A Brief Travel

There’s a nostalgic rhythm to the wheels of my old suitcase’s case hitting this same old road again. Almost as if even the slow death, degradation, and lack of concerns for this route welcomes me back. “We're almost there, you two.” I said.  “Mind the plants. Gemini tries to take care of them, but she can only do so much.”

“But where are we going?!” the young boy whines.

“Yeah! It’s been ages!” his slighter younger sister replies.

Their mother tries to get their mouths covered. “Children, please. We’re safe, if you’re quiet.”

But I know better, no time to run.“Go in the trees right now.” pointing to them. I stand there as the mother carries her children off without question.

I kick my suitcase, causing various pitches and noises, as well as a bit of music. Right on the cue two drone lights shine down on me. “Hey boys. Really sorry. I was just bringing it out here to repair it again, honest. Trying to be outside of city limits so as to follow the protocols. It's gonna make a ton of noise, as you can see.”

“Your cooperation with our great Overseer is appreciated.” The drones spoke in turn, as usual. “Please state your citizen identification number.”  the static filled voices said, while its scrap metal partner scans me over.

“478C-57T-256. Authorization code: traveler.” I replied. “Model citizen level 5, I believe?”

“Confirmed, with one error.” a drone replied, as it finishes scanning. “It’s model citizen level 6 now. You will not be going any higher in ranking. Note this, going forward.”

“I would like to invoke the right of question given to me at level 4. Code 136 rule 5 subsection A.”

“Authorized.” a drone replied. “What is your question?”

“Why will it not be going higher than level 6?” I asked. “Is the Overseer displeased?”

“Negative.” The drone spoke “Your trash collecting has been remarkable, and for as long as it continues rest assured your protection will not be removed. However you have shown no regrets sharing with your Lessers.”

I want to shout, but I take a deep breath instead. “Forgive me, but the Council were the ones who said they didn’t want lower quality. Those models were breaking in a few weeks tops, or just beyond repair. Sell—” I cough. “Offering them to the council would’ve been an insult.”

“This was considered, and noted to be true.” The drones replied. “But given your skills, it was possible you could’ve tried to salvage them into birthday toys for your Betters’ children, as an example. And given your current job description, your current access to homes is for the best.”

“No further questions. You two carry on with your patrol. Not out here again. It’ll just be out here as far as I saw.”

“Your continued acceptance and cooperation is appreciated.” The drone replied flying off.

I wait a few minutes before motioning for the mother and her children to come back out. She hasn’t scolded them. She doesn’t need to. “You can make all the noise you want very soon, but for now we keep going.” I lead them to what seems like a junkyard of scrap. One I’ve routinely said is for spare parts, which isn’t entirely false. I move a metal sheet, and gesture them downwards. “I’ll be down in a few minutes, I promise it’s safe.” 

The mother leads her children down. I open my suitcase. Putting in some stuff I know I can use later on in the pile, and take two parts out. Tweaking something before I walk in myself. Making sure the metal sheet hides the entrance again. before head fully in.

“Auntie Casie!” The usual group of children run towards me. A nickname that always adds a little giggle to my smiling face. I don’t know if they’ve ever been told my name is Katie, and I don’t particularly care if they have.

“You’ve all been nice to our new guests?” I asked them. “And none of you have been in Uncle Bolt's workshop?”

“Not one gear.” Banjo, also known as Uncle Bolt replied. “Think my stuff scares the little wild things, but seem to know I'm safe all the same.”

“Considering your stuff keeps us safe. I’m not surprised.” I sit down, open my suitcase again, and let the hologram projector warm up. “So where does everyone wanna hear about tonight?” I see Anna walk away, and come back with the two newest children.

“What was India like? The boy asked first.

“What’s an Elephant?” the girl asked.

“Well, I see we’ve adapted rather fast.” I said. “Let’s see here…” A few dial cracks and switch flips later, and I have what little I could find about Elephants And India on display. “You know they used to ride them sometimes. It is a big powerful creature, and the long nose it has? That was called a trunk, and it took in a whole lake of water in two nights. And often squirt water full force at other Elephants. Luckily they were gentle creatures when they had to be. And in exchange for the knowledge that came out of India they helped run the water system, and even helped them shower themselves.

“Does she actually know that?” The new mother replied.

“Not a lick of it, but she can act like it even better than the overseer.” another parent replied.

“They always love when she comes around.” A different mother replied. “And it’s always a lovely day off knowing she’ll be keeping them entertained.”

“She travels outside a safe haven, and puts up with all that?” The new mother asked. “Just to keep some children entertained.”

“Deary, if you could make as many stories as that teenager could you’d be out there searching too.” A grandma replied. 

“I like how she puts it.” one more mother replied. “We all know it’s going to suck. So what do you lose if I add a little fun to it?”