by T S Wieland
“Sem?” said the voice once again, only this time it was Ally’s. His eyes opened wider. He looked up at her as she gazed down back at him, his head resting in her lap. The dog sat beside her, panting. He felt his back now, soaking wet. The atmosphere around the back of Ally’s head was a dim, clouded, mossy green. He recognized the screaming voice as Teech’s.
“AHHHHHH!” Teech yelled, beating one of the abandoned store windows with a piece of rusted pipe.
“Teech, relax man!” shouted Kyle.
“Hey, at least we’re alright,” added Zip, standing in half a foot of murky swamp water along the abandoned and over grown street.
The dog leaned forward and began licking Sem across the nose, exhaling his sour, mousey dog breath into Sem’s face. Sem leaned away from the dog as Ally tried to pull it away from him.
“Sorry. He’s just glad to see you're okay,” said Ally, happy as well to see that Sem was alright. “You know, you seem rather accident-prone.”
“Only since I’ve met you,” Sem replied as he sat up. He looked around and saw nothing but empty city streets surrounding them, overgrown by wild plant life. Street lamps lined the water filled streets, covered in hanging vines. Trees grew up from the cracks in the concrete and asphalt, scattered throughout the eerie and desolate world.
Sem looked back at the elevator shaft next to him, seeing it stretched far up into the sky above, into the green haze above, clinging to the edge of a skyscraper behind him.
“Where are we?” asked Sem, slowly rising to his feet.
“The lower city. Nothing down here but old ruins of buildings and the upper level foundations,” said Twig, watching Teech finish beating on the store window before moving on to a nearby bench to continue his outcry.
“This is old New York?” asked Ally. She stood up from the wet sidewalk she was sitting on.
“What’s left. The sea level rose, and so did the entire city along with it. Same for the rest of the east coast. That elevator shaft was one of the old emergency fire escapes built during the great build up. Last I heard, the water level was dropping, which it looks like it has,” replied Twig.
Ally looked around for a moment, realizing the New York she was now standing in had once been a bustling city, packed with people. All that was left now were flooded ruins. A sight she always wanted to see, but never like this.
“Wow... I always wanted to see New York. Though… never like this,” said Ally, admiring the ruins around her.
“Will you guys just grab him so we can get out of here?” hollered Twig to the others as they watched Teech mercilessly beat the plastic bench.
“Yeah, come on man. Let’s get out of here. Just let it go,” said Kyle over the thwacks echoing off the buildings around them.
“They destroyed everything!” shouted Teech.
“We didn’t have anything for them to destroy. Not like the shop was ours, anyway,” replied Zip.
Teech stopped and looked over at Zip. His nostrils flared as he huffed. “No, Zip... I’m not talking about the shop! I’m talking about our lives. First, they replaced us with those robotic slaves. Then they destroyed our homes and took our families with their greed. And now they’ve burned what little we had left! Our lives are gone now because of them.”
Teech pointed up at the city above with his pipe. The group stood in silence. Zip lowered his head with a look of heartache. Kyle stood staring at him, seemingly annoyed and frustrated by the truth in Teech’s words.
“And look where we are now… No more… This is our moment… We have to do something,” said Teech, dropping the pipe on the ground. “This has to stop. Before we know it, they’ll take away what little freedom we still have left.”
Teech walked over to Zip. Zip continued to gaze down at the ground. “Zip, you know as well as I do your parents would still be alive if it weren’t for those greedy assholes. How long will it be before they take your life, too?”
“Enough, Teech! Alright! Just stop. Revenge won’t solve anything,” said Twig from the back near Sem and Ally. Teech walked over to him through the wet streets with his fists clenched with an act of righteous cause.
“I’m not talking about revenge, Twig. I’m talking about justice. I’m talking about going to the McNeals and giving them a piece of our minds.”
“Same thing,” Twig replied.
“Justice and revenge share the same bed,” said Sem.
Teech laughed. He waded through the puddles to where Sem and Ally stood.
“Look, I’m not demanding you two to help us on this, but I did save your life a minute ago. So, the way I see it, you owe us. And in our world, you always pay back your debts,” said Teech, standing toe-to-toe with Sem.
Sem glared at him. “Our time is more valuable than you or me. And your business is no concern of ours.”
“Fine then. You help me, we’ll help you find your missing friend.”
Ally tapped the screen on her communicator and looked at the time. She held it up in front of Sem’s face, so his nose touched the screen. He pushed her arm back, so he could read it; they had six hours remaining.
“Alright, what did you have in mind?” Sem asked, pushing Ally’s arm back down.
“Kyle, they still hold their evening parties every Friday night?” asked Teech.
“No, no, no! We are not going to that party. Forget it,” replied Kyle.
“Message Gina. You guys will use your tin-man magic on the androids to help get us into their party, and Gina will help you find your friend.”
“How?” asked Ally.
“Gina’s family practically owns the city’s police department and their robot armada. She could probably look through the city’s police records with her family’s access and see if your friend was picked up,” said Teech.
“I don’t like this plan,” said Kyle, now standing behind Teech.
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch. We’ll take Gina with us when we’re done. I just want to have a word with old man McNeal about his new android revolution,” said Teech with a smug smile.
“You really think the androids will just let us walk right in?” asked Zip walking over to them.
“They will if these two are as special as you say, Kyle.”
“That’s impossible. No one can get past them,” replied Zip.
“Their memories are all linked with the global ID system. What happened to Kyle was probably just a fluke. No one person can just not be listed in their identity bank,” said Twig walking over to them.
“What if I said we aren't in their identity bank?” replied Ally.
“Let me repeat that. No ONE person is not listed in their identity bank. No one.”
“You’re looking at the only two people who are an exception to that.”
“I say you're either lying or are master criminals then. No one's identity is unknown. They have access to the faces of everyone in the world,” said Zip.
“Not ours. Earlier, two of them chased after us along the skyway. When they stopped us, they just let us go because they didn't know what else to do. Same thing happened when we helped Kyle,” said Ally.
“I guess that makes sense, as crazy as it sounds. They can’t stop anyone they don’t recognize. Their actions are based on people's backgrounds. No background means they don’t know which action to take. Almost like it resets their functions. If that’s true, that’s a big flaw that McN overlooked. One they probably thought they didn’t need to worry about,” replied Twig.
“That’s some shitty programming. Imagine the look on the McNeals’ faces when we show up,” said Zip, laughing.
“You better not do anything stupid, Teech,” said Kyle, standing next to him.
“Relax—I just want to talk. You know you want to see Gina anyway. If you two can get us into the party, Gina will help you find your friend,” said Teech. He lifted his hand to his mouth and spit into his palm. He extended his hand out for Sem to shake. “Deal?”
Sem thought about the agreement
for a moment, hesitant to put his trust in this unpredictable character he had only just met. But the knowledge that Teech had saved his life urged him on. More importantly, Sem prided himself on being a man of his word, and he never went back on his promises. He always settled his debts if he had a choice, while the idea of having a city of robotic police officers searching for their missing person sounded too good of an offer to pass up on.
“Alright,” said Sem as he spit into his own palm and shook.
“Good. Now let's go find another elevator out of here and get to that party,” replied Teech with a deviant smile. Kyle and the others all looked at him with doubt, seemingly with little faith in their fearless leader’s plan. As though he had a knack for getting everyone in too far over their heads.
Chapter 20
The Future Is Always Brighter
Perched high in the vast skyscraper city, atop the dense jungle of towering buildings below, stood the largest mansion in New York. The luxury mansion remained isolated from the city below, with a long outer fence guarded by androids. Kyle led everyone to the home, away from the packed streets and busy skyways. Ally gazed up at the mansion as they approached. The sleek windows around the exterior walls reflected the evening skylight, outlining the lavish rounded design and illuminating the long driveway leading to the front entrance.
Kyle stopped along the road leading up to the mansion, hiding behind the end of the low wall nearing the top of the building. The group came to a stop behind him and looked over the wall.
“Sheesh. Does this place have its own area code?” asked Zip.
“How did you ever manage to escape from here, Kyle? This place looks more heavily guarded than Alcatraz,” said Teech, noticing the vast number of android guards patrolling the perimeter and front gate.
“I was a guest of Gina’s,” replied Kyle. “That was before her brother barged in, of course. They’ve definitely increased the number of guards since I left.”
“I don’t blame them. I’d want to keep you out of my house, too,” replied Teech.
The group could see the parade of guests arriving in sleek limousines and luxury cars at the main gate. The androids checked the faces of the passengers in each car before allowing them inside.
“Why doesn’t Gina just let us in rather than making us sneak in?” asked Ally, afraid their plan might not work.
“I asked when I messaged her. Marcus cracked down on her ability to admit guests. Not that it’s my fault or anything,” replied Kyle, watching the guests greet one another at the front door.
Sem glanced down at his communicator. They still had five hours and fourteen minutes left. “Alright, let's just hurry this up. I want to get out of here and find our friend, so we can go home.”
“After you,” Teech said as he gestured for Sem and Ally to lead the way.
Sem moved past him and headed further up the street. The others all followed his lead as Ally looked down at her side to make sure the dog was still with her. Sure enough, her lost companion remained bound to her side.
“If this doesn’t work, everyone make a break for it in opposite directions and meet back at the square,” ordered Teech. “If anyone gets caught, you’re on your own.”
The android guards permitted a car to enter, then waved for another to approach. Sem felt intimidated by the androids’ steely blue eyes. He steadied his nerves and cleared his throat. Standing four feet away, he grunted to the android standing watch while the other continued to inspect the cars.
“Good evening, sir or madam. How may I assist you this evening?” said the android.
“Let us pass,” said Sem in a stern voice.
“I’m sorry, do you have a reservation?”
“Yes, me and my associates.”
The android's eyes flared and changed colors to a deep red as it began to scan him from the head down.
“Identity unknown. Requesting extensive search . . .”
Zip, Twig, Teech, and Kyle all stood ready to run away. Sem and Ally stood their ground.
“Extensive search complete. Unknown error. Identity unknown. No action authorized,” replied the android.
Teech and the others heaved a joined sigh of relief. Sem and Ally walked casually past the android as it stood idly. As the others passed, they all looked away from the artificial guard while covering their faces with their hands, making sure to keep their distance in the hope they wouldn’t be stopped. One by one, all four of them passed, following Sem and Ally. The android didn’t look at them as it continued to stand watch while the other checked the cars.
With the android guards well behind them, the group walked up the driveway to the mansion with a new confidence in their step.
“Ha! Those things really are as dumb as they look,” laughed Zip. The others all turned to silence him with a loud hush.
“Alright, we did our part. Now you do yours,” said Sem, stopping behind the hedges along the driveway to face Teech.
“Where is she, Kyle?” asked Teech.
Kyle looked down at the phone screen projected onto his wrist from his watch.
“She’ll meet you out back of the kitchen. South side of the house,” he replied pointing to the far corner of the house, away from the front. Teech extended his hand again for Sem and Ally to shake with a satisfied grin on his face.
“We’ll take it from here. You guys go find your friend.”
Ally shook his hand.
“Thanks for all the help, Teech. And no offense, but I hope we never run into you guys again. Trouble seems to follow you everywhere you go.”
Teech chuckled. “I could say the same about you two.”
“Thanks for saving my ass,” replied Sem.
“Hey, we saved yours, you saved mine. Just glad we could return the favor,” replied Kyle, shaking Sem and Ally’s hands.
“We couldn’t just let you die there. Otherwise, we’d be no better than those heartless tin men,” said Teech.
“Alright, goodbyes are over. Can we go now? We need to hurry this up before someone sees us,” whispered Twig.
With their final goodbyes behind them, Sem, Ally, and their lost companion broke away from their four misfit friends. They began climbing up the grassy hill towards the backside of the mansion. Sem looked back to make sure the four young men had made it into the party. He was surprised to see no one stopped them, despite their dirty and rugged appearance.
Sem’s communicator beeped with a new message.
“You find who you’re looking for yet, kid?” asked Otto over the speaker.
“Tell them to hurry. The food’s getting cold,” said Vila.
Merek began to ask faintly in the background before the message ended. “Why doesn’t Leo just use a bed upst—”
“Not yet. But we have a promising lead. Should be back soon, hopefully,” Sem replied. He sent the message with a quick tap on the screen.
“What’s with all that we stuff? I was the one who saved Kyle earlier. You just stood there,” Ally grumbled.
“It was my plan, though,” Sem replied. Ally rolled her eyes.
Around the back of the mansion, Ally and Sem could see a curly-haired young woman in a purple evening dress waiting outside near the large swimming pool.
“You guys Kyle's friends?” asked the young woman, looking eager to get back inside.
“Yeah. Are you Gina?” Ally asked politely.
“Who else? Now come on. We’ll need to hurry. I have to get back to the party before my brother notices I’m gone.”
Gina waved them inside. Sem and Ally hurried over to Gina with their dog trotting along after them.
Gina looked down at the dog. “Is that dog yours?”
“No, but we’re looking for his owner. Sorry if he’s a bother—”
“No, no, he’s fine. Just keep him close. My brother hates dogs,” replied Gina to Ally.
“I’m Ally by the way, and this is Sem.”
“A pleasure, now hurry,” said Gina opening the back door.
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br /> Sem and Ally entered the main kitchen through the back door, only to be struck by the exotic smell of fine food filling their noses. The chefs hurried around the kitchen hollering at one another, frantically working to prepare the evening's meal, busy and unaware of Sem and Ally’s presence.
Gina closed the back door behind them and waved Sem and Ally to follow her. Ally nudged the lost dog along through the kitchen, trying her best to prevent him from breaking away and eating the fine food on the counters.
“How did you guys get past the guards out front?” asked Gina as they approached another doorway.
“Wish I could explain, but it’s a rather complicated story,” said Sem.
Exiting the busy kitchen, Sem and Ally were all at once taken back by the sheer size of the enormous ballroom ahead of them. The vast room was decorated with polished white and green floors and embellished with white gold trim over green jade columns. Tables were spread all around the room, ornamented with fine flowers. Guests were already mingling near the entrance to the luxurious ballroom, picking away at hors d'oeuvres and champagne.
“This way. We’ll use my father’s computer in his study to look for your friend,” said Gina, moving Sem and Ally along.
Ally once again pushed the lost dog along to follow, sensing he had a serious urge to gorge himself on the many tasty snacks on the table nearby. Gina opened the door to the right of the ballroom entrance and led Sem and Ally down a corridor decorated with varnished wood, and strange, fine art on each wall. She stopped at a set of double doors to their left and opened them quietly.
Through the doors sat a clean wooden desk with bookshelves lining a room, reminding Ally of Sem and Otto’s living room. With no computer visible anywhere, Ally watched Gina approach the desk, which oddly enough had no chair. Gina tapped her hands against the top of the desk. An illuminated projection appeared in the air over the desk, with a keyboard glowing on the wooden desk surface beneath it.