First Light: Book one of the Torus Saga

by Berg, Michael

  “Gate elf.”

  “Vielen Dank.”

  “Danke. Auf Widersehen.”

  “Polite for an official during these times,” John said as they walked to gate eleven to depart Munich for London.

  “Maybe they think happy people make efficient people,” Lorraine said, impressed with John’s grip on the local language.

  The others had said goodbye and they would be in contact to arrange the next place to meet John and Lorraine.

  “I suggest a walk in this marvelous forest,” Asper said grabbing Tobias by the hand. “I want to feel it – not just look at it. Well?”

  “Very good idea,” Raynie agreed doing the same with Jake.

  “Yes, take a day in the forest. It will do you good. Tonight we need to talk of other things, so take in the forest energy and be refreshed. I will be about town today – I need to contact some people. I have seen…”

  “What Chan?” Raynie expressed the thoughts of the others.

  “Hmm…ha, ha,” he laughed a moment. “I think I have seen some of your werewolves.” They knew he did not actually mean mythical beasts of the night – he was referring to the group who had followed them in China. His joke fell a little flat though as he saw looks of concern come across their faces. “Oh, don’t be concerned. We will take care of them, so enjoy the forest. But watch out for real wolves!”

  The forest had been accurately restored in the mid twenty first century as part of the recovery of natural wonders and the preservation of nature. Humanity had finally taken a turn away from the dirty energies they had used since the Industrial Revolution, realizing there was an inherent place for nature to be part of life on Earth. Corporations suffered the most from this as they were required to research and develop new energy sources, costing them so much money many had simply given up and gone out of production, This had played into the hands of the officials, who had decided the authorities were to amalgamate and becomes owners of business, and of all energy supplies.

  The trails within the forest were littered with rays of sunlight, permeating through the green leaves, to the ground below. They were actually walking along a two-wheel track, giving them enough room to spread out and walk together side by side. Birds that once were absent from the forest, sang in the trees, and they took in deep breaths of the fresh, natural air.

  After some tales of old Forest Lore from Raynie and Lyle, the sun had passed midday, its’ heat bringing a hush to the forest around them. They sat there a while longer thinking of Raynie’s tales and the simplicity of those times so many centuries ago. The times of recent past and what they saw as times ahead, seemed anything but simple and some part in them, had a craving, to stop running, to stop fighting – but to keep learning. “Perhaps that is where Chan is taking us. When I think about what he has said about ego and intuition, to me, the intuition is more like an effortless natural flow, but the ego, tends to take a lot more from us than we realize,” Asper said. “Thanks for your tales Raynie, they have rekindled my sense of mystery that does almost seem lost in these times.”

  “Oh not really,” Raynie replied and looked at the other three who had recently taken the journey along the Silk Road route. “There is still a lot of mystery out there. Once you get these places, like the Black Forest, something inside wakes up your inquisitive nature and imagination, if you have one.”

  When they continued on after the rest, they took a trail this time and walked along in single file amongst the undergrowth.

  “How do they know where we are?” Lyle asked Chan that evening when he had mentioned this other ‘dark’ group. “Even the authorities find that very difficult.”

  “Hmm…the authorities rely so much on data and technology to find you – these others do this through their intentions.”

  “How? I would have thought their intentions are fairly similar to the authorities based on our experiences so far.”

  “They are connected to a type of energy that has prevailed on Earth for a very long time. With each positive, there is a negative – as I said with electricity yesterday. You might see the authorities as the negative, and in many ways they are. But this other group are much more in touch with responding to their instincts – so well practiced in these dark ways. Today, you took a walk in the forest, I trust it was rewarding for you?”

  “Yes,” Asper replied before any of the others, “Raynie and Lyle told us some stories of mystery from times long ago.”

  “Then it was right for you all to listen. Think of this other group similarly. They have often been the founders of mystery and myth from those dark times in human history…”

  “Not as dark as now,” Jenna interrupted.

  Chan looked at her slightly disappointed she felt such things, “It is dark Jenna, but there is always light as well. It is there to look, and feel.”

  “Did you see them again?”

  “I did and I was able to distract them for a time, but I feel there are others and for this we must be wary. They will be relentless and if successful, they will expose a darker side to humanity so much more than those in the authorities are aware of.”

  **********

  Superior Officer One was scouting the town, looking for any signs of Raynie and Jake. She had taken to this extra self-appointed assignment with vigor, confident of her abilities to track them, and happy a successful apprehension would benefit her in the eyes of the authorities. Her day though, had been without success. There had been no sign of them at all, or of the others accompanying them. She wished there had been a way to have taken an image of the entire group, for she knew they were all together the previous day, and those others would make an even grander prize.

  Still confusing her though, were the feelings she had during the encounter. She lacked the sheer malice of Agent Eight and instead she focused on career and improvement of her status – so the encounter had in some way, appealed to her sense as a human being. ‘Agent Eight is barely a human being,’ she thought recalling his bland self, his undeniable hatred, and his lack of respect and composure in murdering the military officer.

  The time was now approaching nine in the evening and she too was bound to the curfew, having not been given any special dispensation to be out after that time. She resigned her feelings, and returned to her lodgings and the report. As she put the information together, the concepts and details she had gathered began to rekindle feelings though, and she was unable to put them aside. Her superior whilst giving her some leeway, had demonstrated the very essence of what the authorities wanted people to become – emotionless and purely efficient. His reassurance that he was not a monster like Agent Eight, had done very little to comfort her as she saw a similar bland look in his eyes when he had spoken.

  Status had been everything to her since she had entered the services.

  Coming from an impoverished background, she had worked hard for many years to ensure she too would not end up like her parents – who were now long passed. She was alone, having never wed, and it had been so long since she had any type of affectionate relationship, she had almost entirely forgotten what it was like. It had been a long time since she had socialized at the wharf district in San Francisco and even longer since she had taken in any sense of culture or creativity – except for music.

  She loved music and held it dear as it harmonized her and gave her a sense of emotion. It was such a contrast to her work and she had struggled with these two polarities at times, wondering if she had made the right decision to join the services. Others she knew and had seen had gained status working as they did for corporations, as scientists, and as restaurateurs. During the few times she had chosen to eat out in recent years, she had people go about their trade, at times envious of their simplicity and apparent lack of compliance to the rules that so dominated life as an officer. With a mixture of emotions, feelings, and doubt in her mind, she decided she had had enough for this day and retired for the night. Her sleep was given to restlessness with dreams of Raynie and the others,
and of perplexing life choices rising within her.

  She awoke with the new morning feeling groggy, still embroiled in the aftermath of her dreams. As she ate breakfast, the appeal of being Superior Office One seemed to become less and less as she thought of her superior, the look in his eyes, and the brutal methods of interrogation and detention she would need to supervise. Her thoughts then turned again to the Agent she had sent far away to the Asteroid Belt, and something in her made her glad. Not glad with the type of malice attached Agent Eight seemed so good at. It was more that such a person was going further and further away from her. Despite this, she decided she must return to both her report and to tracking Raynie and Jake – her dedication to her work still strong. She was scheduled, according to her assignment, to make further investigations at the institute and she took it upon herself to conclude this during the morning, and then try to find Raynie and Jake in the afternoon.

  When returning to the museum, she looked in earnest for anyone she might recognize from the day before, but all to no avail. Giving up on this, she went inside to continue her work.

  She read a quotation aloud to herself as she viewed another holographic display at the institute, “O man, speak, and life of the universe shall be revealed through thee. Rudolph Steiner.” This moved her as she again, recalled the words at headquarters. The intention was to create efficiency within the authorities, efficiency within the population, and to remove sense of self, of emotion, to be replaced with compliance. ‘Was this the way of the universe for humanity ahead?’ she thought. What her superior had said, the ‘efficiencies of the authorities’ slogan now permanently at the top of her workstation holographic bank, and the way she had been with Agent Eight, weighed heavily on her mind. This began to taste bitter, feel bitter, ‘do I want to live a life bitter, just for the sake of status?’ she asked herself. ‘Do I want to be part of a universe of bitterness and compliance?’ She left the institute, unable to focus on work any longer.

  Despite her earlier intentions of finding the others, she walked the streets of Herrischried aimlessly. She did not stop for a meal, nor did she go back to her accommodation – she just walked on, thinking and feeling. She thought of her work and of her status, its appeal also loosening its grip on her. She felt at times, like a youth who can seem a little lost and lacking direction. And she began to see what it really was the authorities were putting into place, and it horrified her.

  She saw images of people suffering, and she saw images of a bland world strict with compliance and free of cultural and artistic values. She feared she would lose her one true connection with this - music. Normally she would walk with her head high and fully alert, but this time she barely even watched where she was going, only guided by inner senses to stop at the edge of a street to avoid vehicular traffic when required, or to take a turn to the left or right. She rounded one street corner with an ornate stone building and looked up at its character, feeling all this would soon be lost.

  A collision with another pedestrian brought her back to her senses. Returning her gaze back to street level, she looked into the eyes of the other person who had recoiled a few steps, “Hello Jake,” was the first thing she said. Then she became an almost hopeless mix as duty and surprise conflicted in her mind…and heart.

  Jake looked shocked, as did the other six adults with him. They were all unable to move, this meeting so unexpected because the person knew his name.

  Superior Officer One then scanned the group looking for Raynie. “Hello Raynie,” she said her official composure returning a little.

  “You must be mistaken,” Jake said, thinking of their false identifications. He was about to give his name.

  “I am Superior Officer One. I was watching when Agent Eight interrogated you and I was listening, but you could not see me.”

  The entire group of seven adults began to turn around as if to run away, but they were slow, a little hesitant. Something was almost holding them in place, holding back an utter sense of alarm and urgency to escape.

  “We saw you at the institute,” Chan said, the least affected out of the group.

  “Yes you did, but I was not sent there to apprehend you. I did not even know you were in Germany – no idea where you were at all in fact. Now this. What a bonus for me. I could arrest you know. All I need to do is ask any of these officials about the streets to help.”

  Raynie and Jake could not help themselves and were about to run, “Don’t run. There are officers everywhere. It would do you no good. And don’t anyone else try anything either.”

  “A standoff then.” Lyle said.

  “No. Not a stand off. You really do not have any choice in the matter. I can take you from here now, and then back to the United States by evening.” A look of resignation was coming across their faces. “But I won’t.” Their looks turned to surprise. “I want to talk. Let us go to the restaurant across the street there,” she pointed to a traditional German establishment. The last sentence was more like an order rather than an invitation.

  Chapter 36

  John and Lorraine had met Chris in London at Heathrow International Hyperflight Terminal, after their brief flight from Munich. He was very glad to see his father for it had been over three years, and he returned John’s parental embrace. After introducing Lorraine, they went into the central city for lunch. Over the meal, John and Chris caught up on news they had mostly covered previously via holographic phone calls, but to do so in person, brought on a renewed sense of enthusiasm to share each other’s tales. John did make a point of avoiding anything to do with recent events concerning avoiding the authorities, or the development of the identification technology. It was not an issue of trust, as John thought it best he know nothing of it should he be interrogated about his father.

  Lorraine had taken a liking to Chris upon meeting him. He seemed to be a positive and generally likable person, reflecting some of his father’s character she had grown to hold dear since their meeting in San Francisco.

  As they sat in the traditional English hotel, John thought it might be good to finish their meal with a beer, but Chris refused. “I don’t do anything like that dad, but thanks anyway.” For a second John faltered. The last time he and Chris had seen each other, was over a few beers in a hotel in Seattle and Chris had no objection to a relaxing drink or two then.

  “Um…OK. Lorraine?”

  “Yeah, I’ll have a beer, thanks John.”

  “So how did you and my dad meet?”

  “In San Francisco, at the wharves, around a month ago.”

  “He didn’t say why he was there. Last time I contacted him, he was still in Alaska. Too cold for me though.”

  “He was on a trip to see some friends. We met up one night and here we are.”

  “Does he still do things with technology or has he retired in old age?”

  “Hey, he’s not that old.”

  “Yeah I know, just he’s my dad, I guess I see him as old sometimes.”

  “He does some tech stuff I think, mostly a hobby though. You know he left the services a while back.”

  “Yeah, he told me about that. Felt it was the right time to get out…shame.”

  “Why shame? He seems happy now. And the services are getting pretty strict about things recently with all this crack down.”

  “It’s because of the nuclear detonations. I think it is a good measure. People need to be safe you know. Terrorists and insurgents don’t really care who they kill or what they destroy.”

  The conversation fell silent as John returned with the drinks. “Getting to know each other?” he said as he placed them on the table.

  “Just a little,” Lorraine replied. She had felt something strange about Chris after the short chat.

  Chris had no idea of how Lorraine felt and turned to his father. “Dad? Do you want to stay with me at my place? I have enough room for you and Lorraine.”

  “Yeah. Sounds good. Where do you live?”

  Chris replied with a slight sense o
f pride, “Eastern tower on level seventy six – in the high rise.”

  John was taking a sip and almost spat his beer back out into the glass.

  “Are you OK dad?”

  “Um, yeah, it just went down the wrong way a bit.”

  **********

  Superior Officer One had taken charge of the meeting as soon as the entire group had sat down and ordered drinks. “You know surely by now that I have a pretty good idea of what you are up to.” Without waiting for a response, she continued. “And you know it is my job to see the authorities continue their drive to efficiency and weed out anyone who might come up against such things.” They all remained silent.

  “You did give Agent Eight a run for his money didn’t you,” she said looking at Raynie and Jake. “And he failed me. Well he was useless anyway and he has the punishment he deserves…well, in part.” She hoped the spacecraft Agent Eight was in, was increasing in speed so he could be taken farther away, faster.

  “I myself have very little time for failure, and Agent Eight is best out of the way. He was a blemish on my record and my status.”

  “Why does status mean so much to you?” Chan asked.

  “Doesn’t it mean everything to every…um, most people? I can see it is not so important for any of you here and that puzzles me a little, but…” she trailed off thinking of her earlier feelings.

  “It does mean nothing to me,” Chan replied.

  “Interesting. So what does mean anything to you?” She had not yet asked for his name.

  “Many things,” Chan replied.

  “What about you?” It was a general question to Lyle, Jenna, Asper, and Tobias.

  “Same,” Tobias replied first, and then the others repeated his response.

  “What does ‘many things’ mean? The authorities only want compliance and in return you get recognition of status. Surely that appeals to you, doesn’t it? Your lives can be made so much better with the authorities on your side.”