Free Evolution by Jeannie van Rompaey

stage. I sense an air of excitement in the audience. Everyone is intrigued by the appearance of these stern-faced strangers.
    In contrast to the dark overalls of my erstwhile colleagues, I’m decked out in a suit made of bright coloured fabric.
    ‘We’ll show them we have a sense of theatre too,’ Sati says. She hovers in the wings, making sure everything goes smoothly. ‘Go on. This is your big moment, Heracles! On you go.’ She gives me a little shove and I stride on to the stage and stand with my three legs apart.
    I’m rewarded by a gasp of admiration and some applause. The faces in front of me are raised in anticipation. There’s no music. No razzamatazz. I launch straight into my speech.
    ‘I, Heracles, am your new leader. I’m not a temporary replacement for Kata-Mbula. I have complete power over the sectoid. You may find my style of leadership somewhat different from Kat’s, but, as long as you conform to my rules, you will find me fair.’
    I look at the faces in front of me. They have no idea what I am about to say. No clue about the change in their daily lives that I’m about to initiate.
    ‘Humanoids have lived in compounds for over two hundred years, but now that the Earth is no longer toxic we can begin to live outside again, as human beings did in the past. My plan is to build a city on the waste ground outside Compound Creative. It may be that migrants from other sectoids will come to share it with us – but, naturally, you will have the first option to live in the houses or flats that will be built. I am building it primarily for you.’
    A stir of excitement.
    ‘Suppose we don’t want to live there?’ pipes up the actor who plays Romeo.
    ‘Then you can stay in the compound. No problem. The move is not obligatory.’
    A communal sigh of relief.
    These stick-in-the-muds are so used to communal living they’re resistant to change. Ah well, little by little, they’ll begin to see the advantages of city life.
    I begin to paint them a picture of rows of streets with painted signs over shops, sports centres and theatres, offices and factories, images that create an idea of the energy of a city.
    ‘I would like to introduce you to the stage party, humanoids from C99, the flagship compound. They are the architects, draughtsmen, engineers and general overseers of the city project.
    ‘First we will build a tower, to be known as The Heracles Tower, a powerful symbol of our city that will seen for miles around. As soon as that is finished we will start constructing the city. From now on you are to have a new work schedule. You will be builders as well as actors, dancers and stagehands.’
    Consternation. A buzz of protest.
    I pause and try to soften my message a little by saying. ‘I note that every morning you have been doing warm-up exercises before starting rehearsals. In future, rehearsals will not begin until 2.0 p.m. The mornings will be spent building.’
    A ripple of shock runs through the assembly.
    ‘Yes. Building. This will warm up your muscles and provide a workout that will increase your strength and stamina. You will then be free to rehearse in the afternoons and evenings. We shall start the new schedule tomorrow morning at eight o’clock.’
    Lots of chatter but I override it with ease. ‘I want you to understand that every member of the sectoid – with very few exceptions – will take part in the physical labour demanded by this project. Male and female. This is yourcity, your project, and you will share the work required to bring it to fruition. Keep an eye on the notice-boards for instructions about which work group you are to join.’
    I signal to Thor to step forward and he stands legs apart, a veritable colossus. ‘You will all report to Thor, the foreman. He will be in charge of the day-to-day work. You will work to his orders.’
    He grins with his two mouths, but there is something in the solidity of his stance and the fixed look of his steel-grey eyes that suggests it