The robot nodded. He had understood Denn. They were going to stop Neil even if it cost them their lives. Nothing would be in vain if Qein survived until someone came to the planet, looking for them.
Now Denn was calmer. Before fighting Neil, they would take a moment to investigate the place completely. Perhaps they would find weapons, or some other thing of use.
In their search, they found the systems that provided energy to the subterranean building, but it was not possible for them to restart them. The robots had used an old reactor, which they had taken with them.
"It would seem that the reactor that gives me energy is similar to the one that this place uses," claimed the robot, after inspecting the support which at some point had harboured the energy source they took with them.
“Most likely it's the same,” replied Denn. He had certain experience in technology. "The robots must have been using their own reactors when they were here."
He was right; at the back of the room, they found several dismantled robots, and there was no trace of their reactors anywhere. They had been destroyed in order for some of their parts to be used.
C0-UN1 was looking with curiosity. For the first time, he studied those metal bodies that at one point belonged to individuals of his own species, and now here they were lifeless, abandoned. Indeed, they were somewhat different from him; strange thoughts populated his mind. When he finally finished, he turned towards Denn, asking him:
"Would we be able to use my reactor to power the fort?"
"Not without a special converter. Your reactor is very different from those that are used nowadays. Forget it."
"And what about in this place?"
"So it seems... Even so, we’re not going to use your reactor, C0."
"Why not? There could be something here that might help us to defeat Neil. If we turn on the systems, it will be easier to search."
"If I take out your reactor, there is the possibility that you will never function again. It would be as if I were killing you."
"What are you talking about, Denn?"
"It's a safety measure to avoid the robots being modified. A functioning robot is impossible to modify, and if the reactor is removed, everything in its memory is eliminated, including the instructions that control its functioning. A-Corp is obliged by law to do this.”
“Is there nothing that can be done to protect my memory?"
“There are ways that are... illegal. In any case, we don't have with us the necessary tools to do something like that."
"Even so, I think we ought to try it. I'm different, Denn. I will be all right.”
"I don’t want anything to happen to you, C0, you promised you would look after me," said Qein, who was listening intently.
"Don't worry, boy, I'm not going to listen to C0,” promised Denn, “I don't want to risk losing him just to light this place."
"Are you sure?" asked the robot.
"Even if the instructions that control your functioning would not be affected, you could lose all your memories. Are you ready to forget Qein and me? Dani, Senlar, and all the rest?”
“No. I suppose not,” responded the robot, resigned.
"Let's leave that then; for now, we'll settle for the help of that light of yours. It's getting late, let's carry on."
Their search took them deep into the old robot base. Along the way they came across more rooms that once served as prisons. The skeletonised bodies, fastened to fetters on the walls, were proof of that. On the floor, in front of the remains, were holographic devices like the one from earlier.
“There is your answer, C0. They showed those images to the prisoners. They tormented them with them.”
The robot did not give any response. Now he understood well what they were up against. They decided to not waste any more time in those awful quarters, and they continued on their way.
At the back of a passageway, they made out a half-open door from which there emitted a small ray of light.
"Could it be an exit?" asked the boy. Determined to find out, they crossed the place until they entered an enormous room. The darkness within was interrupted partially by a small hole in the ceiling through which entered a ray of light, allowing them to see the place. It was an enormous subterranean hangar. From above, in the middle of the large hall, something caught their attention.
"Is that what I think it is?" asked the boy. He was not sure whether his eyes were playing tricks on him.
The surprise of the three was evident; they never planned on finding such a thing, and much less there. Denn took a few steps to make sure before answering:
"It's a space ship!"
The discovery of that ship, silver and black in colour, thrilled the three spectators. It had been there for many years but, in spite of the dust, and the vegetation that was beginning to grow all around it, it looked in perfect condition.
Chapter XX
Decision
“A ship!” repeated the boy, excited.
Enthused, the three of them ran along an elevated walkway, gripping on to a metal handrail as they advanced, until reaching some steps that went down to the hangar floor. It seemed unreal; a space ship was in front of their eyes.
“It’s beautiful!” said the highly lively Qein. He looked at every angle of that magnificent machine.
“Get the roots off it,” said Denn to the robot, who did not hesitate in going up to the wings in one jump to begin removing the weeds.
“Do you think it works, Denn?”
“I don’t know... let’s see.”
After inspecting the ship, they came across the answer. No part of it appeared to be damaged, and although it was an old vehicle, it had been constructed with the best technology of its time. Anyhow, if they had to repair anything, Denn would certainly be able to do it using the many parts and tools that they found in the hangar. Unfortunately, the reactor that gave it energy was not in its place; it had been removed. Without an energy source, there was nothing to do.
“It’s a shame it doesn’t have its reactor,” said the boy. “We would have been able to use it to regain the fort.”
“Are you suggesting going into the fort, guns blazing, while all of our friends are there?”
The boy smiled.
“You’re right. Even so, I would have liked to see it working.”
“I know, it really is beautiful,” claimed Denn, as he passed his hand over the resistant and shiny body of the ship. “This type of ship was used in the Solar System forces. They can fly just as well in outer space as they can inside planets. They’re amazing.” There was a momentary silence whilst he admired the machine. It was obvious that he was finding it fascinating. “...It’s a shame... In any case, we don’t need a ship to defeat Neil. When we finish with him, we can return and try to make it go. We’ll think of something.”
“On the jump-gate station there was a medical capsule left, wasn’t there?” asked the robot.
“What?”
“The beasts destroyed the medical capsule for the fort. Wasn’t there another one on board the station?”
“Yes, why do you ask?”
“We could use the ship to fetch it.”
“Have you not been paying attention or something, C0? The ship doesn’t work. I know it would have been good to be able to bring the other medical capsule, but at the moment it’s impossible. It’s best to forget about it.”
“Not just the capsule. We could bring back one of the reactors left on the station. Those will definitely be useful in the fort.”
“I know, C0, we could do all of that if the ship worked, but that’s not how it is. It doesn’t have its reactor. We can’t make it go without one.”
“We have my reactor. Surely it’s compatible with the ship’s technology.”
“Possibly... but we already spoke about that, C0, we can’t remove your reactor without risking losing you forever.”
“It’s okay,” replied the robot.
Denn looked at the robot, puzzled. He wonder
ed if he wasn’t understanding him.
“It’s okay...? What do you mean?”
“It’s okay, Denn. I’m prepared to run the risk. I want you to take my reactor.”
“I think you don’t understand, C0. You could lose all your memories, or worse.”
“I understand it very well, but it is more important to bring a medical capsule and a new reactor to the fort. You will have better chances of survival if we bring both.”
Denn waved his hands, rejecting what the robot was saying to him. It was not in his plans to lose one of the last few friends he had left. Over to one side was Qein, listening worriedly. He had still not dared to say anything.
“We’re not doing it, C0. A few moments ago we didn’t even know that this ship existed, and even so, we were going to get by somehow. Nothing has changed.”
“You have no choice, Denn. If you don’t do it, I myself will disconnect the reactor from my body.”
“But are you mad or something? We shouldn’t even be discussing this; there will be time enough to think about that. First we have to defeat Neil.”
“We have to do this first, Denn. We don’t know what could happen when we confront Neil. This might be the only opportunity we have to go to the station. The people in the fort need a reactor and a medical capsule.”
“You can’t be serious, C0,” said the boy. He had decided to remain silent no more.
“It’s absurd, C0,” continued Denn. “I’m not going to allow you to do such a thing. If I lost you, I would have no chance against Neil and his men.”
“You might not with me either. You said it yourself, Neil is not stupid; he will not come out to fight us. He is safe inside the fort.”
“We just have to think up a plan to make him leave,” insisted Denn, desperate.
“It won’t be necessary for Neil to go out. On the station there is something else that will be of use... Do you remember it? When we were loading the evacuation ship on the station?
Denn tried to remember, in order to work out what the robot was talking about. He rapidly came to the conclusion.
“The electro-magnetic shock grenades,” replied Denn, to himself.
“Exactly. With those grenades you will be able to deactivate all the weapons that use energy. They won’t even realize, not until it’s too late.”
“I could go into the fort and get rid of Neil without anybody ending up hurt,” Denn thought out loud.
“But C0 would die,” said the boy. “We can’t do it. We’ll think of something else. We’re family, remember? You said so yourself, Denn; you said we were a family and that we needed to take care of each other. We’re not going to let C0 die.”
Denn was deeply moved at hearing Qein. He did not want to lose the robot, but nor was he finding arguments to refuse his proposal. Maybe he was right; maybe now was the only opportunity they would have of travelling to the station. There did not seem to be a better plan.
“C0 is right, boy. It’s the best plan.”
“No, Denn!” said Qein, terrified. “Please, you said that if we took the reactor away from C0, we would lose him. You can’t be agreeing with something like that.”
“I’m sorry, Qein,” interrupted the robot. “It is my choice, and I have already decided. There is nothing more to say.”
The boy turned his back, very upset. He walked towards a corner of the hangar, where he sat down, fighting not to burst into tears. He was very attached to the robot; it was understandable that Qein would be against the plan. Denn looked at him with sadness. The poor boy had suffered so much over the last few days, and now he would have to suffer even more. He was sure that they would lose the robot the very instant they removed the reactor from his body. If they were to proceed, they would have to say goodbye to him.
“Before deciding it, we must make sure that the ship even works. I am going to clean all of its parts,” he said to the robot. “You search in those boxes for all the parts we can use.”
“Do you think we’ll be in luck, Denn? Do you think the ship works?”
Deep down, he wanted to tell him no. To say to his friend that it was useless to try it, that there was no need for him to sacrifice himself, but he could not do it. He would have betrayed the robot’s determination. He was not going to cause him to doubt. He did not want him to think that there existed the chance of his sacrifice being in vain, although it was possible that it was.
“It will work, C0; after a good clean, and when we install your reactor, I’m sure it will fly.”
The robot felt an element of calm; he did not care what happened to him if the ship was sure to work. Without wasting time, he went off to look for all the tools and spare parts that were left in the great hangar. The low clarity that there was in the place, and the light of his eyes, were not enough to illuminate the enormous space; on top of this, the night was about to come, so he lit several campfires all around the ship to help Denn.
The cleaning and maintenance of the ship began, somewhat more quietly than either of the two would have wanted; neither knew what to say to break the uncomfortable silence. The little boy was still in the corner, angry, whilst Denn and the robot worked arduously. In less than an hour, everything was ready, the night had already fallen, and the cold was beginning to become apparent. Qein trembled in his corner; he had not moved from it, and it did not appear he wished to do so. The robot implored the boy on several occasions for him to come up to the fires, without any luck. Denn joined in the call, but the boy continued to ignore them.
“Wait here, C0, I’ll go to him.”
Denn walked to where the boy was, in the hope of convincing him, not because he thought that the cold would hurt him, but because he did not want him to miss the opportunity to say goodbye to the robot. It was something that he could regret for the rest of his life.
“Let’s go over there, boy,” he said to him with a smile.
“I don’t want to”
“Qein, look at me... This must be very difficult for C0, don’t force him to leave like this.”.
The boy began to cry. He was suffering a lot; he kept losing all of his loved ones.
“I don’t want him to die.”
“We’re not certain he will die, Qein; perhaps nothing will happen to him. Maybe, when we reinstall his reactor, he’ll go back to being who he was. He is not a normal robot. He is different.”
“I don’t believe you... not even you believe that. All this is your fault Denn. First Dani, and now C0. Why are they the ones who have to pay for your actions? It’s not fair.”
“I know,” answered Denn, smiling, trying to contain his tears, “all of this is my fault, and there will come the moment when I will have to pay for it. Those people in the fort are in danger. This is the only way. On the station there are things that we need. I can take one of the reactors that feeds its systems, and bring a medical capsule which we can use to heal the injured. There are also things that will help me to trap Neil. We have to do it.”
“We can trap Neil now, I can go to the fort and tell him to come out. Once we finish with him, Wallace and Olyr can invent some way of going to the station for all those things.”
“There’s nothing they can do; I wish there was another way, but there isn’t. Although we could get rid of Neil, we will need a reactor to power the fort if we want to survive. Eventually we would have to use C0’s reactor to travel to the station in search of an energy source compatible with the fort’s technology. There’s no reason to postpone it.”
The boy was beginning to understand; it did not matter how much he pleaded, the decision had been made.
“Then go away, I don't want to be with either of you. I thought that C0 loved me, but he's going to abandon me. I don’t matter to him."
“Please, Qein, try to understand what he is doing. His sacrifice is for you and for all the people in the fort. If you don't say goodbye to him, you'll regret it forever. Come with me and share in his final moments.”
The boy looked at him w
ith tears in his eyes, his fit of rage would achieve nothing. Denn was right; if he did not say goodbye, he would regret it. He got up from his place and began to walk towards C0-UN1. Denn followed him until he appeared at the other side of the robot, who felt a great sense of relief at seeing his young friend return to his side. They sat down around the campfire, in silence, watching the fire for several minutes.
"When are we going to do it?" asked the robot.
"Not yet, it's barely just started to become night. The best thing is to do it in the middle of the night. When that ship flies to the station, I don't want there to be anybody awake looking at the sky. Neil must not realise what we're doing."
"Then?"
"When the moment is close, I will use the ship’s radars to find out the position of the station. At the speed it is travelling, it ought to take one hour for it to complete a full orbit of the planet. I will go up, store everything I need, and come back before the dawn. I want it to still be dark when I begin my attack.”
The agonising wait commenced whilst the three were silent, pensive about what was about to come. Would they be successful? Would the ship even work? The questions piled up in their heads. Just as the young Qein was beginning to fall asleep, the sentence that was uttered from Denn’s mouth revived him.
“It’s time.”
The robot felt the terrible sense of shock that provoked the fear, at contemplating his final moments; he was not the only one, the boy was shaking in fear at what would happen.
“It’s all right, I am ready... Please be careful, Denn, and protect Qein no matter what.”
“I will, friend, I promise,” said Denn, and he put his arm all around the little boy, who was beginning to cry in anguish.
“Don’t worry, Qein, Denn won’t let anything happen to you, he will take care of you whilst I sleep.”
The boy, who was now crying inconsolably, jumped on him and hugged him hard.
“Please don’t leave me, I don’t want you to die,” he begged.
“I won’t die, Qein, I swear. I’m not going to leave you; I’m going to return.”
Convergence: Genesis Page 28
