Deliver Us Huis

“Is there any way to speed up the Anthrolem production?” Petrus asked Nicholai, “We’ve given you enough materials, is there a way you can make more?”

Nickolai looked around his lab, filled with state of the art digital printing technology and tools. “It’s not the equipment, it’s putting the Anthrolems together. I have to manually piece together the Anthrolems, at least in the final stages. There are no machines that I know of that can do it better or faster than I.”

“Petrus,” I said, “We’re getting 40 Anthrolems a day, isn’t that enough?”

He shook his head, “We’re going to need a whole lot more if we’re ever going to get this...project off of the ground.”

After some consideration, I had to nod in agreement. We were getting a lot of Anthrolems, but not enough. We needed more, much more if we were ever going to take over.

Petrus turned back to Nickolai, “To be working theses machines to the max, how many more helpers would you need?”

Nickolai cast an appraising glance around the lab, “Probably a dozen workers could put together the parts as fast as the machines could make them.”

I nodded, “And then how many Anthrolems would you be able to make in a day?”

Nickolai pursed his lips, “ Probably upwards of 250 Class As, And 150 Class Bs a day.”

“Now we’re talking,” Petrus said, “If what you say is true we will definitely get you some new helpers, hopefully by tomorrow.”

Nickloai raised and eyebrow, “You’re gonna kidnap some more people to help?”

Petrus shrugged,“We prefer the term recruitment.”

I turned to Petrus, “Where would we keep all those people? We’re running out of room as it is, all of the materials are taking up every inch of space we have left.”

“Well, we’ll have to find some way,” Petrus said.

“Why don’t you use what is already taking up space?”

I turned to Nickolai, “What?”

“It wouldn’t be hard to program twelve of the Anthrolems we already have to help me.” Nickolai said, “It would be easier than teaching a bunch of real people.”

“Perfect,” Petrus said, “Do that, and start emptying this place of materials, and fill it with Anthrolems.”

The screen flashed, showing pictures of the blown up building. Petrus and I watched as the newscaster spoke,

“Another building was blown up last night, a puzzle which still puzzles the Planet Guard. Investigations are underway, but no link between the two buildings have been found. However, we have very interesting reports from the guards who were watching the building last night.”

The view switched to a guard, and a newscaster.

“Would you mind describing to us again the events of last night?” the newscaster asked.

“Well,” the guard said, looking at the newscaster, “The night was like any other, I suppose, I was watching the cameras with my co worker, when the power went out. It’s very common for our area, I thought nothing of it. We broke out the emergency flashlights, and were hoping the power would come back on. Then a figure came darting in aiming some sort of gun at us. Then next thing I remember I was in a field out in the middle of nowhere. The other five guards were there with me, and we gradually made our way back, and that’s when we heard about the explosion.”

The newscaster nodded, “Can you tell us any more about the figure?”

He shrugged, “It was dark, and I couldn’t see well. It looked like about like an average Huisic.”

“Was there anything unusual about that night? Did you have any new shipments? New supplies?”

The guard shook his head, “Everything was as usual, I have no idea why someone would want to blow up the building. I’m just glad they did so without me in it.”

“Very curious, very curious indeed. Well, thank you for your time.”

The screen flipped back to the other newscaster,

“Experts are baffled as to why such a building would be blown up. The Planet Guard is questioning the local inhabitants, but they report no suspicious activity. Whatever the case we bid you not to worry, as this criminal clearly is not out to take lives.”

Petrus muted the TV, “They still know nothing.”

“Which is good,” I said, “We don’t need anyone poking around.”

Petrus nodded, “Hopefully our army will be up and ready soon, and then we can finally get this plan up and going.”

“Patience,” I said, “We don’t need to worry, our plan will happen sooner or later, but we don’t need to ruin it by being impatient.”

“What else do we need to do?” Petrus asked.

“I know I have a bunch of interviews scheduled today. I have a feeling they are going to ask candidates what they feel about the current mysteries. I’d watch a couple of those so I can get their bad ideas stuck in my brain.

Petrus motioned to the muted TV, “Speaking of delegates…”

On screen I saw Caliban speaking. “Turn it up,” I asked.

Suddenly his deep voice flooded the room, “...It’s no coincidence these explosions are happening at the same time as the delegate elections. It’s clearly a political move by one of the candidates. I’m not quite sure what game they’re playing, but I intend to find out. Our people shouldn’t have to live in fear, nor should they, in ignorance vote for the criminal behind these attacks.”

“So you’re going to start looking for the culprit” The newscaster asked, “How are you going to do anything more than what the Planet Guard are doing right now?”

“With all due respect,” Caliban said, “The Planet Guard can only go so far in investigating their hunches, however I plan to focus my full resources into this investigation.”

“And so you are going to start looking at all twenty seven candidates to unearth the guilty one?”

Caliban nodded, “I already have started looking into them, and you can rest assured I will leave nothing unexamined.”

“Thank you Candidate Caliban,” the newscaster said, “Moving on to our next candidate…”

Petrus muted the TV again.

I took a deep breath, trying not to worry overmuch, but this was a new set of troubles.

Petrus looked to me, “You met this guy, how much of a threat is he?”

“He didn’t seem overly smart, but that doesn’t matter. He’s called attention to us, and he’ll be watching. We need to be sure he doesn’t catch us. We’re not ready yet.”

“What can he do that the Planet Guard can’t?”

I shrugged, “Not much, but the Planet Guard didn’t suspect me. Even if he just managed to get into my apartments he’d find the Anthrolems, and with them evidence enough to convict the both of us.”

Petrus nodded,” We’ll up the security measures, keep low for awhile. We don’t have anything else to do, except for making the army.”

“And be interviewed,” I said, “I have to go. The votes are being cast in a little over a week and things are really heating up. I think I’ll have plenty to do between political business and keeping an eye on Caliban.”

Petrus nodded, “And I’ll continue working on the Anthrolems, making sure everything is taken care of.”

“We’ll need to start making a strategy of how to use our army soon.” I said.

“Of course,” Petrus said, “But for now you need to go to those interviews. Make sure they know that what’s happening on the political scene is what is most important to you. You don’t have time to take over the world or blow up buildings.”

“Alright,” I said, standing up, “I’ll do my best, keep an eye on the news, and tell me if general Caliban comes up with any more brilliant ideas.”

“I’ll let you know,” Petrus promised.