Johnny Mackintosh and the Spirit of London (28 page)

“There is!” Johnny said, suddenly remembering. “You told me to give you this the first time we met on a different world.” He reached into his blue priest's robes and took out the locket. Bram stared at it, transfixed. Johnny opened it and a brilliant white light filled the room.

“No!” shouted Bram. “Close it.” Johnny snapped the locket shut and looked up at Bram, who seemed to be in shock. Finally he asked Johnny, “Where did you get that? Who would splinter a soul in such a way?”

“It's yours,” said Johnny. “You gave it me. I didn't know what it was. You turned round and there was that light and you put something in my locket.”

“Your locket?” asked Bram. Johnny nodded. “Let me see it again,” said Bram, “now I am prepared.” Johnny placed the locket on the floor between him and Bram and opened it up for a second time. Again white light streamed out, filling the room. Hesitantly, Bram reached his right hand out toward it and placed his index finger into the source of the light. The finger glowed white, then Bram's hand, then his lower arm, a wave of near brilliance passing slowly up him. With an effort he pulled the finger out of the locket and his arm returned to normal. “There can be no doubt,” he said. “Not even the Atlanteans could have done this. There can be nothing more important for me than to tear my soul in two. It does, though, explain how you passed through the Arch of Lysentia—something only those descended from the ancients could do.”

“How?” asked Clara.

“You carried my soul with you,” said Bram. “A small piece, but it was enough.”

Clara looked as though she was going to argue, but Johnny
cut in first. “You can't think this Neith would make a good Empress? She's horrible. Why are you here? Why did you come to Earth?”

“Earth?” said Bram. “What is that?”

“I mean Terra. Earth's what it's called in our time. I forgot,” said Johnny.

“Intriguing,” said Bram. “Terra … your Earth … had been peaceful for millennia. Then something happened. Atlantis, a new city-state, rose from the oceans and became dominant … almost overnight. No one took any notice. It was just another world … a bit of a backwater. Next the local systems fell to it: Toliman, Luytun, Sirius. There were murmurings in the Senate—a few sought action. It was then I realized how corrupt that once-great institution had become. Many were already in the pay of the Atlanteans—they claimed it was a local problem. No one intervened. Before we knew it the Terran Dominions covered a quarter of the galaxy, enslaving local people. They had their orichalcum—and yes it is useful, nearly unique—but not that useful. There was something else. They called it the Diaquant.”

“What is the Diaquant?” Johnny asked.

“A good question,” Bram replied. “Very good. I have my suspicions, but I cannot be sure.”

“You don't know?” said Clara.

“No,” said Bram. “But I've given up a lot to find out. My gifts for Neith were to gain access to the Diaquant. To learn what it is, its secrets, before the rest of the galaxy falls. To take it if I can.”

“To steal it?” Johnny asked, surprised.

“Perhaps it will want to come,” Bram replied, smiling, “if it is what I think it is. Now, though, I must ask a favor.”

“What is it?” asked Clara.

“A divided soul is a terrible thing. I cannot bear this fragment to be separate any longer. I must take it back,” said Bram.
Johnny nodded. Bram continued, “Forgive me—it is something I must do alone. The process will take some time. Enjoy the feast, or get some rest. Tomorrow will be a trying day.”

“Of course,” said Johnny. He and Clara got to their feet and stepped outside Bram's shimmering curtain.

“Do you think he'll really take the Dia … the thingy?” Clara asked, as Johnny gave her a warning look.

“Not here,” said Johnny. “They're bound to be listening.” They walked toward the door and opened it. The passageway was deserted except for a couple of cats. “Come on,” said Johnny. “I want to show you something.”

“What is it?” Clara asked. “It's really late.”

“You'll love it,” said Johnny, “I want you to meet Nesaea.”

“Oh, can I?” asked Clara, perking up.

The feast had become a party. Johnny and Clara had no trouble slipping through the crowds of revelers as they made their way into the inner courtyard where they'd first met Neith in the day. A group of priests were huddled near the raised platform, so Johnny skirted around the outside until they reached the entrance to the little temple where he'd been given his robes. He led Clara down a brick-built corridor where their echoing footsteps sounded suddenly very loud. Finally Johnny found the chamber, brightly lit by moonlight streaming in through the clear roof and reflecting off the water in the square pool. Johnny knelt down and peered into the water. There was nothing there, so he lowered his face, breaking the surface with his mouth, and said, “Nesaea—are you there?” He felt a hand on his back and before he could stop himself he was falling in. “What did you do that for?” Johnny asked, turning round and treading water

Clara who was laughing by the side of the pool replied, “Come on—you were asking for it.” Johnny knew she was right and started to laugh too. Then something brushed his leg. A
snout broke the surface of the water. “Oh … she's gorgeous,” said Clara. She knelt down by the edge of the pool to say hello.

“Clara—this is Nesaea. Nesaea—meet my sister, Clara.”

“Hello, Clara,” said the dolphin, but not in the high-pitched squeaks and clicks Johnny had heard earlier. This voice was electronically generated. Johnny saw Nesaea was wearing a muzzle and harness, which contained a speaker attached to her back just above her fin.

Clara didn't seem to mind at all and slid off the side to join Johnny and the dolphin in the pool. “Look she's hurt, poor thing,” she said as she gently took hold of Nesaea's left flipper which was bleeding, softly stroking it.

“I guess she's been pulling boats,” said Johnny. “That must be what the harness is for.”

“You are correct, Johnny,” replied the electronic voice emanating from the dolphin's back. Johnny wondered about taking the harness off so that Nesaea could speak properly, but then Clara wouldn't be able to understand her. “Swim with me,” said the monotone voice.

“Oh, may I?” asked Clara and she took hold of the dolphin's fin and held on as Nesaea circled the pool. Johnny didn't think the dolphin looked at all happy, but Clara was giggling and clearly loving it.

With the din in the chamber it was difficult to tell, but Johnny thought he could hear footsteps coming down the corridor. “Shhhsh you two,” he hissed at them. “I think someone's coming.” Sure enough the footsteps were getting closer and, by the clinking of wood on the stone floor, Johnny guessed one pair belonged to Mestor. He pulled Clara over to edge of the pool where they could hide in the shadows and whispered, “Please be quiet,” to Nesaea. The dolphin looked terrified but didn't make a sound.

Two people entered the chamber: Mestor and Neith herself,
who sat down in the chair Johnny had used earlier and spoke first. “Why have you brought me here? You could have said what you had to before my ladies in waiting.”

“My Queen,” said Mestor. “No one can overhear us in this place.”

“I have no secrets from my people—their loyalty is unquestioned.”

“I do not doubt it, my Queen,” replied the priest, “but even so it is prudent to take precautions.”

“Then say what you have to … I have a celebration to return to.”

“Very well, my Queen,” said Mestor. “Did it not occur to you that the Senator's gifts were somewhat … lavish?”

“Perhaps Khari has finally seen sense,” replied Neith. “Perhaps he has decided to support my claim—he wishes to curry favor with me.”

“Is that likely? He has opposed you at every turn,” said the priest.

“Then why, Mestor? Why would he offer me a personal shield? There can be only five in all the galaxy.”

“Because he is so desperate to see the Diaquant he could not risk refusal,” Mestor replied.

“And what good would it do him? He will witness its power and know I am invincible.”

“It may be he will do more than that,” said Mestor. “It may be he will take it from us.”

“How can he do that? It is impregnable.”

“He is of noble birth … as are you, my Queen,” said Mestor, bowing as low as he could. “He, too, passed through the arch. Perhaps he, too, can tame the Diaquant.”

“Then what do you suggest?” snapped Neith. “Should I have refused him? He is here now.”

“I suggest it is not worth the risk, my Queen. I suggest Khari
is killed.” Hidden in the water Johnny and Clara exchanged glances. Mestor continued, “Those children, too. Did they also not pass through the arch? Perhaps he brought them to aid his plan.” Clara was staring at Johnny wide-eyed. He put a finger to his lips.

“What about the Senate?” asked Neith. “He is their envoy.”

“And without him they are leaderless. With Khari gone, none will dare oppose you.”

“Yes, my faithful servant. You are right … as always. Can you arrange it?”

“It will be done, my Queen,” said Mestor, bowing. “Tonight. Better before he establishes his presence here further.”

“So be it,” said Neith. “I shall return to the party. Do what you must.” Neith turned and marched away up the corridor. Mestor bowed again and started limping slowly after.

Johnny and Clara stared at each other horrified. Once they were sure Mestor was out of earshot, Clara asked, “What do we do?”

“We warn Bram … now,” said Johnny climbing out of the pool and dripping over the floor. He reached down to help Clara out. “We'll go back to the ships and get out of here before they find out.”

“I can help,” said an electronic voice in the water behind them. Johnny and Clara turned and stared at Nesaea.

“How?” asked Johnny.

“I can take you to the Diaquant,” the dolphin replied. The electronic voice was flat but Johnny couldn't help noticing the fear in her eyes. Nesaea continued, “There is a chamber underneath the great tower. I will fetch my sisters. Bring your friend, this Senator, and meet us here. You will swim there with us.”

“OK,” said Johnny.

“Thank you,” said Clara, reaching down and hugging the dolphin's face.

“Hurry,” came the electronic voice. Clara let go and she and Johnny ran, dripping, through the corridors and back out into the courtyard. Thankfully the party had moved elsewhere so they sprinted straight across the middle, past the raised platform, splashed through the pool to the other side and down a passageway to the entrance to Bram's chambers.

The door was locked. Johnny and Clara hammered on it for all they were worth, shouting to be let in. Very slowly it swung open. Bram saw the two bedraggled figures in front of him and burst out laughing. Johnny and Clara fell through into the entrance hall and started to speak.

“They're going to kill you,” said Johnny.

“All of us,” said Clara.

“Tonight,” said Johnny.

“We've got to escape,” said Clara.

“With the dolphins,” said Johnny. “They'll take us to the Diaquant.”

“Stop!” said Bram, with such authority that Johnny and Clara were instantly quiet. “In here,” he continued, once again producing a circular spyproof curtain for all of them to sit inside. “And slow down … one at a time. Johnny—you first. What are you talking about?”

Johnny repeated the conversation they'd overheard between Neith and Mestor.

“They would not dare,” said Bram. “A Senator, descended from the ancients.”

“But that's why,” pleaded Johnny. “With you gone no one can stop them.”

“But I must have the Diaquant,” said Bram. “I cannot leave without it.”

“Then let's go … please,” said Clara. “Nesaea will take us to it.”

“This Nesaea … this dolphin. Can we trust her?” asked Bram.

“Of course,” said Clara. “She's …” Clara looked to Johnny for help.

“She's a dolphin,” he said simply, nodding in agreement.

“Very well,” said Bram. “Let's go.”

Three dolphins, each wearing muzzles and harnesses, broke the surface of the square pool in the temple chamber. “Hurry,” came the monotone voice from Nesaea. There were footsteps coming toward them down the bricked corridor. “Each of you take a fin, and hold your breath.”

Bram didn't look at all convinced. “They're injured,” he said. Look at their flippers—they're bleeding.'

“It's the boats,” said Clara. “They get hurt in the harnesses pulling them.”

“Come on,” said Johnny. He slipped his locket under his tunic, grabbed Bram's arm and jumped into the water, pulling him along. Clara followed. The voices were getting louder. Now in the water, Bram nodded, grim-faced. Johnny grabbed hold of Nesaea's fin while Clara and Bram each held onto one of her sisters'. All three of them took a huge lungful of air and the dolphins dived.