The Gate

by Jennifer N Hibbert

  She was amazed at the new accommodation. She’d expected the houses to be sterile like the spaceship, devoid of plants, non-metal furniture and any sense of homeliness. While the rooms were certainly spotless like those on the ship and built with similar metal walls, there were no pipes, grooved metal panels or harsh lighting; rather, the houses were similar to ones on Earth. They even had a few pictures of flowers in frames hanging on the walls. These had been designed to make the occupants feel as comfortable as possible.

  Carrol looked around her one-bed apartment, which had its own balcony. The décor was minimal yet nice. The compact living room included a simple sofa and a chair, which were tucked in the corners. There was a small kitchen close to the back door that led to the balcony; the kitchen was equipped with all the normal utensils and appliances.

  She opened the fridge to find a few ready-made meals stacked on the shelves. She read their labels and realised she was very hungry. After heating a meal in the microwave, she relaxed in her new living room, imagining what the rest of her life would be like. Her only worry was loneliness, which had already fallen over her like a heavy black cloak.

  She moved into her bedroom, adjoining which was a small bathroom. She had a warm shower and got dressed in her PJs from her wardrobe, which was full of clothes just as in the camp. All things considered, her new home was much nicer than she’d expected and she was looking forward to seeing the city in daylight the next morning.

  Carrol lay in bed, trying to fall asleep. Her bedside lamp was still on when she heard a noise coming from the bathroom. She looked up and saw a swirl of movement on the wall.

  Suddenly, Zatol appeared in the middle of her bedroom. ‘Are you asleep yet?’ he asked.

  Carrol jumped to her feet. ‘No! Not at all! Where have you been hiding all this time? I was worried about you! I have so many questions,’ she said with a broad smile, expecting him to reciprocate her excitement. Certainly, she wasn’t going to make the same mistake as last time when she’d hugged him because she had missed him so much.

  ‘I was in the walls. I told you before that you shouldn’t worry about me,’ he said gently.

  ‘I was mostly concerned about how you would leave the ship without being caught. Anyway, the most important thing is that you’re okay. It’s nice to see you again,’ she said.

  ‘Are you happy now that you’re here? How was the rest of your journey?’ he asked.

  She became quiet and her face sagged with tears; some of which dropped on her cheeks. Zatol stood still for few seconds before moving closer to her. ‘What’s the matter? What happened to you?’

  ‘Would you believe that I haven’t seen Jerry since the last time I saw you? He just disappeared. I’ve been so sad ever since. We got on so well and I really liked him. It wasn’t like we fell out or anything like that; he just suddenly stopped coming to see me. It’s possible his parents saw us together and stopped him from spending any more time with me, but I don’t know. I never found out where his room was so I couldn’t visit him,’ Carrol said. ‘One day I waited outside the canteen to look for him. You should’ve seen how I disgraced myself in front of that troublemaker group. I fell flat on my face and they all started laughing, although the girl did try to help. I think her name is Monica. Anyway, after that incident I couldn’t stand to see anyone. I pretty much spent the last two weeks of the trip in my room.’

  ‘Who is in that group?’ Zatol asked.

  ‘They’re a bunch of four boys and a girl. They like making fun of people,’ she said.

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. So what are you going to do now?’

  ‘I don’t know. I guess I’ll wait until everyone settles in and then I’ll try to find Jerry.’

  ‘I think that’s a good idea,’ he replied.

  Carrol dried her eyes. ‘I’ll go out tomorrow to see the city. I’m sure it will be amazing. We couldn’t see much this evening and I’m looking forward to exploring. How about you?’

  Zatol was deep in thought. He edged out of the bedroom into the living room. The light from the bedroom shone through to the living room because the door was open. Curious, Carrol followed him. Zatol walked silently around the room as if he was carrying out an extensive search but without actually touching or lifting anything.

  ‘Are you all right?’ she asked.

  ‘Who? Me? Of course, I’m all right. Why do you ask?’

  ‘You don’t seem to be settled,’ she explained. She tossed her long black hair back and quickly swept it into a bun with the band she wore around her wrist. ‘So, you’re on Mars now. Have you found what you were looking for?’

  ‘Oh no, not yet, but I will find it. Not to worry; there’s plenty of time,’ he answered.

  ‘If you don’t mind me asking, what exactly are you looking for?’ she asked, as though it was the first time, she’d ever posed the question.

  ‘Well, as I said, it’s a secret. Besides, it’s nothing that concerns you. However, I promise that once I find it I’ll tell you all about it.’

  Carrol was disappointed that he wasn’t going to let her in on the secret. She didn’t want to push the issue, worried that she would scare him away and he would stop coming to see her. ‘Will you visit me regularly while you’re still here?’ she asked instead. ‘If you ever need a place to rest, you know you’re always welcome. I figure there’s no point asking where you will stay, because you’ll be moving from wall to wall, right?’

  ‘Of course, I’ll come to see you whenever I’m free. But I think I’d better go; it’s my bedtime. You should get some sleep – tomorrow is a big day for you. I’ve seen the whole city and it’s very nice. I hope you enjoy discovering it,’ he said. He walked back towards the bathroom and disappeared into the wall.

  Carrol raised her hand and waved goodbye.

  She stayed indoors, assuming that the rest of the migrants would do the same as the organisers expected them to do. As soon as dawn broke, she looked out of the window; many people had taken to the streets, dressed in the normal clothes that had been provided for them. The sunrise was the most beautiful thing she’d ever witnessed: there was a clear sky with the most vivid yellow sun shining down.

  Close to nine, Carrol stepped out of her apartment to start sightseeing. The voices of people standing outside the house next door quickly drew her attention. She looked over then quickly looked away, almost stumbling over her own feet – it was the group of troublemakers, Martin, Koi and Morgan. They live next door! She immediately wanted to run back inside, hoping they hadn’t noticed her. Maybe they’re just visiting someone, she thought, but then she saw Morgan lock the front door.

  My life will be a living hell if I have to encounter them on a regular basis. Maybe when everyone has settled in, I’ll go to the citizen’s advice centre to see if I can move house and get as far away as possible, she thought.

  She started walking into the city with her head down. Trying to lighten her mood, she focused on feeling the warm sun on her skin. It was not too hot, just warm enough to be enjoyed. This is really nice, she thought and started to feel better.

  The handbook included a lot of information about how to survive on their new planet; most importantly, it told the migrants how to walk around the city safely. Street signs displayed the same information and reminded them to be careful.

  Carrol’s eyes darted around. The front door of each house was accessed by a staircase that had a handrail on both sides. The houses lined the road and each one had a garden in front. As far as she could see, they had gardens at the back too. The surroundings looked and felt familiar, like on Earth, except that anything freestanding, such as flower pots, outside furniture or garden ornaments, was secured with a metal basket and bolted to the concrete.

  She spotted long poles with fishing nets secured to metal hooks on the front of every house and on many of the street corners; they were to catch anything, or anyone, that floated up into the air because of the lack of gravity. She stared at them for a while knowing that
their use was now real, unlike the props they had used for the exercises in the camp. Some of the other migrants were also admiring the poles. Perhaps they jogged their memory, since they had been trained for such a situation; it was one of the many survivals exercises they had taken part in. Now, staring them in the face, was the possibility that the poles could actually be used as a matter of life and death.

  When they arrived, the citizens had been given magnetic gloves and advised to wear them when walking around without a spacesuit to prevent them from floating. Magnetic handrails were situated along every pavement, and they were told to stay close to them. However, Carrol saw a number of migrants without their gloves, walking freely and not staying close to the rails.

  Carrol soon spotted the safe houses; every street seemed to have its own special shelter, with ‘Safe House’ written on the face board of the roof. She went inside a few shelters, each of which contained the essentials: thermos suits, oxygen masks and magnetic gloves. These were for anyone to use in case of a sudden change in air quality, thinner or less compressed air, or if the temperature dropped or increased without warning and someone was not wearing their spacesuit. Well, I must say the organisers were fully prepared for the migrants. They didn’t leave anything to chance, she thought.

  Wow, the purpose-built parks are also equipped with all the necessities to survive should there be a sudden change in atmosphere! she mused. The park had seat belts fastened to metal pegs on the ground and handrails were also dotted around.

  Shops, supermarkets and bars were equipped with protective devices. The outside seating areas used metal furniture that was securely fastened to the ground. It fascinated her and she stood for a while, observing. Special trays secured to the tables used magnets to keep the glasses, cups, plates and crockery from coming adrift in strong windstorms. All of the seats were fitted with seat belts while waiters and waitresses, who were part of the workforce, wore magnetic shoes to keep them steady on the magnetic floors of the restaurants and bars. She knew that all of the workers must be part of the workforce; Rogers and the commander had told them that when they arrived. It was a well-planned city, with almost everything accounted for, she concluded.

  Carrol knew that all these security measures were designed to enable the migrants to move around without wearing a spacesuit. According to the handbook, the suits were only intended for use when absolutely necessary.

  The city and its surroundings had been built to sustain its inhabitants. It looked beautiful, with flower displays planted in the centres of roundabouts and lots of trees and vegetation. She took in the skyscrapers, the many odd-shaped buildings, flying vehicles and tram tracks that ran along the middle of the roads. She and many of the other migrants spent hours walking around in awe, checking out their new environment.

  The urban centre was composed of office buildings, a bank, a hospital, a community centre, a police station, a prison, government offices, schools, restaurants and bars. The planners have gone to great lengths to create a city that looks like those on Earth, she thought. However, nothing can compare to the real thing that is the Earth. I still prefer Earth, she thought, which dampened her spirits a little.

  Seeing all these establishments made her wonder what kind of job she would end up doing. She’d never given it a thought before, but she realised the importance of thinking about it. The handbook said: ‘Migrants will be expected to earn a living by working in one of the establishments in the new city. They will receive support during the first year but they will have to fend for themselves after that.’ She told herself not to panic about getting work; there was plenty of time to find a job.

  Carrol spent the day trekking along the pavement touring the city. Some migrants rode on the tram, while others sat in the park, eating and drinking with family and friends. At midday, the streets were full of people moving in all directions; the city looked and felt like a busy tourist destination. At around three o’clock in the afternoon, the sun suddenly disappeared and there was a quick drop in temperature together with another strange phenomenon.

  *

  James Carna was also sightseeing. Suddenly, a nearby woman’s hair flew up towards the sky; men’s shirts began to billow out and a few loose items floated in the air. He saw a little boy walking behind his parents being swept off his feet and hover in mid-air. The boy started screaming. James realised that they were experiencing a massive loss of gravity because they were in space.

  He immediately grabbed the little boy’s hand and started shouting, ‘Everyone, hold onto the railings! There’s a loose gravitational pull!’

  Everyone realised what was happening, grabbed hold of the rails and told people nearby to do the same.

  James saw objects floating around, as well as a few people who hadn’t reacted in time. There was massive confusion as they screamed and cried out; they had panicked and forgotten everything they had been taught to do should such an incident occur. The organisers immediately started communicating with the migrants via the loudspeakers that were dotted along every street.

  ‘Attention, will all migrants please anchor yourselves to the metal rails. Remember to hold them steadily. We are assuming that you are all wearing your magnetic gloves, which will help to keep you secure. Use the giant nets to pull down anyone or anything floating in the air. Please ensure your own safety before helping anyone else. Thank you for listening.’ Immediately the migrants began to steady each other and pull down the nets.

  The programme organisers boarded their flying cars and started rescuing those who had risen higher up in the air. Before long, everyone had been rescued. Most were unharmed but the few with minor injuries from a rough landing were taken to the hospital.

  James could tell that everyone was shaken from their disturbed expressions. It had been a sobering experience, one that had reminded them of the realities and dangers of their new planet. Perhaps the similarity of this new city to those on Earth had lulled many of them into a false sense of security. James thought that this experience must have made them appreciate what they had taken for granted at home . . . like gravity.

  Another announcement resounded throughout the city, calling for all citizens to access a nearby safe house. The shelters filled very quickly and soon the streets were deserted.

  ‘Attention all Mars citizens, we’d like to extend our apologies to everyone affected directly or indirectly by the loss of gravity this afternoon. Regrettably, here on Mars gravity can turn in an instant and without warning. This is why all migrants are instructed never to leave home without wearing magnetic gloves.

  ‘We, the programme organisers, have worked tirelessly to create a city on Mars that is very similar to those upon our precious planet Earth. We have put in place the most advanced and complex technology to terraform a portion of this planet. However, some aspects will need to be continuously reassessed and updated, even with the progress we have made in stabilising the environment.

  ‘This is a very important part of this programme; you are all expected to work together to safeguard your own lives and the lives of others. When you return to your quarters today, please revisit the appropriate protocol for such gravitation incidents in your handbooks.

  ‘The loss of gravitational pull has now subsided and you may venture back outside. However, citizens are advised not to stay out too late, especially those who will be walking home. We would recommend using the electric tram, which covers every corner of the city, as this mode of transport is safe at all hours of the day and night. Please be careful when alighting, and use the handrails for support should you notice any change in gravity. Thank you for your attention. Take care.’

  James felt a chilling silence fill the air; people looked at each other with fear written all over their faces before departing from the safe houses and heading off silently in various directions. Some cautiously returned to what they had been doing, some eagerly headed home, and others walked straight to the bars for a stiff drink to calm their nerves.

  *
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  Martin and his group were among those who chose the bar. They’d experienced a lot in a very short space of time, not just the loss of gravitational pull but also another incident the previous night, after they’d been delivered to their house by the staff. They hadn’t told anyone about their adventure and carried on as normal; they didn’t want to perpetuate their reputation as troublemakers or get any more marks on their records. And, after all, outrageous happenings were what they’d signed up for.

  CHAPTER 20

  THE EVENT AT THE BOYS’ HOUSE

  The boys had been delivered safely to their house and helped out of their spacesuits. Martin had a quick look around their place before going out onto their balcony, followed by the other two young men. They soon settled into the seats provided. When a knock came at their door, Martin answered it and Monica and Chris walked in. They greeted Martin with hugs, welcoming him back, and their other friends left the balcony and came into the living room.

  ‘We heard you guys chatting and laughing and decided to join you. And we’ve not seen Martin for a long time. I really did miss you and all of your quirky ways,’ Monica said.

  ‘Plus, we were curious to hear every detail of how the incident started and ended, as well as what prison life was like,’ Chris said, smiling. He hugged Martin again, welcoming him back. ‘Man, tell me, what happened in that place?’

  The last time Martin had seen them was the day he’d fallen into the septic tank and been put in prison. He wore a self-mocking smile and stepped forward eagerly to relay the details of his ordeal.

  After more than a month in prison Martin looked pale and spent, like he would benefit from a week’s sleep, but he would have plenty of time now to recover from his weariness . . . if he could stay out of trouble. ‘Man, it was really hectic. I was lonely like crazy. You know, loneliness can break a man’s spirit,’ he said earnestly, searching for understanding from his friends. His demeanour showed that he had learnt lessons during his imprisonment. ‘If I’d been a prisoner of war with that amount of loneliness, I swear I would’ve told my captors everything I knew, just to be released.’