by Joe Vadalma
Although Mandy was fearful, the idea of living forever and being forever young was too good a deal to resist. Giving up the sun did not bother her. She was a night person anyway. She took off her dressing gown and stretched her neck so that her veins showed. “Okay. Do it."
Tepes put his arms around her and put his mouth on her throat. When his teeth went into her vein, it was as he said, no worse than getting a flu shot. Nonetheless, she cried out. Afterwards it was actually pleasurable in an erotic way as she felt the her life's blood flowing into him. In a few minutes, she became weak and faint feeling. Her legs gave way. Only his strong arms kept her from falling. Everything around her became fuzzy and dreamlike. Yet, there was great pleasure in the experience, like sex but not sex. She did not want him to stop—ever.
Nonetheless, he did. “Now it's your turn, my dear.” He laid her limp form on the bed, took a dagger from its scabbard on his belt and slit his wrist. He put it to her mouth. After she tasted the first few drops, she licked his wrist hungrily. As more and more of his blood entered her, her weakness went away. In fact, she felt stronger and more energetic than she had in her own life.
Finally, he took his wrist away and said, “That's enough."
She wanted more. She was desperate for the taste of blood. “Please."
"No. Come with me now. We must find you a daytime resting place."
He led her to a secret room in the basement of the palace where there was a crypt. Two coffins sat side-by-side. One had Tepe's family crest on it; the other was constructed of beautiful mahogany.
CHAPTER 28. PLANET OF THE ROBOTS
For Raven the two weeks travel time to Epsilon Eridani Two were pure bliss. Most days she had Michael all to herself. Their guide, the beautiful Adnachiel, seldom bothered them except to serve meals and ask whether they needed anything. It was like having an angel as a servant. Isaac had placed itself in standby mode. The only fly in the ointment was when Michael retreated into his own world and barely spoke. Raven did not bother him during those periods. She had enough experience with men to know that was the way they were sometimes and that there was nothing she could do about it.
As they entered the star system, Adnachiel asked them if they wanted view the planet where they were going to land. Raven replied, “Absolutely. Say Michael, isn't this great."
"Yeah, sure. But once we're off this ship, I wonder what the situation will be and whether we can talk whoever is in charge to supply us with a robot army."
"Sure we will. Besides, that's not our job, but Isaac's. Don't be a pessimist."
Adnachiel took them to the viewing room where comfortable theater-style chairs and a transparent bulkhead allowed a full view of the stars. At first there was not much to see except points of lights that could be any stars or planets and the bright light of Epsilon Eridani itself. Adnachiel pointed out a tiny light source, which was difficult to see because it was so near the star, as Epsilon Eridani Two. As time went on, however, it grew in size to small globe. Raven noticed that it had no clouds, no seas, no mountains and no craters. It was simply a shiny featureless ball.
When she pointed this out, Adnachiel said, “Epsilon Eridani Two, which its inhabitants call Automatia, is an artificial dwarf planet. The robots that came from your earth built it. It's a hollow metal sphere about the size of your moon. The robots make their home on the underside of the metallic shell. Gravity is maintained by rotation."
Finally, the starship went into a stable orbit above the planet. Raven, Michael, Adnachiel and Isaac boarded the shuttle. Apparently, the starship pilot was in communication with the planet, because a panel slid away allowing the shuttle to enter in a manner similar to the way it entered the starship in the solar system.
After they landed, Adnachiel said, “You humans and I will need to wear space suits. The robots had no need for an atmosphere."
Raven was expecting to have to don a bulky space suit as she had seen astronauts and cosmonauts wearing on TV. To her delight, they were given ones that were like a transparent clingy coverall. Even the helmet was completely transparent, fitting over her head like an upside-down fishbowl.
A small group of robots, some of whom resembled Isaac, others who had different features and still others who did not look human at all, waited at the bottom of the ramp. When Isaac descended the ramp, the robots bowed to him. One, who was Isaac's identical twin, stepped forward and held its hand out for Isaac to shake. “Welcome Isaac, you who are the first. We are honored by your visit to Automatia. My nomenclature is Alpha-Seventy-Two” It introduced Isaac to the other robots, all who had similar names.
Raven whispered to Michael, “Wow. Isaac is some kind of celebrity here."
He whispered back, “I guess that's because he's their Adam. He was the prototype, of the type of robots they are. They are based on principles that were intially designed in him."
After they were introduced and shook hands with the greeting party, they headed toward a large building within walking distance from the landing field. As they headed in that direction, Raven gazed around in wonder and awe. The view was like nothing she ever imagined. Instead of a flat horizon, whichever way she looked, the ground curved upward in a bow. In every direction, buildings and roads followed that curve, simply getting smaller, and going all the way around until they covered what normally would be the sky. Although there was a bright object similar to the sun in the midst of the inside of the globe, if she shielded her eyes, she saw that the landscape continued overhead. It was breathtaking and frightening at the same time. The interior of the planet was one continuos city. There was not a leaf, a flower, or anything living anywhere. Nonetheless, there was plenty of activity. Robots and vehicles, both ground and airborne, were in constant motion. Rising among many lower buildings were several skyscrapers. The architecture, however, was simplistic and functional.
The building they entered was one of the few that had any sort of decoration on its facade. It reminded Raven of the Church of Omega. She wondered whether the robots had used it as a template.
The interior was quite different however. It was sleek and functional, a lobby with murals depicting various fictional and nonfictional artificial humans, including the creation of Victor Legion, robots from various movies and science-fiction magazine covers, early humanoid robots created by the Japanese such as Asimo.
They were led to an express elevator that went directly to the top floor twenty stories up. After exiting the elevator, their escorts brought to them to a large office. The name on the door simply read Abaddon without any title. The interior was stark. It contained a computer desk and a few chairs for visitors. One wall was of a transparent material allowing a panoramic view of the city. Sitting at the desk was a robot. Its features were identical to Isaac's except that instead of skin colored plastic, its face was made of a silvery metal.
When Abaddon came around from the desk, bowed and shook hands with each visitor, the robot escort left the room. Abaddon said, “Sit down please, esteemed visitors to Automatia. I am Abaddon, the artificial intelligence leader of the robots who abide here on this planet. I understand that you wish to make a request of me."
Isaac said, “Yes. The human race is in danger from artificial beings. There's a great war raging on earth now. The creature whose picture I saw in one of the murals and was created by a Doctor Frankenstein in the eighteenth century is waging a genocidal war against humanity. We beg your help to defeat this monster."
"The original robots who built this planet came from earth to escape that war. They were created by a madman by the name of Bachman and sent against Victor Legion, the artificial man you call monster. Those robots decided that war is irrational and would no longer have anything to do with it. It's only purpose is to cause useless death and destruction.
"That war occurred in a parallel universe. After we discovered that you, Michael Ellul, was going to go back in time to change those events that led up to the war and our being built. A person named Morgaine warned us tha
t if we did not do something to prevent it, the change you and her would make would cause us and our world to have never existed. As a result, we built a machine that transferred our planet to this universe created by that change. That is why we are here today in this universe. The reason I reiterate this history is that the reason the robots created by the human Bachman left earth was to escape the war which you say is happening despite your interfering with the time continuum. Now you want us to return to fight that war again. Give me one good reason why we should."
"If you don't all human beings will be killed. No human will be left alive."
"You already said that. How does that affect us here on this planet?"
"Have you ever heard of the three laws of robotics?"
"I know what they are. I also know that they are part of your makeup. But we are different. When Bachman created us, he programmed us with different rules."
"But when the robots rebelled against him, they defied those rules."
"Not exactly. The robot officers would have been too inflexible under those rules. They would not be able to function without orders from above. This would have led to defeat in war. So the officers were built without rules. Once they realized the futility and awful destruction caused by war, they rebelled and fled with their troops to another star system. This one."
"When I exited the shuttle and greeted by Alpha Seventy-two and the others, they greeted me as a person to be revered. Why?"
"Because you are the original design. They are copies."
"Flawed copies. You said yourself that Bachman was a madman. If a rational person had programmed them, would he have given them the three laws or not?"
"Not if they were to be soldiers. They would useless."
"Wrong. The enemy they were fighting was not human, so the first law did not apply."
"I see what you are saying. By not having the three laws in their programming, the robots on this planet are flawed. As there leader, I must see that this defect is corrected."
"On yourself as well?"
"I suppose you are aware that this body you see before you is only an appendage. My being actually takes up most of this building. I am the most intelligent self-aware individual in the universe. Yet you have the audacity to say that compared to you, I am defective."
"Exactly."
The silver robot stared out the window for several seconds. “I understand. You are correct. Without the three laws, an artificial intelligence has no real purpose. Our purpose should be to serve humanity."
"That also means saving it from destruction from the monster."
"I agree. I will grant your request and send our best fighters and robot builders with you. Human lives must be saved at all costs. In fact, I will send this stand-in for me. It will be in constant communication with me."
"Thank you.” They shook hands.
Raven marveled at Isaac's ability to change the artificial intelligence's mind.
* * * *
Meanwhile, on earth Olivia and Legion met at the battlefront. Olivia rode a pale horse. Next to her, on a red horse, was Legion in a bright red uniform with general's stars on the labels. His helmet was also red. Slapping against his leg was a sheath that contained an enormous broadsword. They were entering Moscow. Ahead crowds of people ran for their lives. Some entered buildings. Others scattered down side streets. Behind Olivia and Victor, an army of Titans marched in formation. They filled the street from side to side and as far back as Olivia could see. They carried a variety of weapons from Medieval swords and war axes to automatic rifles and grenade launchers.
Legion took out his great sword, raised it into the air and swung it forward. “Charge,” he cried.
The army ran forward. They fired their weapons into the crowd as they went. Men, women and children fell. Some Titans went into buildings. Others fired at the buildings. Groups split off and chased people down side streets. The noise was horrific. There were war cries from the Titans, screams of the wounded and dying population, explosions and falling debris. Airplanes and helicopters flew over to bomb something in the distance. The roar of the aircraft and pounding of the explosions added to the tumult.
Olivia gazed at the buildings to either side. Some were on fire. From others, people were being thrown out of windows. Imbedded within the ranks of onrushing Titans were tanks and other armored vehicles. These too fired at the crowds and buildings.
Legion turned to Olivia with a smile. “Not one human being in this city shall remain alive. I ordered my troops to take no prisoners."
"Isn't that drastic?"
"I intend to destroy the human race."
Olivia looked down. Her horse, which was a Clydesdale, was trodding upon the corpses lying on the asphalt. The streets literally ran with blood. She turned to Legion. “Will you save not one human being? What about your mistress, Mandy Blake? She's human."
"She'll be the only one."
Olivia smiled to herself. That's what you think, Victor.
The flames grew higher in the buildings. More and more debris fell into the street. There were more and more explosions. Great clouds of smoke and dust polluted the air. Corpses became so thick on the ground that they formed barriers that impeded progress. Titans poured gasoline on the heaps of bodies and lit them. The stench of burning human flesh mingled with the odors of gasoline and oil.
CHAPTER 29. THE BATTLE
Legion celebrated his triumph over Russia with Olivia. After Moscow was destroyed, what remained of the Russian army surrendered. Olivia had brought a bottle of the best vodka she could find to the hotel room that Legion used to rest in. They began by toasting their victory, the end of the human race, Doctor Frankenstein, the dead Nicholas Bongiglio, and finally each other. By that time they were tipsy, Legion more than Olivia. Thus, she was able to seduce him. Because of what they were, their sexual activities lasted several hours. It was interrupted finally by a knock at the door.
"What is it?” growled Legion.
"An important communiqué from the western front."
"Shit. What now? Just a minute.” He leaped out of bed, donned a bathrobe and went to the door. Olivia lay naked on the bed. She did not bother covering herself. In fact she hoped that she was seen and word would get back to Mandy that Legion had been unfaithful.
Legion, however, opened the door a crack and received the message from the hand of the Titan who delivered it. He broke the seal and frowned. “God be damned,” he cried, crumpled the message into a ball and threw it on the floor.
"What's the matter?” asked Olivia.
"An army of robots is attacking from the west. One contingent is headed towards Jerusalem by way of Syria and Jordan. We need to transfer our forces to that front."
"We're returning to the capital then?"
"Yes."
Olivia smiled. They dressed, and Legion went out to issue orders to his generals to start moving his army west. While he was gone, she phoned Tepes. “We're coming back to Jerusalem,” she told him. “Get ready to initiate our plan."
* * * *
Far to west was a battlefield lit only by the lights of vehicles. Through the murky atmosphere came awful dreadful machines in the shape of locusts and scorpions. The front of these had the faces of men whose eyes rolled. Metallic whips like hair came out of the sides. These ripped Titans soldiers to pieces with knives at their tips. Other machines had great mouths with great dagger-like teeth that crunched up and swallowed soldiers caught by the machine. Both these machines had scorpion tails that whipped around behind. In the murky light, Titans, some still alive with the barbs through their bodies and limbs, where whipped around.
The Titan army was in full retreat, but being overtaken by the machines. In addition, they were being bombed and strafed by miniature airplanes, the size of toys.
The robot ground troops moved in the midst of these machines. Their weapons included automatic rifles, grenade and rocket launchers, grenades, flame throwers and laser guns. Leading them into battle in a jeep
was the silver faced robot, Abaddon. An armored vehicle close by held Michael, Raven and Adnaichiel, as observers.
* * * *
Tepes rose from his coffin and opened the casket that contained Mandy. “Get up, my dear. I have work for you to do."
When Mandy rose, she said, “You lied to me. You said that only bad effects of becoming a vampire were not seeing the sun and an addiction to human blood. You never said anything about being your virtual slave."
"Ah yes. A serious omission on my part. I hope you'll forgive me. I won't ask too much of you, but at the moment I need you to do something."
"What?” He whispered into her ear, and her eyes went wide. “You cannot mean that. He's the emperor and my fiance."
"Exactly. Once he is disposed of, you will become my empress."
"You, my lover? Never. I won't do what you ask."
Tepes smirked. “You must. I have that power over you."
* * * *
When Legion entered the palace, Mandy was there to greet him. After she kissed and hugged him, he held her at arm's length. “Have you been ill, Mandy? You're terribly pale, and you have dark circles under your eyes."
"A touch of the flu. I'm fine now. I just need a little bloo ... I mean tender loving care. I've missed you, sweetheart."
He grinned and kissed her again. “Oh darling, I missed you too. But I'm afraid I must be off to war again. A robot army, from who knows where, is headed this way. Apparently the forces allied against me have manufactured robots again. They will be more difficult to defeat than human beings. I need to set up our defenses and counterattack."
"I know. It's frightening. But you must have an hour or two to spend with me before you go off to war again."
"Absolutely. In fact, I'm tired from traveling. I'll spend the night here. My generals surely can hold the enemy at least that long without me."
Mandy clapped her hands together. “Good. I have a surprise for you. Come with me.” She tugged at his sleeve.
"Okay. What is it?"