Exoskeleton Quotes

“He had done things he was sure he’d regret one day, when the ugly head of conscience emerged from the murky waters of circumstance.”
― Shane Stadler, Exoskeleton

“the most dangerous man is the one with nothing to lose.”
― Shane Stadler, Exoskeleton

“Two appendages lowered from a port in the ceiling and passed a few feet from his face: they were complex, robotic hands, a left and a right. They were sleek in design, and had a flat-black finish. One of them positioned itself near Will's outstretched hand, and a glistening, curved blade popped out of one of its fingertips—the thumb. It moved in slowly, and all Will could do was watch as it approached. He felt cold metal touch his skin, and the blue-metallic blade slowly sliced its way under his left thumbnail, vibrating as it moved. It dug in about half way to the cuticle, and stopped. His thumb throbbed and burned at the same time, and the pressure mounted even though the blade remained still. After about five minutes, it continued on its path to the nail bed, and paused. His legs and arms twitched uncontrollably, but the blade remained stationary. A few minutes later, another blade popped out from the mechanical hand, and slowly carved a path under his left index fingernail. It took another five, long minutes to reach the nail bed. Will screamed sporadically, his voice diminishing to a raspy whisper, as the procedure was repeated for each of his fingers. After about two hours, the machine had finished inserting blades into the ten nail beds, and the program paused as the pressure in his fingertips increased. The fluid that oozed from under his nails had gone from blood to a clear liquid, and he heard it drip on the floor. Just as Will's nerves were beginning to settle, the bladed, mechanical fingers started to tap. Tap tap tap ... the machine played a tune of pain. Every muscle in his body convulsed with each minute percussion of the blades. After what seemed like an eternity, the program reached a final phase: the twisting of the blades. Will whimpered pitifully, continually on the verge of passing out.”
― Shane Stadler, Exoskeleton

“Will had been ruined by fluke circumstances—wrong place, wrong time. And he wasn't only being robbed of his future, but also his past; all of his hard work, the respect of his family, his fiancee, career, and friends ...”
― Shane Stadler, Exoskeleton

“Even though the medical and dental tests of the day before had been horrific, Will thought the first day of real treatment was far worse due to the duration; the torture lasted the entire day. During the afternoon session, they had to insert a rubber mouthpiece because he'd bitten his lip several times, and continually ground his teeth together. He struggled so hard that his head bolts had bled, the blood trickling down his face in streams.”
― Shane Stadler, Exoskeleton

“There is only one objective of this life—to strip you of your desires, lies, and misconceptions.”
― Shane Stadler, Exoskeleton

“the plot was becoming more and more convoluted, but also more exciting.”
― Shane Stadler, Exoskeleton

“his choice was not for life, but against death.”
― Shane Stadler, Exoskeleton

“The voice boomed again, "All patients are given the option of self-deliverance. The glass case on the device in front of you will retract to reveal a button. Pressing that button will release a poisonous gas into the room, and you will die in less than three minutes. It is painless. You now have seventeen minutes to make your decision. If time expires and you have not actuated the system, your treatment will begin. You will not be given this option again. Your right arm is mobilized so that you may actuate the device.”
― Shane Stadler, Exoskeleton