Rachael was marching with her father, part of the group of the more important humans. Wa-Ka-Mo-Do looked for the anthracite-skinned ambassador, with his iron skin, but he couldn’t see him.
‘Honoured Commander!’
A woman stepped forward. Wa-Ka-Mo-Do recognized her as Captain Littler, La-Ver-Di-Arussah’s equivalent amongst the human soldiers.
‘Captain,’ said Wa-Ka-Mo-Do. He watched the little light on her headset flicker as he spoke, translating his words.
‘Honoured Commander, we must apologize for what has occurred in this city last night! I hope you understand that we are not ourselves without losses. Ambassador Mbeki died in the Emperor’s Palace.’
‘That is a great sadness,’ said Wa-Ka-Mo-Do. ‘Many robots also died last night.’
‘We’re sorry, truly we are.’
Wa-Ka-Mo-Do couldn’t read her face. Was that expression one of genuine sorrow? Whatever it was, it vanished immediately.
‘But Honoured Commander, you must understand, this is not the end. Our intelligence tells us that we will be attacked again tonight. We must take appropriate defensive action!’
Wa-Ka-Mo-Do asked the question that no one else seemed yet to have asked.
‘Why was this city attacked by other humans?’
He saw Rachael staring at him, her copper sulphate eyes willing him on. Willing him to do what?
Captain Littler had lost her voice. She was speaking to the other humans, but the light on her headset stayed dark. The unpleasantly wet organic sounds she made annoyed Wa-Ka-Mo-Do unduly. Now she turned to him and that little light began flashing once more.
‘I am sorry, Honoured Commander, that we did not tell you the full truth earlier, but you will understand our embarrassment. You see, one of our units has gone rogue. A company of soldiers have broken away from our command; they seek to overthrow the legitimate government of Sangrel in order that they might exploit your land.’
Wa-Ka-Mo-Do watched Rachael as Captain Littler spoke. He tried to read the expression on the young woman’s soft face. She was trying to tell him something, he was certain of it.
‘A company of your soldiers?’
‘You must sympathize, Honoured Commander. After all, your own robots seek to rebel against you.’
Only since you came here, thought Wa-Ka-Mo-Do.
‘I am sorry to say some of this rebellion was fuelled by humans.’
Wa-Ka-Mo-Do thought of the petrol cans back in the fields. The human-made cans.
‘But believe me, Honoured Commander, once captured, they will be made to pay for their actions. For now, though, we need your help.’
‘And you may have it, Captain Littler. Only not at the expense of the robots under my command.’
He saw La-Ver-Di-Arussah and Ka-Lo-Re-Harballah approaching, hurrying across the square. Ka-Lo-Re- Harballah was wearing another robot’s arm.
‘I was pulled into a crowd,’ he explained. ‘They wrenched my own from me.’
‘I took that arm from another robot,’ said La-Ver-Di-Arussah. ‘Honoured Commander, is there discord between you and the humans?’
‘There is no discord, only misunderstanding,’ said Captain Littler, smoothly. ‘I’m sure that the commander will aid us to his fullest ability.’
‘Of course I will.’
‘Honoured Commander,’ said La-Ver-Di-Arussah, ‘I know your feelings on this matter, but may I strongly suggest we open fire on the crowd below in order to encourage their dispersal? They are getting angry.’
‘Of course they are! Their city was attacked!’
‘It is, of course, the Emperor’s city,’ corrected La-Ver-Di-Arussah.
‘I thought it belonged to the humans now?’ replied Wa-Ka-Mo-Do.
‘Then obey their orders, as the Emperor commanded.’
‘I told you, the Emperor has issued new orders.’
‘So you said. Ka-Lo-Re-Harballah,’ she turned to face the young robot, ‘go and bring confirmation from the radio room.’
‘You dare to question my authority, La-Ver-Di-Arussah?’
‘No, Honoured Commander, but confirmation is appropriate in these circumstances.’
‘Sadly, that will not be possible. The radio is destroyed.’
La-Ver-Di-Arussah gazed at him, and he could feel the surge of the current through her body even from here. She was angry.
‘How did that happen?’
‘Go-Ver-Dosai lies dead amongst the debris. He did not like the Emperor’s words.’
He felt such shame. He hadn’t lied as such, but what he had implied was not the truth.
‘You’re saying that Go-Ver-Dosai destroyed the radio?’
La-Ver-Di-Arussah stared at him. He knew that she was wondering whether or not to challenge him, here and now. Even the humans felt it. They were listening to the exchange in silence, their wet eyes wide.
‘Ka-Lo-Re-Harballah,’ ordered La-Ver-Di-Arussah. ‘Go and see what must be done. Find out how long it will be until the radio is repaired.’
‘Ka-Lo-Re-Harballah is under my command,’ warned Wa-Ka-Mo-Do.
‘It was a reasonable request, Hounoured Commander.’
It was. He directed Ka-Lo-Re-Harballah to go.
‘And so, Honoured Commander,’ pressed La-Ver-Di-Arussah. ‘What of the robots who approach this square? Shall we open fire?’
‘Not yet. Order the robots to disperse. Tell them that I am controlling this city now, and that there may be another attack tonight.’
Captain Littler stepped forward.
‘And that’s why, Honoured Commander, it is of the utmost importance that the guns are set up in the Copper Master’s house!’
‘Then set them up,’ said La-Ver-Di-Arussah.
Wa-Ka-Mo-Do drew his sword.
‘You undermine my authority for the last time, La-Ver-Di-Arussah. I challenge you to a duel.’
‘What? Here in the middle of preparations for battle?’ She laughed. ‘You are being ridiculous, Wa-Ka-Mo- Do.’
‘Fight, or I will cut you down where you stand.’
Rachael ducked under her father’s arm and ran forward from the group of humans. She paused just short of where Wa-Ka-Mo-Do stood, his sword gleaming sharp, La-Ver-Di-Arussah looking up at him, taunting him.
‘Stop this!’ she called. ‘This is so stupid!’
‘Stand back, Rachael,’ said Wa-Ka-Mo-Do, voice low.
‘Rachael, get back here!’
The young woman rounded on her father, face red.
‘You’re going to get them all killed! Don’t you care?’
At a nod from her father, one of the humans dressed in green stepped forward to pull Rachael back.
‘You get a soldier to do your dirty work now?’ she said in tones of disgust. ‘Wa-Ka-Mo-Do,’ she called, turning those blue eyes upon him. ‘Stop her! You’ve got to listen to me!’
Slowly, Wa-Ka-Mo-Do resheathed his sword, and he saw the humans relax a little. Then he held up a hand. He flexed the blades at the ends of his fingers. The green human saw them, looked to Rachael’s father for instructions.
‘Let her speak,’ commanded Wa-Ka-Mo-Do.
‘Would the Emperor be pleased that you threaten his guests?’
‘Be quiet, La-Ver-Di-Arussah!’
Rachael’s face had changed colour, became chalk white, and again Wa-Ka-Mo-Do recognized something in common with her. They were both at the edge of something. Wa-Ka-Mo-Do had just crossed a boundary, Rachael
