Closer To Heaven

A small chance is better than none…

Illustration by author.

Martyn did not know what he had done wrong to be moved up a level. Maybe something controversial in his last write up? Or some eccentric order in which he’d presented the test results? The inner workings of the Facility were mysterious and speculation was prevalent between the residents after Lightsout. Earlier that day, he’d shared his concerns with the current quartermaster Zed, who told him “You should not worry, probably you did too good a job! Genius always finds a way out. You’re going up in the world my brother!”

Martyn replied, “My work is mediocre at best. I can’t shake this bad feeling that I’ll be moving up again soon.”

“My advice is don’t fight it, let your efforts be recognised. Sadly it’s my optimism that keeps me on these lower levels throughout the years, far from glory.” Zed grimaced in faux regret.

Later, in the gloom of Lightsout, Tariq’s view seemed more likely, “Don’t take it personally, I hear they’re moving a lot of us up lately. There’s been a new consignment of residents lower down, a transport was seen on the landing bay a few days ago.”

Tariq appeared to be a scientist in the traditional sense, much like Martyn, concerned with the material world rather than quantum planes or the Warp. Martyn could always rely on his friend’s unadorned viewpoint, as…