by T. C. Edge
“Well, he was there for your celebration ceremony,” says Mary, steepling her fingers and arching her eyes to the ceiling in thought. “Before then…hmmm, Lucy, any ideas?”
Lucy considers the question, equally pensive.
“I think he appeared a few years ago, during the re-opening of some building…” she starts.
Jeez. Years…
“Hmmmm, what was it,” she continues. “Ah yes, the City Guard Headquarters, that’s it. He was, after all, the Commander of the City Guard before he took up the Director’s chair.”
Interesting. I guess that makes sense, what with his Darwinian way of thinking. The strong rule the weak and all that. Any Commander of the City Guard is likely to think along such lines.
“Ah yes,” says Mary. “That’s right. The entire Consortium were there. I have heard that Commander Fenby is going to be coming down soon as well to address the City Guard, given what’s been happening recently.”
“Commander Fenby?” I ask. “He’s the Commander of the City Guard now, is he?”
“Oh yes, and a member of the Consortium. He’s been Commander for some time now, many years. He liaises often with Deputy Commander Burns, who handled your ceremony. Obviously, you’ve met him…”
Yeah, more than a few times.
“So he’s coming down to speak to the City Guard? When?” I ask.
“Oh, a few days’ time I believe,” answers Mary. “He’ll most likely address them in the main square outside the High Tower, from the balcony. The same one the Consortium watched from during your ceremony. I have to say, Brie, it must have been such an honour for you to have seen them all when you accepted that plaque. It’s obvious that they’re attempting to put on a united front with all these attacks going on in Outer Haven.”
It takes everything I have not to huff loudly and blurt out the truth. I have to bite my tongue just to stay silent.
“But yes, the other 11 members of the Consortium venture down here occasionally,” concludes Lucy. “Especially if there’s some important event going on regarding their particular area of expertise. The Director, however, primarily keeps to the summit. Why the interest, anyway, Brie?”
I shrug as nonchalantly as I can, and put on a false smile.
“Oh…I’m just eager to learn all about this place,” I say. “I think that’s important if I’m going to be living here.”
They nod their understanding, and I have to look away to avoid making further eye contact, my mind swimming with such different thoughts. I spread my gaze across the level, time now ticking along towards lunch, and feel a jolt of nerves stab at my core at the sight that greets me.
Short grey hair. Check.
Black eyes. Check.
A rigid, upright, robotic walk. Check.
Agent Romelia Woolf is walking right towards me.
3
The change in my disposition is immediate, and enough to garner some concern from my new companions.
“Are you OK, Brie,” says Mary. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”
“Yes, you’ve gone all pale,” adds Lucy. “What’s wrong?”
I avert my eyes quickly from Agent Woolf as she covers the space between us, looming larger with every passing second. Yet, the two women have clearly noted the direction of my gaze, and turn to review the incoming lady for themselves.
Clearly, they’re aware of who she is, her reputation preceding her.
“Agent Woolf,” mumbles Mary quietly, turning back to me. “Have you had some dealings with her?” she queries.
I nod in abbreviated fashion.
“She was investigating a boy from my academy,” I say, head low. “Have you ever had a Mind-Manipulator in your head?”
The two women provide the same answer. “Only briefly,” they say.
“It’s not pleasant, is it,” I add.
They both shake their heads.
My sunken countenance is plenty to get them onside, and perhaps help me ingratiate myself further with them. Lucy reaches across and grabs my arm, setting a firm expression on her face.
“It’s OK, Brie, I’m sure she’s just coming to say hello.”
I very much doubt that…
We don’t have to wait too long to find out. Within moments, the flat disposition of Agent Woolf is upon us, the woman swaying her eyes across our little gathering before zeroing in on me. The atmosphere she brings along for the ride is enough to set a chill to our little table.
Naturally, however, the two women beside me are required to rise to their feet and perform the little bow of courtesy that begins all such greetings. After all, they’re only Unenhanced, and Agent Woolf is a high ranking Savant.
They don’t say anything, however, and wait to be spoken to, if at all. The agent clearly sees no need whatsoever in wasting her time.
Instead, her shark-eyes fix on me and refuse to leave, and I’m forced to also stand and bow in her direction, much as it pains me to do so. As soon as I make eye contact, I can feel her creeping into my mind, surveying my thoughts. And right now, I’m still thinking about Commander Fenby, the Consortium, and most importantly, Director Cromwell.
“Good afternoon, Brie,” begins Agent Woolf with her usual dry tone. “It seems your courtship with Mr Shaw was a swift affair.”
I nod but don’t answer, trying to avoid her death-stare.
“How are you finding it here in the High Tower?” she continues, turning to a question that requires a verbal response. “This must be, what, your second day here?”
“Yes, Agent Woolf,” I say. “I got married yesterday. I like it here…”
I’m too flustered to deceive her, to set such thoughts into my head. With a flash of momentary eye contact, I know she can see the truth. See that I’m not enjoying it here at all.
I look away again, and try to compose myself.
“Congratulations on your marriage,” drones Agent Woolf. “I’m sure you’ll find your place here eventually. Perhaps you could become a carer in one of the nurseries?”
She delivers the questions with some disdain, her eyes once more passing over Mary and Lucy. For all her distinct lack of emotion, her contempt for the Unenhanced is something that is clearly inbuilt in her empty shell of a body.
“Don’t the two of you work in the nurseries?” the agent continues, looking to my two compatriots.
Mary is the one to answer: “Yes, Agent Woolf, that’s correct.”
“Well, it’s good to see that the next generation of Savants is in such good hands.”
There’s a growing arrogance about her, clearly displayed by the total lack of warmth to her words. The two ladies cower a little, receding into their shells as the agent dips into their minds, no doubt feeling their thoughts of fear and dislike towards her.
If anything, I suspect that helps feed her. It’s probably exactly how she wants to be viewed.
Her eyes swing back to mine.
“Well, Brie, I’m sure that would be a role suited to you,” she says. “As long as you become a permanent resident here, that is.”
Her eyes shine a little brighter as she concludes the sentence. I hold my focus and stop from entering her mind, despite a desperation to do so. Does she know something? Has she seen something?
“That’s the plan,” I say. “I’d be honoured to work in the nurseries. What better calling than to help nurture the next generation?”
I turn to Mary and Lucy with a smile, a bid to help make them relax and show them, unequivocally, that I’m on their side and willing to come to their defence.
“That’s good to hear, Brie.” Woolf’s words are positively oozing now. “I won’t keep you from your discussion, though.” She turns to leave, before swivelling abruptly. “One more thing, Brie. I’m sure you know this already, but there’s a brand new directive that’s only just come into service. It will require your immediate attention.”
My pulse thunders momentarily.
“What directive?”
“Well,
the risk of hybrids has become such a burden recently, that the Consortium have seen fit to test every new resident of the High Tower, and Inner Haven in general, for their genetic work…”
My heart nearly stops. It takes every fibre of me to maintain my composure.
“You see, some people have old Enhanced blood that they don’t even know about flowing through their veins. It may never manifest, but it’s always possible that a child may be passed the genes, and end up a hybrid. Of course, I’m sure you have nothing to worry about, but you will need to be checked nonetheless.”
She works up the slightest hint of a satisfied smile.
She knows something. She has to…
“Anyway, I’ll let your new friends fill you in on the rest. Good day to you, ladies.”
The agent turns and stamps off, and the two women to my flanks let out a collective sigh.
“My goodness,” remarks Mary. “I’ve heard things about that woman, but hearing is one thing, and seeing another. She’s so very intense…”
“That she is,” adds Lucy. “I feel sorry for you, Brie, having to deal with her.”
I feel both of them looking at me, but merely stare after Agent Woolf as she drifts off out of sight. My heart is now clattering at a pace that’s making me nauseous, my head starting to spin.
“Brie, she’s gone now, it’s OK,” says Mary. “And all that stuff about the gene testing, it’s nothing to concern yourself with. It’s extremely rare for anyone, particularly an Unenhanced, to have any old Enhanced blood.”
“Yeah, don’t look so worried,” comes Lucy’s voice now, her fingers squeezing my forearm supportively. “She’s just trying to frighten you…for some odd reason. I’ve never known a Savant to be quite so unpleasant. I mean, sure they can be pretty rude sometimes, but she seemed to be taking pleasure in it…”
As the two women enter into a short debate about the nature of Savants, I feel my mind begin to work overtime, and their voices fade into a jumble of background noise.
If I’m tested, I’ll be found out!
There’s no getting around it!
Why didn’t Adryan tell me?!
When will I be tested?!
The final thought in my head isn’t actually in my head at all. It comes hurtling out of my mouth, rudely interrupting the conversation.
The volume of the question somewhat startles the women. I’m forced to apologise, and ask the question again, this time more calmly.
“I mean…do you know when I’ll likely be tested?” I ask.
“This afternoon,” announces Lucy matter-of-factly. “Actually, I should have mentioned it earlier, but wanted to make you feel at ease. My husband, Raymond, works in the science laboratories. I was asked to let you know about the test. Best get it out of the way quickly, huh?”
I’m finding it almost impossible not to react.
Hold it together, Brie, hold it together…
Just breathe.
“This afternoon,” I repeat slowly. “OK…that’s OK. Um…where is the nearest bathroom? I think I’ve drunk too much coffee…”
Lucy’s finger points the way towards a bank of restrooms nearby. I nod and stand and begin moving towards them, trying to maintain my composure.
Reaching the nearest door, I find it opening up as I arrive before it, presenting me passage inside. I walk in and the door shuts. There appears to be no locking feature. I suppose it must intuitively know when the place is occupied.
In the privacy of the little space, I stand up against the wall, grit my teeth, ball my fists, and crunch up my eyes as hard as I can. Then, letting out a silent roar, I try to purge myself of all of my nerves, fear, and frustration.
I take a long, deep, breath, and take a seat on top of the toilet lid.
OK, think Brie, there has to be a way around this.
My first reaction is to curse Adryan for keeping this from me. Did he not know? How recent is this directive? Surely he’d have informed me if he was aware of it?!
Those and many other questions flow through my mind, until I realise that I’m just wasting time. I need a solution, not questions. I need a way around this.
Of course, more information would be of help. There’s no point in speculating. I need to go out there, extract what I need to know from Lucy and Mary, and then form a plan.
You can do this, Brie. This is a proper test…
With another lengthy breath sucked into my lungs, I straighten out my clothes and step back towards the door. It slides open immediately, and the consumption level comes into view again, now far busier than it was when I first arrived.
When I reach my new friends, I find them engaged in a fresh discussion. They break it as I sit down once more, and turn their attention back on me.
“I’m sorry again for not telling you, Brie,” says Lucy. “It’s really not a big deal, this medical. But, I know how stressful it can be moving here, so I apologise…”
“It’s fine, really. I just…I get uncomfortable in hospitals and things like that,” I lie. “I don’t like physical examinations. Um…is that what this is, a physical?”
Lucy frowns pityingly.
“Oh, just barely,” she says. “They’ll take some blood from you, that’s all, and then analyse it. Really, it’s nothing to worry about.”
“And where does this happen?”
“The science and medical section stretches across levels 31-35,” says Lucy. “I think you’ll be on level 32. We can confirm it in a moment, down in the atrium. They’ll give you temporary access to that level. I’ll come with you, don’t worry.”
I look to Mary for additional support.
“I need to get back to work, unfortunately,” she says. “But as Lucinda says, I’m sure you’ll be just fine. I’ll talk to my husband about dinner, though, and send a message to your apartment. It’s 51-35, right?”
I nod vacantly.
“Excellent. I’ll arrange it for as soon as possible. Perhaps Lucy and Raymond can come too.”
Lucy offers some enthusiasm for the idea. I’m still feeling completely numb, and thoughts of trying to extract security information from Mary’s husband are no longer top of the agenda.
“Well,” concludes Mary. “I’d best be off. I’ll leave you in Lucy’s very capable hands. And once more, Brie, welcome to the High Tower. I’m sure you’ll love it here eventually.”
I sense some ambiguity in her conviction. She takes my hand again as I stand, performs a cursory hug, and drifts off into the growing crowd of grey skirts and suits.
Lucy’s voice grabs my attention.
“Well then,” she says. “Shall we find out about that floor number?”
I dip my head, and we stand and move off towards the lifts.
Welcome to the High Tower indeed.
At this rate, I’ll be gone before I know it…
4
The exit doors of the High Tower look incredibly inviting. As we walk through the atrium, nearing the reception desk, they’re all I can look at.
Should I just leave right now? Escape across Inner Haven, pass through the gate, and then make my way to the northern quarter?
I could find my way down to the underlands and join my brother and Drum. I could just become a normal soldier, maybe? Fight all of this head on, rather than sneaking around in secret here at enemy HQ.
I mean, this idea was always a bit fanciful, but surely this is it now? Surely I’ve got no choice but to calmly walk out of the building to, I don’t know, get some ‘fresh air’, and never return.
Like, ever.
As Lucy leads me towards the front desk, it’s all I can think of, the bright light of the sun beyond the many doors extremely inviting. I feel them drawing my eyes, and drawing my body too.
I’m not sure I have a choice, do I? If I take this test, they’ll catch me, probably torture me, and most likely extract every single thing I know about the Nameless from my cluttered head.
Admittedly, that’s not much – no one seems to keep
me in the loop – but it’s certainly enough for them to find their way down through the one secret passage I am aware of.
From there, it’ll be the beginning of the end. All out war will break out, and the city will be engulfed in death and suffering. All because I’ve been sent here unprepared and completely out of my depth, and without the proper knowledge of what the hell I’m getting myself into.
I mean, damn it, Adryan, why on earth didn’t you tell me?!
“Brie, Brie…”
My attention is captured by the sweet voice of Lucy. I turn to her and find that we’re already at the desk.
“Longing for your old home, are you?” she asks with a little, suggestive smirk.
Is she a mind reader too? Hell, I guess it wouldn’t take a genius to work that one out from the expression on my face.
“Erm, no,” I laugh. “Just…I might need to get some fresh air in a minute.”
I’m setting the groundwork for my escape. Unless I can think of something better, it’s on.
“Right, OK. So, here we are,” she says, gesturing to the woman behind the desk.
It appears to be the same one who was here when I arrived yesterday with Adryan. Rebecca, I believe her name was.
“Good afternoon, Mrs Paulson, Mrs Shaw,” she says, looking to Lucy and then to me. I suppose her super Savant memory will come in handy when dealing with all the people here. “What can I do for you?”
Lucy takes the lead.
“Brie here has her genetic blood test this afternoon.” She looks at her watch, and raises her eyes at the time. “Actually, I believe it’s coming up fast,” she says.” Great, just great. “We wanted to know the exact time, and which level Brie is to be tested on.”
Rebecca sets about finding the information on the touchscreen desk of hers. She’s extremely efficient, seemingly managing multiple tasks as once.
“Level 32. 1PM,” she says. “The reception staff at the facility will inform you of the exact room.”
I check my watch and feel my heart stop. It’s 12.47PM.
