Awakening

by Hayden Pearton

  *

  Meanwhile, in the twenty foot long cargo container behind the cab, Alza was climbing to her feet. She had been trying to ascertain the reason for their sudden reversal when the vehicle had suddenly pulled a 180 degree turn and started accelerating in the opposite direction. She had been flung across the small space, luckily landing on the ever-stable Maloch. He had given no sign that he objected to her sudden presence, and had said nothing afterwards. After regaining her balance, she moved to the gaping hole in the container wall. Using it as an impromptu window, she stuck her head out once more, staring at the landscape flashing by at an impossible speed. Curious, she turned her head and asked, “Re-mech, what is our current velocity?

  For a moment, there was no reply, then the metal giant glanced up and said, “We are currently travelling at one hundred miles per hour, and are accelerating. The fuel cell level is sixty-seven percent, and hull integrity is thirty-nine percent. Outside temperature is eighty degrees Fahrenheit. Is that sufficient information, Mistress Alza?”

  “Yes. That will do...”

  Silence reigned unchallenged for several long minutes until she asked, “Tell me, re-mech, are you capable of performing a blood test?”

  “I am equipped with limited sequencing capabilities. May I ask why you wish to know, Mistress Alza?”

  “Since we have some time, I would like you to sequence my DNA. Can you do that for me, re-… Maloch?”

  For a moment, it seemed as though the subservient re-mech would voice his disagreement, but he merely motioned for Alza to lie back. She did so, a small shiver shooting up her spine as her skin touched the cold metal floor. He knelt beside her, whilst his four-fingered hand set about reconfiguring itself. It seemed to collapse in on itself, as his alloyed digits transformed into a three-inch long needle and a smooth, clear cylinder. A network of tubes connected the needle to the chamber, and several more snaked into various ports in Maloch’s arm. One of these cables reached up and inserted itself into the side of his head. As the wire connected, a soft green glow replaced his customary golden orbs. With the setup ready, he softly asked, “Beginning sequencing procedure. Are you sure you want to proceed?”

  Alza eyed the large needle where his hand used to be, but she felt no fear, only curiosity of what he would find. Taking a deep breath, she said, “I’m ready. You may proceed.”

  The re-mech gently inserted the needle in her upper arm, in the crook of her elbow. She felt a tiny pinch, but a moment later the painkillers were flooding into her bloodstream. She was still awake, but only barely conscious of the blood leaving her body, which soon filled up the clear chamber with crimson life essence. In an instant, it was done, and the needle was out, replaced by an electrode-studded mesh which would automatically seal up the wound and prevent bruising and infection. Alza lay back, her mind still dulled by the pain medication. Maloch had already turned away to begin the sequencing. The weight of fatigue coupled with the somnolent painkillers called to her, beguiling her into resting her eyes for a moment. She complied. There didn’t seem to be much choice.