Machine Man (serial)

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

I clomped through the Better Future corridors escorted by security guards, doctors, and lab techs. Sometimes we passed other security guards, doctors, and lab techs, who stopped what they were doing to stare at me. From their expressions, I was either an awe-inspiring technological miracle or the worst thing they had ever seen. I wasn’t sure myself. As we filed down the stairs, though, the Contour Three hooves cantilevered on each step, and I had to admire that. There is something deeply satisfying about a mechanical system that works just like it’s supposed to. I’m not sure if everyone feels that way. It might be an engineering thing. But by the time we reached the bottom of those stairs, I was kind of in love.

Then we emerged into a corridor with a guy who might or might not have been trying to hide his revulsion. I stopped in front of him. Hands pulled at me, trying futilely to tug me onward. I said, “What?”

“Nothing.” Young, in a dusty suit and tie. He could have been from any department, except one that did real work. His eyes flicked at me and away.

“Look at me.” I waited until he dragged his gaze to my face. Disgust, definitely. “You prick,” I said.

Jason put a hand on my gun-arm, as if he had any ability to influence where I chose to move. “Dr. Neumann, please.”

“I’m going out to save this company’s ass. I’m risking my life to clean up the mess you guys made.”

“Shut him down,” someone said, and someone else said, “No, wait.”

“Dr. Neumann.” Jason forced himself between me and the suit. “Please. I beg you.”

“I want some respect.” I felt myself choking up. “I at least want some respect.”

“We all respect you very much,” he said. “Please. Let’s go.”

159.