“THE YEAR 2045”

“Time is everywhere; it is an invisible thread that is attached to us all, silently watching us throughout our lives, seeing our beauty and ugliness, seeing our secrets and lies, our truths and our sins. We think we have enslaved it on our walls and on our wrists, but in reality we are all slaves of time. We wake up and sleep when the time is right, go to work, spend time with loved ones, but in reality time is spending us all, killing us a little every second and bringing us closer and closer to death every minute, so can it be controlled? Can we retaliate and become the masters? Can we waste time instead of time wasting us? This is what I intend to find out. I am Mary Maximus head of Science department at MSAT and this is the first audio log of many more to come!”

After she is done listening to the audio log the young girl commands her computer to shutdown as she lays in her bed. The wrist watch on her right wrist reads 6:30 A.M. and she gets up from her bed lazily. The room is spacious and comfortable, a big window in front of her bed is blackened, the girl goes towards the window and says, “Opacity 20%” and now the window lets the sunlight pierce her room.

She looks at the hover monorail as it passes through the city and decides to get ready for the day. The bathroom is completely automated, she steps inside the shower and the shower system says, “Judging today’s weather, I suggest a warm shower of 20°C”

But the girl manually selects 15°C and cleans herself. She brushes her teeth, dries her hair and wears her office clothes. She puts on her favorite cologne and goes outside her room. She makes her way to the living room and sees her brother and her parents already at the table having breakfast.

Everyone greets her as she sits on her chair and a robot labeled; “Chef-20X” serves her French omelet and coffee. Her father is already done with his breakfast; he kisses her mother on the head and goes to the garden behind the living room. Her brother cleans his lips with a napkin as he finishes his coffee and says, “Turn on and go to Channel 14 News” the Television turns on and shows Channel 14 News.

“In other news the young and handsome Reed Maximus is called by the Mayor and the city council to receive the Titan of Hawkesbay Award for making Hawkesbay a true titan of technology and science. From the hover monorail to the robots that have made life so easy, here is what he had to say in yesterday’s interview”

The news channel shows the interview footage, “I think I still have a lot to do, there is this hunger in me. This need of doing more and more, I haven’t yet found something which fulfills this need of mine, but to the people of Hawkesbay, we at MSAT are working hard every day to make your lives more easy and enjoyable!”

After his interview footage is over he orders the Television to turn off and just as he gets up from his chair the girl says, “Not bad brother. I mean it’s hard to believe you are the same guy who gave that interview! How do you wear so many faces? Boss face for MSAT, Angel face for News and bitch face for the house!?” before he could give her a reply their mother intervenes, “Reed, please we all know how Anna is, right? She likes to pull your leg. Let’s go to work together, and Anna please don’t be late we need your help on that advanced android we are developing.”

Anna nods at her mother and starts devouring her omelet. Before Reed and his mother enter the garage to leave for work Reed’s father shouts, “Mary, you remember right? The date today? I’ll be painting in the garden and I’ll wait impatiently for you to come back from work!” Anna whistles at that and says, “Nice one Mr. Peter, I never believed in true love but seeing you both, gosh when will I find someone!”

Mary and Peter look at her with a faint smile and then shyly look at each other. “Why don’t we go to the mental asylum, you can pick anyone you want!” Reed mocks Anna to which Anna says, “Don’t forget ‘Titan of Hawkesbay’, God it’s so cringe worthy. We build; you market and sell, so if I am dumb you are dumber!”

Reed replies, “Okay you win smart mouth, now hurry up or I’m going to leave you!” Anna finishes her coffee and orders the Chef-20X to clean up. As they all leave for work Peter waves them all good bye and goes inside the house. Reaching Maximus tower, Mary and Anna both split up and move to their designated research floors, where as Reed meets with his assistant and they both ride the elevator to his office at the top of the tower.

Reed’s assistant Jane tells him his meeting schedule, in the end she says, “A Mr. Hunter is waiting to meet you sir” when Reed hears this, his facial expressions change and he asks his assistant to reschedule all other meetings to a later time. Reed sits on his chair and allows Hunter inside his office.

Reed: Let Mr. Hunter enter.

Hunter enters his office and has a strange look on his face, he looks very tired and it seems like he hasn’t slept in a long time. Reed looks at him and smiles.

Reed: So, they don’t have it yet, and they are weak in technology as well! Am I right?

Hunter sits on a sofa at the left of Reed’s desk; he pours himself some whiskey and sips it.

Hunter: Yes sir, you were right. Don’t worry the teams are doing as you have instructed, we will get what you desire, but we don’t know in how much time!

Hearing this Reed’s smile widens, he strokes his right cheek with his index finger

Reed: And you haven’t told anyone about this, right? This is a matter of utmost discretion, and if I find out that someone else knows about all this. You know the consequences right?

Hunter takes a last sip, as his glass empties and looks at Reed with a certain fear but later replies confidently.

Hunter: Yes, I know, I know what I signed up for. So I’ll meet you again soon, hopefully I will have more things to say.

As Hunter starts walking towards the door to exit, Reed calls him from the back.

Reed: Visit Dr. Mark at his home before going back alright? You must take care of yourself too Hunter, a dead soldier isn’t worth much to anyone! This isn’t my first time but you are new to all this!”

Hunter nods and exits the room. As he leaves Reed opens his drawer and takes out a file and opens it up, the front page of the file reads “Project: Annex” Reed starts going through the pages and says to himself, “A lot of work is required, a lot of sacrifices, but then again I never really liked small projects. Power, I have it here but I’ll have power everywhere soon. I must broaden my vision, and think of more than just Hawkesbay!”

“BACK IN 2010”

Issac picks his phone and dials Anna’s number, “Well, the girl is going to be so mad with happiness when I tell her about the case. Although I hate MSAT, this case; maybe I can finally leave my past and move forward with my life!” Issac says to himself.