Blackout World Chapter 1

Blackout World Chapter 1

D-112 and I were in the rear transport unit. L-97 was up ahead. We had been separated to discourage “friendship” and “bonds.” We were between Systems when it happened. All the lights went out, we started to slow, and we fell. Our transport units dropped 3.5 to the Elevation Strip. We hit it with a crash, and the squeal of metal ripping apart. We flipped once and landed on our side, but did not stop. We skidded 2 and rolled over again. When we finally stopped, everyone was dazed. There were safety features on the unit, but they could only stop serious injury when the unit was going 3/A.
No one was injured badly enough to need immediate medial care, but everyone wanted to know what happened. Most of the passengers were still in the First Life Stage, it being a trip for those in the Learning Cycle. However, there were still a 3 Seconds along with us to ensure our safety. They were the first to come out of the daze, and Q-10 contacted our Base System. Or tried to. All of the seconds and some of the Firsts were attempting to make contact with anyone, when I went to find D-112. I knew he was somewhere ahead of me when we started, but I had no idea what had happened to him during the crash.
I searched the seats ahead of me, but could not find him. I then looked in the back, but he wasn’t there either. I had no idea what had happened to him. Then I saw the gaping hole in the wall and roof of the transport unit. I went over and examined it. There appeared to be some sort of redish, brownish liquid on the edge. I decided that it did not matter and crept out the tear.
I felt something when I was crawling through the hole. I had felt It before, once. I looked at my palm, and saw the same liquid that was on the rim of the improvised exit. At first I thought I had simply gotten some of it from the hole, but I saw more of the liquid running out of my hand. I would have time to think about that later. I had to find D-112 and then L-97. I saw the other unit about 5 away.
I sprinted over to the transportation unit. I found D-112 opening the door to the unit. He was trying to find L-97. He had reacted better then me, so I was mentally kicking myself for not trying to find either of them immediately.
By the time I got there, D (D-112) was already inside, and I could see that everyone had faired better than in my unit. I got in and began to help look for L (L-97). We finally found him, but we still had no idea where we were or why we were there. Malfunction of on of the units was conceivable, but highly unlikely. Having two go down and lose all systems was unheard of.
We got outside where there were no people to distract us and began to think. “Alright, guys. Do we know anything about where we are?” D asked.
“We were somewhere between the main NE System and the main SE System when we lost power,” L said, “So that puts us roughly in the middle of nowhere.”
“Not quite, L,” D replied. “There are some minor Systems around here. In fact, we passed the Reserve about 2C ago. Someone has to go there.”
“OK, guys,” I interrupted, “This is interesting, but we still do not know where we are. Any better ideas?”
“I believe we should wait for more information. The Seconds are probably figuring this out already,” D pointed out.
“As much as I dislike agreeing with D’s meticulous calculations and figurings, he’s right.” L grudgingly admitted.
“Ok, then, is there anything we can figure out?” I asked.
“We could start with what happened.”
“Sure,” D replied. “There are so many more facts for that.”
“What are they?” I asked the obvious question.
“Well, both the units went down, and they both lost full power.” L provided.
“OK, good. Do you have anything else?”
“The radios were down also when I saw them last. They are on a separate Grid than the lights.”
“Good. Any more?”
L had something else to contribute. “No one showed up, even in a general sweep.”
“True, and there is the fact that the elevation strips are all out,” D stated, “Which makes this a very disturbing situation.”
“Could the Main Grid have gone down?” I tentatively asked.
“I think it did.”
“How, and what can we do?” L asked the obvious. We all sat around thinking for a while.
Suddenly, a thought hit me. “I know how to help!"
"How?" they asked in unison.
"We can get the grid back up!"
"Yeah, right," L replied scoffingly.
"I know where the Grid Center is, and D is one of the best programmers."
"Where is it, and how do you know?" D asked.
"Well, its just a thought but--"
"Where?" they chorused.