“I don't care where the fault lies, I won't let you stop our work.”
“Stein... don't,” said Jacobson, shaking his head slightly.
“Oh shut up,” replied Stein, his humor completely gone. “You've spent the past many weeks doing nothing but denigrating our work. You act like you're above it all. You're just like us. You did it for the money. You knew full well that someone could be doing something nefarious with your work, and you went right along and did it, then tried to make all of us feel bad for doing the same thing. You laughed at us for trying to see the silver lining in the cloud of our imprisonment. I will not let you ruin this for us. We've all worked too hard. We've all invested too much to have you take away our payments.”
“So what are you going to do, then? Shoot us?” asked Cassidy. “We're all pretty fast on the draw.”
“Not at all. You are going to all draw your guns and place them on the ground, otherwise I will put a bullet straight between the eyes of your precious puppy here. If shooting starts, he's the first to die.” Cassidy, Gideon, and Jebediah all hesitated. “Do it!” commanded Stein. Cassidy and Jebediah both sighed, pulled their guns, and placed them on the ground, Cassidy's St. Claire revolver falling down with a particularly resounding thunk. Gideon stood there. “You too,” said Stein. Gideon opened his mouth and tried to form words. “I am not playing!” yelled Stein.
“I can't!” Gideon finally got out. “They're attached inside my sleeves.”
“How impressive,” replied Stein. “Then lie down on the floor, on your hands.” Gideon and Cassidy glanced at each other before he lay down, his hands under his stomach.
“How did you get the gun?” asked Jacobson.
“I worked in the weapons labs, of course,” replied Stein. “Many guns there. Hard to notice one, small, pistol going missing. And besides, I'm sure they'd understand. It has served its masters well with this.” Stein started to slowly walk past the group, huddled next to each other. “Now, I'm going to go up the elevator and warn security. If you are lucky, they will simply imprison you until we are done here.”
“Or they may simply kill us,” replied Jacobson. “You'll have a hard time justifying blood directly on your hands.”
“I have no choice.”
“There is always a choice.”
Stein's face was one of sadness. “Then God forgive me for the one I make.”
“A true believer,” said Jacobson. “Inflicted with the same illness as those who built all this.”
Stein stared at Jacobson, expressions of fear, confusion, and anger all fighting for control of his face. Jacobson looked back, calm and almost penitent. “You, so utterly confident of your own moral decision. You don't even entertain the possibility that you are wrong. You don't even have the good grace to be conflicted. I at least doubt! I make my decision in fear! Fear that I could be wrong!” Stein stood there, breathing heavily as he stared at his prisoners. “We all live our lives as best we can... God help me. Goodbye.” As Stein walked backward toward the elevator, he stumbled on a small piece of wood. He glanced down as a gun shot rang out through the chamber, briefly overwhelming the sound of printing machine before the rhythmic printing overcame the harmonic ring that echoed through the room. Stein stood there, his gun dropped, his hand on his abdomen, blood soaking into his clothing. Everyone stood around, confused, before looking at Claudette, her arm raised, a small revolver pointed out at Stein.
“Where... where did you get that?” asked Stein.
“You're not the only one with friends in the weapons lab,” she replied. “I'm... I'm sorry, Frank.”
“So am I,” Stein replied as he slumped over onto the floor. Everyone rushed over to him with Jacobson kneeling down by his head. “Forgive me,” Stein said.
Jacobson looked down sadly upon the man. “I fear,” he said. “I fear.” Stein nodded and smiled faintly. His eyes then focused into the distance, and his breathing stopped. Everyone stood there over his body for a moment in silence. “We should hurry,” Jacobson said. “Stein will be missed. His absence won't immediately raise alarm bells, but it will eventually. Let's move his body into the tunnels.”
Cassidy and Jebediah lifted Stein's body up, blood dropping down onto the floor. “Get the blood with the cotton,” said George. Past the crates and into the shadows on the outskirts of the room, the faint roar of wind from the passage way was broken as the two brought the body through. After their task was complete, they came back out. Cassidy walked up and grabbed George by the shoulders and looked into his eyes. “I'm going to go get her back. I promise you that. You just hold tight.”
“Don't... die,” said George. “That would be upsetting.”
“What do you... plan to do?” asked Claudette, obviously concerned.
“I'm going to rip this whole thing apart,” Cassidy replied. Claudette nodded, a look of melancholy on her face. “You don't want me to?” asked Cassidy.
Claudette paused, her gaze down as she thought. “I don't know,” she replied.
Cassidy looked back at her, confused and concerned, but resolute. “Well, I'm sorry. But I've got to do what I've got to do.”
Claudette nodded. “I understand, I do. But... please, try to avoid damaging too much. Regardless of your conflict with these people, regardless of how angry you are, most of the people down here are not them. They are just people doing their work. It's work that represents the progress of humanity, and any damage that you do would... would be a great loss.”
Cassidy looked back, the magnitude of her situation made apparent to her. “I will try,” she said. “I promise you that.” Cassidy didn't move for a moment. She just stood there, thinking. “Why did you shoot him?” she finally asked.
“Because it seemed like the right thing to do at the time,” Claudette replied.
Cassidy smiled. “I hope that it was. Sadly, we have no time to discuss the rectitude of our decisions.” Everyone nodded. “George, see you in a bit,” Cassidy said with a smile. She then turned and crouched down into the opening into the wall. She was then followed by Jacobson, Gideon, and Jebediah.
---
Gideon dropped down from the iron framework onto the cave floor. Streaks of light came from various directions and the sound of work and machinery echoed throughout the chamber. He joined the others who were already standing, looking out past a large metal panel into the cave. Everyone nodded to one another in the darkness. “Onward,” said Jacobson. They walked along the cave wall, through girders and panels. The sounds of men yelling orders could be heard off in the rail yard.
“Good, goddamned Christ,” said Cassidy. “How the hell did they get all this down here?”
“Years of work,” said Jacobson. “I found an old newspaper in the walls from 1857.”
“Twenty-four years ago,” said Jebediah. “They've been here even longer than Agent Martin knew.”
“They probably came out after their printing machines were running,” said Gideon. “Put enough money into the city, no one asks questions.”
“Stay here for a moment,” said Jacobson, who scurried out around a panel into the open, a bright light from somewhere casting his shadow on the ground. After a few minutes, he returned carrying three large bags. “Here,” he said. “These are the supply sacks that workers always go out with. I don't know what they contain, but it can get cold out in the cave so you'll want to wear the coats. Also—” he reached into one of the bags and pulled out the night goggles. “These goggles allow you to see in the dark. I think they developed them for mining, since even with the bright central lights, much of the cave is pitch black. Do you have any food?” The trio shook their heads. “Too late now,” said Jacobson. He pointed out past the metal panel and into the darkness, under a raised rail line running out and around. “Head in that direction, toward the bright, central lights. They're in the center of the cave about every five-hundred feet. The cave must go on for at least five miles, so you've got one hell of a hike in front of you.” He then turned bac
k to them to shake their hands. “That's all I've got.”
“And more than we could have ever expected,” replied Jebediah. “Thank you immensely.”
Jacobson then shook Cassidy's hand. “If you can shut this all down and get me out of here, I'll accept that apology.”
“And if I simply die trying, it won't much matter,” Cassidy replied with a smile. She then slapped Jacobson on the shoulder. “See you in a bit!” She then turned and confidently walked out in the cave. Gideon and Jebediah turned and nodded at Jacobson before chasing Cassidy out into the cold, dark expanse.
---
George and Claudette leaned against a rail by the printing machine, the dim lights above them. “Here,” George said. “I've got something for you.” He walked past some pallets and empty wrapping from cotton bricks and pulled a large suitcase out of the shadows. He walked over and handed it to her.
“What's this?” she asked.
“Slightly over a million dollars,” he replied.
Claudette was surprised. “Why?”
“I, well, I rather assumed that Cassidy would find her way here. I don't know why I was so confident. I just... knew she would. So I printed out suitcases of money for you and Professor Jacobson. So when we get out, you won't lose anything.” Claudette smiled but her sadness still shone through. George leaned in, attempting to make eye contact. “Did I... do something wrong?”
“No! No,” Claudette said with a wan smile. “But I'm not worried about myself. I'm worried about everyone else here. People like Jean. They're just... They're caught in the crossfire between Cassidy and our employers. I don't blame Cassidy, and I don't blame you, I don't blame them... and I can't stop you... but there's a part of me that wants to. I want to see what this turns out to be.”
“Do you regret shooting Stein?” asked George.
“No,” Claudette replied quickly. “But... I don't think I would have regretted not shooting him, either.”
---
Cassidy and crew had walked many hundreds of feet away from the complex. They all looked back to take in its immensity. Five-hundred feet high, straight to the cave's ceiling. Panels and windows, girders and frames, elevated train tracks, the bright lights of welding, sparks and clanks, workers yelling, spotlights casting sharp beams in the mist and dust. It was as though a section of a large city had been transplanted underground. The three stood there for far longer than they would have thought reasonable at any other time, but here, it made sense. Cassidy's face was taken by a severe sadness, which Gideon noticed.
“Are you... ok?” he asked.
Cassidy nodded slowly, faintly. “Yes. Memories... is all.”
“The rock formations near the walls appear like our best bet to walk through the caves undetected,” Jebediah said, pointing to large protrusions of rock. If we can stay behind them, we can stay out of the lights. Because they are hard to make out, but it appears that there are miners out in the caves.”
“Who have these goggles,” added Gideon.
“Indeed. Avoidance is our friend tonight. I wouldn't want to try to bluff everyone we run across,” Jebediah said, turning to Cassidy. “You ready?”
“...Yes... yes, yes. I'm ready.” They all put on their coats and goggles, adjusted everything to make sure it was comfortable, glanced at each other, and began their trek.
---
Anna sat glumly over her desk. She wasn't doing work. She just stared down at her papers and equipment. Hoffman walked in quickly. “We're leaving,” he said.
“What?” asked Anna.
“We're leaving. The word just came down. They've been moving out other parts of the complex for nearly two weeks, but our operations received precedence because of their importance. But now, even we must move. We are striking the entire lab. Mister Owens will tell you what to do. Hurry now. No time to waste.” Hoffman rushed away with Anna rising from her seat quickly to follow.
“Professor! Wait!” Hoffman ignored her and eventually disappeared out into the thicket of lab stands and equipment. Anna stopped and stood there, in the middle of the lab. A middle-aged man with light brown skin and a fiercely-receded hairline walked up.
“Anna, right?” Anna nodded. “Alright, well, I suppose that you are under my charge. I could use your help in organizing the filing cubes. It's drudge work, but we need to get it taken care of.” Anna didn't initially respond. “Anna?” Anna quickly nodded. “Excellent. I hope that this isn't in haste. I get the feeling that this is being rushed. I still need to go collect a few more people. Could you meet me by the cubes?” he asked. Anna again nodded quietly. “Great. I will see you over there in a few minutes.” He then walked off.
Anna stood there, quietly. “Hey...” came a sound quietly. She turned to see the mutilated, disembodied torso and head of the man with no nose. “I... I think that I already... could you scratch my nose?” Anna just stood there, her face in pain and sadness, staring at this thing in front of her that wanted something so simple, but so impossible. As she stood there, another scientist she had never yet met walked up and, with a large syringe, injected something into the man's thicket of tubes. His head jerked slightly and what was left of his face contorted in pain. “It... hurts...” he whimpered. “Wh... why does it... hurt?” After a moment of quiet crying, his head fell, and he was silent.
“What did you do?” asked Anna, shocked.
“I, uh... well, I terminated the experiment. It was a failure a long time ago, we just kept it going.”
Anna was speechless for a moment. Her mouth hung open as she stared at the scientist in horror. “It wasn't an experiment!” Anna yelled, sobs starting to come out. “It was a goddamned man that you did that to!”
“I... I, I'm sor—” the confused scientist stumbled for words.
“GET AWAY FROM ME!” screamed Anna as she stepped back, hunched over in pain. The scientist jumped back, shocked, and ran away. She eventually collapsed to the ground, sobbing. As she stood there, Hoffman and an associate walked over.
“She's not cut out for this part,” Hoffman said. “Take her outside. She'll ride with me.”
---
Jacobson walked back through the passageway into the printing room where George and Claudette sat on piles of cotton bricks, talking. “You're friends are away,” he said. “I snagged them a few mining supply kits. That should keep them warm out there.”
“Thank you,” said George as Jacobson came and sat next to him.
“What for? I'm helping myself as much as you. I want to get the hell out of here, and if anyone deserves to help me, it's her.”
“Perhaps. Then take my thanks as one for everything you've done in the past few weeks. I know that you meant as much well as anyone here... and I appreciate it.”
“How do you feel?” asked Jacobson.
“Well enough,” said George.
“Not you,” Jacobson replied indignantly. “Her.”
Claudette looked up, surprised. “Good,” she said.
Jacobson nodded. “Want to get something to eat?” he asked. “All of this is probably going to be blown up soon anyway, so we may as well get a good, last meal.”
Claudette and George both smiled and nodded. “Yeah,” they said.
---
The mammoth, dark cave echoed with the dripping of water and the tink tink tinking of miners chipping away at the walls. The bright lights from the central light towers provided spheres of illumination to small parts of the cave, with the rest in utter darkness save for the moving lights of workers and small camps. Cassidy, Gideon, and Jebediah huffed and groaned as they walked along uneven surfaces and climbed over large mineral deposits and through tall stalagmites. Every few minutes, clattering, illuminated rail cars filled with people would pass by on their way toward the main complex that was far out of sight by this time. As they entered an area of darkness, their goggles glowing in the dark, the sounds of mining becoming more faint, they noticed that the ground and rocks around Cassidy were beginning to glow faintly.<
br />
“Cassidy, are you seeing this?” asked Gideon.
“Yes. I don't understand. I'm not making contact with anything.”
“This is a problem,” said Jebediah. They all thought on it for a moment.
“Perhaps we should head down to the track. Movement down there would be less likely to attract attention than lights moving out in the dark,” said Cassidy.
Jebediah didn't respond. He stood there, thinking. They were interrupted by a powerful wave of light that washed through the cave, toward the main complex behind them. “Wow,” said Cassidy.
“This is certainly further confirmation that we are indeed heading in the right direction,” added Gideon.
“Do you think that happens regularly?” asked Cassidy.
“No way to tell,” replied Jebediah. “If it does, it solves our problem for us. If the water down here is concentrated enough to glow of its own accord, a faint glow in the dark will attract little attention.”
“That's the easiest crisis that we've had to face,” said Gideon.
“I know. I hope that doesn't keep happening,” said Cassidy. “Things may get boring.”
“We know nothing for sure,” said Jebediah. “If anything, we should be even more alert. We have no way of predicting our environment and as such cannot make plans. That is bad.”
“Such a pessimist,” said Cassidy.
“Moreover, something else is of growing concern,” said Jebediah. “Your goggles, Cassidy, are glowing much more intensely than ours. Can you change the strength?”
“Really?” Cassidy removed the goggles to inspect them. As she did, her eyes, glowing blue, appeared in the dark.
“Cassidy!” expressed Gideon. “Your eyes!”
“What? What about my eyes?”
“They're glowing,” said Jebediah, shocked.
“What do you mean, glowing?”
“I mean that there is light coming out of your eyes.”
Cassidy St. Claire and The Fountain of Youth Parts I, II, & III Page 69
