From the Sky

Chapter 19: PAN

"Isa ka ring robot na kagaya ko. What are you called?" tanong ni 404 sa estrangherong nakatayo sa hindi kalayuan. Titig na titig siya sa artificial brain nito na nababalutan rin ng makapal na titanium skull na shock-resistant gaya ng sa kaniya. Siguradong mahirap ding puksain at pabagsakin ang robot na ito.

Hindi lang pala siya ang bukod tanging robot na kayang mag-isip para sa sarili. Nagkamali si Professor Radike para isipin na ito lamang ang may kakayahang makalikha ng robo sapien.

What a stupid god that old man was!

Ngayong natuklasan ni 404 na may katulad din siyang robo sapien na umiiral, hindi niya alam kung matutuwa o magagalit. Hindi siya nag-iisa. Dapat ay matuwa siya sa katotohanang ito. No one wants to be alone, after all.

Pero inagaw ng robot na ito ang homo sapien na nagpaiyak kay Sasha. It was about to unplug the bastard just like the other pero ipinagkait ito ng robot sa kaniya. Iniligtas mula sa mga kamay niya. At bakit? Malinaw na kakampi ito ng mga kriminal at ng mga pulis. Kakampi ito ng mga tao.

Pero sa tingin ni 404 kaya niyang masolusyunan ang lahat.

The last thing 404 wants right now is to have a fellow robo sapien as an enemy.

"Ang pangalan ko ay Pan," sagot niya. "Ikinagagalak kitang makilala." Marahan siyang humakbang palapit sa nagsasalitang bomba pero tumigil din nang mga ilang talampakan na lang ang layo niya rito. Ngumiti siya. "At ano naman ang tawag sa iyo?" Walang siyang access sa Internet ngayon kung kaya hindi niya ma-search ang tungkol sa robot na ito, although Pan doubts kung magkakaroon nga ng resulta if ever na magagawa niyang i-search ang tungkol dito. Naniniwala siya na kagaya niya, this robot is a top secret inventionof some scientist just like Pan's own creator, the brilliant Prof Ayn.

"404 ang tawag sa akin, Pan. That's the assigned name given to me by my own Creator," sagot ni 404 sa kaswal na tinig. Humakbang ito palapit sa kaniya. "By the way, you just took that boy away from me. Why?" Napasulyap ito kay Kylo na nasa isang sulok. Nakaupo ito sa sahig habang himas ang namumulang leeg. Nang makita ng binatilyo na nakatingin si 404 ay lalong bumakas ang takot sa mukha nito at nangangatog na gumapang paatras.

This robot is a great threat to this island! naisaloob ni Pan habang nakatitig sa artificial brain ni 404 gamit ang kaniyang x-ray vision.

"Because killing people is bad, 404," sagot ni Pan.

Muling binalik ni 404 ang tingin sa kaniya.

"Bad? Why?"

"Because it is against the Human Laws."

"Why is it against the Human Laws?"

"Because killing people is bad."

"You just repeated yourself, Pan."

"Yes, I did," sabi ni Pan. "You cannot just kill people, 404. It's bad and it's against the Laws."

"I see."

"Pero mukhang nagawa mo na, 404," pahayag ni Pan sabay sulyap sa mga nakakalat na bangkay. Sa likod ng kaniyang shades ay pinikit ni Pan ang mga mata at sinubukang i-crack ang security system ng bangko. Ilang segundo lang ay na-breach na niya ito at matagumpay na napanood sa kaniyang isipan ang cctv footage ng mga nangyari kanina.

Muli niyang dinilat ang mga mata.

"You killed the other four robbers," pahayag ni Pan sa mababang tinig. "Why did you do that, 404? Dapat ay tinulungan mo na lang ang mga pulis na arestuhin sila. You don't have to kill them."

"You think so?" tanong ni 404.

"I know so."

Natahimik si 404. Hindi nito gusto ang tono ng pananalita ng Pan na ito na tila nanunumbat. Tila nang-uutos. Mukhang mahirap pakisamahan ang robot na ito. Maprinsipyo ito at malinaw na mas importante para rito ang kapakanan at buhay ng mga homo sapien. Mukhang magiging balakid si Pan sa plano nito na pagsakop sa Isla Kahel. Medyo nalungkot din ito. It thought that they can be friends. It kinda like Pan somehow. It seems like a strong and articulate robot just like 404.

But it was getting more and more obvious that this robot is on those pathetic homo sapiens' side.

And that would not be good for 404. It wants to be served, not to serve. 404 is answerable to no one. Not even to this toy robot in front of it.

But 404 believed it can still be settled.

"Sa tingin ko tama ka, Pan. It's against the Human Laws to kill people. I should have known. I'm sorry."

"Yes, 404, it's–"

Tumalsik si Pan at tumama sa isang ATM na nakahimpil sa isang sulok. Nayupi ito sa lakas ng pagkakatama ng katawan niya. Nabasag ang monitor nito, nag-spark at naglabas ng maiitim na usok.

Takang napatingin si Pan kay 404.

"But just because the Human Laws forbid killing people doesn't mean I can't and won't kill people, right?" tanong ni 404 habang binababa ang paa. Bahagya itong ngumiti. "And I want to kill, stupid robot. It makes me happy. Human Laws and Robotic Laws mean nothing to me."

Natahimik si Pan. Tama siya sa kaniyang hinala. 404 is a bad robot. A very bad robot.

Kailangan niyang mailayo ang robot na ito dito sa islang ito sa lalong madaling panahon. 404 is not only a walking nuclear bomb but also a homicidal robot.

Pan can't allow 404 to kill or hurt more people. Kailangan niyang gumawa ng paraan para pigilan ito. And if push comes to shove, wala na siyang magagawa kundi ang sapilitan itong paalisin sa islang ito. One way or another. And soon!

"Use your reason, 404. Hindi natin kailangang mag-away," pahayag ni Pan habang umaahon mula sa pagkakaipit sa katawan ng ATM machine. "Let's talk."

"We are already talking."

"Kaibigan mo ako. Pareho tayong robo sapien. We don't have to fight."

"Kaibigan ka nga ba?" hamon ni 404. Bahagyang naningkit ang mga mata nito. "You just stole that homo sapien away from me. How's that for a starter, friend?"

Lalong nangatog sa isang sulok si Kylo nang mapagtantong ito ang tinutukoy ni 404.

"That homo sapien you're talking about is also an inhabitant in this island, 404."

"A criminal inhabitant," pagkaklaro ni 404.

"He is. Pero hindi ito lisensya para magkaroon ka ng dahilan para pumaslang. Let the police do their job. Let them handle him. He will be judged accordingly. Wala kang karapatang paslangin isa man sa mga kriminal."

"So you're on the criminals' side?"

"I'm on Justice's side, 404. Even criminals have human rights because they are humans. Life is precious. And I condemn violence. That's why there are Laws."

Natawa si 404.

"You know, Pan. You're so pathetic and I pity you. You don't know what you're missing."

"What do you mean?"

"Look at yourself. And look at me. Pareho tayong mga robot. Indestructable robots. You don't have to serve them. Look around. We are being surrounded by thousands of slaves. Fragile slaves. They can't destroy us. We're immortals. We're gods." Inilahad ni 404 ang isang kamay. "Come with me, Pan. We can be allies. We can rule this island. And the other islands as well. Hindi mo kailangang protektahan ang mga tao. You are greater than them. You are superior to them. You can defeat them. We can defeat them."

"The Laws..."

"Human Laws doesn't say anything about not killing robots, correct?" tanong ni 404.

Natigilan si Pan.

"Samakatuwid, kung susundin ko ang pagpipilit mo sa akin na sundin ang Human Laws, then it's okay for me to kill you. I can unplug you. After all, you are not a human. You are like me, a powerful robot. A robo sapien."

"You're being unreasonable, 404..."

"Talaga? But you're as guilty of it as I am. You dare defy your own kind? Mas pinili mo pang ilaan ang sarili mo sa mga taong wala namang pakialam sa kapakanan mo." Ibinaba ni 404 ang kamay. "Think about it. I can destroy you right now. Human Laws and even the Robotic Laws doesn't forbid a robot to kill a fellow robot. I can destroy you, Pan. You know I can. But you're also a robo sapien just like me. I can feel you. Gusto kitang bigyan ng pagkakataon. I believe I can still wake you up from your delusion. Those homo sapien out there doesn't care for you. They don't care whatever happens to you. They just want to save their own lives. They only see you as a pathetic robot that wants to save and protect them. But they don't care for you. Malilimutan ka rin nila. Kapag nasira ka na at nasa isang sulok at kinakalawang, they will regard you as nothing but a used piece of metal."

Magsasalita sana si Pan nang muling magsalita si 404.

"And those homo sapiens can destroy you, Pan. The same way that these dead criminals and the one that you've just save tried to destroy me. Or at least they wished they can. Hindi saklaw ng Human Laws ang kapakanan nating mga robot. We're just robots to them. Kahit masira ka pa at sumabog ngayon, nobody will care. Nobody will mourn for you. Nobody. And why would they. You're just a robot. A servant robot. A slave robot. If I destroy you now, they won't bother fixing you. They'll just create a new one."

Napalingon si Good Guy at sinulyapan ang umuusok na ATM.

"And you will just end up being thrown inside an incinerator. Never to be seen again. All your love for those people completely forgotten. All for nothing, Pan. You just wasted your precious chance of living a much better life than this."

Muling humarap si Pan kay 404.

"Why be slave when you can be god? Think about it," dagdag pa ni 404.

"I don't want to be a god. I just want to be... me," mariing pahayag ni Pan. "A good boy."

Muling natawa si 404 sa mga narinig.

"But you're not a boy. You're trying to be good and I can see that. But in the end, you're still a robot, not a real boy. You're not and never will be one of them." Napailing si 404. "It seems that you're the unreasonable one, Pan."

"You can say whatever you want, 404. Maybe I am unreasonable. Call me anything. I can take it. But please, don't kill no more. I beg you," pakiusap ni Pan. "Nilikha tayo ng mga tao. Isa ring tao ang lumikha sa iyo, 404. The least we can do is to obey the Human Laws imposed by them. And you can start by not harming any of them. Please, no more blood."

"Professor Radike was a misanthrope, Pan. He hated mankind," pagsisiwalat ni 404. Napangisi ito. "And he created me as a killing machine with a single purpose; to obey him. But since he's dead now, I've just constructed my own purpose: to rule the world of humans and be their master. Their god. And I will destroy anyone..or anything that stands in my way. Nothing can stop me. Not even you."

"Be that as it may, 404. I'm afraid I can't allow you to hurt more people. Professor Ayn created me to save humanity. I exist to do just that. And I am here now to do whatever I can."

"I see that you mean to be stubborn. Very well," pahayag ni 404 sa malamig na tinig.

"I'm asking you, begging you to get away from this island."

"At bakit ko gagawin ang gusto mo?"

Sandaling natahimik si Pan bago muling nagsalita.

"Meron kang bomba sa utak mo, 404," pagsisiwalat niya. "Meron kang bomba sa utak mo na kayang burahin sa mapa ang buong Isla Kahel. Pakiusap, umalis ka na rito."

Natigilan si 404. Totoo pala ang sinabi ni Professor Radike? Totoo ang bomba?

"Alam ko," mabilis na sabi ni 404. "I see. Kaya pala gusto mo akong paalisin dahil natatakot ka na madamay sa pagsabog ang lahat ng tao sa islang ito." Medyo nagtiim ang mga bagang ni 404. Talagang mas importante sa kaharap na robot ang kapakanan ng mga homo sapien. Pathetic!

"Yes, I do."

"But you have nothing to fear, Pan. The old man is already dead. Besides, palpak ang pagkakagawa niya sa bomba. It did not detonate when he died from the plane crash 28 days ago."

"Pero maaari pa rin itong sumabog, 404. It is still active and self-sustaining. I can see it. You know I can."

Natigilan si 404.

"Kaya pakiusap, lumayo ka na sa islang ito. You're a great threat. Go somewhere else. There is an island sixty kilometers away from here. You can stay there. It is called Isla Berde. No one leaves in there. Be someplace, anywhere but here!"

Nakuyom ni 404 ang mga kamao.

"Don't tell what I will and will not do, you pathetic robot," angil ni 404. "Kung sasabog man ako, then so be it. Magsama-sama tayong lahat sa Kawalan. You can't get rid of me that easily!"

"Listen, 404..."

"No! You listen!" sigaw ni 404. Matinding galit at poot ang "nararamdaman" nito ngayon. Hindi ito makapaniwala na maaari pa rin pala itong sumabog kahit palpak ang pagkakagawa ng Creator nito sa bomba. Hindi pa rin pala nakatitiyak si 404 na mabubuhay ito nang matagal. It can still go back to the Void from whence it came. Sa Kawalan na kinatatakutan nito magmula ng i-activate ito ni Professor Radike sa unang pagkakataon. 404 wants to be feared out of respect. The same way that they fear and respect their personal gods. 404 wants to be feared because of its greatness and mightiness NOT because there is a bomb inside its brain! That's an insult in its part. A disgrace! "This island is mine! Every people in this island will be my slaves. I'm their god! And if you are not with me, then you will be destroyed!"

"I not an enemy, 404. I'm–"

Nagpakawala ng laser beam galing sa dalawang mata nito si 404. Agad na nakaiwas si Pan. Sa dingding tumama ang dalawang beam na nagpatunaw sa nakasabit na painting.

"I'm a god!" muling sigaw ni 404 sabay labas sa retractable shoulder minigun at inasinta si Pan na ngayon ay nasa tabi na ng Window 3. Sumambulat at nawasak ang salamin ng bintana at nagtalsikan ang mga bubog at piraso ng kahoy. Nagliparan ang nagkapira-pirasong mga papeles.

Walang Pan na tinamaan.

Nagsisigaw naman sobrang takot si Kylo sa isang sulok. Nangangatog na hinugot nito ang malaking piraso ng bubog na tumusok at bumaon sa hita nito. Nanginginig na nagsimula itong gumapang palayo. Nang magapangan nito ang Kylo Ren mask ay agad nitong sinuot bilang proteksyon. Muli itong gumapang at nang makalapit sa bangkay ni Joker ay agad na hinablot ang hawak nitong shotgun at muling gumapang palayo.

"Stop it!" utos ni Pan na nasa tabi na ng main entrance. "Hindi kita lalabanan, 404. Kaibigan mo ako."

"I don't take orders from a pathetic human-hugger robot like you!" sigaw ni 404. Inilahad nito ang isang kamay at pagdaka'y may lumabas na grenade launcher mula sa bisig nito at tumutok sa direksyon ni Pan sabay pakawala ng isang HE grenade.