1
Just another fucked up day in the life of Ianto Icarus Jones. It started as it usually does, the phone going off and his rolling to grab it as Annie chimes in to call him to the phone's attention. Yes. The phone's attention. Not call the phone to his … nope. Since Technology had advanced so far, so quickly it seemed the mankind was on the back step, taking orders from their bloody Personal Alert Systems.
PAS were introduced about …well …four years ago? They had been around longer for the rich and elite but in the past few years they were now a commonplace thing that all citizens were expected to have and display by having the small lapel pin in the insignia of Weyland Industries so security can scan automatically.
Technology had been boosted, some whispered of alien intervention and such … Ianto knew for one that it was true. Since the Galactic Treaty had been signed, things had changed drastically. Now everyone had a 'better' life with their own PAS telling them when to eat, when to go to their next meeting … everything but when to take a piss ya might say … except they did that too. Technology ruled and Ianto didn't like it one single bit.
"Thank you Annie" he called out to shut up the apartment chimes, the system going silent as the phone now connected to the ceiling speakers instead.
"Ianto?"
"No. Ianto is not here right now, if you care to leave your blah blah he might give a toss later" Ianto snarked as he struggled to get his pants on and the screen in the wall flickered to life not a moment too soon, Tosh grinning at his half naked self.
"You ready for some action big boy?" she giggled.
Ianto poked his tongue at the screen then said "That's harassment in the workplace, that is!"
"Workplace Harassment Code 445.32B states …."
"It's OK Annie" Ianto cut off the PAS "I am not technically being harassed as I am finding it amusing."
"You do not wish to file a…"
"Thank you Annie. It is not necessary" Ianto said as calmly as he could, her ability to detect his annoyance something he hated.
Ianto was soon moving down the corridor for the lift, waiting for his PAS pin on his lapel to inform the lift controller what was the best thing to do, so much of his life at the mercy of technology. He hated it, loathed the laziness of it. He exited the metal box and walked past the rows of sleek machines, different logos to show their passenger's designation within the collective. Down past the rows in a secluded spot sat his vehicle.
A classic.
Ianto went to get into the driver's seat and sighed as he saw the wheels had been slashed once again.
"Goddamn it all to hell" he hissed, his hand sliding to the back of his neck as he turned and stormed over to the security check. The men showed their annoyance as he banged in the screen, then he stepped back so the scanner could check his PAS pin and the change was instant.
They were soon uncovering a flash top of the line vehicle from their private pool to replace Ianto's while they waited for the repair truck. Ianto waited until they handed him the key ring and he opened the vehicle, knelt down by the door well and as they gaped at him with horror he proceeded to tear out the onboard computer. His PAS Pin chimed like it was scolding but he ignored it until he had the main control box which he handed to the stupefied security team.
"I like to drive myself" he said by way of explanation, not adding that he did not like the fact the onboard computer could override his route and take him …. Anywhere.
He did not trust technology, something Tosh regularly hazed him about even as Jack seemed to agree. For some reason Jack was antsy about the whole thing and Ianto pondered this on a regular basis as Jack seemed to know more than he let on.
Ianto knew Jack lied. He always lied.
Like a bloody Timelord that one.
As Ianto swung the wheel and the vehicle crawled up onto the road to begin the trudge to the landing site of the latest piece of tat he also pondered the upcoming upgrade that was rolling out nationwide, touted to make life even easier for the poor stupid masses.
He remembered watching the old movies where people called homesteaders lived off the land and lived in log cabins and shit. He liked that idea. No electricity, no wifi. No computers. No big brother bullshit.
Why can't life be that easy again?
