Zark looked around at the peering eyes as shame washed over him. He looked to his father and motioned for him. He whispered, “The guys that you beat up, they thought we were Ve…” he caught himself. “They thought we were part of that group.” He turned his attention to Lena. “You think the other guy we met was part of...Verus?” he asked quietly.
Lena glanced at him. “It doesn’t involve us.”
Suddenly, a bright red light flooded the car. Everyone
squinted and moved in their seats. They had emerged from the
subterranean train tunnel through the mountains. Before them, an immense barren plain stretched wide in every direction. Traveling eastward, the jagged, snow-capped mountains to the north continued in a range that extended beyond sight. Their bases were a soft purple but, as they rose and caught the light, they gleamed bright red and orange.
Towards the south, the plains stretched on to blend silver with a radiant fuschia sky. The silver band that overlapped both ground and sky converged into a radiant, crimson sun. It glowed heavily beyond violet cirrus clouds that floated through the light in wisps. Directly below, a mirrored sun reflected from the far-off Gold Sea in a shattered trail. Lena gazed out the window, trying to fathom the expanse before her.
The train sped on, slicing the reddened plains like a shining blade. On the eastern horizon ahead of them, a silhouette of structures emerged that carved a shape of many vertical lines. It extended wider and wider in both directions until it nearly covered her peripherals. Although the bottom of this new shape disappeared into the deep backdrop, the pinnacles sparkled like shards of amethyst reflected from the scarlet southern sun.
“Rhod.” Zark said. “It’s named after the minerals that were found in the area. It’s why the buildings are so shiny.”
Lena looked at Zark. He had an article open on his celltab, but had gotten up and was kneeling on the bench seat to take in the view. She looked back at the city. She could now see individual lights within the buildings. They dotted the silhouette like glittering stars.
The city grew as the train moved closer. Gradually, they felt the speed of their vessel slow. The shape in front of them developed depth. The plains began to show traces of civilization. Small, squat, windowless buildings appeared more and more frequently as they approached. It was now apparent that the world outside was suffering from violent winds. Lena noted a marker along the track, bent at the base, flailing wildly. Ahead of them, a mighty wall towered above the landscape, encircling the city. It was smooth and paneled with enormous louvered vents. The vents looked as though they could be opened and closed via control. Initially, it looked as though the train were going to plow straight into the wall, but then there was a hole just large enough for the train. It slipped into darkness once more.
————————
A mischievous expression came over Zark’s face. “So you have to do what I say?”
“To an extent,” replied Ellis.
Zark sat on the countertop in the shop kitchen and lounge area. Their new droid, LSP-88, or Ellis, as Zark called him, stood at attention in the center of the room.
“My primary function is to help you whenever I can, as long as your request does not violate laws or human rights,” stated Ellis.
“Hmmm…” Zark pondered for a moment. “Pat your head while rubbing your stomach.”
Ellis glared at Zark, but patted his head with his right hand while simultaneously rubbing his stomach with his left. “To what purpose does this serve?”
“It’s a... calibration exercise,” Zark said with a smile.
“I can assure you I have arrived perfectly calibrated. I have tested positive in over one million simulations. In fact, my
coordination functions are far superior than that of any hu..”
“What are you doing?” Zedd interrupted. He had witnessed the strange scene as he rounded the corner.
“Calibrating,” Zark and Ellis answered simultaneously.
Zark motioned for Ellis to stop. Ellis promptly did so.
“Ellis, can you unpackage the rest of the kitchen supplies? I want to make some food.” Ellis turned from Zark. He walked towards the garage where the crates had been stacked. The shuffling of containers and silverware could be heard echoing in the next room. Zedd opened the refrigerator and removed two steaks.
A short while later, after the two finished their meal, Zedd returned to the refrigerator and retrieved two cans. He placed them on the table between himself and Zark. Reaching over, he cracked both tabs open at the same time. He handed one to Zark and sat back down.