by Bowring, S D
This man Kurk had a look in his eye. Cormic would have said that he was an apple short of a few pips.
Kurk seemed to have spoken too much. He was clearly a leader of sorts but Keller wondered why he had personally been visited by him and why Kurk had felt the need to explain himself. Keller had the view that he was certainly unlikely to be the leader of a tiny group of dissident men - so why had he not sent someone else to interview him? In which case, his visit may have betrayed him for either being someone who gloated or who was nervous of his adversaries. Alternatively, perhaps he wanted to see him first hand and gauge him as a person. Or both? Keller decided it may be both, but he realised he could perhaps of conducted himself with more authority. He didn’t really know, but he decided he needed to win back respect as his first goal. At the very least, he would feel better in himself.
He took the towel off the end of the bed, got undressed, and had a shower.
After his shower, he felt refreshed and he had stopped shaking. He looked around the room as he got dressed. He thought about the door again and the man who had appeared on the wall screen. He recalled the text above the man’s face. Fourtrees Prison. It did tell him two things. He knew from his educational programmes shown on the last couple of days of his journey that there was a Fourtrees Bay on New Fiji. It was the main port from which raw materials arrived from Khatru.
This made him realise that Kurk must feel safer on this side of the continent, otherwise they would have stayed in the Plymouth Rock area. Presumably this was also a main base for him and his like-minded friends. He must have significant support from within the security staff, otherwise he wouldn’t have been holding Keller in a prison. Kurk had alluded to support in Plymouth Rock, however, they clearly weren’t able or willing to make their move yet. Kurk was currently manoeuvring himself into a position of strength and Keller himself was the key, or the catalyst.
Keller recalled how sometimes certain family individuals at Suffolk Road exhibited similar manoeuvring behaviour. However, it was normally reserved for less grand designs. He had seen this when families got together in a form of council to discuss matters and decisions that affected the families. Sometimes these individuals would do their manoeuvring before, or during, or after these family council meetings.
Cormic was clever at reading situations and people. He would point out to Keller when these situations were brewing and who was seeking support from whom and what horse-trading was taking place. He would explain how to watch people – how they sought each other at gatherings, how they spoke to each other and what was both said and unsaid. He always seemed to recognise at family gatherings when a comment made by one person might be an attempt to reinforce a view that may even be unstated as yet. Like a seedling. He would recognise a comment to assure the listener that the speaker was a friend, but at the same time revealed that he clearly wasn’t. Keller would sometimes see his uncle talking to another family member and later he would discuss this with Keller. “He just happened to mention….” then “But why would he tell me that.” Keller used to think that anyone who was less than honest is his dealings should be careful of speaking to Cormic. His uncle would listen and leave a pause, just to see if the speaker continued. It often left an uneasy speaker feeling the need to fill the silence and he would reveal a little too much and betray his deceit.
His uncle was a well-respected representative at the family council, who oversaw the resolving of these minor conflicts. Cormic said that you were always in a position of greater strength if you could see the motives of another family leader. Whilst the Suffolk Road families were a close and peaceful group, not everyone could see beyond the gains of their own immediate families on some occasions. The family council had a wider and longer term view and it was down to these councils and their decisions that some level of fairness pervaded across the families as a whole unit. It was, in fact, the Londoners who advised this approach when they started dealing with the families. It was in their interest that some form of organisation helped the Outsiders cooperate with each other. This had helped, first to stabilise, and then to increase, the necessary trade between the Outsiders and the Londoners.
Cormic had always said that studying people and understanding motives would help Keller in many situations.
Later, Astec returned with a male colleague for the see-com recording. His colleague put down a small black item on the desk. “This is the see-com,” he said as Keller leaned forward to examine it.
His accent was the same as the Londoners, presumably a more recent settler thought Keller. On the wall behind, two viewing screens appeared. One had large writing on it. The other showed Keller moving. He looked baffled until the man leaned forward and waved his own hand in front. “You really are an Outsider,” he laughed, as he moved his hand and pointed to one of the screens. “The see-com is linked to the viewer, so you will see yourself on here. We will put some words on the other viewer. You can read, I presume?” He paused. Keller nodded and the man continued. “We are in a hurry, so look at the words. Read them, and we will see how it goes and if necessary we can repeat this until its ok.”
Astec injected, “Keller, start reading them out loud with your normal voice. Just relax. Go.”
Keller started reading the first line to himself and frowned. “Wait, I want to read through this to myself first,” he then paused looking at the writing. He looked up at Astec, “Is this all I have to say?”
“Look Keller, the lines will move as you say them. There are about a dozen lines; we can run through them first.” He then nodded at his colleague who allowed the other lines to appear slowly as Keller nodded after each line.
“My birth mother hasn’t met me yet, she doesn’t know I exist according to Kurk. Why would she agree to step down and hand over control of a planet colony for my safety?” Keller was looking exasperated.
“Easy. Your mother is soft and a little too optimistic about life. She will also believe that control can easily be regained, but your mother isn’t aware of both our organisation and determination. In particular she isn’t aware of the determination of those inside her own government who are going to help ensure she is set aside for good. This is blackmail Keller, simple blackmail. However it would be better for your mother if she relinquishes power in this manner. None of us want the alternative, which is an armed conflict with multiple casualties which would threaten a great number of people. It would particularly threaten your mother and all those fence-sitters in the government. It would also endanger the wider community of Plymouth Rock who would naturally resist until they understood our goals.”
Keller was horrified at the thought of armed conflict. Like all Outsiders he knew the effects of war. This was taught them from childhood. It was the reason why there were few children being born, why the population was so low and why some people in other parts of the world had succumbed en masse to starvation, disease and had sunk to the level of animals. The Outsiders were fortunate, but they felt, as a people, they were lucky survivors who by simple geography and chance had been amongst the few remaining rural people left in England.
“I’ll read it but I will change some words.” Keller said – he wanted to see how far he could push it. He started reading before Astec could object.
“This is a message for the Right Honourable Governor of the Territory of Rayleigh, Her Excellency”.
“My name is Keller. I am an Outsider from the Suffolk Road Zone to the North East of London, England. I am your Son.” Keller paused and glanced at the viewer that showed his face.
“A DNA Analysis is appended to this see-com message. I am currently on Rayleigh. I am being held as a hostage. I have been asked to read the following message:
“I will be released and safely re-united with you only after the following occurs.
“You must make a statement resigning your position as governor. A transcript is provided with this see-com message.
“This resignation transcript cannot be amended in any way.
/> “Your resignation must be within two hours of receiving this time-imprinted see-com.
“Your resignation should be broadcast on land and external links simultaneously.
“You will hand all procedural codes over to the Commissioner of Macau B upon resignation.
“Your safe passage and my safe passage are assured. Tomorrow, we will be taken to the New Exeter hub and onward to a community of our choice. We will be under diplomatic protection until our arrival elsewhere. You will choose two of your house-staff to accompany you.
“Mother, I implore you, for the safety of your citizens and for your own safety to abide by this instruction; I will remain hostage until this point.”
He stopped.
The settler quietly re-ran the speech on the viewer. Astec looked at Keller, “You left out the line about how terrified and scared you are??”
“I am not saying that, I am not in fear. Besides it doesn’t sound like a hardy Outsider does it?” Keller said defiantly.
“Maybe not. We’ll leave it. Don’t mistake our hospitality for weakness, though Keller. Next time I ask you to do something, just do it.”
Keller said nothing. He felt a small victory, but he didn’t want Astec to lose face twice in quick succession in front of his colleague. He suspected that would elicit an unpleasant reaction.
“This is fine,” Astec said to the settler, after he watched the see-com recording. “Append the other items and pass it to Kurk for review – he wants it gone within the hour – time is critical.”
The settler glanced at Keller, picked up the see-com off the table and left. Keller noticed a fear in his eyes. He didn’t think this man was fully behind the apparent coup, but seemed to be following instructions.
Before Astec left, he told Keller that he may as well get some rest since he would be relocated in a couple of hours.
Keller sat back deflated. He got up after a while and tried to activate the viewers that had appeared on the walls. Nothing. He examined his surroundings in more detail. He realised he had no chance of escape and, indeed, dare not escape less he precipitate the threatened conflict. He felt he needed interaction with his captors to understand them better. He lay down and waited.
A short while later, the door slid open and a man appeared introducing himself as a doctor.
The Voice
"Sit up, whilst I check you over,”the doctor said.
The doctor had a small bag with him. He took two instruments out of the bag. “I just want to examine your ears, nose and throat,” he said and placed one hand on the left side of Keller’s head whilst he peered into his right ear. “Settle down and don’t move - I’m trying to examine your ears.”
Keller frowned as he hadn't even moved. All the doctors he had met seemed terse, he thought.
The doctor turned his attention to Keller’s left ear. “All good,” he said. Keller suddenly heard a rush of sound and would have jumped except the doctor had kept a firm grip on his shoulder. He suddenly heard a voice in his ear “Keller, don’t speak. Keep still and keep looking at the doctor. Keep calm. My name is Ash and I am going to help you. I am talking to you from outside the prison. You are the only one who can hear this voice. Be careful as you are being monitored remotely and someone is likely to be watching you. The doctor is also a friend. He has placed a small device in your ear - he is working with us to help release you.” The voice paused. “Listen carefully, look at the doctor and tell him that your stomach has been painful since you arrived. He will then ask you some questions. We will provide some answers. We are going to create a situation where you need to be moved to the medical wing of this prison.”
Keller look intently at the doctor who was now using a hand held monitor but continued to maintain eye contact with him.
“My stomach has been very painful since I arrived,” he said.
The voice called Ash spoke in his ear, "Good, now wait before you say anything else.”
The doctor nodded, keeping careful eye contact with Keller. "What sort of pain -where is it?" he asked.
Ash spoke again, "Tell him it’s around your belly button and it’s a sharp pain.”
Keller did as requested. The doctor put on a look of mild concern. "Have you had any trouble eating?"
Keller was fed a response and repeated this "I have been feeling particularly hungry yesterday and today. I find the pain sharp at times particularly when I cough.”
The doctor pondered this and then asked Keller to lift his shirt. "As soon as he touches your stomach you need to show him you have a sharp pain.”
The doctor prodded Keller gently around the stomach and Keller yelped in pain.
"Ok, sometimes, after a long period of hibernation there can be issues with the appendix. This should normally have been picked up soon after awakening. Lie down for now. I will be back shortly.” He then left the room.
The voice in his ear came on again. "Lay down and, I know it’s tempting, but do not respond to me. We need you to play along.”
He then gave Keller some coaching to create the illusion that he needed medical help. "They will be monitoring you. The doctor will report on your condition and should then return.”
Keller didn’t know if he was under observation. He decided to lie down on the bed. He started groaning. He lay like this for a few minutes, continuing to hold his stomach and groan. He stood up, doubled over and went to the basin beside the toilet and made retching noises.
After a minute or two, he returned to the bed and continued the charade. He then sat bent over groaning and rocking backwards and forwards.
He walked over and tried the door again. The viewer appeared and the same gruff voice asked him what he was doing. “I’d like a drink. I’d also like to see the doctor again. I have pains in my stomach.”
“Lay down on the bed, for now. Just wait.” The man said and the viewer faded. Keller went and lay on the bed and continued groaning.
The old man came in with water. He placed it on the table then left without a word.
A little while passed and then the door slid open again. The same doctor appeared with an attendant. The doctor approached Keller frowning, and then checked the toilet and shower, returning to Keller. “You can go - he hasn’t been sick anywhere except in the toilet,” he said to the attendant.
“Okay, I think you may well have a problem with your appendix, as I suspected. We will have to get you moved to the medical rooms and take a closer look. Just lie down for now,” the doctor said.
The doctor went over to the wall and waved a hand. The gruff voiced man appeared.
“Mr Klose, I think this young man is in the early stages of appendicitis. We will need to move him to the medical wing. This isn’t something that can wait.”
“Do you have what you need in the med room?” the gruff voice asked.
“Yes. If you need to get authorisation, can I ask that you hurry. I understand this patient is a VIP.”
“I know. Just wait and I’ll check.” Mr Klose faded. After a minute, he returned on the wall viewer. “We have a trolley on the way. This guest will need to be escorted, as will you. I have two men on the way.”
The voice in his ear spoke “Keller, this is good. They will not want any harm to come to you. Your mother will no doubt insist on seeing you well. Once we have you at the med room we can help. Don’t over-act now - just make it clear you are in pain.”
The door slid open. A man with a grey uniform entered, followed by a trolley which was being pushed by a second man in a similar uniform. The trolley had a thin mattress, a pillow and a sheet. They paused just inside the door as there wasn’t enough room to get the trolley around the table. "Come here, Keller, we need you to lie down on this, so let’s get going."
The first uniformed man then spoke "Sit on the edge, here. Bring your legs over and lie down.” He waited patiently whilst the doctor helped the young man who clearly appeared to be in pain.
“What’s going to happen to me?” Keller asked, as the
y adjusted his pillow and then moved the trolley towards the door.
“That’s up to the doctor,” said the second uniformed man.
“We need to do some tests, Keller. We may have to act quickly depending on the results. We need a deeper scan, don’t worry.”
They all moved down the narrow well-lit corridor and Keller tried to take in his surroundings. It was a grim place and he could see other rooms like his down the corridor. He caught glimpses of the courtyard through gaps in the wall along part of the corridor. He could see another group of men, heads shaven, crossing the courtyard with a man in a grey uniform following.
Eventually, they came to some double doors and the two men held the doors open allowing the doctor to move the trolley through the doors. The corridor was now wider and there were several nurses present. One of them came over. "Hello doctor, we have opened unit three for you.” The two men then pushed the trolley towards a door marked ‘Unit 3’.
The doctor stopped at the doors. “I will take over from here.”
A male nurse helped push the trolley towards a bed. “Just sit up for the moment,” he said. Keller thought he recognised the voice and looked up at the nurse frowning, then with a look of recognition on his face as he realised it was Ash. “Yes, Keller it’s me, this is Doctor Clark,” he said as he introduced the doctor who had just brought him from his room.
Ash held Keller’s head still and the doctor quickly extracted the small device from his ear that had so nearly made him jump earlier. Ash explained that they had no control over the ‘cells’, as he called the room Keller had been held in. However in here they were able to talk more freely, but he warned Keller to continue to act as though he had a stomach pain in front of anybody but himself and Doctor Clark.
