Décollement - Stonehaven

By Oscar Keil

Décollement - Stonehaven

 

Founded after The Second Phase of the Great Destruction forced the global migration away from the world's existing cities, Stonehaven has evolved into a socially stratified mega-city where a person's status is defined solely by their wealth and genetic health.

Now, four centuries after the city's grounding, fault lines are fracturing the normally harmonious relationships between the leaders of Stonehaven's governing Council. Tasked with keeping the City's heavily regulated citizens under control, they now find their ability to maintain their grip on the levers of power threatened not just from within but, for the first time in the City's history, from external forces as well.

About to start down the path of social Snakes and Ladders that defines the status of every Stonehaven citizen is Zachary Turner, a recent university graduate awaiting his Potential Score from the City's secretive Analysis and Progression Bureaux.

Forced by the Compatibility Bureau to part ways with his girlfriend, Zach fills the interval between graduation and the start of his career by joining two of his friends on a cruise, where he meets the enigmatic Maximino Balan.

This encounter turns the cruise into a voyage of discovery, revealing a disturbing alternative narrative to the City's heavily edited history.

The invidiousness of the City's all-powerful Consigliere Council is fully exposed when Zach is introduced to people and places who's very existence is kept secret from the City's population by the obsessively controlling City powers.

Zach's world is suddenly turned upside down when a quirk of fate results in his very existence becoming an existential threat to those occupying the top Tier of Stonehaven society, leaving him facing a Cohort of Consiglieres who will stop at nothing to safeguard their Principals' lofty positions on the top Tier of Stonehaven's Highest Circle.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Oscar Keil
• Release date: Sep 21, 2021
• ISBN: 9781739919009

Oscar Keil

Oscar Keil is an avid of fan of sci-fi and fantasy who now spends his time commuting between home in the north of England and the Spanish island of Mallorca where he continues to work as an airline pilot. More used to consuming the written word during the long fallow periods between flights, the idea of sitting down and writing something instead came to him after a lengthy perusal of the airport bookstore’s shelves left him empty handed. Thus started what would become an all-consuming desire to write the kind of series that is younger self would devour in a matter of days. Décollement (look it up) – Stonehaven is the first in a series that explores the kind of world we may find ourselves living in if humankind insists on continuing on its current self-destructive trajectory.

Book preview

Stonehaven

Circle Three

HOW COULD YOU HAVE BEEN SO FUCKING NAIVE??

As though shouted from the depths of a long dark tunnel, the insistent question plays on a repetitive loop. Soft at first, increasing in volume until its deafening crescendo begins to breach the barricade I had erected to protect my fitful sleep. The reverberating echoes stubbornly nudge me away from the last vestiges of the unconscious void which I valiantly try to cling on to.

As I become fully wake, I realise that the only sounds in the room are those inside my head. I reach out to the quiet darkness, fervently longing for it to envelope me once again and return me to the oblivion of sleep. No such luck.

I give in and stretch my arms out, hoping to have been magically carried away from this gilded cage that serves as my prison while I slept. Disappointment washes over me, as it does every morning, when my splayed fingers find nothing to grasp other than the very same blanket that covered me when I went to sleep the previous night.

Like pea on a drum, just me on the supersized bed. Lying atop a mattress the most delicate Princess would find to her liking. Cocooned by the finest Egyptian cotton sheets, perfectly supported by a cornucopia of pillows, soft, firm and in between.

Someone had paid a king’s ransom to lavish such riches and opulence on this boudoir. Luxurious enough to satisfy the most demanding Sultan. Relegated, for the time being, to imprison a reluctant Donor.

Sleep should have come easily in such sumptuous surroundings but was always elusive. Fitful at best. Especially in the small hours of the night.

Anger. Resentment. Rage. Bitterness. Frustration. Futility.... None of these made the best night-time companions.

As I lay in the darkness, the vanguard of a familiar tide of memories of better times tentatively appears, gently lapping away any thoughts of further sleep before the full force of the relentless tidal rush of reminiscences washes over me. Images of better times and places begin flashing past at an ever-quickening rate.

Life was good. Life was right. I had it all in front of me. I had the Potential to live the life that even those in the highest Tiers of the highest Circles had little chance of attaining.

Times were good. Living the dream, with all the tools at my disposal to fulfil what I had been told could be my destiny. To become the facilitator of change that ordinary citizens craved.

For me, my work was my life. A degree in Architecture and Interior Design. Skills enhanced by part time work as a ‘design specialist’ at a well-known, if somewhat staid, interiors company that catered exclusively to the brightest stars in the firmament of the City’s highest Circles.

Graduated. Ambition driving me onwards. Dreams and desires of branching out and making the big leap ....

My usual, self-destructive, reverie was interrupted by a gentle knock on the door which was quickly followed by the gentle whoosh of the door opening. Soft, ambient lighting flooded the room.

Good morning, Zach.

Morning.

Did you have a good sleep.

Usual. Grumpier than usual.

Delighted to see that you are your usual chatty happy go lucky self this morning.

I relented. Sorry Kat. Bad night’s sleep last night. My bloody leg was on fire again.

Dr Jha did say that the infection wasn’t responding to treatment following your last operation.

Kat was one of those always happy, look on the bright side of things people. Fantastic to have around if you didn’t want to have a miserable, bile filled start to your day. Unfortunately, for both of us, today was one of those days when I DID want to have a miserable, bile filled start to the day!

The ‘operation’ Kat was referring to was yet another bout of stem cell ‘donation’ which I had undergone last week. Not so much a donation as theft of my living tissue.

I’ve got your meds ready for you. As soon as you’ve taken them, I’ll finish making your breakfast. I’ll have a look at the dressing on your leg after you’ve eaten. Kat continued.

Just leave them on the bedside table and I’ll take them in a minute. My opening gambit to avoid taking a handful of sedatives designed to keep me from ‘acting up’ for the rest of the day had, until now, never met with success.

You know that that is not how this works Kat said pleasantly. That’s Kat. Pleasant, smiley and easy going on the outside, hard as nails and unbendable on the inside. If Kat gave anything that resembled an instruction, then that’s exactly how it was going to happen. Iron fist, velvet glove. Looked like this morning would be no different to any other.

I promise I’ll take them as soon as I’ve finished in the bathroom. I’m desperate for a pee. Another feeble attempt to delay the inevitable.

The meds weren’t just for the infection and my sometimes-uncooperative attitude. Those were just an addition to the usual cocktail of drugs to keep me going for as long as possible. My life in this gilded cage was carefully mapped out to ensure maximum longevity and regeneration.

That’s my life now. An unwilling participant in a sociopathic doctor’s experiment into stretching the boundaries of longevity in his human subjects.

The cocktail of pills ensured I stayed as healthy as possible.... and fully compliant to the whims of a madman.

A lot of time, effort and money had gone into getting me here. Maintaining the status quo and keeping me fit for purpose was the only show in town.

OK, OK, give them here. I capitulated. I really wasn’t up for a fight today. Wasn’t really up for a fight on any day. The pills made sure of that.

Kat handed me the little pot of pills and a glass of water. I swallowed the lot in one go, resigned to the inevitable.

You’d better get yourself into the bathroom before they start to take effect. Dr Jha increased the dosage of your StymM after your last episode. And I don’t need to remind you how quickly the drowsiness sets in after you’ve taken it. Kat needlessly reminded me.

I don’t know why Dr Jha insists on me taking green StymM. I’m no psycho.

You nearly succeeded in choking the life out of him the only time he allowed you to get within reach. To the point as always. On some things, Kat had a completely different view to mine.

Given what he’s done to me, that’s hardly an indication of impending or actual psychosis. I wasn’t in the mood to give in on what I thought was a perfectly acceptable reaction when the person wholly responsible for making your life a living hell foolishly gave you and opportunity to get even.

I’m afraid to say that I’m with Dr Jha on this one. Now get yourself of to the bathroom before you’re too flaked out to move. I’ll be in the kitchen. Buzz if you need anything. With that, Kat gathered up the glass and pill pot and left the room.

Unfortunately, Kat was right, it was only a matter of thirty minutes or so until the effects of the painkillers and mood adjusters kicked in and left me in a zombie state for a couple of hours. Best get myself cleaned up and presentable before Kat gets back with my breakfast. It was always better to eat before what passes for an appetite these days entirely disappears.

Ablutions complete, I decided to make a day of it and head to the kitchen for a change of scenery.

Kat already had my breakfast laid out on a tray.

Now there’s a surprise. It’s been ages since I saw you in here for breakfast. You must be starting to feel better. Kat appeared genuinely pleased to see me. A sign of just how low I had sunk following the last bout of immuno-suppression therapy and stem cell extraction.

Of course, it wasn’t all unbridled concern. Her task was to keep me alive and well. Meaning her wellbeing was very much dictated by mine.

What’s on the menu today? I asked. Hoping against hope it didn’t include one of Kat’s special smoothies.

Who knew that a combination of grasses, herbs and seaweed could be blended into a vital part of your daily nutritional intake? Looked like green sludge, tasted like shit.

We’ll start with your smoothie. Then its toast and fruit with yogurt.

How about we skip the smoothie and fruit? Yogurt I can live with. Followed up with pancakes swimming in maple syrup. That would be just the thing, thanks. My falsely optimistic tone was completely wasted on Kat.

She handed me the glass of green slime with a smile. That no shit kind of smile that meant that I hadn’t just lost the opening skirmish, I had already lost the war.

Dr Jha says you need to up your iodine intake. I’ve added extra seaweed. Kat said still smiling, I know that’s your favourite bit.

Why can’t I just take a tablet like normal people? I asked.

This is better for you. And besides it’s on the nutrition sheet. If it’s on the sheet, it goes into you. House rules. And with that Kat started to busy herself around the kitchen, sweeping up imaginary crumbs and wiping spotless surfaces whilst keeping an eye on me while I choked down every drop of the especially vile tasting mixture.

Smoothie down, toast and yogurt followed. All washed down with a glass of water.

Any chance of a coffee? I asked.

Not today, Zach. Dr Jha said caffeine may interfere with your med uptake. I’ll check with him and see if that’s still the case. Maybe later, after you’ve had a nap Kat said. Now, if you’re finished, let’s get you to the therapy room so that I can get those dressings changed. I’ll need to get a report off to Dr Jha earlier than usual. He’s due to swing by to have a look at you later today.

Kat followed me to the therapy room, which to all intents and purposes was a fully outfitted doctor’s surgery, complete with all the equipment and paraphernalia needed to assess, treat, and monitor a high-risk patient.

Kat quietly set about following the usual drill. Temperature, BP, heart rate, etc, measured and recorded. Dressings removed, wound cleaned and photographed, new dressings applied.

The file uploaded. As usual, we didn’t speak while this was going on. The room was monitored by every device imaginable. And some that weren’t. The pantomime of taking vital stats ensured that we were in the room sufficiently long enough for the hidden sensors to gather enough data for the Cluster to complete its analysis.

I left the room as soon as Kat had verified that the new dressing that she had sprayed on was fully set. Kat stayed on to tidy up the therapy room. I made my way to the day bed in the lounge, the expected fatigue creeping up on me as I settled down.

Kat breezed into the room as I was starting to drift off.

Can I get you anything else?

A cuddle and a good night story?

A fleeting shadow crossed Kat’s eyes quickly replaced by her usual warm smile.

Maybe tomorrow. Have a good sleep.

We both knew there’d be no cuddle tomorrow. Or ever.

The life of a Donor, especially an involuntary one, was completely mapped out.

No contact, no intimacy.

The usual loop of events leading to my being here began to play as soon as my eyes closed.

Chapter One

Stonehaven

Circle Five

M other, could you please give it a rest? I knew I had gone too far as soon as the words were out of my mouth. The use of the word Mother. A line in the sand. Big mistake.

The tell-tale narrowing of the eyes and deliberate pause clearly signalled that things had escalated to the next level.

I was fully committed now. Go big or go broke.

Stop being such a snob. I continued. Spots of colour on her cheeks now. This was going to end badly. For Me.

We didn’t often reach this level, Mum, and me. But today we got here double-quick time.

Graduation week had just finished. A week of partying with friends. Way too much booze. Some of the other stuff too. Way too little sleep. I should have waited until I was a little clearer in the head before bringing up the subject of my upcoming cruise.

But why pick a Circle Four cruise? Mum asked, pointlessly in my opinion, again.

Because most of the guys I work with are Circle Three and Four. I said, again.

It’s meant to be a post-graduation break while you wait for your scores. You should be going with your university friends. They’re the ones that you’ll be spending time with from now on. I thought you’d already given notice at your job at 7th Circle Interiors.

I did give notice, but that doesn’t mean I’m quitting my mates from work. And besides, Aarav wants me to stay on and join him full time. It’s a big deal for all of us. I’ve got a lot more in common with those guys than most of my Uni friends. I continued valiantly.

How can you say that? You already have Circle Six Status with a strong probability of achieving Circle Seven Potential. Why would you want to throw all that away by hanging out with a bunch of Circle Three and Four guys? Mum was starting to get into her stride now.

Have you told your father what you’re planning?

Of course, I have. I lied And besides, I probably won’t receive my scores from the Analysis and Progression Bureaux until after I get back from the cruise. I could as easily be Relegated to Circle Four as Progressed to Circle Seven. There’s every chance that I’ll stay where I am, in Circle Six. We all know that they’ve put additional constraints on Circle Seven entry while they rebuild Departments VII, VIII and IX in Circle Six.

And exactly how is spending the next crucial weeks drinking and taking StymM with a bunch of Circle Four mates going to help you move up to Circle Seven? How’s that going to help your chances with the Progression Bureau? Mum countered.

StymM? I didn’t think they knew about that. I thought I was being discreet enough for them not to notice.

I doubt it’s going to have any effect on the Bureaux outcome at this stage. I was on less solid ground now.

How can you know that? No one knows how the Analysis or Progression Bureaux work. They look at everything. Going on a dodgy cruise isn’t going to do much to raise your score.

Dodgy cruise? Where did that come from.

There’s nothing dodgy about it. Targeted at more interesting and fun people maybe, but certainly not dodgy. My retort didn’t seem cut much ice.

Everyone knows that you go to a lower Circle if you want to get up to no good. What happens on cruise, stays on cruise. Isn’t that the saying. And if you can avoid bumping into your peers, all the better.

But Mum, it’s not like I’m married or running a big Mega Corp business. No one really gives a shit what a collage grad gets up to.

Language please. Mum said. I’ll take this up with your father when he gets home.

Wow. Hadn’t heard that for a long, long time. Better bail out before any real damage is done.

OK Mum. We can talk about it when Dad gets back. I’ve arranged to meet the guys up at the courts to play some ball for the last time. Another ritual on the list to bring Graduation Week to a close. I’ll see you later.

OK sweetheart. Be careful Truce established.

So far, a draw. Dad will have the casting vote. Could go either way.

I came out of the house at Surface Level and walked towards the Surface Level LooP Portal, thankful as always, that Mum and Dad had chosen to stay in a centrally located Spiral in Circle Five despite having Circle Six Status. Being at Surface Level was an added bonus that few of my friends were party to. I would still have time to let Dad know what was going on before I met up with the others.

I fired off a quick message to Dad as soon as I got into the PoD, letting him know that I had booked a Circ 4 cruise, and that he could expect fireworks from Mum when he got home later today.

Big surprise when the incoming call announced itself.

Hi Dad I answered. Bit of a worry. Dad never called when he was at the squash club.

What the hell were you thinking, Zach? Your Mum’s just given me the full extent of her thoughts on you ruining the rest of your life. Needless to say, I had to give her a good listening to. He paused to make sure that I fully understood the significance of his last statement. Put me right off my game. Matteo wiped the floor with me! Now that Dad was semi-retired his twice weekly grudge match with Uncle Matteo had taken on a disproportionate importance to his emotional well-being.

Sorry to hear that Dad. This was not going to make life easier for me when he got back home. I was going to talk it over with you when you got home this evening before I said anything to Mum, but she ambushed me this morning when I was still groggy from last night.

Well, that’s what StymM does to you. You want to lay off that stuff.

But...

Never mind trying to convince me that you haven’t been dabbling with StymM. It’s obvious to both me and your mother, so just move on. I’ll be home in an hour. Make sure you’re there. And with that our communication was ended.

Things weren’t looking good.

I arrived at the park nearby our Uni accommodation and made my way over to the basketball courts. It was a beautiful day. Unusually, late afternoon sunshine flooded through the glazed dome high above us, bringing out the best of the carefully tended flowerbeds. Kai, Isiah, Noah, and Bella were already there, taking shots and chatting.

Isiah threw me the ball as I approached. I took a shot. Missed. Bella picked up the rebound, walked over and greeted me with a hug. I greeted the other three in similar fashion, and we then set about taking shots in turn.

Have you broken the news to your old man yet? asked Kai. No surprise that he was the first to bring up the subject. Kai’s father was pushing hard to make the jump back up to Circ 7 and was putting his son to join the family business. Kai’s Analysis Bureau score and Progression Bureau Potential had to be high be enough to push the business over the line at the next Progression Bureau Review.

Was forced into it on the way over here. Mum ambushed me this morning before I got my head straight and I let out that I had booked the cruise. Mum then told Dad. Dad called me and I had to spill.

Told you to lay off the StymM. Takes ages to get it out of your system. How’d he take it? Bella asked. She was always the most cautious member of the group about trying new stuff. Lots of research went into whatever substance was making the rounds before Bella would try anything that she hadn’t produced herself. Not unexpected when your family is in pharmaceuticals.

He said it put him off his game and that Uncle Matteo wiped the floor with him. That’s not going to help my cause when I get home.

I still can’t understand why you’re so keen to take time off and go on this cruise. Why not just go to a Spa for Enrichment Therapy and then start working with your dad like the rest of us? What makes you so special that things should be different for you? No one takes off on a cruise for a couple of weeks just after graduation. Stoic Noah could just not imagine any circumstance that would see him defy his parents in any way. The Khanna family had been traders in tea, coffee, and foodstuffs since before the city was founded. Noah’s path was laid out for him the day he was born and nothing in his nature would ever lead him to go off piste.

Remember, I’m the one who was working his ass off at 7th Circle Interiors while you guys were all out partying. Like the others, I tended to embellish my skills at every opportunity. The only reason that I had started working there because Dad had gotten a big commission at the Department V rebuild. Aarav Vassallo had taken me on as a junior in the design department at 7th Circle Interiors to try and curry favour with my dad to get some of the fit-out work at the rebuild.

Unlike you lot, I continued. I’ve got experience on my record with the Analysis Bureau and credit to spend. It wasn’t fair to gloat like that. Being destined to take over their family concerns, they’d all had to work in the businesses throughout college and we all knew that the Analysis Bureau was unlikely credit work carried out in a family business. I’d been one of the lucky ones who was allowed a brief diversion from my pre-determined path, giving me the opportunity to try something other than the preordained.

That’s not fair Zach, and you know it. Kai took up the challenge. You could always count on Kai to take the bait. His family had once had the most successful building material manufacturing business in Stonehaven and had lived in Circle Seven. A scandal, three generations ago, which none of us are privy to, resulted in an Arbitration Bureau Relegation Verdict. The business was reduced in size and was Regressed to Circle Six. Past glories still dominate the Russo clan and the immense pressure on Kai to advance to Circle Seven made him a bit prickly. And easy to wind up.

"I know Kai. Just winding you up. You guys know that I’ve decided that continuing with just interior design work is not for me. I’ve been working with the fitters and want to move into design, manufacture and installation."

There is no way the Progression Bureau is going to let you do that. You’ll end up working in your dad’s business like the rest of us. Either that or you’ll be Regressed to Circle Four. Isiah came from a long line of lawyers and like many in his trade loved to express his vastly superior knowledge to his peers. The fact that his ‘knowledge’ was as much speculation on his part as any one of us never seemed to put him off.

Maybe even Circ 3. He continued.

You’ve got no way of knowing that Isiah. Bella stood up for me. Unless you have special access to the Council of Seven plenary sessions, that is. You never told us that the Council had made you Plenipotentiary to Circle Six.

That drew a laugh from the rest of us. Isiah would most definitely cherish the idea of being appointed the Council’s Plenipotentiary to anywhere, even if it that anywhere was Circ 1.

Bella did have a point though. No one knew how the various Bureaux came to their decisions, or even what data was collected to aid their decision making. It had long been the main talking point for anyone with a modicum of ambition. There was a strong desire in every citizen of Stonehaven to advance to the next Circle. Stronger in some than in others. Failure to achieve Potential had led to suicide. Desire to climb to the next rung has led to murder. In Stonehaven’s game of snakes and ladders the only way was up. Countless families who found themselves going the wrong way never recovered. No one had yet gamed the system. The Bureaux made sure of that.

I haven’t formalised my request to the Progression Bureau yet. I’ll need to get Dad on side first. It should be little more than a formality to get permission to put a request in. Matteo’s son, Erno, is just as entitled to taking over the running of the business as I am. And he wants it more than I do.

That’s hardly the point though, is it? Kai said. "I mean, you’d be giving up everything your family has worked for, and you could face a Regression Verdict as well.

"We wouldn’t be giving up on the family business. My father will always be involved. Between him, Matteo and Erno there’ll always be a family connection. That’s why I want to branch out. I’ll never get the chance to run the business alone and I quite fancy the possibility of obtaining Founder Status.

Founder Status! exclaimed Isiah That’s a good one. The Progression Board hasn’t granted Founder Status to anyone in living memory! That’s just the sort of thing Isiah would be completely sure of. In depth knowledge of the Protocols was the lawyer’s stock in trade. Most legal work was done by the Cluster without much, if any, human input. The human element in the job was to have an encyclopaedic knowledge of The Protocols and then requesting an amendment to The Protocols in such a way that your client benefitted without raising the ire of the Consigliere Cohort. The most prominent law firms belonged to those families that owned and jealously guarded ancient Precedents stored in secure vaults that had never been absorbed into The Cluster following the Founding of Stonehaven. Only those families with truly arcane skills in introducing ancient rulings without giving away the source of that knowledge would flourish in the higher Circles. The rest, like Isiah’s continued to fight their skirmishes in the middle Circles, staying beneath the radar of the Cohort as much as possible. His family’s business had begun to amass a respectable library and were close to being granted Circle Seven Potential. Good scores for him may be enough to push the business over their final barrier to the top Circle.

The others all looked on, waiting for my response to that indisputable fact.

Living memory isn’t quite right. Several decades ago, sure. But there’s no reason why I can’t apply. I think I’ve got a decent plan. I’ll get Dad to help me polish it up and I’ll present it to the Progression Bureau after I’ve received my Scores from the Bureaux.

And just what is this great world beating idea of yours anyway? Noah asked. And what makes you so sure that you’ll able to present it in such a way that the Progression Board won’t laugh you out of the Chamber?

I can’t tell you the specifics of the idea yet. As for the presentation, I’ve studied the previous 100 submissions and have produced a template that combines the best elements of the successful ones.

That’ll be about 20 then. The one in five of the submissions that actually made it before the Bureau. Not counting the thousands that didn’t even make to the committee stage. The Cluster throws out on average 999 out of a thousand submissions. Good luck getting past that, Zach. Isiah could always be relied on to look on the bright side of things.

Well, I think it’s kind of exciting. Typical Bella, listen to all the arguments and then speak up once she’d made her mind up on the subject. My dad thinks there’ll be more chances of movement once the refurbishment of Departments VII, VIII and IX are complete in Circ 6. And there have been a lot of engineers from Wagner Corp in Circ 5 lately. Maybe they’re going to finally start another expansion. Could be you’ve timed it just right.

Too right Bella. It’s all about timing. And having the right team around you. With the inestimable Isiah Balogun helping write and present the submission there’s no way the Bureau will turn me down.

Who said anything about me representing you? Isiah was quick to jump in. It’s a long shot at best and there may be repercussions. Who knows how the Bureau will respond to an application these days? It’s been so long since one was submitted. I’ll need to talk it over with my Dad before I even think about getting involved. Though having said that, it would certainly enhance our profile if we were successful.

That’s the spirit Isiah. One for all and all for me! That raised a laugh from the others. And speaking of talking it over with Dad, I’d better get myself home to face the music. I’ll see you guys later.

OK. We’ll see you later. Looking forward to Last Night. asked Kai. Last Night was the culmination of a week of post-graduation events bringing an end to care-free Uni days and the upcoming start of a preordained career in the family business. Generations of a one child policy and virtually no chance of gaining Founder Status ensured that the vast majority towed the family line.

Yeah, sure am. I’ll get ready at home and meet you guys at The Lodge as planned. And with that, we said our good-byes and I hustled over to the nearest LooP station to catch a PoD home.

Chapter Two

Stonehaven

Circle Five

I really don’t see why you’re getting yourself so worked up, Aura. I heard Dad’s voice as I approached the sunroom. After all, my great grandfather chose a different path from the family business and that hasn’t turned out so badly.

Dad was right. We were one of the lucky few living above ground in Circle Five. The main reasons the family was still rooted here and had chosen to stay when a Progression Review had awarded the family Circle Six Status all those years ago.

Hello. I called as I walked into the sunroom. Dad was standing over by the big picture window overlooking the small patch of garden at the rear of the house, another luxury afforded to very few in Stonehaven. Mum was busying herself with the herbs growing on the living wall at the far end of the room, a sure sign that her thoughts were still occupied with the announcement I so clumsily made this morning.

Dad turned at the sound of my voice. Hello Zach, we were just talking about you. He said with one of those ‘you are in deep shit with your mother’ smiles. He was still in his squash kit, fit as a flea and full of lively energy. You’d never guess that he was well into his eighties if you met him, ramrod straight, lean and glowing with healthy vigour.

Hello Darling. Mum called from the end of the room. I walked over and gave her a kiss and a hug, putting this morning’s quarrel behind us. Like Dad, Mum looked much younger than her years. Her usual calm serenity was almost fully almost restored. She had a gardening smock on over her linen dress, shoulder length brown hair pinned back off her face as she tended her indoor garden.

Your mother and I were just discussing the little bombshell you dropped this morning. Dad started So, when did you decide that you were going to go off on a lads tour instead of the trip to the Circle Six Enrichment Sanatorium we had talked about?

The fact that the family and business had been awarded Progression to Circle Six allowed us full social access to Circ 6 even though we continued to live in Circ 5. It also meant that I was entitled to attend university in Circle Six.

"I’ve been kicking the idea around for a few weeks now. Remember I told you I was working on site with Xavier and Felix? They were having trouble installing one of my designs and Aarav asked me to go over and find out what the problem was. Turned out the architect had given us the wrong dimensions and I had to re-work some of the layout there and then as we were on a tight schedule. The three of us really clicked working together and we started hanging out after work and during break times.’

And how did this cruise come about? asked Mum.

Xavi and Felix have been planning it for quite a while. The original plan was for the two of them to go cruising on their annual break. Xavi spoke with the tour operator about adding one more person to the booking. They offered him a much better cabin if a third person joined them. Four berth suite, outboard, with balcony. And they would each still be paying the same price they’d been quoted for a crappy inside, two berth cabin. It was a no brainer.

What about the Enrichment Sanatorium? Mum asked.

They were happy to cancel. The sanatorium had been booked over a year ago. You know they’ve always got a waiting list at this time of year. There are always enough burned-out grads needing Enrichment before starting full time work at this time of year to fill any cancellations.

What about your Enrichment? You’ve been working hard at school as well as working for Aarav. You must be feeling the strain. Besides, on a more self-interested level, you’ll be joining us before too long and I’ll want you fully restored when you start.

That’s taken care of Dad. I’ve taken advantage of their upgrade program and booked a full Circle Six level course of Enrichment Therapies on board the ship.

Sounds like you’ve got it all under control if that’s the case. What do you think Aura? Dad turned to face Mum.

Well, I do wish you had discussed it with us before you booked it. I would have liked to have a look at what you were getting yourself into. Tell us a bit more about your travelling companions.

Well Mum, they’re both really good guys. Xavi has been working for Aarav since leaving school. He started as an apprentice in Materials. Aarav helped him get into technical college and when he graduated Aarav promoted him to Installation. He’s a really bright guy. He’s just been Progressed to Circ 4, and the progression Bureau have awarded him Circ 5 potential.

That’s quite an achievement. Dad said. "He must be pretty bright if Aarav has put that much effort into him. Aarav has a well-deserved reputation for poaching his workers from other businesses that have already put the development work in. That’s what’s made him so successful over the years and keeps him at the top. Really pisses off the smaller players. And the other guy you're going with?

Dad and Aarav had a long-standing working relationship. Aarav’s company was the go-to business for upmarket fit outs.

Felix went to Circle Four Technical College. He did technical design and manufacture. After he graduated, he joined Aarav’s graduate program. He’s a solid guy. Between them they run Production and Installation for premium customers.

Mum was starting to look a little happier about my plans even though she would have preferred me going to the Enrichment Spa in Circ 6 and spending time with the right sort of people.

And what are your plans for when you get back from your fortnight of cruising? Mum told me you handed in your notice with Aarav. Are you planning to join Matteo and me? We’ll have to register you with the Progression Bureau if you want to start as soon as you get back.

I was hoping to put off this conversation until after I got back. The main reason for me joining Xavi and Felix on the cruise was to discuss and finalise our plans to apply for Founder Status and together start a rival business to 7th Circle Interiors. Furtive discussions had taken place over many months. We all wanted to leave Aarav’s business, but Aarav hadn’t gotten to, and stayed where he was, by allowing his staff to walk out and waltz off to his competition. Ruthless and vindictive were words often used to describe him. His insatiable quest to Progress to Circle Seven and marry up the status of his position to the name of his business meant that offices, workshops, and transport vehicles were constantly monitored. Every conversation analysed in the Cluster. Any dissent was immediately forwarded to the Analysis Bureau.

I wanted to talk to you about that when I got back. I started tentatively. I’ve been exploring the possibility of applying for Founder Status if I achieve my expected Potential score from the Progression Bureau. If successful, I would like to poach Xavi and Felix from Aarav and start a rival business.

There wasn’t exactly a collective sharp intake of breath from Mum and Dad, but their reactions were about as close to that as you could get.

Mum was the first to recover.

Where did this suddenly come from? You’ve been floating your way through Uni and never had a good thing to say about doing design work for Aarav. Joining Dad and Matteo never seemed to hold any great appeal either. Now, out of the blue, you want to risk everything and apply for Founder Status? The eyes had narrowed, spots of colour appeared.

Dad had looked like he was about to speak but decided to hold back. Something told me he was going to enjoy this.

Unfortunately for me we were in the sunroom. We could speak freely here.

On the pretext of cutting down the late afternoon glare, Dad had been given permission to install screening across the windows and doors of the sunroom. The screening had been obtained from a jobsite in Circle Seven. That commission had come from a First Tier Principal. Those with First Tier Status were not subject to Analysis and therefore exempt from Monitoring. Designed for this particular purpose, the screening ensured privacy. Mysteriously, the special screening had been over ordered from the manufacturer. Equally mysteriously the excess material disappeared from the Circ 7 job site before the over-supply had been noticed.

Simultaneously, the approved screening for our sunroom also mysteriously disappeared.

The result of all this subterfuge was that we now had a room in our Circle Five residence that was just as secure as the home of the highest-ranking Principals in Stonehaven.

No escape from further discussion on the grounds of security for me on this occasion.

I can do better than what Aarav is producing now. I started. All he does is recycle the same old designs, maybe changes up a few colours, adds the latest equipment from the manufactures. He’s virtually stopped in house R&D in materials and components. Xavi and Felix feel they are wasted and I’m already fed-up selling Aarav’s stale vision to his gullible clients.

Aarav’s clients are the ones that drive change. They’re happy with what Aarav gives them. It stops them having to expose their lack of creativity and vision. If they’re all fishing in the same pond they’ll all catch the same type of fish. By exclusively using Aarav’s services, every Principal, as well as everyone else in Circle Seven that wants to Progress to First Tier, and that’s pretty much everyone in Circ 7, can ensure that no one gets left behind.

And that’s Aarav’s Achilles heel. I replied.

How so? Mum asked.

Aarav has become greedy, and his business has become bloated. Same old product with ever slicker marketing campaigns. His Media Management department dwarfs R&D and Innovation. Smaller companies are producing equally good stuff and are excluded from entering the premium market by Aarav’s slick marketing. That and the gifts he provides to some members of the Consigliere Cohort. And don’t forget the vast sums he pays to the Guilds.

And supposing you manage to overcome all the hurdles of being granted Founder Status, how do you plan muscling in on some of Aarav’s action? Dad asked.

I don’t, not initially anyway. Aarav thinks he’s got the Circ 6 rebuild work sewn up and is planning a bid for every unit in all three Departments.

That’s a huge expansion, even for Aarav. I always knew he was ambitious, but this will require a huge investment. Do you know this as fact or are you just guessing? Dad asked.

He told me so himself. He called not long after I handed in my notice. He wants me to stay and take the lead on design work on the Circ 6 bid submission.

And you want to turn that down? asked Mum disbelievingly.

He wants you to take the lead? Dad asked equally astounded. That is a real complement for someone who’s just graduated from design school. You should be enormously proud of yourself, Zach.

"I agree with your father Zach. You should be very proud of yourself. Most people in your position would give their right arm for a chance like that. You must have really impressed Aarav with the work you did for him to make you an offer like that.

Well, I did make some changes after working with Xavi and Felix. Inwardly delighted with their reactions. Working with those two let me see the challenges they faced when installing my designs. That led me to change up how we split up the factory and on-site work, reducing installation times and costs. Aarav was delighted. He could take on more work and make more money. To me it really highlighted how stale and behind the times he has become.

Xavi and Felix have some great ideas for developing new materials and techniques to move things along, I continued but every time they try and get Aarav to invest, he fobs them off, promising to look into it when he has more time. He never does and they are getting ever more frustrated. They’re both ready for a change.

Sounds like you’ve got the start of a plan. Dad said. I’ll need to see a lot more detail before I give it my blessing, though.

Yes. Mum said. You’ve given your father and me a lot to talk about. I’m delighted with what you’ve achieved working with Aarav and I’m sure it’ll be reflected in your Potential score. Now, I’ve got to go and see to dinner. What time are you going out tonight?

I’m meeting the others at The Lodge at eight thirty. We’re heading over to the Union for Final Night at nine.

OK darling, I’ll make something light in that case. Won’t be long.

Chapter Three

Stonehaven

Circle Six

Dad’s tailor had done me proud, and I felt a million as I walked down the street to catch a PoD. A new suit, especially a beautifully tailored one, always heightened the sense of occasion and tonight marked the beginning of a new chapter of my life. With a spring my step I entered the station and joined the short queue for an individual PoD. It was after all a special night, and I didn’t want to waste a moment waiting for the communal PoD crossing into Circ 6 and then switching to another PoD to get to the campus.

After verification, I gave my destination. Authorisation for crossing into Circle Six didn’t take long. The Lodge was in the lower levels of the 4th Spiral of Department II in Circle Six. The PoD was sucked into the Spoke for the short hop across the Boundary into Circ 6, then joined the second LooP along the arc of Circ 6 before starting the gently accelerating race down the Shaft to level 22. I stepped out of the station into the permanent twilight of the lower levels. Department II was made up of mainly residential Spirals laid out in a curvo-linear pattern that followed the arc of city’s layout. Three parallel Avenues, lined on either side by equally spaced Spirals were interspersed with spokes that, like those of a bicycle wheel, radiated out from The Hub which was located at the midpoint of Circle Seven. Each Spiral was 150 metres in diameter at surface level with two or three stories above ground and spiralling down 35 levels below ground like some sort of subterranean spinning top.

The lower levels of Spiral 4 had long ago been colonised by the student community. The Lodge was still my crowning glory and I thought about the challenges of getting the project approved by the university.

The Lodge was born out of a desire to strengthen the bond we had formed and required an extensive renovation after we all completed our first year at Uni. Kai, Noah, Isiah, Zara, Bella, and I all started our first year together and were assigned Sole Occupant Student Units on levels 21 & 22 and though we all ended up taking very different courses we became good friends and spent much of our free time together throughout the first year.

During the first summer break, to gain extra credit, I drew up a plan to combine the floor area of the six adjoining SOSUs to make a joint residence for the six of us. We each ended up with individual en-suite bedrooms, a large communal kitchen cum dining room and a lounge big enough for all of us to comfortably gather and socialise. Bespoke furniture design maximised space in each bedroom to allow undisturbed study when needed.

Dad and Matteo took care of the structural elements to make it work and following positive feedback from my lecturer I set about selling the idea of converting our studios to my fellow students. After much deliberation we all agreed, and I set about convincing the landlord of the benefits of having diverse accommodation to offer future tenants at negligible cost to them. A final push from the university highlighting the potential benefits of communal living in an otherwise austere spiral convinced them to allow the conversion work.

The work was carried during the winter break and was christened The Lodge soon after we moved in just after the New Year.

I let myself in. The lounge was devoid of life. The others must be upstairs getting ready or out picking up last minute items. Much effort had gone into setting the lounge area up for tonight’s festivities. Furniture moved around to maximise space for dancing and tables set up around the perimeter already laid out with drinks, glasses plates and cutlery.

The caterers would be delivering the food later.

I heard footsteps on the stairs and looked up to see Zara’s open toed party shoes carefully making their way down the treads, followed by the shimmering skirt of her turquoise gown.

Further descent revealed a delicately sculpted halter, showing just the right amount of cleavage for my liking.

Well, what do you think? she asked when she saw me looking up.

Fantastic, you look gorgeous. I replied. And she did. Her normally wavy dark hair had been tamed and straightened into a shimmering shoulder length vail. Delicately applied make-up around her glittering eyes added highlights to her normally unadorned and flawless cinnamon skin. Zara was positively glowing with anticipation for the night ahead.

I took her in my arms, careful not to crease her delicate looking gown and kissed her.

You look and smell fantastic. She said after drawing in a long breath. The suit turned out great.

The colour of my suit had been carefully chosen to complement Zara’s ball gown. Midnight blue with subtle maroon details. A perfect match.

Zara and I had had a roller coaster on/off relationship for most of our time at Uni. Very much ‘On’ now.

The front door opened, and Kai walked in.

You guys look great. He said by way of greeting. Like the rest of us, Kai had splashed out on a new suit, obsidian with sliver thread running through it. Cut in the latest style with a wingless collar.

So do you. Loving the shimmer. Zara said.

More footsteps on the stairs. Isiah, followed by Noah arrived both decked out in the latest party fashion.

We have time for a drink before the PoD arrives. I’ll make us all daiquiris. Noah said. Noah was the go-to guy in the house for food and drink. Who’s up for one?

I am. Bella said as she entered the room.

Love the dress, Bella. Kai said. You look fantastic.

And she did. Her dark skin perfectly set off by the vermillion dress.

Thanks Kai. Bella replied. Everybody set for the big night?

Certainly am. Noah said, coming in from the kitchen with a tray of daiquiris. He served everyone and held up his glass. Here’s to a great night.

We clinked glasses and drank. Brilliant as ever Noah, I’ll miss your bartending skills more than anything else. Bella said.

We chatted about the night ahead, finishing up our drinks.

Kai acknowledged receipt of a message an announced that the PoD had arrived.

We left The Lodge and piled into the PoD.

It didn’t take long to reach the Union and we were soon inside the auditorium, welcome drink in hand, greeting friends and chatting as we made our way to our seats. Space constraints meant that partners from outside the Uni were excluded from the official Last Night dinner but would be joining us for the dancing afterwards. We had opted to be seated at a small table for six.

The auditorium had been transformed into a dazzling dining room, circular tables covered with linen, each with a floral centre piece, the stemware and cutlery glistening and reflecting the glittering lights.

I hope the speeches don’t go on too long this year. I heard that last year’s went on for ages causing the dinner to be rushed. I’d prefer it the other way round. Noah, ever the foodie, said.

It wasn’t long before the lights dimmed, and a hush fell over the auditorium.

The President of the University climbed up onto small stage that had been set up at the front of the room and began his speech. The usual sort of speech that presidents of universities give. Lots of ‘you are the future’ sort of stuff.

The President was followed by Deans of the various Faculties handing out awards to those who had sucked up enough to have earned them. The speeches concluded with the ceremonial handing over of the baton to next years’ Union president. Luckily for us, she kept her speech short.

Dinner was served, the volume of conversion increasing as each new course appeared, wine and beer flowing all the while.

Desert was followed by coffee and brandy or liqueurs.

Bella fished a little container out of her bag and offered it around.

I popped in at lab earlier today and had some special purples made up just for tonight. Bella said.

She was of course referring to StymM, the tiny tablets in the little container that encapsulated the best and worst of Stonehaven.

I was, as always, a little conflicted whenever I thought about the origins of the mood-altering drug and the history behind the Cohort’s decision to go down the chemical route as a means of dealing with the belligerent masses. Against it when used as a means of controlling the populous of the lower Circles. For it whenever Bella was handing out one of her special blends.

Several decades ago, following years of unrest in the lower circles the Consigliere Cohort had been tasked by the Council with finding a permanent solution to this perennial problem.

Many policies, protocols and schemes had been implemented over the centuries since the Second Phase of the Great Disruption to tame the burgeoning and often boisterous less advantaged populous.

Mass migration from the decimated Outside into the hastily expanded city left too many with too little to do. Incentives to return to the Outside were offered to the least productive. With little take-up. Evolving automation decimated the trades that had traditionally been the driving force of a sprawling metropolis.

A universal living wage was introduced in the lower Circles. As more and more became idle, unrest grew.

Physical changes to the circles were implemented to ensure the greatest utilisation of space was made. Existing Spirals were rebuilt and enlarged, went deeper underground. Above ground public spaces were enlarged and made accessible for those even on the lowest levels.

Work schemes developed for the underemployed and unemployed. Each change brought a temporary reprieve to the underlying problem of too many people with too little to do.

Population control was added to the armoury of options but proved to be counter-productive, resulting further unrest. Eventually general acceptance of the fact that ‘we just can’t go on like this’ by both Cohort and Citizens brought short lived relief.

Another throw of the dice was taken from the playbook employed in ancient Rome. Give them circuses and parades to divert them. Keep them entertained 24/7 and they’ll soon forget how terrible their lives are.

The council decreed that all media was to be consolidated into one entity. The planned amalgamation laid the cornerstone of The Cluster. The Cluster heard all, saw all, measured everything. Every emotion, every sentiment.

It created and delivered the entertainment and recorded its effect on the populous. It insidiously entwined itself into every aspect of life. It became so invasive that being removed from The Cluster left people feeling bereft, feeling lost, alone.

The Cluster controlled by limiting access. Shutting out those who rebelled until compliance was restored.

The Cluster became self-perpetuating, self-sustaining. Fulfilling its brief by developing ever expanding control by proposing amendments to the Protocols through analysis of behavioural responses on a hitherto unseen scale.

The bounds of phycological stress and manipulation were stretched again and again until the outer limits of control were reached.

Tensions began to rise again, the populous developing immunity, becoming numb to constant manipulation.

The Cluster re-grouped. Dug down. Unleashed the ultimate weapon.

Chemical warfare on the human brain was declared. The goal, to produce a malleable populous.

The Cluster went to work. Delving through the archives of the pharma companies. Analysing hundreds of years of research in the development of psychoactive and mood enhancing drugs. The aim of the project was to stymie the masses without the target group realising that they had been chemically tampered with.

Distilling the knowledge, synthesising the formulas. Reducing the side effects. Testing on unwitting ‘volunteers’.

The result of all this effort? StymM. StymM was now available in all the colours of the rainbow. Each colour designed to stimulate different receptors in the brain to create the desired effect. From the greens and yellows to calm and create a sense of serenity to the reds and purples created to enhance and stimulate the senses.

The early distribution was made without the knowledge or consent of the citizens in Circle One, where unrest and civil disobedience was highest. Greens and Yellows were added to daily food supplements, the effects measured and analysed. Formulations and doses tweaked.

Gradually, almost imperceptibly, unrest began to subside. The populous in Circle One became less boisterous, calmer.

Analysis continued. StymM was rolled out to Circle Two and eventually Circles Three and Four.

The Upper Circles were exempt from the mass doping.

StymM was used recreationally in the Upper Circles. The development of new variants driven by commercial desire rather than the need to control an already motivated population. The drive to stay in the Upper Circles and Progress to Circle Seven was enough to keep this group of the populous compliant.

A family business dedicated to the production of StymM that catered primarily to those in the upper Circles ensured the highest quality.

Unlike Noah, Bella didn’t often dabble with product her family’s business produced. But when she did, she always made certain that whatever she handed out to the rest of us was guaranteed to have the best effects.

We all helped ourselves to a tiny tab, thanking Bella profusely.

Dinner over, we made our way into the entrance hall, clearing the room for its transformation to dance hall. Invited guests and partners were waiting for us to come out and our group was joined by Chiara, Bella’s girlfriend.

The hubbub grew, a combination of anticipation of the dancing ahead coupled with the undoubted mass intake of StymM.

I heard that the music has been enhanced for tonight. Kai said.

Most of the media, entertainment, and music widely available in Stonehaven was created by the Cluster. Outside of Circle Seven, a special licence to change or alter the standard was needed from the Consigliere Cohort. Licences were only granted for very special occasions. A University Last Night wasn’t usually awarded this accolade. Fortunately for us, First Tier of Circle Seven Principal Lawrence’s daughter, Ariana, had wanted a venue to try out her latest compositional variations and our Last Night fitted the bill perfectly. All it took was for him to instruct his Consigliere to raise the matter with The Council.

Yeah, so did I. Isiah said. I had heard that Ariana had written some new algorithms to complement this years’ music. I hear that it’s been performed a couple of time in Circ 7 and that this’ll be the first time its performed in Circ 6.

I’m really looking forward to the dancing. Zara said. The way I’m feeling after taking Bella’s StymM, Ariana could bang on a wooden box, and I’d still dance to it. Her eyes were really sparkling now, and she could barely stand still.

I was starting to feel the effects of the StymM as well. The colours all seemed brighter. Hearing was more acute. Skin tingling at every touch and full of boundless energy. An overwhelming sense of anticipation that something great was about to happen coursed through my body.

Fantastic blend, Bella. I was probably speaking more loudly than was necessary. This is going to be a fantastic night!

Just wait till you see what I have in store for later. Bella said, a huge smile lighting up her face.

And with that the first strains of music started drifting through the opening doors of the auditorium, the gantry of lights sending a kaleidoscope of colours and flashes across the room.

A surge of graduates all undoubtedly feeling the effects of whatever variant of StymM they had chosen for the night rushed for the auditorium, paired up and hooked into the beat of the music.

Huge stacks of speakers threw out a wall of sound, the base beat adding to the effects of heightened sensitivity induced by StymM.

The dancing was to say the least, frenetic, as the graduates sought an outlet for their pent-up energy.

The shackles of years of study were summarily thrown off. The constrained behaviour required to achieve the highest scores from the Analysis and Progression Bureaux was, for one brief night, abandoned. The work was done. The dye cast.

This night was all about being free. Giving in to whatever whim took your fancy.

Couples paired up. Groups gathered. A riot of colours pulsing across the dance floor. Bright, flashing lights brought to life the glittering colours of the dancer’s outlandish outfits.

The pulsing beat of the music became more urgent, the crowd becoming more frenzied.

Tracks changed; the beat stayed constant driving the dancers to throw ever more outlandish shapes.

The music’s tempo slowly, almost imperceptibly increasing until it reached an almost unstainable crescendo. Some of the dancers had reached their limit. The energy starting to fade. The moves becoming less extreme.

Then, with