Chapter 16 - The Two Levers
We reached the flood-control room through a laundry chute big enough for a wheelchair. The place smelled of rust and bleach. Two red levers stood on opposite walls, separated by a channel of rushing water.
Elena pointed to a narrow walkway. "Both levers down, same time. Hold until the green lights stay on. Otherwise the system resets."
"I'll take the far side," Jonah said.
"You can barely stand," I told him.
"Then I'll lean."
June stayed with Elena, ready to get her to the stairwell. Mira crossed the walkway with me. Cora went with Jonah, her receiver dim but still warm.
We pulled. The levers fought us, vibrating with the pressure below. A green light flashed, then another.
For one glorious second, the roar beneath us weakened.
Then a motor started on the other side of the wall.
Jonah cursed. "Victoria activated the backup pump. The levers won't hold until someone cuts its power from the tower."
"I thought you said the tower was for the radio," I yelled.
"It's also the emergency control station."
Of course it was. Victoria had built a prison out of every useful feature.
We jammed the levers with steel rods from the maintenance rack. The green lights held, but the rods bent a little more with each shudder.
"How long?" I asked.
"Maybe six minutes," Jonah said.
Cora leaned against the wall. "I can get to the tower faster than anyone."
"Not with that receiver," I said.
"Then we take it out."
June shook her head. "Not here. Not without proper equipment."
Cora looked at Mira. "You know the service elevator code, don't you?"
Mira nodded. "Victoria taught me every route to the surface."
"Then let's go."
I started after them, but Elena caught my sleeve. From beneath her blanket she pulled a small cassette tape.
May you like
"I made this before they took me," she said. "It has the names of the people who ordered the first children."
She turned the tape over. In block letters, someone had written JONAH MERCER - RECORDED CONFESSION.
