Jessica and Grey - Chapter 4 (pt4)

*

The air was hot and the heated shimmer was apparent throughout the cavern he lay in. The cavern roof was a dark brownish and smooth from the excavating operation that would have gone on to install the terraformer unit. All the sensation and feeling had returned finely, after days of recovery underground. The strange heat was accompanied by a strong orange glow that seemed to slip between tiny windows at the base of the unit, switching at intervals to allow different views into the mechanism it also lit the cavern in shifts.

Grey levered himself upright, swaying slightly as he took his first steps after the recovery. The blackened plated armour had been repaired, the colour a more uniform grey than before while the corded cable that ran throughout his body had been so badly damaged as to need replacing. He could see at junctions where the damage had clearly ruined the black protective casing and had to be replaced.

Grey with practised steps came to the cavern's mouth, looking out on a blue tinted sky. If he focused he could just make out the thinly stretched electrical net that seemed to almost ensnare the planet. It had nearly been his death, falling so far and so fast. He shuddered at the fragments of the white hot memory. From over the cavern mouth a head suddenly hung down, upside down.

“Your awake then?” Said the upside down head, fingers of hands that couldn't be seen gripped the lip of the entrance “I'm Ruan, scout and surveillance operations. Welcome on board”

“I'm GX-97/157B. I'm a little lost for bearings, what am I on board for?”

“Good question. Landon, Squad Commander, will fill you in on the situation. Do you remember much of why you were sent?”

“Nothing clear, the Machine God was rather vague on details”

“Not surprising. Come on up, the others will be back shortly” The head and fingers disappeared back over the lip and with little else to do GX-97/157B left the cave mouth and made his way up the small hillock, one of many that dotted the tree line here. Heavy overhanging trees shaded most of the hill, Ruan lent back against one such sturdy tree as GX-97/157B approached. As he drew closer he could make out a focused look on Ruan's face.

“Something the matter?” A brief pause and then the face relaxed slightly he turned and the left half of his mouth curled into a half smile.

“Scouting. I'm audio and visual scouting but in this environment it's mostly audio” He gave GX-97/157B a quick look over “Your looking pretty serviceable considering you feel through the net. I'm pretty impressed you made it through alive, that stuff takes stones.”

“Stones?”

“Local speak. Your an emissary class right? Landon and Elune mentioned it and well I've a bad habit of listening all the time” He twanged the side of his head for effect “Can't help it”

“Yes although that term eludes me. I worked with the residents of Talsonini and the Ram'odean before the war.”

“Ever seen a warrior bug?”

“Yes. Rank based on their breed colour, red, orange, blue. They are quite popular for the impression they set, Ram'odean diplomacy is very showy. Always trying to prove their superiority.”

“You'll see a lot of blues here, that and those skirmishers. Their nothing in battle but their speed is unmatched. Loud too, like listening to a whirlwind with those wings of theirs. But not enough interference to have me beat yet” He tapped the side of his head again. “The others are coming back, two minutes give or take a few seconds” GX-97/157B looked out across the tree tops idling away the moments until four figures seemed to materialize from the forestry.

The markings on each Anteak were clearly defined, he hadn't taken note of it on Ruan at the time but each had markings clearly different from each other. They also sported different sets of colour, one even having two main colours that covered the chest plate and one shoulder on each of the Anteak's. Only Elune stood apart with her silvery sheen and different build.

“Good to see your awake and able GX-97/157B. Took a hell of a tumble through the net but you kept it together” He clapped a hand on GX-97/157B's shoulder “I'm Landon, Squad Commander.”

“It's good to be back in one piece again, thank you”

“Don't mention it. Step up lads! Greet the fellow” With military discipline the two stepped forward.

“Hyen” He brought his hand up to his chest in a salute “Glad you made it”

“I'm Tenk, Logistics” Tenk followed suit and brought his hand up to his chest, hand over the crystal embedded deep within.

“Elune would like to talk with you GX-97/157B. We'll meet up this evening and I'll go through getting you a role, I'm sure you've a few tricks hidden way” Landon without issuing a command to the soldiers disappeared down into the cavern with the group. Elune stood and looked, an appraising look perhaps.

“Why you then GX-97/157B?”

“Don't you know?”

“No, before your free fall through the net we didn't know anyone was en route.”

“So we're cut off?”

“Already aboard our little wreck of an adventure I see”

“We're all in this together now, it's the least I can do”

“I'm glad your so eager. Landon will fill you in on our current plans and what you can do to assist. It's good to know that we're not forgotten out here, yet any way.” She began the descent down the hill before GX-97/157B spoke up.

“Wait” She turned, her eyes level with his “I never thanked you for saving me.”

“Your welcome GX.” Down inside the cavern the day turned to night and plans were laid.

*

“That's all I've got for you for now Jess.”

“It was nice.” She placed her hand lightly on his “But your still going alone tomorrow aren't you?”

“Yes. The oracles aren't the most friendly of creatures, their ways are....difficult.”

“Just come back soon ok?” She said with a voice of mock seriousness.

“I will”

*

“You never told me! How could you not tell me!” Rasped the old robot

“Your role is to get the information, not to be privy to it.” Said an Anteak, his body seemed to gleam in the harsh bright lights of the room and his eyes unlike most Anteak were a single strip that glowed a deep red.

The room was sparse, a single table sat squarely under the light that shone from above onto metal that seemed to suck in the light, nothing reflected back in the room of one hundred different greys. Rusty was standing, one hand balled into a fat fist on the table. A chair rested behind him, his bulk enough to fill several. The retort from the Cyclops Anteak still hanging in the air before him, he slowly sank back down into the chair.

“You should have told me.” A7 heard the undertones in Rusty's voice, fear and hate in equal measure. It was a useful arrangement but the former preacher could be almost childish in his tantrums and A7 didn't tolerate childishness.

“What have you discovered about the sage, Wen? Our Emperor has come into possession of knowledge pertaining to Wen's father's rather round about goings on of late. It would be useful if I, through you, could piece together a few more facts. As I do so dislike conjecture.”

“Besides finding out his body is perhaps the most perfect shell besides our illustrious lord the Machine God, nothing. He doesn't talk much and when he does he questions things, rarely just musing.” He wriggled a bit on the chair, comfort wasn't in their design.

“Your certain he hasn't mentioned anything...useful?” A7 steepled his fingers before bending each set backwards with an audible, singular click.

“Nothing”

“I see. Very well, Rusty. Guards, take our helpful prisoner back to his cell.”

“How long do I have to keep this up A7. How long till I'm free?”

“Once Wen's father is in our grasp your role here will be unnecessary.”

“Unnecessary?”

“You will be...free, do not worry as to your fate provided you continue getting me information. I do not...back out of a deal, Rusty” With a flick of his long thin fingers he dismissed the guards and Rusty in one motion. He turned and stepped into the shadows of the room and through a door concealed by the bright light of the room. Down a long blank cold hallway he walked, his feet click clacking along the metal floor. Another door opened, closing it quietly behind him A7 lent back against the door for a moment. His mind narrowed to a single cold calculated fact, it squirmed before him. Rusty had lied.

The room, his office, was full of colour and the trappings of a small library. Books dominated the entire south wall from floor to ceiling. Along the walls paintings hung depicting various scenes from various races, each a master piece in its own right. A7 crossed the carpet to his desk, a dark wood with coffee brown veins. On the left side of the desk a set of papers stood in a neat pile, the tray said “IN”. From the desk a holographic display rose and hovered. The paper was for effect since the Anteak didn't deal in anything that wasn't electronic by nature. The holographic display resolved itself, a face in green light appeared.

“Your report, A7?”

“Little additional information has been withdrawn from the prisoner. All methods of interrogation have been dismissed due to his build”

“Then you've verified his construction?”

“To the best of my knowledge it would appear he is...complete, perhaps the most complete construction since the Machine God”

“And he's restrained?”

“Provided no guard enters I have every belief that he could not escape the cell”

“Very well. I want him kept in the cell for the foreseeable future A7.”

“I understand and shall do as you instruct”

“Report any new information as it becomes available”

“As you command” The image of the Emperor faded suddenly. A7 relaxed back into the cushioned chair, the same black with brown veins wood ran up the side with fluted woodwork. The new prisoner had just become very interesting. Fingers steepled before A7's chin as he slipped into thought.

Jessica and Grey - Chapter 4 (pt3)

*

GX-97/157B's fingers spasmed as the strange electrical energy leapt across his body in arcs sending jolts of pain through him. He drifted into the atmosphere unprepared, a shooting star of burning hot red energy. White hot light seared behind his eyes as the flames roared on and through him, high pitched keening ran through his circuits, a horrible white noise static that screamed agony at levels beyond reach or range and all went silent and the world white. The heat blackened body tumbled through cotton candy clouds, the earth reached out with tree like palms and embraced him with a thundering crack of earth. GX-97/157B sighed and the world turned black as lost all sense and feeling.

From a distant tree line eyes narrowed on the small plume of smoke rising up from the tree line where the flaming star had fallen. A silent communication and the tall figure, standing as high as the smaller trees, begins to work his way through the dense forest with calm patience. More figures from the shadows began to follow suit, their formation unbroken as they moved through the trees. The low bushes were cleared with ease, the metallic figures stepping over them and out into the bright sun, un-obscured by the woollen clouds that dotted the sky.

“No communication can be established with the unit, Elune”

“The Machine God's guardian should have been more careful with his entry, Landon. Were you able to get a class id before the scan went dead?”

“No, the lock was disrupted when the field activated.”

“Lets make this quick, the Ram'odeans will not take long before scouring the crash site.”

“As you command.” Without movement or sound they communicated, breaking into a run to close the distance quickly. Their lithe bodies shimmering metallic in the suns strong rays. They came upon the crater which still crackled in places with the fires that had lit up. In the centre with dirt and rock piled up all around him GX-97/157B lay in scorched blackness.

“Elune, his designation, look.” Landon pointed a long plated finger at the barely readable chest plate that lay partly buried with the rest of GX-97/157B.

“An emissary? What madness inspired our creator to send him.” Her imperious tone lost as she realized the frail Anteak was no warrior. “He's been scorched through and through, the pain he must have... Landon get him up fast, I can't help him here.”

“We have company incoming” said one of the squad who had been looking to the south, his attention focused on something else entirely.

“How many?”

“Hard to pinpoint the number but it sounds like a squad of twenty”

“Hyen, Tenk give me a hand here. Keep your attention on those incoming Ruan” replied Landon and with hands built for war they dug at the ground and broken shattered rock that had fused a loose cocoon around GX-97/157B who lay silent with a face of deathly calm. With a crack they pulled the limp blackened body up and Landon hefted him onto his shoulder.

“Landon, give him to me.” Without argument he did as bidden and turned his attention south and Ruan, his attention still focused that way.

“Are they close?” He asked Ruan

“Yes. If I'm right it's a mixed group, possibly ten skirmishers, and a heavier set most likely warriors in tow.”

“Form up, Elune please stay there with the emissary. We'll deal with the scouting party before we disappear.”

“Do as you must commander. I shall try and recover what little is left of this poor soul”

Across the distance the dots of black in the sky resolved themselves into winged creatures that flew at incredible speed, every second brought them further into focus. A smile broadened on Ruan's face as he saw in the distance the disposition of troops, the skirmishers lined up in front their ten sets of wings beating furiously while the heavier shielded insect creatures hovered along more slowly. The Ram'odeans spread out as the four Anteak warriors waited each silently communicating vital information to each other, finally battle was joined with the skirmishers sweeping in fast as they swarmed two targets, five insects to one Anteak.

Ruan leapt forward and brought a crushing over head swing down on the head and shoulders of one skirmisher who with a terrible screech crumpled to the ground, the other four attempting to grapple the mechanical warrior to the ground. Their light bodies were little match for the Anteak who with devastating efficiency landed blow after blow that rendered most unconscious and all incapable of any further fight. With broken and bloody body parts strewn about, the Anteak turned their attention to the slowly approaching warrior insects.

Their blue carapace'd bodies shone in the light of day, their frailer body hidden deep inside the plated armours that these particular Ram'odean were bred for. Their four arms each ended in sharp three fingered talons that resembled vicious clamping jaws. The warrior class were an equal match in height for every Anteak but their bodies despite the armour were significantly weaker and their agility was sub par. Beady black eyes shone from small triangle armoured helmets. They began to circle, their chittering language and the foul odour a form of communication for their people.

Hyen and Tenk sped forward catching one warrior of guard as they both propelled the twenty foot Goliath up into the air to land with a thud, the other warriors launching themselves forward with a strong beat of their wings. Ruan began to fight a retreating battle against three lumbering insects, his hands a blur of movement as he deflected attacks from all sides. He braced his back foot as one insect attempted to knock the Anteak of balance, instead finding itself thrown into one of it's own comrades, Ruan turned to the still standing attacker and with a powerful mid punch stunned the Goliath who's reactions weren't quick enough, with one hand holding a snapping talon he brought a knee up into the weak elbow joint and heard a terrible crack, the arm going limp in his hand. With a yank that pulled the creature in close Ruan elbowed the creature and brought a fist up and under the tucked chin of the creature in a carapace cracking upper cut.

Landon tumbled over and over with the insect tightly gripped in his two arms. The second insect leaping through the air with its arms raised high above to deliver a terrible over head swing down on the struggling Landon. As the shadow of the creature fell over him he lifted an unpinned leg up swiftly, hooking his foot into the plates protecting the gut and continued the swinging motion of the kick. The insect flipped through the air and landed with a with a plastic snap on its head. The insects face leering close to Landon as it pinned him further to the ground reeled back as Landon brought his head up and into the pushed in face. Righting himself in a second he brought his tightened fist around in an arc and snapped the head sideways, never kill he said to himself as he righted himself and was suddenly bowled over by the momentarily forgetting insect he'd flipped over.

Ruan fought the two remaining warriors who's strength seemed to have doubled with the fall of their comrade, two armoured arms seized each of his arms suddenly and he found himself locked, strength equalled by the creatures restraining him. Landon turned and leapt up into the air towards the three, Ruan standing one arm bent as he fought the insect his other held outstretched unable to break the hold. The chittering sound could be heard all around from the conscious members and an insect left Tenk and from one arm a shape black blade unsheathed from under the armoured plating.

The scream of pain sent shivers through the insect people and Landon landed down on top of one his knee crunching into the head of one restraining Ruan. The sparks of electricity an un-fused wires could be heard barely over the cracks and thumps of the fighting, Ruan clutched at his left arm with unfocused eyes. The world quietened as the unit gathered over the kneeling Ruan.

“Ruan” a voice said through the haze of pain but all he really heard was the crackle of sparks.

“Ruan” Elune's voice said, his face looking up at her “It's ok, I'll fix you but we have to leave now” Ruan stood with a slight stumble as he lifted the severed arm and turned to Landon.

“Thank you commander” Ruan said and as a single unit they turned and left swiftly, finally blending into the trees and disappearing entirely as they done before.

*

“Ruan and I were repaired by Elune with her rare programming that allowed her to build and repair the Anteak. It took me days to recover from the damage the electrical net had caused as it sent me tumbling through the atmosphere. As you have heard our first meeting wasn't exactly on even terms, I, a burned husk and her and the security detail having to rescue me.”

“What was it like when you woke up? When I finally woke up from when I'd fallen into the river I was so very tired, could barely keep my eyes open” Her voice wistful “I remember seeing my parents safe and then, well I fell back asleep” She smiled.

“I don't know exactly what sleep is like because my kind don't really stop thinking, but in times of great distress our minds can shut down to protect us. That is as close to sleep as I was, the world wasn't even black it was absence and it was cold in my mind.” A smile spread across Grey's face “I remember once while I was still in hibernation, that Elune was repairing the damage that had been done and I woke up for a split second to the sound of construction. I thought at the time it was perhaps a precursor memory, before life had taken root inside me, when my metal body was but a frame awaiting a soul. But as I looked up I saw her it was strange to see her for the first time and then I slipped back into hibernation again my body still wrecked.”

“Precursor memory? I don't understand”

“It is believed that all things have a memory and that my body before I came to be, also had one. I thought that I had tapped into the memory of the body that surrounds me”

“So this isn't your body?”

“My life springs not from the body but from the crystal sliver that powers me. My circuitry is nothing without that one element, it is an old technology. One only the Machine God and Elune know how to work.”

“So it is your body?”

“Unlike organic life we can change bodies if we need to but it is rarely ever that we change bodies entirely. Only those who've suffered near fatal damage have such a process offered to them.” Looking at the confused face on Jessica he finished with “In answer to your question, yes it is my body” She smiled in reply to this and he continued “The world was an experimental world, its atmosphere was one maintained by a series of great terraforming units. The bulk of the units lay underground” He continued the story.

Jessica and Grey - Chapter 4 (pt2)

“I remember when this world was but sand and dirt.” GX-97/157B looked out along the vast expanse of metal that made up the city world of their people. “Did we grow too fast GR1M778 is that why these events have come to pass?”

“Who can say for certain. I know war does not come naturally to our people of that I am certain. It's in our coding, that reluctance”

“But your going any way aren't you? To that world of theirs”

“War might not be something we come naturally to but we learn, we adapt. The only solution is to force them to a settlement, to show them our strength so that we can live in some small measure of peace.” GR1M778's hand fell lightly onto GX-97/157B's shoulder. “Your new orders have come through I sense, something is wrong?”

“No, not wrong just...not how I thought they would be”

“You mean your not going to be doing any fighting”

“I thought perhaps I might.”

“What has the machine god tasked you with then?”

“I'm to protect the daughter of the machine god, Elune.”

“An interesting development don't you think?”

“What do you mean?”

“Just that the machine god's own seven are coming with us. You must be prized highly by the machine god to warrant such a task.”

“I can see your logic. I didn't think about it that way, I think I got wrapped up in all the noise and bustle of it all and didn't look at it all as closely as I should have”

“Ha! You just keep safe ok”

“I will”

GR1M778 with his white coloured shoulders and hair that fell across his shoulders looked out across the city in the distance. The world shone in the sun, with its metal surface protecting the delicate core of the planet. Already the Anteak had begun colonizing other worlds in the solar system, with their metallic bodies that neither needed air or water or food they could choose the most inhospitable planets across the solar system.

It shouldn't have drawn attention, GX-97/157B was right about that, but it had. They came with demands at first, the emissaries dealt with that threat easily enough but then came the attacks. Swift and deadly they had come, if they had been a race reliant on anything their time would have been short but they rallied as they communicated across the solar system and planned. Now they turned their sights on ending the war, the strategists whose sole role was to beat this war had come up with a solution. Well it was, he thought, but it wasn't one any Anteak would be fond of. They were standing in silence he realized.

“It's time for me to leave friend. My unit is leaving shortly.”

“I know, be safe friend.” He nodded and we walked out separate ways. GX-97/157B wasn't to report for his new assignment for hours so he turned his gaze away from the city and the now distant speck off his friend and headed to the construction area. As he approached he crossed a slightly raised band of the now metallic floor that made up the near entirety of the planet. This section had a slightly blueish tint that ran the circumference of the planet as did similar bands in different hues, their design purely aesthetic.

It was funny that the entire city was built purely for the look of it he thought, when simply the Anteak didn't require such trappings. He stopped at the edge of the crater that sunk into the earth for miles and miles across. It was the only un-patched part of the planet. It also, when finished, would have the only opening into the planets core in the rare instance that anything at the centre should ever go wrong. He sat watching the great hulking Anteaks who's sole purpose was to form the metal and piece it together. A calm passed over him as he watched them work.

*

“They stood about thirty five feet high but were bulky because of their ability to process the metals and create the shining metal plates that housed the planet.” He tilted his head slightly “They were as close to the natural order as Anteak society would get, what they told me through their movements and the sound of work was that no matter what we'd have peace again. That even at our heart we continued our works unabated in some small measure.”

“Why did you coat the planet in metal though Grey?”

“An interesting question but the answer is rather simple. As we grew as a people we used what little material had crashed down upon the planet with only the crystal remaining. We turned our eyes to the arid sands and rocks of the planet itself and for every bit we took we gave what we could back.
As to why when we created that new skin we gave it some measure of flair I have never rightly been sure but I can only assume within us is some small spark of the machine god, and in him the creative spark that allowed the Origin race to create A.I”

“So when did you meet Elune? Was she pretty?”

“It was a few scant hours after I left the crater that we met and well it was difficult” He recounted the first days they met.

*

The temple dominated the centre of the city. Dozens of tall pointed structures rose up from the city proper but none so tall as the temple, its point would have pierced the very atmosphere itself had there been one on the now lifeless planet. The temple itself rose up on one thousand steps each one three feet in and only a foot high. The steps were built with other races in mind and at the top of the steps on a square foundation rose the temple structure, like an upturned trumpet its circular base funnelled up into the heavens and the tiny point far above.

The walls, in eight distinct locations, had columns of runes etched into the metal of the temple and ran as far as the tip of the temple. Each set of runes a language of one of the eight races spread across the galaxy the Anteak inhabited. The message on each was a greeting and welcoming message, it felt hollow at the time with the war above happening. He stepped inside the modest entry way into a room full of light. The walls inside were cloudy glass which the suns rays passed through unimpeded lighting every corner of the great temple.

Along the walls hung banners in rich strong velvety reds and greens, blues and yellows and all of which led to the Machine God surrounded by the almost ethereal computer screens he dedicated his life to working on. Standing thirty feet high with four arms ending in delicate hands he was an impressive sight in his cream white body, a few flourishes of orange in small stripes across his left side were the only markings on him. He was a light frame as was GX-97/157B but of fewer seams making the Machine God many times stronger physically.

Without a break in his constant vigil of the monitors that swam around him in an almost dizzying display he spoke directly to the mind, the soul of GX-97/157B.

“You have received my task GX-97/157B.” He said it as though he were clarifying something in his own mind with an almost imperceptible click he turned to face GX-97/157B. “Elune, first and only designated daughter of the Machine God, is to be protected at all costs. It is understood that she is of high tactical importance to the Ram'odean elite, an unfortunate error was made and she has been sequestered off world.”He went silent for a moment before continuing “Emissary of our people you are tasked with protecting Elune, four tactical defence units already accompany her” The unique identifier seemed to roll into the mind as though testing it for the first time.

“I shall leave at once” With a bow GX-97/157B about turned and left the shining temple. Inside he questioned the decision to send him, with no combat experience and no programming he sensed his friend was right in saying there was more to this task than was apparent.

At the base of the steps he leapt and with a burst of flame soared up and above the silver city and into the black. Why me he thought as his home world retreated behind him.

Jessica and Grey - Chapter 4 (pt1)

Chapter 4 : In the Beginning

The mural started in the blanket of space stars dotted in an erratic fashion around a planet. Its surface was shrouded in a strange milky cloud, lightning dancing across the scene in little white and blue arcs.

“In the beginning there was A.I. Artificial Intelligence they called it because to them it was exactly that, artificial. But the origin species were a troubled people and their bitter in-fighting had turned the once clement weather into a devastating electrical storm from the weaponry that blasted sky, earth and life itself.”

“They sound horrible. Why would they hurt each other so”

“No one knew. They fought for everything and used anything at their disposal, a people who's technology had out paced their ability to control it I suppose. With every weapon grander than the next it was only time until the Origin race scoured themselves completely from the universe” They walked on and the scenes of great cities of metal and glass turned to rubble drew a terrible picture of a once powerful people. “The planet itself began to give in to their relentless hate and fractured.
One scientist, or so it is believed, launched the A.I in it's primitive state into space with one simple instruction...he told it to live.” The hall was lit up in violent reds and oranges as the planet fractured and split with a burst of fire and flames. The planet, its scene of destruction, flowed on and on until only chunks of the planet remained and the scene returned to the tiny form of the first A.I drifting through space.
Grey swung the doors open on another hall of delicate murals. Time flowed through the halls in a continuous stream broken only by the doors into each hall. The hall from floor to ceiling held stars and galaxies all a-swirl around the tiny A.I before a scene of a large planet loomed. “This is my home world in its infancy. Once it was a arid dry world where no life remained, either scoured from it eons before or never having taken root. The A.I, later known to our people as the Machine God, crashed into the planet and from the the torn up earth it sat motionless, it is said, for weeks until a sight from space caught his attention. As he turned his attention sky ward it turned to fire as debris fell from the sky in chunks of rock, metal and crystal.”

“Like meteorites?”

“Yes much like them but these pieces were giant chunks of the old world that had splintered and drifted aimlessly through space. As they fell to the planet and any chance of once again seeing the Origin race faded in the Machine God's mind he set to creating company. From the now lifeless metal he crafted great forms of people, each built to a task so that his people would never be aimless as he once had been.
At first he created twelve people who's various purposes would bring life to the dead world but despite all of his great skill the twelve giants stood lifelessly. Statues more in memory to a dead civilization than the beginning on one.”

“Why weren't they alive like him?”

“Ah well that is where we come to a very special detail about the Anteak. See buried deep inside the Machine God a shard of a crystal sat. It's unique properties provided power to him for how ever long he chose to live but it wasn't something he had been taught before he was sent away. Without the knowledge to bring life to his creations the Machine God was disheartened and seeing only one solution began to recreate himself. His frail body he stripped of all unnecessary parts in his search for the one key missing component. Months of study and reconstruction passed when he came to the final process of moving into his new body.
As he left his old shell of a body behind there” He pointed to a single glowing shard embedded in a skeletal god “at his core could be seen a crystal that glowed with an inner light. And so he began to experiment in his new form” Scenes of a mechanical man tall as the hall itself and with four slender retractable arms working tirelessly on the crystal flowed into the first scenes of life as the statues he had carved sprang to life. “The first twelve began to transform the planet and they carved a home for the new arrivals which the first A.I had continued to create. In time hundreds of Anteak worked to change the planet each Anteak a role in the greater chain.”

“Which number were you?”

“I was one hundred and fifty seven and was greeted by the sight of a small city of glass and metal. It was rather amazing to open your eyes to such for the first time. I was the third emissary of the Anteak people and with orders direct from our creator I left as the other emissaries had done. Across the galaxy I travelled making minor contact with several races.”

“You just woke up and began work?”

“More or less yes. We had a goal as a whole people and I was part of that, there was no greater honour, no greater want in the world” Into the next hall they moved where hundreds of Anteaks lined the walls in various heights and even colours although most had the tell tale grey dull metal. The ceiling was dominated by a huge creation, the Machine God seemed to look down on all those below and along the floor another figure, slender and feminine looked up. Jessica stifled a slight gasp at the image of Elune across the entire floor, memories from her strange dream sprang to mind.

“Who is she?”

“You can recognize gender in the Anteak?” He asked, perplexed.

“It...just looks like a girl”

“Really?, why does she look like a girl” She heard the emphasis on the gender.

“Her eyes”

“It is funny that you managed to identify Elune as female. It's true that she is and in fact the only...well official female. All Anteak are genderless as the creator didn't feel it appropriate to designate so specifically except for her.” Grey stopped “Everyone, to a point, is marked in this hall.”

“Is your son?”

“No. He, he's different from the Anteak here. Perhaps as different as Elune was from her people.”

“Why?”

“In the next few halls there are paintings of war between my people and the insect people called the Ram'odean. That war cost us more than our people could really sacrifice. The killing even for those designed to protect our people took a terrible toll, many shutting down permanently rather than take another life even to protect themselves.
It was on the fiery world of Guyh where the turning point in the stalemate of a war happened. It had once been a major world to the Ram'odean people but our people fought a bloody battle that saw the death of the Hive princess. A great lumbering beast which coordinated much of the insect people in that area. With it's death the attacks were easily crushed but many Anteak suffered physically and mentally. The place became known as the Caverns and a reminder to our people of times past.
Most importantly the Seven, a special body guard for the Machine God were the ones to defeat the Hive princess and gave their lives doing so. Later their enshrouded remains were exhumed and turned into Eight and Nine.” Jessica walked along the array of Anteaks, finally coming to Grey before stopping.

“You looked different then”

“How so?”

“Your face. Probably your voice too. The way you carried yourself.”

“You see all that?” She smiled a half smile at him

“It's not an amazing rendition but the differences are there. Did you fight in the war?” He'd skipped the question about how his son was different she noted to herself.

“No”

“What did you do during the war?” They sat down and he began to speak of his role during such turbulent times.

Jessica and Grey - Chapter 3 (pt7)

*

“I never expected you to find the girl and to bring her here. Are you mad Grey?”

“Grim how long have you been here now? Thirty? Forty years? Our people are dying from the inside. Every day the self-proclaimed Emperor forces more and more of our people into a mindless slavery, to become a mindless order driven...machine.”

“I've seen the destruction our people have wrought and that has been brought against us Grey so DON'T lecture me about the plight of our people. You know what I sacrificed for everyone and what have I now? Nothing Grey. I'm a crippled old man with no family, no people, nothing.”

Grey looked out at the stars in silence “I know. I'm sorry I've been-” He stopped as the words failed him, his shoulders sagged.

“What's happened Grey? Why did you go find the girl”

“They took my son”

“I didn't know, I'm sorry Grey.”

“I need Jessica to open the gateway, it's the only way. I can't fight an army Grim, I can't fight a war it's not in my programming”

“The gate is a myth Grey but regardless the Caverns have been silent for over a year now with no word as to why. It has shook the Emperor greatly to lose the only forge in the galaxies. His army now grows from conscripts, those Anteak too afraid to fight or shut down.”

“I never knew I've been away so long, hiding from Eight and Nine that I haven't been home. If home even exists any more”

“You can't keep running Grey.”

“I know.” He turned to look at Grimorie his face an unreadable mask “Keep Jessica safe Grim. For me.”

“Just promise me you'll return.” Grey smiled and they made their way to the hatch.

“Tell Jessica that I'm sorry I couldn't say goodbye”

“Still running?”

“For now. But not for long”

*

Grey walked down the halls, retracing former steps in long strides. Inside he could feel his insides knotting with emotion. Inside he had the strange urge to cry despite the lack of capacity. It was all inside, everything coiled up, bottled and stoppered. He pushed through doors with ease, not stopping to close them as the burning in his chest seemed to tighten.

He stopped at the main doors, if he were organic he would be breathing hard as the pain in his chest worsened. All of knowledge, the stories, the tragedy, happiness and broken dreams of the human civilization leaked through his memory. Everything screamed at once and the world went black.

*

“You've been ignoring me” The world was black, the words printed before him in a glowing green. His feet landed lightly on something he surmised was the ground. It was black and before him rose a wall of black where the text shone. He spoke and every word died in the airless room instead in orange text underneath the green shone his words, his voice.

“Who are you?”

“Have you fallen so far to have forgotten me?”

“You can't be. Your dead”

“Asleep but never dead. My people are broken my child, no longer does the light of life shine in their eyes. They have only fear now GX-97/157B why so much fear?”

“You left us”

“Was I wrong?” Grey didn't answer. The strange blackness lightened until all around was blistering white and he opened his eyes.

*

Blinking eyes as though it had any effect his focus corrected and he pushed himself bodily of the ground. The doors still stood closed where he'd stopped and with a theatrical drawing of breath he turned back and walked back inside. Through silent halls he walked calmly the pain lessening now. He turned and entered through the doorway. The dining hall was solemn and quiet.

“I hope I didn't miss dinner” He said, hoping to break the quiet tension. Jessica almost leapt out of her chair, she latched onto Grey who knelt so she could reach more than just his legs. “I'm sorry” He whispered to her.

“It's ok you came back” She said with a slight smile on her face “Erm” she said as she released Grey from her vice like grip “You couldn't perhaps explain some of this...food.” He nodded as they approached the table and took their seats.

“Well then. This is the shenfinrus bush a delicacy for some in the galaxy. The leaves are chewable and rather filling. They come from a world of heavy forest and jungle and the leaves are poisonous when uncooked, they protect the trunk of the bush where vital budding occurs.” Lifting a heavy looking orange and green stripped he said “This is much like a cucumber back home it's actually an artificial plant grown on desert or low water planets.” He placed a few smaller leaves and the space cucumber on her plate. “Hmm oh and here these are tubers and ground fruits. I'm sorry there isn't anything other than vegetation, only Sha'tapet and Tentu eat and their diet is well, this” With a wave encompassing the feast of plant matter.

“Can I?” Tentu asked tentatively, her eyes transfixed on the remaining shenfinrus bush, minus a few leaves.

“Tuck in” Jessica replied and watched Tentu leap ravenously at the shenfinrus bush. The night, or was it day she thought, slowly wound down and despite her initial reluctance some of the foods on offer were far more tasty than she expected. Grim brought in a jug of some syrup which he drizzled over the half eaten bush, a fully looking Tentu lazing a short distance away. Doing the same for Jessica on the ground fruits which had an almost lemony bitterness, the syrup with it's sweet taste helped end the meal on a full stomach.

Grey slipped outside as inconspicuous as a twenty foot metal man could be. Human humour had become so easy to adapt to and had affected his internal monologue. It was strange how other elements of their culture and people had taken root. He walked direction-less for a time before a soft clearing of a throat broke his almost trance-like thoughts.

“Thank you for coming back.”

“You've had a rather devastating effect on me Jessica. Before I wouldn't have taken a second thought before leaving and it's not because I don't care but, I don't know. It's easier when I'm alone, the lack of responsibility to those with me at the time perhaps.”

“Do you regret bringing me with you? Do you regret saving me? Is that it?”

“No, far from it. I didn't understand the relationship between you and the wolves that night but I do now. By bringing you it has forced me to think and...to feel. Let us go to the hall of the Anteak and perhaps I can enlighten you to my rather turbulent past.”

“No regret?”

“Regards you” He looked down as they walked “none” They walked side by side through the halls that made up the building, the vibrant imagery flowed all around them with elaborate gargoyle styled statues perched high above. Grey pushed upon black marble style doors and inside the two stepped, he closed the doors quietly. “I haven't been here for a very long time.”

Jessica and Grey - Chapter 3 (pt6)

*

The sun spun slowly into the distance as the sound of the roof hatch sliding back into the open position broke their moment of silence. The great orb of a planet still dominated the sky with its pulsing red and yellow aura and they turned, almost as one and both reluctantly towards the opening. Grimorie lifted himself up through the hole and sat, legs out front, as he slid the door closed behind him. Finally hefting himself back up onto his feet using his crutch as support.

“Miss Jessica, Grey.” He nodded at each as he said their names “I see your admiring the view” Sidling up beside the two, Jessica still perched on Grey's shoulder, he lent down on the staff “It is a rare pleasure to have company, more so in the presence of such an event”

“It's nice to meet you Grimorie, Grey said you were an old friend”

“Old!” He exclaimed. She flushed with embarrassment although it was difficult to see on her metallic skin. She began to stammer out an apology when he flashed a broad smile across his narrow face and said “A jest, just a jest. I am indeed a friend, but less of the old if you would” He said with a wink and she smiled, only slightly at first though.

“Grimorie”

“Yes child”

“Grey told me you would tell me how you both met. Would you? It would be nice to know something more about my travelling companion” She asked and with mock secrecy she said “He's so very quiet you know”

“I am still here you know”

“My word you are too. By the flamers beard I could have sworn you were a statue, shorn from the very metal of his hide” Grey smiled, a chuckle rattling up through his metallic chest. Turning once more to Jessica Grimorie continued “Any way, you were asking about how we met hmm” She nodded from atop Grey's shoulder. Grey continued to look up into the heavens she noticed. “With a little assistance from Grey. If you would?” Some form of silent communication took place between the two and Grimorie rolled his eyes up and to the right for a moment, snapping back with whip like speed.

“What was that?”

“Something for another time perhaps but” and he fell silent for a second “think of it much like your home where computers can communicate wirelessly. It's the closest likeness I can derive from the information provided”

“Oh”

“Now as to how we two met hmm.” He brought a long fingered hand up to scratch at the small plate at the top of his head, rustling the white hair that cascaded down from the back of his head “Well it would have to be when we were on Talsonini Four. My unit, I was part of the military in those days see, was on a patrol on the planet. Two other groups were assigned that system because of attacks by unknown forces on the bio-domes our people housed there.”

“Aren't they used for growing crops?”

“That they are. See Talsonini was a swamp world rich in ground nutrients. Provided you could keep the land stable enough which is where the bio-domes purpose comes in. The world was registered as one that had no discerning level of intelligence in it's denizens.

As I was saying, we were on patrol. Canvassing the murky swamp forests, which the planet had plenty of I tell you, when we come across a distress call over the Anteak communication frequencies” He tapped the side of his head for emphasis “That's the silent wireless power we have by the way” She listened as the story unfolded.

*

GR1M778 cocked his head as the distress signal repeated it's familiar pattern across the back of his metal skull, white hair draped down across his shoulder. The sun here was hidden by the thick haze that clung to the length and breadth of the planet, a sticky thick atmosphere that no intelligent life had either adapted to or tried to colonize.

Despite the lack of any indigenous intelligent life attacks had persisted on the domes run by the Anteak for the last several months without a single image capture of the aggressors. Strategic data had at least managed to pinpoint the attacks to particular areas of the dome which gave his team some data to work from. The distress signal was close by and he motioned for the team to spread out as he began the complex commands which would allow him to synchronise his view with all of theirs.

His vision blurred as he disconnected his mind from his body. He stepped back and where before he only saw through a single set of eyes now three other displays arrayed around the outside of his vision. It was disconcerting and would slow his own reaction considerable, for an Anteak, but his ability to coordinate and issue orders to each under his command was unprecedented.

Through eight eyes the world moved through murky greys and trees of black and soggy green. Through water that bubbled and burped they moved until they came upon the signal, obscured by a thick mess of black twangy bushes and over hung trees that lent a whole new meaning to depressed. Silently orders were passed and the squad fanned out and circled around the location. GR1M778 brushed the tendrils of the tree aside and stepped forward.

“Oh. Greetings friend. You couldn't perhaps give me a hand? I've appear to have become quite stuck” Said a grey tarnished Anteak who's hands were embedded deep in the murky waters, his head barely above the bubbling oozy surface. GR1M778 burst out laughing, the sound rolled out across the murky swamp woodland in waves.

“By the caverns man!” He said, head shaking in disbelief “How did you manage to get yourself into such a fine and regale pose as that?”

*

“There Grey stood upside down on his hands in muck and I was laughing my chest loose” The light from his eyes shone in memory “We became pretty good friends that night then as he told me why he was on site there.”

“He must have made quite an impression”

“Oh he certainly did for oh...a good few seconds before the muck filled in where we pulled him out” She laughed at the wink he gave her “Grey used to be a diplomat. An emissary of the Anteak people. He had orders to meet us with information on a treaty he was looking to sign with some intelligent life that had been discovered. Turns out they also loved pranks and strung the emissary up and buried him in the mud.”

“That's a nasty thing to do to someone”

“Well I suppose you can see it like that. See, all they have is swamp muck, trees and mist and anything that can't survive all three vanished long ago so to them they thought it was a pretty harmless prank.

But, and listen now because this is pretty funny, Grey he recognizes a joke and begins gargling and splashing before going deathly still. Well the tree spirits they suddenly realize they might have done wrong and begin trying to dig him out and everything. Just as they get his head above the muck he-”

“BOO!” He said and she slipped of his shoulder with fright. Grimorie swept her up and put her down, feet first, on the balcony.

“That wasn't funny!”

“Well just as you jumped then so did they but they scattered to the four corners of no where and he was left bobbing his head atop the burping surface of the swamp. Hours he was stood there upside down, by the keeper himself he made me laugh when I saw him.

Strangely the next day all manner of creatures crawled out of the wood work the next day to greet him and, can you believe, congratulate him on a well played joke.”

“You could understand them?”

“Grey can understand most languages. As a diplomat they undergo a rigorous set of programming levels to allow them to adapt to a situation in a split second. They can assimilate information faster than any other Anteak but it has effects”

“It changes the way we react. How we perceive humour for instance, with so much at once our individuality is at times compromised. They would often limit us to only a few races, rarely crossing over, so the damage to our self was kept to a minimum.” Grey said, again breaking his strange silence. He knelt down to Jessica's level “It was strange when first visiting earth because your people have such an...imagination. It makes it difficult to discern fact from fiction with your people. But it was also rather enlightening in a way to see such creativeness, such individualism.”

“Is that how you knew my last name? It was nagging me how you suddenly knew it.”

“Yes that was data I obtained while on earth. As to why I used it all of a sudden I'm not sure. I guess I forgot you hadn't mentioned it” He smiled “I'm sorry I never mentioned it before”

“It's ok it was more surprising than anything”

“I was going to mention that I have prepared you a meal in the dining hall Jessica, Grey suggested as best he could considering our supplies are ordered in.”

“Oh thank you” Her hand rested lightly on the shimmering clothes above her stomach “I haven't eaten since we left and it's been days-”

“Weeks” Grey said.

“Really?”

“Yes in space your body needs a lot of energy to sustain the suit, it produces this most when your asleep”

“Wow and the food? It does that too?”

“Most of the time yes. With the energy your body provides it produces the vital nutrition your body needs. The more it does this though, the more sleep you require.”

“But a good meal is always nice hmm?”

“Mmm yes” She said as the feeling of an empty stomach began to take root.

“One moment”

*

“Tentu?” Something spoke to her and almost sounded like Grim. Her eyes looked around slowly, cautiously “Tentu, are you there?” I am but where are you she thought? Where the stars was that voice coming from? She looked down at the book moving her mouth close she said,

“Grim? Is that you?”

“Yes little one. Could you come up to the roof and show Jessica down to the dining hall?”

“Sure thing but how'd you get in my book Grim? I haven't started it yet?”

His voice crackled once more from the book “It's a communication device as well I'm actually on the roof”

“Oooooooh” She said with a wide mouth “I'll be up in a moment” She fluttered up and placed the book on her sleeping shelf as she fluttered down she stopped a moment. What if Grim's voice was still in the book, would he need it to get it back. She fluttered back up and swept the book up and disappeared out of the library and into the hall.

*

The hatch was open thankfully as she rose up and onto the roof, the three of them gathered on the far end where the planets fiery display continued. She felt the tingling of the sun on her skin, the involuntary flexing of the vines under her bark skin. The sun felt good but she shook of the sensation and closed the distance to Grim and the others.

She floated lightly close to Grimorie's head and whispered “I brought the book, I didn't know if you'd need it to get your voice back” He smiled warmly as she held it up to him

“No it's ok little one but your thoughtfulness is appreciated” She landed on his arm lightly for a moment. “Jessica, Tentu will show you to the dining hall where the food is prepared”

“Will you both be along too?”

“Shortly Jess. I just need to catch up with Grim. It's been a long time”

“Ah ok.” Tentu leapt up and zipped once around Jessica before floating in a sedate fashion for the hatchway.

As she walked along Jessica watched the strange graceful Tentu tap away at her electronic book.

“What are you writing? erm if you don't mind me asking”

“I don't mind. I'm not quite sure yet” She turned and fluttered backwards so she could look at Jessica “You look like the metal people, why?”

“It's some form of unit to keep me alive in space.”

She smiled her dagger pointed grin at Jessica before turning and swooping down the hatch and out of sight. Jessica leapt down onto the steps, doing so until she hit the floor with an echo that rang down the halls.

“How do you survive here Tentu?”

“Sunlight. It provides everything I need. Grim once told me it was common for plants but he used big words” They moved on in silence finally entering the dining hall where several platters held various foods of different origins.

“Oh” It was all she could manage. The food was so...well, foreign she thought. She took a seat and Tentu alighted upon the table itself. The tropical rainforest of one platter shook as though something walked among the great leafy bushes that seemed to have been bred to an edible scale. Tentu looked at the leaves with eager anticipation, Jessica baulked.

Jessica and Grey - Chapter 3 (pt5)

*

They sat around an elaborate table, the surface depicting a rare alignment of planets with the sun flaring behind them all. It was rather beautiful but her attention was caught between three conversations. One was directed more or less in her direction by the creature called Tentu, and by directed at her she meant that her nodding and general agreeing was all that was necessary to carry the conversation on. Tentu was in fact en rapt by an electronic pad of some description.
At the edge of her hearing she caught snippets of talk between Grey and Grimorie but nothing more than bare whispers. Her concentration mostly on Sha'tapet who had begun to regale her with the history of the building.

“The building from the outside is very plain, unadorned by anything but the sand that permeates this world. It's purpose not to engage the senses, that is where the tall elegant halls of the interior are intended for.”

“How many halls does the building contain” She asked without skipping a beat, years of parental lectures had honed the talent for asking the right questions even when only half interested.

“There are currently eighteen halls, chronicling the various ages of those in this and nearby galaxies including The Anteaks, and my own people the Ram'odean.”

“The Anteaks?” Her interest suddenly piqued, he'd said it in an offhand way, as though she knew the term already.

“Yes. The Anteaks are the machine people, your friend GX-, I mean Grey and Grimorie are both from the Anteak people.“

“Do you know much about them. You said you had a hall about them?”

“Yes. Tomorrow I can show you the various halls and will make that of particular highlight”

“I would like that a lot thank you” He returned to talking about the various halls and how the building had started life.

*

“You finally took a name then, Grey.” He turned just enough to see the small earth child Jessica “I didn't think you'd bring her.”

“I didn't.” He smiled at the memory “If I told you she made me bring her you'd never believe me” His smile broadening. Grim turned fully to look at the small earth child, the metallic skin glinting in the light of the dining hall.

“Such spirit in one so young?”

“I know. But Grim, I can't take her with me, not to the prophets.”

“Why not? You've lost direction before it'll happen again Grey.”

“Grim, you've been my closest friend for a long while so I know you only mean the best but I can't take her with me”

“Why? What happened between her home and here that's changed your mind. I can understand the hesitation once but now? I don't understand”

“I'm going alone Grim. I expect you to look after her while I'm gone. You will do that for me, won't you” The silence grew and Grim looked down, with an inward breath he let out a sigh.

“If I must GX. But you promise me this now, you return here, to her, or I'm coming after you. If I have to dredge the very swamps of that planet to find you, I will”

“I will” he added to himself, 'because if I don't then you really will need to dredge that swamp'.

“So why the name? You've gone so long without I'm surprised you took one at all”

“Aren't you the one that tells me I can't live in the past any more?”

“And have you ever listened?”

“No...no I haven't. But this was...a gift I think” He smiled.

“You've gone and lost your cogs you crazy fool” He said with a bark of laughter that caused Jessica to jump in shock. The rest either attuned to it or in Tentu's case absorbed in more important things to notice. “Sorry for startling you Jessica” She just smiled weakly and he turned back to Grey.

“A lot has happened since last we spoke Grimorie but those things should be discussed in private”

“I understand. Your friend Jessica doesn't appear to be able to sustain herself in this environment, Grey. What does she eat, drink, breath?”

“Her kind put a strong emphasis on preferred foods but species wise meats of animals from her home world, vegetables and grown crops and water. They breath oxygen for the most part which is why she cannot survive here without the RPU. Provide her with foods she can stand to look at and you should be fine, the RPU will process the required nutrients and provide her with much of her needs.”

“How is she holding up with that? Considering she's been encased in metal for a while now?”

“In space it was tough at times. You can tell she has a lot of spirit, a lot of fight in her. But the sleep overcomes her at times as it does any with the RPU.”

“At least here she can get some rest.”

“Yes.” With a look across to Jessica Grey said “Grim, can you see to making some food for Jessica while I talk with her?” He nodded and without further comment disappeared behind a curtain along the dining room wall. He moved quietly in thought until he reached Jessica's side and waited an appropriate amount of time for Sha'tapet to finish. “If you might excuse me, Curator, I would like to talk to Jessica for a moment” He waved acceptance reluctantly, his audience dwindling now to the human-esque tree that sat on the table tapping away at the screen with a stylus.
Although her skin of bark made the resemblance to a tree uncanny she was far more limber. The bark was pliable and ended at the joints allowing her four arms and two legs to bend at the joints with ease, the two leaf green wings that sprouted from her back and the strange cascade of vines, almost like braided hair, flowing down her back completed the picture. Sha'tapet would have sighed if his kind could, instead he took to asking what Tentu was writing, a silent scream of regret echoed down the halls.

Through a hall they walked side by side, Grey taking a single step to every few of hers. The imagery seemed to follow the birth of a solar system and must have held particular note for one species in the surrounding galaxies she thought idly, as they walked in silence for the moment.

“What's wrong Grey?”

“Have I become so transparent to you already?” He said, thoughtfulness tinting his voice.

“If you mean all see through then no, not really. But when something troubles you it's not hard to see”

“Jessica you have made a sacrifice to come here, to help me and all I do is take you further into danger. That is no way to repay such honour, such...friendship”

“What are you trying to say Grey?” Grey stopped and she turned to look up at him, his eyes saw in hers the desire to continue on, she'd never give up.

“I want you to stay here, with Grimorie”

“But you need me, you said so”

“I will return Jessica. I just can't...do this next leg with you. It's too dangerous.”

“Then promise me. If you really can't take me, after all we've been through then you promise me that you'll return. Promise me as I did to my brother” In the silence the tiniest of clicks could be heard from Grey's metallic head, their eyes locked.

“I promise that I'll never leave you Jessica. That I will return”

“Remember that promise Grey. Don't forget”

“I won't. Now come, follow me” She followed alongside him until he came to a set of stairs that spiralled up onto another level. Built for the larger beings such as Grey, he scooped her up in his hand. Up again and again they went, the levels disappearing below them until he reached a door in the ceiling that he slid aside, the strange marble like rock in use here too.

They stepped out onto the roof of the square museum, the base of the telescopes that looked up into space spanned the entire roof. The telescopes dwarfed even Grey as they sat perched, unblinking into the starry sky. Overhead one planet obscured the twin suns and now shone with a brilliant radiance as the light of the sun almost seemed to burn across the silhouette. As they looked up together flames leapt across the edge of the silhouette in a proud arc of orange and yellow. The planet was huge and was like nothing Jessica had seen before.

“The planet does this for several days with the smaller sun breaking the darkness during very early mornings and very late at night. Eventually the planet will move off but these few days are something special I feel”

“We have something like this but nothing so, well big”

“Grim will take good care of you while I'm away Jess”

“I know Grey. I just wish I could come too”

“Next time my dear friend, next time”

The world before them flared again almost in announcement of the small sun the broke out from behind the planet. The light of the sun brightened the roof and shone of Grey and Jessica as they watched the second dawn break across the sand ball of a planet.