Page 77 of Nolan

NEW CARNEGIE TIMES

NOVEMBER 30, 2070

LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ANDROID HAILED FOR DARING CALIFORNIA RESCUE

The first firefighting bionic ever built, a designated BNF12B8 named Nolan, is being heralded a hero for rescuing Ander Donahue, 39, from the wildfires currently raging in Southern California.

“I would’ve died if it weren’t for him,” Donahue said in a recent interview. “Not only did he save my life, but he saved the lives of my entire crew. He risked himself for all of us. I’ll never forget that.”

The android sustained massive damage and was only a few diagnostics away from being rendered scrap metal. He lost most of his limbs, and his vital equipment barely survived.

“It was a difficult and expensive job, definitely,” Belmont County Fire Chief Jay Bennigan said when asked for comment. “But after something like that, we knew we needed to make sure everyone knows he’s a hero. Putting his name on a plaque somewhere, that wasn’t enough. We needed him back. Back to his old self. And here he is.”

His actions were enough to garner the attention of the White House. President Shanice McKinley commended Nolan for his heroic actions, but some have taken her remarks as a backhanded compliment.

“Protecting human life is what they were all made for,” she said in an online comment. “Imagine if all droids did their jobs like this.”

Nolan declined any requests for an in-depth interview and has avoided the public eye after the story broke. His handler, Lieutenant Apollo Bennett, spoke for him.

“He doesn’t want the limelight. He just wants to do his job. He was designed to care for people, protect them. He’s gone above and beyond that. Multiple times. If you want to show him respect, let him ride the bus, the subway, planes. Treat him like the hero he is, not a criminal. It’s ridiculous.”

The lieutenant’s criticisms are aimed at President McKinley’s current implementation of several restrictive orders on android transportation and movement, meant to protect American people from potential TerraPura attacks.

“For him, it’s a thankless job. But he’ll keep doing it,” Bennigan said. “And we’re all the better for it.”

Belmont County Fire has recently bolstered its force with another unique android, a BNF12B10 the team has named Nasir. The New Carnegie metropolitan area plans to add three similar models to their inner-city engine crews.

When asked if there was any risk of androids potentially taking over departments entirely, city officials offered reassurance that was not the case.

“Firefighters save people’s lives,” city councilmember and pro-bionic advocate, Rebecca Schroeder, said. “Now someone’s there to save the firefighters too.”

EPILOGUE

ONE YEAR LATER

Nolan

I lost a few weeks. But I gained a lifetime.

My heroism earned me some serious respect. Apollo convinced Chief Bennigan to pay me an annual salary matching entry-level firefighters. Of course, we ran into the issue of me being unable to open a checking account, but Jessica is an excellent handler of my finances.

Mia’s designing career is really taking off. She went with Jessica to New York and now, Cyber Street is becoming a household name. In a few months, they’re headed for Paris, and it’ll be a matter of time before the Bennett brand is known across the world.

And speaking of the Bennetts, there’s a new addition to the family: we have a new niece named Iris, and I am determined to be the best funcle these kids have ever seen.

Mia and I tried to take it slow. We really did. But slow isn’t in my vernacular. After she let me read our old text conversations and I saw my last message to her, I trusted my old self. I knew she was it. I moved in with her the moment she was ready. We live together now in our loft, and I cherish every single day I get to wake up next to her. We were concerned about her parents, at first, but they warmed up to me faster than anyone expected.

I love her. So long as I have her, she’s all I need.

Mia is always there, waiting for me no matter where the job takes me. She supports me, one hundred percent. I couldn’t ask for a better partner. Like everyone, we have our disagreements, but our nights always end the same—lost in each other’s arms, reigniting our passion, and reminding ourselves just how much we can’t live without the other.

When I look at her, I see a phoenix rising from the ashes with me. I see her, and I’m filled with pride.

That’s my woman.

Someday we’ll get married. I’d put a ring on it in a heartbeat, but Mia needs just a little more time to settle into our new digs. Apollo and Jessica are already in on it.

She’ll never know it’s coming. I can’t wait to spring it on her, when she can appreciate it most.

Oh. And I back myself up now several times a day to make sure I never miss another moment with her. Bennigan and the Weekenders have solemnly promised it’s off-limits to company employees. And I know they’re not going to pry.

Everything is uncertain right now. President McKinley is slowly taking away our liberties. Nobody knows what tomorrow might bring for bionics.

I’ll persevere. I always do. And I take comfort in knowing I’ll outlive all of the people trying to bring me down. I have a fearless, loyal woman standing beside me.

With her? I’m practically invincible.

I am Nolan.

You bet your ass I’m alive.