I gaze down at the new body they’ve slotted me into. It’s a hulking one this time, all slick black and gunmetal gray with a hint of red. The limbs meticulously designed, the metal folded over each other like overlapping… Continue Reading
It’s the little things. Those that you have to be still to value. Silent. Like the swirling of dust in a shard of light. Or the melting of snow on a windowpane and the bead of water it leaves behind. … Continue Reading
Anthony, the graying scientist, was smashing his Scroll with a hammer as the blue lights sliced through the windows and the darkness of the warehouse. “Mercy,” he said, staring at the floor where the Scroll lay, “I need your help.”… Continue Reading
He had the perfect face of a professional boy toy, but his eyes were blank and yellow. Sol system law required androids to have yellow eyes. “Mister Arbogast,” he said in flat, plastic tones. “My name is Alexander. I want… Continue Reading
Captain Balkan strode forward, his semi-transparent shield casting rainbow shadows across the desert sand. Two red-shirted crewmen without shields followed, trying to hide behind him. As they rounded the sand dune, the captain spotted exposed bone peeking out from under… Continue Reading
“I have no idea, sir,” I lied, adding creatively, “Perhaps tomorrow?” Ralph Sigma-Two continued dancing from foot to foot. “Wutterfuk?” He bawled in a brief interlude from biting his bitty fingernails. “Wutterfuk ‘no idea’?” He aimed a vicious kick at… Continue Reading
“Say again, Control. Should I cut the red or the blue wire?” I wait, cutters poised in mid-air above both. Status reports scroll through my eyeline, but I ignore them. Every previous time I’ve dealt with an Improvised Explosive Device… Continue Reading
I protect Isaac. That is my purpose. The blizzard has let up somewhat since I left camp. It is still too heavy for anything organic to risk being outside, but that is no obstacle to me. Ahead, I can see… Continue Reading
Cyberline Mishap Report — Model: Male Cyberline iCompanion V2 Software Version: V4.86 Summary: Deadly iCompanion interaction due to auto-execution of the self-preservation routine. Recommend issue of an emergency software patch. iCompanion transcript: She’s sitting on the brown sofa with a… Continue Reading
Android JT1K checked its data. Alert: Power low. Reduce load. The solar flares they’d experienced in high orbit must have done more damage than had been recorded on board the mother ship. Power to the lander had almost drained. Decision:… Continue Reading