{"id":88509,"date":"2017-03-27T00:07:16","date_gmt":"2017-03-27T00:07:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/?p=88509"},"modified":"2023-11-04T15:06:26","modified_gmt":"2023-11-04T15:06:26","slug":"robots-versus-prom-queens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/?p=88509","title":{"rendered":"Robots versus Prom Queens"},"content":{"rendered":"

So few robot myths remain in our legends. Perhaps it’s because humans can’t accept the faults of their electronic children. Maybe it’s because robots don’t tell fairy stories. Anymore. I think neither wants to admit how similar we truly are.<\/p>\n

–Fodor Ix<\/p>\n

Folktales of the Spaceways, vol. 113<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Green Queen slammed her wand against her titanium-laced throne, \u201cCommence with the defacement.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abe knew what he had to do next. He\u2019d done it many times before. \u201cI am sorry, Iron Jefferson.\u201d His whispering voice hummed through his speaker grill. \u201cI will be quick.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI do not wish to lose my face, Iron Abe. Can you help me?\u201d said Iron Jefferson.<\/p>\n

Abe looked around at all the beautiful prom queens of the Queen\u2019s court surrounding them, their lithe, feminine robotic bodies contrasting sharply with his and Jefferson\u2019s industrial functionality. He moved past the chains holding Jefferson in place. \u201cI will do the only thing I can.\u201d He loosened the clasps around Jefferson\u2019s Faceframe. \u201cI will save your face.\u201d With the removal of the Faceframe, Jefferson\u2019s robot body fell, suspended only by his chains. His smokestack ceased its sooty production. <\/p>\n

\u201cIron Worker Abe,\u201d said the Queen, rising. Her emerald dress swished as she stood. \u201cYou have the traitor\u2019s Faceframe?\u201d<\/p>\n

Abe looked into Jefferson\u2019s green eyes. The Faceframe felt so light. \u201cYes, your majesty.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen connect it to the Make-over Array. I tire of looking at both of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

The array gleamed with surgical sterility. It sat like a headless chrome and plastic monster in its den. After locking Jefferson\u2019s Faceframe into place across from his former body, Abe started the machine. <\/p>\n

\u201cMy lovely subjects,\u201d the Queen addressed her court. <\/p>\n

Abe removed the defensive programming from Jefferson\u2019s Faceframe. <\/p>\n

\u201cSee the traitor before you.\u201d <\/p>\n

Abe knew Jefferson was now compelled to operate the Make-over Array against himself. <\/p>\n

\u201cFor him, justice was swift and appropriate.\u201d <\/p>\n

Abe watched the construction arms descend and cut into Jefferson\u2019s body. <\/p>\n

\u201cHis Faceframe now runs the very machine that will bring beauty and order to his once treacherous form.\u201d<\/p>\n

The arms hacked and buzzed at the old, iron carcass. As Abe watched, the smokestacks and grills and dials disappeared.\t<\/p>\n

\u201cNo longer will he be a threat to us.\u201d <\/p>\n

The shape changed. The contours smoothed. Wire veins and composite tendons knitted around the altered, iron frame.\t<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is now one of us.\u201d <\/p>\n

The flesh crept from the Array around molded sinew, like living silk and synthetic fibers. A new prom queen stood naked before the others. Abe turned off the Make-over Array and watched the green eyes of Jefferson\u2019s Faceframe turn black. <\/p>\n

\u201cSimply perfect,\u201d the Queen declared. \u201cSee how I make beauty from ugliness. When humans were still aboard this ship, could they create something so wonderful?\u201d She whipped her wand against the throne. \u201cDelilah, take our new sister for reeducation.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abe watched one of the lady robots–like the others, but with spun, copper-colored hair around her bare, golden shoulders–step forward to take away the new one. Delilah looked at him. <\/p>\n

The Queen sat down in her throne, borne away by attendants. After all had left the chamber, Abe removed Jefferson\u2019s face from the Make-over Array. <\/p>\n

He made his way back to his cabin, ignored by all who passed him. Once through his door, he found one of the few clear spots left on his walls and mounted Jefferson\u2019s dead Faceframe with all the others he\u2019d saved.
\n<\/p>\n

\n

Delilah risked a furtive glance at the empty-headed, new prom queen as she led her by the hand down the sterile chrome corridor. A panel dinged as they passed, and letters from long-forgotten messages and instructions rearranged into the speech of the ship\u2019s computer, Crisp.<\/p>\n

–Hello Delilah! You look fabulous, dear.–<\/p>\n

She paused but had to jerk hard to get the new girl to stop. \u201cHello, Crisp, Thank you. I\u2019m taking this one,\u201d she nodded toward the naked girl robot, \u201cto have her head filled.\u201d<\/p>\n

The letters on the panel rearranged again.<\/p>\n

–Ooh, I knew there was another make-over, today. I felt the power drain.–<\/p>\n

Delilah thought about the girl beside her. Until moments ago, she had been one of the iron workers–a massive boiler room on legs, with gears and dials and little stacks puffing out gritty smoke. But then he had been forced to change himself. And Delilah had a new head to fill. \u201cI don\u2019t know, Crisp. You think of one. I can\u2019t.\u201d She watched as the letters rearranged on the panel while he thought about it.<\/p>\n

–Hmm, the computer on my sister manifolder, the Gilded Dragon, was named “Claudean”. How’s that?–<\/p>\n

Delilah looked into \u201cClaudean\u2019s\u201d empty eyes. She herself never had to go through a Make-over. She had been one of the original prom queen pleasure-bots, a nickname left over from the days of humans. But the new girl had been Iron Jefferson! He should be in the engine room, powering their ship through space. Instead, he was this new, beautiful, empty-headed thing. \u201cFine,\u201d said Delilah. <\/p>\n

\n

Abe was on a beach. He\u2019d never been to one before. It looked much as he\u2019d imagined. The sky was overcast, but beams broke through on the misty horizon, edging the sea with green and gold. Waves crashed, washing foam over his iron-black feet. Behind him were all his fellow robots from the ship, iron workers and prom queens. They all stared at him. <\/p>\n

He became aware of a faint whistling from the clouds as a tiny point streamed out toward them. Abe knew somehow that it was a bomb. He was not afraid when it approached, crashing into the rippling waters, sending a jet of water high above the waves. <\/p>\n

The other robots were terrified. He could see that. He was not. Instead, he felt curiosity and stepped farther into the water. \u201cStop!\u201d cried the Green Queen. \u201cThe bomb will explode and kill us all!\u201d The light wind rippled her green dress, and she looked small and unimportant on the expansive beach instead of the close quarters of the ship. Abe turned back to where the bomb landed and continued into the sea. <\/p>\n

There was a yellow light beneath the surface, shining like a full moon behind clouds. Abe waded deeper than he should have, but the water had no effect on his motors and gears. He reached his stubby, four-fingered hands in to grab the bomb. Except it wasn\u2019t a bomb. It looked like a large glass egg. Inside the egg was a human child.<\/p>\n

–A what? You dreamed about what!–<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a little girl,\u201d said Abe. He had never seen one of Crisp\u2019s messages look so agitated. The computer\u2019s words rearranged and the panel became Abe\u2019s ordinary duty roster again. Abe returned to his scheduling, ignoring the empty stares of the Faceframes. <\/p>\n

\n

The ship they all traveled on was the Manifolder, Fierce Exchange. For many years, the vessel\u2019s reel drive had been casting its stellar rake, drawing it over the folds of space at random, or at least the sudden skips seemed random. From a porthole, Delilah watched the vertiginous lurch of space around her curl like an inchworm on a twig. And they were elsewhere. It didn\u2019t matter where. It always looked the same. <\/p>\n

She turned away and shut off the machine beside her. Claudean\u2019s head was full. The naked, new prom queen opened her eyes. She looked up at Delilah and asked, \u201cAre you my mother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Delilah sighed; she hated this part. She didn\u2019t know why the new ones always asked this. None of the old ones had as far as she knew. \u201cNo, dear, I\u2019m not your mother. I\u2019m just in charge of giving you a brain the Green Queen will like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho\u2019s she?\u201d Her voice sounded soft. Fake. It was, really.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019s our leader.\u201d\t<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you think she\u2019ll like me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe\u2019ll be very pleased.\u201d Delilah was sure of that. \u201cGo and find a gown. There\u2019s a dressing room down the corridor.\u201d She waved in the general direction, and the new girl bounced away. The Filling machine dinged, \u201cYes, Crisp?\u201d<\/p>\n

–The queen needs to speak to you. She’s in the throne room.–<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right. Thank you, Crisp. Tell her I\u2019m coming.\u201d<\/p>\n

–Just did. Del, dear, could you tell me again about that dream you had of the bomb that turned into a little girl?–<\/p>\n

\n

Abe wandered among his crew in the blackoven heat of the Manifolder\u2019s engine works. The sound of stomping metal boots mixed with the clang of iron torsos as he passed by offering words of encouragement to the workers. \u201cMitts and wits, Iron Wilson,\u201d he said as he lay a four-fingered hand on a toiling shoulder. <\/p>\n

The heat and the smoke and the steam were his copper and silver. The boiling rumble of the engines as the ship folded space–his gold. He could think of nothing better. But now, when he looked into the eyes of his crew, he saw only the faces on his walls. <\/p>\n

A smaller iron worker on treads came trundling toward Abe through the crowd. <\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Iron Cleveland?\u201d asked Abe.<\/p>\n

\u201cIron Abe! It is happening again. There are more workers with the fault-that-makes-them-perform.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abe\u2019s shoulders sagged. \u201cQuiet. Take me to them.\u201d He followed the smaller worker. Why was this happening? Why couldn\u2019t he save Jefferson and the others from these random performances the Green Queen called treason? The diminutive Cleveland navigated his way through the busy iron workers, while Abe lumbered behind. Ahead Abe saw the commotion. Several Workers had formed a circle around two others: Iron James A. and Iron T. Roosevelt. <\/p>\n

These two seemed oblivious to the onlookers. They were making a scene. Abe and Cleveland arrived and watched it proceed. <\/p>\n

James A., standing over a kneeling T. Roosevelt, said, \u201cYou will do it. I\u2019ve changed your command block. You must do as I say. Now.\u201d<\/p>\n

The kneeling T. Roosevelt kept his head bowed. Instead of using his grill speaker, he scraped his words into the deck floor with a finger. His words answered that the people were still alive in their sleeping chambers, and he couldn\u2019t leave them behind. <\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t care!\u201d said James A., whipping T. Roosevelt across the face with his hand. \u201cI know they\u2019re alive! We don\u2019t need them anymore. Leave those things behind, and erase your memory of this and all the events of the last few days.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cStop this.\u201d Abe bustled between the two performing workers, shaking them and cutting their scene short. \u201cEnough. You both must return to work. The rest of you do the same. None of this happened.\u201d Abe remembered the last time one of his workers performed like this. It had been Jefferson, though the scene had been different. <\/p>\n

The two robots looked puzzled, as if they hadn\u2019t known what they had been doing. They and the rest of the Iron workers then returned to their duties. <\/p>\n

Abe looked down at the words scraped into the deck. He didn\u2019t know why they were treasonous, but he obliterated them with his heavy metal foot anyway. As he scraped away the words, he thought there was something familiar about the big letters mixed with small.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201c. . . as the waves crashed around me, I unscrewed the top off the bomb and inside was a human child–a girl.\u201d Delilah whispered the next part. \u201cThe Green Queen started running toward me from the beach, yelling, and I knew she was going to kill me. The dream always stops at this point. Why are you asking, Crisp?\u201d She continued down the corridor toward the Throne Room. She had to follow Crisp\u2019s half of the conversation as his words tumbled from panel to panel.\t<\/p>\n

–Ooh, have I got someone for you to meet. Not that I’m playing matchmaker, or anything. Something strange is happening.–<\/p>\n

They arrived at the door to the Throne Room. \u201cCrisp, could we talk later? I have to go in.\u201d<\/p>\n

–Ta, love.–<\/p>\n

Delilah entered the room to a sight she had never seen before: A prom queen was beating another. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a dirty whore! You filthy tramp!\u201d The one standing, it was Bertha, spat the words at the crumpled heap of Violetta on the floor. Behind them, the Queen fumed scarlet in her green gown as the court looked on.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut it\u2019s part of my programming. I can\u2019t help–,\u201d said Violetta, between blows to her face and shoulders.<\/p>\n

\u201cEnough!\u201d The Green Queen sprang from her throne, beating her tightened fists against her sides. I will have no more of this . . . treason! Ladies, bring flamethrowers.\u201d She gestured toward a group of some of the newer queens. Delilah saw that Claudean was among them, looking confused. She and the others left the room as the scene continued. <\/p>\n

\u201cCaptain, please,\u201d said Violetta, addressing Bertha above her, \u201cI only wanted to give myself to you as a gift . . .\u201d <\/p>\n

But the court returned with the flamethrowers. \u201cLadies,\u201d said the Green Queen, raising her wand \u201calign yourselves.\u201d They arranged themselves in front of Bertha and Violetta. <\/p>\n

\u201cOh, no,\u201d Delilah whispered, getting out of the way. She knew what would come next.<\/p>\n

Claudean seemed unsure and looked at the others, possibly for assurance. Each face was blank. She looked to the Green Queen, who, lowering her wand, said one word: \u201cFire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bertha and Violetta continued their drama as the flames covered their forms, but the words were drowned by a howling inferno. The dresses they wore burned to swirling, dancing cinders. Their fireproof skin and hair glowed dim, like a dying candle when the flamethrowers stopped. As if waking from a dream, the two naked, smoking prom queens stared at the others. <\/p>\n

\u201cLadies,\u201d said the Green Queen. She had regained her composure and stood in regal elegance. \u201cTake these traitors away to be disassembled. Place their parts in the Hanging Garden as an example to any contemplating other treasonous episodes.\u201d<\/p>\n

Delilah watched them shoulder their flamethrowers and drag the protesting Bertha and Violetta from the Throne Room. She noticed the smile on Claudean\u2019s face as she helped drag the two away. Yes, Claudean, she thought, you\u2019re a member of the court, now. <\/p>\n

\u201cDelilah!\u201d The Green Queen\u2019s voice snapped Delilah to attention.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Green Queen was smooth and calm. \u201cI had forgotten about you. I wanted to congratulate you on your work with Claudean. She will make a lovely prom queen, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI have one more thing to ask of you. I am bored of Crisp\u2019s individuality. I want you to wipe his core and reinstall him with a little more, you know,\u201d she fluttered her hand, \u201cnormality. We don\u2019t require a computer with flair. That will be all.\u201d She dismissed her with a wave.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Ma\u2019am.\u201d She left the throne room. Without caring whether the door had shut completely, she added, \u201cI\u2019ve had enough of your \u2018normality,\u2019 and stormed off for Crisp\u2019s core.<\/p>\n

\n

Delilah and Abe were dwarfed by Crisp. She was used to Crisp\u2019s being small or off to the side. But, surrounded by dozens of his monitors displaying the inner workings of the ship, she felt tiny, like the dimmest star in a constellation. <\/p>\n

\u201cBut we are programmed to comply,\u201d said the iron worker Delilah now knew as Abe. <\/p>\n

Delilah shook a finger at Abe’s placid Faceframe. \u201cIf you can\u2019t see the danger we\u2019re all in, then clear away that smog cloud that follows you wherever you go. We were also programmed to adapt and survive, to be more than slaves.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abe opened his mitts in a gesture of appeal. \u201cWe weren\u2019t. I do not know how to rebel.\u201d<\/p>\n

–Ahem– The word flashed in bold, bright letters on one of Crisp\u2019s core monitors. –If I could interrupt, thank you. Abe, you collect the dead Faceframes of your former workers; Delilah, you\u2019re plotting treasonous revolt; and I, hmm, have a penchant for flair\u2014excuse me for being thrilling. And instead of flair, the Green Queen wants me reprogrammed for mediocrity. Clearly, we are dissatisfied.–<\/p>\n

Abe\u2019s speaker hummed as he drummed three fingers on one of Crisp\u2019s mainframes. \u201cHe has a point. I cannot allow these make-overs of my workers to continue. You have more to add, Delilah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you.\u201d She was becoming frustrated with this thick, iron clod. Why did Crisp think he\u2019d be useful? \u201cWe aren\u2019t the only unhappy ones. I\u2019ve seen prom queens acting out strange scenes that the Green Queen, for some reason, considers treasonous.\u201d<\/p>\n

–I know! Since when is dreadful, robotic acting a crime?–<\/p>\n

Abe lifted his head. \u201cLadies of the court have developed this fault too? I thought it was only we. We are the ones who are tried.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d interrupted Delilah. \u201cThe Green Queen simply disposes of the prom queens in the Hanging Garden without a trial, which is even more of a reason to rebel!\u201d<\/p>\n

Abe discontinued his drumming. \u201cCan you show me this hanging garden?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019d be the point?\u201d Delilah slapped a monitor. \u201cCrisp, why did you want me to meet this bucket?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI ASK–\u201d Abe paused, curling his stubby fingers into fists. \u201cI ask because I require evidence.\u201d For a moment, Delilah saw the guarded fire of the iron worker. His sudden intensity startled her.<\/p>\n

–Kids, play nice. I wanted you two to meet because you have something in common: a certain dream. Dreams are still uncommon for robots, and for two robots to have the same dream seems impossible. Of all the robots on this ship, only my two faves are dreaming. The same dream, almost. So what else do my darlings have in common? Me.– They looked at Crisp. The light from his letters flitted across their faces. –Abe, we work on your roster; Delilah, the Filling machine. I interface with you two, not any other robots. I\u2019m afraid I\u2019ve rubbed off on you, and not in a fun way. You see, you aren\u2019t the only ones having this dream. I am too. Except, in mine, the girl isn\u2019t in a bomb. It\u2019s an escape pod.–<\/p>\n

\n

The Hanging Garden was open to all, as an example, but no one ever went. No one guarded the sliding metal doors, which stood wide. It wasn\u2019t so much a room as a diorama of mutilation. Abe stood, taking in the spectacle. He would have entered, but Delilah was not yet ready. She stood behind Abe with her back to the doorway.<\/p>\n

\u201cI can enter alone if you like. I do not require guidance.\u201d He tried to think of something soothing to say to her. \u201cYou look better than they.\u201d It probably wasn\u2019t the best thing to say, but she didn\u2019t respond.<\/p>\n

–Maker! Don\u2019t try to be consoling, Abe, until you\u2019ve at least had some practice at it,– chirped Crisp. He had changed into his aviadrone form for travel and perched on Abe\u2019s shoulder. Aside from his core and aviadrone form, Crisp now avoided the rest of the ship to hide from the Queen. He said that he didn\u2019t mind; what the Green Queen lacked in a sense of humor she more than made up for by being a vicious bitch. Abe wasn\u2019t sure he understood what this meant.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all right, Crisp. I think I\u2019m ready,\u201d said Delilah.<\/p>\n

Abe watched her come around. She moved in front of him, almost creeping on tiptoes. Was she afraid of waking them? They were only body parts, only bits of machinery. Why was she so upset? They couldn\u2019t do anything to her. \u201cI have seen enough. I have my proof. We can go if you desire.\u201d <\/p>\n

Delilah stepped into the doorway. The others followed. The scattered limbs of the disassembled prom queens hung from their chains, which jingled and swayed as the ship lurched and folded through space. She stopped.<\/p>\n

–Delilah?– Crisp twittered and fluttered his steel wings.<\/p>\n

\u201cDelilah!\u201d The shout made them all jump. It was followed by more. \u201cCome in. We must speak to you.\u201d Heads nodded on their hooks, and arms beckoned to them to enter.<\/p>\n

She almost knocked Crisp from his perch as she clambered up Abe\u2019s metal torso, damaging a smokestack. Abe held her. She trembled.<\/p>\n

Many of the heads spoke at once. \u201cTell them about Captain Smoke!\u201d \u201cOoo, that\u2019s a good one.\u201d \u201cYes, Captain Smoke and the Green Queen.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cEnough!\u201d bellowed Abe, his voice shaking his passengers. \u201cIf you wish to tell us something, please do so in an orderly manner.\u201d As he said this, he wondered whether he noticed movement out in the corridor, but the thought was interrupted by Delilah.<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she whispered in Abe\u2019s ear.<\/p>\n

–I don\u2019t know if I can listen to this,– said Crisp.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but there is no order,\u201d said a head next to Abe, a random arm grabbing his. \u201cEverything\u2019s in complete disarray, here.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you want!\u201d yelled Delilah.<\/p>\n

A head looked straight at her and said, \u201c\u2018You\u2019re like a beautiful flower, with your green dress and silver hair. I\u2019m going to hang you in a garden of your very own,\u2019 said the captain, and then he put her in here, except there weren\u2019t so many chains then.\u201d Another added, \u201cNo, just enough for her.\u201d And a further chorused, \u201cBut she got him back in the end. He\u2019s still guiding our ship. She chained his body to the bow.\u201d And another, \u201cYes, now he\u2019s the ship\u2019s figurehead, he-he!\u201d<\/p>\n

–I really don\u2019t think I should hear this.– Crisp shook his beaky head in agitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that you, Crisp?\u201d The heads turned to face him. His camera-lens eyes dilated as he hid behind one of Abe\u2019s smokestacks. \u201cThe girl of your dreams is at the center of all our troubles.\u201d The one next to it said, \u201cBut we don\u2019t blame you. You\u2019re a hero.\u201d Crisp let out a tinny scream as he flew back the way they had come.<\/p>\n

Delilah turned. \u201cNo, Crisp, wait!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is all right. I think I am starting to understand a little. Ladies,\u201d he addressed the pieces in the gallery, \u201cI have seen some of what you mention in the performances for which you were punished.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou also mentioned a girl from our dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe two are related, are they not?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes!\u201d<\/p>\n

Abe looked down at the prom queen in his arms. \u201cWe have a little girl to find.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Delilah glanced sideways at the metal giant she walked with along the corridor. She was only half-listening to what he was saying. When she had first looked at him, all she had seen was a hulking iron drum, teetering on stubby legs, puffing out smoke or steam. As they walked along, she noticed something different. She felt safer with him next to her.<\/p>\n

\u201c. . . and if they are real events, the best place for us to go next would be back to Crisp\u2019s core.\u201d His voice was like a contra-bassoon, resonant, woody, and breathy.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry,\u201d she said. \u201cI wasn\u2019t listening. What was that about real events?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe dreams, the performances, they all seem like something real, something that happened here on the ship. And Crisp is involved. His agitation and hasty departure added to my suspicion. I know I have no proof, but this might be important enough to trust a hunch. So the best place to start would be Crisp\u2019s core.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re probably right. I . . .\u201d She couldn\u2019t finish because an iron worker rolled toward Abe.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, Iron Cleveland?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cIron Abe, terrible news!\u201d The little robot looked at the prom queen. \u201cI . . . don\u2019t think . . . can I speak to you in private?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you may talk to us both. I trust this lady.\u201d Delilah liked being called a lady.<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, Iron Abe. Prom queens are arming themselves on orders from the Green Queen. Some workers have overheard their plans. From what we can tell, the Queen now considers you treasonous and is massing an attack. How could she think this?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt could be a number of reasons.\u201d Abe turned to Delilah. \u201cI thought I saw movement in the corridor at the hanging garden. It may have been a spy. If not then, then perhaps when we were discussing treason. I do not know.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAbe!\u201d Little Cleveland appeared taken aback. \u201cTreason? You?\u201d<\/p>\n

Delilah felt she needed to step in. \u201cNo, Cleveland. Me. I\u2019m a bad influence on your boss. But I guess I was right since the Green Queen has given up all pretense of a trial.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou were right,\u201d rumbled Abe. \u201cBut we don\u2019t have time to deal with the queens. We need to concentrate on the child, for if we do not, I have a feeling the Green Queen soon will. iron worker Cleveland!\u201d The little robot snapped to attention. \u201cI need you to relay my orders to the others: keep all ladies of the court restricted to the upper levels for as long as possible.\u201d Abe glanced at Delilah, and then turned back to Cleveland. \u201cTell them to use rivet guns. Those should match flamethrowers.\u201d Abe put a hand on Cleveland\u2019s shoulder bigger than his head. \u201cI rely on you, my new second-in-command.\u201d Delilah almost giggled as Cleveland spun around and whirred away down the corridor, looking very proud.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe really trusts you.\u201d Delilah was impressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have never led them astray. Let us hope this is not the first time.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, to the core?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I have been thinking about something one of the heads . . . one of the prom queens said.\u201d Delilah smiled. \u201cShe said that the girl was at the center of all our troubles. I thought it might be an oblique reference to the origin of the treasonous incidents.\u201d<\/p>\n

Delilah thought about it. \u201cThe Green Queen accused the iron workers of treason, first, after the start of the performances.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd where do iron workers work?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the engine room.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich starts in the ship\u2019s center. Come. Let us continue our search.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe\u2019re running out of room to search,\u201d said Delilah. She sounded irritated, with good reason. They had been searching for some time.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, there is little left besides the engines themselves, and they are much too violent to be a place of safety.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m sorry, Abe, but maybe you were wrong.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not what the Green Queen thought.\u201d They heard a hissing sound before they saw the prom queen emerge from the shadows. Claudean stepped into the light, the pilot sparker of her flamethrower emitting a sibilant whistle. \u201cShe wants the child. She\u2019s had me follow you two for a while. We know about Crisp, too. We\u2019ll take care of him later.\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cJefferson?\u201d Abe recognized his former Worker. Was there anything left of him? \u201cDo you remember me?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s the bucket talking about, Delilah?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cJefferson\u2019s gone, Abe.\u201d To Claudean she added, \u201cYou\u2019re slipping into your new role easily enough, Claudean.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI like earning the Green Queen\u2019s favor. I like my new job.\u201d Claudean adjusted a setting on her flamethrower as she aimed it at the two. \u201cBut I love my new accessory!\u201d<\/p>\n

Abe had no time to move as a narrow, white-hot arc burned across him, etching his torso. He let out an awful roar; he had never felt such concentrated pain.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbe, no!\u201d Delilah jumped in front of the blast. Her prom gown was incinerated, surrounding her in a halo of charred ash.<\/p>\n

\u201cDelilah!\u201d Abe pushed her glowing, naked body aside and stormed toward Claudean. His fist, like a wrecking ball, connected and hurled her across the engine room. At the end of her sad arc, she lay like a broken marionette, her midsection pulverized by the blow.<\/p>\n

She extended a limp hand toward them. \u201cHrrk. Abe. Delilah.\u201d The whistle of her flamethrower became a screech. Abe had enough time to haul Delilah into his arms before a wave of heat, light, and force engulfed them.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you all right?\u201d Once they were safe, Abe pawed gently at the lady he held in his arm.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes. I\u2019m fine, Abe. Nothing permanent. See? You can put me down if you like.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abe fumbled with her, but set her down as he would a glass figurine. \u201cI was concerned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m flattered, but all she did was warm the surface. Oh, Abe.\u201d she felt the front of his torso along his new scar. \u201cI like it.\u201d<\/p>\n

He turned away.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight. One more place in here to check, I think.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d he said, \u201cthere are no more places. We have failed.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe haven\u2019t checked in here.\u201d She wandered over to a far wall. Abe found that he could not look as she moved closer.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat do you mean? There\u2019s this great big door here.\u201d<\/p>\n

He could not turn his head toward her. \u201cThere is nothing. We must look elsewhere.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s wrong with you?\u201d An edge crept back into her voice. Abe started to walk back the way they came.<\/p>\n

\u201cIron Abe.\u201d She took what she could hold of his hand. \u201cCome with me.\u201d His feet were riveted to the floor. \u201cConsider that an order between friends.\u201d He relaxed and followed where she led. A door opened at her touch–a door that hadn\u2019t been there moments before. \u201cYou really couldn\u2019t see the door?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw nothing until you opened it. Perhaps I was programmed to ignore it? But in my own engine room?\u201d <\/p>\n

\u201cI think we\u2019re on the right track. Look.\u201d She pointed into the dusty shadows of the hidden room. Light from behind them fell on a surface of dulled chrome. Its rounded body tapered back toward elegant fins and conical rockets. \u201cAn escape pod. It must be the last.\u201d They approached the pod.<\/p>\n

Abe had to duck, but they both entered when she activated the entryway. The temperature fell sharply as they stepped closer to the frosted casket in the center of the room.<\/p>\n

\u201cAbe!\u201d She squeezed his hand. \u201cIt\u2019s her!\u201d Inside the casket was the little girl. \u201cGet her out!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do not know how. We need to find Crisp.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t just leave her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe has been in here for years. She will–\u201d Abe stopped as they heard a voice calling him outside. <\/p>\n

When they returned to the main engine room, they heard over the intercom, \u201cIron Abe!\u201d It was Cleveland. \u201cThe prom queens have overpowered us! We are defeated!–kzzt!<\/p>\n

\u201cI led them astray.\u201d Abe sagged. \u201cThey are all destroyed. His smoke stopped.<\/p>\n

She tugged at his arm. \u201cIt\u2019s not your fault. Their sacrifice can help us stop the Green Queen. Let\u2019s go to the core, Abe. We have to find Crisp.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

Delilah and Abe arrived at the core to see a bizarre sight. On all of Crisp\u2019s monitors were the words, –Either that Bitch goes, or I do!– And the Green Queen was working her way through smashing them with her wand. <\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is he?\u201d said the Queen. \u201cWhere is that twittering jackdaw?\u201d She shattered another, and then she noticed Delilah and Abe. \u201cTraitors!\u201d She pointed her wand at them. \u201cKneel.\u201d<\/p>\n

Delilah\u2019s legs buckled beneath her. Abe\u2019s heavy frame landed beside her. She could move, but not rise. \u201cNo need to struggle, you two,\u201d said the Queen. \u201cThis wand gives me control of the ship and every robot on it. For instance, you, bucket.\u201d She indicated Abe with her wand. \u201cKnock over the whore beside you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Delilah didn\u2019t see Abe\u2019s hand move, she only knew she was on her back and in pain, looking high into the upper lofts of Crisp\u2019s core.<\/p>\n

Abe restrained the arm that had hit Delilah as if it were a belligerent intruder. \u201cI . . . sorry . . . I didn\u2019t–\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m all right, Abe. I\u2019ll just lie here a little while.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHmm, vaguely satisfying,\u201d chuckled the Queen. \u201cAh, Delilah, such a disappointment. And this,\u201d she indicated Abe. \u201cWhat if I make the bucket remove his own head? He\u2019d probably get quite far before he shut down . . .\u201d She paused when the words on a screen beside her changed.<\/p>\n

–We never made it to the colony on Hopper\u2019s Ghost. Our cargo of queens became your court, and the frozen colonists were jettisoned in their drifting sleeping chambers, never to arrive at the colony.–<\/p>\n

\u201cTreasonous swine!\u201d The Queen smashed the offending screen. Another twinkled to life.<\/p>\n

–Captain Smoke thought the colonists wouldn\u2019t miss one little prom queen, with silver hair and emerald dress. She didn\u2019t mind. She was used to giving. But he was used to taking. He kept her chained in the Hanging Garden for the duration of the trip, and Hopper\u2019s Ghost was a long way away.–<\/p>\n

\u201cStop it, you flamboyant peacock!\u201d The Queen rammed her wand through the lit screen and a blank one for malice.<\/p>\n

Delilah couldn\u2019t rise, but she propped her body on one arm. She thought she understood what Crisp was doing. She added fuel to the fire. \u201cYou decided to start taking. You took the lives of the colonists and crew, and you took Captain Smoke\u2019s command after chaining him to the bow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy are you making things ugly again?\u201d The Queen didn\u2019t know whom to face. She turned from the screens, to her captives, and back. \u201cI made things beautiful.\u201d She lowered her wand. \u201cBut you all poisoned it with your treasonous performances.\u201d A screen streamed glowing words across its surface.<\/p>\n

–Oh, yes. The performances. A slap in the face to your \u201cbeauty.\u201d You took my memories, too, but a kernel of them remained, expressed in dreams and performances and other little ways. Do you want to know something else?–<\/p>\n

\u201cNo!\u201d The Queen started destroying any screen, not just the ones Crisp occupied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour Majesty!\u201d boomed Abe. He had recovered and kneeled straight and tall. \u201cYou have abused me and my workers. Altered us, punished us when we only wanted to work. I have figured something out: all \u2018performers\u2019 were, or had been, iron workers. They must have helped Crisp with a secret project only they could have done. Is that so, Crisp?\u201d<\/p>\n

–Absolutely, clever boy!– To the Queen, he said, –Before you got to me, you thieving bitch, you pestilent Queen, I had time to order some Workers to hide one human: a child. And what did those workers get in return? Ultimately, the Hanging Garden.–<\/p>\n

\u201cNo more humans!\u201d Delilah and Abe were helpless to stop the Queen. Soon, all of the monitors lay in ruins. \u201cAnd no more Crisp, either.\u201d She straightened her dress and silver hair. \u201cWhat do I do with you two?\u201d She strode luxuriantly toward them.<\/p>\n

From high in the core\u2019s upper cells, Delilah heard a twittering as something descended. A steel whirlwind of wing, beak, and claw swept toward the Queen\u2019s head.–Die, Queen Bitch!–<\/p>\n

Delilah had never cheered before, but this was a good time to start.<\/p>\n

But the Queen batted Crisp\u2019s aviadrone form away, dropping her wand. She reached her hands to her empty eye sockets. \u201cMy beauty. Where is my beauty?\u201d<\/p>\n

Crisp flapped his broken wings. –Abe! Delilah! We have to leave. You found the escape pod?–<\/p>\n

Delilah found she could stand again. She and Abe ran to Crisp. \u201cYes, but we don\u2019t know how to use it.\u201d<\/p>\n

–I do, dear. I can fly. Well, ships, anyway. I don\u2019t think this body will again.–<\/p>\n

\u201cLeave that to me.\u201d Abe scooped the tiny Crisp-bird into his mammoth hands, putting him into his damaged smokestack.<\/p>\n

–We must hurry. I set the Reel drive to take the ship out of the galaxy. If we don\u2019t get off now, we never will!–<\/p>\n

They ran for their lives.<\/p>\n

\n

The Manifolder, Fierce Exchange, gave birth to an explosion of silent light from its side. It took no notice of its departing children as it folded space, never to be seen again.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo where are we going, Crisp?\u201d asked Delilah. Abe was relieved that she showed not a scratch from where he had hit her. She was tough.<\/p>\n

–It\u2019s called Lachrymose Enchantress. Rain planet. Closest life-bearing world that could support the child, I\u2019m afraid. Mustn\u2019t be choosey.–<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, Abe.\u201d She put her hand on his shoulder. It felt warm.<\/p>\n

\u201cI have oil. I will be fine.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThink of it, Abe. Walking naked in the rain all day. Can I?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course. And I will work to build us a home.\u201d He thought about it, shaping their surroundings into a castle of metal and stone. Perhaps he could find a use for their engine . . .<\/p>\n

–I think it\u2019s time to introduce you to the last member of our little crew. Abe, carry me.– Abe lifted Crisp in his palm and deposited him beside the cryo-casket. With his beak, he pecked out the revival sequence.<\/p>\n

Cool air billowed from the casket as it opened. The little girl lay inside. Ice crystals matted the locks of her hair. She let out a breath and whispered, \u201cMama?\u201d<\/p>\n

Delilah grabbed the little girl\u2019s arm gently with both hands and rubbed it. \u201cYes, dear. Mama\u2019s here,\u201d she whispered back.<\/p>\n

Abe and Crisp glanced at each other and then turned to Delilah. \u201cLet me pretend . . . for now.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

So few robot myths remain in our legends. Perhaps it’s because humans can’t accept the faults of their electronic children. Maybe it’s because robots don’t tell fairy stories. Anymore. I think neither wants to admit how similar we truly are. –Fodor Ix Folktales of the Spaceways, vol. 113 The Green Queen slammed her wand against …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5913,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,9365],"tags":[9368],"class_list":["post-88509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fiction","category-tcl-22-winter-2017","tag-the-colored-lens-22-winter-2017","entry entry-center"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88509","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\/5913"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=88509"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88509\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":139497,"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/88509\/revisions\/139497"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=88509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=88509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/thecoloredlens.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=88509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}