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“I’ve seen videos of people on the bogs. And falling into the bog ponds. That was probably a good call on your part.” He moved the prosthetic legs in front of him. “I don’t think they’ll help with any bog walking scenarios, but they have updated smart accelerometers we’d like you to try. Also, there are software updates that are supposed to help you with unexpected disturbances you might encounter on your path, making the encounters a smoother, more natural process and, at the same time, increasing your stability.”
Nutsbe pulled up his pants legs and exchanged the sets.
“With these,” Marvin said, “if something were to hit your leg, it’ll lock out parts of the system to help you maintain balance. This could be helpful if, for example, you’re lifting weights at the gym or if you’re on the mats sparring. It can tell the direction and level of impact. Then the AI system will determine if it’s best to stabilize you in an upright position, which is more robotic, or if it’s best to allow your body to accept the impact more naturally, perhaps letting you fall.”
“Sounds dangerous.”
“You have a thought behind that assessment?” Marvin asked.
“Not to say that these things will kill me.” Nutsbe kicked them out. “But that’s hard to predict.”
“With the limbs of my birth, who’s to say that my legs will always do the right thing at the right time?” Marvin asked, watching Nutsbe attach the final sensor pads to his thighs. “I could trip in front of traffic tomorrow, get killed by a bus.”
“Always sunny, Marvin.”
“Here’s the thing, you may never know that it was put into play. It might keep you upright when you would otherwise have fallen. We hope you’ll find that it will help you navigate sudden impact.”
“It’s a trust issue. I’ll try them out and give you my opinion—see if my confidence in the system grows with use. If I had them last night, I’d already have feedback for you.”
“Last night?” Marvin leaned back in his chair. “Is it work or is this something you can share?”
“Someone was up to no good in my neighbor’s yard. We had a few words. It ended in a fight.”
Marvin did a quick scan of Nutsbe. “You don’t look worse for wear.”
“There was a lot of ducking and weaving on wet grass. He was kicking at my legs, and I was trying to stay out of range. That kind of agility, that’s the kind of thing this helps with, right? Stabilization in sub-optimal conditions?”
“In theory.” Marvin frowned. “And your stability?”
“About as good as the assailant’s. We were in a backyard where things were spongy—not bog spongy, mind you. And once this got ramped up, there was a lot of mud.”
“You were wearing boots?” Marvin asked.
“Tennis shoes. So I had traction on the sole.”
Marvin lifted one of Nutsbe’s lower leg bionics to look it over when Nutsbe’s phone sounded with the Cerberus tone. “Let me get this. It’s work.” He swiped the call open. “Nutsbe here.”
“Bob here. Olivia’s office called. She’s in court, and Candace is pulling the flu symptoms again and wants the office to let the judge know.”
“Where does that leave us?” Nutsbe asked.
“You’re on the way between Iniquus and Candace’s. I could get Beowolf to you in about ten minutes. And you could go over there and help Candace to feel safe.”
Nutsbe’s throat constricted. “Is she crying?”
“Olivia mentioned panic, not sobbing. Even if Candace is wearing a kryptonite necklace, you need to suck it up, butter cup.” Bob chuckled. “Candace needs you.”
Nutsbe’s whole muscular system clenched, and he arched back. “Okay, let me get changed into my suit.” He turned to the door where he’d hung his bag. “I can dress and meet you downstairs. You can switch Beowolf to my vehicle. I can grab my go bag and paperwork and head over to her house.”
“That’s the plan. See you in about twenty.”
Nutsbe put his phone beside him on the bench. “Sorry. We have a client that needs assistance. I’m going to have to come back and try your new system for you another time. How about I call tomorrow and check your schedule?”
“Why don’t you keep those and leave me these?” Marvin pointed at the prostheses Nutsbe had worn in. “I’d like to check them out and see how well they stood up to that fight. Check the data on the chip. That’s real data that we can only try to simulate here. And it’s important stuff. We want soldiers who want to return to the battle to have the opportunity.”
Nutsbe stood to retrieve the garment bag. “Yeah, did you see in the paper that the Army appointed their first double amputee to serve as a garrison commander?”
“Really?” Marvin sent him a grin. “Good stuff. Now that’s what I’m talkin’ about.” Marvin pointed toward Nutsbe. “You shouldn’t feel any difference in your normal day-to-day. The system would kick in under some of the more extreme events you might get caught up in.”