The Untethered

by S.W. Southwick

When asked why she chose to expend resources on such an exclusive, highly engineered piece of eye candy, Ms. Dodge said, “Because I could.”

It was only an idea; no, an idea of an idea—a puzzle needing to be unraveled. He knew he would unravel it someday.

“Aren’t humans natural beings? And isn’t it their nature to create things such as this?”

“Mankind is most certainly changing the environment. Do you happen to know of another way to survive other than to control the elements?”

and that it somehow belonged to them—just as a city skyline belongs to all those who raise their upturned glance.

“Want the long or short version?” “The true one,”

“He didn’t talk or act like any adult I’d ever met.” He shook his head, thinking back. “He created new plants and drugs seemingly out of nothing, as if somehow that’s just what people did. From watching him I learned more about how the physical world worked than from every lesson I was taught in school put together—times a million.”

“Somebody not only imagined, but figured out how to create that jet. It was real, right there above me. For the first time I felt grateful somebody was brave enough to show me in material form what was possible. I looked around at the buildings and the people and knew the world was a wonderful place because I finally knew what I wanted to do.”

“There was nothing I could say to change his order, and I would not compromise my dream.” He rubbed along his pocket. “That night, I left him without a word.”

“If Sugemi is the type of girl I could respect,” Roble said, walking away, “she’ll leave me if I’m late.”

“You know, Ms. Curtis,” Libby said as the lawmen neared, “I just realized something from a conversation I had the other day.” She gripped her biceps. “There really is a way you can survive on this planet without changing the environment.” Diane glanced at the marshals, then back to Libby. “You can just loot the people who already have.”

at the two drawings on the wall, noting their exacting, purposeful lines. Purposeful thought, leading to purposeful…

Kat’s pale eyes hardened like ice. “If I wanted something practical, I’d go to your competitors and buy whatever their mommies allowed them to make. Is that the best aircraft you have?”

“I think,” Libby replaced the egg in the bowl, “teaching values that lead to a child’s own happiness is the most significant responsibility a parent has.”

“I like that about you,” Libby said. “It shows your strength and desire to shape your soul into a single unified style.”

“My entire country is at risk because my enemies can now produce a superior fighter aircraft. If excuses could shoot down fifth-generation fighters and stealth drones, you would be the first person I would call.”

reality does. Only by understanding what’s real will I be able to achieve,”

Can you imagine the injustice of imprisoning a man who creates with his mind and forces nothing upon others? I’d rather see the earth blasted to dust than see it.”

“I taught children to surrender their developing minds to concepts like the greater good or the good of society which can’t exist in any form in this world without actual kids being trampled underneath their untouchable banners.”

Pointing at her own chest, she added, “I taught children that in order to live up to those ‘higher’ ideals they must be obedient—to others, must sacrifice their dreams—to the needs of others. I taught them it was more important to be a part of a group than to stand on their own judgment. I told the non-conforming kids they should feel guilty for wanting to live on their own terms.”

“The things you make, they say a lot about you—maybe everything.”

thank you for actually loving what you do and for not apologizing for it.”

The building they entered looked like an inventor’s workshop at the dawn of the industrial revolution.

“In that brief period following the Renaissance,” Victor continued, “reason, the rights of mankind, and art were thought of in unison by many, as an inseparable whole—an

“And what is this ‘warrior’s code’ you think you deserve?” Sitra asked. “It contains only one rule.” He laid an open hand upon the table. “Do not initiate force against anyone else.”

From my experience, it takes purity of thought to create something like this. The more complex the creation, the higher the level of morality needed.

To be gentle like a mother, yet fierce in protecting all one values.

And all things great begin with one person.

“Perhaps mankind deserves every law they’ve given themselves.”

“Would she not perfectly deserve the results of everything she did—and did not do—with reality as her only judge?”

“Art shows us how real life should be.”

at Danny’s forehead, “comes from the mind. And sparks are transformed into reality using these.” She opened her hand, wiggling her fingers. “To take away someone else’s wealth, the results of what one creates, is to attempt to extinguish the spark.”