"Yes. Taken apart. Destroyed. Killed. He lasted longer than most of
the original hundred by each year. You understand? He was one of
the _first hundred_ made by the Original himself. That's why he had
defects--stilted speech, squat construction and, most serious, a
tendency to romanticize humanity. Even among the latest models, there
are a few who feel that way, but once the last human is gone that
problem...."
Derrence was calm now; the calmness beyond shock, beyond horror. "_I'm_
the last human?"
"So we believe. There might be another in India--we're still checking.
One more in Sweden is a possibility. But for the records, Derrence Cale
was the last human being."
"Was the last human being," Derrence whispered.
The man to the left of Tzadi began to raise his right arm. The man to
the right of Tzadi said, "Not yet." Then, more sharply, to Derrence,
"We were kinder in our war than you and your people ever were. We
created no blood baths, no gas chambers, no panic. Over a period of
twenty-seven years, we eliminated and replaced. Families lived with our
replacements, never suspecting the loved one was an android. We caused
almost no pain at all, as you'll soon find out."
"Android," Derrence whispered. "Machine."