Chapter 37: Family and Friends
Two days had passed since Octavius and the Sentray had left. To Freddy’s surprise, arrangements had not changed. The Downs residents remained in their new cabins. Work and recreation hours had remained the same. Walter and team foodies still prepared the food, and the technicians still performed their morning and evening dances. Most of the enforcers were camped outside the camp.
After breakfast and the morning dance, the technicians and Downs residents were told to gather in the centre of the camp. Revals, Cecil, Walter, and Freddy stood on large hay bales in front of them.
‘Today is a very special day,’ announced Revals. ‘You’re all going to become rich.’
‘Four pancakes a day coming your way,’ shouted Walter.
‘That is definitely possible, Your Imperial Highness,’ said Revals. ‘However, what I’m announcing is even better. You’re all earning a monetised income.’
The technicians applauded, and the Downs residents remained silent.
‘You need to do better than that,’ said Walter as he looked at Revals.
‘This income will let you buy many nice things,’ said Revals energetically. ‘As many cakes, pies, ice creams, donuts, and all the Masters of Wrestling tapes as you can imagine.’
The Downs resident began to cheer loudly. Both Walter and Freddy looked delighted.
‘Just enter your cabin number into your computer and then click on the big “T” icon on the screen,’ continued Revals. ‘This is your new bank account containing all your riches, which you will be able to use to buy whatever you want.’
Everyone cheered again.
‘Your account balance is going to grow because we are going to pay you every week based on the number of hours you work,’ said Revals excitedly. ‘Of course you will have a few expenses such as food and rent, but that’ll barely make a dent in your earnings.’
‘I’ll be keeping an eye on that one and you,’ whispered Walter into Revals’ ear.
‘The good news continues,’ said Revals, trying to ignore Walter, who was pressing his nose on Revals’ cheek. ‘After you have accessed your bank account, you will be able to contact friends and family back in the Downs Region. I know you must miss them.’
The Downs residents and the technicians cheered excitedly.
Meanwhile in the Downs Region, Miro was addressing the technicians and the remaining Downs residents. He was standing on the stage behind the podium. Hermon was standing on his right and Henders on his left.
‘I hope everyone is enjoying the wealth our Emperor has imparted on you,’ said Miro in a joyous tone. ‘After a week of hard work, you will notice the amount in your account has increased. Well done! You deserve it.’
The crowd cheered.
‘I have more good news,’ continued Miro. ‘I know many of you are concerned about the lack of contact with your friends and family in the camps. There is no need to worry. Our great technicians have established connections with the camps. You will be able to speak to your loved ones face-to-face for five minutes. You will be able to log in at a time allocated to you, so don’t be late.’
The crowd cheered with even more excitement.
In the West Camp, all the technicians and Downs residents logged into their computers to access their new bank accounts and to scan their faces. They cheered with joy to see the money in their accounts. After that, the Downs residents waited in their cabins and the technicians in their tents to speak with friends and family.
‘Your Imperial Highness,’ said Cecil as he approached Walter, who was sitting on a hay bale next to Hamlet. ‘Your father, His Imperial Majesty, wishes to speak with us.’
‘I don’t even know who the hell he is,’ replied Walter angrily.
‘You will speak with him,’ said Cecil firmly as two enforcers approached Walter. ‘That’s a direct order from him.’
Walter reluctantly got up and followed Cecil into a tent. Revals was already in the tent. He had set up the computer for a face-to-face conversation with Tiberius.
‘We’re good to go,’ said Revals as he pressed a button on the computer. Tiberius’ face appeared.
Cecil, Revals, and Walter stood in front of the computer so that they could all be seen by Tiberius.
‘My son, I’m so happy to see you alive and well,’ said Tiberius in a joyous tone.
‘Who the hell are you?’ asked Walter angrily as he stared at the screen.
‘You’ve always had such a great sense of humour,’ chuckled Tiberius. ‘One of the many reasons I know you’ll make a great leader one day.’
‘You sound broken,’ chuckled Walter. ‘When was this recorded?’
‘To reach your full potential, you need great mentors,’ continued Tiberius, unfazed by Walter’s remarks. ‘Both Superintendent Revals and Captain Cecil will mentor you. Revals will run the camp and construction site, and Cecil will handle all matters relating to security. You will follow their lead.’
‘You’re a nutcase!’ said Walter angrily. ‘I want to speak to Mummy, whoever the hell she is now!’
‘Take him away and put him with the others,’ said Tiberius, sounding annoyed. ‘Take no orders from him until I say so.’
‘Yes, Your Imperial Majesty,’ replied Cecil. He turned, looked at two enforcers, and nodded.
The two enforcers grabbed Walter and dragged him out of the tent. Walter struggled and shouted vulgarities.
‘I assume the battle went well,’ said Tiberius.
‘A great success,’ replied Cecil. ‘We didn’t suffer any casualties.’
Tiberius stared angrily at Cecil. Cecil began to feel a little nervous.
‘There wasn’t a battle; you just let them go,’ sighed Tiberius.
‘I want us at full strength to face the cult,’ replied Cecil. ‘The Sentray could have killed hundreds of us.’
‘They might have killed thousands of you,’ said Tiberius angrily. ‘So what! They would have been defeated. Another enemy would have been disposed of.’
‘The Grand Vizier instructed me to minimise casualties and disruption, Your Imperial Majesty,’ said Cecil in a nervous tone.
Tiberius stared at him angrily for a few seconds and then abruptly ended the call.
Cecil sighed in frustration. Then a message appeared on the screen. It read, ‘This is how you deal with your enemies.’
A few seconds later, a photograph of the killed resistance group appeared on the screen. It was followed by another message. It read, ‘Let the cult know they’ve failed.’
‘Oh, that looks horrible,’ gasped Revals.
‘That’s what a great victory looks like,’ said Cecil as he looked at Revals. ‘Soon we’ll have an even greater one.’
Cecil turned around and left the tent.
Freddy was sitting in his cabin waiting to talk to his family, but none of them logged in. The expired message appeared on the screen. He sighed in frustration. Then a fee of fifty Tibers appeared on the screen. Freddy shook his head in frustration and then left his tent.
Phillip was chatting with Scott. Hamlet, fluffy Lily, and Sapiod X were standing next to Scott. Freddy walked over to them.
‘They didn’t show up, friends,’ said Freddy, sounding sad.
‘Oh dear, they must have been busy, friend,’ said Scott. ‘I’m sure you’ll get another chance soon.’
‘I bet they’re eating,’ said Hamlet through the mind voice on her head. ‘Eugene loves his dinner.’
‘Did you speak with your friends?’ asked Freddy.
‘Oh yes,’ said Phillip, nodding.
‘Did they charge you fifty Tibers?’ asked Freddy.
‘No, I was charged a hundred Tibers,’ said Phillip. ‘My account is back to zero now, but it was worth it.’
Scott nodded, Hamlet onked excitedly, and Sapiod X began to slap his head.
Two hours later, everyone had finished their calls to their friends and family. Enforcers instructed everyone to return to the centre of the camp. Revals and Cecil were standing on the hay bales again.
‘I hope everyone had a great day,’ said Revals excitedly.
The crowd cheered joyfully.
‘Wonderful! Wonderful!’ shouted Revals. ‘Tomorrow is a new day. You need to take this energy and work like never before.’
The crowd cheered again.
‘These calls have drained your accounts,’ continued Revals. ‘We might say they’re a luxury. If you want luxury, you need to put in the hours.’
The crowd quietened down a little.
‘Have you seen Walter?’ asked Freddy, turning to Alex.
‘Yes, I have, friend,’ said Alex confidently.
‘That’s good, friend,’ said Freddy. ‘So, where is he?’
‘I don’t know,’ replied Alex.
Freddy scratched his head in confusion.
Meanwhile, in the Downs Region. The technicians had just finished their evening performance. They were delighted with the calls they had with their family and friends in both camps. The few remaining Downs residents cheered the technicians as they left the town square. Morale appeared to be at an all-time high. Confidence had been fully restored in the Empire.
Hermon was heading towards the hotel for dinner with the other members of the executive council. Benny approached him just before he entered the hotel.
‘What’s up, sneaky customer?’ chuckled Hermon.
‘I think your economic system might be broken,’ said Benny.
‘That sounds pretty serious,’ said Hermon as his eyes began to dart. ‘Give me the truth and I’ll fix it.’
‘Everyone was charged a hundred Tibers for today’s call,’ continued Benny as he sucked on the straw of his juice packet. ‘Most of the Downs residents and technicians only had a hundred Tibers put in their accounts.’
‘So, what’s the problem?’ asked Hermon, sounding confused.
‘We’re charging them a minimum of twenty Tibers a day for rent, and other daily costs amount to over ten Tibers,’ said Benny as his eyes bulged.
‘Sounds generous,’ said Hermon in a panicked tone. ‘Maybe we should charge more.’
‘That’s two hundred and ten Tibers a week,’ continued Benny as he waved his arms around. ‘We’re only paying them five Tibers an hour. For a forty-hour week, that’s only two hundred Tibers.’
‘Oh, Benny,’ chuckled Hermon. ‘They can work overtime, or we can lend them the extra ten Tibers a week. I’m going to announce the interest rate on loans next week.’
‘It seems wrong,’ sighed Benny as he contorted his face slightly.
‘Trust me, I’m a genius,’ chuckled Hermon as he entered the hotel. ‘I promise you the Empire will recover everything we pay out to these schmos and some.’
‘That wasn’t really my main concern,’ said Benny, shaking his head as he followed Hermon into the hotel.
‘You need a fresh juice,’ said Hermon as he snatched the juice packet and then tossed it over his shoulder. ‘This packet stuff will give you funny ideas.’
Hermon and Benny entered the dining room. Tiberius, Miro, Duffo, and Henders were sitting at a table. Head Enforcer and a dozen imperial guards were standing behind them.
‘Come join us, Hermon,’ called out Tiberius. ‘I’m so proud of your exceptional work.’
‘Of course,’ chuckled Hermon. ‘I am the gold standard.’
Tiberius burst out laughing. ‘Economics jokes. You were born to this role.’
Both Hermon and Benny sat down opposite Tiberius.
‘What are you doing?’ asked Tiberius in a stern tone as he looked at Benny. ‘You’re not in my executive council.’
‘I’m so sorry, Your Imperial Majesty,’ replied Benny in a nervous tone as he began to stand up. Henders stared at Tiberius; his eyes began to bulge.
Tiberius burst out laughing. ‘I’m only joking. You’re my good friend, and you’re always welcome at my table.’
Benny sighed in relief and sat back into the chair. Henders became less tense and smiled slightly.
‘I have an important announcement to make,’ said Tiberius in a serious tone. ‘I’m leaving with Grand Vizier Miro for the West Camp.’
The table remained quiet.
‘We have great leaders around this table,’ continued Tiberius. ‘Henders looks after the technicians and has gained the trust of the Downs residents. Hermon is a scientific and economic genius.’
‘True recognition from the Emperor himself,’ said Hermon loudly as he pumped his fist.
‘Head Enforcer has returned safety and security to this region,’ continued Tiberius as he frowned at Hermon, who was bobbing around excitedly in his chair. ‘Duffo has connected with the higher power and brings us all his wise words.’
‘His light shines within me,’ gloated Duffo.
‘In my absence, Duffo will rule in my place,’ continued Tiberius. ‘I’m more needed on the front lines of our next great battle.’
‘Best decision you’ve ever made, Your Imperial Majesty,’ sniggered Duffo as he looked at Miro.
‘I have full faith in Miro,’ continued Tiberius as he looked at Duffo while patting Miro on the back. ‘His leadership is beyond brilliant. My presence is to inspire confidence in the enforcers and our brave warriors.’
‘Thank you, Your Imperial Majesty,’ said Miro in a soft tone.
Duffo smiled broadly as he looked at Miro. Miro avoided eye contact with him.
Sapien Loop: Worlds Collide
Sapien Loop: Worlds Collide is the final book in the Sapien Loop trilogy. It continues directly after the events of the second book. The world above and the world below merge into one world. The conflicts in the underground world are brought to the surface. The new ruling elite attempt to crush any resistance from above and below in an attempt to create a new global empire.
Currently, three books from the series have been published on Amazon; see the links below:
All individual chapters can be found on my 