by Darren Lewis
Alarms sounded and Ellie heard the shouts and cries of panicked people up ahead. She rounded the corner to chaos. If people weren't crying they were staring at the wall or floor in disbelief and those who still had some wit about them were using their mobile phones. It was obvious what they'd all encountered. Ellie wended her way round the human maze and continued down the long corridor.
“Where the hell are they?” Ellie cried out loud. “They can't just vanish!” Ellie came to a T junction and heard the scream of one man to her left. Without a pause she set off hoping this would be the professor the student wished his revenge upon.
Ellie. 1138 said softly. You do realise you're trying to place yourself in front of eight thousand soldiers and convincing them this man isn't the target?
“Yes!” Ellie ground out between clenched teeth.
Oh, good. Just so we're clear.
Ellie saw another T junction up ahead and heard a foreign language being shouted from around the corner. She accelerated and clattered into the chest of an old man. They both fell to the ground onto their backsides and the man cried out in pain. His eyes focused on Ellie and he began speaking to her. Ellie shook her head.
“I'm sorry I don't understand. Did the army go that way?”
Then man stopped talking as the sound of a large weight being pounded against glass came to them from around the corner. He looked silently into Ellie's eyes, his expression pleading with her to help. Ellie moved over and lifted the man's arm over her shoulder and tried to stand but he cried out in extreme pain and clutched his back. Ellie lowered him gently as another loud crash and splintering of glass sounded. Ellie looked around but there was no one close by to help them. Her gaze drifted down and she saw the man was clutching a white card. She eased it from him and he began speaking to her again. Ellie examined it quickly. She'd seen cards like this on television and in hospitals when people would wave them in front of a door to open and presumably to lock them.
Ellie pushed herself up and started walking to the T junction. The professor started shouting at her and waving for her to come back. She smiled at him and turned away.
Gods, I hope you know what you're doing. 1138 whispered.
Ellie ignored 1138 and with a calming breath turned the corner. The glass doors she guessed the professor had sealed were being battered and rammed from the other side by the army she was looking for. Ellie stopped and stared in awe at these figures manufactured over two thousand years ago to protect their emperor now brought to life. Ellie moved closer grimacing every time a hit was made on the door. She stopped close to the glass and as one the soldiers turned their heads and examined her with their eyes that now glowed green. Ellie held her breath then the soldiers pulled back from the damaged door and came to attention.
Holy Christ! Subject 1138 exclaimed making Ellie jump slightly at the noise. They recognise you! Ellie nodded.
“Eleanor told me that when they wake up it's like they're in default mode. That's why they listened to that student but once the one who laid the talismans down, me, arrived, well.” Ellie paused with a contented puff. “They're mine to command.”
So what now? 1138 asked.
“We move them.” Ellie answered and looked over her shoulder. “But we need Malachite for that. Where on earth is he?” They didn't have much time. She closed her eyes.
*
Hello? Ellie called into her mind, picturing as told, an image of the orange orb.
Ellie? Ellie! We've just seen you on a live feed here!
Here? Are you still at the Institute?
Yes, but hopefully not for much longer.
Good. The army is ready to be moved. Where's Malachite gotten to, I can't believe he tossed me into a dragon thread?
Just a moment, Ellie. The orb whispered.
Ellie rolled her eyes with them closed which felt decidedly odd.
Ellie! I was so worried! Eleanor burst into the conversation her tone full of relief.
Well, I had some help and I think some very bad news.
Silence fell in the strange conversation.
Okay, Ellie. You go first. It was the orb who replied to Ellie this time.
I think Isabelle is still alive. The woman I encountered wasn't her but she believed it completely until she released her spirit or whatever into me!
There was a slight pause.
Well, that's certainly not the strangest thing I've ever heard. The orb commented dryly.
Ellie are you sure? Her older self asked.
As much as I can be. Ellie replied.
Even in the darkness where they spoke Ellie heard the sigh from thousands of miles away.
I don't want you to worry about that now, Ellie. I'm afraid I have some terrible news. Malachite didn't survive the collapse of the tomb.
At first Ellie didn't really understand what she was being told and she shook her head as the last sentence played round and round her head.
'Malachite didn't survive the collapse of the tomb.'
Ellie felt pinpricks behind her eyelids and a sob escaped her.
It's my fault. It's my fault. She whispered.
NO! The orb and Eleanor shouted to her across the dark distance. If Malachite hadn't thrown you in that thread you'd both be dead. Eleanor continued in a broken tone. We don't have time to grieve now we have to get those soldiers to Rox.
But Sloan said he countermanded the order to quarantine the rabbits. The orb interjected.
That was before we knew that Isabelle might be alive. I'm not risking Rox.
They all heard a small cough in the background of the dark void and Ellie frowned.
I'm sorry to interrupt but I couldn't help overhearing, being in Ellie's head and all. I'm subject 1138, or the fake Isabelle, and I think I can help you.
How? Ellie asked.
Well, I was a witch. 1138 answered smugly.
The East Facility
All the black crates were now open and their occupants released. Plume was standing next to the elevator with his ear pressed against the cold metal door. He wanted to be ready if anyone decided to call on them. Rox made her way slowly around the scared, bewildered rabbits, paying special attention to the little ones in the group, trying to instil a calmness in them all. A few of the oldest rabbits were waiting for her close to where Plume guarded the elevator door.
“Leader.” One named Flock said whilst bowing his head with respect. “Our thanks and gratitude can only be given so many times when you save us all.” Plume looked over with a frown but Flock raised his head, a small grin now apparent on his face. Rox sniffed in amusement.
“We're not safe yet I'm afraid but Plume knows the way out.” All heads close by turned to Plume who gazed back with unblinking eyes. He then pointed his staff at the elevator.
“It's this way.” His voice full of fake enthusiasm. He looked over the assembled rabbits and sighed deeply, he knew how difficult it was going to be. Rox cleared her throat loudly. “But I'm sure we'll be fine.” Plume added turning back to the door, glad that he didn't have to speak any further.
“Once all are ready Plume will guide us out of here.” Rox informed her family and for the most part she felt some of the tension leave the air. Storm crossed over to her daughter with a proud smile on her face.
“I knew you'd make a fine leader one day.” Storm complimented Rox. Rox frowned, batted the affectionate remark away and turned to speak to Plume with a proud smile on her face.
*
“But ma'am, we've received orders to not process the rabbits until Mr Sloan gives his approval. Well, yes, but…no, no, of course not. Yes I understand. Uh it's come through now…override code confirmed, ma'am. Quarantine will begin immediately thank you, yes, I…oh she hung up. Bloody office politics.”
*
The bright fluorescent panels in the white room flickered and died plunging the room into darkness. Rabbits began to howl against this new development and young ones started to cry. Red bulbs spaced evenly along the walls popped in
to life shrouding the rabbits in a dark, bloody blanket.
“Will you lot shut up I'm trying to listen!” Plume shouted. Rox, Storm and the elder rabbits moved quickly through their family quietening them down.
“What is it?” One rabbit screeched. “What now?”
“I don't think it will be good do you?” Plume asked pointedly, one ear pressed against the sliding door.
“How do you know?” another asked. Plume turned and pointed his staff at the red lights.
“Because of that maybe?”
“Plume!” Rox called from across the room. “Stop it!”
Plume shrugged and then banged his staff against the elevator doors.
“I'm just guessing anyway but I don't think we should wait around to find out.” He advised.
“Leave now?” Rox asked simply. Plume nodded.
“We can't wait for Ellie any longer. If we go up now and surprise them then maybe some of us will get out.”
Quite a few of the rabbits whimpered at Plume's words. Rox nodded at her partner from across the room and Plume jumped and stabbed his staff into the buttons next to the doors. He had no idea what they meant but he'd witnessed a man using them up above. The button lit up and Plume smiled. From high above he heard a whine and then several clunks of metal followed by a loud whirring. Rox and Storm joined Plume near the doors.
“We should all be able to squeeze in.” Plume advised. “And when those doors open above I'll lead them out. I just hope the main doors I ran through with the truck are open.” He added quietly, not so much to avoid panicking the other rabbits but to save being told off again by Rox.
“I'll stay at the back, make sure every one of us follows you.” Storm volunteered. She then turned her gaze onto her daughter. “I think you should run in the middle, keep them together as best you can.” Rox nodded her agreement though her eyes were troubled. Plume nudged his partner's shoulder.
“Piece of cake.” He said extravagantly and looked from Rox to Storm. “I do sometimes talk to Ellie you know. That last picnic she brought was fantastic.” The two female rabbits sighed and Plume turned with a grin towards the elevator doors, the grin leaving his face and grim determination replacing it.
A clunk sounded and Plume raised his staff, ready to defend his family. The doors rolled open but there was nothing in the dark space. Plume waved Storm in as Rox started addressing the rabbits.
“We're leaving now. I want all of you to follow Plume when he says so. Storm will be behind us and I'll run with you. Stay together.” Rox urged them into the elevator. Storm turned to her daughter as the first rabbits neared the door.
“Chase the sky, my darling.” She called to Rox. Rox grinned.
“You bet your backside we will.” Plume remarked.
*
As Plume already knew how to use the elevator from his miserable trial and error earlier he tapped the button marked 'G'. The doors closed and the rabbits gasped as the lift jolted slightly before starting its ascent.
“Hey look at that.” A rabbit called from the rear of the lift. All the rabbits looked at the rabbit and then where she was pointing. Above the doors lights blinked from right to left. Plume didn't know what they meant but he saw they were steadily moving towards 'G'. The lift jolted again and came to a stop but not where Plume expected. The doors opened to reveal a man and a woman dressed in bulky, plastic white suits. Whatever conversation they were having didn't continue as both stared at Plume and the other rabbits with wide eyes and pale faces. Plume coughed and reached up with his staff and began quickly jabbing the 'G' again and again. The man and woman had still not moved and with a great sigh of relief from Plume the doors closed and the lift moved once more. All the rabbits let loose a collective sigh when a loud repeating blare of noise made them all try and cover their ears. Over the noise Plume heard a voice.
“Attention. We have a containment breach on Level 8. All security report to ground floor loading. Specimens are free and in elevator 4. Attention…” and the message started again.
“Oh bugger.” Plume cursed.
The Terracotta Army
Ellie hadn't moved from the broken set of glass doors though first she made sure the professor was comfortable until help arrived. The orb and subject 1138 were discussing magic spells and as 1138 was residing somewhere in Ellie's head she heard the conversation. At first it was quite fascinating listening to the two of them argue the finer points of teleportation spells, but after ten minutes of the orb talking nonstop about someone called Heisenberg, another called Tesla, the chemical composition of pottery and relativity, Ellie leaned back against the wall and slid down it to rest.
As the conversation went on Ellie studied the soldiers through the fractured glass. Quite a few were missing heads or limbs but considering they'd been buried until discovered again some forty years ago their condition was remarkable. Ellie's gaze became unfocused and her head throbbed slightly where apparently a rock had knocked her unconscious. She rubbed the knot on her head gently and thought of Malachite. The dragon turned insane by his brethren who'd wanted to kill Eleanor and the rest of humanity until his memory was wiped clean.
Ellie looked up at the ceiling not able to shift the guilt she felt at his death.
“Thank you.” She whispered to the departed dragon.
Ellie!
“What?” she asked out loud.
We have a spell! A mixture of a few at any rate. 1138 informed her.
Great. What do we need to do? Ellie asked.
You? Nothing, but I will be using your energy to conduct my magic. 1138 replied.
Okaaay. That sounds interesting. Ellie commented, raising one eyebrow.
It'll be fine. The orb joined in. Just relax, it will help the magic flow better.
Ellie shrugged.
Where are we going?
To Rox at one of the Institute's facilities. The orb answered.
You need quite a lot of space, so the spell or spells, will set you down outside. You'll have to get in yourselves.
How many are we taking? Ellie asked, curious and slightly bemused that she would have control of these soldiers.
All of them. Eight thousand soldiers, one hundred and thirty chariots, five hundred and twenty horses and one hundred and fifty cavalry horses. The orb said smugly. According to their website anyway. I don't think we'll need the musicians, strongmen and acrobats but you never know.
*
Ellie's hair was standing out in every direction from her head. Subject 1138's spell required an amazing amount of electrical energy to be woven around Ellie and the army. The field she and the army were encompassed by was a mixture of science and magic. 1138 was drawing energy from Ellie and the surrounding electricity lines while using magic that Ellie would also be channelling through her body. Ellie felt decidedly strange. It seemed to her as if an ice cube was being continuously rubbed down her spine while her feet were subjected to constant pins and needles. The magic held in her gave her a bloated feeling and she pictured herself as a balloon about to burst.
Ellie, I'm ready.
“Good.” Ellie squeaked between clenched teeth. “Do it.” She ordered.
A faint whispering sounded in her mind that then took the form of weight in the air around her. Subject 1138's words fell heavily in the real world, gaining mass once they left Ellie's mind. The mass swirled and twisted through the bubble of electricity surrounding Ellie and the army, gripping them, holding them tight. An orange light appeared behind Ellie's eyes, tinting her vision and she heard the orb whisper.
Here's some of my energy. We don't want you collapsing do we?
Ellie closed her eyes but saw through the eyes of magic. She travelled the lines of power as 1138 continued to speak. She passed and felt every single warrior, horse and chariot come into her grasp. A rumbling noise began and intensified quickly. With the first spell in place the second part held sway. The rumbling grew and grew until Ellie clapped her hands over her ears. A dark burst of energy blossom
ed in front of Ellie and she gasped at what she saw.
A hole had appeared in front of her and Ellie saw a long, twisting, curling multi-coloured tunnel beyond.
What's that? She asked in awe.
A tunnel or bridge. The orb responded while 1138 continued the spell.
Like a dragon thread?
Yes. The orb answered simply.
But why does it look so different?
1138 finished the spell and the hole stabilised, becoming perfectly round while the rainbow of colours continued to swirl beyond the threshold.
You're seeing it through my eyes. Through the eyes of magic.
It's beautiful.
Step through, Ellie. 1138 instructed.
Ellie swallowed nervously but walked forward pulling the now featherweight of the entire army with her. The ground disappeared and Ellie sped forwards through the rainbow tunnel, her speed increasing exponentially every second she existed in there.
Quite a ride! Subject 1138 yelled in delight. Ellie laughed and remembered her sheer terror not long ago at being adrift in the darkness, seeing the dragon thread with her normal vision. Surprisingly the swirling lights were calming and Ellie thought of Malachite and Subject 1138, two casualties of this day.
I'm sorry about your friend. 1138 whispered to Ellie. Ellie pursed her lips and nodded her acknowledgment.
Have you remembered your real name yet? Ellie asked, changing the subject.
No. 1138 paused. When I try to remember it's like an unreachable itch and that feels awful so I'm trying not to think about it.
Okay. Shall I call you by another name rather than 1138? Ellie said with a small smile.
No, I don't think so. It's not the most flattering of names but I'd rather have that until we find out my real name.
Ellie nodded turned and saw the army, her army, travelling the tunnel, bridge or thread, whatever it was.
I'm coming Rox. She promised into the swirling light.
The Institute
