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Future World Story - Rose W. - 12/27/17
Contest: Winners
Future World Story
City Protection Force
I took off my helmet and turned off the control board in my flight pod. Running a hand through my sweaty hair, I opened the pod’s door and stepped out into the control room in the City Protection Force Station.
I scanned the room with my robotic eye. My sister, Kinn, was seated at the controls across the room. My robot eye, locked in a gaze with Kinn’s natural, human eye, analyzed her: SUBJECT: Human. Part robotic. MOOD: Curious.
Kinn stood up. “Jaia,” she greeted. “How are you? Good patrol?”
I shook my head and exited the room. During the patrol, I had scratched up the pod by nearly crashing into a hover-boarder, a float sign, and an office building. This job with City Protection Force had been going so well, too. . . .
I wanted to quit. I was going to quit. It would be better than being fired.
I continued down the hallway. Then I heard Kinn’s robotic arm disconnecting from the control board.
“Jaia!” she called. I kept walking.
“I nearly destroyed my pod three times. I’m quitting,” I told Kinn.
“You’re not quitting!” she exclaimed. “That’s crazy! You’re the best pilot this force has ever had!”
“No,” I told her. “I’m done. Do this work without me, Kinn.”
“No,” said Kinn firmly. “Just because you messed up doesn’t mean you’re bad at this!”
I started to protest, but realized Kinn was right. I looked down at my Captain rank badge then looked back up at Kinn.
She was devoted to this job. I remembered fighting beside her when she lost her arm. I was born in this city and I took great pride in protecting it. I realized I was devoted to this job, too.
“You’re right,” I admitted. “I’m sorry. I was frustrated with myself, but the future of this city is too important for me to leave the force.”
My robot eye analyzed Kinn again: SUBJECT: Human. Part robotic. MOOD: Pleased.
But I didn’t need it to tell me that I had done the right thing.
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