Novus Dies by Schalk Holloway

Author:Schalk Holloway
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Sci-Fi & Fantasy
Publisher: Schalk Holloway
Published: 2023-11-24T00:00:00+00:00

EXCERPT: ARP314, ‘Semi-Sentience and Intelligence’, McKenzie, Van Rooyen et al, Robotics Algorithmic Development

Kate’s eyes blink away the remaining brightness and her mouth forms a perfect ‘O’. In defiance of a nagging subconscious tug, she doesn’t let go of No. 1’s battle-belt, and instead slowly follows him in.

Skinned and unskinned robots rove the space, entering and exiting from two other tunnels. Kate does a quick count and idees three models through body composition alone. Manual and electromechanical tools line a section of wall: picks, axes, shovels, jackhammers, plate compactors, and large nail guns among others. The scurry seems to be logistical in nature: the robots are all fetching, collecting or moving something. Drumming footfalls draw her eyes to the sealed, occlusive finish on the floor.

Kate looks back up and completes a security scan: none of the machines are focused on them and none are armed with hot weapons.

‘Did you know we were heading to this facility, No. 1?’

‘Yes, ma’am.’

‘How long have you known about this facility?’

‘Me or your bot’s databanks, ma’am?’

‘Clarify, No. 1.’

‘This Sec Bot unit received access and permissions to this location and information pertaining to it during yesterday’s daily update. The location was selected today, however, as a safe and viable option for egress only after we discovered the robotic Mav element, ma’am.’

‘Why?’

‘We don’t know who manufactured the Mavs, ma’am.’

‘Who the fuck is “we”, No. 1?’

‘Ma’am, advise we keep moving.’

‘No! No, No. 1! Answer my fucking question! Who is “we”?’ While Kate’s screaming, she raises her carbine and fixes her optics on No. 1’s neck, and she doesn’t note the small platoon of robots that were milling about—not aimlessly, but purposefully like ants in a colony chamber—stop and stare at her.

‘Ma’am, advise you regulate.’

‘Fuck you, No. 1! Answer the question!’ Kate does another security scan and realizes all the bots are watching her. She starts slowly panning and circling back to the doorway through which they entered.

No. 1 looks past Kate. ‘Behind you, ma’am.’

Kate startles when several child bots spill through the entrance like naked, half-grown creatures bursting through a placenta of darkness. She swings her rifle around and shoots three through their control boxes. In her peripheral, she sees No. 1 signing a moment before the sniffer drops its flashbox and blinds her. Kate’s eyes close involuntarily, but the soldier in her clamps her carbine as defense against dropping it. Heavy, powerful hands grip her CR-04 and disarm her in such a way that it’s impossible to resist. When she feels the carbine leaving her hands and its sling tugging over her head, Kate drops to her haunches, covers her eyes, and turtles up against the assault she now imagines is on its way.

Five seconds slowly tick by.

‘Ma’am, you are not in danger. Please breathe,’ she hears No. 1 saying from somewhere close by.

Kate peeks out from under her forearms. The big Sec Bot’s on its haunches immediately in front of her, its large elbows resting on its knees. She shoves at it but ends up toppling herself backward.

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