City of the Cyborgs (14 page)

“I can’t do that.”

“Then you’re a dead man,” Rainor said and lifted his sword.

Cybil must have broken free from the hands that restrained her, for at that moment she rushed into the control center and threw herself at her husband, crying, “You must tell them, Makor! You must! They’ll kill us both—you know they will!”

“She’s right,” Rainor said bitterly. “You deserve death.”

And then the Peacemaker straightened up and took his young wife in the circle of his arms. “Kill me if you must,” he said, “but my wife has done nothing wrong.”

Josh was stunned. “I didn’t expect that from you, Peacemaker. You’ve never seemed to care about anyone else.”

Perhaps Makor, the Peacemaker, was shocked at himself. He may have never done an unselfish thing in his life before, but he said quietly, “I’ll do anything you say. What is it you want?”

“First, send for Unit Rd63,” Rainor ordered. “Reverse the process. If you do that, we will let you live—for a while.”

“Do it,” Cybil said. “Please do it, Makor!”

The Peacemaker nodded. He turned to the control board, and as he reached out to it, the cold tip of Rainor’s blade was on his neck.

“One false move, and you’re dead,” Rainor told him.

There were no false moves, however. Makor sent the signal and then turned back, saying, “She will be here in a few minutes.”

But it took longer than that, and Josh interrogated the Peacemaker while they waited. “Why did you do this terrible thing to these people?” he demanded.

Makor struggled to reply, but the more he talked the worse his case seemed. He finally gave up and could do nothing but bow his head.

Five minutes later, Mayfair came into the room. Her eyes were blank, lifeless. She simply stood waiting.

“Bring her back from this death, Peacemaker,” Rainor commanded.

“Very well. Come this way.” He walked out of the central control area and across to a cabinet. Opening the doors, he removed a single instrument that was attached to a metal box. He flipped a switch, and a
humming began. He raised the instrument and clamped it around an electrode.

Mayfair gave a moan and would have fallen, but Rainor was there to catch her. He held her in his arms and waited as the Peacemaker removed the antenna and box from her forehead.

When it was gone, Rainor whispered, “Mayfair, do you know me?”

Even as Josh watched, life came back into the eyes of the young woman. It was like light suddenly filled her. Her lips trembled, and she whispered, “Rainor, I knew you would come.”

Abbey was crying. “Isn’t that sweet?” she said.

Cee Dee was crying, too. Then she said, “Why are we crying? This is not sad.”

“I know,” Abbey sobbed. “It’s the best kind of cry. When everything is absolutely sweet and wonderful.”

“All right, Peacemaker” Josh said. “Have you made cyborgs out of the rest of my companions?”

“No, no. Only 6r9g.”

“Have her brought here at once and set her free.”

Soon Sarah came in, and the process was repeated. When life came back into her eyes, she threw herself at Josh. “I knew you’d come. Goél sent you.”

“Yes, he did,” Josh said, feeling somewhat embarrassed as Sarah clung to him. “Really, Sarah, you don’t have to be so emotional about it.”

“I do too. That’s what girls are. They’re emotional, and it wouldn’t hurt you to cry a little bit yourself.”

Actually Josh
did
feel like weeping. He began rubbing at his eyes, muttering, “I got something in my eye.”

Tears were running down Sarah’s cheeks. She hugged him hard and said, “Oh, Josh, you saved me! You’re so wonderful!”

“Isn’t this fabulous?” Abbey said. “I do enjoy a good cry.”

“So do I,” Cee Dee, “and I’ve got a lot of years to make up for. I may cry for a week.”

I
think we ought to just finish off the two of them,” Reb Jackson said, his light blue eyes burning like a flame. “They don’t deserve to live.”

Reb and the other prisoners had been listening while Josh explained that Mayfair and Sarah were now saved. Reb, however, was not satisfied.

But Josh said, “No, we won’t kill them. Maybe we’ll just make cyborgs out of them.”

Instantly both Cybil and the Peacemaker began to cry out. “Please! No, not that! Anything but that!”

Josh was not serious. He was just punishing them a little bit. He let them beg for a while, but he caught Sarah’s eye and winked. He well knew Sarah could not stand the thought of putting anyone through what she had been through.

After a while Josh said, rather pompously, “I’ve decided to let you live.”

Instantly Makor and Cybil threw themselves at his feet. “Thank you,” Cybil said. “Husband, say thank you.”

Makor probably was not accustomed to saying thank you to anyone, but he knew that he had come very close to death. He also had been petrified at the thought of becoming what he himself had made of so many. He said, “I am grateful to you. I have been an evil man.”

“But he will be better,” Lady Cybil promised. “I will take him to my people. My parents are strong and wise. They will help him.”

“That’s just as well. Your time in the City of the Cyborgs is over, Peacemaker. These people are going to have to learn to live, to laugh, to have fun, and to have joy, and you’re not the man to teach them.”

“But he can’t leave,” Jake said quickly, “until we’ve transmogrified all of the cyborgs.”

Everyone gaped at him, and Josh exclaimed, “Transmogrified! Where did you get
that
word?”

“I just made it up,” Jake said. “Isn’t it a hummer?”

“You can’t just make up words like that!” Abbey said indignantly.

“Sure I can. I just made it up. Transmogrified.”

“Well, I know what you mean,” Josh said, “and you’re right. Peacemaker, you will stay here under heavy guard until everyone is … well … transmogrified.”

Eagerly Makor nodded. “I will do it. I will do it. It is no trouble, as you have seen.”

“Once you have done that,” Josh told him, “you and your wife will be free to go. I must say right now that I don’t think you deserve her.”

Makor dropped his head, and his face flushed with shame. He could say no more, but Lady Cybil put her arm through his. “You will be better when we get to the house of my parents. There are many things they can teach you and many things you have to unlearn.”

The Peacemaker nodded slowly. He suddenly said, “It will be a relief to be away from here. To hear something besides dead voices and to see people who are enjoying life.”

“It’s unfortunate you didn’t recognize that a long time ago, sir,” Josh said. “But better late than never.”

“Well, I must say this was a fine meal,” Jake remarked. “I couldn’t have cooked a better one myself.”

Everyone laughed, for they were all aware of the catastrophes when Jake attempted to cook.

A month went by. The Sleepers had been busy, for it was as if they were keeping a nursery for full-grown babies. Many of the cyborgs were absolutely helpless, and it took all of their energies and efforts to rehabilitate them. It was one thing to “transmogrify” them but another thing for them to learn how to take care of themselves.

Now, as they were eating dessert, Josh said, “It’s beginning to look like we might have to stay here for a long time.”

“I know what you mean,” Sarah agreed, taking another spoonful of chocolate pudding. “These poor people are still unable to take care of themselves. We can’t leave them like this.”

“No, you cannot.”

Everyone knew that voice!

Josh leaped to his feet and ran to where Goél stood.

Their leader was wearing the same light gray robe he always wore. The hood was thrown back, and his brown eyes flecked with gold were smiling at them. “It seems I always come after you have completed an adventure.”

“You came in the middle of this one,” Jake said. “Or at least I dreamed you did.”

“Well, Jake, there are things to be learned from dreams.”

“You got that right, sire,” Jake said. “But I got it all under control now.”

Goél suddenly laughed. “I see your humility is well under control.”

“Goél, sit down and tell us what’s going on in the world out there.”

Their leader did indeed sit down, and for a long time he talked. The young people listened, from time to time excitedly interrupting with questions. And then he said, “I think if you would put your minds to it, you might guess as to why I’m here.”

Suddenly Josh groaned, “Oh no, not another mission!”

“Yes, but one that should be a great joy to you this time. You’ve had many hard missions, but this one will be nothing but pleasure.”

“I can hardly believe that even though you say it, Goél,” Josh said. “What is it?”

“I will tell you about it in detail later. First of all, I am pleased with the way you have completed the work here.”

“What will happen to Makor and his wife?”

“She will take care of him. He’s actually in need of much help, but he can be reclaimed. He’s been misled by his father, but there is hope for him even if it is not apparent.”

“What about all these people, all these ex-cyborgs?” Dave asked. “They’re in pitiful condition, Goél.”

“Indeed they are, and the new ruler will have a very hard time. It will take a great deal of patience.”

“The new ruler!” It was Jake’s turn to groan. “I can’t do it, Goél. Please don’t ask me to.”

Goél laughed again, a pleasant sound indeed. “You might do a very good job, Jake. But as a matter of fact, you will not be the new ruler. And now—”

Everyone was silent then, for Goél stood up.

They watched him walk to where Rainor was sitting. The young man got to his feet and faced Goél, and
Josh could see the muscles of his face working. He had heard much about this man all of his life, and now to be face-to-face with him seemed more than Rainor could bear. He suddenly knelt at Goél’s feet

Goél’s hands came upon his head, and he said quietly, “Will you be the servant of Goél, my son?”

“Yes, sire. Ask of me anything.”

“Then rise—for I will ask something of you.” There was warmth and strength in his voice when he said, “You will be the new ruler here—at least for a time.”

Rainor looked stunned. “But I can’t do it. I’m just a workingman.”

“You have courage and honor and compassion, and you will have one more thing that will make you totally qualified.”

“What is that, sire?”

“You will have a wife who has been a cyborg.” Goél turned and motioned to Mayfair. “Mayfair, you love this man, do you not?”

“Yes, sire,” the young woman whispered.

“And you love her, my son?”

“Yes. More than anything.”

“Then you will marry, and you will stay here until this city becomes beautiful. I will come again someday, and I will hear the sound of people laughing, of children playing in the streets, of singing. It will be a good place for you will make it so.”

For a while there was great excitement about this news, and it was only later that Goél motioned to Josh and Sarah. They followed him outside onto the balcony.

“You have shown much courage, both of you,” Goél said. “What would you like for a reward?”

The question stunned Josh and apparently Sarah too. Goél had never offered a reward for serving him.

“I think it’s reward enough to serve you, Goél,” Sarah said quietly.

“Still, I wish you would ask something of me. It would give me pleasure to give it to you. What about you, Josh, my son?”

Josh suddenly had the right answer.

“Sire, it would be a great gift if you would allow us to spend more time with you.”

“Oh, yes!” Sarah cried.

Goél’s eyes glowed with pleasure. “That would please me very much also. Your request is granted. As soon as your next mission is completed, we will have that time together. Just the three of us. And now I must go.”

“Right now?” Josh asked, dismayed.

“Yes. And as to your mission, I have written it down. Here—take this but do not read it for a week. Enjoy yourself and each other’s company. And now, for a time, it is farewell.”

Josh and Sarah waited until he was gone, and then they turned to face each other.

Suddenly Sarah giggled. “You know what I thought of asking for?”

“You mean when he asked if he could give us anything?”

“Yes. It was awful.”

“It couldn’t be too awful if you asked for it, Sarah. What was it?”

Sarah put her hand over her lips, and her eyes sparkled with laughter.

“I thought about asking for a banana split!”

“That sounds good to me.”

“I’ll bet that, if we tried, we could make something from the food in Makor’s kitchen that looks almost like a banana split.”

“Come on,” Josh said. “We’re going to try.”

When they went into the dining room, Josh called out, “The Seven Sleepers are now going to do a mighty deed.”

“And what is that, Oh mighty leader?” Wash called out.

“We’re going to make banana splits. Everyone who’s interested, follow us to the kitchen.”

There was much laughter as everyone stampeded into the royal kitchen, Josh and Sarah leading the pack.