Quest For Earth (23 page)

‘Finally. You took your sweet time.'

Sherise spun round. Standing no further than the shadow cast by the ship, was a woman with pale-yellow hair slicked tight into a knot at the back of her head.

‘Commander Dyrke mentioned a guide would be assigned to us. A pity she does not look friendly,' Sherise said, in a quiet undertone. ‘Perhaps she will improve on acquaintance. Shall we?'

The woman adjusted the black wraparound eyeshades that obscured half her face and gave an abrupt nod. ‘Come on. I don't have all day.'

She turned on her heel and marched off, arms swinging briskly, her long legs quickly increasing the distance between them.

‘Well!' Sherise exchanged an astonished glance with Bree.

‘Some welcoming committee,' said Bree.

Sherise smiled. ‘With such a warm reception, I cannot wait to see our quarters.'

‘Yeah, a room overlooking the sewerage treatment springs to mind.'

At the sound of their laughter, the woman stopped and swung around, her hand slapping an irritated beat against her beige pants with its knife sharp pleat. Her whole demeanour screamed ‘
military
'.

‘If you are ready?' The fair-haired woman scowled at them, before flicking a hand in their direction. ‘Wait here.' She stomped off.

‘Wow, Miss Personality.' Bree grinned.

Sherise nodded and glanced around.

Stationed near one of the exits was an open transporter similar to the one she'd ridden in on her first visit to the city. The last of the warriors had his hands grasping the rungs, preparing to heave himself on board. He turned and stared back in their direction.

A Darkon soldier, Sherise surmised as she took in his full body armour. Her skin prickled but she shook off her momentary awareness as the sound of humming grew.

Looking over to the entrance she spied a new vehicle entering the landing bay. Bubble shaped, with see-through sides at the front and rear and a tinted roof onto which large metal plates were fixed, it came to a halt not far from them. It hovered for a moment then, with a gentle hiss, settled on the ground. The driver climbed out and handed over a clipboard to their guide.

‘These people's technology varies a great deal. I find it very strange, don't you?' Sherise whispered to her friend who shrugged.

‘Dunno.'

Their guide turned around and beckoned.

A hissing noise and the stuttered clank of an engine firing up had Sherise glancing over her shoulder as she walked towards their guide. The other vehicle was leaving the landing bay, crammed full of Darkon and Relic warriors. Was that Kondo laughing with a Darkon soldier? With a full-throated roar amid a belch of smoke, the vehicle lurched through the doorway and disappeared from sight.

She hurried after Bree and clambered into their transport, settling onto the rear curved seat, clutching her satchel of precious first-aid supplies on her lap. Sherise looked over her shoulder and noticed the original driver walking over to stand in front of their shuttle. Then the vehicle rose and powered across the tarmac, through the doors and zoomed down a road lined with similar square buildings before making a starboard turn onto a narrow travel-way.

‘Solar powered. You can call me Kade,' offered the woman from the driver's seat, in her first attempt at friendliness.

Sherise smiled. ‘I am Sherise and my friend is called Bree.'

‘Charmed,' their guide drawled. She pointed ahead with a long, blunt finger with unvarnished nail. ‘Hang on, I need to make up time, I'm running late.'

Sherise gripped the sides as the vehicle raced forward. The harsh countryside reminded her of the land surrounding Maaka's lair in the Fallen City where, at this moment, he could be assembling his army and formulating plans for a strike against his enemy.

Oh, goddess Cercis, why can I not forget him? I must maintain focus. Concentrate on securing safety for those who wish to stay and ensure our ship is repaired. That is what is important. Not some man with the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen.

Their guide reduced the vehicle's speed as they entered the city. Sherise's mouth twisted as she observed the contrast between the elegance of the city and the deprivations endured by the Freebers and the Lycaneans.

The vehicle rounded another corner and slowed as it crawled through a parkland. Here, people lounged on chairs, chatting with friends or partaking of food. Over to her right, on a raised dais, another group of people were playing various musical instruments.

The melody brought Maaka to mind.

Sherise closed her eyes and visualised him, sitting cross-legged, his long tanned fingers moving with gentle precision along the wooden flute. A sudden sense of loss clutched her throat. She blinked away a sheen of tears and held her head a little higher.

Several sectons later, the vehicle turned onto a street lined with brownstone buildings and halted.

Kade turned around and jabbed her elbow in the direction of the closest cube shaped building. ‘This is it. I've got about thirty minutes before I'm on duty. Let's not waste any time. I've still got to eat.'

‘It is different from the other dwellings,' said Sherise, climbing out of the vehicle.

‘Of course it is. This is for the ordinary folk,' Kade snorted and reached the doorway in two long strides. A simple twist of the knob and the door swung wide.

No code, no lock
.

Kade disappeared inside.

Bree rolled her eyes and followed. Sherise bit back a grin and entered to find their hostess drumming her fingers against the framework of yet another door.

‘Here's where you'll bunk down. Sorry Bree, but your room is down the end of the hall. There's a bunch of us who rent these quarters, so you'll have to get used to waiting in line to use the bathroom. Oh, and mind you limit your water usage. We're all on a budget and luxuries cost.'

Sherise poked her head through the doorway. It was small, with a narrow bunk neatly covered with a woven blanket of dark grey, one chest of drawers, and a single chair. It reminded her of her cabin on the
Quinnie
.

‘It is more than adequate. We thank you, Kade, for giving up your home to offer us shelter.' Sherise gave her a warm smile.

‘Yeah, well, I get extra privileges for the effort.' The woman twitched her shoulders, her cheeks stained red, and mumbled something under her breath as if unused to appreciation. But her, ‘
This way,'
was muttered in a less frosty manner. She pointed out the idiosyncrasies of the plumbing in the bathroom and recited instructions for use of the kitchen.

‘Got all that?' Hands on hips, she drilled them with her eyes which, now that she had shoved her eyeshades onto the top of her head, were seen to be a soft green-grey. ‘This is strictly an all-female quarters. No men allowed.'

Sherise murmured agreement and wondered how far away her warriors were stationed. She had a feeling it was a lot further than the Commander had anticipated. But it would be good to have a respite from Kondo and his prickly moods.

Kade prowled over to a cupboard and yanked out a slab of bread. She grabbed a knife from a drawer and hacked off a slice.

‘Help yourself,' she mumbled through a mouthful. ‘Sorry for the rush. I guess I was a bit rude, but the last thing I expected today was to be given babysitting duties.' She stabbed a finger in the air, told them to be back at the house well before curfew, and rushed out the door. It slammed shut with such force, platters rattled.

‘Whew! What a whirlwind,' said Bree. She headed over to the counter and inspected the bread. ‘I'm starved. Let's have something to eat.'

‘Agreed.' Sherise placed a platter on the table. And afterwards, they'd explore the city.

Chapter 16

In Sherise's opinion, the city was perfection.

She approved of the perfectly aligned buildings, the smooth, even pavements, the absence of litter, the tidy rows of boxed hedges and rectangular flower beds, the neatly dressed citizens in their colourful garments. Apparently, the workers, servants and militia were the only ones outfitted in a uniform colour. They either wore the same beige pants and long-sleeved tunic their guide had worn or the olive-green uniform of the militia that had formed the greeting party when they'd first landed. Few vehicles traversed the wide streets. Some citizens zoomed along on solar powered hover boards. But little other noise disturbed the tranquil quiet.

‘It is so peaceful here.' More than peaceful, it gave the impression of an idyllic life. So why did a prickle of unease skim across her shoulderblades? There was no evidence of violence or chaos or discontent and yet her senses urged caution. Was it because of what she'd overheard Maaka telling Kondo? But how much was truth and how much had been twisted to gain support for his cause?

‘There's a temple up ahead,' said Bree.

Sherise joined her friend and examined the map of the city which was engraved onto a wide metal pole. An X marked their current location. On every street corner stood a similar post, eliminating the possibility of anyone losing their bearings. Beneath the map were details of the curfew which curtailed all activity after nightfall, as well as orders reminding the citizens of holy days. In large, bold letters at the end of the text it read:

ALL EXPLORATION AND TRAVEL IS FORBIDDEN BEYOND THE CITY WALLS.

‘I suppose this order is to ensure the people remain safe and protected from the tikkas.' Even though the law made perfect sense, she twitched her shoulders.

‘As well as protecting them from your new buddy, Maaka.'

‘He is not my buddy.'

‘Hah! I've got eyes.'

Sherise took a step back and stared along the street. ‘I cannot see the location of the Board's Headquarters.'

‘Maybe it's in a different part of the city.' Bree yawned.

‘Dyrke said we would be quartered close by.'

‘Well, I guess he got his wires crossed. I can't see that it matters. Kade will take us there tomorrow morning.'

‘True.' Sherise studied the map again. She placed her finger on a particular street that had caught her attention. ‘This building is marked as Government Archives. Bree, perhaps the history of your world is stored here. We could find confirmation of all we have been told by both the Corporation and Maaka.'

‘Maybe. Don't forget that old saying, that the winners write the history.'

‘Actually, I had forgotten. But if you know what you are looking for, sometimes the truth can be found hidden in the lies.' She turned to her friend. ‘At the very least, we should uncover details on these people's technology. I've also asked the Commander to request information on all the passengers' families. Perhaps there are descendants alive here in the city.'

‘Everyone is dead. You're wasting your time chasing ghosts.'

‘But perhaps the descendants would welcome our friends into their homes and their lives.'

‘It won't make up for what they've lost.' Bree looked away. ‘You know what? Do you mind going it alone today? I'm absolutely beat.'

‘Oh Bree, I'm so sorry. I had forgotten you've had little sleep.' Sherise squeezed her friend's hands, noticing for the first time the dark smudges beneath Bree's eyes. ‘Would you like me to come back with you?'

‘No. I'd like some alone time, if that's okay. It's been a hectic couple of days.'

Sherise pulled her into a hug. ‘Any time you need to talk …'

‘Yeah, I know.' Bree slipped out of her arms and gave a wan smile. ‘Let me know if you find anything.' Without a backward glance, Bree marched back the way they'd come.

Sherise stared after her retreating friend. She'd been insensitive speaking of families and descendants to Bree, knowing her friend was still grieving. Should she follow her?
No, I should respect Bree's privacy and give her the space she needs. Besides, another day is almost past and we have found nothing of use to aid us.

She glanced up to the sun, slightly blurred by the dome's shielding. Still two hours of daylight left; more than enough time to examine the archive building. If she was denied entrance, then with the goddess Cercis, on her side, she would discover a way inside.

Decision made, she set off in the opposite direction. Before long she spied the towering structure with its wide flight of white, concrete steps leading up to the front door. She paused and glanced casually up and down the road. No sign of any militia patrolling the front of the building or anywhere on the long narrow street, but she spotted black bowl-shaped objects placed in strategic positions on top the many posts which lined both sides of the street, like sentries.

Vid-cams.
Interesting. Then they have artificial intelligence of some description.
Somewhere in that building, images would be streaming live and someone would be watching. Recording every move she made. Had her actions attracted the attention of any security guards? She heard no sirens, no tramp of military boots. But then why should they? An archive building would surely not be off-limits, even to visitors.

Unless the Corporation had something to hide.

The entrance door slid open. A man clad in white with shoulder-length grey hair strolled out and wandered down the street, rolls of long cylinders held under his arms. He nodded as he passed, seemingly undisturbed by her presence.

Reassured, Sherise ran up the steps, crossed the wide concrete platform and peered through the darkened glass into the building beyond. The huge vestibule was empty. She walked to the door but it remained closed. Despite her careful examination, she could see no code panel nor lock. She raised her head.

Aah.
A black vid-cam fixed to the lintel monitored the entrance. She waited. Still nothing. Now what was she going to do? She was positive the archives she sought would be housed within.

She frowned, walked down the steps and along the street, now noticing how every building had vid-cams, along with the ones sitting atop each light post. She remembered seeing one above the door of Kade's house too.