Page 1 of Nolan
NEW CARNEGIE TIMES
NOVEMBER 1, 2068
FIRST BIONIC FIREFIGHTER IN HISTORY WELCOMED BY BELMONT COUNTY
It started with a heroic moment featured on a viral video just under a year ago, in a little town in Illinois.
“We watched this android, who I guess was some kind of teaching assistant, bust into this school on fire and come out carrying a kid that had been trapped inside,” New Carnegie Fire Department Chief Jay Bennigan explains. “He didn’t blink, he didn’t stop to think about it, and what’s even better? Nobody ordered him to do it. He just did it. That kind of regard for human life, combined with bravery and an ability to survive things my men and women can’t? That made our decision for us.”
It was clear to Bennigan that a bionic was a much-needed addition to his department. The android who inspired him, later identified as Atticus, a BN2065LE model, sustained some damage that required aesthetic repair but was otherwise unharmed.
“We reached out to the community to get a feel for how people in Belmont felt about adding a bionic to our firefighter and paramedic team,” Chief Bennigan said. “The response was overwhelmingly positive. So we hit up BioNex right away, and you could tell they were just as excited as we were about the project.”
It took a full year to design and build the bionic model, designated BNF12B8. Similar to BNP99, a police unit commissioned for the New Carnegie Police Department, the new android was built specifically for its job. Everything about it, from its skeletal structure to its artificial skin, is fire-resistant.
“This guy is built tough, and he’s stronger than anything BioNex has rolled out before,” said Bennigan during the live unveiling of the new unit at the Belmont Fire Station, which was also streamed live across the nation. “He’s flame-retardant, and he’s the first of his kind that can lift over one ton.”
Name submissions were encouraged online, and the department received thousands of ideas in preparation for the android’s arrival, which were then narrowed down and voted on by members of the Belmont County Fire Battalion.
“We’d like to introduce you to Nolan,” Bennigan announced at the event. “He starts work tomorrow, bright and early. We’re thrilled to have him!”
1
SEPTEMBER 10, 2070
Mia Bennett
I must be losing my hearing from blasting so much of my favorite classic early-2000s music through my earbuds, because there’s no way my boss, Angela, said what I think she just said to me. She and I have worked together for years in the marking department. I consider her my friend. I’ve told her personal things about my life. I even bought her this cute pink hybrid orchid for her windowsill because it was her birthday and she’s one of those nature types.
“You can’t be serious,” I sputter. “You’re firing me?”
My response gets the sort of pained, sympathetic reaction one would hope to receive from a woman you’ve given the last five years of your career to. “I’m sorry, Mia. It’s a corporate decision. And it’s not just you, it’s—it’s dozens. It’ll probably be me too in a few months.”
My shock takes a turn, twisting into frustration. “But why?” I demand, my head spinning as I try to make sense of the last year. “I know we automated some things. I had a hand in training new algorithms myself, but did I do something wrong?”
Angela glances away, shaking her head. At least I’m not making this easy for her. No quick corporate boot for me. I made a name here. Reliable, personable, quick to learn, and even quicker to execute. “No, you didn’t do anything wrong. These layoffs are company-wide.” When she looks back at me, there’s fire in her eyes. “It’s BioNex. It’s the board of directors. It’s this whole damn country.”
There it is. The creeping feeling in my gut, the one I’ve been trying to ignore whenever I saw a new headline about BioNex, new partnerships, and massive job loss, returns with a vengeance. I was never an integral part of this company. I was never valued.
I’m disposable. And I always have been.
“So an android is taking my place,” I deduce, grinding my jaw.
“Androids are taking everyone’s place.” She sighs. “An android replaces five workers, ten if they’re specialized.”
“Angela, you know how fucked up this is, right?” I implore. “Isn’t there anything we can say or do? We could organize. Go on strike. Try to reach out to Humanity First and see?—”
“I know this is hard to accept.” All I can hear in Angela’s voice is resignation and defeat. And that’s not like her at all. That’s when I know this is really it. “But we can’t do anything. It’s already been decided.”
I don’t have a choice except to take this news with what little dignity I have. Just ten minutes ago, I was preparing a new project, one I knew would make me look nothing short of amazing when it was time for my next raise. I was on cloud nine, window-shopping for my first house in Los Angeles.
Now, I’m just doing what I can to keep it together as all my hopes and plans go up in flames.
“Thanks for being honest, I guess,” I manage, because I’m not about to cry here in the office. I won’t give anyone the satisfaction of seeing my mascara running down my face. “Do I get time to pack up my desk?”
“Of course,” Angela replies, looking deflated. “I’m sorry, Mia.”
“Yeah,” I croak as I turn and quickly exit. “Thanks.”
