Chapter 9 Children of the Moon

Chapter 9

Children of the Moon

  Whizzing though the tunnel on an invisible cushion of electromagnetism Kian arrived at their destination much sooner than he expected. Easing to stop, the ‘limo’ transport door slid up.

 Camelot Crater Central Command, Kian read the words at a glance, easy to do since their large black letters stood out stark and imposing across the top of the white entry panel, which slid away just before Miles stood and motioned for Kian to get up.

  “We’re here,” Kian said, “but where is here?”

  “You can read,” Miles said, “don’t play dumb. We do not appreciate games.”

 “Fine, I’ll just follow your lead.” Kian said, “I’m guessing we are going to meet your bosses.”

  “Crudely put, but true, step out and grab the handrail tightly or you’ll lose your footing.” Miles barked as he stood and waited for Kian to exit.

 Approaching the exit with some apprehension Kian leaned from the car, saw handrails running down both sides of the tunnel, grasped the one on his right and stepped out. Activating the personnel transit system his feet suddenly lifted from the tunnel floor as an unseen force latched onto his body and yanked him down the tunnel. “Hey, hey, hey stop this thing as he hollered as he struggled to grasp the railing with his left arm as well, which was actually a sleeve that slid forward but not around.

 “Do not fight it, trust it, James,” Miles yelled at him from several feet back, “Relax and let it take you. It has you anyway.”

 “And don’t I know it,” Kian (James) yelled back.

  A few moments of panic later and Kian finally began literally going with the flow and then just as suddenly stumbling to a stop in front of yet another sliding panel. This one read Horace Read C.C. just before it slid from view.

  Not having a door to knock he walked right in and entered a huge beautifully furnished room. Classical paintings of mythical creatures adorned the dark mahogany paneled walls. Crystal chandeliers hung high above from a vaulted ornate ceiling that looked it belonged in a cathedral not one man’s office.

 A large heavy desk crouched on intricately carved lion legs at the far end of the cavernous room. A twenty -foot high stained glass window cast an eerie rainbow over a massive chair high back throne. A rather small balding middle -aged man dressed in black coat, white shirt and black tie sat hunched over a video screen apparently imbedded in the desk.

 Kian eased forward as though floor was brittle glass.

 Miles stepped behind him. “Commander Read is a much nicer person than I am. He will probably like you. Don’t make him wait.”

  “You’re not coming.”

  Miles could detect hopefulness in Kian’s tone. “No, he wants a private audience with you. You should be grateful. You had better be respectful.”

  “Kia and my friends are in danger. I’ll do nothing to get them killed.”

 “First lesson learned. There are many more to come.”