Exterminator : The Dark Beneath

“Tens of thousands of people call the ARC home, having moved to Ares to embrace Gentech’s spirit of progress and exploration. The ARC has several habitation sectors for its inhabitants, from the lower level quarters for labourers and factory workers all the way up to the luxurious executive apartments in the higher levels. The ARC accommodates a broad range of citizens and workers, each with their own unique experiences and talents to offer to the collective good.”

-Notice from the Archaeology’s Tourism Information Centre

10:45, 12th September, Arcology Boardroom, Upper ARC

Michelle marched determinedly along the wide corridor, exchanging curt nods with passing office workers and control room staff who were moving to and fro as she headed to the board meeting. This high up in the Arc, near the communication cap at the very top of the pyramid, almost everyone she passed worked in the myriad of offices and control rooms that coordinated and oversaw the majority of the ARC’s many processes and systems, from atmospheric control, environmental and water utility, to the maintenance of the outer walls. And although none of the staff in these offices actually had anything to do with the physical aspects of their tasks, they did coordinate and allocate the resources the departments used. Above her, in the very cap of the ARC was the main control room, responsible for coordination all of the ARC’s systems and departments.

Michelle ignored the expensively tiled floor and the clear-glass covered walls, displaying a wooded forest scene today rather than the panoramic view of a coral reef that had dominated it for the last week. As she turned the final corner, Michelle saw Mr Samuel talking to a small group of executives ahead of her. Luckily his back was towards her, so she moved swiftly past him and into the executive boardroom without him noticing. Two sides of the large rectangular room were formed from the ARC’s outer walls, creating floor to ceiling windows offering breath-taking views over the ARC valley. From this high up, only a few stories below its two kilometre high tip, the view allowed the beholder to see all the way across the red tinged dunes and rock formations to the towering cliffs on the far side, 20kilometres away.

On busy days you could also just about see the shuttles taking off and landing at the Shuttle port, although from this distance the huge vehicles appeared tiny and the port structures themselves looked like miniature flower buds. The internal walls had images from the ARC’s history etched into the metal, the earliest images showing the cliff tops with only a few mine shafts to show human habitation. The next showed the colossal beams and girders being painstakingly moved into place, the lower levels being constructed until the final image showed the ARC lit up against the dark night sky, lights shining forth like a beacon of civilization in the darkness. Or at least that’s how Mr Samuels had explained the photographer’s aim to her.

Michelle nodded to the few other execs already seated and moved around polished dark mahogany of the 10-metre-long table, stopping at the far end to prepare Mr Samuels’ workspace. As one of the ARC’s three overseers he was allowed to use a array of Clear-screens, specially incorporated into the mahogany so as to silently rise or retract into its surface as required. She quickly and efficiently triggered them to rise as she began swiping files over to them from her smart pad. Once finished she laid out the few paper documents he had requested, along with a notebook, before taking her seat to the left. She’d once asked about his love of paper in an Age of digital media, and his reply, delivered in his rich cultured Anglo-American ascent had stuck with her.

“If it’s sensitive information, putting it on paper means it can’t be hacked, copied on the fly, or easily edited. If it’s personal correspondence the paper gives it weight and meaning, and if it’s a letter of affection, it itself becomes a treasured possession, a physical anchor of the feeling expressed. That is why I favour it my dear, it gives a sense of permanence.“

Slowly the various department heads and executives began to file into the room. Michelle ran a experienced eye over they’re attire. All dressed professionally in suits and business skirts, but varying in style and colour, many seeking to stand out whilst still dressing appropriately. Michelle snorted at one secretary’s dress, the buxom woman having selected a low cut blue jacket and skirt combo from a fashion house in Alpha Centauri, displaying the bold fashion choices Earths longest established colony was famed for, showing bit more creamy upper breast then was appropriate, although she had to admit it was a lovely style.

Michelle herself had gone with a charcoal grey jacket and suit combo that hugged her hourglass figure and rather impressive chest. Her golden blond hair held high up with pins, added to her appearance. The combined picture managed to be both business-like but with a definite erotic hint. An old rival had accused her of using her sexuality to get ahead as a exec, to which she had replied.

“Yes. And? If you had a body like this wouldn’t you use it?”

Mr Samuels finally entered, his exquisitely tailored dark grey suit showing off his athletic physic which, coupled with his slightly lined but handsome features, lightly tanned skin, and short sliver grey hair, lent him a feeling of energy despite his 45 years. Exchanging a few words with people along the table, he finally sat beside Michelle and gave her a smile.

“Hello my dear, how are things looking today?”

“Everything on our end is on time for the solar lock down Mr Samuels, although I am concerned by the Geoplant’s continuing issues. Are we sure that..”

He raised up a hand, halting her, and gave a gentle smile”

“Michelle, please, I thought we had agreed to be less formal, call me Franklin, I insist”

She raised one perfectly shaped eyebrow at him.

“Sir, I feel that in a public setting I should address you more professionally.” She gave him slightly seductive smile; ”Whatever the relationship in private.”

He shook his head at her ruefully

“Still stubbornly hard-headed. That’s my girl”

He padded her knee gently under the table, letting it slide up her thigh slightly before turning his attention to the screens in front of him.

“I am aware of the Geo plants issues, and have ordered the Extermination Department to send more operatives to speed the process and, as long as the supervisor down there keeps the plant running optimally I hardly think a few plant workers being inconvenienced is a cause for concern.”

Michelle hid her slight grimace and frown of frustration, she had hoped to work the conversation around to giving a few workers permission to leave the lock down by spinning it as a good move for morale and for PR with their families. In reality all she wanted was to get Karl free from the extra work, but she could hardly raise that point in front of her boss.

Dating a worker when you were a executive was hardly a crime, but could potential hurt her standing in front of her peers, but even so she couldn’t help herself. Karl was just a welder, his hands rough and demeanour uneducated, but he had vitality and hunger for more that spoke to Michelle. They’d met one night when she and a few associates had decided to go slumming in a down ARC Bar where the two of them had hit it off immediately, ending up at her luxurious apartment for a night of the best sex either of them had ever had. Somehow a one-night hook-up had turned into a steamy hidden affair and then more, until Michelle had to admit she had fallen for her rough, intense lover. In return he’d picked up some of her ambition, and began seeking advancement and promotion at work, which she helped as surreptitiously as possible.

Michelle checked her smart-pad for what seemed like the thousandth time, but found no new message from Karl. She cursed him under her breath. They’d arranged to spend a few days together once he got off his shift, but she’d ended up waiting in her apartment in vain all night, the silky Teddy that barely held in her considerable assents going to waste, and the expensive meal reordered from the kitchens below going cold.

The next day she’d heard about the plant lock down and expected to hear a message of apology from her errant lover, but so far nothing! She knew the signal could be capricious that far into the under works, but really! No word at all? So instead of a relaxing few days of sex and companionship, she was horny, annoyed and, although she wouldn’t admit it to anyone, hurt by his lack of regard.

Mr Samuels coughed gently to grab her attention, and she guiltily looked up from the pad as he nodded to the table. Apparently the meeting was just about to begin as the ARC’s Senior Overseer entered the room. Mr Cheliyan was a distinguished looking gentleman, his suit offsetting his caramel coloured skin and strong Indian features perfectly, giving him a distinguished appearance that matched perfectly with his calm, yet commanding, presence. He moved to the far end of table and summoned up the screens. Generally the three overseers took it in turns to attend the Departmental oversight meetings, two attending whilst allowing the other to focus on other matters, meeting afterward in private to discuss matters,

“Good morning, everyone!” Mr Cheliyan began, a hint of his native Bombay still existing in his Oxford Educated English. ”We have much to discuss today concerning the approaching solar storm, specifically the securing of exterior ARC systems during this period. As the people responsible for the overall wellbeing and function of the Arc, the other overseers and I have been working with the various department heads to minimize the negative impact on the ARC’s functionality. During this meeting I will ask the varying departments to clarify the steps they are taking, as well as hearing any proposals or issues they have about the process. Both myself and my colleagues are interested to hear your thoughts”

He nodded down the table to Mr Samuels, who nodded politely back. Michelle knew the two men were good friends, but occasionally clashed on certain issues, exactly concerning their pet projects. Mr Samuels tended to focus more on the ARCs infrastructure and business resources, whilst Mr Cheliyan was a firm supporter of the variety of scientific departments and projects.

As overseers they had responsibility for the overall wellbeing of the ARC and so, even if the head of a department was in charge of a major corporate asset, they still had to convince the overseers of its merit for the ARC itself. The three overseers, Mr Cheliyan, Mr Samuels and Mrs Carter, were arguably the most powerful people in the whole Archaeology. Michelle had fought tooth and nail to gain a position as Samuels’ chief assistant, using any means necessary to reach the top. She been called a pitchman whore, ice maiden, a whole slew of insults by the people she passed by, but that didn’t faze her. She knew who she was and what she wanted, and where she wanted to get.

Mr Cheliyan began moving around the table, asking department heads to give their reports, but she quickly lost interest, having already read through most of their interdepartmental communications without their knowledge. Mr Samuels liked to compare what the directors said inside the boardroom and how it differed from their private communications, and Michelle’s talent for...aggressive intelligence gathering had helped earn her job.

A few drinks with a staffer here, a one night fling with another there, and no small amount of using a few computing skills she didn’t list on her resume allowed her to pass on a significant amount of information to her boss, allowing him to assess the departments’ statements for subterfuge. He used this carefully so no to raise suspicion, but it allowed Mr Samuels to throw his underlings off balance by asking questions or querying reports using information that he seemingly wouldn’t have.

He used this knowledge to particular effect at this meeting, interrupting several departmental heads to ask them awkward or pointed questions, such as;

“Are you positive all the shafts in D3 are clear, I seem to remember a memo about lack of sufficient staffing to get them cleared on time” or; “Have you considered rerouting deliveries through G6 and 8? I remember the maintenance department were working on those areas last week, and although I’m sure they are ahead of schedule as they claim, perhaps you should err on the side of caution and take further action “

She hid a smile at the barely concealed shock on the speaker’s faces as her boss gently skewered them with their own words. Mr Samuels had a reputation as a gentle but formidable leader, rarely lambasting or shouting at people. Instead he let them talk themselves into a issue and then often stepped in to save them, albeit after some humiliation. In this was he was renowned for both being a favourite amongst the execs but also feared for his insight.

She went back to her smart pad, absently playing a strategy game as she half listened to the speakers. The Water and Waste Department head droned on for a while about the ARC’s recycling centre being fully operational, Internal Communications was reporting slight issues with internal relays due to upgrading in the ARC’s fibre optic relay shafts but assured the overseers that the issue would be sorted shortly.

The Transportation Division reported that 90% of the additional supplies ordered to see out the storm had arrived, and was confident in the remaining 10 shipments arriving from the shuttle port by tomorrow. They also once again petitioned the board to reopen the issue of the lower mine rail links, explaining how with a mere 4 million credits they could renovate subsurface mine works into a underground system to Yorktown. Michelle rolled her eyes at this, even as Mr Cheliyan gently put the proposal down.

“As appetizing as the idea is Mr Croft, I’m afraid the board must once again decline the request. As attractive as a secondary rail system shielded from the sun would be, the cost and difficult of clearing out the mines, introducing atmospheric controls, and renovating the area is simply not in the budget for the foreseeable future. Our primary concern and the focus of the Gentech board is still in developing and upgrading the scientific R&D capability’s of the Arcology and the hiring of exceptional staff. Speaking of which it is my pleasure to introduce a new member of the scientific team all the way from my alma mater of New Oxford, Professor Branston.” He nodded as a man Michelle had never seen before entered and sat down on the other side of the table. The man leaned forward; his scrawny build, greying hair, and glasses made him look like a elderly owl.

“Thank you Mr Cheliyan for your generous introduction, and I would like to thank the board for the wonderful reception my team and I have received since our arrival. I am looking forward very much to working with you all, especially my long time collaborator and colleague Professor Malcolm,” he said, gesturing to the dour faced Head of Genetics to his right, “and, although I am not at liberty to talk about our project, we feel its potential to be astonishing to both science and medical technology.”

Michelle had never really talked to Professor Malcolm. They moved in very different circles and his craggy features and constant frown gave him a intimidating air. But it was his eyes that put her off most. On the few times she’d heard him report about his various project they’d burned with intensity. He was a man for whom science was God, and he a reverent disciple. She had long ago learnt that fanatics of any kind were to be watched.

The Head of the ARC’s outer maintenance department started speaking, discussing how they planned to lower the surface shutters all over the ARC to protect the Techglass from the high levels of radiation and potential sand abrasion. Water and Sanitation were prepared, stating that even though the ARC’s water purification and recycling was working at top efficiency, they’d ensured the storage tanks were full in case of unforeseen demand. The Power Department also claimed to be ready for the storm, although it was a open secret that the ARC’s internal generators were still being tested. Most of the power came from the Techglass and Geoplant and, with the former shut down during the storm, the plant would be providing the majority of the ARC’s power, with a small percentage being augmented by the fusion reactors.

When all the departments had given their reports Mr Cheliyan nodded with a slight smile before standing.

“It is most gratifying to see how well you have all prepared for the coming disruption. How we as the caretakers of the ARC manage this event is important, more than just our duty to protect this facility and ensure the safety of its inhabitants. No. How we weather this storm and the problems it presents us, extends not just to the future of this facility, but to the very future of Gentech’s endeavours on this planet.”

He turned and walked over to the glass wall of the boardroom to look out over the read hills and dunes of the ARC Valley.

“Building the Arcology here was a risk, so far from Earth and the core worlds, and on a planet with such limited compatibility with human life. As you know the first facilities here were the mines, the heavy metals and minerals beneath the surface motivated us to construct the earliest mining outposts here, the population growing in size as we increased the workings. Then came the factories and smelters, processing the material on-site before shipping. This required more habitation to accommodate more staff. When the mines beneath us became untenable, the company’s first instinct was simply to abandon the works, but it was decided to use the pre-existing infrastructure as the foundation of something new. Something that could transform this planet from a simple mining outpost into a shining centre of research and development, business and modernity. So the ARC was built”

He turned from the window to look around the room, nodding to the pictures lining the walls.

“This facility is the first of its kind built by Gentech for one of its own planets. If we can prove it successful, more will be constructed here, and Ares may one day rival the core worlds in population and wealth. But first we must show that the ARC can thrive. That will be all.” He finished with a nod, before walking sedately out of the door.

A nearby exec leaned over to a friend and whispered, “Looks like the old man was feeling chatty today!”

The other man nodded. “Must be feeling the pressure I suppose. Lots of responsibility that high up.”

“Yeah, but think of the perks!”

The meeting began to break up, and Michelle and Mr Samuels remained for short while to assemble the reports presented by the departments. Finally done Michelle began to collect her items, realizing that they were now alone in the room.

“Michelle my dear,” Samuels said softly from beside her, his hand resting gently on her back, “I was wondering if you would like to discuss the meeting in my quarters tomorrow night?” As he spoke the hand slid down her back until it gently cupped her behind. “I feel some ..networking would be advantageous.”

Michelle thought for a moment. She had ‘Networked’ with Samuels once or twice before, both as a way to ingratiate herself with her boss, but also for pleasure, but she had reined in her dalliances since Karl came on the scene. She almost said no, but reconsidered. If Karl didn’t have the time to send her a simple message or hello and left her horny and unfulfilled, perhaps a little payback sex would even the score. Hell, if she used the opportunity to advance her positioning in a way that would benefit him later he’d forgive her even if he did find out.

She turned and bit her plump lip, resting one hand on her boss’s chest and slowly running it town his exercise toned body until it rested just above his belt.

“That sounds wonderful” she whispered, enjoying the smouldering look he gave her, “I’ll see you then.”

The colossal red scaled form of the dragon swooped low over the castle wall, roaring down at the people below, sending brightly dressed men and women running in fear. Knights and archers ran to the wall, shouting in tinny voices and waved their weapons up at it in defiance. Outside the walls an army summoned by DarkWarlock52 moved siege weapons into place, ready to begin pounding the mighty fortresses walls to dust.

Artemis bit her lip as she looked over the attack, realizing her opponent’s mistake. She rapidly sent her archers to the towers to fire little arrows up at the dragon, the knights moved to the courtyard, ready to sally forth in a attempt to destroy the siege weapons, her foe having mistakenly moved the battering ram far out in advance of his infantry lines. Suddenly a mighty voice cried out to her.

“Artemis!” her mother shouted from the living room, “Are you ready? We need to leave in 5 minutes, young lady!”

“OK mum!” Artemis replied, pausing her game and sending a quick apology to Warlock, promising to renew the game later, before jumping off her bed accidentally sending her cuddly toys flying across the room. She quickly pulled off her favourite pyjamas, taking a moment to carefully fold the animal covered top onto her pillow before hastily pulling on her school clothes and grabbing her bag from its hanging place on the chair. Looking inside to check on her PE equipment, she realized her shorts and tee shirt were there but not her trainers.

“Artemis, are you still playing that game?”

“No mum,” she shouted back, looking under the furniture of her little room, “I can’t find my trainers.”

“Did you take them yesterday when your brother took you to the hydro farm?”

“No mum.” She kept looking, but couldn’t find them anywhere in her room. She even looked through the old metal chest where she kept all her treasures. Bits of old drones piled beside branches she’d picked up on a trip to the Yorktown park, little knickknacks her brother had brought back from his work to show her.

She started to panic as she still couldn’t find the black trainers. Grabbing her bag, she rushed out of the room and into the living area, barely3 m. square. On one side lay an old sofa and a few chairs, whilst the other lay behind the kitchen counter that divided the room between cooking and living areas. On one side of the room was the door to the bathroom, whilst two doors on the opposite side lead and her mother and brother’s rooms. Artemis’s room was meant to be a closet, but her brother Caleb teased it was her room because his little sister deserved her own room.

Her mother was in the kitchen half of the room, hastily drinking down her morning coffee before heading off to work in the big executive kitchen in the mid-ARC.

“Mum, I can’t find my shoes anywhere!” Artemis wailed, tears forming in her eyes. If she didn’t find them Mrs Beacham would make her sit out of PE and she’d have to sit at the side whilst her friends played.

Her mother was just about to say something when two small shoes thumped down in front of Artemis and she span around to find Caleb smiling down at her.

“You left them in my room again hunter, maybe next time you should unpack your things in your room” He joked, his light brown hair sticking up around his head as he grinned, making the his freckles stand out even more against his fair skin

She put out her tongue at him before turning round and packing the shoes in her bag.

“But your room has the biggest screen and I needed it to show you my high score, since yours are so low”

She squeaked as without warning two strong hand hands picked her up, and her brother started tickling her.

“You’re a cheeky little devil in the morning aren’t you?“ he roared playfully as she giggled helplessly in his arms, ”disrespecting your big brother like that.”

“You’d better apologise,“ her mother laughed a grin on her normally tired face, making her look years younger.

“I’m..heheh...sorry,” Artemis gasped out between tickles, causing Caleb to relent and put her down in a panting heap.

Caleb patted her head before walking over to the kitchen and taking a coffee from their mother’s hand.

“What time does your shift end tonight?” she asked, handing him a lunch-box she had prepared. ”I’ve got a late shift and someone needs to watch Art.”

Her brother frowned and looked at his smart-pad quickly.

“I’ve got to help out with the water sprinklers on the lettuce beds, their flow rate is down. It couldn’t be a long job, but if something it really wrong I won’t be able to get away till they’re fixed.”

Artemis looked up guiltily at this. She knew how hard her brother and mother worked to keep them all happy, and wished she was old enough to work to so she could help them. Caleb had even left college early at 17 to find a job, even though he wanted to study plants instead of just growing them.

She trotted into the kitchens and looked up at the two of them.

“It’s Ok mom, I can come home on my own!”

Her mother looked down at her and gently shook her head.

“You’re too young to stay here alone, Art!” She picked up her smart pad and started dialling. “Maybe Marybeth could look after you?”

Artemis stomped her foot in frustration. “I’m not too young mum! I’m nine and a half already!”

Her brother knelt down beside her and hugged her.

“I know Art, but it’s not right for us to leave you alone whilst we’re working.” He looked up at his mother. “You two need to head off now. I’ll sort something out before I leave.”

A few minutes later Artemis and her mother headed out the door and into the white and grey corridor that ran alongside their rooms, joining the line of other workers leaving the apartments that made up their housing row. 5 doors down was a small square garden connecting their row with the next, the single tree and scattering of bushes set into a small artificial lawn. A little diner sat on the opposite side of the concourse, offering cheap meals and drinks to the residents. Artemis loved going to the cafe, although they only when on special occasions, like her birthday or when Caleb got his job. They’d ordered some of the little sweet cakes and ate them on the grass of the garden as they watched the pedestrians go by.

As they walked out onto the concourse Artemis looked up past the ten levels above them to the thin bar of light far above shining through the ARC wall overhead. Today it was bright, reflecting off the intentionally reflective walls of the dividing levels to draw natural light down into the hab. Each level above had a glass wall, through which she could see other people moving about, some using the widely separated bridges to cross towards the inner core of the ARC. Artemis really wanted to get onto those levels one day and explore, but Mum said that hopefully soon they would move to a nicer apartment, higher up and then she could explore all she wanted.

Following along the path, Artemis waved to some of her friends, before they made the turning into the two story high corridor leading towards the school, the roof covered in curved clear screens. Today they were projecting a sunny blue sky potted with white clouds, one of Artemis’s favourites. She wished she could see a actual blue sky, like on Old Earth. All they had on Ares were boring dark blue skies, or the occasional red tinged ones when a sandstorm was blowing. The walls began to display artwork from her school, and Artemis excitedly pointed out her picture of a dragon breathing fire over a town to her mother, who laughed at her enthusiasm.

Finally, they reached the entrance to the school, Artemis grinning as she saw Miss Appleby greeting students at the entrance. Her school took students from all over her level and 4 levels above, but there were 7 schools in the ARC, although the three on the top levels made you pay to go to them and the kids were really snooty.

Her mother stopped and knelt by her to give her a hug.

“Ok Art, I have to go to work late at the kitchen tonight. If Caleb can’t get time off I’ll ring Marybeth and you’ll go back to heir’s, OK?”

“Yes mum,” she moped with a theatrical sigh, hugging her mother back fiercely.”I love you mum, a whole lot. You know that, right?”

Her mother looked at her in concern” I know Art. What’s the matter?”

“I know you and Caleb have to work really hard because of me and because daddy is gone. I’m sorry if I make things harder for you.”

“Oh baby girl,” her mother sobbed hugging her again hard, ”You never make things harder. You’re the light of my life little one. Never forget that”

The school bell rang, and her mother jumped to her feet, briskly wiping her eyes.

“Alright little one, off you go and I’ll see you later.”

Artemis waved as her mother hurried off, before heading into school.