“The passerby when we were at his door,” John said, confident he was right.
“The exact person. Well I just took a little care of him no more than ten minutes ago. In fact, he had been watching you all last night down at the wharves.”
“Gee…”
“Yeah that is not all. He managed to follow you back here and now they are going to know a lot more about you. Those bastards report in every ten minutes or so.”
“We have to move, and now!”
“What about the others?” Tobias asked.
“They already know. I called them just before I took the Agent out. They are on standby at…”
“Don’t say. Tell us on the way there.”
Tobias set about packing all they needed as supplies and John packed up all his tech gear. Within ten minutes all three men were ready then left the house, first locking it up, and then they made their way onto the streets.
“No vehicle, we are on foot. See there?” Mike pointed at a person lying still on the ground behind a hedge. “That’s the Agent. He’ll be OK. I just knocked him out. We should go in the opposite direction. From what I could see, he was working alone, but will still need to be very alert. If he doesn’t report in within an hour since the last time, the authorities will send someone after him.”
“But you said he reports in every ten minutes.”
“They also have a window where if an Agent does not report, they give them an hour before any alarm bells ring. They figure an Agent could be onto something and they allow some flexibility, but not much. We need to be clear of the city as soon as possible.”
“Where will we go?”
“Way out of the city to Lake Tahoe. I have a friend with a cabin in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on the east side. He knows we are coming sometime. I’ll call him as we walk and tell him it is today.” They walked on taking a roundabout route towards the city center. At California Avenue they stopped a moment to discuss what had been said about arriving at Lake Tahoe today. “He’s good. Security is his thing and he advised we are good to go. Just to make sure we are careful leaving San Francisco.”
By the time they reached the city center they had decided to take the public tube to Sacramento where Mike knew of a vehicle they could use for the rest of the journey. Public transport was one of the fastest ways for land-based travel. Most suspended roadways linking cities also included separate lanes for public carriages. Each being cylindrical in shape, they operated on a levitation track where speeds of two hundred and forty miles per hour were common. The trip to Sacramento took less than an hour during which, the three men discussed the situation and what they could do at Tahoe.
“So we meet up with Asper and Lorraine in South Lake and then we continue east to my friends’ cabin,” Mike said as they disembarked the carriage.
“What is his name?” John asked.
“Ryan. We call him the little king…of security. If there is something to know, he knows it.”
“I wonder why we haven’t met him previously.”
“Cannot say other than he has only been in contact with our group so I guess until very recently when your credentials as being friendly to our cause were established, he was kept out of the picture. Other than that, he is a reclusive type of person. You will like him John. I am sure you two can work on this and get results.”
“Yeah, after telling us about the Agent, a lot of new ideas and worries have entered my mind.”
“Hmm…a lot more work ahead of you. Any ideas yet?”
“Well it seems as though there are systems completely outside of the chip thing. We are going to need information from the inside on what they are and their capacity.”
When they arrived at the South Lake Tahoe commercial center, they made a quick holographic phone call to confirm a meeting point to reconnect with Asper and Lorraine.
“We’ll take the turn off to Jackson, then it is about another hour through the forest from there,” Mike said when they had met up with the two women. “When we arrive, I suggest we just take it easy, relax for a while, and then we can get down to business. The forest will have a good effect on you, and with long views to the ranges, you can take it in, soak up some energy.”
“Sounds great,” both Asper and Lorraine said together.
“I am going to have to leave you there. I cannot stay. There are still too many Agents out there for my liking. In fact, one is too many. I’ll be going back to the coast to see if I can find some.”
Ryan was waiting outside for them, appearing to be in a meditative like state. “Just soaking it in,” he said getting up. “You want to do this type of thing up here. Not much else around here than your own self, which is how I like it. Gives me the room to focus on what I need to do.”
He was right as the effect became immediately apparent - first the smell of pine in the summer sun, and then the clarity of the air and sky. With introductions out of the way, and after a farewell to Mike, the four of them decided to relax around the cabin leaving Ryan to do what he did.
**********
The Caspian Sea glittered in the sunlight offering an amazing view for the travelers as the HyperJet continued towards Europe. On an indirect route, the flight path took them over the northern end of the inland sea after crossing the sparsely populated area of southeast Kazakhstan. They were just over an hour into the flight and had been talking earnestly about what they might find in Vienna, when the spectacle brought a hush to their conversation. Other passengers also disengaged from chatting to gaze out the windows at the water sixty thousand feet below.
“It is so beautiful and so steeped in history,” Raynie said finally breaking their silence.
“Yes, of historical times good and bad. There has been a lot of trouble over this part of the world since the latter part of last century,” Lyle added. “Ever since autonomy was granted to the former nations within the Soviet Union, wars and the plight of many poor people have dominated this place. Successive leaders claimed important strategic and economic zones as their own and so border disputes had continued well into the fourth decade of this century, until a resolution was agreed upon at the global conference in the year twenty fifty two.”
“I’ve read about that conference,” Jenna said a slight look of confusion on her face. “I still don’t know what it actually achieved.”
“Huh?”
“Well yes I know it brought stability to the region and improved the lives of millions, but to me it seemed to be a bit of placating the masses whilst the dirty work still went on underneath.”
“I know. I have visited several sites near Astrakhan in recent years. Russia argued how the great city on the delta belonged to them, yet Kazakhstan was determined to secure the port within their boundaries, offering evidence by way of culturally significant artifacts found in the area.”
“Who won?” Jake asked.
“Russia did, in the short term. They secured it as part of their nation, but with its’ ethnic mix, the situation on the street was still a battle between descendants of tribes, and the imported population Russia brought to the area.” Lyle laughed a little thinking of what was about to become visible. “Watch as we cross the city and fly into Russian airspace.” The others leaned closer to the windows wondering what Lyle was referring to. Within a few minutes they saw a bright flash.
“What was that?” Raynie asked.
“It is the beacon of the Russian Federation. So keen to establish dominance over the city, the Russian authorities installed the beacon as a propaganda move for all airborne travelers. When you see the flash, you know you are now in Russia. Kazakhstan is still relatively poor in comparison and such technology is beyond their means.”
“But it is just a light isn’t it?”
“Well yes and no. If you see it at ground level, the light is only a small part. The center of the city is like Kashgar but as a showpiece for the might and majesty of Russia instead of China, and the light is atop a grand central complex of eleven interl
inked towers.”
Within an hour, their flight was skirting the northern side of the Black Sea passing over the Ukrainian city of Odessa. “Ladies and Gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We are preparing for deceleration from mach four in twenty minutes. Please be returned to your seats and engage restraining devices by this time.”
Deceleration for the HyperJet then commenced as scheduled gradually losing altitude over Romania and Hungary in preparation for landing in eastern Austria. As the jet descended, two sonic booms sounded as it went sub-sonic on approach to Vienna International Airport.
**********
Emotion cut deep, very deep. Witnessing the crushing of his son’s spirit hurt him to the very core. He was not someone who would normally let such emotions flow, but this time, he could not hold it back. Breathing in gasps, his mind took him to images where his son’s enthusiasm for life was often met with bluntness, negating it for him and making his own plight as a child even more difficult. How it hurt to see the innocence of his son taken away through the anger and disdain that was brought upon him. Such adult concepts, as useless as they are, were nevertheless, action…forced upon him and thus his innocence was stolen. His right to be an inquiring learning child, his right to express himself as himself, his right to feel validated and thus be encouraged, taken away so very often through hurt and through selfishness. The look of sadness on his son’s face hurt him again, and again with each grasping breath.
How cruel it seemed to do that to a boy. How cruel… His heart was almost beating out of his chest as if it was reaching out to his son itself, all those miles distant. It strained against his ribs wanting to be there, to protect and to love, yet it was bound inside its’ own cage and he would have to rely purely on its’ signal covering the tyranny of distance and reaching out to his son. To give, to give was all he could think. What else could he do? So apart yet in his own heart always connected. His feelings subsided a little as he started to think of ways to at least minimize this for good. It was time to change tactics and make a move to see this put right. His son had everything to live for and he wanted to show him this.
Then, as if to start again, the memories of their times together and the spirit they share welled up, shortening his breath. He knew he was strong, as he had been to this place before. Quelling the expression of his feelings, he struggled between giving them all they deserved and retaining some composure. He knew there was strength in expression and never any shame, so he held his head high as they gave strength to him. Such strength goes beyond anything thrown at his son to crush his son’s spirit, and he could feel it. He would change this - he would have to break through. That which is essence in him, is essence in me, we are one.
John awoke from his dream struggling with what had just happened. More than a dream, it was almost identical to an experience he had some years before. He had witnessed the suppression and attempts at submission exerted on his only son. He had gone through the tearing emotion because he cared for him and loved him so much. He had acted, and it was successful. The bond they shared was strengthened even further as his son progressed towards adulthood. Showing him, teaching him, and helping him find himself without such negative incursions stealing his son’s rights to himself, was his focus and he felt honored to give to his son what he could…from respect as well as love.
But why this, now? As he awoke further, he remembered where he was. He was lying under a shady pine outside a cabin in the Sierra Nevada Mountains on a fine late spring day. He drew a deep breath to steady himself, feeling clarity coming from the pine scent and the freshness of the air. He looked around to see he was alone. His companions were sitting inside the cabin having a meal with Ryan. Another breath and he could smell what it was they were eating. Realizing his own deep hunger at this time, the smell motivated him to get up and go inside.
“Hi sleepy,” Lorraine said as he walked in.
“Hmm. Yeah…hungry.”
“Come eat,” Ryan offered him a place at the table by indicating with his hand.
“Strange dreams,” he said gathering food onto his plate from several dishes in the center of the table.
“You too.”
“And us,” added Tobias and Asper together.
“It’s this place,” Ryan added. “It does things to you.”
“Yeah, must be. I had a dream about my son. It felt real enough and was basically a recollection of an experience I had. The dream and the experience were both a very emotional time.”
“Me too,” Lorraine added. “Except mine was to do with my mother and a health scare she had a few years back. She fully recovered though. Where is your son?”
“Living in London.”
“They seem like they were very emotionally charged dreams. Tobias and I discussed ours, which were both very similar and emotional.” Asper had always been one to take dreams quite seriously, thinking they could often be connections to the sub-conscious mind.
“It sounds like they may have been key emotional and insightful times for you,” Ryan said. “I do a lot of meditation here at the cabin. Like you, I have gone through similar experiences during these past few years since I moved here. Cannot say there is anything remarkable about the place, other than the obvious serenity and beauty of the mountains and forests that may contribute to opening the mind and clearing away thoughts, thus revealing emotions and feelings. I have often thought it is about a recollection within where you gained strength and vision about solving difficult situations.”
“Hmm…we need some of that now with this security tech,” John said changing the topic.
“Yeah. I thought we could do some of that work tonight. I have some gear here you will like John.”
After dinner, they all adjourned to Ryan’s workshop. “Here is the latest I have on the ID chip authentication thing to deal with…”
“Look!” Asper exclaimed interrupting him and pointing to the only window in the workshop. The others turned to see what it was that had drawn her attention. Sitting in a tree immediately outside the window was a large Owl. Considered in some cultures as being a creature of wisdom, the Owl was staring at them through its’ large round eyes. Its gaze did not even falter when they turned away - remaining directly fixed on them.
“Is that a real Owl? Tobias asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Sure it is not a robotic surveillance Owl?”
The others except Ryan laughed at his joke. “Whilst I know it isn’t, don’t dismiss the possibility,” he said.
“Really?”
“Yeah really. The authorities have some decent robotics at their disposal. So much so, I have taken steps to install automatic scanning equipment for such a thing. They could easily disguise the tech with any type of animal they chose, but an Owl would be a better choice than a Coyote for instance, purely based on their nature.”
“So then perhaps the Owl could be confirming a bit of wisdom taking place. It is said in the Native American cultures and others, that when you see an animal, you should take notice of its presence and what it could mean for you by the type of animal you see,” Lorraine said.
“Let’s hope so. It seems as though we are increasingly coming up against some pretty tough issues to overcome, so some wisdom would be a reassuring thing.”
“Not to mention those dreams we had this afternoon.”
“Um…yes mention them,” Ryan said. “And remember them.”
Chapter 22
The Agent had awoken on the street, coming to in the heat of the midday sun. After clearing away his grogginess, his anger and hatred returned. He began to hate himself for having made such a simple mistake resulting in him losing contact with those he was tracking. His thoughts then turned to reporting in to headquarters. As he was about to engage his communicator, two other Agents were upon him, gaining his attention with a tap on the shoulder from behind. He knew what it meant. He would have to report contact had been lost and such failures were looked upon with scorn. There w
ould be no punishment, but if he did it again, he was sure there would be.
“Come with us,” one of them said, beginning to lead him away from the scene. The two other Agents took him to nearby vehicle and they drove off. An onboard automatic notification system told all other vehicles to get out of the way, ensuring it priority amongst the city traffic.
As he rode along, his saw the faces of those on the street turn to see the vehicle as it drove by. He felt a little more at ease after his failure as his hatred returned and he thought of what was to come. They would all notice him and other Agents soon enough. They would not be able to avoid it. He spoke to the other two, “See them?”
“Mmm,” was the only reply.
“They will be ours soon.”
“Yes, but no more screw-ups on your part,” came the reply. “Your mistake is a lot bigger than you think. Your failure means there are people operating out there who are onto us. Only an idiot would allow such a thing to occur.”
‘Screw you,’ the Agent thought, his hatred turning to the other Agent who had just chided him, ‘I’ll be your boss some day and then we will see who is so smug.’
Upon arrival at headquarters, the vehicle descended twenty stories underground via an elevator equipped for the task of moving machines and people. Inside there were personnel everywhere at monitoring stations, having strategy meetings, and others housed in extravagant offices - obviously the superiors. With the main event getting closer every day, the authorities had ramped up their efforts, sparing no cost in resources and people. They were determined all should proceed as planned and the unassuming public would fit into place. The nuclear detonations had been a suitable distraction with many speculating it was likely to be terrorists opposed to the new world unfolding.
‘Why oppose,’ they would say. ‘The trans-humanistic evolution was happening. Our lives are so completely catered to and fulfilled now without uncertainty.’ But little did the public know these events had been carefully orchestrated for the very purpose of distraction away from what was actually happening.
First Light: Book one of the Torus Saga Page 22
