Heavy-lidded eyes gazed at her with paternal love. A hint of stubble stood along its chin. The robot smiled, and the crease along its nose was the one that Dad had passed down to Eureka and the twins.
Eureka, meet Ovid, limited-edition orichalcum robot from Atlantis, Solon said. Ovid, meet Eureka, the one whos going to take you home.
Eureka blinked at Solon, then at the robot, who extended its hand. She shook it, amazed to find it pliant like a real hand, with a firm, confident grasp.
Why does it look like my father? Eureka whispered.
Because it holds your fathers ghost, Solon said. Ovid is a ghost robot, one of nine orichalcum siblings crafted before Atlantis sank. Eight still slumber in the Sleeping World, but Ovid got away. Selene stole it before she fled the palace, and it has lived in this cave ever since. If Atlas knew his precious robot was here, he would do anything to get it back.
For the second time Eureka considered telling Solon about her encounter with Atlas at the Tearline pond. But it felt like a betrayal of Brooks. If Solon knew Eureka had secretly met Atlas, he wouldnt let her out of his sight. And she had promised to find Brooks again soon. Their triangle was delicateAtlas wanted Eurekas tears, Eureka wanted Brooks back, Brooks surely wanted freedom. It was best to keep things among the three of them for now.
I turned my back on you. The robot spoke in Dads voice.
Eureka pulled back her hand, horrified. Then, slowly, she touched the robots cheeksupple as human fleshand watched its face brighten with Dads smile.
I have looked after Ovid for many years, Solon said. I always knew it was invaluable, but I could never fathom what made it run.
Eureka circled the robot and found nothing familiar about its body. From the back, it looked like a sculpture in a fancy French Quarter antique store. Only Ovids face seemed possessed of Dad. She sat down facing Ovid. How does it work?
Most modern robots are wired to function on a binary system, Solon said. Ones and zeroes. But Ovid is a trinary being, meaning it operates in threes. Its very Atlantean. Everything is threes with them. Three seasons. Three sides to a story. Did you know they invented the love triangle?
Eureka couldnt take her eyes off Dads expression on the robots face.
Ovid is a soldier, Solon continued. Like all things made of orichalcum, it is meant to be indentured to one master. You will find it very useful.
Eureka glanced at Solon. Does it know where the Marais is?
Yes, it does.
And its going to take me there? And help me defeat Atlas?
That has long been the plan.
When?
Soon.
She got to her feet. Tonight?
Solon pulled her back down. The time is almost right, but Ovid will not go prematurely. It is special. Its orichalcum is but a shell for whator rather, whofills it with purpose. Today, your father became the first ghost to fill it.
The Filling, Eureka said. Solon had mentioned it last night. She sensed it was something terrible. Why was Dad involved?
The Filling is Atlass master plan. It is what the Seedbearers areand the rest of the world should beso afraid of.
Tell me.
Solon walked to the wall where a bottle of prosecco rested in an ice bucket in a stone recess. He poured himself a glass, drained it, and poured himself another. Then he lit a cigarette and took a long drag.
The world into which Atlantis rises will be a muddy, unrecognizable slop. After the flood, everything will need rebuilding. And rebuilding requires workers. But workers have been known to revolt. To avoid that, Atlas plans to use the dead to build his empire by housing ghosts from the Waking World in invincible, weaponized bodies he controls. Imagine a billion souls hopes and dreams and energies and visions, all of their intelligence and experience combined. This is how Atlas will conquer the world.
Eureka stared into the waterfall. If Atlas wants a world of ghosts, doesnt he have to kill everyone first?
Solon stared sadly at Eureka. Atlas wont have to.
Because Im doing it for him, Eureka said. My storm is going to poison the entire Waking World? How soon?
Most will die before the full moon.
Then who am I trying to save?
Everyone. But you must take their lives before you save them.
I dont understand.
Eureka, Ovid said in Dads familiar bayou drawl.
You will have questions, Solon said. First, let us hear what your father has to say.
That is not my father. Its a monster Atlas made.
Every ghost gets a dying message, Solon said. Until they adjust to inhabiting the robot, this death letter forms the entirety of the ghosts language. Think of your father as a little baby ghost who needs time and nurturing to grow to his full potential. Now, listen.
A metallic tear glistened in the corner of Ovids eye as it began to speak. When you were born I was afraid of how much I loved you. Youve always seemed so free. Your mother was the same way, not scared of anything, never needing any help.
I need you, Eureka whispered.
Eureka, meet Ovid, limited-edition orichalcum robot from Atlantis, Solon said. Ovid, meet Eureka, the one whos going to take you home.
Eureka blinked at Solon, then at the robot, who extended its hand. She shook it, amazed to find it pliant like a real hand, with a firm, confident grasp.
Why does it look like my father? Eureka whispered.
Because it holds your fathers ghost, Solon said. Ovid is a ghost robot, one of nine orichalcum siblings crafted before Atlantis sank. Eight still slumber in the Sleeping World, but Ovid got away. Selene stole it before she fled the palace, and it has lived in this cave ever since. If Atlas knew his precious robot was here, he would do anything to get it back.
For the second time Eureka considered telling Solon about her encounter with Atlas at the Tearline pond. But it felt like a betrayal of Brooks. If Solon knew Eureka had secretly met Atlas, he wouldnt let her out of his sight. And she had promised to find Brooks again soon. Their triangle was delicateAtlas wanted Eurekas tears, Eureka wanted Brooks back, Brooks surely wanted freedom. It was best to keep things among the three of them for now.
I turned my back on you. The robot spoke in Dads voice.
Eureka pulled back her hand, horrified. Then, slowly, she touched the robots cheeksupple as human fleshand watched its face brighten with Dads smile.
I have looked after Ovid for many years, Solon said. I always knew it was invaluable, but I could never fathom what made it run.
Eureka circled the robot and found nothing familiar about its body. From the back, it looked like a sculpture in a fancy French Quarter antique store. Only Ovids face seemed possessed of Dad. She sat down facing Ovid. How does it work?
Most modern robots are wired to function on a binary system, Solon said. Ones and zeroes. But Ovid is a trinary being, meaning it operates in threes. Its very Atlantean. Everything is threes with them. Three seasons. Three sides to a story. Did you know they invented the love triangle?
Eureka couldnt take her eyes off Dads expression on the robots face.
Ovid is a soldier, Solon continued. Like all things made of orichalcum, it is meant to be indentured to one master. You will find it very useful.
Eureka glanced at Solon. Does it know where the Marais is?
Yes, it does.
And its going to take me there? And help me defeat Atlas?
That has long been the plan.
When?
Soon.
She got to her feet. Tonight?
Solon pulled her back down. The time is almost right, but Ovid will not go prematurely. It is special. Its orichalcum is but a shell for whator rather, whofills it with purpose. Today, your father became the first ghost to fill it.
The Filling, Eureka said. Solon had mentioned it last night. She sensed it was something terrible. Why was Dad involved?
The Filling is Atlass master plan. It is what the Seedbearers areand the rest of the world should beso afraid of.
Tell me.
Solon walked to the wall where a bottle of prosecco rested in an ice bucket in a stone recess. He poured himself a glass, drained it, and poured himself another. Then he lit a cigarette and took a long drag.
The world into which Atlantis rises will be a muddy, unrecognizable slop. After the flood, everything will need rebuilding. And rebuilding requires workers. But workers have been known to revolt. To avoid that, Atlas plans to use the dead to build his empire by housing ghosts from the Waking World in invincible, weaponized bodies he controls. Imagine a billion souls hopes and dreams and energies and visions, all of their intelligence and experience combined. This is how Atlas will conquer the world.
Eureka stared into the waterfall. If Atlas wants a world of ghosts, doesnt he have to kill everyone first?
Solon stared sadly at Eureka. Atlas wont have to.
Because Im doing it for him, Eureka said. My storm is going to poison the entire Waking World? How soon?
Most will die before the full moon.
Then who am I trying to save?
Everyone. But you must take their lives before you save them.
I dont understand.
Eureka, Ovid said in Dads familiar bayou drawl.
You will have questions, Solon said. First, let us hear what your father has to say.
That is not my father. Its a monster Atlas made.
Every ghost gets a dying message, Solon said. Until they adjust to inhabiting the robot, this death letter forms the entirety of the ghosts language. Think of your father as a little baby ghost who needs time and nurturing to grow to his full potential. Now, listen.
A metallic tear glistened in the corner of Ovids eye as it began to speak. When you were born I was afraid of how much I loved you. Youve always seemed so free. Your mother was the same way, not scared of anything, never needing any help.
I need you, Eureka whispered.
