The Seven by Peter Newman

Author:Peter Newman
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9780008180195
Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
Published: 2017-03-08T16:00:00+00:00

One Thousand and Twenty-Seven Years Ago

Massassi stands in her workshop once more. An exo-skeleton supports her on the outside, a constant supply of medication via a tube connecting her to the wall, supporting her within.

Peace-Fifteen has warned her that the levels are dangerous, a threat to her health. Massassi has warned Peace-Fifteen to shut up.

Alpha and Beta are delighted to see her in action again, neither able to conceive of her frailty, much less notice it. Gamma is merely annoyed that their creator has not acted sooner.

Massassi empathizes, has wanted to act for a long time. More than ever she is aware of the failings of her Empire. Her Seraph Knights move ever further away from the rest of her citizens. Under Alpha’s tutelage they have become stronger, rarified, their dedication setting them apart.

Beta has implemented a series of codes to help mitigate future problems, programming the knights to help their fellow man, should the right requests be made.

And Gamma fluctuates between wanting to improve things and wanting to tear them down. Already she has come into conflict with her brothers and Massassi fears that without intervention, things will get worse.

For all of these reasons, she raises her tools again, and for one other: Massassi is bored, empty without a project. Physical complaints can be endured but not the feeling of uselessness that comes with inaction.

Gamma was too much like her, she realizes, flawed. She still desires to craft something in a female form but this time, it must be more focused, she must be more focused.

The body soon takes shape, very close to Gamma’s in appearance but perhaps a little softer, a little smoother. Massassi dismisses the thought of it being weaker, preferring the idea that she is making something more nuanced, a sister that will be better equipped to deal with humanity fairly.

The sword she makes is similar to Beta’s, a slightly quicker weapon, as suited to defence as it is to attack.

For days she fusses over details, wanting the work to be perfect, wanting to put off the time when she must give up more of herself to bring the silver body to life.

Deep down she knows there is not much left to give.

Soon, Gamma is making her impatience felt. Unlike her brothers she sees Massassi’s fears all too well, sniffing them out with what feels like cold enthusiasm. Gamma’s presence is like a fly in the soup of her brothers’ love. Not equal but enough to sour the whole thing.

In the end it is as much pride as courage that makes Massassi act. Her silver arm is the only part of her that doesn’t tremble, the iris in her palm opening as smoothly as ever. She takes a moment to appreciate the quality of her work, then silently swears to match it again today.

Essence flows, bright, moving from heart to hand, to a silver head then on, through every part of the body, to the inert sword and back again.

Though she never admits it, Massassi has lost the capacity to shape this part of the process.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.