THE HIVE

Chapter 27

I gape at the sight that lays bare before me, swathe in brilliance, not only in luminosity, but in capability. Stretching across my foreview are hulking chunks of modern and maybe even futuristic technology, each capable of outmatching a man a billion times over. Perhaps more.

"Why are supercomputers here. They are supercomputers aren't they?" I stare at the wasphead standing beside me.

He nods in affirmative. "They have been a lot of help. This facility has aided in the administration of your kind and many others. There are others like this one of course."

I observe the place. But more... I connect the entire trip that I took to arrive here. Something clicks in my mind, in a subconscious fashion without even me realising it completely- but intuitively- which makes me say, "We are underground aren't we." It doesn't even come out as a question.

I feel like he gives me a smirk. "Sharp as always." He takes a step, then another. "Come," he beckons me to follow him.

But I scamper past him and stand  before one of the giant machines. Oh Golly! All I know about these machines is that they cost a fortune and aren't something you find in every household. More like every other giant in the tech industry, or in advanced science research facilities. But the sheer amount that's present here, it makes me wonder if every single one of what we had on Earth is brought here.

But that can't be... Because the more I stare, the more I get the feeling that these aren't the ones we had back at home. Heck, even the quantum computers didn't look like this. These are a different breed altogether. As if... yeah. That's it.

These are built combining the technology of both your races.

Right on the bill!

But how can there be so many...

"We built these the same way you kids make the little parts," I hear the alien say from the side, in a reluctant fashion as he waits for me to move on.

"The same fashion... why, of course! That's it!" I slam my fist into my mutated palm.

Ow! Hey!

"The adults. You made them manufacture these!"

"That's right. And that's in the present tense for you."

I snap my head in his direction. "Where are they?"

He sighs. "It's no use."

I groan. "Urrghh, why don't you just tell me stuff. You brought me here, didn't you? You might as well give me the answers I'm looking for."

"Sometimes, the truth is hidden for your own good. It's better to stay ignorant. I told you, they are safe. Don't go looking for them. It won't end well."

My lip quivers. But, I drop my head down, my bottom lip turned up. What can I do? It's not like I can go find Mum on my own if they don't tell me where to find her. She could be on any of the colonised planets they have. Heck, she could also be on the stations or on moons. It's like searching for a needle in a haystack.

It is their intention, to keep you separated. If you find each other, it results in hope.

But, a hope for what? Earth is no more.

Well, most don't know that right?

... You're right on that one.

And most importantly, you know what? Home can be wherever you make it.

I keep my head hung low. They are true words. But they are too heavy for me to accept. Because, our planet was our home. Any other place won't compare, won't come close.