Zod, Day 10

Another day,  Zod makes a lot of progress, and Semprini comes up again.


Passing the ring road, which was narrow and not very well kept, Zod found a section of road that looked like it was in the middle of a repair job. That meant the Thwackers might be nearby, and might even be able to help them. They stopped and listened for the sound of machinery.

There was indeed the low hum of a petrol engine coming from the general area of the ring road. Zod followed the sound quietly as possible, until they reached a clearing just off the road. The generator stood in the middle, surrounded by four or five Thwackers getting recharged.

–Chapter 15–

Zod backtracked to the ring road and followed it until they found the actual entrance to the clearing. Then they opted to enter the area making a normal amount of noise so as to not startle anyone.

Hello,” said Zod, “I’m a dam thwacker and am running late getting back. I heard there’s a shortcut trail nearby and was hoping you could help.”

“’Lo,” one of them replied. I’m Toll, but didn’t get your name.”

Sorry, I’m Zod. Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

You are pretty far from home, Zod.” Toll said questioningly. “What brings you out this far?”

A friend of mine has gone missing, and I thought maybe he went up this way. I wasn’t able to find him in town. He’s been gone for a little while and the trail, as it were, has gone cold.”

​_“Who’s your friend, then. Maybe we can point you in the right direction, but it depend.”

Desil.” Zod replied. “I think the other end of the trail is by his garage. Last anyone heard they were out buying [SEMPRINI] ~ whatever that is ~ a week or so ago.”

Hmm..” said Toll, “maybe we can help but you’ll never get anywhere at this hour, even with night vision. There’s an extra power port if you’re hungry.”

In truth, Zod was a little hungry. They hadn’t charged since the previous night and preferred to be topped off whenever possible just in case. They plugged in and switched into sentry mode since they were in an unknown environment with unknown sentients.

–Chapter 16–

Zod powered back up at first light, feeling re-energized. Several of the road team were coming online as well, but it would be a little while before their shift started. They looked around hoping for hope that they’ll get the assistance they need.

Toll finally came around. “Okay Zod, we’ve decided to help you, but only because we like Desil. They fix us up better than the garage ever thought.”

Same here.” responded Zod, “I came looking for them because I need a repair that would be embarrassing, to say the least, on the job site.” Zod also realized that they were talking to the job supervisor.

Well I won’t ask then. Do you have any clue?”

Only that it has to do with whatever [SEMPRINI] is. It keeps popping up but I haven’t found a clue to it’s purpose,” Zod said.

As yes, I’ve heard of it too, but same as you, just in passing,” Toll replied. “Anyway let’s go find that trail. We know roughly where it is, but we’ve never seen anyone come out that way.”

The small group of them engaged their drive gears and rumbled back to North Road.

By the way,” Toll noted, “don’t mention this to the other team members. Most of them are new and we don’t trust them”.

Got it,” Zod responded.

This really is a nice road,” Zod remarked “I wish Dam Avenue were as nice as this. Particularly the heavy equipment keeps us busy to just keep it passable.”

See if you can put in a request. We have some newer technologies we’d love to play with. I mean it’s what we do.”

I’d love that,” Zod said.

Then they were at mile marker one, which is one mile from North Gate, and roughly half the maintained road. It seemed like a good place to start casting around. Again the promises that didn’t pan out, but they had a fair bit of ground to cover still.

Another half a mile down, it looked like they found it. A small indentation in the brush which on inspection was a path maybe the width of a thwacker at best. With profuse thanks and well wishes from both sides, Zod pressed into the brush and started along.

It was slow going. The ground was uneven and the shrubbery scraped at their carriage. But eventually the shrubbery turned into forest floor foliage. The ground was still caked with roots but being able to see ahead helped.

After an hour or so the forest base started to turn into shrubbery again and Zod had to slow down once more. Finally it thankfully opened up to the clearing around Desil’s garage. Thankfully, because there may well have different paths to different locations. The woods were not well mapped because nobody really cared to wander off the thwacked paths

Zod, Day 9

It’s been a busy day.   After a really close call, Zod finally makes it outside.

Now was not the time for analyzing, as the manager was on the move again. Zod, not seeing any other option jumped into a doorway. They were getting pretty good at this, they laughed to themselves.

–Chapter 12–

The door turned out to be a hallway between First Street and Government Alley, which separated the offices from Government House. It was unoccupied so Zod crept into a dark corner and and mostly powered down into silence as they considered their next steps. They really would prefer to get North of town when there was still daylight to help search for that path. The alley would surely get them back to North Wall, but the chances of remaining anonymous were even less than on First Street if they were noticed. It was the land of humans and autobutlers and nothing else. But First was also looking like career suicide and there wasn’t much else for a Thwacker to do other than trying to freelance jobs as often as possible. Which might keep them powered but little else.

There was a small crack in the door that Zod could see from their hidden alcove so they tried to peer through that while increasing the gain on their audio circuits to listen for trouble. Good timing too, since Zod recognized the voice of the manager which was getting louder. Zod quickly powered down everything with a light just as that sound crossed the threshold into the hallway.

With the sensor gain so high, the conversation was garbled as it echoed through the room, but the familiar ring of [SEMPRINI] came across several times. Thankfully it didn’t sound like they’d asked the autobutler where the folder came from, so they were probably in the clear there. The footsteps started to get muffled and the familiar creak of an old staircase told Zod that they’d dodged a proverbial bullet. But [SEMPRINI] came up yet again.

Zod powered back up and decided that going back up First Street was slightly less risky than braving the alley, particlarly since they had a hunch the old boss would be going that way after leaving the offices here. Engaging their drive wheels they tried to slip into the foot traffic as inconspicuously as possible. “Take two,” they said to themselves.

–Chapter 13–

The street seemed busier than before, which was a mixed blessing for Zod; both easier to hide and easier to get spotted at the same time. They decided that going along to North Wall with an air of authority, like they had a place to be, was the best bet. And it seemed to work, since people were paying less attention to them than on the way down. In fact, they managed to make it all the way up to North Wall without any major incidents other than spotting that autobutler, which they were able to avoid.

It was end of shift for several robot groups and the end of the day for most humans, so the barnacles were busier than earlier. But it looked like nobody from their dam shift had arrived yet, so it seemed like finally a break for Zod. They moved as furtively as possible towards Main Street and the North Gate, the only way out of town in this direction.

And amazingly,they made it without too much fuss. Anyone that might have recognized them were too busy browsing the shops and not across the way into oncoming foot traffic.

–Chapter 14–

Quietly Zod slipped across North Wall, through the gate, and passed the jumble of shops that couldn’t afford in-town rent. There just wasn’t a market for day-old produce and so-called magic amulets. Still, Zod thought about an amulet before their logic circuits cut back in. They continued walking up the road, watching for anything in the shadows that might look like that path they desperately needed to find. Desil’s place was after all where the story began and the only place to start putting together clues.

The road was paved, although the characteristic cobbles of the town had giving away to asphalt. Zod wondered what Whacking team this was but they surely lived somewhere else than the dam camps. They knew the River Avenue Whackers lived on the other side of the dam just off the road, even if the cobbles went all the way to the river weir. River Ave wound it’s way up the hill and past the dam, continuing quite some way according to the dam maps. Too bad they hadn’t tried to download the North Road, as it was called after it left the town walls.

So far, the space around the road was large, there was nothing that looked like a pass through the grass, and the light was starting to fade. Zod hoped they spotted something soon before they had to figure out where to spend the night. Plus, they realistically only had one day left before they were actually missed at roll call. If they couldn’t figure out what [SEMPRINI] was by then, they really weren’t sure what they could do next.

Eventually the road narrowed and the trees loomed. The road was still paved but the shadows grew larger as they went along. They started seeing things that looked like trails but nothing remotely stood out, even after they engaged their low-light optics. And of course it didn’t help that the so-called “night vision” was far more granular. Maybe that infrared upgrade would have come in handy after all, but there wasn’t time to be wistful.

Zod, Day 8

Well, sort of day 8.  There’s a 7.5 that was a massive edit of things so far, adding a bit of steampunk and fixing holes


The rest of West Wall passed without incident, and they quickly got to North Wall and the barnacle shops. Zod looked around furtively for anyone they knew, and it looked like they might actually make it without incident this time.

— Chapter 11 —

Their luck being what it is, Zod had to quickly duck down First Street, full of offices for and to feed the government on one side, and the stores to feed the trappings of power on the other. Suits don’t actually grow on trees after all, especially stuffed ones. But, they were pretty sure it was a manager they spotted along with a shift supervisor, and being seen by them would be pretty much the worst thing that could happen. Not that First was much better as it was largely populated by autobutlers scurrying back and forth with freshly pressed clothes and unsigned forms, so an electric beaver, even a clean one, stood out a bit. Fortunately someone had dropped a folder so Zod scooped it up to look like they had some reason to be there.

Unsure if it was a good thing to find or not, a glance at the folder proved to be draft legislation to effectively tax [THING2] out of existence. Curious for something they’d never heard of before today, Zod thought, curious indeed. But, it was something they could peruse later, since the current task was Not Being Seen, so they quickly imaged the pages. To be safe, Zod trundled down the block, extending a wing mirror just in case their bosses showed up behind them.

Which they were, of course, but they dawdled way back at the street corner. However, the pressing thing is that they’d been spotted by an autobutler, who was staring at the file Zod was holding…

Wotcher,” said the autobutler, “that folder, where did you get it?”

I found it up there on the street, I was hoping to figure out who it belongs to, “ Zod replied with a questioning look.

Do you know what it is? It belongs to [MINISTRY] and I dropped it”.

Something about [THING2] but I don’t know what that is. Can you tell me?”

Did you read it?”

No, didn’t have the chance, You?” Zod technically told the truth.

Something about robots,” the autobutler said, “It’s not my job. But I need to take it to the office”

Here you go then” and the autobutler took the folder and headed back up the street.

Curious, thought Zod. It was hard to say if the butler didn’t care, or just wasn’t capable of caring. As a sentient robot the idea of the latter disturbed them greatly. The idea of actual automatons threatened their very existence. They thought the like had been banned before their time, when the sentients had proved their mettle.

Zod, Day 7

Zod on the move, headed towards North Gate

— Chapter 10 —

Zod had to quickly step into another shop, which thankfully wasn’t full of lingerie, to avoid yet another coworker. It seemed like it was raining dam workers, he thought, forgetting that a lot of his mates had their “weekend” today. At least this shop was useful, if not a bit risky, as it was full of upgrades. It would be nice to get that infrared they thought to themselves, perhaps when this ordeal was over it would be a nice treat. They definitely felt like they deserved it. As unobtrusively as possible they made sure the coast was clear before they left the shop and returned to their journey.

Thankfully they made it to West Wall without incident. The crowds were turning into clumps gathering around grocery stalls full of the harvest of the day, and with turning North along the wall Zod breathed an electric sigh of relief.

West Wall was pretty sparsely populated, which was a bit odd but at that point they’d take any boost they could. On further inspection, however they saw someone thwacking the dust out of a well-used rug. Unfortunately there was no choice but to go right pass them. Backtracking again was definitely off the table.

Hey”, they called out to Zod. “Can you give me a hand with this? It’s a lot of thwacking”

I’m sorry,” Zod pretended to not hear, “could you repeat that?

I could use some help thwacking, and hoped you could give a person a hand”

Zod thought about this for a moment, pondering helping them, but realized they’d have to fess up about their tail. “I’m sorry, I’d love to, but I’m running late today.”

Hopefully next time then”

Hopefully”

Zod didn’t like making excuses, so at least tried to have as many truths as possible. They really did want to help the person but they were definitely on a tight schedule.

The rest of West Wall passed without incident, and they quickly got to North Wall and the barnacle shops. Zod looked around furtively for anyone, and it looked like they might actually make it without incident this time.

Zod, the story so far 11/10

I figure it’s worth posting the whole thing occasionally so new readers can pick up easy.  Perhaps I’ll figure out how to post a download

— Chapter 1 —

When Zod powered on for the day, something was wrong. Their tail seemed to be malfunctioning. It moved okay, but couldn’t thwack properly. As their job at dam maintenance requires repeatedly thwacking things, so this really is an untenable situation. Zod also thought about how they’d been messing up a bit lately, and this might be the last straw. They really didn’t want demotion back to Gnawing On Things, where the demotion would be embarrassing enough.

Facing the return to mindless drudgery, they reported an “unspecified” error to management and and trundled off towards town, detouring off onto an untidy lane that headed to management into the forest where Delis lived. Zod was hoping Desil could get it fixed for them on the sly before the electric company found out. Zod had traded favors with Desil in the past, who’s pretty good with a hammer and a soldering iron but occasionally needed something thwacked. Desil was also known for keeping their mouth shut. And they got along together so well because they were both a little broody and didn’t like wandering around in public more than necessary.

Unfortunately, Desil wasn’t in. In fact, it didn’t seem likely they’d been around for a while. The tools were all in place as if it were time to get to work, but Desil was seemingly replaced with a thin layer of dust and a light breeze from a partially open window. Very unlike Desil, Zod pondered as they looked around the garage for some sort of clue.

— Chapter 2 —

The clue came in the form of a dirty cigar butt barely visible in the shadows. An ordinary person wouldn’t have seen it, even while sweeping the area to get rid of clues. But Zod being electric, low light wasn’t as big of a deal. And a decent clue as well. Smoking was passe and somewhat restricted. There were only a few shops that sold them in town ~ the licensed tobacconist and a few black market under the counter in a few corner stores. So with this in mind they made their way back to Third Avenue and the old town wall.

Passing through the town gate Zod had to cross his first hurdle: the main repair shop where the like of Zod was supposed to have gone for repairs. And Zod definitely didn’t want to be seen since theoretically that is where should be headed to and didn’t want to raise any eyebrows. Thankfully it was early morning and Zod was able to slip past the East Wall and on down the lane in the shadows until they passed the shop.

Breathing an electronic sigh of relief, Zod continued past the supply shops that supported the garage. They weren’t likely to be noted as out of ordinary since Electric Beavers were known to be trustworthy so they were frequently sent into town on for spare parts and on-site work.

Needing some place to start, the pondered briefly so they they headed towards 2nd Street and South across the river where the tobacconist lay.

— Chapter 3 —

The tobacconists was larger than one might think for a dirty garrison-like town whose main existence relies on maintaining the dam, with its hydroelectric power and flood control. But being the only town for miles and between function and location have allowed it to maintain regional authority.

In slunk Zod, mostly ignored as usual. They’d been here before after all, just on “official” trips. In other words, their manager was too lazy to come here themselves. Zod browsed around casually, trying to not “look casual”. The customers bought it and quickly returned to their ashtrays full of burnt leaves and wishes of whatever world they imagine. Zod engaged their nasal circuits, groping for a familiar smell of the butt laying in Desil garage rising above the haze. Alas, they couldn’t smell anything, at least not strong enough to investigate further. Quietly Zod crept out the door with a head as hazy as the air they just left.

Hoping to clear their thoughts they headed back up to the greenery of the town square to ponder in the early morning sunlight that blesses this part of the world.

— Chapter 4 —

With still no direction to head towards, Zod wandered through the park to Main Street, across from Government House. Chalky white and unadorned it didn’t seem to have a sense of direction either. Uninspired, they flipped an electronic coin and headed North for a change.

There isn’t much to North Main beyond the park. Just a bank facing the Northern end of Government House and a row of small shops just beyond that had attached themselves to the old city wall like so many barnacles. Zod, needing to get out a few credits to pay his way around town addressed the bank, whose decorative features and rare mosaics were the exact opposite of it’s cross-street neighbor. Entering the lobby revealed a temple of opulence reflecting the treasures buried in its vaults. Zod stepped inside, overwhelmed like every patron is, by the sheer size and appointment of the building. Tricks of light and architecture made it seem to be larger than outside.

Recovering from the awe they feel every time, Zod headed to an available teller to load some credits from their account. Not too much, as usual, as there’s always a sense of mistrust towards sentient electronics. But while standing there they swore they caught a whiff of that cigar stink, but not strong enough to recognize its source. Still, they tried to upload everyone they could see into their memory banks before moving on out the door.

— Chapter 5 —

Zod dallied outside the bank for a few minutes in the way one pretends to tie their shoes. But the whiff was gone, and since etiquette says one isn’t supposed to smoke in public areas, it wasn’t likely to reappear unless they get close enough to smell The person’s clothes again. So, left along North Wall, perusing the barnacles for useful trinkets ~ and perhaps a few useless ones as well. Zod didn’t have a lot of space in his tiny apartment, but it was infinitely more than the barracks he’d get relegated to were he demoted. Silently that thought gave them a much stronger sense of purpose, perhaps even greater than finding his friend. But since the two thoughts cannot exist without the other, they replaced such thoughts with determination instead.

So lost were they in their thoughts that they nearly ran into one of their co-workers, a digger named [NAME1]. As Od really didn’t need to be seen, they ducked into the nearest stall to hide. Unfortunately this did raise a few eyebrows as it was a women’ clothing store and therefore had nothing even remotely electric beaver shaped. Zod stammered a few apologies and thankfully [NAME1] had moved East on down the avenue before they emerged from the store. East went to the garage, which they need to avoid even more as the doors were open for for the day.

— Chapter 6 —

Where North and West Walls meet Zod found a convenience store, stocked with the bits and bobs and brick-a-brack that don’t warrant a trip down to he shops on River Avenue. They used [SOMETHING] as an excuse to quite literally sniff around. And with the barest of hints in the air, they overheard some store patrons talking with the counter person about the Sketch Antique Shops in the opposite corner of town. Having nothing else to go on at this point they buy [THING1] and started to head that South towards River Avenue, the West-East artery thru [TOWN]. From there they can decide whether to follow the River or continue along the Walls as the ways are roughly equidistant.

Going all the way down to South Wall seemed to be the better choice since it was mostly row houses full of humans, and even though Zod might get a sideways glance it wouldn’t be like waltzing down one of the main roads through town where they was most likely asked to answer uncomfortable question, such as why they weren’t at work if they weren’t at the garage. Even sentient robots were expected to behave like robots.

— Chapter 7 —

The Antique Shops were indeed sketchy, so they found. Lots of small people in small shops selling small things that have no discernible utility. Looking around, Zod realized that the other patrons really didn’t want to be seen, and a dozen small beady eyes are watching them intently from the shadows. The shopkeepers definitely didn’t look like they think Zod should be there. Hurriedly thinking, they remember that [THING2] which they’ve seen in Desil’s shop can only come from a place like this. Sticking their head into the closest shop they ask for [THING2] to an untrusting stare. After a few moments consideration the shopkeeper pointed their small arm to another shop a few stalls down, with a “try them” grunt of dismissal.

The second shop was equally warm to the stranger, as in not so much. But they did soften just a little when asked about [THING2] and offered it at an obviously marked up price. But Zod paid it anyway, while asking if they’d seen Desil recently. This invited a questioning stare, like the shopkeeper wasn’t sure it was safe to say anything to them.

After a pregnant pause, the shopkeeper said that they haven’t seen Desil lately, but a few weeks ago Desil came in looking nervous and looking around furtively as though they were being followed. Beyond that the shopkeeper either didn’t know or was unwilling to say. Probably the latter.

Treachery, Zod thought, and obviously tied to Desil’s absence.

— Chapter 8 —

[THING2] had to be another clue, and more than likely the mystery cigar person was somehow tied into it, Zod thought. However, it wasn’t anything immediately usable unless [THING2] or the cigar were found, so they filed it away for the time being. But at the least, they knew where to find [THING2], even if they didn’t know what it was used for. Perhaps that was another piece to the puzzle.

Unsure of where to go next, Zod decided to head back to Desil’s to figure out whats [THING2] was used for. The trick was getting there in the middle of the day. Waltzing down Third Avenue was a sure-fire way to get caught and asked unaswerable questions. Then they rembered that there was a hidden path that led from the back of the garage that possibly headed towards town. It had to intersect with Main Avenue somehow.

It had to be somewhere North of town or it would have been spotted and mapped years ago. And the best way to get there was walting straight up Main Street instead of going all the way around the walls again. Just act naturally, Zod thought, and hoped that none of the dam workers needed to go to Government House. The bank they could explain, since normally the beavers had to pay for repairs out of pocket and get reimbursed, unless it was an emergency.

— Chapter 9 —

So off Zod went, following South Wall to Main, then turned North with a waltz and an electronic prayer in their head. So far, so good, they thought.

So far, not so good, Zod realized. [NAME2] was in the town square, and there wasn’t an easy way to get past them without being seen. Thinking quickly they decided to just ignore [NAME2], and come up with some plausible deniabilty if necessary.

And it was sadly necessary as [NAME2] had spotted them and with a wave and a “Hey Zod” they were being homed in on like a mouse spotted by a raptor. At least [NAME2] was on the concrete team, who poured out that which was to be whacked. If there were one good thing, they had different shifts so [NAME2] wouldn’t know of Zod were supposedly in for repairs or just had a day off.

Resigned to their fate, Zod responded.

Hey [NAME2] how’s your day going? It certainly looks like a nice one for the park”

It really is. I have the day off, so I thought a little R&R at the park would be ideal. Closer to the river than one would like for a day off, but I guess you can’t have everything”. How about you?

I had to come into town to pick up a few things,” Zod didn’t exactly lie. “I could really use a day off too, so I’m a bit jealous.”

Do you have any time later?” [NAME2] asked. I was thinking about hitting the power bank once the sun starts to set”

Zod replied, “unfortunately not. I need to get back to my apartment as soon as I can”

Okay [NAME2] said. “Maybe a rain check?”

Maybe. I’ve had a full plate and need to keep moving”

Good luck then”

I really could use it, Zod thought to themselves as they turned back to the street to continue on their way. And they hoped running into [NAME2] wouldn’t cause problems later. But looking ahead they could see several more coworkers, so it’s time to backtrack and follow the walls after all.

This time of day finds River Avenue at its busiest, which was mostly a good thing after all. Slipping silently into the crush of people doing their afternoon shopping, they were able to blend in by pretending to shop too. That way the could use their plausible deniability again and keep everyone as on the same story.

 

Zod, Day 6

Zod finds another clue and a new direction to head in.

 

— Chapter 8 —

[THING2] had to be another clue, and more than likely the mystery cigar person was somehow tied into it, Zod thought. However, it wasn’t anything immediately usable unless [THING2] or the cigar were found, so they filed it away for the time being. But at the least, they knew where to find [THING2], even if they didn’t know what it was used for. Perhaps that was another piece to the puzzle.

Unsure of where to go next, Zod decided to head back to Desil’s to figure out whats [THING2] was used for. ​_The trick was getting there in the middle of the day. Waltzing down Third Avenue was a sure-fire way to get caught and asked unaswerable questions. Then they rembered that there was a hidden path that led from the back of the garage that possibly headed towards town. It had to intersect with Main Avenue somehow.

It had to be somewhere North of town or it would have been spotted and mapped years ago. And the best way to get there was walting straight up Main Street instead of going all the way around the walls again. Just act naturally, Zod thought, and hoped that none of the dam workers needed to go to Government House. The bank they could explain, since normally the beavers had to pay for repairs out of pocket and get reimbursed, unless it was an emergency.

— Chapter 9 —

So off Zod went, following South Wall to Main, then turned North with a waltz and an electronic prayer in their head. So far, so good, they thought.

So far, not so good, Zod realized. [NAME2] was in the town square, and there wasn’t an easy way to get past them without being seen. Thinking quickly they decided to just ignore [NAME2], and come up with some plausible deniabilty if necessary.

And it was sadly necessary as [NAME2] had spotted them and with a wave and a “Hey Zod” they were being homed in on like a mouse spotted by a raptor. At least [NAME2] was on the concrete team, who poured out that which was to be whacked. If there were one good thing, they had different shifts so [NAME2] wouldn’t know of Zod were supposedly in for repairs or just had a day off.

Resigned to their fate, Zod responded.

Hey [NAME2] how’s your day going? It certainly looks like a nice one for the park”

It really is. I have the day off, so I thought a little R&R at the park would be ideal. Closer to the river than one would like for a day off, but I guess you can’t have everything”. How about you?

I had to come into town to pick up a few things,” Zod didn’t exactly lie. “I could really use a day off too, so I’m a bit jealous.”

Do you have any time later?” [NAME2] asked. I was thinking about hitting the power bank once the sun starts to set”

Zod replied, “unfortunately not. I need to get back to my apartment as soon as I can”

Okay [NAME2] said. “Maybe a rain check?”

Maybe. I’ve had a full plate and need to keep moving”

Good luck then”

I really could use it, Zod thought to themselves as they turned back to the street to continue on their way. And they hoped running into [NAME2] wouldn’t cause problems later. But looking ahead they ckiukd see several more coworkers, so it’s time to backtrack and follow the walls after all.

This time of day finds River Avenue at its busiest, which was mostly a good thing after all. Slipping silently into the crush of people doing their afternoon shopping, they were able to blend in by pretending to shop too. That way the could use their plausible deniability again and keep everyone as on the same story.

 

Zod, Day 5

Not a lot of writing today, but I at least got a few words down.  The stuff in brackets need names.  Also, there’s been a bit of editing from my previous, so I’ll post a “so far” at some point soon

So lost were they in their thoughts that they nearly ran into one of their co-workers, a digger named [NAME1]. As Zod really didn’t need to be seen, they ducked into the nearest stall to hide. Unfortunately this did raise a few eyebrows as it was a womens’ clothing store and therefore had nothing even remotely electric beaver shaped. Zod stammered a few apologies and thankfully [NAME1] had moved East on down the avenue before they emerged from the store. East goes to the garage, which they need to avoid even more as the doors were open for for the day.

Where North and West Walls meet Zod finds a convenience store, stocked with the bits and bobs and bric-a-brack that don’t warrant a trip down to he shops on River Avenue. They use [SOMETHING] as an excuse to quite literally sniff around. And with the barest of hints in the air, they overhear some store patrons talking with the counter person about the Sketch Antique Shops in the opposite corner of town. Having nothing else to go on at this point they buy [THING1] and starts heading that direction South towards River Avenue, the West-East artery thru [TOWN]. From there they can decide whether to follow the River or continue along the Walls as the ways are roughly equidistant.

[Walk this way, talk this way]

The Antique Shops are indeed sketchy, so they find. Lots of small people in small shops selling small things that have no discernible utility. Looking around, Zod realizes that a dozen small beady eyes are watching them intently. The shopkeepers definitely don’t look like they think Zod should be there. Hurriedly thinking, they remember that [THING2] which they’ve seen in Desil’s shop can only come from a place like this. Sticking their head into the closest shop they ask for [THING2] to an untrusting stare. After a few moments consideration the shopkeeper points their small arm to another shop a few stalls down, with a “try them” grunt of dismissal.

The second shop was equally warm to the stranger, as in not so much. But they did soften when asked about [THING2] and offered it at obviously marked up prices. But Zod paid it anyway, while asking if they’d seen Desil recently. This invited a questioning stare, like the shopkeeper wasn’t sure it was safe to say anything to them.

After a pregnant pause, the keeper says they haven’t seen them immediately, but a few weeks ago Desil came in looking nervous and looking around furtively as though they were being followed. Beyond that the shopkeeper either didn’t know or was unwilling to say. Probably the latter.

Treachery, Zod thought, and obviously tied to Desil’s absence.

Zod, Day 4

In which Zod catches a hint of clue and looks for direction

…Hoping to clear their thoughts they headed back up to the greenery of the town square to ponder in the early morning sunlight that blesses this part of the world.

With still no direction, Zod wandered through the park to Main Street, across from Government House. Chalky white and unadorned it didn’t seem to have a sense of direction either. Uninspired, they flipped an electronic coin and headed North for a change.

There isn’t much to North Main beyond the park. Just a bank facing the Northern end of Government House and a row of small shops just beyond that had attached themselves to the old city wall like so many barnacles. Zod, needing to get out a few credits to pay his way around town addressed the bank, whose decorative features and rare mosaics were the exact opposite of it’s cross-street neighbor. Entering the lobby revealed a temple of opulence reflecting the treasures buried in its vaults. Zod stepped inside, overwhelmed like every patron is, by the sheer size and appointment of the building. Tricks of light and architecture made it seem to be larger than outside.

Recovering from the shock they feel every time, Zod headed to an available teller to load some credits from their account. Not too much, as usual, as there’s always a sense of mistrust towards sentient electronics. But while standing there he swore he caught a whiff of that cigar stink, but not strong enough to recognize its source. Still, they tried to upload everyone they could see into their memory banks before moving on out the door.

Zod dallied outside the bank for a few minutes in the way one pretends to tie their shoes. But the whiff was gone, and since one isn’t supposed to smoke in public areas, not likely to reappear unless they get that close again. So, left along North Wall, perusing the barnacles for useful trinkets ~ and perhaps a few useless ones as well. Zod doesn’t have a lot of space in his tiny apartment, but it’s infinitely more than the barracks he’d get relegated to were he demoted. Silently that thought gave him a much stronger sense of purpose, perhaps even greater finding his friend. But the two thoughts cannot exist without the other, replacing such thoughts with determination.

Zod, Day 3

–This is a long one, bringing my writing up-to-date–

When Zod powered on for the day, something was wrong. Their tail seemed to be malfunctioning. It moved okay, but couldn’t thwack properly. Their job at dam maintenance requires repeatedly thwacking things, so this really is an untenable situation. Z od also thought about how they’d been messing up a bit lately, and this might be the last straw, leading a demotion back to Gnawing On Things.

Facing the return to mindless drudgery, they reported an “unspecified” error and trundled off torwards town, turning off onto an untidy lane that headed off into the forest. Zot was hoping Desil could get it fixed for them on the sly before the electric company found out. Zod has traded favors with Desil in the past, who’s pretty good with a hammer and a soldering iron. Desil was also known for keeping their mouth shut. In fact they got along together so well because they were both a littleDefault Paragraph Style broody and didn’t like wandering around in public more than necessary.

Unfortunately, Desil wasn’t in. In fact, it didn’t seem likely they’d been around for a while. The tools were all in place as if it were time to get to work, but Desil was seemingly replaced with a thin layer of dust and a light breeze from a partially open window. Very unlike Desil, Zod pondered as they looked around the garage for some sort of clue.

The clue came in the form of a dirty cigar butt barely visible in the shadows. An ordinary person wouldn’t have seen it, even while sweeping the area to get rid of clues. But Zod being electric, low light isn’t as big of a deal. And a decent clue as well. Smoking is passe and restricted. There are only a few shops that sell them in town ~ the licensed tobacconist and under the counter in a few corner stores. So with this in mind they made their way back to Third Avenue and the old town town wall.

Passing through the town gate Zod had to cross his first hurdle in the name of the main repair shop where the like of Zod was supposed to go for repairs. And Zod definitely didn’t want to be seen since theoretically that would be headed to and didn’t want to raise any eyebrows. Thankfully it was early morning and Zod was able to slip past the East Wall and on down the lane in the shadows until they passed the shop.

Breathing an electronic sigh of relief, Zod continued past the supply shops that supported the garage. They weren’t likely to be noted as out of ordinary since Electric Beavers were frequently sent into town on errands.

Then after pondering for a minute or so headed towards 2nd Street and South across the river where the tobacconist lay.

The tobacconists was larger than one might think for a dirty garrison-like town whose main existence relies on maintaining the dam, with its hydroelectric and flood control. But it’s the only town for miles and between function and location have allowed it to maintain regional power.

In slunk Zod, mostly ignored as usual. They’d been here before after all, just on an “official” trip. In other words, their manager was too lazy to come here themselves. Zod browsed aroond casually, trying to not “look casual”. The customers bought it and quickly returned to their ashtrays full of burnt leaves and wishes of whatever world they imagine. Zod engaged their nasal circuits, groping for a familiar smell of the butt laying in Desil’s garage rising above the haze. Alas, they couldn’t smell anything, at least not strong enough to investigate further. Quietly Zod crept out the door with a head as hazy as the air they just left.

Hoping to clear their thoughts they headed back up to the greenery of the town square to ponder in the early morning sunlight that blesses this part of the world.

Welcome!

If you’re seeing this, hopefully I’ve set the blog up correctly.  The plan here is to post excepts and maybe a few thoughts about my current writing project. If you’re looking for food, try https://nomdujour.net and if you’re looking for just me @olav in the federation