Chapter Seven - Suspicion
The trip through the portal caused everyone to feel sick to their stomachs but at least everyone was awake except for me. I was being carried by Kyle, “We need to get her to a bed.”
“Give me a moment, I need to call it in first before we go anywhere,” Anzak says, walking away from the group.
The small group is located in a giant holding room. There are rows of chairs, like you would see at an airport but unlike one, there are no windows. In the distance is a glass door with several men in uniform standing guard. The walls are light gray while the floor is made of white marble.
“Looks like Samir and his team was right, they were on that planet,” Anzak says over the phone to Ozma. “Yea, the girl is with them. Looks like going through the portal had an effect on her; she passed out as soon as she crossed over. I haven’t figured out who used the man-made portal yet but check the video feed from the security cameras, maybe you’ll see someone that you recognize. I’m going to send everyone to medical bay to get check out but we’ll leave the girl there for more testing. I’ll get back to you once I know more,” Anzak switches off his mobile phone.
“Is she going to be okay?” Miles asks.
“Yea, she’s just tired and needs some rest,” Kyle reassures.
“Alright everyone, we’re cleared to go to the medical bay, follow me,” Anzak walks to the glass doors and takes out a badge. He waves it in front of a small black box and then places his finger on a scanner. The door then unlocks. “The medical bay isn’t far from here. We made sure to keep the holding room and medical close together for emergencies. Of course we do have more than one medical bay here.” He nods at Jasmine, “Could you set up their rooms in the meantime? I’m sure they would rather rest in their own personal room once we’re done with the testing.”
“Sure,” she says, walking ahead of the group.
“Testing?” Tom asks, worried.
“Anyone that we find off world needs to be cleared before leaving this floor. It’s a precaution and for the safety of everyone that works here.”
The medical lab is indeed nearby and the group split into their own rooms to be tested for any infections or viruses. Kyle follows Russell into one of the larger rooms and carefully puts me on the bed. Kyle hesitates before leaving.
“She’ll be alright, now please, follow me to your room.”
The medical bay at the UPC looks very similar to an urgent care center, small but with a good size staff and the best equipment that can’t be found anywhere else.
While in their separate rooms, the group is scanned by a handheld machine to determine if there are any current infections. Medicine is given, in liquid form for those who have a headache from passing through the portal.
Anzak takes out his phone and calls Ozma once again. “She’s in the room. Alright but are you sure, we’re only in beta testing? Sure. Just let me know if you need anything else from me. I’m going to take the rest of them to their apartments for the rest of the day and start fresh tomorrow.”
Within thirty minutes the testing is done and everyone is cleared except for me.
“The apartments are ready but I need to take you all to the lobby so we can assign them to you,” Anzak says.
“What about Jen?” Miles asks.
“I’m sorry but she’s going to have to stay here for a while longer,” Anzak answers.
“How much longer?” Kyle asks.
“A day or two, it seems she took ill after going through the portal, a common side effect.”
“You guys go ahead, I want to wait here,” Kyle says.
“I’m sorry but she can’t have any visitors right now. You’ve all been cleared and we can’t risk infection. These are just the protocols that we need to follow to keep everyone safe.” Anzak says.
“Then I can just wait in the waiting room,” Kyle, refusing to leave.
Anzak sighs, “You all need your rest, what good will it do anyone if you wait out here without food or proper sleep. I assure you, she’s under the best care.”
“He’s right, Kyle, Jen would want us to rest I’m sure we’ll be able to see her soon,” Miles says.
Every bone in his body tells him to stay but from the looks of things that wouldn’t be possible. He would have to try to return here later on.
As the group walks, Anzak informs them of a few things about the UPC, “We have over one hundred floors that reach the sky and into the ground. Our main function is to supply transportation to those who can afford it by means of instant teleportation.”
Joe laughs, “I would tell you that you’re insane but after what we’ve seen and actually walking through portals, I actually believe it. I just can’t understand how you’re able to do it.”
“It’s simple really,” Anzak starts. “You notice how when you walk through the portal you were instantly sent here, right? In reality there’s about a ten second delay between there and here. Within those ten seconds your atoms are being broken down and then rebuilt again as you make your way to your destination. We use both magic and science to operate the portals.”
“Magic isn’t real…” Joe stammers.
“Yes and no. Magic is defined as something science cannot explain. It’s real but we can’t figure out why or how. It’s faint on your planet since you’re behind and may refuse to believe in it but in time, hopefully, you’ll be as advanced as we are.” Anzak says. “We also have several libraries for research and we offer apartments to those who might need to stay for a while. That’s where you’ll be staying tonight and come tomorrow I can answer any other questions that you may have.”
They reach the end of the hallway and instead of an elevator there’s a portal. Anzak explains, “We only have one elevator here and it’s used to reach the top floor. Instead we use portals to get around. Each employee is only allowed to work on one level of the UPC and they are restricted to visit any other floor. Each day they scan their badges here,” He points to small black device that is attached to the wall next to the portal. “We’re very careful here. Along with their badge they are required to scan their finger so we know where everyone is and where they are going. Now if you will follow me, this will take us to the lobby on the forty-first floor. There we can set you up.”
They walk through the portal, with Kyle taking up the rear. He looks back, as if to see if maybe I was right behind them.
Instantly the group is teleported to the lobby, here there are windows everywhere and people walking about. It looks a bit like a subway station with chairs, information kiosks and busy people trying to get where they need to be. The majority of the people here have dark tan-skins with only a handful that has a blue tint and Anzak’s group that have lighter skin tones, save for Joice who is tanned.
The view outside is spectacular. Tall buildings can be seen in a yellow and orange sky with a massive desert in the background. It looks like a New York skyline but with an orange glow. There seems to be a giant bubble covering the entire city. This is used to protect the city from sandstorms from the desert.
Anzak gives the group a few minutes to take in the view before calling them over. “Okay, everyone who gets an apartment here has to be entered into the system.”
The tall Asian from before joins the group, “I’ve asked to put aside four apartments. The young one here is going to have to share with one of the older ones.”
“I don’t mind, Joe, is it okay if I stay with you?” Miles asks.
“Sure,” he answers.
Miles has really taken to Joe; especially since both share common interests.
Each person has to give their full name and have their index finger scanned and create a password as a precaution.
“If you need anything from me, just call the operator and ask for me. They’ll be able to transfer the call. I’ll be by in the morning to take you back here and then we can get underway.”
They follow Anzak to a set of portals, “Now just swipe your card and scan your finger and then walk on through. Everyone is on the same level and your room number is on your badge. Relax and I’ll see you all in the morning.”
Once the five walk through the portal, Anzak walks towards the elevator to discuss a few things with Ozma.
On the other side of the portal, the view is very similar to a hotel floor. The carpet is brown and the walls are a cream color with painting and pictures from sights of Zerron.
“Looks like we’re next to each other,” Joe says.
“It’s going to be so nice to finally take a shower and have some privacy for once,” Joice says, excited, walking up to her apartment. You guys behave now,” she swipes her badge and places her finger on the scanner. The door opens and she enters, gasping in excitement as she does.
Following Joice’s apartment is Kyle’s, Tom’s and then Joe and Miles’ apartment is at the end since it’s a two bedroom.
Kyle hesitates, “I’m going to head back.”
“And do what?” Joe asks. “You’re way too paranoid, I’m sure everything will be alright come tomorrow. Just get some rest.”
Tom yawns, “Joe’s right, we all could use some rest and we’ll figure out how to get home and what’s going on.”
“Fine.”
The apartments are around 1,000 square feet and are fully furnished with a bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. They have the same look as the hallway, brown carpet and cream walls.
Kyle paces back and forth inside his apartment before regretting entering it. He tries the exit but the door doesn’t open. It seems once someone enters the apartment, a lock is triggered, keeping him from leaving. He wondered if this was the case with everyone else. There’s a phone on the kitchen counter top. Kyle picks it up and dials for an operator.
“UPC temporary housing information, how many I help you?” an older lady’s voice is heard from the ear piece.
“Hi, I just arrived here and as soon as I entered my apartment I realized that I had forgotten something. When I tried to open the door, it wouldn’t open.”
“All new arrivals must wait fifty hours before being allowed to leave their apartment at night. Someone will be by in the morning to escort you to where you need to go for the day.”
“So I can’t leave?” Kyle asks the operator.
“No sir, please have a pleasant night,” the lady disconnects.
Agitated, Kyle throws the phone down, how could he have fallen for such an easy trap. Now with no means of escape, he would have to wait until morning to see if I was alright. He had zero doubts now that something was going on.
Meanwhile, the dark blue skinned young man from Ozma’s office makes his way into the medical bay. He walks up to the reception desk, “I’m here to see the girl that Anzak brought in earlier today.”
The young female receptionist looks up, “Under whose authority?”
“Ozma’s. You can call her if you wish,” he says.
The young woman picks up the phone and dials into Ozma’s office, “This is Kalila in med bay at the holding station, I have a….”
“Zar-Q,” he says.
“I have Zar-Q here and he says that you gave him permission to visit the young—yes, alright, thank you.” Kalila hangs up the phone and allows Zar-Q to enter.
Zar-Q enters my room, which is free from windows and any interruptions. I stir in my bed before finally opening my eyes. It takes me a few minutes to realize that I have an IV stuck in my arm and that there’s someone in the room with me.
“What’s going on?” I manage to say.
“Just try to relax. You walked through a portal and had a side effect. I’m just here to draw some blood needed to run a few tests.”
“You’re blue?”
“Yea, I’m from, well, it doesn’t matter right now,” Zar-Q takes out a needle and penetrates my skin; the blood slowly fills the syringe. “Just get some rest; you’re going to need it.”
