The Gaia Effect

by Claire Buss

  C42N: Hamble killed at Med Centre – is anyone safe?

  The two remaining Corporation Board members met in secret, in an underground skimmer bay.

  'We have to leave.'

  'I agree.'

  'Where shall we go?'

  'It's too risky for us to travel together. Go South. I hear they're pro Corp down South.'

  'What about you?'

  'I'm going North. I have family North, they'll protect me.'

  They parted with a formal handshake, each returning to their private, blacked out skimmers, confident that they could escape the city unscathed. Neither one had stopped to think about whether their drivers watched the sweeps. Neither one checked to see whether their skimmer was on auto pilot. Neither one saw the collision coming.

  Neither one survived.

  As Jed travelled into work, Ruth returned to the apartment. Martha had gone for a lie down so Kira explained what had happened to Mr Hamble.

  'Frag! What the frag? Are we safe here? Did you see what the bastards did to my flat? What are we going to do?'

  'We are going to Camp Eden,' Kira announced. 'Pack a bag you two, essentials only. We've got secure transport out there.'

  'But what about everything that's happening?' Dina said. 'We can't just leave – can we?'

  Ruth held one hand over her belly protectively. 'I actually agree with K. It's not safe for us here at the moment. Let's give Force time to calm everything down.' Ruth looked down at herself. 'Kira – have you got any clothes I can borrow?'

  'I'm sure I'll have something, sweetie,' Kira said, and the two women headed off into Kira's bedroom.

  Dina went reluctantly to her side of the expanded apartment, poked her head round the adjoining door and heard soft sobbing coming from the far bedroom. She hesitated, not wanting to intrude. She knocked on Martha's door and opened it.

  'Martha? Are you okay?'

  Dina winced, realising what she'd said. Of course Martha wasn't okay. Her father had been killed. The sobbing continued. Dina ventured into Martha's bedroom. She spotted Martha sat on the floor in the corner of the room, knees drawn up, head bent down on crossed arms, shoulders shaking as she cried.

  'Martha?'

  'Go away.'

  'We have to pack. We're leaving for Camp Eden,' Dina paused. 'Shall I pack your stuff?'

  No answer.

  Dina found an empty bag and began gathering things she thought they might need. Not knowing where they were headed made it tricky, but she put together a few changes of clothes for each of them and various small pieces of tech that might come in useful out in the middle of nowhere.

  Martha continued to sob.

  Dina left her where she was and walked back through the adjoining door, putting her bags down with the others in a pile in Kira and Jed's lounge.

  'Kira,' she called. 'I've got our stuff but Martha, she's just.... I don't know what to do.'

  Before Kira could reply, the door chimed and two Force operatives entered.

  'Ma'am,' one of the operatives greeted Kira. 'We're here to transport you to Camp Eden. It's getting ugly out there, we have to leave immediately.'

  Kira smiled bravely, hoping her fear didn't show. 'I'll get Martha. You two take the bags. I'll meet you down there.'

  With Grace snuggled close to her in her baby wrap, Kira went through to Martha's room. 'Martha. Get up. It's time to go.'

  Martha lifted her tear stained face and looked at Kira. 'To the middle of nowhere? How do you even know we will be safe there?'

  Kira held out her hand. 'Because your father told us to go. He loved you, Martha, and he wanted to protect you and his grandchild. Come on Ma. Do it for your baby.'

  Martha looked dully at the proffered hand for a moment, before finally grasping it and pulling herself up off the floor. 'I haven't packed.'

  'Don't worry, Dina packed you some stuff. It's going to be okay.'

  As the transporter travelled through the city, Kira was glad of the blacked out windows and additional security.

  C42N: The number of people hurt in widespread riots has increased. Force are reminding citizens to stay at home and avoid areas of aggression.

  ANON88: Who's in the secret skimmer? Who's getting preferential treatment?

  MED4AC: We urge non-emergency cases to visit their nearest auto-doc.

  We DO NOT have a separate water supply.

  Please consider whether it is medically necessary for you to attend Med Centre.

  C42N: Blacked out private skimmer seen travelling through City Forty-Two. Sweep if you know who's inside.

  A brick hit the window, making the women jump.

  'It's alright ladies,' one of the Operatives said through the intercom. 'This skimmer is equipped with unbreakable windows. You're quite safe.'

  Despite the reassurance, a sense of unease lay over all of them, as they continued to travel towards the city limits.

  Ruth leant over and patted Kira's hand. 'I'm sure Jed will be fine.'

  Kira smiled weakly, and looked back out the window. She didn't think anyone in authority would be safe right now. Hopefully, the people would realise they weren't achieving anything by their actions, and go home. Until they did, Kira hoped Jed stayed out of harms way.

  The transporter left the rioters behind and the streets got emptier and emptier. The women began to calm down, each of them feeling mentally exhausted by what they'd been through the past few days. One by one, they drifted off to sleep, lulled by the hum of the transporter's engine and the mild sedative the Force operatives had released into the back of the vehicle.

  'Feels wrong, drugging them like this,' commented the older of the two operatives.

  'Orders are orders. Detective Jenkins didn't want them getting scared,' the other said. 'And we've still got to make it past city limits.'

  City Forty-Two was contained within a forcefield, which apart from one or two weak spots, kept the citizens safe from the alleged toxicity of the ravaged world outside. The residual radiation from the HER wars was the reason the human race had been divided up into small cities dotted throughout the continents – in order to save what was left.

  As the transporter approached the official city exit, the two Force operatives started scanning the surroundings for any violent activity. Jed had been worried that angry citizens might gather at the city gate demanding to be let out, but fear of what was outside had kept them away. The transporter stopped briefly, and one of the operatives punched in an access code. Gradually a hole in the shimmering forcefield grew large enough to allow the transporter through, then closed behind them as they left the city behind.

  Kira leant her head against the now opaque window. She felt relaxed and at peace. The sedative was beginning to wear off, but she no longer felt as scared. The others still slept, and Grace was tucked within the baby wrap, nestled close.

  Kira pressed the intercom to allow her to speak to the Force Operatives.

  'Do you know how much further we have to travel?'

  'No Ma'am – it's a preset course. The transporter is on auto cruise.'

  'Oh. I see.'

  'But I'm sure it won't be long,' reassured one of the operatives.

  Kira went back to staring out of the window. Lulled by the hum of the transporter she closed her eyes again, and drifted. She was stood in a meadow - sweet smelling grass and wild flowers all around her. Bees hummed in the air, and Grace played by her feet.

  'I'm so glad you came.' A melodious voice spoke to her.

  Kira turned in slow motion and was unsurprised to see the beautiful blue lady stood next to her.

  'Are you sure you want us here? It's so beautiful,' Kira asked.

  'I am not complete without you. All things must balance. It is time. We are here.'

  'We're here. Ma'am?' said one of the Force Operatives. 'We've arrived.'

  Kira looked around blearily, realising that the transporter had stopped and one of the operatives was speaking to her. The others were waking up.

  'We'r
e here?'

  'Where is everything?'

  'Who's that?'

  'We're just the travel detail, Ma'am,' said the Force Operative opening the transporter door and looking at Kira. 'If you're ready?'

  The operative gestured that they should exit the transport. Kira turned to look at the others.

  'Are you ready?'

  Dina and Ruth both gave small nods while Martha looked expressionless, eyes still red from crying. She gave a half shrug, and allowed herself to be led out the transporter with the others. After their bags had been deposited on the ground next to them, the transporter turned around and left.

  There were two large marquees set up on either side of the camp clearing – one looked like it was used for cooking and eating, the other had its flaps down and nothing was visible. A communal area had been set up towards the rear of the clearing and there were several wooden huts down one side, half hidden by the encroaching forest.

  A small Indian man waited patiently for them at the camp entrance, dressed in khaki trousers and tunic, his brown feet bare.

  'Welcome to Camp Eden,' he said. 'I'm Moham, I'll be your guide – anything you need or want to know about, just ask.'

  Dina grabbed her bag and began to walk forward while the others hung back. 'Where is everyone else?' she asked, looking around with interest.

  'They will be back later,' Moham said. 'Can I offer you some refreshment?'

  He gestured for the women to follow him further into the clearing. Dina fell in behind, while the others looked doubtfully at each other. After brief hesitation, they picked up their bags and slowly followed. Everything seemed to have been set up to blend in with the scenery as much as possible, making full use of the natural materials available. Moham stopped beneath the canopy at the far end of the clearing. A number of cushions lay scattered around an empty fire pit.

  'This is our communal area,' he gestured. 'Sit, make yourselves comfortable, and I will get some tea brewing.'

  Moham returned to the open sided marquee at the beginning of the camp, leaving the women alone. They stood motionless for a moment before Martha dropped her bag with a thump. No-one spoke as they sat down. They waited to see what would happen next.

  'Hey, we get signal,' Dina said as she checked her handheld for updates.

  The others followed her lead, even Martha, checking to see what they'd missed. There was a video message for Martha. From her father. Martha activated her ear comm to receive the audio file as well, and watched her father speak to her from his hospital bed, tears rolling down her face.

  'Martha. I hope that you never get this message. But if you are watching this, then events have got out of hand. I want you to know that your mother and I love you very much. We always have. I am so proud of you. Throughout your life you have thought about what you wanted, and not let me, or Corporation, or anyone else get in your way. I admire that. I want you to do that now – be strong, be yourself. Be Martha Hamble.'

  In the recording, Mr Hamble rubbed his eyes quickly and cleared his throat. There was a brief smile to camera, and the video message stopped.

  Martha let out a huge breath. The others watched her in concern.

  'Are you alright, Ma?' Kira asked.

  'I will be. I will be.'

  Chapter Sixteen

  It had been one day since the girls had left the city limits. One day since Jed had returned to Force. One day of utter madness. Ordinarily peaceful citizens were trashing public buildings and spaces, whilst others looted service points for foodstuffs. No-one was going to work except for Medical and Force personnel. Force might not be under Corporation jurisdiction but they signified authority, and were therefore a target for the ire of the people.

  Jed was exhausted. He'd been on call for twenty-four hours straight and needed a break. Uncontaminated water was the biggest issue. So far, scientists at Science Division had confirmed that now the HER treatment had stopped, the water would return to normal - in time. However, no-one knew how long that might take. Everyone needed water but no-one wanted to use it, and the medical centre emergency service was close to breaking point trying to keep up with the number of dehydration cases.

  Jed self-administered a stimulant and waited for the adrenalin to kick in. It was all too easy to fake the body into feeling full of energy, but if he didn't eat something soon he might become the next emergency patient. The Chief poked his head out of his office door, and seeing Jed motioned him to come through.

  'Sir,' Jed said, entering the Chief's office.

  The Chief was slumped in his chair.

  'Deveraux believes we might be ready to start opening talks between what's left of the city leadership. Get this whole thing under control.'

  Suddenly the room pitched into darkness as the power cut out.

  'Initiate the fragging emergency back up system,' the Chief barked at an internal comms panel. A dull glow emanated from the floor as safety lights came on throughout the building.

  'Report!'

  But the screens remained dark. The Force's interface had insufficient power to run it's diagnostic system. The Chief muttered under his breath before getting up. 'Get me a technician in here now!' he yelled, sticking his head out his door.

  The Chief came back to his desk and jabbed a finger at the unresponsive screen before pushing it away. 'Jenkins, procedure states that we must facilitate negotiations between the highest city representatives. If I had my way I'd terminate the whole fragging lot of them. But you need to find them, bring them here, and set up a holding area.' The Chief rummaged through his desk. 'No-one leaves until we get this mess under control.' He found what he was looking for and handed an info jack to Jed. 'This tells you who to round up. With any luck, they'll be tucked up at home. Anyone located in a trouble zone is to be bound and held for punishment. I will not have them destroy my city.'

  The Chief held Jed's eye for a moment, before waving him out of the room and stabbing thick fingers at the unresponsive screens in front of him again.

  Jed headed for the skimmer bay – they were solar powered so at least they still worked. As he entered, a number of operatives looked up expectantly.

  'I need two volunteers.'

  'I'll go,' volunteered a freckly, fresh-faced young man, bouncing eagerly to his feet. 'Operative Griggs, Sir.'

  He was followed with a sigh by a larger, heavy set, older man Jed recognised from the Corp Tech disaster site. 'Me too.'

  'What's your name?' Jed asked as he handed them both riot gear to put on.

  'Ash, Sir. Matthew Ash.'

  'Okay men, this is us.' Jed pointed to the closest skimmer and the three of them got on board, Jed taking the front seat. 'Our job is to collect the most senior city representatives and bring them back to Force HQ.'

  He whacked the jack into an info port. A list popped up on the display. The first name was Roger Hamble. Jed pinched the bridge of his nose.

  Strike one.

  An hour later Jed stood in an underground parking lot looking at the crashed skimmers and mangled remains of two more city leaders – who also happened to be Board Directors, and the next names on the list. Jed tried calling through to Med Centre for a deceased body pick-up, but his call wouldn't connect. The power was still out and the general comms grid looked like it was down too.

  'Griggs,' Jed called out. 'I need you to go to Med Centre and get a body pick-up organised. We'll seal the scene and move on.'

  'Yes, Detective.'

  Griggs saluted, and headed out to the Med Centre on foot while Ash took out a black disc from the kit in the back of the skimmer. He placed the disc in front of the crash site and activated the forcefield. It shimmered as it spread up and over the crime scene, sealing in all the evidence and solidifying so that only a member of Force would be able to deactivate it. Jed nodded in approval then climbed back into the Force skimmer and checked the next name on his list. Professor Kamir, Head of Academy.

  Hopefully, he was still alive.

  Jed manoeuvred the sk
immer across the city, dismayed at the level of vandalism and destruction. It seemed the power cut had calmed some people down, they'd returned to their homes and their emergency energy sources. Passing the charred remains of Corp Tech, Jed felt a stab of pain in his chest. But he didn't want to think about his sister and her fledgling family. Or the fact that his partner was gone. And with Kira and Grace out of the city, it felt like there was nothing left to fight for. The city's blackness matched his mood. They rounded the corner and Jed stared at the brilliance radiating out from Academy.

  'Separate power grid obviously,' Jed muttered as they parked up.

  Students milled around all over the grounds, but there was little sign of the violence that had ravaged the rest of the city. Jed checked his riot gear was firmly in place and armed his stunners. The Academy was the birth place of Anti-Corp. Members of Force might not be welcome.

  They left the skimmer and assessed the area. Jed and Operative Ash breathed a sigh of relief. The students looked scared and lost, not angry or violent. No-one said a word or approached them as they walked through the quad into the main building.

  'Where can we find Professor Kamir?' Operative Ash asked a frightened looking girl sitting behind the front desk. The girl stared back at him, wide-eyed.

  'C'mon, it's this way,' Jed said, turning left, not waiting to see if Ash was following him.

  Jed remembered the way from his wife's enthusiastic description of her tour of Academy. He roughly pushed away thoughts of Kira and Grace. Now was not the time to start worrying about his family. He had work to do. Focus. Jed stopped outside a blue door engraved with a huge, many branched, old tree – the crest of the Academy. He rapped twice, before entering the room.

  'May I help you?'

  An older man turned from a bookcase to look at them. He was tall with white hair sweeping across his brow and, despite his age, stood firm, radiating a quiet strength.

  'Professor Kamir, I'm Detective Jenkins. This is Operative Ash. We've come to bring you to Force HQ as part of the city leaders protocol.'

  'Ah.' The Professor placed a book back on the shelf. 'May I collect my coat?'

  Jed nodded, and watched the elderly yet spry man stride over to retrieve his hat and coat.