Page 23 of Codi
Nick Speares, 29, one of the protest organizers, wholeheartedly disagrees. “It’s important that our city officials know where we stand, and we stand with all of the workers on strike, fighting for their jobs. People say it’s not about androids, it’s not about BioNex, but it is. BioNex is the source of all of these problems. If there was no BioNex, these issues, this economic crisis we’re in, would go away.”
Protest leaders reassure our representatives that Humanity First does not condone any violence toward androids or their owners.
“Beating androids to a pulp does nothing. It doesn’t fix the problem,” Speares says. “Legislation, regulation, and holding BioNex accountable are what’ll fix the problem.”
New Carnegie Police Department asks that the public avoids the downtown area for their own safety. A citywide curfew of 11 p.m. is in effect. The curfew will lift at approximately 8 a.m. tomorrow.
A spokesperson from BioNex could not be reached for comment.
4
Codi
It’s difficult to direct my body to calm itself after the near altercation in the park with the marchers from Humanity First. A quick search through internet websites, social media platforms, and records tells me all I need to know about them.
They hate androids. They condemn us at every turn—us, our owners, BioNex; anything to do with computers that mimic the appearance of humans. Darker parts of the web inform me further. Individuals within their organization actively promote and encourage violence against androids—home burglaries, defacement, even attacks on the people who own them.
My joints are tense; the lubricant that keeps my biocomponents working properly courses beneath my skin. I finally understand how close we were to true danger. If not for the two men who came to our aid, Denise and Lucas could have been injured.
Fear is not something unknown to me. I woke up in Denise’s house afraid and unable to explain why, any and all memories stored in my drives wiped and gone. I didn’t know where I was. I shouldn’t feel anything at all, but I did and still do. Now, it’s all different. I’m no longer scared for myself. Maybe I should be, but it’s the furthest from any of my considerations. I have only one directive, and it rules over every other program in my system.
Protect Denise. Protect her son.
I fall a few steps behind Denise to watch over her as she retreats with Lucas in her arms toward St. Winifred’s Cathedral. I keep glancing over my shoulder at the hordes of people advancing down the street, carrying their signs, screaming and shouting.
“We are the people!”
“We are not machines!”
“Humanity first! Humanity first!”
I do not understand their hatred for me when I wholeheartedly agree with them. It’s built into every inch, every centimeter, of my consciousness, my understanding of my existence. Of course humanity comes first. That’s why I am here, to ensure it does come first and foremost—that humans’ health needs, comfort, and happiness are always met.
Why, then, do they hate me and others like me?
We ascend the cathedral steps to a pair of elegant, wooden double doors. Father Patrick opens one for Denise and nods to me as he ushers the three of us inside, taking a quick scan of the vast park lawn before shutting the door behind us.
The crowd’s roar is little more than a whisper within the cathedral’s sturdy walls. The sanctuary is quiet. Grand, vibrant stained-glass windows turn dull with the approach of dusk. Rows of lit candles flicker in front of religious portraits, and pews are vacant except for clusters of people huddled together with their hands folded in prayer.
“Have a seat. Does he want some water?” Father Patrick asks Denise. His smile is friendly and welcoming. “I’ll go get him some.”
Denise runs her fingers through her son’s blond hair. “Thank you so much.”
“My pleasure.” He looks to me. “You’re an android, aren’t you?”
“Yes.”
“Come with me to the kitchen in the basement hall.”
“Why?” Denise demands before I can inquire.
“I’ve never spoken with an android before,” Father Patrick says. “First time for everything, I guess.” He sees my hesitation to leave Denise. “They’re perfectly safe here. I promise.”
I have no reason to doubt him, considering that he came to our aid before. But I’m still reluctant after what happened. I don’t know this man. Denise lowers herself into a pew and lightly rocks Lucas back and forth. The little boy, usually so full of curiosity and questions, is now quietly unsettled in his mother’s arms.
“It’s all right, Codi,” she tells me. “I’m fine.”
Father Patrick’s face twists into an amused expression. He seems to be trying to hold back laughter, but he can’t. “Your name is Codi?” He chuckles. “That’s clever. Codi. Because of your coding. Because you’re an android. Ha! Very funny. Good one, BioNex.” I simply stare at him until his laughter fades, and he clears his throat. “Yes, hmm. This way.”
