Chapter 27 Conquest of Chimera

Chapter 27

Conquest of Chimera

  A low shoulder of rocky terrain greeted Kian as he approached the surprisingly large circular mine entrance.   Apparently, the mole people thought a barrel shaped tunnel was safer if not easier to construct than a rectangular one, a curious detail that only momentarily distracted Kian from his quest.

  Just as Lucius said, torches lay strewn about the ground just a few feet in inside the entrance. He sniffed the air for any smell of gas. Satisfied it was safe to strike a fire he snatched up one of giant matchsticks and rubbed it against a rock until fire flashed from it's oily end.   

  Light in hand he proceeded into the long black tube grateful its builders had to accommodate their large centaur load bearers. Wishing he had a cell phone and an LED flashlight, he made his way up the tunnel. For some reason its diggers had not only dug in but up as well. He supposed the incline was to keep out any rain -water that might run into the mine. If that was the case, it had worked quite well. The mine was completely dry and clear of any obstructions. It was still a very long walk made longer by the fact that he had no way of communicating with Kia, something he had become addicted to, it was a sweet addiction even if the nameless faceless cowards who had manufactured it were clearly using him to do their dirty work.  

  So distracted by his bitter thoughts and aching desire for Kia he mistook the flat gray surface of the chamber for just more darkness. However as he drew nearer dull yellow light bounced off its smooth metallic surface and he realized he had reached his destination.

  Fully expecting some secret panel to magically slide up he laid his torch down and pressed both hands against it cool hard surface. Nothing happened. He retrieved his torch and upon closer inspection saw that the tunnel actually curved around the right side of the box. He followed it around and found it formed an alcove. Entering it, he pressed the newly exposed metal wall. Metal slid passed past his fingertips and he suddenly found himself standing in open threshold of what felt like a much larger space.

  Though his torch light could only dimly illuminate a small portion of the chamber, he could already see that this was indeed a library. A quick glance at his feet revealed several open books, dropped he imagined by miners suddenly scared away by this Spector.

  “Okay ghost, I’m waiting,” he said as he picked one of the books and looked for a light switch.

  He as it turned out, was the light switch. Another step inside triggered a motion detector which instantly bathed everything in soft amber light.

  “Welcome visitor.”

  Kian jumped and spun around at the same time and saw a tall neatly dressed man standing directly behind him.

  “Oh, ah thank you,” Kian said, slowly realizing he could see the entrance through this oh so polite but oh so translucent stranger. He reached out and swiped his hand through the ‘ghost.’ It flickered but did not flinch.  

  “Hologram, of course such a cliché, “he quipped as he backed away watching the ‘high tech apparition’ walk toward him. “Now that’s a twist. You can follow me?” He asked further investigating his ghostly tag along.

  “I can interact. What is your need? How may I help you?”

 “Holographic computer extension, you’re an interface of some kind, makes sense. You really scared those miners didn’t you?”

  “Scared? No. I offered my services they merely declined.”

  “Yeah, so I was told. So, it is safe to wonder around in here. Is it not?”

  “Quite safe, this is Repository Number Five. It was built to keep it contents secure and readily to any and all.”

  “What are its’ contents and what may I call you.”

  “Host is an accurate and sufficient moniker. This repository contains an exhaustive collection of all mankind’s literary and scientific achievements as well information regarding current plans for mankind’s future.”

  A beam of blue light suddenly streaked down from the ceiling encasing his entire body in a sparking azure glow.  

  Then as suddenly as it appeared, it blinked out.

  “Welcome Kian West we have been waiting for you quite a long time.” Host was speaking again but it was not its words.