Perpetual Power

by Randall Sudlow

  “I can feel it working, I think,” said Clyde. “Just a little more.” It took Clyde almost ten minutes to cut himself loose. He then worked with Mason and between them they got Mason loose in less than seven minutes.

  Tressa was ready by the time it was her turn and having watched both of the others go first she had the rhythm down easily. She was free in five minutes and ready to work out the next part of their plan.

  Looking out the window in the door Tressa saw the old guard leaning back in his chair and twirling his guard’s cap around on one finger. His black shoes were propped on an old electric truck engine from the maintenance shop. His fashion sense stopped with his white socks and blue pants that looked way too short for him. In spite of the seriousness of the situation Tressa thought, who wears white socks with black shoes? Even Roderick wouldn’t do that.

  “We’ve got to distract this guy somehow. Or, get him to come in here where we can tie him up and we’ll be outside,” she said. “Maybe we can fake an injury or something.”

  “If Zimmer is planning on killing us tomorrow do you really think he’ll be worried about our health tonight?” Mason squeaked.

  “Well, at least I’m trying to figure this out. How about offer a little help rather than just criticism?” Tressa flung back.

  As the group was discussing the situation none of them noticed the old guard had disappeared.

  Clyde had another idea. “Why don’t I bust down the door and we’ll rush the old guy?”

  Tressa looked at Mason, “See? At least he’s trying to help.” She turned to Clyde, “That’s one possibility, but I think that’ll just alert Zimmer we’re loose. Let’s try to come up with something a little more subtle.”

  Mason looked out the window and remarked, “Maybe our problems are solved. The old guy’s gone.”

  Tressa squeezed him out of the way to see out the window. The guard had gone to the maintenance building where Zimmer had taken Fergus and now, returning at a jog, he came right to the door of the building where they were being held captive.

  “Stand back,” he whispered at their faces in the window. “I’m going to unlock the door and we can decide how to best get you out of here without Colonel Zimmer knowing.”

  He pulled out a key ring and tried several keys until one fit the lock. Trying to be quiet he slowly slid the chain through the loops on the door frame and dropped it on the ground. He eased the door open and suddenly found himself ripped into the room by a size 45 hand that had grabbed his shirt front. He was shaken thoroughly and slammed against the wall. The other size 45 hand was balled up into an extra-large fist and was about to do grievous harm to the old guard. “Wait. Wait,” he yelped. “Ant sent me. I’m here to help.”

  Clyde looked at Tressa who nodded. The guard was released and sunk to the floor. Tressa helped him to his feet as he caught his breath and tried to regain his wits.

  “That young man has anger control issues,” he chuckled. “I haven’t had a ride like that since surfing in Australia.”

  Tressa was glad the old guy was not harmed, but she was ready for some answers. “Where is Ant and how did you know to come here to help us?”

  “I am one of the Seekers, my name is Chris. Ant is here with me. He brought me with him to the hotel and we got your note. We rushed to SEW-MUN trying to catch up, but couldn’t find you. We saw the coffee crate you told him about being loaded into an Elevator headed to Brazil and figured you were inside.

  “Since none of the Elevators in Munich jump to New Omaha we figured there was a problem. We got tickets on the next one to Brazil and rushed here as fast as we could. Ant is too young to walk around the plant without raising suspicions, so I stole a guard’s outfit and I guess I look more ‘seasoned’ than the others. I figured if I acted like I was in charge Zimmer would let me be in charge.”

  Tressa’s mind raced. She remembered that Fergus had said something about jumping from Munich to New Omaha. It had bothered her are the time, but she hadn’t made the connection. She quickly figured out that Zimmer may have tricked Fergus into delivering them all wrapped up, but Zimmer didn’t know about Ant. This man, Chris, must be legitimate since his story about Ant seemed to fit and only she knew about the note at the hotel. “So, how do we stop Zimmer and get out of here?” She asked. “He’s got Fergus and we don’t have a lot of time.”

  She was totally unprepared for what Chris suggested. “Let me tie you all up and lock you in here,” he said.

  Chapter 26

  Chris explained that Zimmer would be making some rounds before retiring to the local Perpetual Power executive apartment for the evening. If they were untied he would simply restrain them again, and perhaps replace Chris as their ‘guard’. The trio agreed, and Chris retied their bonds but left them loose enough that the prisoners could shake them off with just a moment’s notice. He locked and chained the door and returned to his tilted seat with a bored look on his face.

  Two hours later Chris didn’t have to fake being bored, and Tressa and her companions inside were sweating and hot from the humid air that found its way inside. The cooling, late evening air did little to lessen the stifling discomfort inside the makeshift jail.

  Finally, they heard a few pebbles rattle off the door and they could see Colonel Zimmer and a few guards coming across the gravel yard toward where they were imprisoned.

  “Quick, said Tressa, “Let’s all sit down and look like we’re unhappy.”

  “I am unhappy,” complained Mason.

  “I’m more hungry than unhappy, but I think I’ll be unhappier if I get hungrier,” Clyde informed them.

  “Just sit down and hide the knots Chris tied,” Tressa commanded. “And don’t say anything,” she added in Clyde’s direction.

  The chain was pulled loudly through the rings securing the door closed and then the door was unlocked. Flashlight beams stabbed into the darkness within the building and sought out the three captives. Squinting against the bright beams they each were forced to look at the ground to avoid being temporarily blinded by the lights.

  “Well, everyone comfortable? I regret to tell you that I’ve completely forgotten to put in a food order for you. Perhaps we can make it up at breakfast time. If not, then by lunchtime you won’t care,” gloated Colonel Zimmer.

  Tressa was worried that Clyde might try something when he heard about no dinner being delivered. She let out a big breath when he managed to stay quiet.

  Misinterpreting Tressa’s sigh for resignation to her fate Zimmer continued, “I really do apologize, my dear, for having to end things this way. You see, you and I are very much alike.”

  Tressa couldn’t control her outburst. “We are NOTHING alike. You are a monster and I’ll do anything I can to stop you.”

  Zimmer was unfazed by her pronouncement. “Tut, tut, child, we are very much alike. Mentor Mumfree has enlightened me immensely about life in Top Peake and your amazing potential. You might say we share some common genes.”

  Tressa suddenly felt an icy ball form in her stomach. If he has ‘improved’ genes, and can think and fight like a trained storyteller how can we possibly stop him? She thought.

  “Now I must be off. I have a very important dinner meeting tonight and then I need some rest. I bid you all good-night.”

  Turning away Tressa could see Chris about to close the door when Zimmer stopped him. “I almost forgot,” he chuckled and tapped the side of his manicured head. “There is one last thing you can do for me.” Colonel Zimmer entered the building and strode over to where Tressa was sitting against the wall. He leaned over and lightly put his fingertips under her chin.

  He lifted her head and she glared into his eyes defiantly. Tenderly, he grasped the necklace around her neck and without warning violently snatched it back with his hand. Tressa felt the chain cut into her neck before it broke, but the pain of losing it was deeper than any cut he could have inflicted.

  “I know this has been very important to you, but if it is any consolation, please kn
ow that I will cherish it as well.” Zimmer turned on his heel and walked out of the building and disappeared into the night. Chris closed and locked the door and soon the chain was back in place. Tressa hung her head and sobbed quietly.

  ~

  Tressa didn’t know how long she had been sitting there wallowing in her personal hurts. When she started to pay attention to the things around her again she found that Clyde had shucked off his ropes and was hugging her awkwardly and trying to soothe her.

  “It’s okay, Tressa. I’ll get you another necklace when we get out of here. I know where we can get lots of them and you can pick just the one you want.”

  Tressa wiped her eyes with her shirt sleeves and allowed him to rock her for a few minutes. Then she said quietly, “It’s not the necklace that’s the problem, Clyde. The piece of the machine was what he really took.”

  “Oh,” murmured Clyde. “That’s important. We’ll have to get another one of those, too. Maybe I can find that one again.”

  Thinking about the theft of her necklace was the last straw for Tressa. She was tired of waiting for Zimmer’s plans to play out and then trying to react to them. She was ready to take the initiative. With Ant out there somewhere and Chris outside the door ready to help she wanted to go to war with Zimmer.

  Climbing out of Clyde’s lap she turned to Mason and said, “Let’s go. Now we’re going to take charge of what happens to us. First we get a plan together with Chris and Ant, then we find Fergus and then we get Zimmer.”

  Mason and Clyde followed her toward the door and waited while she looked through it and got Chris’ attention. He signaled that everything was clear and came over to the door. Quietly unchaining and opening it he slipped inside.

  “I think the Colonel will be gone until morning. I’m not sure how difficult it will be to get your Mentor out, but I’m sure he’s in that building right there.” Chris pointed at the maintenance building where Zimmer and taken Fergus earlier. “There’s a workshop and a sleeping area in there as well, and I would guess Fergus is being held in the dormitory.”

  Tressa thought quickly and the outline of a plan came to her. “Ok, we need to do several things. First, we need to find out how easily it will be to get Fergus out. Then we need to locate the explosives. They should be in crates like in Alaska. Finally, we need to find something that incriminates Zimmer in the power plant explosions and clears us from suspicion.”

  Chris looked at Tressa appraisingly and smiled to himself. He thought carefully for a moment and said, “I can contact Ant and we have some resources to help find evidence on Zimmer. Why don’t you three find the explosives and then we’ll meet back here.”

  The three young people all nodded, and Chris loped off away from them into the rough vegetation that had grown up around this unused part of the power plant facility.

  Tressa gave Mason the chore of finding out where the guards were located and if he could determine their routes around the plant facility. He was also given the job of checking the reactor building to make sure there were no differences from the one they had seen in Alaska.

  She instructed Clyde to find some special items for a surprise she had in store for Colonel Zimmer in the morning. Both nodded approvingly and took off in different directions to accomplish their tasks.

  Tressa thought to herself after she was alone, I think Zimmer is using this part of the plant for all his dirty work. Not many people would normally come to this area of the grounds and he can control where the security guards patrol. I think he’ll have all his eggs in one basket. The explosives should be close at hand so he can use them easily.

  She quietly made her way behind the maintenance building and found a downspout from the gutter that appeared to be well attached. Leaping up she grabbed the pipe about fifteen feet off the ground and started climbing to the roof. As she rolled over the edge and stood up on the roof she found what she was looking for. I thought a big warehouse building like this might have skylights to help bring in light during the day. Now in the dark, I can use them to see what’s going on inside.

  Quietly feeling her way across the roof she came up to the first skylight and peered down inside. She saw a large open bay with tools and workbenches. Engine parts and other machinery in various stages of repair were spread around. She didn’t see anyone and went on to the next skylight.

  At the second opening Tressa saw another large, open room. This one contained several electric trucks. One appeared to be the truck that transported them from the Space Elevator to the power plant. The other one was more like the wagons she was used to seeing in Top Peake and had a tarp over the storage bed in the rear.

  I’ll want to come back to this one, but let’s see what else is going on inside. Tressa lightly ran to the final skylight and carefully peeked inside. This area had been split up into living spaces and she looked down and saw a kitchen area with all the conveniences. Several tables indicated that fifteen to twenty people could easily gather and eat. However, only two places had been used and the dishes remained, waiting for someone to clear the table off.

  A few darkened doorways off the dining area made her think this was a dormitory that the guards could use when not on duty. Probably so Zimmer can keep his guards close by and ready for whatever he wants done, she thought. As she angled her head to see farther she saw a lounge with a handful of comfortable looking leather chairs in a circle.

  She almost fell through the skylight as she watched Colonel Zimmer in one chair lean over and light a cigar for Fergus. Fergus blew out a ring of blue smoke and held up Tressa’s necklace, staring at the gently swinging piece of the power machine.

  Chapter 27

  “I think we just might have it this time, Fergie!” exclaimed Colonel Zimmer.

  “I think I prefer it when you call me Mentor Mumfree. It sounds so auspicious. And it’s your fault we didn’t get it right in Alaska. You should have had smarter people on it. I told you to watch the girl and you blew it.” Fergus replied.

  “I had no idea that she was capable-”

  Fergus cut Zimmer off, “I told you about her. That should have been enough. That witch of a mother must have ‘improved’ genes as well. Now we’ve got to get rid of her before she realizes just how powerful she could be. The day she was ‘tested’ at five she beat every known score for agility, strength and fitness. Her mental aptitude was exceptional, too.”

  Swinging the necklace in his hand he continued, “Then I saw this little trinket swinging around her neck and knew her bozo dad had given it to her. It didn’t take much to bully the exalted Storytelling Council into accepting a girlie into the Institute – not with all the dirty secrets I know about Top Peake. I wanted her where I could keep my eye on this.

  “Since then I’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to get my hands on it. I can’t wait to express my ‘sympathy’ to her dear mother about what a dreadful accident this was and how I wish I could have done something to save her.”

  Fergus laughed out loud for several seconds then took a moment to draw on his cigar and look over at Zimmer. Condescendingly, he said, “Colonel, she could ruin everything. But if you can finally pull this off I will have another piece of the machine in my collection-”

  This time Zimmer cut off Fergus. “Don’t you mean ‘our’ collection?”

  Fergus was still for a minute and his face contorted with rage. “NO!” He thundered. “No, I mean my collection. You knew nothing about this blasted machine until I brought you into this. You would’ve happily gone along as a grateful Perpetual Power tailor if I hadn’t decided to let you help me! Look around you…if you were truly in charge would your guards all be staying in motels in town while I have the run of the place?”

  Zimmer was cowed for a minute, but soon rallied, “Without my contacts you wouldn’t be able to destroy the Perpetual reactors. Without me you’d be nowhere.”

  Fergus’ outburst had calmed him somewhat. He responded more civilly, “I would’ve simply had to wait a bit longe
r. Once I have all the pieces to the machine, the existing reactors will become obsolete technology. I will under-sell Perpetual Power until they topple from loss of customers. Once I’m the only one source for power the price will skyrocket and I will be in charge.

  “Now, about tomorrow, there cannot be another mistake or the Board will begin to wonder why they are almost killed every time you call a meeting. Get the explosive charges set up in advance and make sure they are programmed to a remote detonator. Your amateurish attempt in Alaska almost made me drop you from this whole endeavor. Fail again, and you will be back making uniforms in Bavaria.”

  Zimmer grudgingly nodded and agreed to Fergus’ plan of action. Fergus stood and stubbed out his cigar in an ashtray. “Nasty habit, these, but sometimes they just seem to hit the spot.” He walked toward the dormitory rooms. “If you pull this off tomorrow we’ll have to smoke an entire box of cigars. Now, poor Fergus needs to sleep. His treatment at the hands of the invincible Colonel Zimmer is atrocious.”

  Fergus laughed as he closed the door to one of the bedrooms. Colonel Zimmer got up and left through the main doorway. Tressa saw the larger electric truck pull out of the garage area and bounce its way across the grounds of the power plant toward the exit. A few minutes later Tressa saw the light under Fergus’ door go off.

  Stifling her rage at Zimmer and Fergus she soon felt shamed by how Fergus had fooled and betrayed her. He had betrayed them all; Mason, Yvette, her mother, all the people of Top Peake. He may have even betrayed her father. She had wanted to stop Zimmer from hurting people and blaming her for it, but now she had a focus for her anger. She would not just stop Colonel Zimmer she would bring Fergus to his knees and make him beg for forgiveness.

  Going back to the second skylight she gently eased open one of the panels that could serve as a vent for rising hot air from within. She eased through the opening and found a spot for her feet on a brace for the roof. She grabbed it with her hands and hung down. Swinging from arm to arm she made her way from the center of the ceiling to the wall and climbed down to the floor of the garage.