text: “Rollin’ down that dusty road, windows down Leavin’ troubles behind this small town” “Turn that down a notch Jayce, I gotta pee man, could you pull over the nearest gas station?” “Fuck you man, why do you gotta pee every fifteen minutes? stop drinking from that damn 6-pack you got back there. It’s not like we’re short on supplies and we’re fighting these Megatrons.” “It’s Mechatrons actually-” I give Michael a side glance through the front view mirror. I don’t like his company that much, but he’s the only person that knows how to get to the resistance. We come across an abandoned gas station and I pull over for Michael to go pee. “Make it quick” I say as he gets out of the vehicle towards the toilet doors. I grab my pack of Marlboro and light a cigarette while waiting. Robots weren’t a threat to humanity, I think to myself as I exhale a long stream of smoke and watch it dissipate. I couldn’t help but think how different things used to be. Robots were never meant to be weaponized, but here we are several updates later and every damn robot made us its bitch. I take my last puff and flick my cigarette to the sidewalk. Michael doesn’t usually take that long to take a piss so I grab my pistol and head over towards the toilets. I walk towards the doors and squint through the splintered wood of the restroom door, my heart hammering in my chest. Silence. Then, a metallic clunk echoed through the stale air. My breath hitched as I peer through the crack, my gaze snagging on a sight that sent a jolt through me. Michael stood with his hands raised, a chrome behemoth of a robot stood over him. A yellow light beamed from its chest, scanning Michael - A reconnaissance unit, what in the world was that robot doing in there? “Failure to comply will result in brute force” the robot droned, its voice a grabbing monotone. “You have been warned” Michael’s voice was shaky, “Hey man, I was just using the toilet, no need for all that” I slowly open the door trying not to trigger any sensor. “Stun gun, activated” the robot announced. It’s arm shot out, charged with a stun gun about to be fired. I raise my arm with the robot’s head locked in my sight and pull the trigger with the release of my breath. The shot echoed through the abandoned gas station. The robot jerked as it fell, its yellow light no longer a threat. I look at Michael with disgust on my face, “Did you just fart? What is that smell? ” Michael was still processing the events that happened, but he was relieved shortly after he heard my voice. “We need to leave ASAP because this thing just called for backup” he finally uttered catching a breath. We get into our vehicle and I hit the gas. I guess serving in the army did me good back there, I would never have made that shot otherwise. As we drove along I noticed something off about the area we’re in, that robot wasn’t supposed to be there at all. “Ey Michael, you sure we’re on the right track here?” “Um, they didn’t exactly give me clear directions but if we are, we’re supposed to be seeing some resistance graffiti and go through a couple of checkpoints.” “Fucking hell Michael! Are we lost?” The day was coming to an end, and we’d been driving for hours. I spot a cabin from afar and drive towards it. The sun was setting when we arrived at the cabin. I told Michael to stay close as we scout the parameter for any potential surprises when suddenly a voice screams from behind us “Don’t you boys move a god damn inch” a voice of a man whose prime had long gone. Armed with a shotgun. “Identify yourselves” Michael froze, it was the scenario at the abandoned gas station toilet all over again. He started stuttering his words” “We’ve lost our way and we’re looking for some help. My friend here got us the wrong directions to the resistance” I intervene. “The resistance you say? Well you’re definitely in the wrong neighborhood, but I can help” The man lowers his weapon and invites us into his home. He seemed like someone I’d see myself becoming once I’m old. A good old retirement house in the middle of nowhere filled with books, movies, and a pet dog. “Name’s Ethan by the way. I will allow you to stay here the night and I will guide you to the resistance by morning” The man was generous enough to make us vegetable soup and let us crash on his couch. Morning came and I woke up to the undeniable smell of pancakes. It seemed that our host woke up early to get fueled up for the day to come. I nudge Michael awake. “Wake up, let’s help Ethan make breakfast”, he blinked groggily and sniffed the air. “Oh man, that smells amazing” We shuffled out to the kitchen, our stomachs rumbling, to find our host flipping pancakes on the battered old stove. He glanced over his shoulder and gave us a warm smile. “Gentlemen! thought you two could use a good breakfast before we head out for the day.” he said as he was stacking pancakes onto our plates and joined us pouring a cup of strong black coffee from a cowboy coffee maker. “So.. What’s your story? How on earth did you end up here?” I glance at Michael and smile at the craziness of it all. “We are researchers at the university back in the capital.” I began. “We were involved in a groundbreaking research on how the government is abusing the GNA-F1 substance that powers the Mechatrons and using it on Humans in an attempt to create cyborgs, but then the government started cracking down on dissents, started rounding people up” Michael picked up the thread “We got involved in a few protests, demanding transparency and to end these unethical experiments. I had a contact at the resistance, we managed to escape with critical data on our hard drive but we threw away any traceable devices and went completely offline.” “You’ve got guts kids. Don’t worry, you’ll be safe with the resistance. We better start moving soon.” We help clean the dishes and set off leaving the cabin behind, riding behind Ethan hoping that amidst all this chaos that there will be hope. For us and for a generation to come.