Collected Science Fiction Short Stories: Volume Two: Collected Science Fiction Short Stories, #2

Collected Science Fiction Short Stories: Volume Two

A Short Story Collection

Raymond S Flex

Contents

A MODERN DEATH

KING ARTHUR’S COSMIC QUEST

COTTON WOOL KIDS

THE CHASE

THE PARTY WALL

RED DUST

DON’T CALL ME SCI-FI

DRONING CONVERSATIONS IN SMOKY ROOMS

HEAVENLY ENDINGS

LUNAR CASTLE

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE GENERAL POPULACE

BIRTHDAY PARTY

CITY OF PENGUINS

IT’S NOT YOU IT’S ME: AN INTERGALACTIC BREAK-UP

INTERFERENCE

TO LUNAR PLAINS WE SHALL GO

Author’s Note

A MODERN DEATH

1

SEBASTIAN PACED alongside the conveyor belt which carried his grandfather’s body into the regeneration clinic. The corpse entered a hole in the wall and slipped from sight. Sebastian stopped. His mother and twin sisters, Kelly and Susie, came to a halt behind him.

Dr Rutter, the regeneration engineer, rested his hand on Sebastian’s shoulder, the sleeve of his lab coat brushing Sebastian’s neck. Shouldn’t be long. Better to sit.

Sebastian led his family to the sofa, and they sat on the airy cushions. He reflected on the bizarre events of the last day. Minutes after his grandfather had passed away, Dr Rutter had approached them and asked whether they’d like to participate in a pilot programme. Sebastian had heard about androids in the news: celebrities implanting the memories of their deceased loved ones into machines so they would never leave—only terminated on the client’s death, or the client’s children’s death, or the client’s grandchildren’s death. He had never imagined his family having the money to do the same, but here they were. His mother had agreed without consulting Sebastian and now they were putting together an android of his grandfather, a prototype for the mass-market model. Free of charge.

Half an hour later, the door slid open and the android stepped out, the familiar smile sketching lines in his cheeks. He looked ten years younger, like the photograph his mother had chosen for the likeness.

The manifestation made Sebastian shudder. That body had dealt him so many unjust punishments and unwarranted critiques. He had thought that was all behind him now. Then a worse thought struck him. He hadn’t seen the memories his mother had chosen to transfer from his grandfather’s burnt out brain to the android. Would it even be the man he remembered?

His sisters slipped from his mother’s embrace and bounded into the android. They threw their arms around his reconstructed frame and pressed their faces into his stomach. His mother followed them, tears glistening in her eyes. The android hugged them all and then gestured for Sebastian to join.

Sebastian’s blood chilled. He wasn’t ready to be introduced so soon after saying goodbye. Besides, this new and ‘improved’—grinning—grandfather didn’t sit well with his memory of the old grouch bag. He stood his ground.

Rutter stepped out of the clinic, a sly smile spread on his lips. He coughed for their attention. His mother and his two sisters broke away from the android. Everything in order? he said.

His mother dug in her handbag and produced a tissue. She wiped away her tear tracks. Oh, yes.

Rutter smiled. Excellent. He met Sebastian’s eye and his smile faltered. He looked back to Sebastian’s mother and held out a device which looked like a remote control. This is the master switch. Please keep it safe.

She took it from him, mouthing, Thank you, and then, along with his sisters, returned to cuddle the android.

Rutter shot Sebastian another glance. He turned his back on the others so they were out of earshot. Aren’t you glad to have your grandfather back?

Sebastian’s throat felt sore. His whole life—seventeen years—the man had terrorised him. What did Rutter expect him to say? Sebastian managed a smile as he nodded.

Rutter maintained eye contact for another few seconds, then took a step back toward the regeneration clinic. He addressed Sebastian’s mother, wearing a bug-eyed grin. All right, I’ll leave you to get reacquainted. Remember to fill out those daily feedback forms. Any bugs or issues. He disappeared into the clinic.

2

BACK HOME, Susie and Kelly each grabbed one of the android’s hands and tugged him down the corridor to their bedroom. Sebastian couldn’t blame them. Their grandfather had been bedridden for the whole of their lives and they’d never had the chance to play. If they had grown up with him they wouldn’t have held such whimsical ideas. His grandfather’s idea of play had been teasing Sebastian about his untidy handwriting or laughing at his pitiful conjugation of French verbs. But, as bad as his grandfather had been, this android was worse—an imposter.

His mother hung up her coat in the hall and headed for the kitchen.

Sebastian followed and put the kettle on. He pulled back a chair for her. Are you sure you’re all right? he said.

She smiled, breathed deep and then said, I feel better than ever.

Really?

She massaged her temples. Yes. You can’t possibly imagine how good it feels, having Dad back, knowing he’ll never be gone.

Sebastian plunked a tea bag in each mug and leant back on the kitchen counter. He stared out the window at the sun dipping down over the horizon behind the park. You don’t think it’s unnatural? I mean, death’s part of life.

Not anymore. Not for the living.

The kettle bubbled. He plucked it from its base and poured out the mugs. He brought his mother’s over then returned to his position at the counter.

His mother wrapped her hands around the mug. Why don’t you go change out of your suit?

I will, after I’ve drunk this.

Got homework to do?

Yeah.

She sipped at her tea. Would’ve thought they’d let you off, considering the day you’ve had.

Don’t wanna get caught behind.

Your gra . . .

He knew what she was about to say: that his grandfather would be proud. And Sebastian knew that precisely the opposite would have been true.

Kelly appeared in the doorway, smiling. Her cheeks were flushed and she was still wearing her flowery dress from the hospital.

Sebastian’s mother turned in her chair. Aren’t you playing with Granddad?

Kelly traced the doorframe with her index finger. Is he better now?

Yes, dear.

What if he gets poorly again?

That’s the best part. He’ll never get ill. No more doctors. And he’ll never go away again.

Kelly gave a small "Yippee!" accompanied by a little jump, and then skipped off down the hall.

Sebastian stared into the brown mulch in his mug. A part of him wanted to run after Kelly, snatch her by the wrist, and tell her the truth, that it wasn’t really their grandfather.

Sebastian’s mother set the empty mugs in the sink. A rack rose from within and the mechanism whirred.

Sebastian made for the door.

His mother said, You won’t tell them where Granddad’s really gone, will you?

Even she acknowledged her delusion. It infuriated him. Didn’t she understand that it was one thing to deceive herself, but to deceive his sisters was unforgivable? He wanted to shake her, force her back to reality. But instead he mumbled something under his breath then marched off down the corridor.

3

WHILE SEBASTIAN TYPED UP his homework there was a knock at the door. He glanced at the clock. It had just gone eight. The android cracked open the door and stepped inside. He sat on the edge of the bed. How’re you getting on?

Sebastian tensed his muscles, urging himself not to leave his chair, lest he do something he’d regret. Fine. Look, this is important. I have to get it in before nine tonight.

His grandfather held up his hands in surrender. I’m not going to bother you long. I just wanted to pop in.

Sebastian slapped his palm on the desk. "I want you out of my room."

His grandfather flinched. So lifelike. I know I’m not your real grandfather, but you’ve got to look at the positives. It’ll make your mother happy—he broke into a smile—you should’ve seen Susie and Kelly’s faces this afternoon. Isn’t that something?

It’s not real.

Silence.

Susie’s whiney voice weaved its way along the hall from the kitchen.

Sebastian’s mother responded to her and Susie moaned in reply.

Sebastian flexed his fist, examining the back of his hand, the veins pumping blood. "I was ready for Granddad to die. Everything was ready. All his affairs were in order. He told me . . . things."

What sort of things?

The types of things a computer wouldn’t understand.

Try me.

Sebastian didn’t want to think about what the android knew or didn’t know. He shook his head and returned to his homework. It was no joke about his tutor. If he didn’t get his work in before nine he would lose marks. And he was hugging the pass-average close as it was. Perhaps his grandfather had been right all along—maybe he was an idiot after all. He typed away. You can go now.

The android inched closer and spoke quieter. Does it have something to do with our roles? From what I understand from your grandfather’s memories, he was the head of the household.

The blood prickled in Sebastian’s veins. Get out.

A long pause then the android said, You’ve got to understand that memory is a powerful thing. It has a habit of turning things on their head and dropping them wrong side up. More than just you, or your family, depends on this pilot programme going smoothly. I’d be very careful about how you treat me or I might have to file a report with the regeneration clinic.

Sebastian’s chest hollowed. He leapt up from his chair. They’ve got nothing to do with me or my family! They can piss off!

The android put on a wry smile and headed out. The door whispered shut with a click and his . . . its footsteps padded away on the hall carpet. No doubt off to kiss Susie and Kelly goodnight.

Sebastian’s whole body shook. He sat back in his chair. Why had his grandfather broken character like that? Was it part of the design? One thing was sure, the android was not to be trusted. He had to get back some semblance of control—get hold of the master switch. Then he could address the real problem: his mother’s refusal to let go.

4

THE NEXT MORNING his mother was running late. Sebastian presumed she kept the master switch close, in her handbag perhaps. He planned to catch the tram with her. She kissed Kelly and Susie goodbye, and then yanked open the door. He stepped out with her.

His mother glanced at him. You’re coming too?

Yeah, is that all right?

I thought you were going to take your sisters to school.

He looked her in the eye. Granddad can take them, can’t he?

His mother blinked a couple of times then looked back into the house. Yes . . . Yes, you’re perfectly right.

Already, Sebastian felt a tinge of guilt for leaving his sisters alone with that bundle of memories and chips, but it would all be for their own good if he could get his hands on the master switch.

His mother collected up her umbrella, which was a metre long and had a sharp metal point. She joked about using it to fend off muggers.

Sebastian snatched up his school bag and followed her outside.

Together, they walked along the leaf-strewn avenue. Sebastian had lived his whole life on this street. He recalled his grandfather’s dying days. Although he hated to admit it, those had been the most valuable in their relationship. It had seemed his grandfather had run out of bile. With the loss of speech he had lost the ability to cut Sebastian down at every opportunity. He would take his grandfather for a walk in his wheelchair after school. Those walks were silent and pensive, each of them lost in their own world of thoughts.

Sebastian and his mother reached the tram stop and joined the queue of commuters. A half-empty carriage drew up at the platform and they clambered aboard, taking a pair of seats. Sebastian took the aisle seat where he eyed his mother’s handbag, trying to work out how he might get inside. Then it struck him. He padded his pockets and sucked his teeth.

What’s the matter? his mother said.

Didn’t sign the school register this morning, and I haven’t got my phone.

His mother rolled her eyes and shook her head. She pawed through her handbag. He peered inside, itemising the contents in his head: a pack of tissues, what looked like tampons, a makeup kit. No master switch. She straightened and held out her mobile. "Here you are. Really, you are a bit dozy sometimes."

Like he would forget to register for school with his grades as they were. He grimaced, pretended to tap in his school registration details. As he handed the phone back it vibrated: ‘Dr Rutter Calling.’ He rolled his eyes and handed it back. When his stop approached, he kissed his mother goodbye, while she was still swept up in a conversation with Rutter, and then he got off.

Where was the master switch?

5

DURING THE WEEK Sebastian searched for the master switch, but turned up nothing. He was running out of places to look. One evening, he sat at his desk, doing his homework. When he glanced at the clock, he realised his sisters were late. He phoned the school where they assured him the android had picked them up as normal. At first he told himself to be patient and returned to his homework. But the equations squiggled across the electronic page in black muddles. He pricked his ears at every sound, thinking they’d returned.

His mother returned home around six. He confronted her in the hall. Susie and Kelly aren’t home yet.

His mother hung her coat on the hook and rested her umbrella up against the wall. Really? she said, making for the kitchen.

Aren’t you worried?

No, why should I be?

He wanted to scream at her, tell her that she’d entrusted her daughters to an android, but he held back, making an effort to keep his voice calm. "It’s just that Granddad usually gets them back home around four thirty."

They’re in the best possible hands. Family.

He snatched her arm. That’s just it. They’re not.

Sebastian, you’re hurting me.

Don’t you understand?

She squeezed her eyes shut and squirmed. Let me go!

He released her.

She rubbed her arm. Large red welts protruded where his fingernails had dug in. I don’t know what’s got into you. Ever since your grandfather got back, you’ve been all jumped up.

Heat rose in his cheeks. "He’s not Granddad! That thing’s a bloody android!"

She flinched and backed up against the wall. Don’t shout at your mother.

Then how else can I make you hear me? He slowed his breathing, trying to calm himself down. Tell me where the master switch is.

Her lips quivered and she paled. The master switch?

Yes.

Footsteps approached the front door. Chattering voices and girlish laughter. Sebastian’s fury melted. His mother stared at her shoes. I gave it to Dad, she said. For safe keeping.

The door swished open. Kelly and Susie rushed inside, grinning. The android stepped in after them, his cheeks rosy and wispy grey hair standing on end. He passed Sebastian, clapping him on the shoulder. Good to see you, son.

Sebastian’s stomach churned and tears pricked his eyes.

His mother embraced the girls then led them off down the corridor. Why don’t you two tell me how you got on today, while Granddad has a cup of tea in peace and quiet?

The android walked toward the kitchen. You want a cup, lad? he said to Sebastian.

Where did the android keep the master switch? It wasn’t in his room, he’d checked there, so it must be on his person. He headed after him. Yeah.

In the kitchen, the android was attempting to open the biscuit tin. His muscles strained while he pressed his lips tight together.

Sebastian approached him and took the tin. Let me have a go at that. With little effort, he popped the lid and handed it to the android.

Thanks, grandson.

I’m not your grandson.

The android crunched his way through a biscuit.

If you don’t eat, will you die? Sebastian said.

The android shook his head. No, but I enjoy it.

And do you enjoy leading on my family, giving them false hope?

I thought we’d been over this.

We didn’t draw up any conclusions.

The android’s smile faded. The skin around his jaw tightened. This is the last time I’ll tell you, boy. Drop the whole thing. Let us get on with our lives.

Where’s the master switch?

The android took another biscuit. I haven’t a clue what you’re talking about.

Liar. Hand it over.

Whatever for?

I’m the man of the house, I should look after it.

And who says you’re the man of the house?

My grandfather.

The android chewed up the rest of his biscuit and swallowed. He stepped toward Sebastian, his breath hot and heavy, a faint smell of warm wires. "I am your grandfather and I say you aren’t. Run along. Do your homework."

Sebastian lunged at him. He knocked him off balance and they dropped to the floor. Sebastian pinned his chest. The android writhed, expression twisted. Sebastian ran his hand all over his body, paused at a point just below his stomach, and then reached under his shirt. The master switch was strapped to the android’s skin with tape. He tore it free.

Stop! the android bellowed.

Sebastian wheeled around to see his mother standing at the door, with her enormous umbrella clutched in her hands. She pointed it at Sebastian’s throat.

Remember, Mum, Sebastian said. Granddad—your dad’s—dead.

His mother shook her head. Her knuckles whitened on the umbrella handle.

Then something smacked Sebastian on the back of the head. He collapsed