Free The Midnight Stand (The Elysia Saga Book 1) by Louis A. Affortunato

Daniel said. He sounded like he was trying to convince himself as
much as he was Ancil.
    “For the moment you’re necessary to them,” Ancil
said, “until that is they figure out how to replace you with a machine that can
translate schematics and assess quality with the same level of experience and
nuance it would take a normal man thirty years to attain and at a fraction of
the cost. Face it Dan, you’re no more important to them than the metal worker or
assembly line worker they can replace without missing a beat. You’ll be a
historic footnote in ten years that kids will read about and say, remember when
we use to have people do that”.
    Daniel scowled at Ancil. If they weren’t
standing outside he looked like he would have attacked Ancil without
hesitation. “I want you out of here,” he said, nearly trembling.
    “I’ll leave,” Ancil said, “but I want you to
remember what I told you because this isn’t about you or me. We had our time on
this planet. It’s about Harley and his generation and I don’t want him not
having what I had when I was younger.”
    Daniel gave him a condescending snort. “He’ll
have more. More than you ever had. The Project will see to that.”
    “And what will his father see to?”
     “I can see to it that he never sees you again.”
    “I’m sure my daughter would have something to
say about that.”
    “I’m not so sure she would,” Daniel said. “Nat
knows I’m in the right. She’s told me several times. She can’t figure out why
you could never let go of the past. She’s worried about your influence on
Harley just as much as me.”
    Ancil stood there, feeling exposed and alone for
the first time. He never knew how Natalie really felt. Even though he knew she
accepted the idea of the Project for Daniel’s sake, he always thought deep down
she was against it. He knew now that he was truly alone and there was no hope
for Dan or Natalie, but there was still hope for Harley and he’d be damned if
they were going to keep him away from his grandson.
    “Harley is independent and has a mind of his
own,” he said. “You won’t be able to control him. He’ll make his own decisions
and you won’t have anything to do with them.”
    Daniel shook his head and smiled, like he was
speaking to a small child who didn’t understand what was going on. “The Project
is set to go live in a few weeks and the company wants me, us, as in my
family , to be one of the first members of it. They have a home set up for
us ready to go.”
    Ancil didn’t believe what he just heard. “You
can’t be serious?”
     “This paper says I am.” Daniel took out a
folded piece of paper from his pocket and opened it. He held it up for Ancil to
see.
    The paper was an official invitation for the “Elysia
Project” described as a “ futuristic community of likeminded individuals to
help foster the advancement and development of creative and technological
ideals for the betterment of our human society ”. The CyberTronix logo was
printed on the top of the page. On the bottom was Daniel’s signature.
    He just signed away his son’s future, Ancil
thought to himself.  “Do you know what you’ve agreed to here? You just gave
them complete control”.
    “This is where you’re wrong,” Daniel answered
back. “I didn’t give them anything. They’re giving us opportunity.” He put the
paper back into his pocket. “I need you to leave now.”
    Ancil continued to stand there. He looked back
towards the house and saw Harley by the window looking at him. He was the image
of sadness. His eyes were red and he wiped at fresh tears. Natalie then came in
and led Harley away from the window.
    “Ancil, don’t make me have to call Sheriff
Bailey.”
    Ancil gave one more look back to the empty
window before turning to leave. It had started to drizzle while they were
standing in the driveway, but that still did nothing to relieve the heat.
    He walked with his head down against the
strengthening