The party died with the tired participants, one by one, finding a cubicle and going to sleep. Margie and Tim talked a while longer.
“Where’s your girlfriend?” Margie asked.
“She’s got a lot to sort out so she wanted to be alone,” Tim answered.
“This is a hard time for a young girl. Does she have any family?”
“They were all killed.”
“I thought something had happened. I saw a lot of pain in her eyes. Maybe I can help,” Margie offered.
“Maybe you can? I feel so bad for her. A lot of bad shit happened to her, and it’s like she doesn’t want to forget about it.”
“Maybe she can’t yet because it takes time so I’ll try to be her friend, and maybe I can do some good. I can’t promise, but I can try. Hey, and I’m sorry about being so forward and talking so much,” Margie said, “but it helps keep my mind off things, you know, to be a flirt. Besides, you’re eating it up, right?”
“You noticed huh?”
“Sure did, and I hope you didn’t mind the Timtown thing, but it does have a quality ring to it, don’t you think?”
“You mean if my name was Harry, you’d have thought of something else?”
“You bet, Harrytown? Get serious!”
“Ha, ha, still it’s a little embarrassing,” Tim confessed.
“You’ll get over it, but, I’m pooped, so good night. Tomorrow I want to see more of this place, okay?”
“You got it.”
*
Tim staggered back to the forest. He stood looking over the great expanse which was still in its artificial night. He wasn’t in any shape to go looking for Ann so found the way down, then collapsed unto the cool grass.
*
Tim was awaken by something poking in his nose. When he opened his eyes they responded with a stab of pain shooting back into his brain.
Hangover! It was his second, and he suddenly remembered his first. A chill went down his spine. He closed his eyes and squeezed them tight, trying to push the hurt out, but it didn’t work.
“Smells like you drank a few beers, Timmy boy,” Ann announced, standing over him with a small stick.
“A few too many, I now realize,” Tim returned. “Well, at least I had fun last night. Wait a minute, I’ll bet Mr. V has something for a hangover. He must have a cure for something as simple as this.”
“Is there anyone else in this place?” Ann asked.
“Here in the base, is that what you mean?”
“Is there anyone else in this place, besides us?” Ann asked again.
“Yeah Arty, Sims and—”
“No, no, I mean beside them,” interrupted Ann.
“I don’t think so. Mr. V’s always said he was alone before I came. Why, did something happen?” Tim jumped to his feet.
“No, nothing happened. I was just wondering if that Mr. V, whatever the hell he is, is alone here?”
“I think so, but why the wondering? Is something scaring you?”
“No,” Ann answered.
“Then what’s up?”
“It’s strange, I’m not sure I can explain it,” she continued.
“You can try.”
“Last night, I walked a long way into the forest. Oh Tim, have you been in there?”
“Yeah, sure.”
“Well, I was in there, and it was really dark. I should have been scared, but I wasn’t. I was lost, I had no idea how to get back and I still wasn’t scared. It’s really strange. I would never roam around Mountain Cove, at night, by myself like that.”
“It’s why the forest is here,” Tim commented.
“Huh, I don’t get you?”
“Remember when you first came inside?”
“Yeah.”
“Okay, remember when you were touching the walls, when we first talked to Mr. V?”
“Yeah, they were so neat.”
“What did you feel?” Tim asked, happy Ann was finally showing an interest.
“They were so soft and beautiful. Were they real plants?”
“Bingo! How did you feel?”
“Ah, I don’t know? What do you mean, how did I feel?”
“Why did you keep touching them so long?”
“They felt good.”
“No, that’s not it. They made ‘you’,” Tim pointed at her, “feel good.”
“That’s what I said,” Ann said quickly.
“No, no, look the walls are plants, yes? And they feel good, and they are beautiful, but the plants here are here for a reason, to soothe, to calm. That’s why you weren’t scared in the forest.”
“Oh that’s nuts, I didn’t like walking through that date grove when I’d take the shortcut from the shopping center, and they’re plants.”
“The plants in this place are advanced to what we’re used to,” Tim explained.
“Oh don’t start that evolution bullshit again. Did you know there are bunnies out there?”
Tim hesitated because he had never seen any wildlife in the forest, but he remembered he had told Mr. V about how much Ann liked rabbits. He wasn’t going to spoil it for her by telling her they were probably machines. Nor was he going to get into an argument about evolution. Even before the earthquake, when they had been real close, it had been a dead issue. She would not accept the notion that she was related to monkeys in any way shape or form.
“There is any animal you can think off in here,” Tim stated.
“Oh come on, it can’t be that big,” Ann declared.
“I’ve seen a six foot dragon fly, and a Tyrannosaurs Rex.”
Ann just looked at him with her patented, ‘don’t be pulling my leg face and posture’. “No shit. How big is this place?”
“I don’t know. I was only here a few days. It’s unbelievable though. ‘Arty’!” Tim jumped to his feet. “Have you seen Arty yet?”
“No, I haven’t gone anyplace.”
“Let’s find him,” Tim said, as he rushed toward the edge of the forest.
*
When they had gotten to the control chamber, Tim contacted the computer.
Mr. V assured them Arty was doing fine and he would be along soon, and he would be under his own power.
Chapter 10
Retribution & Regret
“Did you hear that, under his own power! ‘Fantastic’!” Tim yelled. “Man, I’ll bet he’s feeling gaarreat!”
Tim suddenly remembered his own head wasn’t feeling so good. He confessed his sin to Mr. V who laughed and said he could help. A platter floated out of the wall in the customary way and on it was a small pill and a pistol.
“What’s that for?” Ann snarled when she saw the gun.
“Oh, I think it’s just a joke. Remember, I told you he thinks he has a sense of humor.”
“Well, I don’t think it’s funny,” Ann said.
*
The pill for the hangover was starting to take effect by the time Tim and Ann had made their way to the living quarters. Sims and his people were mostly up and looking much better.
“Good morning Mr. Sims,” Tim said.
“Call me Hal, please,” he returned.
“Okay Hal. Could you and your group stay put just a little while longer, then I’ll show you around, but first some breakfast.”
“How can you come up with all those things, like ice cream and beer?” Hal questioned.
“Mr. V records everything,” Tim answered.
“What’s that got to do with making ice cream?” Hal questioned.
“He knows about everything that goes on. He records radio, television, telephone, internet, military, and everything else. How the hell he makes all the stuff, I have no idea. I’m fairly new here too.”
“Isn’t there anyone here? Where did all this come from?”
“It’s a long story, but I’ll tell you later. You’ll love it,” Tim said as he winked at Hal.
“I’ll bet!” Hal returned.
Margie appeared and walked up to them. “Head goin
g bong, bong, this morning?” she said to Tim.
“It was, but I got a magic pill. Do you need one?” he asked her.
“Oh no, I’m tougher than that because I’m a big girl.” She squeezed Tim’s arm and gave him a look that made him weak.
Tim looked around, quick, for Ann, but she had moved over to where the children were playing.
“How’s the girl this morning, what’s her name?” Margie asked.
“Ann, and she’s better,” Tim said happily.
“Tricky, unpredictable are we women. We can change just like that.” Margie snapped her fingers, her face became serious, and she looked Tim straight in the eyes. “And, when the strong ones want something, they can usually get it.” Her direct stare made him uncomfortable. Just as he was about to look away, her face broke into a big grin. “Scared yeah, didn’t I?” she said with a laugh.
“No, I always randomly break out in a sweat like this,” Tim returned.
“You’re okay, we’re going to get along fine.” She patted his shoulder as she passed him, on her way to where Ann and the children were.
“I think she’s taken a real liking to you,” Hal said.
“I wonder what she wants?” Tim commented.
“Maybe you, she’s a passionate women, I’m sure. You’re so young and innocent though, but I envy you. Great looking lady, and what legs,” Hal said with a snicker.
“What a way to go, is what you’re trying to tell me, huh?”
“Oh, you’ll probably live through it, but just in case, how do we survive in here without you?”
“Would you like to accompany me on the grand tour?” Tim asked.
“I thought you would never ask,” Sims said excitedly. “This place really doesn’t have a name?” Sims added.
“You know, I never asked,” Tim answered. “Hey, Mr. V, what do you call this place?”
“It is called Timtown,” he replied.
“Very funny,” Tim returned. “I mean what did the Sooaunts call it?”
“Whuc Seaacki.”
*
Tim explained how he had found Whuc Seaacki and a vague outline of what else he knew. He was vague because he didn’t understand fully, and there was no sense in scaring anyone.
“You know, I had a funny feeling about what was up here,” Hal said. “I’m sure that intuition or something made me camp right outside, but nothing good happened and we started to run out of water. Then some sickos found us. Thank god for Margie because she scattered them, but they were regrouping when you came along. Anyway, when you put on the little show down below, I knew right where you were headed. Sounds strange I know, but it’s the truth. I knew you were coming here, and something told me you would help us.”
“Mr. V,” Tim said.
“What about Mr. V?”
“I’ll bet you were brought here, just like I was.”
“You think so?”
“It would be a safe bet.”
“Maybe he’s a humanitarian at heart?”
“Let’s hope so.” Tim looked at Hal with a serious look.
“Sounds like you’re not sure. I thought you were a little uncertain when you were trying to explain this place.” Hal understood what Tim was implying.
“Another long story. You took quite a chance Hal. What if I had been one of the bad guys?” Tim had changed the subject.
“I had no other choice because we needed help and we needed it fast. Besides, it was apparent you wanted to be left alone. You weren’t looking for trouble; that was apparent too. And, you were coming here, so what else could I do? When you showed up down there you gave us some time, and if you’d gotten in here without us, we’d have been finished.”
“It really bothers me; so many people have turned into scum. I mean, preying on the helpless. My god, what ‘a bunch of shit’. What happened to turn them into animals?”
“The scum’s always been here Son; the situation just allows them to be what they’ve always been. With no controls they can run at will. There’s a lot of good people still out there, don’t forget that,” Sims said as he moved over to the small boy that with him. “This is my son Jeremy. Jeremy say hello to Tim.”
At first the small boy said nothing, but just moved his head around staring at the inside of the chamber. After many moments, he looked toward Tim, but sort of through him, and finally said, “Hellllloooo Timmmma.” The boy had a faraway look in his eyes, and the words were spoken with a strange difficulty.
“Jeremy is what we call an autistic savant,” Sims explained. “At first you don’t expect much from him, but when you least expect it, he can astound you.”
“Jeremy, what do you think of where Tim has brought us? Is this okay for you?” Sims asked, but the boy wandered off without any acknowledgment. The boy was maybe ten, maybe older because it was hard to tell. His movements were inconsistent and it was apparent his developmental growth had been affected.
Sometime later, while Tim was telling Sims about the base, Tim heard the boy giggling and talking in a strange gibberish. He looked to the right, and there was Jeremy standing against one of the walls covered with the plants. He had his hands out with the palms flat against the green foliage of the plants. He was making strange sounds like he was talking to the plants. He would emit the strange language, then stop and appear to listen. Tim walked over and observed the child close up. The boy did not seem to notice Tim and continued his deep involvement with the wall. It was apparent something was happening between these strange little plants and this strange little boy.
Sims had followed Tim over and spoke. “I have learned to take Jeremy serious. In the few years he has been with us, he has baffled and amazed me many times. He lives in a different world than we do. I used to feel the pain, the pain a parent feels when his or her child is suffering, but the longer he’s here, the more I’m convinced it’s our world that’s backwards.”
They left the little boy and headed out to explore more of the base. Tim continued to explain what he knew of the base as he and Sims walked. They arrived at the first chamber and Tim offered Hal one of the large chairs from the original inhabitants.
“Who the heck did this belong to?” Hal asked as he flopped into the oversized seat.
“The people who built this place, they were quite tall.”
“Oh boy, I wouldn’t want one of these guys mad at me,” Hal stated.
“They’re impressive all right.”
“How do you know? I thought they were all gone?”
“Mr. V has a model he likes to walk around in, sometimes, showing off,” Tim said.
A small bright orb appeared, floating off to the side, and Hal questioned Tim about it.
“I don’t know? Mr. V, what does this mean?”
“There are many persons at the entrance, fifteen to be exact. They’re looking for the way in,” the computer said.
“What do we do?” Tim asked.
“Nothing, it is not necessary. There is no way they can get in,” Mr. V returned.
“Who are they?”
“I have no way of knowing, but I don’t think they are friendly. They appear to have slaves.”
“What?” Tim shouted.
“Take a look,” Mr. V said.
The orb expanded into a three-foot round hologram in front of Tim and Hal. In the hologram a group of five men and two women were down in the pool containing the entrance. Up along the trail a couple of more men stood guard over six pathetic figures huddled together in the hot Sun.
“Why the hell do those bastards have to abuse someone like that?” Tim pounded a fist into the other palm.
“They are uncertain about their futures, maybe?” Mr. V answered.
“What’s that got to do with being cruel?” Tim stated.
“I think what Mr. V means, is they’re scared, and fear can make weak people do strange things,” Hal added.
“That is what I meant,” Mr. V said.
“Can I rescue the prisoners?” Tim asked.
> “You’re in charge,” Mr V said.
“I was asking for your permission?”
“You don’t need it. It’s your job to make the decisions concerning what goes on outside.”
“I know, I know, it’s not in your program! As far as the job thing goes, what’s the pay?” Tim asked.
“Room, board, and all the beer you can drink,” Mr. V returned.
“Ah, the beer sounds good, so why don’t you join us tonight?” Tim asked.
“Wouldn’t do me much good because I’m a machine remember. I can’t get drunk.”
“You can fake it. I know, we’ll stick your finger in a wall socket, that’ll give you a thrill,” Tim chuckled.
“I think I’d rather fake it. Now don’t you think you should get on with your good deed?” the computer asked.
“Yeah, I’m really looking forward to messing with the bullies. I need a flaming red protection suit with a helmet to match?”
“There is no need to change the suit because it changes colors, remember. I will produce the helmet now.”
*
One of the men was standing at the beginning of the crevice, facing away, as Tim came through the force field. The man knew none of his group was behind him and when he heard Tim he spun around with his rifle at the ready. When he saw Tim in the red suit he let out a horrendous scream and dropped his weapon. The man was frozen with fright, as Tim raised both his arms horizontal and approached him with robot like motions. The man fainted.
By now the rest of the intruders were alerted, and one came running toward Tim. Tim stepped out of the crevice and into the open. The man was at the bottom of the pool when he caught sight of Tim. His mouth dropped and he turned to run back up the slope. In his haste he lost his footing, pawing at the rocky incline in desperation, but to no avail. With arms and legs flailing he slid back ending up at Tim’s feet. The terrified man turned pure white, as Tim put him out with a stun.
A blast struck Tim in the back knocking him forward. When he regained his balance he turned to face another man with a shotgun. The man was looking at Tim in disbelief. He had hit the blazing red creature, he was positive, but now the red demon was walking straight at him, apparently unharmed. The man backed up, as Tim came toward him, and was soon pressed up against the rock wall with no place to go. The man was petrified, his eyes as big as silver dollars, his mouth working with no sound coming out. Tim stopped ten feet from him, and the man dropped his gun and started sobbing.
“If you want to live, don’t move. Do you understand?” Tim said in a mechanical voice.