The Dawn: Omnibus edition (box set books 1-5)

by Michelle Muckley

  President Grayson paused for a moment. The newly married couple were kneeling at the side of the stage, their heads bowed and draped in a white cloth so that they could not see, and Zack remembered the Judgement Ceremony that Serena told him about. Zack scanned the crowd looking for one of the previous winners of the Omega Lotteries. He wanted to know if he would see the same look of excitement on their faces, or if they might look as lost as he felt wondering what on earth the president was talking about. But every face in the crowd blended to the next so that it felt like a circular trail, always looking for an exit, but ending up right back where he started.

  There was only one person who seemed as distracted as he was. It was Emily. It was subtle, and Zack doubted that anybody else would realise because they were all so focused on the president's speech, which he had now resumed. But Zack saw her eyes flicker in his direction, and he knew from that subtle shift that there was a chance that she too might be finding this whole thing as strange as he was.

  “These two shining examples of what Omega citizens can achieve will rise to the highest levels in our tower, until the day that we can live in the open air without fear, without threat, and without that which lies beyond our borders. That day is coming, good citizens of New Omega, and together we will live it. Together we will build a new life, a new world. That, good citizens, begins today.”

  The crescendo of President Grayson's speech was complete. His arms were in the air as if he were casting a net in which to trap each and every one of them. They wanted it, too. They wanted into that net. The applause was rapturous, and some were cheering. The couple who had been blessed, or married, or whatever it was that had happened to them, were being helped out from underneath the white sheet and to their feet by the conservators’ wives. It was as if the whole event had taken a lot out of them. The wives of the conservators were holding both the woman and the man by the arms. Another woman was walking backwards in front of the pregnant woman with her arms stretched out to shield the woman’s abdomen. Protecting the perimeter.

  Some in the crowd were staring at that couple, and some were staring at the president. It was only when Zack looked towards the president that he realised Emily was staring at him. She looked as if she was trying to smile, but the corners of her mouth were paralysed. It meant that the only thing she was able to produce was a grim version of happiness. It was the kind of smile that says to another person, can you believe that this is happening? Can you believe that this is our life?

  That's when Sarah took his hand. Sarah wasn't watching the crowd, the pregnant couple, or the president. Her gaze flicked between Zack and Emily. Her grip on his hand was firm. Zack looked back towards Emily, but this time her eyes were cast down as if she didn't want to be seen. Seen by him, or seen looking at him, Zack didn’t know. Zack turned to Sarah whose eyes bored into his forehead like the bit from a power tool.

  As the pregnant couple disappeared the crowd calmed down, and one by one they began to disperse. Zack tried to get another glimpse at the stage above the heads of those around him. As President Grayson slipped behind the screen at the back of the stage Emily took her chance. She turned around, her eyes whipping across the crowd in search of something. Was she looking for Zack? He could still feel Sarah gripping at his wrist, but another woman had engaged her in conversation so Zack seized the moment. He stepped backwards a couple of inches, slipping from Sarah’s view. He raised his free hand in the air like a flare from a stranded ship. It was enough to catch Emily’s attention. She raised her hand as if she was about to reach out for him. She mouthed something, desperation etched into the frown lines on her forehead. Zack shook his head, held his fingers to his ear to show he couldn’t hear her. She began to mouth the same sentence again, slower and more purposeful movements, but a Guardian arrived at her side and eased her behind the screen.

  “Our good President, there you are.” Simon’s face came into view, edging his way through the last couple of bodies before he reached Zack’s side. “It is absolute chaos here. This kind of event should be announced in advance so that people are prepared,” he whispered. “It overexcites them.” He stopped, as if he only just realised what he had said. “I mean, that would be an option. Praise our good President and all that he does.”

  “Well, I suppose that having a baby and getting married are exciting events,” Zack said. He glanced at Sarah, who was still deep in conversation with the woman next to her. In front of him Simon was complaining at another Omega citizen who had accidentally knocked into him.

  “Would you look at that now. Crinkled.” He was brushing his palm along the sleeve of his suit, the same sleeve that had been knocked into by the careless passerby. “I’ll have to send this for pressing.” Zack glanced at the suit and couldn’t see a single crease. “Anyway, where were we? Oh, yes. It’s all very exciting. Babies and weddings. Wonderful.” Simon brought a hand up to the side of his head and smoothed it across his hair. Afterwards he closed his eyes for a split second as if he still had that headache. He opened them and then took a big breath in. He smiled. “Let's get back on track, shall we?”

  Simon took Zack by the arm and began to lead him away. Sarah felt the pull and tightened her grip. She took a glance at Zack, and upon realising it was Simon who was responsible, she offered a cursory goodbye to the other lady and slotted back into place alongside Zack.

  “Now,” Simon said, leaning in closely as he led him in the direction of the exit. “There is a matter that I must discuss with you. But let me first express my obvious pleasure at seeing you with Sarah,” he said. Zack glanced at Sarah who suddenly appeared coy. To Zack, Simon’s pleasure seemed far less than obvious, and in fact, he thought the wishes were offered through gritted teeth. “But there are other duties which also call for your attention.” This sentence seemed at least in part for Sarah's benefit. He looked at her as he said it, and it seemed to suggest her presence was an unwelcome nuisance. When she made no attempt to leave, Simon continued, but not without first raising his eyebrows and rolling his eyes to express his discontent.

  “Such as?” Zack asked.

  “I know tomorrow is not a day when you're expected to go outside. But urgent matters press us, Mr. Christian, and we must deal with them in the urgent fashion which they call for. It's Gamma Tower.”

  Zack felt Sarah grip onto his hand a little tighter, as if the mere mention of another one of the towers was a threat.

  “What about Gamma Tower?” Zack asked.

  “Well, you see, it is like this. They are a feisty little bunch. It's a small place and they tend to get on top of each other. A bit like ants. It's exactly the opposite of what we have tried to create here. Here, Mr. Christian, we enjoy space, privacy, and the simple pleasure of living in a civilised society. However, it is not the case that we are more civilised than the others. They are still people and not ants, after all,” he giggled. “But let us just say that ten years is a long time during which civilisation can adapt. One person’s idea of civilised can mean quite something else to another.”

  “So what happened?”

  “Well, without the privileges that we enjoy here in Omega Tower, the people in the other towers tend to become, and I'm speaking only for Gamma Tower I assure you, somewhat wild. It's a problem, Mr. Christian, it really is. But, it isn't the first time, and I doubt very much that it'll be the last.” Simon ushered them into a waiting lift, the entrance doors of which were held by two Guardians. The doors closed amid rumblings of discontent from the waiting crowd who had been prevented from entry, and they began their ascent to level seventeen.

  “What do you mean ‘won’t be the last time’? What has happened?” Sarah was still clinging to Zack and he shook his hand free. She remained at his side like a terrified child.

  “Well, they have their own ideas, Zachary. You can’t prevent it, as much as we might like to. This time it is proving difficult to get the situation back under control. The road network in the local region has been compromised. It is a
volatile area and there are constant collapses. Yes, let’s call them that. Collapses.” Simon had the look of somebody not entirely convinced by his own words, and nodded his head energetically as if to counteract his uncertainty.

  “Your team will be required tomorrow. Normally, Zachary, I wouldn't expect you to have to go with such a motley bunch on this type of duty, but if you wouldn't mind, they could really do with your expertise. You’d be there in a just-in-case fashion, of course. They wouldn’t expect you to have to take any action. It’s just that getting to the tower might be somewhat difficult and your knowledge will assist the operation. You’ll be quite safe. I doubt you’ll even be required to get out of the van.”

  Zack felt Sarah’s spidery fingertips taking hold of his arm, and the weight of her body was pressed up against his. He pulled his arm away, but she held on. Her eyes were locked on his, just as Emily’s had been only moments ago. With a degree of reluctance she released her grip on his arm, settling for sliding her hand into his. His fingers didn’t intertwine with hers like they should have, and instead they hung flaccidly as she held on tight.

  “Whatever. What difference does it make to me?”

  “That's the spirit, Zachary. Oh, our good President, I knew you wouldn't let us down. I just knew that you would turn out to be a good choice.” Simon gave Zack a quick slap on the back. His hand lingered, sliding down to his waist. Just before he let go he gave Zack a quick squeeze in the lower back. “Be ready for five in the morning.” The lift peeled open on level fifteen and Simon stepped out. He looked smug and satisfied. “Let's catch them unawares, eh!”

  Zack turned to Sarah, whose face had turned as white as her outfit. Her eyes were wide, her mouth sealed shut. She looked like she was about to be sick, and another synaptic burst of fear from the past washed over Zack. Sickness, plus woman, plus unprotected sex. There were parts of his brain waking up that he wished would go back to sleep. Please don't be pregnant, he thought to himself.

  “What's wrong, Sarah? Why won’t you let go of me?” He snatched his hand away. He took a step back as the lift began to climb again.

  She was shaking her head. “Nothing.”

  “Sorry, Sarah, but you look as white as a sheet, and you are gripping onto me as if we are in outer space or something. Tell me what is wrong.”

  She swallowed hard. “It’s just, you going to Gamma. Just the thought of it is enough to make me nervous.” She looked at her feet, twiddled her fingers together.

  “Why? What is it about Gamma that makes you like this?”

  “Everything in the Barrens is a risk, Zack. I know that. I know that Beta carries a constant risk of exposure. I know about the drugs they have in Delta.” She took a quick sideways glance as if she knew something about his past but didn’t want to say it out loud. He avoided her gaze, knowing whatever she was thinking was probably not far from the truth. “But Gamma? Gamma is something else.” She took his hand and they left the lift, moving silently back to their quarters. There were crowds of people milling around in the corridors, and plenty of people heading towards the Community Level. Zack turned to Sarah and opened his mouth to speak, but she gave him a quick shake of the head as if to tell him, ‘not now’. They got lost in the buzz of excitement that the Adoration of Life ceremony had injected into the residents. They were all rejoicing, chatting with neighbours they usually avoided, praising children who would normally be told to calm down and act appropriately. By the time they had manoeuvred through the crowds Zack was set to burst. They arrived at the door to Sarah’s bedroom, and after a quick check to see there was nobody behind him Zack blurted out another question before she could tell him no.

  “What do you mean, Sarah? How is Gamma Tower something else?” She brushed her hair away from her forehead. A light film of sweat had developed and her cheeks had flushed pink. She closed the door behind them and walked over to the kitchenette.

  “Good afternoon, Miss Fletcher.” The Unity Panel had woken up and Sarah tipped her head back in exasperation.

  “Sleep. Sleep. Sleep,” she said in quick succession. The Unity Panel turned a milky, almost transparent white before Providing Your Future appeared from within the mist.

  “Well?” prompted Zack.

  “They are troublemakers. Every time we control them they find a new way to cause trouble. It's the Drifters, you see. They are the real problem. The Drifters found a way to infiltrate the tower, and once they had got in, all hell broke loose. When the residents of Gamma realised what was going on they lost faith, our good President. Cooperation was lost. They became wild, crazy. They don't know what's good for them anymore. You can’t consider them part of us anymore. I don’t know why we fight to keep them. If they weren’t there for energy, they would already be dealt with, I’m sure of it.”

  Zack walked over the kitchenette and pulled two cups from the overhead cupboard as Sarah set a pot of water to boil. She pulled some chamomile leaves and jasmine petals from a metal pot and dropped them into the water.

  “So what do you mean? How are they no longer part of us?” he was trying to be calm, talk in a rational and understanding tone. He had done this time and time again with Samantha. There weren’t many tantrums or fights that he hadn’t been able to resolve.

  “Of course they're part of us. We still rely on them just like they rely on us.”

  “But you just said,” Zack began, but before he could finish his sentence she had interrupted him.

  “Forget what I said. I was exaggerating. That’s just how I feel, not the reality of the Republic. We still provide them with what they need. We are not monsters, Zack. But they have crazy ideas. Weird beliefs.” She pulled the cups in front of her and Zack sat down behind her on the Scottish tartan chairs. She turned to face him, her hands stretched out backwards, clinging to the granite counter. Trails of steam rose behind her.

  “They think it's possible that everybody can just walk out from their towers and live a normal life. They were corrupted by the Drifters who live in the Barrens. Before that they had stability. Security.” She turned and poured the tea into the cups. Without asking she spooned some honey into Zack’s drink and sat down opposite him. “The Conservators have been very patient, but they have to acknowledge that this group of people are becoming more and more of a risk. A risk to us, Zack. Goodness knows what they've done to the road now that they need you to go out with them. What they don’t see is that if they cut us off they have no other option for the future. That's the problem outside of the towers, Zack. People don't realise that the tower is the better option. Everybody always talks about freedom and how they crave it.” She hushed her voice to a whisper. “Even here you will find people who crave the unknown because of some sentimental pull to the past. The freedom to do whatever they want, whenever they want. But at what cost, Zack? They think they are freedom fighters, but what they don’t realise is that freedom is exactly what they will be fighting if they make it outside.”

  “But don't they think it's still winter? In Delta we didn't know that the outside world was safe.”

  “No, they don't believe that any more. I don't know this for a fact, but I heard that The Drifters hacked the SSP and that the feed failed.”

  “The Scenic Simulation Programming?”

  “Yes. There's a way to do it. Something in the sublevels. Every tower's got a basement with a plant room. The Drifters hacked the program and that's when all hell broke loose, and it has never really got under control again. As soon as they realised that the sun shone in the sky they tried to get outside. We tried to help them, but they had become wild.” She took a sip of her tea and then sat back while Zack considered what she had told him. “I heard they are cannibals,” she added.

  “That is ridiculous. Cannibals? Are you serious now?”

  “I'm serious, Zack. Tomorrow, you be careful. Stay in the van. Don't get out unless they make you. We cut them off for months and they survived. How else do you think that they managed that?”

  �
�I'm only going to help them with the road. I'll be fine. Don't worry.”

  It was incredible how quickly they had fallen into a routine. They sat in silence for a while after that drinking their calming herbal tea. When Sarah was quiet it gave him a moment to think back to Emily, her hand raised and lips moving as she tried to communicate with him. What was it that she had been trying to say? She desperately wanted to talk to him, to say something. But what was it?

  “What are you thinking?” Zack was pulled back from distraction by Sarah's words. She had kicked off her shoes and had a look in her eye that made him feel that there were expectations of him. What was he supposed to be thinking? Not about Emily, that was for sure. He had seen the way Sarah locked on him when there was communication between him and Emily.

  “Sorry?”

  “I asked what you are thinking. You look in a daze.”

  To admit that he was thinking about Emily seemed like a betrayal. The necessity for dishonesty was another throwback from the past, and as he heard the lie leave his lips, even he was surprised by how convincing he sounded.

  “Just thinking about Gamma, and how you said they were wild.” This seemed to satisfy Sarah and she smiled at him, setting down her teacup on the small glass table. She stood up and took his hand, leading him to the bed. She crouched down, never once looking away from his eyes. She fiddled at his shoes until she pulled them off. She did the same to his trousers. She pulled his tunic over his head and then pushed him gently onto the bed. He felt like a soldier back from war who couldn't make sense of the life to which he had returned. She lay down next to him and stroked his face. Her hands were as soft as silk.