Machine to man, p.7
Machine to Man, page 7
“Ok, I can use my computer to communicate with you now.”
“Why can’t I talk?”
“You have no vocal cords, so you can’t produce audible sound as you can in your human form. Androids transmit their thoughts to each other through radio waves, and I’m using my computer to intercept and transcribe the thoughts you are transmitting.”
“Ok, that makes some sort of sense, so what's next? What’s the plan, Allie?”
“One kilometer away from the AEF is a vehicle. We’ll head there then I’ll help you slip into one of the patrols around the AEF and guide you to the factory where the gold is stored and you can transport it out from there.”
“Ok well then let’s begin. The sooner I’m done with being a machine, the better.” We got up and made our way to the Android city.
It took a few hours to get to the vehicle Allie was talking about. He said it still worked even after spending decades in the forest. He used his devices to connect to the Android city and make it seem like I belonged in one of the patrols. He also uploaded a map and more information into my head. The whole experience was odd, but I was able to wrap my head around it. Allen made a metal backpack and placed it on me. He told me that along with gold, some amount of nanosteel was in the same stockpile. The backpack would automatically absorb the nanosteel and, in turn, allow us to steal more gold. Allen told me that once I entered the city, I’d have an hour to get this done before I was automatically deleted from the system and the security measures for the factory that he disabled would be reengaged. He disconnected from the city and told me to go. My vision showed arrows directing me to the closest patrol, so I ran quickly and, soon, I was at the patrol.
"Identify yourself to us and state your purpose," said one of the Androids.
"I am unit 6900S. I completed all necessary patrols for the day and have business in the AEF."
"Affirmative. You may follow us." Relief washed over me as I followed them and made my way into the Android city. I saw a timer start in the corner of my vision and the words “clearout protocol engaged” flash. A massive group of Androids left so a maintenance worker, who was already stationed there by Allie, could do a routine inspection but ignore me. This left me free to enter the factory and walk out with the gold unseen. His abilities amazed me. The worker would even report that it was only there for the exact time that I was. The stockroom was as boring as everything else these machines built and had a lot of things I could not recognize at all, but in the center on metal platforms were piles of neatly stacked gold bars. The backpack identified them and began to automatically store them as I walked towards them. The backpack was able to find enough nanosteel to steal all the gold the city had on hand, which amounted to two tons. I snuck out of the factory and ran towards a maintenance exit on the wall of the city to leave and get back to Allie. I ran away from the Android city and was able to get back to him quickly and place the backpack on the ground. Allie was sleeping on top of the vehicle. I shook him awake and said: “I got the gold, Allie, let’s go.” He smiled and broke down the backpack and used the nanosteel to store the gold on the vehicle and make it able to carry all the weight and still move. We drove the vehicle to the facility, and Allen parked it right by the entrance, and we quickly went inside. I lay down on the table next to my human body, and Allen put me back where I belonged.
Chapter 20
Lily got on the table, and I transferred her mind back into her body. She would be asleep for about an hour, which gave me time to store my body back in the armory and eat a meal. When I finished, I saw that Lily had emerged, dried and clothed herself.
“God, I’m tired, Allie! Can we go home now?”
“Yes, we’re done, and I want to see Carolena so badly.”
“UGH! I was just naked in front of you and you’re still thinking of her! You’re just as much of a square as she is!”
“I love her, she's done a lot for me and I won’t betray her no matter what! Can you please respect that?”
“Whatever. I’m too tired to argue. Let’s just go.” We left after that conversation and made our way into the vehicle. The journey back was much quicker with the vehicle. We only made one stop so we could relieve ourselves, and before I got back into the vehicle, I smelt corpses. I spent too much time around them to forget the smell. I walked in the direction of the smell, and Lily followed me. We found two corpses; they were both holding hands and each had a knife in their other hand. They were both wearing necklaces, which caught Lily’s eye, and she exclaimed,
“It’s Billy and Johnny! The two boys you saw getting banished when you first got here. They made those necklaces for each other, like wedding rings. Oh, they were so cute together!”
“You knew them?”
“Yeah, I’d watch them go at each other all the time and sometimes they’d even get me off too! Also, they were both great bakers. Everyone loved their bread and treats, including me, so who cares if they fucked each other’s asses? This was too cruel on them. I figured they’d do this; they weren’t up to it to survive outside of Tyre.”
“Well, you’re disgusting, but I’ll bury them. I know they sinned, but through Jesus’ sacrifice, they may be able to find peace. I’ll pray for it.”
“You’re so smart, Allie. Why believe all that nonsense?”
“I have faith and you should too. It’s a wonderful thing to believe in something greater than yourself.” Lily sighed, and I went ahead to bury Billy and Johnny. After a few minutes, we made our way back to Tyre. We were able to get to the north gate just before the sun was about to set. Samson saw us on top and in ten minutes. Maury emerged with a large metal cart being drawn by four horses. A group of us, along with Maury, loaded the gold rather quickly. Just before they were about to leave, Maury said,
“I can’t believe you did it, Allen, and it’s only been nine days. I’m sure you too are tired. I’ll let you get some rest now, but we’ll talk longer and in much greater detail soon.” Maury then got on the cart and left. I saw Carolena run up from behind the cart to hug and kiss me deeply. I saw tears run down her cheek as she said:
“Oh, thank the Lord you’re safe!”
“Yes, and hopefully I won’t have to leave again or be around her.”
“So rude, Allie!” Lily sighed. “But I guess I did push your buttons a little too much. You’re still pretty innocent.” She giggled as Carolena kissed and hugged me again and asked, “So nothing happened between you two?”
“No, your man is just as plain as you, unfortunately.”
“Oh, thank God! Now I feel great about telling you this! Allen, I think I’m pregnant!”
Part Three: Our Family
Our family, they can’t be a mistake!
Chapter 21
“UGH! So not fair! Why can’t you put a bun in my oven?”
“I’m the only one who can have his babies, harlot! You’re not godly enough to be a mother, but I am, and so the Lord blessed us both!”
“You said “think”, which means you don’t know for certain.” Carolena placed my hand on her stomach, and the thought of Carolena and I having a family again made me smile. I wanted her to be happy so I need to be sure.
“Well, I missed my period two days ago, my chest feels really tender and I’ve got morning sickness really bad.”
“Morning sickness? But it’s nighttime.”
“No, silly, it just means I’m nauseous all the time.”
“Ok, well if I got a sample of your blood or urine, I could test it to see if it contains human chorionic gonadotropin.”
“Human what now?”
“Human chorionic gonadotropin is a hormone secreted by the embryo to prepare your body for pregnancy. If it’s being produced in your body, it would be in your urine or blood.”
“I’ve got no idea what you’re saying, but it sounds like we’d really know for sure if you could use science to test for a pregnancy. It’s a little weird, but I can pee in a cup for you.” Carolena and I laughed, and we kissed. We hadn’t noticed that Lily had left until now. We went back home, and I only bathed and then fell asleep holding Carolena tightly.
The next day came, and Maury came knocking on our door early in the morning. He invited and ushered me into his office, eager to talk to me, but only after having breakfast with Carolena and me. He started the conversation by saying,
“The gold is in the vault. We’ve got enough to last decades even when we start printing bulls again. So great job on that one. I talked to Lily and she said you connected to that Android city so you two could easily steal the gold. Did you learn anything?”
“Yes, the AEF is manufacturing atom-ripping bombs. They’re bombs that essentially turn all matter in its small radius into dirt.”
“How small?”
“A single bomb could destroy Tyre, but it wouldn’t touch the surrounding forest.”
“Jesus! they probably want to bomb Tyre. Do they know you’re here?”
“No, my disappearance was documented and they did search for me but were unable to track where I went. I was able to cover my tracks by initially leaving, but this theft might have revealed me. I’m certain they will deduce that I stole the gold, whether I was able to cover my tracks well enough or not.”
“Sounds about right. We should prepare for these atom-ripping bombs. Please tell me there’s a way.”
“Yes, the bunker below Tyre is made of nanosteel, which can’t be destroyed by atom-ripping bombs since they’re also made of nanosteel.
“Well, that’s great news. Our population is about one million. Can you fit all of us in that bunker?”
“Not in its current state it was designed to house five hundred thousand but I should be able to modify it within a few years. The Androids require gold to manufacture the bombs, so their plans are most likely set back. I think we have plenty of time.”
“Well, that’s a relief, but I’m not taking any chances with this many lives on the line. You’ll only work guard shifts every other week. Use the extra time to get the bunker ready as soon as you can. From now on, I’ll pay you ten thousand bulls per month on salary. You’ve earned it! Of course, you’ll still have to tithe and pay your taxes like a good citizen!” I shook his hand. “Thank you, Maury. I’m pretty sure Carolena’s pregnant, so this will make things easier for us.”
“Well, congratulations, and I’m happy to help. I’ll tell Hariti, and she’ll see your wife through this. She’s the best midwife in Tyre.” I nodded, thanked Maury, and left to go back home, where I saw Carolena running the bakery. It was filled with customers that were intoxicated by the happiness and glow that she had filled her bakery. I sat down and rested my eyes as Carolena did her work. About thirty minutes passed before I heard her sit down and say,
“I’m closing up the shop early today so we can spend some time together. I just wanted to make sure the grocers had enough bread for the day.”
“Thank you. I’ve really missed you.”
“What did you talk with Maury about? You were away for a while.”
“I think the Androids are planning to attack Tyre. I’m going to make sure everyone in the city is safe, and Maury will be paying me ten thousand a month to do so.”
“Oh, wow! Do we really need that much money, though? But more importantly, this attack, how soon do you think it is?”
“Most likely years, since they started after I left, and the gold we stole will set them back considerably.”
“Well then, let’s not worry about the future and focus on the present. Allen, I really do think I’m pregnant, but I did go pee in a cup and it’s in our bathroom. Whatever you were talking about yesterday, you can do now.”
“Ok then, I will. It should only be a few minutes.” I went upstairs and entered the master bathroom of our home and saw a cup with a small amount of urine in it. I grabbed the PTM from our bedroom and used it to make a test strip that would transmit its results to my computer. I submerged the test strip and waited for the results as Carolena came upstairs. The test was finished. The levels of human chorionic gonadotropin in her urine indicated that she was indeed pregnant. I cleaned the test strip, integrated it into the PTM, and disposed of the urine as Carolena came into the bathroom.
“Well, am I pregnant?” I walked up to Carolena and I kissed her.
“I can confirm that you are.” She cried out in joy and hugged me as we kissed. We walked into the bedroom and fell onto the bed, making love for so many hours. I had missed her dearly, and I was so glad to be able to feel her love again. After we had gotten enough of each other. We bathed, had a simple dinner, and went to bed for the night.
Chapter 22
I yawned as I stood in the watchtower next to Samson. Being paid on salary meant that I didn’t have to clock in for my shifts at the tower, but I still had to show up on time and report to Bill. I stretched and tried to stay awake.
“You two were practically up all day and night going at it. The whole district practically heard you two. Makes sense you’re tired,” said Samson.
“Well, I missed her, and it’s very fun to make love.”
“Amen to that brother, but get it while you can. You two won’t have much time for it once the kid comes.”
“How’d you know Carolena was pregnant?”
“She was so sick a few days ago that Anna and Caitlin had to open up shop for her, so we figured you had knocked her up.”
“Well, I’m certain I know how to test for it and she’s definitely pregnant.”
“Of course you’d have a way for that, and congratulations. I’m sure you’ll be a great father, Al!”
“Thanks, Samson. It feels good to hear that from you.” I was too tired to do much else, so our conversation for the day ended there and we stood in silence and stewed in boredom until lunchtime came. I arrived at the bakery to find Carolena sitting at one of the tables, talking with Hariti. I heard her say,
“I’ve been a midwife to dozens of mothers and I have eight of my own with Maury. I promise I’ll do everything I can to make this pregnancy go off without a hitch!”
“Thanks Hariti, I really appreciate it. I-I always thought my mother would be here to help me through this. I wish she could see her grandchildren. My father too.” Hariti hugged Carolena, and when she noticed me standing at the entrance, she said,
“Speaking of fathers, there’s one. Come sit down, Allen. I just got here, so you didn’t miss much.” I sat down and I held Carolena’s hand as Hariti explained that she would come once a week to see how Carolena’s pregnancy was progressing and to help us prepare our home for the child that we would welcome into the world relatively soon. She got up and left after she bid us farewell and I ate lunch with Carolena. I was about to leave when Carolena grabbed my hand and said,
“I almost forgot! Our marriage certificate came the day after you left. You need to sign it, then I can finally frame it.” She rushed upstairs and grabbed a thick white piece of paper that read:
Certificate of Marriage
This certifies that Carolena Katona née Barstow, born May 22, 2181, and Allen Katona, born May 23, 2177
were married on June 29, 2200 in the North Tyre Church in a holy union recognized under Tyrian law.
Underneath this text were two spaces to sign, one with Carolena’s signature. I signed my name on the other space and Carolena smiled and said, “It’s official! I am now Mrs. Katona!” She kissed me on the cheek, and I continued on with the rest of the day. I had just left the bakery when a man approached me. Even from a distance, I could tell that he was angry. This man was the oldest human I had met so far. I was aware of how humans deteriorate with age, but to see it as a human right in front of me was nothing like knowing it from deadpan medical descriptions. The man pointed his finger at me and stretched his neck upwards to make eye contact, saying,
“I’m the chandler for the north district and you’ve practically ruined me!”
“Chandler? What do you mean?”
“I’m Alec Chandler. My family has made candles here since Tyre was first built a century ago!”
“I suppose light bulbs do eliminate the need for candles in most cases.”
“Yes! We’ve only got one tenth of the customers now. I don’t know what to do if this keeps going on like this. You’re the one who did this! Who made so many brazenly take up this new way of lighting homes! You need to make this right!”
“I will. I can show you how to make light bulbs. The ones I’ve installed will break soon and people will need replacements. I'll let you manufacture them so you can sell them instead of candles.”
“Bah! I’m too old to learn new tricks. My children and grandchildren will probably be able to. Come tomorrow afternoon and you can show them.” I nodded and we went our separate ways. I headed to the bunker and began to plan its expansion. The bunker consisted of a main entrance that led to a living area that could house five hundred thousand, which was connected to a large swath of artificial farmland, and a control room, which was connected to the workshop and generator that I had utilized prior. This was all housed under a thick layer of nanosteel. There was enough room below the earth to build an additional living area and artificial farmland to support it and still leave room for additional sections if necessary. It was dinnertime when I had finished this planning and the preparation to gather materials to build the first living area, which I would start tomorrow. I made my way home and had dinner with Carolena, then we went to sleep for the night.
The morning came and passed by uneventfully. I had a quick lunch with Carolena, and then I made my way to the Chandler residence and knocked on their door. A young woman who looked like she was Carolena’s age opened the door and said:
“Oh! You must be the man Grandpa was talking about.” We just finished lunch, so you’re right on time. Come on in!”
