by Paul Teague
One of the Centuria walked towards the bag and scanned it with an electronic device.
‘Safe!’ he called, and the bag was retrieved and searched. Two more Centuria came forward. They patted down both captives, removed the knife Wiz had taken from the dead body in the elevator, and secured Wiz and Dillon with electro-cuffs before kicking both of them to the ground.
Wiz wondered if they were going to finish them there and then in the basement. Surely they’d make a spectacle of them and throw them in The Grid? It was a waste of body count if their demise didn’t get to play out on the screens. It looked as if they were going to be roughed up first. Maybe the Centuria were going to opt for the best of both worlds, physical violence then death in The Grid.
Wiz felt remarkably clear-headed, bearing in mind his life might end in the next few minutes. He was angry they’d come so far and got caught anyway. He was frustrated that any hope for Joe and Lucy’s survival was diminishing. He’d really hoped they might make a difference. He also felt frustrated that they’d got so close to finding out The City’s secrets, yet the tentacles of Fortrillium had spread around them until their efforts were extinguished. They’d done well, they’d come as far as they could. He still had fight left in him, he’d do what he could until they stole his last breath.
It seemed that was not too far away now. One of the Centuria had opened a direct Comms line to Damien Hunter, they could clearly hear his voice over the WristComs.
‘Suspects apprehended, sir. How do you wish us to process them?’
‘You can kill them, but I want it all recorded on film from multiple angles for the screens. Make it slow and make it dramatic. Make it look like they’re running away. I want the bodies too, don’t leave the bodies there!’
The Centuria shut down the WristCom and gave a signal to the others.
‘Remove the electro-cuffs and activate recording devices.’
Each Centuria touched a button at the side of their helmet. Red lights cut through the darkness indicating that the helmet cameras were in record mode.
‘I want the exit blocked. We’ll give them ten seconds to run, then we hunt them down. Make it look like they’re on the run. Wound first. We only kill on my command. Make sure you record everything.’
‘This is it,’ Wiz turned to Dillon. ‘I’m sorry, Dillon, I thought I could get you out of here.’
Dillon was putting on as brave a face as he could, but he hadn’t yet grown accustomed to the more barbaric aspects of life in The Climbs. He began to sob. Wiz wondered how he could make it easier and quicker for Dillon. What was about to take place was being done for sport. Damien Hunter wanted a good manhunt to broadcast on the screens. It would need to take some time, so they’d go for wounding shots first. No point in making a quick kill when you’re trying to entertain the crowds. They’d torment them and injure them, finally going for a bloody and horrible death. Wiz was ready for it in his own mind, but he wanted to protect Dillon from the ordeal. What could he do? Perhaps grab one of the weapons from the Centuria and kill Dillon himself? Fast and with mercy. Hunter would get his dramatic video shots still, but Dillon would make his exit cleanly. They’d make it worse for Wiz as a result, but he felt a sense of responsibility to Joe’s brother. He was so young, too young to suffer what the Centuria had planned for him.
Two Centuria stepped up behind them to release the electro-cuffs. Wiz was close enough to grab the knife that had been confiscated earlier. It had been clumsily placed in the utility belt which formed part of the Centuria’s uniform.
Wiz made his decision. What had he got to lose? He’d take the knife and try to finish Dillon quickly himself. What choice did he have? Either he could do it now, without fear or pain, or it would be hung out for sport and entertainment. As the cuffs were released, Wiz made directly for the knife. It caught the Centuria off-guard, and he immediately reached for his weapon. Wiz moved the knife across the Centuria’s neck. He hadn’t any idea how to cut a throat. Wiz thought he’d failed at first, but then a jet of blood sprayed out over his clothing as the Centuria collapsed on his knees. Wiz grabbed his weapon before it hit the ground and pointed it at Dillon’s head. All around him he could feel the other Centuria levelling their weapons at him. He’d have very little time to execute Dillon before they started to fire. He had only a momentary advantage, they’d be on him in no time.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Wiz said, as he began to squeeze the trigger.
The Deal
President Josh Delman was the last person Clay would have expected to call him on the WristCom. For starters, it seemed impossible that Delman could have known which portal to connect to. He was astonished that anybody should be trying to get in contact via the device.
However, the President knew this particular WristCom well, and its portal details were already established in his own device. It had, after all, been he who had taken the device from Tom Slater six years previously. It had been Delman who’d ensured it was hidden inside Jay’s body before he perished inside The Grid. And it was Delman who’d worked out whose WristCom was in The Grid. He’d recognized it on the video feed as soon as Lucy threw it to Clay. There was only one way it could have got in there in the first place and that was contained in a BioPouch. It didn’t take him long to work out what had happened. Now Joe and Lucy had discovered his little secret at The Core, it was time to make some deals.
Clay looked at the image of the President’s face on the WristCom screen and was unsure whether he should respond to the call or not. He showed it to Julia who raised her eyebrows when she saw who it was. Clay accepted the incoming feeds and Delman appeared on the screen. He didn’t speak, instead his image was accompanied by a text message.
Don’t respond verbally to this message. Microphones may pick up conversation. I need your help. I can get you out of The Grid if you assist me.
Clay made sure that Julia could read the message. He had no intention of doing any deals that didn’t include the other Justice Seekers. He typed his reply.
We’re receptive to any offers. What do you have in mind?
Clay wondered if anywhere was safe to talk, since it would make life a lot easier. He’d been aware of fixed cameras and camera drones as they’d been making their way through The Grid, but much of the time he’d been more preoccupied with survival than following their whereabouts. Although they were able to keep the Justice Seekers in view most of the time, Clay thought it unlikely there would be comprehensive microphone coverage. He decided to take a chance. He moved into the doorway of a ruined tower block and positioned himself so he could be seen on camera but where any microphones couldn’t be placed close enough to pick up what was being said. He indicated to Julia that she should make herself look busy to distract the attention of those watching them. Clay turned in to the doorway so that his lip movements couldn’t be seen and switched to a video and audio feed.
‘What’s the purpose of your call, President Delman? As you can see, we’re busy here trying to stay alive.’
‘Mr Hillman, are you certain it’s safe for you to talk?’
‘You’re the President, aren’t you? How dangerous can it be?’
‘Believe me, Mr Hillman, we have never lived in more dangerous times. I need to know what you saw when Parsons and Slater exited The Grid.’
At least he was straight to the point. Clay guessed he was about to learn why the President had intervened with his warning message.
‘We probably both saw the same thing. They found a doorway to an elevator which was concealed by a water butt. The bot did something, the water butt disappeared, and an elevator door was there. Joe and Lucy went through the doorway and now they’ve gone. Miron tried to do the same and got killed. Why was that, President Delman?’
‘I’m sorry to tell you that an identical fate awaits anybody who tries to do the same thing, Mr Hillman. Your friends Joe and Lucy will also be dead, I’m afraid to say. There really is no exit from The Grid.’
Clay had heard the rumou
rs about the President, and he sensed he was being played. There would never be a better time to ask the question.
‘Yet you walked out of here alive, President Delman. I’m assuming you know all about that exit?’
Usually President Delman appeared calm, in control and authoritative, but for a moment he looked rattled. Clay pushed again, he had nothing to lose, they were all dead anyway unless Delman was lying about Joe and Lucy.
‘I don’t think you’re telling the truth about Joe and Lucy. I believe you know exactly what’s at the heart of The Grid and I think you’re worried we might expose your secret.’
Clay was on a roll, he would never have dared to speak like this to any figure of authority, let alone the President, but he sensed that he was annoying Delman and that’s exactly what he wanted.
‘Mr Hillman, I need to remind you that I could end your life in an instant. You don’t think for one minute that you’re going to get any justice in there, do you? The Grid was created to dispose of people like you, the ones who don’t know when to stop pushing. I advise you to adjust your tone. It only takes an order from me and you’ll be crushed under a falling piece of masonry, or we’ll create more snipers to finish you and your friends off. Do I make myself understood, Mr Hillman?’
The power suddenly returned to Delman. Clay should have understood that he had no ability to bargain in The Grid. Delman had them all where he wanted them. Clay nodded in acquiescence.
‘Thank you, Mr Hillman. I have no desire to end your life just yet. You have the potential to be very useful to me. Now, are you ready to listen, or shall we continue to figure out who’s in charge here?’
‘I’m sorry, President Delman. I hope you’ll understand that it can be very stressful in here.’
Clay resolved to play compliant, he’d get more information that way. He’d decide if he was going to work with the President after he’d listened to what Delman had to say.
‘You’re quite right, of course. I have been in The Grid before, but I have also walked out of The Grid alive, Mr Hillman. You should remember that if you want to do the same thing. I’m offering you a chance to live, but I need your help.’
‘And what about the other Justice Seekers, President Delman. Do they get to live as well?’
‘I can’t guarantee anybody’s life, but all you have to do is to stay alive for another eight hours. Those who can keep themselves alive will be able to walk out of there, you have my guarantee.’
Clay was unsure, but the President seemed to be offering them all a chance. The probability was that they would all die anyway – they still had to survive the third Mode. What could he lose from continuing to listen?
‘Do you guarantee that all Justice Seekers who stay alive can walk out of here?’
‘I guarantee that they will walk out of The Grid alive if you can keep them safe from whatever Hunter has planned for you. Can you do that, Mr Hillman?’
Clay wanted to know what the deal was. There was always a price to be paid.
‘What do I have to do in return?’
‘I think it likely that Damien Hunter will be making you a similar offer. It won’t come for some time, but when it does it will be in desperation. You need to assure me that you will reject it when it comes. He cannot make any guarantees to you, he has nothing to offer.’
Clay was intrigued. If Hunter and Delman were in conflict, something very interesting was going on. Delman was the only person to have walked out of The Grid, and he was senior to Hunter. Clay felt the President was probably the better bet.
‘I agree to those terms,’ said Clay, although he knew he didn’t really have much to bargain with. Certain death or the smallest possibility of making it out alive, he had to take whichever offer looked most likely to preserve lives. If he could get any of the other Justice Seekers out of The Grid alive, he’d take his chances.
‘Excellent!’ came Delman’s reply. He looked at ease now. The power had returned to him, he was more accustomed to it that way.
‘Shortly I will be entering The Grid myself. I will have help to protect me when I arrive, but I expect Damien Hunter to put up the fiercest resistance. I need to get to The Core, Mr Hillman, just like Parsons and Slater. I need you to get me there. You have shown yourself to be an excellent Justice Seeker. You will be the last man standing whatever happens. Your job is to guide me safely to The Core and to allow me to exit in the elevator.’
‘Won’t you be incinerated, like Miron … and Joe and Lucy?’
Clay added the last names in an attempt to convince Delman that he’d bought his story. He hadn’t, of course. He was sure that Joe and Lucy were alive. And he knew they would be doing everything they could to rescue the Justice Seekers.
‘There’s a reason why I can leave The Grid, Mr Hillman, and you cannot. I am the President after all. But I will require your services as an escort. It’s likely to be a tough journey to the centre, although we will have some help. If you can do that, Mr Hillman, I can guarantee that shortly afterwards you will walk out of The Grid alive.’
What choice did Clay have? By the time Delman arrived, he might be dead anyway. He would agree and continue to assess his options. If Hunter was going to make a similar offer, things might take a sudden turn anyway. There were possibilities now, none of them very attractive, but at least it might not end in a bloodbath.
‘I’ll accept your offer, President Delman. May I inform the other Justice Seekers? We’ll be able to keep you safer if there are more of us.’
‘It’s important that nobody knows about our conversation, Mr Hillman. I have the feed from The Grid on my console, and remember that I can watch any camera view. I’m not restricted to the edited highlights on the screens. If I get any inkling that you’re trying to deceive me, Mr Hillman, I will use my rights as President to intervene with the trial. Is that understood?’
‘I understand.’
‘Excellent. I will enter The Grid very soon. We have no way of knowing what will be happening with the Modes at that time. I will do everything I can to keep you and your friends alive, but please understand that events inside The Grid can never be completely controlled. I cannot be held responsible for any deaths that occur in the meantime. Above all, you Mr Hillman must stay alive. You will guide me through The Grid to The Core. When I have safely made my exit, you will be able to walk out to your freedom.’
Clay nodded. It seemed like a chance, although one that would have to be worked for. There was still a fight to survive. Maybe he really could get some of the others out alive.
Delman closed down the feed. The call was over and he’d got what he’d come for.
Clay would have to keep this secret to himself. He’d have to give Julia a good story, maybe suggest that Delman had been warning him away from whatever killed Miron. It was in her best interests after all. He’d struck a deal that could keep them all alive. Delman would be monitoring their conversations, so if Clay confided in anybody he would be putting them all at risk. He’d made an agreement that could save lives. At last there was a chance that some of them would get to walk out of The Grid.
Delman had meant it when he promised that Clay would be able to walk out of The Grid alive. He would be as good as his word. Shortly after Delman made his exit via The Core, Catharsis would begin. Clay and his friends would certainly walk out of The Grid alive. But if Delman didn’t achieve his objective in time, they’d all be destroyed by a process which would end the lives of everybody in The City.
Chapter Four
Stolen Identity
Joe had been fighting the wrong battle all along. They all had. He’d thought it was about discovering the truth after the death of their fathers, but that had never been the real fight. People in The City thought that the conflict was with Fortrillium and the only struggle was staying alive every day. But the true challenge was now, and it had been set a hundred years ago. There was a darker shadow cast over their city, only nobody had known about it. Their fates had been sealed, a
nd much of it seemed to come back to Delman.
‘Can anybody else stop Catharsis?’ Joe asked his father. ‘If you can start something, surely it can be stopped too?’
‘The Sectors were created in a state of emergency when the plague came, Joe. The disease mutated into three strains, which meant they had to create two additional Sectors at great speed. It was far from perfect, but something had to be done to save the population. The pandemic was spreading at a frightening pace and it had to be stopped in its tracks. Our records show that the person we know as Delman was to blame for the original mutation of the disease. But it’s also Delman who can save our city, he’s our only hope now.’
‘There has to be another way. Millions more people are going to die. Why can’t they be left in their cities?’
‘That would work until the resources dried up, Joe. You know what it’s like in The City. The tower blocks are crumbling in The Climbs, so what will happen when the population is forced beyond the walls to seek food and shelter? It’ll start with unrest and riots, and people will be forced beyond The City’s boundaries. The pandemic will begin again as the three strains merge once more, wiping out whoever is left. We had to be contained while the rest of the world beyond the walls burned up with plague.’
‘But if we could buy ten more years, surely we could figure it out? Does it have to end this way? The Sectors have survived alongside each other for now.’
‘It was all determined that way before we were even born, Joe, and we can’t control it. We gave ourselves a hundred years to cure the plague but we’ve failed to do it. The Sectors cannot continue to survive indefinitely without moving beyond their existing walls for new resources. If we do that and merge our populations, the plague deaths will begin again. Catharsis was to have destroyed the three cities but would have preserved Centrum. Delman’s sabotage means that Centrum will be now destroyed too.’
‘There has to be a better way to solve this. We’re going to wipe out millions of people. What does Delman have to do with it all? How will he survive Catharsis?’