The out of towners

His name is Logan 5 and his job title is Sandman. He is something of a law enforcement officer . . . and "troubleshooter".

For those not familiar with this guy and what Sandmen are, there is this one old scifi movie called Logan's Run who's background can be more told here:

http://en. wikipedia.org /wiki/Logan %27s_Run_ %281976_ film%29

Right here and now, Logan 5 the Sandman is a concerned fellow.

"What the!?" he blinks after at first just glancing unconcerned down the hallway which unfortunately Fred had been glancing around. "Hey! You there! Who are you and why are you dressed like that! Identify!"

Right now, the thing here is that Fred and Belboz aren't dressed right. More of that in a second.

Might be that they are some kind of illegals, Logan is thinking to himself, these girsl.

May be even Runners (those who defy their "Last Day" dues and refuse to die so that others may live and all that drivel).

. . .

There is a balance kept within the City of it's population. One is born and one dies. Kept resources from running out and all that, and even has some . . . Well, read the link above and see what I mean (or rent the movie).

In the meantime....

"Shit," Fred curses, shaking her head at this latest development. She'd hoped for a bit more time before being discovered.

That of course means (in the Sandman's eyes) the young girls (and soon the Champions) are up to no good.

By law and custom, citizens of the City must wear clothing the color their lifeclock take on (Sandmen being the exception). That and at birth (to death) all citizens have a small crystal enbedded within their left palms which is called a LIFECLOCK (which are missing from both young Belboz and Fred). . . . .which'll mean a lot here in a moment.

Glancing back before answering Logan (who's drawn his pistol), she blinks a bit at the sight of a bunch of people behind her and Belboz. The two two female centaurs being the oddest, but still . . .

"What are THEY doing here and how?" she mutters to herself and then turns back again to Logan 5, raising her hands slightly in a show she's harmless.

"Uh pardon us kind sir," she begins, laying it a bit thick (but then again politeness can do wonderful things). "I fear I and my . . . friend here arrived here rather . . .heh . . . unannounced, I fear. Do tell, where are we and please pardon the tresspass?"

Right now Fred would rather not have to try explain the facts to this guardsman (or whatever he actually is). The thought of actually having to demand that she and Belboz here be treated with more respect due to being of high blood . . . doesn't sound like a good idea right now, even though she rather resents being ordered about by one who obviously is not even a knight but of low birth.

Besides, how would he know that Fred is anything but a young peasant lass, anyway? Not like this body is wearing anything other than peasant clothing (much less could properly handle bulkof his . . .er . . . her knightly armor).

Still, peaceful gestures or not, Logan just stopped in his tracks abruptly. Almost as abruptly is his stop as one would have running into a brick wall!

"Wha . . . where in the world is you lifeclock?!" he blinks, gesturing to Fred's palm.

This of course, is where things get even more confusing and volatile when Francis 7, Logan's partner (who's been known to shoot first and NEVER ask questions) makes the scene.

Yes, Francis enters the hallway, shaking his head in mild, mocking disbelief and opens his mouth to comment about Logan hanging out in Nursery (only Loonies hand out in Nursery) when it dawns in him.

Logan's drawn his gun and . . . this has all the earmarks of serious business.

In NURSERY?! What kind of Runner would even DARE run in here?!

"Logan!" He calls out. "What's going on?"

As a precaution, he draws his own weapon and approaches (and notes the girl down the hallway).

Seconds later. . .

Inquirer

"You have got to be kidding me," I say softly, not believing what I believe is going on here.

Now, do not ask how I managed to squeeze past the centauresses here. Was a bit touch and go but I managed. Perhaps might have been a better idea to try to lend support from the rear, but still . . .

. . .

I just HAD to see this for myself because I was having trouble crediting my own ears (and those suckers are still considered top of the line units)!

And now . . .

"Francis, would you lighten up?" I shake my head slightly, not believing that I should actually be in a position to be saying something like that to THIS guy. "Put the gun down before somebody gets hurt here . . . .Like the freaking kids here?"

I wave hands to the left and right of me, to emphasize the point. Almost obscenely soft lullabyes are playing in the background through the glassed in enclosures. Makes for a VERY jarring contrast, with THAT as "incidental music".

"You fire and miss and I would HATE to think what they'd do to you for it," I say reaonably. "Harming the most innocents of humans, children in their infancy. Not even the most CRAZED Sandman would risk that, I DO hope. Or have standards slipped?

"Besides, when have we ever even DONE anything warrenting hostility?" I continue, slowly approaching him . . . He's nervous but . . . for a change looks like he won't pull the trigger.

Doesn't look like he believe me and the tale I tell (it's the TRUTH, but watered down, left out details about such trivial things like "magic" and "spells"), but if nothing else I've managed to confuse the HELL out of him. Enough that he's hesitant . . .

Oh well, happens to the best of Sandmen, I am sure. Then again, what is happening here (meeting centaurs and other types SO very much not part of normal life and all that) is a bit beyond his kin, I guess. So even the great and trigger happy Francis isn't sure whether or not shooting another person is such a hot idea.

Do believe that the hint I dropped (about us being from other City who would consider this a hostile act . . . shooting us) was a good ploy.

They have things like teleporters in Logan's Run, you know? They called it "the circuit" and it appears to be only local (where ours is rather longer ranged). I managed to raise enough doubts to where he no longer automatically thinks us as rogues or runners....

1. Just a few more steps . . . Risky . . .

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree