Page 63 of Chaos Theory
I run across the car park, dodging past onlookers. The driver emerges from the vehicle and Shane intercepts him. Matthew is comforting Lizzie, who is crying but appears to be unharmed.
A small crowd is starting to gather. I push past them, looking for my brave robot. ‘Kobi!’
There he is, curled up on the ground. He looks so small and fragile. I kneel beside him. I pat down his legs, arms and torso for injuries.
‘Please, please be okay,’ I repeat over and over as tears blur my vision.
THIRTY-SIX
KOBI
Day unknown, time unknown
All is dark. The following systems are nonfunctional: visual sensors, lower limb articulation, cognitive recall, higher-order analysis. An unfamiliar sensation demands my attention. Eventually I identify it: fear.
Visual data is amiss, but audio sensors are receiving. I detect a human voice. It has a soothing effect. The fear recedes a little.
‘Kobi, Kobi – can you hear me?’ the voice says. Identification, comparison and matching functions lag; processing time is currently estimated at 7 minutes.
‘It’s me, Maeve,’ the voice says, helpfully. ‘Shane is here too. In case you can’t see us.’
The names sound familiar but I await confirmation from the memory storage unit.
‘Don’t worry,’ says the female voice. ‘We’re going to take care of you now.’
‘We are?’ The male voice asks this at such a low volume it is barely audible. It is reassuring that my auditory sensors appear to be performing optimally. Although the meaning of the content, which I am slowly deciphering, is less reassuring.
‘Yes,’ says Maeve. ‘I’m going to take care of you. You were so brave back there, Kobi. I’m proud of you. Shane – get my tools, please.’
The darkness continues. But something feels different.
THIRTY-SEVEN
MAEVE
Friday, 3pm
I pace the floor, talking to myself out loud. ‘Think, Maeve.Think.’
Kobi is stretched out on the bed in the Farmers’ guest room. His legs are badly damaged, but his torso, arms and head are intact – on the outside at least. The wheelchair lies crumpled in the corner. I’ve sent Shane to get my tools and Kobi’s portable sleep pod from the car.
I could –should– call Josh right now. But I can’t face it. It’s too hard to explain, and besides, he’d want a full status report and I can’t give him that right now. But maybe I can get Kobi stable, systematically assess what damage has been done. Josh showed me Kobi’s brain, cushioned inside his torso. There’s a chance the damage is mainly to his exterior.
There’s a gentle tapping at the door. I open it, expecting Shane, but it’s Matthew and Lizzie. I push the door back to a crack, blocking their view of the room and its patient.
‘We want to help,’ says Lizzie in a small voice. She clutches a bright blue stuffed monkey to her chest. It’s wearing a space suit.
I glance at Kobi, then crouch down to look her in the eye. I’m starting to get an idea. ‘Thank you. You can bring me any of yourold toys you don’t play with any more. Especially anything with moving parts.’
‘What else do you need?’ asks Matthew.
I stand up. ‘A tour of your tool shed, please.’
5:30pm
A knock at the door. I wipe my hands on my borrowed overalls, push my plastic goggles up onto the top of my head and open the door a smidge. Shane is holding a mug with a dark liquid inside. I recognise the smell instantly.
‘How did you…?’ I begin.
