Chapter Twelve
‘A Trojan Keeper’
Flon led me through an endless maze of passageways. The vastness of The Hub was astounding. We passed one doorway after another, several staircases, and lifts that were in constant use. Scientists and guards walked by offering a welcoming nod, and Flon acknowledged them with a wholehearted “Hello!”
Every corridor appeared identical to the last; slick but characterless. I imagined it would be extremely easy to get turned around; if I’d been alone I could have been lost for cycles.
I wasn’t convinced Flon had the best sense of direction. He constantly second-guessed himself at every junction. He often retraced our steps, and we ended up back where we started. He kept mumbling “Which way was it?” And, “I’m certain this is the right place.” And, “Definitely this way.”
Throughout our journey Doctor Flon gibbered on about the construction of this massive complex that was buried beneath the Dorow wasteland.
“The Hub took over two thousand Valirons and nearly three cycles to build,” he boasted. According to the eccentric scientist, the compound was constructed over sixty cycles ago.
“Around the same time as ‘The Change’.” I noted.
“Yes. Yes, I suppose it was. Ooh, this way.” He was quick to change the subject.
We turned down yet another nondescript corridor. “The Hub houses twenty-two laboratories, nineteen food stores, three medical bays, and is capable of accommodating up to four thousand evacuees in nine communal dormitories, if the need arises.”
“What sort of need’?”
“I suppose a disaster of some kind.”
“And who decides who stays and who doesn’t?”
“That would fall to the High Darlon Council.” I found his answer unsettling. “The upper classes would of course take priority”
“And what about the outer communities?”
“Most likely they would partake in a lottery of some form.”
“That doesn’t seem very fair.”
“Unfortunately that’s the society we’ve created.”
This line of questioning was making the doctor uncomfortable, so he returned to talking about The Hub.
“The entire complex is underground and covers nearly three miles.”
This place was larger than I originally thought. Without an external view to gauge its magnitude, the scale and grandeur of this development was almost unimaginable.
The doctor continued to ramble through an array of statistics and trivia. “We attempt to recycle everything, including,” he coughed, “Waste. Also areas not in use are powered down to conserve energy. There are three hundred and twenty two scientists and military personnel who work in The Hub; they also reside here on semi cycle rotations.”
“How long have you been here?”
“I was born here. The Hub is the only home I’ve known.” He seemed a little sad.
“Do you ever leave?”
“When the opportunity arises. I enjoy the odd trip to the Capital, and I have several friends scattered throughout Valiros. My son works in a village on the edge of the city.”
If Flon had lived in this complex his entire life no wonder he was a little odd. The Hub was impressive, but with no character or soul, it was hardly an inspirational place to live. I was beginning to understand him.
He babbled on. “The Hub also doubles as the High Darlon Council’s emergency bunker.”
I stopped dead in my tracks. “The High Darlon Council? Are they here now?” I asked.
“Are they here? Erm... Yes... I believe they are.” Flon was flustered. “Why don’t I tell you about the ventilation system? It’s quite fascinating...”
As Flon flew into a detailed description of the air filtration system, I allowed my mind to wonder. I began to examine the events of the past two days. I wanted to piece the clues together and form a solid picture of what was happening.
My grandfather’s position within the council must have been more significant than just an aid to Minister Drake. Whatever his role, his passing had thrown the government into disarray. Then there were his strange words that I accredited to old age the day he died.
One phase later and I’m offered his position, a position I was clearly not qualified for. At this point I could safely assume it was a pretence to something else.
Zeal’s aggressive capture and subsequent questioning regarding this mysterious code was once again linked to me. The soldiers searched my home, which would suggest the first intruder was part of a separate faction.
The soldiers claimed to have no record of my existence. Who would erase me, and why?
The Trojans arriving in Dorow and the power loss that covered over half of Valiros must be connected somehow.
Finally, there was Kron. Who was he? Who did he work for?
I thought summarising the details would help clear things up, but all it served to do was confuse me even more. It was all very peculiar.
I felt like I had all the answers if only I were able to ask the right questions.
“...and that’s how the air filtration system works,” Flon concluded. “Any questions?”
Not wanting to appear rude, I looked at the doctor with phony amazement. “None.” I was winging it. “It all seems quite straight forward.”
“Really?” questioned Flon. “I thought it was quite complex.”
Busted. “You’re right, it is… erm... but you made it sound so simple.” I smiled nervously hoping the zany scientist wouldn’t notice my deceit. So much for my promise never to lie again.
“Thank you Creyson. I’m usually accused of over complicating things.”
“You don’t say.” My sarcasm wasn’t very subtle.
“It’s true. Minister Drake says I’m prone to waffling.”
He came to a stop at another intersection. He was lost. “Left or right?”
“Do you know where you’re going?”
“Most of the time. Left.” He began walking down another corridor. “This way.” I dubiously followed.
At the end of the passageway, we arrived at Flon’s laboratory. Two guards stood on duty, both blank faced, staring forward.
I looked at the empty frame before me. “No door?” I enquired
“Ah, yes. Minister Drake had it removed after I accidentally locked myself in my laboratory.”
“You locked yourself in?”
“I was sealed inside for two days before someone found me.” I couldn’t help but giggle; Flon didn’t seem to mind.
“Didn’t it occur to you to call for help?”
“It was nice to have some time to catch up with work. After you.”
The lab was a mishmash of items both old and new. Technical equipment, similar to that in the control centre, filled the chamber. Along with the hi-tech pieces of equipment, there was also a scattering of dated furniture, all of which had seen better days. An old, well used sofa, a wooden desk that was chipped and scratched, and several bookshelves that were ready to fall apart.
This was Flon’s personal domain and reflected his disorganised mind. Hundreds of books adorned the walls and floor, clutter was dotted throughout the space, including mugs, plates, items of clothing, and food wrappers. Piles of folders and scraps of paper covered the surfaces and chair tops.
Although the room was a large space, it felt enclosed and difficult to manoeuvre. Minister Drake stood in the middle of the chaos awaiting our arrival.
“Finally,” he sighed. “Doctor Flon, time is something of a commodity at the moment.”
“Yes. We took a few wrong turns.” Flon didn’t sound remotely apologetic and Drake didn’t look even a little surprised.
“Doctor, how on Valiros do you work in all this mess?” asked Drake picking up a pile of files from the floor.
“Everything has a place, Minister,” responded Flon with obvious embarrassment.
“I assume this is Mr Parthy?” said a raspy voice from behind me.
&n
bsp; I turned back to the doorway to be confronted by a new arrival. He was at least seven if not eight cycles old. He had a head full of thin, grey hair, deep set wrinkles over his face, and thin tight lips that appeared dried and cracked. His meagre frame and pale skin suggested he was not in the best of health. His shoulders were hunched, his head remained bowed to the ground, and he looked under his heavy eyebrows with a vicious gaze. The leery stranger made me feel uneasy.
“That’s correct,” confirmed Drake.
“Come Gorn, say hello,” called Flon while taking the pile of files from the Minister and dumping them back on the floor.
The figure stepped into the room.
“Mr Parthy,” said Drake “May I introduce Mr Hagget Gorn”
I forced a welcoming smile, but the stranger just stared as if appraising my worthiness. “It’s nice to meet you.” I said. Still Gorn remained motionless. I looked at Drake for guidance.
“Forgive Mr Gorn,” apologised the Minister “His social graces are somewhat...”
“Lacking,” Gorn finished.
“Mr Gorn is a Trojan Keeper.”
My eyes widened. I’d never met a Trojan Keeper before; no-one I knew had. Considering the strange affairs currently taking place with the Trojan Devices, it made sense that a Trojan Keeper would be present. He was certainly daunting, but if anyone knew what was happening to the Trojans, it would be Mr Hagget Gorn.
“It’s an honour to meet you, sir.”
“Any luck with the girl?” he asked gravely, blanking me.
Drake shook his head. “I told you she wouldn’t know anything.”
“We had to be certain.”
This was my chance. “Actually Minister, I wanted to talk to you about Zeal.” Gorn glared at me. “I wondered if it would be possible, if it isn’t too much trouble that is, to let her go.”
“Let her go to where?” teased Gorn.
“Mr Parthy, believe me when I say The Hub is the safest place for your life partner right now.” The Minister turned to Flon. “Doctor Flon, if you would be so kind.”
A glazed expression washed over the doctor’s face. “Kind of what?” was his baffled response.
Drake massaged the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. It had obviously been a very long day. “The File, Doctor Flon. The File."
“Oh. Yes. The File. Right away.”
The Minister’s request caused Flon to jump into action. I recognised the look on his face, it was the same one I’d seen when he was escorting me to the lab; bewilderment.
Skipping around the room, Flon began his search for the elusive file.
“I thought you said everything has a place?” Drake commented in a self-satisfying tone.
“It does. It does indeed,” he said while throwing sheets of paper in the air; tossing books and files to one side. “I just don’t always know where those places are.”
“What’s the progress of the Trojans?” asked Gorn. He was direct and to the point. Clearly not in the mood for Flon’s antics.
“Oh... erm. At the last check, they were at seventy-two percent. Plenty of time.”
“I suppose that depends on how you interrupt time. Minister, I suggest we speed this up.”
Drake nodded. “Mr Parthy. Please, if you can find a seat, sit down.” I moved to a stool next to one of the messy worktops and cleared a jumble of items stacked on its top. I took the seat.
“Mr Gorn?” Drake gestured to another stool.
Gorn raised a hand. “I prefer to stand.”
“As you wish.”
“Ah-ha!” rejoiced Flon holding a small dossier in his hand. He ran the file over to Drake, a smile beaming across his face. “The file as requested!”
“Thank you, Doctor.” The Minister took the file from the delighted scientist.
“Do you mind if I stay?”
“By all means.”
Drake joined me at the worktop and placed the file down gently.
A female voice unexpectedly echoed around the room. The disembodied voice seemed to emanate from all around us. “Control centre to Minister Drake.”
Drake spoke to the air. “Go ahead.”
If I hadn’t been faced with gaping holes opening beneath my feet, disappearing doors, and a huge secret complex underground, this method of communication may have amazed me.
“We have a communique from Junior Commander Tork, sir.”
“Patch him through to Doctor Flon’s Laboratory.”
“Yes sir.”
One of the monitors activated. The image was fuzzy, phasing in and out and breaking up with vertical lines of static. I could just make out Tork’s face.
“Sir can… me. Repeat… can… hear me….”
“Say again commander,” urged Drake. The screen became white with snowy static. “Doctor Flon, can you boost the signal?”
The doctor was taping some buttons on a keyboard. “Already on it.”
The image of Tork reappeared, clearer this time.
“Can you hear me?” asked Tork.
“Yes commander, we can hear you.”
Tork was at one of the evacuation sites. I didn’t recognise the location. Behind him tall fences were holding back crowds of Valirons, some pushing against the barrier others sitting calmly. The lighting kept fading up and down, and you could hear shouting in the background but the words were indiscernible.
“Sir, several riots have broken out in the evacuation sites. Also our emergency generators are losing power. We’re attempting to keep everyone contained but we’ve had another one hundred people arrive from four more villages.”
“Commander, do you think it would be possible to transfer some of the evacuees to The Hub?”
“I only have nine vehicles with power and nearly four thousand people to transport.”
“What do you need?”
“I need you to divert additional power to the generators. Also I’m requesting more military personnel as quickly as possible.”
“Understood. I’ll have another unit deployed immediately.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“Also commander, all senior military officers are dealing with the evacuation of Trans Central. I want you to report to The Hub so you can coordinate military response for the outer communities from here.”
“Yes, sir. Tork out.”
The screen went black.
Drake spoke to the air again. “Control centre, come in.”
“Control centre here.”
“Please deploy another military unit to Commander Tork’s location, and transfer any excess power to the evacuation site’s emergency generators.”
“Acknowledged.”
I struggled to make sense of what I’d seen. This wasn’t my world. Watching the commander’s report was more reminiscent of my imagination than real life.
Drake moved away from the monitor and back to me.
“As I’m aware, Mr Parthy, you have a lot of questions.”
“To be honest sir, I have so many questions I don’t even know where to start.”
“Then let’s see if we can answer some of those for you.”
I shuffled in my seat in anticipation.
“I must warn you, what you are about to hear is one of Valiros’ most guarded secrets. Very few are privy to this information. Once I tell you the truth... well, let’s just say you can’t put the genie back in the bottle.”
I didn’t know what a genie was, and even less sure as to what bottle we would be unable to return it too.
“I understand,” although I didn’t at all. I wanted to know the truth, but I was wary of what that truth would mean; of how much would it change my life.
“Very well.” Drake paused. He looked at Gorn for final approval and with a simple nod of the Keeper’s head, he received it. He then returned his gaze to me. “Firstly let me start off by telling you; I am not Valiron.”
I was speechless for a moment. I wasn’t sure I’d heard him correctly.
“I’m sorry? If you’re not Valiron, sir, then what are you?”
There was a lengthy pause before the Minister finally answered. “We call ourselves... human.”
Creyson Parthy & The Trojan Attack Page 12