Q185

"We came here to have you disassembled!"

Quick turned and looked into those too innocent eyes. Alice thought better of what she said, wondering if she had gone too far because for the first time she saw Quick’s round, bright eyes shift and narrow. He showed the slightest inclination of anger.

The robot quickly returned his attention to the fire. Precious seconds were lost and every second counted. With lightning speed the android ran and leapt, grasping a fallen beam high in the air that extended outward from the second floor.

He hung by his fingertips, swinging in the incredible heat. He could see Gregor inside- his strength was wavering.

Quick pulled himself up and grabbed onto the beam with his other arm. With some effort, he was balanced on the beam and negotiating his way inside.

The crowd looked on incredulously.

"The robot- he's going in!"

"Did you see it? Did you see it?"

"He’ll melt, that stoopid android man, and kill them all!"

Quick was within a few feet of Gregor now. The fire was intense. The android’s body was conducting the heat, making him untouchable. His shell glowed a bright orange.

"Cue- the ceiling!" cried Gregor.

Quick was careful not to touch his Master. He positioned himself in front of Gregory and took hold of the.supporting beam, releasing the weight.

Gregor gasped, trying to gather his strength. He looked at the red hot glowing android. Quick’s reduced power supply was effecting his strength. His arms were bending and shaking under the weight.

"Cue, I’m going to get these children out. Stay right behind me."

Gregor leapt over a hole in the floor and disappeared into an adjoining room. Quick was about to jump out from under the falling ceiling.

Then the floor gave.

The entire top floor came down on him. Stone and wood smashed into his metal frame denting and cracking it. Quick shielded himself with all the strength remaining in his arms. A long spike came down and impaled his left breast. The roar of the collapsing structure drowned out his high pitched scream. Electrical current drained from him and moved along the spike into the ground. His eyes began to dim. His right leg was crushed by a slab of concrete that fell and bounced off of the robot with incredible force.

With his last moments of consciousness, Quick hoped for his Master’s survival. He thought of his existence and accepted his end.

As his vision darkened, he saw a great robed figure approaching him. It was a shadow surrounded by bright light, arms extended out, coming to take him.

Mary looked on as two figures emerged from the fire. Beside her, a crowd gathered around a mother holding two infants. She was on her knees, in tears, unable to speak.

A man dressed in rags, carrying a charcoal figure, was approaching her. He stopped in front of Mary and lay the smoking heap at her feet. As his covered hands pulled away, the rags drug across the unconscious figure, pulling away the dirt and soot to reveal a streak of silver.

Then the man removed the rags about his hands and unwrapped his face.

There stood Gregor, smiling back at his wife.

"I guess this isn't much of a birthday surprise, huh?"

Mary clasped her hands in front of her mouth, trembling.

"Oh, Gregor, I love you so."