Teslator is a wonder of technology built in 1899 by Nikola Tesla when he invented the radio. More specifically, radio control.”
“You mean Edison,” said Aaron confidently.
Dev sniggered. “That old thief? I think you want to check your sources.”
“Basic high school history, dummy.”
“Tesla was history’s genius. Look it up.”
Aaron
pulled a face and opened his mouth to continue the disagreement – but Wade quickly cut in.
“And Mister Tesla was a senior member of the Company. He designed this to pick up a specific homing beacon. Once located, it is able to relay precise musical tones back to that location to activate it.”
“What’s ‘it’,” Riya asked.
“A superweapon of unimaginable destruction.” Wade held up her hand as everybody started talking at once. She had to cough theatrically to regain silence. Her gaze fell on Tyker. “It’s called Black Knight.”
Dev felt a chill but remained silent. The words Black Knight stirred something in Tyker. He gasped. “Black Knight was a peaceful project…” The words were out of his mouth before he knew what he was saying. His brow knitted in concentration. “But I don’t know how I know that…”
“You were once an expert on it,” said Wade gently. She put another image on the screen. It was a chunk of metal, shaped like a bird’s beak suspended against a pale blue background. Light dappled one side and they could make out a few panels and pods along the side, but there was no hint as to what and where it was.
“Looks like a techie-designed knife blade, or fragment from a hand gun?” ventured Mason.
“Perhaps if we put things in perspective…” Wade adjusted the image zoom. Black Knight shrank as the background expanded, clouds filled the top half of the picture. The blue resolved itself into a band of atmosphere against which the object floated.
Earth’s atmosphere.
A collective gasp filled the room.
“It’s in orbit?” said Lot, rising to her feet to get a better view.
Wade nodded. “This photograph was taken by astronauts aboard the International Space Station. The Company created Black Knight at the turn of the twentieth century. The genius designers launched it into orbit—”
Aaron couldn’t keep quiet. “Well, that’s nonsense for a start. They didn’t have rockets then.”
Wade’s cold gaze silenced him. “They didn’t need rockets. They had something much more efficient. Now, if I can continue. Black Knight was designed to fire an intense EMP, electromagnetic pulse, from orbit to detect rare metals. Gold, platinum, iron, anything that would make the Empire rich.”