Mechanus – guest story by Tom Harrison

The mechanical priest stood in the same place each day, explaining fate.

My fingertips traced the ribbon in its chest, feeling holes the tiny levers fell into.

“These ones determine my utterances,” it said.

“Including that?”

“Including that.”

“Most of the ribbon has fed through.”

Its eyeless face followed me, predetermined by its program.

“You already know what happens, can’t you avoid the end?”

“Your cogs are smaller than mine,” it said. “If I told these people that twelve will die attacking me later today, do you suppose they could choose not to?”

The market fell quiet.

“I suppose not.”