The vegetation was thick. It covered the ruins of an ancient civilization, which once destroyed other ancient civilizations before wiping itself out. Mountains rose in the long distance, while rocks with very strange shapes bordered the way.
The path was rough, surely not suitable for walking, even worse when one had to drag shackles. It did not get any easier when they started down a vast canyon.
They walked for hours. The descent seemed to never end. The prisoners could no longer bear their own weight. They fell down at times, needing help from the natives to get back on their feet.
“Where are you taking us?” One of them asked putting great efforts to keep his voice on.
“To the sacred field,” Joshua answered “where the Valley of Forever is.”
The group finally reached the bottom, where a river flowed. The walk along its banks was smoother. Half an hour later, they came to the entrance of a cavern. They made their way inside. Except for one or two geological curiosities that might attract the attention of some tourist, the place was dark and depressing.
There was a light at the end of the tunnel. The cave finished and a wonderfully green field unfolded before their eyes. It could be paradise if it wasn’t for the fact the prisoners were doomed forever. A waterfall ran majestically down a ridge, its waters crystal as glass, reflecting the sunlight.
In the middle of the field, lay a large hole, too symmetric to be a work of nature. The natives brought the prisoners to its edges and made them kneel down.
“Please, mister…” One of the captives wept. “We were just having some fun!”
“We were not going to do anything wrong…” Another prisoner said in tears. “We don’t deserve this!”
“Funny how they always cry” Joshua commented. “The gods may like the bitter taste of tears.”
The other natives, probably not English speakers, only stared at the prisoners, faces fixed like stones.
“As farmers, we know better than anybody else that you reap what you sow” Joshua continued. “We can only hope the gods one day replace you by better samples, as a token of their appreciation for we keep them satisfied.”
Joshua closed his eyes. His people followed the gesture.
“Please!” A captive begged.
“Let’s take a minute to warn the gods!” Joshua spoke.
Then, without opening their mouths, the natives began to hum a very deep sound from their throats. One minute later, the prayer suddenly stopped and a dreadful silence followed.
Joshua opened his eyes and said:
“Down you go!”
One by one, the youngsters were pushed to their fate. They screamed on the way down.
“It is done.” Joshua pronounced.
The natives walked away from the hole in an organized line.
A few seconds later, terrible screams of fear, sorrow and pain resounded from the deepest entrails of earth.
6th MOVEMENT
The partially destroyed van finally parked in the designated area.
“Why are we here?” The lawyer questioned. “Is the executive parking lot under renovation or something?”
“This is a rented car.” Allison yawned. “And the rented cars stay here.”
“Next time, I’m taking the chopper!” The lawyer said.
“Next time, you stay in your desk and work online.” The driver replied. “Anybody can do your job.”
“Remember that when you screw up again and need my services.” The lawyer retorted. “That won’t take long, looser.”
“Where do you want it, prick, nose or guts?” The driver defied.
“You both belong in a nursery.” Allison pointed out. “You shouldn’t go out without your pacifiers. At least they’d keep your mouths shut.”
They walked to a big helipad, right on time to greet the shining helicopter. The sunlight reflected on it could blind an army.
“That’s the life!” The driver commented. “Okay, that’s my cue. I got work to do.”
“I seriously doubt that.” The lawyer growled.
“Go choke a subpoena!” The driver barked back and walked away.
The air vehicle landed, bringing the usual hurricane with it. From inside, a proud and surely elegantly dressed Robert Hedgiest materialized in all his glory. He shook hands with the lady. The lawyer also offered his hand, but he was left hanging.
“Hello Miss Forrester.” Hedgiest said.
“Hey Bob.” She replied.
“I prefer Robert, if you don’t mind.”
“No, I don’t mind. You, on the other hand, just call me Ally.”
“That’s fine, Allison.”
“So, was everything good in Brokenville?” The lady asked Hedgiest as they walked.
“Smooth as it was supposed to be.” The Minister answered.
“Well, the same cannot be said of our little ride.” The lawyer spoke.
“So I heard.” Hedgiest responded coldly, not taking the trouble to look at the man.
“It’s the third time in the past two weeks.” Allison continued “a building of cars blocking roads on all sides and a rain of living dead waiting for us by them.”
“And this is not the only problem.” Hedgiest said. “Our friend with the cavernous voice keeps tapping on our broadcasts. And I don’t think it’s only one guy.”
“I’m very aware of that.” Allison replied. “Any luck tracking the source of the intruders?”
“None so far. The invaders, whoever they are, never remain on the air long enough to be traced and they seem to be very good at scrambling signals – very professional work.”
“If they are tapping into the emergency broadcasting frequency, they can’t be very far.” Allison considered.
“Do you think Condor City is behind all this?” Hedgiest asked.
“No.” Allison answered. “We’ve been monitoring all communication in and out the city. Nothing out of the ordinary can possibly come from that place.”
“What about Lily Master? Do you think she is doing this?”
“Very unlikely, she is nothing more than a travelling redneck whose skills are powerfully overrated.”
“Okay then. Just one more issue for you to solve, Allison.”
“That’s why I’m here, Robert.”
“Anyway, I’m very glad that you and the others got out of your little adventure in one piece, but the Chancellor and the stockholders won’t be very happy about the loss of the packages, especially the little girl.”
“All we got to do is find her.” Allison spoke.
“But she was surrounded by the beasts, if I read the report correctly.”
“Yes, but I don’t really think the inferiors would stand a chance against her superiorities. As for Nancy and the baby, they are like any other employee, important but replaceable.”
“Perhaps they don’t have to be replaced.” Hedgiest said enigmatically “Especially when they had a little help.”
“I don’t understand.” Allison frowned.
“I’ll show you inside. Anyway, the report also states that you ordered the driver to go away and leave Amy, Nancy and the subject behind. That wasn’t very thoughtful, Allison.”
“Yes, like your heart will bleed for them, after you killed a whole city.”
“I guess we all have to compromise for the common good.”
“Technically, they committed suicide.” The lawyer immediately pointed out.
“Are you still here?” Hedgiest asked him.
“If you excuse me…” The layer grunted and walked away.
“I don’t even know why we need a lawyer anyway.” Robert divagated. “We rule the world now, who would want to sue us? Well, go figure.” He lit a cigarette. “So, are you ready to face the lions?”
“They won’t stand a chance!” Allison promised.
“I’d be more cautious if I were you. This meeting is capital if we are to maintain a reasonable level of leadership. The chiefs of state of all participating countries will be t
here, hungry for a bigger slice of the pie. And they will nitpick.”
“I’m ready for it, don’t worry. I’m aware of all issues and how to approach them. I can handle these guys.”
“Condor City is our biggest weakness. They’ll tap dance around it as much as they can.”
“Oh yes, our world famous Project Sunshine, North America Site UNO A! The same one we lost due to the incompetence of your demigod.”
“You know I value your opinion a lot, but you should take caution in your tone when you talk about Shane. She was very important to the Chancellor.”
“Then, he should’ve known better than letting a lab product do the work of a human. Your precious Shane ended up blinded by power and out of control. The Chancellor will see things my way.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Condor City…” Allison twisted her nose “Such a corny name!”
They finally reached the main building of the gigantic complex. It was an imposing construction that resembled three shells on top of each other, with bright glass windows.
They approached their badges to a sensor, first Allison and then Robert; after all, ladies first. After the due biometric readings were performed and access was granted, the majestic mirrored doors opened automatically for them.
“Good morning, Miss Forrester. Good Morning, Mister Hedgiest” A gorgeous assistant greeted them from behind a lustrous desk.
“Good morning, Melinda.” They returned the courtesy one at a time.
A man carrying a small video-camera joyfully stood up from one of the couches that surrounded the big reception hall. He strode toward Allison and Robert, followed by a security guard.
“Nice place you got here, dude!” He said to Robert.
“We do what we can.” Hedgiest responded jovially. “By the way,” he turned to Allison “this is the surprise I got for you. This is Antony.” He introduced the visitor.
“Call me Action Tony, as I’m known in this business.”
He shook hands with Allison.
“Wonderful. My name is Allison. But please call me Ally, as I’m known in this business.”
Action Tony cackled at that comment.
“Very nice to meeting you, Ally.” He spoke.
“Likewise. So, what you got for me?”
Antony gave the video-camera to Hedgiest. The Minister hit play, so he and Allison could watch a recorded video, which showed the magnificent rescue performed by Lily and Mate in the mountains, saving the lives of Nancy, Amy and the baby.
“Great material!” Allison praised.
“Yeah, I know!” Action Tony responded.
“Tell me something, Antony…” Ally spoke.
“Action Tony!”
“Tell me something, Action Tony, where were you when you filmed all this?”
“Oh, I got a very good vantage point. You see, the main road was blocked, so I had to take a little detour. I guess I was just lucky to stumble on such action.”
“So, you were not on foot.” Allison said.
“Oh no, I got my 4x4 with me!”
“Then you could have helped those people, too.”
“Yeah, but I figured it wasn’t my business. Besides, I couldn’t miss that, not for all tea in China ‒ the great Apocalily performing yet another unbelievable rescue, right to my very eyes! That was awesome!”
“Uh-huh” Allison replied. “Anyway, this is excellent.” She turned to Hedgiest. “Now we know for sure that little Amy is not only safe and sound, but also in the care of mighty Apocalily. That’s a way to kill two birds with a single shot.”
“Very cool, huh?” Antony shared their enthusiasm. “Now, I believe you got something for me, right? After all, this video seems very valuable to you.”
“Indeed!” Allison promptly agreed. “You did an outstanding job, Antony, I mean, Action Tony. Your video will be a capital contribution to our efforts.”
“Then…” Antony smiled.
“Larry, please give the man what’s coming to him.” Ally spoke to the security guard.
Action Tony rubbed hands in anticipation.
The security guard reached into the internal pocket of his jacket, but he took a gun instead of money and shot Action Tony in the head. The visitor tumbled to the parquet floor like a brick.
“I’m sorry, boy.” Allison talked to the dead body. “But I happen to loath sadistic sociopaths who try to cash on other’s disgrace.”
The thunderous sound of the shot echoed for several seconds in such indoor environment. Even the beautiful assistant seemed to be bothered by that.
“We need to improve acoustics in here.” Hedgiest commented, picking on his ear.
“Or simply get ourselves gun silencers.” Allison completed.
She turned to Larry, the security guard, and said:
“Throw this piece of shit in the nearest dumpster, please.”
“What about the camera?” Robert asked.
“You can take it as a souvenir as far as I care.” Allison replied. “We got what we need.”
“Yes. And now it’s also up to you to find Amy and neutralize Lily Master once and for all. More challenges for you.”
“That’s how I like it.”
Hedgiest cleared his throat.
“I hope you can turn all this confidence into results.” He said. “That’s where Shane failed.”
“That’s because a product of genetic engineering can’t rule a town, left alone a whole planet.” Allison spoke. “I, on the other hand, got a chance to become the first director under thirty years old to take over a worldwide operation and nothing will stop me.”
“I expect no less. Good luck in the meeting.”
“Thanks Bob.”
By the entrance of the conference room, a man strode to Allison the second he saw her coming.
“You’re late.” He greeted her.
“Good morning, Karl.” She said.
“There’s a real wolf pack inside that room. It’s not a good idea to make them nervous.”
“You’re right, and that’s why I have you to warm them up for me. Besides, I like to build a little suspense. Now, let’s go in and keep them from howling.”
They entered the conference room and those already inside stood up in what Allison considered a pointless gesture of gallantry. She was the only woman in there.
Allison walked to her rightful chair, by the end of the large table, opposite to the door. All men waited for her to sit down before doing so themselves.
“Good day, gentlemen.” Karl started. “Welcome to Titania. It’s a pleasure to have you here again. As you already know, this is our director of operations Allison Forrester, responsible for our global network, and my boss I might add.”
He waited for anybody to laugh, which did not happen. He cleared his throat and continued:
“She will be the head of our quarterly progress meeting today. Without further ado, we shall begin. Allison…”
“I think American leadership in this project has been way below average.” One chief of state took the floor before Ally had a chance to open her mouth. He talked with a slight accent. “For the first time since we started, our profit margin decreased as compared to previous years.”
“I agree.” Another chief of state with a different accent spoke. “Stockholders are getting uneasy. We need to calm them down. I think we should seriously consider transferring decision powers to another country. And I suggest mine.”
“Remember that when we get to the topic of renegotiating your external debts, Mister Charbonneau.” Allison said without shaking a muscle. “Same goes for you, Mister Fenstermacher.”
Karl felt a knot in his throat and had to loosen his tie.
Some other men exchanged uncomfortable looks.
“I believe our main concern shall be how to maintain control.” said the British gentleman. “Things are getting a bit volatile.”
“Indeed!” A man in a military uniform covered with medals joined the conversation.
“Condor City is what’s worrying me the most right now.”
“And you are…” The English man asked.
“General Prentiss, Secretary of Defense.”
“Andrew Arkwright, Prime Minister, at your services. I didn’t know you still had a secretary of defense.”
“And I didn’t know you guys still had a prime minister. You surely burn a lot of taxpayers’ money. What happened to that other guy who came here last time?”
“I’m afraid my dear predecessor succumbed to the plague, most unpleasant occurrence by the way. We had to bust his head in a private ceremony. It did not cost much taxpayer money, though.”
“Can we please move on?” demanded the man with an Eastern European accent.
“Condor City sets a very bad precedent.” The general continued. “I’ve already sent troops over there to retake control, but all contingents were massacred. The city is getting strong and impenetrable.”
“Your typical military approach won’t work in this case.” Allison replied. “As usual, you use force when we should be talking. Those are my future plans for that city ‒ talk.”
“Your future plans?” Prentiss said in a derisive tone. “This is a disaster! They’re fortifying their positions while you’re sitting on the subject. I say we take a decisive action against them!”
“You already tried that and the results, as per your own words, were people getting killed for nothing.” The lady retorted.
Apocalily Series (Book 2): The Almighty Lady of Tomorrow Page 7