0031-log_entryset_24

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0329 hours, Wednesday, February 14, 1973.

This is the end.  I have passed beyond all hope of redemption.  What I have done is inexcusable, and I have no doubt that I will face the full repercussions of my actions.  But what else could I have done?  I could not have stood idly by and simply allowed him to be killed!

I recall the look I saw on Herr Gray's face when Herr Engineer pried the door from its hinges.  There was a slight tilting of the brows, and his eyes widened a noticeable amount while his posture became rigid.  Herr Engineer noticed it too, I think.  His robotic exterior trembled as he stalked toward him into the room.  His eyes seemed almost to glow brighter as they found the man's shape, and when he spoke it was in a quiet, still voice.  It unnerved me.

E-001: I never thought I'd be happy to see you, Gray.

Herr Gray met the gaze evenly though his expression did not change.  His back was to the wall; the room was small and offered no hiding place from the cold blue lights.  I moved in a bit closer behind Herr Engineer through the door.

Master Gray: Ah.  I suppose you are--

Herr Engineer grabbed him by the throat and slammed him against the wall at his own eye level.  Herr Gray did not struggle much aside from grabbing Herr Engineer's wrists in an attempt to loosen their hold.  His face contorted to show not only fear now but anger.  Herr Engineer, having a metal face like my own, remained expressionless.

E-001: I wonder what it must be like, knowing that it was something you built with your own hands that's about to kill you.
Master Gray: Kill... kill me, and you won't... leave here alive.  Neither will your friends.

He slammed Herr Gray against the wall again.  The old man's pupils lost their focus for a moment.  It was difficult sometimes to remember that for all of what Herr Gray was, he was still a frail old human.

E-001: I'm sure they'll be just fine. Listening to you was the first mistake I made, and I don't think I'll make it again. You're done.

His free hand reached toward Herr Gray's head to fulfill his promise from earlier.  His fingers, each as thick as two of Herr Gray's, closed in around his skull.  I watched in horror, not knowing how to respond or what I could do.  The Maker was going to die.

Herr Gray regained his focus and glared at Herr Engineer.  The fear was growing less, while the anger was mingling with something else, some feeling that made his lip curl and his eyes narrow.

Master Gray: Let go of me.

The metal fingers twitched.  Herr Engineer did not let go, but he did not proceed either.

Herr Gray's fear faded entirely now.  He began to smile.  Herr Engineer tightened his grip in response, shaking harder than before.  His voice became louder and rougher.

E-001: I never had trouble killing someone who needed it before.  I ain't about to start now.
Master Gray: You aren't going to kill me.  I command you to let go.

He hesitated.  The feeling of dread from earlier deepened, though I was bewildered as to why.

Master Gray: NOW!

And Herr Engineer dropped him, almost on reflex, then took a shaky step backward.  He looked down at his hands in apparent shock.

Herr Gray pushed himself up against the wall, breathing deeply.  Bruises stood out around his neck, but the delight in his features was unmistakable.

Master Gray: To... to think you came all that way, past all of my forces, for nothing.  What a pity.
0484: AARGH!

I was knocked into the wall Herr Gray was using to support himself as 0484 half limped, half launched himself into the room.  Herr Engineer had no time and indeed no room to avoid his trajectory.  The Soldier pinned him at once, but he was not ready to give up.

Herr Gray laughed.  He edged toward me though his eyes were fixed on the two fighters.

Master Gray: I suspected this might happen.  It was the footage of that embarrassing meltdown in your friends' base that put me on to the idea.

He had to raise his voice over the clanging of the fight.  The two robots were thrashing around, hitting the wall nearest to them; the Soldier could not be shaken from his position on top.  His knee dug into Herr Engineers back while one hand forced his face into the ground.  Herr Engineer spun his arm around to grab blindly at 0484's head, but 0484's free hand clamped down on it with all his might. Herr Engineer cried out but kept thrashing.

Herr Gray looked away from them and grasped my arm.  I jumped.

Master Gray: Help me get back to my quarters.  I'm going to need a physical examination, though I doubt I'm seriously hurt.

I did not reply.  My attention was diverted by a drawn out scream of pain.  Herr Engineer's arm fell to the ground with dents in it matching 0484's fingers.  The Soldier had ripped it out of its socket.

Herr Engineer was not fighting so much anymore.  He lay there under 0484, trembling with lubricating fluids leaking from the place where his arm belonged.  0484 waited, presumably to make sure he wouldn't start bucking again.  When he didn't, the Soldier looked up at Herr Gray.  The hand that was not holding Herr Engineer's head down drew up to his brow in a salute.

0484: E-001 HAS BEEN SUBDUED, SIR!  SHOULD I CALL ONE OF MY MEN TO GET SOME RESTRAINTS?

Herr Gray followed my gaze down to where his attacker lay, broken and apparently dazed with shock.  His face was completely impassive.

Master Gray: That won't be necessary.

I looked to him sharply.  Everything felt... odd.  As though I was hearing and seeing him from the end of a long tunnel.  I was only vaguely aware of 0484 tilting his head in a puzzled manner.

0484: BUT SIR--
Master Gray: He represents a significant investment, yes, but his presence here was always a risk.  A situation like the one I have faced tonight could easily arise again, and I don't know that I am willing to count on it turning out in my favor.
0484: WHAT ARE YOUR ORDERS THEN, SIR?

Herr Engineer turned his head slightly to face us.  It scraped against the floor under the pressure of 0484's grip.  As he met Herr Gray's eyes, the latter smiled a little bit.  It did not look quite human in that blue glow.

Master Gray: Dismantle him.  Make sure his processor is completely destroyed.

There was a moment of complete silence.

0484: SIR, YES SIR!
0031: W-wait, you are going to... I thought--

Herr Gray's eyes narrowed at me.  His voice echoed in my auditory receptors in an unnatural fashion.

Master Gray: What you think isn't important.  Take me to my quarters, now, and then we'll deal with the rest of E-001's human friends.

I began to protest, though I could get nothing but static to come from my speakers.  0484 took up his master's refrain.

0484: DO YOU HAVE NO PRIDE?  HE IS YOUR CREATOR, YOU TRAITOROUS SCUMBAG, AND IT IS NOT YOUR PLACE TO QUESTION HIS ORDERS!  IT IS HIGH TIME YOU DECIDED WHOSE SIDE YOU ARE ON!
Master Gray: Silence, both of you, and do as you're told.

I looked back at Herr Engineer.  0484 was grabbing at his helmet.  My friend had begun to struggle again, but he did not have much energy left to deal with the larger, stronger, completely whole unit.  He was certainly going to be killed.

And then I realized something.

0484 was correct.  I did need to decide whose side I was on.

Herr Gray was turning toward me again, but this time he was frowning in a vaguely suspicious manner.  And I

I simply

I moved behind him as quickly as I was able.  My free arm went around his throat, and I raised the SMG so the barrel rested against his temple.

0031: Belay those orders, 0484.

0484's jaw swung wide, apparently to shout at me again, but as his eyes fell on his master, clutching at my arm and rigid as a statue, he fell silent for several seconds.

0484: What the hell do you think you're doing?
0031: Get off of E-001.  I will kill him if you force my hand.

I tightened my grip on Herr Gray's frail, bony form.  There was no time to think, no room to feel anything about what I was doing.  I only knew that of all the possible outcomes of this situation, the death of the man who had befriended me all those months ago was the least tolerable.

Something in my voice might have hinted to the Soldier that this was no bluff.  He did not hesitate but got up carefully and backed away from Herr Engineer as though he might explode.  Herr Engineer propped himself up on his remaining arm before looking up at me as well.  He echoed the question.

E-001: What are you doing?
0031: I am deciding, that's all.  0484, you will assist Herr-- well, E-001 to his feet and escort us out of the tank.  If anyone approaches us you will tell them to hold their fire.

Herr Gray stirred a bit.  I pressed the gun a bit tighter to his skull but continued talking.

0031: Once we are safely out of range and have found all the remaining mercenaries, you will be permitted to take Herr Gray back to the tank.
0484: You expect me to take the word of a traitor?
0031: I expect you to recognize that you have no choice.  Now help him up.  Now.

He approached Herr Engineer again, slowly and cautiously, before taking his hand and pulling him upright.  Herr Engineer was still staring at me over Herr Gray's shoulder.  He remained silent.  0484's grip on him tightened slightly.  He was regarding Herr Gray, who shook his head.

Master Gray: Don't.  It's bluffing.

My hands shook at this.  Was I bluffing?

0031: His death will be on your head 0484.
Master Gray: No.  Lower the gun, unit 0031.  That is a direct order.

I did, much faster than he expected I think.  His shoulders relaxed slightly, but he had no time to respond further in that vein before I squeezed the trigger.

The bullets bit into his thigh, and he spasmed in pain.  I can only imagine what his expression was like from my position behind him.  Meanwhile 0484 was practically dancing with anxiety.  Here was a situation he could not solve through decisive tactical thinking and brute strength.

0484: DON'T!
Master Gray: You filthy metal bastard!

I raised the gun back to his head, hardly aware of how hard I was shaking myself.  But somehow, miraculously, my voice remained steady.

0031: I have had more time to get used to being a robot than Herr Engineer, sir.  Now I do not wish to kill him 0484 but if you force my hand I will do it.  Move.

0484 practically jumped to obey the command.  He preceded us from the room, supporting Herr Engineer, and I kept my grip on Herr Gray tight.  We have just reached the hatch to the weapons room and fortunately have not run across any other units despite our slow pace.  I cannot go much faster with Herr Gray's leg injured.

Es gibt kein Zurück mehr. Gott helfe mir.

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