Old World (The Survivors Book Eleven)

by Nathan Hystad

  “I doubt it. He would have wiped it all,” she said.

  “Why? What was so valuable in here that you…” I clued in. I remembered Clare mentioning something about an EMP-like radio transmission that the Deltra had invented. She claimed it could disrupt electrical grids from miles away and, in theory, from space. She’d mentioned that a boost through a particular crystal, the same stone used for the portals, could increase its magnitude, rendering an entire planet without electrical devices. It would fry all the components. I wasn’t clear on the exact details behind it, but it was bad.

  I knew what Frasier was after, and it was serious business. My hand shook slightly as I opened a computer, knowing it wouldn’t turn on.

  Amada kept searching, and when our scouring of the minimalist room came up short, she lowered to the ground, climbing under the center of the desk. She asked me to hold the light toward the middle drawer’s bottom, and she fiddled with it, skimming her fingers on it. Just when her eyes told me it was a lost cause, a piece of the wood depressed.

  “You did it,” I whispered.

  “Everything good in there?” Magnus’ voice boomed from upstairs.

  I ran to the door. “I think we found something. We’ll be up soon!”

  Amada was smiling when she crawled out, sitting on the floor with something in her hand. It was a tiny plug-in device, some sort of drive, and she pointed at my pack. “Give me your bag.”

  I did as she asked. “Why?”

  “Because I slipped something into it before we set off. I had a feeling one of us might be caught,” she said.

  “And you thought I was the one who’d escape their capture?” I asked, standing a little taller.

  “Yes. Because I assumed you were more of the run and hide kind of man than the stay and fight. Turns out you’re a little of both,” she said.

  I bristled at her words but shook it off. Then she surprised me.

  “I… wanted to say thank you.” She slid a compact tablet from my pack. It was buried deep inside, behind some spare socks and underwear.

  “For what?”

  “For coming to get me. I… you could have found this place without my help.” She waved the device in her hand. “The details were in this.”

  “We weren’t going to leave you behind. That’s not how Markus and I operate.” I hoped it wasn’t too forthright. We were supposed to be nobodies from different parts of the world.

  “I can see that. Frasier would have left me,” she admitted, averting her eyes. She plugged the newfound drive into the tablet, and the screen lit up. Her eyes glowed in the reflection, and her face instantly turned from upset to thrilled. “We did it. Look.”

  I moved beside her, seeing the plans for the space station. It had pages and pages of white-lettered details on a black backdrop, including countless blueprints. Frasier was going to have his information. I glanced at Amada, knowing I could take the information, leaving the Restorer leader high and dry. But I’d have to kill her, or at least leave her for dead here. I couldn’t do that.

  And something told me Frasier wasn’t the kind of guy to give up, even if he didn’t have this information. He’d continue to fight his fight, and eventually, he’d either succeed or hurt a lot of people trying.

  “Can I see it?” I asked, taking the drive from her as she returned under the desk, making sure there was nothing else hidden inside.

  Soon she was up again, snatching it from me, and I watched Amada slip the device and new drive into her pockets. She threw my pack over to me.

  “Time to go,” she said.

  Magnus met us at the top of the stairs, and I glanced around. “I wish we could call Frasier in.”

  “Can’t.” The Spanish woman didn’t elaborate.

  “There’s no other way?” Magnus asked Amada.

  “My tracker. Those people took it,” she said.

  “We already know that,” Magnus said, slumping to the couch.

  “How far is Pisa from here?” I asked.

  “Around eighty kilometers,” she said.

  I groaned. “I take it we don’t have a car waiting with gas, right?”

  Magnus smirked. “I have an idea. You don’t forget how to ride a bike, do you?”

  Seventeen

  By the time all of the migrating Nirzu settled onto the ridge, Jules counted two hundred of them. They were so different from the senator and the others from the city. These ones were all in native robes, and they used tools that were archaic, comparatively speaking. Jules respected their choice to live off the land and attempt to be self-sufficient, but she wasn’t sure she wanted to experience that.

  The sun was rising, and it lifted over the trees when Slate finished talking with the leaders of this group. He returned to the edge of the meeting circle, where Jules and the other students waited, and his expression was grim.

  “What’s the plan?” Jules asked.

  “They won’t return there. They’re too afraid, but I’ve asked them to find one brave Nirzu to lead us into the valley and through the pass. It’s being deliberated now, so I suspect we’ll know soon,” Slate said.

  All of the Academy team gear was piled beside Wentle’s feet, and the young Padlog man rested his hand on the packs.

  “What do you make of this religion talk? Gods and whatnot,” Dean asked.

  “They didn’t say much, but it’s clear there’s something in that pass they worship. I couldn’t tell you what it is,” Slate advised.

  Jules perked up at this. One of her favorite classes at the Academy was the study of different worlds’ cultures and religions. There were thousands of planets out there, often with multiple belief systems within each world. It was mind-boggling how many deities were being worshiped at any given moment. She didn’t downplay any of them. For all she knew, they each existed, much like the power of the Iskios, or an intelligent nebula like Cloud.

  “I wish they’d hurry up,” Canni told them. “We’re losing some good daylight here.”

  Slate patted the boy on his head. “Glad to see you coming around.”

  “If we’re any longer, you won’t let us rest and stop for lunch,” Canni said, looking sheepish.

  Slate had the decency to laugh at the comment, and Jules spotted one of the gathered Nirzu breaking away from their group. Briler and her husband Ezzal approached, followed by a thin, younger-looking female.

  “I will guide you,” she said, her words translating through the device on Slate’s belt.

  “Good. And you are?” Slate asked.

  Briler answered for the girl. “This is Lolin. She is betrothed to our son, hence her interest in helping find Egant.”

  “Hello, Lolin,” Jules said, coming to stand near the girl. “I’m Jules.”

  They made the introductions, and Briler pressed a pack made from animal hide toward Lolin. “Take this. There is enough food for you all for two star cycles.”

  “Where will you go?” Slate asked the couple.

  Ezzal answered. “We will wait for your return here. We should not stray too far from our god. We are Beese, you know.”

  “I do know,” Slate said with a smile. “We’ll do our best to return Lolin in one piece.”

  Their eyes widened at the translation, and Jules stifled a laugh. “What did I say?” Slate asked her, and she shrugged in return.

  “Forgive our abruptness, but I’d like to arrive before nightfall,” Slate told them, and Jules took some of their supplies and began heading away from the local Nirzu. They began to chant, their arms hidden inside their robes’ sleeves; the song was wonderful and haunting at the same time.

  Jules saw Lolin’s eyes tearing up as she glanced back at her family.

  “How long have you and Egant been betrothed?” Jules asked.

  “Since birth,” Lolin answered.

  “That’s a long time.”

  “It is as the gods will it,” she said.

  “We’re going to find him. Okay?” Jules reached out, taking the girl’s hand. It w
as cold to the touch, her green skin slightly rough.

  “Thank you for your assistance. I’ll be sure to guide you as best I can,” Lolin said.

  They descended the ridge, using the rough pathways that zigzagged along the side of the barren mountain. It was devoid of most life: a few ragged trees grew here and there, the grass long dried and dead on this section of land.

  An hour later, they were at the bottom, and Jules’ knees were sore from the constant downhill slope. When they moved on even ground, everything felt strange for the first few dozen steps. Slate took directions but made sure to stay at the front of the line, and they moved like this for another couple of hours.

  Lolin asked Jules about their home, but she didn’t seem to understand the concept of starships or portals. The idea of an Academy where students like the ones around her attended in hopes of graduating to become Gatekeepers was so foreign to Lolin, Jules struggled to explain herself.

  Eventually, they stopped at a river before the elevation began rising again. Lolin pulled a hide canteen from her pack, filled it, and drank heavily before asking if anyone else wanted some.

  “Is it safe?” Kira asked the girl.

  “My people have drunk from these rivers for centuries.” Lolin passed the water to the blue student, and she took a drink, passing it to Wentle. He buzzed and downed the rest in a few swallows.

  “How long until the start of the pass?” Dean asked Lolin.

  Jules noticed how the girl stepped closer to Dean. She was about the same height as the human, and it was clear she found him… interesting, at the very least. Jules didn’t blame her.

  “Another...” She said something that didn’t translate.

  “I think that’s about three hours,” Slate said. “If everyone’s ready, let’s continue.”

  Lolin slowed, indicating that Jules should join her for a private conversation. “Slate, toss me the translator!”

  Slate didn’t stop; he just unclipped it and passed it to Extel Four, who passed it down the line to Dean, then to Jules.

  “Thank you!” she shouted, the message not needing to be relayed. Once it was clipped on, Jules spoke. “What is it?”

  “Do you have a god?” the girl asked.

  “I…” Jules wasn’t sure how to answer that. She knew a lot of humans believed in God, or gods, but her parents didn’t practice religion. “My mother used to attend church services. Those are buildings where people would go one day a week, and hear sermons.”

  “My people head to the caves each night and pray to our god. He is strong. He is good. He asks so little but gives so much abundance. Our valley is full of life, where the others are dying. We have food and water, and have minor needs. Can you see why we don’t want to leave with the rest of the planet?” Lolin’s eyes were wide.

  “Have you ever left your valley before?”

  “I haven’t. Egant dreamed of leaving to the cities, but we’re not allowed,” Lolin said, her face turning away as if she’d broken her betrothed’s bond.

  “Is it forbidden?” Jules asked.

  “Not for the elders, like Ezzel and Briler, Egant’s parents,” she said.

  “Did he want to escape?” Jules hoped the boy was still around. They’d already lost so much, and asking the local girl to return to the spot her boyfriend was snatched from was a difficult request. Half of her people had been killed in the Collector’s destructive attack.

  “No. He was going to become an elder, so he had the freedom, then decided for himself.”

  “Lolin, you said you prayed in a cave. Why?”

  “That is where our god resides. The stone is clear, smooth, and perfect, like his wisdom,” she said.

  Jules’ powers erupted inside her, her eyes shining brightly, her hands and toes nearly going numb with the shock of the energy pulsing inside her. She lifted from the ground and let out a scream so loud, what passed for birds nearby flew away in a panic.

  “Jules!” Dean was there, grabbing hold of her waist. He pulled her to the ground, hugging her close, and the power thrummed.

  She could hardly think straight or see clearly. Jules raked at her eyes, closing them, and she saw the rock. It was clear, as the girl had said, and carved in a flawless sphere. She knew what it was.

  As quickly as it had poured into her, the Iskios part of her faded away, snapping shut like a dam. Jules instantly missed the power, and fought to retrieve it, but it was gone. She slumped to the ground, an empty husk of a person once again.

  Tears streamed over her face, and Dean’s strong arms were under her, picking her up.

  “You’re going to be all right, little one,” he said softly, and through it all, she believed him.

  “What is that? Is she a demon?” Lolin asked.

  “Don’t call her that!” Dean said protectively. “Are you okay? You scared me to death.”

  “I know what their god is,” Jules said, her throat dry as a desert.

  Dean passed her some water, and she took a sip.

  “What? What is it?” Slate asked.

  “A portal stone, or something like one. There’s a Shandra on this planet,” she told them before passing out.

  ____________

  It had been years since I’d ridden a bicycle, but it was as simple as… riding a bike. Magnus had spotted some resting under a gazebo along the way, and when we tracked a manual air pump in the house behind them, we’d managed to get them into working order within the hour.

  Even Amada appeared to be enjoying herself as we cruised along on the rusty bikes. Mine was painted red, chipped in more spots than were covered, the rusty metal showing through most of the frame. We gave Magnus the nicest of the three, but they were all gearless, basic models one might use to go to the market to grab some locally-grown vegetables on a Sunday. Amada’s had a basket on the front, and the heaviest of our supplies were piled into it.

  At first, we stuck to a few open roadways, but after the first hour, we looped around, avoiding the highway. Along this path, we traveled through a dozen small villages, some larger than others, but did our best to stay quiet and avoid any areas where we might end up cornered.

  We took a break after a few hours, our legs aching with fatigue. We passed through a town halfway to our destination of Pisa, and Magnus led us to a parking lot. The sun was finally rising, and Magnus wiped beads of sweat from his forehead.

  “Don, when’s the last time you sweated this much?” Magnus asked.

  “Not since I used to play tennis every day,” I panted, and my legs were aching. I peered at Amada. “How about you?”

  “I’m okay. Should we continue?” she asked.

  “Hold up. We just rode for… forever. I think we’d better check the state of these pieces of crap. I can’t believe we’ve even made it this far,” Magnus said. “Or that I did either.” The last was said from the side of his mouth, directed at me. I understood what he was feeling. As I scooted off my bike, my legs nearly gave way.

  I rested the bike against a light post and stretched my back. The bike itself appeared in better shape than I did. I pulled the pack from my shoulders, giving everything a chance to cool down from the sweaty layer that had formed.

  After a brief glare, Amada joined us at the side of the road, bending and rubbing her thighs. We drank water, had a bite to eat, and chatted about the next part of our journey. Amada guessed it was another three or so hours, but claimed their outpost there would accommodate us for the night.

  “Don’t you think Frasier will rush over to pick us up?” I asked her.

  “No. His business in Old Rome is pressing,” Amada said.

  “So we were stuck in Florence for a full day regardless?” I asked.

  “That’s right. Perhaps longer,” Amada told us.

  Magnus hobbled away, and I noticed him picking fruit from a tree. “Then he won’t have any idea we’re not waiting in the safety of Alfonsi’s home.” He returned with a handful of small fruit. “Fig?”

  I took one, unsure h
ow to eat it. Amada accepted a couple, and I watched how she twisted the stem off. “He won’t suspect we encountered any issues,” she told us.

  The fig was sweet, and I stood, my legs protesting the movement, and plucked a couple more figs from the tree. “Can you tell us about this business in Old Rome? Now that we’ve rescued you,” I said.

  Her gaze met mine, and she took one of my figs. “The Restorers are spread out. Frasier is only one of the leaders,” she said.

  This was news to me. Originally, I hadn’t thought the train robber was the entire organization’s leader, but the way he’d spoken to us in his villa had made me think otherwise. Something came clear. “But his plan is the biggest, right?”

  “The others wanted to discuss it with him before he goes through with it. Not everyone thinks that a world with no technology is the way forward,” she said.

  This was good. It meant there were cracks in the Restorers’ foundation. If we could somehow break them up, reason with the other leaders, then perhaps peace could be found after all.

  “I know what you’re thinking,” she told me.

  “And what’s that?”

  “You’re worried they’ll talk Frasier out of it.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Don’t fret. He’s adamant about this plan. He will do it, with or without their support,” Amada said.

  Magnus frowned. This was unfortunate news. My expectation of negotiating with their group went out the window. Frasier was passionate about his mission, and idealistic. He wouldn’t stop until he’d succeeded in bringing down the society he hated so much… or died trying.

  “We’d better keep moving,” Amada said.

  Each step caused my legs to burn, and Magnus was hobbling along behind me. We climbed onto our bike seats again after adding some air using the hand pump, and we were off, heading into the country, the next village almost visible from our elevated position.

  I kept pedaling onto the open road, and soon that was all I knew.