Clan World

by Jim Kochanoff

  “Hey now!” Lucaz said defensively. Silly boys.

  “Tuko, I’m sorry. I lied. I’ve been used to tackling problems on my own. Back home, I didn’t have many friends, and I didn’t want anyone else mixed up with my issues. I kept thinking that you guys would bail on me at some point, so every time I considered being truthful with you boys, I backed off.”

  “We gave you everything, and you held back. I don’t think I can trust you again.” Tuko looked at me sulkily.

  “Move on, Tuko. I don’t like being lied to either, but there is something bigger here. If Pene can get us into the Cradle, then you can get over your wounded pride,” Lucaz chided. “So, what’s the plan?” He looked over to me.

  There was something about the console ports — my hand rummaged through my pocket. I felt the dead drone I had been carrying in my pocket and wondered if the most hated object from my world might be an answer.

  “I’ve seen that look before. What are you thinking?” Jinn asked.

  “We need to get out of this tent and find out if the Orphan clan is here. If we can activate this, I have an idea about how to use it on the entrance.”

  23

  Activate

  Ten minutes later, after successfully tunneling out of the back of the tent to avoid the Armor guards, we were swallowed up by the huge camp of clans. I covered my face, not wanting to draw any attention. The others were more discreet as well, in case one of their own clan members recognized them. Tuko talked to a few people, eventually getting us directions to where we needed to go.

  Most of the activity was at the center of the camp, with the clan leaders meeting to discuss the next step with Luther and Isaac. The clan members that remained seemed on edge, as if a war was inevitable. Although I was glad to have the focus off me, I didn’t want to see more deaths. As we worked our way to the outskirts of the camp, I saw a familiar face and ran toward her.

  “Sena! I missed you. Are the others with you? Are your parents here as well?”

  She squeezed me back. “I missed you too. I’m so glad you made it here safely. Only a few parents are here. They are stretched too thin to send many to the Cradle. Arch and Saul came as well. Did you want to see them?”

  “Arch I can do without. Saul we need to see. He may be able to help me with the Cradle.” Sena looked confused, but she was willing to help.

  “Follow me.” She motioned and weaved around a couple of vehicles and half dozen kids kicking a ball. Saul was sitting on a rock, playing with a pair of tweezers and a wire. He jumped when we rushed up to him. He wasn’t overjoyed to see us.

  “Can you guys not tell I’m trying to do something delicate?” He fumbled with a set of wires.

  “Be careful you don’t connect those two red wires together,” Lucaz cautioned.

  “Well, of course I know that. How did you figure that out? Most of the guys from our clan can’t figure a bolt from a nut.”

  “Let’s just say in Spider clan, I’m pretty good with electronics,” Lucaz answered. Saul seemed interested.

  “Saul — Lucaz. Lucaz — Saul. We need your help. Do you remember this?” I pulled out the dead mechanical drone and handed it to him.

  “I remember it was hard to get any details out of you about it. Why is it important?”

  “I think it could open up the Cradle wall,” I said, realizing how unbelievable that sounded.

  “Yeah right.” Saul laughed. “This little dead bug is the key to our whole civilization. You’re crazy.”

  “Maybe. Look at the back of its tail. There is a port in the back that resembles one of the ports in the Cradle door.”

  “Wait a second,” Lucaz countered. “Instead of an outsider opening the door, what if something from outside will open the entrance?”

  Saul immediately became interested. “You think this console will interface with this little machine?”

  “Maybe. Before we met the Spider clan, we found an underground lab with a similar console interface. We were pursued by the same mechanical drones. There is a connection.”

  “You want me to take this apart?”

  “Yes. Either we need to turn it on or get a computer chip out of it that will allow us to interface with the door. Are you up for the challenge?” Behind us there was a chorus of yells. Tuko left us to go talk to someone behind us.

  “You bet,” Saul answered enthusiastically.

  “I can help too,” Lucaz said. “Mind if I use some of your tools?” He motioned to the mess around Saul.

  “Sure. Just don’t get in my way and don’t break anything.” He smiled, and I could tell he liked having someone else mechanically inclined around.

  Tuko grabbed me from behind. “One of Dad’s men found us, and they aren’t happy we disappeared from the tent. Seems we have to make an appearance at the clan meeting with Luther.”

  “Great,” I answered sarcastically. “Saul, Lucaz. We don’t have much time. Get this drone operational or apart. Your clan leadership may depend upon it.”

  We left them and went with Jinn and Tuko, who were accompanied by two Armor guards. As we dodged other clan members, I could feel the guard’s gaze on me. I didn’t know if they thought I was a circus freak or a prize to collect. I felt like everyone knew that I didn’t belong here.

  Tuko walked ahead with the Armor guard.

  Jinn gazed at me with concern. “The only people these leaders care about is their own clan. I don’t see how they will agree on anything, especially with Luther’s deception.”

  “What do you think they want with me?” I shuffled around the front of a vehicle. “I already told them everything I know.”

  Jinn stopped and looked me in the eyes. “They want to use you, Pene. Luther, Isaac, all they care about is themselves and that they have the power. If you support them, they will make you out to be a potential savior. If you’re against them, they’ll say your presence could jeopardize everything in the Cradle. Don’t believe anything they say.”

  “Even your…” But before I could finish, I felt hands pressing on me as several Armor clan members directed Jinn and I into a large tent. We were surrounded by people, with a wooden podium in the center. Chairs were placed around it so that every seat had a good vantage point. On the podium were Luther, Strika, and about ten other adults. Around the room, some sitting and others standing, were another twenty. Their attention was focused on us as we walked in. I was placed in a chair while Jinn and Tuko sat behind me with their backs to the tent flap. All conversation died as Abraham’s father, Isaac, stepped forward.

  “Please sit. During the discussion, we will decide who will lead the clans by a vote. Everyone can speak, but your response must be under a minute long. Be direct. Talking about yourself will not further the conversation. Talking about what is best for the clans is where we need to focus our conversation. I have the talking stick in my hand.” Isaac held a gnarled piece of wood in his right hand. “If you wish to speak, motion for it, and it will be given to you. Otherwise, do not speak over someone, and don’t interrupt. Any questions?”

  The room was silent. I had the feeling that this was standard protocol for meetings between the clan leaders, and most of them had heard this before. Several seconds later, Luther stepped forward and grasped the talking stick.

  “All of you know me, and I have explained the reason for my deception. To me, my absence has shown which clans will rule if it benefits their own members. This is wrong. Instead of warring tribes, we must unite under one leader. Our decisions have consequences, and we must pick a leader who will watch over all.”

  Isaac grabbed the stick from Luther. “Respect and trust drive our clans. Our families follow us because we listen and provide help based on their wishes. They cannot trust someone who lies to them.” His eyes directly matched Luther’s.

  Luther took the stick back. “Does a parent lie to his child when he has their own best interest at heart? We had to learn what it would be like without my leadership. The clans attacked each other during
my absence. Now they need direction to take them to next step.”

  “And what would that next step be?” Isaac yelled, looking straight at the other leaders. “Will you open the Cradle door? Will you bring peace to our clans? Will you stop the dinosaurs from attacking us? Your promises are empty.”

  “And what promises are you providing, Isaac? Does anyone wonder what he will deliver other than special treatment for himself and his Hunter clan? We need unity. He brings special interest.” I had to stifle a giggle, but unfortunately both speakers looked over at me. It was one of those moments when you wish you could turn invisible.

  “Do you have something to say?” Luther asked.

  “This is for clan leader’s voices only,” Isaac said. “Teenage girls need not be heard.” I was willing to be quiet, but Strika spoke.

  “Let her speak. Considering what the clans have put her through, it is the least we can do.” He handed me the talking stick from Luther. I was nervous. I wasn’t a great speaker and the staring adults were intimidating. Yet I needed to say something.

  “Both of you talk about what you bring as a leader and where the other is deficient. What you don’t talk about is how you’re going to help the other clans. I came from a place where leaders believed they knew what our people wanted and provided it. Their way. They usually got it wrong. If both of you talk about yourselves instead of how you would help the clans, I wouldn’t vote for either of you.” There was a gasp behind me; other clan leaders were surprised by my audacity. I caught sight of Rustin, who bowed his head at me as if in agreement.

  Isaac grabbed the stick away from me. “She is not from our home. Her words are meaningless. She knows nothing of our culture.”

  “Does she?” Rustin interrupted, retrieving the stick for himself. “She passed our clan’s trials. Only the most valiant of warriors of our clan succeed. I think she is right. Neither of you should rule.”

  “Are you offering to take our place?” Luther demanded.

  “No.” Rustin paced and looked at the other leaders. “But instead of one, we need a group of leaders to make decisions. To make sure the needs of all clans are met instead of the needs of one.” Several heads nodded in approval, which infuriated Isaac.

  “Our leadership process cannot be left to a committee of clan leaders who defer decisions, because as a group nobody wants to make the tough choices,” Isaac replied. “You’re an even weaker clan leader than I imagined, Rustin.” The room broke out in angry conversations, and the message was getting lost in their egos. Luther grabbed the taking stick.

  “This is why a group cannot rule. A group cannot find a consensus when a decision must be made. Only a leader can make the life-and-death decisions that will unite our clans!”

  Before Luther could elaborate further, screams came from outside.

  The tent was suddenly shredded above us as a large talon reached through, as if it was paper. A large winged dinosaur ripped the canvas to pieces. Its claws grabbed an unfortunate guard and lifted him into the air.

  Everyone scattered. I looked up and scanned the sky. Dozens of pterodactyls had flocked to the camp. People scrambled to find weapons that would take out the winged invaders. I grabbed Jinn and Tuko, and we scurried away from the tent.

  “I thought you had stopped these dinosaurs from attacking us,” Jinn asked.

  “We never saw these birds there. Makes me wonder if there are other places where these animals are trained to kill,” I said.

  As a bird shrieked overhead, Jinn shoved me into the ground to avoid the claws that almost impaled my chest. I spat out some dirt as Tuko pulled me back up.

  “Come on — let’s find Lucaz. Let’s hope they’ve had some luck with the drone.” It was chaos all around us. I bumped into clan members as they ran away. I ducked into a tent and almost hit my head on Lucaz. They were working at a small workbench. He and Saul were excited, and it wasn’t about the flying dinosaurs.

  “We were able to get the drone bee apart. There is a small chip inside, and when Saul examined it, it had its own internal power supply,” Lucaz said.

  “Which I figured how to turn on,” added Saul.

  “So I can insert it into the Cradle door,” I said.

  “Yes. The door console has several ports. One of them may accept the chip or the drone. You just need to insert it and see what happens.”

  “We’ll never get near the console. It’s heavily guarded,” Tuko explained.

  “Not anymore,” Jinn said and pointed in the distance. She was right. The posted guards were fighting two pterodactyls. One had a guard in its talons, while the others were spearing the dinosaur’s foot to get it to release the man. No one was watching the door. It was our chance to get close, if we didn’t get ripped to shreds by one of the birds. We ran over as the guards continued to battle. Lucaz and Tuko got there first, while Jinn, Saul, and I arrived seconds later.

  “Stay away from there!” one of guards yelled, noticing our arrival. He took two steps toward us and then fell back twenty feet as the bird’s wings sent him sprawling. I looked at the console as Saul removed the chip from his pocket.

  “Here goes,” he yelled over the noise of attacking birds and dying men. The console was plain, with a screen, a few dials, and empty slots. He inserted the chip in the slot that matched its size. Nothing happened.

  “This isn’t working!” I yelled. “Trying to insert the rear end of the drone into the port.”

  There was a screech, and we turned as a huge bird dived down on us. Saul was so scared that he dropped the drone in the dirt, losing it.

  We had no weapons and no access to the Cradle. In seconds, the bird would shred us.

  24

  Origin

  A spear erupted out of the chest of the bird, and it fell to the ground. The bird’s death was instantaneous. I turned and watched Abraham remove the spear from the bird’s chest and wipe the blood on his shirt.

  “Y-you saved me,” I stammered. “You saved all of us!”

  “You are not my enemy,” he answered. “Doesn’t mean I like you, but I’m not going to let any of you die. Especially if you can help.”

  “I’m trying to get in the door. We think we may have a way in.” I looked down. Saul was trying to find the drone in the dirt. Abraham didn’t look too impressed.

  “I’ll buy you some time. It’s no coincidence that these birds are attacking. Someone doesn’t want you to get into the Cradle.”

  Saul picked up the drone. “Shall we try again?”

  I nodded, and he put the drone’s butt end in. He turned it to the right, like the drone was a switch. Nothing.

  “Turn the power on,” Lucaz commanded. Saul pressed a switch on the chip and a red light came on.

  A spear landed at my feet, thrown by one of the guards. Lucaz and Abraham threw themselves at him and pinned him to the ground. Saul turned the drone again like a wheel, and it made a clicking sound, like a key opening a door.

  Suddenly the console screen came to life.

  “You have pressed an incorrect key. Please state your purpose.” A computer avatar came to life. Her image was unmistakable. It was my mother. I was too shocked to speak.

  “Let us in,” Jinn commanded.

  “You do not have clearance. Request denied.”

  “That is my mother on the screen,” I said weakly.

  “Then talk to her. Tell her to let us in.” I looked at the screen and faced my mother. Or at least the computer representation of her.

  “This is Pene. I request entry. Mom.” The computer whirled and shook, as if trying to compute its logic. Ten seconds passed, and nothing happened. I had failed.

  “Entry approved. Only you have access. The door will stay open for thirty minutes. If you do not exit in that time, it will be approximately one year before the door will open again.” My mother’s voice was cold and logical, nothing like the caring woman I remembered as a baby. Could she still be alive? Was this computer representation the only thing left of her? />
  The door raised to the ceiling. Decades of dust fell to the ground. I was going to enter the Cradle, something that no one in this world had done — until now.

  My thoughts were interrupted as an arm reached around my throat. The world was fuzzy around the edges, and before I passed out, I responded as I knew best. I brought my leg backward, and my assailant let go of me.

  “That is the second time you have done that to me!” Viktor spat, hunched over. He had about a dozen clan members surrounding us. They were silent but menacing, and they aimed to be the first ones into the Cradle. Not after all my hard work!

  But with a two-to-one advantage, they seized us. Even Abraham was immobilized. He didn’t look pleased.

  “Tell your silent friends to remove their hands from me, or I will have my animals destroy your clan. And that is no empty promise,” Abraham commanded.

  “Too bad for you. Why don’t you cry to your father? This is a victory for Zombie clan, Abraham. This is our time.” Viktor motioned to his clan members. “And as much of a pain as this girl was,” he grabbed me again and twisted my arm, “she sure came through when we needed her.”

  “Seriously. People are dying around you, dinosaur birds are attacking, and all you care about is the glory of being the first into the Cradle. You self-centered jerk — your clan is a waste of space,” taunted Jinn as she tried to escape her captor’s grip. Viktor walked over to her and got so close, he was almost nose-to-nose.

  “Our clans have waited an entire lifetime for this moment, and you want to give this opportunity to her.” Viktor pointed at me. “No — this is our time. Whatever secrets are inside are mine for the taking.” He stepped forward, his huge frame filling the doorway. I was red with rage. What if he took my one chance to leave this world? To see my mother. He smiled back at me, but as he crossed the threshold, a red flash occurred, filling the space. Then he was gone, a shower of ash filled the entrance and fluttered to the ground.