"They all want to get north," said Lieutenant Li. "When we land, stay close to me and move fast."
The transport came down on a landing pad inside a fenced-off area adjacent to the station. Crowds of people lined the fence, and they screamed and pushed against each other to get away from the transport.
"They think we're Formics," said Bingwen.
Li slid open the door and stepped out. "It's all right," he shouted. "We are human. Stay calm."
The relief on the people's faces made Bingwen want to cry. Mothers with infants, children, the elderly. Some in fine clothing, others in rags. Many carried bags. They had thought they were about to die.
Li motioned Bingwen and the others to come. "Hurry now." He led them up the sidewalk toward the station. Bingwen held tight to Pipo's and Niro's hands.
People at the fence cried out as they passed.
"Let us in."
"Open the fence."
"My daughter is sick," shouted a man, holding up a toddler.
"We'll pay you."
Children extended their arms, palms up, begging.
Bingwen felt helpless.
A pair of soldiers stood guard at a side entrance to the station. They saluted as Li approached. One of them opened the door. Inside was an employee locker room. When the door was closed behind them, Li removed his biosuit and gave them each a heavy plastic bag.
"Stuff your biosuit in the bag. Keep that bag with you at all times. Do not set it down for any reason. Otherwise, it will be stolen. Wear only your brown jumpsuits on the train until you hear the alarm. Then get into your suit as quickly as possible."
"What does the alarm sound like?" Pipo asked.
"An alarm," said Li. "Now move."
Bingwen quickly shed his suit and stuffed it in his bag. When they were all done, Niro hugged his bag tight against his chest, his eyes wide with fear.
Pipo put an arm around him. "Everything will be fine, Niro. Bingwen will take care of us. We're getting on a fast magnet train. You've always wanted to ride one, right?"
Niro nodded.
"Well now's your chance," said Pipo.
"Stay right behind me," said Li.
He led them through a set of double doors and into one of the main terminals. To Bingwen's right a dozen high-speed passenger trains
were stationed at concrete platforms, all of their doors open, loading passengers. Beyond the trains and the vaulted ceiling of the terminal were the magnet tracks and the distant safety of the north.
To Bingwen's left was chaos. Thousands of people were crammed together at the main entrance. A hundred armed soldiers were trying to keep order. Some held dogs on short leashes. Others shouted commands: Stay in line! No pushing! One at a time!
Barriers had been set up that funneled people to a long row of tables, where soldiers were sitting with holopads. One by one the civilians came forward and put their face into the holofield. A window of data would appear with the person's ID, address, photo, medical history. The soldiers flicked through the data quickly. If the civilian passed inspection, the soldier waved them through and ordered them to proceed to one of the platforms where the trains were waiting. There were more lines at the trains, and soldiers rechecked people and gave them a door assignment.
A man at one of the tables was told he couldn't pass. The soldier pointed to the exit and told the man to leave. The man became hostile, yelling, waving his arms. Two soldiers appeared and took him roughly away toward an exit. The man kicked and struggled and shouted curses. A third soldier stepped in and struck the man in the head with the butt of his rifle. Bingwen heard the crack over the din. The man went silent and limp. The soldiers dragged him through a set of doors that led outside and dumped him on the concrete.
"This way," said Li. "Stay close."
Bingwen didn't have to be told twice. He clung to Niro's and Pipo's hands and stayed right at Lieutenant Li's heels. They weaved their way through the crowd near the trains. Lieutenant Li shouted for the people to make a path. The command in his voice demanded obedience. The people hustled to the side.
When they reached the fifth train, Li pushed his way to the front of the line, where soldiers were loading people.