| Generated by Google Flow text-to-video AI software, powered by Veo 3.1, and Google Gemini Pro, powered by Lyria 3 |
October 16, 2526. Breanna and the small group of survivors are parked at the
drive-in. That’s not even just some metaphor. They are on the outside of a
dome, parked with a bunch of other rovers, and before them, a film is being
projected. Right now, they’re watching a very old movie from the 22nd
century called 100 Years. Well, they’re not really watching it, but
it’s playing. It’s stupid, really, and just an attempt to make their
lock-out feel fun, instead of a humanitarian crisis. The domes are full-up,
according to the people running them. They are only letting in people who
don’t even have rovers, which don’t exist anymore, because if you came here
without mobile protection like even a suit, you’re already dead. The
Teaguardians dispatched two more dropships to build giant temporary bridges
between the northern polar region, and the rest of the Terminator Line in
the northern hemisphere—like the one they made in the south—but it’s not
seeing any use. Again, everyone is already here or dead.
Their group has become somewhat famous as being the last to arrive, because
once that ring fault broke apart, and the chasm appeared, no one else was
able to cross it. They either didn’t know how, or died in the attempt.
Still, the notoriety hasn’t earned them a spot in the domes, except for
Sorel. He was able to convince the leadership of a different dome to let him
in so he could potentially alleviate the strain that this influx in
population is placing on their limited resources. He’s in there now, or
potentially in some different dome, proselytizing about the benefits of
interstellar consciousness transference. The locals love him, because he’s
helping get rid of the “unwanteds” but his friends don’t know how successful
he’s been lately. It’s been a while since they’ve talked. He’s at least seen
some success, but the domes haven’t reopened their doors, so it’s
either not enough, or they’re pretending that it’s not.
They made contact with the other Levins and Breckenridgers. Not all of them
survived the perilous journey, but most did, and the majority of
those are in a dome a few hundred kilometers away. This one here is
the only one which might plausibly welcome the extras eventually. Until
then, they’re making do. The rover isn’t particularly roomy, but it has a
lavatory, and the top-down recycling system is functioning optimally. Morale
is okay, for the most part, but Shimizu is always huffy. They were on their
way out here on foot, which was harder, but also would have placed them in a
better position to be let in. So, he’s mad at Breanna for picking them up,
as if she could have had any idea that the rover would harm their chances.
The rest are being more logical about it, and just feel lucky to still be
alive. He’s also unhappy about Heracles, who sits on top of the rover, and
may or may not be lowering their chances of getting in this dome as well.
The concern is doubtfully warranted as many other rovers are also stuck out
here—all beetloid-free—which is why they’re even bothering to screen these
movies.
Tertius initially volunteered to leave with his daughter to give everyone
more room, but Aeterna is glad now that the group refused to take them up on
that after she turned out to be pregnant. Shimizu is wary of them as well,
ignorantly believing that immortals can only procreate with each other. If
that were true, the disgust would be justified, but Aeterna assures them
that it’s not the case. It’s offensive that he would even suggest the
possibility. She is simply under no obligation to tell them who the father
is. At last, it seems that their persistence has paid off. Whoever needed to
learn of Aeterna’s condition has responded to their new application, and is
ready to let them in.
“See?” Calypso says, “you were pissed off about nothing. The baby helped
us.”
“It is too soon to tell. We’ll see,” Shimizu recited, fancying himself a
philosopher.
“Another message,” Cash says, looking at her screen. “They’re asking us to
drive along the perimeter, at least a hundred and twenty meters from the
dome, to what I’m guessing is a remote area, and pull up to a different
entrance. They don’t want other hopefuls to see that we’re getting in.”
“Well, it’s gonna look weird when we suddenly restart the engine, and get
moving again” Breanna says. “No one has budged since we got here. There’s
nowhere to go.”
“I’m pulling up satellite imagery now,” Cash says. “Yeah, if we head this
way first, it will appear as if we’re giving up, and trying our luck at this
dome to the east. Then we can circle back around, and avoid being spotted.”
“You think they’ll fall for that?” Notus questions. “They can see the
satellites too.”
“They’ll have no reason to check them,” Cash decides.
“All right.” She pounds on the roof. “Hold on!” she yells to Heracles, like
it matters. She starts the vehicle, and gets on Cash’s suggested route. It
turns out not to be that easy when it starts a new caravan. Seeing them move
is likely causing others to believe that they know something no one else
does. It’s kind of true, but it’s not going to help them. “Shit. We have to
shake them somehow.”
“I have an idea, but it’s reckless, and you’re gonna hate it,” Cash says.
“Give it to us anyway,” Breanna prompts.
“Don’t go any faster. Just let them follow us. Everyone, get yourselves
sealed up. We’ll be abandoning the rover. Aeterna, you can still fit,
right?”
“Yes, I’m fine,” Aeterna replies. “I’m barely showing. Hold on tight, little
Dilara,” she says to her belly as Tertius starts helping her put her suit
back on.
“Okay,” Cash continues. “I don’t have time to teach you all to activate
active camouflage, so give me access. This is non-negotiable. If one of us
gets caught, we all get caught, you can’t opt-out...unless, I
suppose, you just decide to stay with the car.” They all do as she asked.
“This doesn’t make you invisible, it’s not magic. You will still need to
find cover, but you will be harder to spot. It basically scans the coloring
and texture behind you, and repaints your front to match. But you still want
to hide, and don’t move around too much once you find your spots, okay? We
won’t walk back to the dome until it’s clear, so wait for my signal.
Everyone ready? Helmets on. On my cue, only when we turn around bends,” she
adds as she’s crawling back that way.
Breanna puts the rover on autopilot, and crawls back there too.
“What about Heracles?” Notus asks.
“He can’t come with us,” Breanna says apologetically. “He’s too
conspicuous.”
“He has camo too,” Notus argues.
“But the rover doesn’t,” Breanna says as Cash is sending people out one at a
time. “The rover can’t make it look like he’s still there. I’m sorry, we’ll
get you a new one.”
“That was insensitive,” Notus points out.
“You’re right, I’m sorry. We might be able to send for him later, but right
now, they won’t let any of us in if anyone else tries to get
in too. Please understand.”
“Fine,” Notus says, obviously still upset.
“Now, go, go, go!” Cash directs.
They continue to jump out, but Shimizu ultimately gets them all caught.
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