We Are Legion (We Are Bob)
Book 4: Chapter 33: Coda

Bob

December 2334

Misty Falls

Misty Falls happened to be no more than four or five miles away from a transit station, which was very convenient. Under ANEC’s dispensation I was able to walk out the main doors of the station, head held high, whistling Dixie and twirling my cane. Except, y’know, no cane. And Quinlans can’t whistle.

There wasn’t a lot of traffic yet in the transit stations. Quinlans, after a lifetime of living under the threat of scattering, were perhaps still reluctant to attract the attention of the Administrator. Nevertheless, there were a half-dozen or so individuals walking through the main door, or just standing and admiring the art. One turned to me as I walked past and gave me an embarrassed smile and a shrug.

Now that I had the time to get proper directions and such, I was able to find the stream that people normally used to get to and from the river. Much better than hoofing it. Within an hour I was walking up the dock at Misty Falls.

ANEC had provided me with the address of the Sykorski family. It had extensive files on all permanent residents of most towns and cities. Which was close to a hundred million sites. Quite the database.

The home did not look prepossessing from the street, although it took up a double lot. A large family perhaps? It appeared to be in the style of a Roman courtyard house, with the structure surrounding a garden or open area in the middle, blank wall all the way around the outside. Even the front door looked solid enough to withstand an assault. I pulled on the bell ringer cord and waited.

Belinda answered the door. She stared at me for a moment or two, confused, then recognition lit in her eyes and she smiled. “Enoki!”

“Is Theresa at home? I’d like to see her if possible.”

Belinda motioned me in and showed me to a seat in a waiting room, then disappeared at a run. At loose ends for the moment, I examined the room. I had no clue what might constitute good quality furniture versus dreck, but the craftsmanship seemed good, so—

Two badgers ran up and stood on their hind legs, looking at me. One raised a paw and said, “Hi,” in a timid voice. I said hi back, unsure if there was protocol to follow. They were both larger than His Badgerness, with heads growing faster than the rest of the body as they made their way into full sentience. Just recently over that line and already much more well-behaved, they seemed to be exploring the world with fresh eyes. I couldn’t help myself. I smiled at them, and they smiled back, then went running off.

“Enoki! I didn’t think I’d ever see you again.”

I looked up as Theresa came into the room, leaning heavily on Belinda. She’d aged significantly in the short time since we’d parted company. I had a sudden flashback to my last days with Archimedes and choked up for a moment. Not this time, not if I could help it.

Recovering quickly, I smiled and hurried over to take her other arm.

We led Theresa to a sort of wingback chair, and she settled carefully into it. “We live in interesting times,” Theresa said, with a twinkle in her eye. “Some group called the Bawbes have shaken things up around here. That wouldn’t have anything to do with you, would it?”

I smiled back at one of my very few true friends. “I’ve come to grant you your wish, Theresa.”

“Which one is that?”

“To learn more about your world. And mine.”

END

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