by G R Matthews
“Now, listen here. I’m not even from this Corporation. I work for NOAH. I don’t know anything about organised crime. I can barely organise my own breakfast.” My heart was beating faster and a shoal of fear fish were swimming up and down my spine. I shivered.
“Mr Hayes, this city prides itself on being free of the Secret Societies. We have worked hard to keep it that way since its construction. And now you come here, with the daughter of the Hai San, pursued by, we assume, members of another Society. This has not made the city leaders happy and they, in turn and wisdom, have passed this displeasure down to me.”
“Sorry. I don’t know what you are talking about. I just got hired to take the girls between the two cities. It was easy money and no problem. After that, I was heading back to NOAH. I don’t want to get involved.”
“You are involved, Mr Hayes. You have no choice. You brought the Societies here and that is something that we cannot permit,” he said.
“Let me get my sub and I’ll leave,” I said.
“Your submarine is damaged, Mr Hayes. It is going nowhere for a few days.”
“You want us to stay here for that long? If what you’ve just told me is true, there will be others coming. We didn’t even know this city was here. It isn’t on the maps.” I looked around the room for confirmation, but no one moved.
“This city is a retreat, Mr Hayes. In the old world there were holy mountains upon which people lived and sought the Tao. We are not on the maps for the simple reason that we do not wish to have many visitors,” the interrogator said. “We mine and trade with others but prefer our solitude. You have disturbed that, Mr Hayes.”
“Then let us go,” I said.
“We have no intention of keeping you. That is not your Tao, nor ours. Our priests and wise ones, our Wu, have looked at you. They have seen your marks and scars.” He picked up the Pad again.
“While I was asleep?” I checked the belt on my trousers. It was still done up. I hadn’t felt a thing. I don’t remember falling asleep.
“If that makes you feel better, yes. You cannot stay in our city, neither can the girls. The father is aware you are bringing the girls to him and we have no intention of getting involved in a war between two Societies. Tickets have been booked on one of the passenger submarines that dock here infrequently. You are lucky that one is heading towards Nanxun and it leaves this evening. We will ensure you and the girls are safely aboard.”
“Thank you,” I said. For a moment it had looked as though we might never be leaving, but now a nice Submarine ride up to the Nanxun and the girls would be safe. I’d have to find a way back to NOAH at that point, but I’d bet Lijuan’s father would be grateful enough to help out there.
“We are staying neutral in this matter, Mr Hayes. There is no need to thank us,” he said, holding my gaze longer than was needed or comfortable. “Is there anything you require before you board?”
“A drink?”
Chapter 27
Water wasn’t what I’d had in mind when I requested a drink, but it was what they provided.
“Koo-Hin.” A little voice called as they led me out of my cell.
Lijuan and Chunhua were sat on a bench a short way down the corridor. Next to them stood two guards. I started towards them and when no call or reprimand came from the guards I allowed myself a smile.
“How are you both?” I crouched down in front of the girls, my knees complaining at the strain, but I ignored them. “They treated you well?”
“Yes,” Chunhua said in a clear voice, at the same time her hand snaked out and caught hold of Lijuan’s giving it a squeeze. “They have treated us quite well. What is going to happen now?”
“They’ve arranged a passenger sub to take us to Nanxun. Apparently they don’t get many subs here. It is some sort of religious city,” I said, glancing up at the guards who didn’t seem to react.
“Daoists,” Chunhua said. Lijuan looked up at her. Clearly it was a word that meant something. “They follow ‘the way’, the Tao. It is an old religion. Something from the ancient world.”
“I didn’t expect all the Da Long cities to be so different,” I said. “I mean, in the one we’ve come from no one speaks standard. And I don’t mean by choice. I really think a lot of them have never learned it. Here is some sort of hidden city where they follow this Tao thing. In NOAH a lot of the cities are the same. Back when I travelled a lot more than I do now, you could go from one city to another and they’d all look the same. Makes me wonder what Nanxun is like.”
“It is beautiful,” Chunhua replied. “It is a water city.”
“A what?” Every city was a water city, surrounded as they were by the ocean on every side.
“A city built around water. Canals really. You will love it.” She turned to speak to Lijuan and the little girl nodded excitedly. “I’ve told her we are going on a passenger submarine, back to her father.”
“They know who her father is. Did you know that?”
“They took DNA samples from us both,” she said.
“They also questioned me about organised crime,” I said the words slowly and watched her eyes.
“Are you involved in something, Corin?” Not a flicker in them. No twitch. No eyebrow raise or downturn of the mouth. No reaction at all. Way too obvious.
“Don’t try it, Chunhua. I’ve been around a lot longer than you and I’ve lied a hell of lot more than you. I’m better at it too. You and I are going to have a talk once we we’re on board, young lady.”
“Ah, Mr Hayes,” the fat interrogator came waddling down the corridor, flanked by his cheerful guards. Lijuan squashed herself up against Chunhua and cast fear filled looks up at the security officer. “I trust you are ready to depart. A strange thing, but we could find no luggage on your submarine.”
“My Fish-Suit?” It had taken a back seat to everything else, but I didn’t want to lose it. I wasn’t sure I could afford to replace it. Plus, I’d be in a military hell of form filling if it went missing. The interrogation I’d just had would be nothing compared to military intelligence. They’d probe every crevice and crack looking for a clue to its whereabouts and how much I was at fault for its loss. They start with it all being my fault and work up from there.
“We’ve had it moved into the luggage compartment of the sub,” he said. “Now, if there is nothing else. Shall we be off?”
We stood and the four guards formed a ring around us, the interrogator leading the way, and we began to walk. Out of the security station and into the city proper. Unlike NOAH or Yunru’s city, here they had forgone neon lights, bright signs or walkways cluttered with street sellers. Everything was calm, ordered, in its place. It was disconcerting.
There were only a few fashions visible on the streets and by fashion I really meant colours. Everyone wore the same cut of clothes. High necked tunics with buttons down the front and trousers of the same colour. Security wore grey, that I knew, but there were others wearing black, blue, and white. It wasn’t until you truly looked you saw the similarity in styles, but once you did it was impossible to ignore.
The walkways were bordered with buildings, mostly shops and offices from my peeks in through the doors as we walked. Everything was covered in stone and that was strange. I couldn’t get close enough to run my hand along the walls, but I recognised stone when I saw it. It was possible that it was just a thin veneer over a metal structure and just as possible it wasn’t. No one else seemed to be interested in this. Chunhua walked ahead of me, Lijuan shielded by a comforting arm, and they both stared forward.
There wasn’t the chance to ask questions and I doubt they’d be impressed if I did so. Being quiet was our best chance of getting on the passenger sub and on our way to Nanxun in safety. We passed the people in silence. They didn’t speak to us or acknowledge our presence. It was like walking through a city of ghosts. No one spoke to another and, after another look around I noticed the other thing missing, there were no children. Apart from Lijuan, no one on the streets
looked below Chunhua’s age.
Also, the streets weren’t empty. They were crowded with people. Each group moved aside for the security officers and us. No complaints. No moaning or whining. It was like putting your finger in a stream of water falling from a tap, they moved aside and fell back into place behind us.
Chunhua walked on in serene silence. In step and rhythm with the guards. She faced forward and I didn’t see her head twitch once, no glances around. Lijuan echoed my feelings though. She looked uncomfortable, scared, fearful. It wasn’t a pleasant sight. I didn’t like it.
I added an extra burst of speed and came up alongside Lijuan. She took my offered hand and smiled up at me. A child’s eye expresses everything. They hide little. Hers were full of terror. Even the prison had been friendlier than here. I gave her a reassuring smile and a squeeze of the hand.
“Kow-rin,” she whispered, trying a smile back.
One of the guards snapped her head around, scowling at us. I stuck my tongue out at her and Lijuan giggled.
“Sssh,” Chunhua hissed at us both.
Looking down at the little girl I gave her a shrug and another little smile.
We walked and soon the crowds gave way to more and more people dressed in security grey. The nature of the walkway altered too. Stone faded away, replaced with utilitarian, metal walls and painted signs. It looked like a normal city, in as far as any had so far.
As we neared the docks the silence gave way to murmuring and to, at last, full blown talking. You couldn’t run a docks in silence. It just wasn’t possible. Mind you, I’d have said the same thing about a city until a few minutes ago. The weirdness clung to me like a layer of grime, a smear of dirty oil, a stubborn stain that wouldn’t wash off.
“Mr Hayes,” the fat man said as he slowed down, coming to a halt next to a Panel and another guard. “Your sub departs in twenty minutes. Please have a good journey and follow your Tao.”
“Thank you,” I said, and with no other words springing to mind, added, “you too.”
“Follow me,” the guard said. The only other person I’d heard speak since we’d been put in the cells. It was quite a shock.
“Of course,” I answered, not letting go of Lijuan’s hand.
The guard led the way into the docks proper and towards the airlock at the far end. There was a moon pool full of little subs, the workers, the pleasure subs, the short range taxis. At the back, was ours. Well, the one we had stolen and made off with. No one seemed to be working on it.
The airlock was open on both sides, to enable passengers to board more easily. A break of health and safety regulations, but everyone did it. It just didn’t make sense to keep opening and closing both doors. I’m sure there were other safety features to prevent an accident.
As we neared, the guard pulled aside and stood by the empty airlock. He bowed low and gestured a smooth sweep of his hand that we should embark.
So we did. I like it when life is easy.
Chapter 28
The airlock gave way to the carpeted floor of the sub. Footsteps that had had a tinny echo were softened by the weave and give in the new floor covering. The light outside had been harsh and bright, which I only realised when I stepped on board and the shadows developed a blurry edge, looking less threatening, not as deep as before.
A breeze caressed my face, warm and soothing with a floral scent. The city’s air had been cold, air-conditioned and mechanical.
In these surroundings the austerity of the domed city was clear. More defined. Voices floated up from the passenger compartment and a steward greeted us with a smile.
“Welcome aboard Mr,” the steward said, holding out a Pad out for my fingerprint. The little computer beeped and the steward continued smoothly, “Hayes. Your seats are ready and your luggage has been stowed in the hold. I understand that all expenses for any in-journey requirements have been met.”
Someone was paying a lot to get us out of this city. Or, I suppose, to get the girls safely home. Either way worked for me. A comfortable journey was just what I needed, and there’d be alcohol too. Better yet, it was already paid for.
“This way, sir.” The steward turned to his right and led us up the aisle between the seats. There were three to each side and generous leg room. First Class. A place I’d only been once before and I’d been shot at. Many of the seats were full and no one was pointing a gun at me. I liked it. Most of the passengers had Asian features and I’d yet to see anyone, apart from me, in either of the two cities of Da Long with white or black skin.
Da Long was infamous for its lack of emigration and immigration. NOAH was a mix, a hodgepodge of people from everywhere and everyplace. Before the flood, before we’d all moved down under the seas, NOAH’s country had had a history of racial hatred and tension. Once we were struggling to survive, a lot of those ancient hatreds dissolved. You’d find some folks that still held those old views but they, thankfully, were few and far between. When your survival depended on the person next to you, hating them for the colour of their skin was the surest way to end up drowning.
As we walked up to the front, where the empty seats were, the passengers gave us a variety of reactions from total obliviousness, through passing interest, and from one gentleman an appraising stare. Whether it was directed at me or the girls I couldn’t say, but it made me shiver. I hurried Chunhua and Lijuan past as quick as I could.
“If you’d like to get yourself settled, our journey is due to commence in just a few minutes,” the steward said.
I let the girls go in first, not so I had an aisle seat, but so anyone coming for them would have to go through me first. Not that folks found that difficult most of the time. It did place me closer to the steward and the drinks. You took the rough with the smooth, the good with the bad.
The seats were comfortable. Very. I shuffled my bottom for a few seconds, just luxuriating in the feel of soft cushioning and smooth fabric.
“Pillows and blankets can be found in the compartments above your heads,” the steward said. “Once we are underway, I’ll take your drink and food order.”
“Actually,” I started and changed tack when I saw his eyes tighten around the edges, “can I have a pillow and blanket for the small one?”
“Of course, sir,” the steward said, the smile coming back onto his face. Slightly forced, I’d say, but they were paid to serve and I was going to make the best of it. He reached over my head, flicked the compartment catch and withdrew a pillow and two blankets.
I took them from him and passed them to Chunhua. “See if you can make her comfortable. I really can’t face the whole journey with a screaming child.”
“She will be fine,” Chunhua replied, narrowing her eyes at me before turning and talking to Lijuan.
“There are entertainment packages on the seat Panels, sir,” the steward said. “I am sure you can find something on there to occupy the young lady. Now, if there is nothing else?”
“Thank you,” I said, remembering the politeness my parent’s had tried to drill into me. This man was going to be providing the drinks. A little politeness now might bring dividends in the future.
I put a fingertip to the small pad on the arm of the chair and a Panel sprang to life ahead of me. It played a welcome message and presented me with a menu. I could use voice commands, most Panels accepted them and most people didn’t use it. The idea of hundred people all shouting at a computer was something we’d dallied with centuries ago and quite quickly moved on from. In the privacy of your own home, fine. Out in public, rude.
I scrolled through the options. First, I checked the map of the route and the ETA at Nanxun. Two days away. Two long days of sitting here, watching clips and reading with the two girls. I wasn’t sure what Chunhua’s boredom threshold was, but Lijuan’s wasn’t going to be long enough. At her age, Tyler had the attention span of seaweed, always fluttering with the current. On the plus side, she might sleep for a lot of it. Hopefully.
Second, I took a look at the drinks me
nu. Everything came at a steep price, but I wasn’t paying so I ignored the long list of numbers. They had everything I could ever want; beer and whiskey. After all the practice I’d had over the years I knew where my sweet spot was and saw no need to change it.
“Check out the menu. Choose some food for you and Lijuan,” I said, leaning closer to Chunhua. “It is two days to Nanxun. We’ll have to find some ways to keep her entertained.”
“Good luck,” she replied and began to scan through the menu.
“Yeah.” I shook my head.
I poked my head up, above the headrest and had a look around. There were a few rows of seats ahead of us and many to the rear. I didn’t like being here. I’d much rather have been at the back where I could see everyone, but we were safe on a passenger sub. Paranoia is hard habit to break.
Ahead the passenger compartment ended in a thick bulkhead door that was tastefully molded into the surrounds. That would be permanently locked on the journey. A safety feature to prevent hijacking.
Behind us, the seats gave way to another bulkhead door, the one we’d entered through, a small compartment and beyond that would be the cheaper seats. The ones I had been much more used to sitting in whenever we’d travelled as a family. Years ago now in a past I drank to forget.
“Ladies and gentlemen, my name is Bohai and I’ll be your Captain for this journey to Nanxun. The estimated journey time is forty-seven hours and we expect no problems along the way. Our stewards will be happy to assist you on the journey. In a moment, a safety video will play on your Panels. You can select the appropriate language on the screen and I would like you to watch it in its entirety. It is for your safety and well-being. Please relax and enjoy the trip.” The message was replayed in two other languages, one I thought I recognised as the one Chunhua spoke to Lijuan in. The other was a total mystery.
