“How long are we going to be in the boxes for?” asked Seth.
“It should be an hour at the most,” replied Baxter.
“An hour? We'll be stuck inside a box for an hour?” My hands grew clammy at the thought.
“Maybe I'll go back and trade places with Fletcher,” said Braven.
“It'll pass quickly, I've made sure of it.”
“How exactly?” Braven eyed him over.
Baxter held up a needle. “Sedative.”
“No way.” Braven's face grew pale and he stepped towards me.
“It'll be a small amount, to make sure you aren't discovered.”
“Do we get our weapons?” I asked.
“Yes, I've managed to retrieve your belts.” Baxter fumbled around behind him before presenting both mine and Braven's belts. Braven looked much happier having his stun gun back around his waist and I fastened my own belt over my hips, patting the hilt of my knife. Baxter handed Seth a small gun. “It's not the one you had when you arrived, but this will be much easier to conceal.”
“You trust him with a gun?” Braven asked me.
I looked towards Seth, unsure what to say. I couldn't exactly leave him unarmed when he was up there to protect me. But could I trust he'd follow orders and do as he was told?
“You chose me, remember. Let me show you I'm not the bad guy,” said Seth.
“It's fine,” I decided. “Your job is to protect the pendant piece and you can't do it without a weapon.”
“Hopefully none of you will need to use them. Now if you follow me we'll get you comfortable in your boxes.”
“Sure, comfortable,” muttered Braven as Baxter stepped towards the three wooden crates.
“Hop in, settled down and I'll inject you. Braven, the bigger box on the right is yours.”
We each exchanged glances before climbing into our boxes. I stepped in looking towards them both once more. “We've got this.”
“We've got you,” replied Braven. “And this time I won't let you down.”
A jab in the arm distracted me for a moment before Baxter stood back holding a needle. “Sit Aurora, it won't take long for you to fall asleep.”
Sliding down the side of the box I sat with my knees bent up towards my chest, doing my best to get comfortable so I wouldn't wake up with a kink in my neck. I ran my fingers over the rough wooden interior, leaning my head against the side as my eyes grew heavy.
* * *
Pain shot through my head as it hit something hard, waking me despite not being able to open my heavy eyes. My limp body wobbled from side to side before I was dropped unceremoniously and my head smacked into something hard yet again. Lifting my heavy arms I rubbed my eyes and forced them open. Blinking a few times, it was hard to focus my eyes in the darkness. Reaching out my hands found the wood grain of the box I'd climbed into, reminding me where I was.
Muffled, murmuring voices came from behind me but I couldn't make out what they were saying. More alert, I arched my back to stretch it as best I could and wriggled my toes.
“Thank you, Simon, I appreciate your help,” Baxter's voice came from beside me before two firm knocks echoed through my box.
“My pleasure Baxter. But next time don't load them up so much, the big one was heavy even with a trolley,” someone else replied.
The footsteps grew quieter and I attempted to inch a little bit to my right as my butt was going numb, but I was jammed in tight. I couldn't move. My heart began racing, and my limbs tingled. My arms cramped begging me to stretch them, and I drew in a deep breath attempting to calm myself down. I'd be out soon. Baxter was here.
“Baxter, I'm happy to see you.” Another older voice. “Let's have a look in these boxes.”
Footsteps grew closer again followed by someone scraping my boxes lid. The anticipation of getting out of the confined space mixed with the fear of who would be standing over me had me clasping my knife, just in case.
There was a crack and light began shining around the edges of the false floor above me before it was lifted out and the silhouettes of two people appeared over me. I shielded my eyes with my arm from the onslaught of bright white light and yanked out my knife to point it towards them.
“Woah,” the other voice said, as one of the silhouettes jumped back.
“It's okay Aurora, you're safe now. I didn't think you'd be awake yet.” Baxter leant in towards me to help me out of the box. “I hope you weren't awake for long.”
“Not too long,” croaked my voice. My muscles ached in protest and I wobbled as I got to my feet. My eyes began to adjust and I looked at the tall man in front of me. His grey hair combed neatly to the side and his brilliant blue eyes drawing my attention.
“Aurora, this is Geoffrey Grant,” said Baxter.
Geoffrey stepped towards me to help Baxter as I climbed out of the box. “Nice to finally meet you Aurora.”
Once on the tiled floor, I steadied myself by keeping hold of the side of the box. The room around me was domed as the laboratory had been on Eden, the ceiling above me one-way glass, buildings looming over us and strange cables running between them.
“Best we get the others out in case they're awake too,” said Baxter as he and Geoffrey began opening Seth's box.
Finding my footing, I took a few steps towards a desk where a small frame sat, my father's younger face catching my attention, smiling with the man who'd greeted me, Kylie Rodgers and Officer Banks. As I reached the large metal desk I picked up the frame, peering into my father's eyes. I was glad he was safe, but having him with me would've helped calm my nerves and would've helped confirm I'd made the right decision trusting Baxter.
“Argh!” Geoffrey cried out and I spun to find him jumping away from Seth who held a gun out from his chest with both hands trembling.
“Who are you?” he growled, his eyes sweeping the room and landing on me. “Aurora? Are you okay?”
“I'm fine Seth.” I replaced the frame and stepped towards him. “Put the gun down.”
As though realising he was still holding the gun he apologised quietly and tucked it away in his belt.
“They're a feisty bunch aren't they,” Geoffrey laughed nervously.
“We've been through a lot,” I replied.
“Yes, you have. Come on, let's get your last friend out of his box,” said Geoffrey, giving me a soft smile.
As they began prying open Braven's box I placed a hand on Seth's shoulder making him flinch. “You okay?”
“Yeah. Sorry. I didn't think being back in a box would freak me out so much.”
“Back in a box?” I questioned.
Realising what he said his eyes widened. “Doesn't matter. As long as we're all here safe.”
“How's Braven?” I called to Baxter and stood by his side as he and Geoffrey peered into the box.
“I gave him a little more than you two because he's bigger. Guess I didn't give you enough and gave him too much,” said Baxter.
Braven's head lolled to the side resting against the wall of the box, a glint of drool falling from his lips. With a jolt, his eyes sprung open and his head flew up. I squealed jumping back from the crate.
“Aurora?” he groaned.
“You scared the crap outta me,” I snapped.
“I woke up and heard your voice,” he replied.
“Let's get you out of your box,” suggested Baxter and the four of us helped Braven stand and step out.
“What is this place?” asked Braven as he stared towards the glass ceiling.
“You're in the Arcadia Laboratory,” replied Geoffrey offering Braven the same kind smile he'd offered me.
“And who are you?” Braven asked.
“I'm the guy you've been looking for. Geoffrey Grant. I can't tell you how happy I am we were able to track you and get you up here safely. With all of the security crack downs, I'm not sure how you would've gotten up here without Baxter's help.”
“Why are you helping us?” I questioned.
“Because I
want to do the right thing. Correct the mistakes we made all those years ago,” there was a sadness in his bright eyes.
“Why not give Baxter the pendant to bring with him? Why go to all this trouble to bring us to you?” asked Braven.
“Baxter is a loyal and brave apprentice. But I couldn't entrust him with something so important. Do you have the other pieces?” he asked looking to my throat.
“No.”
Geoffrey's eyes widened.
“I gave them to someone I could trust for safekeeping. In case,” I finished.
He nodded to himself. “Yes, leaving it behind was a smart idea. Let's hope they can keep it safe until you can get back to them.”
“You drugged us and crammed us into a box to get us up here. What now?” asked Braven.
“Now you follow me.” Geoffrey spun and took off towards a door towards the back of the room. “You're fine to leave us, Baxter. Job well done as always, you went above and beyond this time and I'm incredibly grateful. Take some time to rest.”
“Thank you, Mr Grant. Good luck to you all,” replied Baxter.
We each said our thank you's before he left the room and I followed Geoffrey with Seth and Braven hot on my tale.
“Can't all of those people in the buildings see us?” asked Seth, craning his neck to look up through the ceiling.
“It's one-way glass,” I told him. “We can see out but they can't see in. Or so they say.”
“She's quite right. But it doesn't mean we're safe. After what happened with Kylie on Eden, Officer Banks has been doing regular, unannounced checks of the labs.” Geoffrey stared into the distance. “It's still hard to believe he's the same man who started all of this with us. What he did to Kylie…”
“From what my father said he's not the same man. Greed and power have a funny way of changing people,” I replied.
“You are wise beyond your years' young lady,” he replied. “Unfortunately I think it has a lot to do with what you've been put through because of your father and me. I wish there was some way we could repay the world for what we've done.”
“You're doing it right now. Once you give us the last piece of the pendant and tell us what our next move is we can at least let the world know the truth about the floating cities.”
“But then what?” he asked, turning to face me. His eyes searching mine for some kind of answer. “Do you really believe knowing the truth will help them live happily ever after?”
He was right. I'd been fighting so hard to expose the truth I hadn't thought what it would mean for those on the floating cities. But knowing the truth was better than living under a blanket of lies.
“At least they'll know enough to decide things for themselves. Right now they're all living their lives as they've been told by the Elite.”
“Let's hope you're right. And let's hope they don't want our heads for all we've done.” He turned to punch a code into the keypad beside the door before it hissed and slid across.
Seth's eyes widened as they continued darting around the room, attempting to absorb all of the things he hadn't seen before.
We all followed Geoffrey into a large office and he beckoned for us to sit on a black leather lounge. “Would you like something to drink?”
“A water would be amazing,” said Braven licking his lips.
“Yes please,” I replied looking over to Seth who still was looking around the place in amazement. “He'll have one too please.”
“You okay?” I whispered to Seth who'd sat beside me.
“This place is incredible. I can't believe you lived like this.”
“Our floating city isn't as advanced as Arcadia or Eden. The one house with more than one story was the home of the Elite leader Mr Saxby,” I replied.
“Yeah, Fletch is the only one who knows what it's like to live in luxury,” added Braven on the other side of me.
“Fletcher? He's a Saxby?” asked Seth.
Chapter Sixteen
My breath hitched and Braven went rigid as we both realised what we'd revealed.
“It's more complicated than you realise,” I replied.
“More complicated than the son of an Elite trying to expose the truth about the cities they control?” Seth whispered. “No wonder you didn't want him to come.”
He was right, the implications of bringing an Elite leader's son to a floating city when he was presumed dead or missing had definitely crossed my mind. For a long time it'd been Fletcher looking after me. It was my turn to keep Fletcher safe.
“You can't say a word, Seth. No one can know,” I replied.
“Why not? You have the greatest bargaining chip in your hands and you aren't using it,” he said.
“Bargaining chip?” questioned Braven.
“Yeah, threaten to hurt him and I'm sure his father would be more than happy to expose the truth. No crazy, death-defying adventure, no more people being hurt.”
“Except Fletcher is our friend. I wouldn't use him,” I snapped.
Seth stiffened his spine. “Sacrifice one for the many. Imagine if his life, or simply threatening it could've saved you all of this.”
“You sound like your nutjob prophet Brent.” Braven narrowed his eyes towards Seth.
“You might not like Brent, but he's kept his community alive with the way he runs the place. Some jobs aren't nice, but they're necessary.”
Seth's words boiled under my skin, eating away at the little pieces of good I'd seen in him. “Even when he sticks you in a wooden box?”
“It was my fault. I'd failed him and needed to be reminded of everything I had,” he narrowed his eyes at me.
Was he forever going to be Brent's lackey?
“Here you go,” Geoffrey returned with three glasses of water, his eyes darting between us as he sensed the tension in the room. He placed the glasses on the table in front of us before reaching into his pocket. “I also grabbed you this.” His eyes found mine and he opened his palm to reveal the final piece of the pendant sitting in a small open box.
I gave Seth one last sideways glance. “Thank you,” I said, before taking the box from his hand and running my finger over the odd carvings of the final piece. “What happens next?”
“You don't know?” asked Geoffrey.
I grimaced at his words. He must think we were crazy risking so much when we had no idea what we were doing. “All my father told us was we needed to find all the pieces. He was in a coma when we left and couldn't tell us what happened after we had them all.”
Geoffrey grabbed a chair and moved it closer to us before sitting down. I took a sip from my glass and Seth and Braven did the same.
“I'm afraid the next part is going to be almost impossible,” said Geoffrey.
Braven put his glass back on the table. “Well, that's a motivational speech if I ever heard one.”
“Tell us what we need to do,” I said.
“Your father, Kylie and I designed the pendants so they were useless apart, but when they are all clipped together they create a memory chip. When placed in the right computer it contains the codes to lower the floating cities, all of the information about Minecorp and the Elite families who run the cities, and the truth about our part in creating them.”
“And you're happy for me to reveal your part? Tell the world you started the end of the earth as they knew it?” I questioned.
His eyes grew glassy as he thought about what I'd asked. “It's about time people learnt the truth, and if it means revealing my part in all of this I'll have to take whatever consequences come my way.”
Where Kylie had been scared and unsure, Geoffrey was much like my father. They'd made a mistake, and they'd spent every year since trying to amend it.
“What do we do with the memory chip?” I asked.
“The chip only works on one computer, which is where the hard part comes in,” he said.
“Let me guess. You designed a chip that goes into a computer you don't have. Who thought that was a good idea?” asked Braven.
“There's one computer system controlling all four of the floating cities. Now Officer Banks knows what we're doing with the pendants, I'm sure he'll have it heavily guarded.”
“Why wouldn't he destroy it? Then no one can know the truth,” asked Seth leaning in closer.
Being reminded of his presence pricked at my skin after what he'd suggested we do with Fletcher. He thought he understood everything about the floating cities and how they worked, but he had no idea Fletcher's father was in no more control of Utopia than I was.
“Because if anything happens to those computer systems, the remaining three cities will fall from the sky. And after what happened with Elysium we all know what a disaster it would be, not only for the people who live on the cities but for the people running them.”
“The computer's in Elysium isn't it?” I asked.
“I'm afraid so. The most heavily guarded, violent city of them all.”
“At least it's not in the air right?” said Braven.
“William Bolten runs the Elysium compound with an iron fist. No-one would dare to defy him lest they want to be imprisoned, executed or tortured. Mr Bolten rules with fear and uses slaves to work the farms he owns. As you know, his Elite Guard is headed by Officer Banks, and Officer Banks will do whatever Mr Bolten asks of him.”
“I have a feeling Mr Bolten runs more than Elysium,” I muttered.
“I'm afraid you are right about him too. The cities were supposed to be run by four Elites who made decisions for the human race together. Mr Bolten infiltrated their guards, city by city until he all but ran every floating city. Utopias Elite, Mr Saxby tried to fight back, and it didn't end so well for him. It's scared the other Elites into doing as they're told.”
My stomach clenched tight and my head grew light. Braven's hand reached out and took mine. Drawing in a deep breath I swallowed away the nausea growing in my gut.
“Mr Saxby, is he?” I asked.
Geoffrey stared down at his hands. “I'm sorry dear. I understand your family were close to David Saxby and his family. After he lost his son he tried to fight back against Officer Banks. Officer Banks announced his suicide a few weeks ago.”
“Suicide?” my eyes widened. “You don't believe that do you?”
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