The Labour Planet - A Working Title - Part Seven - 879 words Updated

The Labour Planet – A Working Title - Part Seven - Updated - 879 words

Whittaker and Georgia tried repeatedly to get the door open, but it was no use.  It just wouldn’t budge.

‘This is bad.  I don’t know how Jamie will cope by himself out there?’

‘Since he lost his parents he’s managed.’

‘That’s true.’

‘So, what’s next?  Jamie’s locked out and we‘re still in here?’

‘First we must find Black and then we’ll start explaining what little we know to everyone else.’

‘I don’t much fancy that.  What if he’s right about the Guards setting us up to weed out anyone that might pose a threat?’

‘We must take that chance.’

‘Oh, look sir…there he is.’

As Whittaker turned to look the main lights flashed on momentarily but then returned to the dim lights of the backup system.

‘Right let’s go see what he’s up to.’

They hurried over and were just in time to see Black going through the exit Whittaker and Georgia had been unable to open.  So now, they both tried once again but, still it would not budge.  Bewildered by this turn of events Whittaker wondered if Georgia was right and that Black had been put with them in the containment area to find out if any of the captives were planning some kind of opposition?  But they had seen how frightened he looked when dragged out by the guards.  Surely also he would have been encouraging them to proceed with their plan in order to expose them but he had done his best to dissuade them and keep them in the comparative safety of the containment area.

‘So now what?’ said Georgia.

‘We can’t waste time worrying about how Black managed to get the door open we must speak with everyone here but only in small groups so we don’t alert the guards should the power come back on unexpectedly.’

‘I still don’t like it.’

‘Georgia, we have no choice, and I think it best if we split up; otherwise we may not have enough time to explain what we think is going on here.  Oh, and make a list of the jobs people did before all this.  It might come in handy.’

‘What should I say?’

‘Just tell it like it is.’

‘Okay, which group do you want me to start with?’

‘I’ll tackle the group nearest the main door, if you speak with one of the other groups in the main holding area and then we’ll gradually work our way round.’

‘Right sir…ss…sorry.  Right, Tom.’

Georgia marched away but not before she saw the scowl on Whittaker’s face at her use of the word ‘sir.'

Whittaker approached the first group and told them that although he didn’t know much for definite the one thing he did know was that this evacuation was nothing to do with their government.                                                                                                                                                               'So, what do you want with us?’ said one belligerent, overweight man who took an instant dislike to Whittaker’s air of authority, ‘And if it’s not them, who the bloody hell is it then, Mr I’ve Got All the Answers?’

‘I’ve just told you I don’t have all the answers, but I don't think any government would treat its people as we are being treated.’

Whittaker then told them all to listen as there might not be much time before the power came back on, and it would be dangerous if the scanner picked them up.

‘Do you have any information about what’s going on here?’ said a quiet but deep male voice from somewhere near the back of the group.’

‘I don’t know anything much for definite except for that one thing.

‘And how do you know that?’

‘Because I am the Minister for Defence and I would know if our government had anything to do with this evacuation.’

‘So, what do you want from us?’

‘We need to think about what we can do if; indeed, we get the opportunity.  But, as we have no idea what our captors have got in mind for us...’

‘I think we should just keep our heads down; that way we’ll stay out of trouble.’

 ‘You’ve seen the way some people are being treated so I think we can take it that whatever plans they have for us they are not going to be what we would wish for ourselves.’

‘I agree, and I think we should take notice of what Mr Whittaker says, he is after all a Government Minister,’ said that same quiet voice from the back.’

Whittaker looked to see where it was coming from, and soon saw it belonged to a tall, distinguished looking, expensively dressed, middle aged man.

‘Do I know you?’ Whittaker asked.

‘No, but I recognize you from the television.  You always seem to be on that political programme “Peoples Parliament,” I think it is.’

‘Oh, I see.  Well to get back to the situation here, myself and a colleague are going round talking to small groups so that everyone will be aware of what the situation is as far as we know it at the moment.  In the meantime, if anyone comes up with an idea, however far-fetched, then please come and tell me.’