Steel Read Online Free

pressed in the row of buttons on the main autonomic board. Maxo stirred.
    â€œTake it easy on the left arm,” said Kelly. “Save it.”
    â€œIf it don’t work here, it won’t work out there,” said Pole.
    He jabbed at a button and Maxo’s left arm began moving with little, circling motions. Pole pushed over the safety-block switch that would keep Maxo from counterpunching and stepped back. He threw a right at Maxo’s chin and the robot’s arm jumped up with a hitching motion to cover his face. Maxo’s left eye flickered like a ruby catching the sun.
    â€œIf that eye cell goes…” Pole said.
    â€œIt won’t ,” said Kelly tensely. He watched Pole throw another punch at the left side of Maxo’s head. He saw the tiny ripple of the flexo-covered cheek, then the arm jerked up again. It squeaked.
    â€œThat’s enough,” he said. “It works. Try the rest of ’im.”
    â€œHe’s gonna get more than two punches throwed at his head,” Pole said.
    â€œ His arm’s all right ,” Kelly said. “Try something else I said.”
    Pole reached inside Maxo and activated the leg cable centers. Maxo began shifting around. He lifted his left leg and shook off the base wheel automatically. Then he was standing lightly on his black-shoed feet, feeling at the floor like a cured cripple testing for stance.
    Pole reached forward and jabbed in the FULL button, then jumped back as Maxo’s eye beams centered on him and the robot moved forward, broad shoulders rocking slowly, arms up defensively.
    â€œChrist,” Pole muttered, “they’ll hear ’im squeakin’ in the back row.”
    Kelly grimaced, teeth set. He watched Pole throw another right and Maxo’s arm lurch raggedly. His throat moved with a convulsive swallow and he seemed to have trouble breathing the close air in the little room.
    Pole shifted around the floor quickly, side to side. Maxo followed lumberingly, changing direction with visibly jerking motions.
    â€œOh, he’s beautiful ,” Pole said, stopping. “Just beautiful.” Maxo came up, arms still raised, and Pole jabbed in under them, pushing the OFF button. Maxo stopped.
    â€œLook, we’ll have t’put ’im on defense, Steel,” Pole said. “That’s all there is to it. He’ll get chopped t’pieces if we have ’im movin’ in.”
    Kelly cleared his throat. “No,” he said.
    â€œOh for—will ya use ya head? ” snapped Pole. “He’s a B-two f’Chrissake. He’s gonna get slaughtered anyway. Let’s save the pieces.”
    â€œThey want ’im on the offense ,” said Kelly. “It’s in the contract.”
    Pole turned away with a hiss.
    â€œWhat’s the use?” he muttered.
    â€œTest ’im some more.”
    â€œWhat for? He’s as good as he’ll ever be.”
    â€œWill ya do what I say!” Kelly shouted, all the tension exploding out of him.
    Pole turned back and jabbed in a button. Maxo’s left arm shot out. There was a snapping noise inside it and it fell against Maxo’s side with a dead clank.
    Kelly started up, his face stricken. “Jesus, what did ya do! ” he cried. He ran over to where Pole was pushing the button again. Maxo’s arm didn’t move.
    â€œI told ya not t’fool with that arm!” Kelly yelled. “What the hell’s the matter with ya!” His voice cracked in the middle of the sentence.
    Pole didn’t answer. He picked up his pry and began working off the left shoulder plate.
    â€œSo help me God, if you broke that arm…” Kelly warned in a low, shaking voice.
    â€œIf I broke it!” Pole snapped. “Listen, you dumb mick! This heap has been runnin’ on borrowed time for three years now! Don’t talk t’me about breakages!”
    Kelly clenched his teeth, his eyes small and