Crying Metal

Chapter 5: Examination

Name:

Number 407.

Age:

14 years.

Gender:

Female.

The man's cold, calculating eyes left the file displayed on the holopad screen and landed on me.

"Do you understand that, as your Medical Examiner, I have the right to learn who you are and everything you do?"

"Yes, sir."

"And do you understand that," Dr. Salle's eyes thinned as he continued, "I have the power to get inside your head? 407, we have seen the frequencies in your brain. They are what we call... Quite abnormal. Do you recognize your brain patterns almost match those of the Old on First Earth?"

I closed my eyes tightly and tried not to remember the nightmares of a world abundant with plant life. An imprint of Dr. Salle's hard face against the whitewashed hospital walls was burning on my eyelids.

"407."

I opened my brown eyes and met his cold, gray ones. "Yes, sir?"

"You will keep your eyes on mine. Now, I've decided the best course of action may be a little startling, but if you resist, we will take action now rather than later." My heart rate quickened. "If you do not begin to cooperate with Society and cease your distractions, you will be Uploaded. Free-thinking minds like yours have no place in this working environment."

Uploaded. The word rung in my ears.

I would be reduced to a lifeless soldier. A body without a mind. I would be known as a petty, poor criminal - Uploading is the proper punishment for those that have extreme, meaningful emotions. After their brains are replaced with heartless computers, they fight robotically and die without praise or dignity.

"Now, 407, this is not without reason. You have the liberty to access of Old Sounds and Images in the System as a qualified student. However, our records show you've listened to these in excess. You seem to be obsessing over the 'music' branch of Old Sounds, alongside cooing birds and growling, mangy mammary creatures. In Society, these interests are frivolous. These repeated viewings of First Earth factors are not to be taken lightly."

Dr. Salle's eyes glinted as he smiled. "Fortunately, an Uploading has been scheduled for tonight. The hologram will be broadcasted at 6:00 P.M. We expect you to tune in."

Snatching up his holopad from where it lay, the man who had the power to execute my free will stalked from the room.