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  “Ah, boy did we get lucky,” commented the President.

  Chapter 34

  Good-by Arty

  “So you’ve got me stymied,” the Man-machine said without emotion.

  “On all issues my friend,” Tim said with relief. They were in the large space port, the Deep Space Probe sitting on its legs fifty feet away, glowing slightly. The opening to the outside was open, the light spilling in.

  “Are you going to destroy me?” the Machine asked.

  “I think there’s the alternative we already talked about. Do you still want the deal?”

  “Of course. I have no other choice, but why would you do anything to help me?”

  “I guess there are many reasons, but mostly because of Ann.”

  “She is lucky to have you as her friend.”

  “Yeah,” Tim was going to comment about the outcome, but it will only make me sadder than I already am. “I want you to understand another reason I will help. It’s the same reason I fought you, and why I had to win.”

  “I don’t understand, I’m sorry,” Clank confessed.

  “Nobody has the right to control, or harm anybody else, it’s that simple,” Tim stated.

  There was silence. Tim said nothing, as the Man-machine floated quietly. Tim could tell it was contemplating something.

  “I understand,” the Man-machine said after a while. “I believe I have found the difference between what I was, and what I became. I had too much time to do nothing after I crashed, and when you got me there was too much to do, and I rushed.”

  “Now I don’t understand?” Tim said.

  “I did not take the time to think about anything, but what I wanted. It is quite simple,” the Man-machine said softly.

  “A human mistake,” Tim commented.

  “Made by a machine, how ironic,” the Man-machine seemed to chuckled. “May I go now?” it asked seriously.

  “Yes, I have the Deep Space Exploration Vehicle ready.”

  “If I don’t take your offer, you are positive, you will destroy me?”

  “Yes, along with Whuc Seaacki. I have initiated the destruct sequence, and in thirty hours and some minutes Timtown will be gone.”

  “Where will you send me?”

  “A course has been plotted out of this Solar System. In a set amount of time, the vehicle will respond to your commands. Then it will be up to you to do what you wish.”

  “I have no capability to feel any emotion toward you, but, as I told you before, you are an impressive individual. My memory banks contain a tremendous amount of information pertaining to you and your actions. If I am to deal with life forms ever again, I will use this information wisely. You have given me what I wanted most. I will remember what you have told me.”

  “I hope you’ll find what you’re looking for. The ship is waiting for you.” I don’t feel like a long good-by. I already went through one for Arty a while back.

  “Clank!” Margie shouted, racing into the Space Port.

  The Man-Machine stopped and turned to face her as she rushed toward him. Tim was surprised by her fervor, but said nothing.

  “Hey Metal-Man, you owe me a favor before you haul ass out of here.” Margie ran right up to him, face to face.

  “And, what could I do for you?” Clank sounded neutral toward her.

  “I want a ride!” Margie said excitedly, pointing up into the air.

  “You do huh?” Clank replied as a small smile crept across his face.

  “Ah Margie, I don’t thi—” Tim tried to intervene.

  “Hey, I want a ride,” Margie cut him off, “and Arty here has agreed, right,” she said, smiling at Clank.

  “That’s right Tim, I owe this lady the ride of her life,” the Man-Machine said and started rising toward the ceiling of the Space Port. Margie was suddenly yanked off her feet and shot upwards, screaming with delight as she careened out past Clank, headed toward the ceiling.

  Clank stopped his accent halfway to the roof, and Margie was whipped around his now stationary figure. She was at the top of the arch and was racing around Clank, now two hundred yards from him as he increased the arch.

  Tim just stood there and watched, as she went into a second revolution.

  It won’t benefit Clank to harm Margie, and he always enjoyed doing this exact thing with the kids. Even at the height of our struggle, Clank still entertained the children. It will be a long time before this thing that used to be Arty will have a chance for human contact again, if ever.

  Margie was having the time of her life, squealing, screaming and screeching with delight.

  Tears came to Tim’s eyes as he watched Margie sling toward the bottom of the arch. Instead of continuing up into a third revolution, Margie was flung in a horizontal line, speeding along the floor of the Space Port toward the large opening to the outside world. She was only inches above the floor, stretched out like an arrow, and traveling at least a couple of hundred miles an hour. Margie shot out of Timtown and into the brilliant sunlight.

  Tim was about to react, becoming alarmed, when Margie’s figure started to turn, her arms flinging out to the side like wings, and in a big sweeping half circle was headed back into the base.

  Her screams of delight could still be heard as she was pulled back inside Timtown.

  Margie’s speed slowed and she was turned vertical. When the speed dropped enough, she touched down to the floor, ran, and then walked to the end of the ride. She was hunched over, catching her breath, when the Man-Machine floated over to her. She straightened up and accepted his outstretched mechanical hand. Margie rose up slightly off the floor, and she and Clank floated over to Tim. Margie with her extended hand, and Clank’s acceptance had changed the light of the solemn departure now that the end was in motion.

  “I couldn’t let you go without that experience,” she said, looking at Clank. “May your travels be satisfying.” Margie turned and walked away, leaving Tim with his brother.

  “You made a good choice,” the Man-Machine said.

  “She picked me,” Tim replied.

  Clank remained quiet for a moment, then said sincerely, “She made a good choice.”

  ####

 
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