| |
“Pressgangs came on the scene as the few remaining facilities lost workers in catastrophic numbers. It was loosely handled with a blind eye to the consequences.”
History of a Changed World, Angus T. Moss
––––––––
NICK STRAINED HIS EYES in the gloom to see who was coming. A faint light preceded the figure. As he got closer, Nick could make out a slender man with tousled blonde hair carrying a battery powered lantern. He looked innocuous, but Nick kept alert.
“I’ve come to see to your injuries,” the man said in a weary voice. He put down the lantern as if it weighed a ton, then dug through a big satchel that was slung over one shoulder, finally pulling out a set of keys. “There are guards at the end of the hallway. I won’t stop you, but they will.”
Nick thought that was an odd statement and made a closer inspection of the man. His tousled hair looked more unkempt. Nick couldn’t tell what color his eyes were because he kept them averted. With a grunt, he managed to get the door open. He took a step back, flinching, as if expecting a blow. Nick stayed put, leaning against the bars. “I won’t hurt you.”
The man lifted his head casting a sideways look at Nick before exposing his tattoo to the light. The biobot waited for a reaction. Nick was torn. He told Washburn he hated biobots and should react accordingly, but he didn’t want to hurt this one. “What’s your name?”
“I am called James.”
Nick noted the phrasing. It had been the same with Wisp. “I’m Nick.” He looked at the tattoo on James’s neck. The sequence of numbers seemed familiar. “Are you−“
James abruptly raised a hand to stop him. “I can’t tell anyone what I do not know.”
Another odd statement, but Nick understood what he was trying to say. Anything he said to James would go right to Washburn. Any question he asked would go to Washburn, too. He needed to be very careful about his interaction with James.
“I told Washburn that I hated biobots,” Nick said in a purposefully gentle voice.
“Understood.”
While the biobot unpacked his medical supplies, Nick memorized his designation. Maybe Wisp would know who he was.