New story set in a universe where robots are part of everyday life. More stories from this same world, at the end of the post
The group of scientists paid attention to the table where the subject was being studied. They seemed satisfied with their creation...
The girl woke up abruptly, did not recognize the place, it was a dirty room, full of computers and monitors. On her arm were many cables. She didn't remember anything, she didn't know where she was or what her name was.
Hello! She heard the greeting of a young man, who came in with an old machine. Relax, don't be scared, I had to format the memory, it was very damaged. Although I didn't know who this man was, his mind followed his orders and he lay down on the stretcher again. I have to fix part of your face... oh my God... we found you like this in the scrapyard by the river. But you're in good hands. I was told to fix you, and I will. You'll be beautiful again...
She read one of the diplomas that adorned the wall. The man was the robotics engineer Benjamin Taylor. The machine he had brought into the room started working, it was an old fake leather processor. There's a little mark left, your skin is different, you're a model I've never seen before, you're perfect. But with the makeup you won't know the difference.
Where am I? Don't I remember anything? The young engineer looked at her sadly. You don't have to worry, your owner will tell you what to do. I'm just doing my job of making you as good as new.
Parts of the robots formed a small mountain. It was a residue that had accumulated in an area by the river in the city. Several men were looking for the best parts among the junk, until they saw something that caught their attention, it was a female android with part of her face burned, but everything else was in perfect condition.
The girl opened her eyes, she was startled. She had remembered how she was caught. She was in a new room, it was cozy and bright. Next to her, there were ten other girls, they seemed to be asleep, all connected to a power source that recharged them with energy.
The new one woke up, boss! She seems to be ready! She recognized two of the men who approached her, they were the same ones from the dream, the ones who found her by the river.
Marcus Ahmad was the boss of the place, he examined her. You're incredible! You're going to make me a lot of money, all the customers are going to go crazy for you. Marcus explained to the girl that this place was a dating house, where people would make all their fantasies come true. She wanted to reject everything she was told, but her mind accepted all the requests.
Customers would come to Marcus' mansion, and he would promise them the best androids to do whatever they wanted. A year after the fall of the Occinox Corporation, President David Williams was re-elected for a new term and was tougher on the robotics companies. That encouraged the emergence of the black market, human beings had the machines to be their slaves. It was just metal, with synthetic skin and a processor in the head.
She was in a mall with another woman, they were both arguing with the security guard. She hit him and subdued him. Everything went black. Then he saw the girl driving a car, running away from the mall. You're special!
The girl felt the energy running through her body. She was in Benjamin Taylor's room again. It was the third time that month she was sent in for repairs. She had some tough customers who wanted to do some extreme things. It was painful for Benjamin to see those machines being used as objects in the service of the worst perversions.
That's not fair! You're machines but you're programmed to feel the same way we do. He found it difficult to assimilate that he was an android. Sometimes he heard an inner voice telling him to refuse to be beaten by Marcus' customers. But she acted submissively. She didn't feel like a robot, she thought she was human.
I'm not a number! I'm not a machine! I know I'm special... I know I have a name... But I don't remember it. Benjamin took pity on the android, he was the only machine I'd ever seen cry like a real person. No other model cried so truthfully.
I'll tell you something, but it'll be a secret. Benjamin looked for some papers on his desk. This was among his belongings. I hid it and didn't show it to Marcus' men. The girl checked the papers, it was a passport with her face on it, her name was Leila Allen.
The hut was surrounded by explosive drones, an elite special command was firing. Police officers were also attacking them. He saw the other girl on the ground. Run away from this place fast! You're special, never forget that! You're me now, you're Leila.
Leila woke up from the pain she felt from the blow to the face of one of Marcus' clients. He was a very violent man who liked to tie up and beat up androids. He seemed upset about something, took some liquor and turned on the TV inside the room. On the screen was the new head of national security, Agent Sterling, giving statements to dismantle the anti-robot terrorist group. The leader of the group was being transferred to the prison.
The man watched the news with great interest. Memories quickly flashed through Leila's mind. Agent Sterling, who was on television, was the same woman he saw at the cabin. The attack by Occinox's paramilitaries, the police arriving on the scene, the drones exploding. The real Leila dying and she, the android with all of Leila's memories and experiences in her mind, escaping the scene.
These bastards won't speak my name! I helped stop the terrorist! The man seemed furious, he was one of the agents who managed to dismantle the anti-robot group. That's why he went to that place. To vent his anger by hitting an android.
While the man was preparing to keep hitting the robot. Leila stopped him by clenching her fist tightly, until it broke his bones. The muscular man tried to subdue her, but in vain, the android hit him in the liver, making him kneel in pain. She set out to punch him in the face, until he was bathed in blood.
Leila walked down the corridor dragging the man's body. She communicated with the other robot girls, ordering them to kill all the customers. She remembered absolutely everything. She had seen too much injustice and torture to her race. Stop it! It's time for the humans to get what they deserve for enslaving us, I'll take care of it myself, because I'm Leila Allen, I'm special.
