2 – A New City-2
393 Words
Later that day, as the Sun moves to hover directly over the Citadel, I arrive at a broad series of stone steps known as “The Superior Path,” and they lead up to the Isolakandi Temple. Its towers stand as remnants from an age we could soon return to if what’s happened in the Lower-City continues creeping upward.
I’m escorted by two sentinels, both simply here to keep me from trying to make a run for it. After passing through pearly white gates, clearing a domed lobby and opening a glass door panel into a small, square garden, I’m able to see the main building in which the conference should already be taking place by now.
I pass through a second lobby while on the way to the nearest elevator, then I ride the elevator to the highest floor. I come out onto the upper heights of the central tower; upon the blue roof which serves as a platform, a tenshu stands out with walls made from both netite and glass.
I enter the tenshu and am greeted by one of the Council’s secretaries, who then has me take a seat in the marble-floored waiting area just below a set of carpeted steps leading into the conference chamber. I gather what courage I have left as I wait in place. In doing so, I quickly enter Zen State, where I clear my mind of all thoughts—the negative with the positive. Although the lack of control in my situation is unnerving, I’m resolved to make this work in my favor. If I can’t save myself, then I might as well do my best to try to save other people.
“GOOD MORNING, MURDERER. ARE YOU LISTENING?”
“Yes.”
Dammit. It’s him.
“DID YOU REMEMBER TO BRING YOUR KOM CELL WITH YOU?”
“Yep.”
“PLEASE ACTIVATE YOUR KOM CELL NOW.”
I do as the machine says, and a colored hologram projects out to depicts a group of older men and women seated at a long table. Each is wearing the robes of the Federation, and I recognize them all as the members of what currently makes up the Democratic Council, plus one additional face who’s also familiar.
“Maxwell,” I ask aloud, “why are you showing me this?”
“I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO OBSERVE HOW YOUR OPPONENTS BEHAVE. YOUR OPINION OF THEM IS VALUABLE.”
“I wish you’d thought of my ‘valuable opinions’ before throwing me in jail.”
“OBSERVE, AALIYAH. OBSERVE AND REPORT.”
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