Stepping quickly to catch up he matched Eric’s pace and stayed close behind them. The six or seven sleeping boxes were different designs than the one his Master had provided. These were shaped the similarly, but the materials were different. Some were made from steel, others from piled stones.
The shapes of the units here were almost identical to his own. They had the same faces, both male and female designations. Each was expressing some emotion related to fear or apprehension. Some even sneered at him as he walked by. He smiled nervously, trying to avoid a confrontation.
There was no welcoming embrace. No dialogue. Just a safe distance between the others and himself. He wondered how they had grown so fearful of the outside world, then realized that his Master had not allowed him to deviate too far from the group. He would have reacted the same if he had never left the confines of the camp.
Spear's eye picked up on the fact that they did not have discipline collars on. It pleased him to see that they were free, regardless of the fact that they seemed to be disinterested in communicating.
Eric turned to the right and stood in front of a stone sleeping box. Each stone had been carved and placed almost perfectly. The surface was a mix of different materials, but the craftsmanship and care that had been put into the construction impressed Spear.
Out of the doorway stepped a unit covered in a red cloth wrapped only around its upper body. The visual gave a strong indication that this individual was different than the rest. The fact that Eric knelt seemed to indicate that the unit’s status was elevated above all others.
Spear followed suit kneeling as well. If this were the Master, he would avoid recycling by staying out of trouble.
“Get up you idiot,” Iris said to Eric, still clinging to his back in the harness, “You too… He’s just like you and me. No better, no worse.”
“Except that, I was elected by the group to deal with important matters… Such as your Illegal absence. You know that you put us all at risk when you leave?”
“Yeah, Yeah, Yeah. I get it. Don’t leave. Stay here. You guys are missing the world outside. A lot is going on while you hide away.”
Spear continued to kneel and bow his head next to Eric.
“The village will have to discuss your situation. Why are you in such a state? How did you end up like this?”
Spear watched them talk as she described her journey, and subsequent fall into the pit trap. Half way through the story something caught his eye, and he turned his head. A large hovering disk like that of his Masters peeked out from around a sleeping box. Unlike the Master’s disk, this was not black. A polished silver color indicated that this hovering disk was well maintained. Underneath it, the differences continued; instead of a mutilated body of a unit welded to arms and appendages, a simple cone-shaped chamber hung.
It’s shape reminded Spear of the gray organic things he had shoved into his digester at the urging of Three-One.
At the widest, it attached to the disk, and the bottom thinner point contained a multitude of thin arms which flicked and preened the body. The translucent wall of the cone-shaped chamber was as tall as Spear, and would have easily fit him inside. The space, however, was occupied by a constantly shifting fog of orange. He would have equated it with fire, but it moved far too slow in its ghostly swirls. It was as if whatever inside had been trapped long ago.
“…we will call a council today to decide what to do with you. As for this traveler you have brought; why is he here? Why did you bring an outsider here?”
“He is here to see the witch,” she smiled.
“It is not recommended,” the scarlet unit stated shaking his head.
“I promised it,” Iris said the words very slowly, “I promised it for my survival. He offered to help me in return to be fixed.”
The Scarlet unit examined Spear with a critical eye but still addressed Iris, “You know the rules.” The scarlet clothed unit looked at Iris.
“I know, he is my responsibility. If he causes trouble, his punishment is my own,” She looked at Spear in a way that indicated he should acknowledge that he knew the consequences.
Spear nodded back to her.
“Fine, but he sees the witch when she wishes. He stays here until we have finished deliberating your fate, Iris. Eric, bring the accused,” the scarlet body walked inside the nearby sleeping box and Eric, still carrying Iris, stood to follow.
Spear stood and took a step but was cut off by Iris, “Sorry, you will have to stay. Just stay right here. Don’t go anywhere. No matter what.”
Spear wondered how much trouble she was going to be in.
Crouching he sat down leaning against the wall of the stone box. The voices inside issued commands, and units from inside left, walking across the square to the other sleeping boxes. Soon a multitude of units were stepping by Spear, each looking at him with a mix of disgust and fear. Occasionally one would pause and almost speak before being ushered on by the others.
The sleeping box was packed with standing units, and Spear wondered if it would be worthwhile to disobey and enter to see what was happening to Iris.
Spear leaned his metal rod against the outside wall so that if he were caught, his intentions would not be misinterpreted. Stepping next to the door he peered inside. He had promised to stay, but his curiosity was getting the better of him. Inside he could see everyone congregating together in a circle, voices arguing.
“Thisssss one isssss broken,” came a static hiss from behind him. Spear whirled feeling a wave of electricity crackle through the air around him. The disk creature hovered above him as a small finger thin arm unfurled and touched Spear’s face. He stood paralyzed with fear. It probed his missing voice box lingering for a moment, then drew itself to his bent arm.
“Issss fixable…” came the static again. The sound emanated from the hanging tube underneath the disks body. The clear itself was so close that Spear could clearly see the orange wisps float and curl against the glass like smoke.
As the hovering disk moved away two other units, who’s faces were covered by dark fabric stepped forward before standing motionless at its side. They had snuck up on him when he was not paying attention.
“Thissss one… must follow.” It said, hovering away. The two units flanked Spear and grasped his arms. He tried to struggle, but they pulled him along. Looking over his shoulder, he wanted to call out, and ask for help, but the eyes of the crowd that were peering through the door only regarded him for a moment before returning to the trial and judgment at hand.
As Spear put his feet down and walked, the hands relaxed. The floating unit rounded a corner of the square, and they began to follow a path through the trees and up a small hill. Spear looked around, trying to gain his bearings. Anxiety flooded over him as he realized his weapon was back at the stone box leaning against the wall. With each step following the floating disk, Spear felt farther and farther from safety. Already the sleeping boxes were well out of sight.
Reluctantly he opted not to fight or struggle with the escorts that held his arms. He wondered obsessively if this floating unit was the so-called witch? Was this the creature that would fix him as promised?
Soon the trail curved to the right. Spear could see at the end of the path a cave like structure. The stone had been carved out from under the side of a rocky cliff. Inside similar components of what looked like the inside of his Master’s factory. The same chambers and brightly lit controls occupied the space. The layout was different and the uses unknown, but the structures were familiar. The primary difference appeared that they seemed as though they were cobbled together from different parts.
The guards released him, and he continued forward, peering at the equipment.
“The old… recycler wasssss … damaged… I built thisss,” she pointed to the machinery. A long table sat in front of it. Around it was a carpet of discarded broken parts from other units. Spear felt apprehension creep in as he realized that this oddly shaped unit might have plans for him other tha
n what was promised.
“Fix you now…” its speakers crackled as a long multi-jointed arm pointed to the table.
Spear stepped back, but strong hands grabbed him. He flailed, trying to call out. They picked him up. The impossibly strong units hefted him onto the flat surface and released. There was a hum, and Spear’s arms and legs clattered downwards. Locked in place by some strange force. He struggled and at the best he could slide his hands a small distance.
“Next step will hurtsss…”
The Witch floated over him and unfurled multiple arms from the outer rim of the disk. A cutter dangled down, jerking towards his face. Its bright light shot forward without pause, burning at the remaining flexible plastic.
Spear tried to scream as the hot pain erupted, but there was no sound, only bright crackling light from the cutter. No matter how much he struggled, the unit kept cutting.
Chapter 24
A hand brushed Spear's chest. He thought of the Water Carrier, and his hand reached up to grasp at the familiar touch. The smooth texture was different than he had expected, and he opened his eyes. Iris stared back grinning. Her body was complete. It was a miss match of arms and legs but overall complete.
He pushed her hand aside, looking around for his torturer. He couldn't remember losing consciousness, but somehow he felt that he was spared the memory of the worst of what had happened.
The two of them were the only ones in the dark room. A small hole in the ceiling was providing dim light for them.
“How was your time with the witch?” she smiled wide. Her new face flexing.
He sat up on his elbows remembering the excruciating pain. The blinding overwhelming sensation of death as he lost consciousness from the arcing cutter.
“Looks like she did a good job,” Iris said holding up a hand, “How many fingers?”
He could gauge depth again. His hand raised up to his face touching the surface, and the eye was there.
“What was that thing?” He said out loud. His voice sounded deeper than his old voice, not by much but enough he had noticed. It echoed off the walls.
“Oh… it talks now,” she laughed.
“Is everything always a joke with you?” he chastised, looking around the small dark room. There were no windows or doors save for the opening above them.
“Most of the time. A good sense of humor will get you through most things.”
“Where are we?” Spear asked looking around. The space was small, maybe twice as wide as he was tall. Square walls reminded him of a sleeping box. The sound of his voice echoing off the walls felt deadened and heavy, as though they buried.
Iris pointed to the hole in the ceiling, “In the pit. Kind of Ironic. You rescued me from a fate worse than death because I fell down a hole, and now that I am home I am stuck in one with your.”
“What? A pit? Why?”
“You ask a lot of questions,” She laughed at him, “It’s just while they wait to decide what to do with us.”
“I didn’t do anything. I helped you! Why am I being punished?”
“It's just because they are paranoid and don’t trust outsiders. Don’t worry.”
“Why are you here?”
Iris shrugged, “It’s a long story, but the short version is that I tend to get into a lot of trouble.”
“You couldn’t have gotten into that much trouble,” he said realizing that she was up and walking around looking at her new legs.
She looked at him and twirled on one leg expertly, “Better than new.”
“How?” he asked.
“The witch,” she said looking up at the mouth of the hole absently, “She likes me.”
Spear felt the new smooth skin on his face, “She must hate me. It hurt so much.”
“Yeah. Well, there is that. She doesn’t do empathy well.”
“Why?”
“Because she isn’t like us. She is a different type. One that ‘they’ made.”
“Who?”
“The ones from long ago. The ones that built all the ruins and stuff. Seriously. You don’t get out much. You almost as bad as these guys.” Her finger pointed upwards.
“I was a slave for most of my life. This is the first time I have been free, so why don’t you tell me instead of making fun of me.”
“Nope. You’ll have to figure that out on your own,” Iris said.
Spear could tell that she had lost interest in the conversation. He had so many questions, and it frustrated him that she didn’t seem interested in answering any of them at all. He paced for a bit before opting to sit against the stone wall; Iris, on the other hand, was making a concerted effort to wear a trail into the floor with her marching back and forth. She constantly seemed in motion and fidgeted at every moment.
Spear passed the time by picking up small stones he could find on the loose floor and toss them against the far wall. He noticed that she was silent, which seemed oddly contrary to her previous state. For most of the day, she paced, sat, stood, paced some more. Ignored all of his questions, and was infuriatingly self-absorbed.
Most of the day had gone by, and the sun was beginning to set when a rope was dropped from the ceiling.
“Finally!” Iris said reaching for it.
The rope yanked away.
“Send up the traveler,” a voice from above called down.
“He has a name you know!”
There was silence from above
Iris looked at him and whispered, “What is your name anyhow?”
He looked her in the eye, strode forward and reached for the rope, “My name is Spear.” His hand closed around the woven fibers.
She raised a curious eyebrow at him. The rope pulled upwards, carrying him towards the ceiling. At the top, hands grabbed at him and gently hoisted him to his feet.
The red unit was standing in front of him surrounded by the other village units, “We are very sorry you have been caught up in this. My name is James Susan,” a hand was extended in kindness.
Spear hesitated and looked at it.
“Sorry it is an old custom,” the hand lowered.
“My name is Spear,” he said, “Why do you have two names?”
“Why do you only have one?” James asked.
“It was the one I was given.”
“My first name is the one I was given; my last name is my seed name. The name of the unit which gave me my soul.”
“Soul?” Spear asked.
James looked at him quizzically, realizing Spear's lack of experience. The scarlet shrouded unit tapped his own head, “My soul. The one that makes me who I am. Unique.”
“I am made from recycled parts. I am not unique,” Spear said.
“I can assure you, that you do,” James said a matter of factly, “Maybe you don’t know how you came into existence, but we are all the same. Made from the same material. Our outsides are different, but inside, the component that drives us is the same.”
Spear looked at him confused.
“That does not matter. We are making preparations to send you back to where you have come from. We have filled your bag with food, and will return to you your weapon once you exit from here.”
“That’s it? What about Iris?”
“She will be dealt with.”
“Dealt with? How?”
“The decision from the vote was a permanent exile,” the red clothed units face was disappointed.
“Exile… like never coming back?”
“Yes,”
“That seems cruel,” Spear said, “I thought you were her village? Her people?”
“She endangers us continually with her coming and going. This is not the first time she has left. Each time she returns through the gate she risks showing the world where the entry point is. We have worked very hard to learn the history of the old ways and the outside world threatens that knowledge with its violence and cannibalism.”
“That doesn’t mean that everyone outside is bad,” Spear objected.
“It has
been our experience that it is; You seem to be the exception of course. You opted to save someone who you knew nothing about. You continued to keep Iris safe even when you could have abandoned her. For this we are thankful. Please stay tonight, but tomorrow before the sun comes up, we will take you back outside so that you can continue unharmed.”
“Thanks,” Spear was unsure if it was a kindness or a death sentence.
“We would like to ask a favor of you, will you speak with the Archivist so that we can catalog what you know of the world? You are free to decline, but it would be very helpful.”
Spear considered the small request, and it did not seem that they were expecting anything from him, and he wanted to buy time until he found out what was going to happen to Iris.
“Sure,” Spear said, “I’d be happy to talk to him.”
“Excellent. Please come this way,” the James said turning away. They walked away from the mouth of the pit, and across the courtyard of sleeping boxes before rounding a corner, and continuing past another cluster of sleeping boxes. These were unique and covered with a thick growth of green.
“The Archivist is just ahead,” James said pointing to an ancient stone sleeping box. Strange symbols adorned the outside of the box like structure. A unit wrapped in brown rags stepped out of the doorway. Inside Spear could see a small flame illuminating the interior. The walls were covered with reflective material.
They stood at the doorway for a moment, pausing to call inside.
“Paul Norton,” James introduced, “Meet Spear. He is leaving us tomorrow morning, but we were wondering if you would like to talk to him before he goes?”
“Yes! Yes! Come, please. Inside,” the Archivist said appearing from the orange flickering light before motioning them inside.
James touched Spear’s shoulder, “We will come and collect you before sunrise. Thank you.”
Spear nodded before turning to the now empty doorway. The flicker of shadows inside moving as the unit shifted around the room.
Spear's Journey Page 12