Victernus - Chapter 6
For the next few hours, Namara laid on a soft bed of white feathers in one of the rooms below the platforms, or control stations, as they had come to call them. A black wooden dresser stood on either side and a waterfall came down just outside of the glass walls. He was conscious and aware of what was going on, gladly accepting Mahalia's attempts to comfort him. The fire was gone, but he could barely muster the mental strength to say anything. Few thoughts ever entered his mind, and the ones that did were very repetitive. A great internal struggle raged within him, and he was ready to put the Koanthanatus aside for a while. He felt Mahalia's hand on his head again. For the first time in hours, he spoke. Where's Hector? Her voice came from behind him. "Home... He's had enough for today." Namara lowered his eyes. Oh... "You can talk to him later. I have his number." Well, that's good... She rubbed his shoulders, "What's up?" I think... I'm going to drop this thing for a while. I don't know what happened today. And Hector... was he alright? Mahalia lied down beside him, "He was. But, this setback is no reason to give up now." Oh, I'm not giving up. I'll still be looking, but... less. "That's very odd of you... What do you mean?" Namara stirred and then sat up. There are other things that need to be done... more important things. He paused and looked down at her. There's something I saw on the way here... something that always disturbed me. It began when I was younger. He shifted his gaze out of the open door, staring at the lowest control station. Nothing has changed since then. Not in a long time. And now, everything is falling apart slowly. Some people genuinely tried to fix the problem, but not before it was too late. You know. She nodded, "Yeah, and now most of the western states can't be lived in, not to mention most of Europe, thanks to the war and the droughts." He sighed. This problem begins with what each person is taught and what they are born into. I was forced into the American education system, as were you and pretty much everyone here. I was taught so many things useless to my life and then told, to my face, that it was okay because the whole thing was just for "the experience." But instead, the system creates a nation of crippled children who don't want to think for themselves. Not everyone, but a lot... Mahalia was silent, listening attentively to the thoughts being projected into her mind. You knew I was different. I wanted so much more out of it, but the only way I could get that was to do it outside of the system. While I was achieving something great, I was still treated like dirt... He paused. I wasn't even recognized in the end... The system does not value people like me. They actually want those mindless slaves, and few people have the know-how or the care to do anything about it. Now... they've been denying the end for years. I want to warn them. As for this thing in my head... I can't keep chasing it. It is the most depressing thing to me, and I just... I can't do it anymore... He stared down at the bed. Mahalia sighed, "I understand that... I'm starting to see it in you. But, you know that it'd take a hell of a lot of effort to get anyone to listen to you, right? Like you said, nobody cares about those things." He nodded. I know... But if just one person listens, it would be enough for me. I'd rather have one person know why their society is falling down around them than have everyone drown like sheep. And if we can find those people, we can save them from it, right? She patted his back and then stood up, "Right." Wait... Where are you going? Mahalia ruffled the fur on his head, "This conversation is good and all, but I've got to go do some things in Denver right now. Get some rest while I'm out. Don't think too much." Namara lied back down and watched the water fall outside the room. Fine... I'll see you later, I guess. He looked back up and saw that she had left, so he plopped back down on the bed and sighed. Someone's
gotta do it...
Mahalia left the sanctuary and drove away in an old black Mustang hidden beside the road. It just past dusk, and she was heading to the backup facility. The others stayed there most of the time in order to keep suspicions from rising about the presence and location of their sanctuary. It held many of the same capabilities, but it also had a built-in lab so that Theo could do his own research there. She switched on the car's radio to see if there was anything interesting playing. It was tuned in to a nearby news station and a man's voice came through scratchily, "...and Bill five-oh-three was passed this weekend, ensuring equal opportunity for men and women all over the country. Doug, how do you feel about this?" "I think this bill will be the turning point for many Americans. The number of science and technology jobs will be cut back, and that'll give us more workers to help rebuild our infrastructure." "And what about the new mandates regarding the improved security system?" Mahalia paid close attention. "Some people may find it a bit harsh, but I've seen how it runs and I think it really will work." "How much security are we talking about here?" "Oh, there'll just be a tower every fifty to a hundred miles or so. Anyone who hasn't been chipped will be detected and brought to ISAF for inspection. It'll find anyone who's not supposed to be here and send out the enhanced interception drones to disable or capture them. To avoid this, citizens need only to apply for one of the chips. The application is-" She shut the radio off, "Damn it!" A hover-car passed her, going the opposite direction at a high speed. She thought for a moment and then turned
the car around. This road is a dead end...
As he began to fall asleep, a screen appeared in front of him. A thirty-year-old British man in black leather clothing watched him through a webcam. "Namara?" Namara opened his eyes. Theo? He smiled excitedly and spoke in his accent, "You're awake! I finally found the key to fl..." The video chopped up, distorting his voice and image. "...tried sending it to you earlier, but the server seems to..." It cut out again. "...might want to run a diagnostic." Namara raised one of his eyebrows. The video is all choppy... I can't get some of what you're saying. "Huh. There seems to be a..." The video cut off and the screen faded. Darn. Namara summoned another screen with his mind and set it to run a diagnostic on the system. While he waited for it to complete, he returned to his paws and stretched his body. But, when he breathed in, he smelled something a bit odd. He jumped down from the bed and stepped out of the room, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. And then, he heard the hum of all his technology quiet down. The power shut off. He opened his eyes again and then ran to the center of the control station, trying to bring the sanctuary back online before it was too late. The blue lights under each station dimmed until he was left in darkness. When he realized that his efforts were in vain, he sat down and sighed, waited in the silence. But, as the silence intensified, he heard a quiet, raspy breathing. He raised an eyebrow and called out. Who's there? An older man's voice emerged from the top control station, "Why, me, of course." Namara growled. How did you get in here, Lynn? Lynn paced around, "This sure is a nice place you've got here. It's a shame I have to torch it." He snarled. What?! Why would you do something like that? There's so much here... "Because I hate you, and the public can't be trusted with technology like this." Namara, his eyes fully adjusted to the low light, climbed up the bridges silently. Why do you hate me? I never did anything to you, and all you tried to do was use me. He laughed at him, "People like you shouldn't be allowed to live. You're too different. You destroy the true order of society and corrupt it with your wild ideas. Besides, I just don't think that what you did is right." Namara smiled to himself and stopped behind Lynn. What I did was harmless. I did not steal from another creature. This body was made for me and me alone. What you wanted to do... That was just wrong. Lynn shook his head, "My cause would finally free humanity from death. Yours was selfish. You don't care about us. I know you." He growled again, causing Lynn to turn around, pull out his gun and point it at him. Namara stopped and smiled. Come on, Lynn. If you know me, you'll know that you still need me. The research is all in my head now, and you won't live long enough to replicate it again. He pointed his ears forward. You're doomed without me. Lowering the gun, Lynn stepped forward and kicked Namara across the room in a rage. "You're going to help me, whether you like it or not!" Namara whimpered as he was sent back. He coughed at first, but then continued to smile when he settled down on the floor. I could probably have you arrested for animal cruelty. Lynn advanced on him in a rage. "Shut up, dog!" He stood to his feet shakily and then felt himself being grabbed up by his scruff. He grunted. I know you too, Lynn. You'd take another person's life just so that you can live longer. You don't deserve any of this. Besides... you'd only use my research for yourself. I can't bring myself to let someone like you live forever. Lynn threw him down into the hallway, making him roll and stop near the end. "I said be quiet!" Namara groaned and tried to get up again, but felt too sore to do it. He fell back down and watched his attacker approach. I will die before I let myself help you. When Lynn reached him again, he picked him up and put him over his shoulder. "Yeah, we'll see about that." He stepped down into the courtyard and pulled something out of his pocket. The power returned and he stepped in front of the transporter. "Are you ready to go back?" He growled halfheartedly. Put me down. Lynn laughed and then activated the device, leaving the facility with Namara in tow. "I'll take that as a yes."