The Key of Knowledge

by Michael Lackey

  "Third: Most importantly, stay together. These people don't take too well to surface people. After they went dark, their sense of humanity seemed to vanish. They don't trust many," Stan added. She laid a hand on Lucy's shoulder, "If you're not ready, we can go in without you."

  Lucy took a deep breath. "No. I'm a part of this now. It's what Gramps would want for me, I know it."

  "You were all he'd talk about for a while," James said. "He was impressed with how you turned out..."

  Gerard shot him a look to say, 'stand down'.

  "Impressed? How?" she asked.

  "What he means is Conrad knew how much potential you had and how well you would fit in with the Synod and his work," Stan told her.

  "How much longer till Atlanta?" Gerard asked to change the subject.

  "I'll go check the gauges," James said as he headed up to the control panel. "One Hour!" he soon announced.

  "I think I'll go to my room and try to clear my head before we land," Lucy told them.

  "Good idea, sugar. I'll come get you when we hit the Atlanta airspace," Stan said with a smile.

  8 Atlanta

  Lucy sat down on the bed, resting her head against the wall for several minutes. She leaned forward and opened her backpack, pulling out her grandfather's diary to read a little more.

  'Journal entry dated 5th November 1995. My trip to Atlanta was uneventful, mainly because I can't remember any of it. I told the others nothing because I didn't want them to know I had failed... again. I did find an unusual object in my hand when I woke up behind the Varsity. I'll put it in the pouch in the back cover. I must start my search over again. There has to be something I'm missing, but what?'

  "Back pouch?" Lucy asked aloud. She flipped to the back to find a leather pouch that was sewn into the back cover. One single snap button held the lid closed. "Well, Gramps. Let's see what you found."

  She popped the snap and opened the flap. Searching inside, several items fell out, one that brought Lucy to tears.

  "I remember this day," she said as she held a picture in her now trembling hands. "This was the best birthday I ever had. Everyone was so happy, even Gramps." The date on the picture was November 22nd, 2047. Lucy's eighth birthday. She tilted the photo back and forth to activate the holographic images so she could see the people laugh as the candles on a cake were being blown out. "It was also the last time I saw my parents," she thought.

  Lucy wiped the tears from her face, shook her head to try and regain her composure, and placed the picture in her pocket. "What else is in here?" she asked with a sniff. A media brochure with Atlanta on it caught her eye. She opened it and began reading. "Wow! This was actually a tourist attraction? That big rock with the old army men on it has been overgrown with moss and hippie realists for ages!"

  A whistle rang out followed by James's voice. "Ten minutes to landing. Steady as she goes. Atlanta is in sight."

  Stan knocked on her door. “It’s time, hun.”

  Lucy folded the faded brochure and put all the contents back into the pouch. She checked her gear and headed up to the open deck. The once great metropolis of Atlanta lay spread out before them. Buildings that once touched the sky were now crumbled heaps of debris. She noticed a huge open-air stadium lined with seats, where at one time athletes would have competed in spectator sports for the glory of the people, like gladiators of Rome did in centuries past. The stadium was now, apparently, home to thousands of migrants looking for work.

  They made a pass around an extremely large building with a golden dome that once housed diplomats, and was now home to Viceroy Zacheous Atwood, overseer of the south. Viceroy Atwood had been in power for over three decades, sitting atop his golden throne, stuffing his face with every type of food imaginable while his people starved and killed just to survive. To say the Viceroy was a hefty man wouldn't do his size justice. From pictures Lucy had seen of him, he had constant sweat pouring from his brow. She'd heard tales of him barking orders from his seat of power as servants scurried to keep him dry. Then he would call for more ale and his 'between meals' snacks. Viceroy Atwood was a horrible man, but he was also the lesser of the cruelest of all the Viceroys put in place by the Countess.

  The area known as Underground Atlanta came into view. Lucy saw a sign that read: 'Welcome to the dirty South; you'll never leave.' Another was painted saying, 'This is the ATL' and 'Above ground bound.' A building was painted bright red with a set of large white eyes, but the white leaked from the eyes as if it had dripped before drying.

  Lucy looked down at the ground, "Do you think they know we are here?"

  Gerard simply answered, "Yes." Then he grabbed her and shoved her toward the deck floor. Before she could ask anything, a loud boom shook the rafters of the Silvertooth. "That was a warning shot. We have to signal below that we mean no harm."

  Gerard stood and walked to the bow of the ship, removing a single white handkerchief from his pocket, waving it above his head. "We just want to talk!" he yelled toward the ground.

  A large clump of debris started to move to one side, revealing a landing pad underneath. As the Silvertooth touched down, several figures appeared around a square doorway that led down into the Underground. The landing plank touched the ground, and the passengers disembarked into the realm of the Pallidus people.

  Stan placed her hands on Micah and Lucy's shoulders. "Whatever you do, don't stare at their eyes. They hate it and will take it offensively. You don’t want to see an offended Pallidus..."

  As they approached the doorway, a rather large being blocked their path. "What business do Reapers have in the Underground?" he asked.

  Gerard held his empty hands up and stated, "We just want to talk to Dadeag. Is he available for council?"

  "Dadeag Blackfall no longer leads the Underground people."

  "We are aware of this, but he was leader of what was the Blackfall Crew sixty years ago. We need information from a meeting he had with Conrad Otto," Gerard added.

  Again, the larger Pallidus spoke. "We will see if Lord Jeramine will allow it."

  "Dadeag's son leads the Underground? I thought he died," said Stan.

  No answer came from the large Pallidus as they turned and led them down the walkway. As they walked, Lucy could feel people watching them. Eyes fixed and piercing through them. "I don't like this," she whispered to Micah.

  "Just stay calm and don't make any sudden moves," he told her.

  They were led down the makeshift roads lined with former businesses.

  "Did the city sink underground at some time?" asked Lucy.

  "No, not quite. This was a major shopping center at one time. People would come from all over to shop and dine in the fabulous Underground Atlanta. After the riots in 2020, most people decided to leave the city, not wanting to fight the Countess and her new army. These are a group of people that stayed, and they have resisted the Countess for decades. They moved underground to stay out of sight," Stan told her softly.

  The group stopped in front of a large archway leading into part of a building. The windows were shattered, but the columns still stood. The spokesman turned to Gerard. "Wait here. If he wishes, he will summon you."

  Gerard gave a nod of his head and watched him walk away. They waited. After what felt like an eternity, a much smaller figure approached them.

  "I am the humble servant of Lord Jeramine Blackfall. I am to escort you to him." The servant bowed and turned to lead them.

  Large slabs of concrete had been moved to form tables and seating in a circle that surrounded a large throne-like chair in the center of the dimly lit room. Several pale figures occupied the surrounding seats with their eyes fixed upon the visitors. Sitting in the center on the throne was an unusual looking male. He was just as pale as the others, but his body was covered in tribal looking tattoos.

  "Why do Reapers approach the Darkened Throne and ask for the Lord's father?" asked Jeramine in a deep and booming voice. His arms were very muscular, which left Lucy a bit concerned.

&n
bsp; Gerard stepped forward and took to one knee. "We seek only to ask questions, my Lord. We are here on a mission of information."

  Jeramine stroked his long, braided beard. "I will grant you council with Dadeag. Though, you will find information has been lost to his mind. I cannot guarantee your mission will be fruitful."

  Gerard stood and bowed his head, "Thank you, my Lord."

  Jeramine waved his hand, and the small servant reappeared. "Follow him to Dadeag," he said motioning toward the group.

  The servant bowed to his lord and led the group away. "Dadeag's mind betrays him," he informed them. "He has not been the same in some time. His mind grows as dark as the world around him. That is why Jeramine took the throne."

  "How long has he been like this?" asked Stan.

  "Ten, twenty years. No one cares to keep up with you if you are no longer Lord of Pallidus." The servant stopped and pointed to a dark doorway on the left. No guards, markings, or anything signified that it held a person that once controlled the Underground. Just a sad and dark existence for a once brave and loyal leader. The group entered slowly to find only a bed in one corner and a single chair in the center. Dadeag was standing behind the chair... talking to whoever he imagined was in the chair.

  "Dadeag?" Gerard asked.

  The old man stopped his babbling to look at him. "Gerard! My old friend! What brings you to the darkness?"

  Stan leaned closer, "You know him, Dadeag?"

  He smiled, "As well as I know you, dear Kathleen."

  "Always the charmer, Dadeag," she said with a smile. "We need information about a meeting you had with Conrad many years ago. Can you help us?"

  "Ah, Conrad. He sought the Keys," he said with a cough. “How does he fare?”

  Stan hesitated, but said, “Conrad is gone, Dadeag.”

  “Aren’t we all?” said the former Lord.

  "Yes, we believe that's why he came to you," Gerard told him. "Can you tell us about your conversation with him? Can you remember?" he asked.

  Dadeag slowly walked from behind the chair toward them. As he inched his way into the dim light, Stan noticed something.

  "Oh, Dadeag. What did they do to you?"

  The elder Pallidus hung his head. "When you are no longer Lord, you are no longer fit to bear the markings."

  His skin was heavily scarred and torn. The very people he led had removed the royal tattoos that a Lord of the Underground bore. Dadeag tried to cover himself from the shame with his bare hands. "They said I was unfit... ME! ...unfit. I ruled this realm after the riots took our homes, our families, and our livelihood! I am still fit to..." A coughing fit prevented him from completing his speech.

  Gerard and Micah grabbed the old man before he fell to the floor and eased him into the chair.

  "Please, we need to know about your meeting with Conrad. What did you tell him about the keys?" Stan asked him softly as she took his hand.

  Dadeag's eyes fixed forward. "Ask this one." His crooked finger stretched out, pointing straight to Lucy. "She holds all you need to know. Conrad poured all the information into her." He started to laugh and cough manically. "Conrad Otto! Master Tinker and Reaper extraordinaire! HAHAHA! He thought he could play God himself."

  Lucy started to back away from them, "What is he talking about? I don't know anything about the keys or what he's saying!" She turned to run and bumped into one of the guards that had heard the commotion. As she hit the floor, the light grenade that James had given her fell from her bag and went off.

  The guards covered their eyes and screamed, "Protect the realm!"

  In their panic the guards sounded the alarm alerting the others to danger. Dozens were on their way to defend against the Reapers.

  "Dadeag, please! Tell us what we need to know about the key!" Stan shouted.

  "The eyes of Lee tell all! The eyes of Lee need to fall!" Dadeag shouted as he leaped to his feet. "Living in the dark allows me to see what others have to hide." He pointed back to Lucy. "I see you! I see what you have to hide!"

  Micah grabbed Lucy, "We need to go! Now!"

  They ran as hard as they could, Stan and Gerard not far behind. They could see the light from the outside. Just as they approached the opening, the giant Pallidus guard blocked their path. He drew his weapon and fired. Micah stepped in front of Lucy with the Sentai blades crossed, deflecting the rounds into the chests of two oncoming guards to the side. Micah slid between the guard's legs to get behind him, slicing at his legs as he passed. Just as the guard spun around to fire upon Micah, a snap was heard, and Stan pulled the barrel of the hand cannon back toward the face of the guard. A bright flash, a loud boom, and he was no more. Behind Stan, Micah saw Gerard punching one after another. A turn of the piston knobs on the armor and his strength increased to that of ten men. Left, right, left. Fist after fist smashing into the oncoming Pallidus army.

  Micah pulled his own light grenade and shouted, "Goggles!" He tossed it past Gerard and into the onslaught that was coming for them. In a flash, all the Pallidus were on the ground, writhing in pain. "Come on! Now's our chance!" shouted Micah.

  James already had the Silvertooth ready for takeoff. "I heard the ruckus and figured you might be in a hurry." As the last one boarded, he yelled: "Now, Lucy!"

  With a pull of the lever, the ship was airborne. "They're getting ready to fire on us!" Gerard shouted.

  James barked commands to his crew. "Lucy, keep as much steam coming as possible. Micah, keep your hands on that wheel, we need to keep steady. Stan, lower the back shields and hurry! Gerard, come with me to man the guns!" Without hesitation, everyone fell into place. Just as Stan got the shield in place, a mortar shell rocked the airship. Lucy lost her balance and fell to the deck hard.

  "You, okay?" Micah yelled from the helm.

  Lucy nodded and continued to pour steam into the balloon.

  James and Gerard each controlled a gun mounted on the sides of the ship. "Aim for their gun towers!" Gerard yelled. "We just need to get away."

  Like synchronized thunder, the guns blazed in a shower of death. The towers couldn't take the punishment, and they exploded under the pressure. A huge plume of black dust and debris erupted from the Underground.

  "Steady as she goes, Mr. Jones. We're going home," said James.

  Lucy let out a sigh of relief and felt a pinch in her elbow. "I must have fallen harder than I thought," she thought to herself as she checked for blood. "No! This is wrong!" she shouted. "I can't be..." she said as she fainted to the deck.

  9 Old Memories, New Facts

  When Lucy woke up, she was in her bed back at the New York Met.

  Stan was there with her. "How are you feeling, hun? You had us worried."

  Lucy slowly raised herself up, rubbing her head. "I had the strangest dream. I hurt my arm on the ship and when I looked at it..." She felt the bandages covering her elbow. "Tell me it was a dream! Tell me I'm not crazy!" she screamed as she tore at the bandage on her left elbow.

  "Lucy, stay calm. It's okay, kiddo. I promise," Stan told her, trying to steady her hands.

  Lucy ripped the outer cloth from her wound to reveal seven brass staples holding a deep cut together.

  "What did you see?" asked Lucy. "What did you see in my elbow?"

  Stan sat on the bed still holding Lucy's hands, "Let's wait for Gerard. Just lay back down and relax."

  Tears started to form in Lucy's eyes. Her breath was shallow, and her cheeks were flushed with anger and panic. Stan could feel the heat radiating from her. With a deep glare and in a serious no-nonsense voice, Lucy said, "Tell me what you saw, or I swear I will rip these staples out and see for myself. I have to know."

  Stan pulled Lucy's hands gently down to the side. "Okay. I will tell you, but you must know we weren't trying to keep anything from you. We were waiting for the best time."

  Lucy locked eyes with her. "When is the best time to know what? What's wrong with me?"

  Gerard knocked, and opened the door as he walked in with James right behind
him. "How are you feeling, Lucy? You have your color back I see," noted Gerard.

  "I'll be a lot better once I get answers," she said.

  Stan's brow was deeply furrowed with concern, but she gave Gerard a nod.

  "Please close the door, would you, James?" asked Gerard. "Now, Lucy. What do you remember about how your parents died?"

  Lucy threw her hands in the air. "I don't know what that has to do with what's wrong with me! Why can't I get a straight answer in this place?"

  Gerard held up his hand. "Patience, Lucy. I'll get to that. Now, what do you remember?"

  "I remember Gramps picking me up from Academy and taking me for ice cream. I knew something was wrong because we never had ice cream before we went home," she recalled. "We just sat there, not much was said. We just ate the ice cream and started home."

  "Did you go home?" Stan asked with her eyes fixed on the floor.

  Lucy concentrated hard, trying to get a clear picture. Her eyes grew wide, chest heaving, short of breath. "No..." she stammered. "No, we didn't!" Panic started to set in again. "We came here. Why did we come here? Why couldn't I remember that before?"

  "That's the elixir I gave you to help calm your mind, and to help heal your body. It also opened some of the doors you had closed in there," said James. "We just have to help you find those doors."

  "You must understand. We are here to help you," Gerard told her. "First, what you saw inside the laceration on your elbow is called a Pneumatic Action Piston."

  "Why is it inside me?" Lucy interrupted.

  "This is the most important part. Remember, stay calm," he stated. "When your parents were killed by the Davarti, you were in the car, too. The Countess wanted all three of you dead... and she succeeded. For the most part."