Emergence: Threshold Series Book I Page 7

  There was a man, dark-haired and wearing the same black clothes that I wore. It was hard to tell, but it had to be Adam. We were far enough out of the clearing that he probably couldn’t see us. What was he doing out here? Everything about his purpose here was becoming more outlandish by the minute. Commander Marshall seemed to trust Adam, and Ellis liked him, but I wasn’t even sure what their purposes were.

  I didn’t say anything to Ellis as we made our way out of the jungle. When we finally reached the base and I could see the tents on the edge of the jungle, I felt the urgent need to reach them as quickly as possible. It felt like the forest would swallow us whole if we didn’t exit soon. The mouth of the canopy was looming as we raced out of the heavy blanket of the jungle. The Shell, buried into the earth, seemed small in comparison. I could still hear the echoes of the cries from within the vines as if they were stuck on repeat in my mind. The jungle seemed to have a way of drawing madness out of those who weren’t prepared for it. Is that what had happened there?

  We made it back, and just in time for it to begin another downpour turning the late afternoon into night nearly instantly. I had to remind myself that the darkened skies and heavy torrential rains was a normal part of the Rainforest and not a sign of a Threshold event to come. Still, it made my stomach drop and I was glad to be back in the safety of the shell. The cold air against my hot skin made me realize how my muscles were going to ache in the morning.

  As usual, the atrium appeared empty due to its vast size, but there were several soldiers already making their way into the dining hall, which would soon be crowded. The grime on our skin and clothes hadn’t felt noticeable until now, but there were dirt marks all over us, and small twigs and leaves on our uniforms. We both laughed, as the realization of our utter filth struck us at the same time.

  “Shower first,” Ellis laughed. “Then food.”

  My body was heavy and tired as I headed back to the lab and my apartment. I hadn’t really made any progress today, and now I was left with more questions than I had before about Project Black Cat and its purpose. Did we hallucinate the arrow? What about the Jaguar? Was the factor that caused the Jaguar to grow massive the same thing that caused us to see the arrow? How could it be?

  As always, the shower helped me put things into perspective. I let the water wash over my face for a long time, before finally using the bar of plain military soap to scrub every inch of myself. All the dirt colored the water, and I watched it as it spiraled into the drain. I laughed again to myself at the absurdity of my situation. I suppose I had made some progress. I had collected soil samples from a variety of locations across Sector 4 and they didn’t seem to be going anywhere. The expedition also validated the reports of strange happenings in the jungle. We had seen it ourselves. Tomorrow I would be able to start the real work, figuring out what my data means. I got dressed in another of the identical black outfits I’d been issued, putting my grandmother’s silver necklace back around my neck. I tucked it back into my shirt, just to be safe.

  The dining hall was indeed crowded since the rain hadn’t yet let up many soldiers were hanging out inside rather than out in the tents outside the shell. I found a table with Ellis who was arguing with a tall, wiry guy about IPA training standards.

  “I heard that they don’t make the girls do push-ups.” His voice was shrill and his face was pinched as he taunted her. “They’re just not as strong as us, don’t have the same muscle mass you know?”

  “Oh yeah, funny. Because I’m pretty sure that I could do more push-ups than you.” Ellis was calm. And she didn’t look the least bit concerned. “And wasn’t it you who ran to the medic after they made us run intervals through the jungle.” She smiled, not quite reaching her unwavering eyes. The other guy, whose uniform read J. Mason, had begun to sweat, wiping his forehead casually. I definitely believed that Ellis could outmatch him in a strength competition. Her arm muscles were extraordinarily toned and while he was larger in stature, he hadn’t seen her lift a 500-pound jaguar from the jungle floor and move it 50 yards like it was nothing.

  But maybe he did know that she was stronger than him because he began to get defensive immediately.

  “Shut it, Ellis. You and I both know that I twisted my ankle” He wasn’t convincing, trailing off. “That place isn’t right anyway. You probably like it in there don’t you, you freak.” For her part, Ellis seemed unaffected by the whole conversation.

  “Oh yeah, I just love it.” Her tone was casual. “Jungle or training center, I could still take you in a push-up battle.”

  He left quickly before she could challenge him to any more push-up battles.

  “Does that happen all the time?” I asked her as we joined the line to get dinner.

  “Eh, pretty much constantly,” she maintained her disaffected tone. “They all know I could take them in a fight so it usually doesn’t go any farther.”

  I was sure she was right, but I wondered if that was exactly why they taunted her, because they knew she could beat them. Anyway, whatever that soldier thinks about muscle mass, none of it holds true for people like Ellis and me. In the Alliance, everyone has to work, not just the men. The Bureau of Disaster Management certainly doesn’t discriminate. Men, women, children, the elderly, and the ill are all fair game. Ellis and I were alike in so many ways, but I had gotten lucky and gotten accepted into the AATS. Or maybe I wasn’t that lucky, because we both ended up here. How fortunate for the Alliance.

  Dinner was fine, more stew, this time with a few different vegetables and an unidentified ground meat. I was hungry enough that anything would have tasted good. Primarily, though, I was looking forward to getting into my bed. The day had been long, and there was a lot to process. I didn’t feel like I could really think until it was quiet, and the dining hall was anything but. The rest of the shell was cavernous and imposing. I think that’s what pushed everyone outside most of the time.

  When I got back to the lab I noticed that Adam wasn’t back yet. The lights in his quarters were out. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen him at dinner. Was he out in the jungle? I was planning to ask him what he was doing, but it would have to wait until morning. I thought for a moment that I would read before bed, but as soon as I got under the covers, my eyes were closed and the ragged paperback from the bookshelf was forgotten.

  Chapter 8

  The next morning my arms and legs ached in an intense way. The hike through Sector 4 had been long one and I tried to stretch my sore muscles. It didn’t seem to help, but I reasoned that It would feel better once I was up and moving around.

  I didn’t know if I would ever get over how eerie the Shell actually was. Besides my small apartment, the Shell was empty and cavernous, like the hollow bones of an ancient monolith. It didn’t match the humdrum business of IPA operations.

  Breakfast was oatmeal with dried fruit and I was glad for something warm. It was strange because the jungle was quite hot, but the Shell was always just slightly too cold.

  I sat alone this morning, hoping that by keeping my attention on my food, it would stay that way. I only lifted my eyes when I hurt a sharp rap on the table. There was a tall soldier, standing at the end of my table. He appeared to be trying to get my attention, and his expression made it clear that he didn’t think I was worthy of a verbal greeting.

  I met his look but did not respond. He looked older than Adam, but probably only in his very early twenties. He had blonde hair, blue eyes--an all-around wholesome look-- but his stare was clouded and empty, and his jaw was clenched tight. I couldn’t figure out exactly what it was, but something about him set me on edge.

  “Everly, is it?” He asked, his tone was dismissive, but there was an undercurrent of aggression in his voice.

  “That’s right.” I felt my body tense under his watch. I was not a prey animal and I had no intention of being one, so I stood to shake his hand. It was my way of evening the playing field.

  “And you are …” I tried to sound neutral. So far I had no re
ason to be on the defensive.

  “I’m Officer Ridley. I’m the Communications Liaison for the Shell and Sector 4.” He stood taller as he said it. I wondered who it was that he might be communicating with. Other Sectors, perhaps?

  “I suppose you’re the newest member of the Commander’s little team?” He sneered and spat the words at me.

  “It seems to me you already know the answer to that.” I answered brusquely. His hostility had from nowhere.

  “Has anyone shown you how to use the ARC system yet?” He shot a pointed glance as Commander Marshall entered the room.

  “No, they haven’t.”

  “Well then, I suggest you figure it out. It is imperative that I be informed of all operating research units in the Shell and since you are the sole scientist in your unit, you are automatically in charge of filing a report on the status of your progress.” He flashed a dangerous smile. “Unless you would like to make your reports in person. I do have an interest in Biology myself and I might be able to assist you with your research, should you need help.” His words were slick. The way he said them sounded like a threat.

  I was relieved from answering when Commander Marshall stationed himself behind the blonde officer.

  “Ah Ridley, interrogating the new recruit already?” the Commander winked at me behind Ridley and clapped him on the back.

  “Just doing my job, Commander.” I almost thought I could hear a slight waver in his voice as he spoke the Commander’s title.

  “Of course you are,” he chuckled.

  “Officer Ridley was just explaining the ARC system,” I spoke, not wanting to seem as if I felt threatened.

  “Well, in that case, do continue,” the Commander drawled with a good-natured smile, “I could use a refresher myself. The Alliance begins new protocols so frequently, I rarely worry about it too much unless they stick.” I suppressed a small noise in my throat, trying to keep my face serious.

  Ridley scowled at the Commander, “The ARC or the Alliance Received Communications system is a new method to ensure efficiency across all IPA facilities. Efficiency is a primary goal of the Global Peace Alliance. As I am sure you are aware, my promotion to Communications Liaison is directly related to ensuring proper use of the ARC system within Sector 4.” It sounded like a line he had memorized.

  “Yes, of course. I’m sure no one takes it more seriously than you do,” said the Commander. I wasn’t sure if he meant that as a compliment, but his ironic tone hinted it was not intended to be one. In any case, Ridley clearly took it as one and I held back a laugh.

  “But what is it, exactly?” I asked trying to change the subject.

  “Simply put, at the end of every day, you will file a report which details how you spent that day. Should your choices be deemed inefficient, you will be audited and your work process corrected. The Alliance values creating a sustainable work environment.” It didn’t seem immediately clear to me how having to disclose every detail of my actions to someone like Ridley was going to make me a more efficient worker, but the Alliance had its systems. I didn’t know what would happen if you were deemed “unsustainable” by the Alliance, but it couldn’t be fun.

  “So I’m just supposed to make a report of my actions?” It didn’t seem like they needed an officer just to enforce that.

  “To put it simply, yes. We just have to make sure that you are fully engaged with the values of the Alliance.” He stared at me, his blue eyes icy. “I’ll be expecting a report from you soon, Everly, and I’ll be checking in on you periodically… just to see how things are coming along.” It was definitely a threat.

  “I’ll see to it that I do that. Am I dismissed, Officer Ridley?” I stopped short, taking my tray and getting up, before making a flippant salute. My cheeks burned red as I turned on my heel. I knew I shouldn’t have done it, but I just couldn’t help it. I didn’t dare look back as I walked to discard my breakfast. Something about Ridley made me very uncomfortable.

  It occurred to me that I could really use some air. The Shell, though freezing earlier, seemed unbearably warm now. There was a large group of soldiers heading out to the tents and I pressed in, hoping that nobody would stop me. Ellis wasn’t with me, but I didn’t even know where her sleeping quarters were and I needed to get out of the Shell. Before I could make my exit, I felt a hand on my shoulder and I flinched away from it involuntarily.

  “My apologies Lane,” I exhaled relief when I realized it was Commander Marshall. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

  “You didn’t,” I bluffed, keeping my eyes forward. The Commander had still witnessed my insolent response to the officer. Was he going to discipline me?

  “Let’s take a walk,” he said, and we joined the throng of soldiers leaving the Shell.

  It was only midmorning, but the air was already steamy and warm. The tents were filled with soldiers doing every sort of project, some assembling complex mechanical equipment, and others bolting together unidentifiable metal components. It was certainly not the usual assignment for IPA soldiers.

  “How are you finding things here Lane?” He asked me abruptly.

  “It’s good, I guess.” I wasn’t sure what he was looking for.

  “And your work, do you think you will be able to make progress soon.” Was he serious? I had really only been at it for one full day.

  “It’s hard to say,” I hedged. “I will need more time before I can really speak with confidence.”

  “I understand,” the Commander nodded and we walked a ways further, coming upon the forest. “But you may find,” He paused, his words fighting against indecision. “You may find that others in the Alliance are not very understanding.” We stopped and he caught my gaze, holding me with a worried look.

  “I’m sorry about how I handled it back there with Officer Ridley.” The Commander was not being unkind, but I still felt that I was in some sort of trouble.

  “It doesn’t matter now, but what does matter is that you produce results for the Alliance.” It struck me the way he said for the Alliance. As if somehow there were certain results that they desired above others. “However, in the future, I would suggest that you remain on Ridley’s good side. I do not have a great love for him, but his opinion is highly regarded by certain circles.”

  “I see.” I didn’t know what to say to that. What was the Commander saying about his own position within the Alliance?

  “You’ll find the ARC system on the computer in your lab. I would not disregard that if I were you. Take your time with it and choose your words carefully.” His words carried a warning, but he had a mischievous glint in his eye when he turned to the soldier that was approaching us.

  “Commander Marshall, you’re wanted in the Shell, Sir.” The Soldier, called Ramos, stood at attention nervously.

  “Thank you, Ramos.” He let the young soldier drop his salute and they began to return. “You’ll find your way back, I trust,” he said to me finally.

  “Yes, sir.” It seemed like Commander Marshall was alright, but I still wasn’t sure who I could trust. Definitely not Officer Ridley. Ellis was nice, if not a little intense. And Adam? Well, I was sure he was hiding something.

  I looked out into the jungle, where at mid-morning it would be cool and dark. Were the soldiers right to be frightened? Sector 4 was filled with questions, but I knew there had to be a way to get the answers I was seeking.

  As much as I had learned in my years at the Academy, I had learned more from my Grandmother. Grandma Flora was so unlike my mother, that it was hard to remember the connection at times. She had taught me all about patterns. Patterns are really what got me interested in Bioanalysis, to begin with. It was like a puzzle, and as Grandma Flora used to say, “If you just wait patiently and look carefully, the grand design will show itself.” I had often found that to be true enough.

  I passed many afternoons of my childhood in her garden, searching for small treasures that she had hidden amongst the wildflowers for me to find. Sometimes they were nothin
g more than small shells or stones, but once I began looking I could see that she had placed them there just for me. Other times, the treasures were other things that she wanted me to find, like chanterelles or oyster mushrooms. She always seemed to know what was out there, and she would send me to find it. After many years of this, I discovered that certain plants would crop up seemingly out of nowhere, even in spots you were certain you had looked before. We were like old friends playing a game of hide and seek.

  I filled my lungs with the humid tropical air. I noticed the trees, of course, the ever-looming chorus of birds and insects, and the green all around. Everything was so healthy, and vital. It was too healthy, in fact. The forests hadn’t been this vibrant and biodiverse since the early Presidential Era. Another deep inhale, I imagined the air filling my chest and spreading throughout my body. Where does it all start? The soil. I thought back to my samples. The answer might be in the soil. Good, what else? I opened my eyes. It was hard to get past the blur of green. The trees were ever present, watching everything from above. What did they all have in common? Their roots were massive and widespread, to absorb as much of the nutrients as possible from the thin layer of topsoil. That was normal for a Rainforest, but the scale here was so much larger. The trunks were wide and seemingly normal except for their size. There was something missing. Yesterday, I had noticed the remarkable lianas, or thick woody vines. In the middle of Sector 4 they grew so thick they hung like curtains. It was an explosion of vines.