-1-

I knew about colors, in fact I knew them well. I was particularly fond of the color purple now, or more explicitly the violent shade that stained the front strands of Minnow’s hair. I had always liked the color red because it was always brilliant against the backdrop of where I had lived in the Boston-Atlantic Sprawl. I had a fondness for celadon because it was the same shade of pale green as mom’s eyes. All of them all the colors-- that made up the crayon box, I knew them well. But, I had never a color as I was seeing it now.

Just steps away from where the desert sand and cracked earth ended and   a field of green forest,completely obtuse to just how ambiguous it was grew. The grass  was growing wildly but, it looked healthy and bright encompassing every hue of green, a patch of purple and yellow wildflowers sprouting every now and then. The trees that were lining the meadow were tall and the tops of the trees appeared to touch the sky--the forest seemed to extend into forever.

It was more work than it was worth to push the van in the grass so  we all got out and began to walk.  We were just exploring,just to see where this forest ended--if it ended. It was waste of time but, it was clear we were all curious as to where we were. I don't think any of us had ever seen anything so naturally stunning. Sara was done with acts now she kept a weapon in clear view at her side and made sure we all did the same.

We had walked for an hour and had not come across any sign of human life. It just seemed like a nice place forgotten by time. The silence was broken by the thud of Minnow dropping her revolver to the ground.

“What is it ?,” Jean asked reaching for his shoulder.

Minnow  ran at full speed in front of the us and tumbled to the ground in a succession of cartwheels.

“What the fuck is wrong with her ?,” Sara said and then shouted out to Minnie “What the hell ?,

Minnie came running back to us

“This is fun,” she laughed through labored breathes, "Maybe this place isn’t a threat maybe it’s like some long lost Atlantis we  found,”

“Do not be ridiculous,” Sara fumed, “ Don’t let looks deceive you,”

“Sara is right, don’t be stupid, my dear,” Jean added

“I think Minnie is right,” I said, “ We haven’t seen one person or sign of life,”

“Something like this cannnot exist without humans,” Sara said,”And if I know people they are  selfish, they don’t want anyone on their land,”

Minnie took my revolver kicking it to the ground as well.

"Well, Alan and I think you are being over cautious,"

"Really ?," Sara shouted  "Where were you a couple of days ago when--,"

She was interrupted by something hitting the ground behind us.  Sara turned and shot blindly into the tree,  a person fell out of the tree rolling on his side. He stayed down in a fetal position  for a second before standing up with his hands in the air.

He appeared young and well kept, his skin was a tanned olive color his thick black hair was put together in a neat fashion. He was plainly dressed iin neat khaki shirt and pants. He didn't have any pockets and looked more scared than anything.

“I mean no harm,” he said his hands still in the air,”Weapons down, please.”

To my surprise Sara let her weapon fall to the side and took a less defensive stance.

“My name is Shai,” he said, “I'm not sure what I can say to you just yet but, follow me "

“Are you with the government ? Are you part of the Life Summit ?,” Sara asked

“I should be asking you that,” he said,”No, I am with no one. Please, follow me,”

He walked a few steps ahead and Sara exchanged a look with Saint before walking forward. 

We walked farther into the green field following Shai when I began to hear  voices  and see signs of life-- we were approaching a village up ahead. A black road lead to an elegant short wooden gate--the entrance to a town. The roads were paved with black and the sidewalks were made of sandy brown stones the  buildings were all short and  made of polished wood, brick and stone. The most amazing part was how every spot that could seemed to hold some type of plant life. There were a few people walking around going about life, some of them stared but none of them bothered us.  They reminded more of people from home--normal people.

The tallest building in the town  was a white wash engraved structure. The stone pediment was supported by a series of columns. I couldn't quite make out what the engraving said. The most stunning part was the golden dome on the top. From a distance the building looked almost like a castle. As we got closer to the building I began to realize we were going inside.

 We walked up a path in the lawn, ascended up the steps and  past a set of guards and through the open doors. Shai led us up a staircase past a secretary’s desk and he finally paused at an office door.

  "Who are you taking us to ?," Sara Said

“To see my Uncle," Shai responded, "Paris Eau Gaulle. He is the security adviser for my father, Saron Eau Gaulle the leader of our township. ”

"Township ?," Minnow asked

"Of course, I'm sorry. This is Arcadia," he smiled

Shai knocked on the door before opening it and we were greeted by an older man sitting behind a desk. The man reminded me of my father--someone who gave off a vibe of authority.

"These are the visitors, Uncle," Shai explained

“I heard of your arrival from the radio,” Mr. Eau Gaulle said,"We so rarely get unannounced visitors,"

“This is a neo-luddite village isn’t it ?” Sara said quietly.

“Yes,” he said.” I imagine you all running from something,”

“Actually, to something,” Sara said,"We just had a few bumps in the road,"

"Well, I imagine.  You all know a little bit about our ways ?," he continued

"Only a little," Sara said

"Well, Arcadia is a neutral territory and  follow a code of humanity first, because of that we always lend a hand to anyone who needs it. So long as they follow our rules. We can set you up with some room and board if you'd like,"

“Okay,” Sara nodded, “I am a bit curious about this place and I think we could all use a proper rest,”

“Of course we have a strict code of living," Mr. Eau Gaulle continued, "I will need you to turn over your weapons, Syndicates and other pieces of forbidden technology,”

Sara didn't pause as she handed over her weapon and the rest of us followed. Minnow let out a loud sigh as she pulled off her Syndicate.

Shai took the items of the table and put them in a plastic box, securing it with a lock.

"When you leave you may have your items back," Mr. Eau Gaulle smiled, "Is their anything else I can help you with ?,"

"Do you know anything about the Life Summit ?," Sara asked "My GPS tells me it is near this place,"

“Yes, I know a bit," Mr. Eau Gaulle said, " Of course our affairs advisor knows the most he will be here tomorrow you can talk to him then, I'm sure. Until then Shai can take you to the Halliday Lodge."

"Thank you," Sara said

We walked with Shia to a large car parked in front of the building.

“You have cars ?,” Minnow asked as we all squeezed into the car.

“Yes,” Shai laughed, “But, they all have motors and are powered by natural gas,"

"I don't understand," Minnow said," How do you live without technology ?,"

"Minnow, lets not bother him," Jean said

"It's okay,we expect questions from people not like us" Shai said, " Everything we use is either steam power, engine power or electromagnetic waves. You'd be surprised how much that covers,"

"That's how you found us ?," Sara asked, " The sound waves from us walking set off some kind of seismic device,"

"Exactly," he said, "You're smart,"

“Don't stroke her ego,” Jean laughed ” So, your people will just let us stay here ? I mean what if we were criminals ?,”

“It wouldn’t matter,” Shai explained, “Our laws are focused on the preservation of humanity, we believe in helping everyone no matter what as long as they are with us,”

“It’s odd,” I said, ”I imagined neo-luddites were extremist living in the desert alone. I never imagined a place like this,”

“Well, after the war everyone built cities to shield them away from what had become of the planet. A few people like  my great great grandfather did things the hard way, reworking the land and getting back to our roots as people.,” he said.

 

We  pulled up infront of a green and white house, with a Halliday lodge sign in the front.

"I hope we see you again, Shai " Minnow said as we got out the car

 There was an older woman standing in the front of the house waving to us in.

“I’m Rachel,” she introduced herself, “ My husband, Saimyn and daughter Ruth help me run the lodge—you all are our only guests for the moment so, you can come on in.  I got a call about your coming only a while ago but,  there is some food in the kitchen for you,”

We exchanged names and wandered into the home—it was warm and inviting.I took note of the electric and flame lanterns that adorned the walls.

“Holy shit,” Minnie said taking a bit of one of the sandwiches, “Um, this is really good”

“It’s fresh,” Rachel said, “ Most of the food in the  Sprawls is processed in steel cages or made in a factory, but ours comes fresh from the ground or animal off our own land,”

"How do you make chocolate ?," Minnie asked

"We do without," Rachael answered

"You have alcohol though right ?," Sara asked

"Of course," she replied

"I knew I picked the right vice," Sara smirked at Minnow.

 -3-

 

 

The lodge was welcoming and the Halliday's only asked questions to see what they could do to help us. They had enough open rooms for each of us to have our own--except Minnow and Jean who chose to share.

After Jean had decided to take a  nap Minnow dragged me out to explore the rest of Arcadia. We were on foot so we didn't make it very far into town. We had settled in an open field of grass and of wild flowers. We were in a real garden this time—not a mausoleum.

Minnow laid down in the grass.  I laid next to her and she rolled on top of me.

“Do you know why I brought you here ?,” she asked

“Sex?” I said

“No,” she laughed, “I saw this area on the drive to the lodge. I thought it was nice and I wanted to share something beautiful with you,”

She leaned in and kissed me and I kissed her back

“I like you,” she said, pulling her lips an inch away,” I’ve killed a lot—

“Haven’t you all ?,”

 

“Haven’t we all,” she corrected,” I secretly never wanted Sara to kill you. I felt bad for you and the more I saw who  you were I started to love you a little bit,”

 

“Love ?,” I said trying not to sound condescending

 

“A bit,” she said, “ Remember when the bomb hit and I fell and you came to see if I was okay ? It was pathetic but nice. You protect me like Jean.  I’ve never seen that in anyone before. Don’t you feel that way about me ?,”

 

“No,” I lied, “I’m just a nice guy ”

 

“Liar,” she caught me, leaning closer

 

“I do care,” I  admitted  as our lips touched

 

Those moment was perfect. Minnow seemed so happy and at peace and I felt that way to. I should have held on to that moment longer because I was not prepared me for what was going to happen next.

Her tears and screams brought pain to my heart. I could have escaped and gone to my own room but, being there seemed like a better option than not being there.Jean was in bed with his sister cradling her as she went into another round of hysterics—she in some kind of anguish, her body shaking.

That evening after we came back from exploring Minnow had felt just a little nauseous. We didn't know it but,  that had just been the beginning of her spiral into withdrawal. By the time the sun went down she had spent hours throwing up and complaining of pain.  The effects were a lot for her small body—-It had gone on all night. Seeing his sister in pain hurt Jean more than it hurt Minnow. Jean was at a breaking point, his head kept falling as he would start to fall asleep before he snapped it back up.

“Jean,” I said touching his shoulder, “I will stay with her, you can get some sleep in my room. I’m not tired at all,”

"I don't fucking need either of you," Minnow mumbled to herself.

I expected a fight from Jean  but it was like he had been waiting for me.

“I just need an hour , brother,” Jean said wiping a stray tear from his face and walking out the door.

I went over and laid a kiss on Minnie’s forehead.

“Leave me the fuck alone, Alan,” she said slapping me hard across the face.

I decided to ignore the slap even though it hurt like hell.

“You should rest,” I advised her

“I can’t,” she cried, “You are so goddamn lucky you are made of steel,”

If she only knew how hard I had it as well

 “I have an idea, Alan I want you to kill me,” she whispered

“You are acting crazy,”

“Jean won’t he is selfish,” she sighed, “Kill me, Alan. Hold my throat in your hands and crush it. I know you can,”

"No,” I said," Jean said this will pass,

I sympathized with her, she was in pain, but she did this to herself.

I leaned over and tried to kissed her again but she pushed my head away. I was stronger than her though and pushed her  down forcing a kiss on her. Without touching her damp skin I pulled down what little clothes she was wearing and using the headboard as support I  laid over her

“No,” she said,”leave me the hell alone unless you intend to suffocate me with your body,”

 " I don't intend to do that," I said kissing her

“No, Alan” she repeated pushing my chest.

I leaned down closer to he, gently kissing her  and slowly turned her nos into yes.

 

Everyone looked different in this environment. The way the morning sun came through the trees made everyone look brighter somehow.  Jean, Sara, Saint and I were sitting on the front porch waiting for some news about the Life Summit. Much against her own will Minnow had fallen asleep 4 hours ago and none of us saw the need to wake her.

"So, Sara getting bored with nothing to hack into ?," Jean asked

"I can deal," she said, " I almost like it here,"

"You think you could survive here ?,"

“Well, if it wasn’t for this pesky vendetta thing, sure,” she half smiled

“You’re only talents are assassinating the shit out of people and hacking tech, what would you do ?,”

“What would you do ? ,” she asked,”Giving rimjobs will only get you so far in life,”

"Touche," he laughed

A black car pulled up in front of the house and Shai got out, he walked up to us with a stack of papers in hand.

"Where is your sister ?," he asked Jean

"I have no sister," Jean responded with a smile

"Where is this affairs adviser ?," Sara asked

"He said I could deliver the news, it isn't much," he explained, " It turns out each year the government rents part of a neoluddite townships's land for the conference and this year is it here. We don't know anything except the location which is 30 miles out of town. Because it is not a part of the town we let them circumvent our rules. I've heard they have been bringing in planes of people all week, the conference started a few days ago,"

"That's it ?," Sara said, she was scribbling down notes on paper.

"These are some of the event brochures," he added handing each of us one.

“You have lovely handwriting,” Jean teased Sara looking over her paper

"Enough," she smirked, "Listen we are just going to have to see this place for ourselves. We need to get the car refueled and take it out there,"

"I can bring you some gas," Shai offered

"Okay, come on let's get this over with," Sara said

"What about Minnow ?," Jean asked

"I think we all know she is in no condition to come with us. She will stay with Luce and Chris,"

I opened the brochure

2081 Life Summit

For Innovators, For Life

Welcome to the Life Summit. If this is your first time welcome if you are a regular welcome back. Enjoy a weekend of activities, networking and global synergy. Meet colleagues and and top leaders in today's world . We at the Life Summit  make the world move forward  with collaborative effort towards advancement..

I

 

The neo-luddites gave us our weapons back as we headed out of town on the promise we forfeit them when we came back. Sara had the van repainted  along with refilling it with gas. Driving out of Arcadia and saw nothing for miles but more open fields. I felt a tinge of guilt that Minnow was missing this—the person who would enjoy seeing more of the land the most.

-5-

 

After 40 minutes we finally saw it. A pair of  large glass building just sitting on the edge of a green patch and broken earth. The tall thin building was the hotel they constructed for the guests to live in.  The other building was larger and was where the actual conference was being held. We pulled around the back of the larger building where an airplane hanger was set up.

 

We had come prepared; Saint was in a Haliburton Security uniform with a hat covering his the silver cross in his forehead. He stood guarding  Sara who was wearing a dark blue skirt suit, her hair in a professional low ponytail.  They were both walking  behind Jean and I who were also in black suits. Our weapons were sealed in a plastic casing in the off chance there were any kind of metal detectors. I did not know how this was going to go but, we looked the part.

The rules were simple-- we knew Morrissey was in the area somewhere and whoever got the first shot was going to take it. We were wearing what appeared to be Syndicates but, were in fact ear pieces and mini cameras.  The device could be set so I could see what everyone else’s camera was seeing with a touch of a button.

We walked briskly  into the building and Saint nodded heads with a pair of  real guards at the doors and we headed into the structure. The security seemed loose but, it was probably just there for show.  Who else could be here or even know about this Summit unless they were invited?

At the door Sara picked up an event program and leafed through it.

 

“Let's split up, she said ,”If you spot Morrissey  follow him, find a quiet place and take the kill. He knows all of our faces so, make this quick. Make sure to take a nice picture for Rayne,”

 I walked to the right and down the West hall and for the most part it was quiet.  There were a few people milling around but, I could hear a crowd at the very end of the hall. I headed in the direction until I saw a room with an Exhibition Room D sign on it. I was caught of guard by all the displays--it was like a museum  with glass enclosed displays, bright LED displays and holograms.

 When I walked in the room I heard a sharp  buzz -- the frequency was so loud I could feel myself teetering on the edge of consciousness. I reached for the nearest thing to steady myself but whatever I was leaning on couldn't hold me and I fell to the floor. The buzzing stopped and I saw I had just crashed into another man sending his coffee flying across the floor.

-6-

“Shit,” I cursed taking his arm,” I’m such an idiot,sorry”

 

“Its alright,” he said standing up, " I was going to offer you the coffee  and introduce myself. I'm Dimitrik, what company are you with ?,"

“Alon-Genisis,” I said. It was the top competitor to  Tempus and the first thing that came to my mind

 

“Excellent !,” He smiled “ Are you an intern ?,”

I nodded still recovering from the ringing in the ears.

 

“Well come on over,” he said taking  my arm in a fatherly way and pointed to what was in the display area.

The display wasn't glass enclosed but a low  glass gate that was enclosing a lone white chair with a girl sitting in it. She looked to be very young, in her 20’s she encompassed every ridiculous beauty aesthetic known to man. She was dresses in a plain blue dress and white shoes--she looked dead at me with a pair of disturbingly large  black eyes.

“Um,who is that ?,” I asked still captivated by her slight smile

“What is that ?,” Dimitrik smiled, “ I’m from Life Solutions and that is  a newest design in human simulation. Government just okay'd it last year,”

The man beckoned the girl forward and she quickly took her hand in mine. Her arm was warm, I felt blood flowing in her veins, her pulse, -- she felt just as real and Minnow.

“She feels very real,” I admitted

“That because we realized the only thing that needed to be simulated was the mind—the software if you will," he explained "Everything else is human,”

“How ?,” I asked pulling away from it’s grasp.

“We build them from scratch, we create the software and to get the shell we buy the DNA and work out the kinks.,”

“Buy ?,” I asked

“You'd be surprised by the things people are willing to sell. It's kind of an act of charity.”

" I don't think a company like A&G would be interested in this I should go I--,"

"Of course they would, you can't let a company like Tempus beat you to the punch again," he said

" It's just aren't these kind of things used for less unsavory activities ?," I challeneged

"A few, of course that's a huge market" he said, " But we make male and female models, a within a few different age ranges. Let's say A&G wanted to test how a drug or new human enhancement will work on humans before you go up for government approval. Well, we can offer you a human stand in that you can use. And if there are ever any mental side effects or anything all of our models  have reset buttons.That's the ingenious part,"

 

“If this is a human then, how can it have a reset button ?,” I asked

 Dimitrik turned her arm over so I could see her wrist, there was a criss cross patterned scar going across it. He took a metal bracelet of the display, the bracelet sprouted short needles from the bottom and he fit t he bracelet into her wrist, the needles dug into her skin and I watched her flinch in pain and her face crumpled. A low sound came from her throat like someone holding back tears but, Dimitrik seemed unbothered by this

“A few touches on this device and it resets the brain functions. Any idiot can do it . . . even the suits you work for," he chuckled.

"I think she is trying to say something," I said

 

“ No, that's just a sound. Anyway, this is all of our info," Dimitrik said handing me a golden card. This   will also get you access to the  Life Soulutions floor in the hotel. If you or your superiors  have any questions feel free to come by anytime. We love A&G so  don’t be shy.,”

, “ I really have to go,” I said taking his card

 

He nodded his head and moved on to the next man.

-5-

 

As I walked around I was not even thinking about Morrissey.  I was thinking about that pattern and how familiar it looked. I was thinking about how such a thing could exists. It was common that  human conception had become a thing of science but, it was never for monetary  purposes. I could not imagine anyone being okay with this let alone the government.

 

“Spotted him,” someone said into my ear.

 

I turned to see who was talking to me and then remembered it was Jean talking into the  earpiece. I snapped out of my thoughts and I turned the camera  viewer on. I  saw Jean was following Morrissey out of the VIP section and to the bar.

 

“Listen,” Sara said,” I’m outside, and I was just told a jet comes daily with mail and news for attendees. I’m hacking into Morrisey's syndicate and sending him a fake alert that he has a special piece of mail waiting for  him. Saint, I want you waiting for him at the plane terminal , he won't know your face. The rest of us are on our way.,”

 

Jean kept his camera on Morrissey as I started to head for the plane terminal. We  watched him at the bar for nearly 15 minutes before  he  received the message. After he finished his drink he headed out the bar to the plane arrival terminal. I hid in a corner of the terminal as he got closer to me. He didn't seem at all concerned that he was the only person in the terminal, he walked with an air of confidence toward Saint.

"I think I have a package," Morrissey said to Saint

"Of course," Saint replied and turned around pretending to look for Morrissey's package.

Jean and I came up from behind him at the same time  and I shot blank in the back of the head. Saint caught his body as it fell forward. He picked the body up and carried it towards one of the jets, stuffing it deep into the plane's windpipe.

“Finally, mission accomplished,” Jean laughed putting an arm around me,” Now what ?,”

 

“We go to phase 2,” Sara said coming inside the terminal

“There is a phase 2 ?,” I asked

“There was no phase 2,” Jean said.

 

“That’s because it just came to me," she explained "Don't you see where we are ?," This isn’t just some bullshit meeting where business and the government talk all day. Every prototype for every bastard technology is in that building,"

"I noticed," Jean said,"It's disgusting,"

"We are going to blow up this entire buiding," she continued," Then all of it will be gone, everything they have worked for. Can you imagine the statement ?,"

"You're insane," I said

"No," she smiled, "This is the fuck you moment I have been waiting 6 years for.”