We Are Legion (We Are Bob) (Bobiverse Book 1) by Dennis E. Taylor Page B

directed a roamer to move to the wall immediately below the window. By pressing its body against the wall, it was able to pick up transmitted vibrations. I had to crank the gain way up, but I had all the audio filtering tricks that two centuries of electronic media had developed.
     
    “This is the work of the Devil. You are placing your immortal soul in jeopardy by participating in this enterprise.”
    “The Ministry of Truth advised me otherwise.”
    “These are poor imitations of God’s Creation. They mock humanity with their false display of intelligence and emotion.”
    “The Ministry of Truth is of the opinion that, while they are without a soul, they are merely based on God’s creation and not an attempt to usurp His authority.”
    The air grew momentarily brittle with that silence you get when someone is glaring. I stole a glance using one of the roamers on the table. Yep. Glaring.
    “This unholy activity can have no good end. Especially considering the purpose—”
    “—Which is officially sanctioned by the Ministry—”
    “—Apostates! Heretics!”
    Another quick glance verified that Dr. Landers was trying very hard not to roll his eyes. I took a moment to wish I had the option. This guy was seriously whack-a-doodle.
    The barrage continued for several minutes. The minister alternately berated and threatened Dr. Landers, who remained carefully non-confrontational and showed a lot more patience than I could ever have. If Minister Loudmouth had been on this side of the window, I think I’d have tried to disassemble him.
    I managed to remain objective and treat the running stream of vitriol as information rather than a condemnation of my very existence. It would seem that I was either a product of witchcraft or a result of hubris not seen since the days of Babel.
    Dr. Landers took it for a few moments longer, then snapped. Sort of.
    “Minister Jacoby, I understand your opinions and concerns. By which I mean only that I comprehend what you are saying. However, the Ministry of Truth is not only supporting but actively funding this endeavor. It seems to me, since we’re talking about blasphemous acts, that by opposing this activity, you are opposing the Ministry. And as they point out—in fact, as you yourself have pointed out twice—FAITH is the direct, revealed Word of God. Doesn’t that make your opposition an instance of blasphemy?”
    There was a moment of indignant silence as Minister Loudmouth, looking like a fish desperately struggling to breathe, tried to de-hoist himself from his own petard.
    “You have chosen the wrong friends, doctor. You will learn that soon enough.”
    And with that, he turned and flounced out, stage right. Yes, flounced. Honestly.
    Dr. Landers leaned on the wall for a few moments with his eyes closed, breathing deeply. Then he turned to the window and played with his tablet for a moment.
    “All done, Bob?”
    I wasn’t going to play that game. “Who the freaking hell was that? And don’t tell me ‘Minister Jacoby.’   ”
    The doctor rubbed his forehead. “Just an example of some of the extreme viewpoints we have to navigate in this great nation. Bob, if he had any real power, he non’t , er, wouldn’t have been trying to browbeat me into line. I wouldn’t give his threats any extra credence.”
    Which is not the same as saying you wouldn’t give his threats any credence at all.
    “And I will note for the future,” the doctor said with a smile, “that turning off the intercom doesn’t appear to deter you at all. Shall we continue?”
    He pointed at the semi-assembled mess on the lab table, and I got back to work.

Bob – August 10, 2133
    I snapped back to consciousness. As usual, I did a systems check.
    Wait, August 10 th ?
    “Hey, doc, I seem to be missing a few days. Have you had me on ice for a week?”
    Dr. Landers looked everywhere except at me. “Well, yes and no. Someone managed to sneak a small explosive into the computer room and take out the