Captial of trade and history, London.

It still is the overcrowded dense city of trade. Still stands some history's most renowned places from the Elizabeth tower which housed the bell called Big Ben. The houses of Parliament within Westminster. St Paul's cathedral with many famous tombs. There was smaller gems such as the knight Templar tomb and the many museums. The British Museum. The Natural History museum. Victoria and Albert museum. Science museum. There been some new sites added since the fallout such as the institute of Robotics.

We are also completely breezing over about the Tower of London, the Royal Buckingham Palace and 10 Downing Street. They were sealed before the nuclear fallout. Protecting paper document vaults that couldn't be allowed to be erased or seen. As was many sections of the museums with underground vault collections have the same treatment.

The foot traffic all wear face covers, most hiding that they are part animal. Some small percentage of them is uninfected humans trapped in London. These people know that creature mixes are not to be feared and they tend to be folks whom migrated here by suggestion of the creatures. This is likely for safety against the mindless. Talking to anyone here was easy but trying to talk about any information about the parasites was asking for a cold shoulder. The war between the controlled and the aware is real here. I suspected we will be meeting folks that Poison should have made allies with.

"I am going to secure lodging and make trades with machine severs. I will call you with being when ready to pick you up. Or I send a message of where we will be."

He gives me four crates to follow me around. Two were trade for local vendors here and one was snacks. The last was emergency kit and my documents if asked for ID. Hoverdrone2 is coming with me to be my voice to those that can't hear me. I am given money access and left to my shopping spree.

London has became business central for this side of lawful grounds. Its the closest it will ever being to a city with normality. This is the capital but even more full of trade then before. The London of my past was fancy and not so accepting of street stalls to this extent. Vendors were parking themselves in wood stalls. Sale from everything. The surface was basics and essential sales.

My two crates were empty very quickly. I gained a lot of merchant trust too. My reputation around Northern travel has spread here. Everyone knew me. Gave me space if I walked their direction. I was always fair during negotiations, which was likely what spread the fastest.

A little bird or 38 of them, told me that the underground tube trains were in full use but also it was where the big ticket trade is. As is the owners of buildings too. They all wanted a slice of my attention. I didn't give them any interest yet. I was up for the wait game.

I followed where my feet wanted to take me. I went back to places I been before. I stood on London Bridge which is a first, it used to be cars only. I walked in the purpose of being a tourist again. Seeing the art and history that still here. I had my fun with the surface stalls selling scarfs and snicker at the lack of change there is to find something made in China on sale. Sure it was a busy day, but I had fun. I didn't spend a lot, which surprised me. I also couldn't find a restaurant that accepts walk in customers. I had to eat alone at the River Thames view overlooking London Bridge, the Tower of London shading me. Lack of anyone here, everyone was scared of London tower gates.

The dark evening was right over my head when I walked to the Ritz. My brother sent a short message that this was where we be staying. That our title given by the network meant we weren't commoners. I felt so under dress walking in. The crates automatically sent themselves to our van. I didn't allow anyone to talk to me. I blanked them the whole time I had to be on the view of others.

The Ritz now was treated as place of stay for all whom work for any government agency. We wouldn't be here on assumed trust as doctors by several zoos. It has to be my brother pulling strings with other hidden AI and the mother network. This is likely why he was insisting I study politics for, we meant something more then just dangerous dust traders whom sold dark market sales on the dome circles.

"Welcome back." He was in his causal body, charging with a wall socket adapter. Alone in the room. He had room service bring meal for 3 people. He looked fancier... new clothing again. Tailored with colour coordination. He has medals on his breast pocket. I didn't see them before today. He had a holographic version of a newspaper.

I give my smile and the removal of my helmet. Hoverdrone2 flies past to land on a charger too. Letting me take in what they done to the rooms.

The Ritz followed into the age of arugment reality, having all paperwork, screens and phones replaced with a VR experience. The overall decoration was royal standard as it has always has been for the Ritz. There is still the antique vases decorated around with fresh flowers in them. Gold leaf on the ceiling to highlight the hand crafted art. The orginal bed and dressers for keeping things in. Out with flat screen TV and tablet menu- those are replaced as I said. The added technology meant less asking stuff from room service. Such as the a quick wash service for you and your clothing for those rushing to a meeting and had wine spilt on them.

The bathroom was completely modified for this era - all the surface were antibacterial resistant. The shower has water that can several settings to how you want it. A mist clean when you are finished use of it.

Towel wrapped, I go back to the main bed room, seating across from him. The food is still hot. Served on dishware no longer made. All matching sets. Three of dishes of the three countries that make the UK, well its not like that anymore. The welsh plate was as the flag looks, with shape Welsh staple foods. This is repeated for the Scottish one and the English one. Mostly it was like a tourist novelty dishes, for those whom didn't know the the UK no further then London. I ate a lot, not at all surprised with how busy today was with walking around. When I finished my food, I reflected on my freedom.

The photos I took of things to compare to my memories. Like what they did to the war memorial. They couldn't keep a reminder of war on show. Nelson's pole. Queen Victoria at Trafalgar. The resturants were gone. No one eats in public as I learned.

"I feel left behind with the times. The London I knew was so different. History was everywhere and business was hidden between it all. They are swapped around now. History being covered up and distracted with all the businesses. Regression to nearly the medieval history by the filth of the streets. I can't blame them. Safety in numbers and local watch." I shuffled photos about in holographic form, passing them to him. He closed the paper and has a look of the photos for himself, "I didn't really go crazy with spending money. I bought some useful stuff." I got up and go through the clothes he unpacked for me. Very fancy.

"I thought London was all about shopping. You manage to make it a history trip." He tilted confused with some strange photos.

"This city is full of superstitious belief back in my time. You could come to London for more then just shopping. There was theaters like Broadway. Museums like the wax figures of famous people. Ghost tours. You could just go for the history and spend weeks of being here for so many little things." I took out something suited for sleeping in, "That's different now. Many statues have been hidden or removed. The iconic ones that I remember most was the grave of the unknown solider and the one the Queen would place ring of poppy's to. The remembernance day was always shown on national TV."

"You dedicated days to remember about war?" He sounds confused.

"It was about thanking those whom gave their lives for the peace we have. War carved history, some battles could have changed everything. The world wars were the scariest. Although my grandmother was born after the second war. It was down us to respect the men and women that gave us peace. Its because of the affect of war that life improved, even the discovery of blood types was due to war." I sit the bed edge, brushing my hair out before bed, "The Ritz has always been for the rich and famous to stay at. This is my first time here. I just loved reading about the history. Like how this wasn't the original famed hotel. There was another called the Savoy. The original owner of the Ritz worked for the savoy but didn't like it. So he build this masterpiece to bet the Savoy at is own game. Now its the Ritz everyone wants to stay at."

"You didn't have any problems when you were history touring?" I stop brushing. He sounded worried about something. I can't think of anything much that seemed off. It was weird that everyone gave me space and respect. But nothing dangerous or crazy came of it.

"None. Everyone respect me, knew me. They all gave me space wherever I walked. I had a few fans following me around, yet no one harmed or bothered me." He shuffles the photos again, "I took a few potential ghost photos for the fun of it. I went on a ghost tour before and a Jack the ripper tour. I know that they don't happen anymore."

"Ghost?" I smile at his interest, "Isn't that a bad thing?"

"No. It shouldn't be. It's just being superstitious. The spirits of the dead are simply folktales. Its up to you to believe them. I not taking about the digital ghost's you use today. I mean supernatural stuff that has no science." He looks at me strangely, "We read about them in the libaray. The scare stories." He looks at the photos, "I wouldn't worry about it. I look forward to whatever happens next. More exploring. For now, I am going to sleep. Wake me if you need me."

"Good night." I must have worried him. He was checking my day footage and asking my dream self about it. At least the bed was soft and warm, so being worried in my sleep couldn't happen. I felt safe too. My brother is a protective man. I was exploring the London of my past in my dreams, the things I noticed that changed back then. The London of past with cars and more monuments. The portraits galleries was locked from public too.

"Sis, I am heading off early." I looked up in blur sight of him leaned next to me. His hand resting on my arm to wake me, "I will call you for anything and lock the door behind." I purr with tapping his face. He nods and did some few things. I heard the door lock when I drifted back to sleep. 3am... what a strange time to be busy.

7ish - I am wide awake. Finally able to order real coffee. I enjoyed it with watching the news over breakfast. I thought about where I wanted to go today and how best to suit my time. My first day exploring was getting over changes. I wanted today to be more window shopping. I had even thought of finally going to the underground silver mile. I spent all morning thinking about it really. I left the hotel room to people watch downstairs in the open room. My lunch exploring parts of the Ritz I read about in the past. No messages from my brother.

I had felt the need to be proper, left in a new dress this morning. A veiled face covering. I did little things that I felt mattered. I felt in necessary to stop at the memorials and give my silence to them. I finally entered some famous shops to browse in. I still didn't buy a lot. I held back not because the prices were ridiculous. But high end fashion wasn't me. I may look good in it yet I am a practical person. I looked for things with use. The only guilty pleasures I folded on was candy, I have quiet the sweet tooth.

"Lady Nick, what are you doing here?" Oh caught red handed looking at chocolates. I peer to see that it was one the folks I have looked after at the zoo.

"How are fluff fur? The replacement tooth ok?" The tiger from back then, "My brother is running around a lot. I thought to have today and yesterday to stroll London. I did say he should call me for anything."

"He must be sorting it all behind you back then. There a international broadcast in 2 days. You and your brother are going to have a part in the speech." I stare a little shocked, "You mustn't worry. Its part of the negotiations between this capital and the dome circles." Tiger purrs proud, "You will be great."

We did end up talking together about the zoos. A sort of catch up of how my ex-patients have been doing. I was happy to continue my must does for London. We spilt was around 4 in the afternoon. I had to think about what I could do to help my brother more. Likely it was to studying. Something I could do this evening. I felt I had to check on him, so I sat at Trafalgar with giving him a message. My hands typing on a invisible keyboard. I spooked some folks.

"Pardon me, are you a machine?" I slide down my holographic panels and looked at a local cop. A parasite war maybe going on but they still have police keeping peace.

"I have some machine parts internally but I am a flesh. My name is Kate Nick. I have been on a little tourist trip since arrival into London." I stand and dusted off, "I sometimes forget that folks can't see arugment reality like me. The dome city life is so alien to folks around here." I show my patch and go through my handbag for my other ID.

"Don't worry about physical paperwork. If you can, present ID on this." They took our a finger print reader. I gave them my print. They two froze in horror about whatever came up. So I tried the scan with my nanotech. This doesn't change their expressions.

"Is there something wrong? I get that I should be escorted around and protected. But everyone has been so respectful and nice to me. I also know how to look after myself if trouble looked for me. You folks are great at your jobs." They look at each other and back at me.

"Forgive us. Normally VIP don't walk around like a commoner. They take tour buses and have drones spending for them."

"I am Old fashioned." I shrug. They give a bow and move away. I see my brother messaged back. He was doing OK and wondered what I would like to do for dinner. He was being suggesting of some invites he has received from some famous people. I sent something back about looking through them and having a final decision by 6pm. I did say if he any particular folks in mind, I had no issues. Make it a party if we must. He was instant with liking that idea. A introduction party. He went silent then.

I stop looking at thin air and study my surroundings. I twirled and quiet happily continue my little memorial walk. Taking myself back to the Ritz. I wanted to be ready for some party of what sounds like upper crust elitist folks. I do my study of current famous folks. I don't want to seem like a clueless fool. I am sure my brother relies on both of our reputations. Maybe I am unfair about leaving him to do all this back work. He did seem to not wanting me nose into most of it. He will have his reasons. I didn't go to the silver mile today.

"Welcome back, brother." I was being measured by a tailor while reading about the folks whom sent responses to my brother's party. I had a few tips from the tailor about poeple whom show up to these events without invites. My brother snickered in just how many windows I had up in pop culture of today. He sent something to the tailor about a pre-order made ahead of time. The look I am given for it and the sever tilted confused about the drastic measurements, "I will fit in whatever size my brother sorted it as." Off it left with fetching the order, "I wonder how ridiculously formal you have planned." He takes a seat, taking the current jacket off. He seems exhausted in a human way, maybe the formal conversations were taxing. He is like this when he talks to the network for to long.

"Which suit is it this time?" I asked with opening the closet. I had closed all the data I been searching and cleaned history too. Got rid of cookies to be sure.

"Don't worry about that. I am more worried about the folks we have coming to this event. We have more then plenty to pay for it all." I sit across from him, "A lot of people will be part of the speech in two days." Ah, so finally he talks about that. I stare right through him, "Ah, sorry. I had totally forgotten to send you a reminder."

"You don't have to do this all alone. I may like looking around London but it can wait. I did what I wanted these last two days. I should be helping you more."

"Ah but your my trump card." He waved with checking whom knocked at the door, "Our outfits are here."

"Let me do some time saving before I wear it. I go check the venue and whom has arrived early." He sighed at me, "You will be thankful later." I pinch his nose. I took his hat and jacket. I throw on some trousers too, "I will not be long. I will take hoverdrone1 too. Spy some health conditions." He tilted.

Not a further second with me disappearing. I zip around the Ritz and found a perfect window. Roof jumping to the venue for a sneak peek. I was glad to do so with some idiots trying to harass the staff. I find a way in, slip through staff areas. Hoverdrone1 doing the honor of staff logging and health checks.

"So why exactly was this part booked without my permission?" The lady in green with tiffs of soft fur patching human skin. All styled into a formal old Victorian woman, complete with back breaking corest.

"It was my booking." Borrowing my brothers voice, his hat hide my face. I stepped out of hiding around, "I dropped by unannounced before the party started. I what things perfect." I glanced as all the staff are scrambled about even quicker, "Take it easy folks. In a orderly fashion. I don't need my sister doing unnecessary things if she finds one you injured." The lady is silenced in shock. I walked about down the food table scanning the items, "This tray has onion. Please have that labelled." I ordered and slow with getting to the drinks, "Other then that, you all are doing excellent. I may not have needed to be here before I go get changed for the event." The staff lined up for me, hoverdrone1 scanning them. I would lean to the ear of the few whom needed to know some conditions. They bow thankful, "Guest can only start filling in after 7pm. We start formally at 7:20pm. Any issue leave a notice on the message board." One last glance at the location, "My sister will enjoy this venue. Quiet a history and honour around here to carry. Not that history like that is ever remembered." A informal wave and I took leave the way I came, "I will be back later. Please keep yourselves on time and safe." The staff bows. Some craned to see where I was heading. Whispering. I evade around a corner and out the window I entered from. Back over roof and a perfect landing into the corridor of the Ritz. I purr loudly on my return back into the room.

"You're stricter then I am normally. You today throw Madam Fry under a bus." I go get ready now. I use the quick wash service, the borrowed suit off with the under dress on. I had to stand still with the tailor fitting the next parts of the dress. My brother taking his hat back. He then styled my hair, adding hair pins to it. The team of tailor backed off with a gasp when the final touches were done.

"You look like another person." He shares his sight to me, even I am taken back.

I look like a filthy rich cosplayer trying for a pastel coloured steam punk ascetic. I was in a corest to reshape my torso. I held no discomfort for it. Then again I also have a completely different rib structure to a human.

The dress is all the way down to my ankles, showing a lot of skin at the thighs and my back. There is three layers. The under dress for modesty is a silky soft grey. The main cover dress with corset was next, mostly white fabric. The last layer is a chain made lace, silver vines with little flower beads. A lot of hidden logos of associations that comes from being a planetary ambassador.

The statment hair pin has a mix of earth gemstones and minerals - mosaic into image of a idealistic landscape. It likely was more to it then it seems. I have a bet that it was meant to be some sort of scan code for access to something.

Every look of being rich in this era is completed with some random assortment of hung chain miniature tools that represents my background. The length of chain is meant to be the repsent my age in a space calender estimate. This chain is connected to the hair pin and wraps as a necklance three times. I couldn't help but notice that some the charms were logos from the schools I been to, my study work to gain my qualifications and several from required time when I was trained within military. Several miniatures of the weapons I was taught to use.

"You know, a CV use to be a paper document you printed or sent to your next job. It wasn't to be worn like dog tag." He laughed lightly to that being my first comment. He quietly leans to me to shorten the distance to whisper to me.

'The hair pin is a decoy. There will be folks trying to steal our core database from us. Because you are flesh, they believe you would wear it.' He flings me into a dance, grinning like a fool. His eye were worried though, 'I don't want you getting hurt.'

'I am not going anywhere. I will make sure to stay at you side for as long as you want me.' He nods and puts a mask on my face. The whole team of folks leave is now, it is just us in the room now. Both hover drones scanned the room for bugs. He has a coat for me, cloaked the whole dress. We walked together with both drones following. The spider is in the van looking after the pets.

We hop on to a tour bus, we weren't looking to arrive in style. Scanning bus tickets and going to the top floor. London tour buses are double floored. The top can be roofed or open to the elements. The ground is for rain days or quick trips.

We left early to enjoy the tour drive around together, killing time before we had to arrive. We maybe the hosts but the current way of how things are done, hosts arrive last. Cutting off whom is not allow into the venue. To show up after a host is to be making a statement of being above the host - its a rude gesture normally. The formal start time I said before was a lie to catch these types out.

"That was the war memorial you meant before." The bus passing it, I posed a hand over my heart in prayer. He mirrors me soon. I then now stood watching London from the railing. He stands joining me. I talked his ears off about things I knew. Even explained the whole Jack the Ripper thing. The Sherlock's house too. A lot of talking about changes of history. The old gallows hill renamed as the poppy Hill. He actually seems to enjoy this conversation more then I thought. Maybe it was as basic as spending quality time together. Not just surviving or trade.

"So I lied to you about the venue." He continues, "You actually checked the decoy venue which I found very amusing. I have been busy since we arrived because of this event. It is meant to been a surprise to us but they didn't know you that well. They assumed I was just the tag along, a personal assistant to you. They had quiet the shock to learn that we were equals." He leaned with direction to the Tower of London, "That is the real venue."

"No way, you can't be serious." I looked for any moment of showing it as a joke, "The tower? Where the queen use to keep the crown jewels?" He nods very serious, "What are we riding a tour bus for?" He snickered.

"Well, letting you run around London on a shopping spree was how best to fool them. Catch them off guard with your old fashioned touring. Your little posy of fans following you around were spies. Mostly for anyway to gain favours or blackmail. I suspected some being malicious. In me checking those leads, they seems terrified by you." I tilted.

"I wonder if I stood in front of several butcher shops to long." I pondered.

"You have a raw meat addiction that seriously need more testing." He sighed and pressed the bell, "We getting off here."

I take his hand as we got back down the stairs to the bus door out. Someone else stepped off with us. I link his arm and he smoothly walked us past to the grand entrance. It is also the commoner tourist entrance as I remembered. Passing the crumble roman walls. I lifted my arm to allow a tower raven to land on me. I bow in greeting the bird. A normal uninfected bird, but it must have learned from infected ones. There a clear understanding of connection with us.

"A honoured raven, protector of the tower. May the Royal in power not befall." The bow again and it glides back to its post. My brother snickering at me again, "Its a legend or another folktale. They say a royal in the past was cursed. If the ravens watching the Tower were to die or leave, it would be the Royal family next to fall."

He waved with direction to the stranger still following us. They were stopped at the gate. Such big fuss about not disrespecting the party rules. This person makes it quick to try another entrance now. I nod in getting it.