The City, Page 3

would have been happy to continue with more, but another, different voice interrupted them. “Is everything in order Captain?”

  As before Nicholas had no idea where it came from. “Yes,” he answered not knowing what was expected by way of a reply, but realizing one was required. His voice lowered as he whispered to Colen, “Can we be heard?”

  “If they wished to,” he said softly. “And observe, but it is unlikely they would eavesdrop on the Captain. Though you hear that already they grow curious.” Nicholas stood hesitant of what do until he saw Colen had stepped around him, and was through the door again.

  “Well Nicholas I have enjoyed our meeting again, but it is over now. Wait a while longer while I report that an intruder is on the lower deck.” He smiled as he stepped into the cubicle marked bridge.

  Nicholas knew he was about to be betrayed again and went to lunge for the man, but the opening closed before he could reach it.

  Nicholas stared dumfounded. He didn’t know where the man had gone; but it was beyond doubt that wherever Colen had, it would lead to his own apprehension. Still it was not unexpected, but there was no time left, he must act now. He had not said anything to Colen, but something had been forming in his mind.

  Nicolas recalled how the Alderman had allowed on the occasion of his son’s wedding that all the village folk to come into the grounds of his mansion. They had been kept in a separate roped off area of the garden to the main guests, but saw; and in a way participated in all that went on. Toward evening, when the lanterns would normally be lit for the festivities to continue, a machine that gave out light, like the ones in the cave had been brought into the center of the celebrations.

  Nicholas had seen it earlier when preparing the grounds, basking in full orb light. Then in the darkness it released that caged light, flooding the grounds as if the orb still shone. All treated it in awe until there was a sudden rainstorm: the shower came from nowhere, and fell heavily. Everybody rushed for cover, except for estate workers who ran desperately to cover the machine; as apparently water caused it to fail. Nicholas knew he was clutching at air, but if the workings of this machine were the same?

  Under the screens was a small bench. On the wall immediately above was a row of narrow panels that looked as if they allowed access into the insides. Nicholas pulled at one; it slipped out into his hand easily; quickly he pulled off two others further long. He crossed quickly to the door and commanded it open. There in front of him were even stranger machines, with large rubber wheels, other than that there were boxes and containers. This was not the room he had been in, or sought. He tried another door, this time seeing the horses. Anxiously he looked again for the containers holding the animal feed. He picked one up and tore at the top, it refused to come off and it took precious seconds before he realized it had to be turned. The cap came off and he tipped the grain over the floor; then plunged the empty vessel into the water trough. It forced itself back up with the trapped air and continued to do so while he held the open end below the surface. The lights suddenly turned red, then back to white, alternating every second while an urgent voice called out. “Intruder... Lower level... Weapons room... Locate. Subdue...” A high-pitched note accompanied red light.

  Nicholas dragged the now heavy container from the trough. Water slopped out everywhere including down his clothes as he raced back into what he now knew to be the weapons room.

  Without hesitation he hurriedly tossed, and poured the water into the open inspection grills, making his way along the bench, then back again until no more was liquid left. Immediately a warning call began screaming in his ears, but nothing happened to the machinery.

  Devastated at losing his only chance to do anything to help the rebellion Nicholas turned to flee. As he commanded the door to open there was a fuzzy noise from behind him, then a low crackling, which grew louder and louder. The voice called out again. “Warning power fluctuating.”

  As Nicholas fled through the opening, he looked briefly over his shoulder. It was long enough to see sparks coming from the entire length of the grills. There were several loud bangs and the room began to fill with smoke; rising up, as a gas began pouring out from vents in the roof. He saw no more as the door was closing behind him.

  Back in the stable the red light was on and the siren shrieking, but they remained permanently on now; the alarm only interrupted by an unperturbed male voice. “Main power weapons... Malfunction.... vacate the area... area about to be voided. Warning; weapons room about to be voided.” Whatever voided was; it did not sound like something he wanted to stop, or experience. Nicholas was mounting Prince now, pulling the horses head round in the confined stable. The voice called out again. “Auxiliary power by pa...” Under his feet there was a heavy bump, and he felt a slight tipping of the floor, making Prince whinny in annoyance

  He heard no more as Prince raced down the ramp with enough noise from hoof on metal to raise sleepers from their beds in Lakesend. Then the thud of the soil coated in soft fern softened it, as again Prince carried him into the trees, and he hoped, away from danger. He made for the road leaving the craft disabled; how badly, and for how long he had no idea. He could only hope and pray that it would be long enough.