A Silence Heard

by Nicola McDonagh

  A boom, loud and fierce came through the comspeaker. All turned as another boom and shouts and screams were heard. We all lifted our heads, stared at the hanging screen and saw smoke billowing out from the pyramid. Black robed Agros with sharp and blunt weapons raced into it. Then we heard the sound of young ‘uns wailing.

  “Enough,” Eadgard said.

  Brennus slammed down the com lid and the image disappeared.

  A murmur arose from all in the room.

  I looked at those that had come with us from the silo. The ones I had sung to, friend and foe alike, frowned, shook their heads, and then backed away from me.

  “What gives?”

  The newly cured Agro wounded, moved slowly and clumped together by the elevator door. Brennus growled. “Thoughts have come back tae us, little warrior. Ye song has lost its power.”

  I gulped.

  “Wirt and the little ‘uns,” Kendra said.

  Eadgard turned to me. “Do you think you are ready to go into battle?”

  “Not sure if I ever will be, but we have no time for goosebump fright.”

  “How are we tae get above? The door is sealed,” Brennus said and stared at Hildegunnr.

  “What is done can be undone.” Hildegunnr took the disc from her pocket, aimed it at the door and swiped it up and down. The metal sizzled for a sec, then opened.

  “Stay where ye are,” Brennus said to the Agro guards that were attempting to cram their five bodies into the rising and falling room.

  “Eadgard, do ye have some bindings tae secure these quivering dolts.”

  “Set them onto a bed or two and I will tie them tight.”

  Brennus puffed his mighty chest out and walked towards the guards. He pointed at the beds opposite them and like naughty kiddles in bub class, they trotted off to said sleeping berth and sat upon it in a neat row. Eadgard pulled some pieces of binding material from his leg trouser pocket and handed some to Kendra.

  “Hold out your hands,” he said to the frown-faced Agros.

  They did and both he and Kendra wound the white cord around each of the guard’s wrists and ankles. “Sure that flimsy looking cord will hold them?”

  “Absolutely sure, Adara. You see if they try to remove it or struggle too much, the cord tightens and cuts deep into the flesh and bone.”

  “Goodly bond.”

  “That it is. Now, go to your bro.”

  I walked over to Deogol, who was bent over a flickering screen, and touched his shoulder. He stiffened and turned to me. “Managed to encode the comps with a buggalugs that should disarm the info in their weapon data bank. I need only press this remote and that should be that. It will only work once, then they will have access back.”

  “What is it with you Meeks and this one time only thing? Can you not make it so that it can be used many times over?”

  Deogol looked at me as though I were an ancient and said very slowly, “Because the programme in their weapons is quite sophisticated. Meaning that it will quickly adapt to any jumbling of its data. Even if we could concoct a device that was able to continuously scupper the coded software, said info would adjust rendering such a thing useless.”

  “Oh.”

  With a sigh, he continued to tip-tap as though I no longer existed. I turned away from him and saw Eadgard rummaging around the busted furniture. He stood and brandished a large piece of metal. “Let us go. Grab anything that could be used to harm.”

  Folk did not hesitate and scrambled on the floor, snatching up bits of broken bed frames, chairs and comp consoles. Hildegunnr went to her assistants who did not join in with arming themselves. They stood head bowed, staring at the floor.

  “We do not know the ways of combat, but we do know how to defend ourselves and those who need defending. She took her lightcure stick from her breast pocket and said, “Come, it is time to fight. Lift your heads and do as I do.” The medi-staff raised their noggins, looked to one another and took their cure sticks from their pockets.

  “Turn them onto max. They will cut like a thorn on that setting.”

  “Gather one and all,” Eadgard said, and we assembled by the entrance.

  “What about us?” Hacket said. “Are you just going to leave us here? I mean what about Pratt?”

  “See to him yourself, my dear. We have another problem to attend to,” Kendra said, and along with Eadgard, stepped into the elevator. Brennus took it upon himself to supervise the ascent, gave each a number and up they went in pairs. I stayed with him and when all had gone, walked into the lifting room. Brennus joined me and as the doors closed, I saw Edwena kneel beside Pratt and lift his head onto her lap.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Into The Fray

  There was a yellow moon, full and bright. The air hummed with a distant noise. It was a mournful sound not unlike that of a bub all lost and alone. For a moment, everything was still.

  We stood in the overgrown alleyway above the medi-lab not knowing what to expect, or what to do. The sound of Agro footsteps that had been so loud on the comps, was but a far-off murmur. Eadgard peered into the darkening landscape. He stood close and spoke softly into my ear. “We have no notion of what harm, Wirt and the others have sustained. We are ready for battle but my concern is for those that are behind us. They are not fighters.”

  My heart thumped hard and fast. I looked to the Meeks and the med folk, and judging by the expression of anxiousness upon their faces, knew that they too feared the worst. Eadgard walked forward and we followed.

  He stopped for a moment, bent down, fumbled amongst the debris and picked up a large rock. He held it high and said, “Our weapons may be crude, but what we lack in fire power, we more than make up for in conviction of purpose.”

  His words sang like the first birdybirds of spring. Like said melody, it was uplifting and raised our spirits. Kendra and Brennus hooted and held high their rudimentary clubs. I joined in and the Meeks and meds did too.

  “Onwards,” Eadgard shouted and strode along the rough track.

  Brennus bounded after him and Kendra took hold of Esme’s hand. I tried to do the same with my bro, but he snatched it from me and marched alone. I hurried after him and turned to see Hildegunnr spur her folk on with a fist punch in the air. She ran and they followed, and we all raced up the narrow, unkempt path and out onto the smooth tracks by the silo buildings.

  We readily gathered around Eadgard and Brennus, for they emitted a feel of safe and purpose. For a reason I cannot tell, my attention was drawn away form them and up to the windowed silo. The big guns that protruded from it were gone. The clogging smoke was nowhere to be seen. In short, it appeared as if nowt horrid had occurred.

  Yet, the ground around the pathways was churned up as though many feet had trudged across it. Eadgard followed my gaze and squatted down. He put his hand upon the troubled earth and dug his fingernails into it. He lifted some soil high above his head and shouted, “This land is ours.” He stood, turned to face the gathered folk and let the muck fall. “Agros have stolen what should have been for all. Now is the time to take it back. Are you with me?”

  I have never heard the word, “Yes,” spoken with such force. The volume and emotion that came from all mouths in response to Eadgard’s ask, was thunderous. A wash of enthusiasm drowned out any second thoughts or qualms about what must be done. I was filled with purpose and punched the air with my fist.

  “Yes,” I said and was echoed by the rest.

  A trembling silence ensued and without the need for further instructions, we readied ourselves for combat.

  In one long line we marched towards the pyramid building in the distance, prepared to do whatever it took to overthrow the Agros and save those that could be saved. The steady tramping of our feet was invigorating in the extreme. As one rhythmic force, we marched. As one small army, we could be defeated, but not today.

  The darkness seemed to follow us as we sped on. The light fading with each step we took. I raised my head, winked at sister moon and thanked
her for providing us with enough brightness to see our way. Hildegunnr tapped her forehead, chest and either shoulder. “Keep us safe BabyCheesus.”

  I was never one for prayer and could not rightly say who or what I believed in. But I knew that asking for help from some greater being at this moment in time was the right thing to do.

  Curious that the nearer we got to the building where Wirt and the Meeks waited, the less sound of conflict there was. My gut twisted some and I tried to shake off the feeling of dread that clung to my ankles, by humming a bedtime tune that Santy Breanna used to sing when sleep would not come. Deogol must have heard for I felt his hand in mine. “Too quiet Sis. Something is amiss.”

  I put my arm around him. “Do not fret bro, we are strong.”

  “And you?”

  “I too, for as long as I need to be.”

  He sighed and we walked slower as if walking through mud.

  We trundled forward across the gravelled pathway that led to the building, spread out wide like the wings of a raptor in full flight. A cloud passed over the moon and darkness fell so hard that we were forced to halt. I blinked a few times and could just make out the pyramid. It was but a few paces off and I guessed my bro saw how near it was too, for he squeezed my hand then let go.

  The cloud lifted. I looked down the line of makeshift soldiers and saw them clutch at their weapons. Eadgard stood in front of us and gestured for all to gather close around him. We did and he spoke, “This could be a trap. What we saw and heard on the Agro comp does not match up with this here and now. Deogol, hand Adara the remote. No, do not protest, you and the other Meeks must linger behind. If things get worse, you run back to the medi-lab.” He turned to me and continued, “You cannot use your voice in there whilst our folk still prevail.”

  Hildegunnr snorted and folded her arms. “After all the work I did. You could at least try. What use are you if you cannot sing. It is your gift, the thing that defines you.”

  What? Really? Am I just a walking voicebox to be switched on when needed? What about my training in all things fisticuffs? I was going to say, but my bro stepped in front of me and opened his gob. “Leave her be. My sis needs to save her strength. Can you not see how pale and…”

  I feared he would say something to draw attention to my physical decline, which would put minds in scare mode, so I interrupted his would be yammerings. “My bro is too protective. I am without decline, but I cannot risk harming our loved ones by using my gift, Hildegunnr. When the opportunity arises, though, be sure I will sing until I have no voice left,” I said to all the disappointed faces.

  “No one doubts your conviction, Adara. Deogol, give your sis that device.” Eadgard nudged his elbow.

  Deogol, a sulk upon his gob, dug into his pants pocket and handed me the contraption. “There is only one button. Even you cannot make a mistake when pressing it. Remember, it can only be used once. So make it count.”

  I took it from him and bent to kiss his cheek. He turned his head away and sloped off towards Kendra. The rest of the little ‘uns joined him and stood behind her. I gulped and Eadgard nodded to Brennus, then both males turned and headed towards the entrance. I looked over my shoulder at Kendra and the others and gave them a grin. They did not return my smile. Too a-feared and unable to hide it, they just stared all blank-like at the dreaded building. With a fast-beat heart, I followed Eadgard and Brennus to the pyramid door.

  It was open.

  The brave males stopped at the threshold. I stood between them and stared through the gap. It was black as a crow’s wing inside and I could not see very much, except for dark lumpy shapes strewn on the floor. Eadgard put his finger to his lips and stepped all cautious like inside.

  Brennus followed and so did I, clutching the device in my hand. I lingered by the entrance wall, remembering how Esme had stroked it and provided us with illumination. I swiped my palm along and down it, and on came a bright light revealing a scene of brutal skirmishing.

  The blobs that I had seen from outside were broken and bloodied bodies, mainly of Agros, but young ‘uns too and insurgents from all quarters. My fingers twitched around the weapon disarmer I held in my palm. I hurried to stand next to Brennus and Eadgard, who had come to an abrupt halt by the spiral staircase. They looked up and I followed their gaze. The hatch was ajar and the room above dark. Upon the steps, Agro guards lay, twisted and torn. My mouth went dry as I opened my lips and called, “Wirt?”

  There came a shuffling sound from behind and I quickly turned. My friend appeared from behind one of the large grain containers. He limped towards us, his face and arms streaked with blood. He held Aiken’s cudgel in both hands and swung it before him as if swatting at gnats. I rushed to greet him, but it was as if he did not see me. He stopped by a fallen Agro and began to stomp upon his chest.

  “Wirt?” I said and touched him on the shoulder.

  He ceased his foot ramming’s, looked at me without recognition for a sec, then said, “What are ye all waiting for? Kill them all!”

  I stared at his contorted mouth and angry eyes, and for a moment could not see my comrade behind this mask of hate. “Wirt?”

  “For the Greenman’s sake, attack. Attack now!” He pushed past me and ran to where Brennus and Eadgard stood. He grabbed our Backpacker friend by the wrist. “Kill them. Come on, ye must kill them.”

  Eadgard let my battle weary friend drag him a few paces, then he stopped. Wirt pulled and pulled but when Eadgard refused to budge, he let him go. Letting the club dangle from his left hand, he gripped onto his hair with the other and turned to me. “They are relentless and brutal. Ye song, the one that made us forget our past and present, it ceased working and we began to remember. Those that helped us hide the kiddles, turned on them. They have slain some young ‘uns. Why do ye stand and do nowt? Kill them before they come to their senses.”

  “Wirt, they are quite dead, ” I said and reached for his hand. He stepped back and held Aiken’s cudgel above his head.

  “If ye will not do what must be done, then I will.” He ran to the stairs and began to smash down on skull after skull.

  “Stop him. He has lost all sense.”

  “Nay, lassie. I’ll not stop him. Leave him be. He’ll soon tire.” Brennus walked all calm like over to Wirt, who was indeed beginning to slow his swipes.

  Turning from the sight of bone and brain that splattered the floors and walls, I saw shadows at the entrance. Kendra and the others entered. They stared at the bodies on the ground. I held up my hands to prevent them coming nearer and witnessing the gruesome spectacle of Wirt on the staircase.

  Kendra gleaned that something was wrong and shushed the kiddles away to the side of a grain storer. Eadgard went to them and I turned back to see Brennus take the club from a weeping Wirt, and lead him away from the steps. He slumped to the ground, his head in his hands. I knelt beside him and between his sobs, heard a clang of feet on metal.

  I stood and saw a Meek walking all wobble-like down the stairs. He was covered in red and gore and headed over to me. He crouched next to us, took my hand and pointed at Wirt. “Nuncle Wirty saved us. With the man, he called Aiken. They kicked out rungs of the stairs so that the meanies below could not climb up. But some did, so he gave us bits of metal and we shoved them into flesh again and again.”

  I felt the little ‘un’s hand tremble.

  “Where are the others?”

  The Meek tilted his chin ceiling-wards. “Up there, with Aiken, and some other ‘dults.” The kiddle screwed up his eyes and I felt as though I had swallowed a stone.

  Brennus squatted beside me, handed me the club and took the little ’un’s hands in his. I saw a look of tenderness in his eyes that seemed to calm the Meek, for he let the big male pull him close and pick him up. “Come wi me laddie.”

  “Cenwig,” the kiddle said.

  “Come wi me, Cenwig. I know a lass that has a magic stick. She’ll make ye all better,” he said and carried the Meek to Hildegunnr.

  I rea
ched down and touched Wirt on the head. He looked up and wiped his face, then stood. He stared around the room as if he had not seen it before, rubbed his cheeks and said, “These guards, not so many, but enough to do much harm. I tried, Aiken tried, the others too, before they remembered who they were. I thought we’d prevail, but…” his voice went all-high and he stopped.

  “Just guards,” I said and let my mind go back to what I saw on the medi-lab comps. “Pratt showed us images of many Agros storming this place. We saw huge explosions and the like and thought to find much scenes of battle. The Agros were messing with our noggins, for these are clearly not soldiers.”

  Wirt frowned and gestured to the lifeless bods that lay around. I swallowed and saw his gentle features coarsen. He bent close and whispered, “They killed kiddles.”

  I thought that he was crying again, for I heard the sound of sniffing. Wirt swung around and raced to the staircase. “Why do we stand like dead trees as if nowt can be done? Are ye made of bark? Are ye out of all senses? Alive! Do ye see? Hey! Here, come quick,” he said and waved to Eadgard and the others.

  Brennus arrived first, then Eadgard, Kendra and Hildegunnr. I stepped onto the rung where Wirt stood and lifted my head. A pair of wide eyes stared at me from the open hatch at the top. I recognised the face that peered down, Elita, Marcellus’s sis. I gave a great gasp and leapt up the stairs, closely followed by the others. I reached the opening and paused. Elita lowered her gaze.

  “Do not come in.”

  “Do not be afraid,” I said and held out my hand. She backed away at the sight of the bloodied stick I held at my side and became lost in the blackness of the room. I turned and handed the thing to Eadgard, who passed it back to Wirt. My friend clasped onto it. I looked up to the opening but saw nowt.

  “I have a light stick in my leg pocket,” Eadgard said. I felt his breath on my hair and despite its warmth, goose bumps pip-popped all over my flesh.