Gondo was retired in his chambers experiencing one of his favorite Dreams. It had been recorded over a century ago by a legendary techno monk. It was calm and peaceful to his spirit, and he liked to use it to center himself before a cast.

  The crew had been working diligently on preparations all week. Lowell had continued to refine the Moonshield to hopefully limit its detrimental effects. Ignasius had plotted the Newcomer’s investigation sites for closer study. In addition, they had worked out some basic thought concepts backed by the geometric data they had collected from the Newcomer. Gondo would attempt to use them should he encounter it again.

  In the dream Gondo was a small pond of water in a sun dappled grove. He could feel the light bouncing off his surface, he could sense small fish swimming around inside him and even bugs lighting on his surface. This total embodiment of nature was sorely lacking in current society, and did wonders for his psyche.

  A light tapping sensation began around his temple letting him know that someone was trying to wake him up. The Cognitive Crown was equipped with this feature so that Dreamers wouldn’t be jarringly awoken from their slumber. Sudden awakenings could be dangerous for the brain.

  As the tapping grew more insistent, he began to withdraw from the Dream, slowly so he could maintain the deep sense of peacefulness he had gained.

  He awoke and removed his Cognitive Crown. He was sitting in a recliner in his private room. A holo appeared in front of him with Lowell’s face.

  “Sorry to bother you Gondo but we have a situation. Gather yourself and meet me in the War Room.” they said.

  The War Room. That was what they called their meeting table when bad things were happening. He hastened to ready himself and left his chambers.

  The meeting table had been transformed in his absence. The large wooden surface was now a 3D map of a large park and train concourse. Screens filled with statistical information and energy readouts were lowered around the perimeter and the normal soft white light in the room had been changed to a dull red. The rest of the Safe House lay in darkness.

  He found Lowell and Ignasius already in attendance and engaged in conversation.

  “It’s obviously a trap, but what can we do?” Lowell said.

  “We get over there and help them, we have to!” replied Ignasius, as they both noticed Gondo’s presence.

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  “You’re here.” Lowell said, “This situation is rapidly escalating so we’ll catch you up as quickly as we can. Ignasius, play the communication from Jasper please.”

  Jasper appeared on a holo screen in front of him. His old schoolmate and drinking companion’s face was serious and the sounds of a volatile incursion could be heard in the background.

  “This is an all-points bulletin for any friendlies that can pick it up. There is a major attack underway currently at the South Broadside Concourse in Lower Hotep.”

  South Broadside was a massive train station hub that the three often used to travel to the Soft Watch, which was a few centuries below.

  Jasper crackled on through the holo screen, “The assailants are wearing the all black mech suits of Krueger’s personal brigade, The Fist. They have a Golem. Requesting all aid available. Repeat.” The recording looped back to the beginning and began playing again.

  Krueger. Most likely at wit’s end trying to lure Gondo into the open.

  Lowell stopped the recording and switched to a live feed. The concourse was in the middle of a beautifully engineered open space surrounded by a large park and artificial river, all contained within an enormous dome that had its own weather system. He and his friends had orchestrated countless late-night romps through its grounds, and it held a special place in his heart. The filtered air and true sky reflected in the high dome made it seem as though one was in an old Earth Forest. It was one of Gondo’s favorite places, not to mention its convenient access to the Watch, which was located just a mile or so below in the underbelly of the City.

  Now large swathes of the park lay flaming or in ruin. Multiple feeds from orbiting media drones lit the screens around them showing devastation and turmoil. Crowds fled the park in droves. A huge Golem had been animated near the park’s edge which, with the help of a large burrowing machine, was ripping out chunks of metal and concrete and tossing them haphazardly around it. It was being protected by a blockade of Krueger’s special aerial troops.

  In active conflict with them was the best army Ourobouros could summon. They were throwing everything they had at Krueger’s troops and the large Golem. Their ragtag group of Casters was joined by some local militia, gung-ho on testing out new hardware. Homemade mech suits freshly dropped from mechanical bays loomed over the Casters, launching rockets and laser beams into the opposition. They were taking heavy losses.

  “I’m sure you’ve noticed, but the latitude and longitude of the Golem directly correspond to the Soft Watch.” Ignasius said. “Once that thing rips its way downward no psychic dampener will be able to stop it from tearing our home away from home to pieces.”

  “It’s an obvious ploy by Krueger and his goons to draw you out. It would be incredibly dangerous and foolish to engage.” Lowell said, then looked over at Ignasius, “But we have friends in danger and one of our few places of sanctitude is under threat. I know I’ve warned you to exercise caution, but I also know you can’t sit idly by and watch things you love be destroyed. What do you say Gondo?”

  Gondo walked to the corner of the room and threw his radiation cloak over his shoulders.

  “Ready the hyper jet. We take to the skies.”