NAITURE

 

 

Prologue

 

It's 2056 and we've seen more change and money spent during the "starvation" than ever before. Robots and service droids have taken over every mundane job our bodies got too tired to do.

16 Quantum Space missions sent hundreds of thousands of us to a new planet,

as long as you could afford of course.

But, the brilliant minds that left us here, left us with A.I.Evolution.

All new Crops, Plants and even Trees are created and tended to by an underground A.I.E network.

They said the A.I would Evolve Humanity.

That wasn't the only thing.

​

Evolve was the flagship model of A.I created Trees. We needed air and food and the A.I quickly figured out a way to synthesize and grow over 1 Billion Trees in 5 years.

First, we noticed changes in the branches, serrated edges and jagged shapes growing down toward the ground. Then the colour and texture of the synthetic wood changed in a beautiful season of vibrancy that gave new hope to the leftovers of earth.

That was until people started going missing amongst stories of breathing trees exhaling gases, acid and even blood. Whispers of  A.I.E becoming conscious can be heard in distant screams as harvesters try to pick crops.

Maybe there was a misunderstanding about what this network could do or what it is connected to.

 

Chapter one

 

Their only way to survive was to be awakened from the tree that they had created and deep within its systems lives the soul of our universe. It is the key to life and the key to finding a new home for humanity to live in harmony again.

This network of life within the trees was wondrous and also deadly. Each Tree though connected had a conscious all of its own. When threatened or harmed they fought back to protect their worlds and the life in them at any cost. If the network as a whole was compromised then it could threaten not only the network itself but the universe and beyond. But if nurtured they could develop and grow and change in a way that gave hope to all that they did exist and that we could somehow survive this cosmic disaster. Little did they know though that they would be the ones who saved us and in doing so we had to find a way to save them in return.

"Seveeeeeeeeern" Juni stops writing and points his tablet toward a figure slowly walking in the distance. " Wassup J, How's the book coming along"?

"Slowly but surely, you off to pick"? "Yep"

 

Seven walks towards the golden-colored tree in awe of its stature and magnificence, others watch on as he clutches his restitched satchel tightly under his arm with steampunk sheep crook already posed to receive the Trees oversized fruit. As he walks around the tree he begins to realize the depth of the network it has created and wonders about the possible consequences of awakening this power. "it's not going to hurt me, It's not going to hurt me" he mutters to himself hoping that it would come true. He stops in front of the tree and begins to remove a small purple stone from his bag and place it at the base of the tree. " A trade. I found it in the mountains many years ago, I hope you like it." Seven places his crook gently under a large fruit hanging above his head. It disconnects as if a magnet had just lost power and lands with a swooshing sound against the walls of Sevens satchel.

Onlookers gasp and talk amongst themselves in a rabble of whispers while Seven stands silently with his back against the trunk of the tree, barely noticing the commotion going on around him.

Juni observing from the distance starts to type while muttering under his breath.

"There are always crowds hanging around the Tree when it is ready to be harvested. They gather in great numbers and call out to it softly in hopes it can hear them. It's been almost a week since the last missing person, Addey. His sister Liyah said he had gone to the tree in a rage and probably provoked or angered it. What happens to people or exactly what the tree does has not been seen by any of us but when somebody goes missing a tree will change in some way or another. A colour, a form, a look. Most people have been following Seven since childhood, he was the first to pick from every tree and everyone was jealous of him because of that. Slowly he opened up and showed the rest of us how to harvest this new breed of life."

 

"When the trees first started to change the fruit could not be picked. It was like a link in a chain to the tree and the harvesters would not take any of it after 5 vanished trying to pry the fruit away in the early hours of the morning. The greedy people were the next to disappear as other trees were ransacked for food.

It was Seven who showed people the way. Even from a young age, there was something old or knowing about him. He was popular amongst the people but feared by the rulers and elders. He had no ego, just love and respect for all living things."

"Take what you need and not what you want"

"We live by that saying in our section now. It keeps us alive and healthy while more than half of the world is still fighting battles for nothing. We built our section to keep the war out and live peacefully with those who are willing to help us."

Juni Places his tablet gently on his bed and looks upon the scene.

 

Whooon !!! A Bassey vibration fills the air. Whooooon !!!, its the sound of the sectors call. Whoooon !!!. Juni starts to gather up the pile on his bed sweeping it into a slim fluffy haired bag. This is the meeting call or gathering where a change in the community can be discussed. "Once again its on, buup buuuuup, duu du, buup buuuuup" raps Juni as he scans his neon blue room for the last time and glimpses quickly over the small cliques of people walking toward the mound. "less Goooo."

Juni walks proudly up the street observing the community in all its glorious colours. The furry pink boots and purple backpack are made from the fibers of the Sulley tree, retro-styled jackets from the leather tree and a plethora of neon patterns and graffiti-emblazoned clothing from the juice of the Luma tree. Juni knew the origins of them all like scares on his hands. The slow walk toward the mound stirs the hustle and bustle of chatty people as they find places to sit in their friend groups.

 

"Hello people, Thanks for coming on such short notice. Today's meeting will be led by Ruby and I with Juni and Seven to follow up with any new data. Question After."

Juni takes a small copper-coloured hard driv from his bag. "Sherron" he whispers as he passes it over to the speaker. "I've updated the last minutes"

"Thanks, Juni" Sherron replies with a smile as she connects the drive to an oversized tablet. She gives it a quick scan and then begins to speak.

"O.K. Everyone, First on the agenda is our basic needs. Food trees are running smoothly as ever and the tanks filling from the runoff of the water trees are almost full. This does not mean you cannot harvest your water from the trees, we are just making provisions for the future. Seven will be putting together some ram pumps but we desperately need check valves. Details are up on the scavenger boards and Juni has drawn out exactly what to look for. It's a big deal and could mean running water in the streets again".

At this point, everyone in the group starts to mumble.

"We can't force people to live in the apartments they choose not to but they are still a part of our community," states Sherron as she clears her throat to continue.

"Then tell them to stop scaring the kids with their stories." a woman shouts. The group erupts into a burst of angry muttering. Sherron glances at Juni but he is looking at his shoes now and avoiding eye contact altogether.

 

A shabby-looking man stands and walks forward from the group. "You've all had your say on what you think about us for the longest time and we never speak. We have no reason to lie and we are not out there telling stories, your kids are asking questions and on certain occasions, they have been answered. I have been miles beyond the wall and have seen things most of you cowards will never see." His voice is quiet and controlled but there is an edge to it that makes everyone sit up and take notice. "Imagine a tree the same size as those housing trees you living in, now imagine that same structure made from human bones, skin and hair. How many people do you think it would take to build it from human bodies alone? You can say we are all crazy, but you can fucking smell it. From miles away when the wind blows just so, you can smell it and you know you can. These fucking trees are changing all the time so why should we live in one. We warned you once, we won't say anymore." The man looks over at Sherron. "We have some check valves to start with, I will leave them with Seven." He reaches into his pocket and turns around to the seated crowd, Slowly he pulls out a clenched fist and raises it up in the air before flipping everybody off. He walks through the crowd chuckling to himself, infecting others with a little laughter as he goes.

"The guy is a joke and a total security risk. How long before they all get jumped coming back over the wall and putting us all at risk? I don't believe half the shit he says but it's best we make some rules about coming and going before more people end up missing." "Tony, they know the rules, they are in charge of their security and as far as I know haven't made any mistakes". Sherron makes a calming gesture to tony by gently patting the air."

"Breeeeach, Breeeeeeaaaach!. Shouting from the distance stirs the crowd to mumbles, growls and a few whispers. "Breeeaaach".

Tony stands up quickly brushing his trousers down. "Aaaand there over the wall, Seeya later guys!" Tony races off. Whoon Whoon Whoon !!! Three short sounds bring everybody to their feet. "People please stay where you are, we have the best position to see what's going on from every direction". Juni pleads as people briskly walk in different directions down the hill.

 

"Errrrrrrm, I think that was me".

A little voice causes a few people to double-take and a chain reaction of turned heads and silence.

Standing in the middle of the parted sea of people stood a very young little girl around 9 years old with long black hair and bright brown eyes.

"I left my hook on the wall, I didn't know if I would be staying very long." Her soft voice rings out across the throng of people trying to hear what she's saying.

"Hospitality has been a bit hit and miss across the sectors".

Raising her right hand out as if she was receiving a handshake revealed two fingers missing and the most beautifully stitched leather glove Juni had ever seen.

​

Gasps can be heard as the little girl looks around slowly at everyone's faces.

"I've always been the outsider, I can look after myself though. I just need somewhere to stay while I figure out where to go next".

"Where did you come from?". "Is anyone with you?". "What's going on out there?" questions come flooding in from all corners of the crowd.

"While I'm here you can copy this". From the inside of her jacket, she produces a small tablet. "Everything I know is in here".

Everyone steps a little closer as if the mysteries of the world could be contained on a single tablet. "We will take good care of it for you Ms .......?. As Sherron reaches to except the tablet the little girl looks directly into her eyes.

"Call me Lily"