The Electric Eagle

Chapter 8 - A Secret Alliance

The Children's Quarter was hidden in the centre of Spillship 10, like a nest built into a wild tree, swaying in the storm. Known to those left outside its doors as the Garden of Eden, the space formed a vast bubble, with walls that rose and curved into a broad, glimmering ceiling. Soft sparkles drifted down from above, glittering as they met the floor below. On one side of the bubble, a school and cafeteria stood, while on the other, the Pods stretched out in neat rows. In the middle of the room, fake grass and plants added splashes of life, their deep green leaves breathing colour into the space. Books, each one approved and republished by the Overcasts, were scattered throughout, piling up on stairways, filling nooks and communal areas. The whole place had the feel of a futuristic library, a clinical centre for learning that, at the same time, gave off a soft, earthy warmth. But if you stayed long enough in the Children's Quarter, or if you paid close attention, you might notice the subtle signs of control embedded within. Tiny cameras dotted the ceiling, their lenses constantly shifting, zooming in and out like the watchful eyes of electric eagles. The stairways, which wound their way skyward and curled around the Pods like a gentle stream, were lined with sensors, tracking even the faintest movement. Masked as a haven of safety and hope, the hub was really a prison for captured children. Beyond Spillship 10, these hubs spanned ten of the thirty-seven Spillships encircling the UK. Only the most loyal and fundamentalist Overcasts worked inside the quarters, as Community Sponsors, cooks, teachers, and Water Whisperers.

A gentle light pulsed across Finn and Jeero's Pod, casting a soft glow that grew steadily brighter with each passing moment. As the light expanded, a delicate bird song drifted through the room, its notes echoing through the quiet space. Both boys blinked awake slowly, stirring under their blankets. Finn extended his arms, stretching up toward the curved ceiling, while Jeero turned his head, pulling the duvet tighter over his head. In the girl's Pod, Mim's eyes were already open, gazing into the still darkness. She lay perfectly still, her expression distant. As the light crept in, filling the room, her eyes throbbed in response, and she squinted against the growing brightness. The soft bird sounds reached her ears, pulling her fully awake. Slowly and cautiously, Mim lifted her legs over the edge of the bed and went over to the small sink, where she cupped her hands and splashed cool water over her face and eyes. On the back of the Pod's entrance, a floor-length mirror reflected her damp face. She took a step closer, leaning in to inspect her reflection. Her gaze focused on the whites of her eyes, now tinged with red and raw from strain, as she searched them for some sign of relief in the stillness of morning.

"Didn't manage to sleep, huh?" Lena said behind Mim, throwing her pillow to the top of the bed and reaching down to put her trainers on.

"Oh, no not really. I'm not good at sleeping in new places", Mim replied, her voice timid and croaky as she tucked the notepad under her pillow. Lena noticed her doing this but resisted questioning her.

Part of Lena felt irritated by Mim's softness, as if she was almost allergic to her sensitivity. The other part of her felt a warmth towards Mim, like she wanted to protect her. And deeper still, there was something else, an inexplicable draw, a magnetism that tugged at her. She noticed the boys seemed to feel it too, though she concealed her own intrigue behind a carefully crafted coolness. The thought settled heavily in her mind, a tension gathering in her chest until it grew uncomfortable. Needing to shake it off, Lena pushed the feeling aside and stepped quickly to the door. With a sharp tug, she yanked the handle, but the door remained stubbornly locked.

"I wish they'd put a clock in here," she muttered, frustration thick in her voice, "It's driving me mad, not knowing the time!" She paused, "But I guess that's exactly what they want, isn't it?"

Mim stared back at her, hesitant to reply. As they looked at one another, they both heard a clicking sound, and the door opened, letting light pour in. Slowly, they both stepped outside. Children from nearby Pods began to emerge too, blinking at the brightness, their movements. Unlike Lena and Mim, their movements were purposeful. A few rows along, Finn and Jeero stumbled out from their own Pod, eyes still heavy with sleep, exchanging a quick glance with Lena and Mim. They offered tired nods in silent greeting as a gentle chime filled the air, urging them all forward. The stairway below them led toward the main atrium of the Children's Quarter, a space that looked like something out of a vision, vast and strangely beautiful. The children shuffled into a loose line, instinctively filing into the flow of others heading toward the cafeteria. Lena glanced around, taking in the unfamiliar faces, the expressions of quiet resignation and sleepy obedience etched on them. She noticed how some children kept their heads down, avoiding eye contact, while others whispered in low voices, occasionally sneaking glances at the Overcast staff positioned along the edges of the space. She zig zagged through the children until she met with Jeero and Finn. Mim followed behind, her pace quick and panicked, fearful she would lose the others.