Höllenbadt: Book two of the Torus Saga Read online

  “What do you mean?”

  “They are…like your little engine, using machines from museums and relics to get by. It is as if the steam age is happening all over again. But the authorities still have hold over a lot of places in the east and in some overseas I have been told. So they still use technology and have transport, but there are none for the people at large. They are mostly just getting by. It seems as though progress everywhere has ground to halt.”

  “It is their nature. They are improvising I suppose.”

  “Yeah. They still need fuel, and power and machines to get by.”

  “How do they eat?”

  “Very much like you. From gardens like yours and they get together and farm for produce.”

  “It does seem to be a step back in time. But John, those values and traits of humans carry though. They are elemental intentions. In some way they are realising this balance again.”

  “In some ways I guess, but there is still a lot of pain and suffering out there.”

  “Again, people seem to do such things. It can teach them the value of what they lose.”

  “It is just I don’t think the Agent is about teaching anyone, except for their submission to him. He is like a lord or some deity of darkness.”

  “Yes I have heard about his viruses and the vortexes he creates.”

  “Very unstable too, using that amplifier with the Torus the others found. Many of the repercussions of that thing are bad. Sometimes he brings in such a state of flux that he is affecting the very fabric of existence. That goes against natural elemental intentions. It creates voids that dissolve relevance and casts matter into disparity.”

  “An interruption that is going to be very difficult to return to a balanced state.”

  “Yes, if ever.”

  “Do you have any technology implants John?”

  “No, not since I removed the device they put inside my head when they wanted to retrieve the flux mechanics information from me. The ID chip thing has fallen apart with the Agent on the scene. Their systems were so over run with viruses, they gave up on it. And there was so much international disagreement on administration of the security systems, even before him, it had begun to experience problems.

  “Yes, I remember the incidents…” she trailed off thinking of Tim and was tentative to ask John if he knew anything.

  He saw her face loose some of the vibrancy within that it always showed and took a guess, “Tim helped though. He took that thing out of my head and we were working on flux mechanics when he…when he disappeared. I am sorry Carmel, but I don’t know what happened to him.”

  Chapter 6

  He swept amongst the towers of a near dead city – one that was full of life and beauty in the years before he arrived. On the second pass, he saw a few people struggling along street, so he armed the laser weapons and vaporised them. Then for his own good measure, he destroyed a few buildings he thought people might use as a refuge. Then out over the harbour with its broken bridges and half sunken vessels and onward then back to his lair he flew. Such flights of fancy were normal for him, where his malice drove him to destruction and to take more lives whenever he could. Thirty minutes later, the engines powered down and he went underground, deep, to the heart of his lair.

  It was a place without heart, just a centrepiece – the vortex amplifier housed atop his holographic bank tended by those who suckered up to him in their own pathetic dreams of power. When he reached the control room, there were only a couple of people about, so he told them to get out and to leave him alone. After they had left, he went into one of usual moods of hate inspired mania. It was the mania of the stark manifestations could ever be, permeated with mutterings of nonsensical matter, which the others had often heard him yell from behind the closed doors. Such were his words and such were his moods that mostly they could not determine what he was saying. He was insane and they knew he was insane.

  Eight years. Eight long years he had tried make the amplifier operate in a stable manner, but to this time, he had been entirely unsuccessful. This bothered him. His mind would feel like it was on fire and his head would feel like it was about to explode, and in reflection of this, he would have to deal with the epistaxis as eventually the blood from his nose dripped upon the floor. His teeth did gnash and his body twist as it always had, and he would add to his hatred and add to his quest for pain. But this time, he did not suffice with his own blood, nor did he suffice with the twisted state that would see him end in writhing – his patience had run out.

  He linked into the vast global data network and then he hacked his way past the security systems into the research net. The research net was primarily for use by scientists and was inaccessible by anyone else who still had technology. He worked feverously at the holographic bank, entering sequences and hacking his way through the many layers of encryption protection. He had been waiting for the moment when he could access the machine, but had waited wanting to have the amplifier in stable operations. This time he did not care what the consequences would be – he was prepared utterly for his own demise and the demise of all else. ‘If I cannot have it, then nobody can,’ he thought as he worked. And then, all his systems indicated he had made it – he was in. Without hesitation he continued, digging deeper into the machine…until he found what he was looking for. And when he found it, he was abruptly cut off. His systems went dead, and his beast took to glowing – the static charge gone. Surprisingly to himself, he remained calm. He did not go into uncontrollable fits of anger and rage. No screaming, just calm. He had almost reached the controls and now he knew the path to them. Next time would be his time. The Agent was resolute and that was enough for now, so took heed of his senses and went to sit alone in his quarters as he always did – planning and conjuring.

  When at last after several days, he did emerge, it was with a new sense of vigour. A new sense to wreak havoc and a new sense to deliver the worst human kind had to offer. His days alone served to refine his plans and soon, now that he almost had access to the machine, he would destroy almost all of them – except those he deemed necessary. He would start by smashing them literally. No viruses, instead sweeping flights of destruction. He would physically bring their world down around them. It was his best way. His way to overcome the authorities and his way to overcome the nature of human spirit. It was only these two things that stood against him and he would see them fall.

  John was tending to some repairs on Carmel’s house. It was late in fall and soon the winter winds would tear at anything not fixed properly. Since the days of the Agent, winter had taken on new dimensions – much colder and longer, and many thought he had used the HAARP array to change the weather. They were wrong. He had no access to HAARP. It was the authorities doing this in an attempt to undermine the Agent, but all it did was to undermine the people who struggled through long winters always short on fuel and always short on food. He had just finished one job and was about to start another, when she appeared carrying a tray with refreshments of fruit and drink. “Come and sit John. You need this. You have been working so hard.”

  He stopped his work and joined her at a table and chairs she had on the porch at the rear of the house. “How do you come up with such good food? So many are starving yet you seem to have plenty.”

  “I guess it is just me. I grow some and I gather some. There is always the supply store run by the Agent, but rarely will you find wholesome food there.”

  “A strange attractor maybe.”

  “You could say that John. Things have worked like that for me over these years.” Carmel had found that even with many others around her suffering, she would help them where she could, and she seemed to flourish despite the conditions. She did not flourish with a wealth of material things – she simply flourished with life and with spirit.

  “What can we do John? I feel like there is something, but I am struggling to see what that something is.”

  “I…um, don’t really know. It is so difficult these days to
get people together and, well, you know there is power or potential in numbers.”

  “I too know this. What about people of the ‘scenes’ at the place where we met?”

  “I have thought about that too, but with San Francisco in such a bad way, I can only imagine they are probably elsewhere.”

  “Seattle?”

  “Very similar. I think the best option would be to get out of Agent controlled places and then look. Travel is not easy though. There are no transit links operating, there are hardly any vehicles in a condition to drive, and the few HyperJets that are flying, are not flying past anywhere west in a line from Illinois to Mississippi.”

  “Doesn’t the Agent’s control extend almost to the east coast?”

  “Yes, it goes nearly all the way, but it is only fragmented past that line.”

  “So if we can get to the east, then…”

  “Then we come up against the authorities and they are not allowing anyone to travel without approved passage – for official reasons.”

  “So the east is in lock down?”

  “Effectively yes.”

  “Then we need to find a way. A way nobody would expect and a way that does not attract attention.”

  “Another thing if we do travel is the groups of bandits and other undesirables about between here and there. With this entire calamity, people can only be expected to get desperate. And…you would have to leave your house and your engine though.”

  “I can leave the house, as it is the spirit that travels with me. And as for my little steam engine, I can take that. It is small and can easily be carried.”

  “So it is to the eastern sector then.”

  “I think so John. I cannot just remain here when there must be something done.”

  Carmel thought tentatively for a moment then decided to ask, “What about your son John? Could he help us?”

  “He might. He is still with the authorities but now he is in Boston. I helped him out of London six years ago when the Agent unleashed some deadly viruses there…thankfully. I still don’t have him all the way back, but I’m sure glad he had given up the nano technology.”

  “So he is free from implants?”

  “Yes.”

  “Then he has begun the journey back. I am happy for you John, and for him. It takes courage to defy what you have come to know as the way ahead.”

  “Yeah. I am happy to a degree, but he is still quite dedicated to the authorities as providing the best way forward.”

  “You can change him…we can change him. It is why he has begun the journey. His inner self is looking to re-align. Whilst it might take time, he is still heading there.”

  “But you cannot force him against his will…”

  “Oh no, not at all. You can only do your best to show him the options and in time he will choose what he considers best.”

  “I suppose then we have decided. Considering all things, it is probably best we try, otherwise we may just wonder,” John was tentative himself knowing that Carmel loved her life and that travelling east would mean giving so much up.

  She sensed this from him, “Don’t worry John, it is all going to be Ok.”

  “I seem to remember you saying that to me long ago.”

  “I do too John – like it was yesterday.”

  Chapter 7

  “Imagine…um, imagine we are already on our journey ahead. We don’t really know our destination when we set out, so the travelling itself might determine that.”

  “Yeah, but you said ‘already on our journey’”

  “Yes we are. See it has begun even with our urges to do something.”

  “I suppose. So you are saying we leave it up to fate then? I’m not sure on that one.”

  “No, not fate John, we make it happen as we go. The progression will show us what it is we seek. Sure, we have our intentions of doing something but we cannot see precisely what it is –I am thinking of going with our gut feelings even if it seems the wrong thing to do. Often they turn out to be the right things.”

  “I see your point. We will have to see. We should get going any day now…”

  “Why not today? Why not tomorrow? We really don’t have to do much.”

  “It is just the transport thing. Maybe we should go into town and see if we can find something to give us an idea.”

  “Ok. Let’s go now.”

  Searching around the town was like walking through a ghostly reminder from times long ago. They saw nobody else the entire time and it was haunting to see tools, food, and other things lying about as if everyone had stopped what they were doing and simply vanished. Heaviness hung in the air, but not a mist of dampness - it was from the sense there had been a sudden and devastating event. As they looked in buildings, inside the only shop, and around the streets, they managed to gather a few items they thought would be useful, but there was no sign of any transport. When they had a break to eat and drink, they decided to walk just out of town and look around the few rural properties just a few miles away.

  At the second property they at last found something, though it was very much not what they expected. There was no vehicle, no personal transports anywhere, but at this farm, they found an old horse drawn cart – a relic too of times long past, but this one looked as if it only dated back about fifty years.

  “Look,” John said wiping dust off the side of the cart with a rag he found. “Horse Drawn Adventures. This cart was used for tourists rides.”

  “It looks lovely John, but we have no…”

  “Horse. We need to find one then, don’t we?”

  It took them all the rest of that day, and then almost all of the next until they found a horse. “‘Frieda’, what a lovely name,” Carmel said looking at a nametag around the horses’ neck.

  “It means peace.”

  “Even more lovely John. And she looks peaceful too. Come Frieda.”

  Glad to see a human face after a long time alone, Frieda went immediately to Carmel. “We’ll find some hay…”

  “I’ve got some,” John had looked around the barn and was now holding out a handful of hay as he walked up to Frieda. “Hungry girl? We’ll take care of you.”

  “Come on John, let’s get a little hay and take it with us. Then when we have the cart, we’ll come back and get more.”

  “Why not just take her and get the cart?”

  “We will. I just thought if we take some, we can feed her again and that will help establish a bond between us.”

  “Good thinking. Ok, I’ll get it. You get a bridle. Over there on the hook.”

  Frieda was roaming about the yard at Carmel’s house that evening as she had the little engine powering at full steam. She felt buoyed by their day – their success, and would sound the whistle every time she passed by on her way to talk to Frieda and give her something to eat, and as she prepared for the journey her and John were about to take.

  When she was picking the last grapes from the vine on the arch, John came outside and joined them. “It’s a beautiful evening with the sunset and the few remaining colours in the leaves.”

  “Yes it is John. I love these times. Over the years I have watched the seasons come and go and they are truly remarkable. I love it so John. I missed all that when I was in the city, working as an officer.”

  “I know what you mean. I was in Alaska – it was great up there. You know what though, when I found out you were the officer in charge when Raynie and Jake were arrested, it had me in shock for a moment.”

  “Yes, I did see that in your eyes John. But you quickly came to know the new me…the real me, and it’s not too bad is it?”

  “Not bad at all. Beautiful in fact.”

  “Thanks.”

  When they set out, Frieda was lively and alert, as if she was eager to get going. The morning had begun misty and grey, though not a sombre mist, rather a ‘mysterious edge’ to it mist, as Carmel had said. They had packed what they had found about town, including as much food as possible, and Carmel’s litt
le steam engine. John didn’t even need to prompt Frieda to get going once they had seated themselves and looked at each other, them both thinking ‘this is it then’. The moment they did this, she was away – not a gallop, but a steady pace.

  Through the town, the mist did evoke a slightly solemn edge, as the shroud would swirl on the slight breezes about the buildings that were already ghostly reminders of the past. When they reached the edge of town on a heading east, they stopped to see the dawn sun break through the mist, where for a few moments its rays cast lines of light through the cloud. Then a moment later it was gone and they moved on, descending into the foggy valley below.

  Carmel sat watching the trees, mostly free of leaves, cast their fingers from the misty shadows out over the road, and at times, letting go of a leaf sending it falling towards them. She turned and saw the swirling misty currents they left in their wake. And she listened for anything – the odd birdcall was the only sound, aside from Frieda and the cartwheels. John noticed all this too as he felt a sense of ease and yet alert being aware of everything around them. He was enjoying the ride as much as Carmel and together with Frieda, they set out to discover what lay to the east.

  “I was walking mostly from San Francisco,” John replied to Carmel when she asked how he had made his way to her house. “I had been there about nine months. Before that I was further south. I walked along the old main transit lines north – they are pretty straight…and level. I didn’t like the tunnels though. No lighting meant all I had was some phosphorous tubes I found before I left, so I took to walking over the hills they went through. There is still five left in my bag. I thought it was best to save them after the first tunnel.”

  “They are beautiful John. How they seem to emit the glow making it sparkle on the particles in the air. What did you see in the city John?”

  “Nothing much really. It is a lifeless place. A lot of people are just hanging on. No restaurants, no bars, nothing that used to give it character. It just seems to exist even far less than when the authorities were doing their thing. At least they had something, and it is just seems nothing now. All seemed stagnated.”