Chapter 12

The Prefect’s Speech

Amplified by the loudspeakers, the Prefect's high voice rang out over the crowd. “My friends. My beloved fellow city residents. May the Protectors guide us.”

“The Protectors have designed our path!” came the traditional reply from the crowd, their many voices making a dissonant clamour.

“Difficult and testing times are upon us. By now, you have all noticed that the Kibble machine, the very symbol of the care provided by our beloved Protectors, is giving us less food!”

He paused for effect, and Weskar imagined his beady eyes scanning the crowd, daring anybody to interrupt. He could see guards stationed here and there around the perimeter, their pikes held ready, a none-to-subtle reminder of the Prefect's authority.

“There should still be some Kibble left,” whispered Sam. “The machine must have an automatic rationing system!”

The Prefect's amplified voice cut across any further speculation. “Tonight, I must bring you grave and deeply shocking news. You may have heard of the Outsider rebellion, when a group of dangerous heretics tried to denounce and defy the Protectors, who have blessed us with perfect care for thousands of years.

“We all believe that we shall someday reach the paradise known as Outside, if we only trust in the Protectors and follow Their will. But the Outsiders preach heresy! They claim that the Outside lies somewhere beyond the city walls, and we can reach it in this life!”

A ripple of indignation travelled through the crowd, most likely started by the Prefect's supporters. His words cut over the noise after a well-timed delay. "Such lies and treachery! I hear your anger. We know, as the Protectors have taught us, that there is NOTHING beyond the city walls except darkness.

“The Outsiders wanted to bring anarchy to our beloved city and overthrow the order which keeps us all safe. But, with the blessing of the Protectors, your leaders discovered their terrible plan, and banished them! Since then, we have been safe from their terrible threat.

“Today, I discovered that the Outsiders have survived by hiding in dark caves beyond the city walls and eating rats and slime. And because we showed them the mercy of the Protectors last time, they have repaid us by plotting against us again!”

Another burble of astonishment and anger rose from the crowd, then faded as the Prefect continued.

“Alas, they managed to infiltrate the sacred mechanisms of the Protectors, and in an intolerable act of desecration, they attempted to sabotage our Kibble machine!”

The Prefect paused again, and this time the murmur from the crowd grew to a roar. Sam, however, may have been even more angry than the crowd.

“WHAT! How can he say that it was US?”

“He’s twisting the truth!” cried Weskar. “Don’t you see? Now we won’t be able to convince anyone that the Kibble machine is broken, because they already think we sabotaged it. They’ll never believe anything we say!”

At that moment, the guard’s pike jabbed Weskar through the bars, and this time the current was on. White hot pain seared through him, and he dropped to the ground. That's twice today, he thought as his vision cleared. I should try to avoid getting stunned again.

As he waited for the ringing in his ears to recede, he noticed a surreptitious glance from the other guard. Was there a look of concern on his face? The Shepherd couldn’t be sure.

He grasped the metal framework of the prison and pulled himself up. The Prefect's echoed across the park as the crowd noise subsided.

“My friends, your anger is understandable. But fear not, for by the will of the Protectors, we have managed to capture some of these heretics who threaten our very survival!”

Cheers and sporadic clapping answered this disclosure, and Weskar imagined the Prefect's victorious smile.

“They wander naked, dirty and cold in the endless caverns beyond the walls, little more than the wild animals of the ancient legends, and yet they try to infiltrate our great city and drag us down to their level!

“But that is not the most shocking part! For amongst their number we found three residents of this very city, who have become corrupted by the Outsider lie, and betrayed their own!”

The Prefect allowed the crowd to digest this for a short time before launching into his main purpose. A steely determination entered his voice, suffused with a note of triumph.

“As you can see, we must be extremely vigilant. I believe there are more of these Outsider heretics amongst our own people. We will root them out as before!”

Weskar could see some of the audience through a gap in the trees, and he sensed their growing disquiet as the Prefect's manufactured paranoia took hold. Weskar's heart fluttered. He'd always lived in this city with these canines; he'd always obeyed and respected the authorities. The Prefect is corrupt and manipulative, and he rules by fear. How did I never notice before? Meeting the Outsiders had changed his perspective. The Prefect could never hold such power Outside, where no walls kept the canines captive and no Kibble machine provided for them. It was no wonder that he didn't want anyone to know the truth!

At that moment, something entirely unexpected happened. After using his stun pike on Weskar, the guard had now turned to scan the crowd, and a shape emerged from the shadows behind him. A strange sizzling sound came to Weskar, and the guard jerked and crumpled to the ground. The other guard had used his pike on his colleague, and the whole thing was over before Weskar realised was going on. The guard shouldered his pike and looked at the caged canines.

“That was a high setting, but he will wake up in a moment.”

He grabbed the fallen guard’s pike and passed it through the bars to Red. “That’s the trigger. Keep it on him and use it if he stirs!”

The husky accepted the changed circumstances without argument as the remaining guard trotted around to the door and opened it. “Come on!” he said.

They all scrambled out. Alenna went straight to the pile of packs slung against the base of a tree, and dug out hers. She took out her little bottle and sprayed it under the nose of the stunned guard just as he stirred, and he slumped back to the ground.

They turned to face their rescuer, still wondering if their escape was some kind of trick. The smiling Rottweiler favoured them with an awkward and disarming bow.

“I’m Ket. I’ve always been a loyal servant of the Prefect, until today. But when I saw you all arrive....”

His eyes scanned the group, and especially the villagers, with an expression of awe. They certainly made an impressive sight as they stood proud and unclothed, coats shining in the orange streetlight. Despite their fashionable clothes, the canines of the City looked faded and shabby by contrast.

“Well, I knew straight away that you must have come from somewhere wonderful. And you seemed to come in peace. Living in dark caves and eating rats indeed! I don’t believe a word of it.” Weskar smiled when he saw the Rottweiler's stocky tail wagging with great enthusiasm.

On the stage, the Prefect's ranting voice warned of the threat within and the need for vigilance, which sounded a lot like random searches of private houses by the guards, and canines spying on their friends and family.

Now that Ket wasn't threatening them with a pike, Weskar thought he looked like a decent and dependable canine. A handsome black and tan coat covered his muscular frame, and his broad face looked stern until he smiled, when it became open and friendly. Sam stepped forward to welcome the Rottweiler with a lick on the nose.

“I’m glad someone here gave us a welcome, anyway! But we’d better not stay and chat. The Prefect has plans for us and I don't think they'll be nice. We need to think of something, and fast!”

They crept forward through the little thicket of fake trees and shrubs next to the stage. The artificial vegetation looked extremely tacky now that Weskar had seen a real forest, and the villagers eyed it dubiously.

Crouching in the shadows, they had a clear view of the stage. The Prefect gestured wildly from a podium as his oratory neared its conclusion. He had cemented his control over the crowd with half-truths and fear, and Weskar wondered what they could possibly do to overcome the mob's hysterical mood.

“But as I said before, we have managed, through the good will of the Protectors, to capture a band of these despicable spreaders of evil, with some of our own city residents amongst them.

“I am sure you all want to see what these despicable creatures look like. I have my guards ready to bring them out for you to see. Guards....”

The Prefect’s voice broke off mid-sentence as a bright, clear note floated across the park and cut through his words. Another note followed, then a sequence. Some were high and smooth, others low and deep.

Weskar stood still, transfixed by the unusual sequence of sounds. They seemed simple, yet somehow they awoke a strange primeval joy he had never felt before. As the notes soared upwards, it carried his mind high like a bird riding the summer breeze. In the deeper notes he caught glimpses of the ancient roots of the mountains and the slow move of the seasons. It was as if the sound carried with it the joy of life, exuberant yet tinged with sadness. It was a celebration.

Weskar wasn't the only one affected. Many canines in the crowd were also looking around with wonder in their eyes as they searched for the source. Weskar’s ears directed his gaze towards a building at the far side of the park. And there, sitting cross-legged on the edge of the roof, was Misha. The harsh light from the park floodlights outlined his chiselled form. He sat in a posture of intense concentration, his paws holding a long tube in a horizontal position, one end delicately positioned below his mouth. He blew over the end of the tube to produce the sounds while his fingers manipulated keys along its length to change the tone. A wire ran down from the tube to an amplifier sitting on the roof beside him, and the sound echoed out loud and clear over the crowd.

All this was immediately obvious to Weskar, in a logical way, but it could not explain how the sequence of notes could speak straight to his heart. In fact, he was hearing music for the first time, but he didn't know this.

Misha’s musical sequence reached a crescendo, then drew to a conclusion which left the listeners with an afterglow of satisfaction. The Prefect had been standing speechless at the podium, but now he regained control of himself. If the music had affected him, he wasn’t going to let the crowd know, and the unharmonious screech of his voice filled the silence as the music faded.

“They are among us with their devilish tricks! Guards! Seize that dog and his mind-control device!”

A bevy of guards hurried towards the building on which Misha sat, and Weskar had to admire their single-minded devotion. But the first tune had barely faded into silence, leaving the crowd excited and bewildered, when the tan dog raised his flute again. This time, instead of a slow and intense melody, he began a new song with a faster tempo and stirring tune. It inspired Weskar to do something bold and adventurous.

It obviously wasn't the first time the villagers had heard music, but its inspirational effects worked equally well on them. They looked at one another with excited grins before rushing as one up the steps and onto the stage. The Prefect had wanted to present them to the crowd, and now he got his wish. But as they lined up beside the podium, they all raised their voices and began to sing along with the tune from Misha’s flute.

When I leave ship I’ll settle down

Heave aweigh (Heave aweigh!) Santy Ano

I’ll marry a girl named Sally Brown

Way out in Californ-i-o

They sang the archaic and nonsensical lyrics with great enthusiasm, and Weskar wished he could join in. Their voices carried easily to the side of the stage, but only the first few rows of the crowd could hear them. Terry remedied the situation by leaning over to the podium, where he dwarfed the Prefect who stood open mouthed. The big Bernese winked at the Jack Russell as he plucked the microphone from its stand and brought it across in front of the villagers. They all gathered around for the chorus, and the strong, deep sound of canine voices in harmony echoed out over the crowd.

So Heave her up and away we’ll go

Heave aweigh (Heave aweigh!) Santy Ano

Heave her up and away we’ll go

We’re bound for Californ-i-o

There’s plenty of gold, so I’ve been told

Heave aweigh (Heave aweigh!) Santy Ano

Plenty of gold so I’ve been told

Way out in Californ-i-o!

The Prefect looked like he might explode with rage. He began shouting and waving his arms, but deprived of the microphone he could not be heard over the six Outsiders who were giving it their all. Some of the guards were trying to gain access to the building where Misha sat with his flute, but he had contrived to lock the doors from the inside. Soon a rhythmic crashing added to the singing as the guards used a heavy park bench as a battering ram. Oblivious, Misha played on.

Meanwhile, more guards scrambled to the aid of their leader. The first to arrive came up the steps at a run, ready to charge the impromptu choir and wrestle the microphone off them. But he dropped like a stone as Ket stepped out of the shadows and applied his stun pike.

Weskar, Sam and Alenna were already on the stage, Sam wielding the pike taken from the other guard and Alenna with spray bottle at the ready. The next guard hesitated, waiting for more of his colleagues to arrive. The villagers launched into another stirring chorus of Heave aweigh, Santy Ano!

The guards were rallying, but help came from an unexpected quarter as some of the city canines clambered up on to the stage to stand with Sam, Weskar and Alenna. The majority of the crowd milled about in a state of confused indecision.

The villagers finished their song with a final loud Ho!. There was a pause during which everyone caught their breath apart from the Prefect. Wild with anger, his yells could be heard without the microphone.

“Haters and Deniers of the Protectors! Beware, they seek to destroy us all! Do not be deceived by their tricks!”

But he was soon drowned out again, for now Misha struck up a merry tune with a fast tempo. It made Weskar’s feet move of their own accord. And instead of singing, the Villagers all began an energetic dance in time to the music. They twirled and jumped, on one foot then the other. Weskar found himself joining in as the intricate melody filled him with exuberant joy. The microphone picked up the stomp of canine paws on the stage, adding rhythm to the tune.

The dance spread like an infection through the crowd, and soon many of the city canines were leaping, clapping paws, and yelling to one other. New Hope City residents prided themselves on their order and decorum, and they had never seen anything like this.

A posse of the Prefect’s guards burst on to the stage from the far wings, pikes lowered. They rushed forward to surround their leader, and the village canines turned mid-dance, ready for an attack. But the head guard could see that they were outnumbered, and the Prefect had lost his control of the crowd. He gave a command, and they retreated hastily off the stage to vanish into the alley behind the park.

At that moment there came a loud crash as the remaining guards succeeded in smashing open the door of Misha’s building. Weskar was reaching for the microphone to shout a warning when he realised that the music had also stopped. The tan dog was nowhere to be seen, although his amplifier still sat on the edge of the roof.

The dancing died out in the ensuing silence, leaving a good number of panting and smiling canines. Sam stepped forward and took the microphone.

“Canines of New Hope City, I’d like you to welcome our new friends, who have come all the way here from the true Outside!”

Cheers and clapping came from some in the crowd, but many of the canines still looked dubious as Sam continued.

“Do these fine canines look like they live in dark caves and eat dead rats?”

The villagers stood proudly beside the podium, and Weskar thought their magnificent glossy coats ought to convince anyone of the existence of Outside.

“Many of you already know Weskar, Alenna and myself. We’ve all been Outside and we can assure you that it does exist, and it's an amazing place.

“You all know that we are running out of food. The Prefect already knew about this problem some days ago, because we told him about it. Nobody sabotaged anything – the Kibble machine simply broke down because it is ancient and nobody knows how to fix it!”

This sent a murmur through the crowd, although it wasn’t clear how many of them believed Sam. He continued, warming to his point.

“Why would the Protectors allow the machinery to break down? Because they never meant for us to stay here! This city was a temporary shelter only. There is a great big empty world out there, waiting for us. It will be hard work, but there is plenty of food for everyone, and I can tell you that it tastes a lot better than Kibble!

“I’m asking you all to think about your future and make a choice. Do you believe the Prefect? Will you sit here and starve while you wait for the Protectors to magically fix the broken machines, or will you help us to find the way out?”

Throughout the assembly, canines looked at one another as they wondered what to think. Just as a babble of conversation sprang up, there came a pop and a squawk of feedback from the other side of the park. They looked up to see the Prefect standing on top of the building next to Misha’s amplifier.

“Listen to how he tries to corrupt you with his treacherous talk, to save his own sorry fur!” came the small dog’s voice.

“The Protectors have always provided for us! Does anyone here deny that? Will any of you stand up and denounce their care and generosity?” His eyes searched the crowd, daring anyone to disagree.

He turned to the canines on the stage. “Give yourselves up now, and we will treat you fairly!”

The Prefect paused and gazed out over the crowd, confident he had regained control.

“Very well. I see you are all as stubborn as Fletcher.”

He nodded to the commander of his guards, and soon a detachment left the foot of the building and advanced into the park. Fresh reinforcements joined them, and they numbered at least forty as they approached the stage, the power indicators of their stun pikes flashing an angry red in the dim light.

They swung their pikes towards anyone who looked like arguing, and the crowd parted to let them pass. However, a defiant group stood shoulder to shoulder in front of the stage to block their path. Weskar recognised a shaggy Scottish Terrier in the front row - one of the Outsiders he had met at the Records Centre. The Prefect wasn't the only one with friends in the crowd!

The Prefect surveyed the impasse from where he stood atop the building.

“Step aside, all of you, or you will join them in prison!”

His threat had little effect as more and more canines came forward to stand at the foot of the stage. Soon they outnumbered the guards, but the latter were tough, resolute, and armed. Their leader gave a signal, and they lowered their pikes and charged forward as one.

Weskar winced as the guards cast about to each side with their weapons and canine after canine cried out in pain and dropped to the ground, or staggered back.

But the guards had underestimated the resolve of the crowd, and for every canine they stunned, two more pressed forward. Within moments they found themselves in danger of being surrounded, and Weskar saw first one and then another fall as bare paws grabbed them and knocked them to the ground. Soon several stun pikes appeared on the other side of the battle and were duly applied to the guards.

The villagers let out a cry as they leaped off the stage and waded into the fracas. With muscles hardened by physical labour, and minds free from the Kibble drug effects, they made a formidable force. Red soon liberated a pike for himself, and he brandished it with relish as he attempted to outflank the attackers.

The guards were not easily defeated, however. They fell back to regroup, then charged again, this time in a more disciplined assault. The outcome was unpredictable for a while, but then the head of the guards screamed and fell to the ground, one paw clutching at his neck. Lorenne had been standing patiently on the steps with a stun-bolt loaded into her crossbow, waiting for a clear shot.

The rebels pressed forward in confusion which followed, and the guards were forced to retreat, dragging the twitching form of their leader.

“This way!” cried Sam, for he knew the guards would regroup and redouble their efforts to crush the fledgling rebellion, and they were not strong enough to withstand an attack by fresh reinforcements.

They all scampered out a side alley, and Sam led them towards the Records Centre. As they jogged down the darkened streets, more canines joined them. They had gained a foothold in the Prefect's territory, and jubilation showed on Sam's face.

“Come on everyone! Outside is our destiny!”

The Prefect must have guessed their destination, for as they rounded the corner outside the Records Centre, a posse of fifty guards broke out from a side alley and charged at their flank. The attack included a number of dogs who were not in uniform - it seemed that the Prefect had drawn reinforcements from his supporters.

The rebels were spread out and disorganised after their run from the park, and the guards almost split their group in the confusion. They rallied and tried to hold off the attackers as the stragglers caught up, but a forest of crackling stun pikes forced them back.

Fortunately, the guards had arrived too late, and the rebels held the ground at the foot of the wide marble steps leading to the Records Building. “Everyone inside!” shouted Sam, and they all clattered up the stairs to the front door. The security system still responded to Weskar’s touch on the panel, and the doors swung open.

The strongest canines formed a defensive line to hold the doors until everyone else was inside, and Weskar found himself at the front with Sam and the villagers.

They braced themselves as the attackers closed. Beside Weskar, Terry brandished a large rubbish bin. He swung it at a guard, missed, and then lurched to one side as the guard brandished his pike. The big Bernese jerked as the fizzing tip grazed his fur. Up went the bin, and then back down with a loud boom on the guard’s head. As the Rottweiler staggered over, Terry dropped the bin and caught the pike, deftly turning it in his paws and jabbing it at the next guard in one smooth movement.

Suddenly a bulky form appeared in front of Weskar, and a pike shot towards him. He saw the wicked glint of electrodes in the tip. Acting instinctively, he ducked under the thrust and the pike went harmlessly over his shoulder. Then he felt his left paw close over the shaft while his right shot up and connected with the guard’s jaw. The larger dog was thrown off balance and careened over Weskar’s outstretched foot, his momentum taking him heavily to the ground. Weskar was left holding the pike and looking very surprised.

“Where did you learn that?” Sam cried, as they all retreated to the entrance.

They slammed the heavy doors closed and locked them as the guards swarmed up the steps. Sam grabbed the stun pike from Weskar's paws and applied the business end to the door control panel at full power. The circuits fried with a sizzling sound and a puff of white smoke, just as the first guards slammed into the door with a thud.

They watched through heavy glass windows as the guards milled outside, expecting an attempt to break the door down at any moment. Instead, their leader gave orders for his troops to surround the building. Curious, Weskar watched as they pulled back from the door.

Hurried footsteps sounded from the hall, and Roland burst into the lobby. A worried frown creased his broad Mastiff face, and Weskar could imagine why. As Marshall of the Records, he wouldn't appreciate the armed guards surrounding his building.

He brightened when he saw them, and his tail wagged in greeting as he touched noses.

“Sam! Weskar! Alenna! In trouble again I see!” He was obviously happy to see them back.

Weskar nodded towards the guards outside. “I’m afraid we are about to be invaded - as soon as they decide how best to break the door down.”

Roland eyed the troops with disdain. “Oh, don’t worry about that. The Prefect has no authority in this building, and he knows it, as do enough of the senior canines. He wouldn’t dare to break in here!”

“In that case, there’s no time to lose, sir!” Sam rummaged in his pack and pulled out his copy of the Structions. “I think I know how to activate the exit. The controls are in this building!”

The others crowded around as he flicked through to an illustration. The page showed a print taken from an ancient and faded document. Mildew had claimed the writing below the picture, but they could still make out the outline of an ornate bookcase.

“I think this has something to do with it.”

Roland frowned, but Alenna's face lit up with recognition.

“Come on! I know where that is!”

They left most of the rebel canines and the villagers to guard the entrance and eyeball the troops outside. Roland, Sam and Weskar followed Alenna down the hall, around a corner and then down another hall. Halfway along, Rayone stepped out of a side door.

“Alenna! Boys! I’m glad you made it back okay... and with some new friends!”

There were more greetings all around. Weskar was pleased to see his old employer again, but something seemed amiss. Was she holding something back? Or was it just the stress of seeing guards outside the building? He had no time to figure it out as Alenna hurried on.

Down the hall and through another door, a flight of austere concrete stairs took them to the basement. Alenna led them past row after row of shelves laden with coded paper folders, until they reached a back room.

Rayone squinted in the dim light. “I haven’t been down here for years!”

Roland shook dust off his paw. “I don’t think I've ever been down here!”

Beyond a stack of boxes and crates, they came to a shape covered by a dust cloth. Alenna slid it off, raising a cloud of dust which made Weskar sneeze. Sure enough, it revealed the same ornate bookcase shown in the illustration.

“I saw this once while I was trying to organise some of the boxes down here!” Alenna stood to one side, not sure what to make of it. Sam peered at the carved wood, and brushed away the dust. Following some tiny inconsistency in the design, he homed in on the canine figure carved in relief at one end of the top shelf. When he pressed it, a Click sounded as it popped in, and then the whole bookcase rumbled smoothly to one side, to reveal the blinking lights of a control panel.

Sam grinned at the others, and his tail wagged at their success, stirring up more dust. Then he pressed his paw on the panel and the dark displays flicked into life. He looked around at the controls, diagrams and symbols they showed, and nodded.

“Good, this makes sense!” He pressed a couple of buttons, and dragged a slider-control. A chime sounded, and part of the panel changed to orange, inducing a frown on the big dog's face.

“It says we need the key.” he looked around the assembled canines, searching for inspiration. Alenna shrugged. Rayone shook her head. “I’ve never heard of any key!”

“Can’t you rewire it or something?” Alenna asked.

Sam shook his head. “It would take me months, maybe years, to figure out how any of this actually works.”

He tinkered some more, but then slapped the panel in frustration and shook his head. “No, we'll need to find the key, whatever that is.”

Roland scratched his ear thoughtfully. “You should go and find Mallory, my secretary. He has an interesting collection of old bits and pieces. If anyone would know about a key, he would.”

Rayone looked at them, then at the Roland. “Why don’t I take them along to Mallory? You had better get upstairs and make sure the guards aren’t getting any ideas about trying to break in.”

Roland nodded. “Fortunately he lives here in the records building, so you won’t have to get past the guards outside. Good luck!”

They followed Roland out of the control room. At the top of the stairs he waved goodbye and hurried off towards the lobby, while Rayone led them down another corridor. “This way!” she said as she beckoned them through a door.

Weskar had just opened his mouth to ask why they were going through a darkened room, when the searing pain of a stun current made him stagger and the lights came on. They found themselves ambushed by the Prefect’s guards for the second time that day.