Post by Joey on Feb 8, 2007 21:42:53 GMT 8
CHAPTER 1: THE HUMAN PROJECT
“President! Pres – Nolan, I have to see you!†The pale, sweaty-faced man pounding furiously on the President's doors was abruptly cut short by a security guard. “Professor Carter, I'm afraid Mr. Nolan is very busy right now,†the man interjected rather nervously, obviously uncomfortable in the presence of the head scientist.
Carter glared at the unfortunate guard, who was looking as though he was wishing he resigned the day before. “This is something even the president of the City will have to pay attention to,†Carter snapped, attempting to push pass the security guard.
“Sir, I'm afraid you can't-†“Let me through immediately!â€
The door banged open, and the two men found themselves staring up at the imposing figure of the president. The president, as it happened, of the entire City. “WHAT IN THE NAME OF ORDER IS GOING ON HERE?†the flushed man roared.
Professor Carter drew himself up, with a rather hysterical glint in his eyes. “I have to see you.†The president furrowed his eyebrows in exasperation. “You're seeing me now, aren't you? Get on with it!†He paused and glanced at his watch. “I have an important appointment in five minutes with the Council, so you'd better-†He broke off when Carter reached up to grasp his arm in a tight grip. He was shaking.
“Nolan. The world is coming to an end.â€
*****
He was satisfied with his results, although his heart kept beating nervously as he fidgeted on his swivel chair. Stop looking so anxious, man, you know they'll approve, he muttered in a fretful manner, and tugged anxiously at his tight collar.
He was balding prematurely now that he was fast approaching middle-age, but his build was tall and would have been imposing if he lost that skittish expression on his face. His pale grey eyes were weary from lack of sleep and filled with apprehensive terror; what if he failed? The truth was he was afraid, afraid of losing his job or earning their disapproval. It was a significant moment for him, maybe the most important event of his life. He needed to do this right.
Every now and then he glanced at the motionless figure standing next to him, mopping his sweating brow with a dirty handkerchief. Wasn't it time yet? The clock read twelve past eight, but maybe it was a few minutes too fast. Either way, it was allowing more time for him to work himself into a hysterical state.
You'll do fine, he repeated, glancing once more at the figure to reassure himself that it was still there. He scanned its features quickly; wanting to make sure it was every inch the ultimate perfection. Not that its features mattered anyway, he told himself.
It was his lifetime's work. He had studied and built up this robot for more than twenty years now, and it was finally standing beside him, his final product. He surveyed it with overwhelming pride, forgetting his anxiety for a moment. It did not look like a piece of machinery at all, which pleased him. He had always liked to give his robots a human touch. This one was tall, and resembled a handsome – if he might say so himself - seventeen year old male with a charismatic aura, blue eyes, and jet-black hair. Yes, yes, they were going to like it very much.
He smiled faintly, running a hand down his robot's arm with a rueful expression on his face. He would not be able to keep it in the end, which was a pity, because he had grown quite fond of it. It acted on command and was a perfect robot in every way. He had doted on it enough to give it authentic looking skin as well. It really was a masterpiece; surely no one would be able tell it was a robot. And that was what they had told him to aim for. A fond expression crept onto his face as he gazed upon his robot for what might be the last time.
There was a flicker of motion. He frowned, faintly puzzled. His eyes must be playing tricks on him. For a moment back there, he thought he had seen the robot's eyes move a fraction. It was a very advanced piece of technology, yes, but those eyes... for a moment, he had thought those azure eyes were conscious. What nonsense! He told himself shakily, but began to perspire heavily. Nothing but a trick of the light.
Yeah right.
“If it isn't Frances Palmer Clinton, right on time.â€
He swung around in alarm at the hearty, booming voice that called him, and then felt a gush of relief. “President Nolan!†He exclaimed, attempting a failed jovial grin as he shook the president's hand with an almost feverish adoration. This man was his life. In a way, his father. He had given him hope when there was none, and had built this foundation of... of life for him. He couldn't let him down, not after all that the president had done for him..
“Frances, Frances, please, sit.†Nolan gestured at the seat behind the scientist. Frances nodded with a timid smile and sat down rather nervously.
“Frances, I'm sure you've heard of Brigitte Dinette, Felipe Benin, John...†The scientist's polite smile stayed fixedly on his face as he adjusted his glasses in nervous anticipation. The Council filed in, until it seemed that they were going to run out of seating space. At last the door shut with a quiet finality. Frances gulped.
“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Frances Clinton, the prodigy scientist of today. We have, as of this Council, heard of the imminent doom that is about to arrive on our doorstep. Mr. Clinton is here to make sure this catastrophe will not occur.†The president paused, perhaps to emphasize his point. The tight-lipped smile he gave the audience did not reach his eyes. Frances felt queasy at being introduced in such a way, but it was no wonder, no wonder... the president had probably gone through a lot of stress these last twenty years.
There was a brief smattering of polite applause. Frances stood up slowly, and then seemed to draw strength from President Nolan's encouraging smile.
“Twenty years ago, Professor Carter announced the end of the world. We all know the world was, and is in extreme danger. Only the Council and myself knows that we are only expected to survive for little more than a year.†He paused for dramatic effect. There was an uneasy silence. “We believed that announcing the... ah, catastrophe to the public will cause mass panic. We needed to come up with a solution. The human race will live on.â€
Frances' voice seemed to grow more determined as he began to pace left and right with a frenzied gait.
“I have dedicated my life to find this solution. Today, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you our key to survival.†With a flourish, he swiped off the white cloth that had been hiding his masterpiece from his audience. There was a collective gasp. “This is The Human Objective Reconstructed Nirquea, or Thorn. Nirquea means “hope.†This robot, brought to superficial life from mechanics and creativity, will save the human civilization.â€
He was numb as he continued to talk, his brain automatically processing his speech and gestures. You're nearly through this, keep on going, he kept thinking to himself.
“Thank you, ladies and gentleman. Let us hope that it's for a better occasion that we next meet.â€
He was barely aware of collapsing into his chair, relieved it was over. All he could think of was President Nolan's pleased expression, and the words, “Good job, good job, good job...â€
He smiled.
*****
The sun shone deep crimson in the evening as Birch stepped outside the shabby bar to dump the garbage. “Do this, do that, do this some more,†she muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes as she pushed aside the lid of the garbage can. “It's enough to get on anyone's nerves.â€
There was a putrid stink starting to rise from the garbage. She quickly turned away, and was about to step back inside when she heard shallow, strangely metallic breathing. She paused, sweeping the area with darting, suspicious eyes. A lifetime practically spent on the streets had taught her to be wary of unusual happenings.
But this noise sounded vulnerable and nervous. Perhaps it wouldn't to check it out. Uncertain, she began to walk cautiously towards the source of the noise. As she approached the creature, whatever it was, an unbelievable expression crossed her face. “Oh my,†she said softly.
To be Continued... (Chapter unfinished)