Unearthed

Valli deposited the bag of refuse in the bin then closed the lid. A second later she could hear the motor whir as the garbage was whisked away. It tumbled down a series of chutes that led to the collection site outside of the habitat her family lived in. Every complex within the protective dome operated the same way making things simple and easy--a stark contrast from the way things had been before.

Even from their seventh story apartment window, Valli could not see over the wall that separated the dumpsite from the habitable space. Clean and efficient--that was what everyone was told. No garbage sitting around to gather flies and diseases or create foul odors. It meant everyone was healthier and happier--the dark days over.

And Valli did agree that the process had mitigated many diseases. According to the statistics she had learned in school, more people lived longer and healthier lives since the habitats had been constructed and the Entirely Clean Project had been initiated.

The ability to keep everything germ-free minimized illness. That was why automated cleaning cycles were implemented each night while everyone slept. The automatic air and vent purifiers, vacuums, dusters, surface cleaners, and antimicrobial scrubs made sure that everything was in prime condition for the next day's use.

And she had to admit that it was nice to wake up when it smelled clean and fresh in the morning, especially since--after leaving the bedroom--the same thing happened there. It was all taken care of through timed systems to ensure maximum efficiency and satisfaction.

But satisfaction was not free and while most were content to enjoy their lives and not consider more than their own plan for the day, Valli had begun to question why things were the way they were.

Of course, she had been through the mandated classes that taught about all of the habitats--the way they operated and why they functioned the way they did--but nothing in all of her studies had ever mentioned who cared for the machines that did all of this and where all the garbage went after it was taken away. A lot of it was burned up for fuel, she knew, but the smell and smoke was never seen. So was that happening or not?

Who manned the machines that did these cleaning wonders? Who made sure the cleanings occurred when and as they were supposed to? How did repairs get done when things needed to be fixed?

Even if most of it was automated, someone had to ensure everything worked the way it should. Even the protective dome that keep earth's tainted atmosphere at bay had to be monitored and maintained by someone. Whenever Valli addressed the question though the answer was always "We don't talk about it."

After asking "Why?" the response would be "Because it's the law."

Valli had never understood this, but she had understand from a young age that everything said--by anyone, anywhere--was heard by someone else. It was part of the agreement to live in such a nice place--the knowledge that you would be monitored. To ensure "happiness was maintained" conversations were recorded and analyzed. That way if extra cleaning cycles were needed they could be issued. It also meant that no one could get far with any hostile intent that could jeopardize what was left of earth's population.

At least, that was what everyone was told.

Once, Valli had asked her older brother, Darren, about the dumpsite and all the employees that ran the facility and before she could even finish, he had waved her to silence.

"Don't bring it up. Just accept that this is the way things are."

When she asked "Why?" Darren had told her that when he had asked the same thing a few years ago their parents had gotten a warning that they would be under supervision for the next year and could be evicted if they said or did anything against the law. The threat had ensured no further questions arose.

Valli did not remember her parents including her in that conversation, but she did remember how tense everyone in the house had suddenly become over a several day period. Then things had returned to normal and that was the end of that.

But why was it a problem to ask such questions? Who was it that cared? And why did they care? If they were preserving humanity through their efforts, why would they not want recognition?

After vocalizing that question in class, her teacher had ushered her into the hall with a warning. Then she was sent home only to be met by her parents who both wore terrified expressions.

"You can't keep asking about these things, Valli," her mom had said. "It's not safe for any of us if you do."

"But why?" she wanted to know. No one ever gave her a why to her questions.

"Young lady," her father began. "You have a very inquisitive mind, which is a good thing. You can learn a lot and will go far if you invest your efforts in the right career. But until you are old enough to leave this habitat and live on your own, you cannot ask about the people that run the facility. They are protected by the highest officials in every country left on this planet and it is their wish not to be the topic of anyone's conversation."

"But--"

"No," her father said, "no further questions. You will go to your room and write a two page report on why discretion is important for family security."

Valli did as instructed. She had not expected anything else. Her father taught in her school and his way of punishment was always to assign a written essay--although it was a dictated essay as assignments were no longer physically demanding.

Now, finished, she sat on her bed staring at the wall that had spurred her curiosity. There had to be something more to it than shy officials and scientists. A universal law that forbade every one on Earth from asking about those running the habitats had to have a bigger story that "just because."

She folded her arms on the window sill and gazed at the wall. Pipes fed into its base from five main hubs--the collection ports from the larger districts within the dome. Her family lived in one of the middle class areas, although the distinction of class had disintegrated when the planet's surface had turned sour from chemical warfare and disease had laid waste to over two-thirds of the planet's population.

The domes had appeared after that from a combined effort to salvage what was left of humanity. At least, that was what she had been taught. She had not lived through the disaster, neither had her brother. They had been brought up in the new world order that was ruled by a select few and governed by life within the domes. Leaving was never allowed and discussion of departure was also banned.

It occurred to Valli that only a select few were privy to complete details. She doubted her parents even knew all that had happened during and following the war. They would not have been around when decision about how to move forward were being made. But maybe her grandparents knew something.

She packed a small backpack and--after handing in her assignment and getting her father's approval--she set out to visit the Elder Complex. It was--as the name dictated--where everyone over a certain age went to be cared for. Most were in their eighties and nineties, but a few had reached the one hundred year marker.

  Valli liked visiting because most that lived there enjoyed talking and she could just sit and listen as they went on for hours. Classes and family commitments, however, did not permit her to come often. Visits were also limited to a certain number per family and a general stigma that most residing in the facility were also unstable kept many from even making the trip.

Valli stopped outside the Elder Complex and buzzed the door. The building looked no different from her own on the outside and within a minute a touch-pad extended from the a panel on the door's left. She placed her hand on the pad, watched as her name was displayed above her print, and waited for the door to click open.

Once inside she stopped at the main desk and asked to see her grandparents. The attendant unlocked the door leading to the back hall and gave her a card that would let her into her grandparents' unit and no others.

Valli thanked the lady, walked the long hall to the correct unit, and knocked on the door before she swiped the card. The latched clicked as a voice called for her to come in.

Full of facial wrinkles and a smile that parted them like a rock in a waterfall, her grandfather pushed himself from his chair and stood with open arms. "Valli, what a surprise to see you. I didn't know you were coming over. Mary!"

Her grandmother came in from her crafting room and gave Valli another layered smile. "Well, Valli dear, what brings you over here? Is everything all right at home?"

After confirming that things were fine, Valli seated herself on the ottoman. Her grandmother went to the kitchen to get something to drink and snack on as her grandfather eyed her with a knowing smile.

"This isn't a social visit is it?" he asked.

"Of course it is," Valli replied, but she knew from his smile that he could tell more was on her mind.

"What's brought you over here, kid?"

Valli bounced on the padded seat, her hands folded between her knees. "I just... I've had some questions..." she stopped and gave her grandfather a meaningful stare.

"Ah," he muttered as her grandmother came back in with a tray of meat and cheese.

"All right, dear," the gray haired woman said. "Tell us how you have been and how school is going."

It was quite awhile later--after every detail Valli could think to divulge was provided--that her grandmother returned to the kitchen to clean up the tray of food.

"Grandpa," Valli began but he waved for her silence.

With effort he stood from his chair and motioned for her to follow him back the hall. "Mary, I'm going to show Valli that collect of rocks I found in the garden. We'll be right back."

He shuffled down the hall and turned into the bedroom. Then he closed the door. After waving for her not to speak, he pulled out a pad of paper and wrote a few words.

"Now let me see if I can remember where I put that box of rocks," he said out loud then passed her the paper.

Valli took the note and read it.

Your father said you had questions and might come over. He said you were asking about the dome and who was running it.

Valli nodded at him. "Yeah, I'd love to see what you have."

She took the pen from him and wrote: Why is it a secret?

"You know," her grandfather said as he removed a wooden box from the back of his closet. "I just love rocks. I've been collecting my whole life, ever since I was a kid. The neat part is that they all have their own stories just like we do." He set the box on the bed and took a seat.

Inside was a mix of colors, sizes, and textures. Most were either red or brown, though some had a splash of green. Their surfaces were coarse and sandy and speckled with flecks of silver. She had seen these rocks everywhere outside. They were what comprised most of Earth's surface.

Her grandfather scooped up the rocks and held them out for Valli. She dutifully cupped her hands and held them as he remove a false bottom on the box to expose other rocks. Her eyes widened.

She handed the rocks back and picked up a gray stone that was smooth and another that was white with gray stripes. Another was tan and grainy while another was black as night. Valli had never seen rocks like these before--not even in her textbooks at school. Every class she had been in had talked about the high iron content of all rocks and the lack of mineral diversity in the Earth's crust and interior. But these rock were clearly different.

Her eyebrows rose as her gaze moved to her grandfather.

"I thought you might like those," he said.

Valli took the paper and wrote: Where did they come from?

Her grandfather's smile was soft. "Earth," he paused as he looked at her. "It's amazing what things you can find here." He pulled out a scrap of metal from the bottom of the box and held it up. Red letters were painted on the dull silver--but they were not letters Valli recognized. They were more like symbols or upside-down numbers that had a twist on the end.

"I found this on one of my walks along the perimeter. Interesting isn't it?"

Valli took the palm-sized piece and examined it.

"I'm pretty sure it's native," he said.

"To Earth?"

Her grandfather shook his head but said, "Yes."

Valli set the shard in the box and picked up the paper.

Are you saying we are on another planet? She wrote.

Her grandfather nodded.

"What!?" she wanted to scream, but instead she wrote: That's not what they teach in school!

Her grandfather nodded. "Beautiful, isn't it?" He pocketed the note then put the odd rocks back in the box and restored the false bottom. Her grandmother came into the room as he was returning the red rocks.

"Charles," she said as she stopped in the doorway.

"I know." He stashed the wooden container in the closet.

"Come on, dear," her grandmother said.

Valli gave her grandfather a worried glance. Why was she being taken away? Why couldn't they talk about the fact that they were no longer on Earth? Were they in danger? Was someone holding them hostage? How did they even get there?

There were so many questions, so much she did not know or understand. Who else knew about this? How did her grandparents know and why was it being kept a secret?

Her grandfather gave her a warm smile. "Go on. I'm sure someone will be over soon."

"Best be on your way," her grandmother said. She ushered her to the door and gave her a hug. Valli leaned into her embrace then felt the warmth of her grandmother's breath in her ear.

"Sometimes things are done for the best of all," she whispered. "Be patient and come again... just not too soon." She pulled back with a wide smile and said in a normal voice, "It was so good to see you, dear. You'll have to stop by again. And tell your parents we miss them."

Valli nodded, not ready to leave. Her grandparents knew things--things she wanted to know. They had answers to the questions no one else wanted to address, but she could tell they were cautious. Someone did not want them to share what they knew--someone outside the dome. It was not a satisfying end to her visit but at least it meant that answers could be found. She would just need to be patient and discrete.

Her grandfather came into the room as there was a knock on the door.

"Go on," he said. "we'll be here when you want to visit again. Don't be a stranger." He smiled as he squeezed her grandmother's hand. "Don't be a stranger now. Come whenever you want." He planted a kiss on Valli's head then turned her to the door.

On the other side waited someone else--someone Valli suspected was here to check on their most recent conversation. A sinking felling crept into her gut. What if she had just gotten her grandparents in trouble? Would something happen to them?

With a sense of panic, she turned back.

Her grandfather gave her a comforting smile as did her grandmother. "Don't forget we love you," he said, "and that will never change."