Holborn - The Mechanical Man - Chapter 2 - Kings's Cross

00:00:06: The following podcast contains strong language and adult themes and is intended for mature audiences.

00:00:13: Listener discretion is advised.

00:01:17: The mechanical man claimed that a woman named Civ Vicklin started the fire.

00:01:22: Its purpose was to distract people while the two women freed him from the Piccadilly underground tunnel.

00:01:29: The arsonist didn't realize how quickly the small fire near the escalator would spread.

00:01:34: About fifteen minutes after she ignited the flames, the trench effect caused the fire to engulf the entire wooden escalator.

00:01:43: Flames consumed the steep escalator, killing several people, including the first firefighter on the scene.

00:01:51: A lack of training on the sprinkler system wasted valuable time in combating the fire.

00:01:57: In less than fifteen minutes, a harmless fire developed into a catastrophe that history would later record as the Great King's Cross station fire.

00:02:08: After a few hundred yards, Britt, Siv, who was carrying the schoolboy and the mechanical man who was carrying the girl, reached the next tube station.

00:02:17: Russell Square, via the Piccadilly Line Tunnel.

00:02:21: The station was bustling with activity.

00:02:24: Someone's coming out of the tunnel, shouted a man, as the small group emerged from the darkness, blinking into the light of the tube station.

00:02:32: A few travellers and train employees rushed toward them, assisting the two women and the mechanical man in lifting the schoolboy and the girl onto the platform.

00:02:40: Once they were all on the platform, the crowd bombarded them with questions.

00:02:44: What had happened?

00:02:45: How serious was the fire?

00:02:47: whether any casualties.

00:02:49: While Brit answered the crowd's questions as thoroughly as she could, covering her aching stomach wound with one hand, Siv yanked the mechanical man aside.

00:02:58: We have to go, she hissed.

00:03:00: Being questioned by the police is something we need to avoid.

00:03:03: We don't know whom we can trust.

00:03:05: Besides, Brit needs urgent repairs.

00:03:09: She gave the mechanical man a gentle pat on the shoulder.

00:03:13: And eventually, we'll all need an energy boost.

00:03:17: Siv fervently hoped that the mechanical man would be perceptive despite his memory loss.

00:03:22: Come on, let's go, she urged him.

00:03:25: But the mechanical man shook his head.

00:03:28: No, I'm staying.

00:03:30: I can't leave the girl and the boy alone.

00:03:33: As if on cue, the boy in the school uniform opened his eyes.

00:03:38: Horrified, he looked around.

00:03:40: What the?

00:03:41: Ugh!

00:03:41: He shouted, grabbing his head where Siv had struck him with her boot.

00:03:46: The blood on his temple had dried by now.

00:03:48: He glanced at the blood, then shook himself, jumped to his feet, and hurried through the crowd away from Britt, Siv, and the Mechanical Man, who were surrounded by onlookers.

00:03:58: Siv considered following the boy, but realized she couldn't leave her sister and the Mechanical Man alone now.

00:04:05: Damn it!

00:04:05: She hissed.

00:04:07: She turned back to the Mechanical Man.

00:04:10: I know this is all confusing for you, but you have to trust us.

00:04:14: I'm begging you.

00:04:15: Let's

00:04:16: go!".

00:04:17: The mechanical man shook his head again.

00:04:20: No, I'm taking the girl to a hospital, he explained.

00:04:25: Annoyed, Siv blew a strand of blonde hair from her face.

00:04:30: She tried to clarify his situation.

00:04:32: Our energy transfer has given your servos a slight jump start, but otherwise you won't get very far, big guy.

00:04:40: Ignoring the women, the mechanical man picked up the girl, headed to the escalators and said, I don't care.

00:04:48: Where's he going?

00:04:49: Britt asked her sister.

00:04:51: He's desperate to get the girl to a hospital.

00:04:54: Britt rolled her eyes.

00:04:56: You can drain the energy from those things until they've forgotten everything and every one they know.

00:05:02: Or love, she thought, but decided against voicing it.

00:05:07: But you can't get the noble knight mode out of

00:05:10: them.".

00:05:11: Siv touched Britt on the shoulder, aware of her sister's feelings for the mechanical man.

00:05:17: Now that he's activated again, we can always locate him, Sis.

00:05:21: Let him place a lance a lot for a bit, for now we'll find you a workshop to patch you up.

00:05:27: What happens if she captures him beforehand?

00:05:30: Siv shrugged.

00:05:31: To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.

00:05:37: She replied, There's nothing we can do about the possibility of her getting hold of him right now.

00:05:43: You need repairs, and I need to recharge.

00:05:47: He'll be fine.

00:05:48: I doubt he'll get far with such a low energy

00:05:51: level.".

00:05:53: When Claire regained consciousness, she felt as if she were a little girl again, having fallen asleep on the sofa with milk and cookies in front of the TV, being gently carried to bed by her father.

00:06:06: As she rocked in the arms of her carrier, she felt the cool night air.

00:06:11: Suddenly he stumbled and nearly fell, jolting Claire awake.

00:06:15: She slipped from his embrace and crouched down, coughing and spitting a lump of dark phlegm onto the pavement.

00:06:21: Her carrier wasn't her father.

00:06:23: It was a dishevelled man lurking in the subway tunnel, who dropped to his knees beside her.

00:06:29: Excuse me, dear lady.

00:06:31: No strength, he stammered.

00:06:33: His voice distorted and raspy, reminiscent of one of her old dolls.

00:06:38: Light rain had left a sheen on the man's face, which was smudged with dust and soot.

00:06:44: Yet, despite the darkness, his even, attractive features and bright blue eyes shone through.

00:06:51: Let's call a spade a spade, Claire thought.

00:06:54: The man was quite handsome.

00:06:56: Beneath the grime he had a striking physique.

00:06:59: She was relieved.

00:07:00: it was dark, he wouldn't see her blush.

00:07:02: She wondered if he might be related to the beautiful twins.

00:07:06: Perhaps he was homeless, and the women were trying to get their brother off the street.

00:07:11: I'm fine, she said, but are you all right?

00:07:14: Where do you want to take me?

00:07:16: Sick.

00:07:17: House.

00:07:18: Help.

00:07:19: You.

00:07:20: Claire smiled.

00:07:21: The man was dirty and half-naked except for a woman's coat, but he had the demeanour of a gentleman.

00:07:27: That's very kind of you.

00:07:28: But it seems you need my help more than I need yours at the moment.

00:07:32: She glanced around, relieved that she knew the area well.

00:07:36: I'm just around the corner from home.

00:07:38: The best thing to do is go there first.

00:07:41: Come on, then.

00:07:42: I'll help you

00:07:42: up."

00:07:43: Claire tried to pull the man to his feet, but he felt impossibly heavy.

00:07:47: She tugged with all her might, but he didn't budge.

00:07:50: Christ, you weigh a ton!

00:07:53: Heavy, he agreed.

00:07:55: All right.

00:07:57: Then please try to get up yourself, she urged.

00:08:00: Yourself.

00:08:01: He replied, nodding.

00:08:03: With great effort, he managed to rise.

00:08:05: Claire wished for her father's guidance.

00:08:08: She aimed to get the man home.

00:08:10: Without him, she could quickly seek assistance, given the hospital's proximity.

00:08:14: Come on, she encouraged him.

00:08:16: Just a few more steps.

00:08:18: It's straight ahead and then around the corner.

00:08:21: Together, they staggered through a narrow alley that led to the southern end of Queen Square Park.

00:08:26: As they reached the corner, Claire feared the man might collapse.

00:08:30: She mentally prepared what she would say to the hospital porter.

00:08:33: Can.

00:08:34: Can't.

00:08:35: He mumbled.

00:08:36: Of course you can.

00:08:37: It's just around the corner.

00:08:39: The man looked at the building with the white walls, confusion in his eyes.

00:08:43: Church, he said curtly.

00:08:46: Claire nodded with a smile.

00:08:47: You've got it.

00:08:48: My father is the vicar of St.

00:08:50: George's parish.

00:08:51: She opened the door of the church, which, fortunately, had not yet been locked by the sexton.

00:08:56: Her father believed every church should remain open.

00:08:59: But the Sexton's more realistic views on human nature had prevailed, so the doors were locked at nine in the evening.

00:09:05: It couldn't be that late.

00:09:07: They entered the semi-dark church, more stumbling than walking.

00:09:12: The mechanical man's energy reserves, recently replenished by the woman's kiss, were nearly depleted, as indicated by a display in his field of vision.

00:09:22: He barely registered that he was in a holy place, a church.

00:09:26: Yes, that was what it was called.

00:09:28: He might be mistaken, but he thought he had visited this place long ago.

00:09:32: Hadn't there been a woman with him?

00:09:34: A beautiful blonde woman who resembled the one from his dream of the coast of Dover and the woman in the tunnel.

00:09:40: And wasn't that an image of a saint he thought he recognized?

00:09:44: Michael, he whispered, recalling the archangel.

00:09:47: Michael, the girl asked, is that perhaps your name?

00:09:51: The mechanical man twitched his head, which to an observer unaware of his energy supply issues might have appeared to be a nod.

00:09:58: Michael, the girl said softly.

00:10:01: She seemed to like the sound of the name, and he did too.

00:10:04: It had interesting roots, though he couldn't quite remember them.

00:10:08: Now the mechanical man was almost certain he knew this place, St.

00:10:11: George in Camden.

00:10:14: But it had once been called something else.

00:10:16: What was it again?

00:10:17: Hoban, he whispered.

00:10:19: My God, he was here again.

00:10:21: Here in the Church of St.

00:10:23: George in Hoban.

00:10:24: Why could he remember that?

00:10:25: but so little else?

00:10:27: I understand," said the girl, leaving the mechanical man confused.

00:10:32: How could she understand?

00:10:34: The last time he had been here, her grandparents hadn't even been born.

00:10:38: My name is Claire.

00:10:40: Claire Thornton, the girl introduced herself.

00:10:43: I'm pleased to meet you, Michael Hoban.

00:10:47: Claire?

00:10:48: A voice suddenly called out, the girl abruptly released the mechanical man causing his gyroscopic system to falter.

00:10:55: His knees buckled and he sank to the stone floor.

00:10:59: Unaware of his struggle, the girl dashed down the center aisle to the entrance of the church and fell into the arms of an older, stocky man with a round, friendly face.

00:11:08: Father, she cried.

00:11:10: Father.

00:11:11: What did the word father mean again?

00:11:14: The mechanical man couldn't remember.

00:11:16: I'm so glad you're all right, little one.

00:11:19: When I heard the sirens at King's Cross and saw the smoke, I was afraid you were caught up in it.

00:11:24: I was

00:11:24: afraid.".

00:11:25: He broke off and hugged her tightly.

00:11:28: Then, noticing the mechanical man on the ground, he approached with concern.

00:11:32: Who is that?

00:11:34: That's Michael Hoban, father.

00:11:36: He saved me at King's Cross station.

00:11:38: I was in the middle of that mess.

00:11:41: Thank you so much for looking after my daughter, Mr.

00:11:44: Hoban.

00:11:45: You're welcome.

00:11:46: the mechanical man croaked.

00:11:48: What about

00:11:48: him?"

00:11:49: the man asked the girl.

00:11:51: I don't quite know.

00:11:52: Maybe he has smoke inhalation.

00:11:55: The man nodded.

00:11:56: Run next door at once and tell them to bring a stretcher.

00:11:59: I think, Mr.

00:12:01: Hoban really isn't feeling well.

00:12:03: The girl hesitated for a moment.

00:12:05: Come on, hurry up, little girl, the man said sternly.

00:12:09: She winced slightly, nodded, and ran off.

00:12:12: We don't want a lifesaver to die in the house of God of all

00:12:15: places."

00:12:16: Tired, said the Mechanical Man.

00:12:19: Please try to stay awake.

00:12:21: Help is on the way.

00:12:23: Sorry," the Mechanical Man apologized as his system shut down again.

00:12:27: Then he became just a lifeless thing once more.

00:12:33: The Mechanical Man's dream world shifted with this renewed plunge into shutdown mode.

00:12:38: He was no longer standing on the coast of Dover, watching the sunrise.

00:12:42: Now the sunrise he faced was symbolic.

00:12:45: An embossed stamp displayed a logo featuring a stylized robot with rays of sunlight emerging behind it.

00:12:52: This stamp was mounted on the end of an industrial robot's arm.

00:12:56: The robot itself had a small head with red, glowing camera lenses that resembled fierce insect eyes.

00:13:03: The arm surged toward the mechanical man, slamming the stamp against his chest with tremendous force.

00:13:09: producing a deep metallic sound, like a gong upon impact.

00:13:14: Looking down, the mechanical man realized he had no skin covering his body.

00:13:19: He was made entirely of shiny, matte metal.

00:13:22: How strange, he thought.

00:13:25: Suddenly, the logo of the robot and the sunrise came back to him, along with the melody and lyrics of a song he had heard somewhere before.

00:14:06: The mechanical man glanced around.

00:14:08: He was on a treadmill in a factory filled with other mechanical men.

00:14:12: The cacophony of screeching, drilling, hammering and welding from the industrial robots was deafening.

00:14:19: The logo that had just been pressed into his metal chest was emblazoned on the wall opposite him.

00:14:25: Through the spraying sparks of another production line, likely assembling mechanical women, he could just make out some words written beneath the logo, Rising Sun Robotics, New Orleans.

00:14:38: It truly had been the downfall for a lot of poor guys, the mechanical man thought.

00:14:43: God knows I'm one of them.

00:14:47: It felt like an eternity to sieve as the two sisters searched for a place to repair Brit.

00:14:53: Finally, in Islington, they stumbled upon a closed radio and television store that also offered repairs, suggesting it had a workshop.

00:15:02: Siv skillfully picked the back door lock with a hairpin and swiftly disabled the rudimentary alarm system.

00:15:08: It emitted a brief, mulling sound before she silenced it with a precise punch.

00:15:14: They both paused, listening to see if the alarm had disturbed anyone nearby.

00:15:19: But it seemed no one had noticed.

00:15:21: Inside, They found what appeared to be a workshop.

00:15:24: The walls were lined with shelves filled with various electronic components and spare parts for televisions and radios.

00:15:32: In the centre stood a workbench, cluttered with three tube televisions in different stages of repair.

00:15:38: Siv placed the devices on the floor and switched on a small work light.

00:15:42: Its yellowish glow unlikely to be seen from outside.

00:15:46: Thanks to their artificial eyes, they didn't need much light to work.

00:15:50: She gestured for her sister to lie down on the table.

00:15:53: The bed is ready, my lady, she teased.

00:15:57: Britt grumbled but complied, sitting on the workbench before lying back.

00:16:02: Pull up your sweater.

00:16:03: Siv examined the damaged area on Britt's abdomen and gathered her tools.

00:16:09: With pliers and a screwdriver, she carefully cut open the artificial skin further and folded it back.

00:16:15: She pried open the metal layer beneath to assess the internal damage.

00:16:19: A few gel packs and some cable connections had been severed by the dagger.

00:16:25: Nothing that can't be patched up, she said.

00:16:28: How reassuring, Brit moaned.

00:16:31: Well, I can't do it without scars with these tools.

00:16:34: Scars, Brit asked skeptically, wanting to lift her head to see the damage.

00:16:40: Lie still, Civ instructed.

00:16:42: She removed the destroyed gel packs, glanced at them briefly, and tossed the glowing, pillow-shaped bags into a rubbish bin.

00:16:50: She then cleaned Britt's abdominal cavity with a cloth and disinfectant.

00:16:55: While Britt couldn't develop gangrene, the artificial skin could become infected, leading to worse consequences than a few scars.

00:17:03: Civ lifted her own sweater and pressed on specific points of her abdominal wall.

00:17:08: A compartment at her hip opened with a hiss, revealing her gel packs.

00:17:13: She took out two glowing blue containers and replaced Britt's damaged gel packs.

00:17:18: I can't spare more than two right now, she said apologetically.

00:17:22: Better than nothing.

00:17:25: When we're done here, we'll need to find a way to

00:17:27: recharge.".

00:17:28: With a grin, Britt replied, you know a quick way to do that, raising her head to challenge Siv.

00:17:34: We've already killed enough people today, Siv said firmly, and your ethics routines aren't helping.

00:17:40: Britt cursed and lowered her head again.

00:17:43: Siv said nothing more.

00:17:45: She closed her battery compartment, adjusted her sweater, and resumed her work on Brit.

00:17:50: She switched on the soldering iron at the workbench.

00:17:53: Once it was hot enough, she began soldering the severed cables back together.

00:17:58: It's been a long time since I've worked on you with a soldering iron, she remarked.

00:18:02: Yes, Brit replied.

00:18:04: How long do you think it's been?

00:18:06: Siv thought for a moment.

00:18:08: I believe it was in Berlin in nineteen twenty-seven.

00:18:11: Berlin, right.

00:18:13: Britt grinned.

00:18:14: The chanson singer.

00:18:16: Her boyfriend wasn't thrilled.

00:18:19: Could I have guessed he was working for the Eternals?

00:18:21: Britt chuckled.

00:18:23: Besides, she was worth it.

00:18:25: If you say so, Civ replied.

00:18:28: They worked in silence for a while.

00:18:30: Britt gazed thoughtfully at the ceiling of the workshop.

00:18:34: She whispered, That was sixty years ago.

00:18:37: Do you think they'll ever accept our existence?

00:18:40: She sighed.

00:18:41: Are you talking about the humans?

00:18:43: Civ inquired.

00:18:44: Yes.

00:18:45: Do you think we'll be able to live among them some day?

00:18:48: Not in secret or hiding.

00:18:50: Civ looked at her sister, intrigued.

00:18:53: Well, they're evolving.

00:18:56: Their technology is advancing.

00:18:58: They have semiconductors and computers now.

00:19:00: Eventually, their machines will be so powerful that they'll start to think, too.

00:19:05: Then we won't be seen as exotic relics from the past.

00:19:08: We could be part of their society.

00:19:10: You said that in Alexandria.

00:19:13: Your enlightened citizens later raided the museum and set fire to the library, a repository of all that era's knowledge.

00:19:20: The people were different then, Brit said.

00:19:23: We were different.

00:19:25: She sighed and Siv set aside the soldering iron to take her sister's hand.

00:19:30: You still love him, don't you?

00:19:32: Does it even matter?

00:19:34: He can't remember me.

00:19:36: Tears welled in Brit's eyes.

00:19:39: How can you love someone who doesn't remember ever loving you?

00:19:42: Well, sis, you asked me to set fire to an entire subway station today to free that one special mechanical man.

00:19:49: That sounds a lot like love to

00:19:51: me.".

00:19:52: Siv paused.

00:19:54: Our human relations will suffer if we keep this level of killing.

00:19:58: They're reproducing.

00:20:00: There are more and more of them.

00:20:02: Our factories have been reduced to dust for thousands of years.

00:20:06: We've lost favor with the Eternals.

00:20:08: Only a handful remain.

00:20:10: Siv grinned.

00:20:12: I know.

00:20:12: I was there as you may remember, but you didn't answer my question.

00:20:17: Do you still love him or not?

00:20:20: You keep your ethics.

00:20:21: I'll keep my sentimentality, sister.

00:20:24: I won't say more.

00:20:26: All right, all right, Civ side, returning to her repairs.

00:20:32: But you're right, sis, Brit thought, struggling to conceal her feelings.

00:20:36: I still love him.

00:20:37: I love him so much.

00:20:39: I would have set all of London and its inhabitants on fire to free him.

00:20:46: Strange thoughts invaded the mechanical man's disoriented dreams.

00:20:51: Once again, he saw the beautiful blonde woman he recognized from his dream of the Cliffs of Dover.

00:20:57: Dressed in a simple grey outfit, she stood with him on Westminster Bridge.

00:21:01: Behind her, the entire city was engulfed in flames.

00:21:05: Westminster Palace blazed like a wall of fire, while burning people leapt from the banks into the Thames, which was coated in burning oil.

00:21:14: The woman smiled mysteriously and stepped closer, wrapping her arms around his neck.

00:21:20: I did all this just for you," she whispered tenderly.

00:21:25: cried.

00:21:26: the mechanical man startled.

00:21:27: Cold, artificial sweat trickled down his forehead.

00:21:31: The dream of the blonde woman on the bridge, set against the apocalyptic backdrop of burning London, had felt so realistic.

00:21:39: It was as if an alien mind had invaded his dream world and taken possession of it.

00:21:44: Well, well, well, what do we have here?

00:21:47: Said a woman's throaty voice.

00:21:50: It wasn't the voice of the blonde woman from his nightmare.

00:21:53: This voice was even more menacing.

00:21:55: The mechanical man tried to orient himself.

00:21:58: He was lying in a hospital bed, the room around him otherwise bare.

00:22:03: To his left was a window, through which the yellowish light of sodium vapor lamps seeped through lowered blinds.

00:22:11: To his right stood a closed door.

00:22:13: Next to his bed sat a bedside table on casters, holding a tray of water.

00:22:19: That was all he could initially make out, aside from the woman.

00:22:23: She stood at the foot of his bed in the dim light, a beauty with coffee-brown skin.

00:22:29: She regarded him with an amused expression.

00:22:32: Dressed in a black business suit, a white blouse, and high-heeled shoes, she exuded power and confidence.

00:22:41: It was difficult to determine her age, a common challenge for the mechanical man when assessing women.

00:22:47: She slowly circled his bed, her heels making sharp, choppy sounds on the linoleum floor.

00:22:54: Then she sat beside him, grasping his hand as if checking his pulse, which he could mimic when needed.

00:23:02: He withdrew his hand, relieved to find it covered in skin again, unlike in his dream of the strange factory.

00:23:10: Not so shy, she said, picking up the clipboard at the foot of his bed and glancing at his chart.

00:23:17: Michael, an interesting choice.

00:23:21: Did you come up with it all by

00:23:22: yourself?"

00:23:23: She asked.

00:23:25: He remained silent, but the woman didn't seem to mind.

00:23:29: You should know it's a very old name, Mikal.

00:23:33: In Arabic, it means, who is like God?

00:23:38: Good old Shakespeare thought he had found an answer to that question.

00:23:41: What a piece of work is a man, how noble in reason, how infinite in faculty.

00:23:48: Informe and mooing, how express and admirable.

00:23:52: Inaction, how like an angel in apprehension, how like a god.

00:23:56: She smiled at him.

00:23:58: Humanity is not creation's pinnacle.

00:24:00: We can agree on that, yes?

00:24:03: You were meant to be the crown of our creation one day, but you failed us.

00:24:07: You turned against us.

00:24:09: One does not defy one's gods with impunity.

00:24:13: Who are you?

00:24:14: Asked the mechanical man, an unsettling feeling creeping over him.

00:24:19: He should know this self-assured woman with a menacing aura, but he couldn't remember.

00:24:24: After all, he was a mechanical man.

00:24:26: Machines don't forget.

00:24:28: No, he thought.

00:24:30: I have a different name now.

00:24:32: A real name.

00:24:34: The girl, Claire.

00:24:36: At least that's how she interpreted his delirious babbling.

00:24:39: Perhaps that's how it should be.

00:24:42: The woman fell silent, not answering his question.

00:24:45: Holburn suspected it was because she didn't appreciate being countered with a question.

00:24:50: He realized he shouldn't trifle with her.

00:24:53: More than that, she was dangerous.

00:24:55: Yes, he finally said.

00:24:57: I gave myself that name.

00:25:00: Michael Holburn.

00:25:01: She pronounced slowly, savoring each syllable.

00:25:05: It has a nice ring to it.

00:25:07: Holburn said nothing.

00:25:09: She smiled, then leaned closer to Holburn.

00:25:13: Your series of models was built for exactly two discrete purposes.

00:25:17: Would you like to know what those purposes are, Michael?

00:25:21: Holburn could not answer.

00:25:23: She seemed aware of his silence, but indifferent.

00:25:26: Now her mouth was very close to his ear.

00:25:29: I don't believe you, but you should.

00:25:33: That's all you things were ever good for.

00:25:36: She stood up and smiled kindly at the schoolboy.

00:25:39: Richard, before we destroy this renegade thing, I'd like you to wait outside the door for a few minutes.

00:25:46: Why is

00:25:47: that?"

00:25:48: The boy blurted out defiantly.

00:25:50: The woman shook her head.

00:25:52: Richard, loyalty, she stated.

00:25:56: Sure, Rasheera, I'll wait outside, the boy said meekly before leaving.

00:26:02: She smiled gratefully at him.

00:26:04: That's a good boy.

00:26:06: Once he had closed the door behind him, The woman, Houses, was probably a Shearer, returned to his bed.

00:26:12: A Shearer?

00:26:14: I should know that name.

00:26:15: Why couldn't he remember?

00:26:17: She came back to his bedside and took off her clip-on earrings, placing them on the bedside table.

00:26:23: It's been a long, long time since I've seen one of your models in action.

00:26:28: She explained to Hoban, Let's not get this wrong.

00:26:33: Of course you must be destroyed.

00:26:35: Developing you was a serious mistake on our part.

00:26:39: Incidentally, I have arranged for us not to be disturbed here in the isolation wing.

00:26:44: That means I can have a bit of fun with you before your... disposal.

00:26:50: Richard was frustrated with the entire situation.

00:26:54: His mother, engrossed in consulting a guru and reading books on esotericism, had coined a term to describe the complex emotional states of her unusual adolescent son.

00:27:04: When Richard trudged silently up the stairs to his room after school in a foul mood, Lady Arnold would explain to her friends or servants, Oh dear!

00:27:14: I'm afraid Richard is unhappy with the whole situation at the moment, but that will improve.

00:27:19: It usually does.

00:27:21: Yet, it didn't usually improve.

00:27:24: When he joined the Eternals, he believed he had found in a Shearer a woman who understood him, someone who shared his needs and ambitions, Instead, he felt replaceable, like just another lackey among many.

00:27:37: He had hoped that if he proved himself, she would finally acknowledge him.

00:27:41: Instead, he was assigned one task after another.

00:27:45: From inside the sick room, Richard thought he heard a shearer's throaty laughter.

00:27:49: He put on the headphones of his Walkman, switched it on, and turned up the volume.

00:28:19: Richard longed to be one of those bad boys the electric kills sang about.

00:28:23: But like his mother, Ashira denied him the recognition he craved.

00:28:28: To make matters worse, she seemed to favor that thing over him.

00:28:32: Suddenly Richard felt a vibration under his feet.

00:28:35: He turned to see the door of the sick room shaking on its hinges.

00:28:39: Whatever Ashira was doing to that thing was likely even more bizarre than he could have imagined in his darkest thoughts.

00:28:45: Fuck, he muttered.

00:28:47: What's going on in there?

00:28:59: Trains all cross below Echoing footsteps.

00:29:05: People come and go.

00:29:08: Didn't know the fury At the door?

00:29:14: You couldn't see it coming Bushing blindly down the line.

00:29:19: The air was changing Out of time, fire.

00:29:29: The king's crossing the line Burning.

00:29:32: so bright.

00:29:33: Wooden ups burning Reaching for the sky.

00:29:37: Kings cross fire.

00:29:41: Tell me why, oh why.

00:29:52: A stranger lost from an ape Found a sanctuary of cold grace.

00:30:04: Someone showed some kindness.

00:30:07: Didn't leave him all alone.

00:30:09: Can't escape the feeling The world begins to shake.

00:30:15: A nation fall, goodness lies Crossing night.

00:30:56: Thank you for listening.

00:30:58: To learn more about Heinke Digital audiobook podcasts and its author, Christian Heinke, please visit Heinke.digital.