Chapter Text
A rhythmic metal ticking, like a heartbeat of brass.
“Vitals all seem in order. Arterial cords intact, pressure seems healthy, and we are detecting a positive, uninterrupted feedback loop across the innervational cabling.”
The hiss of gas being siphoned in and out of a tank, like lungs of iron.
“The chassis is in good shape. Strength and pressure tests have all been passed with success, and all degrees of freedom demonstrated with ease for all extremities. Tensile capabilities exceeding expectations.”
The gradual flow of a bubbling viscous liquid, like a blood flow of silver.
“Cerebral proxy is showing signs of reactivity to the environment even prior to invigoration, seemingly capable of telling light apart from dark. Reacts positively to electromagnetic amps- output seems healthy.”
Sparks of blue and red scatter from machines working overtime, like synapses of copper.
“Introduce a low dosage of the gaseous solution, and increase intensity at even increments over the next several minutes,” said a voice from the back of the room.
The whiny creak of a valve signaled the start of the next phase.
A large group of people busied themselves in a dimly lit room, claustrophobic in nature thanks not only to the bodies milling about, but for the grand equipment and machinery that they nestled between. Along the stone brick walls, flat metal frames holding cogs and wheels continually turned to help empower the small forge in the back that roared with a brazen pyre. Lining the walls were old wooden shelves with an odd variety of trinkets- on some platforms lay thin bands of metal, spherical wood balls with grooves chiseled within them, mask-like faces crafted from plastic, all saddled between containers with dead and useless organs in formaldehyde and effigies of vertebrae, ribs and hands all carved from inorganic alloys. In many ways, it looked more like an eccentric’s collection than it did the heart of a subterranean laboratory. It was particularly warm in the room, with a musky, almost oil-like smell lingering heavily in the air.
“Pulmonary cavities are beginning to expand.”
“Now retract it.”
At the center of the room was the focal point of the grand scientific ritual being performed, a cylindrical container made of glass, not unlike a jar, fogged by the nearly invisible gases that were swirling within it. Inside it, strapped to a large metal board positioned almost vertically and connected to the ceiling by even more wires and cables, was something almost human. It took a human’s shape, but it was carved in the image of something greater. Hairless, sexless, scarless, devoid of blemishes or imperfections. Their smooth skin was beautiful, their face impossibly fair. Were it not for the many segments ribbing their lower abdomen, the indented creases along their thighs, neck, and shoulders, and the muscle-like wiring poking out from underneath their epidermal chassis at the joints and sockets of their limbs, one would easily think the figure within was crafted by the gods themselves. A large metal mask was placed across their face, covering everything beneath the eyes, and wide enough to hug just beneath the doll-like figure’s orbits. From here, an especially thick cable snaked from where its mouth would have been onto a machine supplying the gaseous mixture. This machine had two pumps- one to push the gas in, another to funnel it back out. Over the last several minutes, it had been regularly switching between these modes.
“How is the internal pressure?”
“Astounding. Gas has begun to seep and filter into the respiratory ventilation. We are monitoring the core for any abnormalities, but none have appeared just yet.”
“Couple it with the polarizer.”
From the ceiling of the jar-like container, two arms of another metal machine slowly descended and were placed on either side of the doll’s chest. Subtle buzzing could be heard as small jolts of electricity were discharged into the chassis at low voltages.
“Sparks detected. Cease?”
“Not yet.”
Some of the people who had been manning the machines nervously glanced back at the doll, but they continued to carry out their work.
“A second burst. A third.”
“Stop. Bring in the igniter.”
One final machine descended, coiled with cables all around, tubes sticking out in all directions. It began to charge up, flickering the lights in the room, and causing the other machines to sputter as it sapped all the available energy in the vicinity. The insides of the mechanism began to glow. Everyone in the room tensed up, bracing themselves.
“Remember everyone,” the voice said in spite of this, “Irrespective if this chassis succeeds or fails, do not forget why we are here. The future of Immerheim is crafted not by gods, but by the people of the earth. It is through our hands and our hands alone that we carry the tools to carve the future. And as the future crawls ever closer to become the present, it shall remember the past fondly. History will remember us fondly, and smile upon our toils. For our ventures, Immerheim will be remembered for time immemorial. Let us step forth into the future. Fire!”
An assistant pulled a lever on the wall. The machine sparked, and the entirety of the glass container’s insides were lit aflame in a resplendent, incandescent spectacle. The doll was engulfed in flames. That fire began a scorching, scarlet red, then turned a brilliant yellow, then a blinding white, then finally a deep, almost ethereal blue before it subsided, as if the doll was absorbing the flames directly into its body. There was silence for several long moments.
“Vitals?”
All the assistants turned to another machine pushed to the side of the container. It buzzed almost inaudibly.
“It’s… It’s-!”
With pursed lips and baited breath, they looked back to the doll, its form revealed again as the smoke and remaining gas was filtered from the bottom of the container and all the machines hooked to its top retreated back out of view. Tiny embers descended, settling on the floor.
A finger jittered. An eyebrow twitched. Lips parted slightly, then closed again.
The automaton opened its eyes.