Far out in space, there is a green fertile planet called THEA, and it orbits a fiery yellow Sun called ZOR.
Thea lies in a cluster of Galaxies called the Fold, and is an Exis point for the Multiverse.
The All had told the Theans that they were destroying the Planet, and the All took as many creatures to safety as they could.
The Theans disregarded the All, and continued to destroy Thea.
The Theans had long ago created a vast city called Metropolis.
The city grew until it covered half of the Planet, and then an extraordinary thing happened.
A Space Lifeboy was found, mostly intact, deep in the Barren Lands.
The person who found it, was later to be called The Pilot.
Inside the Lifeboy was a Bio-Algorithmic Sequence for a substance called Meridian, and the architectural plans for a Floating City.
Argna-Karn, ( the Pilot) stood on the barren hill and looked down at the Space Lifeboy, lying at the bottom of the small crater it had created, when it crash landed.
Argna-Karns family were immensely rich, and he, a very rich playboy, very much did as he pleased.
He had a very odd dream last night, about a strange ship, and a barren hill, this hill, he thought to himself as he slipped and slid his way to the bottom.
The Lifeboy was still, and silent.
Pilot reached out and touched the surface of the Ship.
Waves of light rippled away from his fingertips, and a connection formed between Pilot and the Space-craft.
A door appeared beside him, and a voice spoke to him “Welcome, Pilot” it said “Please Enter”, and so he did.
As Pilot stepped through the door, he felt a lightness of being, And a sleepiness that lasted a moment, then faded.
“Argna-Karn Thean” said the voice, “Please be seated”, and Pilot saw there was only one chair in the craft
He went and sat in the chair, and the door closed with a soft click.
In front of the seat, was a steering post, Pilot presumed.
“Pilot, Please place both of your hands on top of the post” said the voice.
Pilot did as the voice asked
A bright blue light lit the post, and bathed the Pilot in it’s glow, as the Ship recorded Pilot’s DNA sequence, and mapped his body in three dimensions
“Argna-Karn Pilot” said the voice “I have been sent to assist you to build the City, Automatica, and to activate the Meridian hull”
“Do you mean the City can fly?” said Pilot in amazement, looking at the architectural plans.
“Yes” said the voice
“And can this craft fly?” asked Pilot cautiously.
“Yes, Pilot,” said the voice, and a shudder went through the craft as it self-repaired and readied itself for flight.
“Please observe, Pilot” said the voice, as a viewing screen appeared in front of him.
Pilot felt momentarily weightless, and watched as the Lifeboy lifted from the ground, and slowly ascended 100 feet in the air
“Oh” said Pilot nervously, as he looked down at the ground.
“You are safe, Pilot” said the voice reassuringly.
“You are from my dream” said Pilot.
“Yes, Argna-Karn Pilot, we have communicated before” said the voice.
.
The viewing screen glowed and a soft light appeared in the Spacecraft.
“We shall ascend” said the voice.
Suddenly, the ground flew away and receded rapidly, and slowly the vast horizon of Thea started to appear.
And then, the Planet slowly came into view, and hung motionless 1000 miles above the ground.
“What is that?” said Pilot.
“This is the Planet you live on, Pilot” said the voice “Planets are vastly powerful, Pilot.
The dream of Metropolis is foolish, The Planets patience has ended, and soon the Storm will begin.
You have 100 days to build Automatica, Pilot, You will take the remaining creatures, and any Theans who wish to join you”
“Will you teach me to fly this craft?” asked Pilot.
“To do so, is a permanent change, Thean!” warned the voice
“Teach me” said the Pilot eagerly.
“As you will, Pilot” said the voice.
Pilot felt himself shatter and dissolve, and he slumped in the chair.
“Pilot?” said the voice gently, and slowly Pilot sat up, rubbing his eyes.
“Welcome, Pilot” smiled the voice.
“I have been sent by the All to assist you however I can”
“There is so much to do” said Pilot turning the craft and decending.
“You are the one most able, Pilot, but now you must assemble your people” and so he did.
Those few close enough to see, said that Pilot had changed.
He was quiet, mostly, and his eyes had changed, somehow, as well.
But the myth of the Pilot grew.
Most of Metropolis laughed at him and his big ball, and all knew you can’t fly.
Those who did come, grew to love Pilot, and they gathered the remaining creatures, as the City came to completion.
On the 99th night, Pilot entered Automatica with two items, A Phial with a liquid inside, and a large faceted Crystal
Inside, near the centre of the Globe, was a raised alter with a platform on top.
Pilot placed a finger on the platform and quietly said a word, then stepped back.
A cup with a hand holding it, rose out of the platform and Pilot poured the shimmering blue liquid into the cup.
Both the cup, and hand, turned blue, and both flowed back into the alter.
Immediately all the structure of Automatica became shimmering blue
“Close the Doors” shouted Pilot, and they began to boom shut.
Pilot threw the Crystal in the air, and it flew to the exact centre of the Sphere, and hovered motionlessly .
”Commence” said Pilot, and the Crystal flashed blue, and everything inside Automatica became weightless and floated as the Meridium hull came to life .
Automatica hummed deeply, then slowly started to rise from the moorings and ascend into the sky
As Automatica rose above the clouds, the thin blue atmosphere began to appear, and the firey sun, Zor, hung above them.
Pilot stood on the observation deck, and nearby hovered the Ship, it’s hull, mirror-like, flashed in the sunlight.
“I must return to the All, Pilot, My task is complete” said the voice.
“Ah” sighed the Pilot “I will miss you, Ship” he said.
“As I will” said the voice, and the Ship turned and sped off and was gone in moments.
Pilot looked at the point where the Ship had vanished, when a small voice said “Excuse me, Pilot”.
Pilot looked down at a small boy looking at him with big blue eyes, blond hair and a happy smile.
Pilot smiled and said “Yes, Little, how may I help you?”
The little boy thought for a moment, then nodded to himself.
“Thank you for saving us, Pilot, and can you come to the alter platform, please?” he said and smiled again.
“I shall, Little” said the Pilot as he and the boy walked back inside together.
“What is your name?” asked Pilot.
“Arro, Pilot” said the little boy skipping along beside him.
As they came to the platform, Pilot saw a small light hovering above the platform.
A middle aged woman came towards them and bowed to Pilot.
“High One, what does the light mean?” she said and bobbed a bow again.
Pilot studied the light a moment, then said “I think we shall have visitors”
As soon as Pilot spoke, the light flashed and started growing until it was a ball six feet across.
And out of it walked a little old man and two older boys, One of the boys was jewelled and ruby red.
“Ixt, my dear fellow” said Pilot “I haven’t seen you since I was a boy, Welcome, High One”.
The little man smiled “You have changed, Argna-Karn” said Ixt “Now you truly are Pilot”
Whispers of Gaia and Feather raced around the crowd who were gathered around the platform.
Ixt climbed on to of the platform because he was short and not easily seen, and addressed the crowd
“Good Folk of Automatica, The All thank you, and for your saving of the Creatures, they give you a Door to Evernor, and the Moon Kingdom, and to our treasure, the Starchild, Queen Alea”
As he said this, he indicated to Alea stepping out of the sphere.
Alea held up her hand and smiled and said “Hello” to the crowd.
Every single person bowed to Queen Alea.
Alea lifted up her hands “My Dears” she said, “I have abdicated my throne, so let’s not have all the Royal Palava”
The crowd laughed.
“Thank you for saving the Creatures, some have already gone to the Isles of Eden, and some are in Evernor.
“Gaia and Feather would like to assist you,..” the crowd roared with delight “In your endeavour here” continued Alea.
“And the Moon Community would like to offer trade with Airborne Automatica in support of the endeavour”
Pilot came and stood beside Alea and looked at the crowd
“I will trade with the Moon Kingdom” he said.
“Aye” roared the crowd.
The Moon Kingdom Guilds seized the moment and petitioned the Queen to resume her reign again. A beleaguered Alea finally relented, and said she would, if the Chancellor would consent as well.
The Guilds knew how much money the Firm made, and coaxing Lenard away from its Board of Directors was more difficult than the Guilds first thought.
“Do I have free reign to assist the Queen in any way I choose” said the Chancellor to the full gathering of the Moon Kingdom in the Palace and its grounds.
“Yes” thundered her people, and Alea bowed to them.
Anna stood beside her Queen, smiling and tearful.
“You have given them their Hearts desire, my Queen” said Anna Alea looked at her.
“Hm” she said
The Sun was just above the horizon, Len and Lillian sat in the Wisteria Grove and drank their morning tea together “You should try being more flexible this time, Len” said Lillian picking a wisteria flower from his hair.
“Yes, my dear” said the Chancellor smiling, “I will try”
“I am to take your place on the Board, Len” said Lillian “And we wonder, have you considered trade with the City in the Clouds?”
“Oh, what a very good idea” said the Chancellor standing suddenly
“Len” said Lillian.
“Yes dear, I won’t forget” said the Chancellor kissing his wife and hurrying off.
Lillian watched him and smiled to herself.
“Chancellor” said Alea smiling, as he entered the Throne room.
“Good Morning, my Queen” said the Chancellor bowing.
“Have you considered the possibility of trade with Airborne Automatica, Len?” said the Moon Queen.
“Funny you should say that, my Queen” said the Chancellor.
“Lillian also suggested it moments ago, but what would we trade, High One?”
“We shall trade Artists and Art, my Chancellor, We shall encourage Art in all its forms.
We have seen how beautiful Theran Art is, so we will trade ours with theirs, and open a market for it in Evernor “ said Alea
“As you will, my Queen” said the Chancellor.
“And you shall double our staff, Chancellor” said the Moon Queen.
“Yes, My Queen” said the Chancellor smiling
