Machine Man (serial)

“Carl found you,” said Cassandra Cautery. One tear after another rolled down her cheek, but otherwise she was very calm. I found that a little disturbing. Of course, I was having a pregnant-looking prosthetic fitted to replace an arm I’d sawn off myself, so it probably worked both ways. “We couldn’t stop him. He stood right here and looked at you.”

“I thought he wanted to kill me.”

“No doubt he figured you were as good as dead. Your arm was hanging off.”

“Still… why not make sure?”

“I don’t know, Charlie. He’s unhinged. I don’t know what he’s thinking. Look, if it bothers you so much, next time you see him, ask what the hell he thinks he’s doing. No, check that. Next time you see him, just kill him.”

“Why don’t you kill him,” I said. “You’re the ones with guns.”

She looked at the metal arm. The two men had aligned it with my shoulder; a third was fooling around near my spine. They strained, and something locked together with a sound like: snack. Cassandra Cautery said, “Actually…”

153.