Hamish X Goes to Providence Rhode Island (19 page)

Whereas every fountain Mimi had ever heard of spouted water, the fountain below her emitted a stream of what appeared to be glowing liquid crystal. To the human eye, the liquid had all the properties of normal water, but it was somehow denser and more … The only word that came to Mimi's mind was
perfect
. The rich azure blue of the fountain shone with a rippling internal radiance that was caught by the mosaic ceiling and sent back in shattered brilliant sparkles to rain down upon the people gathered below. Mimi felt the presence of the fountain as a low thrill of power pulsing softly through her body. The hairs on her arms and on the nape of her neck stood up in response to the power hanging in the air.

There was something strange about the fountain that Mimi couldn't immediately put her finger on. She watched its cascade for a full minute before finally hitting on it.

“It's too slow,” she mused. The water moved up through the air and dropped as though in slow motion, as if gravity's normal effect had been weakened in the area the fountain occupied. “The water is flowin' like molasses.”
⁷⁰

“What's molasses?”

Mimi turned to find Xnasha standing beside her.

“Uh, it's like … uh … well, it sure ain't water!”

“The Crystal Fountain isn't made of water,” Xnasha said. “It is an ancient artifact of our people. We no longer have the knowledge of its construction. We know only that it is responsible for our well-being. The fountain's power keeps us healthy, extends our lives, and keeps us hidden. As long as the crystal flows, Atlantis will endure.”

They fell silent for a moment, contemplating the wondrous fountain as the hall filled and the Atlanteans took their places.

“Has it ever stopped flowin'?” Mimi thought of the millions of tons of seawater held in place overhead by the beautiful cascade of liquid light below.

“Not yet.” Xnasha shook her head. “But there are those among us, the oldest ones, who say it flows less powerfully than it once did.” Xnasha smiled. “Don't worry. It's never stopped and it won't today.” She took Mimi's elbow. “Come. The council meeting is about to convene. Xnasos would be furious with me if I cause any delay.”

Mimi, Cara, Mrs. Francis, and Mr. Kipling followed Xnasha down broad stone steps to a bench in the front row. Xnasos, sitting on a small stone block on the platform beside
the fountain, glared at Xnasha, who smiled sweetly and took a seat beside Mimi. Seated so close to the fountain, Mimi was even more impressed by it. The liquid shot up to within centimetres of the ceiling, a single powerful jet. Unlike fountains made of water, there was no fragmentation of the stream: no droplets fell away. The crystal flowed back upon itself in a single unbroken ribbon. Mimi had to tear her eyes away from the hypnotic glow when Xnasos began to speak.

“Citizens of ATLANTIS!” he boomed, arms raised. “Honoured GUESTS!” His voice echoed off the stone walls impressively.

“There's no need to shout,” said a man in the back row.

“Don't interrupt,” Xnasos snapped. “I'm making a speech.”

“But I can hear you just fine without the shouting and I'm in the back row,” the man pointed out.

Xnasos took a deep, calming breath and forced a smile. “Fine. Citizens of Atlantis! Honoured guests.”

“You said that part,” a woman interrupted.

“I am just repeating it because I was INTERRUPTED!”

“You're yelling again!” from the back row.

“Well, I wouldn't be yelling and repeating myself if you didn't keep interrupting me!” Xnasos was a little red in the face now.

“Get to the point. We haven't got all day! These children need their nap soon! They don't have the patience to listen to you shouting and, frankly, neither do I,” the woman said impatiently, tickling the toddler she held in her lap. The rest of the crowd clapped their hands in agreement. Xnasos was about to explode into a furious tirade when Xnasha stood up and faced the crowd.

“In a nutshell,” she said, “we have to decide if the children from the Hollow Mountain can stay with us, for how
long, and what other aid we want to give them.” Xnasha sat back down next to Mimi.

The woman pointed at Xnasha. “See? That's the way to do it. Get to the point!”

“And no shouting!” added the man at the back.

Xnasos was beside himself. “
I
am the speaker!
I
am in charge of the meeting!” He banged his staff on the stone floor. A shiver of energy passed through the hall. Behind him the fountain pulsed a deeper blue. Everyone gasped and started muttering among themselves.

“The fountain doesn't like it when people get angry,” Xnasha whispered.

“You mean that thing's alive?” Mimi whispered back.

“Not exactly.” Xnasha shrugged. “But nobody really knows.”

“Forgive me, O Fountain,” Xnasos said, bowing. He held up his hands for silence. At last, the crowd settled down again. “As my sister so ably pointed out, we must make decisions. We have welcomed the Hollow Mountain refugees into our city and into our homes. At present, it is a temporary arrangement. I have been passing among you and gathering opinions, gauging the mood of the citizens, and I think I represent the majority of you when I say the following: we would like to welcome all the newcomers to stay among us as full citizens!”

A general swell of applause and cheering greeted this announcement. The fountain seemed to pick up the good feeling from the assembly, pulsating a brighter, warmer blue.

“I suggest we put it to the vote.” Xnasos raised his staff. Thousands of Atlantean voices cried out their assent. “Opposed?” Silence. Xnasos beamed. “Excellent! The motion is carried.”

Cheering went up from Atlanteans and children alike.

Mimi looked around at all the Hollow Mountain children's happy faces. She saw the joy and relief they felt knowing they had a place of safety after losing the only home most of them had known. Even Mrs. Francis looked relieved to know the children would have a safe place to rest with people who cared.

Mimi couldn't rest, though. She looked over and saw that Cara wasn't pleased either. Cara felt Mimi's eyes on her and turned. She looked into Mimi's eyes and shook her head. Standing, she raised her hands for silence.

“Xnasos,” she began. “People of Atlantis. Friends from the Hollow Mountain.” She paused and looked at the flowing crystal. “Fountain?” She shrugged and continued, “We are humbly grateful for your kindness and your hospitality. You have taken us in at a time when we had nowhere else to go and for that we can never repay you.” The smile left Cara's face. “But we must ask your aid in one more matter. We have lost many friends. They have been stolen from us and they need our help. My brother, Mimi's friend Parveen, and many, many more were taken when the ODA destroyed the Hollow Mountain. We don't know their fate. We don't know whether they are alive or dead, but we know we must do everything we can to find out and free them.”

The Atlanteans fell silent, and even the fountain's tinkling fall seemed hushed. Cara gazed around the amphitheatre at the faces of the assembly. Mimi had to admit, the girl was a natural public speaker.

“I don't begrudge anyone from the Hollow Mountain who wishes to stay here in safety. You've been through a lot and you deserve at least a place to sleep and the care of good people.” Cara paused and smiled at Xnasha, who blushed. “But I am going to try to free my brother. I am
going to Providence. I am going to the Headquarters of the ODA and I
will
free him or die trying. Thank you for your offer of sanctuary, but I, for one, can't accept it while one child suffers under the control of the Grey Agents.”

Cara stopped speaking and looked out over the crowd. The children, cheering only moments before, were now silent. The Atlanteans shook their heads. Xnasos stood and spoke.

“It is folly to challenge the Grey Agents at any place or time, but to attempt to infiltrate their Headquarters is complete madness. You will be captured and join your brother in whatever fate has befallen him.” For once, none of the Atlanteans disagreed with their spokesman. “Stay here and live with us in safety. Believe me, we have firsthand knowledge of how terrible the Grey Agents can be.”

“We know!” Mimi sprang to her feet, unable to stay in her seat any longer. She faced the crowd. “We know all about the war your ancestors fought. Xnasha told us everything.”

Xnasos's eyes flared angrily. He pointed at Xnasha. “How could you divulge
⁷¹
our secrets?”

Xnasha shook her head. “It wasn't right to keep them in the dark. In a way, we, or rather our people, are responsible for bringing those creatures into this world. It isn't right for us to hide down here and let the rest of the world deal with our mess.”

“We are safe here!” Xnasos thundered.

“Don't you people git it?” Mimi shouted. “You ain't safe anywhere! They ain't gonna let ya live in peace. They want
ta take everythin'. They want our whole darn world fer themselves! Y'all may be safe here fer a while, but they're gonna come callin' and you ain't gonna be able ta keep 'em out forever, even with all yer fancy domes and yer Crystal Fountains 'n all.”

“Mimi.” Cara laid a hand on Mimi's arm, but the tall Texan girl shook it off.

“No, I ain't gonna be quiet and I ain't gonna siddown. You people are gonna have to decide if yer gonna help us 'r not and if ya ain't, well then show me the way outta here cause I got butts to kick and they're all attached ta Grey Agents.” Mimi folded her arms over her chest and glared at the assembled crowd. Cara stood by Mimi's side.

The amphitheatre was silent save for the gush of the Crystal Fountain. The deep blue was tinged by deeper hues of indigo and violet. The silence stretched out uncomfortably. At last, Xnasha rose and went to stand beside the girls.

“I will go with you,” she said softly. When her brother opened his mouth to protest, she raised a hand and shook her head. “No, Xnasos. I won't change my mind. We must take some responsibility for the past. I will go and help them if I am able. I will represent our people on this quest because it is the right thing to do …” She smiled. “And I've always wanted to see the blue sky.”

THE NEXT MORNING
Mimi, Cara, and Xnasha took their seats in the control cabin of the submarine. Xnasos had pleaded with his sister to change her mind, but Xnasha had held firm, insisting that they take the small craft she had lovingly restored. The remaining members of the Royal Swiss Guards who had volunteered occupied the crew cabins. Every surviving Guard wanted a chance
to strike a blow at the ODA in revenge for the loss of their King, of their Guard leader, and of their home.

After a long and tearful argument, Mr. Kipling had convinced Mrs. Francis that he should go along on the mission. To his astonishment, when he arrived at the pier to board the ship, he found his wife waiting for him, her bag packed.

“Isobel,” he said firmly. “I forbid you to come.”

“Oh fiddle-dee-poo! You can't forbid me to do anything. I'm coming and that's final.”

“But, dear,” Mr. Kipling begged. “Please understand. It's for your own safety. This will be a very dangerous trip.”

Mrs. Francis put down her bag and placed her hands on her hips. “Rupert, you are my husband and I love you, but do not presume to tell me what to do. I will not leave you now or ever. I am coming on this trip and you can't make me stay behind, waiting for you to return and wondering if you ever will.”

Mr. Kipling looked down into her round, determined face and chuckled softly. “Oh, I do love you. May I at least carry your bag, my dear?”

“Of course,” Mrs. Francis sniffed. “Think of this as a honeymoon.”

Xnasha's goodbye to Xnasos was terse. Her brother was still furious with her for flouting his wishes, but he kissed her on the forehead before she boarded the submarine. Just before she shut the hatch behind her, she stopped and smiled at him. “Don't worry, brother. I will return.”

“See that you do,” Xnasos said softly.

She smiled again and slammed the hatch tight.

The crowd of Atlanteans and Hollow Mountainers cheered as the submarine's running lights began to glow. With a gurgle and a frothing maelstrom of bubbles, the
vessel released its mooring cables, sank into the dark waters of the docking bay, and moved slowly off like a vast glowing fish gliding beneath the surface.

Inside the cabin, Mimi and Cara watched as Xnasha moved her hands in the air above the glowing crystal panel, guiding the ship through the bay towards a dark opening that turned out to be a tunnel carved into the stone wall. The tunnel would lead them out into the open sea.

“Wait a minute,” Mimi said suddenly.

“Did you forget something?” Cara asked, worried.

“Shore did,” Mimi said. “We ain't named our ship yet.”

“Is that customary?” Xnasha asked. “This ship may have had a name when it was built, but I doubt any would remember it now.”

“It's a she, not an it,” Mimi said pointedly. “And I guess it's up to us to name her.”
⁷²

“Why not the
Rhode Island Red
?” Xnasha said after a moment's thought.

Mimi and Cara laughed.

“
Rhode Island Red
it is,” Mimi cried. “Set a course fer Providence. The chickens are comin' home to roost.”

“You do have a strange way of talking.” Xnasha shook her head and pressed her hands forward. A vibration thrummed through the hull as the submarine surged forward.

They set off on their journey to confront the ODA in their lair.

“Hold on, Parveen,” Mimi said softly. “I'm comin'.”