Selling Mars by Gee Rae

Author:Gee, Rae [Gee, Rae]
Language: eng
Format: epub, pdf
Published: 2012-10-23T18:16:13+00:00

***

Despite the hard bed, he slept surprisingly well. He was finally woken by the noise of numerous people moving around him. Wearily, Cedo watched as they dressed in scruffy work clothes and he wondered where they were going. Like any other city, he presumed that the subterranean one needed all the help it could get.

“How’d you sleep?” Billy was already dressed and ready to go.

“Very well, given the circumstances.”

“Good. I’ve already paid the owner. Managed to swap some of it with the gents ‘ere. A couple of them want to see if they can cross the border an’ get out. Now all we’ve got to do is find our way into that ‘uge, fancy castle up there.”

Licking his dry lips, Cedo nodded and pulled the sparse bed clothes to his chin. He was quite warm and did not want to move.

“Few more minutes,” he drowsily mumbled.

Cool air shocked him into consciousness as the blankets were torn from his body. Every nerve sparked to life and a shiver snapped along his spine.

“You can sleep later.” The blanket dangled from Billy’s fingers. “But now you’ve got to get up. You’ve come this far an’ I ain’t goin’ to let you waste it by sleepin’.”

It took all of Cedo’s energy to dress and follow Billy from the boarding house. Billy had, thankfully, had the foresight to pay a little extra for washing water. It had been freezing but, with the house’s tiny sliver of soap, he felt almost reborn. Now, with his bag slung over his shoulder, he swayed behind his friend, stretching and taking in the strange, new world. Everything was lit with bright, electric lights, giving the city the feeling of daylight. At night they had been replaced with gentle gas lights to mimic moonlight.

Unlike the night before, they now strolled amid a bustling, working city. Hawkers called their wares; trams and omnibuses raced along the roads; shops had thrown open their doors to all who wanted their goods.

Graceful pylons walked along the streets, train lines sitting atop them, the engines powered by the magic of electricity. Dumbfounded, they walked, peering into windows and listening to heavily accented voices calling to one another. Everything, it seemed, was a perfect replica of what lay above. It was a work of engineering like no other. It even put Erus’ underground railways to shame.

Turning down a street, they found themselves walking through a perfectly manicured park. Deep underground, even the plants flourished. The trees stretched toward an unseen rock ceiling and flowers blossomed despite the slight chill. In the distance, beyond the trees, they could hear the gentle tinkle of running water.

Ambling across the open space, they happened upon a notice board. Trapped behind glass was a large map of the city and, beside him, Billy gave a whoop of joy.

“I never thought we’d find one of these! Ain’t seen anywhere that ‘as maps. ‘onestly, you’d think a place this size would ‘ave ‘em.”

Unless they don’t want to welcome visitors, Cedo thought. He had caught that feeling from the men they’d shared a room with.

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