Vol 1 Chapter 2.11 (1/2)
Day Eighty-Three
Today started like any other day.
Waking up because of the inspector's knocks in the morning, we crawled out of the warehouse like ants lining up to work on our unchanging, mundane work.
The incident happened in the afternoon. When the siren that signals the end of the lunch break, Lilith and I were about to stop our conversation.
”Iris.”
Lilith's gaze suddenly sharpened.
”What is it?”
”Look at that.”
She signaled with her narrowed eyes.
—Ah......
Following Lilith's gaze, I looked at the monitoring station, seeing 'that man' standing there. He's the 'VIP from the headquarters' who was giving orders to the inspector that day. He was holding a phone.
”What's he talking about?”
”Who knows......”
After the man ended his phone call.
Sound of a noisy exhaust engine rang in the construction site. After looking in detail, I saw a car much larger than the truck used for moving the waste materials parked at the slope in front of the construction site— at the 'intestines'. A strange atmosphere surrounded the black car, its st.u.r.dy shape reminding people of the armored cars of the police.
”Stop!”
The roar of the inspector rang, and the hundred over robots stopped their movements at the same time.
”Now, people who have their names called, gather at the 'instestine'! Numbers Two, Six, Seven, Nine......”
As though he was reading an admission list, the inspector read out the numbers in turn.
”Thirteen, Sixteen, Seventeen......”
Number Fifteen, Volkov, was skipped.
”What's happening......?”
I looked at Lilith, while she shook her head. After that, Lilith's 'number Thirty-Eight' was skipped as well.
I calmly observed the sudden incident. ”Ninety-Six, Hundred and Two, Hundred and Five, Hundred and Eleven......” My identification number 'Hundred and Eight' was skipped as well. I don't know what that signifies.
”Hundred and Fifteen, Hundred and Eighteen. ...... That's all! Those that had their names called gather immediately! No dawdling!”
The total number of robots called was forty one, almost a third of the robots present.
In less than five minutes, forty one robots lined up in front of the large car. It looks just like a queue in front of a popular shop.
”Alright, let's start!”
The inspector shouted, then the door of the black car was opened. After the door was raised, the huge 'roller' spun in it while making a banging noise. The scene reminded me of the garbage collection cars moving in the city. It's just that the car in front of us was a few times larger than that.
The first one to be called was number Two. The four legged robot was like a striding horse, moving his body in pace to the front of the inspector.
”Get in.”
After he finished saying that, the inspector pointed at the car behind him with his thumb. The metal jaw that was making banging noises and spinning non-stop was waiting for him. For an instant, number Two looked like he doesn't know what to do, silently staring at the inspector.
”Hurry up! This is an order!”
Hearing his angry shouts, number Two's body froze as though it was struck by lightning. After that, his four legs walked unnaturally to the roller.
”...... Are you kidding.”
I couldn't help but say so, and number Two took his first step towards the roller at this moment.
Just at that moment.
The creaking noise of the metals in contact rang, and the front leg of number Two was cut off by the blades on the roller. After that, his front leg was cut to pieces and sucked into the car. Like a pressure processed metal board, his upper body was slowly flattened. The cruel steel jaw made a creaking noise, biting him into pieces.
In shock, I stared at the death sentence that had no prior notice. Everyone stood still.
Finally, number Two's upper body was swallowed by the roller, while he looked like he was standing upside down, his hind legs pointing upwards. Then, his hind legs made a creaking noise as well, the sound that was like someone chewing gravel was compressed, a few screws and nuts sprang out, as though they were being swallowed by a black devil. Less than ten seconds pa.s.sed from the moment that number Two took his first step forward until his body disappeared completely. But in my eyes, it was like the scene played in slow motion.
Number Two and I never spoke to each other.
Even so, I saw him going around these three months, that's why at least I know that 'his' identification number is number Two among the hundred over robots. He is a four-legged type, old ma.s.s-produced type, model HRP006.
He had completely vanished. We cannot meet ever again. The pitiful fear caused my body to start trembling.