Whisper Gatherers (17 page)

The scene inside was no better than out. Except it was quieter. Due no doubt to the soothers being liberally administered by doc and nursey alike. They went from bod to bod with pills, water, cushions and blankies. My eyes could not keep up with the speed at which injections were freely given to any who requested them. Typical of Cityfolk to take the easy option. I doubted if half the injured needed such consolation and merely chose to have the meds just because they could.

“Doc!” Santy called. She called a few times more until a slender ‘dult approached wearing the telltale white all-in-one suit of a chief medic. “These folk have been hurt during the evacuation of Purityitowers. They have been jammed in a doorway and may have injuries unseen. Also, a Firstaider and their mobile is needed at the block. Two remain, too injured to travel. One most severely, I had to drain his left lung.”

The doc brushed his hair from his forehead and blinked. “What? Yes, of course. Take them to the nursey on the stage. As for the Firstaiders, they are out somewhere in the square. Perhaps, Adara, that is you is it not?”

“Yep, me all right.”

“A privilege to meet you,” he said and held out his hand. I shook it. “If you could go find one, I’m sure they would listen to you and go help those at Puritytowers. I’m afraid with so much confusion and bewilderment, their services are required almost everywhere.”

“Shall do. Back in a sec. Deogol?”

“What?” my bro said, unable to look me in the face.

“Will you remain with Santy and not run away?”

“Yep, too tired and limp to go anywhere anyway.”

I gave his elbow a squeeze before going out to the square.

My glowlamp stuttered. I was thankful that the templights cast enough brightness for me to see my way around. Folk were huddled in the doorways of the food allocation buildings, which would have been open if things were as they should be.

I wandered the square in search of the Firstaiders. I spied the yellow and red striped suited medi-folk by the fountain, tending to a mum-to-be. I tapped the smaller of the two on the shoulder, she turned. Her brow was furrowed and specks of moisture clung to her eyelashes, upper lip and chin. “What?” she said, her voice all quivery.

“Sorry to be a bother, my name’s…”

“Adara. Catcher of Birds.”

“Just call me Adara.”

“Hey Edwyn, the girly Adara is here.”

A stumpy male with face hair, looked at me all wide of eye, gave the sitting preggie fem a soother. “Wow, it is too. Adara, Catcher of Birds.”

“It really is just, Adara.”

They stood and stared at me like I was a stuffed, died-out beastie, then grinned. I sighed. “I was wondering if you could go in your Crisiscart to Puritytowers? Two badly injured folk could use your services. The doc inside said you would,” I added to give more weight to my request. They raised their eyebrows and shrugged. “Well? Folk are in need of your assistance. Now.”

“Well ‘spose we could. To be frank, most of these lot are just confused. The hurt ones are indoors,” Edwyn said. “Come on Arla, let’s go.”

The Firstaiders shook my hand. Edwyn did not let go and lifted my mitt towards his face. “Look Arla, she really does have six fingers on each hand. I thought it was a jest, but no. Look.” She did. I yanked my mutant hand free.

“Folk need your assistance.”

“Oh yep, sorry got a bit preoccupied with your fingers.”

“Right, so you are now going to the sick that need healing, right?”

“Right,” Edwyn said. Both he and Arla walked to their vehicle parked at the bottom of the Auditorium stairs. Arla reached inside the square truck and a red light on top lit up. It spun and sent out flashes of blood coloured light around the square. They got in and sat. Edwyn fired up the motor by pressing a big button on the front of the dashboard. The vehicle made a soft humming noise as he steered it forward.

It was a quickly contraption for sure and I wondered how long it would be before all the seven municipal leckie mobiles ran out of juice; what with the power all but gone. The Firstaiders waved to me as they shot past. I waved back and made my way to the Auditorium.

I entered the building and looked around for my bro and Santy Breanna. She was assisting the doc in doling out meds to the sick. Deogol was standing at the back of the stage by the curfew button. I remembered Lilith and Elijah. The secret tunnels beneath the City. My tum churned, my heart thudded. I was glad when I spotted Santy. I went to her.

“Luck with the Firstaiders?”

“Yep, seemed glad to go and treat deserving cases. Those outside are perturbed nothing more.”

“We are lucky indeed. Folk here are not so sick or sore that a bit of med or rest will not cure.”

“Then why do you look so concerned?”

“If the Agros do come back, fiercer than before, then we are as good as dead. Folk are not apt for battle. The City S.A.N.T.S are small in number. Word has gone out for backup. We must wait and see if they will arrive in time.”

“About that, could we not use the secret chambers below to hide one and all till the Agros leave?”

“A plan I had considered too. If it comes to that, as a last resort we will.”

“Why so hesitant?”

“S.A.N.T.S. have been using the tunnels for many orbits to have free access to Cityplace and beyond, without the Agros knowledge. The more that know of their existence, the more chance that Agros will find out.”

“The thought of Agros under the City is a scary thing for sure. Maybe they won’t come back.”

Santy took my hand and pressed it to her mouth. “Little Addy, you are a buoyant soul to be sure. Look to your bro, see that he comes to no harm.”

She pushed me towards the stage and I went up the steps. Deogol looked up as I approached. “They will come back.”

“How so certain? Do you know things and will not tell? If you can help us defeat them Deogol, then spill.”

He raised the corner of his mouth and snickered. “Defeat the Agros? Us? Nice jest Sis. Look at them. Feeble as newbies. Agros will strike. Cityplace will be no more.”

“Really?”

“Fact Sis, fact.”

I stared at his face. The Deogol I knew was missing from his kiddle features. A dark, older countenance looked at me now. I could not stand to see him so hurt and angry. I came across all mumsy in the extreme. I could not help but hug my bro. He resisted at first, but my hold was stronger than his struggles. He gave in to my affection and wrapped his arms around my waist. “You are kin, my only bro. I will not let the Agros take you.”

“You cannot stop them.”

“Can and will, end of.”

Deogol pulled away. “Hope so, when it comes to that.”

“Up to you bro.”

“Is it, though?”

I was about say, “What do you mean?” but my words were cut short by Orva entering the building announcing that Agros were almost at the City boundaries. I grabbed Deogol and we sped down the stairs straight to Santy Breanna.

“Stay here. I will try and get the folk outside to come in. This place if fortified enough to withstand Agro action. There is water and emergency grub in the storage area underneath the stage. The doc is aware of it. He has taken it upon himself to deal with that. Come Orva, help me bring folk in.”

Santy left and I saw the Firstaiders, Brychan, Hypra, and the others from Puritytowers enter. I put my arm around Deogol, who did not object. Together we walked to the side window by the exit and looked out. Santy and Orva were going amongst the confused folk, steering them towards the Auditorium. I strained my ears to listen for Agro action and heard the sound of many feet stomping. I hugged my bro closer, hoping that those on the outside would soon come in.

They did, quickly, without fuss. I saw several City S.A.N.T.S. send folk towards the entrance. Brychan took it upon himself to usher them to a space inside, attempting to keep a semblance of calm throughout the place. When all had entered, Santy came to us. “Once the doors are shut you will be safe enough. You have some training Addy so I am relying on you to help protect as best you can. Orva and Dreng will be by your side. Make your bro stay within. More will come.”

“Are you not staying then?”

“No, Addy. I will defend outside where I am needed most.”

“No Santy,” Deogol said and grabbed her wrists. “No, stay with us. You have not been a S.A.N.T. for many orbits, you cannot fight the way you used to.”

Santy Breanna stiffened and sucked in her cheeks. “Deogol, a S.A.N.T. is never out of training. I am older it is true, but just as strong and capable as I ever was.”

“Please do not go, please.”

“Calm now little earwig, Addy will take care of you.”

She prised his fingers away, kissed his forehead and touched my cheek. “Be strong,” she said and went outside.

Chapter Twenty-One

Wobbles Below
 

“Adara, glad indeed to see ye here, uninjured,” Dreng said. His clothes were ruffled and there was evidence from the dust and torn cloth on the knees of his trousers, that he had fallen more than once.

“You have been through much?”

“Nay more than the rest. A few scuffles broke out amongst the crowd. We had to cuff a few noggins to gain order. Yer Santy sent me in to hae my dressing changed.”

“How is the wound?”

“Better for the healing spray the doc put on it.” He looked at my bro, who was staring at the medi station where a nursey sat tip-tapping upon a comp. “The laddie looks as if he is about to burst.”

Indeed, Deogol’s eyes were bulging somewhat from the effort at peeking at said device. He bit his lip and walked towards the nursey. “Oy, Bro, stay where I can see you.”

“Yeah, yeah,” he said and went to the medi station.

The nursey continued to tap away. My bro stood over her, twitching, no doubt keener than keen to log in and do whatever it is he does on there. She tapped some more then the screen went blank. The nursey growled, poked the keypad several times, when nowt happened, she hit the side of the thing so hard that I thought it would fall off the table it was on. She sat back and folded her arms.

“Huffn’ hell. Typical. The thing expires just when I needed it most.”

Deogol leant over her shoulder. “I can fix it.”

“For real?”

“Yep.”

“Then do,” she said and stood.

He sat in her place, shoulder twitched, then hit a few keys. The comp started up again.

“You are a wonder. How did you do this?”

“Just know how the thing works. Can I assist in any way in exchange for some time on the comp?”

“Yeah, sure. I need to access a couple of info files, then it is yours.”

She narrated medi stuff I did not understand whilst Deogol tapped. When she had gleaned the info she wanted, she left him to peruse said device on his own.

“He seems content now,” Dreng said.

I nodded then turned my attention to what was occurring outside. Safe in the knowledge that my bro would be going nowhere now that he had his paws on a comp, I walked to the great window by the exit door and looked out. Dreng joined me. After a sec, we both sighed.

The square was all but empty except for the S.A.N.T.S. that stood in each corner. Two were in the centre by the fountain that was shaped like a bluebell. Santy Breanna and Orva stood at the bottom of the stairs leading to the Auditorium.

It was a strange sight to see the plaza so deserted. Most days folk bodded about, sat by the fountain, chatted and the like. Or went to the food provision store, Museum, infoforum, or to work in the seed counting place, school, and municipal buildings. Still don’t know what they do there, but folk have to occupy themselves I suppose. Now they were crammed into this room fearing for their lives.

“Dreng, did you hear many heavy footsteps a few secs ago?”

“I thought I did and believed the Agro army were all but upon us.”

“Strange that all is now quiet. Do you think they have retreated?”

“Does nay sound like something an Agro would do.”

Every part of me wanted to go outside and talk to Santy but knew that if I did, not only would she be furious, but I could end up caught in a fracas. I thought best not to so I bit my fingernails instead.

My hands began to shake. At first I thought I was suffering from delayed shock, but when my feet began to shudder, I knew that something was most severely amiss. I glanced around.

The whole place trembled.

Folk wobbled and grabbed onto each other. Tables bounced or tipped over, and lights crashed to the floor. Dreng touched my arm. We looked outside. The S.A.N.T.S. headed towards the fountain. They too were more than unsteady on their feet.

I fell backwards when a great rumble caused the floor to quake. Dreng helped me up then went to the aid of the medi staff, who were gathering the injured to move them to a safer spot up on the stage area. In case any of the decorative columns were to fall. I went to Deogol. He continued to tap on the comp, seemingly unaware of the rumpus around him.

“Bro?”

“What?”

“What gives?”

“Shhh, go away. I am busy.”

I would have given him a slap of being so insolent, but the shuddering that had us all a-quiver, stopped. For a sec, there was silence, then folk began to blabber and fuss. Those not too badly injured noticed that the docs and nursies were securing the sickliest on the stage. A sure indication that something bad was to occur. They began to head for the platform, but there was not the room. Scuffles broke out.

I took it upon myself, being the only one there who was recognisable, to go to the top of the steps and give out some sensible advice. Stuff not that dissimilar from what Santy Breanna said at Puritytowers. I waved my arms about to get their attention, when that didn’t work I gave forth a most excellent yell that caused everyone to cease their whining and look to where I stood.

“It’s Adara. Catcher of Birds. The girlie from the parade,” someone shouted.

“The caller? So it is.”

“Look, she really does have six fingers on each hand.”

Not again. You’d think with all that was going on, they would have other more important things to talk about. I waved my arms about again, and this time, they listened.