He felt no pain. Perhaps, because of the shock, he could not recognize it. But he heard the crunch of his own vertebrae, and realized that his head, blown away by the terrible force, was flying toward the bushes like a ball. His nose hit the ground and crunched too. This time it hurt, really hurt. But then it was gone: the pain was gone, the sounds were silent, the light was gone.
***
Adam woke up in a sweat. Hed never had dreams like this before. No, hed seen all sorts of things, including real nightmares, but hed never had a dream like this, despite the fantastical, realistic nature of it. Adam frantically wiped his forehead with the palm of his hand, turned his head, and almost cried out, startled by the robot that had stealthily approached.
Master, are you all right? The machine said carefully, studying the man with all four cameras.
The man exhaled heavily and leaned back in his chair again.
Master, Robert Audley will be waiting in the lobby in fifteen minutes,» the robot continued to say. I suggest you move to the rendezvous point. It is estimated that the trip and all registration procedures will take twelve minutes using the elevator or fourteen minutes using the stairs.
The assistant gave out the necessary information, then drove a few meters away and suddenly, as if thinking, stopped. The car turned around, pointed its cameras at the man and froze, waiting for an answer.
Yeah, Im coming! blinking rapidly, Adam squeezed himself out. Check the report on the Phasitron 2115 project for accuracy and, if its good, send it to the post-processing department,» he added as he continued to rub his face.
It will be done, master!
The robot found a place in the corner of the workshop and, doing its assigned work, quietly watched as the man stood up, as he shook his head for some reason, as he looked at his reflection in the mirror and, finally, as he left the office.
Adam felt strange. A sense of desolation, of an imminent end lodged deep inside him. Moreover, he still felt a pain in his nose, as if he had actually broken it by hitting his severed head on the ground. The dream seemed to be coming true, intense and dangerous.
Robert Audley stood in the lobby of the Center, staring at the ceiling without much interest. He was a tall, dark-eyed brunette, with sharp chin and broad cheekbones. He wasnt handsome, and he didnt stand out much, despite his position and fortune. Robert was the kind of man who recognized the beauty of neatness, considering egregiousness the domain of empty people. Despite Roberts complicated relationship with the director, Adam liked him, though they had never met in person before. According to rumors, Audley was successful, modest, self-confident, a little crazy, but its not terrible. The main thing was that he was smart, a quality Adam valued more than any other.
Mr. Audley! Welcome to the Center for Robotics and Innovation, long time no see. How are you doing?
Things are going well, thank you,» Audley smiled, shook his hand firmly and asked: I take it youll be giving me the tour?
Thats right! Adam confirmed. I designed the platform myself, as well as the subsequent additions. I dont think you could find a better candidate for this tour,» he added, remembering Agathas words.
Im not even gonna argue.
Robert patted his companion on the shoulder in a strange way, looked away confusedly, and said:
Well, drive, then.
Outwardly, Audley looked as confident and calm as ever, but his eyes were running from corner to corner, bouncing on walls, doors, and other things, betraying an inner restlessness. Under other circumstances, Adam would have asked, wondered what was wrong, but today was different. His own heart continued to tap-dance and it took great effort not to show it to his guest.
So, are you married? As he walked down another corridor, Robert suddenly asked.
Yeah, itll be five years soon, why the sudden question?
You know, I always wonder about that with my partners. Ive got everything, but I dont have a family, and thats probably how my pain comes out. Never mind,» Audley waved his hand and smiled. I think its a great blessing to have a family in its true form. Its a miracle to find someone to live a long life with. Your wifes name is Annet, isnt it?
Yeah Adam stretched out, completely missing the point of the conversation.
Oh, I knew her! Audley exclaimed with a tightening of his lips. Well, come now, how is Agatha?
Shes thrilled to have you here, asked me to make everything perfect.
Of course, old Agatha wont forget her past wrongs after a thousand years! She rather wished me dead, didnt she?
Robert, I just have to show you the platforms. What do you expect me to do?
Honesty and male solidarity.
The mens gazes collided. After a brief pause, Audley continued:
Okay, I get it. I cant ask to talk about it. Well, what about you?
Me? Adam wondered.
Yeah, youve been working here for ten years, arent you tired of dealing with the red tape? Robots, robots, boring! Same old, same old. Have you ever thought it might be time to do something that gives you real emotion? he winked slyly. Man became great because he picked up a stick and a rock. He wanted to assert his right to exist and he succeeded. Now we create tools of awesome power that can serve both dictate and freedom. But the main thing is that, as thousands of years ago, it enables man to defend his right to exist. What is your attitude towards the greatest invention of mankind?
Audleys voice sounded seductive. The only thing that wasnt clear was what he was getting at, and why. Just in case, I decided not to lie, to answer honestly, and then see where this strange conversation would lead.
Weapons are not my passion, I think Im more interested in creating than destroying. And who needs guns these days? Theres been no war for decades, no alien competitors
Robert laughed.
Adam, long ago they used to say, «If you want peace, prepare for war.» If no one needed weapons, would I be walking in front of you right now? Think about it.
And there was a lot to think about. Since 2084, there hasnt been a single conflict on Earth, both external and internal. People were busy innovating, discovering, manufacturing, creating, seemingly everything but war. Despite this fact, the arms industry did not die, but on the contrary, having made a significant technological leap, continued to bring in billions. It is not known only to whom and from whom, because everything related to weapons was hidden from the gaze of outsiders.
Ah, lets do it this way, Robert suddenly suggested. Tomorrow we have an event planned. I invite you to attend it. Im sure youll find it interesting from a professional point of view. Yes, and my engineers will be glad to finally meet you in person. I must admit, Im getting tired of hearing your praise. We start at nine. I dont think Agatha will mind your absence from the workplace. She may seem cold, but shes actually soft and kind inside.
Ill think about it, Adam replied dryly, adding, Were here.
He swung the doors open, revealing to Roberts eyes a huge hangar where hundreds of robots were stamping out future infantry team leaders without stopping. The smell of oil and silicates immediately hit his nose. The visitors walked along the conveyor belt, undistracted by the precise and precise work of the tireless assemblers, and stopped at a cube-shaped room with transparent facets. Fingers quickly ran across the digital panel. A hiss, a squeak, and the door opened smoothly.
I present to you an updated version of the Sergeant platform,» Adam began his presentation, approaching the exhibit hanging on hooks in the center of the cube. The skeleton and armor are made of composite compounds, based on synthesized titanium with increased strength, a two-megawatt battery with no energy loss for twenty years, protection from electrical impulses, and Chameleon paint.
His fingers carefully and affectionately stroked the plates of the soulless machine as if it were his child. He admired his creation and talked about it with pleasure.
The platform has standard mounts for medium and long-range weapons on the back and hips, recoil resistance has been improved, and large-caliber weapons can now be attached. As for edged weapons, there are compartments for additional equipment in the arms. There is enough space for a small lasgun, a knife or some other toy, you know best.
Variety and versatility have always been valued in the marketplace. Robert looked at the massive machine with an appraising gaze and heeded every word.
The index finger on each of the hands has ferrochrome in its composition and can be used as a metal-cutting tool if necessary,» the list of features continued. Improvements have been made to the «friend-and-foe» system, combat situation analysis and command control. In general, we have taken the best of the previous model, improved it and added innovations in the spirit of the times,» Adam summarized with a modest shrug of his shoulders. Oh yes If you order a hundred thousand or more copies, well give you a training package for the Sergeant for free. Youll have ready-made fighters. All you have to do is equip them with weapons and hand them over to the customer.
Impressive» Robert said thoughtfully as he continued to look at the robot. Theyre really creepy guys. And you say youre a pacifist. I dont believe it, Adam, I dont believe it! he repeated enthusiastically. Youve been thinking about how to make this creature fit the needs of the military, havent you? You dont have to answer that. I know I did. Youve got to do it like that! Every time I come here thinking that you cant improve your product, that I will see the flaws. And every time I leave satisfied, but genuinely perplexed. How do you do it?
I just give myself completely to my work. You have to give more than your time to get a favorable outcome,» Adam smiled modestly.
And shes enjoying it?
What are you talking about?
Im telling you, thats why I like you! Deal!» Audley summed it up with a clap of his hands. Whats the guarantee on these?
As always, ten years of warranty service with the possibility of restoration,» came the slightly confused reply.
Standard. All right, well take the 300,000 from you. Tomorrow morning, bring one model, I want to show it to the board of directors. Well sign a contract there and you can attend our event.
Adam smiled. He was pleased with the customers genuine joy and the ease with which hed gotten the huge order. Still, despite his oddities, there was something about Robert that made people feel important, and Adam could clearly sense it.
Well, you leave me no choice,» he decided to accept the offer. Ill be on time.
Heres my card, dial it if you have any questions at the gate.
Audley held out a card that shimmered in shades of purple. It showed an image of a woman with a blindfold and no arms on a red background and the initials «R.O.»
Got it, Ill call you!
The presentation was over. The men moved back toward the exit, discussing the platform and its possibilities. The corridor changed into a corridor, and a new one appeared around the corner. At one point Roberts words began to sound worse, as if he was moving away. Adam looked at him, but no, the man was beside him. He wiped his face with the palm of his hand, continuing to nod in agreement. His head began to spin. The colors of the floor and walls began to blend, and the shapes of objects distorted. Adam squeezed his eyes shut and wrapped his palms around his temples, but it didnt get any easier. He looked at Audley again. Audley was still talking, but he couldnt make out what he was saying. Suddenly a cool wind blew in from somewhere, and things got worse: the skin on Roberts face began to crumble, followed by other parts of his body and clothes. After a couple of seconds, the feeling of the floor beneath his feet disappeared, and his eyes saw only a multicolored swirl of particles that had lost their place. Adam had no more strength. He fell to his knees as he continued to clutch his maddening head with the palms of his hands.
«The neurointerface was broken, he thought panickedly. None of this is real, its all a mistake in my head!»
When he heard the pleasant music, he gingerly opened his eyes. He didnt see the whirlwind of particles, but what was in their place amazed him just as much. He was kneeling in the middle of a restaurant terrace. There were neat tables all around with a beautiful view of the river. At one of them sat a woman. Her graceful body was covered by a black evening dress with a large neckline, revealing a refined back. Her hair was neatly gathered, pinned back with a silver hairpin, and a single lock of hair dangled to the left. In a thousand years, Adam would have recognized his beloved Annet.
Sweetheart? Continuing to believe that everything around him was unreal, Adam turned to her cautiously.
Annet fixed the curl, turned slowly and looked at the spot where it had been. Her gaze was sad, lost. In addition, it was as if she were not looking at him, but somewhere farther away, as if through him. A lone tear rolled down her cheek and something prickled in Adams heart. He couldnt see her suffering. He felt her pain, oblivious to his own pain, oblivious to everything, real and unreal. Adam tried to jump up and hug his wife, to comfort her, but an unknown force prevented him from doing so, reminding him of what had happened. Despite this, he screamed, but Annet did not hear his words. She continued to look through him, somewhere far away, into the void, and just cried.
Annet!!! Adam once again shouted without restraint.
He trembled with the emotions overwhelming him, unable to change anything. All his feelings, all the emotions he had ever suppressed and held back, were bursting out of him. He couldnt think or reason. His only goal was to reach his beloved, to touch her with a finger, to wipe the tears of bitterness from her face and tell her that he loved her.
A bright flash lit up the sky, which had time to darken and turn emerald green. Adam squeezed his eyes shut against its brightness, covered himself with his hand, bent over. The flash was followed by a rumble, the vibrations of which echoed in his chest. When he raised his head again, he saw a rapidly growing cloud in the distance, full of fire and hatred for all living things. Like boiling water, it swelled from within, expanded and flowed across the valley, killing everything in its path. Adam looked at his wife, but she didnt move, not even to look away from the target she could see.
Annet, please, come to me!
Her lips quivered, ajar, letting loose:
I love you, she said softly, and in the same instant she was gone in a wave of fire.
Everything around him was burning, melting and vaporizing. Adam felt the incredible heat, but remained untouched. When the wave passed, there was nothing around: there was no terrace, no tables, not even the chair where his beloved had sat a second ago. She was gone, too. All that was left were flames and hopelessness, desolation and pain. Tears flowed from his eyes. Even the rocks, which had turned from the heat into streams of red-hot lava, cried with him. The world, so beautiful and so beloved before, now resembled the heart of hell in its most colorful descriptions. He was on his knees. He had no power to do anything, no longer at the mercy of an unknown force, but drowned by grief and sorrow. Time no longer existed for him. He was doomed to be miserable, doomed to see his wifes wet eyes in his nightmares and hear her last words.