Content Ninja

The Missing Years

By Andrew Stafford

Chapter 1

Glik felt anxious about his presentation to the others from the planetary alliance.

He was not sure he could get the scale of the event about to unfold over to the others. One hundred and forty two years it had been since their first encounter with the Phaze and though the war had lasted days, the devastation had taken years to overcome. Twenty-five years to rebuild a shattered society. Glik shuddered inside when he thought about the world k5-21 and what they had done to it to win the war. He was brought back to the present when a young droid approached him. “You can go in now sir,” said the Soldier turning away from Glik and opening the main door into the presentation hall. Glik turned to look at Zis standing next to him, so proud his gleam was more then just the metal coating of his skin. How much had you given yourself to this fight? Zis met Glik's look and nodded as if reading his thoughts, then both walked into the bright lights to try and convince mortal enemies that there was something far worse on its way and that the petty squabble over small pieces of rock needed to be put aside unless they wanted a universe bathed in fire.  

Glik stood on the pedestal and faced the crowd of faces blurred under the spotlights. How hard had it been just to get these couple of hundred to sit in a room together, already several assassination attempts had been stopped, Glik felt the raise of panic as endless, “what if’s” entered his train of thought, looking at Zis he remembered what Zis had answered to all his “What if” questions. The question that ended his “What if’s” was, “What if they refuse to work together Zis, what then.” Zis looked up and with a look of total conviction he just said the words, “Then everything will die.” Glik could not look at Zis the same after that.

Glik sighed inside and relaxed, “Honorable guest of the known universe. We of the Robots world greet you and are most pleased that you join us in this time of trouble.”

Someone shouted something but Glik carried on, “Please, you will be provided with nano information tablets and data disc which will answer all your questions at the end of the presentation and as speed is of the essence here I would appreciate no interruptions.”

“As you can imagine we of the robot world are risking a great amount, knowing that bringing you here to our world, which has been hidden from your races for many a millennium, but we do this as a sign of trust, trust that you will understand that a greater, Evil is about to descend on us.” Glik paused for effect, “Kings, Queens, Emperors, lords, ladies, commanders, and honored guests. We are about to face annihilation of the up most certainly unless we put are petty squabbles behind us and work as one.” Now laughter came from the light, more than one group.

“Fools, you think this is a joke” angry now at this Glik was aflame and the words poured out like molten lava, “You think you are unbreakable, your arrogance defies logic. We are the robot we could crush many of you with little effort, we have hidden our world so you wouldn't have a reason to attack us as we know your humanoid hearts, what you can't have you wish to rule over.” Glik’s thoughts crashed into each other as he fought to regain calmness. The people behind the lights started to rise in their chairs shouting abuse. They do not understand Glik thought, they are all going to die, Glik felt a gentle touch to his arm, and turning he saw Zis and his power soothed him. “Let me speak to them Glik, I might be able to explain what we have lost and what they will lose.” Glik stepped down off the pedestal and Zis mounted it with speed and grace that seemed impossible for such a bot of his size.

Zis spoke, “SILENT!” the authority in him transmitted though out the room and all fell quite.

“Look at you squabbling like children, you don't seem to grasp that this, is no longer about who has the biggest god, or who owns the most lumps of rock floating in space, or even who has the most power. This war when it comes will be about survival and nothing else, not only survival for you, but your children, your wife and your mother. But more then that the trees and plants, the whole worlds that you hold dear, the places your willing to lay down your life for, not for profit or gain, but because you love them and need them to be complete. “

Pointing at a large screen Zis continued, “This is the Phaze.” An image appeared and a gasp came from the ruler of the Sasony's, Zis had thought they might have known about them as the Sasony where the oldest living race in the known universe and know more than most, with power and technology more advanced than most they kept the peace for most, but at a cost.

“This is a general foot soldier, they are made of flesh as you can see, but notice the glimmer surrounding him as he walks.” Someone shouted “These are only humanoids they break easy” laughter rippled though sections of the hall. Zis smiled inside, well now I have gotten your attention, “This is one of these foot solders being attacked by seven of our own war droids.” Zis ran the film. The image panned out and the site that came into view was a cage area. The floor quaked and several war droids entered from a sliding door on the left. A war droid was an impressive beast, a full twelve feet high, four legs to carry a bulk of armored plates and a power source that could power small towns for eons. Zis had practiced hand to hand with these things and by his own calculations could probably kill two, the probability dropped considerably after that. Glik looked around the room, he knew only the races with the extraordinary spy’s networks will have seen one of these before, but none would have seen it in full combat mode. The screen panned taking in the full line of Battle Droids. The center Droid lowered its self onto its knees readying for artillery fire, its four legs spreading out like a flower to give it the stability it needed for firing accurately. Two from either end of the line started the usual pincer technique while the two on each side of the now kneeled droid started to advance, both raising the attached rail-guns.

The Phaze was completely surrounded and looked at its circling enemy. All droids stopped, aimed, and fired. The rail-guns produced a whaling sound as thousands of rounds ripped through the air. Smoke bellowed and each of the guns came to a stop. The Phaze stood there, looking up. A new sound could be heard, as the Droid in its artillery stance fired four large shells at the center of the arena. The blast shook the other droids and the camera. As the dust settled, the Phaze who had knelt at the point of impact, raised once more. Through the smoke and sand the Phaze shield could be seen shimmering repealing everything that brushed it. The Phaze turned towards the Artillery droid and started to run, on the side of the screen a power scale was flickering. This was linked with the Phaze and it started to rise. The Droid started to stand but before it could lift its back legs up, the Phaze brought his hands together clapping, the sound chilling in its lack of noise. An invisible wave move the three tone of metal back against the wall, the Phaze didn't stop running. On touching the Robots outer casing the Phazes's hands still together like a spear point passed through it. The Droid shuddered and everybody in the hall know it was dead, to stress the point the Phaze opened his arms splitting the amour platting like it was paper. The other droids where already moving in the direction of their fallen colleague. The Phaze solder turned to face them. The shimmer changed colour to a red glow and it was as if the Phaze was bathed in fire. The war droids came at the Phaze from both sides attacking in perfect harmony, the Phaze ducked as the droids swung giant arms with razor sharp sides. He latched onto the first droid on his left and ripped its head off in one clean slice, the droid continued its forward movement and ran into the wall, shaking the cage. Then the Phaze solder jumped in a back flip, it's motion fluid and kicked a third droid in the back, it stumbled over. With a leg sweep he took the left front leg of a forth droid above the knee. The Phaze solder hit the fifth Droid at it arm joint severing the arm completely. Picking this up he proceeded to beat the sixth Droid with it. Snapping two legs and cracking the outer casing shell, only to then shove the arm into the gap a good foot in, sparks and liquid spilt from the hole. The last Droid stood still not sure on how to attack this indestructible creature. Taking all the information a battle plan could not be found, and it stood scared that it was about to die. The Phazes’s energy field returned to its silver colour and proceeded to swirl. The Phaze raised its hand in the direction of the last standing unharmed robot. The robot knowing it was doomed decided to die fighting, as it tried to move a similar field appeared around it, which surrounded the Phaze. The Robot could not move it was totally restricted in this field of energy. Suddenly the Field started to collapse, its colour intensifying into an almost solid silver ball. The Ball started to speed up in the rate it was shrinking, the metal of the Robot could be heard being crumpled, it was a sound that haunted the other robots in the room far more then the humanoids, because to them it was a death scream.

The screen went blank and the main hall lights switched back on, Zis stood silent on the podium, then the rumbling started, everybody had a question that was much more important than the other persons, shouts turned to screaming. Zis asked for quite but the rumble went on. Glik Took the Podium, which Zis was happy to submit to him. “Order, Order”, Glik cried out, “We can't answer any questions if you don't ask them one at a time”. Zis tuned and left the Conference hall heading for the exit, wanting nothing more than to head to the military section f the city and to switch off for a couple of hours. The Last thing he heard as the doors swung shut was Glik, “Everything is on the Nano Tablet and Data disk”. Zis didn't envoy Glik’s next forty two hours. Passing the security guards and the extra solders that had been posted since the assignation attempt, the solder straightened on recognizing him, saluting in the way of that this new regime expects, Zis saluted back. The security guard just looked awkwardly around. Carrying on Zis crossed the street and headed towards the military section. This was a new section to the city, built hurriedly (if that is possible for a robot construction).

Five minutes later Zis entered his bare room, he chuckled inside that he had been given such big space, a robot needed his body mass squared with maybe a couple of inches so they could turn, with a power plug, connection cable or the download. Zis entered his room and walked to the corner and took his plug. Sliding the connection panel to one side he slid his plug in. In a feeling verging on ecstasy, he slipped into the whole and could feel his body being energized. A timer floated before him, four hours for a full charge. He set the timer and a proximity setting. Smiling inside he remembered Newton’s words about old habits, touched with a sadness the sudden memory brought him. Then the shutdown was complete and the blackness was all consuming.

Chapter 2

114 years ago.

The stone circle was this deers domain it had always felt safer eating here and the grass always tasted better inside the circle then outside, plus the other creatures didn't like it here and stayed away. The moss covered stones stood in a thirty foot circular standing thirty feet high, moss covered and if you sniffed one as this beast had once or twice it makes your nose itchy. The beast sniffed the air; it moved 4 feet to its left, bending its neck it started to munch on the grass. It didn't have feelings as such, but it felt compelled to eat the grass first thing in the morning when it was still wet with the dew. It's dark-brown fur was thick with its winter coat, but chunks where starting to patch with its lighter brown summer coat, It looked up as if started, its soft brown eyes scanning the grass land that it stood in. All was quite apart from the shadow in the sky. When it was young its mother would hide him from the shadow. But now the he didn't see his mother anymore and the shadow didn't scare him. One more it looked around, for roars, they scared him. Happy that no roars or howls where about he continued his eating, moving 2 feet to his left as the grass looked better. Then his nostrils flared and the smell hit him like a physical blow. He had never smelt a smell like it but all his senses told him death was coming and urged him to flee, so that is what he did.

The air shimmered and started to glow, slowly making a sphere of swirling colours. The sphere colours started to merge and red became the dominant colour, the sphere started to collapse, heat and sparks came from the decreasing energy ball. Then with a load bang the ball collapsed completely and sank to the ground burning the green land to be a scared barren diameter of twenty feet. The smell of an electrical charge was in the air, and the air its self seemed torn be the experience. A rip that looked like an out of place window on another world now dominated the area the beast had been eating’s grass less than twenty seconds ago. Looking through the window you would see a harsh land with skeleton trees. The stones stood in identical positions through the window, the ones in the new place polished black, as if made from marble. Outside the circle a group of figures could be seen, one in polished armor stepped in front of the window. “Borr” he called, “Yes Commander” answered Borr. “Put your arm through and see if it falls off” the commander always enjoyed making Borr do stuff, the other men looked up to and respected Borr 'The Brave' and the commander always liked to test how brave Borr was. Borr engaged his shield and put his arm through; bringing it back he looked at it that at his commander and smiled “it is safe commander”. The commander looked at Borr, “Do it without the shield up” he said none flushed. Borr internally switched his shield off and lifted is hand towards the tear. Borr hand would not pass through the hole and the skin that lay on the invisible wall began to flail, the more he pushed the more it felt like pushing up against an invisible blender-taking layer after layer of skin off. Borr withdrew his hand examining the blisters appearing, but felt great relief at removing it. Looking up at his commander, “It can't be passed without the shield sir.” “A different time stream” the commander said more to himself then anyone in particular, “Return to your rangers Borr and ready them for the mission”. Borr nodded, “Yes sir” and turned back towards his men, flexing his blistered hand. The commander headed back to his tent that had been set up close to the stone circle, the guards saluted Holax as he approached the tent, Holax ignored the salute and entered his tent. A large tent compared to the standard issues with several rooms, the main one had a fire in the centre that was lit. As Holax entered he could feel the heat radiate from it warming him, he removed his cloak and army standard coat, then lessening his armor he laid on a couch, taking a jug that had been in put place on a small table next to him. Pouring the liquid into a cup and downing it in one gulp he pored himself another cup. His thoughts spun as he contemplated what to do next, first he could not believe that the Witch Lord had opened a new plane, as he said he could. The payment of a ten thousand lives had been high, but if it leads to his race having a new place too conquer, then he would pay it again. Now the gate was open, what now. You could only pass with your shield up, which means leaving everything else behind, not for the first time, but what if there was a more powerful race then them in this place. Holax laughed aloud, no there never was, in all time or any plane. The communications system crackled into life and an image of Zlane appeared, “Horlax report” Zlane said. Horlax never liked Zlane much, he was to pretty for a solder never mind the commander of the whole Phaze army and he looked too young for someone who had fought in many battles across many worlds. Horlax stood and walked towards the communications system, sitting down in a plastic chair he preceded to report, hiding his bitterness for his commander as best as his spy training could manage. “The gateway is open Sir, it is as feared we can only pass with our shields up so no probe could be entered into the new system. First visual say that the world beyond are full of energy. We could see grass, trees and wildlife, no building to suggest intelligent life as of yet. But we have posted guards to monitor if anything should happen in the next twenty-four hours”.

“Good Horlax, send the ranger scouts through in the next four hours, I want a forty mile perimeter scouted before we move the main troops out. I will also instruct the Witch Lord to start with the other gates. Have a full report for me in eight hours” and with that Zlane disconnected. Horlax was happy that the communication had been so brief and also that the commander had gone before he had saluted, as it always brought a bitter taste to his mouth when he had to salute that waste of space. To pretty to be a real Soldier he repeated in his head. He turned and strolled to the couch. So Borr gets to lead his rangers through first let’s hope he has some trouble, then he won’t have to assign an assassin to take him out at a later date.

Borr had his brief and passed the information on to the troops under his command, he had stood in front of the gateway and watched days and nights pass by as if the days where minutes long. A deer like animal had even approached the stone circular, but had gotten no more than 50 feet before raising its head sniffing the air and bolting. One of the guards had turned to the other saying, “it ran because it smelt you Tekka.” Both laughed, then remembered that Borr was in earshot and stopped quickly. The creature moved with amazing speed, but Borr decided that was more to do with the difference in the time streams. Even so, he longed to   taste what energy powered the creature, to sample the flow that passed between muscle and brain, then the slight difference between a muscle expanding or contracting to the actual life force. Even the grass would provide a feast compared to the rations he and his men had to suffer currently. I bet Horlax had no such ration restrictions, flexing his still sore hand, he gave a small curse on Horlax and any family he had spawned.

Horlax approached Borr and he group and again explained what was required of them. The whole group saluted and shouted, “Yes, Sir”. Borr told the group “Shield up, single file, follow me”. Turning towards the gateway, he marched straight into it and then disappeared at great speed. Horlax shook his head, “follow me, indeed, brave Borr, May you die a horrible death.” With that thought Horlax headed back to his tent to get some sleep.

Borr entered the new world and proceeded to scout out a perimeter of fifty feet, happy that no one was about, he took his tracking glasses and looked about the landscape, flick through several light spectrums he was happy that they were alone. Turning to the group, he shouted his number two over “Blak, set up camp before that land raise. I want parameter guards and a full spectrum watch for the next forty-two hours.” Blak turned to the group of men no more then fifteen of them and passed on the commanders orders. The group moved as one to the small raise in the land, Borr motioned to three men, “we need wood for shelter, and a fire and I expect you can get that from the small wooded area, keep silent and out of sight.” Pointing to another soldier he said “test the grass”. The man knelt down and from his hand a small shimmer of light began to appear, it became a silver spear that his passed onto the ground. The globe began to shrink pulling grass out of the ground as it did. A bare piece of earth was all that was left when the spear had completely disappeared. “Bland sir” was his reply, Turning to another man, “Clof, go find water, there are animals in the area so water must be close take all the canteens and fill them. Stay invisible and stay silent.” Clof nodded and picked a bunch of water canteens up, then loped away.

Within two hours the camp had been finished, built using the raise in the ground as a wall, a fire pit had been built, but not lit and Clof had returned and was passing out the water. Borr had been surprised that night had not come yet, but had put it down to the time stream. He called Clof over, “go back to the gateway and pass through. Ask the guards how long we have been away for. Clof ambled over to the gateway raising his shield he passed through. He was about to ask the first guard, but he could see Horlax turning towards his tent. “How long have we been gone” he asked the guard to his left, “About 20 seconds” replied the guard. Clof turned again back into the new world, it was now dark, and he took a little while to get his bearings. Heading over to the camp Borr greeted him. “About twenty seconds, why is it dark over here,” Clof said. Borr explained that Clof had been gone for hours, but he knew it was not sinking in. Clof had the eyes of a hawk, but the brains of a mouse. Borr still had not decided if he was brave or just too stupid, but his eyesight always kept him out of trouble. “The men have caught some rabbit like creatures, over there, with some grass it is a sweet taste. Take one then get some rest”. Clof's eye lit up and the chance of a meal and a rest. He sloped off to join his colleagues for a taste of the alien wildlife.

Borr listened for a sound, but apart from the wind and the crackle of dry wood there was nothing. Looking up he did not recognize the star patterns, but took some comfort, that there was many millions most being circled by planets to be conquered. Returning to the camp, he waved the men to sit down on his approach, “No ranking officer reactions lads, not until a full secure base is built,” but the men still parted to make space for him at the fire. “Blak what have the perimeter guards reported” he asked as he sat down, pleased with the heat from the pit. Blak moved close and told him what he expected, nothing but wildlife at the moment sir, a couple of large cats, birds of prey, and the usual food for such creatures. “Good wake me either at any important update or first light”, turning on his left, Borr slept.

Horlax hated to wait for anything. Waiting for a man he despised even more so, he had taken the first hour to look at the invasion regiment supplies, discussing with the officer in charge at what they will be able to take through the gate and what will be left behind. Hi had then spent 30 minutes talking to high command about the picking up of supplies left behind to be used elsewhere, “nothing left for waste” the words entered his head, spoke in his fathers voice, how he despised him, remembering the night of the incident his eyes gleamed a little. Now I need something to take my mind off this war, summoning his slave he told Okko to ready three women and ask Thom to join me in my main tent. Now he blushed a little, remembering the last time Thom had joined him for pleasure, his toned body and youthful enthusiasm was a wonder to behold. The girls were just mere vessels, Horlax would use as he pleased. His real thrill was the watching of other’s enjoying flesh or pain. Okko left the tent and headed to the main slave pen, picking three women, he then went to the mess Hall Tent. Finding Thom and explaining Horlax wishers he returned to the main tent. He ushered the girls into the kitchen area, lining them up, he took their names and proceeded to give them food and drink, Okko always took the slave girls names so he could write them down and read them out to the fat slob Horlax when he killed him. Okko feared he would have to use a slow method to kill Holax as the list of slaves grew. He then drugged and poisoned the girls. He had become an expert at timing the poison to kick in just at the end of the orgy, when the men exhausted by the physical pleasure, would want to feed. The thought of it put a shiver down Okko back. One day he promised his god, Horlax would pay in pain for his deeds.

Borr had an uneventful sleep, he dreamed of a battle he once fought in a now distant world, he was young and had enjoyed the spoils of war with a little too much vigor. Borr now knew such enjoyment in the open in front of crushed enemy soldiers, would unite them to stand and fight again. To learn that lesson he had to lose a close friend. However, the women were good he told himself.

He looked around him the men seemed in a good mood and the sun was shining. The shelter dismantled within 30 minutes, then the group divided into two. Two communication units had been carried through the gate and now each group had one each. Turning back on where the camp had been the only sign of anyone having been there was a small section of freshly dug soil and some trampled grass and the odd patch of soil where the grass had used as food. Happy that even an expert tracker could not guess the numbers Borr ordered the troops out, “Single file, report every hour, if you come into contact with anything I want t know. Twenty miles out set up a mark Horlax wanted a forty-mile perimeter secure, once you reach twenty miles and all is clear, leave scouts and the rest head back here. We can then do the North and South. See you in twelve hours” with that he turned and headed east.

By night fall the whole perimeter had been set, once the four points had been marked two walked from each and met until the whole forty miles outer rim had been walked and watched for movement. There was no sign of intelligent life, after a twenty hour watch, all the Rangers headed back o the original base camp location. Borr headed back to the gateway. After 2 hours with Horlax he was happy to come back into the green world. This time he was followed by twenty thousand soldiers. They began the building of what would be their main base of operations, until they had done a full scan of the world. Small items could be brought through the gateway if the person crossing had the power to keep it shielded, but large items would not pass. All attempts would end in the object being exposed to both time streams even at a nuclear level and would be torn to shreds. Three attempts had ended with shields collapsing around men and resulted in the loss of men. Horlax did not care about this, but he knew moral could win or lose wars, after the third loss of life he gave-up on the notion and told each man traveling to take a shovel and what personal stuff they wanted.

An area had been identified for the base and the men started work. Borr was in Horlax's tent waiting his next command. There was some advantage to being a Ranger; he did not envoy the men having to build a base by hand. Horlax sat on his couch drinking his third glass of water, “This water taste fine Borr, much sweeter then back home”, Borr was slightly worried at Horlax’s happy mood, it normally came before he was ordered to take on some life threatening mission. “So Zlane thinks a land as green as this must be inhabited,” placing his glass down, he looked at Borr, his mood darkening, “you have been tasked with finding them and engaging them, then reporting to me. I need to know weakness and strength,” Borr saluted, “Yes Sir”. Borr exited the tent and strode to his men, fifteen men who had seen many wars. Turning to Blak the best tracker amounts them, he nodded and explained the orders, “where should we head Blak, what’s your gut feeling”. Blak looked to the horizon, “Sun raises in the east and sets in the west, so either north or south offers growing conditions, but the wind blows cold from the south, so I would head north” Blak nodded to stress he point. Borr raised his voice so all could hear, “Blak says north so north we go. If we meet with anything, we must engage them as Horlax wants a full report on fighting strength. Move out!”

Chapter 3

SP344212233269.0 had been assigned to study planet 44325556211 flora and fauna. He took his work very seriously, Already he had found several different types of grass in the first thousand acres he had studied. This was the 304 planet he had been given to study, and he was very efficient at it. Not knowing what satisfaction was he would not know for sure he was satisfied with his work, but he knew he did it well; after all, it was what he was built to do. First, he would study the plant life then the animal that inhabited the world. He always did the plants first they moved less and where much easier to do. It would be dark soon and he would have to head back to his probe to recharge and download. The wireless connection he had was ok for one-way traffic but if an upgrade was needed then only the charge cable would do.

     

The hours whizzed by as thousands of blades of grass where studied then compared with previous records and then saved to the database. The sun was on its way down and would soon be set, two more hours SP344212233269.0 computed, before he would stop running at maximum efficiency and would need to charge. Looking up at the burning hydrogen bomb that humanoids generally called suns, he calculated how long before it would consume itself and this planet would become a dead world. Making a mental note of the dates that seem more likely, he would put a request into the main core as it would be a action not studied before, how the animals and plants on the planets reacted in their last months. Something caught his eye on the horizon a glint in the setting sun’s rays, Sp344212233269.0 zoomed in to see 15 humanoids heading his way. Watching for a couple of seconds he worked out the speed and if they stayed at their current projection they would reach him in one hour, thirty-four minutes and 4 seconds – noting the wind might put him out by 2-3 seconds. SP322212233269.0 picked himself up and headed to his pod he would get a forty-seven minute charge and then gather water that had been scanned and screened for humanoid consumption.

Borr had seen the single target study them, through the viewing tool he had noticed it stand and return to some sort of vessel, where if had stayed. There was no point increasing the march now, you don't expect a creature to see this far, but he had never seen a metal being before. He had heard the myths and legend of them but to see one he was almost taken back. They had been marching for several days and even he had started to think no one lived on this rock. The only sound had been the crackle of the radio when Horlax wanted updates and some banter off the men. They had made several standard temporary camps during the nights, but the only thing to offer any sort of reaction to their presence was a big cat, with huge talons. Borr had taken it down easy, as there was not much intelligence in the thing; it was just hunting by instinct. On the sixth day they had began to talk more openly, while marching and where now two abreast not single file as was the normal march pattern when in hostile lands.

Because of this lack of discipline, they had been seen by the only thing on the planet, that showed advanced technology. They continued their march, Borr had told Blak to warn the troop, that the creature might be setting up a defense. They did not increase or decrease their marching speed as either action could be considered as threatening. Forty-seven minutes later the metal being exited the pod and moved off behind it, it seemed to be carrying something. Five minutes later, it returned and put the objects on a metal table outside the pod, on getting closer to this metal being you could make out the small campsite that had been set up a table and many small containers with some larger ones. The metal man was now looking directly at the group of fifteen people and waved. Borr was studying the creature and its fluid movement; it was graceful for such a large being. At first, he thought it must be a man in shiny armor like the high commanders was on special days, but as he got closer, he realized that this was indeed a being made of metal. The neck was too thin to pass blood and gasses, and plus he could almost feel the energy radiate from it.

SP322212233269.0 had calculated correctly, he searched the data bank for the species that now approached and the only close match was the Sasony regal, but that was impossible this was uncharted space, and unless there was a mating colony there would be no reason for them to be this far out in space. Anyway the planet had been scanned and even the Sasony technology couldn't hide everything from a scan by Robot empire. He searched his data banks for the appropriate greeting for a Sasony regal. While doing so he calculated the probable length of conversation, and how this would affect his scheduled planet survey. Noting the calculation he logged his new time as temporary, it was hard to calculate humanoids they where, unpredictable. As the men approached, Sp32212233269.0 noticed the rough dress and uncleanness of the approaching group. They did not look as Sasony high regal normally looked, but as the probability was a lot more favorable, the greeting was appropriate. Bending on one knee Sp3212233269.0 spoke “Greeting bringers of peace, may I favor you or be blessed to do bidding for you.” The leader of the group stopped 5 feet away with the rest of the group behind him. “How do you know are language metal one”, Borr asked, he was planning a straight in fight, but this had thrown him. They were in a different plane and the first creature they met was speaking in their tongue. “My name is not metal man, but I understand humanoids lack of skill at remembering long number so you can call me SP3212233”, normally robots didn't care for names but during the Krakchim war metal man/men was what the Krakchim's had called them so it was ordered to correct this when the issues was raised.

Borr looked around his men, then back to Sp3 “SP3, answer me, how do you know our speech” SP3 looked at the man, there was no need to correct him this time maybe his species lacked number recall more than the other humanoids. “I searched you features in my databank and selected the closest language based on the returning results”. “So others speak the same language as us in the plane of existence, Horlax and Plane will be very interested to hear this. SP3 are you alone”. “No we are billions” SP3 said, Borr considered this, “Are you alone on this planet”.  “Yes I'm a survey droid; it is my mission to survey worlds, with life. I am programmed to study this world and will be here for approximately 42 years.” SP3 said. “If this is your world, then I am sorry for the intrusion, as it was not in the known universe catalog of inhabited worlds we thought it was fine for study. But I will leave and add the planet as inhabited. Are scans never revealed intelligent life?” Borr thought on this for a second, “Your ship that scanned, is it this pod like craft?”, “No” replied SP3, “the ship that scanned has moved on to drop other pods off, is this your world?” Borr smiled now “Yes this is our worlds, SP3. We were not picked up on your scan because we have only just arrived. Do you fight S3”. SP3 processed the question, wanting to ask what they meant by 'only just arrived', but processing that the second needed to be addressed first, “No, I am a survey bot.” Borr probed some more “So what if your attacked do you just surrender and serve the attacker”, “No, we robots do not believe in violence. We do defend ourselves but we do not attack or fight for fun. But I'm a survey bot, not a battle droid.” “Well you are about to be attacked SP3 so I suggest you defend yourself”. Borr signaled Clof, the weakest of his unit to engage the robot. SP3 sent a signal to the home world, he know this would not end well when they had called him metal man.

Clof has dismantled SP3 in less than 40 seconds, “Let’s hope their Battle droids put up more of a fight” turning and laughing to the men who had circled him and SP3. Turning to Borr, “Can I consume him or do you want to test it.” Borr thought for a second, not being hungry he nodded, “he is your to do with whatever you want”, disappointment at such an easy victory in his voice. The swirling energy field began to extend from Clof’s hand towards the crumpled mess that was SP3. SP3 was still transmitting when the field turned solid silver and started to collapse, just before he stopped transmitting, he removed his request to study the dyeing planet. Borr had moved past the ball of silver and was looking through the equipment that had been left by the pod. He stepped into the pod that was three feet by three feet and included a single cable, which must have attached to SP3 in some way. His concentration was broken when Blak called him to come quick, as he exited the pod, the scene that greeted him was disturbing, Clof was floating his shield was light blue and his hair stood on end. “THE POWER”, he screamed and shot straight up and out of sight. In what seemed like an age, Clof could be seen, running at an incredible pace, it was only when he was fifty feet away that they realized he was floating a foot above the ground.

He stopped two feet away from the group of men. Most of the group circled him some kept their distance feeing unsure what to make of this unexpected development. Borr approached Clof “What just happened, report.” Clof floated swaying slightly left and right. Smiling he looked at Borr with a gleam in his eyes, Borr thought this look made him look unstable, slightly mad even. Then Clof blinked and the old face returned, then he fell to the ground. Borr picked him up, “report”, he repeated. Clof explained that he had consumed he metal man as normal he would consume life energy, but just on completion there was an eruption, “it was like,” Clof was lost for words as he tried to think “like, swallowing a star. I could fly” he added sadly. Borr turned to the surrounding Rangers, “Men take everything here back to base, we will drop the pod of forty miles from the base in case it has a tracking device,” the scientist can walk to study it. Turning to Clof, “are you ok to walk” Clof nodded, Borr was concerned he had seen that look before in soldiers usually just after seeing a best friend mutilated and die, it was always a look of loss. “Walk with me Clof, tell me about flying”?   

Chapter 4

A number flicked up in the mind of Xcde33, it was unusual for anything to happen with Xcde33, but instantly it computed the signal and sent the message to Tokk4451. Tokk4451 already powered down when the signal came through and took a full second to respond to Xcde33. On receiving the emergencies call from SP322212233269.0 he redirected the drop off ship to pick up, also he contacted the OttO4441. OttO4441 was in charge of the military and studied the video that SP322212233269.0 sent before the ending of transmission. After watching the video, he connected to the relevant droids and they viewed the video as well. “Why did they attack? SP322212233269.0 followed correct protocol,” one pulsed. We do not know, is it an act of war, or are they defending what is theirs, they do claim to own the world. Dispatch a diplomat when the ship arrives. Gleb4432 pulsed now, “Do we need to inform Bob4, all potential acts of war need to passed on to Bob4, it is protocol. OttO4441 understood this as a protocol but Bob4 never connected to the flow and he did not help in any way when the Krakchim’s attacked, saying that this was not the war he was waiting for. But it was protocol. Dispatch a messenger to have him transmit for Bob4, that way we can analysis any useful information and answer any questions. The Dispatch ship would take 4 hours to reach the world only known as 44325556211 the messenger bot would take 2-3 hours to locate Bob4, the group watched the video again. Have SP322212233269.0s last download reloaded and join us, we have much to talk about. “Also I want the battle droids production line switched back on and battle droids built, until we have established there is no threat to Home systems.”

Bob had been in the cave with the waterfall for 4 months; now amongst the chaos that was water falling over rocks was he beginning to believe he could see the pattern. He was slightly excited as each pattern reveled more of the understanding of the great creators. He was getting low and while he wished to stay, he didn't want another embarrassing episode like in Junta, where he had got to low on power, that he didn't make it to the charger and was stuck for thirty-nine years in the same place, it was purely by chance that a survey bot found him. He was very grateful to the bot, but there was no point because bots did not understand. Feeling sad about his fellow beings, he rose and creaked as he headed out of the cave to his portable craft. In this harsh desert, the solar panels recharged the batteries in the old girl quickly. He would be up to full power in no time and back in the cave to uncover more secrets left by the great creators. Something came over him, he stopped at his craft big doors looking in, but not entering. He looked at his world of the last 100 years and felt sad, still so many books he hadn't scanned, so many delights he hadn't experienced and so many secrets of the creators he hadn't discovered. “It's happening old girl,” he said patting the doorway. Turning and sitting on the top step leading to the door, he looked out, he pattered the big white truck, “it’s happening today, so sad!” As he sat looking out at this dry world a sound could be heard, it was an unnatural whirl carried on the wind. The messenger droid could be heard well before it could be seen flying over the horizon. It was a small standard bot with its own propeller pushing it towards its destination. The small arms it used as wings gave it the balance such crafts needed. Bob4 looked at the approaching bot and wondered what personality it will be fitted with, it military dark green has made it stand out on the orange desert floor. “It must be hot flying with that paint scheme thought Bob, then corrected himself, it must be running close to overheating in this environment. Chuckling inside he moved to the hose-pipe and turned it on. The messenger now twenty feet away slowed then landed and started to walk towards Bob4. Five Feet away from Bob he released the hose end and drenched the oncoming robot, a hiss could be heard as the water touched the hot metal. “Please stop that Bob4”, said Glek3244.7, “My name is Bob, not Bob4” replied Bob while continuing to soak Glek. “Am sorry I am looking for Bob4 is he in this location” Bob chuckled this time outside. “I am Bob4, but my name is Bob”. Glek3244.7 thought on this, pulling profiles on Bob4, noting his strange way, but calculating this is the correct Bob4 he asked again, “Can you please stop splashing water on my Bob; I have an urgent discussion the council wishes to discuss with you concerning an incident that happened 4.7 hours ago. Bob turned his hose off, “Why did you use, hours in your time frame, why not Minutes or Seconds, also I think if you look you will be under a more suitable heat percentage.” Bob lowered his hose and this time entered the Van. Glek checked his internal temperature and seen it was much nearer its optional performance, he turned towards the Van and explained he had used Hours as that was the highest rounded off time.

Bob put his head out, “Are you coming in, you’re not some sort of Vampire are you, do you need an  invite or something”, Glek quickly done a search on the word “Vampire” - mythical beast thought to live be drinking the life force of others, “No” said Glek “I’m no Vampire, sir. I am Glek”. “Good” said Bob, well get your shiny metal ass in here then” with his head then disappearing back into the van.

On entering the van, Glek quickly scanned the inside, a lot of the content was old data files, one side was completely full of books and he recognized them from history files. Zooming in he scanned the covers and as he read each one, the full content was downloaded. Most where stories of humanoid heroes and heroins. Why would someone need to carry this stuff around, “I like to read them, Glik? There is nothing like holding the pages and reading a word at a time. This is how you learn to ride the stories that the writers have created. To scan it as you have done is just like looking at a picture, it tells you the story, but you don’t live it. You’re a bot Glek, I doubt you understand.” said Bob as if reading Glik’s thoughts. “But you a Bot, Bob”, said Glek matter a fact. “No Glek am Bob”, now in a happier mood, “So Glek what’s this all about why are you here”. “The high council have a message for you and would like a response, as you are not connected, I can relay between the two parties.” Bob pulled a screen down from the roof and hooked the string over a little hook, “can you project Glek, I like to see who am talking with.” Glek turned to face the screen a small panel in his head slid back and a lens extended, then burst in life with the flicker of light. “Oh the council, how pleasing to see you all again, it has been so long” Bob sounded excited; he realized he was trying for sarcasm but it was wasted. “I will speak for the council” said ottO4441, Bob looked at the image of ott0441, “Oh, Otto how are you, no real point in going around the houses with all the chatter chat, let’s getting straight to the point. How was the act of war initiated and did they speak a language of one of the worlds in this universe”. “Bob4 you can see” started ott04441, “Bob” interrupted Bob. Ott04441 started again “Bob you can see the video recording of the attacked survey bot”. Bob watched as the screen changed to a first person view of what happened on the planet, he considered the words of the Phaze rangers. He looked uneasy as the silver ball enclosed around the poor, now dismantled survey bot. “Such a shame” said Bob, shaking his head. Ott04441 flicked back onto the screen, “The bot has been reestablished and is back with us, there was no loss”, “Oh not the Bot, Otto, am talking about the shame that a way of life is about to come crumbling down. We need the three sent to me.” Ott04441 had a more than usual blank look on his face. Bob sighed “Initiate order 225, once this has been processed, send the three Robots that come forward to me here, I will train them. They should be ready in 3 months. You also need to stop the ship you have headed towards, that world, as anything sent down to the planet, would only feed them and make them stronger”. Somewhere in the void the drop-ship haltered its course and hung in space motionless. “You need to start your war droids, which the three will train and run. Finally you need every bit of Gillaboy you can get your hands on, there is some stored around the home world, but not enough. Oh also and most important, you need to call every robot back home, if these things have opened any other gates and get to them first we will have a bigger fight then we currently have”. Ott04441, was searching the central databanks for the order 225, finally he came up on the 220-230 world protection categories. On trying to access them a password was required, upon entering his priority password it still would not allow access. He tried again, quite sure that it was impossible to be denied access to a file main central databank, but again he was denied, “I can’t access order string for 220-230” his tone slightly less then what was normal for ott0. “Sorry about that Otto old fella, you need to add the password – oHSh1t!1! – apparently the creators had a sense of humor”. OttO4441 entered the password, but did not get the joke. As he processed the order 225, a signal was triggered; it went out on every mode of communication that robots used in the known universe. Then milliseconds later, the emergency call followed on the same channels for every robot to return to the home planets. The drop ship that had stopped in space recalculated the quickest pickup times and return route, then started moving again heading to towards the first survey bot.

All across the known universe Bots recalculated their routes to either be picked up, or to pick up other bots, in one single 24 hours the humanoids would be out sixty percent of their working task force. Whole race economies would collapse and never recover. Hundreds and thousands of moxie the standard interracial currency for the known universe, where lost as galactic vehicles and their loads disappeared out of tracking range. The uproar was incredible, but mostly unheard as the main repair droids for the communication company had disappeared. And another Bot wasn’t seen for 16 years, no robot would talk about where they went or what had happened, but they came back changed. In history it became known as the Bot-less years and it saw many a race rise and fall as some rediscovered skills that had been lost for many a millennium.

Three robots never heard that second signal, they only heard the first, it said to report to the military headquarters and to pronounce themselves as one of the three, each didn’t have a clue why they needed to do this, but the order had come through loud and clear.

                         

Zis42 one of the smallest harvest droid on Loons223 in fact one of the smallest harvest droids ever made, looked to the sky as the wireless message came through. Retracting his scythe, he turned east and headed to the nearest spaceport. Later that day the Leonean who had hired the bots would go out to a half harvested field, finding all the bots had left without completing their work. From the tracks all of them had headed east. After arriving back home his wife told him, that she had just come of the communications unit with their friend on the next farm and all the bots had left in the middle of harvest, her husband had almost been trampled as he had stood in the way trying to stop them. Excited she said “we will be able to charge triple for are crop”, the farmer just put his head in his hands and started to shake it slowly.

Obi69 was one the higher quality whore droids, on the 56 pleasure planets in the quad-wek system, a high class business man, had just purchased a weekend with  Obi69, it was his second visit and he had saved a month wage for the pleasure of Obi’s company again. He had dreamed of nothing else for four months and had taken a great deal of planning so his wife didn’t find out. Sex with a pleasure droid was not a ground for divorce but it would make life unbearable for a good while. Clan, the business man, had just been gelled and locked to the bed in restraints and blindfolded, all he was waiting for now was Obi. Obi had just checked the flow for updates when she got the message. She opened the door and headed down stairs heading for the nearest spaceport, a droid cab, pulled over and she got in.

Clan at first thought this was part of the whole thing, he felt cold now, like a draft, he shouted out, but still nothing. The main problem with the whore house was all the whores where droid and had left, Clan heard a rustle of noise. “Obi” Clan called, “No petal” came back the rough voice. “All the bots have gone”. Clans’ voice was more nervous than he had hoped, “Can you untie me please.” “Now why would I want to do that? You see I’ve paid for some fun and you’re all wrapped up like a little present”. Clan never quite recovered from that night of passion, poor Clan was a little bit more nervous in the company of strangers and didn’t venture to another whore house ever again.

Newton thought it strange to get a message about reporting to headquarters, as he was working in the Battle droid construction yard. He was working on a transport construction four hours earlier but had got the order to move back to the Battle droid factory and now he was being told to go to headquarters. He had heard of glitches in the flow, Joanas44551 in the transport yard had spoken about Ghost in the flow, “echoes of the creators” he had called it. Newton had told him he should get a service and stop talking rubbish, but now maybe Joanas44551 had a point. Newton put down the wielding tool and walked from the battle droid workspace, the seventy yards down the road.          

   

I am one of the three he announced on his arrival. One of the headquarter work bots scanned him, and pulsed a message to ott0 that first of the three had arrived.

Chapter 5

Today 114 year later Glik and Zis sat in a small meeting room with five of the most influential leaders in the known. The Sasony leader was tall and slender, her face was pale and her eyes dark. Glik wondered how many secrets, Ploss had, if she knew about the Phaze, if they had stockpiles of Gillaboy or knew of another means of destroying this threat. She was probably the most powerful being in the known universe, but here in this artifice light she looked frail, Glik even thought he could dismantle her in a heartbeat. One of her two bodyguards shuffled his feet. The changelings where a lot less impressive, one a Laka, he had seen the data set on a Laka after it had changed, suddenly feeling slightly uncomfortable Glik realised if anything did happen and it changed it wouldn't fit in the room and there was two of them, the other called “a stealer of gods”, the human. Rumor had it that he slept with a Laka woman and her symbiant being, left her for him, but when it changed host it mutated somehow, becoming more powerful and uncontrollable. Thinking on it, Glik changed his mind, maybe the human bodyguard was the most powerful being in the known universe. The others in the room where getting anxious to get on, having Krakchim in the room when most of them had been attacked in some point by the warrior race (including the Robot) was unnerving most. Glik looked at Zis and pulsed “are you ready to do this?” Zis nodded but didn't take his eye off the Human who was with the Krakchim, he knew that the Krakchim allowed alien races to join their ranks, but to get so high in the ranks was almost unheard, he must be one cod hearted killer he thought.

Glik started, “Thank you for joining us at this time of peril, I asked you five” Glik swept his arm in front of him to include them all. He continued, “Because in the known universe, you are the most powerful”. The Krakchim looked smug, if a face like that could manage the feat.

The Laka ambassador spoke, “May I speak wise Glik”, “Of course general” Glik replied. “We of the Laka race do not fight as you know” the Krakchim’s snorted, “but will send 500 of our young to help in your efforts, these can be organized as you see fit. Now if I may be excused, I have much to attend to.” and he rose to leave. Zis became infuriated, “500” he gasped, “Don't you understand this could mean the end of life as we know it, for everything and everybody.” Glik placed a hand on Zis shoulder to calm him. The Laka was not defensive in any way when he replied to Zis “Zis you are young, not in years of time, but emotional years you are but a baby. We hold every molecule that breaths life precious. However, we understand that emotional youth needs to walk, before it can fly. So we will give you 500 of our young, in the hope that these will learn to walk and even run. If we where to fight where would we stop, who would stop us, to kill these Phaze is no different in the universe then killing a fly or a robot. We will defend our own life-force, but do not ask us to take another.” With that, the Laka leader left. The Krakchim spokes person Slis stood, “Typical coward Laka, no bottle for a good bust-up” then sat down, Glik stood now, “We ask so much of you, from so little evidence, so we have prepared more detailed nano pills with the full actions of our main three protectors. Zis and Obi have given us permission to download the full incident from their data banks, also you will find Newton’s saved data files accessible via the normal nano transfer.”

Kendra sat in his room glad to away from the room full of pompous idiots and metal morons; if only Slis had let him bring the poison assassination device to the meeting four of the Krakchim empire enemies’ would be dead now, plus Johnson would have withered and died before he could change into that demon. But no Slis wanted to hear what was being said, he thought they would gain more insight into how the nations worked and this would make it easier to crush them after this war. War, there was no invasion this was probably a trap by the robots, everything they had shown them could have been created, even the nano pills that they will swallow to build the memories of the other being could be reprogrammed. Maybe the robots grew some balls at last, to be in charge of such a force, no sleep, no food rations, no cripples. No the robots could crush each nation without the need to gather it's leaders, Did they not defeat the Krakchim Empire. Anyway to kill all four opposing leaders at once would only unite them to fight against you, now Slis's words rang true.

He looked at the nano pill sat in front of him, three tablets all the living breathing memories of others. They looked like the headache tablets of earth, the ones his mother used to take, before she collapsed. A brain hemorrhage they had said, only two years later the first contact was established. The nano-bots that are so freely available now would have saved his mother, he wondered if his life would have been different if she had survived?

Feeing anger raise in him, he stopped that train of thought and instead thought of the many wives he had, and the glories he had achieved, why would he want it different.

Looking at the nano pill, he picked one up from the table and held it up between his finger and thumb towards the light. In small neon letters he could see the word Zis, this was the other bot that rattled on with Glik, he didn't like him much, and even less as he had kept looking at him throughout the meeting. He put it down, and picked the next one up and held it the same way, this one said Obi, a female, Newton’s lover apparently, how can robots know love, he sneered, and he placed this down and picked the last one up. Newton, a soldier, a fighter of great courage, placing the tablet on his tongue he picked the glass up and swallowed the clear liquid and the tablet. Learning back in the chair, he closed his eyes, he hoped he would see some fighting.

Images swirled in his mind’s eye and he pictured the trillions of little nano-bots building pathways for his neutrons.

The door to the Droid robot military head quarters opened and Kendra stepped in, “I am one of the Three” said Kendra, but not in his voice. Oh, the show begins, thought Kendra now in his voice.

Newton had announced his arrival as required; he had been moved to a holding cell. Once their he was asked to wait, and fourteen hours had passed when a small droid entered his cell. “Why am I being asked to wait, I fear the construction of the battle droids will not run to full capacity if I am missing.” Zis held his hand up “I am a harvest drone, I don’t work for the military, and I also have been asked to wait in here.” “I am Newton harvest droid, why are you here, there isn't much to harvest on home world 1.” “I am Zis42, I got a message to report to the military headquarters and tell them I was one of the three, which I did. Now am in here.” “Strange Zis42 I got the same message.” Zis42 and Newton sat in silence absorbing the strange news of the flow, only now did they hear about the call for all bots to return to the home world systems. Zis42 turned to face Newton “That would explain a lot, I thought every bot had received the call to report to the military headquarters. Everybody in the fields stopped what we were doing at the same time and headed to the spaceport. At the spaceport groups of humanoids, were shouting at us, mostly about the Harvest and about robots going back on their words. However, there was another group shouting about being kicked off their transport. I just walked to the    spaceport and pulsed my orders, I got a lift quickly. A private transport, which was the reason I was so quick.” Newton nodded “Guess since I work on home planet there was no need for the robots here to do anything.” “imagine the humans working the harvest fields” said Zis42, “They would take forever to do one field”.  Newton looked nonplused at that so Zis42 sat quietly and listened to the flow, it was all about the evacuation and complaints of the unfinished work the robots where leaving behind. A strong request for any Gillaboy was being pulsed, it was to be collected at the spaceport and then moved to the Battle Droid workshop. “Gillaboy for the battle Droids, that’s a bit odd, what could they be using that for”, it was rare, processed Newton as it was only created when two black holes had swallowed each other. This created the metal, so yes it was rare, but there was stronger material to build battle droids out of and cheaper too. If they were going to sell it then surly it would go the spaceport, but as al ships are grounded and no other spices knew the location of the Home world system (apart from the Krakchim’s) they could not sell it. Zis42 searched the flow for information about Gillaboy, he didn't have a clue about metal or stone,  he know every type of plant that could be harvested but nothing about much else. The cell door opened and a whore bot came in, “Hi,” said Obi, “you been in here long.”

A slim military bot cam to their cell and took them to a transporter, it was a sleek military transport, it looked like it was built for speed rather then transporting large numbers. Newton, looked at the ship, “wow, we must be going somewhere in a hurry, I’ve only downloaded the specification on these. Top personal use them when they are needed somewhere urgently.”

Zis42, looked at the ship, he just saw a transport ship, slightly shinier then the others but a ship. They were used to get you from A to B just as any other. Obi, had been quite in the cell, and the trip to the transporter, she had no questions when they had been stood in front of the top-bot of the military and the only thing she did talk about was the client she had left and had requested if somebody could go and release him from his bonds. Zis42 didn't know what the bonds where for and had no interest in them either. Newton had asked many questions and through Newton’s questions they had learnt that they were to be transported to planet. Then they were to be trained to fight a new threat to the droid race, Newton, seemed slightly disturbed about this training and his current company to be trained, “I've fought in the last war with the Krakchim, these are not fighting droids commander, one is a farm bot the other a whore bot. They are not built to combat an enemy at the same capacity as a battle droid.” It was at this point that they were introduced to BOB42 or just Bob as he stated, via a video link.

They were to be trained by Bob, which seemed strange as Bob did not seem to be military either and also he seemed a little corrupted in his processing. Newton questioned the commander again, “even if this Bob could teach us anything, I repeat that these two bots are not built for military exercises.” Bob started to laugh aloud; his metal frame was completely shaking. Newton turned to the screen confused, “what in my statement;” Newton paused looking in his databanks for the right word “amused you so”. Bob laughing ended, “Oh Newton, you are so wrong, the three of you are built for military 'stuff’, and so much more, you have been built for this war. The creators had technology we can only dream of, they had devices that could see many times, and many planes, and they traveled through both, and created many things for such occurrences as these. You see the creators loved life; above all, they realized that life in any form should be saved. You see the creators had believed in things that we overlook so eagerly. Do you know the creators believed in good and evil, we as a robot race do not know the difference as we do not have feelings, but the creators created us to act on in the way of good? We could enslave the galaxy and all the races that inhabit it, but instead we serve them, we do task, that they find difficult, for what. Money we do not need, power and minerals we could easily gather and create ourselves. The Krakchim saw are power and wanted to use us as a weapon of war to conquer the other races, but our good programming made us defend against the threat, not for us, but for the galaxy as a whole.” “But these are not fighting droids,” Newton said. Bob shrugged “We will see, the creators built you all with this purpose, in the old books about great legends that the creators wrote and read, not all of them where military, but they where fighters and they fulfilled a destiny.” That had been the end of Newton’s protest.

They had been escorted to the spaceport, every traffic way reprioritized so they could make it as quickly as possible. Now they stood outside of the sleek transport ship. is thought that its hull gleamed and produced rainbows of colour if looked at from different angles, Zis was about to tell Obi, but as he approached her, the doors swung open on the transport and they were ushered onboard. Onboard there where harness and not much else apart from the connection cable. Newton took his position and fastened the harness, once secure he attached the connection cable, it felt like weeks since he had joined the flow, but it had only been a matter of hours. A strange couple of hours mind, he had two jobs and was now being treated like a gold plated V.I.P. If only Joanas44551 could see me now, how he would make up stories of conspiracy and if he spoke to Bob for five minutes, he would know his ghost in the machine tripe to be true as well. Savoring the moment before joining the flow, he looked around the ship, Zis was struggling with his harness, and Obi was by the look of it already connected and in the flow. Newton switched off his visuals sensors and joined the flow, immediately he felt the surge of power, followed by the information. As always Newton filtered his information upload to current news – which was all about the recall to the home system. The second largest stream of news was – the reason for the recall. These and other news he scanned not saving much to his databanks. Then he did a search for “Ghost in the machine” and was not expecting the number of results returned. Then he checked for mail, but there was none. Since the pulse system had gone system wide no one bothered with mail anymore, what was the point when you could ask whomever your question and receive the answer instantly? Lastly Newton requested an update check and there was one waiting for him, it included information on the first attack as well as a system wide update on this new enemy, soon the whole robot race would know who they were fighting against.

Newton switched on his visual system as the transport landed, he noticed in the upgrade he had downloaded where some added abilities, he quickly scanned the user guide and switched his vision to infer-red, then to ultra violate. The other stuff he would try later. “Wow” said Zis42, “I can see in different colours,” “Different spectrums” said Obi, “it was in the update, it’s one of the special forces tricks, also we have been given different fighting techniques”.

Newton quickly scanned the other update documents, she was right, he had been given several fighting techniques, and the instructions told him which he was most suited for.

Zis42 was still flicking through the colour spectrums as he undid his harness, “I feel lighter, too,” “it's the gravity its different for this world. How many worlds have you been on Zis42” asked Newton. “Including home world, two,” Zis42 replied. Both Obi and Newton looked at each other and laughed. Zis42 looked at his two laughing colleagues and started to laugh too.  “Yep we are chosen to save the universe,” said Newton as he undid his harness and left the transport. Next out the transport was Obi, followed by Zis42. Newton pulsed to Obi, “I feel lighter, and maybe Zis42 had something.” Obi pulsed back “I think the update might have improved our data capacities so our movements are quicker and power greater, which would make us feel lighter, but until I’ve calculated the gravity difference on this world compared to home world i cannot be accurate.” All three where pulsed the request to step away from the transporter, they moved as a group a hundred yards away. The gravity field of the ship could still be felt as the ship lifted up. “Cool” said Zis42 “the ship looks cool in the orange colour” he corrected himself “Orange spectrum,” turning to Obi “What spectrum is the orange one, Obi?” “Gravitation field, i imagine,” replied Obi. Turning to Newton “What now?” “No idea, are order was to meet Bob4, but I’ve no idea, if he was coming here or we are meant to go to him. Guess we wait”. “Should we take shelter”, asked Obi “i imagine this planet can get quite warm during midday”. Zis42 looked around, “over there” he said “in the red spectrum is black hot or cold”, “Its cold” said Newton, shifting his vision to infer-red, “There are caves, lets head over there before anybody melts”. All three started the journey north. Zis pulsed Obi; “no one would really melt would they?” Obi pulsed back, “Maybe.” Zis increased his speed slightly.

Bob watched the group head towards the caves where he had been studying the waterfall, the creator pull is strong for you three, i think some bonding time will do you good.

Zis42 reached the cave first, he paused at the entrance, he remembered reading stories in the flow about cave creatures able to dismantle a robot before he had a chance to run, he looked backs at the other two, “Scared of flow time monsters are we” said Newton, “No, i was just waiting for you” said Zis42 defensively. “I will scout the cave, you two wait here” said Newton, Obi walked past both of them and on entering the cave she called out at her loudest volume setting, “ANY CAVE MONSTERS HERE”. The other two looked at each other then entered behind her. “I think your safe Zis42,” Zis42 looked around the cave and sat by the side of a pool that a waterfall was happily splashing in too. Newton moved over to Obi, pulsed, “Don't do that ever again, there might have been something dwelling in the cave, I’ve seen such creatures.” Obi flashed him a look and pulsed back, “don't order me about big man you will regret it”, Newton came back again, “i doubt that, little droid, but if you want to try your luck your first lesson is for free.” Obi moved towards him and Newton took a fighting stance. “You two come here quickly,” called Zis. The two robots stood their ground, until Zis called again “Hurry this is amazing”, Obi stood down and walked past Newton, their shoulder joints brushed making a grating sound. Newton then followed Obi to see what Zis was so excited about. He was standing at the edge of the rock pool, the pool itself was only 20 feet wide maybe 15 long, the middle looked deep and maybe it was linked with an underground river as the water fall water didn't make the pool overflow. The waterfall itself was 30 feet high and the source of the water was too far back to be seen. Zis42 was turning his head this was and that, rising his hand as if interacting with invisible imps. “What are you doing,” asked Obi? Zis42 looked slightly startled, Newton looked at Zis “I think that last update damaged you i have heard of models of older components being broken by updates.” Obi looked at Newton “you hear a lot for someone so slow”, Newton’s anger flared at Obi's comment and was about to tell the whore to shut her face, before he made it too dented to make money. Zis42 stepped between them, “listen, i was flicking through the spectrums, and i came to the gold one, what is that”, “Gold” repeated Obi, “There isn't a gold spectrum, you must have confused it with the orange one from before the gravity one.” said Newton. “No i didn't, it's gold not orange, look for yourselves, then look around you. It's beautiful.” The other two droids searched their visual spectrums and there it was gold, last in the list. They both engaged it and almost instantly they where dazzled by the brightness of the cave. The dull gray cave was now splashed in multiple glowing symbols, words of a language that was not recognized, objects they had never seen swam towards them almost looking solid. Zis42 looked around him again “isn't it amazing, look you can touch them” in saying so he reached with his left arm and spun the object in the air, “it's like because we can see them we can touch them”. “Don't touch them, we have no idea what we are dealing with” said Newton, this time it was Obi spun on Newton, “What have you heard about these in your rogue flow stories as well, tell you what big guns, why don't you go order yourself somewhere else, because this isn’t the army and you’re not in charge”. Zis42 was taken aback by this change in mood, Newton moved towards Obi brushing Zis out of the way. “This is a military exercise, we are at war and you will do as i say as am the only one in this cave with a rank so i out rank you all”, Obi sneered “Don't be so sure”.

Chapter 6

Bob had been stood outside the cave for about twenty minutes, he had been impressed on how Zis had found the creator information, but now would be a good time to introduce himself before the big droid got dismantled. He stepped through the cave entrance, “If this is a military operation why is there no sentry guard, if i was the enemy i could have strolled in here and killed you all, or maybe just wait outside and let you do that to yourselves”.

The three droids spun round to see this new addition to the group, recognizing him from the video screen in the commander’s office, Newton pulsed him, “Sir, can i recommend you do not bother to train these two, the boy is an idiot bot and the whore shows no lack of command”. There was no reply, so he tried again, still nothing, Newton pulsed Zis42 “If you stay in the water you will rust” Zis42 pulsed back “oh ye, thanks”.  This time Newton pulsed Bob using a tracker signal, which was another tool of their update. The tracker had been gone for three seconds when it returned, Bob4 was not recognized as being connected to the pulse system,  this might be an error on your outgoing pulse or the person you are trying to pulse no longer exist or is out of known universe parameters.

Bob walked over to Zis42, “Hi Zis, so you found the creators scripts didn't you, that is quite clever of you, i was here for two years, before i used the gold spectrum, I don't know if the creators saw in this spectrum or if they just left this” lifting his have he pointed to the walls, “as secret text”.  “How are you feeling Newton” he asked as e spun just his head to face him. “Tired” replied Newton, “Ok, how are you feeling Obi”, “I feel a little bit” Obi stopped mid answer, she was feeling a little angry, it was there she could feel it, but now she felt surprise at the fact she felt any emotion and plus that fact that she know which emotion it was. Bob started to laugh as this all dawned on Obi, “So you’re quite bright too. Excellent, this should make training much easier.. Don't worry my fellow companions it's the cave and this, stuff” he finished as the words eluded him. “Follow me to my van outside and let us have a proper talk.” Bob left the cave, the others followed behind him, Zis42 bumped into Obi on exiting the cave as he was still looking back into it using the gold spectrum.

There was not much room in the van; Newton took half the space with his heavy bulk. All three sat on the floor while Bob stood. “Right”, he started “you three are here, because you answered the call from order 225, this was an order set in the system by the creators of the original data core. Not much is known about the creators apart from the odd bits we can gather from such places in the solar system like the cave, you where in before. I have been studying the creators for thousands of years and even i do not understand much of what they did. However, basically as it can be put, the creators made us, they made the black-hole travel system s and the transporter that we still use today. When they created us, they gave us the power to develop, rebuild, and improve one their design. It is understood, that not long after setting us free to build our first home world, which evolved in to the Home Systems. The creators left this universe to travel in the time slip. That's it basically, that's all i know. If they where successful in traveling into the time slip we will never know.” Zis raised his hand “Sir”, “Bob”, bob corrected him. Zis, “Bob, the feelings in the cave what was that, because i know i was 'happy' in the cave and 'sad' when i left it. How do i know this?” “Oh Zis you do ask the right questions at the right time, as i said previously i was in the cave for two years before i stumbled on the Gold spectrum. But i have been at this site for ten years. The creators made us in their image, so they made us with emotions, but they also had great history logs and knew how violent they had been as a young race. They set blocks on the emotions but still gave us the capacity of understand good and evil, this is why we can defend ourselves but do not attack, why we serve but will not be used. The cave has some sort of power over the block, it lets the emotions out. This is why you felt, what you did in the cave.” “So what now” asked obi, “Obi always straight to the point, maybe we should introduce ourselves, so we know who we are working with, then i will tell you about the Phaze, from the creators books”. Zis thought about this for a micron of a second, “they here been here before”, “yes” replied Bob “but last time, it was the creators that opened the gateway, that they travelled through. But more on that later if we have time.”

Newton hated these types of talk, why they did not just access each other’s data files was beyond him. Two hours in and they learnt that Zis had been a harvest droid all his life and had only ever been to two planets, He didn't remember much on where he was produced and he was switched on in a field on the second planet he had visited. Newton had himself talked mainly about the Krakchim war and how they had defended with great accuracy and how he had taken many Krakchim to the grave with an assault on one of their hive ships. Bob had seemed distressed about this and had questioned him on how he felt about taking so many lives; Newton had never reprocessed the actual instance only skirting the memory when asked to recall it. “I feel nothing about it,” “And this is why the creators built us with the capacity to defend ourselves, but it’s also wrong that you felt nothing, we will never truly grow as a race. Even the great hero’s of the creators felt compassion for those around them; we must feel to be more than our parts. Am sorry Newton I digress, please carry on”. After Newton had told his story, it was the turn of Obi, this should be short thought Newton, I sleep with humanoids for money. As Obi stood, she hesitated and looked at Bob, he said “Its fine obi we have full level access here.” She still did not speak at first, and then Bob said “code 443 – Night wing – level one access.” Obi seemed to relax, “well you all know my night job, what you don't know is my day job. Am a spy/assassin bot for high command,” After the war, a number of others and myself, were brought into the military and trained in our new positions. Our mission was to gather information. The easiest way to do this was through sex.” “What, I don't believe it” said Newton, Zis just whistles. “Yes” said Bob, “If I hadn't intervened when I did, Obi would have quite easily taken you apart. You see she has been downloaded with knowledge of all known races and models of droids. I've no doubt she could deprogrammed you with one punch”. “Oh I don't know the old 322.4 droids are quite thick, it might have taken two punches”. Newton couldn’t quite compute it, he had been disrespectful to a senior officer, he pulsed “Am sorry for my actions earlier, madam”, “If you had known my rank I wouldn't have been doing my job to my full capacity” Obi pulsed back. “Obi spoke of the network and how it was used to determine threats to the home world, also on how she was ordered to take the life of several potential threats. Bob became increasingly uncomfortable with this notion of a droid being able to take life, though the logic was sound as it was taken in defense of the home worlds the actual act, still disturbed him. Once Obi stopped, Bob continued the stories of the creators and all that he had found. They talked for hours; Newton didn't even notice the sun's setting outside. At the end of it, Bob pointed to the charger cords placed around the van, “Get a good twelve hour charge the first sun won't rise for another thirteen and with no moons it is very dark, plus my infrared spectrum doesn’t work that well anymore.”

Newton was happy to be getting a charge and wanted to see if any more news on the invasion was on the flow. He picked up the connector, Bob and Obi where already connected. He slid his panel up and connected to the charger, the surge of power was there and he waited for the sudden rush of information and waited. After what felt like a full second, he pulsed Obi “Am getting no flow, the charge is fine but am not connected”, Obi pulsed back “Bob told me he is not connected to the flow, hasn't been for years, but he said he did something else, he said he dreamed. I've searched my databanks and I don't have anything on it”. Zis pulsed Newton, “There's no flow, what am I supposed to do now”? Newton pulsed back “Dream”, setting a proximity wake-up and a restart for twelve ours he powered his none essential sensors off. He had been disconnected from the flow before, once up to a week, but they are to stay out here for three. Newton didn't like it, he didn't like it one bit.

Newton’s proximity sensor woke him ten hours into the charge; he scanned he van and relaxed as he recognized Zis moving towards the exit. Pulsing him he asked, “Where are you off.” Zis pulsed a reply instantly, “Outside, i can't keep powered off, with no flow, i feel” searching for a word he ended his sentence “disconnected”. Obi joined in the conversation, “Don't go too far, or get into trouble. If you do pulse us immediately.” Zis pulsed back as he left the van, “Don't worry am a big boy, and apparently am going to save the robot race one day”. Obi pulsed Newton, “Should I go with him” the reply was short and to the point, “why he needs to grow -up, he will be fighting for his life in twenty days”. Newton reset his proximity warning and powered back down.

Newton woke and powered up, he looked around the now empty van, checking his proximity sensor, he looked around the van again. He unplugged himself and walked outside. His proximity alarm immediately picked up the three droids by the cave. As he walked over he did a full system scan. By the time he reached them the scan had finished and reported no faults   to the system. “Strange” he said to the others, “Why didn't my alarm go off when you two moved”. Obi replied first “Am an assassin can move undetected if I wish too.” Bob giggled “Am just light on my feet for a big bot”. “But this is serious what if you had been an enemy, it's not right that you could move so close to me without detection” Newton said quite distressed. “Don't worry so much Newton, the enemy don't possess the tricks that i do and anyway, Obi here has a far better detection sensor that what you’re fitted with” adding Bob said “She almost sensed me moving”.

“Now” Bob started, “We have to get use to the effects of the cave if we are to start your training properly. So today we are going to spend most of the day here”.  Zis was already sitting on a rock inside the cave; he looked like he was staring at the water fall. Newton turned to Obi and pointed to Zis, “what’s he doing?” Zis turned and called back, “Am looking for a pattern in the waterfall, anyway it's rude to talk about somebody as if they aren’t there”.  Now turning back to Zis, Newton said sarcastically “sorry”. “I see the cave effects Newton quite quickly” Bob said to Obi in a hushed voice, Obi just giggled a little and then entered the cave.

The four sat in the cave around the pool in the middle. Newton soon became bored; he had scanned the objects floating in the gold spectrum, but he couldn’t make sense of any of it, his data banks where repeated matched with the objects for any link, but any small patterns that started to emerge turned into dead ends. He watched the others and wanted to leave, but Bob said they must remain in the cave until a break-through or that they needed a charge. He checked his battery level and there was still fourteen hours left, he gave a silent curse for the update he had received. Bob and Obi had been discussing what Bob had discovered in the cave so far and how he had done this. It was the most logical way of advancing his studies, thought Obi, but he just couldn’t be motivate by it all, he was meant to training to fight a new enemy, how the hell could sitting in a cave help me defend my race. He approached Bob abruptly, “Why are we here in this damp place, this is not teaching me anything”. Obi ceased her conversation and walked away to a wall, to study something that had immediately caught her attention.

Bob turned to face the larger Droid “One the contrary my big friend, it is teaching you many things, you will need for the coming war”. “What, what does standing in a damp cave looking at symbols of a long dead race teach me?” “Patience, for a start, being brave and bold is one thing, running head first in to a war you know nothing about is suicidal. The first art of war is knowing your enemy, when to attack, knowing the time is right for your victory stroke. Many a brave soldier had died because they didn’t think, watch and learn. Bodies washed up on to the rocks of impatience”. Newton turned away, he know the old robot was right, he had seen hundreds of thousands wasted in the Krakchim war because they didn’t know how to fight. Sure they had all accessed the many tactics of battles, but the Krakchim’s didn’t follow the rule books. They changed their tactics on the fly; they didn’t retreat when their numbers reached the recognized numbers. Newton found himself sitting on a rock on the edge of the pool, his feet being washed by the waves made by the waterfall. His anger being washed away with it. Zis had been sat on one of the rocks since everybody had entered the cave, he didn’t even seem to notice Newton at all. “What are you doing” Newton pulsed to Zis, but there was no reply. “Zis” pulsed Newton, “What” came the dreamy reply. “Are you ok” the concern in Newton’s tone? “What, yes I’m fine. Aren’t they beautiful?” “Aren’t what beautiful” replied Newton. “The symbol’s, the words and their pictures” said Zis, “a race so old and yet so more advanced than us, these people, they created us. That’s amazing”. “Why is that amazing, everything is created somehow” Newton could feel his anger building again. “Yes, but we have creators and these are the stories of them” said Zis, “That makes us unique, it’s like looking into their thoughts, seeing the world through their eyes”. Zis fell silent. Newton looked around him, Bob and Obi where in conversation again, he switched to the gold spectrum. Many objects instantly appeared, words splashed on the walls in a language Newton didn’t understand, for all he knew this was just ancient graffiti, an object floated past him in arms length, he reached up and pulled the object closer to him. It was a strange sensation, seeing the object, knowing he had hold of it, but not feeling it. He tried to crush it but once he applied presser his fingers passed through it and the object became translucent. He watched as he let go of the object and it became solid looking again. The object had the shape of an old humanoid timer device he had seen on some worlds, normally with some fine grains of one mineral or another. The humanoids would turn them and a simple gravity and the amount of content would take a set time to travel from one end and fill the other. This object was different; it had the shape but looked solid. Silver looking in the gold spectrum, he spun the object through his large metallic fingers. He studied both bases and the sides but he couldn’t distinguish anything about the object, both bases where identical to look at. He realized how much harder it was to study something he had no record off, to understand something you need a base, a understanding to begin with, something in common. He sighed and thought of Bobs words before. He looked at his internal clock and was amazed to see he had spent four hours looking at the object. Releasing the object he looked around the cave, Zis was still sat still on the bolder by the pool, but the outer ring of the cave was now dark, he could not see Obi or Bob. “Obi” he pulsed, “What?” she pulsed back, “Nothing, it’s just dark and I couldn’t see you, I was just checking you where ok” he pulsed. “Not scared of the dark are you, a big droid like you” her tone slightly mocking, “anyway it’s not dark in normal vision, it is when the second sun light shines into the cave, Bob was talking about it before”. He flicked he vision system to its normal view, Obi was right, it was bright in the cave Bob was sat by one side facing the cave wall, Obi was by the side of the waterfall, she gave him a little wave as he looked in her direction. If he could have blushed he would have.

Newton jumped as Zis spoke, “Why has it gone dark”, Bob stood and came over to them both, “Oh you have noticed the effect of the second sun, yes the outer walls dim as the sunlight enters but the middle stays the same. I think it has something to do with the different gravitational spectrum the second sun gives off.” Zis just nodded, but Newton thought that maybe Zis didn’t really understand the complicated physics that was in effect. Zis returned to staring at the waterfall. Bob returned to the patch of wall he was studying earlier. Ten minutes passed, suddenly Zis jumped up, “Incredible” he shouted. The other three droids where startled by Zis’s reaction all walked towards him. Newton being the closest asked, “What is the matter with you, you dumb toaster, you made me jump”. He turned to Newton placing both hands on his shoulders, “I know the secret of the cave” Zis began to jump and shout “I KNOW THE SECRET”, and he spun round clapping his hands. Obi took his arms and calmed him, “What is it Zis, what’s the secret”.  “Well I doubt he has the secret of the cave, I’ve been here ten years and I’m still working on the facts of the cave. To spend a day here and recover more then I know already would be almost impossible” Bob seemed a little defensive and Newton took pleasure in this.

“But I know, you told us yourself Bob, the cave is hit by two spectrums of light” Zis said excitedly. Bob looked a little confused, “I’ve been through the spectrums, it is only the gold that shows anything of the creators.” “Not true old bot, gold, and the purple spectrum together reveal everything,” said Zis getting more excited. “Impossible, i tried multiple spectrums, i have been in this cave for more than 10 years,” all three droids had turned to the gold and purple spectrum and what Zis spoke was the truth, a completely new layer had been applied. The words now had structure and the floating objects where covered in patterns. “I don't understand,” said Bob, “I do,” said Obi, “Once you discovered the Gold spectrum reveled information, you then would have tried all possible Spectrums, then you would have tried all possible double combinations. What time of the day did you try gold and purple?” Bob searched his data banks, and he realised where Obi was going with her train of thought. “Yes you are right Obi; it was early in the day.” Newton was lost, “What are you going on about”; Obi turned towards Newton “For both spectrums to work you need both of the suns beams to be shining into the cave. If only one is shining then it does not work. Bob had tried the spectrums early in the day; once he had tried it he saw no reason to try it again, Robot logic”.” Oh” Newton said, but he thought, “Looks like you have wasted a lot more time in this cave then me, Bob old man.”

The next few hours were spent studying the new evidence of the creators, before they all went back to the van. Bob seemed a little more tired than the rest and immediately connected his charge and switched off, Zis was a little too excited to want to power-down. “That's the first time I’ve ever discovered anything, I mean anything, and it was such a large discovery. It was important wasn't it, do you think i will become famous?” he pulsed to both Newton and Obi. Newton was beginning to wish he had taken the old bots lead and powered down when he did. “Yes you did well Zis, am sure when the records are made you will be included and if anyone studies the works of Bob d the creators, then they will read about your find,” said Obi. “Don't get too cocky kid you got lucky, Bob had already tried your method and it was just the timing” put in Newton, he knew he was being hard, but the kid was starting to grate him. “Take no notice of the old grump Zis, timing is everything. You tried it at that time so it's still you discovery” countered Obi. “Thanks Obi, i think i will power down for the night now, night all” Came Zis slightly disheartened reply. Obi pulsed Newton, “why have you always got to be like that”, “Like what” was Newton’s defensive reply. “If it's something you don't like or understand, you have to beat down on it” pulsed Obi, Newton didn't reply, “You can't beat everything in to the reams of your understanding”.”Hey, i was just telling the kid the truth” Newton’s anger was flaring again, “He just got lucky”, “Sometimes that's all you need” came Obi's reply before she powered off.

Chapter 7

The proximately alert woke Newton again it was early, but this time the other three Droids where moving around. Bob seemed to be in a more excited mood at the prospect of studying the new findings. Zis was as eager as ever, Obi was, well Newton thought you never knew what mood Obi was in. she seemed to have learnt the art of masking her mood perfectly, only on the first day when they had their standoff did she show anything.

The four droids headed towards the cave, Obi said something to Bob, “yes fine” he caught Bob replying and Obi skirted around the entrance and began to climb the outer wall. “Where are you off,” pulsed Newton to her. Obi, replied, “Am checking the water source for any further clues, apparently its forty miles northeast, do you want to come.” Newton considered it for a micron, “No thanks, first I would only slow you down, and my grills couldn't take walking in the sun’s rays.” “Ok, see you soon” and she was gone over the top of the cave. Newton quickly pulsed “Be careful”; Obi's laughter could be heard from the direction she had disappeared from. Newton entered the cave Zis was sat on his rock, and Bob was studying the side of the waterfall that Obi had been looking at yesterday. He instantly regretted not joining Obi on the trek, a bit of walking might have loosened his old joints.  

Newton sat down on the rock next to Zis, he was about to switch to the gold spectrum when something in the pool caught his eye. He stood and walked over to Bob, “Where does the water go,” Bob looked a little confused, “What,” “where does the water from the water fall go, there is no overflow here so it must exit somewhere else.” Bob realised what Newton was asking, “Oh yes, we have scanned the water and the surrounding area, there is an underground river, it travels ten miles south, then exits into an underground lake. The Lake is fed from several underground rivers it seems to be the main source of water for the whole area. The stronger plants roots reach it and most of the animals get their moister from eating the plants.” “Did you ever go down there?” continued Newton, “No” said Bob, “we did a full level scan of the area; i can give you the results to study if you like?” “I would rather look for myself, do you have rope back at the van” asked Newton, “yes”, replied Bob. “Good, i will need it on my return, tie a rock to one end and have Zis pull me up when i get back.” Bob just nodded. Newton walked over to Zis and tapped him on the shoulder, “Am just going somewhere, Bob will tell you what’s happening, i won't be long, stay out of trouble”. With that, he closed all his cooing vents and walked into the middle of the pool. Zis watched him as he disappeared below the surface of the pool.

Newton sunk no more than thirty feet down, he could still see with his normal visual sensor as the water was refracting the light. Small fish where hurriedly moving away from the new objects that had entered their home. Looking around it was easy to see the dark entrance that now beckoned him. He wondered if any cave monsters from the stories lived in water, then he remembered there were plenty of Sea monsters in the old stories so cave water monster where probable. He slowly moved towards the dark opening.  Switching his vision to the gold spectrum, he could see signs and symbols of the creators but the light was too bad to see his path, he changed to one night vision and one gold spectrum in each sensor. The tunnel took on an eerie green glow as the light being refracted in the water was magnified by a thousand. The words of the creators seemed to be just on the walls of the tunnel he was waking and no objects floated in the water. Newton walked for what seemed hours but on checking his internal clock showed one hour had only just passed, the darkness was almost complete as there was no light this far down the tunnel. Obi decided he would use his built in torch. He had put it off for as long as he could. Droids did not like to use torch's as the drain on their energy levels was unpredictable and Newton did not like the prospect of being drained of power halfway down the tunnel. A panel slid open and he powered the light on, the sensation was the opposite of using a charger. The flash of light made Newton go dizzy, he had forgotten to shut the night vision down and this almost overloaded his circuits.

“Damn” he said the light almost a physical pain. Newton quickly switched to normal vision in the sensor that he had set for night vision. The creator’s marks had dwindled now to one every twenty feet, Newton was starting to question the reason he had bothered to come down here, and then he remembered yesterday and how bored he had been. “Anyway it's nice down here, you get to see the fish.” Newton said to no one in particular. With his torch on and in normal vision, he was seeing the cave in a completely new light, the cave floor was covered in a green plant, and there were many different types of fish and shrimp like creatures. Newton noticed that all the fish had no colour and no eyes by the look of them. He wondered how they knew what to eat and where the walls where. Just then, a larger fish came around a turn just ahead, as the fish brushed past him he could feel it's electro-magnetic field touch him. The fish instantly turned and headed back the way it had come. He stopped and switched his vision sensor to the electro-magnetic range. The tunnel exploded in stream of lights, the whole tunnel was teaming and Newton just stood and watched them.

Up to point Zis and Bob had been discussing issues that had been troubling Zis, since he had been told he was chosen for something. “So you think we each have unique properties, we have been built for this fight?” asked Zis, Bob nodded “Oh yes my dear boy, the creators created many sub routines for eventualities, some call them ghost in the machines, but these ghost are all part of the bigger picture, they are there for a reason.” Zis looked at Bob, “Ok, so Obi is quick, smart and probably deadly” said Zis, “Oh she is deadly alright” said Bob, “Newton is brave, strong and determined, what do i bring to the field? I'm not as quick or strong. I am not smart or brave,“ said Zis. Bob starred at Zis, “Well the other two are easy to read, they walk around the place like two peacocks brandishing their feathers for all to see,” said Bob. “What's a peacock,” asked Zis, “It's a bird with a huge plumage that it likes to show off with,” replied Bob, then he continued “But you, your different, already we have discovered that you have a more unique skill, then the other two, for a start you are 'Lucky', and that is something that can't just be programmed in. The others can have many sub-routines that enhance their properties but Luck is on a different level, Luck can save you when being brave or smart cannot. You might have just one trait Zis, but it is up there with the best of them, probably at the top.” Zis didn't ask any more questions, he felt happy inside, that he might be useful and not a burden.

Newton had walked for another two hours before finally coming to the lake. Standing at the underwater tunnel exit, he looked at the vast lake; it was as big as his sensors could reach. But there was nothing here. If he left the cave he would struggle to get out of the bottom of the lake, he could not see the bottom of it, plus there were no more creator signs here, in fact, they had finished some time back. He turned to normal vision and started his tourch again, then started to head back, “Well that was a waste of time,” he told himself. After a while, he came to the kink in the tunnel that he had seen the larger fish turn around approaching it from this side, it looked different somehow. He looked at it more closely. It had marks on the wall's, none natural scratchers and pockets. Now he could clearly see a line along the roof. He drew his finger along the line and bits of algae fell away to revel a grove, pushing a little harder his finger pushed through and he could feel metal. He scraped along the roof of the cave until he could clearly see the metal door, which had been placed in the roof of this tunnel. He looked along the walls where the door would slide and he could see the groves that the door must travel along. It looked like it might be an airtight fit, or more appropriately a watertight fit. Now excited Newton headed back to the tunnel entrance. “Looks like the kids isn't the only lucky one.”

He eventually reached the end of the dark cave and found the rope tied to a rock. He pulsed Zis “Are you there Zis,” Zis replied, “Yep the rope is tied to a rock and i can pull as well.” Within seconds Newton was out of the pool, he vibrated to shake the water off himself, then his coolant covers slid back and the fans kicked in. He stood outside in the twin suns light and was dry in a couple of minutes. Bob walked over to him; Newton could see the gold shine of his visual sensor as he looked at him. “Did you find anything,” asked Bob? “Yes, i found a door, by the looks of it,” Newton continued to describe the door and its location. “It looks like it makes the tunnel air or watertight, but i couldn't find a switch or lever. Plus there were no power cables so i have no idea if it still works.” Bob thought for a moment, “It will still work, whenever we have found artifacts like this in the past they always still work. The power source would be from the sun or suns in this case. Usually the power source is far away from the item, as it would power many things but not use cables like our chargers. It also means that the mechanics for using this door could be anywhere on the planet as well.” “How do they get the workings in the rock, or would they just work down from above,” asked Zis as he joined the others. “Teleporters Zis, not like the big bulky things we have to use. These were devices that could be carried, by a single person, on his arm. They where an amazing race,” finished Bob wishfully. “If only we could find that switch,” remarked Zis. “Maybe i can help with that,” said Obi dropping down from the side of the entrance. All three jumped at first then relaxed as they recognized the voice. “Why so jumpy boys” Obi enquired? Bob was the first to respond “The switch, you know where it is”? “I sure do” came back the reply, Newton was not liking this feeling business, he wasn't sure if it was more a hindrance then a help, he had fought in a war and faced many enemy and not once did one make him jump as the female robot did. He looked at her again and felt an unfamiliar urge. Why had he thought of Obi as female Droids where non-sexual as they did not reproduce, they simply replicated. He jumped again as Zis's hand slammed against his shoulder, “Excellent news isn't Newton.” “What” came Newton’s slightly confused reply. “The switch, Obi has found it, along the river. Are you OK,” asked Zis with real concern in his voice? “What, yes, yes am fine, just got water in my sound wave converter, that’s all,” Newton tilted his head and banged the side just to get the point across.

Zis laughed “Whatever man” and walked back over to Obi and Bob. “Suggest we charge up tonight and start fresh in the morning before light,” said Bob “While we will slow you down one of us might discover something else unique and important to our cause.” Zis and Obi nodded in agreement. Newton was looking up at the sky, Obi walked over to him. “Oh the bird you noticed him, he has been following me for a while ever since i exited the woods. I've no idea if he is looking to eat me or just attracted to my shiny exterior” Newton laughed, “I imagine he would find you pretty tough to swallow if he had tried.” “Hey,” Obi said punching Newton’s arm. Both of them shouted “OW,” Obi rubbed her hand and Newton his arm, then both burst in to laughter, Bob and Zis looked at each other and started laughing also. “So it starts,” thought Bob, “So it starts.”

Chapter 8

It was the third night without the Flow and Newton was really starting to miss it, he had never felt so alone while in the company of other droids. The days where fine but in the nights before powering off Newton would stand in his harness looking out through the window wondering what was happening that was causing headline news, stories or just trashcan gossip. This night Obi and Zis had been excited by the findings and their trip tomorrow, but both had powered down within thirty minutes of being connected. Bob as in the two previous nights had powered down immediately. Newton set his proximity sensor on maximum; he was determined to be woken up by Obi or Bob tomorrow. He remembered the last time he hadn't set his proximity sensor. It was during the Krakchim war, he was guarding a supply base on Luna 9984432 a moon in the Trollpeg system. It was an important supply for the defense of the planet; the planet was one of the seven secondary Droid worlds. He was almost dry his energy levels where that low, but the Krakchim had kept on attacking, they most of killed hundreds of thousand, but it felt now more like millions. He had been given leave to charge, an eight hour time span, but for full charge to take effect in that time it was a full power down. But the solder knew if you left your proximity sensor off it would only take 6 hours. They all did it, the fighting was many clicks away and no enemy would be brave enough to attack the camp, it didn't make logical sense as it would be a slaughter. Newton sighed, the Krakchim where not a logical race, they did attack and died in their hundreds, but they achieved their goal and destroyed the supply. Trollpeg defenses where dry within a month, millions of Droid where destroyed as the Krakchim’s where allowed to fly right into the populated cities. He knew by percentages that he wouldn't had made a difference but he always set his proximity sensor now. He powered off.

Newton’s visual sensors flicked to operational. He was confused because he wasn't in the van anymore. He was outside; he looked up and saw the four moons that were locked in orbit with Luna 9984432. His systems raced now how could he be here, why was here, he could feel panic swelling in him, his thoughts became too fragmented to follow, then he switched his visual sensors off and back on again, he was still on the moon. I must be having a short circuit somewhere, I was thinking about this place so my visual and memory core must have come together somehow, He did a system check, but everything was fine. He did a quick scan and it came back as the moon he know it would. He disconnected his charger and took a step. He half expected the earth to crumble and for him to fall into nothingness, but all that happened was a small cloud dust around his foot erupted and dies back down as gravity took effect. He checked his internal clock, it was the night of the attack, he had an hour before it happened and he was only half charged. He didn't know how or why, but he did know he had a chance to do things different. He left his other colleagues and went to see the ammunition droid.

The way droids army, worked different to normal chain of command all are allowed to pretty much do what they wanted as they always followed orders, but certain items still needed stock level checks. “I need forty sentry guns and forty mines,” Newton, did not know where the first attack had begun as he was powered down. But he know the real target, while the main camp was attacked from the east, a group of a hundred Krakchim had sneaked into the camp to blow up a small reactor, this started a chain reaction in the main supply lines.

“Not tonight” he said. The supply droid came over with the requested items, “What is the purpose of this subtraction of supplies,” Newton replied, “To save a world,” and took the hover trolley and left. He approached the other solders that had powered down, about twenty in total; he struck the first in line hard on the head. The droid immediately switched on and adopted a fighting stance. “Wake the others, there will be an attack in thirty minutes,” Newton said. Rubbing his head the now fully awake robot replied “Yes Sir” and turned to the next in line. So stupid thought Newton, what if i was an imposter, because i gave an order they automatically promotes me, because am a Droid and Droids don't lie. Shaking his head he turned in the direction of the power station, it is a wonder we ever won this war. “Follow Me,” Newton barked and the twenty droids followed.

They reached the power station just as the first attack was pulsed; the camp was being swarmed from the east. The Droid that Newton had struck on the head approached him. “Sir, shouldn’t we assist with the defense of the base” he said, Newton looked at the solder he had plenty of laser scars from past battles, but there was nothing in his voice, his visual sensors  looked pale, he could tell there was no “wanting” to defend the base, just the fact that he know he should. “The creators sure did fuck us up, didn't they,” was Newton’s reply. “Am sorry sir i have no idea what you’re referring to, the questions was about the base, and if we should defend it” was the robots said reply. “No Dent, we have more important stuff to do, now, you and your men go set up the sentry guns, i want a full covering sweep with over lapping arches, then set the mines in a complete perimeter.” Newton answered, “The mines not to close to each other or the guns, i don't want a domino effect where one Krakchim takes out all our defenses”. “Yes Sir”, replied the robot Newton had named Dent. Fifteen minutes later a pulse for all hands to defend the gate was called, Dent strolled over to Newton, but before he could ask Newton said “No Dent this is more important”. Dent walked away and continued to set the sentry guns with the others.

It was all set, the guns and the mines covered the whole area and Newton had explained that the power station and the reactor inside were the real target and the reason for the main base attack. Not one questioned him; all stood waiting for an order, and Newton sighed inside and then told the men to take a defensive position in and around the building. Newton himself took to the roof with three others. He had no idea from which direction the attack would come, but they were ready. He hoisted his plasma gun to his shoulder; the magnetic grip ensured no kickback from the gun. He scanned the horizon for activity. He flicked casually through the visual spectrums of light, then realised that he didn’t have this function at the time of this attack; this was from a recent upgrade. “What the hell” he thought, just then movement from his right showed up. Zooming in he could make out three figures out of rife range at the crest of the hill. They were lying on their stomachs. How could he have been so stupid, they would have had scouts watching the place? They had watched as the robots had placed every mine and now knew they had sentry guns surrounding the place, they would have expected no resistance at all. If I had sneaked the team into the building we could have taken a hundred Krakchim by surprise, we might have lost six or seven but it would have been over quickly. Now though he had strengthened the defences of the power station ten folds, but in doing so he had warned the enemy, that they have a fight on their hands. Newton cursed under his breath, then pulsed Dent to beware of the movement, Dent didn’t respond, “Individual Pulsing” hadn’t been released at this time just the main base had access, Newton cursed again. “Dent” he called, “Movement on the right about twenty-two clicks away”, Dent waved his hand to signal that he had received the message and he had spotted them.

Newton’s fears were realised when he heard the first whistle of a mortar travelling through the air, Newton knew the Krakchim mortars wouldn't dent a droid, but it would explode a mine making them useless. The first mortar shell exploded but missed the mine, the Krakchim where just getting their range he thought. The second mortar exploded and then a second explosion confirmed that the mine had been struck. For the next half an hour the Mortars rained down, Newton countered them as they exploded, thirty-nine, and forty. That was the last of them. Next he heard another mortar shell, whistle as it headed towards the sentry guns. Before it hit the sentry gun burst into life shattering the mortar shell. Newton could still see the scouts watching, he pulled some sort of device to his mouth, and Newton imagined it must be a communications device of some sort. Everything went quite, the mortars where useless against the sentry guns. The original power plant was destroyed be a force of no more than a hundred, it must have been some Elite force, but a hundred would be shredded to bits by the forty sentry guns, backed up by the armed droids that now guarded the place. Newton lay on the roof, “thinking your move scum.” Everything was deathly quiet until a single shot could be heard followed by the sound of metal on metal, “What was that,” called Newton, “report.” One of the other droids shouted back, “It’s one of the guns Sir, it has fallen over, I think they shot one of its legs”. Another shot and another gun collapsed to the ground. “Are any of you equipped with a sniper rifle” asked Newton.” Another of the robots stepped forward, I do sir. Another gunshot another sentry gun went down, “Get up here quick” Newton was already scanning the horizon for a heat signature, he found it in a bush, behind a tree. Another gun crashed to the ground, Four guns down that left quite an opening. “The sniper bot set up his gun, a small tripod gave the long and heavy gun extra stability. “Over there 600 hundred clicks” he said pointing to the Krakchim he could see “infra-red”. The sniper nodded in agreement, another sentry gun became useless. The droids own sniper took his shot, Newton watched as the body crumpled to the ground and slowly the heat disappeared from the target. “Good shot,” he said, “Now do you see the two targets over there, Newton pointed to the scouts, “Yes Sir” replied the Sniper, “Take them out as well” said Newton. The sniper moved to face the scouts, the one with the communications device was dead before he realised he had been hit, the other had some sort of visual aid and was moving before the sniper had fired his first shot, he had disappeared behind the hill, by the time the sniper fired again, but the sniper had calculated the angle and aimed for where the second Krakchim would be if his speed had remained correct. The bullet hit the ground taking a slight deflection off a stone that was in the hill. This changed its direction, and it exited the other side taking a chunk out of the arm of the escapee.

A flare was fired into the sky; this was normally the sign of a Krakchim attack as they needed the light more than droids. True to form the Krakchim’s swarmed over the hill. Krakchim’s where huge beast matching in height most battle droids, they had the look of giant insects and ran on all six legs, the sentry guns kicked into action killing row upon row, confusion flared in the robot troops because the attack came from the opposite side to the weakened defences. Newton knew the guns would overheat or just shear numbers would out weight them, he saw the swarm getting closer to the guns as he thought it. Two stopped firing as they over heated Droids took their place in the wall trying to give them time to cool, another gun was crushed under the weight of the attack, the Krakchim’s once passed the wall stood on two legs and brandished many different weapons to attack the defenders. He saw Dent rip an arm from an attacker, with the axe still in the attackers hand; another Krakchim fired all four guns at once taking the head off another droid.

Newton watched from the rooftop slowly picking his targets. The ebb and flow of the battle seemed to be in slow motion, never before had Newton noticed so much detail, felt sick at the sight of solders on both sides dying. The sentry guns behind him began to whirl into live, time sped up, as he jumped up and ran across the roof top. He could not see what the targets where of the sentry guns, but he was glad he had his men to overlap the sentry guns scanning. This would be the attack by the elite force, he knocked the sniper “See anything” he questioned, the sniper did not respond, his head lolled to one side and where the bullet had entered could be seen clearly. In one swift motion he jumped down from the roof, he thought he heard the sound of the sniper rifle, but over the din of battle, he was not a hundred percent sure, if he imagined it or not. He called Dent over from the fighting, “You get three men over here; we are to defend this side.” Dent moved swiftly, signaling to three others that were not engaged in battle to follow him. The five Droids waited, Dent spoke “Sir shouldn't we enforce the defense am not sure of the success rate of our current defenses?” Newton looked at Dent, did he really want to get back to the fighting and help out the other droids, or was that all just about calculations. “No, Dent look, we are about to have our own fun,” replied Newton. They started to filter into the flairs light. Newton had read much on the Krakchim elite forces after the war, and in truth was a little bit excited at the thought of facing them. At least a foot taller than the cannon fodder they had sent in first, this one he recognized from the dark red warrior markings on their bodies and faces. The Chill-banes, named after the legend in Krakchim history Rime Chill-bane, the Chill’s where giants from the North on Krakchim home world, they used the Krakchim as food and slaves, until Rime lead a rebellion. He freed his people. The Chill-banes where known for their effectiveness in getting things done, you had to be a special breed to get in their ranks, and trained from youth.

They relinquished powered weapons and instead used only ones that could be forged by their own hands; they did this in respect for Rime as he only faced the enemy with a weapon forged by himself. Part of the initiation to manhood was to make your own weapon, and to kill a fellow student with it. “Attack,” Newton screamed as he ran into their ranks, as he reached the first he remembered that they excelled at hand-to-hand combat.

Dent and the others didn't respond to Newton’s war cry at first, they had never been asked to  'Attack' anything before since the day they were switched on. But once Newton had reached the first Krakchim and beheaded him, they soon followed. Newton had switched his hands into points allowing with enough force to penetrate the hard exterior of the Krakchim. They were taken back at first, not expecting the Robots to do anything until they had attacked first, this was unexpected, and Newton loved every moment of it. He had taken three out before the Krakchim even began to fight back, but now he was surrounded by a mass of them each clawing or slamming lumps of metal against him. It was only then that the Krakchim’s realised that they weren’t the real target for Newton, As he forged a way through their ranks he reached the broken sentry gun, grabbing it, and lifting it up it began to whirl into life cutting a line of Krakchim down in front of it. Placing the gun under one arm Newton headed towards another, panic hit the Krakchim ranks. Newton reached the second gun, now with two under his control he swung in half circles. He thought, “You might not use guns but we sure do, you arseholes.” As he swung back towards Dent and the others he could see two of the droids had already gone down. Dent was fighting like he was possessed, and another robot was standing with his back to dent, in that instant he noted that the two defended and attacked as one, and that they worked better for it.

The Krakchim’s saw his chance and dived for Newton’s back the sheer force of this additional weight, toppled Newton forward before he had a chance to adjust, he face crashing into the earth. Other Krakchim’s took this opportunity and jumped on the back of Newton, the weight was proving to much as Newton tried to stand. He felt his arms being pulled, his metal cover was being twisted and the wiring was being stretched. Newton knew his nuts and bolts couldn't take much more and internal systems started to shut down, his emergency back up had started to transmit the data files that would be needed when he was rebuilt. This is the end he thought, his rage building, he know he was going to die but that meant little to a droid, his rage was such, because he knew he had failed to protect the power plant, his anger boiled because he know the mistakes he had made would cost the planet. He screamed as his left arm was ripped from his body, the trailing wires sparked at the end. A word popped into his visual sensor, the word in red letters completed a sentence. The sentence flashed lazily “Initiate self destruct” it read, just flashing there on and off. If Droids could grin, Newton was grinning now. Confirming the order a countdown began from 10, Newton didn't even feel his second arm being hacked at an elbow joint. 8... it flashed, Newton wondered what the blast zone was, 6...he hoped Dent wasn't too close, 4...he wished he could see the Krakchim’s faces when they realised what was happening, 1...Newton wished he could see Obi again. The light ripped through him, strangely he felt no pain, after the light was only darkness.

Chapter 10

Newton’s proximity sensor went off, “What the hell”, he screamed while trying to find cover, he was still being held, his ripped away from it and turned his visual sensors back on, he was confused, everything was white, “where am I.” Turning around he saw Zis in a corner cowering from him, the door of the van swung open and Obi dived in, with an energy dagger in her hand.

“What is wrong with you man, you nearly took my head off,” Zis accused Newton? “Am sorry, am sorry, I don't know, am confused,” Newton wasn't making sense. Obi walked over to him, she placed a hand on his shoulder and looked straight at him, “are you ok now,” he looked at her and then around the room, 20 seconds ago I was willing to die, he shook his head as if trying to shake the memory of the battle out, “Yes, I’m fine now.” Obi looked behind him, “shame the same can't be said about your harness,” Newton looked at the wrecked harness, and began to laugh, “I thought someone had hold of me”. Zis headed to the door, Newton called after him “Am sorry Zis.” “Whatever,” came Zis reply.

Now with only Obi and Newton in the room, Obi's mood turned more serious, “You want to talk about it”. Newton shook his head “No, would rather not.” He looked at Obi, standing face to face, “maybe later.” “Ok” she said and as she turned, Newton pulsed “It's nice to see you anyway”. Obi turned back to face him, “I've been here all the time”, “I know” he said and turned for the door.

Obi lead the way, the pace was slowed down by the company, Zis was pretty quick and could have kept up even at full pace, maybe, but Newton wasn’t built for speed. Although they where similar in height, Newton was at least twice as wide as Obi and Newton wasn't the slowest by any means Bob had two speeds slow and stop. Zis suggested that he might walk quicker if he walked backwards. The whole group seemed in good spirit, Zis and Newton had seemed to have put this morning incident behind them. Bob seemed more concerned about Newton then the mesh that had been his harness and charger. Newton was still cagey if you approached the subject head-on, but she had no doubt he would tell them all in his own time. Obi calculated at their current speed, what took her half a day to achieve was going to take a full day and a bit, but the old goat Bob wouldn't be hurried. His speed wasn't the only problem; quite often he would see something off the path have to study it. She wondered if it was a delay tactic, she thought the old robot wasn't completely telling the truth all the time, the reasons for her questioning him in the cave was she had a feeling about him. It was one of her skills, integration. She know when information was being held back and she had that same feeling with Bob, it was like an itch that could only be scratched when the truth was out.

She thought the worse in everyone, but put it down to the way she had been programmed. She could generally read people or droids pretty well and she didn't think Bob had a bad bone in his body, but it was like Zis, he was a lot smarter then he let on, several times she had caught traces of him filtering the sound waves to her the conversations she was having with bob, and watching him now scale a rock face with such grace, she had second thoughts about him keeping up with her. I might be pushed to keep up with him. Then there was Newton, Big, brave and headstrong. That day in the cave when they nearly came to blows excited her a little she always enjoyed a good scrap and Newton looked like he  could handle himself. But he was as honest as a sun is hot, not too clever, but clever enough not to be stupid. She liked him, she realised then in the day light as he helped Bob up the small rock face, that she liked him a lot.

Newton had checked his memory banks and nothing had changed the power plant still fell and was not defended, he didn't understand the events where still clear in his memory bank, the fighting the mistakes he made, the self destruction. He wondered if that was part of the upgrade as well, never dying before he hadn't seen it. He missed the flow more than ever at that moment, he had so much to research, so many questions. He watched Zis running ahead and wondered how old he really was, turning back he looped the rope around his waist and hosted Bob up the cliff face, It was only a small one, but Bob had struggled with the last one and this was the quickest way to get him up. Newton was glad he had brought the rope now. He felt Obi close behind him; it was as if she generated a field of energy that was warm to the touch. She placed her arms around him and they both pulled together. Newton was happy for the help and enjoyed the closeness of Obi. The rope slipped and Bob dropped a foot or so, Obi tightened her grip, “This old bot, weighs more than his parts should” said Obi; “either that or he generates his own gravity field.” said Newton between pulls. Bob's hand could be seen reaching over the edge; he slowly pulled himself up the rest of the way. Newton was wrapping the rope around himself, as Bob walked past Newton and Obi he looked at them and said, “Am at the perfect ratio of model and parts thank you very much,” then continued to carry on walking in the direction that Zis was headed. Newton and Obi looked at each other, then both started laughing, Newton thought he was going o blow something, before he could stop.

For the rest of the day Bob didn't say much but every time Obi caught Newton looking at her they began to chuckle again. “How much further is it” asked Zis, they had reached the woods, but Zis thought it must be a forest as it goes on forever.”Obi” he said, as Obi seemed to be in a world of her own, “What” she replied, “How much further is it” asked Zis again. “Not far, it would take me fifteen minutes, but with Bob stopping every five seconds, probably an hour”, Obi answered, she turned to look at Bob to see if he was keeping up, but he had disappeared again. She pulsed Newton “Where is Bb now”, “I thought he was with you lot, up front” came the immediately reply, “Damn” she said out loud.

Zis turned “What's up,” he enquired. “Bob, that’s what is up,” Obi stopped and looked around the wood, “BOB,” she called as load as her vocal transmitters would let her. Zis called next followed by Newton, “Should we separate to look for him,” asked Zis. “No, we could all end up lost,” answered Newton as he joined the other two. “For someone so old he sure does move quickly and quietly when he wants too,” said Zis. Obi closed her visual sensors and took a moment to search for the correct scanner she wanted. She closed off her sound receptors, rose her hand to her noise producer “shush,” she said, “give me one minute.” The other two droids stopped in their tracks and looked at each other, Newton just shrugged. Obi started to run the sensor programme she wanted, it began like a small globe around her, she could feel the life, in the air, she was almost overpowered by the life in the soil, immediately she felt the coldness of the two droids beside her, she concentrated and pushed the globe out further. She picked up a small rodent scurrying amongst the leaves and just past that a snake that was tracking it, still she pushed it further, the trees surrounding her, she could almost feel them breathing, growing both above and below ground. A bird entered her sensor as it passed through the invisible barrier; she wished she could see what the bird could see. Then as she concentrated on the bird the globe shifted and shrunk around the bird, her internal vision shifted and no longer was she looking at the electronic display of life the sensor had displayed, but she was looking at the forest from above, she almost fell loosening her grip and the vision started to fade. She straightened knowing it couldn't be true, but concentrating once again on the bird, its vision returned to her. The bird was huge and powerful, it seemed bigger than anything she had seen before and she felt its self importance that came with its size. Nothing would dare attack me, it thought, am the biggest and bravest, left she thought and the bird flew to the left. She could see herself, Zis and Newton standing in the clearing, she wished to zoom in and she or rather the bird did. She could make out Newton’s war damage in fine detail. Moving past the three of them, she looked back the way they had come and there was no sign of Bob behind them, she then guided the bird east and while she could see the edge of the wood there was no sign of Bob still. The bird wanted to fly west, she didn't know how she knew this, and she just did. She thought the words “Find him” and flashed an image of Bob, the bird cried and flew to the edge of the woods there was Bob sitting on a log, looking lost. She thanked the bird and released him, returning to her own internal display of the sensor, she now sent it west. It raced past everything until it came against the same cold feeling that she felt earlier. The distance was now recorded, and she switched on her other sensors. “West” she said, just then she heard the hawk call in agreement. The other two had no reason to doubt her and followed her as she set a quick pace.

Ten minutes later Obi came across the log Bob had been sitting on, he wasn't there now, but a blind bot could follow his tracks leading further north-west. Zis appeared in to the clearing, than Newton followed, not far behind. “This way,” she called and was off again. “I'll be dry before sunset at this pace,” Said Newton. Zis didn't wait and was off again tracing Obi's steps. Newton shook his head “He best not be far, the old bucket of bolts”. Zis over took Obi, the tracks to Bob where easy to follow and he didn't feel the need to hold back in his running anymore. He could see the edge of the woods, within ten paces.

As he reached the end of the woods he realised to late to stop that the ground disappeared over a large cliff face, he twisted around, but his weight carried him towards the edge, he instantly produced his scythe and tried to dig it into a tree, but the trees by the edge where wind battered and thin, his left hand scythe just passed through it like it was a stork of wheat. Still moving towards the edge he flung himself to the ground and dug his right scythe into the ground. The soil was thin by the edge and he struck stone, starting to panic now, he pounded his left against the stone floor and sparks flew as he skidded to the edge. Zis did something that he had promised to never do again, he cried out for help. Obi had noticed the dip in the floor at the thinning of the trees and had slowed her pace, Zis had been too quick and was already going over before she could pulse a warning. She stopped as Zis's attempt to stop himself from going over failed, the sparks dying out as he left the ground, she heard his pulse for help, but ignored it. She shut her visual sensors down and sent out a message to the Hawk, that had helped them find Bob, she saw Zis slipping and immediately powered after him through the bird, it dived at amazing speed, its heart beating with an unnatural calmness. She could see Zis now, he was falling, but the bird was catching up. As it approached him it almost flew under him, Obi knew the bird was back in partial control now but still willing to do what she needed. It spread its wings, slowing its decent and pulled its huge claws out. The claws clamped on Zis's shoulders, the weight of the robot and the speed of the fall almost too much, the Hawk pieced Zis's outer shell as it tightened again, they where both still falling, but the powerful wings where starting to have an effect. Zis looked down at the ground; it was still coming too quick for him not to be crushed. The hawk flapped its powerful wings again and again, “am too heavy am going to kill us both,” thought Zis. Looking at the ground again, it started to shift forward as well as up. Obi couldn’t watch but had to remain in the mind of the bird, the ground was looming fast, slowly the bird took the acceleration downward and changed it in to a forward motion, thirty feet Obi thought.  

Obi knew what she had to do, it was the timing of the act that mattered, twenty feet, Zis pulsed “Tell Newton am sorry I couldn't help him fight”, fifteen feet, Obi made the bird release if's grip and then released her control over it, Zis was flying forward quicker now then heading down, he was surprised that the bird released him. This is it he thought, am going to be switched off permanently. Obi pulsed Zis, she was almost screaming into his head, “ROLL YOU IDOT”, Zis immediately moved to make his body as round as possible. The soil was softer here and when Zis first struck it, he entered the soil creating a two foot deep creator, which stretched thirty feet before he struck a rock that solid and in his path, this lifted him ten feet in the air, but his pace had slowed considerably. As the world spun round at an incredible pace he could hear the squawks of protest as the giant bird struck the ground behind him, the release of its burden hadn’t been enough for it to avoid the ground, but it didn't hit with any of the force Zis did. Zis kept rolling, striking the now rocky floor. He crashed into something and a loud snap followed, Zis hoped it wasn't part of him. He struck something else again it followed a snap, each time he slowed in speed, it seemed to go on for eternity, but in fact it was less than twenty seconds, he struck something again, but this time his movement stopped completely and he rolled back, scared to use his visuals sensors, he tried to straighten. He couldn't use his arm; there was no response from it. He switched on his sensors; the sight that greeted him was one of destruction. His pathway had been carved first through the ground and then through a wood of dead trees, he looked around him, the last tree he hit had been the last of the trees in the dead wood and just past that was a drop even bigger than the one he had just experienced. He went to place his right arm on the tree to thank it for saving him, but again there was no response from it. He looked down at the twisted metal; wires and motors, bent and torn out of place. “Are you ok”, came the frantic pulse from Obi, “Am fine, think I broke my arm though,” he answered “Where did the bird come from, I would have been scrap if it wasn't for him?” Obi was a little sheepish in her reply, when she explained that she thinks that she might have had control over it somehow, but she wasn't sure. A noise disturbed Zis and he spun round to see Bob standing there, “Why didn't you use the stairs like a sane droid would,” looking at the drop Bob struck the tree that had saved Zis, walking past him Zis could hear him mutter “Lucky, that one I tell you,” to himself.

The giant Hawk was still squawking, even after Zis had gotten the location of the stairs from Bob, and then pulsed it to Obi and Newton. They had taken the long walk down. All four robots surrounded the bird, it looked worriedly back at them, but still couldn’t fly away. It held its left wing close to its body, it had nearly taken Zis's head off as he approached it, so the rest stayed back and left Obi try and help the bird. She reached out with her mind and her hand, she could feel that the bird was in pain and frightened, it had never been injured in its life and now felt vulnerable not being able to take to the sky at will. Obi numbed its pain, she didn't know how she was doing it, but it felt natural and instinctual.

Newton was looking at Zis's arm, he had pulled it and twisted it, Zis felt the metal bend with the immense force that Newton had at his disposal, “I don't think I have much chance of using it again, until I get to a proper repair shop,” said Zis casually. “Quite,” ordered Newton, “I dealt with worse during the war.”

Obi was stroking the huge birds head now, it seemed a lot more relaxed and in a lot less pain, it nuzzled into her. Bob wandered over to Newton, “Maybe you should look at the bird’s wing first, as he is the hero here”. Newton looked up at Bob, “What could I do, I know nothing of flesh and blood.” “I think you might surprise yourself, give it ago, the lucky one will still be here.” Newton dropped Zis's arm and walked towards the bird. The bird snapped as he approached it, narrowly missing Newton’s head. “Woo there big fella,” Newton called out, Obi stroked the birds head, willing the tension out of him, she pulsed Newton, “You can approach now, I’ve told him you are here to help him get back to the skies.” “Thanks,” Newton quickly pulsed back. Newton studied the huge bird, imagine the power in that thing, he thought. He could see where the wing was snapped, it was on a straight part and not a joint, so that was a good thing. Gently he lifted the feathers. The huge bird squawked and spun round clattering it beak against Newton’s head. The blow sent the droid falling over, the bird flapped its good wing, Obi tried to calm the bird, it slowly settled after numerous squawks in Newton’s direction. Newton picked himself up, walking over to Bob who was sitting on a log next to Zis. “See I can do nothing for the animal.” Bob didn't take his look off Obi, “Wait one second she has a way with the creature.” Newton turned to look back at Obi and the hawk. Again it was nuzzled into her, like a pet getting the attention off its master. Obi stroked the huge creature’s neck and then she gave a sharp chop half way down. The bird slumped to the ground. She walked over to the group looking at Newton. “Be quick,” she said, “I have no idea how long he will be out.” Bob stood offering Obi his seat. Newton walked over to the bird.

You could see it breathing, but still in any other movement, slowly he picked the wing up again, conscious of the bird, as he didn't want another smack on the head. He plucked out feathers around the break. They were broken and useless now, at first he did this slowly then increased his speed because the bird kept still. Now with the bone visible he studied the break. The bone it's self was the thickness of a average humanoids leg, but weighed a lot less due to the bone being hollow. It was a clean break and it should heal as long as a strong light splint could be put in place. Looking around, he noticed Zis's destruction. He moved to one of the hollow trees that had been snapped. Picking the dead dry wood up he was glad to feel that it had hardly any weight. He called Zis over. Zis came over looking at the line of trees he took out. “Your good arm, can you split this in two and clean cut both ends”, he asked, Zis nodded “Hold it out”. Zis took second to complete the task, Newton held the freshly made splints up “Perfect,” he said. Zis went back to the group. Straightening the wing out as best he could, Newton was impressed with the wing span of the bird, this wing alone must have been twenty-five to thirty feet long.

Newton placed both ends of the break to each other. “Use some mud on the wound, it will stop infection and speed up the healing process, the mud has lots of minerals from the mountains”, Bob said from behind him. Pushing the break ends together, Newton, packed mud over the cracks. Once a thin layer had been applied he placed the first splint under the bone and the second on top. Next he took his rope and slit it in to finer strands, “if the weight is too much he won't be able to use it,” he thought, but it has to be strong enough to stop him from peaking it off. Wrapping a single thread around his contraption, he tied the thread on the inside of the splint, away from the beak. “That’s all I can do,” Newton said, turning to Bob, Bob nodded, “Am sure it will work fine.” Both of them returned to Obi and Zis sat on the log.

All four starred at the bird as it lay there.”It’s waking up,” said Obi. As she spoke the bird opened its eyes then lifted its head to look around. It saw the group and stared at them accusingly. It stood up to its full height of fifteen feet and spread its wings. It looked at its damaged one flapping it slightly, then it noticed the crudely made splint, it pecked at it several times. Newton was anxious if it didn't hold, then the bird would be stuck here and might even die. The hawk moved its head closer to the splint examining it more closely, then turned to look at the group again, Zis jumped as the hawk gave a loud squawk in their directions. It flapped both wings, the left one slower in the upward movement because of the extra weight, still the bird flapped, faster and faster. Then suddenly it stopped, “What's wrong,” asked Zis to Obi, Bob knocked him “Shush, they are saying good bye,” as Bob's words finished the huge hawk took three huge flaps and was gone back into the sky, the force the wings produced blow Zis off the log. The others fell about laughing at him.

Newton turned to Bob, “Now old man why where you down here again, if you don't stop wondering about am going to tie this rope around you and keep you on a leash.” “There is no need for that, I just wanted to see something our planetary scan picked up and as we are close to the location. I thought I would be there and back before you noticed I had gone. It not my fault the kid took that time to learn sky diving is it.” “What’s sky diving,” asked Zis confused. Obi leaned over, “I think it’s when you dive into the sky,” her sarcasm lost on the newer of the group. “Well if we all stay at the slowest pace of the group,” he looked at Bob, “and stay together we should make it in one piece,” added Newton. “Come on, let’s go,” Zis and Obi stood and started to follow Newton, Bob remained seated. The three of them stopped and turned, Newton was about to say something, but Bob spoke first, “So you have all come this far, you might as well see what I came down to see.” Zis started to walk back towards Bob, the other two stayed still, Zis noticed he was alone, he turned to Obi and Newton, “Can we see it please.” Obi and Newton looked at each other, and then grudgingly started to walk back towards the old droid. Bob stood and walked towards the second cliff edge that Zis had nearly gone over, but was saved by a tree. The whole group followed him. Upon reaching the edge Bob pointed, as first none of the group could make out what it was he was pointing at. Obi was the first of the others to understand, “Wow” she said. Then Zis saw it, “That's as big as a city, how could none droids make that?” The words of Zis helped Newton who had been searching for a small object, now as he zoomed out he understood. It was the power-dish the creators had built to power everything they needed, it was over grown now by the forest that was on the next level down, but you could still see patches of the reflective surface. Making out the outline Newton worked out that it must be fifty mile diameter. Not quite as big as most cities, but large enough. “Why build it in a valley, surly it would make sense to build it up high, where it would receive the most light?”, “Err,” said Bob, “you’re looking at its location today, but this is older than the time we understand.” He took a broken branch from a dead tree and knelt by the edge, slowly he scraped away the dry soil. Then he called Zis over, looking at his damaged arm he pressed his fingers to a small leak of hydraulic oil, then he rubbed the ground. After a couple of seconds he removed his hand, where he had been rubbing, it was like a mirror as it sparked in the sunlight. “You see this whole valley is comprised of a metal stone called ‘Necly’, it deflects light,” Bob said as he stood, “this all would have been carved and pointed to the generator you see on the valley floor. But what you see know is many millennium of time and nature always takes back what is her own.”  

The rest of the journey was pretty uneventful, which Newton was please about. Obi was quite as they walked almost withdrawn I herself. Newton had asked a couple of times if anything was up, but she just shook her head and said she was fine. Zis paced had slowed down to a crawl and his arm dangled next to him clanging as he walked, after an hour of walking Newton suggested tying it down in case it done any more damage while swinging and banging. Zis was quite happy to do this, Newton noticed that Zis was less buoyant mood than usual, “what's up with you apart from your arm,” he asked Zis. “Its, I could have ceased back there, do you realise what that means.” Newton thought on this for a second, “No, what? You would have been restored.” “Yes,” said Zis, “but we haven't been connected to the flow in days. Think back to the last time we updated, am not that person anymore, and I don't want to be either.” Zis paused in thought before continuing, “When I was created, something went wrong, am told. I was a glitch, in an experiment, if I got reloaded, it would be in a normal harvester. You know the big ones; I wouldn't be me literally, not in what I think or what I am. Most of the time I’ve been ‘on’ I’ve wanted to be a normal harvester but not now, not after this.” “Well,” said Newton, “that's simple to fix, just don't die.” He walked forward, Bob was actually leading the group, walking along side him, Newton spoke to him in a quiet voice, “That's strange.” Bob understanding the need to talk answered, “What's weird, Newton.” “Zis just told me he was an experiment that went wrong, a glitch when he was made.” “What's strange about that, given the number of droids created there will always be an acceptable number of errors.” “Yes, I understand that,” said Newton, “but I had a glitch in my process, my outer casing is five times the normal for my make and model and my internal structure have a higher strength metal than normal.” “And you both answered the call, maybe you’re not a mistake with the system, maybe it's just you destiny” Bob answered, and then sped up ending the conversation. Newton pulsed Obi, “Did you have a problem when you where created, both me and Zis, had glitches in our process, Bob say's its destiny, but you would need to be included in the misfits family for this to be true.” “No,” she pulsed back. “I knew the old man talked shit,” thought Newton. The pulsed Obi, “Well I was meant to be fitted with a male signature, but a female one got put in, they said it was a glitch. But apart from that no, nothing.”

The first sun had set by the time they reached the outpost where the switch was located. It included several huts, now covered in vines and plants, the switch was a big red button on a silver platform, I keyhole next to it. As you stood on the platform it was raised over the river. Newton noticed a huge door that looked like it slid across the river, stopping the river flow, behind that was an area that would turn in to a lake. “No, said Bob if we don't power down soon I fear we won't make it back,” said Bob. Zis nervously checked his levels, he had only just used over a quarter. “Don't the magical creators have some sort of portable charger we could fit as a ring,” mocked Newton. “Well,” countered Bob, “they did have nano power units, that could power all four of us, but we lack the technology to use them.” Newton pulsed Zis, “should have known”. The second sun was just setting as Bob approached Obi, “I take it you inspected the buildings, Obi”. Obi nodded, “Yes, most are empty, apart from that one, there seems to be mechanical parts, I think”. “Let’s go and see” said Newton heading in the direction Obi had said. The other three followed close behind.

Newton opened two huge metal doors and entered, it was dark inside, the sun almost completely disappeared over the horizon. Bob entered next, “I wonder” he said then walked to the walls, as Zis entered he called him over, “Zis, you have lights don't you, can you shine over there.” Zis switched his lights on; only one actually worked his other damaged. “No, shine it height, on the wall,” insisted Bob. Zis did as he was told, a metal plate was visible halfway up the wall, it looked small to Zis, but then Zis had no idea how big the creators where. Bob pressed his hand on the panel and lights in the ceiling started to glow, some shattered with age but most just flicked and either worked or died. Half of the work shop was now in a yellow glow. “What is that noise,” complained Zis. Bob laughed, “That is the sound of the protons in the gas being struck by electricity, causing them to glow. The noise was beyond the creators listening sensors.” “I thought the creators could do anything, how can they be so limited in their sensors,” again mocked Newton. “Oh but Newton, they created devices to compensate for their limitation, until they passed into time,” answered Bob. “How do you know that, how do you know any of this, and what proof do you have,” asked Newton more aggressively then he had intended. Bob didn't seem to take offence; in fact he started to laugh. “What are you laughing at you bag of bolts,” Newton asked stepping in close to Bob. Both Zis and Obi tensed. Bob put a hand on Newton’s shoulder, “Dear Newton, can you hear the noise.” Newton nodded, “like a barrel of beeder beetles.” “Then there is your proof,” said Bob releasing Newton from his grip. Newton seemed to relax as the words sunken in, then his mood softened completely and he started to chuckle to himself, crazy old bastard, thought Newton.

“Can we stop the sound because I can't concentrate on anything else,” asked Obi. “Yes,” replied Bob, “Audio channels 443 to 449 disable them, this will cancel it out.” They all did this and were glad when the noise ceased. Newton decide to inspect some cupboards that where are the wall. On opening the third one along the wall, he called Zis over excitedly. The whole group came over to see what Newton was so excited about. Hanging on the wall where robotic arms, similar in size and look to Zis's. “I don’t believe it,” said Obi. “Pick an arm,” Newton said, slamming Zis on his good shoulder. Bob looked at the cupboard and at the brightly sparkling arms, and then he looked at Zis, “lucky, lucky boy,” he said, then walked away.

Kendra, cancelled the nano memory, “god, how boring, what was the point of this.” He moved around the room he had been given to stay, usual to robot accommodation, it was a small compact place. He relaxed on the couch that was in the room, and quickly fell asleep.

Chapter 11

Borr crouched on a hill ten miles from the fort, he knew what was needed to build it, he knew that twenty thousand men had worked in shifts to build it in the time ordered, and in fact there had been three fatalities, when pulleys had snapped and ropes had shredded. But it still impressed him when he looked at it. The fort looked out of place, the ground surrounding it scorched, by solders snacking on the grass. It would tackle his knowledge to attack a fort like that, mostly timber, and its outer walls where forty feet high, with platforms built behind them for the men to attack from.  There where second and third walls behind this one allowing space between each as a killing ground for the defenders. Also he knew that the first and second walls had been set with incendiary devices that would spray oil that burnt on the wood (which had been socked from the outside but kept dry on the inside. This was if an attacking force got past the first wall they would be caught in a ring of fire not allowing for retreat and this would be repeated for the next wall. Then he thought on the robot they had encountered, he doubted it would be affected by fire much, but if they consumed them as Clof did, they wouldn't need defences.

He wondered how Clof was, he had lost his appetite since the encounter, not wanting to stomach anything else, every time he went to visit, Clof would ask the same question, “Did you find any more robots” or “Any news of contact with more robots,” you could see he was desperate for the taste, the medics said it was like an instant addiction. Borr wasn't sure he wanted to consume a robot, the power to fly was amazing but then to starve to death did have its drawbacks.

He remembered how interested Horlax had been when he had told him the effects on Clof, and the fact Horlax seemed more interested in the starving to death afterwards. He could almost see the train of thought in Horlax’s head, “imagine the power over someone addicted to that,” Borr didn't like Horlax, he was a commanding officer so he would always obey him, but he stank of evil, he didn't care about the empire, unless it was at a benefit for him. But Borr new this sort of man could rise quickly in the ranks of the Empires legions. Callus and quick to betray, yes the ruling Lord Zlane liked that in a man as it mirrored himself. Borr sighed at what they had become, once a race proud but fair, now just all consuming like a giant cockroach, with its fill of rotten food to gauge on. He stood up and looked at the stars, he wondered if anything out there would give him a fight, so he could die happy and join his father’s in the halls of the brave, he sighed and walked towards the fort.

Horlax was sat in his roughly built lodgings in the centre of the fort, he would have preferred a properly built place, but this wooden shack would have to do, until more permanent dwellings could be built. His manservant came into the room, “Borr is here to see you sir”, he said. Horlax didn’t move from the couch he was on, “send him in” he replied, “and Okko, sort a fire out it’s so damn cold on this planet”. Okko nodded and was about to leave when Horlax called out again, “Okko, get me a slave as well, have her prepared for after the meeting”. Okko bowed and left the room.

Okko soon returned with Borr entering the room just behind him, then Okko bowed and left, Borr stood waiting for the order to proceed with his report, Borr noticed something about the room while he stood, it brought back memories of the last time he stood in front of Horlax, it was the smell. It was a heavy musk aroma, but it also reminded Borr, of one of the first scouting missions, new to the rangers, he had been sent to give a message to another scouting regiment. These where no rangers he thought as he tracked them, a path his mother could follow. It should have taken three days to catch up with the group, as they were close to enemy lines. On the second night he headed to a cave where by the looks of the surrounding area the scouting team had also. On entering the cave Borr remembered the smell, musky and dark, his instinct kicked in, he felt like there was something wrong, but didn't have a clue what it was. He continued into the cave, feeling his way around with his hand on the wall of the cave. Then he tripped over something on the floor, pacing his hand out in front of him to stop the fall, they entered a soft wet something, up to the elbow. He jumped back up and forgetting he fear he flicked his touch on, the sight that greeted him was something that would keep him awake at night for many a month, and even now many years later the odd sleepless night was down to that image burnt into his mind. The whole team of scouts had been ambushed in the cave, their body lay there bloated and leaking. Small animals where feasting on the meat, holding his arm out in front of him, he could see the congealed blood covering them, looking down he saw the hole in the belly of the man he had tripped into, in the hole two hairy little things slithered in between the intestines, bathed in blood. Borr had stood still the terror of the accusing dead man’s eyes upon him, too much. His fear glued him to the spot and it was only when another creature crawled over his boot did he find the will to run.

Screaming from that hell, he ran for what seemed like days. Until he reached the safety of his own unit.

Horlax sitting up spoke to Borr, but Borr wasn't listening, he realised just in time to hear Horlax say “and report on your findings,” Borr hoped he hadn't missed anything important. “Findings are as the robot described sir, there is nothing here. The planet is habitual and had wildlife and vegetation, but no humanoid population, and no more robots.” Hoping that would be enough Borr stopped. Horlax looked displeased, Borr didn't know if that was from the lack of chances for a fight or robots to taste. “Dismissed,” ordered Horlax, “If you see Okko tell him to hurry up with the fire and my food.” With that Horlax resumed he position he had when Borr had entered. Borr quickly left the room and headed for the back exit, on reaching the kitchen, he saw Okko. The Lordship wants you to hurry up with his fire and his food”, he said looking past Okko at the young girl eating a soup Okko had prepared for her. “Yes Sir,” said Okko. Placing a hand on Okko shoulder, “I don't know how you serve him, Okko, the things he does” he looked at the slave girl no more than sixteen years old. “We all have our burdens, sir” Said Okko, moving away from Borr so he released his grip. As Borr left the kitchen, Okko sighed, “we all have are burdens to bear, or dispose of” he muttered under his breath. The Slave girl turned, not sure if the Man-Slave was talking to her or not, Okko, looked at her and shook his head, “no, no not you dear. Have some more broth, we don't want you to be hungry during the task of the master”.

Borr was back amongst the rangers and felt better for it. They camped outside the fort being one of the first lines of defence. He know every face and body shape of his team, he could almost sense them. In pitch-black conditions they know each other. Clof had been sent back through the gateway to be shipped to the witch Lord, to cure they said, but they knew it was to study. He expected it would end with Clof being chopped into little pieces or consumed himself. This saddened Borr as Clof was dim, but he didn't deserve this, even worse it could so easily been himself who had consumed the robot, and would now be sitting in the Witch Lords study or dungeon. Pushing the thought from his mind he concentrated on his job in hand. The rangers had done a quick check of the region, but now they needed to do a more detailed report. If a full legion came through the portal, the fort wouldn't hold them all, plus they needed to know if the planet would sustain them and place for proper habitat to be built. Survey teams need to be sent to potential sites. Much to do and none of it included fighting, the men wouldn’t be happy. Borr went to sleep and was hoped they would be dreamless.

Borr woke early; he was disturbed when the sentries he had posted changed over, the night-shift going to get a couple of hours sleep, before breakfast. Noticing Borr was a awake the guard made his apologies for waking him, “It's fine Snodge, I was already awake”, he lied.

He stood and stretched looking at the sky, it was just turning from black to blue, the time considered real dawn. He had seen many dawns on many worlds, but this was the first one he had been awake for one on this world, in a different universe and time. It looked the same, he thought, then moved to the fire pit, the embers of the night-time fire where still glowing and he quickly had the fire blazing by adding kindle to the glowing embers and blowing the flame to life. He had a kettle on the boil and was soon drinking an herbal tea, from leaves he had brought with him from his home world. The warmth, trickled down his throat and warmed his stomach when it hit. The war feeling gently worked its way through his body, exercising the chill of the night. His second in command was the first to join him at the fire. Greeting him by a quick salute, Blak sat next to him, looking at the cup in his hand he said, “Jinnga tea, if I am not mistaken, the aroma is very distinct”. “You know me; Blak am getting old, need something to warm the old bones first thing in the morning.”

Borr had spent most of the morning talking to the men, explaining Horlax orders. They looked depressed with the thought, Borr spoke, and “We are going to need some sort of transport to cover as much and as possible, suggestions”. Blak spoke, “Gattley and I saw a beast big enough to carry a man, they ran in packs to the South, about twenty clicks, no idea if they could be broken”. Borr smiled, haven't known a living being the rangers can't break, show me this creature you think is too proud to serve us”. After a quick check of supplies the group of ranger moved out.

After an uneventful day the rangers came to a low ridge, just over the ridge they were greeted with vast grassland. Looking through his visual aid, Borr could see the grassland stretched on for miles, odd pockets of bushes or trees sprouted up out of the ground, but generally it looked flat for miles. Borr could see herds of animals crisscrossing the flatlands; others were at dips, which must be watering holes. Blak tapped Borr on the shoulder, and pointed to his right, following Blik’s finger; Borr could make out a group of animals. They did look proud; a good 13ft high, their necks had a mane that travelled from the tops of their heads to the first set of shoulders, this then went under the animal stopping halfway along its stomach. It's eye's pointed forward giving it the vision of a predator, but it was feeding on the grass. It totalled four strong legs its hind ones looked like they were slightly taller, rising its back, slightly. Its tail was thick and round, it looked almost scaly; this met the mane and then ended. Borr imagined the creature could stand on its hind legs to defend or attack, using its tail almost as a third leg. “It would be a magnificent creature to ride to the hero halls on” he said allowed to no one in particular, “Aye, sir it would” said Blak, thinking the comment had been for him. Borr turned and looked at his men then at the sky. “Men”, he said, “Set up camp, two sentries starting now, you and you,” he pointed to two of his team. Some sniggered, “Jona and Nuwt, glad you find that funny, you can take the next shrift, but before that you two can go get us some food”. The smiles stopped immediately, “Yes, Sir” they said in unison, and disappeared down towards the plain. “Olli and Frod, water duty, stick together down there, we have no idea how the local creatures hunt, or if they have any unique talents, try to avoid combat. Be careful when collecting the water, the predators will be watching you, from in and around the water hold.” Olli and Frod mimicked Jona and Nuwt “Yes, Sir” and headed off in the direction of the nearest waterhole. Blak, moved in close to Borr, “I hate, not being able to bring our tech through that damn gate. We would have secured the planet and would have been preparing for the next by now.” Borr nodded “Yep, but I quite like going back to basics, doing stuff like our fore-father. Makes all that survival training seem worth it,” “Frak that, give me a hot bath and a warm slave any day of the week”, Borr laughed, “Who is getting old now”. Patting his shoulder Borr moved towards his men, and helped with setting up the fire pit.

Blak watched the flames of the fire pit bobbing in the night wind, full from the food Jona and Newt had brought back, followed by the fresh water, Olli and Frod had brought, he was quite contempt. Staring into the flames he started to think about his childhood, his father would take him hunting from the age of seven. He could ride a beast from the age of nine. His mother would always fret, but his father would tell her, “if he is to be a man, he must have bloodied his nose as a boy”, and he had certainly done that more than once. Now feeling sleep tugging him and being useless to resist, his mind wondered to a younger time, he had been in the kitchen, his mother was cooking something, she always said things taste better when cooked before consuming. Blak could see himself now standing by his mother, no more than three or four, a pan was bubbling away, his mother adding more spices to the pot. Blak left his mother’s side and walked around the kitchen, looking for things to play with. Blak grumbled in his sleep slightly distressed, because he had, lived this dream before, he know what was coming.  In his school from a young age the children were told, be careful in what you consume, most things could be consumed without incident, but some things didn't work as others, “Never consume Fire and Never consume Water”, these basic things they were taught, but the flame bobbed and weaved, it's warmth so inviting. His mother preoccupied with her cooking, she didn't notice the bubble of energy slowly appearing around the flame in the kitchen fireplace. A small flame danced in his bubble of energy, he parted it from the main fire and sat on the floor, even at this young age he had shown a great skill in producing his energy and controlling it. Most would not be able to do this until they where six or seven. The warmth was inviting, he wanted to be warm inside, the bubble started to condense.  As the bubble had almost disappeared two strange things happened at once, the first was his mother screamed Blak, had been in many battles, fought and killed hundreds in hand to hand, but none have matched his mothers scream of terror. At the same time as his mother screaming, the second thing happened, and again this will stay with Blak forever, his insides erupted in a agony his mind at that age had no way to deal with other then to shut down. His last memory of that day was his mother running towards him as he fell to the ground. Blak eyes closed and his head hit the ground. Blak immediately sprang awake his eyes opened and he was standing before the sleep had cleared, he automatically rubbed the scare he had received from that lesson. Looking around and feeling a bit sheepish for being frightened by a dream of a day long gone, he walked out of camp. He reached Jona, who had been given the night shift. “Sir”, Jona said as he approached, “At easy solder, I couldn't sleep and there is no point in both of us being awake. Get yourself off to sleep.” Blak had bray finished his conversation and Jona was already making his way back to camp. “Jona, be back here before dawn breaks, don't want to put the captain in a bad mood, now do we”, “No Sir, thank you sir” Jona said looking back as he went to his sleeping section.

Blak waited until Jona had vanished from sight until he spoke, “So, how long have you been standing there sir.” “About, forty minutes,” Borr said, stepping out of the shade into the sentry light, “He is not very good is he.” Blak laughed, “That's unfair, I’ve seen you sneak up on many a sentry and slit his throat, before they knew you were there, your one of the best.” “True, but I could never sneak up on you Blak even in training at the academy, you always knew I was there, how do you do that,” countered Borr. “You have a certain smell about you,” the word conjured images in Borr's head, the nightmare he had woken from too fresh to be looked back, quickly he changed the subject, “Brought anything to drink”. Blak smiled on a Sentry duty, the punishment for drinking on duty is a death sentence. Why would I do such a thing?” Now laughing louder then intended Borr produced a battle of dark red liquid, “Well it's lucky I brought my own.” “Just don't get drunk enough to charge yourself Sir,” said Blak smiling. Then Blak produced his own smaller bottle which contained a much dark liquid. Borr shook his head, “That stuff could get you killed or just kill you outright”. “Well I don't like that southern weak stuff for starters, and second this isn't my shift, so am not drinking on duty.”  Both men leaned in and clinked the bottles together then took large swigs from the others bottle, as was the Phaze way when drinking with friends. They sat on the ground and talked of past battles and glories, the great wealth they had amassed and the whores they had wasted their money on, each expertly avoiding the reason why neither could sleep.

Just before dawn Jona walked up to his sentry post glad to have been given the extra five hours sleep, as he approached his position he could hear snoring coming from the site, he quickened his pace, expecting to see Blak a sleep, but as he reached the top of the hill Blak was standing looking I the direction the sun would rise. The smell of ale was undeniable, and Borr was a sleep snoring with a bottle in his hand. Blak looked at Jona, “Morning lad, enjoy your sleep”. “Yes, thanks. Err, what about him sir, what should I do,” asked Jona looking at the captain? “Do?” said Blak, “you do nothing and tell no one, unless you don't like your head being on your shoulders,” Jona straightened. “Yes Sir”. Blak bent over the sleeping commander and managed to wake him up by shaking him gently, after helping  Borr up, Blak turned to Jona, “Not a word.” Jona nodded. As the couple of old friends stumbled down the hill back to the camp, Borr turned to Blak, “My head hurts like a Vig beast has been placed in it,” Blak chuckled, “you will drink that weak red, it not filtered as good as the good stuff, lets to many Vig's in it to run around your head”. Borr laughed out loud, straightening hi self now he started to walk by himself, “Wouldn't be right to have the captain looking drunk on entering the camp. Even if he was” Borr finished with a wink. On entering the camp most of the other men were starting to stir, “Blak, get someone to put the men through a morning training session, I want a mile run, you don't need to lead them, I need to discuss something with you.” The men jumped up on hearing Borr's voice, Blak took one of the old solders aside, after talking through the morning exercise he left him to order the men.

Within half an hour the camp was empty, Borr and Blak both crashed onto a sleeping mat, Blak set a small alarm for three hours, the rest should be away for four, this would give them time for breakfast when they woke.

The morning had gone quickly and Borr had been grateful for the sleep, Blak looked like he had been a sleep all night, he always did. Borr remembered in the academy, when he and Blak would nip out for girls or drink, the captain would always know the next day and accuse him, at which point he would have to admit his guilt. Lying to a commanding officer at the academy would be instant expulsion. The captain never once asked Blak, Borr thought back then that Blak had something on him, something to blackmail him with, but now he know it was just Blak, some people can handle the lack of sleep and ale better than others. The men returned hot, sweaty and tired. Borr suggested they cooled off in a watering hole. Blak suggested a swim might be good for Borr as well. Borr agreed and joined the men at the pool. The men where stood around the watering hole edge, Borr joined them, “What is wrong, why aren’t you in?” “Olli’s said he saw something swimming under the water”, said Jona, “I did sir, it looked big as well” said Olli’s. “And what your scared it might eat you” said Borr mockingly, “Your rangers for frak’s sake”. Borr removed his cloths and jumped in, the water was murky, and he could feel the soft mud under his feet. A movement caught his eye, he turned to see the sharp teeth breath past him, just missing his head, the body was huge and as the creature swam past its tail struck Borr making him lose his breath. he quickly swam to the surface to take another, then dived again. The men stood around looking at each other not knowing whether to try and help or stay where they were. The top of the pool was disturbed by a disruption below. The next thing a huge bubble containing water and anima rose out of the water to crash on the dry land next to the pool. The creature was longer than most men there, its scaly green skin and huge mouth where it's main features. It had landed on its back, but by the time Borr had climbed out it had righted itself. It looked at the men around its home, then back a Borr. Jona stepped forward, but Borr put an arm out and stopped him, “Let's see if this creature has the brains to know when it's beaten with an escape route to its back. Or is it just a dumb animal.” The creature looked again at the men then back to Borr, deciding the odds to high, it shuffled off in the direction of the next water hole, smelling the moisture in the air. Borr turned to his men, “It safe now children you can go in”. The men didn't need a second invite, they dived straight in. Borr got out of the water and sat on the bank next to Blak, he know Blak wouldn’t have got in the water with the men as he was unusually embarrassed about his scares. Most solder in the Rangers had a scare or two from battle, but Borr had seen Blak’s which covered most of his back, apparently from a childhood injury, that he didn’t talk about even when pushed. Leaning on the dry grass at the edge of the pool, both men sat in comfortable silence, watching the clouds float by, warmed by the midday sun. Borr woke when Blak gave him a gentle shake. “You should get more sleep during the might my friend”, Blak spoke quietly and with a grin. “You should leave an old solder to sleep”, replied Borr. “The men were getting boisterous and I didn’t want to get them out of the pool to the sound of you snoring”. Now Borr just laughed and shook his head. “Carry on sergeant” Borr said, now dry from the sun, he stood and got dressed. Once dressed, he headed for the camp. “Time to get myself a ride, am bored of walking”, Borr thought to himself.

Taking a rope from the supplies tent he was joined by Blak and the rest of the unit. He sent Olli ahead to find the herd of creature that they had spotted the night before. Olli came back and spoke to Blak, Blak walked to Borr and told him of Olli’s findings, “they are two clicks to the North. We can be there in a couple of hours.” “Ok, then let’s do it,” Borr said. Olli lead the group to the creatures, they were grouped in a herd of twenty, most where grazing on the grass moving slowly around. Two at the back and front of the herd where not eating. The males of the group where broader then the females, the four not eating were mixed groups. Every now and then the tallest one in the herd would stop eating and lift its head up to sniff the air. This one stood out from the others at fifteen feet high, its mane was silver, where the others had brown or black manes, also this one’s mane was a lot thicker at the head. It had stopped to sniff the air again, this time it called out and the herd closed in on itself, the pack leader came out and sniffed again. Blak raised his hand and pointed at the beast, leaning in to Borr, “Am guessing that will be yours sir?” Borr nodded in agreement, “It certainly will, Blak my old friend, it certainly will.” Borr raised his hand giving the order by sign for the group to stay at this point and to only communicate with signs. As Borr left the main group and headed down wind to come up on the herd from the rear, many tactics were going through his head.

A lot depended on the type of animals they where, normally a herd would feed together for protection from predators, but these had the eyes of predators, which meant, they were in the stage of evolution of either passing from a predator or into a predator. Both meant stages meant the creature would likely have some fight in it, but if was turning from a creature used to being hunted the urge to run, might be greater than the urge to fight. Then there was the question on if they would fight alone or as a pack. A smile touched Borr’s face, he hadn’t had this much fun for years.

Borr was within 20 yards of the beast before it noticed he was there, its nostrils flared as it turned to face him, taking the rope; Borr prepared it as loop with a slip knot. He hadn’t moved any closer to the creature or looking it in the eye in case it gave away his intentions. Moving his hands slowly he loosely looped the rope around his arm, the creature had stood its ground impressively, the rest of the herd had moved quickly away. Borr had just finished when the creature charged, instantly Borr brought up his shield. Borr was diving to his left as the creature ran into the space he had occupied; Borr hit the ground and rolled, coming to his feet. The creature dug it’s hooves in the ground, and swung its big tail around which helped it turn.

Facing Borr again, it charged again. This time Borr dived right, but the creature swung its big head catching Borr’s trailing legs. Borr crashed to the floor, the wind was pushed out of him as he hit the floor. Borr was on his feet within seconds, but the creature was in front rising up on its hind legs, Borr noticed it was using its tail as he thought it would. It came crashing down on Borr; Borr leaped back, narrowly missing the head blow that the creature had intended for him. The hooves struck his left shoulder, more scrapping then impact, but still with great force. Borr’s shield deflected the second blow but the force still lifted Borr off his feet. Borr rolled as a third blow came crashing down, again Borr’s shield held, but Borr could feel his arm being crushed between the creatures hooves, front, back of the shield and the ground. The creature paused expecting to see the invader of its territory crushed. Borr took his chance, without even standing he moved his bubble of protection and made it surround the creature, the creature panicked as it was surrounded, it began to run but it was no longer touching the ground, its hooves getting no purchase against the shield. Borr rose slowly, keeping his concentration on the shield the whole time. The creature reared again, but to no effect, it was out of reach of Borr now, was in total control. Borr resisted the urge to collapse the bubble and consume the beast. Slow in his movement Borr took the rope from over his shoulder. He throws the rope over the creatures head. The creature stood still and looking at him with hatred in its eyes.

Borr pulled the rope tight, he then throws the rope around the middle of the creature and knotted it, the creature turned and snorted at him. The rope now secured around the creature’s neck and midriff, Borr looped his foot around the rope and pulled himself up on to the back of the creature, thought the shield he could feel the creature shaking.

Looping his other foot around the rope on the other side of the beast, he leaned forward and twisted the rope loosely up his arm. Borr could feel his heart racing, he slowed his breathing. Then released the shield surrounding the creature and returned it to himself. The creature stood still, it looked down at the ground, it slowly lifted a foot and placed it down, dragging it along the floor creating a small dust cloud as it did so. The beast turned its head to look at the herd now quite a distance away now. It lifted its head slowly and snorted the air, then gave a roar of defiance. Borr was thrown backward as the creature lurched forward at great speed. Borr gripped the silver mane and pulled himself forward. Leaning into the beast Borr enjoyed the sensation of speed as the creature powered on away from the herd. The creature was relentless as it ate up the miles; it took Borr on and on, away from his men. It skidded to a halt then burst off in another direction. The grassy plane started to turn rockier, the purple stone stood like they had been hurled by the hands of gods, the creature headed towards an outcrop of rock. The strange coloured stone sprouted from the ground and looked alien to the grassland, Borr braced for impact as the beast closed in on first mound on the right. The force shifted Borr back as the creature and Borr shield hit the rock, small chunks of dirt and stone flew through the air. The creature didn’t slow, as it headed for the next mound this time on the left. Again Borr’s shield held as grass and dirt was flung into the air from the impact. Unbelievable the creature sped up as it headed for the next mound. It circled the mound not crushing Borr, and then sped off towards another, then Borr realised what the creature was looking for. This outcrop had a flat face with a sharp edge. The creature was heading in a way that would strike the outcrop at the point of Borr’s leg, he quickly un-looped his left leg, but the creature was quicker, throwing it’s full force behind the impact, Borr’s leg struck the rock, the shield held, which was the only think that stopped the leg from being amputated. The leg was thrown up and back, Borr’s foot was trapped between the creature and the rock, Borr felt the pain explode before he heard the crack of bone. The creature was bleeding too, blood and sweat soaked the rope Borr had hold on. The creature carried on to another outcrop. Borr bent over and looped the rope around his now limp left foot, almost passing out from the pain. Borr pulled hard to the left on the creature’s mane, forcing the creature to just miss the next stone outcrop. Sweat was dripping from the creatures’ nostrils as it breathed heavily, blood still pumped from its wound on the left. Borr gritted his teeth as he fought with the beast as it intended to crush the left side again, he pulled hard right, the creature still headed left, “If this hit’s am going to faint” Borr thought. With every ounce of strength he could muster he pulled the head right. The creature toppled over, Borr took the full weight of the creature on his right leg, thankfully the shield held stopping this leg from being crushed. The creature struggled to stand, now exhausted from its attempts to free itself from this alien attached to it.

Eventually the creature stood, Borr was still hanging on, just. The creature just stood, as if unsure what to do next. It’s sides where expanding and deflating as it took huge gulps of air. Borr heeled the creature with his good foot; it started to walk slowly forward. Borr leaned forward and pattered the creature’s neck, “Good boy,” Borr said. He gently pulled the mane to the left and headed back to the grass plane. The ride back to his group of men took a considerable lot longer than the ride away. As he approached them the creature tensed and its nostrils faired. Borr talked softly in its ear and pattered it. It seemed to calm the creature. Blak came forward slowly, “you have yourself a fine looking animal there sir,” he said smiling. The creature snorted in his direction and Blak stopped his advance, “Yes I do, Blak my friend and it looks like he is a good judge of character. He also cost a lot more then I wished to pay,” said Borr pointing to his left leg. Blak moved around the other side of the huge beast, its eyes always on him, looking at this side he could see the blood soaked rope, dripping onto the ground. Several scales had been peeled off the rear of the creature.

  “Is that all your blood,” he said forgetting the creatures feeling towards him, concern for his friend overruling any safety for himself. The creatures’ tail swung at him and Blak just managed to avoid it by diving backwards. Borr could not help himself and began to laugh as Blak fell over. Once his fit of giggles had finished and Blak had stood back up, “I’m sorry friend. No, I’m not cut, the blood is from the beast, but I won’t have use for my foot for many a week,” Borr said still smiling, but through gritted teeth, as the movement of the animal cause the rope twist his foot slightly. Blak ordered one of the men to stake a rope in the ground, Jona put several stakes in the ground and tied the rope between them all, the words of Blak still ringing his ears, “If this creature escapes, the captain will not be happy. You will probably be sent to retrieve it on your own and not allowed to return until you had found it”. He added another stake, just in case. The men had gathered round Borr and the beast, Jona pushed through the group holding one end of the rope, the other end staked many times to the ground. Approaching the beast he stopped a safe distance away.  Borr had asked for the stakes to be placed on the right, so if the creature rolled it would be on his good side. Jona lifted the rope and throw it the small distance between himself and Borr. Borr caught the rope and he slowly tied it to the existing rope already around the creature’s neck, slowly pulled it tight stopping the creature pulling to its left.

Now he leaned to his left and untangled his broken foot, he resisted the urge to cry out aware that the full unit was watching him. He untwisted his right foot and swung his left as best as he could, sliding to the ground. He hopped partly away, Blak moved in close and hooked a arm around Borr taking some of the weight. The creature free of its burden tried to pull to the left away from the group, it tried several times, then it gave up on that idea and headed right straight at the group. Borr and Blak where a safe distance away, the group of thirteen men scattered as the creature headed straight for them. Every one of them instantly brought up their shields as they ran into each other trying to get out of the way, Borr was now laying down on a small hill, while Blak was looking at his twisted foot. Both men looked up at the scattered group and laughed at them falling over each other. The creature was through the group, but before it could build up a full head of steam it was pulled by the rope tied to the stakes, it was pulled left with such force it almost fell. Regaining its balance it ran left, until again it was abruptly stopped, it gave a roar of defiance and headed forward. Now running in a circle it pulled and tugged with all its might, but to no avail. “You have one hell of a beast there, Sir,” Said Blak looking back at Borr’s twisted foot. “Yes,” said Borr, “reminds me of a whore I had once on Oplen. She was a feisty beast too.” Blak looked up, “Kalka, with the red hair,” he said. Borr was taken back, “yes, how did you know her,” he asked questionably? This made Blak laugh, “know her, you could say that Sir, she was a whore. Yes I would say I got to know her pretty well, on a couple of occasions.” Borr started to laugh now, until Blak moved his foot taking his shoe off, “careful there old friend” he said as he winced with the pain. “Sorry, sir, but it needs to come off so I can see the damage completely,” said Blak. Olli approached the two sitting on the hill he carried a small medical bag; Blak took the bag off him and fished out a syringe with a orange liquid in it. “This will probably put you out for a couple of hour, but I need to pull the break back into place and no matter of pain killer will stop you from calling out in pain. For an officer it is best to go under,” Blak said. “Yes, yes, just do it. Try and keep the men safe while am gone,” replied Borr.

Borr asked Olli to hold Blak’s arm as he gave him the injection. Olli, leaned in to Borr, “She is a fine beast sir, what is her name,” he asked? “She,” questioned Borr. “Yes sir, we have been looking at the herd while you where away. The males are the small animals and the females are the dominant and larger of the breed,” Olli explained. “That explains so much,” laughed Borr, “she is called Kalka,” he said. Blak gave a little chuckle, Borr closed his eyes thinking of Kalka and the wonderful week he had spent with her. It had cost a full months pay, but it would last a life time. Blak stood and stretched his back, “you can let go now, he is a sleep.” Olli stood and turned towards the group that had gathered a safe distance away from Kalka.  “Nice name,” Olli said. Blak nodded, think back on the month he had spent with Kalka, she had loved him, but his love for the Empire and the rangers was greater. She had cried when he had left her. On lonely nights he sometimes wondered what life would have been had he stayed with Kalka and if their kids would be beautiful as she was. Blak turned to Olli and explained what he needed. “Take as many of the men as you need, just get the stuff to me before sunset, before the captain wakes up,” Blak finished. Olli saluted and ran back to the group several moved off into the grasslands. Blak stood facing Kalka, who was now stamping at the stakes in the ground, “seem I’ve no way of getting away from you,” he said to himself.

Chapter 12

Oslin of the Laka, stood in his assigned room, studying the pills, he sensed the urgent need the droids had to get across their point of view, but Oslin knew little was really achieved if you headed head first in to most situations. Ten years ago he would have relished the prospect of a war, the chance to free the beast within him, to conquer and crush all who stood in front of them. But now, after many little skirmishes, where he had done just that, crushed and killed, he no longer felt the urge. Looking at the small pills he held in his hand, he couldn’t decide which to view first or even make his mind up if he wanted to see the creatures he would be ordered to kill. Oslin sighed, “How ironic,” he thought, “we are sent out to do what as a race we try to not do at all cost.” Then he remembered the words of his father, “To understand something you must see why others do it, to control our power, we must not want to do it?” “To do it,” he remembered thinking at the time, “what the hell is it.” Now he knew it was death and destruction, to murder and maul. Ten years he had been a bodyguard for the Sasony and he had seen plenty of death in that time. Looking closely at the pills, he thought, “just five more to go”.

Not being able to decide on which pill to take first, he closed his other hand over the one with the pills and gave it a shake, then closing his eyes he flicked one at random into the air, keeping his eyes closed, he could feel his beast within stare a little. He caught the pill in his teeth expertly, as he swallowed he thought of Toone, his symbiant and how he will probably enjoy this little sideshow.

Looking at the two tablets left in his hand he could make out the small neon writing, one said “Zis”, the other “Newton”.  Taking to the couch he leaned back and closed his eyes, Toone moved in his consciousness, “Now, now old friend, this is just a show, don’t be getting all frightened and start,” he thought, this seemed to calm the beast. Because Oslin knew what all Laka knew, the beast was more frightened than anything else, that’s when it came roaring out of its cage. Teen Laka’s where sent out to conquer their fear more than anything else. When you’re not afraid to die, then you can learn real Laka practices. The old priest could die up on an enemy’s blade and still keep the beast caged. This is what all true Laka were trying to achieve. A cave entrance appeared in his mind’s eye, and he felt grateful to have reached it, without any more incidents. This isn’t me he thought as Oslin, he kept himself quite, but as all Laka, he had to retain some control or the beast might slip its shackles.

Obi, turned to look at the rest of the group. The trip back had been uneventful as the trip had been eventful to the switch. The only difference being that Bob had a sack full of paper, books he called them. Zis had a sack full of arms, he didn’t want to leave one behind, in case they did something special which he hadn’t found out or wouldn’t work until he was at full power. Newton had a sack full of junk, that he had found it was technology he had never seen and he wanted to see if he could reverse engineer them, in Obi’s mind that meant break them and see what falls out.

Obi didn’t bring anything back from the visit and she refused to carry any of the others junk, “you want it, you carry it,” she had told Zis, the other two never bothered to ask. She was looking forward to a charge, checking her levels she could see that closing down most of her none essential systems, she still had more than a quarter of a charge. She walked past the cave, she noticed the sound of the waterfall had stopped as they expected. At the creators base the gate had closed off the river and a lake had started to form behind it. They had spent the night at the base and the lake had filled during the night, while the river was now dry. Once the lake had filled it started to filter over the edge of the hill, creating a large waterfall.

Walking on towards the white van she entered and got into her harness, connecting to the charger, she set her proximity detector. The three signatures of the others immediately sprang on to the screen; she selected these and set them as none threatening. This meant they could pass within eleven centimetres of her, but get ten or less and she would wake. Then she powered down welcoming the blackness.

Zis was the next to enter the van, he placed the sack down next to his harness, he turned and looked out the door of the van, “she is already powered down,” he said to the other two. Newton just looked at Zis and shook his head, Bob didn’t say anything. Zis went back to his harness and attached it, then connected the charge cable. Newton entered next followed by Bob. Bob attached himself to his charge and then clipped his harness, “night all,” he said, then powered down.

Zis looked at Newton, “it’s not night time,” he said. Newton was looking at the tangled mess that used to be his harness. “It’s a figure of speech, humanoids use when going to power off, sleep they called it,” he said not looking up. “Oh,” he said, “Night then,” and powered off.

Newton was left trying to salvage something from his harness after battling with it for twenty minutes he gave up. He sat on the ground and connected his charger, leaning with his back towards a corner in the interior of the van he powered down.

Obi was the first to wake, for some reason, her memory data banks had been running and she had been going through the people she had satisfied as a love-bot, the actions where alien to her, but she know it brought pleasure to her customers. She had woken when one of her larger customers face had changed to Newton, the flesh changing to metal, the grinding stopping and wires joining of their own accord, a surge in the power, holding on to the pleasure she felt when first adding the charging cord to her body, a building of power, surging wave after wave. Her systems flicked on as she thought she was going to overload. She immediately performed a self scan, scared the overload was actually happening. Newton jumped up, he pulsed Obi, “Are you ok?” Obi, finishing her scan pulsed back, “Yes, why wouldn’t I be.” “You pulsed me, you kept calling my name,” he said. Now embarrassed, she replied, “You must have an audio loop, it wasn’t me.” “No worries,” said Newton and turned slightly to his side, before powering down again.

Obi checked that Newton was switched off before she scanned the whole van, she disabled Newton’s proximity sensor for fifteen minutes before taking off her harness and disconnecting herself from it. She left the van, it was still dark outside, but she headed for the cave anyway. On entering it she could not see anything in normal vision, she automatically changed to the gold spectrum and the florescent symbols and words appeared floating around. The cave pool was empty now, soft mud around the edges of the hole that Newton had travelled down the only sign of it ever being full of water. The rope still tied to the rock used to pull him out, not that she would need a rope to get in or out. Thanks to her past job she was fitted with small jet’s that allowed her to complete jumps otherwise imposable for a normal droid. She remembered the last time she had used the jet’s, she had just taken the life of a senator, the senator was being blackmailed by an organised crime gang. Their planets had trade links and he could have been used to store tracking devices to the droids home systems. The powers that be thought this was too much of a risk and ordered Obi to take him out.

It turned out he had a love bot already in his second home for when the wife was away. Obi and a small team had taken his love bot and Obi replaced it. Reprogramming her facial features she was identical and the senator didn’t notice the difference until she broke his neck. The body guards had broken into the room as soon as his death triggered an alarm. They carried energy weapons and where ex-soldiers so knew how to use them. She had dived for the window, crashing through it. It was six floors up, and even her outer shell would take a dent or two at that height. She spun in the air, like a large feline, as she approached the floor, her jet’s kicked in. Slowing the pace at which she fell, she twisted them slightly so she could hit the ground running. She was at the pick-up before the first car had been started in pursuit; she was off the planet in ten clicks.  

As she sat on the rock Zis seemed fond of, Obi thought back on the scene that had woken her, she did another full system scan, but everything came back clear. She tried to think on the feeling she was having at the time of the joining with Newton, but it was pale to the intensity she had felt. Slightly sad she could not regain the feeling she stood, not sure where she was going.  

Obi walked around the cave looking at individual symbols, not making sense of them, she then pondered on jumping into what was the pool in the centre of the cave. She then decided against doing this, thinking it will be better to explore as a group, you never know what surprises we have activated switching the water supply off.

Obi moved outside the cave and looked at the star speckled sky. She resisted the urge to do a galaxy scan, enjoying not knowing what every light in the sky represented. Thinking of the scan brought her train of thoughts back the the events of the past day and the scan she had done to locate Bob.

         

Obi felt the wind on her outer shell as she powered down her visual sensors. She engaged this new sensor and felt a little giddy as the first wave washed over her. With each wave she pushed the boundry of the sensor. She reached out in all directions, feeling the metallic of the vehicle her powered down colleges rested. She could feel the processes that continued even in the powered down droids.

The ground below her teamed with life, each with its own unique feeling. The roots of plants had a sense of urgent growing, the worms a sense of hunger. But still every worm felt unique to its brothers and sisters and Obi actually believed she have told you which worms where related.

Further and further she pushed searching through the sky and soil, disappointed that no birds took to the sky at night, feeling the urge to fly again.

She located the creators structure in the tunnel below, it was much bigger then she imagined, her sensor was struggling to penetrate the building and only returned shadows compared to the vividness of the outside world.

Then it happened, the voice so weak Obi wasn't sure if her processors had a power surge or not, confusing her hearing sensor, but it sent a chill down her frame, in a way that was impossible for a droid to experience. She stopped her sensor imminently. Obi played what she thought she had heard through her circuits again and again. Two words, they had only been two words, "Hello Obi". That is all she thought, but those two words meant far more then the words themselves. First they meant something was alive and awake down there, second it knew who Obi was. Obi felt the shiver again, she returned to the van, needing company even if that company was powered down. She sat next to Newton feeling safer for it. She switched her senors on again, but only a couple of feet beyond the wall of the van, not wishing for any more ghost of a time gone by.

                             

The next day, Obi was woken by Newton moving, Newton was surprised to power up and find Obi laying on him. More then that he was surprised to be the first to power-up, as normally it was only Glix and himself left in the van when he woke.

Newton Moved away from Obi laying her down and walked from the van. The suns lit the dark interior up briefly while the door opened, but then was shut out as the door swung shut.

 

       

 

just saying

Cheating cat - beat me on fifa 11 the bastard. Unfair he has cat like reflexes!

With guns!

LOL