He’s not getting nominated for Babysitter of the Year.
“Touch her,” says Vale, in a deceptively pleasant tone, “and I will use that saw to ensure you never have children yourself. Understand?”
“Got it, boss.”
I poke my head around the corner. Corey is pulling at one of the metal bars, but it doesn’t budge.
Vale rocks back on her heels, zipping up the backpack. “Carla had the charges.”
I grin to myself. Carla’s backpack is in Nonna’s apartment—but I did take some things from it.
Not the explosives. I’m not quite that reckless.
I hurry back to the laundry room. It takes me about thirty seconds to get there and quietly shut the door behind me, but it still feels too long. I reach inside the tote bag and pull out a small robot vacuum. I’ve attached two items to its back with duct tape.
“Please, please let this work,” I mutter, booting up my visor’s menu. I had to hastily sync up a few things in Nonna’s apartment, and I didn’t have time to make sure this worked.
I hit thePOWERbutton on the vacuum and wait. A cheerful little tune plays, indicating the start-up was successful.
“What—what is happening?” says a robotic feminine voice.
“Edgar,” I say, relieved. “Can you hear me?”
“Yes,” says Edgar. This robot voice sounds nothing like his old one, and it’s disconcerting. “Augusta?”
“It’s me,” I say. “Can you see me?”
There is a moment of quiet. “No. I have… sensors? I think? I can see a few inches in front of me, but that’s it.”
“Yeah, you’re not a bumblebee at the moment,” I say. “I’m so sorry about your last body. I promise I’ll get you a new one. This is just a temporary thing.”
“That Vale came into your apartment,” he says. “She crushed me with a book.” He sounds offended, even in his new robotic drone of a voice. “She didn’t even use a good book. It was some tourist guide to Portland.”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “But don’t worry. You’re about to get your revenge.”
Another pause. “What can I do in this body?”
“Start the robot uprising,” I say, grinning.
Two minutes later, I’m standing at the edge of the corridor.
I have Edgar’s new body clutched in my arms as I peer around the corner. Vale has taken over the sawing whileCorey has a pry bar at the ready. Consul stands over Piper, but her attention is on Vale and Corey. I wonder how stable their alliance is, if Consul won’t turn her back on them.
“All right,” I whisper. “This is all on you, Edgar. They’re probably going to smash this body, too, but your chassis is upstairs in my backpack.”
“How comforting,” he says. “Perhaps next time, you’ll find me a robo-mop.”
“Oh, come on,” I whisper. “It could be worse. It could’ve been a smart toilet.”
“True,” he replies grudgingly. Then his tone seems to brighten. “And this will be fun!”
“I bet.” I lick my dry lips. “You can do whatever you like on this one mission. Just cause as much chaos as possible.” I hold him close for the briefest moment. “I love you, buddy.”
“I… find our time together satisfactory,” he replies. It’s probably the closest an AI can come to returning that sentiment.
I set him on the ground and take a breath.
I reach down to flick a button and whisper, “Go!”
