Creation Rings

Part 7 - Intertidal

We arrived at the perimeter checkpoint of the Ring's Plaza and the Q-SIS agents that accompanied me formed a triangle around me. I had half expected a crowd to be gathered outside the perimeter but in reality, there was only the police cordoning off the area.

Agent Ell seemed to understand my surprise "We told them we would be running some scans that required firing radiation at it. Nobody cared to stay, all left of their own accord."

"I guess it is true what they say about the best lies having a little truth in them," I replied. 

"So I am told. Now, please, let's hurry to the Museum."

As we climbed the 33 stairs, 6 battle-suited soldiers came to meet us and joined my escort. I was still reeling from all I had seen on my car ride here and a million questions were bouncing around in my brain. Once we got to the top of the stairs the soldiers to my right, instinctively, moved their sights further right, towards the center of the Plaza. There was a blue tent right underneath the Rings, their light still shining bright on it but you could not see inside - that was exactly its purpose. 

Our brisk pace contrasted with the tense calmness that hung in the air, probably because of the unnatural silence that stretched all around the perimeter of the Plaza. All I could hear was the whining and clicking of the mechanical joints of the battlesuits that eased the movements of the soldiers. 

It took us two minutes to reach the entrance to the Museum, where the soldiers guarding it promptly opened the door for us. My military escort remained in the main lobby, took key positions around it, while the Q-SIS agents led me past the ticket office and up the elevator. 

The Museum was a  rectangular glass and metal building with just 3 floors. The first floor housed several historical artifacts and educational exhibits, the second was a mix of office and workspaces for the Archaeological Department, whilst the entire third floor was a completely empty open space, surrounded by 360 degrees of glass walls dedicated to the observation of the Rings. And that's where the agents were taking me.

The third floor was very different from what I remembered. Granted I was only a teenager when I last visited but it seems the military had converted the entire observation area to be a war room. All the windows were covered with black curtains and behind those, there were screens that I imagined to be bulletproof; except for the windows that faced the Plaza. On the corners, facing the Plaza, there were sandbags and 2 manned cannons.

The rest of the room was filled with desks, computers, and whiteboards that surrounded a dining table that could probably sit a dozen people.

On arrival, I was greeted by a familiar voice.

"Dr Vatu, great to see you."

"Secretary Malaam Sade?" 

"Come in, please." the slender Quaman female nodded, "Let me introduce you to everybody."

She was as beautiful in person as I had seen on TV. Combine that with her manners and intelligence and I had no doubt she would go far as a career politician.

She gestured towards a well built Quaman in an expensive suit "President Walar, whom you spoke on the phone."

"Nice to meet you Doctor Vatu," he said extending his hand

"General Valitar Erontas, Head of the Qualiak Armed Forces" a voice next to him said extending his hand for another handshake, this one more vigorous. You could tell the General's age by the roughness of his hands. He was even missing a finger, which was strange given that he had never seen war, there hadn't been one in 2 generations.

"And finally, Councilmen Zenot and Aliu."

Every President of every city-state had Councilmen and Councilwomen. They were elected once and often occupied those positions until they gave it up or died. They usually represented communities or long-obsolete traditions and cultures. The idea was to provide a more encompassing perspective to an inherently ephemeral position like the presidency. They held no executive power at all and could only exert influence through the advice they gave the president, but of course that such a powerful position commanded a lot of respect and they got away with issuing the occasional order. They were however afforded the highest level of clearance, so it was only natural that they were present at this meeting.