By David C. Daoust
The Planet, Delphine. The skies above were a kind of putrid green, thanks to the poisonous gasses that erupted from the now broiling inner core. Gasses that bled into a newly forming atmosphere, which had not yet been purified by the filtering ships that still toured the planets skies; such ships could be seen hovering in the distance, like massive shadowy blimps compared to the shining sun behind them. The sun itself was a rare sight to behold, most of the people of the Second Sun, instead only ever witnessed the solar gates as these devices delivered the life giving rays to the rest of the system. Blackened rock stood jagged, angling in every direction. The centuries of the planet’s unprotected surface being stripped from chaotic solar winds, among other cosmic hazards, made the terrain dangerous to say the very least.
The small sleek probe shot over the rough ridge, and with a few bleeps and flashing lights, scanned the horizon. The canyon below stretched into a blackened abyss. As if on a whim the small mechanical device suddenly dropped to investigate whatever nooks and crannies were hidden within the crevice. The light flipped on as the darkness enveloped it, a strong white light that lit the way for the hovering device.
A hovering device that was in truth a Bot- or rather, an ‘Aspirant’, as they were called amongst the Arkroy, an Aspirant named Hamlin. He was a highly intelligent data-sphere, one that had been purchased by the Royal’s early on. Many Aspirants still lived and worked among the Royal families that had first gotten their mitts on them. These Data-spheres proved to be quite expensive, at least the spheres of Hamlin’s caliber.
Hamlin was pretty much wasting time at this point. He’d come out to investigate the surrounding areas. He fancied himself a cartographer; he’d spent many a year mapping Delphine. Though this canyon, was a bit he’d finished long ago… He was dragging his feet and he knew it.
He’d had enough sightseeing and shot back out of the canyon, and then shot like a bullet through the skies. The flickering light of the ethereal force field, that was the much talked about ‘Planetary Dome’, could be seen as he sped from the rough wasteland that surrounded it.
The energy dome arched over the massive base that encircled it. Like a thin circular city, around a massive central park that stretched for miles upon miles of rolling prairies- hedged by dense forests. Much of the population lived within the surrounding base itself, though the hamlets that pocked the lush planes were packed with the highborn Royals that had funded its construction.
For the most part the domes shields were impenetrable, though built low over the buildings and structures, were small arches, within these arches, the energy field was of a weaker variety.
Hamlin popped though the energy field under the arch as easily as one may step out of the shower. The shimmering light changed, as the dome itself canceled the putrid green hue, and instead gave the skies a natural blue. It was an illusion to please those within- The putrid skies, outside, were that of nightmares.
He moved at high speeds though the air, and then dropped down into the trees, recklessly weaving through branches, leaving a trail of scattering leaves in his wake. Again he was dragging his feet, enjoying his time alone. He toured through prairies, and then took a quick spin through cornfields that surrounded the nearest farmhouse. All of this at speeds that were much higher than what was safe, especially while he was so low to the ground. Until finally he rocketed straight up into the skies, and hovered for a moment over a wide clearing, that held within it, not only his empty form, but the horse he’d used to reach the secluded area.
The small probe dropped again, circling around the clearing. He stopped for a moment to surprise his horse, which really just nonchalantly snorted, and moved his grazing a few feet away.
The small probe positioned itself before the statuesque form seated under a nearby tree and embedded itself in the humanoid forms’ chest. The data sphere within the probe was able to take control of the body once the two devices were merged. The form suddenly snapped to life as his consciousness returned to it. He stood and buttoned up his shirt, and draped his cloak back around his shoulders. The brown and white horse, still grazing, barely gave him a sidelong look as he was once again up and moving around. Hamlin wondered if it could tell the difference of when he was present or not. He imagined it enjoyed its time alone as much as he did.
Gathering the reins, he mounted, and left the clearing behind at a steady gallop.
Many Aspirants lived among the Arkroy population. They were sworn to serve the Families that first freed them from the Hub, those Royals that provided their bodies for them, and educated them in the ways of the real world.
They aspired to be human, that was their purpose.
Hamlin was from ZhouMedia66, aka ZM66, A House which disbanded to join the Trade Consortium. This meant, unlike most, he had no one to serve.
He served himself now.
Of course, his body was old and had fallen out of style amongst the flashy courts that made up Arkroy society. It was to be expected now that he was without a Royal house to keep him in the latest digs. He was pitied by most other Aspirants, though he knew they’d be jealous, if they ever experienced his lifestyle. They simply did not know anything but their lives of servitude.
Another horse appeared on the dirt road. The rider, another Aspirant waved as he approached. The two horses pulled to a halt as they met.
“Rodney?” Hamlin questioned, surprised to find the old Aspirant out in the ‘wilds’.”What are you doing out here?”
“I’d come to get you- I tried to summon you…” the Aspirant hastily explained. “Word has come from the Royal Alliance.”
Hamlin had sensed the ping, even out among the wastelands. It was why he’d returned, though also why he’d been dragging his feet. He was very rarely summoned anymore. Most the time he thought those days were done. Although, if he’d known it was Rodney, he might have answered the call. Instead, he decided to take his time finding out what could be needed of him, in person.
“What is it, Rodney?” Hamlin asked, “You seem alarmed.”
Hamlin had lived among generations of the Zhou family, his last mistress, Beverly Zhou, had no love for Bot-kind, and never had any love for him, specifically. Despite serving as her nanny as baby… and tutor as she grew, he served her everyday of her life, yet still…
Deep down, he believed it was their jaded relationship, which led to her fall- Which led to her wanting to use bots, as ‘soldiers’.
Beverly had renounced her titles, and all her rights to the inner planets, all to join the Trade Consortium. Compared to the rest of the Royal Houses, ZM66 was one of the poorest, though compared to the rest of the Consortium, her riches were vast… The fat cats of the Trade Consortium were pleased with the chance to separate her from such riches. Beverly was gone now, though she’d had a daughter, and two sons. Hamlin kept track of their lives best he could. Watched over them, protected them when he could. The daughter, Honey, still used the ‘Zhou’ name to quite a startling effect… the two sons though, had changed their surname, in shame, and left the Trade Consortium behind. They served on the City-stations of old, under a local Viceroy.
“Its Honey,” Rodney put a hand on Hamlin’s arm as if to brace him, “I’m afraid she’s been gunned down…”
Hamlin clenched his fist and placed his other hand over Rodney’s as he felt his heart sink with the news. She was the last of the name…
“…By her brother’s gunship.” Rodney finished, grimly.
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