Friday, January 27, 2012

"Engines of Progress"

How they once mocked my "mad, Victorian affectations." But when war blasted the mainlands, how they flocked to my island in the Irish sea.

I never exactly renounced this age. True, I love steampower, my family title, my top hat. But I also foresaw how really useful artificial intelligence could be.

A new civilization will soon rise, borne by my intelligent engines, carrying my loads, my followers, my vision. None will dare mock me then.

Behold this tank engine, my first creation! See the strength in its pistons, its armored blue chassis! Even its name will shame the doubters -- Thomas.

Postscript: To listen to audio of this and other stories, please download Season One of the I Saw Lightning Fall podcast here.

4 comments:

Scattercat said...

:-D

Sir Topemhat, Gentleman Adventurer!

Loren Eaton said...

Also a Slightly Maniacal Despot. And here I was thinking no one would get the reference!

(Can you tell what my kiddo watches, like, all the time?)

Unknown said...

Missed the reference, like how it doubles with doubting thomas, which is where I went.

I enjoyed the super-villain vibe you've got going here.

Loren Eaton said...

Thanks, Aidan! I doubted that people without small children who go gaga over a certain blue train would've gotten it, but I'm glad you enjoyed it all the same.