I love the internet, don't you? Not in a dirty sexy way of course. My mother has blocked all those websites as a precaution. In case I start looking at girls again. It makes too much mess apparently, because I get over excited. The internet contains the sum total of mankind's knowledge. Recently I found out that the world is flat. Despite the mountain of solid evidence to the contrary. It's also been visited by aliens at various points in history. They built a lot of ancient monuments while they were here. Not sure where they came from or how they got to our flat earth inside the dome the stars are painted on. All I know is it's true because it's on the internet. It's great. The more I click on flat earth websites the more links I get sent for flat earth websites. How's that for service? It's brilliant for someone like me who doesn't go out much, because of the teenagers in the park who smoke funny smelling cigarettes while staring at shiny things. I would recommend the internet to everyone. It's full of stuff you never even thought about before. You can do quizzes and surveys as well and vote on stuff you know nothing about. Nobody has ever asked me for my opinion on anything before. Be careful though. There are people called trolls on the internet. They use these things called facts to try to confuse you. Avoid facts like the plague, they'll only give you headaches that make you doubt your convictions. Anyway I've just found out I've won $25 million on a lottery I cannot remember entering. All I have to do is send them $1,000 plus my parents bank details and they will send me the check. I know, unbelievable isn't it? You could be that lucky to, if you join the internet.
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(The copyright to this image is the property of Houston Defender.)
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Palamar a city of 2.4 million. Misgoverned by four wealthy families and 2 factions. The Merchants and The Articifers. Their continual rivalry and complete mismanagement allowing the citizens relative freedom from their control. If one of them became too powerful the others would drag them down. If the rare alliances became a threat the same would happen. Except the citizens would lend a hand by not working. No protests or riots. They'd all take a holiday from the city. Most moving out to the surrounding countryside to till crops or go fishing if they wanted to occupy themselves. The food and game so abundant there, you didn't have to do much to survive beyond pick something tasty to eat. Leaving those 6 power blocks to fight it out among themselves. This was further complicated by their interdependence on one another. Each group needing the services of all the others.
Constantly in a state of simmering tension just short of civil war, no one dared make a move most of the time. Imagine prohibition era Chicago, except the criminal gangs had to administer the entire population. Aware that should their rule become too irksome people would move either to other areas of control or out into the rural surroundings. Where with any luck you might find an ancient relic worth a kings ransom. Tens of thousands of years ago this region had been the capital of a large empire peopled by the Keshet. Humans who'd arrived there long before that. Then one day, for no known reason, they'd decided to leave civilization behind. Their descendants now inhabited the interior. Semi-nomadic tribes of them drifted around, peacefully coexisting for the most apart. Their technology, advanced culture and history erased from their minds, deliberately it seemed. Although some of them had migrated into the metropolis. Possibly attracted by its eclectic architecture. From dull gray concrete boxes to tall spires. Large domed structures with intricate facings standing next to single storied wooden bungalows. Huge arches, that served no purpose, over the widest thoroughfares.
Into this melting pot The Wanderer was thrown. A circumstance that made Scarlet nervous, which was why she was meticulous in her instructions to Pengelly and Fetu. Under no circumstances were they to allow Jake to wander off, even though that was his speciality. Everyone else in their shore party was also cautioned about his propensities. If there was trouble out there, which was inevitable, he was to be kept from it at all costs. Not one of them needed convincing of this. Wherever he went, whatever was happening would only start happening harder and faster. Once the unloading of their cargo destined for this port had been achieved. Only a skeleton crew would remain on board. The rest were to remain within the harbor and docks area. The most diverse part of the city obviously. Separated, by a high wall, from the city proper. Thousands of people from every other city and nation on this gigantic continent were there. Most passing through. The harbor was a forest of masts. Along with a few steam powered vessels that belonged to the Constabulary. An independent body, which sought to police and regulate everyone with complete impartiality. That it did this successfully more than half the time, a miracle.
Poppy was jumping with unsuppressed joy. This would be her first experience of another land. The whole time she'd been in The Never having been spent in and around Harrowmist. She'd once ventured to the outskirts of Nova Hispania a decade ago on a scientific expedition, but that was all. A bare few hundred kilometers from her home as far as she'd ever been. The island where they'd picked up Pettifer and Priscilla didn't count. Coming as it did from another reality. Besides it was tiny. The group assembled. With her, grinning from ear to ear, in the middle of it. Even Sade was swept up by the nerds enthusiasm. Their party of six was about to disembark onto the docks. The Captain called to the officer of the deck. Pip stepped forward proudly.
"You're in charge Pip." Scarlet solemnly commanded. "Keep an eye on her for me."
"Aye, aye Captain." The youngster answered professionally. "Morag will keep watch over me. So I don't screw up."
"You won't, so she won't. You've earned this. Never forget that."
She saluted the newest officer. Something Jake had never seen her do. Pengelly was glowing with pride to. Pip saluted in return. Then they were off.
Once they left the immediate area they entered a colorful, busy zone. A long line of shopfronts and stalls as far as the eye could see. Huge screens flickered with news and advertisements in competition with the signs of all the different traders. There were more children than he'd seen in a long time. Some working with parents at the stalls, others shopping with theirs. Somberly clad groups mingled with brightly garbed passersby. The noise of their interactions constant and unintelligible. The Wanderer hadn't been listening to the briefing. Leaving him with little idea of what they were doing or where they were heading. He vaguely recalled something about some business and catching up with things that had happened since the ship had last visited over a year ago. They passed a few more of those huge billboard displays regularly spaced along their path. Scarlet paused at one which had updated at that moment. Something about it had piqued her interest. She stood studying it. Before being jerked from her reverie.
"Oh no. Here comes trouble." A voice called out.
A broad shouldered woman approached in her Constabulary uniform. Full body armor and a heads up display screen, on her helmet, hanging over the left eye. Scarlet looked her up and down.
"My oh my. If it isn't Officer Kayzee. A Major now I see. Does that mean you outrank me?" The two women broke into smiles hugging one another. Before parting and holding each others shoulders.
"If it isn't Captain Scarlet. Scourge of the seas. I hope you're not here to cause trouble."
"What brings you down here Kayzee? Shouldn't you be up in your office putting a shine on the ass of those pants?"
They hugged again.
"That flotilla you arrived with caused quite a stir last night. Soon as I heard you were back I had to come down. Check that you weren't up to no good. Great to see you."
"I'll try to be as inconspicuous as I can Major."
The police officer chuckled.
"The news you were here was all over the docks within half an hour of your vessel mooring. I doubt there's anyone in the entire city who hasn't heard by now. So what are you planning and what precautions should I be taking?"
"I was going to touch base with a few of my friends. Catch up on the latest news..." Scarlet glanced back at the screen she'd been engrossed in. "What do you know about these new Keshet ruins they've discovered? Think I might check them out."
Kayzee shrugged.
"I've not heard anything. Must be pretty recent." She walked over to the display. Frowned slightly. "I didn't even know they were exploring that area. It's out beyond the Alatar district. As far as I knew it had been picked clean decades ago." Another grin. "That's not going to stop you though."
"I think a bit of a detour is in order. Never been there before. I'd love to take a look at what they've found. Even if it's only a few stone relics."
They detoured. Having to pass through a security check at the wall, before they could enter Palamar proper. There they learned crew from the other ships had passed through shortly before. Helicopters and hoverers appeared overhead. Each one with the insignia of their owners. Corporate logo's you could say. Showing the people of the city who was really in charge. The locals ignored them. Jake couldn't. It felt oppressive having them above him. Their surveillance equipment and weapons a needless show of strength. He'd made this. Created the place at least. Given birth to an entity which had evolved into present day Palamar. Never venturing too near that, twenty meter high, dividing wall he noted. It was quieter here as well. The bustle of the docks missing. People kept their heads down. Faces averted from the throbbing and buzzing overhead. The others noticed it to, apart from Poppy. She was in her element. Anything different from her experience a welcome novelty. It was decided they'd take a taxi, to get out from under their watchers.
The self driving vehicle dropped them off in a cul de sac ten minutes walk from the ruins. From there they looked like a badly worn sandcastle. Wind and rain had removed all the finer features. An alley led to a gated entrance. Damn, Jake felt spooked. Scarlet and the others did as well. They ignored it. Palamar could be like that. One or more of the factions had taken umbrage at some slight. Maybe something had been stolen. A member of the elite roughed up in error. It didn't happen often, but there were assassinations. These were kept from the public. Settled like for like. Rarer still open violence broke out. If not it still didn't pay to be seen with the wrong person. The revenge could fall on you. Poppy was trailing behind, as usual. Studying a plant she'd never seen or investigating a curiosity. He turned to tell her to hurry up for the tenth time.
In the movies they tend to put it in slow motion. In real life it isn't like that. In real life, time doesn't slow to a stop until it's too late. Something darting from the right. A grunt. Poppy staring down at the six inches of steel blade protruding from just below her sternum. The blood. Deep dark red. Shock, surprise, horror. Her? Or was it him. That's when time slowed. He roared. Rage filling him. Rage at himself mostly. The figure looked at him. Jake didn't care he headed for his nerd as the man in black slashed her across the shoulders. The one he was supposed to guard toppling to her knees. He caught her, still screaming at the top of his lungs. The cruel blade rose, about to fall upon him. Sade slammed into the bearer. Pistol in one hand, dagger in the other. It was only then he saw the splashes. The columns of dust rising up from ground as the chain gun spat at them. Three rounds hit him in the back. Tiny slaps, sensed rather than felt. The light in those emerald green eyes dying.
"I'm sorry." Poppy said. "Never learn... It doesn't hurt.. It's just so cold... So co.."
Sade hit him.
"She's gone. Get to cover you idiot." She pulled at him.
Jake threw her off with a snarl.
"No she isn't. I haven't fucking given her permission to go anywhere. Hermes. Sit rep?"
"No pulse. Brain death imminent. There's nothing we can do."
"Get some of your nanites ready. Now!"
"There won't be enough. You'd need an arterial flow to deliver them quickly enough Jake. She's dead."
"Left wrist. Comply immediately." He striped back his sleeve.
"Emergency protocols will cut in. Loosing that much blood and that many nanites would compromise your safety. My core programming will not allow this."
"Uniform, Uniform 7243. Override."
The sting of the blade a pinprick compared to the rest of his pain. The radial and ulnar arteries spurted. He pressed his wound to hers.
"Functionality will degrade exponentially. Your heart rate is already at dangerous levels. I am complying. This will kill you. Please Jake" Hermes pleaded.
"I don't fucking care. Stabilize Poppy top priority. All other functions are now secondary. Uniform, Zulu 0000. Comply."
Hermes' voice in his head slurred. Slowed.
"Heart rate above 200. Cardiac arrest imminent."
His arm still held against her body, he slumped into the darkness.
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