Activation Sequence 103

Blown Cover

With bated breath the crowd waited, the suspense so thick in the atmosphere, it could be carved through.

‘Do you surrender?’ Alga repeated, clutching the grenade tightly within her clenched fist. And again, the automaton did not respond. His single eye, though, continued to brighten in a sinister fashion. This technique was familiar, though I couldn’t remember what it signified. I struggled with myself, squeezing my eyes shut as I racked my brain… it clicked.

Before I knew what I was doing, I was on my feet, hurtling towards the fence surrounding the pit to the arena. ‘ALGA, COME OUT OFF- ‘

An explosion; light flashed; smoke bellowed forth; concussion waves rocked the chamber. In one great moment of confusion and disarray, the entire world seemed to be pitching forward. My arms pin wheeled as I frantically tried to regain my balance and correct my stance – to no avail. I plunged headfirst towards the arena floor ten metres below. I remember quite significantly the fear that had gripped my heart. Fortunately though, I didn’t feel the impact…

Pain…severe agony…pounding headache- ah...brain shutting do–black.

Light; bursting stars of bright white light that seem to slice my head in half. I feebly try to force my eyelids open, but my attempts were rather otiose. I feel myself slipping away as…

Voices; faint whispering in the background barely audible. I tune in.

‘The boy, he knew.’

‘How could this be Sechino? Explain yourself.’

‘Fredrick was acting of his own accord. I assure you I – ‘

Valerian; the sickly-sweet smell of the flower wafts into my nostrils; one of the fifteen commonly used sedatives in the medical wing. Sedatives, that’s how they’re keeping me asleep. That’s why, even now, I feel no pain…

‘- wish to speak to Fredrick, alone.’

‘You cannot Sechino, Triton’s orders.’

‘I do not c–‘

Muskiness; the musky flavour of recycled air on my tongue. I realised with a start that I had a gas mask strapped around my face. I found myself inhaling deeply, exhaling, in a rhythm so steady it was tranquillising. The more I focused, the more…

Cold; the feeling of frigid fingers roamed my body. I was unhooked from all forms of machines. As my eyes flickered open, I had a moment of absolute confusion before the world righted itself. I blinked several times as my vision adjusted. It almost feels like I just woke up from sleep.

 I took stock of my surroundings for the first time. I was in one of the private medical wings. Why did I get a private wing? Why not just dump me in with all the other patients in the ‘severe injuries’ ward?

Having been hauled to my feet by my elbow, the nurse escorted me out of the ward and into the hospital lobby. After a brief conversation with the desk attendant, we exited the building and headed in the general direction of the main square, where the Guild Halls and Command Centre resided.  We passed several other facilities on the way including the Residential block and the Cruise Control centre.

I have rarely ventured beyond the inner city limits, and never to a different deck. The furthest I’ve reached was the docks on the outskirts of the city, and that was while confined in a carriage.

The city of Principes Omnipotens, the ‘Rulers Almighty’, was a majestic affair. It consisted of three main decks, the lower one housing the engine room, the middle, main deck, the one in which I have navigated all my life, and the top deck, where most of our inter-suburban affairs where conducted. Each deck was about thirty-six square miles, so the total city area was about one hundred and ten.