“That’s quite alright, Eryn. I’d forgotten that you were sorting the children today for their final predestination coding tomorrow.” Superior Hersher relaxes, sitting down in her office chair, leaning back in comfort. “Those can be trying affairs.”
The Superior tells the same story to Eryn as she did the other staff.
“I’ll move the instructors’ belongings to some of the children’s rooms and recode the entrance to the Predestination Center to prevent any of the instructors from accidentally exiting our section of the complex. When the meals are ready for the children, I’ll open the doors for the kitchen staff.”
“Excellent,” the Superior says, beaming at Eryn.
“You’re going to imprison your staff? What if something happens and the children need to get out?” I protest.
Eryn turns her head, looking at me as if I’m something to be discarded, a blemish in the Superior’s room.
“This is a secure facility, Miss. Besides, there aren’t any threats to this hatchery. No one would purposefully harm children.”
I think back to the Dormitories…the pictures from my nightmares…my past.
“You’re wrong,” I reply, focusing my attention away from her and out towards the window as a light snow begins to fall quietly outside.
“That’ll be all, Eryn.” The young woman leaves the room, but not before taking a second glance at me, confusion in her eyes.
“Why do you lie to them?” I inquire, as soon as the door closes.
“Believe it or not, Trea, it’s to protect them.” Superior Hersher stands, walking up beside me as I continue to watch the snow fall out her window. “If these people knew about the true monsters that lurk outside the boundaries of Sirain, they’d be mortified.”
I notice fine gray hairs peeking out from the bright red of her mane, wrinkles beginning to form around her mouth and eyes. Perhaps there’s more to her than I first believed.
“My father was devastated by the attack on the Dormitories. He looked at all of you as his children, never realizing the evil intent the world held for them. He was never the same after that. He was a broken man…who sunk below human.”
Her voice quivers, choking back a wall of emotion that has probably been caged for years. We stand in silence for a little while, watching as the clouds grow thicker, the snow starting to stick to the pine trees below us.
“Let’s go check on Captain Braxton and get the rest of the group situated into their sleeping quarters.”
We go back down to the security and communication’s room, hoping that some progress has been made.
“Any luck?” Superior Hersher questions, as we enter.
“Unfortunately no. This room doesn’t have the proper equipment to access the satellite.” Braxton grumbles, pulling wires out of panels.
“Can you try to contact Tyre?”
“I’m trying, Superior, but they appear to be on permanent black out. With your permission, I’d like to use some of the equipment we have in our vehicles to try and get us back on-line with Acheron.”
“Do it. I’ll make sure your biometrics is upgraded to allow full access into the facility. I’ve made arrangements with my staff for your group to have full use of the living quarters. Meals will also be made available to you, but only after the facility has eaten. Is there anything else you may need?”
“Not at this time, Superior.”
“Very well. Trea will show you to the armory, where your men are currently located.” She smiles tentatively and then retreats up the stairwell.
The rest of the day is spent on moving equipment from two of the vehicles outside, mapping out a defensive strategy, and trying to establish a connection to the outside world.
Quin, Lehen, and I are sent to check around outside, looking for possible vulnerabilities of the complex from the cliff side. The Morrigan are tasked to hold our rappelling cords, making sure we don’t fall to our deaths as we survey the land.
The rocks are cold and slippery from the still falling snow, and make climbing treacherous.
The three of us are wearing only a few additional layers over our clothes to keep the plummeting temperatures at bay. The farthest we can climb down is about ten feet below the structures. I can’t see the ground beneath me due to the thick foliage. Many of the rocks are smooth, but a few jut out, creating a ledge for me to stand on. The supports holding up each building and connecting bridge are bolted into the side of the cliff face, but it’s hard to judge how deeply they are anchored.
Gage calls over the small listening device sitting uncomfortably inside my ear canal. “Have you placed your cameras yet?”
“I’m about to place the first one,” I respond into the tiny microphone attached to my jacket.
“Well, hurry up. Quin and Lehen are about done with theirs.”
I swing to my right and choose an edge to place my first camera on. The adhesive being used to secure the cameras doesn’t like the dampness, so I have to dry the spot before sticking it into position.
“How’s the view?”
“Tilt the lens a little farther down and it’ll be fine.”
I adjust the camera and then move on.
Quin and Lehen begin to ascend to the surface. I hesitate, enjoying the quiet of the landscape. The air feels calm and peaceful, cool and crisp. I close my eyes and just listen to the falling snow. But a few moments later my line is violently tugged, breaking the serenity of the moment, so I begin my climb back to the surface.
