by C. W Tickner
‘The Compassionates, Environmentalists, Micro-Elements and the Factors.’
‘Factors?’ Sky asked.
‘Aylen manufacturing company,’ Kane said.
The screens in front of them flickered to show Barchook the charger, the Banker Aylen who had met them in secret to tell them about Grakka’s plans.
‘We of the Banker’s faction would like to announce our withdrawal from the list of candidates for this election.’
A dull roar grew from the alcoves as every Aylen began to talk to one another. Vax looked as shocked as the rest. Like the Overseer, Veel showed no emotion at the news.
The Overseer waited for silence. ‘Any objections to the withdrawal?’
Grakka looked puzzled but Harl guessed there would be no complaints that the main competition had just forfeited the chance to rule.
Damen twisted in his seat. ‘He did it then,’ he said. ‘I thought he was having you on.’
Harl had been unsure at the end of their secret meeting when he’d asked Barchook to convince his faction to not participate in the election. In exchange he’d promised either the downfall of Harvest Ten or access the reactor as soon as it was fixed. The problem was Kane still needed the parts from Grakka’s unfinished reactor.
‘As long as we keep our end of it,’ Tess said.
‘What are our chances? Harl asked.
Kane finished writing something in his notebook. ‘If we cannot get the part,’ he said, ‘then I will have to try to make it. The issue is the original piece came from Orbital’s broken reactor.’
‘How long?’ Sky asked, shuffling forward to the front row.
Kane stuffed the notebook into the breast pocket on his whit coast and sagged down in his seat. ‘A month at least.’
‘But the election?’ Sky said.
‘Will be long over,’ Harl said.
The Overseer’s voice broke through the speakers.
‘Compassionates, what is your progress on your proposed power solution?’
Vax shot up from his seat, clearly taken off guard by the sudden change of subject.
‘There has been a… a delay.’
The Overseer nodded as if expecting the answer. ‘When you complete the technology, you will present your findings to the next assembly. It is too important to be left to languish. The fate of the planet is waiting for you. Perhaps-’
She was cut off by a short buzz and a red light from the keystone of an alcove opposite lit up.
Grakka’s grim face flickered up on a screen in front of Harl and was mirrored on all the screens in their alcove.
‘I would like to inform the congregation that we at Harvest Ten are committed to helping solve this energy crisis.’
Kane shook his head. ‘What energy crisis?’ he mumbled
Grakka’s deep voice continued booming through the speakers. ‘We have also been working on lessening the impact of our culture on the planet.’
‘Culture?’ Kane said. ‘More like your company.’
‘And we are pleased to announce our own new energy source will be fit for release to all of you in just a few days.’
‘Thank you Grakka,’ The Overseer said. ‘Now we-’
‘Just one more thing,’ Grakka said. ‘If Harvest Ten are elected, I would like to give assurances to all present that we will use this new source of power to lower cost of living to below fifty percent per faction.’
‘Yes, yes,’ The Overseer said. ‘Now is not the time for such campaign promises, Grakka.’
The old Aylen who had introduced the Overseer glared at Grakka’s Impertinence.
A rush of excited chatter spread around the hall.
The Overseer ploughed on, scanning the computer tablet in front of her. ‘Next on the agenda is a proposal by the Compassionate faction for the establishment of human rights.’
Harl’s heart bounced up to his throat at the words.
‘Today’s vote will be to decide if the creatures known as humans will receive rights-’
A sharp buzz ended the Overseer’s words and a frown crossed her colourful features as a red light lit up the keystone of an alcove and an Aylen appeared on screen.
‘We of the Environmentalists would like it to be known that we are in direct opposition to this vote. In order to save our beautiful planet, we must turn away from harvesting the land and use the more efficient option; Humans.’
‘Objection noted,’ The Overseer said. ‘We will now hear a counter point from Vax of the Compassionates.’
Like a rising tower, Vax stood up beside them. He held a palm up and folded the outer two fingers then bowed.
‘We understand the potential troubles that will arise from declaring that humans may have rights. But, as you know, we have been working to develop human technology and harness new forms of energy. This will make the transition from using them as a power source to relying on new methods, much easier.’
Another buzz droned.
The Overseer indicated for the Environmentalist’s representative to speak again.
‘But you have just stated this new technology is not ready. Why debate this now when there is no promise of actually bringing this new power source in to play. We’ll be shooting ourselves in the foot.’
Veel stood and cut in on the feed. ‘Grakka has already promised a new form of power in just a few days, which should be more than enough to ease the transition.’
Even from across the huge distance, Grakka looked furious.
Harl marvelled at the twist Veel put into the debate. Grakka could not keep using humans if he switched the power over and if he wanted to keep his promise he would have to let humans have rights.
An Aylen from an alcove to one side of the dome rang the buzzer as Grakka stayed silent. ‘We did not know this species was as intelligent as put forward in the Compassionate’s report. Perhaps they would be willing to speak for themselves?’
The Overseer swivelled on the bone chair to face them.
They all flinched under the penetrating stare and Dana seemed to sink down in her seat. Harl knew how she felt and resisted the urge to do the same as the entire Aylen nation turned their attention on them.
‘You have a representative?’ The Overseer asked.
No one moved. Troy began to stand but Damen’s hand shot out, clamping on his shoulder and forced him back into the seat. Harl almost laughed at having Troy represent the human race but his smile faded when he saw all eyes were on him.
He sucked in a deep breath, thinking of Sonora and Elo and the advice Gorman had given him so long ago.
Kane pressed a series of buttons and the console in front of Harl beeped. ‘They can hear you now,’ he whispered.
Harl cleared his throat and jumped at the booming sound that echoed back from the speakers. Everything he had wanted to say became lodged somewhere in his oesophagus and only an awkward silence ensued. Then laughter broke the silence.
Chapter 22
There is animal feed in storage, enough to keep a herd alive for a hundred years but I would imagine both myself and any animals would benefit from a more natural environment.
The laughter came from one of the alcoves on his left.
‘They are not intelligent,’ a snide voice said. ‘Nothing but creatures useful for energy and children’s playthings.’
Damen jumped up from his seat and rushed to the edge of the platform, his knuckles turned white as he clutched the railing and glared at the alcove the speaker sat in.
Harl sighed. If Damen lost his temper now, It would be disastrous.
Harl felt a warmth emanate from Veel beside him and an idea came to mind. He cupped his hand over the hole that acted as a microphone.
‘What’s his name?’ he asked.
He heard fingers tapping on a screen, then Tess’ smooth voice from behind.
‘Kark,’ she said, ‘Their faction is a new micro systems start up, Miniature solutions.’
‘Micro Element’s competition,’ Kane said.
&nb
sp; A strange calm settled on Harl and a trickle of confidence became a stream as he spoke.
‘You will demonstrate, Kark,’ he said, glancing meaningfully at Damen, ‘that like you, we too can show emotions such as anger and embarrassment. There may be differences in our species, like culture, logic and even etiquette. But we require the same basic needs like food, water, shelter, even love.’
He let the words sink in for a moment and caught his breath wiling himself to calm. ‘There is no better way to show this than by practical application. As a representative of our people, I declare we will not have dealings with any person or company who deems us beneath them. As such, Kark, humans will not do business with your faction.’
Harl resisted the urge to smile as Kark scowled across at him.
‘Good demonstration,’ Kane muttered.
‘We want to work through our issues,’ Harl said looking around at the other alcoves. ‘To make this planet better for the both of us,’ he glanced up at Veel, ‘and all other creatures. If you cannot find a strong enough distinction between our species, other than size, then I implore you to let us contribute what we can to this planet and give us our rights.’
Silence greeted Harl at the end of the speech.
He had made a fool of himself and all humanity.
When a roar grew from the alcoves and the Aylen began to stand he thought he’d provoked them to anger but as Kane slapped him on the back he realised it was appreciation.
Veel turned and smiled down at him, her skin glowed bright in the sunlight from the glass ceiling.
A buzz sounded during the accompanying chatter and the face of an Aylen they had not met popped up on screen.
‘As chairman of Micro Elements,’ the Aylen said, ‘I would like to extend our services directly to you. Regardless of the vote’s outcome, we would like to set up a solid relationship with your people for future trade.’
‘Would be in their best interest,’ Kane said. ‘A few thousand new customers would be no bad thing.’
Harl pressed a reply button and thanked them for their offer.
‘Please,’ The Overseer said, ‘this is not the time for negotiating new business deals. But the time for a vote. All major factions please make your choices.’
‘How long does it take,’ Tess asked.
‘Not long,’ Vax said.
‘How many voters are there?’ Harl asked, trying to count the alcoves around the room.
‘Currently there are six major factions who hold two votes each and eighteen minor factions with a single vote each. ‘
‘Let me guess,’ Kane said and flexed his fingers as if limbering up for a physical challenge. ‘Grakka’s Harvest Ten, The Bankers, Environmentalists, Compassionates, Micro Elements and-’ he paused unable to guess the last.
‘Factors?’ Harl guessed, earning a frown from Kane as he remembered the scientist mentioning the Aylen manufacturing company to Sky.
‘The six major factions vote first,’ Vax said.
‘I assume we vote yes?’ Troy said.
‘We do not vote,’ Vax said.
‘Why not?’ Sky asked.
Vax looked down at her. ‘It is our proposition, we are forbidden from voting for our own proposal.’
Harl caught Grakka staring across at them, tossing the flavoured bodies of humans into his mouth. A nasty grin split his face.
The Overseer looked up as the ancient Aylen shuffled forwards to whisper in her ear.
‘The major vote is in,’ The Overseer said.
‘The smaller factions find out the major’s stance before they vote?’ Harl asked.
It meant the smaller factions could curry favour or sway the vote dramatically.
‘Yes,’ Vax said, ‘The major votes are public and minor faction’s choices are kept secret.’
Vax went silent as the Overseer read out the first results.
Environmentalists. No.’
Harl had expected them to vote no but had hoped the talk of a new power source would sway them.
‘Micro-Elements. Yes.’
A weight lifted from him and he guessed the talk about trade had persuaded them to agree.
‘Harvest Ten. No.’
‘Surprise, surprise,’ Troy said. He broke into a fit of coughing as the next was announced.
‘Bankers. Yes.’
Harl felt his legs stiffen in anticipation as he stood waiting for the final major faction. The fear was that the lesser factions would side with the main decision. If that happened, it would leave them back to square one.
‘Factors. No.’
Like a gold ingot tossed into an icy lake, Harl’s heart sank. If the major factions chose not to accept them, then humans had lost. It wasn’t that he’d stop fighting, but deep down, he knew coming here had been his only chance. They had fought so hard. Lost so many.
Veel put her hand to her head and Harl guessed she knew the truth of the situation.
The colours on her skin darkened. She stood up so fast it gave him a sense of vertigo. Vax joined her.
‘What is it?’ Vax asked.
The Overseer was staring at their alcove and had locked eyes with Veel.
‘Grakka,’ Veel said. She nodded to The Overseer and turned for the door. ‘Something terrible has happened. We must leave.’
Chapter 23
Soil. I will transfer as much dirt as I can into the central core room using a hyrdotrolly and attempt to grow some of the millions of seeds I discovered in in the organics deck.
Veel said nothing as she led them out of the circular corridor. Her pace increased and she took larger and larger strides, forcing Kane to fly at full speed to keep up.
As they stepped out into the bright light, Veel stopped and let them catch up. Her skin was as dark as Harl had seen it, deep browns blending to charcoaled black.
‘There has been an attack,’ she said. ‘Against the island.’
Harl thought of Elo and Sonora. Panic coursed though him.
‘Who?’ he asked. Then he remembered the gloating smile and knew the answer.
‘Grakka.’
‘How bad is it?’ Sky asked.
‘I do not know, Sky,’ Veel said. We must return as soon as possible. Our vehicles are not as fast as your ship and you will arrive before us. I cannot say what you will find and I implore you to make no hasty decisions. But when your people are safe, come and find us.’
Kane powered up the ship and took them high above the domed building. As the green lights flickered in the sky the ship raced south, its engines roaring with effort.
They waited in silence for what seemed an age as land and water rushed beneath them. The death strips blurred together on the horizon as Kane pushed the ship to its limits.
Eventually Dana called out as she peered through of one of the windows that lined the ship’s side.
‘There,’ she said.
Harl jumped up and rushed over with the others. Clearly her blue eyes were more accustomed to scouting than his. All he could make out was the mainland shoreline that curved around one side of the island and faint grey patches dotting its length. Across the water, the island was a faint lump of land behind a ring of water and the wall that circled it.
As they neared, a trail of Aylens and vehicles were leaving the shoreline. Dozens of them were in in mech suits dismantling and carrying large pieces of metal away from the water’s edge.
‘Artillery,’ Damen said as Harl raced into the cockpit to get a better view.
‘Why are they taking it away?’ Sky asked as she followed in behind him.
Kane gripped the controls tight. ‘They’ve finished,’ he said.
Thick smoke drifted in a haze over the island behind the wall. Black pillars of smoke plumed into the air from buildings along the shoreline to add to the thickening shroud.
They soared over the undamaged wall and the extent of the carnage was laid bare below them.
Between giant craters of black churned soil, lay dozens of dead Aylen. Desponden
t friends and relatives walked through them in a daze or kneeled beside the bodies.
Along to the edge of the forest, the circular buildings were mostly ruins and the few structures still standing were a gathering point for those still alive. The Aylen were forming a line from the nearest river and passing buckets to the quench the fires that raged from within the woods and burned slowly towards the central mountains. Giant trees had been toppled by the blasts, crushing acres beneath their mighty trunks and hindering the Compassionate’s efforts to extinguish the flames.
Flying up the slope towards the mountains, the forest deepened to the dense covering of towering trees that the Compassionates had vowed to protect. Thankfully as they flew beneath the smoke they could see the bombs had not reached the centre of the island. If the Aylen could stem the flow of fires creeping up the slopes then they could save the majority of the forests.
No one spoke as they waited for sight of Gorm.
The hill that ringed the shoreline emerged from the forest. The aqueduct ran along the top where the three waterwheels funnelled it down to the city. On the far side was the where Orbital had crashed and the city that they he called home.
Before they crested the hill the damage was already apparent. The aqueduct on the ridge was in ruins. Half of the white stone had been blasted away in what must have been a lone gun fired from this side of the island.
The single Aylen that normally patrolled the ridge by the aqueduct was attempting to staunch the torrent of water, wrestling blocks of rubble from rolling down the hill and trying to divert the flow of water away from the human city at the bottom.
Harl struggled to control his panicked mind from racing ahead before they crested the aqueduct. When they did, his hopes fled.
The broken aqueduct was spilling a flood of water down to the city at the base of the hill. Steam rose from where the water met the flames that were tearing through the buildings, smothering the great ship at the centre of the city in a thick grey smog.
The shuttle wobbled.
Kane’s hand was shaking on the control stick as they slowed over Orbital and stared down at the carnage. The top of the ship was strewn with debris from the aqueduct and huge chunks were missing from it, as if an Aylen had taken bites from the steel hull.
