Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 65094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65094 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 325(@200wpm)___ 260(@250wpm)___ 217(@300wpm)
We take the elevator and get off on the 9th floor first, and I see an open floor of holo monitors that shows various parts of the fortress. Each screen is being manned by a uniformed men. They’re all wearing plain gray jumpsuits.
Three Enforcers in black walk between the aisle, randomly checking the screens as they walk back. They were probably in charge of the operation.
“These are the security monitors. They alert the Enforcers in case there are any safety breaches in the Fortress.”
Half of the screens are focused on the outer perimeter while the other half are various places inside the fortress.
Willa then takes me to the 7th floor and I automatically freeze. I remember this halfway because of the of the paintings on the wall. This was where I was originally brought by those two maids. As if sensing my unease, Willa turns to me.
“Is there a problem Miss?”
“This is where my first room was located. Right over, I point to the room with non-descript metal door. Now that I’m looking at it, I notice how different it is from the other bedroom doors which all have ornate designs on the outside.
Willa frowns. “But that’s a supply closet.”
I shrug. “That’s where I was.”
“I’m so sorry, Miss Jamie. Lord Draken mentioned that your first days here were uncomfortable, but I didn’t realize they had gone this far.” Her brows furrow and for a moment she opens her mouth to say something but apparently thinks better of it.
She puts a smile on her face. “Let’s continue the tour.” We walked the length of the floor and stopped in front of a row of rooms.
“This is where the companions stay,” she says so casually, that she could have been speaking about the weather.
My stomach drops. Of course, Draken has companions. Why wouldn’t he? All high-ranking superious men have them. The more one has the higher the status.
I hate myself for caring but I ask, “Does, The Sector Leader visit this floor often.” The moment the question is out of my mouth, wave my hands in front of me and shake my head. “Forget I asked.
Willa glances over her shoulders. “I’m not at liberty to discuss Lord Draken’s comings and goings but the companions on this floor are not assigned to him. There were two who were but they were recently reassigned and are no longer at the Fortress. And as far as I know, he hasn’t requested new ones.”
I don’t know why this information makes me happy. I wasn’t arrogant enough to assume his companions were reassigned because of me, but a heaviness in my chest was suddenly lifted.
The remainder of the tour was uneventful. One entire floor was designated for entertainment. There was a section that showed old Earth media films and shows. There was a library that held paper books that rivaled the collection in Sector 8.
There were three pools, a gym, and even a game room.
“This floor is for use of the high-ranking officials their personal staff, guests, companions and of course you are allowed use of these amenities.”
I notice she didn’t say all the staff. It’s typical of the superious to keep all the good things to themselves. “And what about the other staff?”
“On the next two floors below us, are all staff rooms. There’s a small entertainment room where there are movie nights and each room has access to the fortress’s film library.”
It didn’t sound as grand as having an entire floor dedicated to leisure activities but at least it was something.
Willa then leads me down to the staff floor, with Ayla shadowing us.
There was a stark difference to the other floors. It lacked the paintings on the wall. The black ceramic was without carpeting like the other floors and the white walls were barren. The doors were all closer together so I’m sure the rooms aren’t much bigger than the supply closet I was given that first night.
Seeing the class difference was jarring and was further shown on the next floor where the Enforcers were housed. The decorations aren’t as grand but there are paintings on the wall and a forest green carpet. There are also holo monitors in random spots.
The next area I’m taken to is the infirmary. As Willa takes me through the large the sterile white halls, I note the injured, homo sapiens on cots in one large area, despite there being rooms that would have allowed them privacy while they recovered from their ailments.
By the time we make it to the main floor where all the offices, dining area, meeting room and the kitchen is located, my spirits are low. I’m reminded of the wide gap in the class system between superious and homo sapiens. And even if there’s a slim chance that Draken decides to keep me on a permanent basis, there would always be these reminders of who he is and who I am.