by J. M. Preiss
"On your feet, soldier. That's an order," the voice said again.
"Oh put a sock in it." Jacob recognized the voice again and sat up. "How are you feeling, Mason?"
Mason sat in the chair across from Jacob. Hector was nowhere in sight.
"Well, all things considered, I'm doing pretty good." He winced a little as he leaned to one side to rest on one of his hands. The arm was propped up on an arm of the chair. "Seems that, what did they call it, grelock?"
Jacob nodded.
"Huh. Anyways, seems that grelock did a number on me. Two cracked ribs and a concussion." Mason suppressed a chuckle, but still managed to tweak his ribs. "Ooo. That's going to take a while to get used to. Anyways, impressive place they got here," he said as he motioned around.
"It really is," said Jacob. "I had been talking to Hector before I dozed off. I was learning more about their history and such."
"Who?" asked Mason.
"Ah, right. You were unconscious," Jacob said in a matter of fact voice. "Man that came along and saved our lives. He is Hector of the Forest Tribe. This is the medical facility of their village of Repose."
"Village?"
"Yeah, not much more than that either," said Jacob. "Wait until you get outside. It will be quite the shock to you."
"This whole thing has been a shock to my system," Mason stated. "Any idea as to where we are exactly?"
"I had actually done some work on the temporal beacon last night. Managed to figure out that we were deposited somewhere twenty thousand years in the future, give or take."
Mason whistled. "That's quite the muck up. What's the give or take?"
"Thousands of years," Jacob said with a grimace. "It was just a beacon. The only thing I could get out of it was what it transmitted before the wormhole collapsed. And even then, I had to use some of what the scientists taught us to get that rough estimate." Jacob shook his head. "When I say thousands of years, I mean tens of thousands."
"Ok, so we could actually be just a few hundred years in the future," Mason said.
"Or we could be so far in the future that we are in another evolutionary cycle after civilization as we knew it completely collapsed."
"Ok, that is quite the error." Mason screwed up his mouth. "So we have a very rough estimate of when we are, but where are we?"
"No real idea. I just know that we're near the great castle of Cago."
"Cago?" asked Mason.
"That's what they call it. I'm thinking that it's a city, but I couldn't tell you which one exactly." Jacob sighed. "Oh, and get this," he started, "this is summer time."
Mason guffawed. "Summer?"
"Yup. Seems that things have gotten quite a bit colder during our little trip." Jacob scratched at his face. He had a day's worth of stubble built up. "Anyways, there's an interesting dynamic that has arisen over time. It would appear that power is no longer as prevalent as it was."
"Oh?"
"Yeah," said Jacob. "They have to get a supply from Cago. They trade in foodstuffs and probably other things."
"A city needing to get food from elsewhere? Shouldn't they be self-sufficient?" asked Mason.
"They should, but there is no telling what all actually still works," Jacob replied. "If I had to guess, this Cago gets food from all of the various tribes that exist in exchange for power."
Mason nodded. "Well, I can't really argue with something like that, but how can these places not generate their own power?"
Jacob shrugged. "According to Hector, they only have certain templates for their nano-replicator, and since Cago is relying on these guys for food, I bet that their nano-fac is broken. They probably don't have templates to build a new one."
Mason nodded. "That would make sense. Nano-replicators can only do so much due to their size. They possibly can only make the spare parts to keep things running and pray that nothing big breaks."
"My thoughts exactly," replied Jacob.
Hector walked in from outside. Jacob didn't even notice that it was night out until he looked to the doorway when he heard it open.
"Ah, good. You're awake," said Hector. "So is your friend. Even better." He turned to Mason. "Hello, I am Hector of the Forest Tribe."
Mason nodded."Mason Smith."
"An honor, Hi- Mason."
Mason looked at Jacob.
"Long story," said Jacob and shrugged. Mason shrugged as well.
Hector motioned to the door. "The Elders are ready to speak with you, Jacob."
"Ah, good," said Jacob as he stood up. He picked up both packs. "Hope you don't mind, Mason, but I don't think you need to add any weight to your shoulders."
Mason winced as he stood up. "No, probably shouldn't. So where are we going?"
"Over to the Great House," said Hector. "The Elders are waiting inside to hear your story and decide on if you can stay with us." Hector held open the door. It was substantially colder outside this night than last. "I must warn you. The rest of the Forest Tribe aren't as welcoming as I am. In fact, I'm shunned a bit for how open I am to strangers."
"I think I understand, Hector," Jacob said. "Thank you for your openness with me. I hope to be able to tell you and your Elders just as much so that you can judge us to be worthy of your trust."
Jacob stepped out into the chill evening air. He instantly saw his breath fog in front of his face, and a shiver went down his spine. Definitely would have to get a better suit or maybe some of those furs. However, that was for later hopefully. Mason slowly followed Hector and Jacob through the streets, paths really. He was staring around at how primitive the buildings looked compared to the medical facility. After a short walk, they were in front of the Great House.
Two guards flanked the doors into the Great House. Jacob had the thought that they normally didn't stand there, but that they were there for this occasion.
"The two outlanders may enter," one of them said. "Hector, you must remain outside. The Elders wish to speak with these men alone."
Hector nodded and turned to Jacob. "Don't worry. The Elders may not like outsiders, but they are very wise."
"Well, let's get this over with then," Jacob said then sighed. He looked at Mason, who nodded, and stepped through the opened doors.
Chapter XI
The interior of the Great House was by far the most opulent of the buildings of Repose. It had gleaming metal walls and floors. There were bright lights in the ceiling that chased away all shadows.
As Jacob and Mason walked to what looked like a reception desk, their boots squeaking on the floor, they looked around in awe at what they saw. The medical center was shocking because of the difference between outside and in; however, the Great House was even more of a difference. The exterior was primitive in construction and architecture, but the interior resembled the interior of a habitation complex.
Mason leaned over to Jacob before they reached the desk. "It would appear they don't want people to know what they have," he whispered.
Jacob nodded as they came to a stop. "We're here to see the Elders," he proclaimed.
A small, young woman in a simple jumper looked down at paper in front of her. "Ah, yes, of course. If you go through the doors behind me and down the hall, you will enter the chambers of the Elders. They are waiting for you."
She didn't give them a second look. Mason and Jacob looked at each other, shrugged, and walked behind her. The door opened as they approached it and silently closed behind them after they were through it.
The hallway was simple, but there was a long carpet down the center. Their muffled footfalls echoed down the hallway. Portraits, painted by hand, lined either side of the hallway. Obviously these elders liked to show off, thought Jacob.
They reached the end of the hallway and entered a dark chamber. The light from the hallway barely extended into it. Jacob and Mason came to a stop where the most of the light ended. Doors slammed closed, plunging the chamber into darkness. The sound of boots shifting could be heard to Jacob's right. Mason shifting his weight to a
balanced posture, more than likely. Jacob followed suit.
"You are outlanders to these parts," boomed an elderly voice. It sounded all around Mason and Jacob. "You have trespassed on Forest Tribe hunting grounds. The penalty for this is death."
There's more to this than a simple execution. They want to know why we are here. They want to know what we know, and they surely want to know why we look like High Ones. Jacob tried to find something to fix on in the darkness.
"You have also been seen to impersonate one of the High Ones," the voice continued. "The penalty for this is death."
Ok, maybe they don't care, Jacob thought. Surely, this hasn't happened before. Jacob was almost caught up in his thoughts when the voice started speaking again.
"You have tainted one of our own with forbidden technology," it boomed. "The penalty for this is death."
The voice was silent for several moments. "And just who are you to deal out death?" shouted Mason.
"I am the Elder!" the voice boomed even louder than before.
Jacob rested his hand on Mason's shoulder after groping through the darkness for him. He squeezed it to stop Mason from saying anything else.
"You have been sentenced to death for three crimes against the Forest Tribe," the voice said in a calmer tone. "The execution is to take place at dawn."
Maybe they aren't going to ask any questions of us. That would be foolish on their part, but they have been succinct in this meeting so far. If they wanted to ask questions, they would have just started there from the beginning. Jacob shook his head at everything.
A slightly smoother voice sounded from the definitive right of them. "Before your execution, we require information from you."
"Yes," said a third voice. This one high pitched and lilting. "We must know where you are from. We must know what you know. This information is of the utmost importance."
The booming voice came back. "Do not think that you will be able to take the answers to your questions to the grave. We will have them one way or another. The penalty for not answering our questions will be pain. Tremendous pain."
A storm of azure electricity arced from above Jacob and Mason and shot through them. They collapsed to their knees immediately in agony. As quickly as it started, it stopped.
"This is but a taste," the voice boomed. "Answer our questions, and you will receive no more pain. Resist at your own peril."
The smooth voice spoke up. "Where are you from?"
Jacob squeezed Mason's shoulder. "We are from far away," Jacob said.
The electricity arced through them. When it stopped, Jacob and Mason were on their backs. Mason was panting. Jacob took a deep breath, exhaled, and sat up.
The smooth voice asked again, "Where are you from?"
Jacob shook his head in the darkness. "We are from far away."
Again, the electricity arced through them. Jacob lost consciousness.
Mason shook Jacob back away. "I cannot feel my arm or leg," he whispered.
Jacob nodded to himself and sat up.
"Where are you from?" asked the smooth voice.
Jacob smirked to himself. "We are from far away."
"Do you wish for more pain?" the booming voice asked.
"You can bring as much pain as you wish," said Jacob. "You have already told me that I am to die in the morning. By defying you this knowledge that you seek, I am granted victory." Jacob lowered his voice. "Sorry, buddy," he said.
Mason snorted.
"You cannot win against us!" the booming voice shouted. "We will have the knowledge that is locked away in your brain." The doors shot open. "Take them away!"
Two guards in the same jumper as the receptionist entered and dragged Mason and Jacob out of the room. As they were dragging them down the hallway, Jacob looked over at Mason and motioned to the packs he had securely strapped to himself and winked.
Mason nodded with understanding.
Chapter XII
Jacob and Mason were unceremoniously transported across the village to a group of cages on the wall opposite of the one they entered in. After they were locked into separate cages, the guards looked at them, looked at each other, and then walked back towards the Great House.
"Charming people," said Mason as he fiddled with his left arm.
Jacob snorted. "No kidding. I wonder why they are so hostile towards outsiders. I also wonder how they are able to afford such power expenditures. I thought that they were receiving less and less power lately."
"Oh yeah?" asked Mason. He rolled up his sleeved and popped open a hidden panel.
"Yeah, Hector told me that they were getting less and less with each delivery. Just doesn't make sense that the Elders would waste it like that. Especially on outsiders. Something isn't right here," Jacob mused.
Nothing is going right. First, we end up in the wrong time period. Then we find out we are in the wrong place. Then we find out that civilization has collapsed. Jacob shook his head to stop the thoughts.
Mason flipped a switch, depressed a button, and there was a muffled crack. He started moving his left arm.
"Better?" asked Jacob.
"Yeah," Mason replied. "Arm and the leg acted as they were supposed to and absorbed all of the discharge from whatever that was. I didn't feel much of anything, though I had to look like I did for their sake." He rolled down his sleeve, rolled up his pant leg, and started working on his leg. "The discharge was just too much for them to handle without tripping the internal breaker. That last jolt," he gave Jacob a sidelong glance. "Let's just say, I owe you one."
Jacob chuckled. "It wasn't any worse than what we felt during our basic."
"Yeah, your basic," Mason said. "You went to the one designed for your kind. Us norms don't get the same kind of training. We definitely don't go through specific training for torture resistance."
Jacob shrugged. He reached behind his back and pulled off the packs. He stared at them.
The packs really were a great tool. They had the ability to suck to the person that wore them and compressed to make it look like they were just wearing a bulky coat. It totally mimicked whatever the user was wearing.
"How are the ribs feeling?" asked Jacob.
Mason grimaced as he snorted. "I told you, I owe you one."
"Think you're good to get out of this place before sunrise?"
Mason waved his hand in a neutral position. "I'll make it, but it won't feel good."
"Good enough." Jacob opened the packs and removed the rifles. He passed one through the bars to Mason. "Let's hope we don't have to use these things."
Mason nodded as there was another muffled crack. He closed up the panel on his leg and rolled down his pant leg. "Ok, back to fully functional." He held his ribs. "Well, as good as I'm going to be for this."
Jacob pulled out the bioscanners and passed one to Mason. Jacob activated his and made sure to put it on silent this time. Messing with the controls, he zoomed in and increased the resolution. There were only a handful of signals within thirty meters. Jacob hung the bioscanner off a loop near his waist and went back into his pack. He pulled out the mapping device and fiddled with it.
"We need to get spare parts for these," said Jacob.
"I thought they don't have templates," Mason replied.
"Good point. Well, we need to get the parts from somewhere. The only templates we have with us are the ones for the fusion reactor and the facility."
There was a crunching of snow, and Jacob's bioscanner vibrated as a new signal came into range. He quickly stowed away his rifle behind him and put the packs back on. They sucked into his back.
"Hey," whispered a voice. "Are you ok over there?"
Mason and Jacob were silent.
A figure walked sneaked closer to the cages and knelt before them.
"It's Hector," the figure said. "I just found out what happened."
Jacob leaned forward. "And what did happen, Hector?"
Hector shrugged. "They've never been like this before. I've no idea what ha
ppened. The laws they supposedly cited are real, but they've never acted on them before tonight."
Mason shook his head. "I don't care whether they have or not in the past. They did now. Can you get us out of here?"
Hector rocked back and forth on his feet. "I would be put to death for such a thing."
Jacob snorted. "Hector, you're going to be put to death anyways. You've interacted with us. It wouldn't surprise me if the doctor was put to death as well."
"Why would they do that?" Hector asked in a frightened voice.
"Does anything they are doing make sense right now?" Jacob asked.
"Well, no," replied Hector.
"There's your reason," Jacob said. "They are being highly atypical. They are enacting laws that they never have before. Hell, Hector, they even tortured us for information."
"No," Hector said and trailed off.
"Yes," Mason chimed in. "It was pretty serious too."
"Look, Hector," Jacob started, "you don't let us out and you roll the dice on whether or not they come for you in the morning to be executed with us, or you help us escape and come with us. I know which option assures you live past morning."
Hector sighed. "I like living in Repose!"
"I bet you like living in general a lot more," Mason exclaimed.
"Well, yes, I do like being alive." Hector scratched at his head.
"Good," said Jacob. "Now get us out of these cages."
Hector rocked back and forth again as he mulled it over. "Fine," he finally said.
Hector went over to the wall and swiped his hand across a section of it. A panel slid up and revealed a control panel. He put in a few commands and the cages opened up.
Mason looked at Jacob. "They didn't use that before."
Hector chimed in before Jacob could. "These are overrides. The cages act like normal ones if you have the key, but if you don't, you must use an override." Hector looked around. "One problem. Using an override alerts the Elders."
"Of course it does," said Jacob in a sarcastic voice. "Alright, which way to the power supply?"
Hector looked taken aback. "Why do you want to go there?"
"To prove something to you. Lead on," Jacob motioned.