The Prophecy Overground Chapter Three

Kaleem slept badly that night. He was still awake at three in the morning. Then he dozed off for a short while, but was awake again by five. He gave up trying to sleep and got up.

The dataserve was whirring away quietly to itself whilst he dressed.

Now what’s happening? he thought.

‘Open,’ he commanded.

‘No spare memory,’ answered tin man. ‘Unable to open until download complete.’

It was unbelievable. Even a dataserve as old as his was built with far more memory than should ever be needed.

Must be on the blink, he thought.

He wandered into the kitchen.

‘Coffee and mixed cereal,’ he mumbled at the Autochef. The machine sprang into life.

The pipes clanked and whistled as he showered. He would probably wake his mother.  Everything was so old and noisy here.

The Autochef  bleeped to show that the breakfast was ready. Kaleem retrieved his mug and the bowl from the kitchen and took them into his room. His dataserve was now all lit up. Every light that could was glowing brightly.

‘Open,’ he murmured again.

‘Wordtext file ready on screen,’ said the machine.

Kaleem studied the screen. It was the same gibberish again. But no, it wasn’t quite the same.  He could understand more of the words this time.

‘Key to Loccospeak,’ he read. ‘Glossary of terms.’

It was still quite hard to decipher, but at least he was getting more used to understanding the symbols. And half of it seemed to be in standard Terrestran  English.

Kaleem studied it more carefully. Suddenly he understood.

It’s a type of dictionary, he thought. It must be the way they used dictionaries in the paper society days.

‘File list,’ said Kaleem to his machine. ‘Date and time headed.’

Tin Man started reeling off times and dates. Images flashed across the screen.

‘Hold file,’ said Kaleem as he recognised the other file with the strange symbols on it.

‘Split screen vertically.’

The two texts were now lined up side by side.

‘New file extra,’ said Kaleem. ‘Third split.’

‘Name of new file,’ said the machine.

‘Temporary name,’ he said ‘File 1 77 3156.’

‘Done,’ said Tin Man.

‘Yeah, I bet you have,’ Kaleem mumbled. It was such hard work getting anything out of this old machine. He wished he could have a dataserve like Pierre’s - brand new last week, not second-hand new like his. You could have a conversation with it. It would even suggest suitable file names. And you could tell it things like ‘Find me that file with all those funny symbols in that we looked at last night,’ and the file would be up on the screen in seconds.

‘Unknown command,’ replied Tin Man.

Oh, and Pierre’s dataserve spoke to him in a young man’s voice. So that you felt as if you were talking to a friend.

This dataserve was all he’d got, though, and he would have to make do. It was hard work looking at the two files and it hurt his eyes. Very slowly he was beginning to make some sense of the one which had arrived yesterday. Or at least, he was beginning to understand some of the words in it. He couldn’t make any sense of the message the words were trying to convey.

Something about a tower being built up to the sky. Something about people not being able to understand each other.

That’s appropriate, thought Kaleem. I’m having difficulty understanding this.

There was more about the Mother. And the Peace Child.

‘The Mother of the Peace Child shall be acquainted with Babel,’ he managed to make out. It was hard work, though.

Weird language, he thought. And who is Babel?   He remembered something. Hadn’t Maria told him something about alphabet? All the symbols which represented sounds were listed in a certain order. This was an alphabet. And dictionaries used this order. But what was that order? He knew it started with ABC. He worked on the symbols he could see. Yes …. It was possible to work out the order.

‘A B C,’ he dictated to the machine then ‘E …. F …. G …,’

‘H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z,’ said Maria’s voice from the entrance to his room. ‘Standard British alphabet, 2109. What on Terrestra are you doing?’

‘Display at top of File 2,’ commanded Kaleem. The symbols appeared at the top of the screen.

‘Oh, just stuff,’ mumbled Kaleem. After what had happened last night, he didn’t want Maria to know any more.  ‘File and close,’ he ordered the machine.

‘You’ve left your breakfast,’ Maria said.

Kaleem looked at the cup of cold coffee and the now pappy cereal. He shrugged.

Ten minutes later, he was in the Thorndike building. The lift was making its way up to the fifteenth level. Kaleem stayed at the back, trying to make himself as small as possible. Unfortunately Stuart Davidson spotted him.

‘Hey ho, Throw Back,’ he called. ‘How’s life down under? Seen the light of day yet?’

Other people in the lift turned and looked at Kaleem and then at Stuart. Kaleem managed to look straight ahead. The other passengers in the lift stared at him. There were one or two whispered conversations. Stuart poked Kaleem in the ribs. Kaleem had to look at him then. Stuart grinned at him. ‘You saddo,’ whispered Stuart.

The lift stopped and the doors sprang open. Stuart pushed hard into Kaleem on the way out, sending him toppling into one of the older grey-tuniced men.

‘Steady there,’ bellowed the man. He turned to his companion. ‘One of the problems, I think, about schooling them mainly at home. They have no social skills.’

Some of us do, thought Kaleem. We’re not all like Stuart.

Despite everything, Kaleem had arrived quite early. Stuart did not go straight into the meet room. Kaleem’s stomach seemed to jump up and turn over as he spotted Rozia Laurence, the only other person who was already there. She turned and smiled up at him.

‘Hi, Kaleem,’ she said. ‘Come and sit here.’

Kaleem sat himself down. The seat moulded itself to fit Kaleem’s body and supported his back beautifully. A pity they couldn’t get some of these comfisessels at home. He was sure it would make working for hours on end at the dataserve a heck of a lot more comfortable. Rozia was smiling at him. Oh, she was stunning. She took his breath away. Today wasn’t turning out so bad after all.

‘Any idea what this might be about?’ she said. ‘It’s not one of the scheduled meets. Not part of the course.’

Kaleem had convinced himself that it was something to do with the  removal of Maggie Johnston. ‘Perhaps it’s to do with what happened yesterday,’ he offered.

‘You mean Maggie?’ she asked.

Kaleem nodded.

‘Bit tough, though?’ said Rozia. ‘I mean, she was actually only trying to defend you.’

Well, it had looked like a good day. Now it was rotten again. ‘Yeah, I know,’ mumbled Kaleem.

There was an awkward silence. Others had started to drift into the room now. Rozia was waving at some of them. She turned back to Kaleem.

‘But just why do you still live in a cave?’ she asked. ‘I mean, hardly anyone needs to these days? What with …’

Kaleem was relieved that he didn’t need to answer that one. Not that he could anyway. But the room had suddenly gone silent. Someone had walked in. Some people gasped in surprise. There were no screens, this time. Just a very familiar face. Kaleem had not realised that Frazier Kennedy was so tall. He looked very serious.

‘Good Morning, students,’ he began. ‘We’ve called you to this meet because we thought it was important to make this absolutely clear to you. You can imagine exactly how important this is as I am here and I don’t normally speak to students directly.’

What Frazier Kennedy said was much as Rozia and Kaleem had guessed. It was to do with Maggie Johnstone’s dismissal. Partly at least. He also talked at length about the danger of dabbling with Hidden Information. He was frowning slightly and his voice sounded harsh and strained.

‘That was what Miss Johnstone was doing,’ said the Head of Education. ‘She has been researching amongst the data banks which are not open to the public. That in itself is a criminal offence and means that she has been involved in theft.’

He paused. His face relaxed a little.

‘You have probably not heard of Hidden Information before,’ he continued. ‘But it exists. And you are all old enough now to know that it exists. There is a complete body of knowledge that we have to keep from you. You cannot possibly know the whole, and unless you did know the whole, it would be of no use to you and would only confuse. More importantly, you could not make a wise decision if you based it on less than the whole.’

He paused again and looked around the room.

‘Even I am not capable of understanding the Hidden Information,’ he added quietly, ‘and am therefore not allowed access to it. Standard Information contains all you need to know.’

Kaleem felt uncomfortable when he thought of the messages which had come up on his dataserve. One or two of the others, he noticed, were looking at each other.  They’d probably been dabbling with Hidden Information as well.  But there was something else which disturbed him now.

He had seen Frazier Kennedy often enough on the screens. He was a very good-looking man.  He was just as elegant in real life as he looked on the screen. Being black helped, of course. You couldn’t see him blush or go white quite so easily. He always stood up so straight, too. He leant forward and propped his head on his hands, his elbows on the table in front of him. That just looked so familiar and Kaleem couldn’t work out hwy. He was sure he’d never seen him do that on a movie file.

Frazier Kennedy also had the habit of looking at the people in his audience individually. You always felt as if he was talking directly to you. He caught Kaleem’s eye. Kaleem felt as if the man could read his thoughts. The brown eyes penetrated right into him. Kaleem didn’t dare look away. His heart was racing. Could this man tell by looking at him that he had been doing something he shouldn’t?

Frazier Kennedy stopped talking for a split second. A hint of a frown appeared on his forehead. He faltered slightly. But only very, very slightly. His eyes drifted round to the next person.

‘I urge you not to go down that road,’ he said at last. ‘Any dabbling with Hidden Information will lead to severe punishment. Good day to you.’

He switched off his prompt pad, bowed slightly and marched out of the room.

No one spoke. Slowly, in small groups, the students left the room. There were some quiet whispered conversations, amongst the students who had glanced at each other before.

Pierre came over to Kaleem.

‘That was scary,’ said Pierre.

‘Yep,’ said Kaleem.

They walked over to the lifts.

‘Shall we go to the New Laguna?’ asked Pierre, as they stepped into the lift.

Kaleem shook his head. ‘Mum’s expecting me back straight away,’ he said .

He wanted to get back to his dataserve and the strange texts, despite Kennedy’s dire warnings. In some ways, even though he was really scared, the talk had made him even more determined to find out what was behind those messages.

The air outside was warmer than it had been the day before. Even so, most of the students were gathering around the transporter centre. There was going to be a crush, that was for sure. It would almost be quicker to walk. Erik Svenson and Stuart Davidson were already there. They were chatting to Rozia. They didn’t seem to have noticed him yet, thank goodness. If he got a move on, he might get away with it. They were looking the other way. He could go across the park again.

He stepped smartly through the entrance. They hadn’t seen him. Not even Pierre. He had almost thought about asking Pierre to walk with him, but that would have risked a confrontation with that pair of idiots. And anyway, Pierre may have tried to persuade him to stop out longer. He must get back to the dataserve.

There weren’t many people in the park again today. No one was walking the full length of it, as he was. Kaleem was not surprised, though, to see that there was just that old man again, sitting on one of the benches. An odd thing to do, Kaleem thought, this time of year. Outdoors felt all right if you were walking. It was hardly warm enough to sit for any length of time.

Kaleem could see him better this time. He was wearing an ordinary enough tunic, and the normal issue leggings. But he had tall boots as well, and his hair, silvery grey, flowed over his shoulders. As Kaleem walked past, the man seemed to be staring into space.

Kaleem shuddered. He stated to walk more quickly. He wished now that he had waited for the transporter after all.

Kaleem speeded up until he was almost running. He had the oddest feeling that someone was following him. He looked back a couple of times. There was no one there. Not even the man who had been sitting on the bench. That was worrying in itself. Since he had spotted him, Kaleem had not passed another exit from the park. Where was the old man? Who was he? What did he want? Kaleem looked and looked, but the man had now totally disappeared. There wasn’t really anywhere to hide, either. Unless he was so thin that he could fit behind a young tree trunk.

Kaleem came to the other end of the park. All he wanted to do now was get back down into the caves as quickly as possible. But then he wasn’t sure which was stranger - the old man or the messages on his dataserve.

Kaleem crossed the North Passageway. Just a few more steps and he would be there. It was so untidy here, compared with the park. Bits of bare earth and sandy rock had scrubby grass growing over it. The old frames which used to hold the tubes in the days of the Poison Cloud were still there, although now half rotted. They stuck up sorely out of the ground. The skylights which used to be there were now covered in dust. Except for the one in his and Maria’s cave, which his mother kept shiny and spotless.

Someone was sitting on a rock near the entrance. They never had visitors. He stopped walking and tried to see better. The figure stood up. Kaleem recognised the old man with the long silver hair.

‘Kaleem Malkendy?’ asked the man. ‘Cave dweller?’

That voice again. Kaleem shivered.

‘Come here, Kaleem Malkendy,’ said the man. ‘See, I’m not barring the way into  your home.’  The stranger was indicating the entrance into what used to be the lift shaft.

Kaleem moved towards him. His mouth was dry and his heart was beating faster.

‘Kaleem Malkendy,’ said the old man. Have you heard of the Mother? Do you know about the Tower?’

Kaleem felt himself going hot.

‘Have you found out how to use the dictionary yet?’ asked the strange old man. He was looking right into Kaleem, just as Frazier Kennedy had.

‘You do know what I am, don’t you?’ said the old man.

Kaleem shook his head.

The old man raised an eyebrow. ‘I am one of the Elders,’ he said. He held out his hand to Kaleem. Kaleem took it in his. The old man’s handshake was firm, the firmest Kaleem had ever felt.  ‘Razjosh, the Elder.’

‘I … started Kaleem. He didn’t know what to say. He’d heard of the Elders. He knew they rarely left the Citadel, wherever that might be – more Hidden Information. He knew that if an Elder summoned you, you were honoured indeed. But he knew no more than that.

‘Tell your mother I would like to meet with her in two days’ time,’ said Razjosh. He bowed slightly towards Kaleem, and then he was off.

The Prophecy Overground Chapter Two

It was almost two hours before Kaleem was able to take another look at the strange file. First of all there had been supper with his mother. Then they talked for a while.

‘You really worry me sometimes,’ said Maria. ‘You just don’t go out enough. You don’t  mix with the others.’

I don’t go out enough? thought Kaleem. You can talk, Mum.

‘It’s in order, Mum,’ he said. ‘I like working here in the caves. I’ve everything I need on the dataserve.’

‘That’s exactly what I mean, though,’ continued Maria. ‘You’re working too hard. And you’re not getting enough fresh air.’

For goodness sake. This was the woman who spent all of her time facing a dataserve.

‘Oh, fresh air’s overrated,’ he said. ‘Not many people bother. Everybody prefers the ionised air in the apartments. It is better balanced.’

‘Not so good in the caves though,’ she said grimly. ‘They don’t bother too much with us. We may as well have come from the Z Zone.’

Kaleem felt uncomfortable. He wanted to suggest that he should go back to his room and carry on working. Maria always seemed so bitter when she talked about the Z Zone, but she always talked as if she knew more about it than she should. If she did, though, she refused to tell him much about it. He couldn’t imagine what it would be like in the Z Zone. He only knew it was for people who could not or would not fit in with the rest of society. He had a vague idea that the authorities made it as difficult as possible for people who lived there.

At least life here in the caves must be a little better than living in the Z Zone. He was engaged on a normal educational project. They had enough to eat and drink. They had Terrestran credits. True they were poor, when poverty did not officially exist. They lived in the caves to save credits. Others chose caves only because they had an aversion to sunlight. Their caves were luxurious. This cave was sparsely furnished and rather shabby. It was home, though.

‘Look, I’ll show you what else I’ve found out about what caused the poison cloud in the first place,’ said Maria suddenly much brighter.

Then he had to spend an hour and a half looking at files his mother had found or created.

‘So, you see, it probably was our own fault, but only because we were trying to undo the harm that CFCs had caused two centuries before!’

If she was that clever then, why did they have to live down here in the caves?  Surely she should have been in the President’s Research Association?

Kaleem frowned.

‘Go on then,’ said Maria brightly. ‘I’m probably boring you silly! Go and get on with your own work, if you must!’

Kaleem’s dataserve seemed to be sitting there grinning defiantly.

‘Wordtext file downloaded,’ said the tinny voice smugly every few seconds. ‘Data not recognised’

‘You bet you don’t’ said Kaleem, frowning at the screen.

‘Unknown command,’ continued the electronic voice. ‘Please allocate file.’

Kaleem stared at the file. It really did not make sense.

‘Store in new section. Name Peace Child. Retain on screen,’ he said.

‘Valid,’ muttered the machine and then seconds later ‘Done!’

Kaleem read through the whole file. It took him an age, as he could not read fluently in Wordtext and so few of the words made sense. But here and there again Peace Child, and The Mother. What was a Peace Child? And why did she or he have a mother with a capital “m”?

He noticed that some words that seemed to occur a lot were always in the middle of the lines.

Must be words like “but” and “and”, thought Kaleem. But a few “buts” and “ands” didn’t really help him to understand more.

Instead, he conducted a One World Archive search on ‘Peace Child’.

‘Classified Hidden Information,’ screeched Tin Man. ‘Do not request again, or authorities will be informed.’

Even my own dataserve’s against me, thought Kaleem. So it will have to remain a mystery. It was already past midnight. He decided he ought to go to bed.

‘Have you ever heard of Peace Child?’ he asked Maria at breakfast the next morning.

She almost choked on her coffee. The little colour there was drained from her cheeks.

‘How on earth did you hear about that?’ she asked.

Something told Kaleem it would not be a good idea to tell his mother about the strange Wordtext file.

‘Oh, er… not sure really,’ he mumbled.

‘Kaleem!’ said Maria sternly. The colour came back into her cheeks. In fact, she went very red indeed. And she was sitting upright. ‘Do not go messing with Hidden Information. Believe me, it is not worth the agony.’

What was she doing? Telling him not to mess with this or that, and not telling him anything about where he came from, why he looked like he did and why they had to live down here in the caves, although she was obviously well-educated and intelligent. They were living on the edge. They may as well have been in the Z Zone.

‘It’d be worth looking at Hidden Information if it helped me to find out what caused this mess!’ Kaleem blurted out. How dare she be so superior and so goody goody! ‘What are you trying to hide anyway?’

‘Kaleem, I will not be spoken to like that,’ Maria said quietly. ‘Please give me the respect I deserve. And if you can’t,’ she continued in an even lower voice, ‘please go to your room until you have calmed down.’

Kaleem immediately regretted having spoken to her so harshly. She hadn’t retaliated. She hadn’t bitten back. She didn’t really deserve that, he knew.

‘Oh Mum, I’m sorry,’ said Kaleem. They were the best of friends normally. And yes he knew that she had her reasons for not telling him everything about why they had to live like this, and that she really made the best of it for both of them.

‘Ok,’ said Maria, ‘and I promise you that one day you will know everything, but only when I can see a clear way out of it. Until then,’ she continued staring now straight ahead  ‘what you don’t know, you can’t give away and that might keep both of us safe.’ She then turned and looked straight into Kaleem’s eyes. ‘Be careful,’ she whispered. ‘Be very, very careful.’

Kaleem was glad to get back to the peace of his own room. He would try to forget about the strange file, at least for a while, and perhaps get back to some of his assignment. Dive into the work and become fascinated again by the New Earth Project.

‘Voice file waiting,’   squeaked Tin Man, as he walked into his room.

Maybe I should change the voice, thought Kaleem. But then he thought better of that. The woman’s voice on these early dataserves was even more irritating.

‘Receive!’ he commanded. He supposed he’d better listen to this. It could be Pierre trying to get in touch. It was more likely to be some trivial message about the project. They were always being given useless information. Or it might be one of those idiots trying to have another go.

‘Kaleem, the cave-dweller,’ said a deep male voice, ‘we shall meet soon. You have already received the Peace Child document. It will not make sense for a while. Keep it safe. Iris protect. Shortly, you will understand. Say nothing to anyone. Not even your mother. We’re trusting you with this one.’

Nope, it was getting worse. His whole life up to now, and that of his mother a complete mystery, then the strange Wordtext document and now the mystical voice. Kaleem the cave dweller indeed! Perhaps that and the nonsense document were somebody’s idea of a joke. Well, he’d just have to see. Maybe one day even, he’d find out the answer to the biggest question of all: Kaleem Malkendy. Best get stuck into the project and forget it for a few hours.

Soon, he was doing just that. He looked at how Terrestra’s surface had been replanted since the disappearance of the Poison Cloud. He searched through movie clips which showed accelerated growth programmes. Then he listened to the psychological reports about how most people were avoiding the fresh air because it was unpredictable. Or was it because they had been so used to living underground, away from daylight? Something else began to suggest itself as he realised what he was actually doing; using a machine as a replacement for real life. Should that be the focus for his Special Project? It sounded good. He asked for the Project Proposal template.

‘Suggest break and use of fitness equipment,’ said Tin Man. ‘Otherwise user will become strained.’

‘Okay, Tinny,’ muttered Kaleem. ‘When I’ve listened to the form.’

‘Warning,’ started the machine. ‘User will…’

‘Override!’ sighed Kaleem.

Oh this is going to take a bit of thinking about, Kaleem said to himself as he started answering the questions on the sound form. A pain shot through his back and his shoulder cramped up. Maybe I will have a go on the jogging machine or the rower after all, he thought.

‘Standby,’ he said to the machine.

‘Voice file waiting,’ said the irritating device.

‘Okay, download,’ sighed Kaleem.

‘Urgent meet called for New Earth Project participants. Day 77. 13.30. Compulsory attendance.’

What a pain! Why were they having another meet so soon? It was ridiculous. He’d have to face that bunch of idiots again.

He heard Maria leave her workstation and make her way towards the kitchen. She was probably going to get the lunch. That sounded like an even better idea than the jogging machine. Maybe he should go and lend a hand, to show that he was really sorry about the way they had quarrelled earlier.

But then Tin Man spoke again.

‘Voice file waiting.’

‘Go on then!’ muttered Kaleem.

‘Command not understood,’ said the metallic voice.

‘Download,’ Kaleem said quickly through clenched teeth.

‘Command not…’ started the machine.

‘Download,’ said Kaleem as slowly and as clearly as his impatience would allow him.

‘So, you  have another meet with your project group?’ It was the same deep voice that had called him “cave dweller”. ‘Good! Things are moving faster than we thought. I shall see you after the meet. Nothing to worry about.’

No mysterious ‘cave-dweller’ this time, though someone was actually going to contact him. And there was the strangely urgent meet. Two meets in three days.

The fitness centre could be a good idea, after all. Kaleem started to change into his sports’ clothes.

‘Do you want to help me get lunch?’ called Maria. Kaleem pulled his tunic back on over his sports’ top.

The Prophecy Overground Chapter One

Kaleem fidgeted. The room was annoying him. He had been sitting in the uncomfortable, old-fashioned chair for what seemed like hours. Some of the suggestions the others were making really irritated him. Why didn’t they think? He wished he didn’t have to be here. He’s much rather be back at home, working on the  dataserve his mother had at last managed to buy for him.

His eyes strayed to the window. That was some compensation at least. A relief from the gloom of  the caves. The sun was shining brightly, catching the reds and oranges of the leaves from the now sixteen-year-old trees. A squirrel jumped on the tree nearest the window, making its branches shake.

‘So, Kaleem, why do we consider it important to preserve all forms of life on Terrestra?’  Maggie Johnstone’s voice was piercing and high pitched. This lot was enough to make anyone nervous. ‘Including squirrels, if you like,’ she added. From other teachers, that would have sounded sarcastic. From her, though, it was just a gentle tease.

‘Oh, Maggie, it’s cos he lives in a cave!’ answered Stuart Davidson.

‘Yeah, look at him!’ Erik Svenson joined in. ‘He’s not so pure himself.’

Kaleem blushed. He was only too aware that his skin was browner than that of the other white members of his class, and his hair was blonder.

‘Yeah, Goldilocks day dreaming again!’ giggled Rozia Laurence.

That one hurt. She obviously didn’t think much of him. But she was absolutely gorgeous. Sleek black hair and a pale face. The perfect Terrestran looks, in fact, if you couldn’t be respectably yellow or black .

‘Now, come on folks,’ said Maggie, blushing herself a little too.

Kaleem suddenly felt sorry for Maggie. She was trying really hard to make them think for themselves and to include everybody in the conversation. She wasn’t much older than them. She probably hadn’t been doing this very long.

‘You do know about throw-backs?’ Maggie continued.

‘What’s that then?’ asked Pierre LaFontaine.

‘Look,’ continued Maggie. ‘Kaleem can’t help the way he looks. Occasionally, genetic information comes through from generations ago. Before Terrestra became a One World, there were several nationalities that had skin which tanned easily and fair hair. The Swedes, for example. They coped less well with the cave life and gradually died out.’

‘Sounds like a vegetable!’ sniggered Erik.

‘Hey, Kaleem’s a turnip!’ laughed Stuart.

Kaleem slumped down further in his seat.

‘What do you mean different nationalities?’ asked Rozia.

‘Well,’ began Maggie. ‘There used to be ….’

Suddenly the large datascreen lit up. The face of  Rajud Hepman, the coordinator of their schooling group, appeared on the screen.

‘Miss Johnstone,’ said Rajud. ‘A word, please. Students, you may dismiss early.’

Maggie blushed deep red now. Rajud Hepman’s voice sounded stern. A shame; she had been trying so hard to be fair to everyone.

‘Throw back!’ scoffed Erik as made their way to the transports.

‘You going straight home?’ asked Pierre.

‘Yes, but I want to walk,’ answered Kaleem.

‘You’re strange, man,’ said Pierre. ‘It’s cold out there!’

‘But I like the fresh air!’ replied Kaleem.

Pierre’s teeth were chattering.

They both knew the real reason, though. Kaleem just didn’t want to go back home. The colours up here were such a contrast to the grimness of the caves and they were so much more alive than the ones on the screen of his dataserve. No, he never wanted to leave the cosiness of the cave, but once he was out, he never wanted to go back down.

The two boys made their way across the square towards the park. There weren’t many people about today. Just an older looking man, who seemed to stare at the two boys.

‘He’s a bit creepy,’ said Kaleem.

‘No, he just thinks we’re nuts for being out here,’ replied Pierre.

‘So why’s he out here then?’ asked Kaleem.

‘Cos he’s nuts as well?’ suggested Pierre.

Kaleem shrugged. He stared at the old man. Although he was still quite a distance away, Kaleem could tell that he was staring back. Kaleem shivered.

‘Come on then,’ said Pierre. ‘It’s too cold to stand still. He’s probably getting near to switch-off.’

Kaleem watched the man turn and start walking away from them. The park was deserted now. Most people just did not stay outside for very long. They preferred the controlled, even temperature inside the buildings.

The grass in the park was damp, and there were dried leaves covering the paths. They crunched underneath their feet.

‘Breathe that air, man,’ shouted Kaleem. ‘It’s rich, rich, rich!’

‘It hurts if you breathe too hard!’ laughed Pierre. ‘Look, I’m getting frost bite here. I’m going to hop on to a transporter when we get to the other side.’

As soon as they arrived at the station, a transporter glided in humming and hovered gently as its doors opened. It was one of the old ones that used to run through the caves. There weren’t many people in it. People preferred the quieter ones with the seats which moulded themselves to you to give the maximum comfort. They would let these relics from the below-ground life go by.

‘Coming?’ asked Pierre.

Kaleem went to get on. Stuart Davidson and Erik Svenson were grinning sickeningly though the window of the carriage that stopped in front of them. Rozia was with them.

‘I think I’ll walk,’ muttered Kaleem.

‘Suit yourself,’ said Pierre. ‘Only don’t blame me if your fingers fall off!’

The doors of the transporter slid shut. Pierre waved. Rozia smiled at him. Erik and Stuart were whispering. They pointed at him and laughed. Just as well he couldn’t hear it. It was probably not at all nice.

The transporter vanished. Pierre was right. It was cold. But he just couldn’t have faced those Muppets. Perhaps he should log a request for another transporter?

No, that would mean he would be back in the caves within minutes. If he walked, he would have at least half an hour ‘outside’. It was good to see so much colour.

Kaleem set off. He walked smartly and that kept him warm, though the ends of his fingers were numb with cold.

They ought to bring back gloves, he thought. They’d had them before the poison cloud arrived. But nobody bothered enough with outside. Only the people whose job it was to maintain the new parklands and gardens. They wore gloves all right. But those were to protect their hands from spiky plants and dirty soil, not to warm them.

Kaleem’s thoughts soon turned from gloves to the questions which always bothered him when he had time to think. Why did he and his mother live in the caves? Why were they so poor? Why wouldn’t she go out? She had no contact with the outside world. She never used the movie screen and she only used any of the communication systems for essentials - ordering food and discussing Kaleem’s schoolwork. Where and who was his father? Why did he look so different from the others? He was different. He felt different…as if he knew some things and understood some things about which the others hadn’t even the seed of an idea.

All too soon, he was at the mouth of the cave. He cursed himself for forgetting to enjoy the view. He took a last look round. It was getting dark now, and even the outside colours were beginning to fade to the similar monotones that surrounded him inside the cave. The setting sun was glorious though. Pink cotton wool clouds floating on a sea of gold. Even though they had a skylight in the apartment, and even though the plastiglass had been replaced with veriglass, it wasn’t the same, seeing it from the inside, as it was seeing the whole of the sky in one go as he could now.

Kaleem stared a few moments and watched the sun fade completely. He was about to go down in the artificial blue light and pale concrete of the caves when he saw someone move in the distance.  They moved slowly and deliberately, obviously someone quite old. Was it him again? Whoever it was stopped and turned and waved to Kaleem. Kaleem shivered again.

Minutes later he was opening the door of their apartment.

‘Hey Kaleem,’ called his mother. ‘How was it?’

He daren’t answer that one truthfully.

‘Ok,’ he called. ‘You should see the sunset! That’s why I’m so late. I had to watch it all the way down.’

‘I saw it,’ she replied.

She was pale. A little too pale perhaps. It must be because she spent all of her time in this dull apartment. And she worried. He knew that she didn’t sleep well at night. He’d heard her prowling about.

‘So, what happened at the meet?’ She stared at him from her dark circled eyes.

‘Oh, usual stuff,’ mumbled Kaleem. Usual arguments, usual hot air about nothing. ‘Some people just don’t have anything sensible to say.’

He remembered the conversation about the Swedes and turnips. He couldn’t help smiling to himself. Of course, it was a pain, putting up with certain people’s interpretation of that, but yes, it was funny, if he was like a Swede, or maybe, even a turnip….

Then he remembered then what had happened to Maggie Johnstone.

‘Mum, do teachers ever get fired? For saying the wrong thing?’

‘Mmm?’

‘Well she was saying something about the Old Times. When there were different nationalities. All because they were having a go again about my hair.’

‘Oh, Hidden Information,’ she said. She paused, and stared out in front of her, a deep frown cutting through her forehead.

What was she thinking about now?

She shook her head. ‘Anyway, why do you want to know about that?’ she asked, looking straight at Kaleem now.

He told his mother more of what had happened.

‘Well, I guess Rajud Hepman will at the very least take her off the programme for retraining,’ said Maria.

That was a real shame. Maggie Johnstone was one of the most straightforward adults Kaleem had ever met. He was sure he was learning something with her.

‘Well, sweetie,’ said Maria. ‘I’ll get something to eat. Why don’t you relax a bit while you wait?’

But Kaleem didn’t want to relax. There was something he wanted to check out.

He went to his room and told the dataserve to come on. He asked for information about other planets. He wanted to know just exactly what was so special about Terrestra and the people on it.

At least that’s allowed, he thought. That’s not Hidden Information surely? Only about other nationalities before we became a One World planet.

He wondered for a moment about Hidden Information. He was certain that some of the people in his group used it. He’d heard one or two whispering about it. What was it, really? What did it do to you if you got hold of some of it?

‘Request denied,’ sang the tinny voice of his dataserve after a lot whirring and chuntering to itself.  No matter what Kaleem asked, the only information he could obtain about any other planet was its size, the name of its inhabitants, what the planet produced and which other planets it traded with. Nothing about what the people were like or what they believed in. No mention of trading with Terrestra, of course. That’s what the seminar at the meet had been about today.

The smell of leek, potato and quimnet soup wafted into his room. He hadn’t realised just how hungry the walk back to the caves had made him. He started to set the machine to stand by.

‘Supper’s ready,’ shouted Maria.

Kaleem was about to command the dataserve to close down all programmes, when a Wordtext file suddenly appeared on the screen. It looked like complete gibberish, with words he could not understand, though he had mastered Wordtext four years ago. This was not Terrestran English. In fact, it appeared not to be English at all. Apart from the odd word here and there, and over and over again,  Peace Child Project.

It must be a mistake, thought Kaleem. It’s probably meant for someone else.

‘Hey, not hungry then?’ Maria called out.

Kaleem stared for a few seconds more at the screen. The file was still loading. Then he made his way to the communal space. The machine carried on working.

The Propehcy Underground Chapter Four

Marijam stuffed four old ripon tunics into the overnight case. She picked up the pretty pearl and gold jewellery box her aunt had given her. That, with other bits and pieces her aunt and grandmother had given her might be more useful as currency in the Z Zone than Terrestra credits, until she managed to get a false credit account.

She had briefly also thought about trying to make her way to the Citadel, where the Elders lived. She had heard rumours that they could be kind, and they would often help Normal Zoners who got in to some sort of trouble. But she had no idea how to get there. That would have meant delving into even more of the Hidden Information. At least she knew where the Z Zone was. Somehow, she thought, that was just as well. She deserved the poverty of the Z Zone more than the luxury of the Citadel.

She obstinately refused to let Louish help her with the packing. She said she wanted to get her thoughts straight about the Northern Lights Project. Louish had been taken in.

Neither of her parents mentioned Gabrizan’s disappearance again, nor how pale she looked. Oddly enough, over the last day or two, the nausea had all but disappeared. Just a hint of it now and then. Perhaps it was the shock.

Well, she was dressed smartly enough for a science project interview. She was wearing a  newer, plain tunic. She washed her hair carefully and some of the shine came back. She didn’t look too bad in the mirror, even though she still felt completely drained.

Better keep up appearances, she told herself.

The pearl necklace her grandmother left her bought her some Hidden Information. If anyone found out, she would probably have to go to prison for the rest of her life. She shuddered when she thought of her meeting with the Ambassador, as he called himself. She would have sworn he was actually a Z Zoner, but one who spent an awful lot of time in the Normal Zones. He’d been so easy to find, too. Well, she’d known all along that some of the other kids in her social group sometimes accessed Hidden Information just for a bit of a laugh.

But it was nothing to laugh about. What she found out sickened her. She was almost grateful to the authorities for keeping that sort of information hidden. She had just two choices. She could give birth to the baby. That would be painful and could even kill her. Or she could get rid of it. That wouldn’t be all that pleasant either and was just as risky.

Both meant disappearing into the Z Zone. No-one in the Normal Zones would help with either. She would go there to get the help of the Z Zoners in delivering her baby, not in getting rid of it. It was Gabrizan’s baby. This would forever change her way of life and there would be no going back.

Marijam shivered as she thought of the Z Zone. She had found out more about it from the Hidden Information. She had already known that people who could no longer live in ordinary society were sent there. Until she’d got the Hidden Information, though, she had not known that Z Zoners did not have enough food, light and clothing. She had not realised that they had few dataserves and that any technology they did have was years out of date. The only concession they had to modern Terrestran life was a completely normal diastic system. The population there was getting thinner - maybe one day it would die out altogether. Would it though? she asked herself. Wouldn’t there always be misfits who needed hiding away?  She flinched as she remembered what she had found out about birth control in the Z Zone. They had a full Stopes programme going on there. Not even Z Zoners got pregnant these days. But they also rarely made it to the hundred years and switch-off. They didn’t die of illness. They became tired, literally worn out, or they starved. They did die, the old way, and the average age for death was forty-five.

Marijam bit her lip when she remembered what it had been like getting that Hidden Information. No wonder they kept all of this from normal people. It was horrific.

Marijam looked around the room which had been hers for as long as she could remember. She had just a little more space in her bag. What else should she take? Then she saw it. Another gift from her grandmother. Oma had given it to her on her switch-off day. It was a book, a children’s picture book. Most stories were told in super-four vision these days, but this antique was beautiful. She found it hard to decipher the old-fashioned text.  She knew the story off by heart, though, and she loved the pictures. She quickly flicked through the finely detailed paintings of the tower leading up to the sky. She loved the puzzled expressions of the people who found that they could not understand each other after they had tried to reach God.

Marijam heard her parents in the entrance hall to the apartment.

‘Are you coming?’ called Louish.

‘You go ahead, I’ll catch you up later,’ replied Marijam, trying not to let her voice tremble. It was really scary to think that she would never see her parents again.

The vacuum doors closed. Marijam stuffed the book into her bag. She took one last look around her room.

‘I’m sorry, Mum, Dad,’ she whispered.  She thought about what might happen to her father after she had left. Would they allow him to carry on as a service head, if he couldn’t even deal with his own daughter? Just as well that he didn’t know why she had left.

Then she too walked out of the apartment.

The lifts to the surface had long queues to them. People chatted excitedly and jostled one another to get to the front of the queue. They won’t half feel dizzy, thought Marijam, when that real air hits them.

She decided it would be easier to get to the Z Zone across the top. The tunnels were so complicated underground. Many of them were blocked where roofs had caved in. The authorities had decided not to repair them. They didn’t particularly want Z Zoners mixing with ordinary people.

I hope they’re not going to spoil everything, she thought. It wasn’t going to be the same with everyone else sharing the outdoors. Oh, it wasn’t going to be the same without Gabrizan.

The lift stopped. A door had been set into the tube which went across the surface. People streamed out. Marijam enjoyed for a few seconds the thrill of breathing real air. But she was used to it, unlike the people around her. They looked dazed. Some clung on to pieces of rock. Others sat down on the ground. One or two were taking great gulps of air. Some medical workers walked about.

‘Don’t breathe too fast,’ they advised. ‘Don’t stay more than ten minutes. You’re not used to the changing temperatures or the natural mix of air.’

‘Isn’t this something?’ Marijam heard one woman say. ‘I’m so glad it’s happened in our life time.’

‘It’s a miracle,’ replied the man at her side.

Marijam put her hand to her tummy. I suppose this is a miracle as well, she thought. Only I think I’m off miracles.

Someone suddenly tapped her arm. She jumped.

‘It’s amazing, isn’t it?’ said a too familiar voice.

Marijam turned to see Ponty Davidson. ‘Yes,’ she replied, ‘though it makes you feel funny, doesn’t it?’ I hope he can’t see I’m already used to it, she thought.

‘Will you walk a little way with me?’ asked Ponty. His breathing became shallow.

‘I, er I think,’ stammered Marijam. ‘I think I need to go back in. I’ve already been out quite a while.’

She walked away from him, back towards the opening in the tube. She stopped at the entrance and turned to see what he was doing. He staggered a little and one of the medical workers came up to him. She watched him sit down as two of the medics now spoke to him. Then, his head was down between his knees. It was safe for her to go now. He would not see her.

She set off again. She went behind Ponty and the two medical workers. He was recovering. She must hurry. She quickened her step.

‘Marijam,’ she heard Ponty call. ‘Where are you going?’

She pretended not to hear. She walked faster and faster until she was almost running. The ground became rougher. She would have to be careful. But she didn’t stop until she could no longer hear the crowds. She turned once more to look. No one was following and most people seemed to be making their way back to the open tube.

She sat on a rock at the side of what was left of the road. She took out the map she had got from the Hidden Information. This was scary, oh so scary. I need to go south she thought. She looked up at the sun. It was high in the sky and straight ahead. One of the old twenty-third century roads could still just about be seen.

Well, this is it, she thought. She lifted her bag on to her back. She couldn’t walk too quickly across Terrestra’s broken surface. Yes, she was following the old E723 Super Highway. There were bumps and cracks everywhere and places where there was no road left, only a patch of mud. Sometimes the road had caved in completely and Marijam had to climb in and out of a huge hole.

You never know, she thought. This might hurt the baby and then there might not be a problem anymore. Then she felt ashamed of thinking that. After all, this was Gabrizan’s child who was growing inside her.

A couple of times she sat down to rest. She was able to use the mini compu to tell her the direction. She knew, though, that soon she would be in the area which was not mapped by Standard Information.

Then one time she sat down and pressed the button on the mini compu. The screen was completely blank.

That’s it then, she thought. I’m on my own now.

The sun was beginning to set. Marijam studied the map again. The Logan cave must be another couple of kilometres from here. Then she would be in the Z Zone.

Marijam felt as if her heart and her stomach were chasing each other as she trudged along those last two kilometres. Once she went into that cave, there would be no going back. She could still change her mind now and go home. Explain everything to her parents. Surely her father would find a way out? No. It would ruin his career as well. Better this way.

It was completely dark by the time she arrived at the cave. A faint pink glow came from the entrance. Marijam could hear a soft noise. Was it their old mechanical machinery? Were they managing better now that the surface air was breathable again?

Marijam followed the tunnel which led down underground. She could see where the pink glow came from. The pathway was lit with strange burning lights. She supposed it was some sort of gas. There had been nothing about that in the Hidden Information.

It was cold in the caves. The ground was uneven, not like the solid floors of the normal zones. It was mainly made of dirt, with some bits of natural rock here and there. She suddenly remembered her first climb to the surface with Gabrizan. The path to the exit had been just like this. A pain that was almost physical shot through her as she thought of Gabrizan. Then something else happened. Her womb seemed to contract. Then there was a real pain.

I’m going to lose it, she thought. I shouldn’t have done this.

The pain stopped almost immediately. There was a strange tickling sort of feeling, like tummy butterflies, but a little lower down.

‘You’re moving,’ Marijam whispered as she put her hand over her stomach.  Gabrizan’s child was moving. So this had been the right thing to do.

The noise of the machinery grew louder. Marijam could also hear people’s voices. Her heart started crashing into her ribs now.

‘Sorry, baby,’ she muttered. ‘I don’t want to scare you, but I’m terrified.’

Marijam heard a sudden movement at the side of her.

‘Hey, what’s this then?’ a gritty voice rasped.

A gloomy figure stepped into Marijam’s path. The smell was the worst. She found it hard not to vomit again. This was what the unwashed must smell like, something she had never experienced before.

‘What do you want, then, little rich girl?’ snarled the man, wiping his hand on the dirty torn tunic.

A second figure came forward out of the shadows. This time it was a younger man. He was just as dirty as the first, and his brown tunic was made of the same rough looking material. But he didn’t seem to smell quite so much. His face looked a bit kinder too.

Marijam could not move. She wanted to run, but she could not get her legs to do what  she asked them. Even if they had moved, she knew she would not be able to get far. She was too tired.

‘Well?’ asked the first man, grabbing Marijam’s arm so hard that she could already feel the bruise forming. ‘Why have you come here? Running away from something are you?’

‘Look, I’ve got some things you can have,’ stammered Marijam, pointing to her bag which was beginning to slip from her shoulders, ‘if you’ll let me stay.’

‘Go on then, get it open!’ shouted the first man, pulling the bag away from her and gesturing to the younger man.

The younger man took the bag and began to empty its contents on to the cave floor.

‘You won’t be needing those here,’ commented the older man, as the younger one piled up the few tunics she had brought with her.

‘No, you’ll be much too cold,’ said the younger man more kindly.

‘That’ll do!’ cried the other man. He snatched the jewellery box.

‘Hey, wait a minute, Franck!’ cried the younger man.  ‘Take a look at this.’ He was holding the picture book. His rough hands were thumbing through the pictures.

‘My God!’ replied Franck. He also now started pawing at the book. ‘Does this mean…?’

The younger man nodded.

Marijam wanted to scream out to him to be careful. How dare such a brute touch her precious book.

Franck’ face was white and there were now beads of sweat on his forehead.

‘Do you really think this can have happened to us?’  asked the younger man.

Marijam didn’t have time to think what this might all be about. The two men quickly bundled her things back into her bag.

‘Ianus, we’ll have to get her to the wise woman,’ hissed Franck.

‘Well, we’d better get a kartje,’ replied Ianus. ‘We can’t risk  anything happening to  her. She looks exhausted already. We can’t expect her to walk any further.’

‘Right,’ said Frank. ‘You sit down there, Miss. Ianus will be back soon.’

The smell was still quite disgusting, but Marijam felt a bit more comfortable now. They seemed to think she was something special. Goodness knows what that was all about, but it was helping. And she was tired. Oh, so very tired. She closed her eyes. She could hear Franck breathing, but he didn’t seem inclined to say anything. When she opened her eyes again, he was staring at her and frowning slightly.

Ianus came back a few minutes later. Then Marijam realised what a kartje was. It was something from the last century. A type of small cart which hovered a few inches off the ground. She didn’t think there were any of those left.  And she thought they had been called carrels. But then, this was the Z Zone. Anything could happen.

Ianus helped her into the small vehicle.

‘You’ll still have to hold on,’ he warned. ‘It can only keep about twenty centimetres off the ground, so it still goes up and down a bit’

Franck climbed in behind them with her bag. Ianus moved the controls, and soon they were rushing forward a little above the ground. There were some uncomfortable twists and turns and quite a few jolts where the ground suddenly dipped away or rose up.

Occasionally they passed groups of people who were working with their hands or on old pieces of machinery. They all wore the rough-looking tunics and had the same leathery skin. Some of them stopped their work and stared at Marijam.

‘Watch out! We’re on important business,’ Franck would call.

Ianus frowned at him.

‘We ought to keep quiet about her really,’ he said. ‘Make out that she’s nothing special. See what the old one says first.’

Marijam was beginning to feel very sleepy. This place was cold and uncomfortable. The people looked rough and it was clear that life was very hard for them. She wouldn’t have chosen to live here if she’d really had any choice. The thought of giving birth actually terrified her. If only she could have told her parents what had happened, or, better still, Gabrizan.

But she was beginning to feel safe. These two rough men seemed to accept her, seemed to have been waiting for her, almost. She had no idea why they thought she was important. But whatever it was, it was just helping her to be accepted and she thought she ought to be grateful.

The kartje stopped in front of a doorway which seemed to lead into a natural cave.

‘Old woman!’ called Ianus.

The door of the cave opened slowly. A woman stood in the frame. Her silver hair hung loosely over her tunic, almost reaching her waist. She peered at Marijam, a slight frown on her forehead.

‘Ah,’ she said. ‘So you’re here. I see you have the Book. At last. Come, we have been expecting you.’

The old lady’s eyes pierced into hers. Marijam wanted to run away. But she knew that all she could do was follow the woman slowly towards the door. Ianus and Franck went to follow her. The old woman put out her hand up to stop them and shook her head. Ianus handed her Marijam’s bag.

Marijam shivered. But this time it was excitement, not fear.

The Prophecy Chapter Three

This just did not happen. Not in the thirty-fifth century. There
was no need for it. It was barbaric.
No matter how she tugged, the tunic would not close at the
back. She couldn’t bear anything touching her breasts. She
couldn’t even bear touching them herself. And this horrid feeling
every morning, and sometimes at other times of the day. This
feeling of fullness, of something wanting to get out, then her
throat filling with the foul-tasting liquid, which forced itself out
of her mouth.
Gross! She thought as she looked at the contents of the lavatory
pan.
It wasn’t supposed to happen anymore, either. But the diastic
monitor had not been able to adjust the water supply this time.
The alarm bell rang – the first one to ring for over two hundred
years.
Marijam shuddered as she remembered. She was alone then
and managed to disconnect the machine before it relayed its
information to central control. She started to do her own research.
It was called vomiting. It used to happen when there was
something wrong with the digestive system. Nobody had things
wrong with their digestive systems any more.
She’d found out just the day before. Vomiting also used to
happen often in the first stages of pregnancy in the old days when
babies were gestated in a human womb, not in artificial incubators
as they were now.
Surely she had received the Stopes treatment as a child? She
rechecked her medical record. Certainly, it was there. And surely
Gabrizan had done the same?
So how had this happened? She must talk to him. Last night
was the first time she hadn’t seen him since that first time at the
Waterfall when he had kissed the back of her neck, sending ripples
of excitement through her…

Gabrizan had had his interview yesterday for the Northern
Lights Project. He had had to stay overnight at the Nuffield Centre.
Would she hear something soon?
On cue, the dataserve kicked in. There was an important message
for her. She held her breath.
Her father’s picture came on to the screen. He had his official
face on. It was probably being broadcast to everyone, then, and
not a personal message.
Marijam didn’t know whether she liked him most when he
was just being Dad or when he sat there as now, looking wise and
dignified and seeming a whole ten centimetres taller.
‘Well Miss Kennedy,’ her father’s official voice spoke. ‘Good
news. You are invited for interview to join the Northern Lights
Project as a research student. On successful completion of your
Part 1, you would be able to proceed to becoming a full research
fellow.’ Frazier Kennedy then grinned. ‘Well done, sweetie,’ he
beamed.
He really looked happy. For a few seconds Marijam felt
pleased as well. Then that uncontrollable wave of nausea came
again. She ran towards the bathroom.
Just in time, she managed to bend her head over the toilet.
The vile orange fluid came up again.
This is really gross. But really, thought Marijam. This can’t
be happening. Why hasn’t the Stopes programme worked?
She must find Gabrizan. Perhaps he would know how this had
happened. Was it something to do with him?
Pull yourself together, lady, she said to herself as she made
her way back to her room. You’ve got some important business to
sort out here.
The dataserve whirred.
‘Downloading joining instructions for the Northern Lights
Project interview,’ said the tinny metallic voice.
‘Relate,’ said Marijam.
‘Your interview will take place on Level 6, Lab 10 at the Nuffield
Centre,’ she read. ‘Please report 15.30, Day 79, 3500. A

transporter pod will be sent to collect you at 14.00. Please bring
overnight bag. Interview procedures take 24 hours.’
Lab 10! That was where Gabrizan had had to go yesterday.
Perhaps he would be going back there? Perhaps they would be
able to work together. If she was allowed to work at all, of
course, now.
What was she going to do? Was she some sort of freak that
the Stopes programme wouldn’t work on? Or Gabrizan? Should
she tell her parents?
She couldn’t. How could she tell that their daughter was a
misfit, a quirk of nature?
At least Gabrizan was due back this evening. How she was
going to tell him she couldn’t begin to think. But it would be
good to see him.
She didn’t look too bad in the blue velvet tunic. It was the
best colour for the moment. The only one that didn’t make her
look even greener. But it still wasn’t a pretty sight that greeted
her in the mirror. Her hair seemed to have lost most of its shine.
There were dark circles around her eyes. She had not been able to
sleep well for the last two nights. Her face was white.
What will he think? she asked herself.
Marijam felt dizzy as she made her way up the rungs in the
tube. She was used to the fresh air now, but feeling so ill and
worried seemed to make her unsteady. Even so, it was still a thrill
to breathe the natural atmosphere and taste the delicious green
smell. It would be good to see him. Even if she did have to give
him this unbelievable news.
She arrived early. That gave her time to sit and think about
what she should say to Gabrizan when he arrived.
The sound of the Waterfall was soothing somehow. She was
so looking forward to seeing him, despite everything. Everything
seemed so much more alive up on the surface. The running water
moved on its own. The water channels in the caves were driven
by motors. It smelt so different, too. She dangled her hand into
the pool that formed at the bottom of the fall. It felt silkier than
her finest tunic. The soft breeze, moved one of the ferns so it

looked as if it was waving to her. Shoots of green which were
coming up through the now much browner earth. And it was just
eight weeks since the poison cloud had lifted. What was it going
to be like when the others came up to the surface in two days’
time? She was going to have to pretend she was surprised too.
It began to get dark. Marijam shivered. Where was Gabrizan?
It wasn’t like him to be late. She was beginning to get cold. It
hadn’t been this cold before up on the surface. The sun was going
down rapidly now. Some clouds were forming on the horizon – the
first ordinary rain clouds since the poison cloud had disappeared.
Marijam decided to walk a little way up the path which led
from the base of the waterfall to the cliff above. It must have been
a natural path, because it was still easy enough to walk along,
even though no-one had been along it for over 1200 years – apart
from when she and Gabrizan had been up there a few days ago.
She just loved the view from up there. She could stare for hours
at the pink and grey rock which was getting a lace-like coating of
green.
By the time she reached the top, though, the sun had gone all
together. The clouds were so thin and scanty it was still possible
to see the night sky. But she couldn’t see land like she had the
other time.
Marijam sat and stared at the stars. They were so clear and
bright compared with how they had looked from behind the plastiglass
and further dulled by the poison cloud. Time never seemed
to matter to her and Gabrizan when they were out there.
Only it wasn’t ‘they’ tonight. It was just ‘she’ now. Marijam
shivered again. She pressed the controls on her wristband. 20.30
already. He had never been this late. In fact, he had never been
late. Now it was more than an hour after the time he’d said he
would come. Why didn’t he use the mini compu? Was he so far
away that he was out of range? Perhaps being outside made a difference.
Marijam wasn’t so sure she liked it out here so much now that
she was on her own. It was getting colder and colder. She touched
the button of her compu.

‘Gabrizan Taylor 0051,’ she said, after the tinny voice had
asked whom she wanted to contact.
‘Unavailable,’ squeaked the robotic voice. Not out of range.
Nor occupied. Just not available. His interview was taking longer
than they had expected. Oh she hoped he would get on the Northern
Lights Project. And that she would, too. It would be great to
work together.
Except there was just this one little problem. Well, no it was
actually quite big really. Another wave of nausea passed through
Marijam. She knew that this time it was not to do with that
strange biological change that had taken place in her body. Not
directly, anyway. It was because she didn’t think she could face
the other changes which were about to happen.
She shivered again. Well, it was obvious she wasn’t going to
see Gabrizan tonight. He just must have got held up at his interview.
It was almost a relief not to have to give out this dreadful
news tonight. Even though she missed seeing him.
Marijam was quite glad to get back inside. It was more frightening
and less of an exciting adventure to go out there alone. She was
feeling tired as well. Perhaps she would sleep better tonight, now.
The lights were on in the communal room of the Kennedy
apartment when she arrived back. Both Frazier and Louish Kennedy
were sitting there in silence. Their faces looked grim.
‘Well, did you see him?’ asked Frazier. Marijam had never
heard him sound so angry.
‘Did he turn up for you?’ he demanded. ‘Because he sure
didn’t turn up for his second interview!’
‘We tried to get you on the mini compu,’ said Louish. ‘Only
we couldn’t get through.’
Marijam wondered whether it had been because she was outside.
But then her compu had communicated with the centre. Perhaps
it could get to the centre but no further…or perhaps they had
called just as she was trying to call Gabrizan.
‘He’s a waste of space,’ hissed Frazier. ‘We’d set up a really
expensive programme for him. No-one else could do what we had
in mind for him.’

Then Marijam realised what her father had just told her. Not
only had Gabrizan not turned up to see her this evening, he had
not turned up for the second part of his interview. He had disappeared.
He was gone. She was on her own now.
The nausea came again. She managed to mumble something
about being tired, and hurried off to her room.
She just made it to the bathroom in time. Now it came as a relief
to throw up the heavy feeling out of her stomach. As if she
was giving way to all the tension that was inside her.
She came back from the bathroom and collapsed on to the
bed. The tears started. She could hear her parents’ muffled
voices. She couldn’t hear what they were saying, but that her father
had sounded angry and her mother concerned. She heard the
door open and her mother say, ‘Can’t you see how pale she
looked? That boy has hurt her.’
Marijam closed her eyes. Then there was nothing. Just blackness.
Marijam hoped she might never wake up.

Chapter Two The Prophecy

The stranger was walking over towards them.
‘Hi, you guys,’ he said. ‘Can I introduce myself? Gabrizan
Taylor. I’ve just come in with my folks. My old man’s involved
with the Cloud Project.’ He shook the hands of those people
nearest to him.
How cute, thought Marijam. Where on Terrestra did he learn
that?
Gabrizan stretched his hand out towards her. Marijam was annoyed
to find herself trembling slightly. She felt as if her chest was
going to burst. Her cheeks flushed bright red. This time not because
she was embarrassed or felt uncomfortable. This was exciting. Even
so, she was glad that it was too dark for anyone else to see. Two
deep blue eyes met hers and she felt as if she was being drawn in.
Before she could take his hand, though, Rainer interrupted.
‘How come you’re here, then?’ he asked. ‘I thought the Cloud
Project was based in Melbin.’
Gabrizan appeared thoughtful for a second or two.
‘Well’, he said suddenly, ‘you can hardly see the Northern
lights that far south. If that’s what they are. Both of my parents
are here to investigate them.’
‘Will you be schooled through Project 57?’ asked Sadie.
‘I think so,’ said Gabrizan. ‘It’s similar to the Alexander Project
we did down there.’
‘Oh, I hope they’ll put you in our Social Unit then,’ said
Sadie.
‘I guess they will,’ said Gabrizan, smiling warmly at Sadie.
‘They suggested I came here.’
Marijam’s fingers were pressed into her palms. Hands off,
he’s mine, she thought, trying to catch Sadie’s eye.
The excitement was growing in the Laguna. People were now
squashed up against the dark walls of the cave. Marijam sipped
her nectar slowly. As the sweet liquid smoothed the back of her
throat, she began to feel like she belonged.
21
Gabrizan was deep in conversation with Rainer now. She
could not hear what he was saying, but they were both frowning.
Every so often one of them would shake his head or rub his chin
thoughtfully, occasionally looking up at the big screen and pointing
to something.
Probably trying to work out what has been happening, she
thought. She wanted to join in but knew that if she tried she’d be
tongue-tied as usual. And anyway, it was actually quite nice just
sitting there watching him. His blond hair and his brown skin fascinated
her. She couldn’t help noticing how tall he was.
‘Hey,’ said Sadie, ‘what are you staring at?’
‘Oh, nothing,’ said Marijam, going red again.
‘You don’t fancy him do you?’ asked Sadie.
Marijam turned away from Sadie. She was certainly not going
to answer a silly question like that.
She was facing the two boys directly now. Gabrizan waved
and smiled. She just about managed to smile back.
I hope I don’t look stupid, she thought.
She saw Gabrizan mutter something to Rainer. Both of them
looked at her again. Rainer gestured with his hand towards her.
They’re talking about me now, she thought and tried to get
away, but she was hemmed in. Gabrizan was walking straight towards
her. Rainer stayed behind, and Sadie rushed straight towards
him.
Thanks, Sadie, thought Marijam. She couldn’t cope with this
sort of thing. She wanted the comfort of her room with the skylight
and the dataserve.
A hand was held out across the table. Marijam leant forward
to take the hand. She was trembling.
This is ridiculous, she thought. I’m behaving like a complete
idiot.
The handshake was firm. She wasn’t used to people her own
age shaking hands with her. And even an adult’s hand had often
been limp and damp.
‘I’m Marijam Kennedy,’ she managed to say surprisingly
calmly. ‘I’m on Project 57’.
22
‘Hello, Marijam Kennedy,’ said Gabrizan slowly. ‘I’m really
glad you’re on Project 57. That’s where I’ll be schooled. Let’s
hope they have a meet soon.’
He’s flirting with me, thought Marijam. He’s flirting and I actually
think I like it. But I don’t know what to do.
He was smiling at her now, his eyebrows slightly raised.
Suddenly the News screen sprang into life, and filled with her
father’s face.
‘This is a special announcement for all seniors,’ he was saying.
‘What has happened tonight is of monumental importance
and is going to change dramatically our way of life on Terrestra.’
Frazier Kennedy paused. People gasped. Some reaffirmed their
opinion that what had happened tonight was something to do with
the poison cloud moving. Others also speculated what had caused
that to happen. When everyone had quietened down again, Frazier
continued.
‘Obviously you will wonder what I mean by that remark and
you will no doubt have many theories about what actually happened
tonight. What has happened is much too important to discuss
via a News screen. Therefore, all seniors are to return to
their homes immediately and be ready for a meet in their normal
Project Room at 9.00 a.m. sharp tomorrow. And allow plenty of
time for the journey. Everyone else has also been called for a
meet at their work centres. The transport systems will be overloaded.
But don’t worry, and sleep well. It is just good news.’
The screen went blank again. There was silence at first. Then
some students pushed towards the exits. Others got in their way
as they lingered behind, unwilling to be sent home when there
was so much to talk about. Gabrizan stood to one side as Marijam
struggled out from behind the table. He walked behind her as she
turned towards the door. He kept close to her most of the way towards
the transporters. The crowds left them little other choice.
She didn’t want to turn and look at him. That would have seemed
so rude. But she knew he was at her side all the time. That made
her feel proud, as if she were royalty, and she was sure everyone
was looking at her.
23
I am being ridiculous, she thought.
‘This is where I leave you,’ said Gabrizan, as they arrived at
the A Transporters Deck. The grey platform was crowded. Already
she could hear the high-pitched whirring of one of the
steel-nosed jet-trains. The usual swish of air as the machine hovered
near the platform told her she was going to have to leave this
fascinating person very soon.
‘Save me a place at the meet if you get there before me,’ he
added putting his hand gently on her back. ‘And if I’m there first
I’ll save you one.’ He smiled and winked.
Marijam felt a big lump in her throat.
‘See you tomorrow then,’ she managed to just about whisper.
* * *
‘You look very smart today, sweetie,’ said Frazier Kennedy.
Marijam plucked nervously at the edge of the navy tunic.
‘Not that you need to dress up. You’ve inherited your
mother’s good looks,’ her father continued. Then he laughed,
looking at himself in plastiglass window as the private transporter
pod they were using sped though the dark tunnels. ‘You certainly
didn’t get them from me.’
If only you knew, thought Marijam.
She had had no trouble feeling wide awake this morning, despite
not getting to bed until well past midnight, and then being
too excited to sleep for most of the night. She had dressed really
carefully today, something a bit better than the grey ripon tunic,
but nothing too showy. She was fairly confident that the well-cut
navy suede-effect tunic was just right. And she knew exactly why
she had made an effort with her appearance.
There was just one other person in the room when Marijam
arrived at the room designated for her group’s meet. Her heart
started pounding as she went through the door and saw him.
Gabrizan signalled with his head that she should sit next to him.
She felt herself blush again.
‘It certainly seems clear out there,’ he said as she sat down.
‘Have you had a look yet?’
24
She hadn’t actually. She realised she hadn’t bothered looking
through her skylight when she got back the night before. She had
had other things on her mind. She shook her head.
‘Anyway,’ said Gabrizan, leaning back into chair, his arms
jangling limply at his side and his legs stretched out in front of
him. ‘I want to know all about you.’
As the others arrived, Gabrizan punched questions at her.
‘Do you have any brothers and sisters?’ he asked.
‘No,’ she replied. ‘I’m an only child. What about you?’
‘Just one sister. Is it as good as they say, then, being the only
child?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know really… it’s a bit lonely sometimes…’ she answered.
‘Makes sense. There couldn’t be another as gorgeous as you.’
Marijam felt her cheeks start to burn. She tried to be polite
and ask him similar questions back, but his answers were dismissive.
His home was fairly ordinary. He wanted to know about her.
And he seemed to find her answers so interesting and delightful
that she really began to feel important. His eyes smiled at all of
her answers.
Soon the room was full. The dataserve’s tinny voice proclaimed
that all students on Project 57 were present. Frazier
walked into the room.
‘Right, folks,’ he began, ‘you will be pleased to know that the
speculation was correct. The poison has indeed dispersed. Every
single trace of it has vanished and in one night of astounding
electrical activity. We are not quite sure how or why it happened
yet, but the main idea we have so far is that some strong force
entered the cloud and seeded it, just like they used to in the twentieth
and twenty-first centuries.’ He then showed them pictures of
rain clouds over the African mainland from the year 2005. Small
primitive aircraft had flown into them dispersing chemicals,
which helped the clouds to release their moisture. ‘The case is a
little different here,’ he added. ‘Something has set up electrical
charges within the cloud. We believe it is from a type of metal
not found on Terrestra, as we have already tried this with every
25
metal known on Terrestra. This has discharged the poison from
the cloud. That was what produced some of those glorious colours
you saw last night.’
Marijam noticed that Gabrizan was now sitting forwards on
his seat, his knuckles white as he gripped the sides. There was a
slight frown creasing his forehead. Marijam caught his eye and he
relaxed, flashing her a wide smile. His eyes danced again for a
few seconds, but then the concentration came back.
Frazier was now showing pictures from the night before.
‘You are a very privileged group,’ he said finally ‘to have
witnessed something like this in your final year of schooling.
There are five research places now open to students of Project 57.
Anyone interested can apply through InterEducation as usual.’
Everyone sat in silence for about ten seconds, then everyone
started talking at once. Questions were shouted out without the
normal order and discipline in a school meet – especially when
the Head of Education was there. Frazier Kennedy did his best to
answer them, but even he was not his usual unflappable self.
For a short while Marijam forgot who she was sitting next to.
Even Gabrizan seemed less important than the news they had just
been given. So the poison cloud was gone after all that time, and
it had gone so quickly in just one night of the most fantastic light
display she had ever seen.
‘Are you going to give it a go?’ asked Gabrizan, now sitting
back in his chair again, and pulling her out of her day dream.
A little thrill of excitement ran through her as she looked at
him.
‘I think I’d like to,’ she managed to say. There was a strange
lump in her throat and she thought her voice came out a bit
squeaky. She was really interested in the project, but she was fascinated
by him.
‘Well, I’m going to,’ said Gabrizan. ‘Hey, don’t you think it
would be good for the two of us to work together? Maybe we
could take on a joint research project. It would be a great Part II.’
Wouldn’t it just? thought Marijam. Especially if I was doing it
with you.
26
‘Will you meet me later?’ asked Gabrizan, as they were about
to leave the seminar room. ‘There is something I think you would
really like to see.’
‘Oh, just one thing,’ called Frazier Kennedy as the students
started to make their way towards the exit. ‘No-one will be allowed
up to the surface for a while yet. We need to carry out
further tests, then get it ready. We’re pretty sure it’s safe out
there, but we must be certain. We think the strange metal entered
Terrestra’s atmosphere randomly, but we have to be sure
that it was not fired or planted there by people from another
planet. Also, it will take some getting used to the outside air.
Anyone caught going out before the all-clear is given will be
dealt with severely. Everybody needs to get used to the idea
anyway. But,’ he paused. There was a twinkle in his eye.
‘Some of the outer plastiglass comes off the windows straight
away.’
‘Intersection Q5A. Seven fifteen,’ Gabrizan whispered.
Marijam turned to see Gabrizan walking away from her. He
waved and grinned.
* * *
‘Well all I can say is,’ said Louish Kennedy, looking at her
daughter in the silver silk, ‘he must be a pretty important guy.
I’ve never seen you look so well-groomed. It’s good to see you
get away from that dataserve a bit as well.’
‘It’s the new chap, isn’t it?’ said Frazier, grinning
hugely. ‘That’s okay by me. He’s quite a man. Got his application
in for Project Northern Lights already. And it’s looking
good!’
Already? thought Marijam. How on Terrestra had he managed
that? She would have to get cracking. But not tonight. She briefly
thought of the chaos she’d left in her bedroom. All of her tunics
were strewn across the bed. It had taken forever to decide what to
wear, and even now she wasn’t sure. But it was time to go. The
silver silk would have to do.
* * *
27
Marijam had never been to Q5A or even to this side of town before.
It was right where this cave network ended. A transporter
system could take you to the next network, but it would usually
take a long time for one to arrive.
There was something dull and tarnished about the caves here.
They looked as if they had not been cared for in a long time.
Marijam was so nervous that when her arm brushed one of the
sides, she sprang away, startled.
‘Leave me alone!’ she shouted. It had only been the bare rock,
though. She put her hand on its surface. It was cold and clammy.
Obviously, it had not been dehumidified and damp-proofed like
the other cave networks she knew.
‘You look gorgeous,’ said a voice. Marijam jumped again.
She hadn’t seen him there, standing in the shadows.
‘Thank you,’ she managed to remember to say.
‘Come on,’ he said. ‘You’ll find this unbelievable.’
‘Where are we going?’ she asked.
‘Don’t be frightened,’ he said. Could he see how much she
was shaking? ‘Nothing’s going to hurt you.’
She followed him along the cave path. It was really rough just
here. There were loose rocks, which you couldn’t actually see, all
along the pathway. Marijam tripped several times. Once, she fell
to the floor, grazing her hand.
‘Are you all right?’ asked Gabrizan, moving towards her. He
sounded concerned.
‘I’m fine,’ she said, quickly getting back up before he could
help her. She wasn’t really. Her hand was throbbing. But she felt
too embarrassed to admit that she was hurt. He might think she
was clumsy.
What a silly time to wear a silk tunic, she thought.
It was really hard to walk. And it was so dark here. She supposed
it was because they were so close to the edge of the cave
network. Every so often, Gabrizan turned to see whether she was
still coming.
‘Nearly there,’ he said, as they came to a real bit of cave
where it was even more difficult to keep going.
28
‘Here,’ he said a few minutes later as they arrived in front of a
steel door.
Gabrizan took a strange looking object out of his pocket and
started to work at the door’s lock with it.
‘What’s that?’ asked Marijam.
‘Have you not seen one before?’ Gabrizan was not looking at
her. ‘It’s a just a little gadget I always carry with me. It’s especially
good for opening stubborn doors.’
In seconds the door was open. Marijam realised what was
happening. She remembered her father’s warning about how it
might not be all right outside and how people would be punished
if they were caught.
Gabrizan turned to face her.
‘It will be all right. Really, it will. Trust me.’
Marijam’s mouth went dry. The shaking became worse.
Gabrizan was still staring at her. His eyebrows were slightly
raised as if he was asking a question. He smiled slowly. Of course
she could trust him!
‘I’ll be behind you all the way,’ he said. ‘It’s only a few metres
up here. But you might feel funny when the air hits you.’
Carefully, Marijam stepped on to the first rung of the metal
ladder. She made her way up slowly. She was afraid of what she
was going to see at the other end. Gabrizan didn’t say anything as
they went up, but she knew he was behind her and that reassured
her.
‘We’re half way there,’ he said suddenly. ‘Just another twenty
rungs to go.’
Marijam could feel the air on her face now. It felt like the way
the water from the cooler tasted. Of nothing, but cool and fresh.
Everything seemed to be jumping around and she couldn’t focus
her eyes on anything.
‘Careful,’ said Gabrizan, gently. ‘Don’t breathe in too much
at once. You’re not ready for the natural mix yet. There’s actually
more oxygen out here than in what they pump through the caves.’
How does he know? thought Marijam. How can he know it’s
that safe?
29
Marijam couldn’t help feeling excited, though, as she came to
the top of the shaft. She felt even dizzier as she let go of the rungs
and pushed herself onto the surface of Terrestra. There was something
soft and powdery beneath her hands. Pink dust.
‘It’s been scorched,’ said Gabrizan, coming up behind her.
She was glad he was there. It made her feel safe. ‘It will soon be
green again, though,’ he added. ‘Now that the poison cloud’s
gone, they can bring the plant life back.’
‘How long do you think it will take to come back?’ she asked.
After all, the cloud had arrived gradually. No-one had realised at
first. But she remembered from her history lessons that the plants
had started to die and then people started to cough and choke on
the bad air. The authorities at the time had decided to get everything
that lived underground. Would it come back just as gradually?
Gabrizan shrugged.
‘I guess it’ll take a while,’ he said. ‘Oh, but just look at that,’
he said, pointing towards the dark blue sky.
Marijam stared at the stars. They seemed so near, and she
could see so far. A bright moon was shining. It seemed to Marijam
brighter than the sun usually was. There was no plastiglass or
rim in the way. A breeze tickled her neck. There was the faint
scent of something a little familiar but which she could not name.
‘What’s that?’ she said.
‘What?’ asked Gabrizan.
‘That sort of green smell,’ she replied suddenly realising it
was what the greenhouses smelt like, only not so overpowering.
‘I wonder…’ He grabbed her hand.
Gabrizan walked rather quickly. Marijam found herself slipping
on the pink powder. It was so different from walking on the
special surfaces in the caves. Each step took longer as she kept on
sliding back. Soon she was out of breath.
‘We’re nearly there,’ said Gabrizan.
Marijam could hear water rushing. It sounded like a huge tap
running. The ground beneath them had stopped being soft and
had now turned into solid rock. It was hard and cold beneath her
30
feet. Gabrizan stopped suddenly. Marijam shivered. Gabrizan put
his arm around the waist and held her closer.
‘Look,’ he said.
In front of them a waterfall tumbled over the rocks.
‘Can you see it?’ asked Gabrizan.
Marijam looked to where he was pointing. Nestled in the
rocks were a few strands of green.
‘That’s what you could smell,’ he said, ‘ferns which have
lived despite the poison cloud.’
Marijam breathed in deeply. She could taste the air. There
was something sweet about its dampness, and underneath a taste
of something like fresh salad. The breeze danced around her
cheeks again.
‘How did you know it was here?’ she asked Gabrizan.
‘I’d seen there used to be a waterfall on the map,’ he said.
‘And when we noticed the green smell, I guessed it was still
there.’
Marijam bent down and touched the ground beneath her. Its
hardness and rough surface startled her. She drank the air, swallowing
mouthfuls at a time. She looked up at the sky again. She
had never seen so much sky. She had never seen its blueness
properly before. The poison cloud had always cast a grey
shadow.
‘It is so amazing,’ she said quietly. ‘So… it’s hard to describe…
well, alive, I suppose…’
But there was something else.
Marijam turned to face Gabrizan. He was staring at her, his
eyes wide open.
‘What I see is also fantastic,’ he murmured.
Marijam suddenly felt uneasy. Yet tingles of excitement ran
up and down her body. Gabrizan touched her face gently.
‘You’re so beautiful,’ he said. Then he laughed suddenly.
‘Come on,’ he said. ‘We’d better get back. Being outside for
the first time is too much of a shock.’
But Marijam knew they would be back. Oh yes they would!
Outside was definitely good!