Chapter 13: Behind the Scenes
Two days later, Lily arrived at the Enforcer Headquarters to speak with Eugene. Eugene was sitting confidently behind his desk when Lily entered his office.
‘Good morning, friend,’ said Eugene with a broad grin on his face as he gestured towards a chair on the other side of his desk. ‘Make yourself comfortable. My enforcers brought this new chair in for you. It has extra back support.’
‘Good morning, Head Enforcer Eugene,’ replied Lily as she sat down on the fancy new chair. ‘Thank you for making me feel so welcome.’
‘It’s the Downs way,’ replied Eugene in a chirpy tone. ‘Everyone is welcome here.’
‘Such an amazing culture,’ said Lily as she opened her eyes as wide as she could. ‘You’re such an amazing Head Enforcer. I’ve never felt so comfortable and safe in a region before.’
‘I try my best to follow the example of our legendary first Head Enforcer,’ replied Eugene as he pointed at a photograph of the Downs Region’s first Head Enforcer, Jonah, which was hanging on his wall.
‘Very impressive,’ said Lily. ‘He’s almost as handsome as you.’
‘He didn’t have my hair,’ said Eugene as he raised his eyebrows up and down excitedly.
‘So, how may I help you?’ asked Lily.
‘Looks like Jennifer is back,’ said Eugene. ‘I’ve been told you have a history with her. Anything you want to tell me.’
‘Oh my!’ sighed Lily. ‘I played a role in Jennifer’s creation, but she was only meant to help troubled juveniles. Dr. Crane took her development a little too far, and she evolved into a threat. I don’t think she could have survived the destruction of Cellrebrum and Dr. Cortex’s death.’
‘I think she’s in Polly,’ replied Eugene. ‘She’s a suspicious robot-type character.’
‘Polly admitted that Jennifer operated in her brain,’ said Lily. ‘Even though Jennifer is gone, she probably left an imprint in the robot section of Polly’s brain. This might have given her a split personality.’
‘Ha, so she’s a whack job,’ said Eugene, shaking his head.
‘I am fearful that her volatility could put our emperor at risk,’ said Lily.
‘Looks like she needs to spend some time in our Hotel Prison,’ said Eugene as intensity grew in his eyes.
‘Polly is a cyborg and not a regular Sapien,’ replied Lily. ‘We have qualified experts who can fix this problem in her robotic brain.’
‘Suspicious characters fixing suspicious cyborgs,’ said Eugene as he raised his eyebrows.
‘Henders is already looking into her problems, and Hermon is willing to add his expertise,’ said Lily. ‘How about we put her offline until we are sure she is safe to operate.’
‘Sounds like a good approach, friend,’ replied Eugene. ‘Henders is fitting in very well. He has the Downs spirit in him.’
‘Excellent!’ said Lily, smiling. ‘Anything else I can help you with.’
Eugene stared at Lily with a blank expression on his face. He was thinking about what Vulay had said, and then he thought about Louis’ suspicious behaviour. He was not quite sure how to articulate his ideas.
‘Well, if you have any further questions, you know where to find me,’ said Lily as she got up and left Eugene’s office.
Flint had arrived at the cult’s underground city. He was taken into the temple to meet with Angelo and Julio. Angelo was sitting behind his table; he was decorating a large chocolate cake with pink icing.
‘I see you got our message,’ said Angelo in a chirpy tone.
‘Kidnapping is a very serious offence,’ said Flint firmly.
‘Yes, it is indeed,’ replied Angelo as he squirted more icing on the cake. ‘It’s almost as bad as slavery.’
‘I suppose you would know a lot about that,’ sneered Flint.
‘You are a guest in my city,’ shouted Angelo. ‘Show us respect and we will treat you in kind.’
‘I’m not here to cause hostility,’ replied Flint in a more subdued tone. ‘I’m here for your… for your… other guests.’
‘That’s splendid,’ said Angelo as he returned to his chirpy tone. ‘I’m making them this cake. I hope they like pink. It’s one of my favourite colours. You’re welcome to have a slice.’
‘Thank you,’ replied Flint. ‘You are most generous.’
‘Does that mean you don’t think we’re crazy terrorists anymore?’ remarked Angelo as he put down the piping bag he was holding.
‘It’s not what you think,’ said Flint, sounding nervous.
‘You mean you’re not lying about us so that you can extort wealth, goods, resources and sundry from the other underground cities!’ said Angelo in an angry tone.
‘We negotiate to keep the peace,’ said Flint as his voice began to quiver.
Angelo stared angrily at Flint for a few seconds and then burst into laughter.
‘Don’t stress yourself,’ said Angelo in an upbeat tone. ‘I like you. I despise your brother, but I like you.’
‘You’re one of the most interesting leaders I’ve ever met,’ said Flint in a more relaxed tone.
‘He is the High Philosopher!’ shouted Julio as he suddenly turned towards Flint. ‘You will show him the utmost respect. You petulant inbred fool.’
Flint jumped back in shock, almost falling over.
Both Angelo and Julio burst out laughing.
‘He doesn’t say much, but when he does, it has impact,’ chuckled Angelo. ‘I’m so sorry. We’ll stop with the teasing.’
‘Yes, please do,’ said Flint in a nervous but slightly relieved tone.
‘Just playing to the scary reputation you’ve graced us with,’ chuckled Angelo.
The door opened, and Orcilla and Yassmay entered the room.
‘My two special guests have arrived,’ chuckled Angelo in a slightly sinister tone. ‘How did you enjoy the torture chamber?’
‘My arms grew five inches,’ said Yassmay in a zombie-like voice. Then she shapeshifted her arms so that they dropped to her ankles with blood rolling down her shoulders.
‘Oh good grief!’ exclaimed Flint as he backed himself up against the wall.
Angelo and Yassmay burst out laughing. Orcilla chuckled a little, and even Julio smiled.
‘So everyone is fine?’ asked Flint in a slightly shocked tone.
‘Well, everyone but you, it seems,’ chuckled Angelo.
‘In that case, I would like to bring these two lovely ladies back with me,’ said Flint in a more composed tone.
‘Who are you?’ asked Yassmay as she turned to look at Flint.
‘I’m sorry, where are my manners?’ said Flint, nodding. ‘My name is Flint Alset, the younger brother of Miro Alset.’
‘Hey, we were looking for you,’ said Yassmay excitedly. ‘Denise thinks very highly of you.’
‘How’s Daily?’ asked Orcilla firmly. ‘Is he being treated well?’
‘He was badly injured in the crash, but he’s recovered now,’ replied Flint.
‘How about Emily?’ asked Yassmay in a concerned tone.
‘Was she the technician in the vehicle?’ asked Flint.
‘Yes,’ said Yassmay.
‘I’ll have to ask,’ replied Flint sharply. ‘Actually, you can ask if you come with me.’
‘We’re not going with you,’ said Orcilla firmly. ‘We’ve made arrangements with the High Philosopher.’
‘I promise no action will be taken against you for the stunt you pulled,’ said Flint.
‘I pulled no stunts,’ said Orcilla angrily. ‘I don’t ask for forgiveness or any clemency.’
‘Then what do you want?’ asked Flint.
‘I want the Downs residents to be treated fairly,’ said Orcilla firmly. ‘I want them to have their homes back.’
‘I feel this is all just a misunderstanding,’ said Flint.
‘If that’s your response, we’ll do things our way,’ said Orcilla aggressively as she walked closer to Flint.
‘Fine, I have a proposal,’ said Flint nervously as he stood back. ‘We’ll meet you outside the construction site, and the captain will show you around.’
‘Would that captain be Cecil?’ asked Angelo as he stood up.
‘Yes… that’s him,’ said Flint cautiously.
‘I imagine you must wonder why Commander Volo does not speak,’ said Angelo as he looked at Orcilla.
‘Yes, I do,’ replied Orcilla. ‘I didn’t feel it appropriate to ask.’
‘Tell them why that’s the case,’ demanded Angelo as he turned to look at Flint.
‘I feel this isn’t the right time to raise this matter,’ replied Flint sheepishly.
‘Four years ago, Captain Cecil and his convoy had a run in with Commander Volo in the tunnels,’ said Angelo as he turned to look at both Yassmay and Orcilla. ‘He decided he did not like a response given by Commander Volo. He thought it was appropriate to have his guards remove Commander Volo’s tongue. Does that sound like a fair account of what happened?’
‘He was overzealous,’ replied Flint. ‘He was severely reprimanded, and I assure you he has changed his ways.’
‘He’s disgusting,’ said Orcilla as she stared at Flint. ‘Keeping him in any position of authority reflects very badly on you.’
‘My brother values him,’ said Flint as he lowered his head.
‘You’ll never stand up to your brother,’ scoffed Angelo. ‘How can we make any deal with you?’
‘I swear I offer peace, and so does Miro,’ said Flint. ‘If it makes you feel more secure, you can bring your guards when you meet Captain Cecil.’
‘Julio, escort Flint to the next room,’ said Angelo as he frowned at Flint. ‘I would like to discuss Flint’s proposal with Orcilla and Yassmay in private.’
Julio led Flint into the next room.
‘Captain Cecil is dangerous and vile and cannot be trusted,’ said Angelo firmly to Orcilla.
‘I can see that,’ replied Orcilla. ‘However, this meeting is our best chance to find out more about what’s going on.’
‘It’s all smoke and mirrors,’ said Angelo, shaking his head. ‘If they play nice, they will show you what they can control. It’ll look different than what it is.’
‘I understand,’ replied Orcilla. ‘However, the alternative is almost certainly confrontation.’
‘I’ll support whatever you decide,’ said Angelo. ‘You’re a good leader.’
‘I want to meet with them,’ said Orcilla.
‘In that case, I’ll provide you with fifty followers for protection,’ said Angelo. ‘Commander Volo will observe from the air.’
‘Thank you so much for your support,’ said Orcilla, nodding.
‘I feel it is best if Yassmay remains here,’ added Angelo.
‘You want me to miss out on the action,’ moaned Yassmay.
‘He’s right,’ said Orcilla. ‘I think you need to sharpen your flying skills.’
‘Sure,’ replied Yassmay, shaking her head.
Angelo pressed a button under his desk, and Julio and Flint re-entered the room.
Angelo looked at Orcilla and nodded.
‘We’ll meet you and your captain,’ said Orcilla. ‘We’ll come with fifty of the High Philosopher’s followers. You will give us unlimited access to inspect the site and speak with Downs residents and technicians. If all goes well, we will meet with Miro and Hamish in the Downs Region to discuss what comes next.’
‘That sounds reasonable,’ replied Flint. ‘I swear we will do everything to accommodate you the best we can.’
‘Wonderful!’ cheered Angelo. ‘Now, let’s get stuck into this cake I made.’
‘Hmm, I like the colour,’ remarked Yassmay as she smiled cheekily at Angelo.
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 