Trapped!: The 2031 Journal of Otis Fitzmorgan by Bill Doyle

I'm not sure what else to do.”
    “Okay,” I finally agreed. “Let's bring Asyla Notabe back.”
    But before we got started, I had to do one thing. I went to the Kitchen area of the room and found an apple. I placed it on
     a table in front of Judge.
    “What's this for?” asked.
    “I'm going to force the nanobots we take from you through this apple before they take the shape of Asyla,” I said.
    Crockett looked at me like I was nuts. “But why?”
    “It's a Kind of insurance,” I said. “Let's just hope we never need it. Do you still have Yves's contact?”

    He nodded and got the glass that contained the contact lenses.
    “Everyone ready?” I asked. They both nodded, and I popped one of the contacts into my eye.
    HELLO, OTIS, Yves's 'quist said in my Mind. WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO DO?
    I explained my goal to the 'quist and got to work. My hands danced and my body moved about. Once again, the air was filled
     with flying nanobots.
    More than half the nano-material flew off Judge, zoomed through the apple, and reorganized into the shape of… my math teacher!
    Judge looked smaller—and extremely concerned as she asked, “What's happened?”
    RECIPES FOR ROBOTS
    COOKING FOR YOUR 'BOTS
    What's a chef to do when the nanobots are hungry and there's nothing in the cupboard? Reach for the garbage!
    1) The new nanobots might be hungry all the time, but they're not picky! They can adapt to stimuli such as heat, light, sounds,
     surface textures, chemicals, and disgusting food. Feed 'em scraps from the trash -they won't complain.
    2) Looking for the perfect meal? Any sugary food will do. WARNING: Foods high in glucose, such as fruits and some vegetables, may also attract bacteria that could interfere with the operation
     of your nanobots.
    3) Feed the 'bots on your schedule. Don't let them run your life. Remember, they can go for months without eating. But when you
     do give them a meal, watch out! The feeding frenzy can be frightening!
    I wondered the same thing. Why had I been thinking of my math teacher?
    Judge's eyes narrowed. “Are you concentrating?”
    “Sorry!” I shouted, and refocused my mind.
    My math teacher disintegrated as the nanobots flew apart into a whirling dervish of technology. The cloud of 'bots expanded
     and constricted almost as if it were breathing. Then it constricted one final time into the shape of a tall woman.
    She looked to be about twenty-nine years old and was shockingly beautiful.
    “Are you Asyla Notabe?” I asked.
    She stroked her long black hair, seeming to relish the feel of the silky strands. “Ooooh …it's good to be back.”
    Asyla took a step toward Judge, who now looked to be about nine years old, the same age she would have been when she met Fitz
     Morgan in 1906. Towering over her, Asyla eyed Judge for a moment like a spider about to devour her prey.
    She staggered then. Her hand lashed out and her fingers closed around my upper arm. Hard. The strength of the nanobots was
     incredible.
    I grimaced but managed not to call out.

    ASYLA NOTABE
    “Hmmm…” Asyla looked as if she were savoring a delicious meal. I couldn't shake free of her grasp.
    “Let him go,” Judge said, stepping forward.
    “Yes. I have to sleep now,” Asyla said and released my arm. Crockett and I helped her over to the couch.
    Almost instantly, Asyla went to sleep so that her system could reboot.
    “Otis, are you okay?” Judge was gazing at me as if looking for injuries.
    I nodded. “I'm fine, but what about you? How do you feel, Judge?”

    JUDGE LOOKED ABOUT NINE YEARS OLD.
    She looked down at her simple purple dress and her small body. “A little strange.”
    “Are you starting to have doubts about bringing Asyla back?”
    But Judge didn't answer me. She just looked down at Asyla sleeping quietly on the couch.
    And all the while, our doomed Elevator continued to plummet toward Earth.

ASYLA WAS MORE INTERESTED IN HER REFLECTION THAN THE VIEW!

JANUARY 5, 2031
Day 5 of 6      10:50