Year: 2235
Mick was sitting on a wall in Southwark overlooking the river Thames. He enjoyed watching the boats sailing by, some carried trade goods, others were transport ferries taking commuters up and down the river and others were just for leisure, but all of them were busy and had a purpose.
Across the river from him was the City and its massive skyscrapers. If you walked the streets below them you would be forgiven for thinking it was night time. The street lamps constantly glowed as the buildings were packed so tight and rose so tall that only the smallest amount of sunlight could make it to the pavement.
When he was younger Mick had seen photos of how the City used to look. A few skyscrapers here and there, but mostly smaller buildings. A real mix of the old and new. Nowadays it was almost all new. Some of the more nostalgic architects had kept the façade of these old buildings for the lower levels of their skyscraper creating an interesting new art-style. Others had decided to tear them down completely decreeing that the old had no place in this new forward-facing Britain.
Mick didn’t know much about art history and architecture, only what he had seen and been told. He did however have a keen sense of when he was being watched.
“Hey, buddy,” a gruff voice called out from down the walkway, “it’s time to go.”
“Does it have to be?” Mick replied.
“Afraid so, buddy.”
Carter walked over to Mick and joined him on the wall. They both sat there for a while in silence. Out of all the people in Lion Squad Carter was who Mick got on with the best, he could almost call him a friend. Not in the traditional sense of hanging out, drinking and sharing their personal lives, more as a colleague, but it was nice to have some support now and again.
“So, what does the GC have planned for us tonight? Raiding more wealthy homes? A couple of jewellery stores?” Mick asked a strong tone of disgust in his voice
“It’s the big time tonight, buddy. After this one none of us may need to work again, not that that’s an option until our times up. Risky job, but big reward. I’ll let the GC fill you in on the details, you know how he is.”
“Yeah, I know” Mick replied dejectedly.
“I’ll let the GC know you’ll be along in five…and Mick, watch yourself out there tonight ok, buddy? It is going to be a rough one.”
With that, Carter walked away leaving Mick in a state caught between wanting to either run away, jump in the river or just get the whole thing over and done with. He figured it would be best to get the whole thing over and done with. After all, the GC was probably brutal enough to find his ghost and torture that for eternity.
Sunsets on Britannia 