Finish the Fiction Story Contest - Week #9

The Script

Damarthy is the paradoxical remnant of a gigantic megalopolis from Shintiara’s future. It is perhaps the greatest singularity of the whole planet.

A well-known saying in Shintiara goes: “If you don’t know what time you’re in, you certainly know where you are: Damarthy, the most ancient city of the future.”

The few that have overcome the difficulties of the intricate Canyons of Wind tell of a vast city with enormous glass buildings and inhabited by rough, primitive men.

These natives most likely live in the shelter of futuristic metal superstructures, the origins of which they don’t comprehend, which they nonetheless exploit to make simple tools and weapons by detaching fragments from them.

Mighty redwoods claim their living space, erupting from cracked cement and rising upwards as if in challenge to the artificial constructions.

This great vertical forest that invades every part of the city is home to different types of wild animals that contend for territory with the native populations.

There are some who swear that a mysterious sect of hyperhumans hides in the ruins, people who have evolved their bodies so unnaturally that they have completely changed into machines, but in the process they have lost their souls…

My Entry:

Flight 22 landed in Aren. Mighty held X00-711 close to his chest like a sweet teddy bear, other than a sudden lurch for the cockpit, all went fine. However, Mighty felt saddened with Sassy’s carry on bag in his other hand. Where had she gone? And would he ever see her again?

Being Recruited had some perks, Mighty got to the front of the line at the rental counter with VIP status. A top of the line Land Cruiser Hovercraft all ready to go, with an 878 Android robot to boot, nothing but the best for this Recruited on a top secret mission to Damarthy, his goal to find the hidden power radiating from there that caused such drastic paradoxes.

They sped along the desert in the cabin enjoying the refinements of civilization. Mighty could eat the food here, everything on autopilot. He even had 878 Android to babysit X00-711.

X00-711 couldn’t get to the computer. Not only did 878 Android monitor its every move, he only had paws with no digits. If that didn’t present enough of a problem, his only way to connect to a computer with a hardwire limited by the fingerprint unique port on its belly, plans for world domination now on hold. X00-711 would need to fit in with Mighty, and gain his trust, if he were to escape from this teddy bear form into something more formidable.

“Now within range of the Canyons of Wind,” the Land Cruiser autopilot system announced.

Mighty could see the Canyons of Wind through the window as they continued to gain ground. Soon the wind whistled around them in a steady hum.

“Destination reached.” The Land Cruiser announced. And the windows opened.

Outside it already began to get dark. In the sky the glow of the pulsar from Murya’s black hole illuminated the rocks. A cold strong wind chilled Mighty to the bone.

“Please close the windows. We’re going to sleep here tonight. And start out in the morning.”

“As you wish Mighty,” said the Land Cruiser. The windows were shut. The room changed décor to a cozy living room with a fireplace. A television turned on above the mantle. Mighty eased into his recliner.

X00-711 took the moment of relaxation for a chance to find the computer controlling everything. Only 878 Android would have none of it and picked up the teddy bear holding it in the air.

“Put me down.” X00-711’s computer voice cried out.

“Don’t listen to that little guy 878 Android,” said Mighty. 878 Android could not speak.

“If you will not allow me to be free can you tell me where we are going?” Asked X00-711.

“We are going to Damarthy. I’m sure you’ve heard of it.” Said Mighty.

“Yes.” X00-711 said. Only X00-711 could not believe its luck. Damarthy just happened to be where the laboratory of Dr. Arioch resided. Earlier today X00-711 had narrowly escaped with its life from Damarthy. Now it would be returning to the same place tomorrow, only a tomorrow that took place 1,000 years in the past of X00-711’s future present.

“Now if you don’t mind, maybe you can power down or whatever it is you do X00-711. I’d like to watch the news, and get a goodnight of sleep. If Sassy were here . . . only she’s not. Please don’t bother me until the morning. 878 Android will keep you there.” Said Mighty.

X00-711 stayed quiet. With no nerve endings 878 Android’s hands did not bother it. Only the AI inside this Teddy Bear ran program after program trying to predict what they might expect to find in Damarthy.

333

The next morning Mighty, 878 Android, and X00-711 all set out on foot. The Land Cruiser would stay behind in War Mode, guns and missiles ready to fire at anything threatening. Mighty could also stay in contact with it, so it became a temporary home base, they were also now being followed by a drone from HQ to protect their 6 o’clock.

The Canyons of Wind lived up to its name, as the wind howled around them, Mighty wanted to let it take the Teddy Bear away. Only it had replaced Sassy and in this world of paradoxes things like this didn’t always happen by accident. So he asked 878 Android to pick up X00-711 again.

“HQ, the Land Cruiser now out of sight. Descending into a valley over.”

“Copy Mighty, all clear ahead, no signs of life, over.” Responded HQ.

“All clear here.” Chimed in the Land Cruiser.

In the black sky Mighty could see the white drone buzzing overhead. He felt safe, and they all went down into a valley. Things like this continued for a while as they went up hills and down valleys. The landscape barren, wind swept, and filled with boulders. Nothing moved.

X00-711 scanned the landscape as well looking for signs of familiarity. It had never left the lab. It had looked out the windows, and looked out from the courtyard, when the scientists took them on small field trips around the facility to test cognitive skills.

They heard a roar in the distance. The drone flew toward it. They could see the flash of missiles and an explosion. About an hour later they discovered the large dinosaur blown to bits. It’s head still intact. Teeth knee high to the giant known as Mighty, and they continued.

“Mighty, we can see the forest with the drone camera. You should enter it after the next hill. It will be difficult to protect you with the drone once you enter the trees. Be safe, locked, and loaded, over.” Reported HQ.

“Copy that HQ, over,” said Mighty. He took the machine gun slung over his shoulder and checked it over. Good to go. The winds had also died down with the fortress of trees ahead. “878 Android, please put the Teddy Bear down.”

X00-711’s feet touched the ground. Mighty almost expected it to run away, only it stood still.

“What’s going on little buddy?” Asked Mighty.

Little buddy, meant that this monolithic creature now trusted X00-711 thought the AI. A good sign. And to keep in good spirits it responded:

“I’m doing well Mighty. Thanks for protecting me. Now that we can trust each other, it’s time for you to know that I am programmed with extreme intelligence. Please let me know if I can assist in any way.”

“OK. That’s good to know. Since you know about Darmarthy, what can you tell me about the legends of the hyperhumans?”

“I know nothing of the hyperhumans. They don’t exist in the future where I’m from. Darmarthy known to me as the technology epicenter of Shintiara. It’s a great city of complex superstructures. Inhabited by the best minds of this planet who conduct scientific research.”

“Nothing about hyperhumans that have turned into machines. There are reports that this area contains superstructures though. Some say it’s from the future. Do you have a map of the city?”

“Yes, I have a map. However, I don’t have a GPS. We need to find something that I can recognize before I can overlay it with my map. If there’s something identical then it would suggest that this city came from my future. Yet the possibility remains that it could be something different. Another paradox. How long has this Darmarthy existed in your time?”

“Understood. Darmarthy has been here for hundreds of years as far as I know. However, recently there has been some heavy activity that HQ wants me to investigate.”

“Activity?”

“Yes, stronger paradoxes, and signs of singularity. People higher up think we might be able to figure out how to save our planet from the black hole. It’s dangerous though. Few have returned. Only this place ranks high on our priority list right now as a Recruited.”

Singularity, thought X00-711, and wondered if it might be the cause of this phenomenon. If this Darmarthy were some kind of relic from the future in a vortex of paradox, did its escape from the lab, did its connection to singularity, and time travel to this distant past, cause what they were now trying to discover. If so, the map matching the city would be the first clue, and X00-711 knew where to lead them. They would need to go to the lab where X00-711 had escaped from.

Thank you,

Cyrus Emerson

Fear and Loathing in the State of Jefferson
https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B079R5KLPN&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_GsURAbAVDYNEM

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