Grandfather rubbed his chin with his hand, a stern frown fixed in his bushy brows. \u201cYou are off to see the circus.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zhiqiang nodded, the serious look on his face mirroring the old man\u2019s. They sat on the terrace. The morning light, filtered through the softly fluttering leaves of a tallow tree, was without order or pattern, wildly chaotic, organic and gorgeous. The boy had struggled to wake wanting to be with the old man before Nainai\u2019s alarm clock chimed. This was their time, when the city was quiet, and they could listen to the birds and talk as men talked.<\/p>\n
They sat at a small round \u201cnews\u201d table, the surface of which was a flatscreen. Grandfather had found the table discarded beside the road. \u201cWe won\u2019t plug it in,\u201d he\u2019d said. So, the screen never projected the esteemed leader\u2019s face, and the boy and his grandfather never listened to the government sanctioned news.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd what have I taught you?\u201d Grandfather asked.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy duty is first to my elders, to you and Nainai, and then to Aalee.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am stuck in this chair.\u201d He hit the arm of it with the heel of his palm, \u201cBut we are men, are we not?\u201d<\/p>\n
In response, the boy rose and went into the house returning with a beer and a large glass of orange juice. Solemnly, he placed Grandfather\u2019s beer on the blank flatscreen, and taking his seat raised his glass of juice. The old man responded with a twitch of a grin and poured a splash of the beer into Zhiqiang\u2019s juice. Then he clinked his bottle against Zhiqiang\u2019s glass. When the man drank, the boy drank.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou will be going into the old city, no factories, no military targets, still you must be careful.\u201d He looked into his beer as if the reason for men\u2019s need to murder each other was contained in the golden liquid. Across from him, Zhiqiang studied the pulp in his orange juice. \u201cThis circus is important to Nainai. She remembers her sister when she sees people walking on stilts.\u201d Grandfather\u2019s eyes momentarily looked confused. \u201cYour great aunt was a crazy woman.\u201d<\/p>\n
Zhiqiang nodded.<\/p>\n
The alarm clock pinged out a melody. Creaking bed sounds and padding feet sounds drifted out to the where the two sat. Soon Nainai, in her way, which was always to be darting about like a firefly, hustled onto the terrace. \u201cOnly seven in the morning and you are drinking beer?\u201d<\/p>\n
Grandfather, glancing sideways, winked at Zhiqiang.<\/p>\n
Zhiqiang winked back.<\/p>\n
Simultaneously, they drank.<\/p>\n
As if some unseen balloon had sprung a leak, a long sigh meandered out of Nainai\u2019s mouth. She raised her eyes to the sky never happy with her ancestors. \u201cYou could have warned me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aalee rushed out twirling in a circle Nainai\u2019s bright red lipstick on her lips. Zhigiang put his hand over his mouth to stifle his giggle.<\/p>\n
\u201cCome, come we will be late,\u201d Nainai was busy picking up things: wrist phone, hearing aid, \u201cwhere is my earring?\u201d Finding her purse and the earring, she rummaged through her bag mumbling, \u201cWhere is the other tag?\u201d then \u201coh, they were stuck together.\u201d<\/p>\n
With her right hand Nainai took one of Zhiqiang\u2019s hands, with her left, Aalee\u2019s.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo,\u201d said Zhiqiang in a firm voice, a frown in his brow.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d asked Nainai.<\/p>\n
Zhiqiang rearranged their hands so that he was in the middle, instead of Nainai, keeping a firm hold on them both.<\/p>\n
Silently, Grandfather raised his bottle to the boy. <\/p>\n
As the transport tube slid to a stop, Zhiqiang whispered to Aalee, \u201cThere will be animals.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cReally?\u201d Aalee\u2019s eyes were wide. \u201cMaybe marmosets?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe tigers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo, you\u2019re only trying to fool me,\u201d but her feet dangling above the floor, swung back and forth faster, and her grin widened.<\/p>\n
\u201cHurry, hurry,\u201d Nainai said, standing. \u201cYou don\u2019t want to miss the parade.\u201d She picked up Aalee. Though they were twins, Aalee was much smaller. Zhiqiang smiled up at his sister and took Nainai\u2019s hand to help her exit the tube and climb the steep steps to the street.<\/p>\n
They wove through the marketplace filled with people and vendors. In a booth skewered chickens roasted over a small fire; the boy\u2019s stomach gurgled with longing. Next door, a young woman in a white apron topped hot rice cakes with dollops of gooey mango jam, while under a wide awning dumplings floated in a salty broth. Snuggled beneath the branches of an old bent tree sat a drink vender\u2019s table. On top, obedient paper cups stood in neat rows each filled to the brim with sweetened goji berry juice and cold crushed ice, the cups never moving, not an inch, until whisked away by some thirsty customer to be consumed, and the cup crushed and discarded.<\/p>\n
\u201cCan we stop? Please.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cLater, little one,\u201d Nainai said, pulling on his hand.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m thirsty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCome along, quickly.\u201d Nainai was a tornado blowing through the crowd. Zhiqiang held tight to her hand and ran to keep up with her scurrying feet.<\/p>\n
They hustled past a man with a painted face and two laughing girls with tall feathers on their heads, then pushed through the stiff turnstile and into the arena stairwell\u2014so many steps\u2014 the noise of the people echoing like they were in a tall concrete cave.<\/p>\n
They sat high above the stage where there were still a few empty seats, and the air was blissfully cool. At first, Nainai sat between them. But Zhiqiang wiggled between Nainai and Aalee. Aalee rewarded her protector with a kiss on his cheek.<\/p>\n
First came the parade\u2014and tigers. \u201cI didn\u2019t believe you,\u201d Aalee gasped. Once again, her dangling feet swung.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhoa\u2026\u201d Zhiqiang pointed as elephants appeared. Behind them men walked on stilts, and others danced throwing their partners into the air. Magicians made people disappear and brought them back in a puff of purple smoke. Next, right in the middle of the show, interrupting everything, a government man in a dull green jumpsuit and brown boots, came on stage.<\/p>\n
Boos rumbled through the stadium.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs a precaution,\u201d the government man raised his hands, \u201cwe would like to remind every citizen that you must go to your designated underground location if the sirens sound. I will review these locations now.\u201d<\/p>\n
A collective moan filled the arena.<\/p>\n
\u201cRed badges should enter the underground tube tunnels at 6th street\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n
When the government official finally said, \u201cthat concludes my remarks for the evening, enjoy the festival,\u201d the arena reverberated with cheers.<\/p>\n
Dancers flitted across the stage on feet that barely touched the ground. Zhiqiang stared, transfixed, his attention unwavering. All was sound and sight, and the feel of Aalee\u2019s hand in his. Six women, clad in tangerine silk, waved like chrysanthemums in the wind, gracefully throwing ribbons of yellow cloth into the air as if these were unfurling stamens or butterflies taking flight. Other dancers appeared, fiery red dragons, stomping their feet and tossing their horned dragon heads to the beat of drums.<\/p>\n
The loud piercing cry of a siren shattered the illusion.<\/p>\n
Aalee and Zhiqiang covered their ears.<\/p>\n
Nainai picked up Aalee, rushing for the stairwell. Zhiqiang, running on the long stadium bench seat, was inches behind her.<\/p>\n
BOOM!<\/p>\n
The first shell hit the stage. In the stairwell, squeezed against the wall, twice Zhiqiang was almost crushed. Grandfather\u2019s frown appeared in his brow. Below him on the wall of the landing over the heads of the people the number \u201c4\u201d was painted in bright fluorescent orange.<\/p>\n
Three more flights.<\/p>\n
Another shell, the stairs shook; the lights went out; people stampeded. As Nainai stumbled, Zhiqiang grabbed her arm, pulling her hard toward the corner of the landing where there was room for her to gain her feet. The hands that clutched Aalee, trembled.<\/p>\n
\u201cThree more flights. Now!\u201d he shouted, dragging Nainai into a break in the crowd.<\/p>\n
In the street their feet trampled dumplings and splashed through spilled soup.<\/p>\n
Men with microphones shouted, \u201cBlue tags enter at 4th street! Green tags enter at 12th!\u201d<\/p>\n
As they passed the cups of goji juice, the table, pushed by a maddened crowd, skidded toward them. \u201cWatch out!\u201d Zhiqiang ducked. The table hit Nainai\u2019s thighs knocking her down. She scrambled to her feet, picking up a screaming Aalee.<\/p>\n
\u201cZhiqiang!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNainai!\u201d he shouted from under the table.<\/p>\n
The crowd divided them. Like the current of a river at flood it carried Nainai along.<\/p>\n
\u201cZhi Zhi,\u201d Aalee called. \u201cZhi Zhi!\u201d Twice he tried to go after them, and twice he was knocked to the ground. He crawled back under the table to escape the hysterical feet.<\/p>\n
A green tag hung from a safety pin pinned to his shirt.<\/p>\n
Green tags enter at 12th street.<\/p>\n
He reached up and took a cup of juice, miraculously still upright, off the table. So sweet, so cool, so wet.<\/p>\n
The crowd thinned . . . quickly he downed the last drop.<\/p>\n
There, an opening, behind the man carrying a boy in a leg cast.<\/p>\n
Rat . . . tat . . . tat . . .<\/p>\n
The deafening sound of thousands of screams filled the air. People fell. A woman on the ground, clutching her leg, looked at him. With a barely perceptible movement, she shook her head, \u2018no.\u2019 More shots. She fell backwards, her eyes staring unseeing into his as the line of black boots marched forward. Under the table, the empty cup slipped from Zhiqiang\u2019s hand. <\/p>\n
He drank two more cups of goji juice, sneaking them off the table when the black boots were turned away. When they came near, he laid on the ground pretending to be dead. For hours he lay still.<\/p>\n
Long past sunset, the black boots surrounded the drink table. \u201cCome out, boy. We know you\u2019re alive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Trembling, Zhiqiang crawled out from under the table. \u201cHow old are you?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEight.\u201d<\/p>\n
The black boot spoke into his wrist phone. \u201cWe have a candidate, male, eight years of age.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBring him.\u201d <\/p>\n
Thirteen years later.<\/p>\n
Having received \u201cThe Growth,\u201d a series of hormone treatments, Synthetic Organic 7ZR (SO 7ZR) was well over two meters tall. The hormones also increased muscle mass and altered facial features, producing a 127kg specimen with a protruding brow ridge and a wide, flat nose. To ensure that he appeared nonthreatening, he was dressed in a sparkly white jumpsuit and white boots giving him the look of a Neanderthal about to break into an ancient disco dance.<\/p>\n
His cybernetics included enhanced hearing, two artificial legs, one artificial arm and hand, one artificial eye, and the requisite cranial implants designed to remove the will, suppress memory and eliminate independent thought. Hierarchically structured programs insured robust functionality. On-Body Error Checking (OBEC) was facilitated via an independently powered module embedded under the right collar bone. Backup error checking was provided via Central Command and Control (CCC). His orders were relayed through a cochlear implant.<\/p>\n
From his regeneration alcove SO 7ZR could see the station clock, displaying in bright green lights the date and time. He fought to grasp the memory of orange juice spiced with the tang of beer, the memory like an anchor holding his thoughts fixed against the pull of the tide of his programming, against the tyrant OBEC. Three times she had returned\u2014every three months. This time he had enough memories. This time he would win the fight against his programming and the fierce OBEC that demanded obedience.<\/p>\n
No, she was slipping away. He clutched at memory; how did it taste? Sweet. Yes, the juice tasted sweet. How did it feel? Gritty. She would arrive today.<\/p>\n
\u201cSynthetic Organic 7ZR load Liberte\u2019 cargo hold from shipping container 3983 on Pier 6. Depart now.\u201d<\/p>\n
With stiff steps each 1.45 meters long, he walked to the end of Pier 6, where the Liberte\u2019 was completing docking procedures. Turning 90 degrees, rigid arms at his side, he took two steps backward positioning himself in the center of a black rectangle painted on the perimeter of the pier. Looking straight forward, eyes unblinking, he stood at attention.<\/p>\n
The Liberte\u2019 was a small deep space transport with oversized engines. Stripped of all non-essentials she was fast and, fully provisioned, could maintain her crew of four for six years without refueling. Her very presence at the dock was unusual. Not a science vessel, nor a passenger ferry, she was also not outfitted for meteor mining.<\/p>\n
He caught hold of a memory: scooching back under a plastic drink table to hide.<\/p>\n
SO 7ZR\u2019s head rotated twenty-three degrees until he was staring at the Liberte\u2019s main hatch. Soon she would appear.<\/p>\n
OBEC: Malfunction Detected<\/p>\n
OBEC: Standard Error Correction Initiated<\/p>\n
A slight crease appeared above his protruding brow ridge as rivulets of sweat streamed down his face. In his mind, he reached up for a cup of goji berry juice.<\/p>\n
OBEC: Standard Error Correction Initiated Level 2<\/p>\n
His cybernetic arm shook.<\/p>\n
The juice, deliciously cold, slid down his throat.<\/p>\n
OBEC: Standard Error Correction Initiated Level 3<\/p>\n
SO 7ZR\u2019s head returned to its previous position.<\/p>\n
The main hatch swung open; two men and a young woman with straight, black hair walked down the exit ramp to the kiosk located directly opposite the black rectangle on which SO 7ZR stood. As the woman pressed and then lifted her thumb from the kiosk, his cybernetic eye instantly memorized the thumb print which was displayed for exactly 0.86 seconds in the deep infrared undetectable by a human eye.<\/p>\n
\u201cWelcome to Space Station 32,\u201d a computer-generated voice spoke from the kiosk. \u201cThe Earth alliance bids you peace.\u201d This procedure was repeated twice more, as the two men both registered their presence. Each time the computer-generated voice repeated its welcome.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaybe we could reprogram the greeting,\u201d the shorter man said. \u201cWelcome to Space Station 32. The Earth alliance plans to enslave you so that a select few can live decadent lives.\u201d<\/p>\n
The woman\u2019s voice was sharp, \u201cKeep your mind on task.\u201d<\/p>\n
They nodded.<\/p>\n
She was small, barely 1.53 meters, with a perky nose. She might have been beautiful, but her mouth was set in a stern line and her eyes were weary and battle worn. Constantly shifting her weight between her booted feet, she radiated tension, as if on high alert, her life a never-ending battle, she both hunter and hunted.<\/p>\n
The three walked together toward the center cylinder of the space station where they split up.<\/p>\n
A fourth man got off the spacecraft, also registering at the kiosk. \u201cWelcome to Space Station 32. The Earth alliance bids you peace.\u201d Stocky, with a gray speckled beard, sporting 20 unneeded kilograms, he descended the ramp pausing at the bottom to rub the small of his back. Leaning backward, he moaned. Pressing his thumb against the locking mechanism, he said, \u201cClose main doors, open rear cargo bay doors.\u201d Walking up to SO 7ZR, he said, \u201cShe\u2019s all yours, poor bastard.\u201d<\/p>\n
After the bearded man disappeared into the core of the space station, SO 7ZR stepped forward, pressed his one human thumb on the print reader and, following validation, called for shipping container 3983. Inside the container, marked foodstuffs, were wrapped packages labeled \u201crice\u201d, \u201cfrozen fish\u201d, \u201ccomplete meal: breakfast\u201d, \u201cdried fruit\u201d, etc. As he transferred the supplies to the cargo hold, his cybernetic arm automatically weighed each one: 100kg frozen pork\u2014100.34kg, 3.2kg dried figs\u20143.21kg, 20kg rice\u201434.259kg.<\/p>\n
His mind hid behind a fluttering fan in the hand of a dancer.<\/p>\n
With his cybernetic eye he scanned the package of rice using various frequencies of light to interrogate its contents.<\/p>\n
Rice, long grain, brown, variety Mars 54; explosive high yield, LAX 39, remote detonator model X3994A.<\/p>\n
His heart rate increased. His cybernetic hand opened and closed at a frequency of 82 closures per minute.<\/p>\n
\u201cZhi Zhi!\u201d<\/p>\n
He turned, but he stood alone on the pier.<\/p>\n
He concealed his mind in a memory: a dancer glided across the stage on feet which barely touched the ground.<\/p>\n
Using the kiosk, he marked the foodstuffs \u201cspoiled\u201d and designated them for disposal. Shipping container 3983 departed for Waste and Recycling.<\/p>\n
He clutched a memory: a ribbon of yellow silk, tossed into the air.<\/p>\n
Panting like an overheated dog, mouth open, tongue sticking out, he stepped forward. Again, he stepped forward, falling, stiffly like a tin soldier, into the cargo hold. Heart racing, he jerked upright.<\/p>\n
OBEC: Malfunction Detected<\/p>\n
OBEC: Standard Error Correction Initiated<\/p>\n
He clung to the memory of the yellow ribbon unfurling.<\/p>\n
His heart rate increased. He would be seen.<\/p>\n
With his cybernetic eye he measured the distance from the end of his finger to the latch control which would shut the cargo hold from the inside.<\/p>\n
38.23cm.<\/p>\n
His arm shook.<\/p>\n
OBEC: Standard Error Correction Initiated Level 2<\/p>\n
Sweat dripped off the tip of his nose and onto his panting tongue tasting like salty broth. He stretched out his shaking arm, closing the distance\u201414.8cm. Pain pierced his brain\u20148.3cm\u2014like a knife slowly inserted into his ear\u20143.1cm . . . He tried to hold the memory, only the memory, but the pain.<\/p>\n
OBEC: Standard Error Correction Initiated Level 3<\/p>\n
The knife twisted. He let go of the memory.<\/p>\n
SO 7ZR stepped out of the hold onto Pier 6 and positioned himself on the black rectangle. His shoulders drooped with exhaustion.<\/p>\n
In front of him, on the kiosk a small red light blinked.<\/p>\n
\u201cSynthetic Organic 7ZR, wait for new orders, initiate emergency regeneration.\u201d<\/p>\n
His eyes closed. Four hours elapsed. An Earth Alliance officer walked to the end of Pier 6.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat\u2019s up with you?\u201d He shook his head, \u201cTough night?\u201d<\/p>\n
As the officer pressed his thumb against the identification pad on the kiosk, SO 7ZR opened his one cybernetic eye and memorized the thumbprint pattern. Shipping container 3983 returned to the end of the pier.<\/p>\n
\u201cSO 7ZR load this cargo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Under the watchful eye of the Officer, SO 7ZR loaded the foodstuffs, including the rice. The Officer signed the computerized form with his thumbprint, closed the cargo bay doors and walked away. SO 7ZR returned to stand at attention on the black rectangle, and the space station, simulating evening, dimmed the lights on the pier.<\/p>\n
Under his sparkling white jumpsuit SO 7ZR was wet with sweat.<\/p>\n
He brought to his mind more memories\u2014of elephants pooping and a green parrot singing love songs.<\/p>\n
Using the stylus he took from the kiosk, SO 7ZR drew her thumbprint on the Liberte\u2019s main locking mechanism.<\/p>\n
The Liberte\u2019s computer spoke, \u201cAwaiting command.\u201d<\/p>\n
Drums pounded in his ears. He grappled for the words: open cargo hatch. He thought her name: Aalee, and attempted to form the word on his tongue, but the speech deactivation program like a drill, bored pain into his brain.<\/p>\n
\u201cHey, cave man, back up.\u201d<\/p>\n
SO 7ZR turned to stare at the man standing beside him, one of the two who had disembarked with Aalee.<\/p>\n
\u201cSO\u2026,\u201d Peering at the nametag on his white jumpsuit the man said, \u201c7\u2026Z\u2026R return to station keeping.\u201d<\/p>\n
SO 7ZR returned to stand at attention in the small black rectangle opposite the kiosk.<\/p>\n
The Liberte\u2019s computer spoke, \u201cAwaiting command.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the hell?\u201d<\/p>\n
SO 7ZR\u2019s augmented hearing picked up the accelerated beating of the man\u2019s heart. The man turned to look at him, then touched the communication band around his wrist. \u201cHey guys. We may have a problem. Finish up and get back here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHave we been reprovisioned?\u201d the voice on the radio asked.<\/p>\n
As the man turned back to the kiosk, the Liberte\u2019s computer said, \u201cTime out. Reenter authorization print.\u201d Visibly quaking the man entered his own thumbprint. \u201cYes, looks like we\u2019re loaded. Forget the secondary targets.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cOn our way.\u201d<\/p>\n
With another glance down the pier toward Central Command and Control, the nervous man said, \u201cOpen main hatch,\u201d and darted inside.<\/p>\n
Minutes later, hustling down the pier, the chubby man entered the Liberte.<\/p>\n
SO 7ZR searched for a memory. In his mind he heard the loud piercing cry of a siren. A woman fell, clutching her leg. Two shots. Her eyes stared lifelessly into his.<\/p>\n
SO 7ZR stepped forward and using the stylus drew the thumbprint of the Earth Alliance Officer on the kiosk. He glanced down the pier. Carefully, he caught another memory and with it veiled his mind. To the beat of loud drums, they stamped their dragon feet and tossed their fiery red dragon heads.<\/p>\n
Sweat dripped from his brow onto the kiosk.<\/p>\n
Rapidly he typed: Revoke authorization for takeoff.<\/p>\n
Her name flew from his damaged memory like a dancer tossed into the air by her partner. His one human hand shook.<\/p>\n
\u201cEnter name or thumbprint scan.\u201d<\/p>\n
Quickly, with his cybernetic hand, he drew her thumbprint on the kiosk.<\/p>\n
\u201cAuthorization for takeoff rescinded.\u201d<\/p>\n
SO 7ZR returned to stand on the black rectangle. Four hours and 32 minutes later the second young man sprinted down the docking ramp.<\/p>\n
With his augmented hearing SO 7ZR caught bits of his conversation with the gray bearded man before the ramp closed. \u201cIt\u2019s no use. Her authorization has been revoked. She can\u2019t leave the station.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCan we try buying another print?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s too risky. She\u2019s decided to stay.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat! No!\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s already started the countdown sequence. We\u2019ve got to leave. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n
Twenty minutes later, the ship departed. SO 7ZR witnessed the Liberte\u2019 explode from his spot standing on the black rectangle. Minutes later Command and Control exploded as well. Sirens filled the air. SO 7ZR put his hands over his ears.<\/p>\n
Twelve more explosions filled the air with screams and computerized voices. \u201cSecurity personal regroup at your designated emergency locations. All citizens proceed to the shelters. Blue shelters have been compromised. Blue shelter citizens proceed to red shelters.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the confusion, Aalee appeared beside SO 7ZR, laughing when she saw his hands covering his ears. With his cybernetic eye, he scanned the backpack she wore. It contained an Earth Alliance long-distance communication device.<\/p>\n
\u201cAalee to the Liberte\u2019. Liberte\u2019 please respond.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is Commander Tau you are communicating on a reserved channel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m trying to contact the Liberte\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cPlease be advised the spacecraft Liberte\u2019 exploded minutes after departure. It may have been targeted by the same terrorists who have attacked installations all over the station.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI need to clear this channel. We have limited functionality here. We\u2019re still trying to reestablish control of the SOs so we can send them in to rescue fourteen people trapped on the food court. I\u2019m sorry the Liberte\u2019 is gone, but I need this channel to transmit new programming\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cGone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes, please stop transmitting. I need to clear this channel.\u201d<\/p>\n
She collapsed onto the pier, slumping against the kiosk.<\/p>\n
He grasped the memory\u2014of two excited legs swinging back and forth\u2014holding it like a shield in front of his mind.<\/p>\n
Stepping forward, he typed, \u201cZHIZHI\u201d<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t move, didn\u2019t look up.<\/p>\n
He gripped more memories: people stampeding, Nainai falling.<\/p>\n
SO 7ZR pulled Aalee up so forcibly for a moment her feet left the ground. She cried out, her cry changing to a gasp when she saw the words on the kiosk.<\/p>\n
Her whole body quivered with shock. She rounded on him, eyes blazing hatred. \u201cHow do you know that name? How? How?\u201d She pounded her fists on the sparkly white jumpsuit covering his chest. \u201cTell me! Tell me!\u201d<\/p>\n
OBEC: Malfunction Detected<\/p>\n
OBEC: Standard Error Correction Initiated<\/p>\n
He hugged the memory, in a lover\u2019s embrace: \u201cMaybe marmosets?\u201d<\/p>\n
Slowly\u2014each letter a knife ripping through his programmed brain\u2014he typed a forbidden word, \u201cM\u201d, his finger shook. For three long minutes as she struggled, he shut his eyes against the pain. Finally he typed \u201cE\u201d.<\/p>\n
Clutching the cloth of his sparkly white jumpsuit in her hands, she screamed at him, \u201cM\u2026E\u2026what? What does that mean?\u201d<\/p>\n
OBEC: Standard Error Correction Initiated Level 2<\/p>\n
Again, he typed. Miraculously, it was easier this time. He paused only ten or twelve seconds between the letters: \u201cM . . . E\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMeme? What is meme? Tell me, why did you type Zhi Zhi? Where did you hear that name?\u201d<\/p>\n
Sweat poured down his face. His head jerked rapidly back and forth. A memory, he needed a memory!<\/p>\n
Wide eyes and a smile that was missing a tooth. \u201cTigers . . . I didn\u2019t believe you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Stiffly each letter taking more than a minute, he typed, \u201cIAMZ\u201d<\/p>\n
OBEC: Standard Error Correction Initiated Level 3<\/p>\n
Pain exploded in his mind. He resisted, as the programming, relentless, without pity executed its code, line by line, subroutine after subroutine, sending pain to his brain and traitorous messages to his muscles. He let the memory go.<\/p>\n
SO 7ZR returned to stand at attention on the black rectangle.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the f**k! I hate you!\u201d<\/p>\n
She unzipped another pocket in the backpack. \u201cWell robot man, I\u2019ve got one more trick up my sleeve and you\u2019re it. All I\u2019ve got to do is plant a charge inside the central core and their precious deep space nightmare here will become a crypt. Unfortunately, that means I need you.\u201d<\/p>\n
For three hours she labored alone, ignored, amid sirens, running teams of men, and computerized voices proclaiming, \u201cStandby, attempting to restore SO command functions.\u201d<\/p>\n
And later, \u201cSO command functions offline.\u201d<\/p>\n
She paused in her work only once, to laugh, as a second wave of explosions rocked the station. At last, she rose and pushed a button on the small computer she held in her hand. Chimes sounded. SO 7ZR\u2019s central processing unit shifted into program mode. A second series of rapid tones, equally spaced, emanated from the computer, like weird music devoid of melody or rhythm. For sixteen minutes the notes continued as the program was translated and accepted into his brain\u2019s quantum memory unit.<\/p>\n
The end transmission sequence sounded.<\/p>\n
As she had worked, he had fought, to hold onto the memory of the clink of glass against glass, and a wink.<\/p>\n
\u201cInitiate program retribution.\u201d With her command, at once the horrible OBEC\u2019s power dimmed.<\/p>\n
SO7ZR walked to the kiosk, his movements smooth almost human like, his heart rate normal. He was not sweating. In his mind he took Nainai\u2019s hand and Aalee\u2019s hand. He typed, \u201cYOUWILLDIE.\u201d<\/p>\n
She stared at the words. Shaking with anger and hopelessness, she lashed out him as tears streamed down her face. \u201cDon\u2019t you get it! They killed my brother! They killed my Grandfather. My Nainai spent five years crying before she died.\u201d<\/p>\n
OBEC: Malfunction Detected<\/p>\n
OBEC: Standard Error Correction Initiated<\/p>\n
Tightly he held on to the memory of her small hand in his. It was easier now. Like any soldier he sensed when the battle was ending; the enemy, falling back in defeat.<\/p>\n
Aalee stood in front of him, with her lips smashed bitterly together. No black boot ever hated more. She repeated the command, \u201cInitiate program retribution.\u201d<\/p>\n
OBEC: Standard Error Correction Initiated Level 2<\/p>\n
Smoothly he stepped to the kiosk and typed, \u201cIAMZHIZHI\u201d.<\/p>\n
She didn\u2019t look at the words. Instead, she grabbed his sparkly white jumpsuit, jerking his massive frame around to face her, she shouted so forcibly she spit on him, \u201cObey me! For once in your small, computerized existence, think! You were a person! You had a brain! Isn\u2019t there any part of the person you once were inside there!\u201d<\/p>\n
From speakers overhead a computerized voice announced. \u201cSO command functions restored.\u201d<\/p>\n
She raised her fist toward the computerized voice, she, the embodiment of rage, hating the cold hardness of her world, a world of code, commands and blind obedience.<\/p>\n
Slowly, she turned to stare at him. \u201cDon\u2019t you understand? This is your chance for revenge. I\u2019ve placed the program in your main storage, it won\u2019t read as an error.\u201d Shoulders hunched, her clenched fists drawn toward her chest like a prize fighter preparing for punch, she growled out, \u201cWell it doesn\u2019t matter what you want. I want revenge, and I will have it. Initiate program retribution.\u201d<\/p>\n
OBEC: Standard Error Correction Initiated Level 3<\/p>\n
Two programs warred within him, two enslavers fought each to chain him, each to control him, to overwrite his will with their own, but she was here, standing next to him, a beacon of light, of hope, illuminating the way back to himself. He grasped the memory, of Aalee twirling in a circle, of red lipstick and giggles, and would not let it go.<\/p>\n
He chose.<\/p>\n
He chose to look into her eyes, to see the pain, the harsh years, to remember the child she had been, to remember his family living in the dappled light. Patiently, he pointed to the typed words on the kiosk.<\/p>\n
Confusion flickered across her face. As if in a dream, as if instructed by someone else, like she was a robot receiving orders, she turned to read the message on the kiosk.<\/p>\n
IAMZHIZHI<\/p>\n
OBEC to CCC: Error Correction Initiated and Failed. Requesting Whole Body Reset.<\/p>\n
CCC to OBEC: Central Reset Code Alpha589662B<\/p>\n
Within his mind, the terrible enemy\u2014that would not die because it did not breathe, an enemy without mercy, because it had never been and would never be human, an enemy created by those who called themselves human but were as devoid of humanity as lines of code\u2014rebooted.<\/p>\n
The tyrant program demanding obedience, disrupted his rebel neural pathways by administering electric shock after electric shock through pads screwed into the surface of his skull. He fell, his whole body shaking, his head banging repeatedly into the hard metal pier.<\/p>\n
Gut-punched by the terrible knowledge, she reached out, hugging her convulsing brother, at long last calling him by name, \u201cZhi Zhi! Zhi Zhi!\u201d<\/p>\n
At the end of Pier 7, men with hoses spewing fire suppression foam, twisted around. With shouts, two came running. \u201cYou\u2019ve got to get to a shelter.\u201d They tried to pick her up. She wouldn\u2019t let him go.<\/p>\n
\u201cMa\u2019am he\u2019s not important. Please you\u2019ve got to go to a shelter.\u201d<\/p>\n
Another explosion and a computerized voice over the speaker sent them hurrying away. They were dogs trained to obey the voice of a machine.<\/p>\n
For twenty minutes as the air grew heavy and choking with smoke, she lay beside her brother. \u201cMy protector,\u201d she whispered. Inside his bruised and bleeding mind the tyrant OBEC reasserted its control. A single tear trembled and fell from his one human eye.<\/p>\n
Via his cochlear implant new orders arrived.<\/p>\n
\u201cSynthetic Organic 7ZR assist emergency evacuation of citizens to Pier 27. Depart Now.\u201d<\/p>\n
A sigh, like air escaping from a huge balloon, left him. Hope sprang anew. At long last his will aligned with that of his program.<\/p>\n
He rose and picked her up.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat are you doing?\u201d<\/p>\n
He brought his lips to her cheek in a kiss.<\/p>\n
\u201cHello Zhi Zhi,\u201d she said. She laid her head against his chest; her eyes closed. He walked, then ran, jumping fallen trusses and dead bodies. Exhausted, he, nevertheless, bounded forward propelled by the exhilaration of holding her, of helping her. The lifts non-functional, he climbed five levels to Pier 27, amid shouts, and screams as more explosions rocked the station and overhead a computerized voice said, \u201cAll citizens must evacuate immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n
At first the line for the transport was orderly. He waited his arms rejoicing in the weight of his burden. Long he looked at her, storing up a new memory, trying to make it last, to hold onto it in the fragile, injured recesses of his mind. How beautiful she was, his sister, his Aalee.<\/p>\n
As he would have carried her onto the transport, a black boot said, \u201cSO put her down.\u201d<\/p>\n
He put down his cargo.<\/p>\n
\u201cMa\u2019am press your thumb here.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry my print isn\u2019t working.\u201d<\/p>\n
He nodded. \u201cThat\u2019s alright. Nothing\u2019s working. Please come aboard.\u201d<\/p>\n
As Zhi Zhi would have come with her the black boot said, \u201cSO remain on the pier.\u201d<\/p>\n
Aalee turned back. \u201cBut\u2026but he saved me. Please.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe only have room for people.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe IS a person.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m sorry ma\u2019am, I have my orders.\u201d<\/p>\n
A group of ten frantic people pushed by them, rapidly pressing their thumbs onto the pad, streaming onto the transport.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re losing atmosphere everywhere!\u201d<\/p>\n
A second group, much larger, of men carrying children and people their clothing burned, their eyes filled with terror, surged down the pier. Order and reason dissolved into fear.<\/p>\n
With a jerk of his head the commander shouted, \u201cGet her on board. Now!\u201d<\/p>\n
Two black boots taking hold of Aalee, dragged her up the ramp. SO 7ZR watched her disappear into the belly of the spacecraft still crying out, \u201cZhi Zhi! Zhi Zhi!\u201d<\/p>\n
SO 7ZR positioned himself on the far end of the pier, beyond the frantic, crazed people. As the hatch closed and the spacecraft maneuvered into the star filled heavens, he caught hold of a memory. \u201cWe are men, are we not?\u201d <\/p>\n
Kidd Wadsworth has people in her head and likes to work in her pajamas. Her career choices were limited: write or commit herself to an institution.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Grandfather rubbed his chin with his hand, a stern frown fixed in his bushy brows. \u201cYou are off to see the circus.\u201d Zhiqiang nodded, the serious look on his face mirroring the old man\u2019s. They sat on the terrace. The morning light, filtered through the softly fluttering leaves of a tallow tree, was without order …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":107928,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,14,20123],"tags":[20122],"class_list":["post-140251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fiction","category-publications","category-tcl-47-spring-2023","tag-the-colored-lens-47-spring-2023","entry entry-center"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/107928"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=140251"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":140253,"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/140251\/revisions\/140253"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=140251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=140251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=140251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}