BEYOND THE PALE: ( The Outlander ) Read online

  It was on such a route through an adjacent industrial zone, that River was now being driven. “Where are we now,” he inquired to anyone who felt willing to offer an explanation.

  “This was District 16. It is not technically part of downtown, but a lot of downtown citizens work here. There are also a lot of ex-natives that work here underground,” said Ray Scott.

  “Underground?” enquired River.

  Carlson added, “This district is situated directly over many of the main access points to the underground tunnel networks, and there is a whole underground complex down there. This is where most of New Denver’s goods are either imported or exported. They are transported underground on automated rail systems to other metropolis. The extensive underground complex and tunnel systems pre-date this citadel. They were built when the original airport was constructed.”

  “What did they use them for?” River asked.

  “Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe military bases, maybe for civil evacuation, but they went deep; Up to two miles down. We use the rail network and the upper levels now for the transit port. If they have any other use, Sgt. Scott and I are not aware.”

  As they got closer to the border of District 19, the factories, container ports and heavy industry of the previous district slowly gave way to smaller factories and warehouses. River noticed the transport route that they were travelling on had started to merge with many other transport routes. There were many different lanes of traffic stacked above each other. This system of interlinking routes seemed quite complex and there were elevated public monorails and separate goods rail tracks too.

  Sergeant Scott observed River’s keen interest in his rear view mirror, “All this you see outside, we call it spaghetti junction. It is a massive transport hub for the industrial zone. You can find a route here that goes direct to anywhere in the city.”

  “Anywhere other than the central zone that is,” said the Major sardonically.

  “It is like the hub of a wheel,” continued Sgt. Scott, “We are going to step off at this next junction and take a ride around the Maysfield housing project. It is that large sorry looking housing estate down underneath us on your right side.”

  The CPS enforcement vehicle ran the wide circular descent to the ground level side streets and Sgt. Scott switched to manual over-ride. River watched out of his rear window and could see a bleak urban environment. The housing units were stacked close together and the distinct absence of greenery was striking. There were sporadic people walking about the neighbour hood but they did not have the hustle and bustle of the citizens he had seen up to now. There was a lack of large retailers; instead there were just the odd mini market shops and many off licences and betting shops. They pulled over and parked at a busier inter section.

  “Let’s take a walk,” the Major offered as a predetermined suggestion. “Maybe let’s visit that betting shop over there and spread some luck around these sorry fucks.”

  River discovered that the overhead transport hub was much more prominent and oppressive outside of the vehicle. Although there was not much noise from the huge number of vehicles passing overhead, there was an unpleasant background droning sound. Three was also an initial slight feeling of nausea which seemed to be a side effect of the large electro flux fields which ran above them too. As the three of them walked across to the small plaza, River observed how most people were giving them a wide berth.

  “Where is the love? That is what I want to know,” quipped Sgt. Scott.

  “They don’t like the CPS much here,” the Major offered as an explanation.

  They entered a betting and gambling arcade called Lucky Strikes. The place was dank and dirty but its clientele didn’t seem that bothered. They just stood or sat along rows of touch screen units playing games of chance, straight gambling, or competitive virtual shoot’em up gaming. River recognized that a number of the punters were full or mixed blood natives like himself. He approached one such guy and tried to catch his attention. The best he got was a once look-over. The native discerned the custodial bracelet that River was wearing, and then turned to look over his shoulder to observe the two CPS security officers. He then sucked his teeth and returned his attention to his gambling.

  River had seen enough all ready. He could not stand to see these men of native blood behaving like soul-less automatons. He walked back out the door and went to stand by the car.

  “Please don’t do that again,” remarked the Major when he returned to the enforcement vehicle with his sergeant. “Those custodial bracelets are not meant to allow you to walk around by yourself. You are going to get noticed.”

  They got back in the vehicle and set off to drive through District 18.

  “Why are they like that?” River asked Sgt. Scott.

  “I ask my wife the same thing. She doesn’t really know. As I said before, I think that there is something in the makeup of ex-natives and their children which doesn’t fit in well here in this metropolis.”

  “Why don’t they leave?” suggested River.

  “Well for a start. They cannot leave,” the Major interjected. “The ‘Georgia Principles’ require all populations to be concentrated in designated metropolis like New Denver. The treaty states that the environment outside of the two hundred and fifty designated metropolises must remain free from civilian encroachment so that it can replenish and restore its balance. This is why they live here.”

  “But why should people living outside destroy the balance of the environment?” River asked perplexed.

  “Well it did before,” the Major explained. “Populations grew out of control. They brought famine, pestilence, and continual war over resources. Its human nature to pollute, plunder and pillage its environment. Things are different now. There is control.”

  River sighed and asked a rhetorical question, “Why does it always seem to come down to a matter of control here?”

  “He wants us two security officers of the Office of Interior to back up his argument for anarchy,” stated Sgt. Scott sarcastically to Major Carlson. “Your boy is not thinking straight.”

  District 18 had a lot more going on than the previous downtown districts which they had passed through. It was a busy hub of social activity and a sea of neon even during the day time. The retail departments were still missing, their place taken by smaller stores and markets. There were also a lot more gambling arcades, sex shops, off licence, public bars and clubs.

  Sgt. Scott assumed the responsibility of acting as tour guide whilst he drove. “This is sin city. This is where a lot of our criminal investigations hit a stone wall. The criminals are well entrenched in these parts. I mean not just criminal enterprises, but they control the operation of legal enterprises like prostitution, gambling and recreational drugs too. Things are run by fear down here; it is another kind of control. Sure we monitor them, do a lot of surveillance, we even bust a few of them. It never dents their operation; new guys always spring up and take their place,”

  They didn’t stop in District 18 but followed the exit signs to head out of the downtown area for the sunnier climes of District 11. Nathan Carlson had delivered on his promise to show him the downtown areas and the haunts of other ex-natives. River was grateful for that but he was left with a decidedly bad taste about the whole experience.

  The rest of his day riding along in a CPS enforcement vehicle varied between interesting and boring. The whole experience was an eye opener for him though, and River was now appreciating a different understanding of living in the metropolis.

  He was happy to return home at a decent hour and even happier to see Anton and especially Audrina when they got home. She appeared genuinely glad to see him and exhibited an even and relaxed temperament. Seemingly, there were no strange mind games on the menu today, just a few furtive glances. When she retired to her room early, River wondered if this was a precursor to another night time visit. He hoped so, and thus he set off to retire to his room. On route he observed that Audrina’s door was ajar. That
was unusual in this household and he ventured sheepishly inside to say good night. She was already in bed, but she had been waiting for him. She threw off her covers to reveal yet another sexy ensemble, and asked him to close the door and come to bed.

  These were some glorious days for River. Even though she kicked him out of her bedroom in the early hours of the morning, she did this with affection; and not without extending him the invitation to join her again the following night. Her demeanour towards him had completely changed. Her cold, demanding and aloof personality had disappeared. It was replaced instead by a nature that was warm and affectionate. She did not hide the fact that she cared for him, which made him more comfortable exhibiting his true feelings for her.

  River had elected to stay at home the day after his ride along with Nathan. Some of the day he spent relaxing on their roof terrace and some in the company of Valerie when she finished work early as usual. The only strife in his life was the impatience of having to wait till the evening to be alone in the company of Audrina once again.

  The following day was Friday, which was the day before Nathan planned to take him outside the city. Nathan worked the first half of the day and then came home to collect River to take him shopping for sports equipment. He was apparently serious about introducing him to his favourite sport of free running. He spent a serious amount on running shoes and protective padded sports wear. He took a long time choosing the right gloves for River. He exhibited the shopping nature of someone who was willing to spend any amount of money on his purchases as long as they related to his interests. He wanted to buy another optical interface which was a sports edition. He said it was to enable River to run the same free-running app that he used to calculate jumps. River insisted that he didn’t want them. He hardly wore the previous optical communicator glasses that the Major bought him during their first shopping expedition; he found that it gave him incessant headaches. There were a few more accessories like rope, crampons, belt bags and camping equipment to pick up and then they were all set to head off early tomorrow.

  Later in the evening River noticed a melancholic disposition come over Audrina. She was not moody but she seemed upset about something. Once again, he had to wait until late in the evening to quietly slip inside her room. Despite its overtly feminine overtones, he was more than comfortable hanging out in her bedroom. He liked her room particularly because of its lack of technology. He also liked the warm tones and comfortable environment. Being surrounded by all the mirrors and her dressing table and all her well organised clothes and shoes gave him a feeling of knowing her a little better. However right now, she was beginning to be an enigma again. Sitting on the bed beside her, he hoped that she might open up and tell him why she was upset. It didn’t work that way; the longer that her cold shoulder prevailed, River couldn’t help feeling both responsible and guilty. Feeling more than a little angst, with all the emotions about going outside tomorrow, he just snapped. He grabbed hold of her aggressively and pinned her to the bed and bearing down on her demanded simply, “What is up with you?”

  She flinched as if he was about to hit her and replied quietly to him, “You are going aren’t you? You are leaving and not coming back.” Her eyes were welling up with tears now.

  River wondered how she knew about her father’s plan and intention. But he also realised that she was not so clever at reading his own intentions. He grabbed her once again and pulled her towards him in a tight hug. Then he simply whispered to her, “No! I am coming back. I don’t want to leave you.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  The official from the Environment Office looked dubious as Nathan Carlson explained his reason for his expedition outside the walls of New Denver. He had stopped Nathan and River at the penultimate checkpoint, as the Major drove his sports utility vehicle towards the western gate of the citadels walls.

  “So is this business or pleasure Major?”

  The official was mature in years and had acquired a Buddha belly which gave him a low waistline and stretched his white shirt to its full extension. His stance and demeanour marked him as an ex Ranger, and the information displaying on Major Carlson’s own visual readout from his contact lens showed that he was a retired lieutenant. “Deputy Lyons, you were a Captain in the Rangers right? So you know the foothills to the north west of old Boulder.”

  “You mean like the Flat Irons, of course.”

  “Well Citizen River here has got some pertinent information about some old tunnel entrances in those hills that are being used to siphon off hijacked freight. Interior thinks we should take a look.”

  “That’s not the way I see it. That would be an Environment issue; we can send some Rangers up there to investigate. Also that doesn’t explain why you boys are all kitted up like you are on a sports weekend.” Deputy Lyons leaned closer and rested an elbow on the wing mirror of the sports vehicle. His body language suggested that he was talking off the record, “Now this young fellow with you was only processed as a citizen less than a month ago. You know he shouldn’t be leaving the metropolis for any business whilst he is on probation.”

  Carlson now spoke as if in confidence, “He is an asset of ours, Captain; sorry, I mean Deputy. He has infiltrated one of District 18’s biggest criminal gangs. We are close to pulling their numbers. All this sports equipment is just for show. It is a cover.”

  “If you say so, Major. No skin off my teeth. Have a good trip,” and with that the deputy waived them through the barrier. The next one was automated and opened simply on their approach. Both of them took a deep breath. It was not a release of tension; it was just great to be outside the walls again.

  They set off in a north westerly direction. The Major intended to flank around the northern outskirts of the old city of Denver. He was only lightly armed, and the sports vehicle had no armour, and driving through a derelict city always brought the danger of ambush. The journey was about 55 miles in total and would take just over an hour.

  “Nathan, there is something that I need to talk to you about.”

  “Okay, but you know I cannot talk to you about what we intend to do tomorrow. You know I need to physically prepare myself to hold that conversation.” Carlson was referring to tasoring his leg to shut down the processor in his knee.

  “It is, and it isn’t about where we need to be and what I need to do,” River was speaking with great caution so as not to incriminate the Major. “You know when your children reach that certain age where they need to leave home. Well if I was your child, would you want me to leave.”

  “Of course I don’t. I mean I wouldn’t want that, but if you needed to go, I would give you my support,” Nathan had picked up on the double meaning and was adding his own. “You know that there are probably others there to support that child when he leaves home. Familiar people who are timely, and there when you need them. He won’t need to be alone.” River listened to Nathan and was really surprised to hear this; he had not realised that he was being met. He wondered how Nathan had been able to arrange this. He wanted to ask but his questioning on this subject could create difficulties for Nathan. Anyway River had something more profound to put to his friend.

  “What if that child didn’t want to leave home, because they felt that they were not ready to leave home yet?” River was clearly trying to impart to his friend that he wanted to stay longer. He could not tell him the real reason for this change of heart, because it was Audrina. River was not ready to leave her; nor was he sure that he might ever be.

  “I would most certainly be shocked that my child did not feel ready, but I would support their decision although I would like to know why. I would tell my child that I would help them leave home when they were ready, because I like my children living with me.”

  “That is good to hear. I think your child would be very grateful for your help and patience, and sorry that they had wasted your time and efforts.”

  “I am glad you find my parenting advice useful. Hopefully it will help you when you have your own.
Anyhow, I must say that I am looking forward to introducing you to the sport of natural free running today. We will have some fun, and tomorrow, we can still investigate some familiar sights at the Valley of the Miracle and Lizard Ridge.” Nathan was comfortable using this unknown colloquial name, because it was known as Garden of the Gods on the map.