When Gods Slumber by John Blackhall

Author:John Blackhall [Blackhall, John]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fantasy
Publisher: John Mobbs
Published: 2023-07-06T23:00:00+00:00

17

MICHAEL

YEAR 3029

Present Day

When the Enforcers burst onto the roof of Bedlam in their droves, they found nothing but skyline.

Word reached Michael of the intruders, along with the girl’s description.

“She got away with two prisoners, sir.” The commander stationed at Bedlam stood nervously before Michael Argentum on the rooftop. The other Enforcers flanked behind him, equally disquieted. “And… there’s something else.”

Michael turned his back, resting his hands on the edge of the rooftop. “I’m listening.”

“There was someone with her, sir… according to the log in reception, a-a-and there were witnesses…”

“Spit it out.”

“It was Noah, sir. He helped them all escape.”

“My son?”

“Y-yes sir.”

Michael soaked in the view over the capital.

She was here, the runaway girl, somewhere in this city — and with her was the Klade. He strolled over to the commander and leaned to whisper in his ear.

“Was my son also responsible for this facility’s security, Commander?” He spoke softly, but his voice was rich with a venom.

“N-no, sir.”

“Who was?”

The man swallowed, his breaths short. “M-m-me, sir.”

Michael pulled away. He returned to the edge of the rooftop. “Come here. Stand next to me.”

The commander did as he was told, with the reluctant obedience of a child.

Michael placed an arm around the man’s shoulders. “There is a logic to this world, Commander. You understand that, don’t you?”

The commander said nothing, a lump in his throat.

“This world is built upon cause and effect. It is the foundation of science. Without cause and effect, we would not be able to test our hypotheses, the impact of one thing on another.” Michael paused. “We wouldn’t be able to know the things we know. The greatest discoveries in history would be meaningless. In fact, we would not even be able to act upon this world, and even if we could, actions are pointless if we cannot expect an outcome. There would be no reason for anything. All existence would be randomness and noise, rippling through the ether.”

The commander stared straight out at the grey buildings and skyscrapers, daring not to glance at the drop below nor to look Michael Argentum in the face. Michael’s grip on his shoulder tightened.

“You had a job, Commander,” Michael whispered. “The girl was here, in the palm of your hand, and yet she escaped. You are the cause I placed here to take action, a domino set to fall in perfect motion when it is demanded of you, and yet you have failed to produce me the desired effect.”

“Please…” the commander whimpered. The world over the side of the rooftop yawned before him. A long way to fall. Michael's grip was tight. “I-I’ll do better… I’ll—”

Michael exhaled. He released his grip. He stepped back from the commander and the rooftop’s edge. The commander heaved in a large, shaking breath.

“Like the Readers, we can predict the future through science, not by reaching for roots of fate, or listening to the whispers of sleeping Gods. Unlike them, however, we mustn’t only predict the future — we must change it.” Michael gestured out over the city.

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