Broken Mirror: Apophis 2029 (14 page)

  "As a precaution, don't go talking to the other residents here about what it is and isn't like topside, okay?" I hurried to advised the boys before they rushed off, "We don't want to cause any waves and need to keep our stories straight while we figure a way out of this nuthouse," I pleaded.  Both of them agreed firmly with that precaution, though Thorn seemed more concerned than Haiti about what direction this objective was going.  In short, we were being coerced to influence Haven's residents by telling them a watered down lie; but more importantly, not to influence the local tenants into asking too many questions that might fuel a revolt. 

  Over the next few days of us biding our time and gathering Intel, and it was turning out that our initial suspicions were more correct that we had hoped.  Not only was General Kane a power monger, he wasn't exactly shy about it either.  He had obtained an unwavering reputation throughout the facility that bordered on indentured servitude if not outright slavery in regards to his expectations of the residents. 

  It wasn't any real surprise how he might have attained such a position of unquestioned compliance from the inhabitants, since anyone who was saturated with the standard military method of thinking considered everyone else, especially civilians, as their lesser.  In respects, those holding the guns - made the rules.  It made me nervous, wondering what would happen to those who had refused to comply.  The residents here seemed to keep their distance from us, almost at the point of intentional avoidance as if they had already been warned not to get too friendly.

  As the days grew closer to my appointed public speech, I began to gather that the main reason everyone else appeared shy about getting too familiar with my friends and I was for a reason far more sinister.  It began to surface in rumors that those who crossed the General were prone to disappearing; which would be a difficult accomplishment to perform in such an enclosed facility.  Anyone he didn't like or had openly disagreed with him at one point or another would ultimately suffer an unfortunate accident.  However, there was never any definite proof of this conspiracy, though I'm sure anyone who could have confirmed such suspicions or been a direct witness would have quickly learned to bite their tongue.  Kane was feared, and rightly so.  Down here, he wasn't just a leader, he was their Master.

  Haiti and Thorn tried to garner as much information as they could about the facility and explore the maze of vacant corridors during the course of their maintenance duties.  As it turned out, they learned there were several sections of the underground bunker that had been sealed off by the order of their illustrious General.  Oddly, many of these unused sections had been marked as either collapsed or structurally unsafe, though neither Thorn nor Haiti had actually noted any such reported damage.  What soon came to light, was that nobody except for the small handful of staff in the upper tier of administration was even aware of the hordes of mutant Weepers that roamed the upper levels which blocked them off from the only avenue back to the surface. 

  They had all been lied to and were intentionally trapped in this place, but everyone victimized by this ruse had been told it was merely a safety precaution to keep looters out.  It soon became obvious this wasn't going to end well if we all stayed here; we had to find a way out of this madhouse.

  Working in the green level wasn't too terribly exciting, considering that Beatrice had me assigned to light duties that were removed from anything that might reveal the sensitive technical operations of their conservatory.  I wasn't stupid though; from what I could tell from what I saw of the system charts was that their greenhouse biosphere relied heavily on the hydro generators up top, though that was only one of many such power stations along the grid.  Water vapor was pumped in and recycled through the floral chambers along with enriched oxygen and excess carbon dioxide as a catalyst for the process during the exchange. 

  I was not entirely keen on how the hydro cells worked, but noted that several of their power substations had been offline.  Apparently, these had also provided electricity to the subway system we had arrived from, and the entire array wasn't currently working even near half the capacity as it was originally designed for.  While in preparations, Beatrice finally informed me that I would be expected to make a statement during an inauguration of one of Kane's new lieutenants; which was apparently a big deal for the locals, since it provided a welcome break from the monotony.

  She was kind enough to hand me a prepared speech fully dictating what I was to say, and was allowed to adlib its contents to a certain extent in my own words; though it was an expectation that I covered its underlined content.  When I took the script to my bedchamber that evening, I began to feel slightly ill.  It was as if I felt hollow inside and slightly tormented about how unfair it was for me to have to lie to all these innocent people for my own personal sake. Here I was, letting myself being used as an instrument to further victimize and dupe these individuals into complacency so they could continue to serve their superiors in their severed existence. 

  I didn't get any sleep that evening, though I had to struggle to keep my thoughts inside since I was pretty damn sure there was someone on the other end of the vid-screen poster on the wall spying on my every move; so I read the scripted notes out loud, for the sake of my eavesdroppers. The words were hard to say:

- - -

  "Residents of Fallhaven, I wanted to thank you for taking my companions and I into your welcome arms and for your most generous hospitality.  As you may already know, the plague endures and the infected still roam the surface," at least the introduction was mostly true, "...we heard rumors of this safe house; the legend of Fallhaven which was the only refuge of its kind.  For years, we struggled in starvation, running from the rampant sickness and gangs of murdering looters who care nothing for human life.  In our despair, we had almost lost all hope, until we found this refuge.

  (instructions:
pause and
turn and motion to the General who will be standing to your far right
) 

  Our sincerest gratitude to General Kane for his direction and generosity, and for giving us a new home where we can feel safe and now able to lead fulfilled lives.  With sincerity, I can assure you that compared to the ruins and wastelands of the world above; what you have built together here is truly a Haven for all. 

  (instructions:
wait for applause from the crowd then humbly
smile and relinquish the stand to General Kane - then step away to your left and take your position beside the guards
)."

- - -

At that moment several levels above, a small blinking light on the main cryogenic console switched from red to a constant blue while a pool of moisture had collected around an immense stasis chamber nearby.  Awakening for the first time, something very large and angry trapped within the cylinder started to smash its way out of its metal sheath; denting the thick steel walls of the incubator, trying to get free.

  When Beatrice came to greet me the next day, I noticed there was still a pair of armed guards stationed outside my door.  My staged speech during the day's celebration had previously been broadcast to the citizens of Haven during their morning's announcements.  No matter how frivolous or routine such observances were, they served as a distraction from the tedious grind of subterranean life and the reality of their regrettable situation.  They were like animals trapped in a cage, and their Masters didn't want the civilians left idle with too much time to think about that fact or letting it germinate any foul flavors of mutiny that had been quietly brewing during their long confinement.

  Of course, over the past several years, there had been a few sporadic revolts against authority since their incarceration here, but Kane had learned to rule with an iron hand.  Those that followed in his shadow were wise enough to know not to cross him.  Too many people had disappeared under his watch.  He knew all too well how to silence troublemakers. 

  Anyone who didn't approve of their Commanders'
personal brand of leadership found themselves excluded from such concerns in short order.  He had a skill for keeping even his most trusted accomplices unsure as to who helped him carry out his dirty work.  As man of many dark secrets, Kane prided himself on how he juggled his subjects.

  Beatrice, herself, had learned to survive with a measure of comfort which her position allowed.  Whether Kane fully had faith in her or not was irrelevant, at least to him.  The General trusted no one, that is how he kept his flock in order and his head above water no matter what circumstances might throw his way.  It had nothing to do with logic or intelligence, it was all about knowing how to manipulating others; something he did exceedingly well.

  It wasn't by chance either, that it was only his assigned guards who had access to firearms; he knew full well that those who carry the guns, make the rules.  This was an old law of the land, above or below ground.  It also happens to be lesson I had yet to learn.  I was not entirely naive, myself; but close enough to waver around being so to make a few of the same mistakes over again more than once. 

  It was this aching lack of trust I had with Beatrice, the way she held her tone with me, the fake kindness or her style of twisting a conversation towards her own interests or away from any touchy subject as a practiced technique of avoidance.  I saw through this; not at first, but the damp and murky shade of her character made me uneasy.  Of course, I could just have been paranoid and made it all up in my head; but then again, I could also be as right as rain.

  An hour before the ceremony was to begin, Betty, wanted to make sure I was up to the task of speaking to the residence of Haven without choking on stage.  I had been escorted from my apartment directly to her chambers for my initial review, since she had desired to analyze how I was going to carry my words to the audience and had me do a read-through of my speech.  Being wary that I was likely going to be subject to such scrutiny, I had practiced the dialog a half dozen times the night before, if not for fearing to look like a complete fool to everyone.  Nonetheless, she was more than willing to correct my syntax.

  "That should be fine..." Beatrice breathed after a long pause while turning her attention away from my gaze, as if to deny me any additional hint of approval simply just to keep me on my toes.  I picked up our teacups and took them back over to the dispenser for another serving of honey and lemon as she suggested I drink before we began.  With practiced innocence, she had left her back towards me for the brief moment it took me to set down both cups with one hand, and pocket two data cards she had placed on the edge of her desk; hastily left there in preparation for the affairs of the day.    

  I had no clue as to what they were for or what information they had on them, but I simply couldn't let the only opportunity to acquire some answers slip by me.  They were small enough to carry unnoticed, or ditched somewhere if need be.  I just needed a way to access them via a console or tablet when I found a spare moment.  However, that would have to wait until after the
evenings events and found a moment to slip away after performing my assigned moment behind the podium.

  Without missing a beat, I placed our steaming cups of tea on a tray and brought them back to the central table where we had been sitting before she turned back towards me once again.  I did not wish to appear too eager, but I knew that both of my friends would also be present in the crowd when the celebration was to commence.  Honestly, I wasn't looking forward to acting out this ruse, but it was our only option of fitting in until we could climb our sorry asses out of this forsaken hole and back into the daylight.  I calmly smiled at the older lady as she gave me last minute advice while I sipped my fragrant tea; just as I had mentally practiced I would the night before.  I was merely mirroring her act; and willing to chance she was too pretentious to notice. 

  For the first time since my friends and I had literally crashed their party nearly a week ago, I got the chance to see the main conference hall in its entirety.  A creative ensemble of fresh decorations had replaced its former scheme.  Now golden streamers and a number of tattered and manhandled signs and colorful banners glorifying Fallhaven had been arranged around the large room.  On several tables sat an assortment of fancy snacks and appetizer, set on silver trays with several attendees serving as waiters. 

  Frankly, I could see how granting such delicacies and the occasional entertainment would keep the civilians sated for short periods of time, satisfying such basic needs on a psychological level.  The laboring tenants of Haven were milling about the room, most gathered in small pockets of conversation; their status of brown, blue and green jumpsuits rarely intermingled.  As always, the staunch grey uniformed guards kept vigil like unpleasant mannequins.  It was my initial impression that Kane had shaped them into that attitude, keeping them intentionally impersonal and unapproachable to the residents.

  The buzz in the room quickly died down when music began to play over the speakers.  As if on cue, the lights lowered and the General stepped out into the spotlight on stage set above the ensemble of guests.  I followed behind Beatrice who took the lead up onto the stage behind Kane, who was again adorned in his outlandishly gaudy costume with all its glinting medals.  With a quick glance up, I noted that they had fixed the vent on the ceiling from which we had made our embarrassing entrance many days before. 

  Kane took a moment to turn towards the crowd and acknowledged their applause, then took a seat behind the stand.  As instructed, I stood beside the guard at the steps while Beatrice attended the podium.  Her voice was amplified throughout the complex as she addressed the crowd, and she began once their voices were quelled.

  "
Welcome friends," Beatrice began, softening up the crowd for my brief introduction before ultimately surrendering their attention to the General who was hobnobbing with the new officer recently accepted into his ranks, "we have a few new guests with us in our Haven; a rare treat indeed.  I would like to introduce you to one of our three recent additions to our family here in Haven ...Caity," the older lady turned and motioned for me to take the stand. 

  Moving to her spot, I noted the marking placed on the stage denoting where to stand so that the directional microphone embedded in the ceiling could pick up my voice. Once in front of the audience I could now see just how many there were, assuming, of course, that most of the workers had been allowed to attend.  A quick estimate appeared to be several hundred, likely many more due to the blur of color coded uniforms that blended together.  Gladly, I did notice that Thorn and Haiti had both managed to squirm their way as close to the platform as they could.  Haiti gave me a wide silly smile and waved, though quite realizing that my every movement and word I would say had been carefully choreographed for me.  Regardless, he didn't seem too offended that I didn't wave back to him.

  I took a deep breath and steadied myself, knowing that I had to impress Kane and his minions in effort to be allowed any measure of leeway from the short leash my friends and I had been placed on since our arrival.  I didn't want to screw this up.  It was best to give him what he wanted for the meantime until we could figure out where we were and what we could do, if anything.  I really did not like lying to all these people, but hopefully someday I could correct this indiscretion I was about to commit, to clear my conscience.  Still, I felt a bit selfish; but I couldn't let Kane or his trusted cohort Beatrice get a hint of how we really felt about this place.

  The evening before, I had a fuming bout of insomnia; failing to get any restful sleep for most of the night.  I had been in turmoil contemplating if maybe we should consider staying.  There was a measure of safety here, the quality of living was far higher than any of us had experienced in several years.  In addition, there was food, and lots of it; stowed in carbon gas packets that could last for decades.  Theoretically, we could live out the remainder of our lives here in relative peace.

  The downside was, there was a pretty steep price to pay for that resolution, which had a gaping flaw within its design.  I thought hard and long about the sacrifices; to never to breath fresh air again, or see another sunset, nor any possibility of finding something better and just settle for living under someone else's thumb and forbidden to express how you felt ...or even know who you could trust for that matter.  The constant eavesdropping and spying on every citizen within these walls and their lack of choice made me want to claw my way out of here through the dirt with my bare hands if I had too.  I finally had to admit to myself that I couldn't take being caged like this. 

- - -

  "Residents of Fallhaven," I pushed myself to start as Beatrice placed her hand upon my shoulder, as either an act of encouragement or a subtle reminder of her control, "I wanted to thank you for taking my companions and I into your welcome arms and for your most generous hospitality,"  Beatrice nodded over to Kane for his approval as I continued, a dull thumping of my heart seemed louder than it should as I struggled to calmly control my anxiety, "As you may already know, the plague..." there was a dull thump in the ceiling which made me turn my eyes upward for a brief moment, assuming that the ventilation units had kicked in, "of infected..." another thump even louder from above turned the heads of several in the crowd upward as tiny crackles of dust sifted down, "still roam..." I paused as a rise of murmurs erupted from the crowd as another audible pounding sent a large crack racing across the facade paneling on the cement roof.

  Someone screamed and the crowd scattered as chunks of concrete gave way to larger slabs that came crashing down into the ballroom floor.  One hunk of rubble smashed into the buffet tables, sending food flying into the crowd.  The residents fell over themselves in panic, trampling their fellow tenants.  The guards hurried to Kane's side, helping him up as they looked around nervously for an avenue to escape the chamber and avoid the dangerous hysteria of the mob.  Another crash echoed from above, and in a flash, I was thankful to find both Thorn and Haiti had mounted the platform and were at my side.

  Nobody knew what was going on.  My first thought was that the machinery lining the bunker had finally failed, in a most catastrophic way; or maybe it was an earthquake weakening the integrity of the supports.  We were frightened.  The few of us left on stage, thankfully, were out of harms way of the falling debris and the stampeding crowd below.  We watched helplessly as hunks of concrete and metal beams rained down upon the helpless people below.

  Another violent blow cracked open a section of the ventilation, which smashed to the floor and we all froze in silent horror when we heard a deep chilling growl rise from beyond the crumbled breach.  One of the guards pointed Kane towards a rear door as my two companions and I chose to follow in pursuit.  After all, those guards were the only ones with firearms and we needed to get our hands on more weapons.  We rushed after the General and his retainers as they slipped past the screaming mob through a secured exit which had been kept locked by an access keypad. 

  Glancing behind us as we left the shattered remains of the ballroom, a mutated creature with oversized hands pushed aside the broken vents above, and its large bloated face turned its aggression to the shouts of terror
from those
who caught sight of the monstrosity.  The grotesque giant reminded me of that twisted mutant we had seen sitting in the center of the mall levels several floors above.  Obviously, this creature had bypassed the UV chamber arboretum and made its way here through the ventilation system.  Luckily, it appeared to be alone; for it wasn't accompanied by the hordes of infected that roamed the levels above.

  The sight of it caught our breath short.  We were used to seeing distorted human faces who had suffered from the virus, but this was a freakish mutation straight out of a nightmare.  Thorn secured the door behind us as we pressed to keep hot on the General’s heels while his entourage swept him to safety.  Beatrice herself was also in a panic, and they never bothered to look back behind them.  The way they had so readily fled the scene to save their own skins without care or concern for their community members was deplorable, and revealed their true colors under all that fluff and pompous bravado.

  Through a maze of hall's we fled that opened up into a wider industrial section hidden in the rear of the facility.  This area had been kept off limits to the civilians and made me wonder why it hadn't been displayed on any diagrams I had seen before.  The three of us kept on Betty's tail, lest we get lost.  Bursting through a pair of doors, the guards fell in first to secure the room and failed to notice that my friends and I were following behind.  We stomped in as the grey suits pulled their weapons on us while turning their nervous eyes towards Kane for instructions.