Read Online The Softwire: Betrayal on Orbis 2 by PJ Haarsma - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: PJ Haarsma
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into the shadows.
Theylor motioned us to follow, and the ground trembled once more as if calling us to come deeper into the Samiran’s domain. Charlie looked down at me, and smiled, with one thumb up, whatever that meant.
“Don’t be scared,” he said. “This will be good for you.”
“I’m not scared,” I said.
By now my eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and I could see that the walls and ceilings were covered with carvings of aliens and strange symbols. Aliens grasping ropes harnessed to stars stood amid swirling circular symbols and smaller carvings of more aliens. I think they were supposed to be working or digging, but they were so high up I really couldn’t tell.
As I followed Theylor deeper into the building, the air thickened and the sweet pungent scent, almost like overripe fruit, grew stronger. When I passed under the last archway, I stepped into a vast open space. Keepers and Trading Council members scampered about shouting orders to construction drones flying over my head. The entire room was bathed in foggy green light. The iridescent glow oozed from an enormous sheet of glass that ran the length of the chamber and curved away farther than I could see. Behind the glass was a wall of water — it was a gigantic water tank, four, maybe five, times as long as Weegin’s entire sorting bay and just as high. Drawn to the huge structure, I walked away from the others and toward the glass until I could brush my fingers over the stones that ran along its base. The blocks were as tall as me and adorned with the same exquisite carvings as the ceiling in the entry. The stone base curved along the glass and met a very wide staircase that climbed to the top of the mammoth reservoir.
“What’s that for?” Max asked, staring at the tank.
“That is the crystal-cooling tank. It is used to solidify some of the elements we harvest from Ki and Ta,” Theylor said.
“The most important harvest being the Crystal of Life, which happens every seventy rotations,” Drapling added.
“The Harvest is extremely important to the well-being of Orbis,” Theylor said. “That is why we brought you here.”
“It is a waste of my time,” Odran scoffed.
Drapling turned to Odran with both heads scowling. “Your time
is
my time.
Your
time belongs to Orbis. The Harvest of the Crystal of Life comes only once every seventy rotations. I needn’t remind you that your lack of success with the crystals is the very reason we have chosen such an unorthodox experiment with the Softwire.”
“And I think we should proceed with the experiment,” Theylor urged.
I looked up at the top of the tank and saw that the waterline was far below it. I guessed about a fifth of the water was gone from the tank. Three drones clung to the outer glass, repairing a crack above the waterline. Theylor saw me looking.
“Toll is quite angry,” Theylor said.
“He’s really done some damage,” Charlie said.
“Who?” Theodore asked.
“The freak causing all that damage. Aren’t you paying attention?” Switzer said.
Charlie stopped and turned to Switzer. “That’s enough,” he said, and waited for Switzer’s reply. There was none.
“The Samiran’s name is Toll?” I asked. And that’s when it hit me. I don’t know why it took so long. I looked at the tank and pointed. “He lives in there?”
“Yes, and I have never seen him like this,” Theylor said. “We will have to use the ocean to refill the tank.”
“Ocean?” Max said.
“Orbis 2 has beautiful oceans,” Theylor told her.
Drapling sneered and broke away from Theylor. “Follow me, Softwire,” he ordered.
“The Samiran will be around again,” Odran said. “We’ll meet him on the top. Take the chute at the top of the stairs, and I’ll meet you on the platform. Do it quickly.”
Odran pointed to a light chute at the top of the stairs, and I quickly began my ascent behind Drapling. As I climbed, I tried to peer into the tank, but I could see nothing. At the
Theylor motioned us to follow, and the ground trembled once more as if calling us to come deeper into the Samiran’s domain. Charlie looked down at me, and smiled, with one thumb up, whatever that meant.
“Don’t be scared,” he said. “This will be good for you.”
“I’m not scared,” I said.
By now my eyes had adjusted to the darkness, and I could see that the walls and ceilings were covered with carvings of aliens and strange symbols. Aliens grasping ropes harnessed to stars stood amid swirling circular symbols and smaller carvings of more aliens. I think they were supposed to be working or digging, but they were so high up I really couldn’t tell.
As I followed Theylor deeper into the building, the air thickened and the sweet pungent scent, almost like overripe fruit, grew stronger. When I passed under the last archway, I stepped into a vast open space. Keepers and Trading Council members scampered about shouting orders to construction drones flying over my head. The entire room was bathed in foggy green light. The iridescent glow oozed from an enormous sheet of glass that ran the length of the chamber and curved away farther than I could see. Behind the glass was a wall of water — it was a gigantic water tank, four, maybe five, times as long as Weegin’s entire sorting bay and just as high. Drawn to the huge structure, I walked away from the others and toward the glass until I could brush my fingers over the stones that ran along its base. The blocks were as tall as me and adorned with the same exquisite carvings as the ceiling in the entry. The stone base curved along the glass and met a very wide staircase that climbed to the top of the mammoth reservoir.
“What’s that for?” Max asked, staring at the tank.
“That is the crystal-cooling tank. It is used to solidify some of the elements we harvest from Ki and Ta,” Theylor said.
“The most important harvest being the Crystal of Life, which happens every seventy rotations,” Drapling added.
“The Harvest is extremely important to the well-being of Orbis,” Theylor said. “That is why we brought you here.”
“It is a waste of my time,” Odran scoffed.
Drapling turned to Odran with both heads scowling. “Your time
is
my time.
Your
time belongs to Orbis. The Harvest of the Crystal of Life comes only once every seventy rotations. I needn’t remind you that your lack of success with the crystals is the very reason we have chosen such an unorthodox experiment with the Softwire.”
“And I think we should proceed with the experiment,” Theylor urged.
I looked up at the top of the tank and saw that the waterline was far below it. I guessed about a fifth of the water was gone from the tank. Three drones clung to the outer glass, repairing a crack above the waterline. Theylor saw me looking.
“Toll is quite angry,” Theylor said.
“He’s really done some damage,” Charlie said.
“Who?” Theodore asked.
“The freak causing all that damage. Aren’t you paying attention?” Switzer said.
Charlie stopped and turned to Switzer. “That’s enough,” he said, and waited for Switzer’s reply. There was none.
“The Samiran’s name is Toll?” I asked. And that’s when it hit me. I don’t know why it took so long. I looked at the tank and pointed. “He lives in there?”
“Yes, and I have never seen him like this,” Theylor said. “We will have to use the ocean to refill the tank.”
“Ocean?” Max said.
“Orbis 2 has beautiful oceans,” Theylor told her.
Drapling sneered and broke away from Theylor. “Follow me, Softwire,” he ordered.
“The Samiran will be around again,” Odran said. “We’ll meet him on the top. Take the chute at the top of the stairs, and I’ll meet you on the platform. Do it quickly.”
Odran pointed to a light chute at the top of the stairs, and I quickly began my ascent behind Drapling. As I climbed, I tried to peer into the tank, but I could see nothing. At the
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