Days turned to weeks, weeks turned to months. I was forced to obey my willing body in all manner of support and service roles. I performed tasks that I felt were undignified for a predator. I was what I hated most, a weakling, a nothing, something to be crushed out of existence. There was nothing I could do and my resentment grew.
Nothing fuelled my desire for revenge more than the day I entered into the neurosurgical laboratory where I was helping Dr Caine retrieve brain tissue samples from the absolute zero storage compartment. While I was in there I saw a container with a brain and backbone. It was labelled, ‘Ryan Edwards – sociopath’. I returned to give the samples to Dr Caine and I asked, “Who was Ryan Edwards?”
Dr Caine said, “You.” She said it in an offhand manner without even looking up at me. She had no regard for me at all. I was a thing, an object, a possession that was designed to serve, nothing more. I was infuriated by her indifference. Not only had they stolen my body to let weaklings survive, they had stolen my identity as well. I’m Ryan Edwards, not Rodney. What else have these worthless bottom feeding leeches taken from me? At that point I planned to have my revenge.
*
The first anniversary of my ‘awakening’ was approaching. I had been planning something special for my ‘benefactors’. Dr Vasimo told me that he intended to plan a celebration in my honour. He wanted to show me off to the world. A successful case of transference and rehabilitation in one strong robotic body. I had my own surprise planned for the world. I was now the ultimate predator, indestructible and stronger than I could have possibly conceived of ever being.
As the day came round I arranged for a large carving knife to be delivered with the anniversary cake. The camera crews were setting up in the compound outside and I could feel the anticipation building. I knew I could override my servitor programming. I had been practising for weeks. I was finally going to take my revenge. Zero hour was fast approaching.
Dr Vasimo came to my storage cubicle where I was placed every night and said, “Rodney, come along. It’s time to meet the world.”
“Be right there Dr Vasimo,” I responded, trying to delay the time between the request and my bodies automatic response as long as possible. I was happy with the result. It was about 3 seconds. That was all the time I needed. With the speed inherent in my robotic body, I should be able to carry out my revenge before anyone can order me to stop. I couldn’t wait.
Dr Vasimo and I headed out to the compound where the celebration tables had been set up. The entire staff from the research facility was there to cheer on the achievement of Drs Vasimo, Caine and Desmond. In other words, me.
At the direction of Dr Vasimo I took my place at the head table. On this occasion I was granted a chair. I sat and waited. I felt like a spider waiting to pounce on its unsuspecting prey. Oh, I’m going to enjoy this. Revenge is a dish best served cold.
The speeches went on for what seemed like an eternity. I was starting to get quite excited. If I was still in my human body I could imagine the anticipatory tension in my muscles would have caused my whole body to shake. I focussed suddenly on Dr Vasimo. He had said the words I had been waiting to hear. “I now call upon Rodney to stand and cut the cake.”
Now was my time. My vengeance would be exacted and I would be free. I stood and picked up the knife. It was razor sharp and would easily accomplish the dismemberment of these three prima donnas.
Standing there holding the knife I said, “Dr Vasimo, Dr Caine and Dr Desmond, I’d like to thank…” I turned more rapidly than the human eye could follow and brought the razor sharp blade upward in a stroke designed to decapitate Dr Vasimo. I was in my element, a predator again. My entire system felt alight, as if some sort of electrical fire was burning through my limbs. Vengeance is… Blackness engulfed me.
*
Dr Vasimo got up from his chair. “That was close Ariel. I felt the blade touch my neck.” He reached up and touched the thin red line just below his jaw line as he stepped away from the inert robot. Dr Desmond came to the side of the deactivated robot and pressed behind the right ear. He opened the positronic access port and purged the memory buffers before activating the reset switch.
Rodney stood up and in a voice devoid of inflection stated, “Servitor model 8012, designation Rodney at your service. How may I assist you?”
“Please clean up this area and return to robotics lab. You’ll find directions in memory file 765.”
“As you wish sir,” responded Rodney and went about his duties.
Dr Vasimo then turned to Dr Caine and said, “You were right. Ryan Edwards’ personality overrode the basic servitor programming. Michael, I’m certainly glad that you built in the deactivation and engram erasure protocols. Imagine if this stress test had been a live broadcast instead of a simulation designed to push the limits of our science. Well people, it looks like ‘Transference’ is only partly successful with deviant personalities. Have Ryan Edwards body destroyed as the court requested. I guess it’s back to the drawing board if it’s to be successful in rehabilitating criminals.” With that he turned away and went back to his research.
