Clone City

It was early morning and mist still clung to the forest floor. In the glimmering, wet stillness several robots stood around the edge of a pit. One of their troop lay at the bottom but could not be seen. The leader of the troop, a humanoid called Sapor, ordered them to stand back. After they had moved back three paces, it sent a report of the incident to a distant headquarters.

The message ran:

- pit covered with sticks - sticks with leaves - colour identical to ground - 101 did not detect pit – has steep sides and mist prevents analysis - 101 in water at bottom - should rescue be attempted? -

After a few minutes, an incoming message made the photocells of its eyes glow red. Decoded, the message ran:

- state depth of pit and water -

Sapor encoded a reply:

- pit edge to water surface approximately one metre - depth of water not clear - analysis of stone drop test not clear - echo variability interference due to mud muffling stone contact with floor -

- can 101 stand? -

- 101 fell face down - no movement - does not respond to orders - likely reason short-circuiting due to water penetration -

- report position -

- coordinates g12 e38 - in grey section of forest - approximately 50 kilometres from destination -

- grey? - specify -

- trees covered with creeper - too high to obtain sample for analysis - creeper glistens in sun’s rays - forms canopy that excludes 28% of sunlight - darker regions further east - even greater light exclusion - forest floor devoid of vegetation –

The reply was immediate: - proceed with march - do not attempt rescue - record position for possible rescue at future date - move out of grey area into open green space - new coordinates for your march will be relayed - proceed -

Sapor ordered the troop to get into line before standing at the head and leading their march.

As they climbed, they moved out of the Greylands into a greener and brighter part of the forest. Their metal casing absorbed the sun’s heat into solar cells enabling them to draw less energy from their microfusion power packs. Not thinking to veer from the straight line of their course unless it was unavoidable, they slashed at everything that barred their way, leaving a swathe of destruction behind. Apart from the snapping and tearing of branches and the thud of their metallic feet, the only other sounds that could be heard were the shrieks of startled birds.

When Sapor received an incoming message, it ordered the troop to halt.

The message stated:

- 808 has accomplished its mission - it has murdered a director and left Joypolis - here are new coordinates for rendezvous - g34 e87 – estimated time three days - affirm coordinates -

Sapor executed a series of bleeps and received the final command:

- proceed to conquer Joypolis -

Moran moved away from the giant screen on which he could see the same view as Sapor. Previously, the screen had been a sandstorm of interference. This had been one reason for ordering them out of the Greylands, the other the lack of sunlight. He had chosen the route because it was the most direct and was curious to know why that part of the forest had turned grey, if, in fact, it had. Perhaps it had always been grey. There was so much out there that was unknown. But now, a wealth of information was being relayed to his computers by 808 and Sapor. Its analysis would take time, but, far more important was the fact that they were finally on their way to Joypolis. Only three more days, he thought clenching his bony right hand into a fist.

He had not forgotten how his ancestors had been forced out of the city to perish. Well, they hadn’t. But they had suffered long enough. Soon, he thought, justice will be meted out. The citizens will obey or die, he swore.

He knew from 808’s reports how meagre their defences were. How they wined, dined and played their time away. But he could not see the city itself. 808 was incapable of relaying visual messages from such a distance. Only Sapor could do that.

Moran shuffled toward the window that faced south. In the distance and far below, he could see forest and only forest. It spread for thousands of kilometres in all directions as far as the eye could see. But it was in that forest and far to the west that they had at last found Joypolis. The window at the opposite end of the room faced north and today, like so many others, a north-easterly was howling down the bleak valley it overlooked.

As Moran gazed out over the forest he recalled the valiant struggle of his forbears. How they had sought high ground so that they could know where there were in relation to Joypolis. They found none and became hopelessly lost as they travelled ever deeper into the forest. After months of wandering, they realized they were climbing and entering a different terrain. When they reached the saddle that linked these two peaks, they used the limestone caves they found here as shelters. While living in the caves, they sought a better place but found none. They decided to improve the caves by tunnelling deeper, linking passages and creating wider chambers. This done, they began to expand outward by using the plentiful supply of stones to build walls, courtyards, and outhouses. It was a heroic struggle. Yet the challenge of surviving in this inhospitable terrain, coupled with Koron III’s single-minded desire for revenge, called forth a strength of purpose that epitomised the human spirit in adversity.

As the years passed, Koron realized his dream would not be fulfilled in his lifetime. To assure its completion, he created a battle plan that would span the generations. His task was to improve their shelter and make sure that the most capable trained the young in hunting and husbandry to guarantee a steady supply of food. Everything was used and nothing wasted. It was a harsh regime in which quarrels often broke out. The culprits were flogged till all obeyed his iron rule. The only respite from work were on those days set aside for ceremonies to re-enact the injustices they had suffered. In this way, no one would ever forget why they must seek revenge.

His successor, Koron IV, inherited a well-provided settlement. It was named East Peak since this peak was the first to be developed. His fort was perched on the highest point of the saddle that linked the peaks and guarded the dwellings within the caves beneath. During his life, the atmosphere began to change. Life was not always a struggle – there was time for relaxation. A steady supply of meat, grain and vegetables led to an increase in their number. However, there were occasions when hunters were lost. The cause was unknown, but when this happened, it reminded everyone of the forest’s dangers.

The power source was electricity and it was generated by both water and windmills set within tunnels so the supply could be regulated. Eventually, this enabled them to set up the computer components that Koron had smuggled out of Joypolis. During Koron V’s lifetime, they managed to run the systems used for programming basic robot parts. But it was not until Moran’s reign that the rare metals needed to upgrade them were discovered at the base of the mountain. The first robots to be developed were only capable of lifting and carrying goods, but the breakthrough came years later with the creation of humanoids 808 and Sapor. With their production, Moran knew he had two robots that could lead a small force to attack Joypolis. But where was Joypolis?

Moran was in his sixties and beginning to despair that he would ever see the fabled city when a hunting party happened upon three savages. They questioned them as to where they had come from. They did not speak the same language but answered by gesture. They drew a tower they had passed. After putting them to the sword, the leader hurried back to tell Moran the most important piece of news to reach East Peak in over a hundred years. Joypolis lay to the north-west.

With this information, Moran was able to instruct 808 to find Joypolis. It had taken months, but, by eliminating errors, Moran was now able to plot a direct route that would take six weeks. Before 808 infiltrated Joypolis, Moran had Sapor and his troop set up antennae in trees along the new route to act as relay posts for communications. Once this was done, he ordered 808 to enter Joypolis and destabilize it with acts of terror.

808 began by observing the precincts nearest to the perimeter. When it entered at night, it discovered these districts were occupied by clones. Eavesdropping beneath a dormitory window, it heard that a clone named Url was ill and would not be able to work on the evening of the banquet. The dormitory chief asked who could cover his duties on the maintenance stairs. Seeing an opportunity to gain access to the upper floors of the Tower, 808 entered the dormitory during the night and murdered Url. Before disposing of his body in a lake, it removed his uniform and ID cards. It then scanned his face and modelled its features to a syntheskin mask that it used to cover its own. It entered the Tower on the night of the ball and carried out its next instruction – to kill a high-ranking director. After this, it left the city.

‘The city shall be mine,’ swore Moran. Turning away from the faint reflection in the window of his gaunt, hollowed-out features, he pulled his cloak more tightly around him. ‘Once taken, the clones shall be slaughtered, slain like cattle.’ He looked away from the clouds that obscured the West Peak and back at the screen on which he longed to see images of Joypolis. ‘Only three more days,’ he intoned ecstatically.