The Lie (The Seekers Book 2) Read online

  C hristina Elliot was at a loss for words; she kept touching her dry clothes and shaking her head while Dominik just looked mildly amused all the time. Millie was deep in conversation with the Professor already, but the teacher felt she had barely gotten her breath back when she noticed her new surroundings. Clearly they were not at the bottom of a lake. The large room was full of children, but there was an eerie silence. It had a “first day of term” feeling about it. The children were scared. Sitting in small groups, they were watching them, but they were saying and doing nothing. Christina slipped into professional mode immediately, “What are all these children doing here?” she asked.

  Millie turned to look at her, her face was ashen, “You should both listen to the Professor. Oliver may have to wait for a little while.”

  Dominik was the first to move, “Come on Chrissie.”

  The Professor was in mid flow, “... and so the Drones became the eyes and ears of the High Priests, so we all had to dwell below ground.”

  Dominik interrupted, “Is the portal your only means of access?”

  The Professor smiled, “Yes, they failed to see that our developing superior intelligence would eventually lead to our devising an effective, and so far, impenetrable barrier.”

  Christina was impatient, “Yes, but what about the children? Why are they just sitting there?”

  The Professor coughed, clearly embarrassed, “Well, it is selection time and so far they only have one name so they are going through the list again.”

  Millie sat down and indicated that the others should follow, “Look, a lot has happened in a little time, perhaps we all need to share what we know so we can decide on a way forward.”

  Christina was impressed, “Finally! Whatever is going on here we must surely hurry back to Oliver and your parents; they will be frantic by now.”

  Millie nodded, but wasn’t really going to get into the time debate here, she knew Quark could fix all that, but her heart was heavy when she thought about Oliver being all alone in the Library. “Don’t worry Miss, Quark says we simply have to follow the path and all will be well. Now Professor, tell us about your home.”

  “Well, let me see, Kalos is a young planet, some 6000 years old and we had never known war or conflict until a few decades ago. The High Priests ruled everything, of course, and all was well until the selection process was accelerated. They suddenly decided to run the selection every quarter instead of every year and we felt that was unacceptable, so we refused to cooperate and they began abducting children. We fought for twelve long years but in the end they were too strong for us and this underground shelter is our last stand.” He sighed deeply, “I expect we shall lose this now.”

  Dominik was the first to respond “Well, what do they want exactly?”

  The Professor gave a weary smile, “Good question young man! What purpose does it serve? Initially we were told our brightest and our best were being selected for special advancement. That it was an honour to serve, but no-one ever came back.”

  Christina interrupted, “You mean the children are taken forever?”

  “I am afraid so.”

  “So let me get this straight,” asked Millie, “You let them take one child every year before you decided it was a bad idea?”

  “Well, it wasn’t that straightforward Millie, you have to remember when it all started it was a great honour to leave here and go to Earth, and they started with the young adults.”

  Millie was stunned, “But you said Earth was a place of legend and due to explode!”

  “Ah yes,” the Professor lifted his eyebrows, “but the young ones are so idealistic, they wanted to help you see. Some, the more enlightened individuals, thought it was all stuff and nonsense of course, but here you are after all!”

  Christina put up her hand to object, “Are you telling us they wanted to go,” she dropped her voice to a whisper, “because these children don’t look so enthusiastic to me.”

  Dominik was equally perplexed, “Why do they only want the young ones?”

  The Professor frowned, “Well, I would have thought that was obvious, if they are going to ... er... reseed the Earth, they need to be healthy specimens, the wisest and strongest, in order to start again.”

  Millie felt herself blush despite her best intentions to be all grown up about it, “Good grief – you mean it’s a breeding programme?”

  “No, no, no, goodness me,” he protested, “the envoys are always selected for being the best in their chosen field; restructuring is provided to ensure excellence in each envoy.”

  Christina shook her head, “Sounds ghastly.”

  Dominik was unconvinced, “Why send your best young people to a place that is going to blow up?”

  The Professor smiled, “Oh, they don’t go straightaway, obviously, they are catalogued first. And we can’t breed anyway.”

  Millie tried not to look at anyone, especially the attractive young man sitting opposite her, “ Er ... I think we are going to need more information on that point.”

  The Professor was happy to oblige, “Well, I told you we were all dead in there didn’t I? So when a child is selected they are catalogued and stored for future shipment when required.”

  “To Earth?” asked Dominik.

  “That’s what we were told but when I was transferred to The Depository I soon discovered they were going all over the place. The Doorkeeper has to do as he is told of course, but what could anybody want with so many units?”

  Christina was horrified, “You mean that lovely library is full of dead people?”

  Millie remembered the sad face she had seen on the front cover, “Sorry, I’m still lost. How can your young people reseed anything if they are dead and can’t breed? I don’t get it.”

  “Goodness, yes, well you are biological units of course, we only had one copy of The Book and it never went into detail...” He suddenly seemed embarrassed, “But we know you can replicate – quite amazing.”

  Millie was getting impatient now and almost shouted, “But you are all dead!”

  The Professor paused, “So?”

  Dominik laughed suddenly, “Can you tell us what you mean by dead Professor?”

  “Of course – Data Evacuation Automatic Download.”

  There was a stunned silence then everyone started asking questions all at once but Dominik cut through them all with his deep voice, “So we are talking androids then?”

  Everyone looked at the Professor, “Hmm ... not sure that term is in my memory – please define.”

  Millie was first, “Oliver would define it as a robot that looks and behaves like a human being – he likes that stuff.”

  The Professor nodded, “Yes, I can see where that could apply – do you have such things on Earth?”

  Christina was impatient, “I believe the field of robotics is developing rapidly and the Japanese have some pretty convincing humanoids, but their social interaction is somewhat limited. I rather think Dominik was referring to you.”

  For the first time the old man’s face was shocked and he seemed lost for words, he looked across at the groups of children still sitting in stony silence. He sighed deeply; when he finally spoke he looked at Millie, “My dear, you must forgive an old fool. I should have taken more time to get to know you before bringing you here. I may have brought you into the most dangerous of places. For I fear you are really what they want, not us.”

  T here was a distinct chilliness in the air now but Jack didn’t even notice, he took a final gulp of the vodka and then threw the empty bottle in someone’s front garden. He wasn’t really sure where the gathering was as he had walked this time, but he could hear voices now. Why are they laughing? Hypocrites all of them – they are supposed to be there for Oliver but they just want to be seen. He kept checking his phone; there was even a Facebook page to leave messages, what good would that do Oliver? Well, there would soon be something much better to prattle on about.

  Jack could feel the gun in his pocket, it comfort
ed him. All his life he had been ignored, nobody cared, what was the point? He went through his list again; he hoped the chosen ones were all there. Payback time.

  O liver didn’t know what to say. He always felt embarrassed by outbursts of emotion; he shuffled forwards and then sat down next to her. “I’m sorry but I really don’t know what you are talking about, I’m ... er ... not from here, so you will have to tell me what I can do to help.”

  The girl stopped crying but looked even angrier, “None of us are from here – that’s the point, we are all trying to get home and now we’ve lost our chance.”

  Oliver picked up the silver disc, “Tell me about these.”

  She sighed, “What’s the point. I failed.”

  “Tell me anyway, please. Or at least tell me your name.”

  After a slight pause she nodded, “My name is Alana,” she pointed at the disc, “that is the liberator, the price we must pay to get back our loved ones. If you defeat the Collossus that is.”

  There was still no movement from the crumpled mass of metal on the floor. Oliver handed the coin back, “Pleased to meet you Alana, guess we need to get another liberator then if you need two. What usually happens after a battle?”

  The girl sprang to her feet, “I don’t know, I’ve never lost before. This should have been my last time, the rest of my family are safe so I was expecting all of us to leave.”

  “All of you?”

  “Two brothers and my little sister, Mattie.”

  “Right,” Oliver stood up too. “Well, can we get out of here? I’m guessing somebody will be coming soon to get you?”

  “Oh, you never see anyone; they just relocate you until it’s time to leave.”

  “So how do you know your family are safe?” Oliver asked.

  Before the girl could answer, however, they both became aware that the floor was vibrating beneath them and the ground started to shift under their feet. In the middle of the room a crack was starting to appear and it was widening quickly. The floor was sliding away and Collossus would soon be falling into the fissure.

  “Come on,” cried Oliver as he ran to the warrior, “they are not going to waste this thing, lets hitch a lift.”

  “But how do you know it won’t be cast-off?” asked Alana.

  “We don’t,” replied Oliver searching for a secure place to hold on, “but we need to get out of here and there is no other way at the minute.”

  In an instant she was at his side, “You are crazy – you know that?”

  Oliver smiled, “You should hear some of the names my sister calls me. Get a good grasp; it could be a long ride.”

  The metal screeched as they reached tipping point. Oliver wasn’t worried for himself as he felt fairly indomitable, but if this giant piece of metal flipped over, his new friend was finished. There was an almighty crash as they disappeared into the abyss but they landed safely and seemed to be picking up speed. Oliver realised they were on a gentle slope and being conveyed carefully, which was a relief. The only thing that concerned him now was the roaring fire at the bottom.

  Chapter 19

  F or once Millie was lost for words, none of this made any sense, she knew things were different away from home but she could not grasp at the meaning of the Professor’s amazing declaration. What did he mean, she was what they wanted? Dominik, however, was in his element, he leaned forward eagerly, “They are trying to procreate.”

  The Professor nodded, his eyes wandered over the children still waiting patiently, “Each child here represents a new attempt to produce self replication. The smallest children are the last to be made from the original organic matter. We are hybrids of course, our technology allows us to grow and age, but we cannot reproduce. Each harvest has been an effort to reach this goal. The High Priests are desperate to produce a child, for as long as we have existed that is all they talk about.”

  “But why?” Christina felt herself drawn into the debate despite her wish to get on and actually do something useful.

  “Well you must know why surely – you are from Earth.” The Professor registered their blank expressions and sighed, “Oh dear, you don’t know do you?”

  Millie rubbed her eyes, “Why don’t you tell us what you know Professor, we want to help but my brother is still missing and we are all a long way from home.”

  “Of course,” the Professor cleared his throat, “Well, as I told you earlier when the Earth is extinguished the New City will commence and we shall repopulate. If the harvesting has succeeded by then we shall reproduce, if not I assume they will continue to refine the programme. The aim is clear, a created child will eventually reproduce; only the created can recreate.”

  “Wait a minute,” Christina was suddenly energised, “Who created you then? Who is doing all this hybrid engineering?”

  The Professor was momentarily taken aback, “Why the High Priests of course, though we call them The Fallen.”

  “Never heard of them.” muttered Millie but she saw a knowing look pass between Miss Elliot and her friend.

  “Oh.” He was disappointed, “well they are clearly referred to in your record, perhaps it is no longer taught, these things happen you know...”

  Dominik interrupted, “Does your history state when all this began?”

  “Indeed! We are a young planet, this is the year 6066.”

  Dominik nodded, “About the same as the Earth then ... that makes sense.”

  Millie felt like her head was exploding, who was this idiot?

  But the Professor seemed to agree with him, “The Fallen believe it won’t be long now.”

  “What are you talking about?” she shouted, somewhat louder than she had intended. Well, in her defence it had been a long day. They all turned to look at her.

  “The Harvest,” said the Professor.

  “The End of the Age,” said Dominik.

  “The Promise,” they all said together.

  I t was getting hotter. A suffocating blast of hot air engulfed them and Oliver could see Alana was finding it difficult to breathe already. She let go with one hand and tried to cover her face. Oliver was frantic. Out of the frying pan and into the fire... so much for that idea. Even if there were some way of escaping the fire Alana would be toasted alive in here. Above them the floor was closing again and Alana continued to cough and splutter. Oliver realised he was unaffected. So did she. Her eyes were desperate, pleading but somehow trusting.

  You will know what to do. It was his mother’s voice. As a young boy he had always been eager to please, keen to steer away from trouble and she had been the small rudder to his ship. You will know what to do.

  Suddenly he did. He wrapped his arms around her, and putting as much force as he could muster into his legs and springing upwards, he found he was heading for the opening. It would be a close call. Oliver squeezed through with only inches to spare before it snapped shut and they landed in an untidy heap of arms and legs. Oliver was on top and tried to roll away as quickly as possible but Alana just smiled at his embarrassment, “Well aren’t you the superhero then? How did you do that exactly?”

  Oliver ran a hand through his hair and grinned back at her, “It’s a long story, let’s just say I am still learning about this new situation I find myself in.”

  Alana got up and wiped her eyes, pulling a face at the smell of smoke on her clothes, she looked around, “Well, here we are again then. We still need to get out of here.”

  Nothing had changed in the room, the floor was perfect again and everything was quiet. Oliver frowned, “I don’t get it. What’s the point of these duels if nobody monitors them? Somebody must know he lost because they tidied him away. So they must know you won. What usually happens?”

  Alana’s beautiful eyes clouded over and she dropped her head so as not to look at him, “Usually the two victors present their liberators and it opens the staircase to the next level.”

  Oliver looked up. The ceiling seemed miles away, but maybe he could reach it, but then what? Alana cou
ghed and pointed to the floor, “Actually, this staircase goes down.”

  He walked over to the centre of the room again, where she had knelt down with the token. In all the excitement he had not noticed the faint etching of a circle, but it was hardly visible, would it really open? “How does it work?” he asked.

  Alana shrugged her shoulders, “How should I know?”

  “No, I mean with the two of you on top, does it slide open?”

  “Oh.” Alana paused briefly then knelt down and closed her eyes.

  Oliver realised she was trying to picture the last time it had happened, so he remained silent. She spread out her arms and the simple white dress resonated with her every breath. Oliver knew he probably shouldn’t look, but he couldn’t help staring. Her face was serene but suddenly her eyes flew open and she gasped, “I know what to do.”

  L ooking from one to the other Millie did not like the fact that she was the only one who clearly had no idea what they were referring to. She stalled for time. “Right. How does this help?”

  The Professor was somewhat deflated, “Oh. I was hoping you would know.”

  The teacher felt obliged to intervene, “Millie have you heard of The Rapture?”

  “Sure,” she lied.

  “Then you know that for a Christian this mystical transportation is linked to the Second Coming of Christ.”

  “So?” Millie wasn’t sure why she was so defensive but she didn’t see the point of theology right now.