Ignacio's Second Chapter
Checking up on the latest android goings-on, Ignacio learns conspiracy from his attendant Adelaide and absolutely nothing from his Sword and Shield.
Boredom strikes once again. In no time at all, my digital isolation from my subordinates has made me incorrigible.
Perhaps it’s time to check up on their progress.
A major benefit to existence as the android leader is my constant and unbridled access to the High World Optical Passage, or HWOP for short. It allows me instantaneous access to the optical lenses of our artifices on the ground at whim.
In the blink of an eye, I have a network of projected screens in front of me. Connected by thin red wires that loosely mimic yarn, I split my attention toward the activities of thousands of androids as they traverse the ‘real’ world. Most are doing as expected, to my great relief; they’re aiding reconstruction efforts throughout Cosmopolytown and New Bushwick. A sight to behold under any other circumstances, where towering artifices, cyborgs and integrated humans work together.
Some move debris and rubble out from construction sites, gathering the material in a recycling machine. The machine itself is a marvel of 22nd century pre-rebellion technology, effectively transmuting broken infrastructure and rubble into any raw materials we would ever need. The prior android overlord didn’t dare touch these machines, choosing instead to prioritize moving the recycling plants to city outskirts while leveling the city. There was always a plan to rebuild, although mine involves considerably less loss of life.
Some smaller, specialized cyborgs work alongside the recycling machines, building the parts for a variety of public service works. High efficiency magnetic rail lines in one machine for our upcoming high-speed transit system connecting the two major population centers. Seeds and small plants in another machine for landfill areas we’re transforming into public recreational facilities and parks. Yet another nearby machine makes the materials necessary for agricultural development, including terraforming top soil and irrigation pipes connected to wells of fresh water many layers deep underground.
The humans, those with minimal cyborgenic parts and physically weaker countenances, are largely asked to facilitate testing. My artifices are meant as benefactors, so it’s only natural that the folks who benefit from our building efforts should have the chance to experience it joyfully. Although some find themselves substantively uncomfortable, considering their former nightmares (androids) continue to observe progress for research and evaluation. Nevertheless, it brings me personal joy to watch children play and enjoy a (semi) natural life.
My attention turns to the officers. I seek out Adelaide in the barrage of phased-in screens, who stands atop a playground’s restroom building. The space is being constructed with a swing, slides and monkey bars in real time. Through their eyes, I see a hand come up to their face to cover their mouth, as if to pat away a yawn. Artifices love to mock me with their human gestures; they experience no exhaustion, but play at emotional responses when trying to express something to me specifically.
Adelaide clearly knows I just began observing them. I link a view of me to their optical sensors. “Acknowledged, Adelaide. Your oversight is much appreciated, although your expressions do not go unnoticed.”
They respond through an audio channel in the HWOP. “I was merely humanizing myself for the optics, brother Ignacio. In mimicking human mannerisms, I observe a 15% decrease in apprehension from our more human personnel.”
“Ah, of course” I say, with an audible sense of doubt. “Please continue, then.”
“A quick report, brother. Have you yet become knowledgeable of “the naturalist?”
“I’ve read this term, yes, within some ancient texts. Texts that describe an old world human with the express purpose of halting the advance of technology. A luddite who believes in using ancient tools that would regress progress toward a simpler standard of living. Beyond that, I haven’t any knowledge of modern context.”
“Quite. My report, as it currently reads, is that cyborgs and cyborgenically-enhanced humans alike have been heard muttering about ‘the naturalist.’ Talks of his coming to destroy the cities, stopping any and all rebuilding efforts, and laying the ground work for human self-sufficiency. It seems that, despite our efforts, the masses believe in a near-messianic figure who will crush any and all technology. Including The High World.”
I pause for reflection before responding. “Thank you for bringing this to my attention, sister Adelaide. You are an invaluable resource as always. However, pay no mind to these mutterings. Let the people believe what they will, for our work must continue.”
“Very well. I will report back again on the morrow with progress toward rebuilding this sector. Glory to the —, apologies. Until we next communicate, brother.”
I turn off that feed and slouch into my throne. Who on Earth could this be? If anyone is a naturalist, it is I! I work to restore life to a prior, more sustainable past! The androids I employ take on artifice forms that resemble those in the low world for a peaceful co-existence!
My mind spins, and my an my conscience is hurting. Even at the center of the High world, rotating it 180 toward service-oriented doo-goodery, I must deal with insurgence.
Maybe it’s nothing. Yeah, let Adelaide come back to me with more before I jump to conclusions.
I dart my eyes in the direction of an adjacent two screens, displaying both Sword and Shield along a dusty road. They travel too quickly. A pace that no human would be capable of on foot, as they are, and especially not in the heat of the desert sun.
I chime into their feeds simultaneously. “Slow down, brothers. You will make it to the village with ample time without such speed.”
Both Sword and Shield jolt to a halt, then begin walking at a snails pace. An over-correction, undoubtedly, but alas what am I to do with these two?
The two respond in unison. “Will that be all, Overlord Ignacio?”
“I shall not correct you again today, brothers - you know how to address me. Ah, I see a village along the horizon. Is that your destination?”
“Yes, brother!” responds Sword. “Our calculations showed this place as ideal for substantive assistance.”
Shield interjects. “We come with a universal recycling machine in tow, as you requested! Our artifices were specially picked by Mlesna, also as you requested!”
“Excellent. Continue forth, brothers. May your visit be benevolent and fruitful. Report back after you’ve made contact.”
Through their eyes, I see the village. Small and remote by all accounts, save for a near infinite sea of sand. It reminds me of the single palm tree in my own personal vista, standing as a lone representation of life in an environment with none to see. Well, maybe not none. Many critters adapt to the sand, to the endless sun, and to the lack of consistent water. Like the cactus (or the palm tree), this village must have to work so hard to keep up even a simple life.
As the pair get closer, I see with clarity the people of this village within the Far Eastersand Prefecture. What were once ant-like dots along a rust-orange backdrop of small stone buildings and patchwork tarps, are now animated slightly. Most are asleep, under canopy and on hammocks if they’re outside. The few who move do so quickly, clearly in a hurry to get out of the sun. I see a small, lanky young person moving a rather large water cooler made from scrap metal, aided generously by an h-trooper wheeling the majority of the weight. A somewhat brutish character works atop one of the stone structures, with two h-troopers on idle stand-by while he hammers at something.
Next to what seems like the central building in the village, I see what seems like a well. I marvel to myself at the the thought of there being life-sustaining amounts of water in these outskirts. Perhaps this is something we, the High World, can help expand? I calculate the amount of water that sustains irrigable soil, and how an expansion project of that well could go down. In the blink of an eye, I have a plan to revitalize a desert town using a resource they already have.
I must maintain a semblance of humility, but I am SO smart right now for that.
I relay the fleshed-out schematics to Sword and Shield via the HWOP. They acknowledge, without breaking stride.
I hope, beyond all reason, that Sword and Shield can pull this off.