‘Nothing. I’m okay. I’m fine.’
‘Very well,’ said Karel, doubtfully. He turned to the other robot. ‘What do you do, Simrock? What’s your purpose?’
‘What do I do? I look for the body of Nicolas the Coward. It will be useful in these times.’
‘Nicolas the Coward was just a story,’ said Karel. ‘If he ever did wear an adamantium body, then it would have been found long ago. Anyway, how did he swap his mind from one body to another without any help?’
Simrock tilted his head. ‘There was more than one person there, obviously. When Nicolas’s wife wove the story into their child, she altered the details.’
Melt tugged at Karel’s arm.
‘Why are we wasting our time with this robot? Come on, your wife is waiting for you.’
‘Hold on, Melt. What’s the matter with you?’
‘I told you, nothing!’
‘I don’t believe you.’
‘Then don’t. But why waste your time with this robot?’
‘Maybe we can help each other. Simrock, do you know a way through the mountains?’
‘He doesn’t even know where he is!’
‘No, he doesn’t know which way to go. There’s a difference. Where are you now, Simrock?’
‘Just north of the central mountain range.’
‘Apart from this road, do you know another way through the mountains?’
‘I don’t know this road. I only know the Northern Road.’
‘Would you take us to it?’
‘I will. Perhaps Nicolas the Coward will be there.’
Karel didn’t bother to disagree. You couldn’t change the way a robot’s mind was twisted.
And after all, who was to say what was the right way to twist a mind?
Wa-Ka-Mo-Do
The floor, walls and ceiling of the radio room were covered in blue and white tiles that reflected the sound and made listening to transmissions harder than necessary. But this was the room of the Nine Virgins, built by the original Copper Master, and the paintings upon those white tiles must be preserved.
Two desks sat in the middle of the room, the focus of a tangle of wires and cables plugged into the piled black transceiving equipment that stood in marked contrast to the rest of the room. Two robots were on duty, they stood up as they realized Wa-Ka-Mo-Do had entered the room, pulling jacks from their heads as they did so.
‘Honoured Commander, you should not be here…’ The robot who spoke had the sign of the knot embossed on his shoulder, signifying he was one of the family of La-Ver-Di-Arussah. He was dressed almost entirely in copper in order to reduce sparks and possible interference.
‘I am the commander of Sangrel, and I have decided to enter here,’ said Wa-Ka-Mo-Do. ‘I wish to speak to the Emperor himself. Arrange it immediately.’
The two robots exchanged looks.
‘Honoured Commander,’ said the second robot. ‘The Emperor is not a servant to be summoned so…’
‘The Emperor’s city of Sangrel was attacked by humans last night. Are you suggesting that the Emperor would not wish to make his Honoured Commander aware of his feelings on this matter?’
‘No, Honoured Commander. But we have been in contact with the Silent City earlier this morning and they made no attempt-’
‘I believe I gave an order?’
Again the two robots looked at each other, then the second of them sat down and plugged a jack directly into his head. He reached out to one of the transceivers before him and turned a dial slowly around.
‘This is four oh one Sangrel calling oh one one Silence.’
‘Receiving you, Sangrel.’
‘Silence, Wa-Ka-Mo-Do, of Ko of the state of Ekrano in the High Spires, Commander of the Emperor’s Army of Sangrel, requests an audience with the Emperor.’
‘We will consult the Emperor’s Secretary immediately. Tell the Honoured Commander he will be notified of his audience within the next few weeks.’
The radio robot turned to face Wa-Ka-Mo-Do, but the light of satisfaction in his eyes faded on seeing his commander’s expression.
‘I want to speak to the Emperor immediately,’ said Wa-Ka-Mo-Do. ‘On the radio.’
The poor robot looked terrified as he swung back to face the equipment.
‘I’m sorry, Silence. The Honoured Commander insists that he speak to the Emperor immediately.’
There was a pause, and Wa-Ka-Mo-Do could imagine the consternation at the other end of the line. He could see the current surging through the radio operator’s body.
‘Sangrel, your commander is displaying a remarkable lack of understanding of the protocols of court. We suggest you relay this to him.’
‘There is no need!’ wailed the terrified man. ‘He is standing beside me now!’
Another prolonged silence followed. Wa-Ka-Mo-Do looked at the second operator.
‘What’s your name?’ he asked.
‘Li-Kallalla, Honoured Commander.’
‘And I am Go-Ver-Dosai,’ said the one who bore the knot insignia. Wa-Ka-Mo-Do ignored him as the voice on the radio said:
‘Sangrel, this is Silence. Your commander is indeed honoured amongst robots. Prepare to receive a message dictated by the Emperor himself, as relayed by the Silver Guard.’
Li-Kallalla looked around in astonishment.