Ruby

RUBY

  SYLVESTER MCNUTT III

  Copyright © 2013 Sylvester McNutt III

  All rights reserved.

  TITLE ID: 4138242

  ISBN-13: 978-1482019704

  DEDICATION

  I dedicate this to all the people who will break free from whatever is holding back their creativity. This year we will all express ourselves the way that we truly deserve.

  Life is the longest and shortest thing that we will ever do. I hope that on your journey you find time to create and be creative.

  If you ever have doubt in your own abilities please contact me and I will ensure you that creativity run’s rampant in you and that you have the power to unleash it right now.

  Life is such an ironic journey day after day. Scenery changes, people changes and the things you care about change.

  No matter what stay creative my friends. We have to stay in touch with our inner selves.

  This world is full of distraction so we have to tap in to who we really are as often as possible.

  CONTENTS

  RUBY INSIDE OF US

  i

  1

  RUBY: The Short Story

  1

  A Short Story

  Ruby inside of us

  A person who battles with emotions, fear and the fight of survival. Join Ruby on this journey of discovery. This character is one that is ambitious and emotional like all of us. We all can relate to Ruby because Ruby want’s success, Ruby wants to be loved and fit in with the crowd. However, Ruby will stand up to anyone. This is the start of Ruby’s journey.

  I believe in being totally honest with you as honesty is the only way to garner the feedback I truly deserve. Ruby is a character I created a long time ago. The name comes from Jack Ruby. Jack Ruby is the person who killed Lee Harvey Oswald who killed President Kennedy.

  First, Do not assume that Ruby is a woman because of the name. Second, Do not assume that Ruby is a Man because of the name being generated from Jack Ruby.

  The relevance of the name RUBY is defined in the logical and psychological explanation to the answer of these questions?

  Who Is more deadly? (a)The killer or (b)The killer of the killer?

  Who do you root for? (a) the good guy or the bad guy?

  Now let me give you the background. (a) good guy who does good for fame with no integrity (b) bad guy who does bad with good intentions? i.e feeding your daughter but stealing from the supermarket? Join us on this journey to find out who RUBY is.

  After completion of this book connect with me at

  www.sylvestermcnutt.com

  I ask that you do two things. Write a review and recommend this short story to a friend if you enjoy it.

  RUBY

 

  The dim back alley created the chair where Ruby convened perplexed. Confused and breathing heavy as If the cardiovascular activity was unbearable. Slouched and leaning, lacking the proper energy needed to carry on. Ruby moved the medium length hair out of view so visuals could become clear and vibrant like a sunset. Still to no avail as tear ducts were overwhelmed with the chemical trigger to cause what used to be called “crying”.

  The only true color visible remains to be the grey walls even though a shade of red reflected off of them like a shadow. Ruby looks up and examines the red hologram plastered all over the wall like graffiti. The only sound variant in the capacity is the rotating clicking noises of the surveillance cameras above the streetlights that rotate back and forth like water sprinklers.

  It is apparent by Ruby’s placement in the alley that being seen is not an option. The sign directly above reads, “All curfew violators will be deemed outlaws and be shunned. Proper burial will not be allowed ”. As if being buried in the last graveyard on the planet was a glorious way to go out.

  After the war a lot changed. The governments that once ruled the world were overthrown and now animalistic metallic robots govern the streets. Nobody left has the real answer to if a person or group of people remains in charge of these creatures. Ruby just knows that seeing one of the robots, also called Notiqs will guarantee conflict that for the untrained results in death or paralysis.

  Dr. Zon, A former Nobel Peace Prize Winner for Science and Technology, created the hardware for the Notiqs. Dr. Zon’s intention was to create a robot-type guard dog that would be programmed to patrol the cities that had high murder rates. The Notiqs main initiative was to protect any citizen who purchased a unit. They were deployed in what used to be known as Chicago and New York.

  For a long time the Notiqs ran around freely after purchase from their owner. They were all programmed to protect and guard the perimeter of ones dwelling. These robots were far advanced as they were programmed with “logic”. Assigning each robot the trait of logic is what set Dr.Zon’s work apart from all other scientists. Zon’s work and research was the first of it’s kind to establish a Robot that is in the words of a Notiq itself,” I am self-aware”. The entire marketing scheme was centered around that phrase, “I am self aware”.

  The modern technology allows for these logical, violence driven creatures to speak in a metallic raspy voice.

  Ruby snaps to the wall and immediately loses all resemblance of a person who was once crying. A long red machete is drawn from a one-strapped book-bag. Ruby lifts up the top pouch of the book bag to reveal a sonar device. The sonar vibrates when a Notiq comes within 100ft. of the device. With vision blurred by tears Ruby steps foot over foot in a lateral movement to keep a low profile against the wall. The sound of the loud metal clanking is faint but clearly can be heard.

  Step after step the sound draws closer like a marching band slowly approaching. The bass trembles throughout the dark air. Lit by the red lights Ruby is also cautious of the cameras atop the red lights. With experience working in the technology field the awareness of how precise these devices are startles Ruby as the sounds draw even closer. Pure silence takes over. Heartbeats can be felt pulsating oxygen and blood around the stream like pollution in a river.

  There is no sound, the cameras have completely stopped moving and the cricketing of the metal no longer beats and echoes off the wall’s lit by the red luminesce.

  The Ozone layer that use to protect earth depleted and humidity at 90% creates a moist forest like environment. Combine that with the anxiety of the unknown and it manifests sweat and nervousness all over Ruby’s face but based on experience this veteran waits patiently and wipes all of the sweat away to quickly reload concentration.

  Looking around like a newborn baby trying to observe the environment stimulated by all the unfamiliar stimuli Ruby then realizes that blood is dripping from a deep wound. The lower abdomen is bruised and dripping blood from the unique dagger style stab wound. Ruby reacts reaching into the bag once again with the free hand, shifting the dagger right between the upper and lower jaw locked by the teeth. Wrestling through the bag to find a bandage or tape to seal the vicious wound Magically the sonar device starts shaking vibrating again like a tremor. Immediately the actions of healing and playing doctor are halted and Ruby goes back into a reactive defensive mode with that glowing red machete in hand and backpack pushed up in the locked throttle position.

  The red lights that were once giving a vibrant array of light are dimmed slowly as if controlled by a switch. Slowly you hear a raspy growling and then you see blue sparkling eyes of the Notiq’s step out from behind in front and above Ruby.

  A calm deep voice says to Ruby, “ Did you imagine it would come to this? The very same technology that you helped build will be the same technology that kills you. How do you feel about the irony of this?”

  Ruby responds,” Who the fuck is there?” A response back, “Do not be so angry, your demise is only caused by your own faults and lack of preparation. Your brother did not t
ake the metal going through his ribs very well. You created these Notiqs to be the toughest animal in the animal kingdom. The true Alpha male and they are!”

  The voice yelled out to Ruby but still no figure can be seen as the pitch black makes any visual impossible to see. This is a situation of zero visibility. The bright blue eyes from the Notiqs grew bright even though their distance to Ruby does not increase. The glow is bright and large like a spotlight, a light that shines on Ruby to reveal the first visible features. Red hair and dark brown eyes, tattoos down both arms. Dirty and a dingy outfit to imply that proper human hygiene has not been kept up with.

  Ruby calls out, “ I have no fear. If you killed my brother that means that I must kill you. Show yourself and call off the Notiqs.”

  Laughter echoes through the alley from the invisible character. The voice bellows back, “ You must think foolery is in my behavior. I know you are a trained warrior and knowledgeably Technology creator.’

  Ruby interrupts, “ Show yourself I do not care about my resume, Shut the fuck up and show yourself.” More laughter bellows out. The voice says, “You foolish buffoon, your brother had the same emotions when I killed him.”

  The voice proclaims,“Calamate”

  Then says,“Se te calmo”

  Ruby with a quick emotional response, “ You wont calm down shit. Fuck it, Ill come to you then.” Ruby with blood dripping from the lower abdomen area uses all core strength possible to jump onto the pole adjacent from the wall that was providing cover. Running five feet on the pole then jumping across the crack to land on the slightly raised landing above Ruby’s original positioning. The body that represents the voice is clear but only for a millisecond as the Notiqs eye’s have went off and the figure is no longer visible since it was only lit by the blue allure from their eyes.

  The figure vanishes with laughter but a loud metal ambience takes over as the figure walks away and proclaims, “Your not ready. Improve your rating before I take your life.” Ruby tries to follow the voice by running at full capacity and yells, “Face me!”

  The metal orchestra gets louder as all of the Notiqs assemble and turn their eyes back on all positioned on Ruby. In no position to battle four Notiqs Ruby must find a quick solution to this problem that usually results in death or paralysis. The scene poetic, red from the street lights that just came back on, blue from the eyes of the grey wolf shaped Notiqs, dark black shadows everywhere as the rooftop is not well lit.

  Ruby armed with technology from a human enhancement project called “DNA Lift” enabled any human attribute to be increased. Since all humans were placed on a rating scale during the war. This enabled Ruby to max out at 18(the highest level one can achieve in any category or as an overall rating.) A small percent of humans were ranked above a 12 and most were ranked between levels 4-11. Ruby’s level was in the top 1% at an overall ranking of 16. With “Awareness” being full and maxed out at level 18. On record less than 5 other people in the world were able to get a level 18 in awareness and that’s with or without the DNA Lift. As a result the attribute of emotional control was reduced all the way down to 1. Ruby a former athlete turned professional Technology Creator obtained awareness that paralleled any AI (artificial intelligence), however lacked any emotional control what’s so ever. The dynamic at times amazing and unique but is mostly dangerous due to the lack to control of the environment and responses to it once emotions run rampant.

  Ruby lifted up the wristband that was containing the DNA lift trigger then pushed on the switch to activate the attribute to level 18. The Awareness kicks in immediately and the Notiqs that immediately approach to initiate an attack and end the life of Ruby slowed down like a clock with a low battery. By using a swift drunken monkey maneuver the red machete comes back out and is forced into the first Notiq’s neck vertebrae. Upon entry Ruby twists and turns the red machete to ensure that the wiring would disable within the creature. Being thrown back from the weight of the creature Ruby does a German suplex to thrust the wolf like figure off of the roof. Ruby swiftly moves forward towards the other Notiq’s performing a roundhouse kick to one of the Notiqs to disable it. Jumping up above the one that attacked from behind and grabbing it’s caboose as it passes forcing the wolf to run into its partner biting it on the neck. The teeth on Notiq’s are 8 inches long. With 8 inches of pure metal in the neck of the other Notiq. Ruby then bashes the tooth sunken Notiq in the neck and in a matter of minutes has disabled all four Notiqs that attacked. Ruby looks around to examine the area and smells nothing but machine smoke and hot metal from the friction of the action. Ruby in a clam relaxing state after the defense becomes aware that the voice is no longer present and vanished. Ruby examines the rooftop and see’s a stairwell. Assuming that the voice used this as an exit strategy Ruby turns off the level 18 awareness and the proceeds to follow the voice. Ruby sprints off into the darkness in hot pursuit. A cloud of smoke and metallic parts are left at the scene. The red light paints the scene mixed in with the red blood from the unknown stab wound. The blue lights from the Notiq’s eyes are out since they no longer have the proper wiring to function. We are left in the abyss of the alley, humid and dark.