A flood of information. Air temperature, pressure and humidity. Visual scans. Heat sensing, X-ray and various others. Sound filled his receivers. Machinery whirling and two men speaking in low voices. Why would they? They must know he could hear them. His limbs were missing. How did he know all this? Where did this knowledge come from?
"That's long enough."
"Right." One of the men moved to a consol and pressed a button. Everything went dark.
"First test of the 3000EX possessor was mostly successful sir."
"Mostly?" Dr. Dross questioned his assistant. One of the things he hated most was lack of detail.
"There were, what seemed to be, random power surges not related to start up procedures."
"Cause?"
"Unknown." Of course. What were the chances this would be easy?
"Did the surges affect normal system functions?"
"I don't think so."
"You don't think so. . ." This one might have to be replaced. There were no shortage of people that would love to work with one of the most famous scientists of their century. And with all the technological advancements lately that was saying something. But this would far outdo the rest. If they could get him finished before their deadline. He should probably stop calling it him. But he couldn't help it. He just sounded so natural.
"No. . .no it didn't affect the other systems."
"We'll just have to ignore it then. We've got to get him finished soon."
"Him?" He'd really have to watch himself with this.
"It just slipped out. We'll have to get it finished soon"
"Yes we'll have to. It's been made clear that if we don't finish by the end of the month the grant money will be spent elsewhere. As large as the foundation is we can't cope with a hundred billion dollar dept."
"If you would get to work we won't have to worry about it." Yes this one would definitely have to go. It's for the best. No one should know everything about this project but him. So much safer that way.
"What would you like me to do?"
"Why don't you see if you can locate the energy surge problem? To late in the day to start anything new." Especially if he wouldn't be here to finish it tomorrow. If he couldn't fix this problem today he'd have to let him go.
"Right. I'll get on it."
"But first can you get me a coffee?"
"One coffee, milk no sugar."
"Right. I'll start on these leg designs." Maybe he could keep him on the payroll as a secretary? Naw, probably can't type. As the assistant walked out of the room he bent back over his desk. This was going to be a month of long nights.