Skye City: Survivors of the Plague (The Darkness of Emmi Book 2) Read online

  Skye City:

  Survivors of the Plague

  Part One

  Written by R. D. Hale

  ASIN: B07JF4KDX6

  Copyright © 2010, 2018 by R. D. Hale

  Laniakea Publishing

  Edited by B. Chengeta

  Cover design © by J. Jackson

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. This book contains material protected under international laws and treaties. Any unauthorised reprint or use of this material is prohibited. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author.

  Note to all readers:

  Thank you so much for purchasing. I would be very grateful if you could leave a review on Amazon and tell your friends about the book.

  Glossary

  Compuscreen (CUS) – a computer composed of two perpendicular touchscreens.

  Holoscreen – a flat-screen computer which creates a pseudo-three dimensional image.

  Projector – a computer which projects photorealistic holograms of any size.

  Holowatch – a mini-projector which wraps around the wrist.

  Citicard – the identification card used by Citizens which acts as a debit card and access pass.

  Phaser – a generic term for small weapons which fire plasma pulses or energy beams.

  Rail Gun – high-powered rifles which fire bullets via an electro-magnetic charge.

  Rubbish Deposit System (RDS) – transports rubbish to landfill via conduits which provide useful escape routes for those fleeing the law.

  Delos Pod – a two-person pod capable of flying at only ten miles an hour.

  Maglev Car – a vehicle which uses magnetic hovering technology on maglev highways, but reverts to wheels when offroad.

  Samarianism – the dominant religion of Anatolia.

  Samaris – the saviour of the Samarian religion.

  Goddess Katona – the deity worshipped by Samarians.

  The Underlord – an alternative name for the Devil in Samarianism.

  The Elites – a name for the political leaders and clergy of Anatolia.

  San Teria – the theocratic ruling party of Anatolia.

  San Terian Guard – the police force of Anatolia and an extension of the military.

  Elite Guard – Anatolia's equivalent of a special weapons and tactics (SWAT) team.

  Medio – the capital city of Anatolia with a population of over thirty million.

  Underworld – a town below Medio which was once an underground train system and mall, but is now home to criminals. (Named after the Samarian version of Hell.)

  Old town – the name given to derelict areas of Medio which have since been overtaken by criminals and bottom-levellers.

  Inner-hub – an area of Medio reserved for Level One and Two Citizens which cannot be accessed without a Citicard.

  Outer-hub – an area of Medio mainly reserved for Citizens. Most buildings cannot be accessed without a Citicard.

  The Hanging Gardens – a number of islands floating above Medio which can only be accessed with a Level One Citicard.

  Mukat – a historical town of religious importance.

  Skye City – three towers with three adjoining plateaus at the heart of Medio, standing over two miles tall.

  Skye Elevator –joins the central tower of Skye City to Orbital City.

  Orbital City – a space station which is the control centre of the Planet Eryx.

  Anatolia – the last remaining superpower on planet Eryx.

  Nyberu – the other super-power on Eryx which was left in ruins after The Great War.

  Verdaja - Another nation ruined by the Great War.

  Lamantia – A continent which contains the ruined nations of Nyberu and Verdaja among others.

  Arleoch – A nation inhabited by tribespeople and currently occupied by Anatolia who it shares a border with.

  Hersperia – A continent which contains the nations of Anatolia and Arleoch, among others.

  Planet Eryx – the third of a nine planet system orbiting a red dwarf.

  Taranath – the largest of Anatolia's two moons.

  Mani – the smallest of Anatolia's two moons.

  Level One Citizens – the wealthiest members of Anatolian society who live a lifestyle most can only dream about. Many have taken advantage of cybernetic and genetic modifications to upgrade their bodies.

  Level Two Citizens – these people are able to live comfortably, but denied the great luxury of Level One Citizenship.

  Level Three Citizens – these people live impoverished lives and work long hours in poor conditions.

  Bottom-levellers – outcasts who have refused to accept Level Three Citizenship and have few legal rights.

  The Rebellion – a group of outlaws who have joined forces with foreign armies to overthrow San Teria.

  Mutants – a generic term to describe creatures created through genetic engineering or radioactive mutation.

  Telepaths – genetically-engineered humans with various paranormal abilities.

  Hoverbots – small hovering robots, some of which fire webs of glue to ensnare criminals.

  Mechanoids – large, powerful robots used in industry and combat.

  Androids – human-like robots used as servants, especially in retail and other service industries.

  Droids – a generic term to describe any type of robot.

  Contents

  Glossary

  Survivors of the Plague

  Where to Next?

  The Shard

  Refuge from the Crazies

  Kezan

  Sleepless Night

  Next Step

  Inside the Building

  Cali

  The Search for Insulin

  The Pharmacy

  Return to Cali

  Stocking Up

  Lunch time

  The Blizzard

  Girls' Night

  Fall Out

  Overstay

  Snowed In

  Tank Tracks

  Refuge from the Cold

  Return to the Base

  Smig

  The Ruined Base

  Makeshift Morgue

  Memorial Service

  Poker

  The Service Droid

  Punch Bag

  Return of the Phoenix

  Flying Fortress

  Dynah

  Catch up

  School Fight

  Road Block

  The Crossing

  The Outer-hub

  Eyris' House

  Dinner

  Sonet

  The Scythian Order

  Victory or Extinction

  Fear

  Back from the Dead

  Skye City

  The Darkness of Emmi

  Part Two

  Survivors of the Plague

  'Strong women aren't simply born,

  we are forged through the challenges of life.

  With each challenge, we grow mentally and emotionally.

  We move forward with our heads held high

  and a strength that cannot be denied.'

  Unknown

  Where to Next?

  The remains of our gang wander through the underground chambers of the Enclave, treading among charred corpses. It feels as though we are journeying through hell after the fires have burnt out, but the true sense of horror is impossible to convey. Missing lips and cheeks expose jaw-bones and teeth – and contorted limbs appear to have stiffened while writhing
in agony. I would rather avert my gaze, but I must avoid tripping over another dead San Terian Guard.

  My phaser is readied as we call, 'Hello,' with raised but whispery voices, and I am unsure the calling is sensible, given the enemy could still be lurking. Although I hear no footsteps, or see no torch-light, I do not know how far this maze extends. The network of tunnels could spread below the entire jungle.

  Every glimpse of a melted uniform, every whiff of cooked flesh provokes whimpers, trembling, gasping, and sorrow. Even though I felt no empathy for the first corpse I encountered (and fell on), even though these are the bodies of our enemies who kill children without remorse, even though I truly despise every one of these bastards, I feel sadness for the loss of their lives, for the pain of their families.

  The longer I linger in their presence, the more I appreciate they were human behind those masks. They were only monsters when they put their masks on, like they underwent a transformation, became San Teria's cruel puppets.

  Despite my sorrow, I would not change this, I would not bring them back, because their deaths were necessary. And my sorrow is over-ridden by concern for our amazing telepathic friends who could have been captured by their torturers. I just want to leave these grim chambers, but we need to know whether any telepaths remain, which means checking the corpses for recognisable features, searching for the living, risking our own lives again.

  'Rupert… Anyone…' My voice echoes through the mud tunnels as swirling orange light reveals chambers with mosaics of animals and trees, of the sun, moon and stars… Sticking close to Scoop's lighter flame as darkness is peeled away, I glimpse hammocks, pots and dishes, fruit and vegetable baskets, the remains of a bonfire within a circle of rocks, shelves with phials and trinkets and books.

  As we backtrack, we collect food from a pantry because although nothing in this place could seem appetising, we need to eat. We must have walked twenty miles in the cold with no breakfast, no provisions, not even water. Adrenaline can only fuel us for so long.

  We reach the charcoal tables at the entrance area, having thoroughly explored this immense hideout, and the only bodies we could find were those of the San Terian Guard. It is a relief to know the telepaths put up a fight, that they likely escaped unscathed. Hopefully, Rupert led them to safety, wherever that may be.

  Scoop's lighter flame goes out, plunging us into pitch blackness, so we feel our way to the entrance tunnel and ascend to the jungle, clawing through the leafless bush at the surface. The dense canopy and setting sun means visibility is low, and we must leave before our surroundings become as dark as the chambers below. The jungle is hazardous enough in daylight, given how many things will bite and sting you.

  'It-it's no use.' Oscar kicks up fallen leaves which float to the ground. 'We must have explored every part of this place twice over. We should return to the rebel base.'

  'I dunno, I have a bad feeling.' I glance at the circle of drained faces surrounded by withering foliage and red berries. Our ordeal has been relentless and this place was supposed to be our sanctuary from the rising threat. I doubt we have the physical or mental energy to return to the warzone. 'The rebels were preparing for an attack. I hope Nelson is okay, and Smig…'

  'We can't just stay down here with the bodies, and it's not like we can return home either.' Bex brushes the long, dark hair from her face, revealing her feline eye makeup. In the low light, her skin appears dry, coarse, colourless, in spite of the bronze lipstick and eye-shadow, as though her inner-harshness has risen to the surface and broken through her foundation. 'I never wanna go back there…'

  'Why not?' Scoop lowers his voice.

  'Er, because that's filled with bodies, too,' Bex says.

  'The bodies will have been retrieved, surely,' Oscar says.

  'This city is in bloody chaos. I wouldn't be surprised if the dead were just left behind.' I adjust my footing and the dry leaves crunch on the forest floor. 'It's not like San Teria give a damn about their own. They see death as shameful, and who's gonna complain about bodies rotting in an abandoned warehouse?'

  'This is our home we're talking about. We can't just give it up. I say we return and if the b-bodies are still there, we can bury them, just like we buried Lel. Who's with me?' Oscar says, and the gang gawp at one another, hunching, horrified. I never want to see another corpse as long as I live and the others clearly share the sentiment.

  'That's the place where we were attacked, where I was held at gunpoint, where Arturo was shot,' I say and the gang lower their heads; their breathing loud and crisp in the cold air. With every passing second, the jagged branches darken, and the yellows and browns of the jungle become greys. 'Does anyone have a better suggestion?'

  Scoop raises his index finger. 'We could return to the ssthlums, see if any of our friends have room.'

  'It's not like they're living in abandoned warehouses. Our place was a bloody mansion compared to their huts, and the slums are still infected. It's too damn risky,' Bex says.

  'Well, we could take over another abandoned building in the old industrial estate,' Oscar says. 'There's plenty to choose from.'

  'And stay next door to the dead? That's way too creepy, and the STG could return at any point to investigate and clean up,' Bex says.

  'Well, it's not like we have anywhere better to go.' Oscar sniffs, agitated.

  'Maybe we do. I know a girl named Eyris…' Bex crosses her arms and smirks rather perversely. 'She's a Level Two Citizen.'

  'How the hell do you know a Level Two Citizen?' Oscar says.

  'Myla introduced me. It's funny, Eyris mistook us for actual Citizens, at first. Must be because we're too hot to be bottom-levellers. Anyways, she discovered who we really were and freaked out until Myla apologised and explained we weren't gonna rob her or anything. Then suddenly she was all excited, like we were a novelty or something. Her parents' house is huge too, so there'd be plenty of room,' Bex says.

  'Your friend might be willing to house a bunch of bottom-levellers, but do you really think her parents would?' I say.

  'It's worth a try.' Bex shrugs.

  The Shard

  Stunned and shattered, we leave the jungle and prolong our journey because there is nowhere safe to rest. Night falls as we near the hubs of Medio where the registered Citizens live. The triple towers of Skye City are dominating the skyline, even as distant shadows. Voids in the heavens where the stars cannot shine.

  We enter a Level Three neighbourhood in old town where people are housed by multiple storeys of concrete. The lamp posts are not working and most of the grimy windows lack light, thanks to EMPs. The glow of the moons is all we have to navigate. The streets are so quiet, I can hear the echo of a plastic cup dancing in the breeze. I can only assume the invasion is not fully underway, that troops are still coming because I was expecting their numbers to be much higher. I was expecting to hear gunfire.

  Shit, I am tempting fate.

  Shuffling becomes rhythmic thumping, louder and louder, and as we establish the source, we miss our chance to flee. Synchronised footsteps thunder on the road so we climb a small flight of steps and hide in a doorway. The concrete arch is dark but shallow and barely contains the four of us. I gulp as a procession of soldiers march past; mere shadows with rifles against their shoulders. Their posture is rigid as leather boots stomp to make their presence known. Miraculously, they ignore us. Or more likely fail to notice. We may have the lack of street lighting to thank for our survival.

  We wait until the footsteps fade to silence and head in a different direction, quickening our pace and using vital energy reserves. We come to a familiar housing estate called Howdon where some of our few Level Three friends live, and I consider ringing buzzers to seek help. Not that anyone has the room to house our gang. Those apartments are like boxes.

  We turn a corner to discover a broken cylinder resting against an apartment block at the bottom of the street. The cylinder is so immense it must be a fragment from the Skye Elevator shaft. It stands at an angle,
against the part of the roof which is somehow intact. Given the extent of the damage, dozens of residents must be buried beneath the rubble, but I am amazed the damage is not more extensive. I never thought these blocks were well-constructed, but clearly they were built to last.

  A bunch of people are lingering on the intersecting gravel road, swaying silently, creepily. A female is standing completely naked in the cold. This would be weird at the best of times, but given that Medio is turning into a warzone, given that soldiers are on patrol…

  I look to the gawping Bex and then to the grinning Scoop and Oscar who approach to gain a closer look at her arse. Boys. The naked female spins sharply and glares at us, gasping; her athletic body bearing boils. The others turn around with sinister glints in their eyes, and then they charge!

  The gang exchange glances and run along the street, swerving around a parked van. I clutch my phaser as I glance back, but the sight of bouncing boobs messes with my mind and I hesitate to shoot. Who the hell are these people? And why are they chasing us?

  Stopping behind a wall, I switch my phaser to stun, and shoot the naked lady whose bare flesh scrapes against the gravel. She climbs to her feet with a bright red graze covering her breasts and tears pouring from her eyes.

  'Why did you shoot me?' she screams, stumbling around, and the others charge past her. The fact the woman is conscious after being stunned, the fact she is confused, frightened and injured, means I cannot bring myself to shoot the others so I run again. Shit, this is so fucked up.

  'Up here!' a voice roars, and I look to the roof of the damaged building where a black figure is waving; a silhouette against the twin moonlight. 'Use the shard. They can't climb up here!'

  The gang run towards the 'entrance' of the Skye Elevator shaft which is a mess of warped metal and glass somehow not cracked. Whatever this thing is made from is damn strong. I clip my phaser to my belt-line, and we scramble over destroyed paving slabs, then climb the steep slope on all fours. Dust and rubble have spilled from the building, but hand- and foot-holds are plentiful. Every time I slip, I manage to regain my grip and continue the climb, but we are talking eight storeys. I do not even know what to expect at the top, whether the roof will be strong enough to support our weight, but I can hardly turn back.