Brendon pushed the shopping cart slowly through the empty aisles of Waite's Artisan Farm Shop. Its wheels glided over the smooth acrylic floor. Piles of fruit and vegetables glistened like polished gems on old painted wooden carts. Cuts of marbled meat hung behind the butcher's counter while the scent of freshly baked bread wafted generously through the air.
In the baby carrier strapped to his chest, the soft gurgles of his child broke the silence. Brendon bounced gently, rocking the little one as he pressed a kiss to the top of the baby's head, savoring the warmth and the smell. The little girl was reaching eighteen months now, and her little personality was beginning to come through.
He paused at the freezers.
His eyes lazily scanned the contents until he spotted what he was looking for, a tub of organic mango gelato. He opened the freezer and lifted it, carefully placing it into his cart so as not to tip the baby too much. He rubbed his chin, the stubble rough against his fingers.
His moustache and goatee had vanished, leaving his face bare and oddly unfamiliar again. The sun had darkened his skin, a deep tan cultivated over the several summers spent outdoors, but today, it did little to brighten his mood.
Pushing the cart again, Brendon seemed to move with the energy and attitude of a bored teenager. Very little seemed to excite him. His lips seemed to have a constant unconscious pout to them, and his steps seemed slow and lingering in his flip-flops.
A man just marking time.
Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Grace enthusiastically pacing down one of the aisles. She moved with a graceful upbeat confidence that Brendon had quite frankly started to find exhausting of late. She was seven months pregnant, her belly rounding out her silhouette. As she approached, a smile bloomed on her face, brightening the air around her.
"Do you want some carrot cake?" she asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Instantly, Brendon perked up, the corners of his mouth lifting into a seemingly genuine smile. "That would be fantastic, baby! Do you want me to get one?" Grace beamed at his reaction, leaning in to plant a kiss on their baby's cheek.
"It's OK, I'll go grab some. Meet you at the checkout," she said, turning away, her movement fluid and light for someone about to give birth, but then again, everything here was too perfect to be taken seriously. The birth will probably be the same as Daisy's. Quick, painless, and clean.
He hated this place.
Brendon watched her walk down the aisle, he let out a sigh as his face fell back to its emotionless neutral state that had become the default when Grace wasn't around. He continued his slow, aimless meander through the produce. The cart felt heavier now, the vibrant colours around him dimmed as the aperture of his vision closed in and his mind switched off.
After they'd paid, they stepped out of the store. Brendon pushed the cart, now laden with bags of groceries, the wheels barely making a sound as they navigated over the pavement and down into the parking lot. Grace walked beside him, the soft cooing of their Daisy providing a gentle soundtrack to the afternoon.
As they approached the parking lot, Grace suddenly halted, her eyes widening. "Oh darn it! I forgot to grab celery for the soup," she exclaimed.
Brendon glanced at her. "You want me to wait?" he asked, as he brought the cart to a stop.
"No, you go on to the car," she replied, waving her hand dismissively. "I'll be along soon. I promise." She turned on her heel, already retracing her steps back toward the store.
With a small nod, Brendon watched her disappear back inside, then resumed pushing the cart through the parking lot. The sound of his flip-flops now scuffing against the pavement.
Suddenly, he noticed a Sentinel gliding by on a motorcycle. His mind flashed back to when he had encountered them before. Its polished surfaces gleaming in the afternoon sun.
The bot moved at a slow cruise, scanning the area with its high-tech visor, glowing blue accents flickering like neon. Brendon slowed for a moment, and his brow furrowed slightly as he observed its path over his shoulder.
He found it unusual to see a Sentinel out here. He very rarely saw one these days, especially in this quiet part of town. He wondered why it was there. As he continued pushing the cart, Brendon shook off the thought. It didn't seem strange enough to dwell on. Life had its routines now, and Sentinels were simply part of the scenery.
With a small sigh, he refocused on the task at hand and pushed the cart toward his car, parked a few spaces away. The baby's gentle breaths a soothing rhythm against his chest as she slowly nodded off to sleep.
Brendon approached his Lincoln SUV. As he drew near, the tailgate opened automatically with a soft whir. He parked the cart flush with the back of the car, the wheels rattling lightly against the tarmac.
Brendon made his way to the rear passenger door on the driver's side. He opened the car door, its hinges eerily silent. The familiar scent of the leather and baby powder shot up his nose.
He turned his focus to the baby carrier, unstrapping the clips carefully while holding the child close to his chest. The little girl cooed softly, her eyes shut tight. Still fast asleep. Brendon couldn't help but smile as he lifted her out of the harness, cradling her against his chest.
She was a perfect baby.
She never cried, she was always happy and even her nappies were bearable. She was so perfect, that she could only be the product of a machine that didn't understand that real, organic perfection is far from flawless.
"There you go sunshine," he murmured, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. She was out cold, gentle snoring in that adorable way that she did.
With a practised motion, Brendon positioned her in the car seat, ensuring she was snug and secure. He clicked the straps into place, and he made a final adjustment, tucking her tiny blanket around her to shield her from any chill.
"Alright, all set, bubs," he said softly.
He took a step back and took a moment to admire his daughter, her little face could melt even the hardest of hearts when she smiled. It felt surreal, a quiet moment of bliss in his mind that he tried to hold onto for as long as he could before, inevitably snapping out of it. This was all bullshit, and he wasn't able to accept it as such. He'd often wished that he could. That if he could just sink into this delusion as completely and totally as Grace had then he would be happy here. Who wouldn't be, but he just couldn't do it. His programming forbade it.
The passenger window of the car parked next to Brendon lowered with a soft whir, catching his attention.
"Hey Hon," a familiar voice floated through the air, gentle yet urgent.
He spun around, startled, heart racing as his eyes landed on the figure in the SUV. "Naomi!" Brendon exclaimed, in a whisper. She was sitting in the driver's seat of a white Freelander with black tinted windows. It was parked facing out.
He took a step closer, gingerly looking around for any sign of trouble, "What are you doing here?" Naomi smiled, but with seriousness in her eyes.
"I'm here to get you out," she said softly, her voice steady and reassuring.
His brow furrowed. "I don't have my console anymore." He rubbed his left forearm. "I don't know how to get out." The words hissed out with a layer of anger and frustration.
"That's okay," Naomi replied, her tone soothing. "Cody is helping me. There's a way for us to do it, but you need to come with me. We need to get to a place."
Brendon felt like a flicker of hope had ignited in him. He noticed Naomi tense, her hands gripping the leather steering wheel tight. Brendon followed her gaze. The Sentinel was back again, cruising past slowly, only this time it had brought a partner. Seemingly unaware of the subterfuge being planned, but clearly awakened to some disturbance in the natural order of the place.
Brendon did his best to act natural.
He moved back to his cart, pretending to unload the groceries, fingers trembling slightly as he shifted bags and items. His heart pounded in his chest in a steady drumbeat of anxiety. He didn't have a cool, calm disposition anymore. Brendon shot a glance toward the Sentinels as they slowly cruised past.
He moved back closer to Naomi, apprehension starting to etch into his face. Her eyes darted around, scanning for threats, before she leaned in, her voice low but steady.
"While you were in session, security came for us in the parking lot," she said. "I got away, but they got to you. They took you inside the facility, still hooked up." Brendon nodded. He'd figured as much on his own. He knew they had to be controlling his body somehow, and what Naomi was saying processed. He swallowed hard, absorbing the implications. Naomi continued.
"I'm with Cody. We're waiting outside for you," she paused, still remaining vigilant. "I can get you to an exit out of here, but you'll wake up in there. It's probably the same place they've got Grace. You'll need to get out on your own." Turning to Brendon, "You understand?" He nodded subtly, not looking directly at her. "Now. We don't have much time," she concluded. "They'll be onto us soon."
Just then, Grace appeared by the car, a large stick of celery clutched in her hand. At first she didn't clock Naomi, whispering sideways at Brendon, but she could tell from the expression on his face that something had shifted. She looked at him, then she clocked Naomi, and the gears began to turn in her mind. She quickly pieced things together.
"Brendon?" Her voice trembled in disbelief.
His heart pounded as he turned to look at her square on. Unspoken words hung heavily in the air. The cooing of their child from the back of the car broke the silence, a sound that twisted his gut.
He glanced back at Daisy, her tiny face so peaceful and sweet. Brendon's chest tightened. He looked back at Grace. The time to decide had come. Did he want to live his life or continue a fantasy? After seconds that felt like hours he gave his decision.
"Goodbye, Grace."
With those words he quietly closed the car door on his child. Then without looking at Grace he walked past her and around the front of Naomi's car. He slid into the passenger seat, finally throwing a glance at her as he buckled his seat belt.
For a moment time stood still for both of them.
She still stood in the same position, completely motionless, still holding her celery with a stoical blank expression on her face. Now looking like a stranger more than ever before.
The electric car thrust forward silently as Naomi slammed the gear into drive and the accelerator to the floor. The car lurched at speed to the right leaving a thick line of rubber in its wake. Brendon braced himself against the dashboard, his heart racing as the scenery blurred past him.
Naomi pressed the accelerator, hard. The car surged forward, tearing away from its parking spot, leaving Grace and Daisy behind. Brendon couldn't pull his gaze from the side mirror, watching as she continued to stand there, unmoving, her figure shrinking in the distance.
Naomi's fingers danced over the central console, tapping commands into the sat nav. The screen flicked into life, accepting the route she'd just inputted.
"Are you okay?" she asked, glancing over at him.
Brendon nodded, the gesture feeling hollow. He wasn't sure. He opened his mouth, ready to voice his emotions, but before he could speak, the rear window shattered with a deafening crack.
Glass exploded inward, raining down like crystal confetti. The sound of gunfire followed. The sentinels had begun to close in. Brendon's heart raced, terror surged through his veins. Fear etched onto his face.
"Hold on!" Naomi shouted, swerving the car as bullets ricocheted off the bodywork.
Brendon ducked, instinct overriding thought. He pressed his back against the seat, an intense charge coursing through him. A tiny grain of doubt that he'd made the right choice started to creep in, but it was too late now.
Naomi swerved to the left at the end of the row, the tires protesting loudly as she maneuvered past the store and out of the parking lot. Shoppers leapt out of the way, their startled faces blurring past in a frantic whirl. Oncoming cars swerved, horns blared, as they narrowly avoided catastrophe.
Brendon peered through the shattered rear window, his heart pounding as he caught sight of the Sentinels closing on them. "They're gaining on us!" he shouted over the din.
"Take the wheel!" Naomi barked.
"What? I don't understand!" Brendon stammered.
Without missing a beat, Naomi wriggled her way into the back of the car, her movements fluid despite the cramped space. Panic surged through Brendon as he quickly jumped his leg over the center console, squeezing into the driver's seat. The car slowed momentarily.
Once in, he floored the accelerator again, and the battery whirred as they shot forward, not gaining any distance but no longer losing any on the closing bots.
"Just follow the sat nav! Go wherever it takes you!" Naomi shouted from the back.
"Okay!" Brendon shouted back, gripping the wheel tightly as he focused on the screen and the road in front of him. The digital map blinked, guiding him toward an unknown destination.
Naomi folded down the back seats and then crawled into the trunk. Brendon watched her in the mirror. His eyes widened as he watched what she was doing.
With a metallic clang, Naomi pulled out something from a compartment in the trunk floor. It was big and covered in grey structured tarp. It seemed to be on some kind of articulated arm or tripod. She then rotated whatever it was ninety degrees to face out of the shattered back windscreen. Once she was set, she pulled the tarp off the object with a determined flourish, like a magician revealing his assistant. Except this wasn't a glamorous woman in a sequinned dress; it was an M134 Minigun. "Hold on!" she yelled, her voice betraying a shred of excitement. "This is going to be loud!"
The Minigun looked terrifying, even before it had started firing. Six barrels positioned in a rotating circular cluster. Each barrel fired in turn to prevent overheating as it would spit out six hundred rounds a minute.
Naomi wrestled the weapon into position, just clear of the tailgate. The whirring sound of its internal motors sprung to life, and an electric hum filled the cabin. The barrels began to rotate as it prepared to unleash.
In the cramped confines of the SUV, Naomi had a tight arc of fire. She held the Minigun at an angle, one hand on each vertical grip, her thumbs ready to press on the trigger switch in the middle. Naomi's thumbs hovered over it. Brendon switched between watching the road and watching Naomi in the rear view mirror.
Naomi braced the weapon. As the Sentinels came into range, she unleashed a hailstorm of bullets at them. The deafening roar of the weapon filled the car, and Brendon flinched at the thunderous sound, feeling the vibrations resonate through his entire chassis. Empty shell casings started spitting out onto the floor.
In the driver's side mirror, he caught a glimpse of one Sentinel taking a direct hit, its frame crumpled as the bullets cut it to pieces. Sparks flew in all directions, scattering them at its partner. Brendon barely had time to register the chaos unfolding behind them before he piled the car through a stop sign. His heart racing, tires screeching against the road. Narrowly avoiding collisions with oncoming traffic and scattering pedestrians on the crossing.
"Put your foot down, Brendon! You're too slow!" critiqued Naomi.
Brendon slammed down on the accelerator, practically pushing it through the floor. The car surged forward, the tires yelled as they tore through the streets, the car's electric motors whining loudly in defiance.
"Next right turn," instructed the sat nav.
He swerved sharply, scuffing a couple of cars on the way, the sound of crunching metal scraping his ears. Pedestrians jumped for their lives, eyes wide with shock as they leapt for cover.
Suddenly, three black SUVs emerged from a side street to join the pursuit. Their electric motors powered them silently at speed.
"More of them!" Naomi yelled, "Just keep following the directions! OK!" She instructed, her grip tightening around the Minigun, taking aim at the new pursuers.
A hatch opened on the roof of the lead SUV, and a Sentinel slowly rose from within. It started feeding something large from inside the car's cabin. A long tube with a pistol grip.
A rocket launcher.
"Oh shit! They've brought rockets!" Naomi yelled in panic.
Brendon leaned into the side mirror to make sure he was seeing what he was seeing. "Incoming!" yelled Naomi. Brendon swerved violently to the left, his heart racing as they barely avoided the missile.
It flew past, detonating against a nearby shop with a deafening explosion. Debris flew out across a wide radius. Some of it landed on the windscreen of the cruiser. Naomi took cover from the blast in the footwell of the passenger seats.
"Get us out of here!" she shouted, desperately trying to wriggle back onto the machine gun. As Naomi returned fire, the bullets ricocheted limply off the armoured SUVs.
Brendon sprayed the screen wash and turned the wipers on full to clear the windscreen. The manic waving of the wipers mirrored the hysteria in Brendon's head.
As the chaos escalated, his attention returned to the sat nav. It was leading him towards the beachfront, still softly giving him calm instructions, like he was taking a relaxing Sunday drive. "Turn right here onto Beach Front Avenue."
"It's taking us to the beach!" Brendon wailed into the back of the car.
"Just keep going!" Naomi urged, her eyes locked on the SUVs moving into formation for another attack.
Brendon pushed through, aggressively navigating the narrow street, straight towards the shoreline. The scent of saltwater now started to fill the air as they closed in on the pier.
"Are you sure about this?" Brendon yelled, glancing nervously at Naomi as they approached the end of the pier.
"What does it say?" she shot back.
As if on cue, the Sat Nav replied, "Continue straight ahead. In three hundred yards you have reached your destination."
"It says to keep going!" he replied, an uncertain tone in his voice.
"Then keep going!" she insisted, even more emphatically this time.
Brendon gritted his teeth and pressed hard on the gas. "OK," he said in the voice of a man uncertain about the wisdom of the action he's about to perform. The car lunged forward as they reached the start of the pier. With a final shout of defiance, he floored the pedal as far as it would go and powered the car over the end of the pier, plunging it into the sea.
The impact was heavy. Naomi hit the roof.
Brendon's airbag deployed. Water rushed into the car.
The cold made both of them gasp in their last lungfuls of air as the cabin filled. Brendon's heart raced as he struggled to orient himself, panic clawing at his chest. The car started to sink quickly to the bottom.
He glanced back at Naomi. Her expression was a mixture of determination and fear. Brendon unbuckled his belt and wriggled out of his seat. They both pressed their faces into the air pocket that had formed in the roof, desperately fighting against the rising water. Brendon could feel the pressure building as the vehicle sank.
Gasping, he locked eyes with Naomi, their faces mere inches apart now. Brendon fought to steady his breath, but it came in shallow bursts as cold-water shock took hold, each inhale more desperate than the last.
"Brendon…" Naomi gasped, now shivering. The water swirling around them was creeping higher, threatening to extinguish the last remnants of air.
"Remember…" she said, the syllables coming out in fragments as she fought against the water. "Cody… and I… are waiting for you… outside."
Brendon nodded, but his mind could only concentrate on one thing in this moment. His survival instinct was forcing him to focus on a solution to the now, but coming up short.
Suddenly light beams filled the darkened cabin.
Like lasers cutting through the water, two then three, then four beams fixed on their positions.
Sentinels were in the water.
They swam down fast to the car as it landed on the sea bed. As it did so, a small shock wave pulsed out of it, throwing the robots off their strokes. Once they reached the car, they found it empty.
There was no sign of Brendon and Naomi.