Automaton Nation by Cynthia Kumanchik

Author:Cynthia Kumanchik [Kumanchik, Cynthia]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781728363257
Publisher: AuthorHouse
Published: 2020-06-04T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 22

Strong arms lifted him, placing him in a quiet cool place. Unable to open his eyes and move. Hands working on him. A slight twinge or pull, a needle being injected into his arm. Lemon-fresh smell. Whisper breaths on his face. Snippets of conversation.

“Need Mobi to clean up this mess. Here guide it to make the cut…perfect incision,” said a shaky voice.

Mechanical noises like an electric toothbrush that Arnold used disturbed him. Powerful arms operated on him, opening him up and checking his organs. They re-attached his arms, legs, eye sockets.

Massaging his head and examining his brain, he felt a slight scratching. Tweaking, assembling, its steel fingers assisted the doctors.

“Remember that he is…supposed to be…Tony De LaFleur. And who his guardians are….the Landers. Backers, supporters of this technology. Lots of money…tons. High expectations. They want him back…Dat is special to them,” said a voice with a German accent.

More soft hands, connecting him to a machine. Possibly a computer.

“Track the algorithms, and then we’ll test his mobility. Important that he can move, his brain works, and his sensitivity track functions. Check his animatronics,” said an English voice.

“They depend on him—he’s their chef. Also, for the governor’s Special Elite Group—provides food for their meetings. Wish Dr. Tate was here…he’d know how to deal with this, but he’s been in the hospital,” said the German-accented voice.

The group together emitted a loud groan.

“That’s why Dr. Ketterman is here…to show us some short cuts so we can replicate it. Find ways to make these Model 500s more human…maybe able to make decisions, love, and have a conscience,” said a female voice.

“That is what we’re striving for…the last step in this process,” said the English voice.

A short snicker.

“Hey, stick to science…you’re getting too moral,” said the shaky voice.

They made him stand and move around. His eyes were still closed, and he felt like he was sleepwalking. His mobility was good even for a broken-down robot. He desperately wanted to open his eyes, but he was still in a robot coma. Would he be able to cook again like Tony? If he didn’t, they’d abandon him, banish his robot body to science for experimentation or worse yet the bot junkyard. His sensitivity track took in all these depressing thoughts, but the numbness was beginning to disappear. After that attack, he thought he was destroyed, never able to think, wonder, fear, smell, or touch again. They trained him to be passive so he couldn’t fight back. That boy Jeremy nearly finished him off, punching him for no logical reason in a forceful rage.

I guess they thought I was with the RRG, even though I tried to explain that I came for Val. But she rescued me from those bullies. Where is she now when I need her?

After the half-dream stage, they left Dat on a table with a blanket over him. So many questions clouded his mind as he lay there. What would happen to him now? Would they take Tad away? And Val—would he ever see her again? He saw the pity in her eyes.

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.