Energia Tower

Chapter 10.1: Symphony of the Mop (Part 1)

The next day, Gil lied helplessly in bed as he stared at the metal impenetrable wall at the other side of his bed.

He didn't feel emotional like he felt the other day, but he definitely had an overwhelming urge to get out of Energia Tower. He placed his bleak hand on the metal wall, as he closed his eyes. Just how was it possible to ever get out?

Gil, like Vince and many other prisoners were going to skip their mandatory tasks but the guards went to every cell and strangely forced the prisoners to work. The ones that refused, disappeared. Gil's shift was twelve hours long, four hours longer than it usually was. He just got back from the brutality, only about an hour ago. He had to assemble firearms, warbots, tanks, and other peculiar equipment. The breaks were also shortened considerbly. It was so bizarre to do so much in one day; why did AquaLux require them to make so much equipment for war? It was all a mystery that rattled Gil with uneasiness.

He placed his heavy pillow on top of his head, as he weighed his options. He was debating about what he could do in such a hopeless situation. Living in Energia Tower forever sounded like a living nightmare, escaping was basically impossible, and putting faith in Barney's ability to prove his innocence was impractical. Living in Energia Tower throughout his days would be a lot safer than an escape attempt. The security in the tower was phenomenal, but hypothetically, if he managed to secure an exit, he'd likely be executed if he were caught. So then the choice was simple, stay in Energia Tower, working like a slave, or escape to either live in peace or die trying. Which one of these choices was more appealing?

Gil looked at the enormous holoscreen clock on the top of the room and slowly rose to his feet. It was eight in the evening, he had a bonus tasks scheduled that he was going to attend if the warden didn't drop the bombshell of potentially staying there forever. Perhaps doing the bonus tasks would help him think about his next move. If he was really crazy enough for an escape attempt, it'd be nice to see if any weaknesses in security existed.

He rose to his sore feet and walked towards the unlocked sturdy door to get out (doors were only locked during curfew). He eyed a small pack of crackers who was given from before and then put it in his pocket. If he got hungry, they could help a lot.

"Gonna do my bonus task to clear my mind," Gil said to Vince, who was moping in his head.

"Alright, good luck man," said Vince with despair latched to his voice.

Gil opened the cold door and walked towards the storage closet on the floor right above him. That was where he was told to go for the bonus task. His instructions were to simply mop all of the floors over night, he wouldn't have to go back inside his cell for curfew, but the police presence on him would probably increase.

Gil opened the storage closet door and was astonished when he saw Darcy in there already.

"Oh, hey Gil. What are you doing here?" Darcy oddly flinched.

"Well, I figured I complete a bonus task for some 'fresh air.' How about you?" he asked.

"I can relate," Darcy said with her usual stultified countenance. "I'm here because I'm usually always one of the people who mops the floors at night."

"Wow, you do mandatory shifts, make chili, and mop floors!? I'm surprised you're not tired!" Gil said.

"Well it's like you said, doing bonus tasks helps you get 'fresh air.'" said Darcy.

"Hm, I guess. It's strange that you don't ever want to leave here, though you're doing bonus tasks," said Gil suspiciously.

"Yeah... I guess it is strange," said Darcy as she turned away from Gil to continue putting soapy water into a large yellow container. "You know how to mop right?"