Excolopolis_Poles of Enforcement

by Jack L. Marsch

  The ambulance sped out of the depot, lights flashing and siren blaring so loud that no one really paid any attention to it. Steersman smiled at the drivers boldness.

  The ambulance drove him right onto the building site.

  “Thanks Jerry,” Steersman shouted over the noise of the construction machinery as he slowly eased himself from the back of the vehicle. “I owe you one!”

  “Any time, Mr Steersman, you know where to find me!” the driver shouted back.

  Steersman entered the temporary administration building that had been put together for the site management team, went up the stairs and straight into the office where Jim worked. He was at his desk, swimming among holographic building models. He heard somebody coming and jumped, then he looked up and saw him.

  “Mr Steersman! Wha … what are doing here?” he asked, and almost tripped as he hurried out from behind the desk.

  “Jim, the factory has to be completed in six days, at the latest,” Steersman informed him shortly.

  “Six days?! Well, the factory will be finished in couple of days, but the service channels definitely won't be,” said Jim, pointing to the two corridors running into the factory hall.

  “Look, machinery commissioning and test runs start in one week time. It'll be fully operational as soon as the DCG drivers pass inspection,” Steersman outlined the plan, paying no attention anything Jim had said. “Jim, what resources can we mobilize?” he asked.

  “Well,” said Jim, scratching his nose, “if we stop building in the city, and stop all of the buildings we are running at the moment, then we'll have plenty of man power and plenty of energy. Why?”

  “We are going to build a new city quarter,” Steersman informed him.

  “What? Where?” Jim couldn't believe what he was hearing.

  “A research center, right here; a research facility like nothing that has ever been built before. I want to run over the plans with you and I want our entire capacity concentrated there,” Steersman almost seemed to be explaining it to himself. He looked at Jim. “You'll get everything you need, with no restrictions at all. The whole area will have the highest security measures possible, so you won't be disturbed.”

  “OK, I see,” said Jim, looking puzzled. “When do we start discussing the project?”

  “We already have, but tomorrow morning we'll go into it in detail. Karen will call you and tell you where to go,” said Steersman.

  “Okay. I had better get down to the site then.”

  “Yes, of course.” said Steersman.

  Steersman walked out of the office, and called Karen.

  “Karen?! Which tower block is empty?”

  “Sean, hi! I heard that you'd left the hospital.” Her voice was frankly disapproving. “Well, we have one … but we sort of promised it to Honda Robotics at the end of the month.”

  “No problem. We'll move in for a short time. Organize the movers and get our people in there by tomorrow. Leave the four top floors empty. I'm going there now, and tell the purchasing manager to deliver a workshop to the top of the building with the same equipment as last time. I need the same materials too, but twenty times more. They have one hour to get it done.”

  “Okay, I'll start with them then,” said Karen.

  “How long will this circus be going on with the media?” He asked, abruptly changing the subject.

  “As long as miracles keep coming I suppose, or until you give them an interview about your quick recovery,” said Karen drily.

  “Then they'll be waiting for some time,” Steersman sniggered.

  “I'm sure they got the news that you're not in hospital anymore.”

  “Let's forget the media for now. We need to concentrate on something far more important. Let's meet tonight at the office.”

  “Okay,” said Karen, and then heard the line go dead. She was still battling with the questions that had been running through her head before the attack, hoping that Steersman would let her in on his plans. She decided to ask him that night.

  *

  The floors at the top of the building that had been allocated to Honda remained unfinished and completely empty. Steersman heard the delivery helicopter arrive, hover for a short time above the building and then leave with a huge roar. The freight elevator was already working, so, with the help of a powerful hand driven fork-lift, he loaded the delivery straight into his newly renamed office. Everything that he needed was right before him.

  He looked round the new place. He needed nothing other than as much free space as possible, in all directions.

  In his old office the EBI had not attached any importance to the ruins of the machines that had created the DCG spheres, or perhaps they had not realized. He could save some of them. Perhaps the agents had thought that they were part of the building and had just let them lie there. As might have been expected, the top part of the building was completely shattered. The force of the huge explosions had ripped apart the roof and the otherwise empty office hall was now full of rubble piled shoulder high.

  Karen appeared among the now naked columns.

  “Has everything arrived?” she asked.

  “Yes, everything is here.” He stood among the scattered boxes.

  “Listen, Karen. I know that so far you have done more than was required of you, but I would like you to remain for a while longer at the front line.”

  “I see.”

  “You are the most important person in this city right now. Hire some people to manage the routine tasks for you. Take care of your own safety and the center's safety. You may hire anyone you think suitable.”

  “Center?” Karen looked at him strangely.

  “Yes, where Jim is building the factory. We are going to build a research center, with massive improvements.”

  “… and that's why we needed such a big site?”

  “Yes.”

  In Karen's head things were beginning to straighten out. She found that it wasn't so necessary for her to figure Steersman out, as long as she understood what he was doing. But, there were still some things that had to be clarified.

  “May I ask something?”

  “Yes, go on.”

  “These buildings, I mean … they have some sort of connection to DCG technology, don't they? They contradict all laws of physics. I'll bet it's not miracles holding them together.”

  Steersman smiled. “Of course they are connected. Most of the weight in each building floats, but it is not visible. Unfortunately the earlier designs are still faulty and not as perfect as I would like them to be. That means they're not as durable as the new ones. We'll need to change them in couple of years, otherwise they'll collapse like a house of cards.”

  Karen couldn't help looking down at the floor.

  “Don't worry, they'll hold.” Steersman smiled.

  “Okay, then,” she said, feeling far from reassured.

  “That's all you wanted to know?” Steersman asked, her looking at her.

  In Karen's head, all those thoughts that had been intruding on her peace of mind, causing her to run over them endlessly, now seemed less important.

  “For the time being, yes, that is all, although … I must admit that questions do arise quite often.”

  “Well, I suggest that you don't wait so long with them next time.”

  “I won't.”

  Karen sighed, looking around the delivery surrounding them. “How can I help?”

  “We are stopping all building work in the city. All of our resources and attention will now being directed towards the construction of the center. Jim Hols is coming tomorrow morning and we will be talking through the plans. Which reminds me: tell him where to come, please.”

  “All right.”

  “And Karen, be here yourself, too. The plan is huge and I need everyone here. You will be leading the project. I will have enough trouble getting the DCG plant started. It has to be operational in one week from now and testing starts immediately.”

  “Understood.”

&nb
sp; “I will be disappearing for a short time. No one will be able to reach me or contact me except you. Only you may come here … and perhaps Jim.”

  “Okay. I have another question now.”

  “Listening.”

  “What are you up to?”

  “I'm planning for us to be able to protect ourselves so that we'll never have to face any such incidents ever again.”

  “How will you do it?”

  “As I can't see the outcome of so many things yet, and cannot answer that question for myself, let's postpone the answer for now, okay? I'm sure that there will be a solution to the problem,” said Steersman confidently.

  “Right then. I'll call Jim. See you tomorrow morning,” said Karen.

  “Thanks. Oh, and Karen! You know I never normally make promises to anyone. One moment they're valid and the next, circumstances dictate that they have to be broken, but I promise you that when I am finished, you will have no need to fear that someone … anyone will be able to demand our lives. I hope you believe me.”

  Karen paused, then looked back at him. “Yes, I do,” she said softly, frowning. “But until then you may need many lunches.”

  “That's why I chose you,” he laughed.

  Karen left the building and on the way home she called Jim. The bad feelings that she had arrived with had evaporated, and yet she still had the same number of, or perhaps even more questions to deal with, but she didn't have any regrets. Somehow she knew she could trust Steersman, but couldn't understand why.

  ***

  Chapter 6

  The Science center

  Five months went by and all traces of the previous year's attack had disappeared from the city's day to day life. The military presence and the EBI supervision that had followed the attack was only a faint memory.

  It was spring, and everything had started anew.

  The population of Excolopolis grew day by day. The employees of new multinational arrivals mostly brought their families, who came with the same demands and needs that they had been accustomed to in their previous homes. Meeting those demands proved to be simple as the city administration put the bar of excellence far above that expected by the new residents. In the neighboring areas around the northern lake there were three separately themed, eighteen-hole golf courses with hotels connected to golf clubs and a marina. Sports facilities were extended to include a sports complex where, for winter sports, a small mountain was constructed with an indoor ski lift, mountain cross-country trails, and toboggan tracks that awaited snow lovers.

  Young people soon discovered and took possession of the sport facilities and clubs that had already been created, and city teams began to form. There was almost no need for any recruitment. Youngsters were desperate to continue playing the sports that they had left behind because of relocation.

  After a while the city started to attract a labor force and among the first to arrive were the blue collar workers that were essential to any developing city. The early birds were able to find plenty of work at the two largest companies involved in public works. For these people there was an especially large amount of work at the city garden center, under the direction of skilled gardeners and landscaping engineers. With the second wave of immigrants came more highly qualified workers who found jobs at companies responsible for the technical maintenance of the city. Lately, however, there were people coming into the city who were specially qualified for specialized jobs, and had already proven themselves at the highest level in their fields. They had also had serious experience in the sports and recreation industry.

  City Hall gave permission for the operation of mobile sales units, a concept that had been implemented as a result of an idea from some enterprising traders. As everyone seemed to like the idea, it soon became possible to bump into such salesmen anywhere in the streets, parks or near sport facilities. The permissions were strictly regulated of course, with restrictions on sites and on movement. Under these regulations they were not permitted to enter the International district.

  The rapidly evolving society quickly established itself in spaces all throughout the city, but the intense social development mostly affected the Commercial district which resulted in the rapid development of an earthly shopping and entertainment paradise. Alongside themed malls and shopping centers were the traditional, elegant open air boulevards with a small town atmosphere, where colorful cavalcades of cozy shops attracted customers.

  Part of the Commercial district was designed specifically for nightlife. The AllNight area was closely connected to the International district and had deliberately been built in an open park layout. Although the two had nothing to do with each other and four square kilometers of lake also divided them, it seemed that the lake side walks belonged equally to both. True, from the International district side there was more of a romantic feel, whereas on the AllNight side large numbers of Excolopolis' youthful inhabitants spent their Friday and Saturday evenings gathering, socializing and partying.

  City management also considered family issues, supporting family establishment, children, and increased attention to the integration of multi-generational families to be especially important. The management wanted make sure that no one suffered alienation as a result of a change in residence, and ensure that everyone could find their own place in the new environment. They considered the most important factor was the creation of openness in all areas of social contact, providing a suitable ground for a feeling of freedom and for fostering free thought, making this the reality of living in Excolopolis.

  Excolopolis had grown to a level where its initial teething problems had been addressed and it was no longer just connected to one man's name. Gradually the misconceptions about the city were laid to rest; the world began to recognize that there was a new city to talk about, a city to travel to, to organize tourist programs in, to develop a career in, to start entrepreneurship in and to come up with ideas in. Day by day, the city gained international acceptance too, though Sean Steersman still remained an enigma.

  Most were able to adapt seamlessly to the rules of Excolopolis and the majority loved their the new lives, but there were some who rebelled against it in defiance. Most of them were young people, yet nobody could work out what their problem was. Perhaps it was frustration caused by relocation or difficulties with integrating into the new society, but as far as they were concerned, there was only one person to blamed: Sean Steersman.

  The groups were ethereal and constantly changing, their activities consisting of rebellious street gang activity and the production of video blogs, like volunteer investigative journalists. In theory they were investigating the mysteries that surrounded their target, both for themselves and for the people whom they, so to speak, represented.

  The only gang worth mentioning was led by Jeff Hayes who was followed by two permanent gang members, Patricia Griggs and Archer Pineda. New members joined from time to time and were given part time jobs, but no one really wanted to spend their lives investigating someone that they never seemed to be able to catch red handed.

  The first big break came one showery April day, at the start of spring break. The morning sun was beginning to dry the moisture from the ground, with colored reflections playing in the low-lying mists, and fresh clean morning air bathed streets.

  That day most young people were either hitting the GoFrenzy skate park, or were at home playing the latest online role-playing game. The girls were out shopping or watching movies at the cinema.

  The Gang

  The sound of Jeff's huge GMC pickup shattered the peaceful silence. One of the characteristics of the entire city residential area was that it had been built on a man made range of hills that rose up to quite astonishing heights. Jeff's seven liter monster climbed the steep hill, windows vibrating, and turned into the street where Patricia lived.

  Perfectly tended lawns – dotted with ancient trees and sculptures – covered the landscape. Pat was waiting for him outside because she knew her parents were not really over t
he moon about Jeff. They disapproved of him and they disapproved of the fact that she spent almost every minute of her free time with him.

  She jumped into the truck and they were off on the way to Archie's who lived couple of blocks down the road.

  Originally Spanish speaking, Archer's family were far more enthusiastic about Jeff, especially Archer's dad, who worked as head gardener for the city.

  “What's up, Pat? Did your mum throw a tantrum again?” asked Jeff, seeing that her attention was wandering.

  “Nah, not really. She kinda spazzes out if she knows I'm gonna be with you,” she answered. “What's under the tarp?” She gestured towards the back of the car, pointing to a small bump in the middle.

  “It's a relay amplifier. With it, we can filter out atmospheric disturbances,” he grinned.

  They had tried to use all sorts of devices for observation, but so far with no results. The only thing that kept them going was creative fantasy, along with their conspiracy theory blogs which were intriguing enough to attract several thousands daily visitors from whom their income came. Not long before they had all agreed to concentrate their attention on the DCG plant. The research center complex was constructed on such a huge territory that it made up almost one quarter of the entire area of Excolopolis.

  Jeff and his team were keeping the place under observation with the help of a small modified remote controlled helicopter that was equipped with high resolution cameras. If nothing else came of their activities, at least they now had the developed a mean ability to fly remote controlled helicopters.

  They were even prepared for wet weather, having developed covers for the air intake openings made from a water resistant fabric. The twin engines of the machine were covered with heat and noise suppressing foil. Because of the helicopter's stealth capabilities the team called it ‘Blue Thunder’, after the title of some ancient film. None of their knowledge came from books. It was all a result of experience, and trial and error. Many times during their trials incidents occurred – usually at the worst possible time – and they always had to be on their toes, figuring out and overcoming each problem as it arose.