2400 AD

Terces’ Androids sped along the tunnel floor seeking Xenocon’s Android cluster with specific instructions not to harm the children, weapons ready to fire at a moment’s notice. Behind them, the tunnel walls caved in like dominoes. No turning back. The only way was forward.

The first Denizen Android to catch up to the Xenocon Android fired at him on the run. He didn’t fall. The lasers missed him and almost collided with the breathless child way up in front. The Xenocon Android ran backwards, firing at will, certain that one of the lasers would hit the Denizen 1 Android.

The Denizen Android’s agility defied human understanding. He ducked and dived and leaped and crouched. Every beam missed him. During the gap he took aim and fired at will, determined to put an end to the chase.

But the Xenocon Android crouched low and built a transparent laser proof envelope around him. The laser fire simply bounced off and hit the sides of the tunnel.

Up ahead the child stopped running.

He lowered his head and opened his dark eyes wide, concentrated all his powers on the Xenocon Android and snapped his head forward.

The Xenocon Android didn’t stand a chance. He exploded like a rag doll in a fire.