Dogfights

Dogfights - Cloud (Chapter 10)

The vast recesses of space stretched out into the heavens, past planets and planes of existence. White stars shone brightly, glimmering upon the horizon, filling up the blackness with light. In the midst of all the dark a single piece of floating rock stands, existing despite all odds. The orb watches the parasites fight and waits for the inevitability of time to swallow them whole. But now there is disease. A thin gray streak penetrates the atmosphere. The scar is a curse, a sign of things to come, for nature and all things good and wholesome will soon come to an end.

A satellite appears. It carries itself through Earth's atmosphere, slowly spinning, unhindered for the last decade.

The machine begins to murmur, to speak. It is hard to hear at first, but as it approaches the voices become clearer. They are all talking at the same time, the trillions of voices, betraying a certain madness. Some of the voices are sad, some are happy. But most are angry, loud, screaming and yelling, like animals.

One voice pierces through the din. A man, reporting the news.

"Samuel Corporation is holding a meeting today that will decide whether or not they will take action towards the Kenneth Corporation," the man begins. "The Kenneth Family owes a large amount of debt to the South-American syndicate, and it is rumored that they do not have the resources to pay their loans before the deadline outlined in the contract created between the two superpowers a decade ago. It has been some time since the Kenneth sibling have come forward to shed light on any new developments. Today also marks the second week since the death of Saul Kenneth, the youngest member of the Kenneth family, known for his work towards repurposing the cities resources and developing a answer to the now solved energy crisis."

The satellite drifts by and the voices fade.

Blackness. Nothingness. The end of all things.

***

Kane looked up at the cloud city. A single, engrossing gasket enveloped the base of the floating utopia. It spewed fire, keeping the cloud city afloat while four massive wires tether it to the earth. A symbol of splendor above, a symbol of domination for those below.

The thundering noise sounded then, making the ground shake and jostling the car. Kane assumed manual control to keep the vehicle steady as he crossed the mile long bridge that stretched across a black river.

Kane drove through Bloc 3, towards his destination. He wandered for a little while before he successfully found the spot: a building, a newer one, the steel not quite as dull as the motels that surrounded it. Kane parked the car in front of the complex and emerged quietly. The people of the city continued without so much as a curious glance as Kane entered through a set of glass doors.

Inside there was little life, save for a few businessmen and a single receptionist. Kane walked up to the counter. The receptionist looked up to Kane with old, tired eyes.

"Welcome to Ryse Airlines, the Kenneth Corporation's number one helicopter, plane, and hovercraft service," she said. "How may I help you?"
Kane nodded. "My name is Steve Oswald. I believe I've been scheduled already."

The receptionist looked down at the monitor in front of her, the pale light reflecting off thick glasses. Her hands whisked across the surface of the screen as she searched the database.

Eventually she smiled and turned to Kane. "Yes, I have you right here Mr. Oswald. Everything has been prepared for your arrival."

"Thank you."

Kane walked towards the door the receptionist now pointed to. The elevator revealed itself and ushered him inside. A soft pinging noise sounded, and then Kane was lifted upwards. He stood patiently as he tried his best not to look at the camera situated at the top of the lift. Outside the city rushed away from underneath. The view revealed all, from the tiny people below hurrying back and forth to the colossal buildings which rose into the clouds. The shadow of the cloud city overlapped the bloc, placing everything into a permanent darkness.