***
The long, fruitless interrogations continued. Reyes worked on Rackenfauz, then Che, then the two of them together. He tried bluster, threats, persuasion, appeals to patriotism – nothing worked. Finally, he gave up trying to ring any concessions from the stubborn mech heads.
“We’ll talk later,” he said, “after you’ve had more time to think things over.”
Guards escorted the two robotics technicians out. As he exited the door, Dr. Che turned back briefly to give Star a little wave. She waved back, an electric thrill running through her circuits.
Reyes turned his attention to Star and Winston. “All right, come up here, you two.”
“Yes, sir,” Winston.
They rose from their chairs, but Poole put the kibosh on the situation.
“We are already behind schedule, Colonel,” she said. “You were to confer with the security patrol leaders at this time.”
Reyes glanced at his wrist watch. “Very well, I’ll speak with the robots tomorrow.”
He rose from his chair and stretched himself. He gestured toward a guard.
“Take these two to their quarters.”
Winston bowed courteously as he was led past the colonel.
“Thank you for your hospitality, sir.”
Reyes ignored him.
As Star approached the door to the outside hallway, she felt two sets of eyes following her. The colonel’s, filled with undisguised interest, and Poole’s, staring daggers.
43. Girl Talk
Later, after the humans had consumed their evening repast, Winston and Star visited Dr. Rackenfauz in his jail cell. They sat together on the cot while Rackenfauz occupied the only chair and railed against his humiliating circumstances.
It was a relatively comfortable space, and the door had been left open to allay any claustrophobic tendencies in its occupant. But the presence of an armed guard posted down the hall let it be known that freedom of movement was strictly limited. At least for the human captives – nobody seemed to care much if robots wandered around.
“Colonel Reyes isn’t the worst sort, really,” Dr. Rackenfauz said, “but he’s on too much of a power trip. He thinks he’s got this goddam mission to ‘save humanity.’”
“Yes, we’ve had experience with such types,” Winston said. “The worst sort, I mean. The colonel seems quite rational in comparison.”
Rackenfauz snorted.
“Imagine, he comes all the way from the moon just to put me in jail. As if that fancy badge on his chest makes him king of the universe.”
He chuckled, then transitioned to an uproarious cackle. Soon his shrieking laughter was out of control. His face and bald head turned crimson – he appeared to be on the verge of a seizure.
“Dr. Rackenfauz, please!” Star cried.
The guard peered in, alarmed and uncertain what to do. The situation was obviously beyond the scope of his orders.
“Sir?” he said. “Is something wrong?”
Rackenfauz finally managed to calm himself down. He took a deep, steadying breath followed by a slug of water from a metal cup.
“Don’t worry, young man,” he said, “I’m not ready to climb the walls – yet.”
The guard departed. Rackenfauz resumed speaking in a more reasonable tone, as if he’d exorcised some demon with his maniacal outburst.
“The guy should drop the two-bit ‘Colonel’ routine and go whole hog,” Rackenfauz said. “His real title should be: ‘King of the Fucking Universe!’”
A leer spread across Rackenfauz’s face; malice glittered in his eyes.
“Uh ... yes, quite so,” Winston said. “I agree entirely.”
He tried to sound reassuring, sympathetic – fearful that Rackenfauz might rage out of control again. Star tried to spread more oil on the troubled waters.
“Oh, Winston,” she said, “here’s another example of that ‘two bit’ expression.”
“Yes, thanks for pointing that out,” Winston said.
Rackenfauz lowered his voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
“If I could just get hold of an assault rifle, they’d be singing a different tune,” he said.
“I dare say,” Winston replied.
Foot steps approached down the hallway. Everyone looked expectantly toward the door.
“It sounds like we might have some company,” Rackenfauz said. “Oh dear, and I had no chance to tidy up!”
Major Poole and two other young women appeared at the door. All of them looked directly at Star, ignoring Winston and Rackenfauz.
Star gazed back coolly at the human females. They were not unattractive, she reckoned, though rather severe looking. And their shapeless jumpsuits did not add to their allure. The name tags of Poole’s companions read: FROST and CASTANEDA.
They all look like they could use a good screw, Star thought.
“Yes, what is it, ladies?” Rackenfauz said.
The women glanced at him briefly, then back to Star.
“I think they came to see me, Professor,” Star said.
She stood up and moved toward the door. Winston also rose to his feet.
“Stay here, Winston,” Star said. “It’s better if I handle this alone.”
She left with the three humans. Winston observed their departure with deep bafflement.
“Women!” Rackenfauz threw up his hands. “I’m glad I don’t have such problems.”