Chapter 5

Groat scratched his chest. The new armor slipped. The layers of muscles hadn’t formed yet to hold it in place. But that would change in a manner of days. Then he’d be stronger, tougher. Until then, he’d have to live with the stench of assembly line. He glanced at Mopus, watched the green Munician swim in and out of focus.

Did the new breed of Human endure these trials?

Clacking his claws, Groat drew Mopus’s attention.

A small smile played with his emerald lips. He stopped in front of Groat and flicked a piece of lint from the shiny red alloy. “Getting used to the new armor?”

Groat stomped away. He didn’t appreciate being groomed by the Munician, it made him feel less than equal. Then again everything the species said prodded Groat’s pride.

The political arm of the Founding Five excelled at acting superior.

Twitching his stomach muscles, Groat moved his claws behind his back. He hated the damn things, wished they’d been removed with the new models.

Yet, the Municians demanded claws be standard issue for every suit.

Stupid nuisance. Both of them. Groat stopped on the Amarook rug, rested his foot on the raised head. “I’m talking about keeping the new Humans, mixing them with the diggers.”

Mopus waved away his concerns like dust in the air. “The improvements in labor will raise our profits. And higher profits mean bigger bonuses. Besides, you’d just destroy them. It’s what your good at.”

Groat stiffened. Insulting him in his own office. “I just want it noted, that I object to their integration. They are more machine then man. And machines can’t be trusted.”

“You worry too much. These are not sophisticated technology, but crude Earth-based machines. I surprised they can even walk.” Mopus pursed his lips. “Now, if there isn’t anything else, I wish to observe how our little profit makers adapt to their new programming.”

The Munician didn’t wait for a response but glided over the floor and out the door.

Pausing by his desk, Groat tapped on his holographic keyboard and stopped the recording. If the machines malfunctioned and harmed the diggers, Mopus would pay for it out of his bonus and Groat would get to test his  new armor.