Elevatia

10. The Low Lands

I met the others just before 4 by the gates out of Medium as agreed. I avoided Chip's accusatory gaze as I donned my uniform and said nothing about my meeting with Ace.

"Ready everyone?" Sky asked. "We only get one shot at this."

"Ready," we chorused.

I took a deep breath, "For Elevatia,"

Chip took a deep breath, "For mother,"

Munk took a look at Jayla, "For friends,"

Jayla closed her eyes, "For Pete,"

Sky took a deep breath, "4 o'clock. Let's go!"

Jayla let us all into the hanger just outside the Medium District using her agricultural rations access pass. We hid behind a tower of crates and scanned the transports inside – a variety of tractors and other trucks, along with the armoured car the High Class had arrived in. There were two heavily armed Uprights patrolling and a few cleaner Lowlies in greasy overalls.

Chip and I pulled on our High Class pointed hats that Sky had managed to steal and stepped out from behind the crate. The Upright turned to face us immediately. There was no turning back now.

I marched up imperiously.

"High five."

The returned my salute.

"Now stand aside," I continued. "My Tall colleague and I are going ahead of the others to the Low Lands tonight to collect the tribute."

It was impossible to read the Upright's expression under their helmets but they didn't stand aside immediately.

"Tonight?" One of them said slowly. "The itinerary states you will all stay in Medium tonight and travel to the Low lands tomorrow."

"Believe me," Chip chipped in derisively, "I will be spending as little time as possible with the Lowlies but High Highness gave us business to attend to."

That seemed to satisfy them. The Upright stood aside slowly and Chip and I walked towards the vehicle. Just then, Chip stumbled a little in the unfamiliar boots that Munk had constructed to boost his height. Out of the corner of my eye I saw one of the Upright turn, raising his gun slightly.

Casually I remarked to Chip, "Some of the Upright are getting quite high and mighty these days. I must remember to mention it to the dear Chief Upright at this week's briefing."

The Upright straightened immediately again. I allowed myself a little smirk.

We reached the car and a hunched over Lowlie opened the door for me. I looked down disdainfully into Sky's face and gave her a surreptitious wink as I got in. Chip and I took the passenger seats and our Lowlie driver (Munk) and the rest of our Lowlie entourage (Sky and Jayla) took the other seats. The Upright opened the doors to the hanger for us and we drove out into the afternoon sun. Free from Medium for the first time since we arrived. We'd done it!

"We've not done it yet," Sky cautioned. "That was just phase 1."

Munk drove us down the long dusty open roads to the distant Low Lands. Jayla blasted out a road trip playlist and we all sang along to Celine Dion and Meatloaf. It was dark when we arrived at the check point for the Low Lands was ahead of us. We'd done it!

"We've not done it yet," Sky cautioned. "That was just phase 2."

Chip and I maintained our aloof manner as we drove through the checkpoint, Sky got out and conversed in low voices with the staff of the checkpoint showing them her meticulously forged papers. I sat trembling with nerves in the passenger seat trying to maintain my supercilious demeanour. But then the Upright guard waved us through. We'd done it!

"We've not done it yet," Sky cautioned. "That was just phase 3."

Munk parked the car on a sideroad. We'd done it!

"We've not done it yet," Sky cautioned. "That was just phase 4."

Chip nipped to a public loo as he'd forgotten to go before we left. We'd done it!

"We've not done it yet," Sky cautioned. "That was just phase 5."

Cautiously, our little group we made our way through the dark and cramped Low streets. There were multiple levels – with networks of bridges and paths criss-crossing barely above our heads, blocking out any of the moonlight. Chip and I had changed into Lowlie disguises like the others and I had returned to my ordinary height. Most ingenious of all, despite all being the same Medium height as ever we further blended in with the ingenious trick of "crouching".

Sky led us through the claustrophobic streets, avoiding the Upright patrols whose routines Chip and I had tracked during our reconnaissance-smooching sessions. We arrived eventually at a nondescript building.

"This is it," Sky said. "My research showed the builders in this place constructed Vyle's High Palace. The plans should be in the basement."

Jayla pulled 'Sim', the robot dog that Munk had built, out from her robes. Sim scampered up to the door, scanned the keypad and ran a decryption programme. She woofed the code to Munk who typed it in to open the door and we all slipped in unnoticed. Swiftly, we made our way down to the archives in the basement. Chip switched on the lights and illuminated row upon row of filing cabinets. I smiled at the office environment – my actuary training would come in handy. I navigated the index system with confidence and we all crowded round as I identified the drawer labelled: "Blueprints - Vyle's palace". I held my breath and pulled it open.

It was empty.

I looked at the others in confusion and dismay.

Behind us came the unmistakeable voice of the Chief Upright. "Kit and your ragtag group of misfits. Told you I'd be watching you."

And then everything went black.