‘Apart from this road, do you know another way through the mountains?’
‘I don’t know this road. I only know the Northern Road.’
‘Would you take us to it?’
‘I will. Perhaps Nicolas the Coward will be there.’
Karel didn’t bother to disagree. You couldn’t change the way a robot’s mind was twisted.
And after all, who was to say what was the right way to twist a mind?
Wa-Ka-Mo-Do
The floor, walls and ceiling of the radio room were covered in blue and white tiles that reflected the sound and made listening to transmissions harder than necessary. But this was the room of the Nine Virgins, built by the original Copper Master, and the paintings upon those white tiles must be preserved.
Two desks sat in the middle of the room, the focus of a tangle of wires and cables plugged into the piled black transceiving equipment that stood in marked contrast to the rest of the room. Two robots were on duty, they stood up as they realized Wa-Ka-Mo-Do had entered the room, pulling jacks from their heads as they did so.
‘Honoured Commander, you should not be here…’ The robot who spoke had the sign of the knot embossed on his shoulder, signifying he was one of the family of La-Ver-Di-Arussah. He was dressed almost entirely in copper in order to reduce sparks and possible interference.
‘I am the commander of Sangrel, and I have decided to enter here,’ said Wa-Ka-Mo-Do. ‘I wish to speak to the Emperor himself. Arrange it immediately.’
The two robots exchanged looks.
‘Honoured Commander,’ said the second robot. ‘The Emperor is not a servant to be summoned so…’
‘The Emperor’s city of Sangrel was attacked by humans last night. Are you suggesting that the Emperor would not wish to make his Honoured Commander aware of his feelings on this matter?’
‘No, Honoured Commander. But we have been in contact with the Silent City earlier this morning and they made no attempt-’
‘I believe I gave an order?’
Again the two robots looked at each other, then the second of them sat down and plugged a jack directly into his head. He reached out to one of the transceivers before him and turned a dial slowly around.
‘This is four oh one Sangrel calling oh one one Silence.’
‘Receiving you, Sangrel.’
‘Silence, Wa-Ka-Mo-Do, of Ko of the state of Ekrano in the High Spires, Commander of the Emperor’s Army of Sangrel, requests an audience with the Emperor.’
‘We will consult the Emperor’s Secretary immediately. Tell the Honoured Commander he will be notified of his audience within the next few weeks.’
The radio robot turned to face Wa-Ka-Mo-Do, but the light of satisfaction in his eyes faded on seeing his commander’s expression.
‘I want to speak to the Emperor immediately,’ said Wa-Ka-Mo-Do. ‘On the radio.’
The poor robot looked terrified as he swung back to face the equipment.
‘I’m sorry, Silence. The Honoured Commander insists that he speak to the Emperor immediately.’
There was a pause, and Wa-Ka-Mo-Do could imagine the consternation at the other end of the line. He could see the current surging through the radio operator’s body.
‘Sangrel, your commander is displaying a remarkable lack of understanding of the protocols of court. We suggest you relay this to him.’
‘There is no need!’ wailed the terrified man. ‘He is standing beside me now!’
Another prolonged silence followed. Wa-Ka-Mo-Do looked at the second operator.
‘What’s your name?’ he asked.
‘Li-Kallalla, Honoured Commander.’
‘And I am Go-Ver-Dosai,’ said the one who bore the knot insignia. Wa-Ka-Mo-Do ignored him as the voice on the radio said:
‘Sangrel, this is Silence. Your commander is indeed honoured amongst robots. Prepare to receive a message dictated by the Emperor himself, as relayed by the Silver Guard.’
Li-Kallalla looked around in astonishment.
‘Such a thing has never happened in the past, Honoured Commander.’
Wa-Ka-Mo-Do lowered his head and waited for the response, doing his best to appear dignified, but all the time feeling waves of relief surging through his body. At last the Emperor had been made aware of the situation. At last he understood what was happening to the robots of Sangrel.
The radio crackled, and a voice spoke.
‘Wa-Ka-Mo-Do, of Ko of the state of Ekrano in the High Spires, Commander of the Emperor’s Army of Sangrel. Hear the words of the Emperor, dictated to his servant.’
Out of respect, the two radio operators stood to attention. Wa-Ka-Mo-Do found himself doing the same.
‘The Emperor wishes it to be known that the situation in Sangrel is in harmony with his wishes. Wa-Ka-Mo- Do, his commander of the army of Sangrel, is to continue in his duties, and to offer all support to the humans that the Emperor has been pleased to welcome within his province. The wishes of the humans are paramount, and the Emperor would not wish himself to be disgraced in the eyes of his guests by being seen to place the needs of his subjects above those that he has welcomed into his lands.’
Rank and roles were forgotten for just a moment as Wa-Ka-Mo-Do and the two radio robots looked at one another.
‘To be specific, the Emperor wishes his commander to understand that he is to place himself under the command of the Emperor’s guests and to aid them in any way they request. Any actions otherwise would be deemed treachery to the Emperor. Is this understood?’
The two radio robots gazed at Wa-Ka-Mo-Do, who remained motionless, staring at the black mouth of the speaker.
‘I repeat, Sangrel, is this understood? We wish to hear this from the mouth of the commander himself.’
Li-Kallalla flicked a switch and looked up at Wa-Ka-Mo-Do.
‘Is this understood, Commander?’
Wa-Ka-Mo-Do felt the current building in his electromuscles.
‘Is this understood?’
‘Yes,’ said Wa-Ka-Mo-Do. ‘I understand.’
‘Very well. Continue with your duty, Honoured Commander. Silence out.’
Li-Kallalla flicked some more switches, and then turned back to gaze at Wa-Ka-Mo-Do.
‘Do you have any more orders, Honoured Commander?’
Wa-Ka-Mo-Do was lost in thought.
‘Honoured Commander?’
‘What is going on?’ said Wa-Ka-Mo-Do. ‘What is going on, Li-Kallalla?’
‘I do not know, Honoured Commander.’
The two robots were nervous and embarrassed by Wa-Ka-Mo-Do’s behaviour. No wonder. He was addressing them as equals. He couldn’t help it.
‘If we follow the Emperor’s commands then the robots of this city will all be killed,’ he said.
‘If those are the Emperor’s wishes…’ began Go-Ver-Dosai.
‘Don’t you understand, their deaths would be my responsibility.’
‘Honoured Commander! Please do not touch me!’
Wa-Ka-Mo-Do realized he had seized Go-Ver-Dosai’s arm. Slowly, he let go.
‘The only thing protecting the humans at the moment is my troops! If I pull them back the humans would be wiped out and peace and harmony would return to Sangrel.’
‘Such talk is treachery!’ Go-Ver-Dosai was horrified. ‘You heard the Emperor!’
‘I know. I know.’ He turned to Li-Kallalla. The younger robot was nervous, trapped between two superiors. ‘What do you think is going on?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know, Honoured Commander,’ burbled the young robot, his voicebox slipping out of phase. ‘I wouldn’t presume to understand the mind of the Emperor.’
‘No. Nor would I. And yet perhaps it is the minds of the humans we should understand. They appear to be the
