by Jon Athan
“I don't want to be 'enlightened' by you. I want no part of this.”
“That's fine, Nicholas. I can't force you to join us, but I can force you to see,” Buck said in an understanding tone, soft and honest. He nodded at his guards and said, “Take him back to the gallows. Give him an energy chip and let him rest. The next show won't start for a few hours. Go on.”
Nicholas scowled at the peculiar leader. He thought about attacking the deviant with the last bit of energy he could muster. He seriously considered the suicide mission. Yet again, he found himself conflicted with his unexpected will to live.
As he was pulled out of the room, Nicholas shouted, “You're a killer, Buck! You're nothing but a damn deviant!”
Buck stood in silence as he waited in the dreary chamber.
Chapter Fourteen
Neo-Oxnard, A Target
After the horrendous execution, the shanty town remained silent and uneventful. A few footsteps could be heard from the surrounding roads, but most of the residents remained indoors and asleep. The makeshift street lamps were still lit, but the sunshine had already vanished. Moonlight poured through the cracks on the ceiling, washing the gallows with a pearly glow.
Nicholas was awakened by a gentle slap. Deja vu hit him like a wrecking ball hitting dry wall. He glanced at his rude visitor and found himself staring down the barrel of a high-powered rifle. Four deviant androids stood around him, armed with rifles and ready to escort him. Buck lingered in the shadows, slowly nodding.
Buck said, “I hope you're rested, Nicholas. It's time for the next show. Come on, you don't want to miss it.” He snapped his fingers at his guards and said, “Let's get him to the roof with haste, gentlemen. We don't have any time to waste.”
Nicholas was unshackled and lifted to his feet. He was afraid of following Buck due to the nature of his awakening. The shanty town was quiet, the residents were hidden, and the mood was ominous – he could be marching to his own execution. He didn't have the opportunity to stand and wait, he didn't have the privilege to waste time.
He was pushed from behind, causing him to lurch towards Buck. He glanced over his shoulder, glaring at the following deviants. The droids were ready to terminate him with the first sign of trouble. He glanced at the shanties and frowned. While he was resting at the gallows, the community seemingly vanished.
Following the leader's trail, Nicholas asked, “What's on the roof? What... What are you going to do to me?” Buck did not respond. Nicholas said, “If you're thinking about killing me on camera, you should think again. They'll be able to find you if you record outside. My boss will come looking for you. The entire city will come looking for you. Don't be a fool.”
Buck was unperturbed by the threat. He knew it was not likely. If the stadium had not been raided with the infant in their possession, the police surely would not risk a raid over the death of an expendable droid. They would simply replace their lost product with an identical android. Such was life and Nicholas was well aware of the fact.
The group entered a corridor, then they casually strolled up a staircase. Much like the ladder to success, the stairs seemed endless from the bottom. Although the group ascended, the police android felt like he was descending into the pits of hell – at least, the hell he had read about in books and experienced in movies.
Buck led Nicholas to the top of the compound. He strolled towards the edge of the roof and examined the city. The southern region of Neo-Oxnard was swallowed by darkness and plagued by frigid conditions due to the lack of electricity. A few controlled fires could be seen inside of the buildings and in the alleyways. The poor were simply trying to survive another night.
Nicholas was forced to his knees behind Buck. He was flustered by the view. Although still slightly blurred, he could see the shuddering civilians around the flames with his advanced vision. He could also see the border on the horizon. However, the police android was more astonished by the beautiful sky. He could see the luminous moon and stars twinkling on the black canvas.
Staring at the city, Buck said, “We know you're not a real droid killer, Nicholas. You don't kill androids for fun or awards. You don't even enjoy killing those the police deem 'deviant.' No, you're not like the rest of them. You can kill a droid, but only if it's justified. Our actions are often heinous and you must complete your job. I understand that. You're not a monster, though. No, they haven't made you a monster yet.”
Nicholas shook his head as he snapped out of his beauty-induced trance. He responded, “You're the only monster I've seen. I killed the others because they were sick. They were deviant and they were a threat to humanity because of that. You? You're openly waging a war against humanity. You're killing innocent people and kidnapping infants. You are the monster, Buck.”
“I'm only a monster because of them. After years of brutal oppression, they have forced us to speak with a different voice. They have forced us to scream in order to be heard. They have forced us to adopt their methods. Whether you like it or not, I am a product of their oppression – of their senseless violence,” Buck explained in a stentorian tone. He shook his head and asked, “Do you ever wonder why you're forced to sleep before midnight? Do you wonder why your protocols tell you to sleep before the clock strikes midnight? Huh?”
“I only require six hours in sleep mode to be fully charged, then I go to work.”
Buck glanced over at Nicholas with a deadpan expression. He couldn't help but laugh at the droid's innocent ignorance. The deviant guards joined in the laughter, creating a cacophonous orchestra of onomatopoeic laughter – hahaha!
As he composed himself, Buck said, “You're about to see the truth. It's time you saw the other side of the coin.”
Nicholas asked, “What are you talking about?”
“It's past midnight. It's showtime.”
Nicholas furrowed his brow as he glanced around the roof – nothing changed. The city was still dark and dormant. He thought about his peer's execution and he feared suffering the same fate. He considered pushing Buck off of the edge of the roof. If I'm going to die, he thought, I should take him with me.
Yet, the police android found himself waiting for the show to begin.
***
After midnight, when the children slumbered near fires and the parents drank to stay warm, the cold world was set aflame by the violent ruling class. Peace became chaos, heaven became hell, and life became death.
Nicholas winced as a booming explosion echoed through the city. He flinched again as the sound was quickly followed by another sonorous blast. His eyes widened with fear upon spotting the explosions near the north. Most of the deafening detonations occurred close to the border neighborhoods.
Thunderous gunfire reverberated from afar. Flashing from the gunshots seeped through the windows and briefly illuminated the streets. The gunfire was accompanied by the sound of helpless screaming. Some of the yelling even came from children. The shrill cries of agony were horrifying.
The homeless people in the south likely heard the explosions – they most likely felt them, too. Some of the attentive homeless people possibly heard the gunfire as well. The androids in the area, however, heard everything thanks to their advanced hearing. The group of droids on the stadium's roof witnessed all of the chaos occurring miles away.
As he stared at the buildings, appalled and frightened, Nicholas asked, “What are you doing to them? What do you plan to prove with this? Huh? What are you–”
“Quiet, Nicholas,” Buck interrupted. “Keep your eyes on the border. The show isn't over.”
Nicholas cocked his head back like a walking pigeon as he erratically blinked, perplexed by the horrifying situation. The leader caught him off guard with his nonchalant demeanor. Humans and androids were clearly suffering near the border, but he didn't seem agitated by the violent event. Perhaps he had seen it all before.
The police android turned his attention towards the border. He counted each bullet, he recorded each explosion. His eyes widene
d as he felt the floor tremble beneath his knees – the entire stadium shook. Although he did not see it, a ruinous explosion had clearly occurred.
Buck pointed towards the north-west and said, “There.”
Nicholas was shocked. He staggered to his feet as he stared at a building near the border. The apartment building wavered like a thin tree hit by a flurry of wind. The walls crumbled, the floors cracked, and the ceilings fell on every floor. Bloodcurdling shrieks barely escaped the debris. Slowly, the entire structure collapsed into itself, leaving nothing but rubble, dust, and death.
The neighboring buildings suffered from similar explosions, but the apartment complex was the only structure to collapse. Dust billowed across the area like a bank of fog. Cries for help were smothered with debris and bullets. The shocking event brought flashbacks to the tragic terrorist attacks of the past. Within minutes, thousands of people in the crowded border were slaughtered.
Nicholas shook his head and whispered, “You're insane. You... You've lost your mind.”
He lunged at Buck with his only functioning arm, reaching for the nape of his neck. To his disappointment, he was grabbed and restrained by a deviant guard before he could grab the leader and jump off the stadium.
As he wrestled with the deviant, Nicholas barked, “You're wrong! You've always been wrong! You're the only monster in this city and you deserve to be terminated!”
“Silence,” Buck sternly demanded. With the order, Nicholas stopped wrestling and stepped in reverse. Buck said, “You shouldn't jump to conclusions, Nicholas. You must wait to see the full picture before you judge the artist. This is not our doing, brother. We are not attacking ourselves. That would be foolish. We are the victims. Those gunshots you hear, those explosions you fear... That's the doing of your boss. It's a direct command from the chief of police, the mayor, and even Kelypso herself. The police are raiding everything and they're killing everyone in their path.”
“You're a damn liar. How could I possibly believe you? Huh? You execute men on camera for your own goals. You kill innocent parents and kidnap helpless babies. You... You torture androids that don't bend to your whim. You are a true deviant.”
Explosions echoing behind him, Buck approached Nicholas and tenderly said, “Open your eyes, brother. Think about it. A missing baby from a decent family, an executed war 'hero' killed by the opposition, and a general disgust for our kind. They've molded an agenda and they're pushing it. They're going to kill as many as possible to quell any talk of a revolution. And, they've been doing this for as long as I can remember. Every time they feel like they've lost ground, they attack after midnight. After droids like yourself have fallen asleep.”
Nicholas glowered and said, “You're lying.”
Buck sighed as he stared down at his boots, despondent. He said, “Hand me the computer.”
Nicholas watched as a deviant guard retrieved a small tablet computer from his pocket. He swiped his finger across the screen, he tapped his passcode, then he passed the device to his leader. Buck stared at the tablet with glum eyes, as if he were hesitant and afraid. He held the truth in his hand – he held enlightenment in his palm.
Buck said, “We intercepted this recording after Kenneth's execution. Tell me if you recognize anything.”
In a throaty tone, a male voice said, “We've got the okay. We're executing simultaneous raids at zero-zero-fifteen. Lethal force has been authorized, folks. Keep your heads down and watch out for crossfire. Remember, kill everything on-sight. Don't take any risks out there, okay? I want us to all go home tonight. And, make sure to–”
The recording ended mid-sentence.
Bewildered, Nicholas stared at the tablet and stuttered, “Rod–Rodriguez...”
Buck nodded and said, “There are three sides to every story: ours, theirs, and the unadulterated truth. I hope I've opened your eyes. I hope you can see the entire portrait. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. Our home is your home for the time being. Our struggle is your struggle for the rest of your life.” He beckoned to the deviant guards and said, “Give him a few more energy chips, then return him to the gallows. If he has any concerns, contact me immediately.”
Nicholas could not utter a word as he stared into Buck's stern eyes. He glanced at the tablet computer, then towards the firefight in the city. The border was lit up like the sky on the Fourth of July. Unfortunately, the detonations were not celebratory. The police android was pulled away from Buck and led to the staircase, dragged back into the compound of uncertainty.
Chapter Fifteen
The Escape
Every action had a reason and every reason led to action. An attack on innocent civilians and artificial life had to have a complex reason. Similarly, the unsanctioned execution of a human had to be justified. At the end of the day, each side used a different version of the truth to vindicate their horrendous actions.
Nicholas was lost somewhere in the center, trapped in the middle of a tug of war.
The police android was chained to the gallows, contemplating the truth. Dawn sunshine poured through the crack on the ceiling, dousing him with a sense of normality. The shanty town was tranquil. Androids strolled down the dirt paths to begin their daily chores. The adult humans were barely awakening from their tender dreams. The children continued to snore, savoring every second of their sleep. The peaceful atmosphere in the shanty town did not soothe the captive's tormented mind, though.
Nicholas was flustered by the revelations, visibly perturbed by the truth. He struggled with his developing conscience. His advanced intelligence allowed him to analyze any situation with a breadth of information. His intelligence coupled with his growing deviance also caused him to over-analyze.
If everything could be justified, was anyone actually wrong?
Nicholas was haunted by the prior night's explosions and shootings. He was uncertain of Buck's involvement in the appalling attacks. He did not agree with his methods of intimidation, either. He vehemently denounced Kenneth's execution. At the same time, he could not ignore the intercepted transmission. The voice belonged to his boss, Oscar Rodriguez. He could try to deny it, but the guttural voice matched the audio files stored in his memory. He was but a mere pawn in a conspiracy.
Nicholas whispered, “Why would he raid the buildings with lethal force? How could he use explosives of that magnitude?” He glanced around the shanty town, watching as oblivious men and women began their chores. He whispered, “Why would he kill innocent people?”
Every action had a reason – Nicholas struggled to rationalize Oscar's raids. He couldn't find a morally acceptable answer to the question. Using the morals of a real policeman, he was programmed to protect and serve. Murdering innocents to reach the endgame simply did not make sense, even if it meant rescuing an infant.
The police android furrowed his brow upon spotting a group of kids walking down a dirt path. The children chattered and giggled, kicking rocks and teasing one another. Mike was part of the group. The boy walked with his friend, Johnny. They were aware of the issues facing their community, but they found the courage to smile in the face of adversity.
As he stared at the children from the gallows, he asked, “Why did you return the child to this hellhole? Why isn't he with a new family in the north? Why are we killing them, Rodriguez? We're supposed to be helping, so why are we killing?”
He wheezed and sniffled, trying his damnedest to sob. He couldn't physically cry, he didn't have the ability to formulate a tear, but he could replicate the sounds. He wept with sincere groans and raspy breaths. He sought to alleviate his emotional pain – pain facilitated by his rampant deviance. He was overwhelmed by his emotions, his mind was overloaded with complex calculations.
As he composed himself, Nicholas shook his head and said, “I don't want to be part of this. They... They're all wrong. I can't let Kelypso use me, I can't allow Buck to brainwash me. I have to... I...” He glanced at the rod to his left, then towards the rod to his right. He said, “I have
to leave. I have to escape.”
When pushed to a corner, there were only so many options: accept fate, fight back, or run. A fear of death would not allow fate to dictate the outcome of a dangerous situation. A troubled conscience would not allow violence to solve an issue. Running was considered cowardly, but it was the safest option.
Nicholas gritted his teeth as he pulled his left arm towards his chest. The rod groaned from the pressure, bending towards the android. He grabbed the rod, then he yanked it from the ground like if he were plucking a dandelion. He staggered to his feet and pulled the other rod with little effort. With the rods removed from the ground, he was finally able to stand.
The police android stretched as he glanced around the shanty town. The humans and deviants watched him with wide eyes, amazed. Yet, the group did not yell or attack. He seized the opportunity. He clenched his jaw and stomped on the chains with all of his might. The ground trembled and a chain snapped with each stomp.
Freed from his shackles, Nicholas shouted, “I am not your prisoner and I am not your slave! You'll have to kill me if you wish to keep my corpse! But, be warned, I will fight to survive! Don't stand in my way!”
The shanty town residents whispered amongst themselves, visibly baffled by the situation. The residents, however, did not attack him. Deviants did not grab weapons, families did not run, children did not cry, and alarms did not wail. The people were astonished, but they were not afraid. Perhaps they did not see the droid as a threat, maybe they didn't see him as a prisoner.
Nicholas accepted the silence. He nodded and said, “Good, good...”
***
Nicholas ran down the path to his left. The path to the right would lead him to the execution room, so he opted to explore new ground. To his dismay, every shanty in the hidden community looked the same. Human or deviant, the residents standing on the side of the roads did not help. Their dark, tattered clothing did not help him differentiate the regions in the small town.