The Human Engineer (On Creative Hold)

Chapter V - The Loft

Chapter V – The Loft

Bam watched in amazement at the city which passed by them down below. While he’d had it computed into him what things looked like and what they were, actually experiencing them was a completely different sensation. In fact, he found great pleasure in just staring at the setting below.

Cecilia tried her best not to look at Paolo who’d seemed pleased with himself that he had made her so uncomfortable. Roderick watched him carefully. While he seemed to have proven that he could be trusted and that he was serious about what Bam had said he was also extremely protective of his older sister.

As they got to the landing docks for the apartment, Roderick and Cecilia got out followed by Bam. Paolo remained in his seat as he looked around at the less than idea condition of the area. Roderick shook his head.

“Are you coming?”

“Will I even fit?” He asked seeing as how the three of them were already fairly crammed into the tube. Bam then snapped his fingers startling the other two.

“Get over here!” He shouted. Paolo blushed and jumped out with a shocked expression on his face. He then squeezed in with the others and waited for the tube to scan and then microbe them.

Once they had been scanned the tube sucked them up through the familiar set of passage ways. They ended up falling into the Zane living unit as their balance had been thrown off by Paolo who had been struggling the whole time.

“How do you people function in that thing? It’s like a tube of death!” he shouted then turning. He found himself face to face with William Zane who’d been in his sleeping attire with a watch in his hand.

The Zane children bowed their heads as they knew how upset he got when they were late. Not one of them knew how they would actually tell him they were going into hiding with a robot who promised to save the world.

As they thought more about it, Roderick and Cecilia felt worry pass through them as to if this would actually work. Bam noticed their expressions change rapidly as Paolo began to stutter and correct himself. William crossed his arms and watched him carefully.

“What I meant to say was… I mean that I… um…”

“Don’t worry about him dad. Listen, we need to talk to you but we have very little time to do it in. The police are after us and…”

“The what?!” William shouted as he stepped back and gazed into the eyes of his young children. Before asking any further questions he directed his attention to Paolo, “This is probably all your fault. The Phoenix family is never to be trusted!”

“No, it’s not him. We need to explain that…”

“Get out of my house!” William shouted, “Get out before I call the authorities on you for trespassing.”

“Dad, please. You need to understand…”

“Get away from him kids. His family is all cursed just like my father said. What trouble has he gotten you into?”

They tried to speak but he continued on frantically. Paolo looked over to Bam who then knew it was time to take control. He stepped forward and took in a deep breath.

“Sir, please listen.” His voice was very soothing. Even the children had found themselves suddenly calmed by the tone which came from Bam now. William looked over to the boy rather confused. Much like the others, his very presence was a mystery.

“Who are you?” William asked. Bam smiled.

“My name is BAM III but to save a long story you may call me Bam. Please, sit. I have much to explain to you sir.”