“I will add medical provisions to my suit upgrade recommendations. The suit will administer medication and brain therapy. But Mr Archer this is not a cure. It will only delay the inevitable.” Rick needed a hug. He wished Amy had arms, he considered Brock for a hug and then thought better of it. “I will have my recommendations over in the hour. I’m sorry I couldn’t give better news Mr Archer. Good luck.” Rick mumbled his goodbyes and left. Brock was in the waiting room.
“That took long enough. Are you cleared for space?” Brock seemed happy. Which was weird but Rick didn’t care.
“He needs to upgrade his suit, and he’ll be good to go!” Amy answered in her usual chirpy tone, and Rick was despondent.
“What happened in there Amy? Rick?” Brock said their names a few more times in case there was a magic number that would make them open their mouths. Amy broke first, her number was five.
“Rick has a brain problem, and he can’t get the treatment as it includes modifications.”
“Fuck, I’m sorry brother.” Brock put his massive hand on Rick’s shrinking shoulders.
“But it won’t affect him for a while. So no need to commiserate, let’s get going! Clock is ticking. Tic-Toc!” Amy started towards the exit.
◆◆◆
They had a big meeting at the 363. Solus Tour was about to take off. Rick was shaken, Brock dragged him and they followed Amy out the clinic. It was a short ride to the tower but long enough for Rick to come to his senses. The news about his brain meant he only had one real option left. He had to run and get cyber enhancements. His brain would never survive his life, and his digital mind would be destroyed by the Dick. Rick was going rogue. If there was any doubt before, it was gone now. In the interest of self-preservation, he would take massive life-threatening risks... The next thing to determine would be when to actually escape. Maybe finding out about the shooting schedule would help. Rick had given instructions and preferences and was looking forward to seeing what they’d planned for him.
Today they were using the big meeting room. The whole team was here. Not that it mattered to Rick who had no idea who anyone was. There were dozens of people in the room but as far as he knew Rick was only travelling with Gary and a few camera bots. So who the fuck are all these people?
Rick was about to find out that coordinating a reality documentary show shot in space and aired weekly was no simple task. Directed by Gary, the camera bots would shoot almost continuously. Footage would be viewed and roughly organised and sent to a relay production ship that would then beam the files back to Terra for editing and more of that TV magic before airing. Rick didn’t like that. They could manipulate his words. They’d done it in the past. But there was nothing he could do about it for now. Gary was talking, and Rick thought he should listen a bit.
“We are almost set and ready to roll. From what I understand Rick needs a few adjustments to his now iconic suit, and he is set for space.” Annoyingly everyone clapped at that. Someone shouted “Space Rick”, and that made him smile. Fuck yeah space Rick. Gary wasn’t done. He wanted to go through the whole season one episode plan. He was giddy like a schoolgirl. “Right later this week we’re picking up promo shots, and then next week we are off. Episode one will be a mix of today’s footage at the clinic and this meeting and… wait for it… our departure from Terra!” Everyone clapped again. Someone shouted “Solus Tour”, and Rick wondered if it was the same guy. “Next week we meet here and travel to the Pacific, where we’ll take the Japanese space lift to the Eastern Space Station where we’ll grab the Moon shuttle.” Gary paused. Rick had a question.
“Why? Couldn’t we take off from this tower and just go to the Moon?”
“Yes, if we took an Uber Space. The Japanese space lift is the tallest tower in the world and the cheapest way to space.” Rick found that hard to believe.
“You are doing this on a shoestring to show people how easy and cheap it is to travel.” The Agency stooge had answered Rick before Gary could, but he would have said something similar, just probably more enthusiastically. Gary continued outlining the season episode by episode. Rick was listening but imagining his escape at each stage of the show. As Gary moved forward with the season’s description, Rick realised there probably wouldn’t be a show anymore by that point. He stopped listening and zoned out. It was all so far away. Everything would be different.
The meeting ended, and people shook hands, congratulated themselves and patted themselves on the back. Rick was the first out. None of that crap for him. He and Brock had to get back to Pops and check on the suit. Before he could leave The Last Human Studios, he was stopped by a familiar voice.
“Rick! Good to see you!” Rick froze. The Dick. He hadn’t seen Dick Prunce since the abduction, not nearly long enough. “The Solus Tour has come together nicely! Good work! I look forward to catching the first episode.” Rick composed himself.
“Dick! Good to see you!” Rick walked towards the Dick and extended his hand. The ensuing handshake almost broke Rick’s hand and lasted an uncomfortable amount of time. “Didn’t see you in the meeting there. Yeah exciting stuff! Can’t believe it’s all happening.” Rick was keeping it together, wincing through the pain of the ongoing handshake. The Dick leaned in, real close to Rick’s face.
“Don’t make me regret this. Do not fuck up.” With that the Dick released Rick. “Good luck!” The Dick walked away congratulating any and all he crossed paths with.
“That cunt!” Rick held his hand. The pain would pass. The anger would take longer. “If I had my suit I’d have kicked his face in.” Brock put his hand on Rick’s shoulder.
“Leave it. Let’s get out of here.” Rick followed Brock, and they got a taxi back to Pops’ workshop.
Amy had forwarded the doctor’s recommendations to Pops as soon as she’d gotten them. Night had come by the time they reached Boxtown. It looked even more pit-like in the dark. As it should. Boxtown was a common stop on the way to the pits. Needed a quick penis upgrade, a second butthole or maybe a sex tentacle? The neon glow of the sex workshops attracted all kinds of people on their way to play. Rick followed Brock through the maze enchanted by all the bizarre people on their way to become weirder for the night. Many of them would be back in the morning to normalise themselves before heading home. What a great time to be a sex weirdo. Pops had been busy all day making modifications to the suit. The duo walked into the workshop with their AIs close behind. Pops barely acknowledged them.
“I’ve been working on this suit of yours all day. Impressive craftsmanship. Those dolphins know what they’re doing. I personally would’ve interwoven the suit with nanomachines so it would retract in and out of your boots and belt or something. But this is still outstanding work.” Pops hadn’t looked up. Still tinkering. “Oh and I received your doctor’s requests, just finishing up.”
“Can the suit support an AI?” Rick groaned when he heard the question. He’d forgotten about that. Amy forgets nothing.
“Yes, it currently has a simple AI assistant.” Pops seemed annoyed at the question. “Right, so the suit will now protect Rick from the vacuum of space and scrub radiation. It has integrated bio-regenerative life support systems and medical treatment functions. The filtration systems have been modified to work in space. They will continue to filter toxins and absorb oxygen when possible. I’ve added air storage for three hours. Also, the suit will stimulate the growth of bone and muscle tissue to combat space atrophy.”
“Will it hurt?”
“The fact that you ask this question tells me you are a little girl. So yes it will probably hurt.” Brock started laughing.
“I pity the sissy!” Mr T added a little extra to keep Brock going. Pops was not laughing though.
“I’ve added a micro-engine with booster rockets…”
“You what? I can fly in the suit now?” Rick's eyes were wide, really wide, cartoon child wide.
“Yes. When in space. It won’t lift you if there’s gravity.” Rick couldn’t understand wh
y Pops was acting like this wasn’t the greatest thing ever.
“I’ve improved the armour, and added shock absorption, you can take a decent beating now. From someone like Brock even. But you’d still take a beating. Try not to get shot. Most projectiles will pierce the armour.” Rick thought not getting shot was sound advice but resisted making any jokes. “I’ve boosted combat abilities a little, but any more and the suit would tear your muscles apart. You also now have plasma cannons built-in to each wrist and the targeting system is linked to your new and improved HUD and opticals. I’ve designed this so that any idiot child who’s played video games can use this armour. Hopefully, you can manage.” Rick couldn’t think of any time in his life where he’d been more excited about something. He would be like Iron Man, but better. Pops stopped and finally looked up at Rick. His face had darkened somewhat. Different from the scrunched-up frown-face Rick had become accustomed to. “I’m just finishing the brain treatment system.” Rick shrugged. He didn’t care about that right now. Iron Rick was on his mind.
“This is great work Pops. I appreciate it, thanks!” Brock gave Pops one of those slow respectful triple nods, like you’re hearing a good beat.
“Yes! Thank you so much, Pops! This is amazing! I can’t wait to try it on.” Pops’ face returned to its angry frown.
“The suit’s an eyesore. You need a paint job. This bright yellow is ridiculous.” The yellow was intense.
“What were you thinking?”
“I don’t know it’s your suit.” Pops shrugged and turned away from the conversation.
“Brock?”
“I don’t care.”
“You’re both so helpful aren’t you? Weren’t you super fucking soldiers back in the day?” Brock sighed.
“OK well, my first thought is you don’t want to be seen so much anymore, do you?” Brock looked over to Pops. “You have some active camo paint?”
“If he’s wearing the suit on TV I doubt they’ll want him to shimmer and disappear with shifting lights.”
“Good point.” Brock had no more suggestions.
“Just paint it something less offensive to the senses.” Rick thought about it and promoting the show on the suit would be a great way to avoid further suspicions.
“OK let’s paint it black but keep some yellow stripes here and there. I’d like a big Solus Tour logo on the chest and The Last Human logo on the back.” Pops seemed OK with that, and he went to hang the suit in a design and paint booth. He inputted Rick’s preferences into the side panel, grunted and mumbled something disparaging when he saw the logos. Robot arms dropped down and started applying the designs. In a few minutes Rick’s suit was ready, and it was glorious. He considered hugging Pops for an instant. He thought about how that would work out, at best he’d get floored. Bad idea. He’d just have to rejoice on this lonesome.
Brock was lying on the workbench, he turned his head to get a look at the suit and nodded in approval. Pops had begun tinkering on him. “Rick it’s gonna take Pops a few hours to get all my upgrades done. Not sure you want to hang around.”
“I wanna watch.”
Pops’ furrows deepened. “Don’t get in my way.” Rick wouldn’t. He’d stay at a safe distance.
Rick was hoping the two of them would reminisce and he’d discover a bit more about Brock’s youth. They didn’t. He learnt nothing. Pops just went through Brock’s list of modifications and upgraded him. It took close to six hours; four hours longer than Rick had expected. After the first hour, Rick had put his suit on. He’d missed wearing it. Never taking it off again.
Solus Tour
Rick felt like his guts were tied into a knot. Today was departure day. It’s what he’d been waiting for, and it’s what he desired more than anything. He was scared shitless nonetheless. Brock had arrived bright and early, and they’d sat together for breakfast. Rick would have liked a quiet meal, but that was impossible with Mom going on and on about how excited she was to be coming. Brock spent most of breakfast suppressing laughter while Rick just shook his head and ate his pancakes.
It was time to go. Amy had come in blaring it for the third and final time. Rick got his armoured suit on, that’s all he was taking. He did consider taking his pillow for a second. It was so plump and soft. Rick often joked that with that pillow he’d find any rock comfortable. He imagined himself showing up in full armour with a pillow under his arm. Maybe not. He took a last walk around the house. He’d lived in this house for ten years. There had been many good times, but they were a long time ago, Rick was ready to get out of dodge. He went back downstairs, everyone was waiting. Rick walked up to one of the house’s interface panels and placed his hand on it. It lit up, and Mom started downloading to the suit. In a few instants, she’d taken over for the AI assistant.
“I like it here. It’s a bit tight, but the suit’s programming is beautiful.” And so it begins. Rick didn’t know how long he would be able to handle this.
“OK let’s go! The cab’s outside.” Amy hovered towards the door and waited for everyone to get out before locking up the house and activating the security system.
The flight to 363 was short, but it felt like an eternity to Rick. Mom was excited to be on the move for the first time. She saw the world through the suit’s optical systems, and it was blowing her digital mind. Mom had been the house AI for ten years, and in that time she had seen inside and outside of their home. She had internet access, but this was different.
“Aaaah! Stop it!” Rick couldn’t hold it in. The cab ground to a halt.
“What the fuck Rick?” Brock had switched to defensive mode. Amy and Mr T were scanning the environment.
“Are you alright sir?” Neither the taxi AI nor the others could hear Mom prattling on about the scenery. Rick realised this now.
“It’s fine sorry. I was talking to Mom. You can resume the drive. Sorry.” Rick had to figure out how to speak inside the helmet only. In the meantime, he just placed it on the dash so Mom could still see the scenery.
The Uber dropped them off at The Last Human Studio’s loading dock on the 244th. The team was assembled and ready for the departure. Gary was there with his three camera bots. The rest would either follow in the production ship or stay behind. Rick walked up to Gary who, no surprise there, was very excited. The camera bots were in position and filming had begun. Barry had come to see Rick and Brock off. Rick felt a pang of sadness. He’d probably never see Barry again. He felt bad they hadn’t told Barry about their plan. But they couldn’t. It would have jeopardised everything. Rick gave a heartfelt hug to Barry. It felt different. A true hug. Rick’s first goodbye forever hug.
“What schmoe? You going to miss me?” Barry started laughing. “I’ll miss you too! But you’ll be back in a few years and we can vid call anytime! You can tell me all about those space whores and fine drinking holes.” Rick laughed, Brock laughed, Barry laughed, they hugged, it was great TV.
Gary signalled that it was time to go and they boarded the studio’s ship. They were about to take off, and the Agency stooge appeared, boarded and took a seat.
“Sorry to keep everyone waiting.” Rick had not realised that chinless prick was coming. Maybe he’d have to learn his name now. It was Dave, what an absolute twat. Rick started thinking about the complications this might create.
“Everybody on board, everybody ready?” Gary looked around and turned back to face the console. “Alright take us out.” Everybody was waving, shouting and clapping. Rick wondered why they were all so pleased to be staying behind and doing their regular jobs. Then it hit him. They were happy and liked their jobs.
Japan had stayed the same mixture of ancestral architecture and futuristic technology as pre-war. Zero City 11 covered much of Japan now, but its shape had been adapted to the country’s volcanic terrain and to preserve as much of the classic architecture as possible. No neon-lit streets or ancient temples for Rick this time around. They were headed south-east of the country. Far outside of city limits.
&nb
sp; A disappointed Rick was just learning the Japanese Space Elevator was nowhere near Japan. It was actually in the Pacific somewhere on the Equator. It was the only way to maintain an anchor structure on the planet and a geostationary base in orbit. And building it in the ocean rather than land was deemed safer in case its hundreds of miles of cables were ever severed.
The lift was the cheapest way of getting cargo and people into space, costing barely more than a transatlantic cab ride. Even people living on UBI could afford a trip into space once in a while.
Unfortunately for the company that built it, the breakthroughs in inertial force and artificial gravity significantly improved space-faring vehicles rendering the elevator useless from day one. Before it was even operational, great factories were churning out perfectly safe vehicles that could leave and re-enter earth’s atmosphere like it was nothing.
They’d built it, so they used it. And, because it was self-maintaining and repairing, it had been kept operational. Over time it had become a bit more of a tourist attraction though it did still transport large volumes of cargo.
Rick’s gaze fell upon the giant artificial island. The structure was composed of a ground base protruding from the ocean, landing pads and a central terminal from which people boarded the large robotic cars. The cars travelled up a central rail made of smart nanocomposite materials and carbon nanotube tethers that adapted to changing atmospheric conditions. The entire thing was managed by an AI.
◆◆◆
The Solus team landed on one of the pads dotting the ground base. The camera bots rushed out and got into position to film Rick getting off the ship. One of the bots followed them as they walked in the terminal, one got a close up of the terminal sign, and the other got some cutaways of people going about their business, some landscape shots and few ships. It was going to be like this the whole time. Rick was starting to regret not taking the pod option. With Mom in his head, Dave the Agency stooge and those camera ninjas following him around things could get annoying quickly. This is going to be long. The terminal was not packed, and they did not queue for anything, they just walked straight through and into the cars. They found some seats by the windows. There were supposedly four passenger cars and four cargo cars. Though more often than not passenger cars carried cargo as well. Each car straddled one side of the x-shaped rails.
The Last Human Page 13
