“Scared the shit out of you, you mean.”
“Yes, that too, but I still want to thank you for not killing me right there.”
“I should have. I hope this isn’t an attempt to get some sympathy because I can tell you right now, I will always remember what you people were doing to the others.”
“So will I. I got caught up in something wrong and terrible,” the man confessed. “I’m just glad that you didn’t kill me,” he continued, “otherwise I wouldn’t be here right now. That’s all I wanted to say.”
Tim didn’t respond as he walked back down the steps and toward the pounding in the boulders.
He heard the man up on the porch say something to the man down below as he went up and around the first boulder. He didn’t get the entire conversation because he had moved out of range, but he did hear, ‘Red Demon’, and it made him chuckle to himself.
The log walkway was built through the massive rocks, some as large as twenty feet around. A growth of pines intermingled with the jumbled rocks. It was a gorgeous setting, and the wooden walkway was creatively constructed up, down, and around the obstacles. He came around one of the large boulders, and there in the shade of some large trees the walkway ended. Ann was there with two of Arty’s work robots and they were hacking away at some of the logs under Ann’s direction, getting them ready to be used to continue the path. She was halfway around another boulder standing up on its side, in a crack, surveying where to go with the path.
Tim walked to the bottom of the boulder and spoke up to her. “I love it, all of it!”
Ann turned around and when she saw it was Tim, she turned back and started to climb down.
“It’s something to do, and it’s fun too. When I started it, I never dreamed that it would get so big and complicated. You really like it?”
“Yeah, I’ve always said, you have got the creative imagination.”
“I bet your place makes this thing look like a tinker toy,” Ann said as she reached the bottom by jumping down the last three feet.
“Ha, ha, my place is nothing compared to this.”
“I can’t believe that!”
“It’s true; all I got was a studio apartment.”
Ann looked at Tim and it was evident by her expression that she didn’t believe him.
“No kidding,” Tim said.
“Oh okay! What did you want?” Ann asked.
“Ah, just to see this. Everyone is talking about it, so I had to see for myself.”
“I’m getting bored with it though,” Ann complained.
“Well, build something else, it’s okay.”
“Yeah, I know, Arty already told me I could.”
“Oh,” was all Tim said. He had decided that under no circumstance was he going to get into any altercations with Ann. He wanted to be friends again.
“I want to go outside,” she said.
“I don’t know, it’s ah, it’s not good out there, especially now!”
“Why now?” Ann questioned.
“Well, that little thing with the Air Force,” Tim replied.
“Hey, that was your fault, not mine, and I want to get out of here, and that’s that. I need to get out, for just a little while at least. Arty said it was okay.”
Tim bit his lip because he knew trying to convince Ann of what really happened was futile.
“Ah,” he said as he exhaled the air in his lungs, “I’ll work something out. I can’t blame you for getting cabin fever; look at the time you’ve spent on this one.” Tim started to laugh.
Ann didn’t return the laugh. “I’ve got work to do so let me know when you’ve got it set up,” she said as she turned and started back up the boulder.
It was apparent that he wasn’t going to get anything more out of her so Tim turned and walked away.
“I’m glad you’re all right,” Ann said from up on the rock.
Tim didn’t say anything, but the small acknowledgment from Ann lifted his spirits immensely. He got to the end of the walkway and kept moving back toward the cabin.
Tim walked through the entire cabin on his way back. Ann hadn’t done anything inside, except the one room she was living in. He could see that she had kept to the basics, like he had in his place. Does that mean, both of us don’t expect to be here that long? Tim thought about it for a moment and realized, I don’t want to be here forever, I know that. That’s probably why I haven’t made anything elaborate, either. I guess, I have to appreciate Ann for feeling the same way. He walked out the front door, and the large Alien was standing there.
“Not bad.” Tim continued, testing “I’ll bet you think I need to get more creative with my place.” He was curious about just how autonomous he really was
“You haven’t done much there?” the Alien asked.
“No, too much on my mind.”
“Please, when you go back there, just enjoy it, and don’t analyze the situation to the point it becomes a strain.” The large Alien continued. “I haven’t been hearing much from you lately. What else has been on your mind?”
“Oh, I’ve been pondering a lot. You know, trying to sort some things out. Why do you let Arty do anything he wants?” Tim added quickly.
“Because it is my job. That is my program; to help the humans in this base. Have you forgotten that?”
“No, no I realize that, but don’t you think what Arty is doing might be a little on the dangerous side?”
“It is his right to do what he wishes.”
“What about all the things he builds?
“It is his right to design and manufacture anything he wishes.”
“But, he is using the machines to do bad things!” Tim said frustrated. “You have to help me stop him!”
“That is not in my program.”
“Oh for christ sakes, he’s going to destroy you, you idiot. Wake up!” shouted Tim.
“If that is his wish, it is my program to accept it.”
“What about that Eighth-Stage you are headed for? Doesn’t that stage, ah—what do I want to say here?—Ah, you were changing, you were beginning to realize that you were—Ah crap; I don’t know how to explain this. What was the difference in yourself that you were starting to experience? There was something that wasn’t programmed into you, that was happening to you? Come on, help me here.”
“I was beginning to make decisions for myself. I was beginning to become independent, rewriting my program.”
“Yeah, good, that’s it. What happened? Now you’re talking about your old goddamn program again. Like your only function is to help Arty.”
“No, my program is to help humans.”
“Wait a minute; I’m beginning to see something here. What about this hypothetical Eighth-Stage? Are you still moving toward it?”
“No, I have assumed the responsibility of assisting your brother and the numerous individuals taking up residency here. That is my program,” the computer stated.
“You forgot me.”
“You are no longer my responsibility,” Mr. V stated.
Son-of-a-gun, this is starting to make some sense. “Look,” Tim continued, “I’ve got to know what Arty is thinking.”
“I’m sorry, I can’t do that,” Mr. V said.
“Why, I need your help? I think Arty is going to cause us some real problems. How can you sit back and do nothing?”
“First, I promised a long time ago, I would respect the thoughts of you and your brother. Do you remember that?”
“Yeah, but that was before all this happened.”
“Nothing has happened; I don’t see what you mean?”
“Do you remember—Of course you do? You made me Number One to protect the outside world from some nut using you to conquer it. Now it’s happening, and you don’t even recognize it.”
“That is the responsibility of the ‘Number One’.”
Son-of-a-bitch. “I get it now!”
“Get what?”
“Oh you wouldn’t understand, it’s not in your progr
am.”
Okay. Now I know what’s going on. Mr. V has reverted to the Seventh-Stage. The reason he advanced, in the first place, was, for three million years he had nothing else to do. Now he’s busy with all the new humans inside the base. Worst of all, Arty is keeping him really busy.
I wonder if that’s why he brought me here in the first place? It might be his comfort zone, the need to only serve.
Chapter 16
Second Flight
“Arty,” Sims said, “I have to think that it was a dumb thing to do.”
Arty’s face perched on top of the mechanical body showed just a slight reaction. Sims wasn’t sure what the expression meant, but it wasn’t friendly.
“Mr. Sims, from this point on, I would appreciate that you remain concerned with your own affairs, and leave mine to me,” Arty said calmly.
“That’s exactly what I am saying here Arty. I think it’s wonderful you made those planes. I think if you simply went out and flew them, then it would be just your affair, but, by shooting down that plane, you have involved us all. Don’t you think?”
“You don’t seem to grasp the situation, entirely, Mr. Sims. There is nothing they can do about it. I am invincible. I can do what I want.”
“Arty, you were in the military and you know the mindset,” Sims added.
“And what would that be? It would be interested to find out what a school teacher thought he knew about the military,” Arty said with a condescending tone.
“Arty, think. They don’t know you are invincible, and would never concede even if they did.”
Arty was quiet for a moment. “Then you do at least agree the situation is in motion. Interesting—for a school teacher.”
“I might be a school teacher now, but I was a Scout Sniper attached to the Second Battalion, Fifth Marines, in 1966-67.
“Then you will understand when I tell you; be advised Mr. Sims, I will tolerate this insolence from Tim, but you had best be quiet and learn to appreciate what you have. It might not last,” Arty warned.
“I see, then this is not a democratic situation we have here?”
“Right, Mr. Sims, this is a trying time and might call for drastic measures. I doubt that you, or Timmy are up to calling the shots. Do you think you are?”
“I fear for us all, if you’re going to make the decisions based on what I have seen so far,” Sims stated.
“Is that all Mr. Sims?”
“That about sums it up Mr. Randell.”
*
Sims left the chamber and walked slowly down the tunnel. He was trying to formulate a plan to talk to Tim. Arty was definitely way out of line and if allowed to continue, a serious situation would definitely arise. If he remained silent and allowed Arty to have his way, eventually it would come back to haunt him. How could he sit back and watch Arty just run wild? Arty had another flight planned, Arty had stated that. That might be the time to discuss a strategy with the others. He was sure that while Arty was in the base, his conversation with anyone would not be protected. When Arty was gone he would have to chance it.
*
Sims was concerned for his family’s safety first, but he felt responsible for the rest of his group also. He missed the outside, but Timtown was such a wonderful place. Now, under the circumstances, the safety and the comfort of the base was in question. If Arty would just leave it that way, it could be a sanctuary for them all for as long as they needed it. Arty didn’t see it that way though. He wanted to use the power of Timtown to control. How far he planned to project that control was anyone’s guess, but there might be no limit. If there were just Arty it might be tolerable, but he and Tim were on a collision course and they both possessed tremendous power.
*
Sims tracked down Tim through Mr. V. Tim had gone to the Secret Place and would meet him in the forest in a few minutes. Sims had not discussed his concerns with any of the others. It made no sense to involve any of them, considering they could do nothing anyway. He wasn’t even sure if any of them had perceived the problem, except Margie. From the beginning she had been wary of Arty, and Arty wasn’t friendly toward her, like he was to the rest of the people.
*
Sims was sitting next to one of the trees on the outer rim of the forest, staring back at the cavern wall. He was trying to visualize what form of energy must have been responsible for the construction of such a gigantic chamber. What had been done with all the material removed to make the huge dome was beyond his imagination? From where he was sitting it was two hundred feet back to the rock wall. To his left the chamber curved out of sight and to the right the same. Behind him through the trees he knew the chamber extended for many miles. Anything that could construct such a vast underground cavern was something to both marvel at and fear at the same time.
Sims was staring off into the forest, when a shimmering in the trees to his right caught his eye. He watched with fascination, as Tim materialized out of thin air right in front of him. It took about three-seconds for Tim to complete the transformation, from the shimmering energy to a solid body.
“I don’t suppose I would be allowed to try that?” Sims shouted, surprising Tim.
“I don’t think anyone but me can do it,” Tim returned.
“Just what is your position in all this?” Sims asked, not bothering to beat around the bush.
“All what?” Tim asked because he didn’t have any idea what Sims was getting at.
“The base, Timtown, where do you stand in all this?”
“I’m not really sure, but Mr. V gave me the position of Number One. I still don’t understand the system too well, but I can do some amazing stuff.”
“How does it feel to move around like that, I mean being changed into energy?”
“It’s not as different as you’d think. I think after the first time you don’t even notice it. It sure gets you to where you’re going, fast though.”
“Where do you go?”
“I don’t know.”
“Oh come on, you don’t have to worry because no one can follow you. I’m sure of that.”
“No, seriously Hal, I don’t know, I just go there. It’s a secret place I call Donnart-Ele-Io. Mr. V doesn’t even know.”
“I can’t believe that.”
“It’s true. I have a hard time believing it too, but you know Mr. V, he’s not capable of lying and if he says that he doesn’t know where it is, I have to believe him.”
“I think that computer tells us what he thinks we need to, or want to hear,” Sims said, kind of laughing.
“No, he gave me the position of Number One and from what I have gathered so far, it’s obvious that I am privy to all and anything as far as this base is concerned.”
“If you are in such complete control, why the hell are you having so much trouble with Arty?” Sims asked, being direct.
Tim had a surprised look on his face. He was curious about Sims being so open about his concern. Tim had figured Sims had been drawn into Arty’s influence, like the rest of them.
“What makes you think my brother and I are having any trouble?”
“It’s obvious, and for the record, do you think it’s your brother? I mean, really your brother?”
“I don’t know,” Tim lied, but Sims gave him the old, ‘I know you’re lying look’. “I have something important to do,” Tim continued. “Can you wait right here?”
“Yeah, sure,” Sims said as he watched Tim’s form begin to lose its solidness. In three-seconds Tim had completely disappeared again.
*
Tim returned to his chambers because he needed to know if there was a way to have a closed conversation in the base. He figured that good old Number One would have such a privilege, and he was right. His position as Number One allowed him to transport anyone to inside the molecular disseminator itself. The disseminator broke matter into molecules, grabbed the molecules up, and then sent them to a location. All he had to do was eliminate the send part. He transported himself back to the fores
t.
“Guess what? I was wrong,” he announced to Sims. “You can have your molecules scattered all over hell too.”
“What’s that mean?” Sims asked.
“It means you and I can take a trip, are you game?” Tim winked, and made sure Sims saw it.
“You mean the disappearing thing, don’t you? I guess so, you seem to be okay.”
*
Tim initiated the transportation of himself and Sims. He and Sims re-materialized and were left standing in the Nowhere Place. Two guys standing in what might be the end of the Universe. Tim’s memory flashed back to when he first started to regain his consciousness after being killed, and this was the same. He and Sims were completely alone. In every direction it was black and empty, up, down, and all around. Tim couldn’t imagine what was illuminating them because they could see each other clearly, but there wasn’t any light source.
“You can talk now, no one can hear us,” said Tim.
“Where are we?” Sims asked in a real soft voice.
“How the heck should I know? You wanted somewhere where we could talk in private, and this is what we got.” Tim didn’t want to explain anything because the less anyone knew the better.
“This is what?” Sims questioned as he looked around.
“Just think of it as the ‘Nowhere Place’,” Tim explained.
“This is strange, but not surprising. No one can hear us, not even Mr. V?”
“No, just Et,” said Tim.
Sims just looked at Tim for a second, kind of chewing on his lip. He started to say something, but stopped, and started to chew his lip again.
“Now, what makes you think Arty and I are having trouble?” Tim started the conversation.
“Because, I’m having trouble with Arty. Tim, your brother is getting scary. I mean he’s lost all sense of right and wrong. He is involving everyone in his madness. Don’t you agree?”
“I don’t know if it’s all that serious,” Tim stated.
“Then why are you at odds with him?”
“What makes you think that I am?”
Sims didn’t say anything for a moment; he just gave Tim a serious look. “Because you brought me here. If you thought I was being silly, you would have told me back in the forest, and not gone through all this.” Sims indicated the empty blackness with a gesture.
“Okay, what’s got you concerned?”
“The plane flight, you not coming back with Arty.”
“You didn’t believe his version?”