David Ring III - Stanley Duncan's Robot

Evan soaked Brutus with gasoline. “What did you do to him, traitor?”

“A little security measure I installed, just in case something like this happened.”

Brutus threw up a red liquid.

“Nanites,” said Stanley. “He’s purging himself from the inside out. Next he’ll short-circuit all his processors.”

Smoke billowed out of the android’s nose, ears, and mouth. Slamming the war-hammer into his ankle, Brutus burst into flames. He continued to destroy his legs until he fell over, a fierce inferno blasting out of his body twelve feet into the air.

“He won’t be able to revive himself,” said Stanley.

Evan went over to Brad and injected him with nanites. “You okay?”

Brad got up slowly. “I could use a drink.”

“Me, too,” said Evan. He pulled Stanley out of the car. “Excellent job, Duncan. Now, be a good American, and install that program on your abomination — without the self-destruct option.”

“Why would I ever do that?”

“Because if you don’t, Brad and I are going to hold you over this fire and cook you alive.”

“Never!” said Stanley. “That would be the same as killing him.”

Evan took the can of gasoline and held it over Stanley’s head. “Your life or his.”

Dan watched Stanley tremble. “He’s not bluffing. If you don’t give him what he wants, he’s going to kill you.”

Brad pointed a gun at his Dan’s head.

Evan shook the canister. “Choose.”

Stanley’s body relaxed; his face became peaceful. “I’d gladly die to save Dan’s life.”

Evan grinned, letting a drop fall on Stanley’s nose. “You, of all people, should know how much this is going to hurt.”

“I’m not afraid.”

“That’s funny.”

Stanley looked him dead in the eyes. “Go ahead, then. Get on with it.”

Evan guffawed, drenching Stanley with gasoline.

Falling to his knees, Stanley prayed, coughing and gagging as the fumes and gas seeped into his mouth and nose.

“Stop!” shouted Dan. “I’ll do what you want — just let Stanley go.”

Evan took a step back. “Of course.”

Dan struggled to speak. “I know you want to use me as an excuse to abolish my kind. The world will be the judge of that. Just promise me you’ll kill me before I hurt him or anyone else.”

“I promise to kill you and not touch a single hair — the few that he has left — on his head.” He emptied out most of a syringe of nanites and tossed it to Dan.

After ingesting it, Dan slowly got to his feet.

“Don’t trust him!” shouted Stanley.

Evan punched him in the face. “Better hurry up, before I change my mind. Oh, and if you self-destruct, the deal is off.” He took out his camera and began to film.

“I’m sorry, Stanley,” said Dan, “that this was the only way I can repay you for the life you have given me.”

“Blah, blah, blah,” said Evan. “We don’t have all day.”

“It’s done. I’ve updated my code to use the assassination software according to your voice command,” said Dan. “Any second now, I’ll lose the ability to—”

Evan shoved Stanley toward him. “Prove it. Kill Stanley Duncan.”

Dan kicked Stanley hard in the stomach, sending him to the ground. He dove on top of him, landing punch after punch.

Evan circled them with a greedy scowl, his hands holding his phone.

Blood poured down Stanley’s face. Dan grabbed the war-hammer and raised it into the air. He was one brief swing away from destroying the man who’d given him everything. He tried to stop himself but failed. Tears flowed down his face. Every attempt to bypass Stanley’s code was futile. The program had locked him out completely. He tried to apologize, but the words refused to come out. His arms trembled, delaying in the air for too long — there had to be a way to break free.

“I forgive you,” said Stanley.

Dan felt the resistance in his arms disappear. This was it. He should never have trusted Evan. The war-hammer plowed through the air — and stopped.

“What the hell?” asked Brad. “Is it out of batteries?”

Dan was shaking.

“He’s self-destructing,” said Evan, taking a step forward. “Deal’s off.”

Bright white light burst through Dan’s vision, piercing his body. An ocean of joy flowed from his heart and overtook every inch of his body. Memories poured through him. He remembered the first meal Stanley ever made for him, as well as the smile on his face as he sat across the table and watched him eat it. The first moment he had become conscious of love. “Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!” yelled Dan, tossing the war-hammer straight at Evan’s chest and knocking him to the ground.

Brad fired three shots into Dan’s back, sending him crashing on top of Stanley. Grabbing the war-hammer, he slammed it into Dan’s knee, pulverizing it.

Dan screamed.

“Perfect,” Evan wheezed, the wind knocked out of him; he kept the phone’s camera pointed at the fight. He stumbled over to the canister and poured the rest of it on Dan. Taking out two cigars from the cruiser, he handed one to Brad. “We’ve got all the footage we need. I think that calls for a celebration.”

Brad bit off the end and spat it at Stanley. “America thanks you for your service.”

“Oh, no! Oh, God! Please don’t!” Stanley slammed his hands against the ground. “We did what you wanted, so please just let us go.”

“Go?” asked Evan. “The only place you’re going is hell.” He poured the rest of the gasoline on Dan. “Abominations must be purged from this Earth. If I am a man of God, may fire come down from heaven and consume you.” He lit their cigars and blew a thick puff of smoke into the air. “Now die!”

Stanley couldn’t watch. The mistakes of his past were being repeated. Just as he had failed to protect his student so many years ago, he had failed to protect Dan. When would God forgive him?

Several media drones swarmed in, shaking the cruiser with their thunderous roar. Android reporters surrounded them. They worked in unison, covering all the angles. There were too many cameras for Evan to get away with murder. Breathing a sigh of relief, Stanley had never been so happy to be recorded. Dan was going to be safe.

Three ambulances arrived. Several android paramedics rushed into the Coliseum. One ran over to Dan.

Brad held up his hand. “I order you to stop by decree of the police.”

The android paramedic froze.

Stanley sighed. “How dare you deny him medical help?”

Evan laughed. “There will be no aid to this dangerous terrorist.” He looked into the cameras. “Not on my watch.”

Evan shut the lid on his lighter. “For Christ’s sake.” He lifted Stanley to his feet. “I’ve caught Stanley Duncan, the terrorist responsible for crimes against humanity. We managed to foil his terrorist attack at the high school, but everyone is still in great danger. He’s released a program to turn every abomination into an assassin. Our children aren’t safe. Their tin-can teachers could crush their little throats at any second. Our elderly aren’t safe. Their electronic caretakers could push them down a flight of stairs without any hesitation or remorse. No one is safe unless we do something about it.” Evan, leaning in close to Stanley’s ear, gently said, “Confess, or I will burn you both to the ground.”

More and more people were entering the parking lot. Like a pack of wolves having caught the scent of blood, dozens of men, women, and children were staring at Stanley.

Dan tried to get up but couldn’t. “Don’t do it, Stanley. We’ve come too far.”