CHAPTER 4: "I Think I Can"
"Trent!"
6 wakes up in a mess. It was early and the sun was not yet up. No radio announcement either. He pulls the sheets off and gets up. The television comes on. The Supervisor is on it.
"Is there something I can get for you Number 6?"
"I am going for a walk."
"You can't."
"I will."
"It's not permitted at this time."
"I think I'll change the channel. Don't really care for the program."
"Please hold."
The television goes blank. 6 goes into the kitchen for a glass of water. The Supervisor turns and asks someone at a control panel a question.
"Are the shipments through?"
6 drinks it all the way. The television turns back on.
"Enjoy your walk Number 6."
6 raises an eyebrow and exits after having put on a pair of shoes and cloths from his closet.
The sky is glowing, but the sun is not yet showing. Sunrise was not far off. He walked for a few minutes, then ran for a few more. The sun shined on his body as he bent over. Up and down touching his toes. After having stretched to his satisfaction he made a mild jog to the Green Dome. No one greets him, so he opens a door himself. He walks into Number 2's Control Room. The circle shaped chair is not there. He walks over to the spot on the floor and stamps on it in a knocking pattern till it comes up. It comes up with 2 still in his jammies and rubbing his eyes with his fingers.
"It's," looks at his watch, "6:43. The sun has just risen not but minutes ago and the daily community commencement hasn't even been made. Why are you here?"
"In school when you were little, did your teacher make you read books in English class?"
2 yawns and falls backwards into his circle chair. He closes his eyes and talks.
"Yes, yes I suppose we all did. Why?"
"Wasn't it always thrilling when you reached the second to the last page? Knowing that just one more and it would all be over?"
"You didn't come to..." yawns again, "come to just tell me all that?"
"I've gone through a dozen or so Number 2s and I must say you've been the most inviting. Bravo for your teacher."
2 doesn't answer. His head falls to the side. 6 smacks the left side of the chair's hull with his left hand. 2 jolts up, banging his head on the inner concave.
"My dear fellow, do that again I warn you and you shall have bitten off more than you can chew."
"I don't think that will be a problem."
"Perhaps you should leave. I am jaded fully and wish more rest. I will catch you later."
"It's been very nice of you. So kind of you all. Well," he smiles with a sly look in his face and says, "good-bye."
He turns around abruptly and leaves. 2 whacks his hand against a button in the circle inner hull and the chair sinks back into the floor.
6 makes his way toward the beach.
"Be seeing you," he says to passing members, "be seeing you."
He passes by the old man playing chess and stops to examine the board. After a few seconds he picks a piece up.
"Check mate," and walks off. The old man stunned and confused, eyes the board.
6 grabs the hand of someone and says happily,
"It's been a pleasure," the person quickly walks off. "Be seeing you."
He finally reaches the beach and staggers on one leg as he pulls a shoe off and then again for the other and runs with his socks on, on ocean front.
"Code Orange. I repeat, we have a Code Orange on the eastern beach front perimeter. Number 2 you are needed in the control room."
The circle chair stops and 2 pops out.
"Code Orange sir. Number 6 is attempting to swim for it."
"Again? His file said he all ready tried that. Surely he's learned his lesson."
2 then zooms in with the closet camera. After 6 unbuttons his coat and reveals his under shirt 2's mouth falls open in disbelief.
"He has glued plastic bags to his shirt. there's food ... water and some sort of device. He's been planning this for quite some time. Why did we not know?" a furious 2 demands.
"I do not know sir," the Supervisor replies.
"I want monthly checks of his wardrobe. What is he doing now?"
6 stops and ties the coat around his waist. He has glued bags of air to the inside and it now serves as a flotation device. He swims like mad.
Rover breaks the sea top and bellows on course heading for 6. He sees Rover and keeps going. Rover unsteadily weaves it's way toward 6. He smacks Rover and it bounces off the sea tops a few inches away. He pulls out the device after swimming a bit more.
"What on Earth could he possibly be doing? Is he attempting to break Rover?" 2 asks.
"Bullets can't stop it. It's made from a poly synthetic plastic with derivative from a silk found in certain breads of spiders. It would take great inertial force from an acute point to penetrate it's coating."
Rover almost atop him he activates the device and presses it up against the skin. Rover's skin glows blue and pop! A hole opens and he deflates. 6 puts the device back and swims like hell. 2 panics.
"We have a Code Red, I repeat, a Code Red. Rover is down. I need air and sea counter measures!"
The blades spin round and round and surprised Villagers duck and cover their heads.
"Remain calm ... remain calm ... go back to what you were doing..." The Supervisor sounds off over the town's intercom system.
A Villager looks up at the helicopter moving up and off.
"... go back to what you were doing."
6 presses on unhindered by the chopping blades in the air approaching.
"Use what ever force is necessary. Put the boat on hold. I intend to catch it."
The Supervisor picks up the smaller arched phone and calls out.
"Attention, attention. Hold the boat for Number 2. Hold the boat for Number 2. Use necessary force where needed. Number 6 must be captured."
The chopper swoops over 6. It doesn't phase him. He keeps on. The chopper swings around for another pass. Men in wet suits drop down.
The Supervisor holds the big red arched phone to his head.
"Counter measures implemented. We have dispatched three frogmen. It won't be long now."
With all his might he tears at the waves with his arms while three frogmen give chase. One gets a hold of him and he pulls out the device and shocks him. The frogman goes unconscious. The second one dives toward him and 6 tries the device again, but it is knocked out of his hand. The frogman gets ready to lunge at him when 6 throws a quick right hook, knocking him out. 6 swims as fast as his arms can take him when suddenly the third one surfaces and grabs him. He pushes 6 under water. 6 struggles, but can't break free. Air bubbles escape his mouth with under water muffled screams. He tries to pry the frogman off him, but with no success. Losing the last of his air he reaches to the suited man's back and tugs tightly at the air hose ripping it from the oxygen tank. The man flails his arms behind him in a desperate attempt to reattached it. 6 clocks him cold and floats to the surface with him. The helicopter swoops down and glides over 6. It lowers down and tries to use the landing struts to push 6 under the water. He ducts and it misses him. The pilot tries again and hits 6. 6 goes under and holds his breath. He waits and waits, but chopper doesn't leave and his face turns red and rushes to the top for air. As he gasps the chopper nails him under and 6 breaths in salt water. Unable to get air, he screams bubbles and all turns black.
"So kind of you to rejoin us Number 6."
6 rubs his eyes and lays up. 2 is haunched over, holding a towel.
"Dry yourself," and throws the towel at him.
"You tried to kill me."
"I wish we had. Did you honestly think this little excursion would work?"
6 wipes his face and opens his eyes.
"You sound excited. May I suggest some warm soup and a good book."
2 grinds his teeth and clenches his fist.
"You shall be succeeded shortly. He'll worry for you."
2 slaps 6 with an open fisted back hand while a wild look appears in his eyes. 6 jolts his head around and they both get up quickly. Two men grab 6's arms and haul him off to an electric cart. 6 and 2 exchange no words.
"Confine him to his quarters. He is not to leave unless expressed so by me!"
The cart travels off and the helicopter sails over 2's head. His fists now turning red he eases up and breaths heavily. He adjusts his suit and pretends not to see the other men in his ride watching. He then walks over and they drive off.
"Trent!"
6 wakes up in a mess. It was early and the sun was not yet up. No radio announcement either. He pulls the sheets off and gets up. The television comes on. The Supervisor is on it.
"Is there something I can get for you Number 6?"
"I am going for a walk."
"You can't."
"I will."
"It's not permitted at this time."
"I think I'll change the channel. Don't really care for the program."
"Please hold."
The television goes blank. 6 goes into the kitchen for a glass of water. The Supervisor turns and asks someone at a control panel a question.
"Are the shipments through?"
6 drinks it all the way. The television turns back on.
"Enjoy your walk Number 6."
6 raises an eyebrow and exits after having put on a pair of shoes and cloths from his closet.
The sky is glowing, but the sun is not yet showing. Sunrise was not far off. He walked for a few minutes, then ran for a few more. The sun shined on his body as he bent over. Up and down touching his toes. After having stretched to his satisfaction he made a mild jog to the Green Dome. No one greets him, so he opens a door himself. He walks into Number 2's Control Room. The circle shaped chair is not there. He walks over to the spot on the floor and stamps on it in a knocking pattern till it comes up. It comes up with 2 still in his jammies and rubbing his eyes with his fingers.
"It's," looks at his watch, "6:43. The sun has just risen not but minutes ago and the daily community commencement hasn't even been made. Why are you here?"
"In school when you were little, did your teacher make you read books in English class?"
2 yawns and falls backwards into his circle chair. He closes his eyes and talks.
"Yes, yes I suppose we all did. Why?"
"Wasn't it always thrilling when you reached the second to the last page? Knowing that just one more and it would all be over?"
"You didn't come to..." yawns again, "come to just tell me all that?"
"I've gone through a dozen or so Number 2s and I must say you've been the most inviting. Bravo for your teacher."
2 doesn't answer. His head falls to the side. 6 smacks the left side of the chair's hull with his left hand. 2 jolts up, banging his head on the inner concave.
"My dear fellow, do that again I warn you and you shall have bitten off more than you can chew."
"I don't think that will be a problem."
"Perhaps you should leave. I am jaded fully and wish more rest. I will catch you later."
"It's been very nice of you. So kind of you all. Well," he smiles with a sly look in his face and says, "good-bye."
He turns around abruptly and leaves. 2 whacks his hand against a button in the circle inner hull and the chair sinks back into the floor.
6 makes his way toward the beach.
"Be seeing you," he says to passing members, "be seeing you."
He passes by the old man playing chess and stops to examine the board. After a few seconds he picks a piece up.
"Check mate," and walks off. The old man stunned and confused, eyes the board.
6 grabs the hand of someone and says happily,
"It's been a pleasure," the person quickly walks off. "Be seeing you."
He finally reaches the beach and staggers on one leg as he pulls a shoe off and then again for the other and runs with his socks on, on ocean front.
"Code Orange. I repeat, we have a Code Orange on the eastern beach front perimeter. Number 2 you are needed in the control room."
The circle chair stops and 2 pops out.
"Code Orange sir. Number 6 is attempting to swim for it."
"Again? His file said he all ready tried that. Surely he's learned his lesson."
2 then zooms in with the closet camera. After 6 unbuttons his coat and reveals his under shirt 2's mouth falls open in disbelief.
"He has glued plastic bags to his shirt. there's food ... water and some sort of device. He's been planning this for quite some time. Why did we not know?" a furious 2 demands.
"I do not know sir," the Supervisor replies.
"I want monthly checks of his wardrobe. What is he doing now?"
6 stops and ties the coat around his waist. He has glued bags of air to the inside and it now serves as a flotation device. He swims like mad.
Rover breaks the sea top and bellows on course heading for 6. He sees Rover and keeps going. Rover unsteadily weaves it's way toward 6. He smacks Rover and it bounces off the sea tops a few inches away. He pulls out the device after swimming a bit more.
"What on Earth could he possibly be doing? Is he attempting to break Rover?" 2 asks.
"Bullets can't stop it. It's made from a poly synthetic plastic with derivative from a silk found in certain breads of spiders. It would take great inertial force from an acute point to penetrate it's coating."
Rover almost atop him he activates the device and presses it up against the skin. Rover's skin glows blue and pop! A hole opens and he deflates. 6 puts the device back and swims like hell. 2 panics.
"We have a Code Red, I repeat, a Code Red. Rover is down. I need air and sea counter measures!"
The blades spin round and round and surprised Villagers duck and cover their heads.
"Remain calm ... remain calm ... go back to what you were doing..." The Supervisor sounds off over the town's intercom system.
A Villager looks up at the helicopter moving up and off.
"... go back to what you were doing."
6 presses on unhindered by the chopping blades in the air approaching.
"Use what ever force is necessary. Put the boat on hold. I intend to catch it."
The Supervisor picks up the smaller arched phone and calls out.
"Attention, attention. Hold the boat for Number 2. Hold the boat for Number 2. Use necessary force where needed. Number 6 must be captured."
The chopper swoops over 6. It doesn't phase him. He keeps on. The chopper swings around for another pass. Men in wet suits drop down.
The Supervisor holds the big red arched phone to his head.
"Counter measures implemented. We have dispatched three frogmen. It won't be long now."
With all his might he tears at the waves with his arms while three frogmen give chase. One gets a hold of him and he pulls out the device and shocks him. The frogman goes unconscious. The second one dives toward him and 6 tries the device again, but it is knocked out of his hand. The frogman gets ready to lunge at him when 6 throws a quick right hook, knocking him out. 6 swims as fast as his arms can take him when suddenly the third one surfaces and grabs him. He pushes 6 under water. 6 struggles, but can't break free. Air bubbles escape his mouth with under water muffled screams. He tries to pry the frogman off him, but with no success. Losing the last of his air he reaches to the suited man's back and tugs tightly at the air hose ripping it from the oxygen tank. The man flails his arms behind him in a desperate attempt to reattached it. 6 clocks him cold and floats to the surface with him. The helicopter swoops down and glides over 6. It lowers down and tries to use the landing struts to push 6 under the water. He ducts and it misses him. The pilot tries again and hits 6. 6 goes under and holds his breath. He waits and waits, but chopper doesn't leave and his face turns red and rushes to the top for air. As he gasps the chopper nails him under and 6 breaths in salt water. Unable to get air, he screams bubbles and all turns black.
"So kind of you to rejoin us Number 6."
6 rubs his eyes and lays up. 2 is haunched over, holding a towel.
"Dry yourself," and throws the towel at him.
"You tried to kill me."
"I wish we had. Did you honestly think this little excursion would work?"
6 wipes his face and opens his eyes.
"You sound excited. May I suggest some warm soup and a good book."
2 grinds his teeth and clenches his fist.
"You shall be succeeded shortly. He'll worry for you."
2 slaps 6 with an open fisted back hand while a wild look appears in his eyes. 6 jolts his head around and they both get up quickly. Two men grab 6's arms and haul him off to an electric cart. 6 and 2 exchange no words.
"Confine him to his quarters. He is not to leave unless expressed so by me!"
The cart travels off and the helicopter sails over 2's head. His fists now turning red he eases up and breaths heavily. He adjusts his suit and pretends not to see the other men in his ride watching. He then walks over and they drive off.