The Color of Houm: Book 1: Seeing Red by Sean Clark

Author:Sean Clark [Clark, Sean]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sean Clark
Published: 2021-05-09T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Protests

AS MORNING HIT Hrrent, the protests began again. There were more people than ever, including that of guards. Those of Nest employment were about the gates of the station. They were dressed in heavy garb, with thick plates of metal and pale fabric over their chests and arms to protect their bodies, and blocky helmets and goggles to hide their identities. Most carried batons, and some were equipped with electric stun weapons, forcing the protesters to keep a wary distance. At that point, the use of force was little more than a threat, countered by the chanting of the rabble.

Dump Nest and The Rotten Eggs

Our Houm, not Yours

Our Land to Travel Free

The local guard, employed by the Governor, remained mostly on the side of the people, breaking up minor fights, checking on people’s well-being, and keeping ground vehicle traffic moving smoothly about the protest, despite the mass flowing out into the main road. The two sets of guards had also been reported at the west exit of the city, leading out toward Triste and the volcanic barrens, as well as the east road to the smaller farming settlements in the more fertile areas of the region. There appeared to be slight tension between the two forces, but both seemed mainly focused on keeping their distance and objectivity.

Sujatha and Urvil returned to the scene each day, watching the events unfold, and looking for any opening for them to possibly move forward. Many, including themselves, had been forced to stay in tented shelters set up by Nest. They had been offered food, water, and limited access to hygiene facilities, but the atmosphere of the camp was beginning to become more and more unsettled as the days grew longer and hotter.

That day, the Nest guards had new instruments with them- megaphones, from which they shouted a new set of instructions. Posters had gone up as well telling of the measure Nest had taken: Electronic ID registration good for travel about Houm. Get yours now at the Temple across from the Governor’s estate. Inquiries for travel to Kaydal may be made after from within Hrrent Station upon reopening.

“So that’s the game Nest is going to play,” Sujatha said, looking up at the tall station walls.

“People desperate enough to return home will get one.”

Sujatha tapped her foot, “That’s what pisses me off.”

Urvil stood at her back, watching over. “Still no going back for us, huh?”

The two had discussed the methods for safely returning back to Kaydal. Some travelers from the moon had already been allowed to return back on a handful of ships, but expectedly, anyone with an assumed connection to the Children of Triste had been expectedly denied. The ID bracelets held by both of them would have been readily scanned and revealed to be faked, a one-way ticket into whatever form of incarceration and punishment Nest was plotting.

“We could get back if we head to Houmil first.” Urvil asserted.

“No doubt Nest has IDs flagged in their system. Anyone who has recently taken

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