RoboNomics

Chapter 51 - 2016

Between them, Elizabeth and Oz get me downstairs and into the elevator. I fight against them the whole way.

Once we're inside, Oz presses the button for the basement. The ancient warehouse elevator whirs to life and begins its slow descent.

"Oz, How could you? I thought we were — I thought you were a good man."

He looks at me. Then he glances at Elizabeth. "Are you going to tell her, or should I?"

"What, now?"

"What are you talking about?" I ask.

"It'll keep her calm. We need her to stay calm," says Oz.

Elizabeth sighs. "Okay. If you think that's best."

"Hello!" I exclaim as Elizabeth's grip on my arms loosens. "What the hell is going on?"

"Did he tell her anything about his plan?" Oz asks Elizabeth.

"Pretty much everything."

Oz turns to me. "Do you really want to live in a city run by that guy?"

"Of course not." He nods as I say it. "What, you don't? I thought he was your friend?"

"Friend? Nah, we were never really friends. We worked together. Do you think I'd invite him to my house for my kid's birthday party or something? No. I just thought that he was determined enough to get us working again. But now that everything's gone to shit..."

Elizabeth nods as he trails off.

"There's no way I want him to lead the city. You've seen the news, you've seen what happens when he's the leader of anything. You remember the Group, don't you? It's the same thing now. Doesn't matter what the consequences are, he's just going to do what he wants. That's why I wear this." He peels back the lapel of his black denim jacket. Underneath, pinned to his shirt, is a broach. It's right under the Anti-Robotist emblem.

I'm confused by what I see. It's a blue crest with an old-style spoked gear in the center. The gear is filled with a graphic that looks like computer circuitry. I'd know that logo anywhere.

"iTronics?" I ask.

"Maybe once. But if the robotics companies are really getting out of here, I might as well use it, right? I found it on the street. Gotta use what you got. I may wear the uniform that he wants me too, but this reminds me that I don't agree. This reminds me to be true to myself."

"I have one, too." Elizabeth unzips her hoodie and reveals the crest on her black t-shirt.

I start. Does this mean she hasn't really been with the Anti-Robotists this whole? I'm not sure what to believe about my friend anymore.

"You have to sit tight for now," she says. "We'll get the two of you out of here soon."

"But right now you have to be patient." Oz says as the elevator grinds to a halt. He crouches down to grab the door handle. "Just remember: if you see anyone with a blue crest, you're safe."

He opens the garage-style door onto a low-roofed basement. Austin is there, sitting on a chair in the middle of the dirt floor with a tall, wide Anti-Robotist who stands cross-armed beside him. 

Oz doesn't make a move for a second. The man stands towards us and I realize that it's Joe.

"What's going on?" Joe asks Oz as he steps towards us.

Oz finally comes to life, stepping off the elevator. 

"He said to put her down here with him."

Elizabeth thrusts me forward out onto the floor.