2400 AD

Fear was written all over the child’s face as he ran through the tunnel. Footsteps closing in on him and he couldn’t run any faster. He tripped over something and crashed onto the tunnel floor. The Android lifted his laser and without hesitation, fired, but missed.

The child battled to get onto his legs. He was determined to escape. A second shot rang out and suddenly he was falling onto his knees. A third shot and the child dropped, face first into the watery sewerage beneath him.

“One of the children is down, Gideon,” Tumelo announced.

“Suiderland! I told you to leave the kids alone!” Gideon bellowed.

“Gideon…” Terces’ voice in his ear. But Gideon ignored him.

“They’re just kids damn you!...”

“Gideon…” Terces repeated.

Gideon fiddled with a pouch on his belt and brought out a small metallic box. He lifted it above his head and set his thumb into the indentation.

“Gideon! It’s Terces. Respond.”

“What is it goddammit!”

“If you use the EMPB, we all die. I suggest you remove your finger and put it away. Besides, I’ve got this. My cluster is moving in now to save those children. Just put the EMPB down.”

“Where are you?” Gideon asked.

“Tumelo, show Gideon our location.”

An image of Terces’ location filled the screen in Gideon’s helmet.

“You’re just standing on rubble, Terces.”

“Yes. And underneath this rubble are the tunnels. They lead deep into the center of the city.”

The Androids shot into the air and returned to earth with the force of an aircraft hitting the ground. The ground collapsed and the Androids disappeared.

“Tumelo! Tumelo where are they?”

“They’re in the tunnels, sir.”