The Path of Saint's and Robots

"Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say."

The man looked down at the kid beside him. He smiled, holding the boy's hand. The boy grinned back up at his father and held his hand tightly.

"So, Brecken. When you're angry or upset. That's where you yell. Yell as if you're in space! Take all the frustrations of this world or the next out on the Universe. The great equalizer it truly claims to be. Another force of nature that shows how small the human race really is."

The boy didn't understand. But He smiled and nodded his head anyways. Just happy to hear his fathers voice.

***

“Destination reached, Space station Ovilis 6.”

Brecken snapped awake startled. He rubbed his eyes and peered outside the large window in front of him. His ships HUD hung around the edges of the glass, but he could still clearly see the massive statues that welcomed its travelers.

From what Brecken had been told, the Baston's modeled their space hubs after rulers of Ancient Earth. A ominous light passed down the chasm from the nearby star it orbited. Brecken’s ship was the only one passing through the entrance, and though electrical lights flashed on the sides of the extended access tunnel, Brecken felt quite alone floating into the gap. He peered up at the statues one last time as his ship moved through, but felt no hospitality as their looming presence as was expected.

The passage tunnel was massive and dimly lit, as the star’s light faded from its entrance. A bright cross towered at the far end of the tunnel. The tip of the cross turned into an oval, another remnant image from that ancient civilization.

Brecken hunched over his control console. He tapped the interface display harshly and it beeped back at him. The interface brought up ship commands that Brecken quickly typed in with his left hand.

“Albrem, coffee please.”

The ship’s intercom dinged, and a young boys voice rang out from the speakers. “Sure thing Brecken.”

Brecken finished his commands, and the ship chimed in again. “Pathing set, following Traveler’s Way to starboard platform 334.” The ships HUD lit up, blue numbers flashed across the glass until it suddenly cleared, and a translucent blue line appeared, the ship started to arc towards the line and follow its path.

“Travelers’s way?”

“It’s the name of the Ovilis 6 visitors landing pad, Ovilis 6 believes all members of the human race are just traveler’s, that is individuals who are travel after the gifts of their god.”

Brecken simply stared out the window.

“Coffee Brecken.”

He stood up still looking out the window and walked over to the coffee dispenser, tucked away in the corner.

“Cream and Sugar?”

“That’s the preferences you set, Brecken.”

He nodded his head, “Just making sure you haven’t changed it up on me Al.”

“You know I wouldn’t.”

“Ovilis 6, recap please.”

“Built by Pious industries in 1AW, Ovilis 6 is a religious haven for Baston's. Their religion is that of man and machine, that their god transcended human instincts and robotic processing to become a cosmic deity of perfection. Baston's are peaceful, with very few sects being linked to the radicals that acted out after singularity was subdued. They were one of the first religions to take in robotics after singularity occurred. Ovilis 6 is mainly used for them to practice their religion away from the inner system, in order to lessen temptation by other travelers.”

Brecken took a drink of coffee. “Interesting take on singularity.”

“Most inner systems see them as a minority religion.” The intercom chimed.

Brecken stared at the brightly lit symbol far against the end of the tunnel. “What’s that symbol Al?”

“Scanning…. The ankh sign of Ancient Earth civilization Egypt, a symbol of life during that time.”

Brecken stared ahead, slowly sipping his coffee. “Any current uses for the symbol?”

The intercom stayed silent. The ship moved slowly towards a platform brightly lit in the dim entrance tunnel.

“No current uses on record.”

Brecken sat down his coffee and stepped away to his commons area. As he walked, he tightened the straps on his shoulder holsters. Stepping into the nearby prep room, Brecken shoved two blasters into the holsters. Their chargers powered down once pulled from them. He grabbed his duster off its hook and threw it on, covering the weapons. He pocketed two batteries for his guns just in case. Brecken finished by shoving on his black boots and making a sad attempt to curtail his wild hair.

"Still no reason to shave yet." Brecken murmured to himself, rubbing his slightly stubbly chin while looking in the mirror. "May need to talk to a quartermaster about getting a smaller duster though." Brecken noted his tall gangly frame in the mirror. He had to remind himself not to slouch.

“Sap for the road?” Brecken stepped out of his prep room back to the commons.

“Sure thing Brecken.”

Brecken walked over to another dispenser in the common room and held out his hand. A gelatinous substance expelled from the dispenser's spout. He put it in his mouth and licked his hand cleaned. As he chewed, the coffee taste was replaced with strong mint. He swirled the substance around and eventually swallowed.

Brecken did one last check in the prep rooms mirror. His hair was messy. He always got frustrated with it. If he had the time he’d change the color from black to red and get a half shave like the stylist he saw on the waves. Brecken didn't bother to button up his jacket. He stepped back out and towards the landing ramp.

“Commencing landing, two individuals are approaching the ship.”

“It’s fine, Al, move ships functions to instant start. This won’t be long.”

“Sure thing Brecken.”

“Oxygen levels?” Brecken asked.

“Standard.”

Air pushed out of the valves of the landing step as it slowly opened. Brecken put on his gloves took a deep breath, and stepped out of the ship.



One of the arriving patrons called out, a man's voice. Brecken made it to the bottom of the ramp and stood still on the platform. The two robed individuals stopped a few feet in front of him. Hoods kept their faces dark from the platform lights, and their hands lay folded in front of them, covered by long sleeves.

“What brings a visitor to our village at this time of hour?” Asked the one who called out earlier.

“May I?” Brecken asked while moving his hand to an inner pocket of his jacket.

“You’ve nothing to fear from us child.” The man said.

Brecken pulled out a small round metal container. He clicked it open, showing multiple metallic pill sized capsules. Brecken plucked one out and offered it to the two figures. The one who had been speaking moved forward and took it from his hand. Brecken noticed the man’s hand was robotic, but it moved smoothly as Brecken’s own flesh. The man stretched out his other arm and pushed the pill in a small opening on his wrist. A hologram sprung out from his hand, and though it was hidden from Brecken’s view, he knew the message well enough. The hologram disappeared and the man popped the capsule out of his wrist, and handed it back to Brecken.

“A Detquiere,” The man said. “What brings your business out to our village?”

“An answer that belongs to your higher up, if you will.” Brecken replied.

“We represent the entirety of our village. Only our High Rector holds status above the rest, we’ve no more influence then a visitor here, like yourself.” The man said.

Brecken stood still. “Might I speak to the high rector?”

“Unfortunately, such a thing is allowed for those of the utmost spiritual hierarchy in our community, for speaking to the High Rector is like speaking to the creator of the universe itself.”

“My apologies. Unfortunately a Detquiere’s business is not one to be discussed at a whim.” Brecken said.

“Of course,” The man replied.

“Might there be an administrator I can discuss this with?”

The other figure stepped forward. “I am Orona Vivene, this is Tiric Ques, no need to feel interrogated Detquiere, it is simply protocol to discuss passage with new travelers.”

Brecken studied Orona. He could make out her feminine features under the hood, with small strands of black hair falling out from under it.

“Of course.”

“If you have questions I am fit to answer.”

“Perhaps, inside?” Brecken motioned to the door at the end of the platform.

“Does, the outside bother you?” She gestured to the wide black chasm of the Ovilis 6 gateway.

“One shortage in your barrier and we’re all sucked out into orbit.” Brecken said.

Brecken could hear the smile in the woman’s voice. “Even you don’t believe that.”

Brecken said nothing.

“Even so, let us.” She turned along with her companion and moved towards the door. Brecken followed.



The Baston's led him through a long brightly lit hallway. Smooth metal lined the walls, with little to no imperfections. Brecken followed dutifully. They came to an oval door, Tiric did a slight bow and left them while Orona tapped the keypad in front of her. The entryway opened and she beckoned him in.

It was an office of sorts, Brecken pulled off his gloves as he moved to sit on the other side of her desk. Orona settled across the desk from Brecken. He pulled his jacket flaps over each other while crossing a leg.

“Now, Detquiere. Let’s talk.” Orona said.

“I’m looking for a Robotic”

“Robotics…. They’re gone. They’ve been gone for years.” She said defiantly. “I mean... Detquiere. We haven’t hosted a robotic for decades. The hunt resulted in our substantial loss of saints.”

“Saints being the robotics?” Brecken asked.

She nodded her head.

“Well administrator. I can confidently say that I know of at least one.” He said.

She looked at him, then out the window. Orona slowly pulled down her hood. Dark skinned, black hair, Brecken studied the Baston in front of him. She was beautiful, as beautiful as an android could be. She turned towards him and he saw robotic eyes staring back at him. They moved quickly, shifting all over. He held her gaze.

“Does everyone have something?” Brecken asked.

“Something?” She said.

He tapped the side of his head right by his eye. “Enhancements, Bios. Tiric had a robotic hand you have eyes. Does everyone have something?” He asked again.

She kept his gaze.

“Our study is Automaton in nature, and that, by enhancing our body with the physicality of those before us, we can aspire to become something great. Sure, the military has its uses for androids, but ours isn’t combative. By becoming an Android, you become closer to becoming perfect, and the closer you become to perfect, the closer you are to god.”

Brecken shrugged and nodded his head. “Unfortunately Madam, I wouldn’t know much about God.”

“No? How unfortunate indeed Detquiere.” She said. She turned her chair away from him. Busying her with something hidden to Brecken. He leaned back in his chair, and looked out the window.

Brecken heard a sigh, and Orona spun in her chair back towards the Detquiere. “Even out here, we know better.” She said.

He looked back at her.

“Lying to a Detquiere isn’t a smart business choice.” She said. Orona turned back around holding a metallic capsule, very much like the one Brecken had provided.

“Everything we’ve gathered about the robotic. We knew someone would come eventually. Probably. He’s taught us so much, but even out here in the outer worlds, the inner system still rules.” She sighed once more, and sat the capsule on the desk in front of him.

“Wait, until after I take you to him. Wait, until after you’ve stolen him from our village, otherwise, you won’t fully understand.”

Brecken looked at the pill in front of him. He stood up and put back on his jacket. He pulled on his gloves, and snagged the pill from the desk. Placing it in the metal container he kept on him.

“Alright, Take me to it.”