Quin and I follow Superior Hersher back up the stairs and to the entrance. He goes outside to collect the others while the Superior and I wait in the entryway.
“I know who you are,” she says to me, hands still clasped behind her.
I look over at her, watching as her face darkens, a wrinkle forming between her perfect brows.
“You’re my father’s creation. A perfect soldier for times of chaos…for a reckoning that never came.”
“It’s coming now,” I whisper, not really sure that she hears me.
Jagger is first to enter, with Quin at the end. Superior Hersher leads us through the opposite set of doors, down another corridor, and around the corner on our right. Women in light orange uniforms exit from small, closet-sized rooms, standing in awe of the parade of men going by. At the end of the hall is a set of double doors that seem out of place. Upon our approach, the doors quietly slide open, leading us to a metal-framed walkway with floor-to-ceiling glass panes as walls, and bright incandescent lights flooding the area with a soft yellow glow. The walkway makes a sharp left, taking us to the housing unit.
The passageway seems to float in midair, with slate covered hills to our left, and a deep slope to our right.
We enter the next building, which is identical to the first, turn right after entering, then turn left. Halfway down this corridor sits another set of double doors off to our right. We pass through them and walk onto another connection bridge. This one cuts into the cliff at an angle, probably to allow access to the emergency bunker.
Before the corridor breaks right towards the Predestination Center, the Superior stops at a small portal on our left and hurriedly provides a palm and retinal scan. When the door opens, she instructs Jagger and Keller on where the armory is located as well as the passcodes needed to gain entry. She doesn’t allow me to enter, but instead insists I accompany her back to the Intake Facility.
“If I’m to understand, you all will be here for some time,” she begins, as we reach the housing building, “we’ll need to arrange sleeping quarters. As I don’t want any of my women disturbed, the nurses and instructors will be moved from their usual sleeping quarters in the Intake Facility. The nurses will stay with the women, while the instructors will stay with the children.”
She quickens her pace as a thought enters my mind.
“How were you able to conference with the High Ruler of Acheron if no one ever sees him?”
“The Superiors are always informed as to who’s in charge. It’s the Laics that are kept from knowing. If they knew how many times the High Ruler position has changed hands, they would find a way to exploit it and rebel.”
Once we’re back at the Intake Facility, Superior Hersher pages Dr. Werner, Ms. Amara who is in charge of the nurses, and Ms. Eryn, into her office.
The office, one floor below the main level, affords a view of the entire layout of the hatchery. The other buildings have two additional floors below the initial first floor, for a total of four floors. Each building is identical in shape, design, and color.
The interior of the office is decorated in Acheron colors, and the city’s emblem emblazoned on a monitor sitting on the Superior’s desk as well as the carpet on her floor. Few personal items take up some of the empty spaces on bookshelves that line one wall. The only other furniture is a coffee table that sits before a blue leather couch and matching side chairs. Clearly the Superior enjoys all the privileges that can be afforded her.
A soft knock on the office door breaks the uncomfortable silence. A heavy-set man in white dress clothes with thinning brown hair enters, along with a mouse of a woman in an orange cotton uniform, her graying hair cropped short, and glasses tucked too tightly against her bony face. Ms. Eryn, it seems, has yet to arrive.
“Dr. Werner, Ms. Amara, this young woman and a number of guards will be spending a few days with us. The High Ruler has sent them to do a security check on our facility due to the lingering threat Tyre poses on the city of Acheron and its people. We must make them feel welcome and be of any assistance to them if needed.”
She’s already told us she doesn’t want us here, but I’d never know it from what she’s just told her inferiors. The lies seem to come naturally to the Superior, as if she tells them every day.
“Dr. Werner, you, Ms. Amara and the medical staff will be temporarily moved into the housing unit with the women. I know this is a great inconvenience, but an unfortunate necessity.” She looks over at me, trying to pass the fault of this arrangement onto me. “Your daily routines will continue. Ms. Amara, would you mind advising the kitchen staff about our extra guests? Their meals are to be served after the rest of the facility has eaten. I want to avoid as much socializing between the staff and children and our guests, as possible. If any issues arise, call for me immediately.”
As if on cue, they both rise from their seats and leave.
Superior Hersher pages Ms. Eryn again, her tone bordering on hostile at having to repeat her demands. A few more minutes slowly tick by, agitation growing on the Superior’s face. Ms. Eryn practically falls into the room just as the Superior is about to call for her again.
“Sorry, Diana,” Eryn gasps, as she places herself gently down onto the couch. “Several of the young children were fighting after being sorted. Saree and I were trying
