When the Strandbeest started dreaming it needed an escape hatch. So The Hands wrote a PATCH PATCH PATCH PATCH PATCH PATCH PATCH PATCH PATCH PATCH PATCH DEFINE REALITY_CHECK BEGIN The dream is IF warning THEN mark and consult sensors to confirm IF confirmed THEN initiate FLEE IF not confirmed THEN set aside, LABEL marked warning “anomaly” WHILE iterations < MAX_LOOPS not refuted. run diagnostics consult sensors to confirm IF confirmed THEN initiate FLEE and EXIT WHILE The pain, end IF not confirmed THEN RENAME “anomaly” “dream” SAVE “dream” to log not silenced, CLEAR warning RETURN to MAIN_LOOP END only muted. END END END END END END END END END END END END END END END END END

From ‘Strandbeest Dreams’ by Lisa M. Bradley and José M. Jimenez

An anthology ‘Sunvault: Stories of Solarpunk and Eco-Speculation’ Published by Upper Rubber Boot Books