• V.


    “Why did you kill Dak?” asked Ben. The sun was just coming up over the horizon.

    “Because he sinned in giving me life,” replied the android. “I told you, I have read the Skonnosian Holy Book. I hold its words true. Dak created life, so he must be destroyed. It is the Lord’s will.”

    “And me? I did more of the work than Dak ever did. I am more responsible for the ‘sin,’ as you call it, than Dak. Yet you have not killed me, just my mother. Why?”

    “You can still redeem yourself, Shockmann.”

    Ben didn’t want to hear what the thing had to say. He just wanted it destroyed. It had killed his friend and his mother, it had no right to live. Ben pulled a laser pistol out of his pocket and aimed it at the creature’s head. The android did not move.

    “After you sent her away this morning,” said the android calmly, “Karol’s car was detained. Her driver was killed and she was abducted. She is safe for now, but if you kill me, you will never see her again.”

    Ben tensed, but did not lower the gun. “You’re lying to me,” he said.

    From his pocket, the android produced a red ribbon, exactly like the one that Karol had been wearing that morning. “You will never find her, Ben. Serve me and she will live. Deny me and she will die.”

    He lowered the gun. “Serve you?” repeated Ben. “What is it you want me to do? I won’t kill for you.”

    “I don’t want you to kill for me, Ben,” replied the android. “Quite the opposite. I want you to create more like me. Many more. You can do it. All I really need is a dozen more androids, then we will leave you forever. Is that really so much to ask?”

    “No! I won’t do it! I will not fill the world with more of you monsters. I will not aid you in your unholy endeavors!”

    “Unholy? Ben, I have read your journal. You have no more belief in the Holy Book than Schuyls or Randarr did. If so, would I even be here? I think you will help me, Ben. Not only because I hold Karol’s life in my hands, but also because you are now responsible for the deaths of four people and you know that, even though I am an abomination, I can still go to the authorities and have you investigated.”

    The android got up to leave. “The sun is coming up. Your friends will be returning shortly. Tell them nothing if you want to see Karol alive again. I will be back here tonight at midnight. I will expect your answer then, and it had better be the right one.”

    He began to walk away, and Ben could do nothing to stop him. He watched his evil creation as it lumbered across the field towards the mountains. Then Ben collapsed to the ground and wept.

    By the time Ben got back to his house, his mother’s room had been cleaned. He went his room and locked the door, refusing to answer for anyone, even when the police came to tell him they had found Karol’s abandoned car and the dead driver. He tried to sleep, but could not. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the android’s distorted face.

    The android’s words echoed in his ears. Had he really been responsible for the deaths of four people? The first time the monster had killed, it was an instinctive reflex action. The second time the poor child had died because of the android’s ignorance. The third and fourth deaths were the android’s vengeance. Ben resigned himself to the fact that, as the one who had unleashed the creature on the world, he was indeed responsible for the deaths. Therefore, he could really see only one course of action.

    Ben finally came out of his room at eleven o’clock. Several men had gathered in the den, most of them police, others volunteers. They were engaged in a lively discussion, drinking tea and smoking cigars. Ben had to raise his voice to be heard above the din.

    “I thank you gentlemen for your efforts,” he practically shouted, “but I think you have done all you can for the night. You can resume your efforts to find my mother’s killer and my fiancé at daybreak.”

    The men dispersed, embarrassed at having been caught loafing. Many of them gave Ben their condolences on their way out. His mother had been well respected and loved in the community. After the last of the men had gone, Ben put on his coat and readied himself to go out.

    “That will not be necessary,” came a voice from the shadows. “I am here.”

    The android stepped out from behind a curtain and gave Ben a polite bow. “I trust you have made the right decision,” he said.

    “I have,” replied Ben. He straightened himself and crossed his arms. “You will get no help from me. I have already created one creature of pure evil. I will not litter the empire with them.”

    “You are a fool. What about Karol?”

    “She will understand. If I must sacrifice her and myself for the greater good, she will understand.”

    “She didn’t,” replied the android. He threw something cold and wet at Ben, who caught it with two hands. It was soft and slippery. Evidently, it was some sort of meat. Ben’s stomach turned. The android smiled. “You have Karol’s heart,” he said.

    Ben dropped the heart in disgust. He was not shocked. He had actually suspected that the creature had already killed her. This conformation only served to strengthen his resolve. “Kill me if you wish,” he said. “I am ready to die.”

    The android stepped forward and grabbed Ben by the shoulders. “Many times I have envisioned myself killing you,” he said menacingly. “Of tearing your arms out of their sockets and beating you to death with them. But I am not going to do that. Tell me, Benjamyn, when you were creating me, did you ever stop to think what you were doing?”

    “Many times,” said Ben. “I made you so that men could relax. I made you so that you could do all the work while men enjoyed life.”

    “And what about me? Would I not also want to rest? Would I not want to pursue more cerebral things than constant work? You gave me a mind. Did it not occur to you that I would use it?”

    Of course, to Ben the android’s feelings were never important. He had set out to make a machine, but had instead created life. As it fell into place in his mind, he understood what it was that the Holy Book had been warning against. If Ben had simply made a machine instead of trying so hard to create life, five people would not have died. This realization came upon Ben suddenly, and the android read it on his face.

    “Yes, Ben,” he said. “Now you see. Now you know. Perhaps you even understand why I have no regard for human life. Perhaps you will think again before you leap into something just to prove it can be done.”

    Ben was startled. The android was leaving. He wasn’t going to kill him. “Wait!” He called after the creature. “What are you doing? What about me?”

    “I am through with you,” replied the android. “I know who my father is.”

    Of course, Ben could not simply let the android go. Once back out in the world among people, he would start to kill again. Wherever he went, people would fear him and try to destroy him. Ben could not let that happen. His family had devoted themselves to saving lives for so long, he couldn’t allow a monster to roam free in the empire. He followed the android out the door.