The System (2 page)

‘And these Watcher numbers,’ Linus asked conversationally. ‘How do they work?’

Raffy looked at him curiously, wondering how he could stay so calm. Because Thomas was no ordinary man. This man had manipulated a war so that Linus would build a computer system that was capable of controlling people’s lives, capable of reading their thoughts. This man had made Linus believe, along with all the other survivors in the UK, that the rest of the world had been destroyed, that there was nothing left, that it was up to them to build a new civilisation. And this man had manipulated them every step of the way, bribing, corrupting, controlling them. All so that Linus would build his System, which, as he’d told Thomas years before, during a brief internship at Infotec, required an impossible situation: a small population who genuinely desired to be controlled, cut off from the rest of the world. He had said it as an off-hand remark, little guessing that Thomas would take him at his word and would spend the next ten years engineering exactly that.

Thomas grinned. ‘Watcher numbers are ingenious – I know you’ll agree. We don’t have celebrities anymore; we just have people who are Watched and people who no one cares about. Each Watcher generates a penny a week in income. There are no benefits anymore, there’s no state to give you money. If you need money, you earn it, by living your life on camera, by convincing people to Watch you every minute of every day. And it’s not just income; with Watchers comes power, influence. If Frankie wants to buy a dress, the shop will virtually give it to her because she’ll make it famous. For everyone else there’s a sliding scale. Try to buy one when you’ve got Watchers in double digits only and it’ll cost you a fortune. Which is why everyone wants to be followed. Everyone! See this girl?’ He moved his hand; immediately every screen showed the same person, a girl with cropped white hair, wearing a pink dress and a black leather jacket, laughing, then embracing another girl. ‘She’s copying Frankie, hoping that some of Frankie’s magic will rub off on her. Good luck to her.’

‘And your hand. What’s that? Some kind of chip?’ Linus asked, his brow furrowing.

Thomas moved towards Linus, putting his arm around him and showing him his hand. In the fleshy area beneath his thumb, Raffy saw a flesh-coloured panel, barely noticeable. ‘See this hardened skin? Look what’s inside.’ He tugged at the panel and it came out smoothly, like a drawer. Out of his hand. Raffy’s eyes widened.

‘Impressive, huh?’ Thomas laughed. ‘We tried getting people to just carry them in glasses, jewellery, that sort of thing. But they always took the things off eventually. This way, the chip’s with them all the time. It’s a simple procedure. The skin hardens over time so you can take them out and exchange them like an earring. And look what they can do,’ he said, replacing the chip back in his hand and waving it around, watching for Linus’s reaction as all the screens changed. ‘Chips make everything so much more secure. Everyone has one – a tiny computer at their disposal 24/7. They can talk to their friends, and Watchers, download information, anything, all in front of their eyes, no screen required. And of course it’s linked to the mainframe so we know where they are and what they’re doing. They love it. And why wouldn’t they? A chip that allows them access to everything.’

‘And, presumably, denies them access when it suits you?’ Linus asked, his voice deadpan.

Thomas laughed. ‘So cynical, Linus. Always so cynical. Chips have revolutionised the world. Made it safer. World peace, Linus. That’s what the people want. And that’s what I’ve given them.’ His voice was serious, but he winked as he spoke. ‘Nothing like the destruction of a first-world nation to shake people up, make them review their priorities …’ His eyes were gleaming as he moved away and stood next to Milo, both of them apparently scrutinising Linus’s face for a reaction. Linus offered them nothing; he just looked right back at Thomas, his crinkly blue eyes giving nothing away.

Thomas frowned. ‘But look at me, talking too much and forgetting my own priorities,’ he said briskly. ‘So. Here’s the deal. This is where you live for the next three months. Everyone has their own room; there will be plenty of nice food, drink and screens to watch. As I’ve already told you, these two cubicles are for you, Linus, and you, Raffy. In three months the System will be delivered to me. If it isn’t, Evie and Benjamin will be taken from here to somewhere … well, somewhere less comfortable. A lot less comfortable. And they will be filmed so that you can share in their discomfort as you rush to complete the System. After four months, one of them will die. After five months, the other will die. After that … well, I don’t think it will come to that, will it Linus?’

Linus didn’t say anything; he just stared back, his expression unreadable.

‘You’ll find clothes in the rooms, toiletries, everything you need,’ Thomas continued. ‘Oh, and I wouldn’t try opening the windows. They’re locked, of course, but they’re also electrified. Touch them and you’ll get a shock. Keep hold of them and the voltage increases until … well, sixty seconds and game over.’

Everyone regarded the windows warily. ‘Seems you’ve thought of everything. And on about an hour’s notice,’ Linus said thoughtfully.

Thomas smiled bashfully. ‘You know me,’ he said. ‘I like to plan ahead.’

‘Know you? I wouldn’t say that.’ Linus shook his head, his eyes suddenly very serious. ‘I wouldn’t say I know you at all, Thomas.’

Thomas appeared to consider this; then he laughed. ‘You’re right. But it doesn’t matter, because I know you, Linus, that’s the thing. I know you. I know everyone.’ He turned to Benjamin, who looked at him stonily. Raffy tried to imagine Benjamin as the young boy who had worked for Thomas, the gang leader who Thomas had tried to recruit, who had eventually resisted. But he couldn’t see it; he could only see Benjamin, brave, thoughtful leader of the Settlement that Thomas had destroyed, just like he’d destroyed everything else.

‘Where’s my room?’ Evie said suddenly.

Thomas pointed to a door and she rushed towards it, opened it, then slammed it behind her. Raffy felt his stomach clench; he knew that she needed to be behind closed doors because the pain of what had happened, what was happening, was overwhelming her.

And it was his fault. It was he who had led Thomas to them, driven by anger, by envy, by jealousy. Of Lucas. Always his brother, Lucas. Lucas, who was so noble and strong. Lucas, who Evie loved. Lucas, who was now alone because Raffy had stopped Evie from escaping with him, making her hate him even more than before. Thomas knew how to manipulate, and he had manipulated Raffy. He had manipulated him to the point where Raffy had lost sight of who he was, of what he believed in. To the point where he had betrayed his friends, betrayed everything he thought he had stood for.

But he’d been a willing participant. He’d been easy prey.

‘Teenagers,’ Thomas said with a little sigh. ‘So, Linus. What do you think? Bit better than that cave you were working in, right? I’ve even got you a kettle. Loose-leaf tea. I know how much you love your tea.’

‘I do like a cup of tea.’ Linus nodded, a little smile on his lips. ‘So I guess it’s just like the old days then.’

‘Exactly!’ Thomas said happily, his eyes shining. He was looking so pleased with himself, Raffy found himself thinking. Like a child. Were they all just like toys to him? Was all of this just some elaborate game? ‘Well, I’ll leave you to get to work shall I? The computer will talk you through the operating system. Obviously yours mirrors, but isn’t connected to, the mainframe. Just in case you get any ideas,’ he said lightly.

‘Obviously,’ Linus said.

‘And you, Devil, what would you like?’ Thomas asked, turning to Benjamin, using the street name he had shed many years before.

‘My name is Benjamin, and I would like to leave this place. I would like to go back to my people,’ Benjamin said, his eyes thunderous.

Thomas looked pained. ‘Yeah, I’m afraid that’s not going to happen. So, second choice?’

Benjamin glared at him. ‘You used me,’ he said, his voice low and angry. ‘Many years ago you used me, but I fought back. I escaped from your clutches, Thomas. And now you think you will use me again. You think that by threatening me, my friend Linus will do your bidding. But I will not be used, Thomas. I will not.’

Thomas raised an eyebrow ‘No? And exactly how do you expect to escape from me this time, Devil? There are no police to run to, no prison that will protect you. You’re in my world, Benjamin. I control everything. And I control you. The sooner you accept that, the better for us all.’

Benjamin appeared to contemplate this. He turned and stared at Thomas. Then he smiled. ‘You like to control people, Thomas. You always have; that’s all you’ve ever wanted to do. Manipulate, control, create order. You think so little of people, Thomas. You think we are all like you, that we are all susceptible to bribery or punishment of some kind or another, that our morals are changeable or even non-existent. You have never understood people who believe in something, who stand for something. We unnerve you; make you want to control us even more. But a controlled life is not a life, Thomas. The human spirit needs more than what you can offer. You think you have control of the world but I can tell you that you don’t. There will be pockets of people across the globe who are conspiring against you. Pockets of people right here, wherever we are. Little weeds pressing up against the concrete you have laid. And they will find a way through. They always do, Thomas.’

‘Giving me a sermon are you, Benjamin?’ Thomas sneered. ‘What on earth makes you think I am interested in anything you say? You were a drug-running lowlife when I met you. In my eyes you still are. You’re pathetic, Benjamin. You stand for nothing but self-preservation.’

‘Self-preservation?’ Benjamin laughed. ‘Nothing could be further from the truth, Thomas. I stand for many things, but not that. I stand for freedom. I stand for allowing people to achieve their potential, for encouraging independence of thought. I stand for hard work and duty. I stand for loyalty. I stand for forgiveness. And I stand for making a stand. When required. To make a point. To remind people who they are, what they àre capable of.’ He turned his gaze to Raffy, who reddened. ‘You remember the Bible, Thomas? Remember you liked me to recite it to you? You like this, Thomas? “Because you despise what I tell you, and trust instead in oppression and lies, calamity will come upon you suddenly – like a bulging wall that bursts and falls.”’ Benjamin’s eyes were flashing; Raffy had never heard him speak like this, like he’d been possessed, like his silence in the past few hours had all built up to this huge eruption. ‘“In an instant it will collapse”,’ he said, almost shouting now, ‘“and come crashing down. You will be smashed like a piece of pottery – shattered so completely that there won’t be a piece big enough to carry coals from a fireplace or a little water from the well.” That is what lies ahead for you, Thomas. That is what you have to look forward to.’

Thomas smiled uncomfortably. ‘Don’t tell me you’ve turned back to religion in your old age, Benjamin? You really think I’m going to be intimidated by something written thousands of years ago?’

Benjamin shook his head. ‘I have never needed to follow the path someone else has set out for me,’ he said. ‘Nor have I ever needed to believe in anything to give my life meaning. But I do believe in redemption. And I do believe that sometimes, through death, can come life. From weakness can come strength. From an ending can come a beginning.’

He was staring at Thomas, but every so often he glanced meaningfully at Raffy, making it clear that the words were intended for him as much as Thomas. It brought Raffy out in goosebumps.

Thomas cleared his throat. ‘All utterly fascinating, Benjamin. And I hope you felt the sarcasm in that comment because truly, you have none of the ability of your father. You are a very dull man. So, moving on …’

‘I would rather be dull than a tyrant,’ Benjamin interrupted him. ‘And I would rather be dead than see you triumph. But you won’t triumph, Thomas. I know that.’

He started to walk towards the windows, his eyes boring into Raffy’s. Thomas watched him warily. ‘Benjamin. Don’t do anything you’ll regret. I’ve told you, the windows are electrified.’

‘I do not fear death,’ Benjamin said, continuing to walk. ‘And I do not fear you. But you, Thomas, what do you fear? Failure? Being revealed as the pathetic, insecure man that you really are? I have lived a full life. I have done what I set out to do. And now it is the turn of others.’ He was still looking at Raffy. ‘Now it is time for the prodigal son to return.’ He reached out to the windows. ‘I know he won’t let me down. And I will be watching. From wherever I am, I will be watching.’

‘Stop him,’ Thomas shouted, but it was too late; Benjamin had grabbed onto a handle. Immediately there was a buzzing sound, which got increasingly louder.

‘No!’ Raffy screamed and rushed towards him, but it was too late; Benjamin’s entire body was convulsing and there was a sickening smell of burning. Linus reached out and grabbed Raffy’s arm, holding him back. ‘Let him go,’ he whispered. ‘Let him escape what we can’t.’

‘Get him off,’ Thomas was shouting, but Milo appeared frozen to the spot.

‘I touch him and I’m fried too,’ he managed to say, his eyes wide with confusion. ‘Why would he do that? Why?’

The buzzing stopped and Benjamin’s body fell to the ground.

‘Because he was mad,’ Thomas said, looking at his body in disgust. ‘Get rid of him, someone. Get rid of him now.’

‘He wasn’t mad,’ Raffy seethed, rushing forwards. He tried to wrap his arms around Benjamin, drag him away, but an electrical volt shot through him, forcing him back. Steeling himself, he reached out again and closed Benjamin’s eyes.

He heard a sound behind him, a muffled cry, and he turned slightly to see Evie standing in the doorway, her face white, her eyes wide in shock. From the look on her face she had seen everything.

Linus crouched down beside him. ‘He couldn’t face prison again,’ he said quietly. ‘We all have to fight in different ways, Raffy. Benjamin wanted to go out shouting. And he did. He did.’