Oblivion 3 Chapter Two Central Park was beautiful throughout all seasons, but during the summer it surpassed itself. The grass, lush and green from the continual spray of the sprinklers, while the flower borders were a profusion of colour to tantalise the eye, making one wish to linger a while. Even at night the scent from the flowers was so strong that much of the fragrance drifted through the tunnels, much to the delight of those that frequented them. Timmy was in his glory. The shimmering heat that rose from the earth, the birds and butterflies all added to the beauty he derived from being outside. His eyes lit up as soon as they entered the park, and Father and Catherine gained much pleasure from watching the child come to life. There was a particular warm and shaded spot, where the Central Park Gardeners planted exotic shrubs and trees, and Timmy ran over to them. His hands gently stroked the petals of Bougainvillaea, and allowed the cascading fronds of blue Wisteria to slide gently through his fingers. Around his feet lay a carpet of lilac coloured blossom, and looking up Timmy exclaimed, “Jacaranda!” “What did you say?” Catherine asked him. He looked at her keenly; his dancing eyes bright with happiness, “Jacaranda. That’s the name of this tree. It was one of Grandpa’s favourites. He got some seeds from Barbados and tried to grow his own. The saplings got so big and died. I wish he could have seen these ones.” “Is this the first time you have seen them too?” Father asked him, amazed at the boy’s knowledge. “No, I saw the ones in Barbados, but it was a long time ago, I’ve not seen any growing on home ground at all.” “How old are you Timmy?” Catherine wanted to know. “I’m eight.” Timmy told her, still looking fondly at the Jacaranda. “What just eight, or soon to be nine eight?” Catherine prompted again. Timmy smiled at her, the first time that he had. “Soon to be nine eight,” he told her, then added, “I shall be nine in six weeks time.” “Have you always lived in New York?” Father asked him, while he leaned upon his walking stick, longing to sit down. Timmy noticed his discomfort. “Would you like to sit down, look there are some benches just across there, though its a bit breezy over there, maybe there are some others in the shade nearby.” “That’s very thoughtful of you Timmy, but if you are ready to move on, I know a place where we can go out of the wind.” Father told him, liking the boy more and more. “Okay”, Timmy told him, “Which way?” They continued to walk towards the storm drain, Timmy at a loss as to where they were headed and why, he remembered Father’s initial question and replied to it, “I have never lived in New York. I was brought up in New Jersey. Grandpa took me to New York once, he told me my father came from there, and I was curious.” “Did you ever try to locate your father?” Catherine asked him now, as they approached the entrance to the storm drain. “No, Grandpa was afraid that if we did, he may want to take me away, but I used to wonder what he was like. I know he never knew anything about me. When will I meet him?” “He is away at present in Austria, he expects to be home next week. I can tell you he will be very surprised to know about you, and very happy also.” Father told him seriously. “Does he have any other children?” Timmy wanted to know. “No, not that he knows of, and he and Gerry haven’t been married long, but then Gerry can’t have any children, so you are going to make their lives really complete.” Father told him. “How much further is your home. Is it on the other side of the park?” Timmy wanted to know. “Its not far now, and as to on the other side of the park, that depends how you look at it.” Father winked at Catherine and Timmy was quick to notice. “Why?” he wanted to know. “Because young man, my home is below the park. Look don’t be afraid, just follow Catherine and I, and remember what you are going to see is something very remarkable, and very secretive, you must promise that you will never tell anyone about this place or what you are going to be seeing.” Father told him. Timmy looked from one to the other, trying to take it in. His eyes widened at the thought of going underground, for a eight going on nine year old boy, such was a real adventure, and he smiled broadly, saying, “I promise to keep the secret, please show me this wonderful place.” Stepping into and through the storm drain, Father tapped out a message on the pipes and then pressed a button, so that the great steel door slid open. “Wow, ”Timmy exclaimed, “This is excellent!” Stepping through, Father waited until Catherine and Timmy had done likewise and then he pressed another button, and the door slid shut. They walked along the lantern lit tunnels, in silence. Catherine and Father derived immense pleasure from seeing Timmy’s expressions. They could imagine how appealing the world Below was to a young and adventurous mind. Timmy thought he was dreaming. His eyes opened wider and wider as they descended deeper and deeper into the earth, and when finally they reached Father’s chamber he stopped and spoke to Timmy, “Welcome to my home, young man, I do hope you will come to live here with us.” “For real!” Excitedly, Timmy wanted to know. “I can live here too?” Father nodded, tears be-dimming his eyes, as Timmy stepped through the doorway into his chamber and exclaimed, “This is great.” as he turned around and around to take in everything he could at once. “Alas, Timmy there are no gardens beneath the earth, but believe me if its colour you want we do have some remarkable grottoes and caverns filled with gemstones and the splendour of stalagmites and stalactites to thrill you with.” Father told him, adding, “I’m certain you will find much to occupy your mind, and there are other children living here.” “I thought you said, my father has no other children.” Timmy replied, almost sadly. Father looked down at the child, noticing the sudden sadness, but not understanding why, and told him, ““I did. And he hasn’t. It is not just my family that lives here. Although we do know one another as family, there are many people that live down here with me, you will meet them all soon, you will find that they will make you most welcome.” Timmy nodded, then casting his gaze toward Catherine asked her, “And do you live down here too?” “Yes. I have the apartment up Above but my real home is here with my family.” “Do you have any children?” “Yes, but they are much younger than you. Jacob is one and a half and the babies are just three months old.” “How many babies?” “Four.” “Four!” Timmy exclaimed, “Wow.” Just then a movement in the doorway caught Timmy’s eye, and he looked to where Vincent stepped into the chamber. A breath caught in his throat, and he grabbed Catherine’s coat to hide behind it. Terror filled his eyes. This had been why Father had tapped out a message before they went Below. He had asked Vincent to come to greet the boy, without restraint, for he wanted them to get to know one another at once. He did not at that time enlighten Vincent as to who the boy was. Coming down the steps, Vincent used the same words that Catherine had first heard him utter, she knew the power of their effect, and as he spoke, she felt Timmy’s grip on her relax. “Don’t be afraid,” Vincent told the boy, “Please don’t be afraid.” Steeping out from behind Catherine, Timmy eyed Vincent still warily, but more out of curiosity than fear. Catherine found Timmy’s hand, and drew him around to her side, “Timmy,” she told him, “Please, let me introduce you to Vincent, my husband.” Timmy’s large brown eyes looked wildly up into her own, and then back at Vincent, “Your husband.” he whispered. Catherine nodded and smiled down at him. Encouraged, Timmy stepped forward as did Vincent and the two met in the centre of the room, alongside the table. For Vincent, this was a moment when he stepped back in time. He looked at Timmy, then at Father, then back at Timmy. “I feel as though I should know you.” he told the boy softly. Father laughed, “Tell me Vincent, who does this young man remind you of?” Vincent looked at the boy long and hard, he found his mouth would not utter what his mind was telling him, and instead shook his head slowly, allowing the thought to penetrate and take root. Finally, he spoke one word, “Devin,” he said. Father clapped his hands with joy, as his face lit up, and beaming he told Vincent, “This is Timmy. We have just met today. Timmy is Devon’s son.” Vincent’s jaw dropped open wide, he was stunned, and then closing his mouth again, he began to smile. Timmy warmed to that smile; in fact he had begun to warm to all of Vincent. All the time Vincent had been looking at the boy, Timmy had done his own bit of scrutinising. From Vincent’s leonine features, to his hairy hands and claws, and could not believe what his eyes were telling him. He just had to ask, “Are you for real? Or is that a costume you have on?” Timmy wanted to know his voice barely audible. Vincent smiled, “I’m all real, I can tell you, and Timmy, it is very nice to meet you. You must forgive me, I am just a little stunned that is all, I knew nothing of your existence.” Then turning to Father added, “Does Devin?” “No.” Father told him. And went on to relate what he knew of Timmy from Mrs. Brennan. As he spoke, Timmy reached up to stroke Vincent. Touching his hair, a little cautiously at first, but then when he found Vincent encouraged him by sitting down at the table, he traced his fingers over Vincent’s face and hands, and was stunned when Vincent smiled broadly revealing his fangs. Something which Vincent rarely did, and it made Father smile. When Father had finished speaking Timmy asked some more questions, Father was impressed that the lad had kept quiet during the time he had been speaking, though he could tell that Timmy was bursting to know much. “Are you the only one like you?” Timmy asked Vincent. “I used to think so. But thanks to your father and Catherine here, I now know that I have a sister and a mother, and they live here with me now. In fact your father is married to my sister.” Timmy’s eyes opened wide, “She does? Can I meet her?” “Yes of course, I’ll send a message for her to come here. You will like her, she isn’t quite the same as me, and she is very beautiful.” “But she looks like you, doesn’t she?” Timmy sounded almost disappointed that she may not do. “Oh yes, but while I resemble a lion, Gerry resembles a tiger. She has beautiful hair, and she is a very nice person. You should get along with her very well.” Vincent told him truthfully. “I’ll send the message Vincent, “ Father told him, “ I want to announce Timmy’s arrival, I think there will be a lot of people wanting to meet my grandson.” Timmy smiled. Only this morning, he thought he had no-where to belong, and no-one to love him, now within hours he had a new home, a new family and had been trusted with a secret that he knew to be very important. He felt so good, that his young heart overflowed with happiness. *** *** *** Though the morning sun had risen hours earlier, it was some time after sunrise before it actually chased away the shadows in the valley of Sonn Alp. So high was the altitude, that the sun seemed to have to physically climb the sheer rock face, before the first rays could light up a path over the institute grounds and then bathe the entire complex in sunlight. Devin had woken early and was jogging around the perimeter fence, when he stopped to watch as the sun came into view, shielding his eyes against the glare of its magnificence. With the mountains obscuring the sunrise as they did, Devin marvelled at his first sight of the morning sun in the mountains. Instead of the steady pink glow that edged across morning skies from the horizon, what he saw was a sudden brilliant golden light that peeked between the mountain ranges picking out parts of the valley. Doing so until it rose over the peaks and pushed away the shadows in the valley, bathing the whole of the land in liquid gold. It was almost as if the dawn had been lost. One moment it was dull as before dawn and the next moment it was day. Devin smiled; it was like having breakfast time and lunch-time rolled into one. When Devin and Catherine had been on Sonn Alp before, both of them had noticed the stillness, and had been visibly shaken by it, even the birds refused to sing, this time however, it was like stepping onto a new mountain. The whole valley had come to life since Strasser and his experimenting had stopped. The fir-trees, were full of twittering birds, and scampering squirrels, even the chamois had started breeding just beyond the perimeter fence, a sight that Devin loved to see. Before the brilliant sunlight forced the little antelope into the shrubbery for shade, he had taken to rising early to come to watch them as they grazed peacefully, with their little spotted fawn’s at their sides, their small tails flicking this way and that. He thought they were beautiful, and wished Gerry could be there to see them. To think she had lived on Sonn Alp all her life and had never seen a chamois fawn, it saddened him no end. Since Devin had mastered the art of contacting Gerry through the Bond, that day beyond the catacombs, he had deepened it with her, and even across thousands of miles, he marvelled at how strong the Bond continued to work. He would come to sit beside the perimeter fence each morning, watch the chamois, and open the Bond wide with Gerry and be with her. He delighted in feeling her emotions, and longed for her intensely, ticking off the days until they could be together again. Yet there was something else, an excitement in her that he could not fathom, something had happened that she longed to share with him, but had closed off her thoughts, so that he could not read them. Obviously, it was to be a homecoming surprise. As the sun rose higher, Devin checked his watch, and knew it was time to meet Mich’ael to complete the last of their work. They had deleted all the files now held by the computers, had ransacked Strassers office, finding all the paper files and burnt them, even a secret compartment in the floor, extracting disks and paper files which told them of hidden codes in the computer and these too had been deleted. Devin had read as much as he could, trying to hold onto the information in his head to relate to Vincent and Father later, and hoped that after another four days, he could leave Sonn Alp forever. This day they were venturing into the West Wing, and Devin could not stop himself from feeling nervous about that. He knew that was the place that Gerry still had nightmares about, and he did not know whether he wanted to see it or not. Meeting Mich’ael an hour later, after a shower and breakfast, Devin followed him through the complex wordlessly, as they came to the great swing doors of the West Wing. Devin hesitated, as Mich’ael unlocked them, and stepped through, beckoning Devin inside, switching on a panel of lights as he went in. “Welcome to the West Wing Devin,” he told him warmly, trying to put him at ease, but Devin found it impossible to enter and his throat constricted. “Its not as bad as it seems”, Mich’ael told him warmly, “As you will have no idea what’s what, everything will just be machines to you, please step inside, I need your help to remove some of this stuff.” Still Devin hesitated, only stepping forward when Mich’ael told him, “The sooner it is completed the sooner we can go home.” The thought of being back with Gerry urged Devin forward. In many respects the West Wing resembled the tunnels back home, save for the wall lights being powered by a generator, rather than fitted with candles and lanterns, and coming off the tunnels were hollowed out rooms almost like offices. Devin found it was very cleverly done. The walls within the rooms had been boxed off with plasterboard, and some even had wall paper. It was hard to imagine that they were actually travelling beneath the earth, through the side of a mountain. As they entered the first room, Mich’ael looked about him, “These machines can remain here, there is nothing untoward with them. They were used strictly for climatology, so too the next half a dozen rooms along this corridor. Then we have to branch off. To go straight we would just keep going upwards to the mountain peak, whereupon a radar is set up, again strictly for the usage of climatology. So we won’t need to pursue that area either, unless you would like to see the sights. Believe me, from that altitude though the air is weakened, the view is breathtaking. What do you think would you like to go, perhaps after we have finished our work here, as a reward for our labours?” “I’d like that very much, is the climb long?” “It takes a couple of hours to walk it, but Ignatz had a small train installed, well it’s a glorified buggy really. He got the idea from a sightseeing trip in the Dolomites, and really it saves the legs no end, especially the calves. I used to find my calf muscles ached for days after climbing to the peak. The buggy reaches the summit in about twenty minutes.” “Sounds like the trip Cathy was going to make when she was in the Dolomites, except that trip went beneath the earth. She never completed it though, the area reminded her so much of Vincent, that she felt too homesick to continue.” Devin replied. “Was it run by the British Museum, Devin?” “Yes, I believe it was.” “Then that would be organised by Scott Phillips, he’s a good chap. Ignatz had him come here before we started using the West Wing, to ask his opinions on the mountain. It was he that told us about installing the buggy.” “Did he see anything of Marie and Gerry?” Devin was worried. “Oh no, definitely not, we kept them out of sight, and he only came for a couple of hours. Even when we had the workmen come for weeks afterwards to install the track and the buggies and hollow out the rooms, they had no indication of our work here.” Devin groaned, “This gets worse. One moment I believe that only a handful of loyal staff know this place exists, and then all of a sudden I learn that a host of other people know of it also, how many more surprises will you have for me, Mich’ael?” Mich’ael smiled, “Just a few more, believe me. Some jobs we just could not do by ourselves, and it made our work here so much easier to have these things installed. You have to remember also that as a government funded institute, we had to train people from all over the world. You never knew it, but once you know, every one of the villas around the complex were filled with young students. There were at one time over two hundred people all over the place. I can assure you that Marie never got out, and no one ever saw her or Gerry, or broke into any of the files. We did a pretty neat cover up job there, and got away with it. Though I have to admit, that was a very trying few months for Hans, Ignatz and myself, with just the thought that it could happen. We all gave a big sigh of relief when at last everyone had left here.” “I can imagine. Those must be the people that left behind the various books that Marie got for Gerry to help her learn all those languages.” “Yes, I believe so, though I had no knowledge of it at the time. I’m afraid that cleaners were very thin on the ground here, Ignatz did not like to employ local people, who could come and go on a daily basis, so the employees and students were encouraged to do all their own cleaning. The thing was that when it came to leave, a lot of people left items behind that they had no further use of, generally books in the main, much to Gerry’s delight I have later discovered. She and Marie ran almost a library rental service. Marie would bring Gerry books, and when Gerry had read them, Marie would return them to the villa’s and fetch some fresh ones, eventually, Gerry had got every book on the complex read to detail, so we never discovered a mountain of books in her cell.” Devin shivered, “That sounds terrible, your use of the word cell, brings it home to me, how much of a prisoner Gerry was. In many respects like Vincent, longing to be free and out in the sunshine, and never granted the right to do so. It was only thanks to Marie that Gerry learned anything at all about the outside world beyond her bars.” “Yes. And I was amazed when Marie finally confessed recently, how she used to get out. The only thing I am still not sure of is actually where from. Devin, perhaps we will find it when we go up to the peak, as far as I am aware it is at a spot located, somewhere along the buggy route.” He paused, as they turned a corner and reached another locked door. Extracting his keys, he found the one that he wanted and inserted it into the lock, “ Well, here we are, this is the first of the medical rooms, there are five in all. We can take the machines outside via a door in the mountainside, and dismantle them there. I do actually have some explosives, I wondered if we should make a pile and blow them up, what do you think, Devin?” “That depends largely on the terrain, if the mountainside can cope, we wouldn’t want to create an avalanche. I’d need to examine the rock a lot more closely, before I can give you an answer to that question Mich’ael.” Mich’ael smiled at him, but didn’t speak, Devin guessed he was wordlessly trying to tell him something. “What?” he asked Mich’ael. “I think we can get our work accomplished a lot quicker here, if we can use the explosives, and I know you are an informant on mountains, I thought that having this to concentrate on, it would take your thoughts away from the work in hand.” Devin smiled back at him; “Well you have certainly given me a lot to think about. When people look upon a mountain, they often just see a gigantic rock, and assume that all mountains are the same, but they are not. There are so many different types of rock, and mountains are made up of plates, which are moving all the time. Though substantial movement is only noticeable over thousands of years, and I would really need to be certain that we aren’t creating any danger not only initially but also long term. And not only to us, but also to the people that live in the valleys on the other side of these surrounding mountains. Do you really think that blowing up the machinery is so necessary?” “Yes, if we can dismantle it, someone can assemble it again, we have to make sure that no-one can ever do that. Explosives are the only option.” “And if not, what then?” “Then we have to cart it all down into the valley, dig huge holes and bury it.” “But won’t we have to do that anyway, with all the bits that are blown to pieces, Mich’ael?” “No, there is a great chasm, that goes deep into the mountain, much like the abyss really, but the top of it is quite narrow, only wide enough to drop bits into. Some of the dismantled parts can go in there also.” “Do you know where this chasm leads to?” Mich’ael shook his head. “No, but its deep, its unlikely that anyone will ever find the bits and pieces.” “What I mean is, if it finally ends in water, the machinery would rust in that water and cause toxins that could possibly find their way down to the lower valley’s. Personally, I think we had best put it in sacks and bury the stuff, no matter how time consuming that is going to be.” “Then it will put days on our work here, Devin.” “Then so be it, I’d sooner know that we had done the job properly, than hurry for our own benefit. I don’t want anyone, ever, knowing about Gerry and Marie, then ultimately Vincent or cause an environmental problem. Whatever it takes, however long it takes, then to do it properly will be worth it.” Mich’ael nodded, “Okay,” he drew a deep breath, “Then let’s get started.” *** *** *** Timmy stared and stared as Gerry came down the steps into Father’s chamber, then as she approached, he stepped forward to greet her, his brown eyes glowing with happiness. She stopped in front of him, tilting her head to one side, in a similar gesture to the one reminiscent of Vincent, and stared back at Timmy. “Hello”, she told him warmly, “You look remarkably familiar, have we met before?” Timmy’s face beamed, “No, but I believe you know my dad.” Father coughed, he was enjoying the scene very much, and quite proud of Timmy’s courage, “Would you like me to do the introductions young man?” he asked him happily. Timmy nodded, his smile growing deeper; waiting the grand moment when Gerry would be told who he was. Father cleared his throat, “Gerry meet Timmy. Until today Gerry, none of us knew of Timmy’s existence, least of all Devin, now I am honoured to introduce Timmy to you as Devon’s son.” Gerry’s mouth dropped open wide, and her eyes lit up, “You’re Devon’s son!” she exclaimed happily, “My, is he going to enjoy you.” “Do you really think so?” Timmy asked her, unsure. “Oh yes, Devin would love to have his own son, alas, I cannot have any children, you are going to make his life complete, believe me.” Gerry told him truthfully. “I have never had a mother or a father, only a grandfather.” Timmy told her, then sadly added, “But grandpa died.” “And now you have a whole family, all in one day.” Gerry told him brightly. “Will you be my mother?” Timmy asked Gerry a little nervously. Gerry smiled, triumphant, “Oh yes, of course I will, if that is what you would really like?” “Like! I’d love it, you are beautiful.” Timmy told her sincerely, and Gerry found herself hugging him tightly, “I think Timmy,” she told him happily, “That you and I are going to be the best of friends.” Catherine felt Vincent’s arm slip around her, he was unable to speak, only stand shaking his head almost in disbelief at this child so young, accepting this total stranger as his mother, and happy to do so. The moment was very emotional, and Father wiped away a tear. “Well Timmy,” Father told the boy at last, “We shall have to find you somewhere to sleep, would you like to have a room of your own, or one with Devin and Gerry?” Timmy looked adoringly up at Gerry, “Can I be with you please?” he asked her hopefully. “Yes of course, we do have that alcove Father, we could put a bed for Timmy in there, until he feels he would like a room of his own, then maybe we can excavate a room close to our chamber, what do you think?” “I think that is an excellent idea, would you like to show him your chamber now, while I rally everyone together to come and meet my new grandson.” “Yes”, Gerry told him, then turning back to Timmy took his hand and said, “Come Timmy, you must also meet my mama, my, she is going to be as happy to have an instant grandson as I am to gain a son.” As Timmy took her hand and the pair of them left Father’s chamber; Father smiled at the exchange he could overhear between them, “Is your mother like you?” Timmy was asking hopefully. “A little, more like Vincent, but her face is normal, like a human, “Gerry told him, to which Timmy sighed and said, “That’s a shame.” Then Gerry added, “But she does have claws and big teeth.” Timmy’s voice lifted, “For real! That’s great, I can’t wait to meet her.” Their voices trailed away, leaving Father, Vincent and Catherine in gales of laughter, “I have never...” Father spoke between laughing, “never, known anyone... so impressed...” He found he couldn’t finish for laughing, and Vincent continued for him, “So impressed by people that look like me? He’s great isn’t he?” “He’s marvellous Vincent,” Father chuckled shaking his head. “I can see Father, that history will repeat itself, Timmy is so much like Devin was at that age.” Vincent told him happily. “Oh don’t remind me Vincent,” Father groaned, “I had quite forgotten that aspect.” Father sat back into a chair wearily, “I don’t think I have the strength to cope with all that again.” Vincent laughed out loud, “You won’t have to worry so Father, this time its down to Devin, he can come to know just exactly what he put you through now.” Father smiled mischievously, “You know Vincent, I rather like the sound of that, look out Devin, welcome to fatherhood, ha, divine retribution at last!” *** *** *** While Devin was otherwise occupied mentally, he was able to push all thoughts of what his hands were undertaking to the back of his mind. Screwdriver in hands, he followed Mich’ael’s lead in unscrewing nuts and screws, and extracting panels, laying them upon their sides against a wall. From time to time it registered momentarily that some sections had arm, leg and body restraints attached to them. And some stirrups from the ceiling over a bed made him shudder. Though mostly he was able to shut off his mind to all he saw, and he was grateful that Mich’ael had given him something important to think about. He didn’t know the make up of Sonn Alp well, so he classed it as other mountain ranges that were perpetually covered in ice, and sliced through with ice the higher the altitude. Generally natural forces were the cause of wearing mountains down. Thinking aloud, he asked Mich’ael “What is Sonn Alp like in the winter, does it freeze much up at the peak?” “Oh yes, most definitely, Devin. The other side of Sonn Alp is a favourite location for skiers. With it being virtually sheer, the skiers can reach top speeds, and even Ignatz and I have skied down there a time or two, I can tell you it is exhilarating. Why do you ask?” “Just thinking aloud really. I have been considering the explosives idea. Is there a stream at all running from the top?” “Only in the springtime, when the snow thaws, it runs right down through the valley.” “Does it gush or trickle?” “It trickles. Its funny you should ask that Devin, for I have often wondered how so much snow, thaws to a mere trickle, Hans used to say most of it evaporated into the atmosphere.” “Some of it would, but the fact that in the main, only a trickle came down causes me some concern as to the use of explosives. I don’t really think it ought to be done. You see, if the water gushed down, I would conclude that we might get away with it, but as it is, with a mere trickle, then obviously most of the water creeps into the mountain into cracks and crevices. If we could be certain that this water escapes some other way, it wouldn’t be such a problem, but mostly water lingers in depth, where the sun cannot penetrate, and when the frost comes again it freezes and expands, and exerts a pressure, which eventually splits the rocks apart. The water will dissolve minerals and produce new compounds, and eventually limestone caves form. Also the fact that you found it relatively easy to sculpture out rooms within the West Wing proves how soft the rock inside is. I think we will be opening up a hornet’s nest with explosives. It is not something I want on my conscience I can tell you, Mich’ael.” Mich’ael looked downhearted, “But it would save so much time, Devin.” “Would it though? What if we created an avalanche that prevented us from descending the mountain. Its too risky Mich’ael, we have to take the stuff into the grounds and bury it, however long it takes.” Mich’ael sighed deeply, scanning his eyes over all the large panels of steel, “If you say so.” He reluctantly agreed, already his back ached with just the thought of digging all those large holes. Changing the subject a little Devin asked him, “ So just how far do the tunnels go through the West Wing, do you know Mich’ael?” “What. Oh, er, about two miles.” Mich’ael wasn’t really listening, his mind was on other things. He was pretty certain Devin was wrong. Sonn Alp not only looked indestructible, but appeared so large and solid that Mich’ael doubted that a few explosives could do much damage. He needed to get back to America within the week, if he was to stand a chance of meeting with the owners of the institute of climatology in the Appalachian Mountains, and offering them a part exchange with Sonn Alp. He decided to set up the explosives after all, while Devin was distracted elsewhere. Aware Devin had spoken to him and awaited an answer he asked, “Sorry what did you say, I’m sorry I was daydreaming?” “I was telling you about the longest stretch of tunnels I have ever encountered.” “Where was that, Devin?” “It’s in a National Park in Kentucky. There are 345 kilometres of mapped passageways. Imagine, I bet Vincent would like that, he could pop up anywhere, and see sights he only ever dreamed of.” “Yes it is a pity really, that his home is beneath city streets. Had it of been in a mountainside, he would probably have got away with never being seen by anyone, and could have ventured out into the sunlight as often as he wished. Unfortunately there would be no balconies with beautiful women on, in such a location.” Devin burst into laughter. The pair of them continued throughout the day dismantling everything in the first, second and third room, before resting for the night, and then started afresh the following day with the last two rooms. Finally, Mich’ael was satisfied that everything had been done, that needed doing, and they began the work of moving all the parts out through the West Wing doors. Then while Devin went on ahead to start digging in the grounds, Mich’ael stockpiled small items outside the West Wing. Mich’ael could see Devin busily digging, and satisfied with the thought of how long it would take him, Mich’ael started to carry the larger panels, out through a side door that Devin knew nothing about, and there he set the explosives beneath them. Satisfied, with his work, he set the timer on the detonator and left it just inside the doors of the West Wing then went to help Devin with the digging. “You took your time,” Devin greeted him, as Mich’ael came alongside him with a spade. Mich’ael made no comment, causing Devin to straighten from his digging, and look at Mich’ael searchingly, “Anything wrong Mich’ael?” Mich’ael shook his head, “No, should there be?” An unmistakable blush crept along his cheeks, which made Devin frown. “What have you been up to?” Devin wanted to know, he laughed when he said it, so was put out when Mich’ael retorted, “That’s none of your business.” “Hey, okay, okay, that’s fine by me, sorry I spoke.” Immediately, Mich’ael was remorseful, “I’m sorry Devin, I didn’t mean to snap. There was just some things I needed to do, that’s all.” He looked at his watch, only another twenty seconds. Sweat broke out on his brow, and Devin frowned again, then more and more as Mich’ael kept checking his watch, yet he did not like to question him further, so continued to dig in silence. Suddenly a large explosion ripped apart the silence, throwing Devin to the ground as the earth beneath his feet shook violently, and in an instance he realised! “You idiot, Mich’ael.” he flared, “What was the use of asking my advice if you were going to ignore it.” “I haven’t the time to linger here, Devin, I have to be at that meeting at the end of the week to put my offer forth, you know how it is.” “You only had to say, I would have stayed here, and finished the work. You could have helped carry all the stuff down here before you left, and I would have finished off here.” “I never thought of that, why didn’t you say something, Devin?” “Because I didn’t think you were so stupid as to blow everything up in your haste to leave. I just hope you haven’t done untold damage. We had best go and check.” “Well there is no sign of an avalanche Devin, that there was any snow to come down anyway, at this time of year.” “That’s not the point, avalanches aren’t just on the outside of mountains, they can be inside too, you may have just blown up your whole institute.” Horrified, Mich’ael’s face twisted with dread, “Oh no, tell me you are joking, Devin?” As Devin shook his head, Mich’ael threw down his spade and started running towards the reception doors. Devin caught him up, and both were relieved to see that nothing untoward appeared to have happened inside. They checked the corridors and rooms, and though some books had fallen off of shelves, there were no cracks in ceilings or walls. Even the West Wing looked normal, and Mich’ael was jubilant when he saw that the explosion had ripped apart all the large panels, leaving tiny twisted fragments all over the place. “See,” he told Devin happily, “Now all we have to do is take these bits and bury them. At this rate we can be out of here the day after tomorrow.” Devin nodded, true, nothing untoward seemed to have happened, still he felt chilled, as if something inauspicious was about to present its ugly head. To be continued in Chapter Three.