Chapter 52: Time to Make a Move
Two days earlier in Lake. Jennifer and Polly had converted the seaweed into a variety of treatments and remedies. Polly went to visit Octavius on his houseboat.
‘It’s time to make our move,’ said Polly as she appeared next to Octavius, who was sunbathing on the roof of his houseboat.
‘My new friends are keen to stretch their legs,’ said Octavius as he pointed to the Sentray swimming in the lakes.
‘It is best you remain discreet,’ said Polly. ‘They may find you and your friends a little terrifying.’
‘You want me to shapeshift into a Sapien while my friends follow at a distance. Ideally a long distance,’ said Octavius as he grinned.
‘That would be ideal,’ said Polly.
‘Have you ever tried shapeshifting to a quarter of your size?’ said Octavius as he sat up.
‘I see very little point in that,’ replied Polly.
‘Humour me,’ said Octavius. ‘Give it a try.’
Polly shapeshifted to about half her size for a few seconds before quickly shapeshifting back.
‘Not easy, huh,’ said Octavius, shaking his head.
‘You could turn invisible,’ said Polly. ‘That shouldn’t be too difficult for you.’
‘Sure, we’ll just hope they don’t hear my thunderous footsteps,’ chuckled Octavius.
‘Maybe you could follow with your friends,’ said Polly.
‘I might as well continue to catch some rays here,’ said Octavius as he lay back down.
‘If for any reason we encounter aggression, you will definitely be needed,’ said Polly.
‘Feels like I’m being used,’ said Octavius as he closed his eyes.
‘You’ll be able to get the ingredients for your blancmange,’ said Polly as she rubbed Octavius’ hand.
Octavius opened his eyes wide and looked at Polly. ‘Fine, after I collect, I’m coming back here,’ said Octavius.
‘I’m sure we can arrange something that works for all of us,’ replied Polly.
‘I’ll pack up my gear,’ said Octavius as he got up.
‘Groups of underground Linap are looking for their missing ancestor,’ said Polly. ‘It’s about time we introduced him to them.’
‘You mean he’ll be out of our hair,’ replied Octavius enthusiastically.
‘You’ll be able to enjoy a more distant relationship with him,’ said Polly.
‘I won’t enjoy any relationship with him,’ replied Octavius as he walked down the stairs into his houseboat. ‘I want him so far away that I can’t even smell him.’
Polly wiggled her robotic nose.
The next day, L6 Linap, Polly, and Belford were inside the Spirocopter, which was piloted by Jennifer. They had located a group of underground Linap halfway between Location 9 and Location 3.
‘Just a quick rehearsal,’ said Jennifer to L6 Linap. ‘Who are you?’
‘I’m Hamish Alset from Loop 6 chamber in Location 6,’ replied L6 Linap confidently.
‘Who rescued you?’ asked Jennifer.
‘Polly the cyborg,’ replied L6 Linap.
‘Good, you remember the basics,’ said Jennifer. ‘When you arrive in Downs, things will become more complicated.’
‘I’ve played these games before,’ replied L6 Linap.
‘You’ll need to convince them you’re Hamish Alset,’ said Jennifer. ‘You’ll need to convince them that the seaweed has restored your memory and has the power to save their civilisation.’
‘It isn’t very good,’ replied L6 Linap. ‘My memories are muddled.’
‘At least you have them. You are ahead of them,’ said Jennifer. ‘You also have the advantage of having a chip in your brain. According to our sources, only one of them seems to be making any real progress. We have a plan to neutralise him.
‘So does the seaweed actually work?’ asked L6 Linap.
‘It helps heal the body, not the mind,’ replied Jennifer. ‘I will handle their minds in a different way.’
‘I don’t want to play this Hamish character forever,’ said L6 Linap.
‘We will discuss this matter later,’ said Jennifer.
Jennifer took a shortcut across the mountainous area to get ahead of the group of underground Linap. She dropped off Polly, L6 Linap, and Belford approximately half an hour ahead of the approaching group. Then she flew the Spirocopter over the lake and mountain range to join Octavius and his Sentray.
Belford picked up L6 Linap, and Polly hovered beside them as they made their way in the general direction of Location 3. They travelled slowly enough for the group of Linap to catch them.
The group of underground Linap consisted of just four vehicles. The lead vehicle pulled up beside Belford.
‘Good evening, I’m Captain Cecil,’ said Cecil. ‘We’re a patrol from the west tribes. Would you kindly identify yourselves?’
‘I’m Hamish Alset from the Loop 6 chamber,’ replied L6 Linap as Belford lowered him so he would come into view of Cecil. ‘I was rescued by a cyborg from the previous world. Her name is Polly.’
‘We were sent to look for you, sir,’ replied Cecil. ‘Would you mind joining us? We are heading to Location 3.’
‘I would be delighted to join you,’ replied L6 Linap. ‘I have been travelling between locations looking for someone from the underground.’
Cecil smiled and nodded. L6 Linap and Polly climbed into the lead vehicle with Cecil, and Belford climbed on top of the last vehicle.
‘When we reach the tunnels near Location 3, we will be able to communicate with our leader,’ said Cecil. ‘He would be delighted to speak with you.’
‘I imagine he would be,’ replied L6 Linap. ‘I am now the most senior Alset.’
‘Yes, you are, sir,’ said Cecil. ‘We are honoured to be in your presence.’
‘Naturally,’ replied L6 Linap with a smirk.
Late that night, they went underground. The vehicles could move considerably faster along the tunnel surface. They stopped just past Location 3. They rested for the night. Early the next morning, Cecil messaged Miro. Miro called him back. Cecil placed L6 Linap on the line.
‘We are all delighted that we have been able to find you safe and well,’ said Miro down the line.
‘About time!’ replied L6 Linap. ‘Anyone else would have died out here.’
‘That is due to your great resilience, sir,’ said Miro. ‘May I enquire about your memory?’
‘Being frozen for a prolonged period can cause memory loss,’ replied L6 Linap. ‘I was no exception. I could not access my personal memories, but I could access memories relating to my immense scientific knowledge. I knew of a unique seaweed that could rejuvenate health and might restore my personal memories. I used my cyborg friend’s database to locate this seaweed. I sent her and a robot to retrieve it. In the meantime, I had to survive on my own. A few weeks later, the cyborg returned. I turned it into a miracle cure. My memories flowed back to me.’
‘That is an amazing story,’ remarked Miro. ‘You are a true champion and remarkable leader.’
‘I would have been the leader, but my power-hungry nephew betrayed me,’ said L6 Linap in a saddened tone.
‘Are you referring to Demadrian?’ asked Miro.
‘Yes, I’m afraid so,’ replied L6 Linap. ‘I imagine he has already tried to assume the role of leader in this new world.’
‘It appears you know him well,’ replied Miro. ‘Possibly worse than that, he appears to have become sympathetic to the surface dwellers.’
‘It pains me so much,’ said L6 Linap. ‘He’ll probably try to turn my darling Jenna against me.’
‘He has actively asserted his influence on the others,’ said Miro. ‘I still remain hopeful. His own son can see through his deception.’
‘His son… Duffo,’ said L6 Linap with a little less confidence in his voice.
‘Yes, that’s him,’ said Miro. ‘Your memory is definitely sharp.’
‘The seaweed worked well,’ said L6 Linap as confidence returned to his voice.
‘Indeed,’ replied Miro. ‘I better not keep you. You have a long journey ahead.’
‘I greatly look forward to meeting you in person,’ said L6 Linap. ‘You sound like someone who has his head screwed on right.’
‘It’ll be my honour, sir,’ replied Miro. The connection ended.
‘We need to get moving,’ called out L6 Linap to Cecil. ‘I’m very eager to reach Downs as soon as possible.’
The four vehicles sped off down the tunnel towards Location 1.
That evening behind the hotel in Downs.
‘Am I now compelled to arrest my own father?’ asked Duffo in a concerned tone.
‘That would be a little drastic,’ replied Miro. ‘You are the Head Enforcer. It is your decision.’
‘I’ll observe him,’ said Duffo. ‘If he tries something funny, I’ll take him down.’
‘Sounds like a wise approach,’ replied Miro as he patted Duffo on the shoulder.
The next morning, Orcilla met Demadrian and L1 Linap in the laboratory lobby.
‘I need your help,’ said Orcilla in a melancholic tone. ‘We’re close, but it feels like we’re so far.’
‘I’m sorry about what happened yesterday,’ said L1 Linap. ‘I’m here to help to any way I can.’
‘We need a way to isolate the healing aspect of the genetics from everything else,’ said Orcilla. ‘On days like this, I crave the technology of the Capital Region.’
‘Well, we haven’t been spoilt by your technology,’ said Demadrian, sounding a little upbeat. ‘Maybe we can provide a fresh approach.’
‘You’ve already made some great observations,’ said Orcilla with a slight smile.
Miro entered the laboratory lobby.
‘Glad I’ve found you,’ said Miro as he looked at Orcilla. ‘We have great news. Hamish Alset has been found. He should be arriving in two days.’
‘That’s great news,’ said Orcilla as she smiled. ‘We’ll have a little celebration when he arrives.’
‘Hamish may have the answer to all your problems,’ said Miro as he began to grin. ‘He speaks of a miracle cure!’
‘A cure for everyone!’ exclaimed Orcilla in a disbelieving tone.
‘It’s derived from a unique seaweed,’ said Miro. ‘It’s so powerful it kick-started his memory.’
‘Hamish Alset is from our time,’ said Demadrian firmly. ‘Such cures did not exist then. Therefore, he could not have knowledge of a cure now.’
‘His memories have been restored,’ said Miro confidently. ‘I spoke to him myself. His cure is genuine.’
‘Is he genuine?’ asked Demadrian. ‘Maybe you should hold back judgement until you meet him.’
‘Thank you,’ said Orcilla, nodding. ‘We will be delighted to meet him and to discuss this amazing cure.’
‘Of course you will,’ said Miro. He is Demadrian’s uncle and the most senior member of our Alset family.’
Demadrian stared at Miro angrily. Miro smiled and then turned around and left through the front door.
‘You need to calm down,’ said L1 Linap to Demadrian. ‘I feel things are going to get a lot more complicated.’
‘I need to call an urgent meeting,’ said Orcilla as she turned to Demadrian. ‘Could you inform Duffo for me?’
Demadrian nodded.
‘I need to check in on Yassmay,’ said Orcilla.
Orcilla headed down the corridor to the medical centre, and Demadrian and L1 Linap exited through the front door.
Sapien Loop: End of an Era
Sapien Loop: Frozen in Time is the sequel to the book Sapien Loop: End of an Era. Sapien Loop: End of an Era is available on Amazon, in collection series on my @spectrumecons account, and in individual chapters in my @captainhive account.
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