Evolutionary Liberator

Olivia looked over the rules that were presented to her, when she requested permission to visit the planet, EEchol. They were pretty strict about all electronics being scanned for virus and worm activity. Apparently, being the main supplier throughout the galaxy, of advanced technological equipment, made them overly cautious of those who wanted to profit off of their misfortunes.

"How are you going to get me in?" asked Granny, looking over her shoulder at the rules.

"The nanobots are going to make a suit for you to wear, because the atmosphere is hostile to your race," said Olivia, distractedly. Some of the rules were too difficult for her to understand.

"It looks like, as long as they scan it, and it comes back as not having anything malicious on it, we'll be alright. The nanobots are small enough they can infiltrate the scanners to give a false reading, if we need to."

Granny nodded and stepped back as the nanobots began to swarm around her. She grew taller, almost as tall as Olivia's five foot six inches, and her defining features of a Gooblen disappeared. Her large ears were hidden by a misshapen helmet, that seemed to make an allowance for horns.

"I don't like it, but it's bearable," she grumbled as Olivia accepted the electronic contract that basically stated she wasn't there to cause any trouble or harm to the Tik, or their business.

Once she had received the confirmation, and directions to her landing site, Olivia, guided the ship through the tight security, that scanned the entire ship as she proceeded at a very slow pace. The guidelines they gave her were pretty exact, on how long she was to proceed forward at a certain pace, before turning at just a certain angle, and so forth, so she handed the flying over to the computer.

Getting through the security wasn't as bad as she was worried it would be. It only took them thirty minutes to get the all clear to proceed to their landing site. As the ship was guided by the computer, Olivia and Granny were glued to their screen, watching as the sight of the massive city came into sight.

The outer atmosphere was so thick in pollution, they couldn't see much until they descended through the clouds. The buildings looked like cargo containers stacked on top of each other. There were tiny balconies, but not stairs to be seen anywhere. Flying vehicles picked people up who wanted to go somewhere, and took them to massive transportation centers, where larger flying buses took them to their next destination. Olivia could only imagine how long it must take for people to get anywhere.

As they approached the landing site, a huge structure that took up miles and miles of space, appeared on the horizon. It looked like they had buildings built on top of other buildings, and braced when the lower buildings couldn't handle the weight.

"That must be the factory where they make all of their electronics," said Granny.

"The place looks like a nightmare just waiting to happen," muttered Olivia.

"Where we're going, it will be a nightmare," Granny said turning to sit as they landed on a pad. The pad picked them up, once they were down, and proceeded to take them into a building where the sh.i.p.s were 'parked'.

Judging from the many other sh.i.p.s they passed, it was obvious many came to visit this place.

"I bet there isn't a blade of grass on this entire planet," grumbled Granny, as they were given permission to leave the ship.

Stepping outside their airlock, they saw that the pad had paused at a transport site, and once they gave the go ahead, the alien Tik had the pad take their ship to be 'parked'.

"Welcome to EEchol, the industrial and technological master in all of the galaxy," said another Tik, as they followed the only path available to them to the security check point.

The Tik were an interesting species, with their large friendly eyes, and the beak mouth, that appeared to be smiling, when it was obvious, they had no muscles to control that. The skin was reptilian in texture, with colors ranging from browns to oranges, to greens and reds. They stood a little over six foot in height, so Olivia and Granny were small in comparison.

"Please step into the scanner, so that we can ascertain that you are not dangerous to our citizenry and company. Then, if you are interested in a tour trip, there are a variety of transport vessels available for your convenience."

His words were choppy, but understandable. Olivia wondered if one of the implants, that he had imbedded into his skin, allowed him access to multiple languages. She stepped into the tube, and stood still while they scanned her.

"You are aware you have technology flowing in your veins?" the Tik on the other side asked her.

"Yes, my people have them for our health. They keep us healthy when we visit other worlds, from any diseases we may encounter," she said.

"That is understandable, and allowed. Please exit, so your companion may enter."

Granny stepped into the tube, when it was her turn, and waited.

"We are not familiar with your suit, which intrigues us. May we enquire about it?"

"A friend made it for me, so that I can survive on your world," said Granny. "I'm afraid I can't give you permission to study it, and I can't explain how it works, either."

"That is unfortunate. I find nothing hostile within your suit, so you may exit. Please enjoy your stay on our planet."

Olivia and Granny moved down the path, to the transport depot. Flying buses and taxis were lined up for as far as they eye could see. They had to fight for space among the throng of people who had trickled here from all over.

"Where to?" asked Olivia, looking up at the electronic sign above the crowd, that listed off the destinations and prices for transport.

"We don't really have any money, so we'll have to foot it," said Granny, pointing to a dark corner.

If she hadn't pointed it out, Olivia would have missed the stairs all together. No one else seemed to notice them either as they made their way over. The air became thicker, and harder to breathe, the deeper they went. Olivia was glad she had her PED to alter her as they descended, otherwise she would have needed a suit, and several breaks to rest. She wasn't even sure how deep they had gone, when they finally stepped out onto what may have once been a street. It was so littered with debris that had fallen, or been thrown from above, that no mechanical vehicle could have driven along it.

As they paused for Granny to decide where to go next, several mechanical people approached them, holding various weapons.

"This doesn't look good," remarked Olivia, with a grin.