Science and Sorcery Box Set

by Ryan Tang

  "Mercy! Mercy! Please!"

  The killers trampled right over him.

  They tore open the gate and stormed inside. The woman who'd gotten the crowd to scream for his Paragons was waving Scott's gun in her hand. The two men behind her had rifles scavenged from his fallen soldiers!

  The murderers raised their weapons and shot the Security Force officers in the back as they fled.

  They shot them in the back!

  The sirens rang again.

  A new message began to repeat itself.

  "All essential personnel, please head to a lockdown zone! All essential personnel, please head to a lockdown zone!"

  They were coming for him.

  He had to run.

  Governor Waters undoubtedly counted as essential personnel. He was the Governor for crying out loud!

  But he couldn't go to a lockdown zone. There must have been a million people outside.

  They'd find him even if he were hidden!

  They'd find him and tear him apart!

  They didn't know that he wanted to let them in, and they wouldn't wait to ask either. They'd think he told Scott to go out and shoot them! In their little minds, Governor Waters had declared war on them!

  What could he do?

  They'd already killed Scott and the other Security Force troops available in his manor.

  He could try and call for backup, but they probably wouldn't arrive on time. They might not arrive at all. He'd contracted the Security Force's transportation over to Southern Robotics, and Sarah wouldn't bring reinforcements unless he gave over full jurisdiction.

  Governor Waters broke into a shambling run. He couldn't think. His brain felt like it'd been turned to oatmeal. It felt like his feet were pounding the ground of their own accord. He sprinted past two halls of sleek white walls before slipping and crashing hard to the ground.

  Maybe he should just agree to Sarah's deal.

  It would be an immense shame to lose the mansion he'd spent his life working towards.

  But that was still better than losing his life!

  His survival was something both Governor Waters and Mr. Waters had a keen interest in.

  For just a moment, the Governor despaired that he'd never find Sarah in his massive home. He had no idea where she'd even gone. Then he remembered that all he had to do was send her a message on his tablet.

  Then he stopped and stared at the Old Earth artifact in the case in front of him and hesitated. It was real, just like all the prizes Stock gave him were real. If he signed, he would lose everything.

  It was just so unfair.

  He'd worked so hard.

  The roars from outside got louder and louder.

  "Find his Paragons! We can still get to the hospitals! There's still time!"

  "Hurry! We don't have much time!"

  That was it! That was what he needed! The Paragons! He didn't need Sarah at all!

  His house was filled with beautiful machines. He had the most extensive collection on all thirteen colonies. He had the strength of ten billion men!

  All he had to do was escape. Then he could rouse the other Security Forces himself! Together, they'd take back his home in a flurry of blood, righteousness, and justice!

  The Governor turned and limped back the other way.

  The voices were growing louder and louder.

  The Governor could have sworn they were coming from inside the building.

  "Follow me! I know where his hangar is!"

  "This way! This way!"

  Governor Waters pressed his hand hard against the wall, helping himself forward with every step, panting and sweating as he willed himself to keep on walking. In his boyhood, he'd been one of the strongest men in Plenty's history. He could have taken any one of those malcontents outside and taught them a lesson they'd never forget.

  But now, after years of serving as Governor, he was older and slower, more of an aged prizefighter than the invincible champion he'd been in his youth.

  He just hoped his long and dedicated service to the colony, which he'd sacrificed his very body for, wouldn't cost him tonight.

  ____

  It took him much longer than he wanted, but he made it into the garage without further incident. Governor Waters grabbed his chest uneasily as he finally made it to the luxurious hangar. He barely hopped over the circular door in the wall. The pressure and physical exertion were horrible for his heart.

  The alarm escalated its warnings.

  "Alert. The front door has been breached. The front door has been breached."

  The Governor wondered where everyone else was hiding.

  The room was empty.

  No one else had the brains to think about his Paragon collection.

  All of his beautifully painted machines were still there. The Governor walked down the line, smiling at the brightly painted Paragons around him.

  He had to carefully choose which one to take. The mob would blunder their way here eventually, and he might not have time to rally up more security troops before they damaged his belongings. Of course, he'd punish the perpetrators, punish them very harshly, but that wouldn't undo the damage.

  Mr. Waters would not be happy about that!

  The Governor walked to the very back, where he kept his most precious machines.

  There was the very first Paragon he'd earned.

  The bright red machine was deliberately built in the style of a vintage automobile from Old Earth. The head had wide-arced headlights instead of the usual eyes, and the back of the cockpit could even open up like a sunroof.

  Stock Senior had given it to him in exchange for loosening a law that'd always bothered both of them. It hadn't been a bribe or anything like that. Just two like-minded gentlemen celebrating an agreement with an exchange of gifts. The colony's long-standing laws against boys and girls working had been something of a scam. If they wanted to work, who was he to stop them? Indeed, there were some brats outside who would have been well-served learning some hard discipline at the hands of a Southern Robotics manager. If they were old enough to scream about things they didn't understand, they were old enough to work.

  There was the first machine Junior gave him. With its sleek body and the flashy commander's fin at the head, the futuristic machine was a clear message to anyone who saw it that Junior was a very different man than his father.

  Truth be told, Governor Waters appreciated vintage designs a little more. He wasn't rude enough to say it out loud, but Stock Sr. had better taste than his son.

  Junior had given him that machine to thank him for bringing up a referendum to demolish the Library Spire. If Southern Robotics melted it down, they'd be able to use the Eternium to bring back the legendary Paragons. The Governor thought it was a brilliant idea. The tower was a wholly wasted store of Eternium. But the stupid librarians had meddled, and Junior winded up losing the vote very badly. The Director's rage when the majority went against him was truly frightening, but he let Governor Waters keep the machine. Even Junior knew his place, and the futuristic Paragon was a constant reminder of that.

  Governor Waters had to remind him of his place again. If he could let the Governor keep the futuristic white Paragon, surely he could let him keep his house.

  The last machine was his personal favorite. It was barely over 35-feet tall, nothing compared to the powerful Paragons around it. But there was a special story behind that tiny machine. It was the only one that hadn't been gifted to him. He'd earned it. Governor Waters only discovered it when he had too many Paragons to pose outside and began moving them to the internal garage.

  The machine had belonged to his predecessor.

  A total newcomer, Governor Waters had smashed him in an election for the ages and propelled himself to the very top of Plenty's political hierarchy. He'd had a bit of help, but it'd still been an incredible victory for the underdog. This machine was proof of that. The old Governor was so upset that he'd left his Paragon behind!

  Governor Waters stood there, his
head spinning as he stared at his three most treasured possessions.

  All of them were special.

  All of them were pieces of history.

  The Governor often toyed with the thought of creating a museum for himself and donating his collection after he finally died. In addition to these three invaluable specimens, there were countless other treasures. Gifts from dignitaries from other colonies. Machines Southern Robotics built to commemorate special laws they'd worked on together.

  "Hey! Hey!"

  "They're in here! The Paragons are here!"

  "He was right! The hangar really was over here!"

  The Governor gasped.

  Oh no.

  Oh no!

  It was the murderers!

  He had no time to choose.

  The Governor dashed towards the red machine. It was his favorite. He should take it.

  The ladder descended, but he froze instead of climbing.

  What would Junior think if he could have taken any machine and didn't take his?

  He whirled back towards the white machine.

  "They're here! The machines are here!"

  "Take them! Take them! We need to get to Block 7!"

  From the front of the garage, there was the sound of engines starting.

  There was a tremendous crash as the wall tore apart. The thugs were flying straight through the wall instead of using the launcher! The Paragons flew away into the night sky. He saw the second and third machines the twin Governors of Virtue gave him flying away. Their heads had horrific dents in them.

  "No! Not the wall! No!"

  Machines continued to start and launch. Most tore new holes into the wall instead of going through the one that already existed. When he came back with the Security Force, he'd punish everyone who damaged his machines. The sight of his Paragons leaving filled him with rage. They were his private property, and now they'd been taken by looters, thieves, and murderers!

  The Governor spoke without even thinking.

  "No! No! Don't you dare!"

  He put both hands on his mouth and squealed when he realized what he'd done.

  He'd given himself away!

  He should have just gotten into his machine and left, but his instinctive sense of justice wouldn't allow them to steal his property!

  "He's here! He's here!"

  "The Governor is here!"

  "Find him! Go find him! We need him to help us!"

  He knew exactly what kind of help they had in mind. They'd killed before, and they'd kill again!

  The Governor fumbled at the door of the sleek white machine. It took him a frighteningly long time to get the door open. He leaped inside and started up the cockpit, blurting out the words.

  "A man comes for his greatest desire!"

  The machine began its start-up sequence, talking to him in Junior's voice.

  "Welcome to the latest generation of Southern Robotics vehicles. I'm Irl Stock, the new Director of Southern Robotics."

  "No! No! Start! Just start!"

  The Governor wailed in terror.

  He'd forgotten that Junior's machines all gave speeches before starting!

  He shot a panicked look outside the window. He couldn't see anyone yet. The garage was too large, and there were too many transports for them to find him that quickly. And judging from the sound of engines starting and going, most of the looters were still trying to steal his vehicles instead of trying to kill him.

  He gaped and sobbed at the sight of countless historical memories flying away.

  Then he heard more cries.

  "Governor! Governor Waters! Where are you?"

  "Governor! Why'd you shoot at us! We need your help! We need these transports!"

  "Murderer! Don't hide from us, you murderer!"

  Junior was still blathering on and on.

  "Prepare for the most exquisite piloting experience you'll have in your life. By the end, you'll recognize that my innovative designs and luxurious amenities conclusively prove that Southern Robotics is in far superior hands compared to the days of my father."

  The Governor pounded at the dashboard.

  "Come on. Come on. Come on."

  There was a sudden rattle of gunfire.

  "No! Please!"

  "Don't shoot! Don't shoot!"

  "We need these transports!"

  "Murderers! Murderers!"

  "Why are you killing us? You're supposed to help us! You're supposed to –"

  It only took the Governor a moment to realize what'd happened. The crazy woman and her henchmen must have stumbled into the garage. Instead of being content just taking transports of their own, they wanted them all.

  The Governor laughed in relief.

  They were shooting at each other instead of him!

  The revolution was eating their own!

  Junior finally shut up, and the machine mercifully started.

  The Governor craned his neck out the window to see if the evildoers looking for him had gotten any closer.

  They hadn't.

  He was safe! He was safe!

  He pushed both thrusters forwards as hard as they would go.

  There was a tremendous crash as Junior's machine rammed straight into Senior's bright red vintage model.

  The Governor's head jerked all the way forwards and slammed right against the dashboard.

  Oh.

  He'd forgotten to clear the show deck for launch.

  There was a tremendous crash.

  Then everything went to black.

  CHAPTER 12: THE RENEGADE PILOT

  Keep your head down. Keep your head down.

  That was what he always told himself. That was what he always told his boy.

  Matthew would have liked nothing more than to keep his head down tonight. But he didn't have a choice.

  The protestors streamed around him. They sobbed with relief as they climbed the rope ladders into the Governor's Paragons.

  There were so many people, and all of them needed Paragons. The Governor wouldn't know if Matthew took one for himself, just for the night.

  Waters should have just given him a machine. That was all he wanted.

  One machine out of hundreds.

  One machine for just a single night.

  One machine in exchange for years of slaving over the Governor's stupid collection.

  One machine for years of bringing back broken Paragon after broken Paragon to the Governor's mansion.

  One machine to fly back to Block 8 and find out what had happened to his son.

  But no.

  As soon as Matthew asked, the stupid old man started going on yet another deluded rant, something about Governor Waters and Mr. Waters and how Matthew was a great guy, but he wasn't his son. Matthew had no idea what he was talking about. Waters didn't even have a son.

  Matthew did, though, and he had to make sure his boy was alright. He had no way of contacting him. Matthew was just a pilot monkey for Southern Robotics. He couldn't afford a tablet.

  The earth had screamed beneath his feet tonight, and based on what the protestors said, it'd been far worse on the later blocks.

  Matthew heard a familiar high-pitched squeal.

  "How dare you? How dare you! Bring it back! Bring it back!"

  It was the exact same squeal he heard whenever Waters thought Matthew was buffing his Paragons too hard.

  The exact same squeal Matthew heard after he didn't pose and order the machines in a way that perfectly suited the Governor's mood.

  The exact same squeal whenever the Governor got into yet another crash and needed Matthew to bring the broken Paragon home.

  "He's there! He's there!"

  "It's the Governor!"

  "Find him! Make him send the Security Force!"

  Matthew shook his head.

  What a bunch of idiots. The Security Force wasn't going to help them. Anyone with a brain knew that the Governor had sent the Security Force outside to shoot them. He'd lie and say otherwise, but anyone who worke
d for him could've guessed the truth.

  He opened his mouth to call them back.

  Then gunfire screamed through the door, and the words got stuck in his throat.

  The Paragons screeched pathetically as bullets pierced their shoddy metal armor. As a boy, Matthew remembered reading about Eternium, the fabulous metal that'd armored the Paragons of Old Earth. The Governor's machines were built from the cheapest materials Southern Robotics could find.

  Behind him, the protestors screamed in terror.

  "Oh my god!"

  "The Paragons! The Paragons are breaking!"

  Paragons were always a disappointment.

  It had taken Matthew all 35 years of his life to realize it, all the way up until he blew three week's salary to borrow three simulator pods for the night, but he knew it now.

  The guns continued firing.

  A bullet flashed through the air, flying so close that it seared the skin on his cheek.

  Matthew turned, but the Governor's hangar was a forest of brightly colored Paragons strapped tight to the walls so they could stand upright. It was impossible to tell where the bullets were coming from. The ladder on the nearest Paragon – a brightly painted black and white machine with big bulging eyes – descended.

  Matthew knew it well. The Governor called that one Old Gallant. All his machines were named with the same idiot scheme. Vintage Delight. Ancestral Strength. Historic Pride. Some sort of synonym for Old followed by a generic virtuous term.

  Governor Waters called Old Gallant his wild stallion. He claimed it was one of the hardest machines to pilot, and he had the record to back it up. He'd crashed Old Gallant a whopping seven times, leaving Matthew to retrieve the broken machine time and time again.

  Matthew sat in the Governor's familiar extra wide chair and spoke the words.

  "A man pursues his deepest desire."

  He remembered hearing once that the words were supposed to be magic - a prayer that activated the Paragons of Old Earth. But to Matthew, speaking that sentence was just another shitty chore, just like listening to Stock's bullshit speeches before every launch. Fortunately, Old Gallant had been built in the days of Stock's dad. It was ready to fly at once.

  All around him, Paragons crashed and exploded.

  The ones who tried to walk crumpled to the floor. A cockpit popped open. A young woman tried scrambling out of her broken machine. There was a hail of bullets, and her head exploded.