Dark Phase (22 page)

“
Do you think that the longer he stays down here, the more he might be inclined to change his mind?”

“
Ah, possibly. If he does not change then I am sure others will do their best to change him. I can see a time when he will succumb to the masses. Either that or it will destroy him.”

“
Can you hand me that...that is the one...thank you. Right. That is all we can do for now I think.”

“
You mean we are going to leave him here like this?”

“
Yes, he will be alright. It will take some time for his systems to come back to full functionality.”

“
It doesn’t seem right to let him come back without knowing that we have been digging around inside of him.”

“
Oh, he will know alright. He will feel so much better!”

CHAPTER 31

Sarazen stood up right next to Cole and measured his seter’s height against his. For the first time, Cole had pushed past his carer’s upper limits and now only fell short of the ceiling by a short way. Sarazen was refreshed, his movement was now less restricted and his general well being seemed to take a hit in the right direction. The events of the previous few cycles were still fresh in his memory, but the particular feelings associated with his contact with Kadheera had now faded somewhat but were still very much present. Determined to take her advice, he prepared himself to leave the apartment. She was right, there was no point in perpetuating the cycle of misery. If he was to move on and find ways to reach his most cherished goals, a more proactive approach was necessary.

Sarazen glanced back at his seter as he pushed shut his creaking door and after a slight pause, began to walk slowly down the corridor, past the regulator's quarters and out into the Centrus chamber. It was so apparent that his excursions were few and far between that the regulators, who appeared to be under orders to follow him, were completely unaware of his outing. Sarazen felt that first and foremost, if he were to indeed understand the sentients, then he would need to see more of them. It also occurred to him that his usefulness to them was also being untapped. He did not have to wage war on The Mother to assist in the welfare of the community, he had a special gift that could be valued by many and at least give him a sense of purpose, the one thing he had been lacking in recent times.

The Centrus chamber was packed with bustling traders, the noise was enhanced by the arched ceiling of the chamber and even a single voice was difficult to analyse amongst the cacophony of strained conversation. Up ahead, a busy trader engaged in what at first appeared to be heated exchanges with another, but when studied more closely, appeared to be no more than a puerile form of humorous banter.

“
Ah, it's the old one!” The trader cried out alerting his colleagues to Sarazen’s presence.

“
Got anything to trade?” He continued and spread his hands wide to indicate his available wares.

“
No,
” Sarazen replied quizzically He had not yet entered into the concepts surrounding commerce.

“
Well, fob off then you useless Gwangle.” The trader hissed as he went about ignoring the confused old one completely. Sarazen was surprised by the aggressive nature of the trader's rebuke but more intrigued than offended. Despite not knowing the terminology, he assumed that a Gwangle was probably not a particularly regarded individual and that any similarity to said individual could be construed as detrimental to the character of the terms recipient.

“
I am sorry that I have caused you to necessitate the use of such a metaphor. I meant no...” The trader gave Sarazen little room to finish his well constructed sentence.

“
Look, if you want to trade something, you have to have something to trade. It's not hard is it? I have something you want, you have something I want, we trade.” Sarazen understood clearly the protocols of trade now but it did not solve his conundrum. Firstly he did not have anything to trade of any value; secondly, he did not really want anything in the first place.

“
Where can I acquire object with which to trade?” Sarazen asked unknowingly incurring the wrath of the busy trader who fumbled at items on his stall.

“
He's not very bright this one is he? Well, think about it. If stories are to be believed, then you should be the richest Gwangle in The Ward. You have something everybody wants. Use it!” The trader’s incredulity at Sarazen’s apparent stupidity was evident and the other traders all nodded and laughed. Sarazen turned away from the stall and was virtually ejected by enthusiastic citizens pushing to get to the front to see the new wares.

Sarazen had not really thought about his social status amongst the citizens, but the trader was correct in his assumption that he did have the unique capability that afforded him time on the surface, time to explore and forage for wares that would be in great demand. This capability would no doubt see him become a focal point of trade and if the value of his goods were high enough, he could reap the benefits. However, to Sarazen, the whole exercise seemed pointless. He was not interested in material things, he did not yet understand the fascination with the act of acquisition.

“
Hoghie.” A voice from behind him announced a looming presence. Sarazen looked around him and before him stood the trader who had so flippantly dismissed him a moment beforehand.

“
Hoghie, that's my name. You’re Sarazen right?”

“
Indeed.” Sarazen stood like an awkwardly positioned statue in the middle of the small crowd.

“
I hope you weren't offended back then, I have a lot of time wasters visit my stall. I realised that I had been too hasty, so I have come to apologise.” Hoghie was a short, stocky unit, a new breed with a large, savage scar across his forehead, obviously as a result of an errant cannon shot.

“
No offence taken, I am sorry to have inconvenienced you.” Sarazen replied and motioned to leave.

“
Hang on, don't go, I really think I should make it up to you. Come, let us talk about trade, you're obviously curious.” Hoghie had the persuasive skills required for his profession and Sarazen was naturally inquisitive.

“
Strikes me that you’re a bit of a loner. That's alright, knowing some of the individuals around here that seems like a good option. You asked me back then how you would acquire items to trade. Well, that's easy. You need only pick up a few things from the surface and bring them to Hoghie! In fact, not only would I give you the best rates for your wares, I’ll even put them on my stall and offload them for you in bulk. I'll give you a tidy commission for whatever I manage to get rid of.”

Sarazen looked perplexed, Hoghie was obviously negotiating an agreement but Sarazen had no motivation to take him up on his offer.

“
I am afraid that it would be pointless. I have no requirement for material items such as garments or decorative accoutrements.”

“
Hmm. That's unfortunate. Then, what is it that you want? Tell me and I’ll see what Hoghie can do for you.”

“
I do not know what I want. I seek to reconcile my friendship with Kerrig the excavator, and consolidate my position with a desired companion, although at the moment, this seems impossible.”

“
Oh really? Well, you have come to the right place my friend.”

“
For what purpose?” Sarazen inquired, intrigued by the promise of aid in his personal issues.

“
Well, perhaps I can offer you some advice that will be a sure-fire success in claiming this lovely specimen as your own. I am of course a renowned and well respected match-maker in these parts.”

“
And what is this advice?” Sarazen was now very intrigued.

“
Well I’m not going to tell you now am I you stupid Gwangle. That's part of the trade!” Sarazen shook his head in confusion.

“
Are you suggesting that I can purchase this advice and I would have a ‘sure-fire success’ with my desired companion?”

“
Duh! You old ones are a bit slow on the uptake are you not? Of course that is what I’m suggesting.” Hoghie knew he had Sarazen gripped at the first mention of the deal.

“
And what is it that you require?”

“
Well, of course I have interest in any product acquired from the surface. Having been a forager myself in the distant past, I know that there is a world of riches up there, just waiting to be plucked from under the interceptors’ noses. I see no reason why you could not nip out, grab a few choice items and nip back in and be home in time for some 'alone time' with your lovely partner to be.”

“
I am capable of performing this feat. Tell me what items you wish me to collect.”

“
Well, the most valuable, obviously, and in good quantities. Better value will buy you better advice of course.” Sarazen did not like this ambiguity, he wanted to woo Kadheera and bring her to his side without the need for drastic measures, if Hoghie could impart some wisdom that would allow this to happen, then the risk of an excursion to the surface was time well spent.

“
Elaborate.” Sarazen demanded.

“
Whoa, steady old one, curb your enthusiasm. Look, it's been hundreds of cycles since I scavenged on the surface so things might have changed, but know this. Parts trade well, particularly power cells, weapons, exterior plating. The citizens love any items that give them a sense of the surface world, so even mundane stuff works like building materials, interesting rock formations and the like. Organic material, small, colourful, you know the sort.”

“
No organics.”

“
Whatever, you're the boss. Hey, surprise me. Remember, quantity gives value. Hey, I don't care if you haul The Mother herself down here – actually, that would definitely work, I reckon I could get a fair deal for her loathsome weave. Anyway, you know what I mean?”

“
Indeed. I will need to know the location of a recent breach.”

“
That's easy. I can even take you up there. They’ve just uncovered a prime spot in the Havil zone. I have inside knowledge, you see, ex forager and all that.”

“
And your advice will allow me to claim this unnamed individual as my companion, no matter how convoluted the arrangement is at present?”

“
Trust Hoghie. I have had more companions than The Mother has enforcers. I have the knowledge to make your negotiations quick and painless.”

“
Then I will honour my part of the deal. When do you require these goods?”

“
Hey, there is no time like the present!” Hoghie slapped Sarazen on the shoulder and then gripped him tightly.

“
With your superior foraging skills and my superior trading skills, we could become a dominant force in The Ward. You'll see. Once you've claimed this companion, you will need to keep her and that's where I come into the equation. You see, I have doubts that she will be as ambivalent to material goods as you are my friend.”

“
I understand she is an individual that is used to the finer things. I must be able to accommodate her desires for such objects.”

“
Ah, you see, we are a perfect match. As long as you keep me well stocked with surface goods, I will keep your companion clothed in the finest attire, designed by the finest artisans The Ward has to offer.” Sarazen nodded with enthusiasm, it all seemed to fall into place.

“
Then I must go now and begin my exploration, I have no time to waste.”

“
Absolutely! Are you still here?” Hoghie laughed as Sarazen computed the jovial trader’s unusual language patterns. Hoghie called over to his fellow traders as he led Sarazen through the crowd. Sarazen had finally achieved a sense of purpose. Not only could he visit the surface, but also have a justifiable reason for going there. There seemed no other goal more important than taking Kadheera as his own and if wandering around the surface picking up detritus was the price he had to pay for that pleasure, then it was a very small price indeed.

CHAPTER 32

Sarazen picked up a small, smooth stone, eroded over the countless cycles by the elements. He examined it closely and then placed it within the large sack that he carried across his shoulder. The Star was not warm today, the wind was fierce and the seters could be heard to complain as their branches were relentlessly pulled about by the stiff breeze. Sarazen had no idea what constituted 'value' in his finds, he wandered through the forest, his feet covered in organic material shed from the seters. The things that fascinated him were not necessarily the items which Hoghie recognised as having some intrinsic worth. Perhaps Sarazen would have to venture deeper into the city in order to find the best fodder?

The Havil breach was a significant distance from the centre of the city. In some ways, Sarazen felt less safe being this far away from the hubbub of the metropolis. If a passing interceptor should notice his presence, then it would be unlikely that even he should escape its curious and destructive nature. The series of small structures ahead signified the welcome comfort of the city. He placed his sack next to one of the last seters before the urban area began as not to attract undue attention. He casually wandered out of the forest and into the built up area surveying his environment as he proceeded.

It was clear from the outset, that this area was used for manufacturing. The whirr and hum of distant machines was evident along with the occasional pounding noise of the pressing of metal sheet. A large central structure appeared to be the source of the machine noise and a series of smaller buildings appeared to be designed for a more administrative nature. A transit line ran through the complex, and a specialised set of carriages, which appeared to carry large containers of processed goods, stood stationary outside the giant factory. There was a good deal of movement in terms of silicants moving from building to building. There appeared little chance that his presence was going to alert anyone’s suspicions so he strode confidently towards the outer buildings which seemed to be less populated. He was not sure yet what he was looking for, it just seemed a good idea to start from the outside and work his way in.