Fall Prey: The Hunt

by Dallas Massey

  “Oh, yes, of course, Daniel,” Dr. Ingram replied. “Sorry, just don’t get me started on programmable matter. I’ll go on for days. This way,” she said. Ingram led them to a large, blue gym mat near the back of the gigantic room. In the middle of the mat sat a human-sized object covered by a dull grey curtain.

  “Here it is, the sparring bot.” Dr. Ingram took hold of the curtain, prepared to pull it. “Yet another contribution of my department to the anti-vampire project.” She pulled the curtain away with a flourish, revealing the most technologically advanced robot Cyrus had ever seen.

  The machine was chrome-plated and consisted of a vaguely human-shaped head and torso with two sets of arms. These sat atop a chassis connected to eight segmented metal legs. It looked like a giant, metal arachnid centaur.

  “Wow, that’s a heck of a bot, doc,” said Viddur. Dr. Shen stood behind the others, not at all taken by the machine.

  “Sorry, but how am I supposed to learn to fight vampires from this?” Cyrus was skeptical. “I mean, it’s cool, but it’s basically just a big, metal spider.”

  “OK, I will pretend I didn't hear you say that.” Dr. Ingram placed an open palm on her forehead. “Though I guess, since I tease Dan so much, I kind of had it coming.”

  “Could I not just pair up against a human?” asked Cyrus. “Or at least something more human-shaped?”

  “I had considered having you spar with Viddur and Elysia.” Dr. Shen cut in. “However, I didn’t want to chance them being hurt. Lab assistants don’t grow on trees.”

  “Excuse me, but if you just give me a moment, I’ll explain why this bot is superior to any human sparring partner.” Dr. Ingram let the curtain fall to the floor, moving behind the robot. “I’ll go ahead and turn it on to demonstrate.” Ingram pulled a remote from her apron pocket and pointed it at the robot, flipping the ‘on’ switch.

  The machine came to life. Its human-like eyes glowed devilish red as the robot crawled toward them.

  “Well, come on, go try it out.” Dr. Ingram turned toward Cyrus, signaling him to walk toward the bot with a subtle head bob. “I’ll explain everything as we go.”

  Cyrus shook his head, still doubtful about the machine’s usefulness. He stepped onto the mat while the robot crept toward their group. The kresnik had a difficult time seeing the bot as intimidating, despite its arachnoid build. Its movements were like that of a giant, freakish crab. The bot had a childlike naïveté about it, as though it navigated the world for the first time.

  When Cyrus approached, the robot halted its progression toward him, dead silent and motionless. A red laser light abruptly radiated from an apparatus off the right side of the robot’s head, expanding into a square-sectioned scanning field that converged on Cyrus.

  “What’s it doing, doctor? Surely it’s got more than that,” asked the kresnik.

  “It is sizing up its opponent,” Dr. Ingram explained, a hand on her hip. “It is capable of imitating many different fighting styles, and right now it’s determining which one to employ. This bot is highly adaptable and is capable of learning from experience. It’s guaranteed to have the perfect combative solution for every adversary.”

  The scanning field disappeared, and the bot took on a fighting stance. It resembled an eight-legged, chrome praying mantis that was ready to strike. Several rows of razor-sharp metal fangs suddenly sprang from its jaws.

  That’s better, Cyrus thought. He crouched down, readying himself for the anticipated attack.

  “I thought we had agreed that the bot would not be armed at this point,” said Dr. Shen. “Mr. Blackthorn is not properly attired at present. He only wears the helmet to cover his face.”

  “I don’t recall being told to leave it unarmed,” said Ingram. “I was told that today was the deadline for completion, full completion, with all the bells and whistles, including full armament. Your kresnik is just going to have to watch himself.”

  “Be careful, Cyrus!” Elysia shouted from the edge of the mat. “Don’t let it hit you!”

  “Wasn’t planning on it!”

  “The sparring bot is capable of movements that no human could possibly duplicate,” Dr. Ingram continued. “It displays a degree of athleticism on par with nearly any vampire. It will give you more than a run for your money.”

  “Well, that’s great.” Cyrus suddenly abandoned his position, frustrated with the doctor’s insistence on the bot’s superiority.

  He turned his back to the robot while the machine continued to creep toward him.

  “Looks like you got the vamps taken care of.” The kresnik rubbed his palms together and began to walk away. “I’ll be on my way then. It’s great to be obsolete, and so early on in my career.”

  “Don’t turn your back on it!” Dr. Ingram shouted.

  Seemingly activated by her words, the bot lunged at Cyrus. The kresnik spun to meet it, quickly jumping to the side, barely avoiding its devastating strike. The robot tumbled to the ground, skidding across the mat. It climbed back onto its insectoid, spiked feet.

  “I only said it was capable of movements on par with a vampire,” Dr. Ingram spoke in a much calmer tone. “I never said it surpassed them. Besides, it lacks certain qualities already ingrained into the mind of an organic hunter. It can’t smell, and it isn’t capable of taking on several adversaries at once. We also haven’t found a way to mass-produce them at the rate the vampires would likely destroy them.”

  The bot regained its footing and turned back toward Cyrus, scuttling after him in its crab-like fashion. Unwilling to let it surprise him again, Cyrus leaped at the machine, seeking to level it to the ground with a heavy blow to the head. The robot proved quicker than he anticipated, instantaneously blocking the hit with a spindly but strong metal arm.

  Cyrus roared, wanting to beat the bot down. He lashed out with a barrage of savage blows, all rendered ineffective by the bot’s lightning-quick deflections. He wished he were back at the facility hunting zombies, where the mere proximity of his prey was enough to awaken his primal instincts.

  “Give it to him, Cyrus!” Viddur called from the sideline.

  “What you got, Dan?” taunted Dr. Ingram. “This bot really puts you to shame, huh?”

  “Oh, I wouldn’t say that,” his retort was immediate. “I created kresnik the whole project is built around.”

  “Dan, you’ve got to remember who’s responsible for making that achievement possible.” Dr. Ingram’s eyes narrowed, unsurprised by Dr. Shen’s answer.

  “You only provided the basal technology.” Shen was unwilling to give her the win she sought.

  Meanwhile, the bot was on the attack, scuttling toward Cyrus at a surprisingly fast speed. It rained blow after blow upon him with its thin, spider arms. The kresnik was quick enough to dodge its strikes but remained in retreat, never with enough time to launch his own series of counterblows. He wasn’t sure how much it could have learned from him in such a small amount of time, though it did successfully imitate his previous movements and at a faster rate than he could perform them.

  Cyrus howled when the bot suddenly attacked with a bite, digging its many rows of teeth into the flesh of his arm. “Hey, how about a little help here?” He screamed in desperation, unable to shake the bot loose. “How do I get it off?”

  “Just give it a couple of good smacks, and it will let go!” Dr. Ingram yelled back as though he had rudely interrupted her conversation.

  Cyrus did as instructed, slapping the bot on the side of the head before it released him. A relatively small amount of black blood dripped from his wounds. The bite was painful, but it did far less damage than he had expected. Cyrus retreated to the edge of the mat, running backward while grasping his bloodied arm, sure to keep an eye on the approaching bot.

  “Call off your bot doctor,” said Dr. Shen. “We cannot allow Mr. Blackthorn to become grievously injured before he is properly equipped for practice.”

  “Sure thing, Dan.” Dr. Ingram pulled the remote from her pocket and pointed
it at the sparring bot. “I have more important things to do anyway, and without the benefit of my staff.” She flipped the switch, and the bot slowly assumed its resting position, the red lights of its eyes fading.

  “That’s enough for today, Mr. Blackthorn,” said Dr. Shen, grim as he approached Cyrus. The doctor walked sideways so he could keep an eye on the bot. “I will bandage your wounds as soon as we arrive back at your room.”

  “Will I spar with it up here to train, or will you move it somewhere else?” Cyrus turned around to walk toward Dr. Ingram. He clenched his injured left arm with his right hand.

  “What? And risk you potentially dismantling one of our other projects?” Dr. Ingram asked with a certain degree of severity. “Besides, we already have Viddur here for all our wanton destruction needs.” She smiled, her harsh attitude instantly fading.

  “You know it!” Viddur gave Dr. Ingram a mischievous grin. “Hey, so whatever happened to that battle drone anyway?”

  “Like you need to know,” said Elysia under her breath.

  “It has been moved to one of CyberGen’s more secure locations.” Dr. Ingram’s frown returned.

  “OK, well, you have seen everything I have here to show you.” Dr. Ingram turned to Dr. Shen, addressing him only. “The bot will be sent to the gym in the basement. Cyrus can practice with it more tomorrow. As for now, you take this one with you.” She pointed to Viddur. “And make sure he continues to stay out of my lab. Just having him in here is about to give me an anxiety attack.”

  “I appreciate what you have done for the kresnik project Dr. Ingram,” said Dr. Shen before turning to leave. Elysia and Viddur followed close behind him.

  “Not a problem,” Dr. Ingram replied, her attention turning back toward the sparring bot.

  Cyrus followed the others, briefly glancing back at Dr. Ingram and her bot, less than keen on another bout with his new metal adversary.

  Chapter XXI

  Deceptive Appearances

  Cyrus lay flat against the surface of the hanging platform, peering over the edge at the robot below.

  I have you now, he thought to himself, not wanting to alert the sparring bot to his presence.

  The machine stopped to scan the water hazard and surrounding area with its laser searchlight, sensing its adversary was nearby. It was the longest the bot had ever gone without finding Cyrus. It typically remained on his tail throughout their training sessions and rarely gave him a chance to hide.

  It was four months since Cyrus began training with the bot. All of his exercises were constrained to CyberGen’s gym. Shen had the facility laid out like an obstacle course, filled with hanging and grounded platforms, pits, and water hazards.

  Cyrus had yet to win a decisive victory over the bot. His foe was unrelenting and merciless. It was always prepared for his attack and gave him few opportunities to land a blow. Dr. Ingram had created a brutal masterpiece. The machine learned as it fought and hunted him, anticipating his every move.

  Crash!

  Cyrus jumped from the hanging platform, falling like a black-clad raindrop and landing on top of the bot, leveling it to the ground.

  “Give it to him, Cyrus!” Viddur called from the balcony overlooking the gym.

  Cyrus barely heard him as he struggled with the bot, fighting to keep it pinned to the ground. The machine kicked out with its spider legs against its assailant, trying to push him off so it could rise to its feet.

  Unable to keep it on the ground, Cyrus wrapped his arms around its torso, the bot’s limbs constrained against its side. The machine bit at him with cruel, metallic teeth. Cyrus quickly gained his footing, straining as he hoisted the bot off the ground.

  The bot hit the water with a splash as Cyrus tossed it into the hazard. The kresnik hoped the moisture would finally end its tyrannical reign.

  “Very good, Mr. Blackthorn,” said Dr. Shen, standing off to the side of the gym course, seeming to appear from nowhere. “I’m impressed.” His voice was emotionless, as though he didn’t mean what he said.

  Cyrus gave the doctor a fang-filled smile, his cat eyes concealed by his helmet visor. He was proud of his victory despite Shen. He gazed up toward the balcony, finding Elysia and Viddur focused on the water hazard and drowned robot. Cyrus turned to look down at the bot.

  It now swam toward the edge of the pool.

  “Look out, Cyrus!” Elysia yelled down at the kresnik.

  Cyrus jumped to one side as two heavy grappling hooks exploded from the robot’s shoulders, tearing into the concrete underneath the mat and rapidly pulling the machine through the water. The bot shot out of the pool, landing back on the floor a few feet away from Cyrus.

  The kresnik bounded for the nearest hanging platform. The machine went after him, traveling at an impossible speed that it had never displayed before. It was enraged by its venture into the water, and its eyes became a blood-lusting red. The machine leaped onto the platform and gave chase. It raced after him over the multiple hanging platforms as it sought to beat him down with its mantis-like front legs.

  The bot pressed in close behind Cyrus. The kresnik jumped from platform to platform with renewed urgency, desperate to escape. He heard Elysia and Viddur yelling down at him, but he was unable to understand their words. His focus was on the chase. Cyrus glanced back at the bot, finding it right on his heels and intent on mowing him down. Running out of room in front of him, the kresnik leaped for the platform at his far right. This one hung over yet another water hazard.

  Cyrus groaned when he landed chest first, banging one of his legs on the suspension chains and scrambling to rise back to his feet. The bot slowed to a stop on the last platform, adjacent to Cyrus and the water hazard. It displayed a human-like hesitance, in no hurry to return to the water.

  The bot sprang from the platform, landing back on the mat. It scanned Cyrus with its red searchlight, waiting for him to move away from the water.

  Cyrus suddenly felt additional eyes on him and looked across the gym to see Dr. Shen. His arms were folded across his chest, as he was eager to see how the kresnik might escape his situation.

  Apprehensive, though undeterred, Cyrus turned and dashed for the platform’s edge. He launched himself, clearing the distance to land atop the plateau-like structure. He then bolted left onto the nearest hanging platform. The bot’s search field followed him as he moved.

  Cyrus made another quick turn to the left. He bounded over platform after platform as though the bot gave chase, in an attempt to move around the machine to find a hiding place. With no more hanging platforms in front of him, the kresnik jumped to the mat, immediately changing direction to dash for the nearest grounded platform. The bot’s search field was too slow to catch him.

  Cyrus panted heavily, his back against the side of the raised platform, taking a moment to catch his breath. He had successfully out-distanced and confused the bot, hearing it move only slightly with his cat-like ears.

  The machine anticipated his reappearance.

  Cyrus needed to move. He knew the bot would wait only so long before it searched for him again. The kresnik remained flat against the side of the platform, clearing the corner to continue along its next side, taking a cautious glance in the bot’s direction. He slowly peered around the corner and found the bot’s back to him.

  Sensing an opportunity, Cyrus bent his knees toward the ground, staying as low as possible as he made his way along the water hazards. Carefully, he moved toward the next grounded platform. The bot was oblivious and kept its back turned to him.

  Cyrus reached the platform, keeping his back against it and making the corner as he prepared to bolt. He peered past the next corner, but he still heard no movement from the bot.

  The machine was laying an ambush.

  As Cyrus crept his way along the next group of water hazards, the bot finally began to move. It slowly scuttled, laying its search field in front. Cyrus prepared his own ambush now and jumped onto another platform that overlooked the water. The kresnik tripp
ed as he moved onto the next platform, his knee landing on the wooden surface.

  The bot let out a blaring alarm.

  Cyrus’s heartbeat exploded as he dropped from the platform and into the pit, hoping the bot had only heard him. He crouched, able to hear the bot’s movements clearly, the machine’s heavy spider steps rapidly approaching.

  Just when Cyrus was sure the bot knew his position, the claw-steps suddenly stopped. The silence lasted only a moment before resuming.

  The bot backed up, preparing to jump. It landed on one of the far hanging platforms, its metal claws striking the wood, the machine now searching for the kresnik from above.

  His first true victory within reach, Cyrus remained unwilling to let it slip away. He continued to crouch down in the pit as the beginnings of a plan materialized in his mind.

  The bot leaped onto the next platform, stopping to scan the area underneath. It moved ever closer to Cyrus. Only one platform remained between the kresnik and the bot now, hastening Cyrus’s resolve. He needed to enact his plan.

  Cyrus sprang from the pit, extending his arms to grasp the edge of the hanging platform above with his claws. He remained there, suspended from the platform, awaiting the bot’s approach.

  The bot’s landing on the platform caught Cyrus by surprise. The whole apparatus swayed back and forth under the metal monster’s weight. Still Cyrus waited, tightening his hold on the bottom of the platform. His black claws dug into the wood as he listened for the sound of the bot’s scanning sentry light.

  The bot searched first to the left and then to the right. Its red scanning field glided over the mat below, then the platform, finally stopping to search the far pit opposite Cyrus. The machine grew still. The bot acted as though it thought he should be below. It had scanned the wrong pit.

  Sensing his last chance at victory, Cyrus grew tense as he prepared himself. He roared, leaping onto the platform, barreling into the bot.

  The kresnik sent both into the pit below with a heavy crash.