“Yes. Let's see what we got.” I reach for the door handle.
We hold our breaths as the door creaks open. The bodies of the drones are right where we left them. We look at each other as we push the end of the prod onto each drone's neck. I nod, and we both pull our trigger. The bodies of the drones convulse and shake under the electric shock. Two burn marks from the split end of the prods brand their necks.
Both drones gasp for air in unison, scaring 13 and me back into the bigger room. The drones' eyes shoot open, and when they see us, they stampede out. They knock me to the ground and push 13 against the wall. They turn the corner and run out of the room and into the hallway. I look at 13. That is not what we were expecting.
“We can't let them get back to the stadium!” I jump to my feet and run after them. 13 chases close behind.
CHAPTER IX
We run out toward the hallway, where I see one of the drones making his way back toward us. He made a wrong turn and hit a dead end.
“Get him. I'll find the other one,” I yell at 13.
He turns and corners the drone as I head down the stairs. When I reach the outside of the building, I spot the drone heading toward the other side of the neighborhood. It's away from the stadium, and I’m grateful, because I may not have been able to catch up to him. The scientists built us with the same speed, and his head start would have kept him at a distance.
I speed toward him, taking any shortcut I can to try to bridge the distance between us. It cuts some feet, but at this rate, it might take hours. Ahead, the drone sprints around a corner between two buildings, and I lose sight of him for a few moments. When I reach the alley between the buildings, I spot the drone crouched against the wall, his head between his knees. I approach with caution to make sure he doesn't scatter off again.
“What did you do to me?” he garbles through tears.
I step to within a couple of feet. “We opened your eyes. But you have to give it time.”
He looks up at me, wiping away the tears and pulling the skin of his cheeks down with his nails. Red lines cover his face from the self-inflicted scratches. “Why does it hurt so much?”
“The pain goes away.” I try to calm him. It looks like the internal turmoil is much stronger with him than it was with either 13 or myself. It must be a side effect from the liquid. I offer my hand to him. “You are going to feel a lot of new emotions. Some bad, but mostly good. You will learn about life, and you will finally live.”
The drone hesitates, unsure of whether he should trust me or not. Reassured by the compassion in my eyes, he takes my hand and lets me help him up to his feet. We walk back to the original building to join 13 and the other drone.
As I follow the drone in, I see that 13 has the other drone held at gunpoint against the wall. I put my hand on the rifle and push it away from the frightened drone. The one I walked in with joins his partner against the wall.
“Sit,” I order. The drones glide down to a comfortable position on the ground. 13 steps back and leans against the opposite wall.
One of the drones opens his mouth to speak, but I put my hand up to silence him. Over the next hour, I explain everything I can to them. I tell them how we were all created as carbon copies of each other, programmed to do what we're told, without objection, even if it means harming or killing ourselves. We are expendable. We eat, not because we are hungry, but because it keeps the machine running. We sleep, not because we are tired, but because it keeps us running at our peak.
I introduce them to the concept of emotions and the pain, anger, sadness, joy, and even love they might soon feel. Above all, I lay out what life is meant to be and how we are supposed to live. Woke and free.
The more I explain, the more their postures rise. Their eyes widen with hope and possibility. I keep them at this heightened level as I proceed with my speech. I tell them that they will need to remain in this neighborhood as they continue to change and that I will need their help as we bring more drones to turn.
They nod in agreement, and I dig into why we are turning the drones. I enlighten them to the Ragnarok and how the scientists intend to eradicate all humanity so twelve enhanced humans called Genesys can survive.
My heart knots up when I say this, because I'm betraying Atom, but in my mind, I know that I need to make them the enemy. No matter how complicit they are or are not in the scientists' plans.
“So, if you want to live, you must do as I say from now on.” I wrap up my speech. “Are we understood?”
“Yes, sir!” they both say in unison as they stand.
I shake both their hands, extending a symbolic olive branch. Though they need to heed my orders, I want them to know that they are still my equals.
13 steps in and shakes their hands as well. “Cozy up and get some rest. Talk to each other. I'll be back in the morning with provisions.”
I head out the door, and 13 catches up to me outside the entrance to the building. He has a skip in his step as we make our way back to the stadium.
“That was a great speech!” He slaps my back.
“You think? I thought I was a little too
