Chapter 80: Moving On
Frank’s and Shamia’s onstage spat was real. Shamia refused to talk to Frank for two days. After that, they made up. Their little onstage debacle helped sell out two more performances. From this point forward, Frank organised mini skits at the end of each performance to draw in the same audience night after night. Frank became by far the wealthiest in Sapey.
Less than a year later, the dominance of Frank’s greatest musical waned. The Palace Theatre soon became home to other shows as well as the re-established Masters of Wrestlers, which was restarted by Big Burt, Revals, and Phillip. Over two dozen Downs residents signed up to be wrestlers. They performed twice a week at the Palace Theatre to packed audiences every week. They did not make much money, as they only charged a small fee for attendance.
Another popular live show at the Palace Theatre was Walter’s Extreme Bake-off. Every week, Downs residents and technicians would compete against each other in baking sweet treats. Walter, RJ, and a guest judge would decide the winner. Several lucky members of the audience would be given the baked treats to sample.
Eugene started a Pound Ball league. It began with just two teams and eventually expanded to six teams. Two from each new region. This expanded to even more teams in the following years as the number of regions grew. Vulay and Eric took over many of Eugene’s responsibilities while he focused on the Pound Ball league.
It took just over two years to bring the Downs Region back to its former glory. All the damaged buildings were fixed, and many were improved. The hotel was rebuilt and was even better than before. Octavius added a fancy water slide to the top floor and a mini go-kart track to the floor below.
Once the Downs Region was rebuilt, Octavius moved to Lake Camp to lead the reconstruction of the holiday resort. With the help of the senior technicians, he made it more exciting than ever. There were various different rollercoasters and water slides throughout the resort. The underwater coaster became the most famous and popular.
Yassmay, Orcilla, and Daily focused on improving the seaweed treatments. They wanted these treatments to become cures. Within a few years, they were able to cure almost any ailment or disease. Yassmay focused on improving a variation that could help the Sapiods gain greater functionality. Within a short time, many of them could successfully communicate. However, their intellectual capacity was still quite limited.
Yassme continued her work on building and upgrading her mind voice technology. Dozens of Sapes could use the device to communicate in words. Most of the time, their favourite topics of conversation were food and soft bedding. Hamlet emerged as the most dominant Sape and became the official community representative for the Sapes.
Yassme created a version of the mind voice that helped residents interact more seamlessly with technology. Her favourite application of the mind voice was to the winged outfits. She could perform any crazy manoeuvre in the air by just thinking about it. This also made it easier for the Downs residents to use the winged outfits.
Hermon had a hard time accepting his role as a technician. He still desired to become Emperor. He vented his frustration by playing mean pranks on the other technicians in the West Camp. Eugene found out about his bad behaviour and extended his time in the camp by a year. In his second year, Hermon came to terms with the reality that he would never become Emperor. He continued to misbehave, but Benny was able to cover for him. At the end of the second year, both Hermon and Benny returned to the Downs Region.
A few days after arriving back in the Downs Region. Hermon walked into Walter’s Cakes, Pies, and Mash shop.
‘You look like someone who needs a nice big bowl of mash,’ said Walter as he grinned at Hermon.
Hermon smiled broadly, and then he turned around, lifted his leg up, and farted loudly at Walter.
‘I’m going to kill you, idiot!’ shouted Walter.
Hermon sprinted out of the shop. Walter ran after him. Several of the little miracles walked into the shop and grabbed a load of cakes. RJ ran in to stop them. After a few minutes, they left.
‘Oh dear,’ said RJ as he picked up the last chocolate slice.
‘Got you!’ said Walter as he walked back into his shop. ‘Your deceitful nature always rears its ugly head.’
‘Would you like me to help you make some more?’ asked RJ as he took a bite out of the chocolate slice.
‘That would help a lot, thanks, friend,’ replied Walter as he watched Benny telling Hermon off on the other side of the road.
Duffo did not rebel against his two-year sentence to the East Camp. He worked hard as a technician, and his approaches to tasks were very innovative. His intelligence was shining through in ways it did not when he was working under Tiberius. This helped the technicians complete the New East Region before the New West Region.
On returning to the Downs Region, Duffo accessed Henders’ new twelve-thousand-page document outlining the Sapey’s new economic, social, and political model.
‘Damn!’ sighed Duffo as he flickered through the huge picture book. ‘This place literally runs itself. This crazy formula is working. Maybe he really is a genius.’
After a few weeks pondering on how he could break the system, Duffo decided he would join the battle of ideas to try to gain influence. His recent performance warranted him the opportunity to make his voice heard. Unfortunately, for him, none of his ideas could gain much traction with the other experts. However, he was picked for some of the teams.
Tiberius was seen several times in the year after he had been turned into a Sapiod-like being. It seemed he was surviving by eating lumps of mud. After that, he was never seen again. It was assumed he starved to death because of his inability to recognise and eat food.
Wendell and Gilling restarted the Alset Company. They focused on replicating the technology used to build the powerful generators used to power the underground world. It did not take long for them to figure out. Within a year, all of Sapey had unlimited and free energy. They created small portable versions of the generator that could be added to vehicles. They made a modest profit from maintaining these generators. Their work was also rewarded with the occasional subsidy.
It took almost three years for Sapey to switch from Tibers to Henders’ proposed monetary system. The new money was called Sape Coin. It was completely digital, and as promised, its supply was purely linked to a wide range of economic indicators. These were locked into the system and could only be changed if the representatives raised a problem. This would lead to a series of proposed solutions proposed by the experts, which would be voted on. The winning team would implement the winning solution. So far, the currency had proved successful. Several additional coins had been proposed for each region to increase independence and decentralisation, but these were still being worked on.
The Sapien Loop rail network was not restored. The old stations had become museums to remind them of their past. The main transport between regions was a new fleet of happy buses. Yassme’s winged suits were becoming popular, but there were still not enough of them for everyone. Flying vehicles were another option, but very few of those had been built. Octavius’ team built a RollerSphere forming a loop around the inner section of the Downs Agriculture Zone. He considered it necessary now that the Downs Region was the official capital of Sapey. The Downs residents were very grateful.
With the exception of a few who moved to the Great Lake, the Sentray had returned to the vast ocean. They were more comfortable living there than on land. It was sufficiently big for them to enjoy. They had no gripe with all who lived on land.
As more and more regions were constructed, the remaining underground Linap moved to the surface. The underground cities were preserved as historical sites to remind everyone of the past and all the previous loops that had come before them.
This was not just the beginning of a new loop, but as Angelo had predicted, it was the beginning of a brand new series of loops.
The Spirocoaster pulled up at the station at the Lake resort. At the front of the coaster was Octavius, who was sitting in a giant seat reserved for him and Sapiod X.
All those at the station cheered. Octavius leapt out of his seat. He looked a little different. Lily had insisted he had a major makeover. He had big red hair planted on the top of his head. His eyes were now less bulging. He was significantly slimmer. He even wore nice shoes.
‘Doesn’t it feel better to look really sharp?’ asked Lily as she smiled at Octavius.
‘Yeah, sure, I guess,’ replied Octavius.
‘Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!’ said Sapiod X as he jumped in the front seat of the Spirocoaster.
‘Well, you still look awful,’ chuckled Lily as she looked at Sapiod X.
Orcilla was looking at a technician who was handing Henders an ice cream. ‘That’s him, isn’t it?’ Orcilla asked Polly.
‘Yes, it is,’ said Polly. ‘Should we do something?’
‘I feel it isn’t necessary,’ replied Orcilla. ‘I’m more concerned about the other one.’
‘She hasn’t been seen in five years,’ replied Polly. ‘I think she’s gone. Without her, he seems more concerned with his…’
‘Hey, get on the Spirocoaster,’ called out Octavius as he looked at Orcilla.
‘You’re holding us up, losers,’ said the twins at the same time.
Orcilla and Polly climbed into the Spirocoaster. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a small passenger in the end seat. She was wearing a pointed hat. She winked at Polly.
Polly poked Orcilla. ‘Look at the end passenger,’ she said. ‘The one wearing the hat.’
Orcilla looked up, but she could only see two technicians sitting in the last two seats, and neither was wearing a hat.
‘You can’t wear hats on this ride; that’s madness,’ said Octavius as he looked at Polly.
‘Wishful thinking,’ said Orcilla as Octavius tugged on her harness.
‘Launch time,’ cried out Octavius.
The Spirocoaster launched off. Everyone screamed in joy as it rocketed off towards the lake. Then it disappeared.
‘Holy shit!’ shouted Octavius.
‘Technical difficulties, eh?’ remarked Hermon, who was lined up to get on the next ride.
‘I’m already regretting this,’ said Benny, shaking his head as he watched Octavius run around panicking.
‘You’ll regret it even more when I throw up in your hair, arsehole,’ whispered Walter, who was standing behind Benny.
The passengers on the Spirocoaster were enjoying a special invisible ride. Five minutes later, when they arrived back. Octavius was relieved to see everyone was fine.
‘Greatest rollercoaster ride ever!’ shouted the twins as they got off.
After they got off the ride, Orcilla approached Lily.
‘Hey Lily,’ called out Orcilla.
‘Good morning, Orcilla,’ replied Lily. ‘You’re looking well.’
‘Thank you,’ replied Orcilla as she walked beside Lily. ‘You’re looking radiant as always. Your new hairstyle really suits you.’
‘I have high standards to maintain,’ said Lily. ‘Okay, what do you want?’
‘For a long time, I’ve found it hard to be around you,’ said Orcilla.
‘I understand,’ replied Lily, grinning. ‘I have tried to kill you before.’
‘You tried to kill me twice and you turned my own sister against me,’ said Orcilla with a little anger in her voice.
‘I saw you as a threat,’ sighed Lily. ‘At the time, I lived in a world where threats needed to be handled. You were also the daughter of that monster Pardi Carvaress and a reminder of all I had lost.’
‘It didn’t matter that I was your sister’s daughter?’ asked Orcilla.
‘It should have mattered much more,’ replied Lily. ‘I’m deeply sorry for my actions. I should have protected you. I fully understand why you wouldn’t forgive me.’
‘Regardless of our personal problems, you have done so much for the Sapiens,’ said Orcilla. ‘Even at your worst, you stood up to the Linap. You gave us the greatest “Rights” package ever.’
‘Yes, they called me the G.O.A.T. because of tasty cakes and pecan pie,’ giggled Lily.
‘Don’t trivialise it,’ said Orcilla. ‘You brought a lot of happiness to the Sapiens.’
‘I want to be known for more than just nice freebies,’ said Lily. ‘That’s why I’ve spent so much time working with Henders, Octavius, Polly, and so many other great minds.’
‘My hair is ruined!’ shouted Benny as he ran by Orcilla and Lily.
‘How about him?’ asked Orcilla as she watched Benny dash into a public toilet.
‘He’s more sensible than he acts,’ chuckled Lily.
‘What about him?’ asked Orcilla as she pointed at a large poster of Homer dressed as a vampire.
‘I have serious doubts about him,’ said Lily, shaking her head. ‘He might be the High Philosopher, but his interpretation of scripture is highly suspect.’
‘Well, he’s drawing on tens of thousands of years of hidden knowledge that your teachings do not cover,’ said Orcilla.
‘Look!’ said Lily as she pointed at a building with a large sign that read, ‘Haunted House of Divine Knowledge: Spiritual Joy Ride through Hell’.
‘It’s alternative learning,’ chuckled Orcilla as she pointed at the queue. ‘Look at the enthusiasm. This has to be a good thing.’
Eugene, Freddy, and Phillip walked out of the Haunted House of Divine Knowledge gift shop. They were holding a different themed slushy cup each.
‘Did you learn anything spiritual in there?’ asked Lily as she looked at Eugene.
‘I’ll tell you something, friend,’ said Eugene as he leaned towards Lily. ‘If you want a zombie cup, you need to convince someone to drink the sour apple-flavoured slushy.’
‘What?’ asked Lily, looking puzzled.
‘The raspberry slushy comes with a devil cup,’ said Eugene as he held up his cup. ‘The blueberry slushy comes with a ghoul cup.’
Phillip waved his ghoul cup.
‘How about we go in and find out for ourselves?’ chuckled Orcilla.
‘I suppose,’ sighed Lily. ‘I will be judgemental.’
‘I wouldn’t expect anything else from you,’ chuckled Orcilla as they joined the queue behind the twins.
Three weeks later at the Palace Theatre. Henders, RJ, Walter, Benny, Hermon, Eugene, Freddy, Phillip, and Scott had gone to talk to Shamia and Frank about their proposal.
‘Come on in,’ said Shamia as she ushered the group into her office. ‘I heard you have an exciting proposal for us.’
‘You’re going to love it!’ said Hermon enthusiastically. ‘It’s a game show.’
‘Oh yes, we don’t have one of them yet,’ said Shamia, nodding.
‘Before we jump on that, we have something for you, friend,’ said Walter as he nudged RJ, who was carrying a box.
RJ placed the box down on the desk in front of Shamia. Then he opened it to reveal a birthday cake.
‘Oh my gosh!’ exclaimed Shamia in joy. ‘You know it’s my birthday. Thank you. Thank you so much. You’re all so lovely.’
‘It’s the Downs way, friend,’ said Eugene as Benny lit the candle on the cake.
‘Some of us are slow to catch on, but we all get there in the end,’ said Walter as he looked at Hermon.
‘Let’s do it, friends,’ said Scott.
All of them began to sing happy birthday to Shamia. She clapped with joy as she looked at all their faces.
Frank opened a door on the other side of the office, and then he moonwalked in to the sound of the singing. He was wearing a gold jumpsuit and a large rainbow wig.
‘Whose birthday is it?’ asked Frank as he looked around the room.
‘It’s my birthday, Frank,’ sighed Shamia.
‘Give it a big blow!’ said Benny as he pointed at the candle.
‘Sure,’ said Frank as he blew out the candle. Then he grabbed a chunk of cake and shoved it in his mouth. ‘This is good cake.’
Walter’s face turned red with anger, but he stopped himself from speaking.
‘This is my birthday present to you,’ said Frank as he stared at Shamia. ‘I’m stopping you from becoming even fatter.’
‘They’re proposing a game show,’ said Shamia in an angry tone as she looked at Frank.
‘We’d like you to sponsor and host it in this theatre,’ said RJ.
‘Okay, impress me,’ said Frank as he leaned on the desk.
‘It will be hosted by Aganon Jr. and his father,’ said Benny.
‘Star power, I love it!’ said Frank. ‘We have a Sunday afternoon slot. How does that suit you?’
They all looked at each and then nodded.
‘When you say sponsor, what does that entail?’ asked Frank.
‘It’s the prizes, friend,’ said Eugene as he looked at Henders, who was nodding.
‘Give me three-quarters of the ticket sales and we have a deal,’ said Frank as a broad smile came over his face.
‘That’s so extreme, Frank,’ snapped Shamia angrily.
‘We could split the sales fifty-fifty,’ suggested Benny.
‘Done deal!’ said Frank. ‘Where do I sign?’
Henders quickly added the fifty-fifty split of sales to the contract-signing page. Then he signed it. Frank signed next and everyone else in the room signed as witnesses.
‘This game show is going to sell out every week,’ said Frank as he started to dance on the spot. ‘I feel my pockets getting heavier right now.’
‘As usual, you’re not going to do any of the work,’ sighed Shamia as she watched Frank moonwalk out of the office.
Walter raised his eyebrows a few times and then began to laugh.
‘I’m glad this has made you happy,’ said Shamia, who had a perplexed look on her face.
Henders turned a few pages of the proposal.
‘There is free admission to the game show,’ chuckled Benny.
‘Oh,’ said Shamia. ‘How will you make money?’
‘We have an advertising sponsor, friend,’ said Freddy.
‘We also have television contracts,’ added Benny.
‘Now take a look at these prizes,’ said Walter excitedly as he flipped a few more pages.
‘Happy buses, flying vehicles, three-week holidays, winged outfits, kitchen renovations, hot tubs, and so many more!’ gasped Shamia. ‘This will cost Frank a fortune.’
‘We want to help Frank give back to the community, friend,’ said Walter, nodding. ‘Only then can he fully embrace the Downs spirit.’
‘You guys are the greatest,’ said Shamia. ‘I didn’t need to blow out my candle for this wish to come true.’
‘It was all Henders’ plan, friend,’ said Scott.
Henders raised his eyebrows up and down, and then he winked.
Sapien Loop: Worlds Collide
Sapien Loop: Worlds Collide is the final book in the Sapien Loop trilogy. It continues directly after the events of the second book. The world above and the world below merge into one world. The conflicts in the underground world are brought to the surface. The new ruling elite attempt to crush any resistance from above and below in an attempt to create a new global empire.
Currently, three books from the series have been published on Amazon; see the links below:
All individual chapters can be found on my @captainhive account.
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