Beyond the Crystal City

by Logan Brookfield

Hugh turned to the door and nodded. Two Black Hats walked in and stood either side of Thomas. Hugh nodded once more and they dragged him out of his seat. His oversized body became wedged between the seat and the desk so the Black Hats pulled him harder until he came free, crashing onto the floor. He looked up as blood poured from his nose and smashed teeth as both guards grabbed his arms and dragged him out leaving a trail of broken teeth and blood.

  Thomas grabbed the door frame. ‘No, please, somebody help me!’ he cried.

  Both soldiers punched and kicked him until he screamed in agony and let go.

  The remaining boys looked at each other as Thomas’s screams slowly faded as he was dragged away down the hallway.

  ‘Carl, come with me, please. Edmond wants to thank you for your recent work and talk about your progress in the future.’

  ‘Have I done something wrong?’ Carl asked.

  ‘Not at all, quite the opposite. We’re really pleased and the big boss wants to meet you.’

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Leah placed a cup of water on the table. ‘Here you go, Rose; this should quench your thirst.’

  Leah’s dwelling was smaller than Rose’s but kept as neat as could be expected with such limited resources. A table sat in the middle of the shack with a handful of chairs made out of scraps of wood and metal. From the ceiling hung old rusted pots and the walls were adorned with multicoloured bits of torn fabric, in an attempt to hide the broken timber, corrugated sheets and shredded plastic behind it.

  ‘Oh thank you, my dear,’ she said picking it up with a shaky hand.

  ‘You’re trembling, Rose, are you OK?’ Leah asked.

  ‘Everything seems to hurt and shake, but it’s got worse over the last couple of years. I’m getting old now and try not to worry about it. I just try to stick around for my kids,’ Rose said sipping her drink. ‘This is so refreshing, is it lemon?’

  Leah nodded. ‘Sure is. I managed to get a couple of lemons from a friend and I’ve been squeezing them within an inch of their life. It makes a nice cool drink and I just wish I could get many more. Did you say kids? You have more than one, Rose?’

  Rose placed the cup back on the table. ‘I only have one now, that’s why I’m so desperate to get him back. I couldn’t cope with losing another.’

  ‘Oh, I’m so sorry, I really shouldn’t have asked.’

  ‘No, it’s fine, I don’t mind talking about it,’ Rose said. ‘What’s happened has happened and nothing can change it now. Carl was my firstborn, you see, then not long after him I had a beautiful little girl. We called her Joy, because she really was a joy in every way. She had blonde hair in ringlets and the bluest eyes you ever did see. Carl was always a rascal, always getting into mischief but Joy was so well behaved. She was like a little angel with the most infectious laugh. She would chuckle, making the little curls on her forehead bounce up and down. We laughed so much we cried.’

  Leah sat down next to Rose and held her hand. ‘It’s OK, you really don’t need to drag it all back up again.’

  Rose wiped under her eyes. ‘I’m fine, it’s just been a long time since I’ve spoken about it,’ she said looking down at the floor. ‘One day I had to get over to my sister’s place across town and I took Joy out with me. There was trouble near the marketplace as always and a large crowd was pushing and shoving. I held her hand tight as we made our way through and then, for some reason, she let go just for a second. I turned round and she was gone, lost in the crowd and I couldn’t find her…I never saw her alive again. She was only six years old.’

  Leah squeezed Rose’s hand tighter. ‘What happened?’

  ‘After the crowd dispersed I found the teddy bear she was holding, and then nearby I saw her lying face down on the ground. She’d been crushed, probably by one of the Black Hats’ vehicles,’ Rose said putting her head in her hands. ‘I never forgave myself for going out that day and I wish to the high heavens that I’d held her hand tighter; she’d be here today if I had. It ripped my heart out and I’ve never felt the same since.’

  Leah put her arm around Rose. ‘I’m so sorry to hear that. You did your best, Rose. I can tell by how you speak of your kids, you’re a caring and loving mother. Nobody could have done any more; it really wasn’t your fault. You still have your boy Carl and you must stay brave and strong for him. I know they’ve taken him but he sounds like a smart boy and I’m sure he’ll get through it and come home to you one day.’

  Rose looked up and smiled. ‘It’s so kind of you to invite me back here. I really don’t think I could have walked home without a rest. It’s been such a stressful, emotional day. Where’s your mother?’

  Leah drank her cup of water in one go then wiped her mouth. ‘You’re welcome, I couldn’t watch you suffer like that any more, and the way they treated you today was terrible. I swear they do it on purpose. They open up a help and information office which can’t help or give you any useful information,’ she said topping up her cup. ‘Mum had to go out and get some supplies. I would have gone myself but I had that appointment. She’ll be back soon.’

  ‘Looks like neither of us will get any answers from them people,’ Rose said.

  Leah nodded. ‘The only thing that’s certain is that as each day passes the queue of people grows longer and the answers grow shorter. It’s just another way of keeping us down and in our place.’

  ‘One day everything they’ve built will come tumbling down around their ears, and I just hope I live long enough to see it,’ Rose said taking another sip.

  Leah rubbed her eyes. ‘The rebellion seems to be growing in strength, have you noticed? There seems to be protests every day now and the casualties are increasing too.’

  ‘Yes indeed,’ Rose said. ‘In my younger days we were too afraid to do more than throw a few stones, but now the younger ones get brave and create a lot more trouble. It’s good to see and I hope they get braver.’

  ‘Dad always said you can only change the minds of those oppressing you with violence. Maybe he was right, but it’s a high price to pay on both sides,’ Leah said.

  ‘What happened to your father?’ Rose asked.

  ‘Dad tried to keep himself to himself, but on more than one occasion he ran into Black Hat trouble. Usually after a few too many Grogs he would get rowdy. He was harmless really but couldn’t keep his mouth closed when he’d had a drink. This led to a couple of run-ins with soldiers and I think they just got fed up of him and took him in.’

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ Rose said. ‘Any news at all? It doesn’t sound like he did more than ruffle someone’s feathers so maybe they’ll release him soon.’

  Leah folded her arms and leaned back in the chair. ‘I hope so too but you know what it’s like. Once they take them they like to keep them as a warning to others. I hope they release your son soon but I just have a bad feeling about Dad. They won’t tell me anything and it’s been a while now. I don’t know if he was injured in a fight or if he’s getting the right medical attention. It’s just hopeless.’

  Rose smiled and placed a hand on Leah’s shoulder. ‘I hope they release him soon, sweetie, I can see how much you miss him.’

  Leah placed her hand on Rose’s. ‘Things seem to have changed since they killed Benjamin the preacher. There are more demonstrations but they’re not as well organised. It just needs something or someone to light the touch paper and energize the youth to rise up and take the city back. I know it’s treason to talk about such things, even in private, but I’m not loyal to them and I don’t agree with their political absolutism.’

  ‘Yes, my dear,’ Rose said. ‘It’s too late for me but I hope you younger ones get to see a better world. Everything changes eventually. It just takes time and the will of the people. I’m so tired I can barely talk, I’m sorry. Today has really taken it out of me and I’ll need to make my way back before we lose the light. I’ve got to find some food too as I’ve not eaten for a day or so.’

  ‘A day or so? How long has it really been, Rose?’
>
  ‘I’m not sure, maybe four days when I last ate some biscuits, I don’t remember. I can’t hold stuff down now like I used to so it’s back up as soon as I eat it. I can barely stay awake,’ Rose said closing her eyes and letting her chin touch her chest.

  Leah placed her elbows on the table. ‘I’m not surprised you’re so tired. Four days without food is enough to make anyone weary. Why don’t you stay here tonight, Rose? You can have some food with us when Mum comes back. We have a spare bed so you can stay here as long as you like. Get your strength back up before you leave.’

  ‘That’s so generous of you, but what about Carl? If he comes home I won’t be there and he’ll be worried.’

  ‘Don’t you worry about that now,’ Leah said. ‘You stay here and rest for as long as you need and build your strength back up, and I’ll drop by your place in the morning. Or if you prefer we’ll both walk there and see if there’s any news.’

  Rose didn’t respond. The journey she’d taken today had all but exhausted her and she’d fallen into a deep sleep, a place where her bones no longer hurt and she could be with her children again.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Carl waited in Edmond’s office, pressed his forehead against the window, which stretched from the ceiling to the floor, and looked out onto the world below. He’d never seen the town from so high up and the desolation and despair was clear to see as the hordes of Wretches moved about below.

  ‘Quite a sight to see your home from such an elevated position, isn’t it, Carl?’ Edmond said softly as he entered the room. ‘You can leave us now, Hugh, thank you. I wanted to personally thank you for the excellent work you’ve done for me on the solar flares. It’s really been invaluable.’

  Carl nodded but didn’t turn round. He narrowed his eyes and looked towards the projects where he thought he could pick out his old house. But it was near impossible to pinpoint as it was lost amongst a sea of ragged tents and rusting corrugated sheets. Drones were whizzing around and plumes of green gas rose up as they delivered their controlling substances. Every now and again small but bright flashes signalled machine gun fire where residents were being cut down by sentry drones as they approached the city, starving and delirious, looking for food and salvation.

  Carl looked at Edmond. ‘This is mass murder.’

  Edmond sat on the corner of the desk and removed his glasses. His balding head was framed by white wispy hair just above his ears and his white doctor’s coat made him look important. ‘It’s actually population control on a grand scale for the sake of saving humanity.’

  ‘Bullcrap,’ Carl said turning towards him. ‘It’s mass murder at the hands of an unseen elite for the sake of their own gain and profit.’

  Edmond sighed. ‘I don’t expect you to understand and I fully respect your concerns. But this planet is dying and our resources are running low. We barely have enough food to feed ourselves let alone provide rations for everyone else. Unless we take drastic action soon we’re all dead, and we’ve developed a solution to solve the problem.’

  ‘You mean your weapon?’ Carl asked.

  ‘A simple bomb is all it will take, and the resulting chain reaction of course.’

  ‘Is one bomb enough?’ Carl asked.

  ‘Good question,’ Edmond said adjusting his glasses. ‘One is enough if it’s a hundred times bigger than anything seen before. It’ll destroy everything in a several hundred mile radius, and throw up enough dirt and debris into the atmosphere that the sun will be blocked out for many years to come. Any trees and vegetation left on the planet will start to die fairly quickly. Once the vegetation has gone, the animals left, including humans, will find it hard to survive the eternal winter that is upon them with little or no food.’

  Carl looked at the floor and shook his head. ‘It’s madness, you’re playing God, and you get to choose who lives and dies.’

  Edmond shrugged his shoulders. ‘Madness or genius depending which side of the fence you’re on. The slate will be wiped clean and the human species that has infected this planet and brought it to near destruction will finally be cleansed from the earth. Over a period of several thousand years the natural balance of this planet will return. Then we’ll come back and build our Eden, and life will flourish in our ordered society in balance and at one with nature.’

  ‘Until someone doesn’t like what you do, splits away and creates their own faction and soon you’ll have more wars and destruction,’ Carl said.

  ‘You’re a bright boy, Carl, you should come with us. We’re taking your girlfriend either way and with the proper medical care you can both live a healthy and fulfilling life.’

  Carl looked at Edmond. ‘And my mother? My friends?’

  Edmond shook his head. ‘We only have room for the two of you. Your mother is ill and probably wouldn’t survive the journey anyway. Plus our medical resources are scarce and we can’t treat everyone.’

  ‘Playing God like any other evil dictator,’ Carl said.

  Edmond replaced his glasses and walked over to where Carl stood. ‘Over two hundred years ago the earth was so overcrowded. The internet, social media and the mass unregulated movement of people created a melting pot that led to the Third World War. Whole continents were devastated and so much soil and radioactive material was thrown into the atmosphere that most of the planet’s population perished along with nearly every animal. Crops died out and so did the food chain. Trees and plants became anaemic due to the lack of sunlight and acid rain, and the rainforests, so important for our planet’s oxygen balance, were wiped out within a few short months.’

  Carl shook his head. ‘But down there are people just like me struggling to survive. What kind of world are you trying to create?’

  ‘All good questions, but please step this way, I’d like to show you something.’

  Carl looked but didn’t move.

  Edmond held out a hand palm up. ‘Please, Carl, I beg you, this way.’

  Carl walked through the doorway and into a room. He blinked several times to allow his eyes to adjust to the dimly lit space. The room was set out like an office with tall filing cabinets against one wall and a wooden desk in the far corner. The walls were dark and covered with foam-like material. Against the other wall were four black leather seats, each one sitting on top of a hydraulic stand which allowed it to swivel 360 degrees and rise up and down as well as back and forth. Jutting out of the arms were joystick-like controls and in front were flat screen high-resolution computer monitors.

  ‘That’s some nice tech. What are those?’ Carl said pointing to the chairs.

  ‘Well they’re not massage chairs.’ Edmond chuckled while scratching his chin. ‘These are my virtual reality rigs. Somewhere we can sit and experience other places without leaving the city. Come, I’ll show you,’ he said beckoning with his hand.

  Carl walked over to the first chair and placed a hand on the leather headrest. ‘It feels expensive and quality made. I can smell the leather.’

  Edmond nodded. ‘Leather certainly is a rare commodity and we’ve been lucky to preserve these from the ancients. They’re not used as much as they were designed to be, but they are invaluable for inspecting the progress of my work.’

  ‘Your work?’

  ‘It’ll be easier to show you. Take a seat,’ Edmond said pointing to the chair.

  Carl sat down and felt himself sink into the luxurious hide. He gripped the joysticks and moved them back and forth. ‘What do these do?’

  ‘So many questions. Under the seat is a drawer, pull it out and remove the gloves and virtual reality headset, then put them on, please,’ Edmond said.

  Carl reached for the drawer and removed the items as requested. He placed the grey fingerless gloves on his hands and the VR headset and visor on his head. ‘I can’t see a thing.’

  Edmond moved to a nearby computer terminal and punched in a few digits. ‘Patience, young man, and all will be revealed.’

  Carl looked around the pitch blackness inside the
headset. In the middle of the screen the word “Loading…” appeared. Then the high-resolution screen in front of his eyes burst into life and the chair and haptic gloves buzzed and vibrated. He was floating in space above the earth and alongside a huge spacecraft. He looked around and noticed he was inside some kind of smaller craft with a window. Below was the murky brown atmosphere of Earth and in front was a long spacecraft, about the length of two football fields and just as wide. At the rear were four massive cone-shaped exhausts. ‘My God, where am I? And what is that?’

  Edmond walked over to the chair. ‘I’m glad it booted up. The virtual reality program has been crashing lately, a sign perhaps of our fluctuating power and resources. That, young Carl, is the Lasell. It was built by our forefathers with the specific aim of leaving Earth and returning sometime in the future. The simulation you are viewing places you in one of our maintenance pods. Use the left control stick to move around 360 degrees. The right stick will move you forwards and backwards.’

  ‘OK, got it,’ Carl said as he slowly moved around the rear of the craft.

  ‘Those four exhaust ports are attached to the heart of the machine but the engine under the hood is top secret,’ Edmond said. ‘Let’s just say that our ancestors started to develop a gravity drive to propel this craft as close to the speed of light as possible. In recent tests we’ve achieved over fifty per cent the speed of light, and we believe we can go much faster.’

  Carl continued to look around the rear of the craft, which was also covered in flashing lights and pipes. ‘But where are you going to travel to? I assume at that speed you can cover vast distances. Are you going to colonise a nearby planet?’

  Edmond smiled. ‘If only it were that simple. We would love nothing more than to travel to another earth-like planet and build our cities there. However there isn’t anything close enough and those planets that are nearby would take so much work and too many rare resources to survive on. We have a far more simple and beautiful plan. If we achieve the speed we think we can and assuming we have no malfunctions or catastrophes then we are going to take advantage of time dilation. To put it quite simply, for every day that passes on our ship, many years will have passed on Earth. Our journey will take us roughly six months, but thousands of years will have elapsed back on this planet. More than enough time for Earth to repair itself and return to its old life-supporting stable self.’