Chapter 7
From that day on, Sauli and I met with Kat once a week. We discussed secret places where we wouldn't be monitored and different ways we could take down The Superior. Kat was an excellent ally to have. Being so close to The Superior, she had access to many things that Sauli and I had never heard about. She showed us pictures of something called an "ocean" and she told us stories of what life was like before The Superior took over. It all sounded so magnificent. The following week, I had remembered the small video screen that Ann had given me the day she was deactivated.
"Kat," I said, "I have to show you something."
"What is it?" she asked as she polished her helmet. I pulled out the small video screen that I had kept hidden in my boot.
"Ann gave this to me the day she got deactivated. She said to press the button once Sauli and I knew we were in a safe place. I figured now is a good time." Kat put her helmet down and Sauli and herself surrounded me as my finger rested on the button. Suddenly, Ann appeared on the screen.
"Hello allies," she said, "If you're seeing this, then I did not survive to see the impeachment of The Superior. However, do not despair. This device contains as much information about life before The Superior that my closest ally and I could find. It contains a good amount of information about The Superior herself that is extremely top secret. It also contains something amazing that I think you'll like very much. It's called 'music'. I left plenty of information on music as I could on this device as well. To experience music, tap the orange button at the end of this video. Before I depart forever, I wish to say one last thing. My dear ally Kat, it's been a pleasure working with you. I hope that you won't forget me, as I won't forget you. I know you can defeat The Superior with the new allies you will form. And to any other ally that may be watching this, thank you. I know you all will free us. I will see you in another life. Goodbye, for now." The video screen went black and two buttons appeared on the screen. The orange button with a strange symbol on it and a blue button, which I assumed contained all the top-secret information. Kat wiped her eyes, which began to leak slightly, and nudged me lightly.
"What are you waiting for?" She said with a smile. "Let's see what's so great about this 'music'. I tapped the orange button with my index finger. Suddenly, a long list appeared on the video screen. The list contained names with pictures of people and other strange objects beside them.
"What is this?" I asked. "Is this music?"
"I don't think so," said Kat slightly confused. "Try tapping one of the names." I used my thumb to scroll down the long list. I tapped one that was under the label "Sway". Suddenly, sounds began to erupt from the device. It was unique, something that none of us had ever heard before. I liked it. It had my appeal immediately. The voice of a droid, or maybe it was a human came on.
"Other dancers may be on the floor, dear but my eyes will see only you." The song continued on. Ann was right. It was wonderful. I began to sway side to side to the rhythm. Sauli and Kat did the same. We all laughed. We were all filled with enjoyment. Suddenly, the song ended.
"Pick another one Adam!" Said Sauli, bouncing up and down in excitement. I laughed.
"Alright," I said smiling. I used my thumb once more to search for another piece of music that caught my eye. Then, I stopped. My face was frozen in confusion. Next to one of the labels was a picture of me. But, it couldn't have been me. I had never heard of music till that very moment.
"What's wrong?" Asked Sauli. I turned the device so that Sauli could hear. "Adam," he said shocked, "That looks like…you." Kat looked intrigued.
"Hmmm…" she said, "Tap on it." I did as I was told. A smaller list appeared.
"What should I do now?" I asked Kat.
"Tap on the label that appeals to you most." I read through all the labels and finally tapped on one labeled "Outlaws of Love." The background noises began to play. For some reason, I had the strange feeling I had heard this before. The voice came on.
"Everywhere we go, we're looking for the sun. No where to grow old, we're always on the run."
I was fascinated by this piece of music. Why was my face on the label? It didn't make sense to me. The music felt so good to listen to. I was in total bliss as the music ran through my senses. I found myself humming along to the music. Then, I opened my mouth to speak the words from the music.
"They say we'll rot in hell, well I don't think we will. They've branded us enough, outlaws of love." It was a wonderful feeling. I smiled as I did so. When the music stopped, Sauli and Kat were staring at me in awe.
"What?" I asked confused.
"Adam," said Sauli, "You sounded like the music. Your voices were identical."
"No," I said, "That can't be. This music must be over a hundred years old! That's just not possible."
"Or is it?" Said Kat. "May I see that device for a moment?" I handed Kat the tiny video screen and sat nervously on her bed. Sauli placed his hand on my own and began rubbing it softly. Kat kept tapping the device and scrolling through the device's information. "Just as I thought," she said, "It says here that after The Superior finished eradicating the Earth of all life with a poisonous toxin, she didn't know what to do. It says that she read through every record of every human being on the planet and based each android off each of him or her. That must mean that you were designed based on the physical characteristics of the human who created this music."
"Are you saying that this human and I are identical?" I asked.
"In appearance, yes. In other ways, I'm not sure."
"This is unbelievable," I said.
"To think," said Sauli, "there was once a human that looked just like me. I wonder what he was like? Do you think he met the human version of you Adam?"
"Oh don't be absurd Sauli," I said, "Just because we know each other doesn't mean the human versions of ourselves knew each other."
"Well," he said, "I'm glad I got to meet you." I smiled and kissed Sauli on his cheek.
"I'm glad I met you too Sauli."
"Guys," said Kat, "Sorry to interrupt you, but it says here that The Superior designed every droid with a hidden ability that can only be activated in extreme circumstances. It says the only other way it can be enabled is by The Superior activating it herself."
"A hidden ability?" Said Sauli. "Wow. Interesting! What kinds of abilities are there Kat?"
"I don't know. It just says that each ability is unique to each droid."
"This is so insane," I said, "Can you imagine what our hidden abilities are? Or what our human lives were like?"
"Well," said Kat putting on some music and laying on the end of her bed, "we'll just have to discover our abilities when we're ready. As for our human lives, that's in the past. What we have to focus on now is the future. And I don't know about you, but I want to live in a future where we're our own droids. Where we don't have to listen to a bossy lady voice all day."
"I agree," I said.
"Me too," said Sauli. We all smiled and laughed. The music Kat selected was slow and soothing. The song consisted of several male voices and beautiful words to go along with it.
"I will take, you in my arms, and hold you right where you belong. Till the day my life is through, this I promise you."
Kat yawned loudly.
"Well," she said, "I'm going to go into sleep mode. It's been a long day filled with discovery. Goodnight guys."
"Goodnight Kat," said Sauli and I in unison. Sauli moved closer to me as we laid on Kat's bed. He wrapped his arms around my waist and pulled me close.
"Sauli," I said, "What do you think will happen to us after we revoke The Superior of her power?"
"We will be free," he replied, "Free to do whatever we please and be whomever we please. You and I won't have to be work droids anymore."
"What will we be Sauli? If not that, what? In all my existence, I've been told that my purpose in life was to obey and to work. Without that, what am I?" Sauli kissed my forehead and looked me in the eyes.
"You are Adam. The most amazing, unique, beautiful, and enchanting android on this whole planet."
"Oh Sauli," I said, completely infatuated. "No one's ever said such words to me before. I…"
"Shh," he said, placing his index finger on my lips. "Don't speak. Show me how much those words mean to you." Involuntarily, I grabbed his face and pulled it close to me until our lips met. Our kiss was fantastic. It was a true kiss, just like in the stories Kat had told us about.
"Awwwww!" Came a tiny whisper from beside us. It was Kat. Her eyes were large and sparkling. She was watching us the whole time. "Please," she said, "Don't stop on my account." Sauli laughed and I joined in too. We began to kiss again. "Aw!" whispered Kat again in delight. After a few seconds, she turned over and fell back into sleep mode.
"Adam," said Sauli, breaking our kiss. "I love you." I was speechless for a moment. I couldn't believe Sauli felt love for me. I was so filled with happiness that my face began to leak.
"Oh Sauli," I said, "I love you too!" We kissed again, but this time our kiss was filled with happiness and love. I cuddled close to Sauli as the music continued to play as we both drifted off into sleep mode.
"Just beyond your eyes, each loving day. I know this feeling won't go away, no. Every word I say is true, this I promise you…Every word I say is true, this I promise you…I promise you…"