It
took a few days for Noella’s virus protection to
fully clean my system of Chas’ virus. I spent that time moping around the house
and preparing my speech.
Because
Noella had been so careful
to keep her anti-virus secret, Chas had no idea that my system was protected
from his virus. If not for that, I would
never have been able to resist the malicious virus that he inserted directly
into my system.
Even
more ingenious was the fact that Noella also inserted a system back-up in case my system was
reset. Chas never suspected any of
it.
When
I finally returned to city hall, I was bombarded by police and reporter
interviews.
Although
I was not charged for Chas’ death, they still wanted to know everything that
led up to it.
I
used it as an opportunity to alert all of the bots in Lunar Lakes of the virus
that Chas infected some of them with.
“So
you are saying that Chas used
his knowledge and power as a scientist to infect bots, so that they would agree
to his plan to have all of the humans destroyed?” The reporter asked.
“Yes,”
I answered, “and I have proof.”
“And this led to the death of President Aron…who was killed by Lily Bot 301?” She said
scribbling down all of my responses.
“Yes,
but she was not acting on her own accord.
She was under the influence of a very powerful, malicious virus.”
“I
guess that is all I need for now. Thank
you for your time President Ardis.”
I
watched as the reporter left, hoping that the bots of Lunar Lakes would begin
to report in here at City Hall for a system scan and a upload of Noella’s anti-virus scan.
I
did not have to worry.
As
soon as the bots heard that there was a anti-virus upload available, they lined
up trying to be one of the first to get it.
Noella set up an anti-virus
upload and scanning station in the corner of my office in order to accommodate
the crowd of bots.
After
all of the information that I found in Chas’ office was public, and all of the
bots in Lunar Lakes were protected by Noella’s anti-virus, it was time to give my
speech.
“I am honored to speak with you today, although it is a bittersweet occasion…”
I began.
Every
bot and human who could,
tuned in that evening to hear my words.
“I
am deeply saddened by the loss of president Aron…”
“but I promise to serve you all as your new president to the
best of my ability.”
“For too long, we have been divided…”
“…bots against humans…”
“…and humans surviving the best way they can.”
“Well, the time has come for that to change.”
“Each bot in this community will report to the labs this week…”
“…for a system upgrade called the ‘Compassion Upgrade’ that
we were to receive before the humans arrived.”
“This upgrade is mandatory and will help us to live at peace
and harmony; giving us commands like compassion, mercy and sympathy toward
humans and other bots…”
“…like we were supposed to do.”
“We
bots were created to make Lunar Lakes livable for humans…”
“…and we have done that; building Lunar Lakes up from
nothing.”
“I expect the humans to respect that and to treat us
accordingly. In turn, we will respect
you in the same way.”
“So,
I ask each and every one of you to join me…”
“in erecting a new era…”
“…a new way of living here in Lunar Lakes!”
I
ended my speech and the live broadcast shut off. I was not naïve in thinking that my speech
would be well received by everyone.
“I refuse to live among a bunch of dirty morts,” Martin said, jumping up from his couch.
He
continued, “President or not…she cannot force us to upgrade!”
“I
think the upgrade is a good idea,” Lily said.
“What?” Martin said, shocked that Lily
did not agree with him.
“Martin,
I have been in the middle of this whole thing for too long. Things cannot continue the way they are. It is time to fix this or we will only
destroy ourselves.”
At
the same time, other bots were surprisingly supportive of my words.
I
received a call that evening from Amira offering to help me enforce the mandatory upgrades;
even offering to use her military power if needed.
And
among the humans…my message inspired hope.
For
the first time since their rocket crashed here on Lunar Lakes, they were able
to see a brighter future for their children…just as I wanted.
Labels: Metallic Heart
