Sarah7

Ch15

Sarah now knew what the sensation of “full” meant, and she had to say it was by far her newest favorite, although “sleep” was a close second. But she had been doing far more sleeping lately than eating, so this sensation was far more novel.

The room in which she sat with Amil was dusty, noisy, and crowded with other customers who were all there to eat and drink as well, but the windows were large and let in the breezy air. The atmosphere was light and almost cheerful.

The place was called “The Dancing Platter” and by Amil’s description one of the more popular places to eat in the large village. There were several big men with dirty clothes and long beards who sat talking at the bar. Other men and women sat at rough wooden tables, drinking and often shouting with much animation. There were even a few laughs here and there. Amil said it was due to the strong fermented drink called “gasp” - since that was what people usually did when they first tried it.

At first Sarah was uncomfortable with all the sights, sounds, smells, and people, but Amil held her hand, and after a few minutes she found she could filter the noise pretty effectively. She wondered if this was a side effect of her heightened senses, or if anyone could do it.

“So, this is cheese? It tastes funny.” She said, scrunching up her face. Sarah and Amil sat in a distant corner of the tavern, near a open window. The sounds of the other people were less intense there, and she didn’t have to shout to be heard.

“I envy you, Sarah. Everything is new to you. But you also have memories of things as well right?” Amil asked while chewing on a bit of meat.

“I’d gladly trade places... At least you are real... Natural.” She replied.

Amil frowned and put down his fork.

“Sarah, I may be blind, but I can ‘see’ that you are as real and natural as anyone else. When you get cut, you bleed. You feel pain like anyone else. Just because you are different, doesn’t make you less human.”

Sarah sighed and poked at her food. Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted as she saw Creed burst into the tavern.

“Amil! Sarah! There you are! We’ve been looking all over for you.” Creed said, somewhat breathlessly. The rest of the tavern grew quiet at his next words.

“Amil, your father said to find you. There has been an accident in the mines just outside of town. You need to get back to the hospital and get ready for injured patients. Sarah, you best be getting back as well, you need to get your rest.”

“The mine! My son works there!” A woman said, and rushed out of the tavern.

Several others said the similar things - wives, husbands, sons and daughters. Sarah was almost jealous - it was a close knit community here, and nearly everyone knew someone that worked in the mines.

Family.

Something clicked for her just then.

Sarah set her jaw and stood up, carefully walking up to Creed without showing any signs of unsteadiness.

“I want to go. To help too. Perhaps Max and I can do something.”

Creed shook his head. “I can’t let you do that. It’s too dangerous. Did you get hit in the head as well?” He tapped her forehead as he spoke.

“Look Creed, I really appreciate all you’ve done for me. But you’re not my father... no one is. So I can make decisions for myself. If I’m some kind of super soldier, perhaps I can help.”

Creed snorted. “Well, it’s not like I can stop you, can I? Why don’t you fetch your toy robot and head to the mine entrance. Anyone here can tell you how to find it. I have to get back and see if I can help. I know a few folks down there as well. Amil, you better go.” And with that he made his way out of the tavern. Several able bodied men followed him - their food and wine forgotten.

“Do I need to help you back to the hospital?” Sarah asked Amil as they both rose from the table.

Amil laughed and pretended to touch the table and her face, like an old man. “Eh? Think the old blind man can’t make his way around his own town sonny? These rickety old bones can find their way home in the darkest night!”

Sarah smiled and on an impulse gave Amil a hug. It nearly knocked him over with surprise, but he swiftly regained his composure. “Go on! You better get that earpiece gadget and call Max. Hope he doesn’t trample any villagers on his way here.” he said.

Sarah nodded, then caught herself and said “Yes, you’re right.” Of course he couldn’t see her nod.

What am I doing? She thought to herself. She could barely stand without feeling dizzy. But she knew why. These people might not be her family, but they were SOMEONE’s family. And while she might not have one, that didn’t mean she couldn’t help.

As she carefully fastened the device over her ear, she wondered if this desire to help others was her own thought, or that of the original Sarah. Shrugging, she realized it didn’t matter any more. If she was going to find a place for herself in this world, it wasn’t going to be by doubting her every thought or motive.

Amil quickly left, somehow managing to avoid bumping into anyone while moving faster than Sarah thought he would be able to safely do.

“Max? Are you there? I need your help.” She said as the head’s up display appeared before her.

“Sarah? What is it? Are you in danger?” There was a strange quality to Max’s voice. Was that - emotion?

“No, no, nothing like that. But - I might be. I need your help. I just heard that there’s been an accident in the mines just outside of this town. I want to go help. And I need you to come with me.”

“Sarah, I cannot recommend this. You have just survived a major injury. You need rest.”

“Listen, Max! Are you going to help me or not? I just had to tell Creed he’s not my father when he told me the very same thing. Do I have to give you the same explanation? I really doubt robots have children. If you don’t want to help me, I guess I’ll have to go by myself. I owe it to these people to help however I can.”

There was a long silence. Sarah thought perhaps Max had shut off the communicator.

“I will help you. Wait where you are. I can get to you more quickly than you can to me. Also, I can carry you.”

“Gee, thanks Max. That’s a much better attitude.”

Where was she getting this from? She supposed that either the original Sarah or some combination of her conditioning was making her to take on the role of a leader. She would have to remember this in the future. Every moment it seemed, she was learning something new about herself.

“Yeah, like I’m probably going to regret doing this.” She said to herself as she placed a hand on her newly healed side.

“What?” Max intoned over the headpiece speaker.

“Just get here quickly Max. And try not to step on any of the villagers, please.”

Several folks walking by her gave her strange looks. Whether it was because she looked like she was mad for talking to herself, or that they already knew about Max, Sarah might never know. But she knew it was probably not the last time she was going to get stared at for doing something strange and dangerous.

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