Chapter 10

Eoin set the plate down and stepped over to his wife's prone body, quickly arranging her on her side, outer leg sprawled across the lower, arms the same, then stepped back to his plate. Having a seat on the platform beneath the kitchen space, he kept an eye on Ally but didn't panic. She knew not to let her emotions to overwhelm her. Hunters weren't allowed to feel intense anger, it promptly triggered an override response to the nano-virus that momentarily shut down their system, killing the fury.

The best hunter was always calm.

She also knew the chances of a Promethean managing to poison themselves were slim to none. The nano-virus was sensitive to compounds that could do potential damage.

Ally breathed easily enough and knowing she'd open her eyes in a moment Eoin hurriedly scooped a fork full of the steaming food and popped it in his mouth.

Ally's eyes flicked open as Eoin's eyes began to stream.

'Eoin!'

He waved his hand at her as the intense mix of spices and the unexpected heat rose up the back of his throat. She perched beside him, clutching his arm, her eyes wide with fear.

Forcing the mouthful down, noting as he did the creamy rich touch of meat, Eoin gasped a breath and patted her hand.

'I'm okay. I'm okay. Are you alright?'

'I'm fine,' she assured him. 'What's wrong, did it burn? Is it okay?'

'It's good! Really! It tastes like it was made fresh now!'

Ally's sceptical expression said it all.

'Go on, try it.'

It took some persuading and then a dubious and tiny taste test before Ally's eyes went wide in astonishment. She took a larger mouthful and slowly chewed it, visibly rolling the food across her tongue before swallowing.

'That's insane,' she finally said. 'How does it taste so fresh?'

Eoin grinned and stood to split the food onto another plate then handed it to Ally along with another fork.

'I don't know. I'd need to see how it's sealed in those containers, and what they're made of.'

'Though, given that the tunnel is open and only relied on that mesh stuff to seal out, the metal of the space is in incredible condition,' Ally said between mouthfuls, all apprehension toward the food gone. 'And I can hear that hum of something working away all the way down the end of the tunnel. I wonder if there are pumps and things to keep the space dry.'

Eoin considered that as he set his now empty plate aside. 'Even the air is dry compared to the jungle. And it is so low, there must be the risk of flooding.'

Ally mumbled through a mouthful. 'No sign of flooding anywhere.'

Eoin nodded, mind considering all the options while Ally finished her plate. Standing, they explored the rest of the room side by side, discovering clever cupboards tucked away behind panels, some empty, others containing white clothing, long pants and shapeless over tops that tied at the waist. Ally regarded them with a derisive sniff, wrinkling her nose.

The next room revealed itself to be a bathroom, with a floor that sloped to the centre drain. A press made a small sink pop out from the wall and a discreet toilet too. Fascinated, Eoin tested the tap, delighted to find water.

'The legs,' he said to Ally excitedly. 'They must disguise all manner of pipes.'

Ally nodded but he could see she already edged toward the main room. With a grin to her he motioned her ahead as they walked back into it, the area excessively spacious in comparison to the sleeping quarters and bathroom.

Ally stopped a couple of feet into the room and slowly studied the space. The jutting out shelf-like table that ringed the outer walls left an overly wide space through the middle of the room. She knew something must occupy that space. Beside her Eoin muttered under his breath as he studied the area too; it caused a twinge of competitiveness and Ally moved further into the room. The smooth floor had the slightest variation in the very centre of the room. She heard Eoin moving closer and quickly stooped, reaching for that tiny bump.

The moment her hand came within an inch of that spot a loud hum and sudden vibration made them both recoil in shock.

'Greetings Prometheans. Welcome to the Seventh Promethean Laboratory. My name is Holi, I am your laboratory guardian.'

Ally gaped at the woman standing before them, eyes and mind disbelieving.

The slightest flicker in light made Ally spot the dot on the ceiling, identical to the one on the floor. Both dots emitted the light source that somehow produced the human woman they saw before them.

'Holi,' Eoin's voice sounded strained. 'What are you?'

'I am your laboratory guardian. A fully interactive AI projection. I am responsible for protecting this laboratory and assisting scientists in their work.'

Ally and Eoin exchanged a blank stare of shock. Holi continued.

'Protocol demands must be met. Do you have any injured humans in your party? If so please bring them in immediately so I can see to their injuries.'

'No,' Eoin began. Holi interrupted him.

'Please ask your commanding human to enter the laboratory so I may talk with them.'

Ally arched an eyebrow at Eoin, her lips pressing smaller as Holi continued, demanding to meet their humans.

'No!' Eoin raised his voice as Holi went to repeat her questions. 'We are a team of two Prometheans only. A scientist and a hunter.'

Holi's expression flickered in a manner that soothed Ally's irritation. She smirked as the projected blonde placed her hands on her hips the odd looking fitted suit of white fabric with lines of blue down each limb appearing to stretch across her bust as she huffed.

'Well! This is NOT normal protocol. What year is it?'

The irritation vanished and Ally met Eoin's eyes, apprehension swirling at that potent question.

Eoin's eyes looked as grey as the steel of the room as he stared at Holi.

'What is the date?'

Holi pitched the volume enough to make them both wince. Ally gave a tiny flick of her hands, eyes fixed on Eoin's. He pursed his lips then shrugged.

'It is the second century of the eighth millennium of the common era.'

Holi stared blankly at Eoin, and as the silence extended Ally moved to his side. Holi's eyes seemed to flicker; actually her whole body shimmered making her hard to watch. Ally and Eoin stared with uncertainty at the A.I.

'Did you break her?' she murmured.

'That does not compute,' Holi declared suddenly, image solidifying. Her eyes narrowed at them. 'What is the ACTUAL date?'

'Why not?' Ally asked with irritation. 'You've been asleep. How would you know?'

Holi pivoted, the lack of normal sound from movements eerie. She addressed Ally directly.

'This facility was completed at the end of the second century of the third millennium. This facility is designed to sync with the main facility in London every year. In the event of any worldwide catastrophe this facility is instructed to deactivate completely. Has there been a worldwide catastrophe?'

Eoin's breath hitched in his throat and Ally froze.

'No! No. It is the, the fourth century of the third millennium,' Eoin blurted the words out, squinting at the A.I with a pale face. Ally regarded that expression with a surge of gut twisting anxiety, realizing that he guessed, and that if he were too out for Holi's liking, she'd make this entire lab nothing more than a hunk of ancient scrap metal.