20: THE TRAP IS SET

‘That settles it. They’ve got to go.’

‘No doubt about it—but which way? Quick and clean? Or messy, unpleasant and slow?’

‘For the Mages, the second. For everyone else, the first.’

‘The first, and then the second to make sure.’

‘Good strategy, but not without risk. Now for the tactics; when and where?’

‘Ideally the Mages will go to New Oasis first, followed by everyone else. If we can’t manage that, then they’ll have to go at the same time in case they’ve set up surveillance cameras in New Oasis so they can see from here if everyone really does arrive.’

‘That would really stuff us up! Who has access to and knows how to program Oasis Central Computer, apart from us?’

‘All the Mages and their top Aristocrat Chiefs of Departments know how to use and program it, but I think only Ishbel and her top Aristocrat Engineer have access to everything. I'm pretty sure the others only have unfettered access to their own partitions.’

‘How about the NumbaCruncha Mainframe?’

‘Begum and Alger are able to program and use it, but I can’t imagine Ishbel letting them. She could probably work out how to do everything, but she’s been so worried about Oasis collapsing and keeping the system a secret until today, she hasn’t familiarised herself with it, as far as I know. At least she’s left no evidence behind. She seems unaware of how vulnerable she is.’

‘That’s because it doesn’t enter her head that we might have the initiative to disobey her. I guess a few hundred years of being served by quasi robotic humans might make them unprepared for a pair of genius malcontents.’

‘Don’t kid yourself. They didn’t stay in power for so long because they’re stupid. Cunning is better than genius in this situation.’

‘You’re right. OK, let’s run through it again. In about an hour everyone will start arriving in Central Park, aroused and aimless. It’s lucky NumbaCruncha makes people calm and happy, so there won’t be any violence.’

‘Are you sure of that? We mustn’t make the mistake of assuming everyone will react like us! The Mages certainly aren’t any nicer, calmer or less tolerant afterwards—quite the opposite!’

‘You’re right, and that’s a worry. We know that being transported by NumbaCruncha eliminates inhibitions that are merely cultural, not natural, like shyness about sex and nudity, but I never imagined the Mage’s natural behaviour would be so vile. Do you reckon all humans were like that before the catastrophe?’

‘That's the only logical conclusion, and supports what the Men have told us about them.’

‘That makes me less concerned about the morality of what we’re going to do.’

‘Indeed it does. So the sooner we get it over with the better. We’ll tell Ishbel it’ll be best to summon the entire population to the Arena and send them over tomorrow morning.’

‘She won’t like that, after telling them it wouldn’t be for a couple of days.’

‘I can’t wait that long. I'm so nervous I’ll give myself away!’

‘No you won’t. But whenever it is, we have to make sure the Mages go first! Play on their vanity. Tell them how impressive they’ll look if they’re there to welcome everyone else. Luckily, they’ve each got a set of clothes over there, so that won’t be an excuse not to go.’

‘Yeah. They can stand on mats in their usual place in the Arena, say their bit, tell everyone to simply press their implant three times quickly, and that will send them to their new home, then they’ll do it, and…’

‘All our troubles will be over.’

Plans finalised, they bent with nervous relief to their final tasks, not surfacing for an hour.

‘All done?’

‘All done, except for informing Ishbel that directly she’s decided when to have the exodus, we’ll reprogram NumbaCruncha mainframe so that three quick taps on the wrist will send them to their home mat in New Oasis.’

‘Tell her now so we can relax, and then let’s go down and see what’s happening.’

Ishbel received the information without thanks.

‘She’s becoming even less charming, if that’s possible. Are you sure you want to mix it with the hoi polloi in the park?’

‘Why not?’

‘Fancy a bit of rough trade, do you?’

‘It’s my new research project.’

‘Then I’m going too. Can’t have you grabbing all the fun.’

Seconds later they were surrounded by a shouting, laughing, dancing, rutting, masturbating crowd of naked Vassals and Freemen, plus a sprinkling of Aristocrats now devoid of all inhibitions, including their previous contempt for other castes. It was hot, noisy and strangely stimulating.

A group of laughing women ran up and thrust their little pointy breasts against the two young men. Then two shouting women leapt onto their backs dragging them to the ground where they were held firmly while two Aristocrat females stood indecisively for a couple of seconds astride their prey before squatting and impaling themselves. These were soon replaced by other giggling, laughing, cheerful Vassals and Freemen. Peteru lost count, but thought he and Uretep had each penetrated at least nine women of all three castes before their manhood wilted and the women raced off in search of more virile prey.

Despite the mayhem there was no sense of danger. Exhausted, unable to sustain erections, most of the men sagged onto seats, the ground, or low walls, content to be caressed, massaged, sucked and fingered in vain efforts at arousal by cheerful women intent on achieving ever more tumultuous orgasms.

An ear-splitting whistle stopped everyone in their tracks.

‘Go to a mat. Press your wrist once. Go home! Go to a mat. Press your wrist once. Go home. Go to a mat. Press your wrist...was repeated over and over in a harsh voice that brooked no refusal until, with astonishing docility, both men and women, no longer in lust, wandered with tired perplexed faces to the nearest mat and returned to their apartments.

Bruised, scratched, sweaty, stinking, sore and mildly shocked, Peteru and Uretep went back to their apartment for a quick shower, then obeyed a summons to Fabien’s Surveillance Chamber where the Mages were peering into banks of monitors. An adjacent wall was lit with thousands of tiny blinking lights, most of which were green.

‘Those two red ones are yours,’ Fabien leered, rubbing soft moist hands over Uretep’s buttocks.

Deciding it was politic to ignore the caresses, Uretep smiled and asked what he meant.

‘I know when everyone is in their apartments.’ Fabien’s saliva-sprinkled whisper was laced with vague menace as well as the usual stench of rotting teeth and gastric juices that emanated from all the Mages. ‘I know a great deal about you.’

Uretep’s heart pounded and his head, already woolly, felt ready to burst.

Peteru had been watching the petting and whispered exchange with disquiet. ‘What’s the problem?’ he asked.

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‘Fabien’s been spying on me.’ Uretep’s attempt at nonchalance was remarkably convincing, considering the state of his thoughts.

Fabien smiled.

‘He’s obviously in love with you,’ Peteru said casually. ‘That’s what lovers do.’

‘Don’t be ridiculous!’ Fabien snapped. ‘I haven’t been spying and there’s no way I could love a black kid, no matter how pretty.’ He tilted his head to one side and peered at them with slitted eyes. ‘There’s something about you both, though, that makes me very suspicious. I think you have something to hide.’

‘Only what happened down in the park half an hour ago.’

‘Too late, we saw it all. Serves you right mixing with trash. How was your first fuck with a female?’

‘Boring—and increasingly painful after the first half-dozen.’

‘I’ve got to hand it to you Mages,’ Peteru said admiringly, ‘Everyone’s so well trained; Aristocrats as well as Freemen and Vassals. One whistle and a few commands and off they went like good pets.’

‘That’s all they are,’ Xanthippe sneered. ‘Well-trained pets who can remember everything you tell them. Not one person forgot how to get home. NumbaCruncha is made for idiots like them.’

‘Gather round!’ Ishbel commanded. ‘Details for tomorrow’s move need to be finalised.’

‘You told them it wasn’t for a few days.’

‘I changed my mind. We need to keep them on their toes. Surprise is the essence of good generalship.’

Peteru and Uretep exchanged relieved glances. One thing less to do. If they’d suggested going early Ishbel would probably have done the opposite to show her power.

When everyone had found a seat she outlined the program. ‘First, everyone must be seated in the Arena at nine o'clock precisely. The Emperor and Empress will be in their usual place. He will repeat what he said today about New Oasis, then he’ll tell them we are already there waiting for them. After instructing them to simply touch their wrists three times rapidly, instead of once, he and his entourage will set the example and go. It’s that simple. Then everyone will follow suit for fear of being left behind.’

‘Wouldn’t it be better for the Mages to be in the Arena to ensure there’s no trouble, then leave from there?’ Peteru asked.

‘And arrive naked? You’re joking, Xanthippe sneered.

‘The clothes we took over for you are still there, you didn’t put them on.’

‘Surely you didn’t imagine we’d be leaving all our personal treasures behind in this crumbling cave? We’re not like the plebs who have nothing, own nothing and value nothing. Centuries of history are stored in our apartments and we’re not leaving that behind in case it’s damaged by idiot robots or workers when they move in to make repairs.’ Xanthippe turned to the other Mages. ‘Are any of you leaving anything behind to be picked up later?’

‘Definitely not!’ chorused the other twelve.

‘We’d never leave our history unguarded,’ Ishbel bellowed. ‘Vassals have been loading all our treasures in the largest of the transporters for several days. It’ll be ready to go first thing in the morning, and I’m travelling with it.’

‘So am I’ announced Ethel with her usual sycophantic leer. ‘I've no intention of arriving naked in that place!’

‘So am I,’ echoed the others.

‘But...who will oversee the mass transfer of everyone else if you Mages aren’t there?’ Uretep asked nervously.

‘This has always been your show, Uretep and Peteru. We trust you totally.’

‘But...who will give them the signal to go?’

‘Don’t you listen! I just explained! The Emperor! Are you being deliberately obtuse? You had such success with him before, you might as well capitalise on it.’

‘He isn’t as respected as you Mages, but you know best,’ Peteru said in an attempt to calm the atmosphere.

‘Yes, young man, I most certainly do!’ Ishbel said in a manner that suggested she knew much more about her two protégés than they could ever imagine.

‘Sorry, Ishbel, I didn’t mean to question your authority,’ Peteru said humbly. ‘It’s just that you people are so impressive and respected. The Emperor will be a poor substitute, but of course he’ll manage. Then, as soon as everyone’s gone, we’ll follow. We’ve nothing we want to take with us. New Oasis has been furnished with everything we’ve got here, and as it’s new it’ll be even better.’ The conviction in Peteru’s voice was remarkable.

‘Of course it will, and as your well-deserved reward for services rendered, we intend to confirm your appointments as permanent Mages on your arrival—so make sure you land in my apartment.’

‘We certainly will, Ishbel. That’ll be amazing. I can hardly believe we’ll be Mages.’ Uretep’s voice faded and he shook his head as if in disbelief at his good fortune. It was a remarkable performance.

‘You’ll believe it when it happens,’ Ishbel said with a slight smile. ‘And tonight you are invited to a farewell dinner to be held in the Mage Dining room. Eight o’clock, sharp! Come to my apartment as usual, and I’ll take you there.’

Surprise at the invitation lent authenticity to the young men’s somewhat over enthusiastic acceptance of the honour. Their fervent and apparently genuine delight at the prospect of sharing an official dinner triggered twitchy Mage smiles that were instantly suppressed.

Affecting not to notice, the young men maintained their state of eager excitement. ‘Who will unpack your treasures?’ Peteru sounded genuinely interested. ‘Can we help?’

‘Of course not! Vassals will do it all and travel with us. But enough chatter. I will make all the necessary public announcements tonight to prepare the way for tomorrow’s exodus, but I’ll leave the Emperor and the final departure to you both.’

‘You’ll have to remain here in the surveillance room until just before the exodus to ensure every seat is taken and no one’s skulking in their apartments,’ Fabien instructed, ‘then you can NumbaCrunch to the Mages’ balcony in the Arena. Can you remember the number of the surveillance room mat?’

‘Yes, thanks Fabien. Gosh, it’s a great honour to be so trusted.’

‘Yeah…’ Uretep seemed quite overwhelmed. ‘I promise we won’t stuff it up’

‘You’ll be stuffed, literally, if you do, young man,’ Fabien replied with such venom that Peteru’s bowels nearly loosened.

The ensuing silence was ominous. Thirteen Mages stared at the two young inventors with such intensity they felt as if all their secret thoughts were suddenly blazoned on their brows, and the duplicity in their hearts was open for all to see. Not daring to move, blink or even swallow in case it proved their deceit, they held their faces still and, they hoped, appeared calm and untroubled.

Ishbel’s harsh voice broke the spell. She turned to the other Mages. ‘From now until dinner, you’d all better check on the loading of the transporter. If your treasures are not there tomorrow, don’t come moaning to me.’ Again fixing her fat little eyes on the two novice Mages as if assessing their trustworthiness, she announced, ‘We will leave here at sunrise and arrive in New Oasis in plenty of time to welcome you all in the new Arena soon after nine o’clock. Make sure you are there!’

‘Certainly, Ishbel. We won’t let you down.’

‘I know you won’t.’ The smile was chilling. ‘In your hearts and minds you are already Mages.’

‘We are!’

The thirteen rulers of the entire human population of the country stepped onto enseemats and vanished, leaving their usual odour of rot and unwashed flesh. A handful of dead skin cells lifted in the slight breeze caused by their sudden exit.

‘That’s fantastic, don’t you reckon Uretep?’ Peteru said with commendable enthusiasm. ‘We really are going to be Mages! I can’t wait to live like them and have all that power.’

‘Yeah, me too. So we’d better not make any mistakes. First up the Emperor, he’ll have to be good if the Mages aren’t there. They command such respect they’ll be difficult to replace.’

Peteru ran his finger across his throat and mouthed, Don’t lay it on too thick. ‘OK, let’s go.’

Returning to their rooms, they chatted normally while preparing the speech for Calisto. After exchanging notes written on erasable pads, Uretep went to visit the Emperor while Peteru made a quick trip to the Men in the forest, hoping at least one would be there.

He was in luck. A few minutes after he arrived beside the stone, Jar appeared jogging down the track. Spotting Peteru he came over, listened to the news, agreed with their plans and promised they’d fulfil their role.

Seconds later Peteru was standing beside Uretep and Philo listening to Calisto repeat his speech, word perfect.

‘Can Philo stay with me this time. We promise not to screw in front of everyone?’

‘We insist that he does. And it’s no longer necessary to pretend you and Agnes are really married. Haven’t you noticed how easy and relaxed everyone’s become? No one will care if you two are lovers, so the new rule is, do as you want. OK?’

‘Very OK! I can’t believe you two are Mages.’

‘See you tomorrow then, in the Arena with all your entourage on the usual Emperor’s stage at exactly five minutes to nine. We will be the only Mages on their balcony because they’re going on ahead to welcome everyone.’

‘OK.’

‘Don’t forget, it is essential that every person in Oasis transfers to New Oasis from the Arena tomorrow morning at the same time. No one is allowed to go back to their room, or do anything else. As Emperor, it’s important that you know the reason, so you can tell anyone who asks why we have this sudden hurry.’

Calisto gazed at Uretep in confusion.

‘Oasis is falling apart, Calisto. The ceiling is collapsing and other things are also going wrong.’

‘He’s right, Calisto,’ Peteru added. The whole place could collapse at any time. It’s dangerous, so anyone who stays behind, thinking they will join us later, could die. Once we’re all in the new city, work will start here on repairs.’

‘Gosh! Thanks for telling me,’ Calisto whispered in surprise. ‘No one’s ever told me anything before. That explains why it’s getting hot and smelly, doesn’t it?’

‘Sure does. So we’ll rely on you to tell everyone about the danger and why it’s so important that we all go together.’

‘Yes, of course.’ Impulsively, Calisto wrapped his arms round both his new friends. ‘I have been so happy since I met you two.’

‘Thanks Calisto, you’re an excellent Emperor and a fine friend. Take care of him, Philo. See you both tomorrow.’

Peteru and Uretep returned to their room to go over their plans once again; one mistake would ruin everything.

‘It’s all in the timing.’

‘It certainly is, especially now! We’ve half an hour to take our robes to the Arena, shower, and get to Ishbel’s.’

Wearing their Mage cloaks and hoods they dropped by negrav chute then headed for the Arena. A hundred metres into the open space Uretep placed a hand on Peteru’s arm.

‘I have a very strong presentiment that we’ve been invited to this dinner to test us. Fabien made it very clear that he is suspicious, and so are most of the others. They don’t trust us at all, so if we do the slightest thing that suggests we’re not totally committed to becoming a Mage, that will confirm his suspicions and they’ll let him do what he likes with us. They don’t really need us any more because tomorrow’s all set up. Ishbel, Alger and Begum can replace us easily, so if we do or say the slightest thing that indicates we mightn't approve of them, they’ll take the risk that nothing will go wrong, and get rid of us.’

‘Makes sense. I’m surprised they’ve let us live this long! I wonder what stomach churning delight they’ve in store. I think I’ll be able to keep my mouth shut. Now, let’s get a wriggle on.’

The Arena guards dropped to their knees in awe of the robes, making no objection to their placing the garments at the rear of the Mage’s podium, then NumbaCrunching back to their apartment to freshen up before arriving exactly on time in Ishbel’s reception room.