Not Your Villain (Sidekick Squad #2)(56)
“No, I mean, I know exactly where he is,” Jess says, finally looking up and meeting Abby’s eyes. She drops her DED onto the projector, and it syncs automatically; a holo springs to flickering life: a crowd in New Bright City surrounding a podium. The mayor of New Bright City is frozen mid-clap. “This was broadcast an hour ago.”
“I don’t understand,” Abby says.
Jess flicks the projection, and it begins to play. The crowd roars applause, and the mayor holds her hands up and beams at the audience.
“I’m pleased to announce an innovative new program headed up by Monroe Industries, the nation’s leading tech company. This advancement in home assistance and security will revolutionize our world and make the North American Collective a safer place. Please welcome Phillip Monroe!”
Abby freezes, standing in front of the projection.
The holo is life-size; her dad stands in front of her with a steady smile.
“Thank you, Mayor Hodgeson. I am pleased to announce that, with the assistance of the energy bill just passed by the NAC, the new line of MonRobots is now available for purchase. And, any household with a MonRobot to trade in can have the new version at reduced cost.”
The audience applauds as a curtain parts behind Phillip, and a new MonRobot hovers onto the stage with a distinct electronic whir. It’s tall, almost the height of a small child, and capable looking, with a square head and a long, slanted body. A little arm protrudes from its side and waves at the audience while the video display behind it demonstrates how the MonRobot can be helpful with cooking, cleaning, childcare, and more.
The MonRobot says in a monotone, “Hello. I am your personal MonRobot. I am pleased to assist you in your household chores and activities.”
Abby’s jaw drops open, and she flicks at her DED. “I need to tell my mom. This can’t—this can’t be happening. He’s working with Stone?” She throws her hands up in exasperation. “Of course, Mom isn’t answering because she doesn’t have access to the Net wherever she is.”
Emma scrunches up her face. “Who’s Stone?”
Bells replays the broadcast. He isn’t sure he likes the new design. All the previous MonRobots were round or ovoid. There are variations in size and function across the different MonRobot lines, but Bells likes the egg-shape.
He plays the broadcast again and concentrates on Phillip’s face. “Is it just me? He doesn’t look too happy announcing what is supposedly a huge breakthrough for his company.” Phillip Monroe looks so much older than in the holos in Abby’s home. His face has a sunken, haggard look, and there are bags under his eyes, almost like when Genevieve was…
“Tantalum!” Bells freezes the holo and enlarges the frame. “Look, just under his sleeves. Those? Those aren’t bracelets.”
Abby gasps. “I knew it. He would have contacted me and Mom the first minute he got the chance, but he can’t even use his powers.”
“Why are they keeping him?” Emma asks. “Didn’t you say Orion said they already had the plans for the new robots?”
“Yeah, but even if they had the plans, if my dad didn’t cooperate, they couldn’t build those things without our factory machines, and they didn’t know a thing about those.” Abby frowns at the new MonRobot design. “I’m not sure these are the ones we were worried about, though. Did the broadcast talk about new features?”
They watch it again. It’s just a bunch of fanfare over household chores.
Emma looks up from her DED; she’s on the Monroe Industries page on the Net. “They are more efficient than the current MonRobots: less time to charge, quicker cleaning, can do all different types of floors, can go up and down stairs easier. There are a few tweaks here and there, but it doesn’t look like anything to worry about.”
Bells glances at the square design of the new robots. “That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t worry about it.” He puts a hand on Abby’s shoulder. “I’m glad we know where he is. I mean, it opens up a huge set of new problems, but…”
“Thanks. I’m not sure what to think. It’s almost worse than knowing he’s being held captive in a dark cell. I can see him, but I can’t talk to him or…”
“Let’s focus on something else for now,” Emma says, pointing at the little round robot on Abby’s floor vacuuming itself into the corner. “I think we aren’t in danger from attacking robots anytime soon.”
They work quietly until Jess sighs and says, “This is going to take forever. What about the new MonRobots? Let’s go back to that, maybe there’s something we can learn about them, if they are a threat.”
“Well, the main production line is here in Andover,” Abby says, touching her chin thoughtfully. “If my dad really is making the prototypes available, he would have the plans in the Monroe Industries archive.” She leaves and comes back in a moment with a box labeled “ABBY’S LAB.” She rummages until she makes a triumphant noise and holds aloft a keycard with the Monroe Industries logo. “This still works. I should be able to walk right in and make a copy, but my mom made me promise not to set foot in that building again.”
Jess frowns. “But you told me that Stone knows…”
Emma lifts both her eyebrows. “Okay, might I remind you that the rest of us don’t automatically know everything that happens in Jess-and-Abby land and we don’t need to know everything, but can you fill us in on how Abby can get these plans?”