bOY rOBOT | The Future Looks Fantastic! And it is. A Brother is living the dream - Robots. The Sister, not so much. When they meet in 2122. Serious trouble.

Year 2102
Part 1
Chapter 1
KINDERGARDEN
'Cities are what country was' read one news banner for awhile.
'Until water became plentiful again thanks to ingenious filtering systems on an incredible scale and then people just started to not worry about all those sorts of things and started looking for other things. Started to explore "out of their comfort zones"'. Read an article.

Suddenly "the country" was where everyone wanted to live "breathe again" was the slogan.
Beaches were abandoned for rivers and filtered water was so plentiful that they would pump it inland simply for people to swim in creeks.
"Brilliant idea." Said one Mayor who retired from City council.

The younger generation were being told stories about what the cities used to do. 'People would actually go into them and work.' The expression from the story-teller was as if a horrible experience.
Sterile and bland.

Young adults would hover out or solar bike it to streams and creeks and trek then collapse exhausted before going home to work for their thirty two hours and send it to the city for processing or whatever.

The wealthy could have their own home "built" in a day.
On-lookers were envious and some pretended not to be impressed.

Karen could see this and wanted to do something.
She felt she knew that Bradley her brother could do this; could help.
Or so she thought.

Year 2103
Chapter 2
school
HOME
On a cool Thursday afternoon. ‘The end of the school and working week.’
Bradley thought as he stood in the middle of his room. He wasn't inspired by the view out his window. The end of a brick wall which gave glimpses of open plains.
Bradley: ‘I'm going now.’ Called.

HOME. HALLWAY
A ladder lowered with a thump in another room and he climbed.

HOME. ENCLOSED ROOF TOP
He stepped off the rungs and had a serious look. He had to continue where he had left off before he went to school.
There was a long bench and he was picking up bits and pieces; concentrating, he was happy with the adjustment. He pulled on a handle on the wall and sunlight poured in.
Their enclosed rooftop space.
The telescope was powerful and now finished. So too was the tripod.
His view was the City.
___.___
Bradley and his family lived on the outskirts. All underground for the air still wasn't pleasant. Some buildings rose from above ground level and most were for views. The Bradburys' were considered middle class for their son restored old robots and his parents encouraged him and the same for their daughter although she was a “typical”, rebellious teenage girl.
___.___
HOME. ENCLOSED ROOF TOP
The sun was setting, ‘Not enough time.’ He thought but he would try.
Bradley: ‘Was there enough power?’ His thumb moved the tiny joystick.
They were novelty value really; a physical remote control but it got the job done – ‘but the power drain.’
Looking at the view from the rooftop; the horizon and a small greyish rise of buildings. The City. Far away and that's how they were designed.
He positioned the telescope, adjusted it until the view was the side of a building. He ever-so moved the joystick. Nothing. He took his eye away from the telescope then back again. Another move of the joystick and there it appeared.
Like a lead ball rolling but vertical down the side of the building. He couldn't remove the smile. He took his thumb off the joystick and there it was just “sitting;” waiting for its master.
He moved it further down but then realised he would lose sight of it. He quickly looked to the next building but would have to use stealth as "Mr. Singlet" would grouch on him. He was a nice enough old man; always wore a singlet but could talk underwater and about everything and anything not related to what you were doing or talking about.

At his tender age, he seemed perplexed and then his pants vibrated.
He slapped his hip.
Bradley: ‘Yes.’ He could tell it was Jim because of the vibration and it wasn't good news.
‘He what?’ He looked around then started to pace as if his friend was there. He looked at the
telescope.
‘Since when does Ferguson have the right to cancel?’ He yelled fuming. ‘How can he cancel? He doesn't have one.’

It was all about principles. People like Ferguson, Thomas Ferguson can't “build” robots so he cannot enter any competitions and yet because his friend is a no-show, Ferguson has called everyone and said the competition is cancelled until next week.
Mr Ferguson is a senior advisor to Government on civil planning.
Bradley: ‘I don't care about his Father.’ Slammed his hip.
___.___
Bradley had been building his own toys, mechanical play things for some years and now was getting to the point where he needed more space.
‘To stretch one's imagination.’ He would often say to his parents as they too started to want to go; move on to the country. ‘We don't want to be left behind.’ They would often say.
___.___
Back and forth from school each day. He would have time with parents and sister then into his room then to his workshop.
A storage room which they converted to have access to the top of their building.

What used to be Penthouses; the rich preferred deep underground. Fresh water, vast caves to explore and privately owned satellites to view anywhere in the world and gyro floating periscopes.
___.___
Off to school again. Up to ground level then out. He was always told to pack a few extra 'air containers'. Small bite size tablets that were fresh air contained in a crunchy ball of syrup and mass produced.

Bradley wouldn't take them for he had never had trouble breathing even though he did think the air was a bit stale, but it was only a couple of blocks to school and in his time, he and his friends would play “build” in the workshops and on the rooftops.
They had always thought that the air problem was mostly parents' stuff to worry about.

Chapter 3
second last day of the week

INDUSTRIAL STREET
On his way home, he would look in to the old manufacturing plant close to home.
It always fascinated him and tried to imagine what it must have been like to be in there.
There was a hole further around the corner but it wasn't a safe area down along the side.
Bradley always stayed back on the footpath.
Only brown, starched long grass dared to linger there. The whole area was concrete as it was a heavy manufacturing company long gone as the yearning for natural beauty had started to permeate the outer city and inner city residence alike.

HOME. ENCLOSED ROOFTOP
He set up his telescope only to concentrate on the manufacturing plant.
He couldn't resist.

INNER SIDE OF FENCE
MANUFACTURING PLANT
Like a baby lamb amongst hungry lions. That's how Bradley felt as he slowly made his way toward one of the grey, bland buildings.
He had stood for what seemed ages infront of the hole in the wire fence, surrounded by harsh, tall weeds that swayed in a breeze carried through from the concrete land.
He approached a door next to a huge roller door and could see a thick lock. He continued around the corner and saw another entrance; rusted.
Unlocked.

MANUFACTURING PLANT
DOWN RAMP
It was a ramp down into the ground. 'It was for trolleys' he thought to take supplies in and out of obviously a stockroom. The void ahead was too big for a stockroom, 'More a warehouse for dispatch.' He thought.
The outside light of the sun made everything black then, as his eyes adjusted, he got his torch ready and that's when his heart leapt into his mouth.
The very moment he turned on his torch, he was face to face with a metal face. It was upside down with holes for eyes, nose and mouth. Attached to a ceiling rail.
He froze. Mixed feelings; a tinge of claustrophobia and fright then tried to relax.
Not to panic, and after a moment, calmed.
This is when he started to look at his surroundings. He really appreciated what he was amongst.
He was truly in awe.
Just metres away; 'My world' he thought was on the other side of this door.
Bradley: 'Look at this.' To himself.
He had been told these stories often from his parents about the robots. How they literally did everything for you. ‘My mum and I -’ He could hear his mother saying, ‘We didn't have to do much at all when you think about it.’
Bradley could clearly remember when he was very little, his sister Karen would be riding her mechanical horse. It would animate galloping and make all the noises and she would be having so much fun. 'Her laughter' he thought.
He snapped back to where he was and looked ahead which was across the concrete chamber. He must have moved for he was leaning against the wall and his torch was pointing down giving everything a distinct creepiness. He looked up as something caught his eye.
Bradley: 'Another day.'
___.___
HOME. ENCLOSED ROOFTOP
That afternoon, Bradley did something unusual.
He panned and focused on everything at the manufacturing plant.
Everything was still.
It had been a long time between friendly conversations.
All the long lengths of concrete between sheer walls of metal as drab as cheap cardboard.
He was tempted.
~
MANUFACTURING PLANT
DOWN RAMP
He peered into the darkness. It seemed long and deep and who knows what lay at the other end. The sun cut sharp across the rectangular concrete gap and the shadow. He ventured in and that's when he saw it.
An electronic keypad door. Only authorised personnel. He'd be back.
~
MANUFACTURING PLANT
School was ten to two and it was just on twenty past two.
Bradley was all ready.
He slipped on a cloth glove but with metal fingers and wires which ran to a battery. He wiggled his fingers then tried the keypad at the end of the long, dark concrete corridor. No sound but a green light.
He pushed and entered.

Two round metal balls appeared out of the darkness. He swung his light up. It was more galvanised robots heads upside down and as he discovered, they were all on a metal chain; a conveyor belt. He swung his torch again and followed it.

He slowly moved along past another then another upside down metal figure. He had great images of vampires and zombies and then had to stop. ‘This was too much.’ He pointed the light further along and it seemed endless but as he moved the light, something did glint ahead.
He felt like he was going to regret it, but he kept walking until he was closer to where he had seen the glint and there it was. Another keypad door. The railing for the robots went through a concrete slot above the door.
He used his glove.
Another green light.
~
Stairs faced him this time and he looked back for a moment. Now he was eye-level with the next floor and it was much brighter due to the windows high up. He could not believe what he was seeing.
It was like what he had been told about, and he had read in history books of what the newspaper industry was like.
Virtually a roller-coaster of twin rails going everywhere like a mass of deranged serpents frozen in rage protecting their young.
Body after body of upside down and upright metal robots like people; with limbs just suspended. Ready to be used for the next day which never  happened.
Bradley didn't notice that he had moved on more to the middle of the factory floor which was relatively sparse. Everything was hanging above.
'There must be hundreds' He thought '...thousands.?' Something else caught his attention and he just had to take a look.
~
Near a door not closed, Bradley could see large, wire cages with all mechanical parts in piles in them. Another cage and one near the door, had the side buckled. Limbs; body parts had fallen out onto the floor creating the door jam. A strip of light penetrating.
He slowly walked to the door and peered out into the blinding light. He forced the door and it opened.
Before him outside in an open space between buildings, were piles of galvanised bodies. 'Dumped?' He thought. The piles were higher than him. He could see three atleast.
He did not want to pass. The piles of galvanised bodies was a surreal, almost upsetting vision but, at the same time, bordering on fascinating. Alluring like bait on a hook in a winter stream.
As Bradley passed, he had found yet another door. It intrigued him; it was mechanical. He stood before it and hesitated, his mind was ticking over.
~
The door made a sound; protesting, of being disturbed and swung open hitting a concrete wall. Ahead was a long space with columns. A basement of sorts and as he looked deeper, it was full of water which started some distance away. He wasn't going any further when something caught his eye.
~
Wading up to his waist, he started to step up; climbing a steel staircase which took him to a landing. He stood with mouth agape for what lay ahead was something he had only heard about through his parents and had always thought was ridiculous but... he liked the idea and there it was.
A people mover. A large steel frame mounted into the floor and wall and a cable coming out of a “spout”.
He walked towards it. The view from this open-air platform was breath-taking.
A chequered area of low-level high-rise and grass sections on the outskirts of the City where people seldom live now; all having flocked to the country, the cable went down and disappeared into the “streets” some five storeys down. He hesitantly neared the edge holding onto the railing of the queue area where people must have stood waiting.
Bradley: 'Imagine waiting for transport'. Chuckling. Although his parents had told him of such times.
He was tempted and looked for a lever; something, then found one.
He held it. Felt it then moved it.
Nothing.
He leaned on it sighing then stood up and walked away.
He could feel a vibration.
It was the lever now trembling and then the cable above started to stiffen. The steel frame showed no sign of strain. He couldn't hear anything then he thought of something.
He was looking down over the edge and before he could move out of the way, a glass and steel cabin appeared and slowly stopped exactly between yellow lines. 'This is fantastic' He thought and just started laughing.
Part 2
 
Chapter 4
a journey brad

Off to school again and home. Only one thing on his mind. Well two things; the next City competition and that cable car.

MANUFACTURING PLANT.
CABLE CAR
The glass door slid across. He looked inside.
No smell.
He entered and after a moment, looked for a lever. Four bench seats and plenty of arm holders and handles but no lever or switch. He walked over and closed the door from the inside...

He was out and over the edge and falling straight down to the outer area of the City when suddenly the cable seemed to "lift" the glass cabin and guide him through the ‘streets’.

CITY. STREETS
He found the ‘streets’ with their rectangular buildings clean and tidy.
Not what he was told at all.
He had to keep holding on for suddenly swoosh around a corner, through a parkland and down through a ‘main street’.

He was trying to take it all in and then an area of land appeared.
The cabin slowed; gliding, the grass blurred under his shoes then to a stop. He went for the door and opened it, wondering whether he should get out or not.

He walked over to a pathway intersection which had a mosaic pointing in all four directions. Museum, Library, Hall and the fourth, nothing.

He chose this path and before long, was facing a bland building.
He turned around and looked at everything. 
It was a lot to take in and it all looked "liveable". 
He looked up at the buildings; the City, where he competes with his robots. 
He shook his head.
~
CITY. BLAND BUILDING
A large, spacious marble floor foyer.
Quiet.
He stood there for a moment; bored and was just about to leave and then he thought. “Lift" He looked all over and there they were. He punched his fist.

OFFICE FLOOR.
BLAND BUILDING
Deep inside at a desk near a window with a view of the sprawling City, a man in his early fifties stopped what he was doing. He could have sworn he heard something. There it was again. Somewhat different, but definitely close.

The lift doors closed. Bradley had exited and was just looking at the lift doors. 'Fantastic.' A shadow cast long over the tiles. He froze.
Gerard: 'I find it better here.'
~
Bradley was listening; looking at the man's desk.
Gerard: 'The country is good to live, but I like here to work. 'Cities are where all the processing work and data is stored; collated. You don't go into the City.' He seemed to ramble on. 'And it's relatively close to my workshop.
Bradley: 'Workshop?' This made Bradley spring to life.
Gerard: 'Yeah.'
Chapter 5
one sleep to go
HOME. ENCLOSED ROOFTOP
The view through the telescope was yet another building side. Clearly in the background were other robots; all their shapes and sizes in position.
No vibrating calls. “No Ferguson." Bradley thanked the sky.
Bradley: 'On my go.' Holding his hip to activate all channels. He checked with his naked eye. The weather looked good and then put his eye to the scope. He panned around seeing what he could of the competition. It made him take a deep breath. 'And GO.'
Immediately a beep sound. He swung and checked his bank of monitors. 'Already two gone; captured.' He smiled. 'Lovin' it.' He had both thumbs all over the joysticks. Metal balls were rolling vertically, horizontally, up and down, crashing into pathways. No one around. No problems.
His shoulders vibrated. He shrugged and again. 'What?'
Jim: 'Where's your sister?'
Bradley: 'I don't know.' Angrily keeping an eye on his ball. He was steering it across a building and then up as he could see an enemy approaching and fast.
Jim: 'She's here.
Bradley flicked his on-board camera and viewed the enemy. They were right there.
Bradley: 'Damn.'
Jim: 'You can see your sister?'
Bradley: 'No.'
Jim: 'She's here, trust me.'
He wasn't interested. 
She had been really annoying lately. Telling him to grow-up. Telling him to get out there and get a life. Do something with yourself.
'She has no idea.' He thought and winced.

The view from his camera was wide. No enemy to be seen. He checked the telescope. Nothing and yet he couldn't move and that's when he saw her.

The view was the buildings' wall profile. His ball silhouetted and just above, peering out a window was Karen. He had never felt more embarrassed and what made it worse, she was laughing and pretending to be stuck.

He had to get to the City. He thought of the cable car but that was the wrong City; competition City was much closer and then it dawned on him. His friends left their robots and equipment at a storage facility on the other side of suburbia. 'Much quicker' He thought.

STORAGE FCILITY.
SUBURBIA
In no time he was inside the storage area, having asked his friends and was on his way.

A CITY.
A BUILDING LEVEL
Bradley appeared near the window where she was "supposedly" stuck and there was no sign of her. He could feel all the lenses watching him and laughing. Some supportive.
Bradleys' ball was three window panes away and now realised that she had set him up.
One of the cables was limp, out the side of the round vehicle.
He went and opened the window closest to his ball and reached out.
He was pushing the electrical plugs together when she appeared through the neighbouring window.
This scared him and he reacted; slipping and falling into his ball but, to her horror, the other side of the ball; his was a two-hole entry exit design like a bead on a necklace, he fell through and out from sixty floors up.

Part 3
Year 2112
Chapter 6
cold hard

It was a howling windy peak.. Bitter cold, hard and she struggled with it. She had two loop-lengths to go to the safe spot when her foot grip gave way and she dropped.
What seemed like forever.
Everything white.
The helicopter didn't matter as it turned upside down and swung radically around or so it seemed and then her safety rope interrupted the free fall about three seconds later.
She was competing with Peto on a neighbouring cliff wall.
Both harsh.
Both high.
The prestige of this new event they knew, would be good. 'Give it a year or two,' She would say 'And then they will be queueing for it.'

The networks were taking the risk. Taking the bait for each time Karen and Peto went "Out on a limb" literally, they would inform the local broadcasters and send quality edited clips to them and one day they got a phone call.

___.___

It was in a chalet set high up in the middle of a breathtaking valley north east of Lauterbrunnen in Switzerland at 2ooo feet.

The vista was unmatched.
Karen: 'Picture postcard.' Wryly recalling the past as they arrived and entered the grand building; slowly making their way up the stairs to thick, golden doors.
They felt they looked a little out of place but were taken back by the surroundings.
A young man walked up in a dark suit.
Young Man: 'Miss Bradbury, Mr Coules?' Softly with a smile.
Karen: 'Yes.' Thought 'What beautiful teeth.'

They were taken up the grand spiral stairs which had images hand carved of wild animals from all over the world.
On the landing, a spectacular panoramic view of the mountains infront of them.
Young Man: 'This way please.'
They followed him to a spacious lounge where two men were sitting with their backs to them.
Young Man: 'Mr Carlyle.' Softly.
The man stood and for the briefest of moments she thought, he was never going to stop growing taller. He then turned.
Tall Man: 'Miss Bradbury,' He shook her hand. 'Mr Coules.' They shook hands. 'Please sit.'
He waited for them to sit. There were three large lounges. She chose a spot then he followed.
Tall Man: 'Thankyou both for coming and,' He continued 'Congratulations. Well deserved.' He paused, 'Again.' He laughed.
They smiled openly.
'I have been watching and I am impressed.
They both said thankyou.
'There's no way in the world you'd get me doing anything like what you guys do.' Smiling. 'I want to give you two your own show. Half hour slot a week.'
Before they could react his arms were out like great bridge spans.
'Extreme climbing. Ridiculously Extreme Climbing Action.' He paused. 'We'll work out the details.'
They just listened trying to take it all in.
'Two hundred thousand for the first shows for twelve weeks and we'll see.'
It was like a wild, bizarre snow hurricane.
All over just like that.
Like a change of wind.
___.___
After that brief encounter, unbeknownst to Peto, Karen started seeing more of this man.
There was definitely chemistry.
He was the son of a global broadcaster.
They had on and off affairs.
Very intense.
She sensed he was meeting up with other girls for network deals and getting into bed with them but he wasn't.
He loved her.

She meets up with an old friend from her short column writing days and finds this out.
The son forgives her but... the Father doesn't and pulls the show although rating well and into its third season.
She does seem to be becoming obsessed with yet another interest...
Part 4
Chapter 7
Year 2122
north
RURAL
An unusual sight in these parts was a helicopter over the northern horizon. 
Normally large harvesting machines were combing the hills to prepare for the next season.
As the helicopter grew, Jim didn't think twice about it until it landed near him.
Two well dressed people got out and walked toward him.
He felt slightly concerned but knew there was nothing wrong or so he thought.
Well Dressed Man: 'James Presnon?'
James: 'Yes, that's me.'
Well Dressed Man: 'Sorry for the interruption but we'd like to know if we can ask you a few questions?' The well dressed man continues and both presented ID cards.
Jim just looked at them. He was totally surprised and the cards looked genuine.
'We are from the Federal Government and it's very urgent that we can ask you some questions.'
The other man motioned as if all three were going onto the helicopter.
James: 'Aahhm, yes OK. What are you wanting to know?'
Well Dressed Man: 'I'm sorry to do this to you but it's important that you come with us.'
James: 'I can't just leave-.' Eyes widened.
Other Well Dressed Man: 'This won't take long.'
James: 'I will have to tell my wife.'
Well Dressed Man: 'I can't stress how critical this is Mr Presnon.'
Jim could see they both were on the verge of physically persuading him. He looked away to his house; the entrance was metres away in the mound behind him.
James: 'I will have to tell my wife.'
___ . ___
A CITY
It didn't take long for the helicopter to reach the City and land on the rooftop of one of hundreds of buildings. 
Out of the side door, James jumped and the two men helped him placeing his small overnight bag beside him.
The three walked towards a door. Before long a lift door opened and James was face to face with an old man.
Although they had never met, the mutual respect was there.
Gerard: 'Brad would often come and see me... When he found me that is.' Smiling; waving his hand at all the "surrounding building rooftops" knowing how much the young hated going into Cities. 'We would have good talks.'
James: 'Yes.' Nodded reminiscing of his friend Bradley.
Gerard: 'I still continue my work. Getting the research done and I still like it here.'
Gerard could feel that James wanted to leave; go back home.
James gestured for all to get into the lift.

LARGE LIFT.
DESCENDING
Gerard: 'It has been a long time. City competitions went on for awhile but they just weren't the same without Brad-.'

A BUILDING LEVEL
Gerard looked over his glasses at the two men who were at the other end of the room some twenty metres.
Gerard: 'This is what you are here for. Come with me.' They made no sound and Gerard looked at the two men to make sure they could "see".
He opened a door and James entered.
It was another room with the same view; overlooking a "street" which disappeared amongst the buildings.
Gerard walked up to a keyboard and James noticed it was the only thing in the room on a bench.
Gerard stood beside it and waited for James to stand infront.
James looked at him.
Gerard: Do you remember Brad used to talk on and on about my workshop?'
James: 'Yes, I do seem to recall once or twice.' Smirking.
Gerard: 'My workshop.' Looked at the keyboard.
James looked blankly at the keyboard.
Gerard: 'Type-.' Thinking. '52 H 26.'
James obliged.
Nothing. 
He looked at Gerard who was now with raised eyebrows and smirking. 
It was at that moment when James noticed the colour change and he couldn't believe it. 
He had to walk over to the window.
James: 'I don't-.'
The neighbouring building had a three-sided "C" shaped machine wrapped around it. 
The machine was huge; James knew huge for he had been up close to harvesting machines some fifty by fifty metres.
Gerard: 'You've just typed in coordinates, and it has just "parked" there.'
James just looked at him.
Gerard: '52 is the 52nd storey of that building, H is the "grid" of the street and so is 26.'
James: 'That's impressive.'
Gerard: 'Thankyou.'
James: 'But there's more isn't there?'
Gerard: 'Oh yes.' Wryly. 'There's always more.'
Gerard's fingers started typing and James just looked on in awe.
After a moment James could see, way down, patches of "grass" appearing. 
Windows started to glint and aim sunlight to these patches and the faint hint of water spraying.
That's when the penny dropped.
James: 'Machines are being used again?' Asked seriously.
Gerard: 'Mmm yes.'
James: 'Isn't that like, going backwards?'
Gerard: 'Maybe, but that's not why you're here.' Looking over his glasses.
James walked back to the keyboard with Gerard.
Gerard: 'Do you remember Karen?'
James: 'Yes ofcourse.'
Gerard: 'Do you know where she is or what she is doing?'
James looked at him.
James: 'She went to prison on manslaughter and is-.'
Gerard was shaking his head.
Gerard: 'She's not in prison on manslaughter-.'
James: 'So..?'
Gerard: 'She is out there doing this.'
James: 'I don't follow.'
Gerard: 'You know how she did rock climbing?'
James: 'Yes and very good at it.'
Gerard: 'Mmm, yes, well, she met somebody and they fell in love, had a great time in all sorts of exotic locations.' Looked at James nodding.
Gerard: 'She is well versed and got off rather lightly.' He was hoping James would connect the dots.
'Karen was the youngest ever to become a journalist,' He added. 'And she already had several in-roads to major rock climbing venues. Then she met lover-boy and on weekends, she would watch / "support" – Brad in his robot tournaments.'
James was trying to conclude.
Gerard could see this. 'He; Bradley helped finance her. Whatever she wanted for he had switched from competing directly to consulting and on-selling.' He looked up. 'Bradley literally made a killing.' Gerard motioned to the window.
It still didn't click with James.
Gerard: 'She is making machines.' 
James: 'Ok.'
Gerard: 'No, not like this.' Gerard was stressing to him. 'She gave up rock climbing fulltime to turn her attention to this.'
James: 'Ok.' James didn't seem interested; wanting to go home.
Gerard: Gerard felt exasperated. 'We think she is trying to build some sort of empire.'
James: 'What, of robots?'
Gerard: 'We don't know but-.'
James: '-but Brad would have known the intricacies of robot building and their development-.'
Gerard: 'You know a lot, but you gave the credit to Bradley.'
James nodded eventually.
Gerard: 'You are the one behind those harvesting machines.' Matter of factly.
James: 'Ok, so?'
Gerard: 'We have to go to one of our facilities,' Dryly, 'And get up to speed with what she could be doing. They know, we don't.'
Part 5
Chapter 8
hour glass

FOREST
They were racing towards an area by helicopter. It was thick, unspoilt forest and it went further than the horizon in every direction.
Gerard: 'Vast areas of land are just sitting here not being used-' Telling James but the helicopter noise; the whirring sound was numbing. 
'-Well. Totally isolated; inaccessible.'
He was now standing; holding onto a rubber grip facing James who was sitting.
James: 'There's probably good reason for that.
Gerard: 'Well maybe and... maybe not. Governments "allow" private enterprise to "use" these areas for let's say grants etc. and in return, they get taxes from a finished product or service from labs and private investors.'
James: 'So what you're saying essentially - is,' Tried to guide his words. 'Governments "let" these developments take place and the general community will eventually see the benefits.'
Gerard: '...Yes.'
Another forty five minutes and James was still sound asleep.

___  .  ___

WASTELAND
The sound of the helicopter radio broke into the cabin. It was all sounding garbled. No movement from the pilot or co-pilot then the pilot moved; motioned to whoever was just behind with fingers waving.
A hand tapped James on the shoulder.
No response. Tapped him again then he stirred.
The helicopter roared along through a breath-taking open valley and along an enormous gorge. The abundance of life was overwhelming.
James' head was stuck to the window watching a virtually unknown world blur past and then the radio sounded again.
Jim hadn't heard it before and he tried to listen.
Gerard again woke him and gave him the thumbs up.
Gerard: 'Five minutes.' With an open palm.
James nodded.
___ . ___

The area was a wasteland. Seldom tuffs of green and an ancient looking river channel. Dry clumps of roots that must have been trees that simply gave up the long, hard fight for thirst.
Forest again and up and over yet another mountain ridge. Utterly raw and beautiful but the motion was taking its toll on James' concentration.
The helmeted crew sat motionless as the helicopter came down over another ridge but this time, James could feel the huge aircraft slowing. It was an uncanny feeling he thought.
Now the large helicopter was moving along at the very bottom of a wide canyon.
No sign of life; flat open clay and sand, flat sides almost like the beginnings of a motorway and then the helicopter banked, hovered and settled. The rear door opened with hydraulics and then the outside sounds.
Silent.
Nothing. James could not believe the silence.
There were six crew, Gerard and himself and all but one of the flight crew were out.
Pilot: 'Meet back at the chopper here, at sixteen hundred hours.'
Gerard had his bag and was helping James by picking his up and waiting for him to stand. He realised this and got up, leaned against the naked structure wall and slowly walked out into the light.
James: 'What a weird feeling.'
The rest were already walking up ahead and were way past the front of the helicopter.
James couldn't hear anything. He looked down and scraped his boots.
Nothing. For a split second he panicked thinking he had lost his hearing.
No breeze, no air rushing past his ears. He looked at Gerard who was about to get impatient if he didn't start moving.
James: 'Sorry. Instantly settling as he heard himself.
Chapter 9
artificial
DOMED ROOF WAREHOUSE
Amanda: 'Hi James, Gerard, I'm Amanda, Karen's friend.' They shook hands. 'Well, I use to be her best friend.' She was wearing an open white lab coat and walked over to a panel of buttons facing away from them and she was concentrating on a screen. 'This way if you will.'
A metal door appeared ajar making a suction sound. Another lab assistant walked up to them offering to help put on coats.
It was a long corridor; completely stainless steel and every metre or so riveted top to bottom and then came a corner and Amanda stopped. She raised a remote and a glow emitted from around the entire edge of a door; quiet in the dark.
They entered an enormous hanger. They walked out across a concrete floor and followed Amanda as she steered them toward a staircase. There were a few people on the vast floor space getting some scaffolding ready and others were adjusting lights on tall, five metre high stands.
As they started to ascend, James just kept looking over the whole area and then to the first landing then up to the top where a room was suspended.
Amanda held the door open. They walked in and waited for her. She shut the door and it sealed tight. James raised his eyebrows. She walked to a panel under the window.
Amanda: 'In a few minutes this will hopefully all make sense to you.' Looking only at James.
He nodded then swallowed.
Amanda: 'Do you know where she is?' Calmly.
James: 'No. Have no idea.'
Amanda nodded and looked away not surprised.
___ . ___
'It was quiet again.' James thought and then he noticed people starting to appear from a dark entrance on the far side at the back of the hanger. All in white coats, some with tablets and one with a camera and they were beginning to walk very fast to the door when suddenly.
At first, the shadow was like any other but as James watched, this was not a hanger nor was this a vehicle to store in a hangar.
The wheel had a suspended metal cage inside the tyre area with a large platform; much like a Ferris wheel. It rolled in and appeared bigger than the space. Now a third of the way in, compressed air hissed and it stopped. The enormous tyre part, now started to unfurl like the tail of a dying reptile. The army tank-style tread was in segments of five metres by two and a half wide and lay flat along the floor.
Amanda: 'What you are seeing is what your friends' sister has created.'
They were both looking.
James: 'Ok.'
Amanda: 'No. You don't understand.' Stressed, 'This is what she has created.'
James just looked on as the thing almost seemed like it was breathing.
Steam was pouring out of vents and steel meshed pipes were jostling like a jogger at a pit-stop.
Amanda: 'We are here.' Motioned with her hands. 'She is out there... doing the next step.'
James: 'So?'
Amanda: 'We are Government funded. She isn't.'
James: 'So?' He motioned.
Amanda: 'We are doing this for research. Experimenting.' She hesitated, 'She is doing it for money, power.'
James: 'Well... half her luck.'
Amanda: 'You haven't seen-.' Shook her head. Amanda was looking out as the crew were servicing the gigantic wheel. '-I'll have to show you what these things are capable of.'
___ . ___

They walked out into the heat of the day. It was uncomfortable; enveloping. It was the three of them at the end of the valley which became an open landscape of desert.

The end of the valley wall to the left revealed a red box. It looked like a shipping container but square.

As they approached, James noticed a coating of dust all over it.

She spun around without stopping, walked backwards, then turned around again and matter of factly pointed a remote control at it as they walked closer and five sides of the container opened showing a wire-frame looking square. Again James couldn't believe how quiet it was.

They were now only fifty metres away and it gave the impression that it was almost a living, breathing entity. James had to look at Gerard who just raised his eyebrows.

Now up close and it was imposing. James could see the inner workings.
A triangular frame holding up a small engine.
James: 'A compressor?' Acknowledged.
Amanda: 'Yes. Air conditioning.' 
She could see the penny dropping. 'Connect these to rooms and you've got living quarters.'
They both shook their heads impressed.
Amanda: 'These are small ones, like for a person or couples but wait... there's more.' She started walking further and looking at them encouraging them to keep going.
As the opened box became part of the background, a pile of boulders were up ahead at the foot of the end of the valley wall. As they neared, their size was enormous.
Without stopping, she lifted the remote and talked to it like a walkie talkie and then huffed. “Damn thing, never works when you want it to.” She growled too, probably about the heat and then she pointed at the rocks.
Both James and Gerard slowed and stopped. Anchored. Suddenly they couldn't feel the searing heat, nor the heat through their soles or the annoying placement of the sun. Just what they were witnessing ahead at the gigantic boulders.
___ . ___
Amongst the massive boulders, at the base, and in the middle, a door size dark hole appeared and then, as if a film was rewinding, all the boulders moved up, down, back and forth almost shuffling uncannily like hands would with a deck of cards and then they stopped.
The two of them couldn't speak. Couldn't move.
They were now looking at a stone henge real-life house. It looked just like a home.
She waited patiently for them.
After a moment.
Amanda: 'That was my reaction too. Looking at a mansion size boulder home.
They couldn't take their eyes off the boulders. They were trying to come to terms with it all.
Amanda: 'Come.' Smiling.
They neared, the sharp edge of the shadows quickly engulfing them and now they were a mere ten metres away from the many faces of large rocks. Gerard reached out as if to touch; appreciating them.
Amanda: 'This is the new experiment, a natural looking textured finish.' She "touched" the air. 'It requires a new ball and socket joint so-to-speak but their good to go.'
James: 'These aren't real are they?'
Amanda: 'Oh no.' Matter of factly. 'There printed. It's plastic, and very stubborn.'
All three looked up and sideways trying to take in the sizes.
'To compare the red box to these-.' James thought.
Amanda: 'We did in fact "build" one from further up the cliff and it didn't show any signs of stress etc.'
They both nodded.
Amanda: 'But gentlemen.' She paused and looked at them. 'What is next is what you are here for. What you are about to see... you won't believe.' She paused again and they could tell she was trying to get them into the scene.
Amanda: 'This,' Amanda pointing with her remote at the huge boulders, 'Is incredible; a really good start and a way of exposing you to what you're about to see. But... the next "stage" is truly what she is up to and she must be stopped or slowed or something.'
She stepped infront of them so as to shield them and pointed her remote at the boulders.
All the boulders but the doorway, started to move back as if on rollers. Gerard noticed James leaning over to check, so did he. Couldn't see anything.
The rocks kept moving then stopped when they were in position.
Amanda: 'Please.' Gestured to them to start walking.
The boulders had all but disappeared like dominoes leaving only a small rocky entrance.
It was suddenly a moment of will. To take a step or want out. Gerard was showing his age. In the sun-raw location, and the dark; cool reception of the door.
It was just a standard door size and was basically a cut-out like one would expect from a cheap toy but as James drew a breathe, looked forward and peered into; past the blackening void, he felt a really strong urge now to continue. An urge almost; to save his friend. It was hard though to think of anything but the moment, for everything he had seen was too much. Fascinating. Amazing. Overwhelming and a tinge of privilege.
___ . ___
CITY. OUTSKIRTS
A large steel ball rolled along a deserted shopping mall. Traces of grass ran along lengths of concrete then disappeared into the footings of buildings.
A woman was sitting; slung suspended in a wide, padded chair. She sat forward and played with a remote control wand dangling it over the end of the arm rest. Her view was spider web like thin lengths of framework rolling from top to bottom and beyond was a relatively wide mall.
As she approached obstacles, they were pointed out to the driver with a highlight spotlight. She pointed her remote to steer past.
The large steel ball stopped at an intersection. It was one of two large intersections where two pedestrian mall ways met. The ball rolled around a little then up and over a dry fountain and ran into a nearby building then continued but up the side.
Inside she was facing outward, legs dangling just enjoying the view.
___ . ___
DESERT
The corridor was dark and James was first and cautiously, stepping ahead when the outside light started entering. It took the two men by surprise.
“Sorry about the dramatics but these remotes-.” Amanda said pointing forward with her remote, finally working.
The corridor was very long and almost perfectly straight and pleasantly wide and cool. Not until they had walked some twenty metres did James realise he was actually walking through those boulders. The outside could clearly be seen and he just looked on.
Amanda and James came to an elbow and waited.
Gerard: 'Sorry.' He was further back looking at everything.
Amanda: 'Now, through that door is what will throw you.'
James couldn't tell if she was serious or not. They both stood there then realised she was waiting for them to go ahead.
They were at the door. She stayed back at the elbow. Gerard motioned for James to open. He did.
It was blinding light.
Gerard closed his eyes, squinted then could just see James being smothered in bright sun light.
Amanda: 'This is what she's up to.' Walking around them. 'And you two are the only ones who can stop her.'
It was just a vast expanse of desert like any other except building after building was being erected and finished infront of their eyes within minutes and as they stood there, there were fifteen atleast, thirty storey buildings and dozens upon dozens of smaller townhouse-like-structures all around the perimetere.
Machines rolling up the side of buildings like collecting coconuts of palm trees. Others on three legs driving around laying down sheets of concrete instantly creating perfect padestrian footpaths.
James: 'How can I possibly stop...-' Trying to continue. 'That?'
A vehicle came from the distance; out of the "City". They stood still as if surrendering until she stepped forward.
Amanda: It's our pickup. 'It's Ok.'
A four-wheeled dune buggy style vehicle slowed and approached. It was an eight seater. All facing the middle and there was no floor. No driver. They climbed in.
Amanda: 'Aahh.' As on one of the bench seats was another remote. She looked relieved and spoke at it. 'City.'
The vehicle took off in reverse.
Chapter
steel
DESERT
As they arrived at the outer part of the "City", Gerard watched with trepidation as the glass petal walls slid quietly back under the bench seats.
'He is getting concerned now more than anything else. And justifiably so.' James thought as he witnessed his colleagues inner reaction.
They passed the "townhouses" and they were very impressive. Easily house size with substantial yards. They continued past a mall looking quadrangle then into the City and it was magnificent. It made them all shake their heads.
'Oh my-.' Yelled James as out infront was a Harbour. 
Water chopped as the desert wind picked up and the buildings dwarfing them created flow-throughs.
Gerard: 'Incredible. Just incredible.'
They slowed and stopped near the Harbour foreshore. It was truly a surreal moment as they got out and stood amazed.
Gerard: 'But at what cost?'
Amanda: 'This way please gents.'
About fifty metres away was a control room like a life saver tower. They entered.
Amanda: 'We know where she is and what she is up to.' Admitting.
James: 'Good.' Sarcastically.
Amanda: 'This is not new technology. And she's using it... exploiting it, for her own plans.'
Gerard: 'And what are they? Looking out double-glazed windows over a panorama.
Amanda: 'Do you remember Hinksmont?' Generally.
James: 'Wasn't that some weird idea like that pure race thing?' Quietly trying to remember.
Gerard: 'Obsolete rubbish.' Dismissively.
Amanda: 'Yes.' Wryly.
James: 'Is she trying to recreate that?'
Amanda: 'Sort of we think.'
James: 'A society?' Curiously.
Amanda: 'This takes some doing... obviously. But we did this really for you.' Amanda looked at both of them then without pause, 'Let me explain. We need to "build and fold" as we like to call it, to experiment with new practices and so forth.' They were listening. 'When we knew you were coming, we thought we'd go all the way, for this is what she is about to start but, she is doing this for real.'
Before either of them said anything. 'We will "fold" this within the next day or two as we check that everything is working. The water will evaporate.'
Gerard looked on at the "Harbour"
'Through rose coloured glasses.' He thought.
Amanda: 'She wants her own world. Her own people. Her own destiny and we think she wants to take as many people with her as would want to go along.'
Gerard: 'She's delusional.' Scoffed.
Amanda: 'Maybe, but she has already started in one of the "former"-.' She had to stop herself, "Capital Cities".'
James: 'Jesus.'
Amanda: 'Everything is still there.'
James: 'Yes.' Thinking about the Cities.
Amanda: 'No power-.' Looked on with a raised eyebrow, '-perse.'
James: 'No, but everything else a resources rich, power hungry, driven bitch needs.
___ . ___
A CITY. OUTSKIRTS
The large steel ball rolled and came to a stop at three storeys from the top of a high building.
The view was incredible.
Karen spun around; facing the building wall, then laid flat on her stomach and pointed the remote at the building.
Like watching a soccer ball being punctured and flattened, the steel ball spread out thin like a leaf and moved inside the building through a large window that had been removed.
Joe and Kyle were waiting at another expansive window. They looked out as their boss walked over.
The steel ball-turned-leaf was now like a picnic rug on the floor and she walked over it then checked her heel as she walked silently on the tiled floor.
Her two assistants greeted her with smiles and the three looked out over the City. It was stunningly beautiful but no people.
The people moved out long ago.
Chapter  
___ . ___
DESERT
James noticed a keyboard amongst the panel along the window.
Amanda: 'I've been meaning to say for awhile now, Gerard, I want to thank you in person for the work you and I have been doing together via correspondence.'
James: 'And I the same.'
Amanda: 'You are a genius.'
James: 'Mmm... thanks.' This is when it dawned on him. 'All this may not have been possible without the likes’ of Amanda and Gerard; giving others credit.'
The keyboard was just the same as anywhere. Amanda and Gerard could "see" what was going on in James' mind. 'Applying practical from theory.'
James: 'So whatever I type happens?
Amanda: 'As long as you type it as a structure, yes.' Looking at Gerard like asking permission.
James: 'So typing a 30 metre box?-'
Amanda: 'You need to tell it what sort of material etc, but yes. You have to be specific.'
James: 'If I said one millimetre thick galvanised steel at 20 metre lengths using rivets-.'
Amanda: 'Yes exactly.'
His mind was racing.
The sheer possibilities.
The endless possibilities.
Amanda: 'You can't get a giraffe, for it has to be structural.' Again looking at Gerard but with raised brow. 'Not biological.'
James: 'I can get a hole dug?'
Amanda: 'Oh yes. That's nothing unusual.'
Chapter
lions den
A CITY. COASTAL
It was sixteen hundred hours and the helicopter was in the air. Gerard took one look at James who was already out; dead to the world.
It didn't take long for him either.

The helicopter approached a City on the out-skirts; further north near the coast.
A large, yawning tunnel entrance appeared and the helicopter dived and went in.

LARGE TUNNEL
Up ahead, a T intersection.
The helicopter banked then continued.
A green light filled the interior and armed figures waved to tell James and Gerard to "ready-to-disembark". It was a weird feeling for both having an armed escort.
Eventually around a long concrete bend, sunlight. It was an entry way to a Sports Stadium.

As they approached, James turned and faced the two armed figures.
James: 'You do realise that what we are doing here is for the same reason?' Saw no response. 'You also must see that your weapons will be no match for what's here so-.' Still no response. '-If you don't mind, can you spread out and give us some space?'
They moved on and disappeared towards the back.
Gerard walked further ahead and disappeared toward the green light.

STADIUM. UNDERGROUND.
COMMON AREA
The helicopter landed.
James exited the helicopter and saw Gerard with someone.
Young Woman: 'Actually, most of us have only been here for the three weeks.' James approached. Young Woman: 'We've only just moved in and the living quarters are built. Before that, when we first arrived, it was a basic container for all of us but then they arrived and things started getting built very quickly.' Sounded impressed.
They both noticed the sparkle in her eyes. The numbing, luring effect of a- James was hoping; really hoping Gerard was thinking the same. - a fool.
The three looked out into the Stadium.
Young Woman: 'I miss my family though. 'My son, he's six but it has to be; as there's no schooling here.' She stopped herself. 'Not yet anyway.' She turned and touched the concrete edge that ran away into the vast complex. 'She was true to her word; the three weeks.' Her fingers just touching the smooth wall. 'She said he was coming; my little boy, hopefully soon.' She chuckled and stooped.
___ . ___
A CITY
Joe: 'That's good.' Karen's assistant was directing with his hands. 'And down... perfect.' Enormous machines and equipment were being organised.
It was an abandoned fifty storey building in the middle of the City and was now acting as a "warehouse" for Karen.
Connecting to this was a Sports Stadium ideal for the bigger piece to be stored. Joe walked out into the arena. Full of seats but none used for decades.
His neck vibrated and he wasn't pleased.
Joe: 'Hello-yes Karen.' He stood still listening. He shook his head. 'No, we have one mover and-.' He hardly looked. Six stackers.' He didn't want to quibble. 'Well, Ok then.' He listened and started nodding. A few of the crew were climbing up on mechanical limbs where there were foot-holes.
Joe: 'Everybody.' He adjusted his collar. He didn't wait for them to look. 'We need another L54.' Most of the crew stopped, some slunk their shoulders. All but one turned and pointed their remotes at the side entrance to the arena; the grass oval of the Stadium.
A six conveyor belt; legged monstrosity came from out of a concrete side entrance and continued to the grass.
It had a flat rectangular body low to the ground nestled between the vertical rubber belt legs. It was a fantastic, terrifying sight but the crew were more concentrating on controlling it.
Each person had a control. One was direction, one power and another for the legs.
Joe walked up to one of them.
Kyle: 'No, it's not an L54. This is better and has two lots of prongs. She will be fine with it.'
It looked like a scorpion except the head was large tongs like the tail. The six huge rubber legs which were currently vertical, were partly acting as normal tyres while others, like stilts as it was being manoeuvred into position.
This caught James' and Gerard's eye and as they walked out into the Stadium. The woman stayed behind. They could see clearly infront of them the turning point.
It was beyond their comprehension what they next saw happening.
Chapter
face
STADIUM. ARENA
Two black armed figures ran out into the Stadium with weapons up and looking as if telling the people surrounded by machines to "hands up".
James looked on bewildered.
Gerard had closed his eyes.
James: 'Wohw.' Exclaimed as he saw movement further over the arena; more towards their end. This made Gerard open his eyes.
Sheets of metal flew across the ground like frisbees and within seconds had reached the full-length of the Stadium and the black figures.
They didn't stand a chance and appeared to have no idea what to shoot at or how to defend.
Gerard had to look away as the spinning sheets met, and immediately folded into a box around the two figures individually. They were still spinning.
Gerard: 'Horrible.'
From out of where the sheets came, came two figures gliding; floating along then they turned.
James: 'They're coming to us.' To Gerard.
At speed, two hovering figures tilted back and stopped. The vehicles looked like cut-outs of a person. The lower arms and hands were padded arm-rests. Two women wearing sunglasses approached.
Karen: 'So pleased you could join us.'
Two more spinning sheets raced along the ground and stopped behind her. James could see the two boxes had stopped spinning. One of the two women swung around towards James like a bicycle surfboard.
This made both men back away.
One of the spinning sheets slowed almost stopping and moved over to Gerard.
Karen: 'Please step.'
Gerard did.
Karen: 'Can you see that building over there?'
Gerard raised himself. He couldn't see.
The sheet of metal lifted some metres into the air.
Karen: 'Show me.' To herself. 'Give me a pool on top of a 39 a z.'
James was listening but only looking at Gerard.
Karen: 'You fool.' Yelled. 'Do you honestly think I'd let him die?' Screamed. 'He's one of the best.'
For a fleeting moment James was wondering who she was talking to.
Gerard was standing freely. Resigned from worrying about falling.
Karen: 'Come here Gerald.' Waving her fingers at him.
They collectively wanted to correct her but.
Gerard was "moved" to her.
She waited until he was very close.
She didn't take her eyes off him.
Karen: 'Can you see this?' Asked almost affectionately. It was a fine wire around her ear and to infront of her mouth. She was attractive.
‘Fit and healthy' Gerard thought.
‘And her skin’ Gerard was impressed.
It was really the first time he had seen her and now up close - everything he had seen and read, was told about her- ‘Very disarming’ he thought.
Her skin was perfect.
Her mesmerizing face and then he saw her ugliness.
Her power trip.
Her delusion. It was actually happening but like a huge, brand new toy and taking it to a local sandpit and dominating.
Within moments, one after the other, machines crawled, rolled, appeared from all over the sides of the fifty storey high building and laid out everything anyone would ever want for a rooftop penthouse pool. The water spewed out until full.
Karen: 'That's what I'm talking about.'
Gerard's reaction told the story.
Karen: 'Won't you join me?'
Gerard: 'Rain check?'
She slapped him. Hard.
James went to do something; anything and she saw this.
Karen: 'Dismantle.' She waved her hand at the top of the building and that's when James leapt.
The sunglassed womans’ eyes went wide. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her out of her hovering machine. The machine tipped over. The spinning sheet under Karen's control, span at him. James laid shielding himself with the machine and the spinning sheet swiped; passed. The woman screamed and her blood sprayed.
A "wing" appeared from over the lip of the Stadium and swooped down.
Within moments it was over Gerard and picked him up then U-turned.
Gerard took the opportunity and snatched the head-piece disorientating Karen long enough for him to push her and she fell. Both James and Gerard heard a bone break.
Karen: 'If you think that's my only way of controlling all of this-' It was at that exact moment when she knew something was not in her control and she looked for the first time like a deranged cartoon character.
Gerard was "released" now and running with the momentum of the vortex of an enormous thirty metre wing span.
Gerard was now close to her again.
Bradley: 'Don't.' Calmly.
Gerard looked around and there he was.
Karen froze.
He was standing near the wing on its tripod legs.
She just looked at him.
The man looked at James and Gerard and back to her.
Now her eyes were filling; realising.
Gerard: 'You must be Bradley.' Sarcastically.
Bradley: 'Yes,' Resigning, 'And that's my sister.'
Her hovering machine now lay horizontal and Karen looked useless.
James noticed this as he attended to the woman’s shoulder badly cut.
Gerard: 'She is building living complexes for people, to live in and she will control them. She will be their leader and they will be isolated but have everything and they will praise her and everyone will feel good about it.'
Karen: 'Don't you see...' Resting her broken arm. 'People today are all cramped-up living on top of each other. No room; no room to move.' She tried to move and saw James immediately respond to help. She stopped. 'Express themselves. I am giving them that room; that space, that essential freedom. They will be able to "express" themselves.'
Gerard: 'And in return?' Snarled.
Karen: 'I only ask that they appreciate what has been given to them.' With raised brow.
James: 'By yourself.'
Karen: 'Well, they would not have been able to get any of this any other way.' Matter of factly.
Gerard: 'You want recognition badly don't you?' Flatly.

All was quiet.

Bradley walked over to James.
James could sense this and slowly got up and walked over to him.
Gerard watched and kept an eye on Karen also.
James extended his hand.
Bradley hesitated then walked up to him and they embraced.
James: 'It has been awhile.'
Bradley: 'Hasn’t it?' Finished the sentence.
James: 'It is good to see you.'
Bradley: 'Again, you know that.' Pulling away and looking at both men. 'Yes, I knew what she was up to.' Gerard had joined them. 'No, not immediately. It did take some time but business was growing so fast and her orders-.' He glanced at both of them, 'For her parts; that’s when it hit me.' They were walking towards the enormous eight legged machine. 'The invoices were all from some other company and it sounded like media so I started to investigate; do some old fashion surveillance and that’s when I really saw the change in her.' Gerard glanced a look at Karen. 'She seemed to be caught up in the whole world of endless possibilities and I just knew deep down it really wasn’t her so I made a plan of attack. James looked on brow raised. 'And with my surveillance, came across you two in the desert so I just simply joined the dots.'
Gerard: 'She's mad.' Seriously, 'You know that?'
Bradley: 'She’s my only family now.' Changing pace and heading over to Karen leaving them where they stood. 'So I’ll take her under-.' Gestured to his wing.

Gerard and James nodded amongst the machines some distance away.
END

The past can only ever be described by humans. We tend to do that
and so we feel the urge; a wanting, to prescribe adventure.
A sojourn so hopeful and yet in wake.

If a machine were given the job, just imagine what the future would hold.