Walter reviewed his people’s progress and was pleased with the results.
“Excellent job, team! You’ve prepared everything even faster than you did during the Sector 27 fiasco of 2162.”
Walter signaled for Agent Johnson and Agent Addison. Dodging the boxes and carts that littered the floor, they both reached Walter at the same time.
“Is everything prepared for the transport?” Walter asked.
“I have enough credits to get us all to Sector 4, but I still don’t think it’s a good idea,” replied Johnson.
Addison added, “It’s an unnecessary risk, sir. Let us send Agents Blake and Marco with a small team to do the initial setup. Johnson and I can follow to make sure there are no issues, and we can handle the setup of the T-47 ourselves. Then you can come through with your guests.”
Walter shook his head and replied, “They need to see it, Addison. I need to see it again, too. You stay hidden in these buildings and tunnels for so long that you forget why you’re doing what you’re doing.”
Walter put his hand on Johnson’s shoulder. “We’re going through with our plans from last night. You and Addison are with me and the Chance family. Blake and Marco follow behind in a two percent pattern. I don’t want them too far behind us.”
Walter motioned to Addison and pointed to what looked like a chart hanging from the wall. It resembled a partially pulled-down map that might have hung in a junior high geography class.
“Agent Bryan stays here to direct the transport once we get to Sector 4.”
Walter grabbed a hat that had been placed on a table next to the rear wall of the room. He wasn’t wearing the gray T-shirt and suspenders that made up his usual day-to-day outfit. Today he looked more professional in a gray suit and button-up shirt. “I think you’re both going to like the new compound. It took me fifteen years to clear it out, but it has seven levels. Where are April and the boys hiding?”
The boys had completed their tasks and joined in on Amanda and Steven’s card game. Matthew was sitting close to Amanda, but he jumped up and moved when he saw Walter approaching.
“I see you all have your backpacks ready for the journey. We’ll have to hurry. Our transport leaves in thirty minutes.”
Puzzled, Connor asked, “Are we not going through one of those glowing doors like we did last time?”
“No, not this time,” Walter replied. “This time we’ll take the public transports. I have a few things that I would like you all to see.”
Amanda was concerned. There still had been no mention of her or her brother.
“What about us? Are we going with you or staying here?”
Addison could hear the concern in the girl’s voice and strove to put her mind at ease. “We’re all going together. It will be like a road trip, just without a car.”
“Or a road,” Johnson added.
Amanda smiled at Addison’s response. She had met her only a few hours earlier, but she’d felt a quick bond that she couldn’t explain. Without coming out and saying it, Addison seemed to understand what Amanda was going through. Amanda could feel the compassion in her voice.
Walter grabbed a briefcase at his side and extended his hand to Amanda. “I’m sure you’ll enjoy a trek around the area and a ride in our intrasector transports. We have plenty of credits for everyone.”
April was concerned about being spotted outside of the compound. It had only been a couple of weeks since the incident in Sector 37, and they were about to walk some of the same streets they had fled. Noting April’s expression, Walter gave some reassurance.
“Put your minds at ease, especially you, April. We have walked these streets and used the government’s transport systems for years and have never been caught. I still have a bag of tricks, if they’re needed.”
Connor perked up at the mention of a bag of tricks.
“Do you have some more gadgets we need to know about? Some new snap rings…or maybe something like the gravity boots?”
Walter grasped his briefcase a bit tighter. “We shouldn’t have to pull out anything like that. I expect a calm trip, but it’s important that you kids do as we tell you. That goes double for you two,” Walter said, pointing his finger at Matthew and Connor, as if to insinuate they couldn’t follow orders.
Agent Johnson conducted one final check of the compound and coordinated the last of the moves with Agent Bryan. All the equipment was ready.
Connor stared at a glowing doorway at the far end of the room that everyone had gathered around. This one didn’t look like the rorimite tunnel, with its random images and uncontrolled edges. This one’s light was dull and muted, only growing bright for a few seconds. The entire doorway looked like a flashlight cycling on and off. It was a copy of the door that Johnson had taken Connor and his family through when they fled from Sector 37.
Connor asked, “So, how does this work, Johnson? Where does the glowing doorway go? Is there another glowing doorway in Sector 4?”
Johnson explained that there was no second doorway set up—yet.
“That’s what we’ll be doing when we get to Sector 4. Walter’s really the only one who knows how the thing works. It’s just a glowing doorway until the other side of it is activated.”
Connor shook his head in amazement and said, “It’s crazy what these alien guys came up with.”
Johnson chuckled and replied, “You need to give credit to the human race on this one.”
Johnson described the scene of the mid-2050s. The Minister had taken control of most of the planet but was still having problems gaining control of many of the world’s scientists and technical experts.
“Walter had worked with the most brilliant minds on the planet during that time. They were trying to figure out a way to fight back against the Minister. This Swedish scientist—Sweden was a country back then—developed this door as a pathway across time and distance. It was a way that people that hadn’t been subjected to the Hathmec’s control could escape to a secure location.”
Connor couldn’t believe it. “So, a human being invented a wormhole?”
Johnson chuckled. “Yeah, a human being invented a wormhole. We have the only one in existence, but we have never been able to copy the design.”
He explained that in the early days of its use, a power source stable enough to operate it didn’t exist, so it could transport someone only a couple of miles. When G1 developed their new energy source, the wormhole became a viable way to travel over long distances. That same energy source powered the rorimite tunnel.
“Without that power source, we wouldn’t be able to move from Sector 37 to Sector 4 like we are. We’ll take the other end of the door to Sector 4 and open it up. From there, Agent Bryan will bring our teams through the doorway, and then he’ll take the other end of the doorway to our next secured location.”
Walter and his team had left nothing to chance with regard to the safety of their personnel. They needed quick escape routes and detailed plans to ensure success. Walter was an expert at management and had used his many years on Earth to develop the best strategies possible.
While Connor discussed the wormhole door with Johnson, Matthew spent his time trying to talk to Amanda. But there was a queasy feeling in Matthew’s stomach. He thought about what Walter had told him earlier. He couldn’t let Amanda know how he really felt, but he didn’t want Amanda to hate him either.
Amanda poked him in the stomach and asked him, “Why are you so quiet? You’re acting like you just met me.”
Matthew grinned and said, “I’m not being quiet, I’m just taking everything in. I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Grasping Matthew’s hand, Amanda said, “I think we need to talk about what happened back at the park. I know I treated you like crap after you rescued me and Steven. I just didn’t know who to trust. I mean, you were gonna take a bullet for me.”
Amanda’s eyes sparkled and Matthew could see them moisten as her voice cracked. “I don’t think there’s anyone else in
the world that would have done that for me…besides my mom and dad. I’m just so sorry for how bad I was treating you. I just thought you had used me, but now I know how much you really care.”
Matthew was getting pulled into her eyes. Those beautiful eyes could turn anyone into a sliver of melted butter. He wanted to tell her that he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He wanted to tell her that he would take a hundred bullets for her. He wanted to tell her that she was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen and that he would do anything to protect her—but he couldn’t.
Matthew glanced over Amanda’s shoulder and saw Walter staring at them. He pulled his hand away from Amanda’s with a bit more force than she expected and backed away from her.
“Of course I care about you. I mean, you’re my friend.” He struggled to keep a wry grin on his red face, anxious to see how she would respond.
Amanda looked confused. “Friends? I think we’re a little more than just friends, don’t you?”
Matthew could feel Walter’s eyes boring through the back of his head. He had to protect Amanda and Steven, so he did what he thought was best. He lied.
“I don’t know what you mean. I know you’re scared and not sure of what’s going on, but don’t confuse our friendship with anything more. I had a mission to complete, and part of that mission was protecting my family and friends. I’ll keep doing that for as long as I can, but beyond that, I’m not sure what you want from me.”
In the silence that followed this statement, Matthew shuffled his feet and said, “I better go see if anyone needs any help loading up before we leave.”
Matthew walked away from a stunned and confused Amanda Curry. She couldn’t understand why Matthew was saying those things. She knew he had strong feelings for her. She knew he cared for her more than he was admitting. She wasn’t going to give up on him.
Walter had heard what Matthew said to Amanda and was happy with the result. He had successfully planted the seed of doubt in Matthew’s head and now felt confident of his plans moving forward.
Walter gave the signal to Agent Addison that he was ready to move out, and she signaled Agents Blake and Marco to follow at a safe distance. Walter and Johnson took the lead as they all entered the elevators to head to the top of the underground complex.
Walter concluded a quick count in his head and said, “Ok, this is how we’re going to explain our travel today, if anyone asks. Johnson and April are partners and have responsibility over Matthew and Connor. Addie is single but is the caretaker for Amanda and Steven. I am a government transfer agent that is helping with your transitions to a new living situation in Sector 4.”
Walter pulled out several forged documents and eight bracelets, which he handed out to everyone in the group, putting one on himself as well.
“What are these for?” asked April.
“We are transporting from Sector 37 to Sector 4. It’s gonna be an eight-hour trip with several changeovers along the way. Normally only government personnel or transition operatives travel that far at one time within the continent borders. These bracelets are coded with information that will allow us to pass through each station.”
Matthew examined the aluminum bracelet. It had nice rounded edges and a shiny exterior. “How are you able to do all of this, Walter?” he asked.
Walter grinned. “Well, when you have alien technology that is thousands of years ahead of anything here on this planet, it makes computer hacking pretty simple. When the day comes and we go after the Minister, it will be a valuable weapon.”
Addie added, “Just like the rorimite tunnel and the wormhole technology. The Minister would love to have knowledge of them.”
Walter agreed and took his first steps onto the sidewalk in Sector 37. “One more thing: make sure your Hathmec pendant is well hidden under your shirt. If we get caught with these, there will be big trouble.”
Walter and Addie led the group toward the civilian transport stations. April stayed close to Johnson, following at the back of the group. Connor, Matthew, Amanda, and Steven were between the adults, with Amanda brushing up as close to Matthew as possible. Amanda took Steven’s hand, but April told her to let go of it.
“He’s too old for you to be holding his hand. People don’t do that here.”
Amanda couldn’t believe that something as simple as holding someone’s hand was considered inappropriate in the year 2185. She also couldn’t believe the police presence as they got closer to the transport station. There were guards everywhere. She started to ask Matthew about them, but he stopped her in midsentence.
“We can talk about it when we get to the transport trains. I don’t want anyone to hear you asking questions about things like that. Just stay quiet until then.”
She understood and kept her questions to herself. The bland nature of the buildings and the absence of trees and grass were overwhelming to the girl from rural Tennessee. The markings on the buildings weren’t descriptive at all. She couldn’t tell a hospital from a pet store. The aroma of the sector also wasn’t familiar to her. It wasn’t like the crisp smell of foliage or even the acrid smell of asphalt like she was used to. The closest thing she could compare it to would be a cleaning solution.
Walter glanced back and saw Amanda looking around in amazement. “Most of the citizens are still at work. That’s why the pathways are so clear. It will get busy in about thirty minutes, but we’ll be well on our way by then.”
Amanda noticed several billboard-type signs on the outside of the buildings. These signs really stuck out due to the monotone coloring of all the brick construction. In bright yellow, each of them bore the same message: “Society Rules Are Rules for All—Report Anyone Who Doesn’t Meet Societal Rules to the Nearest Security Personnel.”
She had never seen anything like it. Somewhat mystified, she thought to herself, “Why would anyone report someone else for being different?”
The group reached the transport station and stood in a large congregation area, waiting to go through the checkpoints that led to the physical transports. As they waited, large monitors turned on overhead and the familiar daily jingle known by all in Sector 37 filled their ears. The monitors were similar to the large communication screens that had been used the day before, but these were much smaller and lined the wall leading up to the checkpoints.
For the next five minutes, the occupants of the congregation area were flooded with images of the World Council handing out food, medicine, care, and clothing to those who seemed less fortunate than those in Sector 37. A soothing tune played in the background as a commentator told the story of those in other parts of the world that needed the help of the Council and the Minister. The screen showed images of people and crowds cheering.
The final shot in the video package presented the Minister himself holding a child on his lap. She looked to be about five years old and held the Minister’s Hathmec in her hand as it hung from his neck. The music stopped and the Minister said, “We are all a part of this society, but the council and I are here to lead the way. Thank you for your trust and support.”
The monitors turned off and the patrons in the congregation area cheered and shouted, “Hathmec, Hathmec!”
Amanda looked at Walter as he followed along with the cheer. Matthew and Connor also jumped in. Connor poked Amanda in the side and gave her a look full of meaning. In response, she started to jump up and down, along with Steven, until the crowd settled down. It took a few more minutes before anyone was allowed through the checkpoints.
Walter was the first in line and added enough credits to get his entire party through the checkpoint. The next hurdle would be the security personnel at the loading station.
The group walked through the long, narrow hallway that led to the transports. Amanda looked up and saw signs hanging all over the place. Each one gave directions to certain transports for various trips, short or long. It reminded her of an old train station, but it was all very bland. There was little color, and the feel of the station was mechanic
al and uncomfortable, with no fancy decorations or print patterns at all—everything was just sterile and plain.
Each loading station was manned with a government official responsible for verifying the movement of the passengers. These verifications were only required for the longer journeys, and the officials at these stations were known for having short tempers.
Walter reached the loading station and handed his paperwork over to the official in charge of that station. He was a large man, the stature and build required of all security personnel. He wore a small hat, much like a train conductor, and his shirt was covered with small pins. Back in 1984, he could have been mistaken for a boy scout. He reviewed the papers and asked, “So you are all traveling to Sector 4?”
Walter replied, “Yes, an official transition to Sector 4. It seems they need more teachers in that area, and these fine folks are being assigned to the task.”
The official looked carefully at Walter and then stated, “I don’t remember seeing you before. I normally handle all the longer transports. Strange we’ve never met.”
Walter took the papers back from the official and replied, “I normally work the east-to-west routes, but like most around here, I’ve been reassigned to handle more south to north routes. I’m sure you’ll be seeing a lot of me over the coming months.” Walter smiled.
The official didn’t react but simply said, “I’m sure I will. Just start scanning through your bracelets, and you can get loaded up.”
Walter placed his bracelet on top of the turnstile-type fixture, and a quick ding rang out. The official indicated that he was fine, and the rest of the group started through. No problems with Addison, Steven, Connor, or April. The turnstile dinged for each, and they joined Walter on the other side. But when Amanda tried to scan her bracelet, there was a problem. No ding could be heard.
The official looked at Amanda and said, “That’s strange, I never have any problems with this scanner.”
Last Chance Volume 2 - The Legend of the Hathmec: Planting the Seed Page 7