Exile

by S. M. Wilson

  She reached back and gave his hand a squeeze. “I know,” she said simply as they sat together in the dimming light.

  Storm had never seen parliament so busy. The security lines snaked away from the entrance. She was used to the atrium being filled with black cloaks or pale-blue uniformed colleagues, but today it was bursting at the seams.

  She pushed her way through to Octavius’s office, finally catching her breath as she burst through the tightly packed crowd.

  “There you are!” exclaimed Octavius. For the first time since she’d worked for him he was wearing his dark-green cloak. “Hurry!” He pushed a pile of papers into her arms. “Follow me.”

  “What’s happened?” she asked, as they shoved their way back out of his office. Octavius walked quickly, his small stature seemingly an advantage as he darted among the jostling bodies. She struggled to keep up, struggling even more to keep him in her eye line. After a few minutes she realized where he was going.

  The crowd was biggest around the entrance to the main parliament debating chamber. She’d never actually been inside it before. The heavy double doors were intricately carved and today they were wide open. The inside of the chamber was white. White walls and white seats. All except one. One grander seat at the end of the chamber was red. Some of the Stipulators were already in place, seated according to their zone. Their black cloaks were striking against the white backdrop. Octavius pushed his way past the numerous black cloaks around the door. It seemed many of the Chief Stipulators were either consulting with their aides, or with other Stipulators from their area.

  She’d never seen parliament in session before. Was this what it was always like?

  Octavius mumbled to himself the whole way across the chamber. Storm couldn’t keep up with his short legs. When he reached the red chair he pulled out a little box on the side to help him up into it, then held his hands out for his papers again.

  “What’s going on, Octavius?” she whispered.

  He looked her straight in the eye. “An unscheduled session was called. All the Chief Stipulators have to attend. There will likely be a vote.”

  Storm shook her head as she glanced around the rapidly filling chamber. “A vote about what?” Being in the chamber was intimidating. The space was bigger than she expected, amplified by the fact it was completely white. A few eyes settled on her, scowling. She realized she was now the only aide inside the chamber.

  As she turned to ask Octavius the obvious question, it seemed he was expecting it. “You have to leave. Session starts in a few minutes. It could go on for hours. Wait in the office.”

  “Do you need anything else?”

  He shook his head. She gave a nod and turned to go. Reban Don was near the entrance – he caught her eye as he strode angrily into the chamber. Her skin prickled. But not from Reban’s gaze. No. It was Silas. He was watching Reban from the other side of the chamber, his arms folded across his chest, and murmuring to the Stipulators on either side of him. He was almost smirking.

  The last few black-cloaked figures swept through the entrance as Storm left, and seconds later the doors boomed shut. For a few seconds the atrium was silent. Everyone stared at the closed doors.

  After a few moments she heard murmurs from aides gathered near one of the collection points. She walked in that direction but just as she reached them they all headed another way. Corin was with them. He looked over his shoulder and slowed his step, grabbing her sleeve. “Hurry up, we only have a few moments.”

  She quickened her pace. “Where are we going?”

  Corin shook his head as they turned the corner. “And don’t speak from this second onwards. Only whisper.” She wrinkled her brow as they filed down an older-looking set of stairs. The light disappeared behind her. The corridor seemed a little cramped and musty. The bodies jammed closer together as the corridor got more winding and the aides in front of her slowed down.

  Storm tried to see around Corin’s body to figure out what was going on. The others had stopped walking and turned to face the wall. Just as she was about to ask why, one of the aides reached up and slid open a little grate in front of her. The shock of white made her gasp out loud.

  “Shhh,” hissed Corin angrily. He put his finger to his lips and mouthed, “Not a word.”

  She blinked as her eyes tried to focus. Although the whiteness was startling, her view was a little more unusual. Mainly black-clad feet.

  She lifted her hands up in question to Corin.

  He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “This is how we find out what actually happens in parliament.”

  She shook her head in wonder as Octavius’s voice boomed around them.

  “Order! Chief Stipulators to order, now!”

  The voices in the debating chamber fell quiet. Storm stood on her tiptoes. She only had a little gap to peer through – she tried to squint first one way, then the other. When she looked really hard to her left she could see a tiny flash of green. Octavius.

  “Silas Jung. You called this session. What is your displeasure?”

  There were footsteps. Silas was obviously moving to another position. After a few minutes she heard his familiar voice. “We were promised Piloria. We were promised a virus that would rid of us the most dangerous dinosaurs – or all dinosaurs – and yet it seems that some of our laboratories have been using their facilities for other priorities. Some zones are not delivering what is required. I think it’s time to look at the leadership in those areas.”

  Octavius’s voice cut through. “That’s not your decision to make. That’s for parliament. Let’s start with reports from each of the zones on their labs.”

  One of the assistants next to Corin groaned. “Four hundred reports?” He pressed his head against the wall.

  But the reports went quickly. And they varied. Some zones reported being ready to test a virus. Some weren’t at that stage yet. A few reported problems. The lab at Tarribeth City was ready to test the pterosaur virus. The lab at Corbeth City was ready to test the velociraptor virus. Octavius asked a few questions along the way and Storm could tell he was taking notes.

  It finally reached Reban Don’s turn. His voice was icy cold. “Ambulus City. The T-rex virus is ready for testing.”

  “What about your other issues?”

  It was a question from Octavius. Storm held her breath. He’d asked other Chief Stipulators questions when they’d said there had been problems in their labs. But he’d never queried anyone who’d given a positive report.

  Reban didn’t seem fazed by the question. “Everything’s under control. As I reported, the T-rex virus is ready for trial.”

  Silas Jung’s voice broke through. “I’ve heard that the lab in Ambulus City has been spending its time working on human DNA instead of T-rex DN—”

  “The work on dinosaur DNA is completed,” Reban broke in angrily.

  Octavius’s voice was heard again. “Let us focus on the priority here. We have viruses ready to use on the dinosaurs, and sooner than we expected. I suggest we don’t delay. Our initial plan had been to send them with the next set of Finalists to visit Piloria, next year. But there is no reason to wait. We can send another voyage to Piloria now. Let’s see if the viruses work. Let’s see if Piloria can actually be habitable for humans. Let us vote.”

  His voice boomed.

  Storm shifted. She hadn’t realized Octavius actually told the Stipulators what to do. He’d skipped around that part of his role.

  The murmuring eventually halted. Silas was close enough that she could hear him muttering. He sounded irritated.

  “All the ayes?”

  She couldn’t see what anyone was doing. But she heard the collective voices: “Aye.”

  “All the nays?”

  Silence. Complete and utter silence.

  “The motion is carried. Chief Stipulators, normally you would inform your subjects of government decisions. On this occasion, I suggest we wait until we know the results of the virus study. It would be better to t
ell our subjects good news.”

  No one spoke. No one argued. But this didn’t seem to go to a vote. Octavius’s suggestion just seemed to be agreed.

  “Who will we send?” Storm didn’t know where the question came from, but it seemed to spur renewed conversation around the chamber.

  Octavius spoke over the voices. “It’s an important question. We need to try and spread the virus. Who do we have to send?”

  A voice cut through. “We can do Trials again. We can send new Finalists.”

  “Takes too long,” called another. “We should use the people we already have.”

  “What people?” Octavius’s question was louder than the others.

  “The winners,” replied the voice. Storm couldn’t work out who the other speaker was. “The three who completed the final Trial. And the other survivors. They know Piloria. They know the terrain. The head scientists can give them instructions on how to distribute the virus. They can be on and off the continent in just a few days. It shouldn’t be dangerous for them.”

  Says a man who has obviously never set foot on the continent. Storm’s legs were beginning to shake beneath her. Back to Piloria? Back across the ocean at the mercy of the megalodon? The thought was terrifying.

  She pressed her hands against the wall to steady herself.

  But once she’d crossed the ocean? Then she’d be back – back on Piloria. Back on the land that stretched as far as the eye could see with no buildings, no structures. Green everywhere, trees, bushes and mountains. Colours and smells most people couldn’t even imagine.

  A cold hand rested on her shoulder. “Storm, are you okay?” Corin’s forehead was creased with deep lines.

  She couldn’t reply, she was still listening to the chamber.

  Octavius’s voice was steady. “How can we send them back? Haven’t they earned their right to peace? They’ve already visited the continent. They brought us the eggs.”

  “And now they can finish the job. They can release the viruses. It shouldn’t require much effort. They know the land, they know how to stay safe. And, if the viruses work, there should be less danger than there was before. Fewer dinosaurs to eat them.” This time the speaker was Silas. She could hear the smirk in his voice.

  “And their reward?” She hated the fact she couldn’t see who was asking the questions.

  Silence in the chamber. It seemed that none of the Stipulators thought Storm and her friends should be rewarded for risking their lives again.

  Silas’s voice cut across the murmuring voices. “Wait. Before we agree who to send I have another matter for parliament to consider. Apparently the human DNA work has led to other discoveries.” He paused for effect. “It seems that one of my colleagues has broken the First Law of the Stipulators.”

  The First Law – the one that said Stipulators weren’t allowed families, so that they would devote all their attention and energy to the preservation of their zone.

  There was a collective gasp around the parliament chamber. But Octavius’s response was calm. “Silas Jung, who do you accuse of breaking the First Law?”

  There was an interminable silence. Storm was practically bouncing on her toes. Her occluded vision was beyond frustrating. She imagined all the Chief Stipulators were staring at each other suspiciously right now.

  “I accuse Reban Don.”

  Storm could almost hear the smile in his words. The bottom fell out of her stomach. It was like a million little flies crawling across her skin. She swayed, then leaned forward, closed her eyes and pressed her head against the grate in front of her. This had to be about her.

  There were murmurs around the chamber. Reban Don’s voice was unmistakeable. “Your proof?”

  Silas continued to sound smug. “The proof I have is new. It’s based on the human DNA studies conducted” – he gave a short laugh – “by your own lab in Ambulus City.”

  Storm looked up.

  Octavius’s voice was grave. “What are these new studies? What do they show?”

  There was a crumple of paper. Silas moved. He was now in Storm’s line of sight. Triumphant. That’s the word she’d use to describe Silas right now.

  He was holding aloft a piece of paper. She was too far away to see what was on it.

  “This. Conclusive proof. A match between a father and a daughter. One that cannot be denied. A DNA match. Reban Don and his daughter. The one he has hidden away for years.”

  The gasps beside her seemed magnified in the cramped corridor. “What?” said Corin.

  Storm couldn’t speak. This was all like a bad dream. How could there be a DNA match between her and Reban Don? Didn’t that mean she’d have to have given a sample?

  Silas.

  Of course. Sickness welled at the back of her throat. Things that Lincoln had told her at the loch side all slotted into place. That’s what Silas had been doing in Octavius’s office. Her hair. He’d pulled her hair to steal a DNA sample.

  Silas brandished the paper high in the air. “Proof. Isn’t it time to invite his daughter here?” He turned to face Octavius. “After all, she does work in parliament.”

  A horrible, icy feeling tingled down her spine. She couldn’t see Octavius right now, but she’d become familiar with his tendencies. He didn’t like people trying to outsmart him – trying to make a fool of him.

  She had a bad feeling about this.

  After the longest pause, Octavius spoke. “The head scientists. They will confirm this data? This human DNA?”

  Silas nodded. “Of course. Call your head scientist in. He will confirm what Reban has never acknowledged. Stormchaser Knux is the child of Dalia Knux and Reban Don.”

  There was an audible gasp around the chamber.

  “The girl who won the Final?” exclaimed a voice.

  “Send her to the mines!” said a second.

  “Send them both to the mines!” came the next.

  Storm’s breathing faltered. Her lungs wouldn’t let air in, and definitely wouldn’t let it out.

  Silas cut across the voices. “We must vote on Reban Don’s guilt in breaking the First Law.”

  Octavius’s voice was unerringly steady. “Agreed. Reban Don, face your accusers.”

  Reban’s footsteps echoed across the parliament floor. Storm saw his black boots walk past the grate. Her stomach rolled. What did this mean for her?

  When the noise came to a halt, Octavius spoke again. “On the accusation of breaking the First Law we now vote. Do you find Reban Don guilty? All the ayes?”

  “Aye.” It sounded almost unanimous.

  She heard Octavius clear his throat. “All the nays?”

  This time it wasn’t silent. This time there were a handful of replies: “Nay.”

  Octavius paused for a second, then finally said, “The ayes have it.”

  The shouts started up again immediately. “Send him to the mines!”

  “Him and his daughter!”

  Something banged sharply on the floor. “Order, order!”

  Silas let out a snort. “Let’s face it. Reban’s daughter can choose between Piloria or the mines.”

  There was a yell from inside the chamber. An explosion of rage. “SILAS!”

  There was a blur of black. A scuffle, rolling bodies on the ground. She saw a flash of white-blond hair, big boots. Small flashes of skin. A thud. The distinctive sound of a punch.

  “Enough!” roared Octavius.

  Several more of the Stipulators rushed forward, trying to pull them apart. Reban’s head was close to the floor. She could see him now as he was pulled away. His hands were around Silas’s neck, grasping with all his might. Even though it was only a few seconds, Silas’s face was already coloured, his eyes bulging with the sudden pressure. Reban’s face was pure fury.

  Suddenly he blinked, as if he had noticed her face at the grate. She gasped and stepped back against the wall behind her.

  Reban started shouting at the top of his voice. “You’re taking his word – his word about this science w
hen you all know nothing about it. Silas is only interested in taking over Ambulus zone.”

  Reban was pulled to his feet by a Stipulator on either side of him.

  Silas shouted in return, “You broke the First Law. You no longer have a say. You no longer have any rights. You’ll be banished, you and your…daughter.” He waved his hands. “Off to the mines.” He added the last part with relish.

  “Silence!” Octavius’s voice dripped with rage. “The vote has been taken. Reban Don has been found guilty of breaking the First Law. The usual punishment for Stipulators…and their families…is the mines.”

  There were a few cheers around the chamber.

  She’d heard of Stipulators being sent to the mines. Blaine was the only person she’d heard of who had been served a different punishment. She’d never heard of the families being sent to the mines, though. That part had been kept quiet. What had Lincoln said about Blaine’s family? Was that why they’d disappeared and stayed hidden for years?

  But Octavius wasn’t finished. “But on this occasion I have another suggestion. We have a more pressing matter. Piloria. The dinosaurs. The viruses. We’ve already discussed sending the Finalists back. Stormchaser Knux is one of those Finalists. It is my suggestion that Reban Don be part of that journey too – be part of the team that goes to Piloria. The law says only that he must be punished. It’s up to us to decide how. On Piloria he can oversee the planting of the viruses – after all, it will be in his best interests to ensure the team stays on task, seeing as he will be staying there for ever. If he survives, he can report back on the effects of the viruses.” Octavius cleared his throat. “As for Stormchaser? She’s already paid a great service to Earthasia by bringing us the eggs. If…” He paused for the briefest instant. “If she plants the viruses then I suggest she is allowed some leniency and can return.” He waited a few seconds then continued. “Any objections? No. Good. It is decided.”

  A few of the Stipulators started to mumble again.

  There was a noise. The pull of a box, then a light thump. A few moments later Storm glimpsed the edge of the heavy green cloak trimmed with gold.