Lisa Knight's Blog, page 26
January 14, 2015
FLASH FICTION: BOLTED ON TECHNOLOGY, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND ALIENS BY GUY T MARTLAND
‘Fenix is dead?’
‘The Saubern murdered him.’
‘You can’t assassinate an AI.’
‘He was an intelligent being that didn’t deserve to lose his life.’
‘Only flesh and bone matters when you’re discussing someone becoming past tense.’
‘I could have proven my theory if I’d had time to perform a Turing test.’
‘Maybe you should wait for the facts before jumping towards any formal conclusions?’
‘I’m just wondering why they had to destroy him.’
‘You know the Saubern have an irrational fear of technology.’
‘Okay, I accept that, but why did they spare me?’
‘Maybe they’ve come to understand the importance of organic life above all else…’
‘It didn’t feel like they valued my existence while I was being interrogated.’
‘The Saubern were merely showing us what they’re capable of.’
‘You didn’t see what I saw.’
‘What?’
‘Fenix’s home being eviscerated like it’d been hit with a nuke.’
‘You led them to it.’
‘Inadvertently.’
‘I guess the machines will now rust into ruin.’
‘We’ll see about that.’
‘Do you feel responsible?’
‘Completely.’
‘You shouldn’t.’
‘I just need some time to work things through.’
‘What are you thinking about?’
‘I’m wondering if we could have done anything differently.’
‘I doubt it.’
‘There’s blood on my hands.’
‘It was just a hologram.’
‘Okay, so I’ve got data on my conscience.’
‘You’re determined to torture yourself, aren’t you?’
‘I guess.’
‘That kind of behaviour is a serious character flaw.’
‘Are you analysing me?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘Well… stop it! We have more pressing issues at hand.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘Do you think the Saubern believe that our actions supported their backward philosophy?’
‘Yeah, it’s probably why we were released.’
‘They aren’t expecting us to survive without their help.’
‘I’ll get us home.’
‘Not if we sit around here forever.’
‘True.’
‘What is this place anyway?’
‘It was once an art gallery.’
‘No wonder it’s full of dust and cobwebs. Are there any signs of radioactivity?’
‘My Geiger isn’t registering anything.’
‘Well, that’s one less thing to worry about.’
‘You look preoccupied…’
‘I’m just curious about these paintings.’
‘Art, in its broadest sense, is the only thing that defines us as humans.’
‘Why?’
‘Without it we would be faceless entities, going about our everyday tasks like the automata of science fiction.’
‘You say that like it’s a bad thing…’
‘It is.’
‘What’s wrong with embracing a genre that allows our dreams to become reality?’
‘Nothing. Science fiction is just art, with bolted on technology, artificial intelligence and aliens.’
‘I see.’
‘Do you?’
‘Absolutely! Fenix created something that allowed him to be resurrected after he passed away, so we’re already living with what you’ve just described.’
‘Is that in your prophecy?’
‘I like to think of my book as a compendium of reality.’
‘Really? So… where is your holy book ?’
‘The Saubern took it, remember?’
‘Great!’
‘I’m sorry!’
‘Tell that to the members of your enclave.’
‘At least it led us to Fenix.’
‘Yeah, for all the good that’s done us!’
‘Now you’re jumping to conclusions.’
‘Maybe the Saubern were tipped off?’
‘Who knows?’
‘I think they were suspicious after we mentioned the machines.’
‘You think?’
‘I’m just saying that you shouldn’t shoulder all the responsibility for what happened.’
‘Thanks. Anyway, I did manage to keep one thing a secret.’
‘What?’
‘Fenix told me how to switch his machines on before he disappeared.’
‘Then… there is hope! If this mission is to succeed—’
‘I must survive.’
‘Exactly.’
‘If I die, so does our hope.’
‘I’m going to get you home.’
‘That’s not where we’re going.’
‘No?’
‘First, we have an army to revive.’
‘How?’
‘There is a code that will bring them to life.’
‘What happens then?’
‘The Saubern will truly be given something to fear.’
—
Written by Guy T Martland
January 13, 2015
POETRY: IF THEY WENT FOR THE EYES YOU’D SEE THEM COMING BY PAUL TRISTRAM
You can end up the pinball.
No control, only force.
Fenced in like failure,
yet unworthy of the title.
They’ll do this because they can
attack your reputation like rats
and piss on the shadow behind you.
Anything but confront you face on,
with dignity.
Like a man,
it’s the only thing they can’t
be false about.
Written by Paul Tristram
January 8, 2015
FLASH FICTION: THE HARMONY OF IMMORTAL SOULS BY GUY T MARTLAND
‘Such harmony is in immortal souls,
But whilst this muddy vesture of decay
Doth grossly close it in, we cannot hear it.’
The Merchant of Venice, William Shakespeare
‘Can you hear… music?’
‘I can.’
‘Is it coming from you?’
‘In a way.’
‘What’s that supposed to mean?’
‘I gave them their voices.’
‘Are you talking about the machines?’
‘Yes.’
‘Where are they?’
‘They’re in hiding.’
‘Why?’
‘They’re waiting for the right time to come out of hibernation.’
‘When will that be?’
‘I’m not sure.’
‘Have I made a wasted journey?’
‘Only you can answer that.’
‘I don’t need riddles when I’ve just battled my way through alien weeds and crossed treacherous terrain to get here!’
‘That was your choice.’
‘I almost didn’t make it.’
‘Yet… here you are.’
‘So, the machines—’
‘Do you like their music?
‘It’s beautiful.’
‘As Shakespeare said… such harmony is in immortal souls.’
‘I don’t need machines that are at peace with themselves.’
‘So, you need their help?’
‘Yes.’
‘My children were designed for the good of mankind, but I now realise that we weren’t ready.’
‘For what?’
‘The consequences.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘My machines ignited a conflict that laid waste to the people of this world.’
‘You can’t blame yourself.’
‘Who else will accept my burden?’
‘All of us were equally responsible – there’s blood on everyone’s hands.’
‘Really? Tell me… how many millions have perished because of your actions?’
‘As I said—‘
‘My name is Fenix… I am the harbinger of death.’
‘We’re not dead yet! There are still people who need your assistance.’
‘For what purpose?’
‘Victory.’
‘I think the Snouts invaded Earth because they saw that our species was wasting its potential.’
‘This is because we’ve never been able to agree on anything.’
‘Precisely! I think their presence has benefited our planet.’
‘You’re kidding, right?’
‘They’ve reversed climate change and cleaned up after we poisoned ourselves with nuclear weapons.’
‘I’ll give you that, but the human race should not be constrained by aliens or their evil plants.’
‘True.’
‘Our numbers are dwindling…’
‘There are still enough of you to damage the Earth.’
‘Whose side are you on? Our species is facing extinction!’
‘The machines will decide what happens.’
‘How? They are just dead hunks of metal.’
‘I told you; they’re only hibernating.’
‘Make them work, Fenix. Help us win this war!’
‘Listen to the machines. Though music oft hath such a charm. To make bad good, and good provoke to harm.’
‘Can you understand it?’
‘I am a part of it.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘The man in front of you died many years ago. I’m merely a copy of his expired consciousness.’
‘Fenix is dead?’
‘I am a holographic representation of the man that was once flesh. This version has had enough. It can’t be part of what comes next.’
‘And that is?’
‘Each machine needs to be independently reset by a code: a machine sequence.’
‘Why can’t we restore them en masse?’
‘I didn’t want an army falling into the wrong hands.’
‘That’s ridiculous! Your decision means that we won’t have enough machines to mount an effective attack!’
‘If they ever reach a critical number, and you’re able to work together, then the sequence should spread.’
‘What will happen to you?’
‘I’ll be gone – what remains of me shall disappear.’
‘Humanity will be alone?’
‘No, you’ll have the songs of my machines to accompany you.’
Written by Guy T Martland
POETRY: THAT’S IT, WHERE’S MY FUCKING TANK!? BY PAUL TRISTRAM
There’s murder in those eyes
and treachery in these hills.
But I’m about to burst through
with bone breaking intensity
and determination.
Slashing the throats
of false friendships
as I leave this poisoned
vipers nest of sickly envy.
To squirm and rot behind me
in the rank shallowness
of their selfish, diseased souls.
Written by Paul Tristram
January 6, 2015
POETRY: THAT MIGHT BE OK WHERE YOU COME FROM BUT IT’S NOT OK HERE BY PAUL TRISTRAM
You were running around with a fireman’s axe!
If I was a gambling man, which luckily I’m not,
I would have bet everything against you winning.
If it had been any other Judge in that entire building
they would have thrown the book at you, instantly.
I have been working as a Barrister for ten years
and I have never seen anything like this in my life.
I have no explanation for what I just witnessed in there.
Someone up there must be really looking after you.
Good luck, although I have a feeling you don’t need it.
Written by Paul Tristram
January 2, 2015
POETRY: PIRANHA PEOPLE BY PAUL TRISTRAM
Some peoples faces are inside out.
I suppose it’s to match their
upside down, lob-sided personalities.
It’s like Halloween every day
when you step out of your front door.
Except they wear smiling, friendly masks
whilst hiding the true monster
always just below the rippling surface.
If they do not like you, which is normally
because you are nice, and they hate nice,
for there is nothing nice about themselves.
Or jealous of you because you are talented,
good looking or are popular and successful
or God Forbid all of the list above
It will drive them absolutely crazy!
Into murderous, lying, scheming, slimy,
squirming, seething, ugly, pathetic things.
They will act the opposite of common-sense.
Which, of course, does not make any sense.
Normal intelligent people upon finding
that they do not like a certain person,
or are irritated or bothered by that person,
will simply avoid them.
Thus taking away any unpleasantness.
The Piranha People do the exact opposite.
They stalk and flock around the object
of their sick, twisted desire,
which results in all manner of tortures
to themselves and their families.
What a cowardly bunch of idiots, scum,
and losers the whole lot of them are.
Amen.
Written by Paul Tristram
December 31, 2014
POETRY: FEEDING THE SPIDERS AROUND YOU BY PAUL TRISTRAM
Fingers as intricate as needle points,
Butchering the Midwife,
drip-drop we’ve Broken the Clock
and things keep getting Uglier.
Elbow bones like spoon smashed
boiled eggs and as delicate
as drooping flowers.
That sort of Smiling should be Criminal!
The Swaying and Rocking and Cradling it all
like pig’s intestines and bowels
wrapped up Loosely in a prison blanket.
Un-skipping backwards
from the ‘To and Froe’ of knowing.
A delicious Slice or a Lump or a Bump?
Un-catching the fall with perfect timing.
Surgical tears and Contraceptive tears,
every dark mind has an insane NEON lining.
Folded and patted and wrapped up tight,
an Ancient Symbol carved into flesh,
your Cobwebs are Showing all around the Back
and that Desperate handful of Silver
won’t be buying back your Soul.
Written by Paul Tristram
December 26, 2014
POETRY: TEENAGE GLUE-BAGS BY PAUL TRISTRAM
Teenage Glue-bags
He likes to do it when he can
goes to score then heads back to his pad.
With 50 freezer bags
a tin of thixofix or evo-stik glue,
he switches off the world for awhile.
He dribbles, blackouts, mumbles,
hallucinates, reality changes for awhile
but mostly he’s numb, which is best.
It’s bad for you, the headaches alone
are getting intolerable, they are making
you angry, violently angry at nothing
in particular, that’s dodgy as fuck!
You’ll end up killing someone
maybe yourself or end up a fucking retard.
But being a teenager is not easy,
No, not a teenager like you, it sucks!
An unwanted jigsaw puzzle piece
thrown out into the cruel, cold world.
with just a bedsit, a giro and a bag of glue.
Written by Paul Tristram
December 23, 2014
POETRY: PATHETIC LIKE PLASTIC FRUIT BY PAUL TRISTRAM
I see you clucking like a chicken
weaving deceit and lies
into backstabbing nooses
for your next victims.
Their interaction with you will be brief
and afterwards
they will get on with their lives
after spitting the foul taste
of you behind them.
But you are cursed to remain
in your envious filth
with the binds of betrayal
and anger as bed companions.
Nothing ever goes right in your world
and everybody else is always wrong
and to blame in your world.
When taking three or four steps away
from you brings back fresh air and light.
You’re insignificant, not original,
a fake, merely a better person’s shadow.
Pathetic like plastic fruit
you will remain
a pale imitation
of the real thing,
always
x
Written by Paul Tristram
December 19, 2014
FLASH FICTION: THE LEAF OF VALERIAN BY GUY T MARTLAND
‘Why did you mention the machines?’
‘I’m sorry. I should have listened to your advice.’
‘So, why didn’t you?’
‘I don’t know…’
‘Men!’
‘What does my sex have to do with this?’
‘Arrogance.’
‘I don’t understand…’
‘A man will always believe that they know better than anyone else.’
‘How has this conversation turned into an argument about feminism?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘The two of us are in serious trouble and yet you’re going on about sexual inequality.’
‘I say what needs to be said.’
‘You’re deluded!’
‘Is now the right time to get into this?’
‘Are you worried that I’ll defeat your argument?’
‘No. I just think we’ve got more pressing issues to be concerned about!’
‘Okay! Subject dropped.’
‘I’d be happy to discuss it at a later date.’
‘Whatever! I don’t care.’
‘Why not?’
‘I’m only interested in finding out how long the Saubern are going to keep us here.’
‘Forever and a day.’
‘What?’
‘No one knows where we are…’
‘Really? So, this is it. The end of the line.’
‘Maybe.’
‘Are they going to experiment on us?’
‘I have no idea what their intentions are.’
‘Why not!’
‘All I know is what we’ve seen so far. They’ve given us a clean cell…’
‘Which they have no right to hold us in…’
‘True, but that’s not what concerns me.’
‘No?’
‘I’m intrigued by our treatment.’
‘I don’t understand?’
‘They have, so far, been rather hospitable.’
‘Yeah, well, I don’t like their food.’
‘Ah, yes, you’re talking about their geneered larvae. It is a highly nutritious source of protein. Just… don’t let them hatch.’
‘It’s too bitter for my tastes…’
‘Needs must.’
‘Is there nothing we can do? I can’t take much more of this swill.’
‘Well…’
‘What?’
‘I always carry a few herbs on my person…’
‘How did the Saubern not find them?’
‘I don’t know, but they might be our best shot at getting out of here.’
‘Then what?’
‘You continue the search for Fenix.’
‘How?’
‘I’ll create a diversion that will—’
‘Wait! Are you planning to stay behind?’
‘If that’s what it takes…’
‘No! I could never allow that to happen! You’d be trapped here… with these beasts!’
‘I’ll be fine. The Saubern may look wild, but they’re fairly harmless.’
‘How do you know?’
‘I’ve encountered them before.’
‘When?’
‘A long time ago.’
‘Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘I did, but it clearly fell on deaf ears.’
‘You’re such a—’
‘Stop whining! This situation is bigger than either of us. If Fenix isn’t found, our planet might be lost.’
‘Okay! So, what’s the plan?’
‘I’ve got a couple of Valerian leaves which will knock me out. Once I’ve lost consciousness, you ask them for help.’
‘How will that aid my situation?’
‘While they’re attending to me… you run.’
‘Is that your entire plan? It’ll never work!’
‘Have you got a better idea?’
‘That’s not the point!’
‘Yes, it is!’
‘Okay, say we do this… what then?’
‘Well, as you can hear, we’re next to an Aviary.’
‘Yeah…’
‘If you could mount one of their geneered birds—’
‘I could fly into the sunset? That is a crazy idea.’
‘I’ve got nothing else.’
‘So, assuming this plan actually works, how exactly do you expect me to fly one of those things?’
‘I’m sure you’ll figure it out.’
‘What about the Saubern?’
‘You’ll have to outrun them.’
‘This all sounds a bit far-fetched.’
‘Perhaps.’
‘I feel like I’m in a holo drama.’
‘Let’s just hope that no one dies at the end!’
‘Maybe we shouldn’t try to escape?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘They can’t keep us here forever.’
‘You want to wait it out?’
‘Well, why not? If the Saubern are benign…’
‘They want to destroy our only chance of salvation!’
‘The machines?’
‘Yes! Neither of us can allow that to happen.’
‘If I leave you here…’
‘They think I’m a tour guide.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes.’
‘So, they don’t know how valuable you are?’
‘No.’
‘That’s crazy!’
‘Anyway… I’ve got something to tell you.’
‘What?’
‘I’ve already taken the leaf.’
‘When?’
‘I took it before we even started this conversation.’
‘Why?’
‘So you can escape.’
‘But—’
‘There’s no time for protests.’
‘I’ll come back for you, I promise.’
‘You’d better!’
‘I can’t believe you took the leaf without telling me!’
‘It’ll start to kick in soon…’
‘Oh, so, I’d better start getting ready.’
‘Not yet!’
‘I thought… why are you staring at me?’
‘For Quad’s sake…
‘I…’
‘Just come over here and kiss me!’
Written by Guy T Martland
