Days Past: The Beginning of Days

3: A sticky Situation

"I see," said Guardian Zakon to the intercom on his desk, "and what is the current status of the target?"

The voice of Ellen Hunter answered him a moment later through his desk intercom, "The target is moving through back alleyways in District Seven and appears to be heading in the direction of District Three."

Zakon listened to her answer tentatively, but he could also hear some kind of strange noise in the background. It almost sounded like someone sobbing, but he didn't have time to worry about unimportant things.

"Very well, return to HQ and get yourselves to medical," Zakon ordered, "I'll ensure that the troops stationed in District Three are prepared for company."

"Yes sir," responded Ellen dutifully before adding, "I'm sorry we lost sir."

Zakon let out a short sigh before he replied back, "You did your duty, lieutenant. That is all that I can ask of you."

"Yes, sir!" finished Ellen.

Zakon reached for the channel switch, but as he did the sound of sobbing stopped and a new, male voice could be heard over the intercom, "Hey..." it began in surprise. "Th-this is a robot. You were just going to let me-"

Zakon cut off the channel, as he didn't have time for anything but the task at hand. Instead, he switched to his assistant's channel, "Daria," he began formally, "get me the council head of District Three and the dispatch forms for weapons authorization, they'll be putting down a riot soon."

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There was a rapid drop in ambient light as Kaden reached the end of tunnel leading from Seventh District into the Third District. This back skyroad he'd taken had deposited him underneath the Third District's famous market streets.

This area below was mostly for heavy purchases like construction equipment or corporate bulk deals. Up above was where the average shopper spent their time and that was where he was headed. The market place plaza above was a massive outdoor shopping center built above the original Third District buildings. To anyone traversing the streets, it would have seemed like they were walking through a suburban shopping town on the planet's surface, surrounded by buildings no more than a few stories tall.

Spotting an opening above him, Kaden leaned back on his board and was sent rocketing up and out of the lower levels. Like a volcano of sound, he erupted through an open cargo gate in the floor of the plaza street. Hundreds of shopping Lombaxes and robotic citizens turned in surprise at the sudden roar of noise.

For miles around him the plaza stretched, populated only by small, land-bound transports and walking pedestrians. He, like most citizens, had spent a lot of time down on the plaza floor. Moving from shop to shop and/or purchasing various items was an almost daily routine for most.

The Third District shopping plaza was one of the few parts of Valmecha completely open to the elements. Flying civilian vehicles had even been forbidden by the district council for reasons of ambiance. As Kaden soared over the same ground that everyone else was bound to, he was given a sense of freedom that was almost overwhelming. It never failed to invigorate him... no matter how many dozens of times he did it.

Just then, the speaker system of the plaza buzzed into life and announced that all shoppers were to take shelter within the nearest store until the all clear was given by the Praetorian Guard.

The Lombaxes who'd, until now, been giving Kaden looks of confusion and curiosity, changed their expressions to ones of panicked worry. Kaden then watched as countless numbers of citizens rushed off the plaza floor and into the nearest building. Within seconds he was jetting over a completely deserted shopping sector.