Life as an object

Chapter three

"...so you're on the run from your inventors?" asked Kate after AL-1621 had told her her story on their way through the small streets. The android nodded: "And why don't you have a permanent place of residence? You look like a normal human, or do you belong to a different species?" Kate shook her head laughing: "I'm a normal person." Her friendly face became a serious one: "But it's a long story why I roam the world, I'll tell you sometime." "Can I ask you something?" The android looked into the distance. Kate turned around: "Sure, go ahead." AL-1621 began to talk: "The scientist Winston programmed a databank with a lot of pictures of green landscapes. But why is there only sand here?" Kate grabbed her neck hidden under her long brown curls: "The earth had a lot of green landscapes and animals but this is years ago. The environment was destroyed because of the new inventions and vehicles with their exhaust gases. The green landscapes turned into deserts because of global warming. The animals are almost extinct because we needed their meat as food and their fur and leather as clothing. But humanity still exists, that's the most important thing." "Wow, you people are really selfish. All these beautiful animals died because you can't live sustainably. What will you do when all the animals are dead? Eat each other?" said the android dryly. Even before Kate could answer, AL-1621 jumped up and pointed to two men who came running from a distance: "That's them! I got to get out of here!" She started running, Kate right behind her. After a few meters Kate overtook the android and shouted to her: "Follow me! I know where we can hide." She followed Kate through narrow alleys, over busy roads and finally ended in a narrow passageway, which only became visible when entering. For a few seconds there was silence. Then they heard footsteps which became louder and louder. They both held their breath. One bang, one more. Then it turned black.

>My head...what kind of feeling is this? This is awkward. < She wanted to grab her forehead but she was tied to a chair. Only a small light hung over her. "Oh, you're awake. Then we can start with my new tests for you!" said a voice with a terrifying undertone from the darkness. As the voice slowly stepped into the light, AL-1621 could recognize Winston's short red hair: "What kind of feeling is this in my head? What have you done to me?" The scientist began to laugh: "Darling, that's pain. I programmed a new chip that makes it possible for you to feel pain. And now we start with some funny tests! Oh, and the feeling you have right now is probably fear." Winston smiled angrily and disappeared into the darkness again. He came back with a device, a stun gun. He pulled the trigger and a loud crackle sounded. It turned black again.

Squeaking, rustling. One jerk. Sunlight. "Aah, where am I?" whispered AL-1621. The android tried to see something but the surrounding area clogged in colored stripes. She tried to improve the situation by blinking, but in the end she did not succeed. Darkness.

The android woke up when she was roughly put on a hard surface. She opened her eyes slowly and saw a blurry face with long brown curls "Kate? Is that you?" "Yes, it's me." said the young woman and helped AL-1621 to stay up. "The assistant of Professor Winston had to bring me to a cell but he didn't. I was a bit confused but it looks like he's on our side. Together we outwitted Winston and got you out of his clutches. That must have been quite a shock for you... Hey! Are you even listening to me?" The android hold her forehead: "I'm sorry, I have such a headache. I knew that Hank is a good person; he was always so nice to me." She turned to Kate: "Hank, Winston's assistant." Kate looked her into the eyes: "This is probably the worst moment but I would like to give you a name, a real name. What do you think about that?" AL-1621 nodded in surprise. "What do you think about the name Aloy?" asked Kate. "Oh no, I see you don't like that name. What's with Allie?" The android raised her gaze and nodded with a slight smile on her lips: "I like that name! But where are we, anyway?" For a moment Allie could see the insecurity in Kate's face but she answered with a confident voice: "I just found this place when I was running to rescue you. Come Allie, we have to leave and travel to another city." The android followed Kate until they stepped into the hot sunlight. They stayed in the middle of a desert and started walking into a, how Allie thought, totally random direction.