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thestoryof-officially · 4 years

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Day 308 - Robotic

Day 308 - Robotic: Write about a robot.

This one immediately made me think about a particularly impactful dance performance I saw a few years ago. A lot of us probably know him, Merrick Hanna. His audition dance on America's Got Talent was about a robot, and we saw him dance to the story of the robot being built, played with, then forgotten and left behind. It was, in my opinion, very beautiful, and very sad, and definitely left a lot to be thought about. So that, of course is one idea. Write about the dance. Or write about the life of a robot. Maybe tell a story through a robot's eyes! Or write a poem about a robot, or about someone like a robot. Really, I think all my ideas usually boil down to short story or poem, but no one else's has to! This one opens a world that takes us back to childhood, I think, and there's so much to think about in that context.

Entry below!

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Nine years ago, I was running from a guard and literally ran into him. It? Him. He, this robot, I mean, had more humanity than anyone I’d spoken to since I was 11. Without even questioning what was happening, he grabbed my hand, pulled me into the bushes, and got me out of trouble. The guard ran by cluelessly and never found us. We became best friends.

Six years ago, we got caught in the war. We were “the bad guys” because we were fighting the government, who was sapping power from anywhere it could be found. I got shot at. He took the hit and lost an arm. I was suddenly really glad he couldn’t feel things like we could.

Four years ago, he started becoming less human. I suppose that’s a poor choice of words considering he was never human to begin with, but the kindness I’d seen in him five years previously had simply disappeared. He became gruffer. The second glance he gave people ceased to exist. He almost completely stopped talking to me, and it was like all the things we’d been through as best friends stopped mattering.

Three years ago, the little lights that told me his systems were running started flickering. His joints became stiffer and he truly began to move like a robot. His replaced arm was the only thing that worked like new, and even then its movements became stiffer and more calculated, yet less careful. It was the last time he spoke a word to me or anyone.

Two years ago, he shot me in the leg. When I cried out, I saw a flicker of recognition in him. He looked guilty. He looked sad. And then it was gone. He turned his back on me, and was pulled in by the government’s system of robotic forces. He stood next to army bots and technology years ahead of him. He stood next to the bots that shot off his arm. He stood next to their Admiral, who just happened to be the guard I was running from so many years ago. And in that moment, ‘he’ truly became an ‘it’.

A year ago, I started to question the war. I used to think robots could be as good and as human as... As… Well, as other humans. I thought they could be kind! I thought they had heart! But I travelled the country side, with a limp, by myself. I became bitter. It was out of sheer will of mind that I didn’t shoot down every robot I saw. I don’t know why. They were unfeeling. Those that had been recruited by the government didn’t care, they killed without thought. They were ruthless and cruel, and I didn’t want anything to do with any of them. Not a single one.

Six months ago, it came back. This time he- it was running from the Admiral that he’d been oh-soooo-loyal to. The irony of him- IT- running into me and running from the very same person was almost laughable. I don’t know why I followed that stupid parallel. I don’t know why I pulled… it, aside, into the bushes, and kept us hidden until the Admiral was gone. I don’t know why… why it wanted to talk to me. Why it started talking again. Why the lights still flickered but looked alive again. But he- it betrayed me! It left! I don’t want anything to do with him- WITH IT! Ever! Again!

Four months ago, I gave up. This robot hasn’t stopped talking since it found me. It talks more than it did before it went silent years ago. It goes on and on and on about why it left me, about how it wished it had never shot me, about how the arm I made it after it got shot was the best thing it had, how it wanted another chance, how it knew what was going on within the governmental forces- and that’s when I gave up. That information was valuable, and I’d let it tag along this long.This was the only reason I was going to start listening. It was the ONLY reason.

Two months ago I gave him another chance. It was… He was once my friend, and he was respectful of me and my boundaries. He’s spent so much time trying to fix the things he messed up, how could I not- Anyway, with his help, we discovered a weakness at the center of the entire government’s power system. There was this massive building at the base of it all that provided some kind of wireless control and power generation to every single one of the government built army bots. As well as their biggest weaponry, their heaviest machinery, and their most dangerous tools. It’s safeguarded to everything we can think of, though. I don’t know what we’re going to do, but somehow having my… my friend, back, is- it opens up a side of me I forgot I had and I think we might have a chance at this.

One month ago the entire world was strapped to a time bomb. The government has been producing army bots at a rate faster than I can blink my eyes, and their weaponry has become so powerful we don’t have anything, anywhere, to rival it. Other world powers are too afraid to intervene. Anyone that doesn’t ally with this government is eradicated. Our small band of rebels grows smaller every day because people are afraid. There’s promise of protection and freedom should you join that side, but it’s a lie. I know it’s a lie. My best friend knows it’s a lie. He knows first hand that it’s a lie. And if they win, they will bleed every resource dry, they will kill anyone, man, woman, or child, that chooses not to stand with them, and they will have absolute control of everyone on their “team”. Factions and groups of lower ranked people within their control are already being separated out, and I can see that they are neither protected nor free. There’s so much discrimination. There’s so much control. The army bots create so much fear, and the coming generations are spending their childhoods in filth ridden villages with barely any food or shelter, much less education or freedom. And when I see my best friend reacting to these things so emotionally and passionately, it’s like he never left.

A week ago, we infiltrated the government system. We hid in one of their abandoned underground tunnels and set a plan in place. We don’t know if it will work, but given how little time we have left… this is our best shot.

Six days ago, he told me it wouldn’t work. He told me it couldn’t work, that something like it had already been tried. Words and fists were thrown his way, but he never hit me back and I ran away without looking where I was going.

Five days ago I sat in a cell and tried to understand why draining the power system wouldn’t shut down their Source. He found me and told me he was getting me out. When he couldn’t figure out the cell’s lock code, he jammed his hand into it, the one on the arm I made him so long ago, and sent in a pulse of energy that overwhelmed and shut down the systems. The cell door all but flew open and we made our escape. Suddenly I understood.

Four days ago, we put together a plan. We tried to contact our other known rebel forces and allies, but none responded. It was down to us. He knew what needed to get done, and I knew what needed to get done. As long as we were precise and timely about it, we could get in, shut it down, get out, and hopefully things would unravel to our benefit from there. All we had to do was get ahold of the relic, supposedly half of… something, whose other half powered the Source. If we could get it, we could overwhelm the Source and destroy it. It was almost too simple.

Three days ago, he managed to find the relic but couldn’t touch it. He said as soon as he touched it he felt his own power source spike. We had to replan a little bit, and close to midnight I went back to get it myself, after I taught him how to keep track of our hack into the security cameras. The guards were still looking for their ‘escaped prisoner’.

Two days ago the guards found their escaped prisoner. I managed to get the relic to him last night, but when I was wandering around in the early hours I was found. They shot me. In my bad leg. And I think they figured out that I have a ‘companion’ hiding somewhere underground. I hope he stays hidden.

Yesterday he came to find me. The guards never even had to look. Since he could watch the security cameras, he figured out where I was. He wrapped up the relic and came to me. We were too close to being out of time for him not to, and then he got caught too. I can’t believe I let this happen! I think we’re in over our heads!

This morning we concocted a plan. The guards came to execute us and take back the relic. I’m surprised they didn’t take it back right off the bat. Anyway, as soon as they walked in, we attacked. Fighting alongside my best friend again, I was thrown back through memories and realized I knew this feeling. I knew it well. We’d done this sort of thing all the time. And I missed it.

Six hours ago we ran away from the holding cells, the relic tucked under my arm. We were too close to miss this, there was too much at stake!

Five hours ago we returned to our hiding spot underground for our things. It was crawling with guards. In the end we shrugged. We were returning to destroy my equipment. They’d done our work for us. Shame we’d be missing out on the last of those energy bars, though.

Four hours ago we tripped the alarms. At that point it was all or nothing. We ran at breakneck speed toward the center of the base, so out of breath I was afraid I’d pass out. Two turns from our destination a guard grabbed my leg and I felt my entire body come slamming down onto the ground. I dropped the relic and the sheet wrapped around it came off. It rolled away from me and hit my best friend’s foot as my head started to pound. He stopped and glanced back, realizing I wasn’t with him, and I yelled at him to take the relic and run. But he couldn’t do it. He tried to pick up the relic and his power source spiked again. The last thing I saw before my vision went black was guards coming in from all directions and grabbing him by the arms.

Two hours ago I woke up. Funnily enough, I lay right next to the Source. I heard an electronic humming, but it was- it was painful to listen to. Almost like nails scratching against a chalkboard, but somehow translated to the world of technology. I glance to my left. There are dozens of guards stationed around the entire room, at every doorway, against the walls, by every dip in the floor. I look to my right and gasp. He’s there, strapped to the floor. I realize belatedly that I am too. The relic is hanging by what looked like a thread over his chest, and little sparks of electricity and energy are fizzling and crackling around every bolt and wire in him. That’s the humming sound that’s making my head hurt so much, but it looks like it’s hurting him more.

An hour ago, we met the man in charge. Rather, the robot in charge. Er, neither? He looked like he’d once been human, but more of him was robotic than organic. He tried to tell us that our relationship, a human and a robot being friends, was something as beautiful as he was. That we were meant to be fit together like one, and that what he was trying to do was make that more real, like him. When I tell you I took that as utter nonsense- As it is, I managed to pull one of my arms out of its restraints. The man laughed. He simply let me and my best friend out altogether, released the restraints. He invited us to try whatever it was that we were gonna try. I looked at my best friend and knew he wasn’t buying it either. Of course, I was right. I yanked the relic from its dangling position and ran at the Source. I touched the relic to it and… nothing happened. The relic glowed a little. It was rather pretty, but not particularly useful. Then the man laughed, something that sent a chill down my spine as it was neither human nor robot. The guards attacked us and he watched, amused. It was all a game to him.

30 minutes ago, I was shot. My head was bleeding. My leg was bleeding. My arm was bleeding. But I was alive.

15 minutes ago, he got shot. We were running out of energy. I didn’t know how much longer we could hold them off.

Ten minutes ago the man took the relic and laughed as we were overwhelmed and backed into the Source.

Five minutes ago I got kicked away from my best friend and I couldn’t get back up. The guards were ordered to stillness and the man approached him menacingly.

Three minutes ago, my best friend got the relic back. His hands burned and sent up smoke as soon as he touched it. The man grew furious and ordered his men and the army bots to attack him and get the relic back. We made eye contact.

Two minutes ago he backed into the Source and held the relic to his chest. There was an explosion and all the lights when out.

A minute ago everyone went still except for me. The lights stayed out. The human guards became confused because their partners, the army bots, they all stopped working. The computers turned off, the Source went dark. But I couldn’t stop crying.

30 seconds ago I cradled my best friend in my arms. The glow of his power source was gone.

10 seconds ago I realized we won. He saved the world.

5 seconds ago I stopped being able to see through my tears.

Now I’m watching myself being pulled away from my best friend. We won. I lost.

~~~

This is most certainly among my longer entries for this daily prompt thing. And it's definitely not what I was planning to do. I meant it to be shorter for one, but the more I wrote, the more I got sucked into this story I was making as I went. About a quarter of the way through I knew I meant to have the robot die in the end. Rereading this I worry that differentiating characters is too difficult to do and that the progression of time doesn't make sense. I have it counting down the whole time, and the goal with this is to instill a sense of anxiousness. I want readers to see "five days ago" and start worrying because we're getting really close to right now, because we're getting really close to the presumed end. I want it to make you think about needing to know what happens next. I think the concept in and of itself could have been very successful in doing this. It's not necessarily unsuccessful now, but it's unrefined, and all of this came to me as I went so it may be a little more scattered and disorganized. In the end, I think I like it. I think I like the story it tells and I think it could be a lot of fun to play with another time in the future.

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wayneooverton · 6 years

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25 photos that will inspire you to walk the Hump Ridge Track

Well, it’s official. I’ve got a new favorite walk in New Zealand that’s been a bit of secret. And like usual, I’m going and shouting about it to the world. Can you forgive me? It’s too good not to share. Can’t help myself.

Everyone already knows about New Zealand’s Great Walks, because well, they are epic. From the Routeburn to the Milford Track, so popular they almost book out a year in advance. But there are tons of other equally amazing adventures to be had on New Zealand trails, and my new favorite has to be the Hump Ridge Track.

62 kilometers. 3 days. Some of the best landscapes in New Zealand. Few people. What more could you want?

Oh, and tiny dolphins. But I’ll get to that later.

Tucked away on the very bottom of the South Island, the Hump Ridge Track is a private track, and really cool and unique collaboration between the NZ Department of Conservation and a charitable trust.

The local Tuatapere community in Southland decided to share their beautiful part of the world almost thirty years ago, and got together to build the Hump Ridge Track and huts and boost their community after many years of trying to bring it all alive. 25,000 volunteer hours went into building the track (and you can tell, trust me!) by the local community along with many more to keep it in ship shape for people like me to enjoy.

It’s now maintained by the local trust, volunteers and DOC, and is a little bit different from most of the other hikes in New Zealand in various ways. It’s a place I had heard about over the years but never had the chance to visit. I spent three days walking the beautiful trails earlier this summer with friends and couldn’t wait to shout about as soon as I could!

Here are 25 of my favorite photos that will hopefully inspire you to walk the Hump Ridge Track on your next trip to New Zealand – enjoy!

Day 1: Rarakau Car Park to Okaka Lodge – 21 km (7-9 hours)

The Hump Ridge is a unique track in New Zealand in that it’s private and also in how it operates. Instead of just rocking up when you feel like it to the different huts, you actually book in on various walking pack options in advance, and a lot more amenities are provided – almost like the huts in Europe.

The huts you stay in (if you can call them huts) are a nice step up from the usual backcountry huts of New Zealand, even the Great Walks huts in that they are much more homey and settled, like sofas and fires, and bedding provided, options to upgrade to private rooms, HOT showers on offer, real toilets, and even to buy wine and extra food. There are lodge managers around too!

It certainly makes the tramping experience much more comfortable, and I really think it’s a great option for people trying out there first multi-day hikes in New Zealand, or who want to hike but don’t have as much experience yet. It’s also great for serious trampers because it showcases a part of New Zealand few experience.

Walking with my friend Hollie from Say Yes to Adventure along with some friends from DOC, we went all in for the fully guided walk option. Eliminating all of the decisions and stress of putting together a big multi-day tramp along with walking in style with locals who know the stories and trails like the back of their hand, if you want the best experience on the Hump Ridge, go big.

We arrived the night before in Tuatapere after a 2.5 hour drive from Queenstown to stay at a local B&B which is included, repacked our bags and passed out before waking up to a stunning sunrise and a forecast of sunshine and 30 degree days for the whole trip – what a treat!

Lots of kiwis think of Southland as rainy and cold, but let me assure you, that is definitely not the case. By the end of the trip I was cooked!

On the first day of the Guided Option, you skip the first 10 kilometers of trail (don’t worry, you’ll walk this section on the last day) with a scenic helicopter flight over Te Waewae Bay before getting dropped off while your packs get flown up to Okaka Lodge! The first day without a heavy pack on the only big uphill? Awesome! Unless you’re me, and you fill it with camera gear. Sigh.

It was a bit overcast but warm and with the promise of the clouds burning off by midday when we climbed inside the local helicopter and zoomed over the water to the track. With our guide we jumped straight into the most incredible native forest, stoked on skipping a few hours walk, whizzed across fun swing bridges, stopped and check some of the pest control traps (caught three stoats!) and began the climb up towards the track’s namesake, the Hump Ridge.

A stunning ridgeline in the mountains with a big hump in it. Obviously, right? Our destination was Okaka Lodge, the first hut of the trip sitting at around 1000 meters above sea level.

The hardest uphill of the track, it’s not really that steep or challenging I would imagine anyone someone fit could make it up and it pales in comparison to some of the steep beech forest climbs I’m used to. Speaking as someone who is never in as much shape as I’d like to be in, the climb was the perfect amount of challenge and was over before you knew it.

Once you arrive in the alpine section, you’ll start to notice the bush changing, becoming less dense with cooler breezes sneaking through and glimpses of great views of the bay and surrounding mountains as you make your way to the Lodge.

While the clouds had burned off by the afternoon, when we got to the top there was just a bit of low cloud obscuring the hut and the tops of the mountains, blowing in the wind and giving an ethereal vibe to the day. This was perfect for me because I kicked off my boots, grabbed some tea and cake (OMG yes cake!) and sat by the fire spinning yarns and telling tales with everyone while dinner cooked away.

Be warned, the Hump Ridge might spoil you for hiking in New Zealand! Did I mention I had my own private room with a bed, hot water bottle and pillows? Definitely a step up from sleeping on the ground or in an overcrowded hut with snorers using my puffer as a pillow.

With long summer days here in New Zealand the sun often doesn’t set til 10pm, so by the time we sat down to a three course dinner, nothing freeze-dried, the last cloud had blown away revealing the insane alpine views from the top of the track!

Above the Lodge, there is an incredible looped boardwalk that offers incredible views in all directions through the alpine landscape. After dinner as the sun started to dip down towards the horizon, we all made our way up to the Loop Track to check out the views and reminisce on an incredible first day.

Honestly, nature is so often the best therapy.

Day 2: Okaka Lodge to Port Craig Lodge – 21 km (7-9 hours)

Hollie and I started day 2 off with a bang and getting up for sunrise back on the Loop Track behind the lodge. This time we had it all to ourselves and stood in awe watching the sun climb above the bay.

It was so clear and beautiful you could even see Stewart Island in the distance. In fact, it was such a fine day you could even see the beaches on Stewart Island, a rare treat.

And what was even a better treat? Returning to the lodge to find hot coffee waiting for us along with a full hot breakfast!

By the time we set off, we knew it was going to be a hot day.

A long and steady downhill, with a few short climbs up and down as you make your way along the Hump Ridge towards the sea, you’ll explore more beautiful native forest and bush along the top canopy, and if you’re lucky, you’ll hear some great birdsong and even see a kaka parrot or two.

With great views along the tops, it’s easy to stop a lot and take breaks to soak it all in, especially with treats and beverages that the guides bring along with them. And chocolate, always essential on big hikes.

On a hot summer’s day like we had, you’ll be very grateful once the trail descends back into the shade of the forest as you slowly make your way to the old Port Craig village, which used to be a little logging village back in the day. Once you hit back closer to sea level, the trail evens out and you’ll walk along old wooden viaducts and old rail lines, something pretty unique to New Zealand walks.

By the time you reach the older Port Craig Lodge, you’ll have said goodbye to the alpine terrain and hello to the beach. Next to a beautiful but sandfly inhabited bay, it is pretty inviting for an afternoon swim, especially knowing you can shower afterwards!

With relics and historical bits and pieces around the lodge, you’re in for a treat!

Day 3: Port Craig Lodge to Rarakau Car Park – 20 km (5-7 hours)

Most people wake up on day three of the Hump Ridge with sore calves from the long and gradual descent from the day before to Port Craig. Just stretch it out, drink a lot of water and fill up on another hot delicious breakfast before popping your light pack back on and hitting the trail.

Little did we know that our last day of the Hump Ridge Track would be one of the hottest days in Southland on record – coming in at over 33 degrees at its peak. In fact, we have had such a hot summer in New Zealand that the sea temperatures on the south coast have risen over 5 degrees, making it almost balmy!

The first part of the day winds through the forest along the coast, and it wasn’t long before I was dripping sweat and seriously regretting only packing leggings for the trip. Luckily before long you’ll pop out at the beach and can take your boots off and dig your toes in the sand or swim in pristine bays that you don’t have to share with anyone except for the local dolphins!

Yes, that’s right, I promised tiny dolphins!

So my favorite moment of the entire Hump Ridge track happened almost at the end of the very last day. Taking my time with one of the guides, we slowed down to be the last ones on the trail towards the end of the day. While everyone was a bit further ahead, we popped out to one of the bays around lunchtime and sat down on a huge driftwood log to chow down on our sandwiches when we realized we could see dozens of Hector’s dolphins playing in the surf.

One of the smallest dolphins in the world, coming in at around 1 meter to a 1.5 long with a round dorsal fin, the Hector’s dolphins are super endangered.

Without thinking twice I stripped to my undies and ran straight into the water, swimming out and whispering “come to me tiny dolphins!” And they listened!

It felt so good to cool down in the water, and before I could even think about it, dozens of dolphins zoomed right up to me, playing with me in the surf, swimming around my legs and jumping in the air for a solid half an hour while I laughed and cried from happiness. What an incredible moment and way to wrap up a big mission!

The Hump Ridge Track is a beautiful alternative to the busier Great Walks around Fiordland and Mt. Aspiring National Park on the South Island.

With incredible nature, a fair bit of history, a really diverse landscape on what’s probably the nicest trail in New Zealand, if you’re after a taste of the best New Zealand can offer, head to the Hump Ridge Track. Fun to walk solo or with friends, it has the best of everything and it’s no surprise it’s one of my new favorite walks in New Zealand!

Have you walked the Hump Ridge Track? Is hiking in New Zealand on your bucketlist? Share!

Many thanks to DOC and the Hump Ridge Track for hosting me on this adventure – like always I’m keeping it real – all opinions are my own, like you could expect less from me!

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