Chapter 17: The Incomplete Confession of Doctor Nelson
Concrete Castles by T.J Lockwood
I’d like to say that everything makes sense to me now, but it feels as if we’re just getting started. I can’t explain why. No matter how long I stare at these files or scroll through the images in the database, it all seems much too big for someone like me. How can the world be this diverse?
Twelve cities in the sky, a whole world down below, and this little pit hidden away between both of them. Bullock said the world won’t survive the next climate shift. I believe him. I don’t like him, but my gut tells me that he wasn’t making that part up.
People will do almost anything to survive. The lines between good and evil will become quite blurred during those times. There are only actions, and every action has a consequence.
“Have you had a chance to look around?” The Major sits behind Nelson’s desk with his feet resting on the edge of a filing cabinet. He looks relaxed—casual, even.
I step through the doorway. “What are they like?”
He sits up. “What are what like?”
I pause. “The flying cities.”
“Ah, well that depends on where you go. Each city has an objective only their respective council members are aware of.”
“Like the domes?”
He shrugs. “Not nearly to that degree, no.”
I pause to process exactly what he is saying. “You said this place was property of the Suo Corporation?”
He smiles. “I’m glad you pay attention. I do find it a little annoying to repeat myself. Yes, it is one of the last remaining corporate powers which has a hold both on the ground and in the sky. They funded the construction of two cities.”
“Motano and Rigmire?”
“Correct. Motano is the strategic data store. The entire communications array for the Twelve is funneled through its servers, and Rigmire has the largest population of any city by far. Those there are preparing for the inevitable rebuild.”
“Where are the others? Others like me.”
He stands and walks towards the giant window. “Still in their domes. I’d rather not disturb their natural habitats until it’s time.”
I take a deep breath. “And when will that be?”
“When I’m ready, but there’s no rush—”
A loud siren goes off overhead and the Major is moving past me faster than I think is humanly possible. I turn to follow but he is already halfway down the hall by the time I exit the room. Other people are scrambling, but not nearly as fast as the Major. He’s on a whole different level.
“Containment breach outside dome number three. The emitters are going crazy.” Garrick stands in front of a console adjusting dials. “The defenses outside the warrens have been activated.”
The Major turns to one of the guards in bulky armour. “Retrieve Doctor Nelson. I need to know what we’re dealing with.”
The guard moves quickly as a second alarm goes off.
Garrick shakes his head. “I know I can be annoying, but two sirens at once? Come on.”
I look at the monitors and see the domes retracting. “Garrick?”
“Oh, I see it.” He then turns and attempts to shout over the sirens. “Someone touched something, and now shit’s going crazy. We need to find out what it was.”
The Major closes his eyes and in seconds the sirens stop. He then turns to Garrick. “One of the teams on the lower level encountered one of the defense mechanisms in your report. Something must have gotten damaged in the exchange.”
Garrick nods. “Those things are nasty.”
“The B.E.A.R.” I pause as both men turn to look at me. “If the domes are coming down, then the people inside will venture out to see what’s going on.”
A deep growl echoes from down the hall.
Garrick pulls a pistol from one of his holsters and hands it to me. “Just a feeling, but I think we might have some more immediate concerns.”
There is a rising tension as the Major gives orders for the guards to fall back until the situation can be assessed. For a moment everyone grows quiet as the growls become more frequent. The door to the left opens to let in a barrage of gunfire. Doctor Nelson falls through, clutching his left hip, as the guard continues firing his rifle in the doorway. Three guards exit formation to assist.
“I need those with turret implants to take point, now!” the Major’s voice booms, and two more guards break formation.
Garrick goes to shield Doctor Nelson, since the scientist looks like he is in no condition to move. A roar erupts as one of the guards flies back into Garrick. Both of them struggle to recover as a bear ponderously enters the room. Blue sparks jump across its fur.
“The fuel column...” Nelson points towards the creature’s neck.
I step past the Major as the bear begins to charge. I’ve done this before. I just need to do it again. Everything feels like it’s going in slow motion. I take aim as the guards scatter. The bear is maybe five metres away when I feel a hand on my shoulder pulling me to the right.
There is a flash as the bear disappears and reappears exactly where I was standing. The Major draws his weapons and begins pulling the triggers in rapid succession.
Another flash and the bear moves—this time behind the Major.
I move on instinct, adjust my aim, and squeeze the trigger. One bullet clips the Major while the others fly past him into the creature. I watch as the Major drops his weapons and jumps, both arms clamping around the bear’s head. He forces his body sideways and the bear is flipped onto its back. The guards from Voltza converge and keep firing round after round into the creature.
An audible click precedes a distinct sizzle as the bear stops moving and flickers. Everyone continues firing their weapons until a large flash fills the room, and then there is nothing.
“Is everyone alright?” The Major wipes the blood from his cheek and turns to those still standing. “I need a status report, now. All levels.” He reaches down and picks up his weapons.
“I think we lost the Doc.” Garrick kneels next to Doctor Nelson’s body and places one metal finger on the motionless scientist’s neck.
Another roar erupts below us.
“Damn it.” The Major closes his eyes. A light flickers on next to the implant over his left eye. “We need this place secure; cut the power. All teams converge on the generators.”
Garrick makes his way over. “Well, that was fun, wasn’t it?”
The Major shakes his head. “Make yourself useful and bring someone to this room who knows the systems.” Garrick turns to leave as the Major speaks again. “And make sure they make it alive. Preferably in one piece.”
Garrick nods. “Will do, boss man.”
The next few seconds pass in relative silence until the Major turns to me. The blood smear on his cheek is prominent. “You alright?”
I nod. “You’re not mad?”
He smiles. “This? This is nothing. I was thinking about getting another implant anyway.”
I then watch as he makes his way over to the console. These people are strange, and most seem like they are made of metal anyway. If these are humans, then I’m not sure I’m going to be able to fit in their world. I like my body the way it is.