Chapter 47: The Race Is On
A day had passed since departing the underground tunnels. The cult's and West Tribes’ convoy of vehicles had reached an area of dense vegetation.
‘We’re going to have to take a detour around all of this,’ said Orcilla to both Flint and Eduardo, who was leading the cult’s section of the convoy.
‘How far and how long is this going to take?’ asked Flint.
‘This area has become far more overgrown than it was a few years ago,’ replied Orcilla. ‘We should head north-east. After the next region, I’m confident we will find a clear route to the Downs Region.
‘I have an idea,’ suggested Flint. ‘We could loop around the Downs Region and surprise them from the east.’
‘You’re a complete idiot,’ said an angry voice.
‘Demadrian, you’ve finally caught up with us,’ said Orcilla.
‘Time is of the essence,’ said Demadrian forcefully. ‘We need to reach the Downs Region first. We need to utilise it as a defensive fortress to fight them.’
Meanwhile, further south, Tiberius had caught up with his convoy of vehicles.
‘Good progress,’ said Tiberius to Miro through his radio. ‘We’re going to intercept them easily.’
‘The technicians have done a wonderful job of upgrading our vehicles to travel faster on the surface,’ replied Miro. ‘This is all new to the cult, Your Imperial Majesty.’
‘Have you managed to intercept their communication yet?’ asked Tiberius.
‘I’m afraid not; they’ve managed to successfully block us,’ said Miro. ‘They must have switched to an alternative technology, Your Imperial Majesty.’
‘This is unacceptable,’ said Tiberius. ‘We’re supposed to have the best of everything.’
‘I understand your concern,’ replied Miro. ‘I assure you. We will cut them off and defeat them easily. They haven’t even attacked the flying vehicle that’s following them.’
‘I don’t want to be met with any unpleasant surprises,’ said Tiberius as he looked across at the enforcer captain beside him, who had just opened a can of spicy beans.
‘The only ones dishing out unpleasant surprises will be us,’ replied Miro.
Another hour passed. Orcilla had spotted a clear path to get them back heading south. Demadrian had now joined Eduardo in his vehicle.
‘We have a clear path for as far as I can see,’ said Orcilla.
‘Time to hit full speed,’ said Demadrian firmly.
Eduardo smiled at Demadrian as he pressed down on the accelerator. All the other vehicles in convoy rapidly increased their speed.
The captain in the flying vehicle following the convoy immediately called Tiberius to update him on their change in pace.
‘Your Imperial Majesty, the convoy has doubled its speed, entering a long clear piece of land,’ informed the captain.
‘Damn it!’ replied Tiberius. ‘We’ll make the necessary adjustments.’
Tiberius turned to the captain, who was sitting next to him. ‘You heard what he said,’ said Tiberius in an annoyed tone. ‘Does this change anything? Can we still get ahead of them before they reach the Downs Region?’
‘No,’ replied the captain as he began typing into his phone. ‘Our current speed is too slow.’
‘How much faster do we need to go?’ asked Tiberius. ‘I need answers now!’
‘To be confident of getting ahead of them, the convoy needs to move 15 km/h faster,’ replied the captain as he looked up at Tiberius.
‘Miro!’ shouted Tiberius into his microphone. ‘I want this convoy moving 15 km/h faster.’
‘We’re moving at the maximum speed of our slowest vehicles, Your Imperial Majesty,’ replied Miro.
‘I want us moving at the maximum speed of our fastest vehicles,’ said Tiberius angrily.
‘That’ll mean we’ll leave more than three-quarters of our convoy behind,’ replied Miro, sounding concerned.
‘We cut them off, we fight them, they catch up, and help us finish them off,’ sighed Tiberius. ‘Even without them, we will still outnumber them, and we’re better equipped.’
‘As you command, Your Imperial Majesty,’ replied Miro.
The fastest vehicles began to break off to form a smaller convoy that soon surged ahead of the main convoy. Tiberius told his captain to increase the speed of their flying vehicle to keep up with them.
Meanwhile, in the Downs Region. All the Downs residents had returned to the region, and the main entrance was locked and closed. Most of the trailers from the former campsite had been moved into the region. They were now in the Downs Agriculture Zone. Lily was in the trailer closest to the outer wall. Duffo had gone back to visit her again.
Duffo entered the trailer. Lily had been cleaned up and was looking much better. Her injuries were healed up, and her ear had fully grown back.
‘You’re looking like your old self again,’ remarked Duffo as he sat down in front of her. ‘With, of course, a new, improved cooperative attitude.’
‘Long live the Emperor, whoopee!’ cheered Lily as she rolled her eyes.
‘Yes, that’s the spirit,’ said Duffo. ‘I know I can convince the Emperor that you’re fully reformed.’
‘I’m so grateful to you, Duffo,’ said Lily as she pressed her face against the bars of her cage. ‘The Emperor was truly wise to name you as his successor.’
‘Well, technically it’s Walter, but we know that’ll never happen,’ chuckled Duffo.
‘Not with his various medical conditions,’ said Lily.
‘If you continue to behave, when I become Emperor, I might fully reinstate you or even better,’ said Duffo as he raised his eyebrows.
‘Oh goody,’ sighed Lily as she leaned back against the cage.
Head Enforcer entered the trailer.
‘I told you to knock before entering,’ said Duffo angrily as he stood up.
‘You need to address the Downs residents and technicians,’ said Head Enforcer.
‘I suppose I do,’ said Duffo. ‘I wouldn’t want them to panic.’
‘I can take over this kindness session,’ said Head Enforcer as he grinned at Lily.
‘We’re done for today,’ replied Duffo.
‘Are you sure?’ asked Head Enforcer.
‘Outside now!’ said Duffo angrily to Head Enforcer.
They both left the trailer together.
‘You do understand that in my father’s absence I’m in charge,’ said Duffo firmly as he and Head Enforcer walked together.
‘Yes, Your Imperial Highness,’ replied Head Enforcer. ‘You are the authority on matters not already determined by the Emperor.’
‘I’m glad you understand,’ replied Duffo, nodding.
‘I’m not sure you do, Your Imperial Highness,’ said Head Enforcer as he squinted his eyes slightly.
A little later, Duffo broadcasted a message to everyone in the Downs Region. The message was played on all televisions and across all outdoor speakers.
‘Good evening all,’ said Duffo from behind his desk in his hotel suite. ‘The Downs Region is officially under full lockdown. No unauthorised personnel are allowed to leave their homes until the lockdown is lifted. Do not worry. This is only a precaution. The invaders will not reach our region. Our heroic Emperor will cut them off. However, we must not be complacent. We must be prepared for anything.’
Duffo paused for a few seconds. Then he smiled and chanted, ‘Long live the Emperor! Long live His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor!
Only the enforcers and a small duty team of technicians were allowed to walk around outside. Another group of technicians were allocated to performing the morning and evening performances from the town hall.
In the West Tribes’ main underground city, Frank was back inside the theatre. He was conducting rehearsals for Act Three of his musical.
‘Raise your arms in the air,’ called out Frank. ‘Go around and around. Shake it high. Shake it low...’
Suddenly, the power went out. The theatre immediately became dark and silent. Nobody spoke for a few seconds.
‘Okay everyone, don’t panic,’ called out Frank. ‘I’ll sort this out.’
Frank stormed out of the theatre auditorium. He walked towards the theatre office. Just as he was about to enter, someone from behind grabbed him.
‘I’ve got the bastard,’ the aggressor shouted.
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 