Deliver Us Huis

“Alright,” Nickolai said, holding up the beta chip, “By plugging in Telyina’s information into this chip, we are transferring her knowledge and problem solving capabilities to this droid.”

He looked to Petrus, “Are you sure you want the Anthrolems being based off of Telyina, cause, if wanted it to be someone else…”

Petrus smiled, “Telyina is more than qualified than you or I brother, and I don’t see any other volunteers.”

Nickolai shrugged, “Just checking.”

He then proceeded to pick up a large helmetlike structure that had dozens of probes lining the inside. He guided me to a chair, then put the helmet on my head. He then fastened my wrists to the chair. I tensed, I felt completely helpless.

What if Nickolai planned to kill me this way? There was nothing I could do.

I quickly pushed that thought away. Nickolai would never hurt me.

Petrus sat in the chair across from me, “It’s ok,” he said, taking my hand.

I yanked it away best I could with my wrist being strapped to the chair. “I’m fine.” I hissed.

“Tel, your eyes are so green they’re practically glowing,” he said, taking my hand again. Instead of yanking it away, this time I held it. It was a firm anchor in the swirl of fear in my head. I needed to concentrate on something other than my fear, or the feeling of Petrus’s hand in my own.

I hoped my eyes were no longer green. It was no good for a ruler to show fear, and that was the second time someone had said something about my eye color today. Maybe I should get some sort of colored lense that would keep people from seeing my eye color changing. Then I wouldn’t have to worry so much about hiding my emotions and acting strong. Maybe after this was all over I would find something to help.

Nickolai started flipping switches on the dashboard next to me. I tried not to be worried, but I was. I was putting my life in his hands. If he wanted to kill me he could, no problem.

“Don’t worry. You’ll be fine.” Petrus said, squeezing my hand.

I gave him a skeptical look, glancing from Nickolai back to Petrus.

Petrus leaned in closely, “I’ll make sure he doesn’t try anything.” he leaned out to look around the chair at Nickolai.”You ready?”

Nickolai came around and readjusted the straps of my helmet. “You may feel a slight vibration, then you’ll be put in a short machine induced unconsciousness.”

Unconsciousness? I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but I couldn’t. Strapped in the chair I would have no control. None. I looked frantically to Petrus, “It’ll be fine, I’ll be right here.” he mouthed.

And then the helmet on my head started buzzing. The figures in front of me wavered, and then everything went black.

~

“Tel, you’re done, you can get up now.”

I turned my head toward the voice, it seemed... familiar.

I opened my eyes to see Petrus in front of me, concern written on his face.

“Finally,” he said, “You’re awake.”

Helmet and wrist straps gone I stood out of my chair, a little disoriented,“But I just went to sleep.” Dizzy I placed my hand against the wall to keep from toppling over.

Petrus looked accusingly at Nickolai, “What’s wrong with Tel?”

Nickolai didn’t look up from the papers he was pushing about on his desk, “Just some side effects, she’ll feel better in no time.”

“And you’re ready to start the Anthrolems?” Petrus asked.

“Oh yes,”Nickolai said, “Using the beta chip I’ll be able to start manufacturing them right away. I, of course, have to finish your bomb, which will take just a bit of time, and then I’ll run a test to make sure the androids will be to your satisfaction. After that I can start making groups of Anthrolems.”

The world was spinning in front of my eyes. Turning dizzily, I sat down.

“Nickolai,” Petrus said, his voice sharp, “What is wrong with Tel?”

Nickolai looked and saw me sitting on the floor, head in hands.

“Well,” he shrugged, “She’s the youngest patient we’ve ever run the procedure on. The side effects may have stronger or more lasting consequences on her.” And with that he turned back to his work.

Petrus looked from me lying on the floor, to the elevator 20 feet away. “Can you make it up to your bedroom?”he asked.

I nodded, and then immediately regretted it, for that sent the world awhirl again. Just a few steps and you can get to your bed and lie down forever, I told myself, pushing myself off the floor.

I started stumbling toward the elevator, with Petrus guiding me. Going to the ninth floor I stumbled into my bedroom and collapsed on my bed. I stared at the wall, but sleep would not come. My brain buzzed with thoughts, and I couldn’t relax.

I had been so busy, ever since I had made my resolution to make everything right in the world. Yet, I realised, while I had thrown myself into making plans and setting them up, I hadn’t thought much about them.

What if I had made the wrong decision? What if this wasn’t the way to help the people of Huis? And if I had made the wrong decision, what would I do about it?

I couldn’t very well walk up to Petrus and Nickolai and say, “Thank you for all your hard work, but I am unsure of this plan. I’m going to go back to just thinking about plans to help the universe instead of actually enacting them.”

I couldn’t do that. I needed to be strong. If I was unsure of this plan, then I needed to fix it, not give up. There was no honor in quitting when it got hard.

This was the best plan. Me and Petrus had written it out, and from there I could see that everything would be alright. We had nothing to fear.

I turned in my bed and stared at the ceiling.

If only I could stop worrying for once and go forth with my plan boldly.

That’s what I needed, I needed to stop worrying of my plan would work. It would. I would rule, and then I would no longer be helpless. I would never be helpless again like I had been today in the chair letting Nickolai get the information for the droids.

I would be strong and then nothing would harm me then. I rolled over in bed, and tried to go to sleep with these bold thoughts in my head.

But I couldn’t quell the feeling that I was doing this for all the wrong reasons.