This is the story of how Westcrest’s youngest three members infiltrated the headquarters of the Genoa City police department; a building that they call the Sanctum.
As to the why and how of it, well… the “why” is a rather lengthy affair, but it should be enough to say that it involves turning zombies into super-soldiers and having them patrol the city streets at night.
The “how” involves uncomfortably stiff blue police uniforms that Jeremy, Conor and Sarra all have their doubts about and the distortion field generator hanging from Conor’s belt.
“This is going to be the longest walk of our lives,” whispers Sarra as they step onto the cobblestone path. The night is warm and the air smells of freshly cut grass. The path traces its way between sprawling lawns and colourful flower displays. Topiary dogs guard the end of the path, where light—bright and blue—spills out the front door of the Sanctum and onto the steps.
The Sanctum, Part I
Jeremy, Conor and Sarra each wear their police uniforms with an awkardness particular to them alone and the sight of them lurching towards the Sanctum would be comical, were their mission not so serious. But wait a minute… is it really that serious? The Sanctum are, afterall, only using the zombie super-soldiers to defend the innocent citizens of Genoa City.
“I don’t even know why we’re doing this,” says Jeremy.
“It’s simple,” says Conor. “The technology that the Sanctum is using to power the Enforcer program is far too advanced for our current time period. We have some idea—from Marcus and other places—about how the future of our planet is supposed to progress. Anachronisms—things or people from other times—are one of the greatest risks to changing those outcomes.”
“But it’s okay for us to fly around on a souped-up bike?” asks Jeremy.
“Not according to Helena,” says Sarra.
“It’s a matter of moderation,” says Conor matter-of-factly, but Jeremy’s not buying it.
Then the steps to the Sanctum are looming up before them and all three fall silent at precisely the same moment. They pass through the front doors and squint under the bright lights of the Sanctum foyer. There is blue carpet under their feet and spherical fluroscent lights set into the walls.
“Move it, recruits,” says a burly officer pushing past. Then he stops to look at each of their faces and says: “Wait a minute, I don’t think I… ” his voice trails off and his face drains of colour. He moves one hand to his stomach and shuffles weakly away. “Nevermind,” he mutters as he goes.
That makes them all feel a little more confident in the function of the field generator that’s strapped to Conor’s belt—and doubly pleased that they took tablets to protect themselves against its effects.
From the foyer they make their way up the large central staircase of the Sanctum foyer, which leads to offices and conference rooms that are sometimes used by the public. Nobody stops them or tries to speak to them… although several people actually turn away from them as they pass.
“Here,” says Sarra stopping to rest against a wall. “I think we can breathe for a minute.”
They are standing in a corridor that’s empty except for a water fountain and a plastic plant—and now a woman with curly blonde hair and a pair of mauve coloured heels that don’t really match her navy blue police skirt. Glasses with rectangular lenses are perched precariously at the end of her nose. “Excuse me,” she says. “What are you doing here?”
Jeremy, Conor and Sarra stand dumbfounded, while the water fountain hums beside them. Each of them does their best to not make eye-contact with the woman as they wait for the destabiliser to do its work.
“Come on,” says Conor and thumps the machine at his waist.
“Well?” says the woman. Now her arms are crossed and she’s tapping a foot on the floor: tap-tap-tap-tap.
“I think she’s immune,” Jeremy says to Conor.
“Can’t exactly set her on fire,” says Sarra with a scowl.
And then something almost like a look of recognition comes over the woman’s face.
“There we go,” says Conor—but it’s not what he thinks, because the woman does not move away but, in fact, steps closer.
“Uh…” says Sarra who feels like her personal space is being invaded.
“Please,” says the woman under her breath. “Come with me,” she says. And… mostly because they don’t what else to do, Jeremy, Conor and Sarra all follow the woman through an unmarked grey door.