The Dark Under The Trees Ch.36

The tunnel was rough hewn, as if the Manoids, who inhabited the black holes that dotted its length, had clawed it out of the bowels of the earth, handful by bloody handful. 1

The heat, already oppressive, increased as Mischa led the men down a path, which seemed to stretch unendingly into the very roots of the mountain. The only respite from the inky darkness, a bare red bulb every thirty meters. Its ruddy glow painting a small sphere of hard stone walls and dusty floor, with its hellish hue. 2

Gutters, at each side of the path, ran sluggishly with liquid that appeared black and vile in the limited light. A mist hung above it, and though the vapor clung close to the ground, its rank odor was added to the all-pervasive animal stench. 3

Angry grunts, growls, and unintelligible whispers marked their passage, and followed in their wake on softly padding feet as Mischa led the two men farther and farther into the forbidding Stygian gloom.4

At an intersection, indistinguishable from the others they had passed in this confusing, surreal, underground warren, Mischa turned right. After a time, impossible for men born into a world of light to calculate in this alien environment, he halted before a heavily draped doorway.5

“Wait here,” he instructed his companions. He emitted a sound resembling the sad, lonesome cry of Mourning Doves, and almost immediately the thick drapery was moved aside. The glow of candles flooded the corridor like the noonday sun and the humans turned away. Before the drape fell back to block the feeble light, they caught the reflection of myriad eyes, in grotesque, horror film faces, crowding the passage behind them.6

A seeming age passed for the two men, the inky darkness pressing down upon them with the weight of the mountain that contained it. The Manoids pushed past the humans until the men were pressed forward into the thick material that covered the doorway and the beasts formed a semicircle around them.7

In the human ears, the Manoid’s collective breathing combined into the deafening inhalations and exhalations of a single, gigantic, malevolent entity. The beast slavered hungrily, poised in anticipation, only waiting for the proper moment to devour its prey.8

Another seemingly endless time crept past before the drapery was finally cast aside and the humans were ushered into an antechamber. There, after their long sojourn in the darkness, they stood blinded by the soft warm glow of candles arrayed around the small space. As their vision cleared, they became aware of the five large Manoids standing alert and watchful at various points around the room, making it seem quite crowded. 9

“The Council will hear what you have to tell,” Mischa said. “None may carry a weapon into the council chambers, your gun must be left here.”10

Jimmy hesitated for a moment, his hand resting on the butt of the Glock, and then realized it offered more reassurance than actual protection should things go bad. He removed the belt and offered it to Mischa, who shook his head.11

“Give it to him,” the big Manoid said and nodded toward Richardson. “The Council desires your words only. He will remain here.”12

“It’s OK, Pat,” Jimmy said, with a small smile and a nod when it looked like Richardson would protest their being split up. He handed his friend the weapon. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” 13

Mischa pulled back another heavy hanging and motioned for Jimmy to enter alone. This room was also brightly lit with candles and was considerably larger. It seemed nearly empty, in comparison to the one he’d just left, with only five occupants. 14

Four of the Manoids were well dressed in business suits and looked much more human than most of those Jimmy had seen, with the exception of Olav and Olga. Another knelt behind the four, who sat on low stools behind a long table strewn with papers, and whispered in the ear of the member before him, then he stood up and left the room.15

“I am Fyodor, and the others are Nikolay, Sergey and Feliks.” Each of the Manoids inclined their head as they were named. “We are the council for this section and we have some questions we would like you to answer. To start, how did you come to be traveling with the female Olga and what of the male that was accompanying her?” 16

Jimmy was unsure of just how much to tell the council or how much they could be trusted. Though after a moments thought he decided if he wanted their help, honesty was the best policy, so he started at the beginning.17

“And I suppose we were on our way to see you guys, when they grabbed Olga and knocked me for a loop,” Jimmy said some time later concluding his story.18

“Did she tell you of her mission?” Feliks asked and sat forward to rest his hands on the table.19

“Yeah, yeah. She was going to tell you that her and Olav found another way out.” Jimmy’s reply was a bit curt, being somewhat exasperated at the council’s seeming lack of urgency concerning the woman he loved.20

“What are you going to do about Olga?” Jimmy demanded. “You’ve got to help me get her back.”21

“Olga being in the hands of the counter-insurgency is most regrettable,” Nikolay said. He repositioned a sheaf of papers on the table in front of him before he spoke again. 22

“Things are at a delicate balance at present, but rest assured we’re doing all we can to secure her release. You may go now,” he said and started a conversation with the member on his right.23

“I’d like to help,” Jimmy said. “I’m a trained police officer and I have some expertise in situations like this.”24

“Expertise in the outside world doesn’t necessarily translate to expertise here,” Fyodor said turning to face the human. “You know nothing of the situation or the various factions and their particular agendas. As Nikolay said before, things are at a balance and we will not upset that balance by acting precipitously. We are doing what we can. Now leave. The council has other business to attend to.” 25

“That’s it?” Jimmy asked incredulously. “She put her life on the line for you guys and you’re just going to blow her off with, we’re doing all we can?” Jimmy shook his head. “Sounds like bureaucratic bullshit to me. What did you do, send them a nasty note?” 26

“And what would you suggest human?” Fyodor uttered the last word with ill concealed repugnance and his mouth twisted as if it tasted sour on his tongue. “Send in the troops and start a civil war?” He demanded, his eyes flinty, his voice raised in anger. He paused, took a deep, calming breath and he spoke quietly when he continued. 27

“She knew the risks involved, and would not be dissuaded, though some tried.” He shook his head. “No, there are too many lives here to consider and our plans are too near fruition to jeopardize them for the sake of one headstrong female.”28

“I’m not asking for troops or a civil war,” Jimmy said with some heat. “Just lend me a couple of guys and I’ll slip in real quiet and get her out.”29

The others leaned in and conversed in quiet tones, but Jimmy could hear nothing save a low rumbling. The whole time Fyodor considered the human, as if weighing and measuring the man and his request against the evident risks involved. Fyodor nodded and waved the others away.30

“There are just too many variables to consider such a rash plan, so we must refuse your request,” he said. “It’s too risky and we have no one to send in any event.” 31

“We will accompany him,” said a familiar voice, and Jimmy turned to see Olav and Mischa entering the room.32