VIII

In Defiance

“It’s all because of this emotional mess,” stated dr Jannoby. “When I was younger, it was so much easier. There was a bunch of people, passionate and hardworking, which spent years trying to build something together. And then someone brilliant decided that the robots should do the trick, so they need to learn. Then we had someone even more illuminated, saying that learning is connected with emotions. And there you have it!” He pointed accusingly at the poor Tylph. “A mechanical lion who cannot walk like a lion, because he is counting his legs!”

“I’m sorry, sir,” murmured Tylph, nervously moving his tail. “I’ve been told that sometimes during walking, I move the front leg with the opposite back leg, so I try to keep that in mind.”

“Yeah, that’s the point,” dr Jannoby looked at him impatiently. “You’re trying to much.”

He was a thin man with glasses that were constantly falling from his nose. Misty was sure that the tiny screws were loosened, and he even offered his help to repair it, but dr Jannoby just waved his hand. He was too impatient to wait or to ask for help. Or maybe he liked to be treated as a martyr sent to fulfil impossible missions.

“You’re a lion,” he said, raising his arms high in the sky. “You’re a wild thing and people want to be scared by you.”

Tylph turned to Misty, hoping for help. His expression was resembling more a lost puppy than a wild animal. The mane was magnificent, colored in northern lights, silver parts polished to a shine. And yet, the robot was depressed, unable to perform, sitting idly in the middle of the main stage.

“I think it’s the question of nonchalance,” suddenly Director broke the silence. “It’s like clothing. Some people try to much to look good and they lose some part of charm. And other just don’t care, and even when their clothing is poorly chosen, they attract the eye because of their character, charisma even.”

“That’s it!” exclaimed dr Jannoby. “Tylph, I want you to move like a cat, like you don’t care, like you’re here because you took pity of us. When you hesitate, check on our faces, if we like it or now, you lose your power.”

“I don’t know why I am a lion,” sighed deeply Tylph. “I’m not so confident, it took me months to learn how to move on four legs.”

“I’ve chosen you because I was confident that you could do it,” said Director and Misty was surprised by his indulgence. “We can do this show in the next season, it doesn’t really matter. I just want you to have the idea what I want so you can prepare.”

He was silent for a moment, and then he started to describe his vision in a hushed voice:

“Darkness, complete darkness, and then some rings, laser rings appearing in the air. They dance and suddenly stop, when you roar. You walk on the scene and then just circle it a few times, observing the rings, waving your tail. Then rings start to dance again, some flames appear on the edges. The audience expect you to jump through the rings, old classical circus trick, but you run wildly, reach for the rings and tear them into confetti of lights.”

Director’s gaze was empty. He was looking into the future, the bright future with famous Aurora Lion, the star of the show.

“Walking. Jumping. Tearing. Running,” dr Jannoby sounded these words carefully. “It’s not so simple to animate a robot to do things like that. It’s forbidden to use real animals in circus so we don’t have models to copy from. We need moves, we need dynamics. And I know who can help you. Professional movie makers.”

“Oh no, not them,” Director winced. “It’s too pricey.”

Misty remembered the last time Director asked movie makers for help. He wanted to make his show more dynamic. But so many problems followed, that it became a nightmare instead of help. The cameramen were upset with the lightning, the movie director didn’t like the seats arrangement and the choreographer had no idea about athletics. So the whole team provided few tips and a giant invoice at the end to cover their expenses. Misty remembered some cuts in budget that followed a few months later. Afterward, Director preferred to contact experts directly and find solutions in small teams. So for once, Misty agreed with him. It was really too expensive.

“I see in the files that you hire only robots with emotions,” doctor scanned through the documents and his glasses fell down again.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Oh yes, we’re in the circus, I don’t need robots that are obedient like autocars.” For some reason, Director looked offended. “I need my robots to be creative, and you cannot be creative if you don’t have emotions.”

“All right, it’s not my place to discuss it,” said doctor Jannoby and it sounded perfectly normal.

Misty was sure that doctor preferred robots that were constructed like autocars. They just fullfil the orders in accordance to procedures. Leaving the discussion and creative part for humans. But expressing his opinion would be like walking on thin ice. At the end of the day, he was just a freelance expert talking to the client.

“Maybe we can find another way,” dr Jannoby looked at the manual again, proving his flexibility. “Tylph, I see that you were designed with wild mode, have you ever used it?”

“No, sir,” admitted the lion sadly. “All robots bases on animals have this mode, but it can be switched only by authorized scientists, only in controlled environment. It was designed to test our interaction with real animals, but it is still untested.”

“So maybe we can turn it on and record your movements,” suggested dr Jannoby. “You can then copy them. These laser rings are ready, right?” he turned to Director who nodded slowly.

“But it’s not possible to turn it wild mode just like that,” Tylph blinked his eyes. “You must be authorized to do it.”

“I can do that, I am an expert, after all,” said doctor Jacoby. “I just need to verify my identity and connect to your mode. But let’s get ready before that. Do you have the cameras switched on? These movements can be rapid.”

“With all due respect, sir, but shouldn’t we make sure it’s safe beforehand?”

Misty had already forgotten about the presence of Captain Roger. The robot was unusually quiet, sitting in the front row, and observing the whole scene.

“Well, we can go to the second row,” the doctor looked around. “I can switch between modes any time, so it won’t be dangerous. It’s better to do it now, in empty circus, than with the audience.”

“But how I’m supposed to tear the rings, if I won’t control my behaviour?” Tylph looked puzzled. “Most probably, I won’t remember any of this.”

“We just need your movements. It would be a progress, if we improve just your way of walking. We don’t need to fix it all at once, it’s just a test,” dr Jannoby took his coffee and notes. “And maybe you’ll feel better, after seeing what you’re able to do. Just in case,” he added quickly, fetching one of the portable launchers from the column. “And please don’t make me use this one, I’ve shot on the training last time.”

He proceeded to the second row and pointed Director to do the same. Then opened the interface and began to proceed with the authorization.

Tylph was still uneasy and to his surprise, Misty found this annoying. How can a robot be so passive, so undecided of his aims and possibilities? Maybe he was unbalanced, perhaps his wild side was more interesting, able to achieve anything he wanted.

“Captain Roger, are the cameras ready?” Director turned the rings that began to swivel above their head.

“Aye, sir. Misty, come here, all is set and ready.”

“Do you have my height?” Misty raised his hand.

The laser light shimmered through his hand. He liked to have a point of reference during recording, the scale was tricky in the main tent, everything seemed too small in comparison.

“Aye, mate, hurry up!”

Misty turned to his direction, but something caught his attention. It was a strange impulse, something he shouldn’t have felt. He turned his head and looked in malicious silver eyes. Tylph growled at him and his teeth were magnificent, really sharp. The mane was casting luminous lights, as made of a metal fire.

“Very good, you’re making a good job!” Misty turned around slowly, deciding that he preferred to keep him in sight. Has his mode been switched already?

Tylph wasn’t listening. He roared and jumped in a swift movement. The impact threw Misty on the ground. He felt some of his circuits exploding in sparks. The mane wavered as Tylph attacked again. More sparks, the controls gone crazy in alarms.

“Hold on!”

A voice pierced through metal and light, followed with an arrow. The silver impulse touched the mane and the lion fell over, knocked by electric shock. Misty looked over, noticing Captain Roger’s face.

It wasn’t his friend, it was someone different, maybe a soldier, used to violence. He was the one who shot from the portable launcher. Doctor Jannoby hasn’t even reached for his device, too petrified from shock. Tylph was still, he might need few hours to be able to turn on again.

“Misty, are you all right?”

Director was pale, very pale. He knelt by his side, checking damages. Misty followed his gaze. It was a terrifying sight. His right hand was torn out of joints, the cables were loose. So that’s why he was feeling so weird. It was no use in standing up, not in this state.

“It’s my first accident,” Misty sighed. “I don’t know what to do.”

He didn’t know why, but he wanted to comfort Director, make some stupid remarks to cheer him up. It wasn’t so bad after all, he was just a robot, his parts could be replaced. If Tylph jumped on a human, the whole situation could have been much more messy.

“I’m so sorry, I turned the wild mode too quickly,” doctor Jannoby came closer.

It was weird to see him so terrified. After all, Misty was just a robot, fault of being an emotional one. His job was to serve people, even with stupid ideas.

“It’s ok, just use cats next time, doctor Jannoby,” Misty sat slowly with Director’s help. “And if you want to animate mechanical elephants, I’m afraid I’m out.”