Chapter Eight: The Engines Below
At eight years old, Cael was permitted to leave the temple under supervision.
The authorization arrived during morning instruction.
Adept Doxa stood before the novices with her hands folded inside her sleeves.
“Cael Venn. Elian Rho. Tara Kasp.”
The three of them rose.
“You have been assigned to Practical Cohort Seven.”
Elian’s metal jaw clicked softly.
Tara touched the interface behind her ear.
Cael asked, “What does the cohort do?”
Doxa looked at him.
“Practical work.”
“What kind?”
“The kind explained after you cease interrupting.”
Cael lowered his head.
Doxa continued.
“You will accompany Enginseer Prime Halix-12 during routine inspections of the eastern industrial tier. You will observe sanctioned maintenance, record deviations and perform tasks appropriate to your grade.”
“Will we repair machines?” Cael asked.
Doxa paused.
“Yes.”
That single word made the remaining instructions difficult to hear.
They were issued protective robes, respirators, insulated gloves and novice tool rolls. Their grey clothing remained visible beneath the outer layers. No one mistook them for priests.
Cael fastened the tool roll around his waist.
It contained six drivers, two probes, a contact brush, a small magnifier, a calibrated hammer and a folding knife with a blunt tip.
He inspected every item.
Elian watched him.
“You look happy.”
“I am checking the tools.”
“You are checking them happily.”
Cael looked at him.
“Is that prohibited?”
“Probably.”
Tara pulled her respirator over her face.
Its lenses made her eyes appear large and black.
“Doxa can sense happiness through walls.”
“No,” Cael said.
Tara adjusted the filter.
“Then why does she always arrive when someone has it?”
Elian’s jaw emitted a metallic scraping noise.
Cael had learned that this was how he laughed.