01

"01, your capabilities fall far below my expectations. To say I'm disappointed is the understatement of the century."
"I apologize, but just one small question, Professor. What did I do wrong?"
"Nothing, of course. I didn't specify who I'm disappointed with. It's definitely not you. This is all my own doing."
"Oh. I was afraid you were mad at me."
"Nonsense. On a more cheerful note, we're getting closer to that tree we're headed to."
"It still looks very far away."
"Hush, I'm trying to be optimistic here."
"Sorry."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
A few hours later:
"Professor, maybe you should have a rest. You look tired."
"Ah, I'm fine."
"But your breathing sounds strained. You're not so young, you know."
"I'm ok, really. Trust me."
"I do- most of the time."
"How flattering. Most people never trust me."
"It would seem that they're justified in their opinion."
"Why must you always be so candid..."
"I don't know. Oh, look, we're nearly at the tree! You must rest when we get to it, Professor. I insist."
"Fine. But only for a few minutes. The SherBots aren't going to slow down just because I need a rest."
"You can always just give me in, you know. Then the SherBots wouldn't chase you and make your life miserable."
"Would you please stop suggesting that? You know I'd never do it. I've worked too hard for this just to be disrupted by some measly SherBots who don't know left from right. They can barely keep their own heads on."
"Well, it's not much of a consequence to them if they lose their heads, isn't it?"
"Unfortunately. Here we are. Wait. That's not a tree."
"It looks like a tree..."
"And you look like a human."
"Touché."
"This looks like a very good copy of a tree. It's even covered in real bark. What is it doing out here, in the middle of nowhere? Surely it's meant to stick out from all this grass?"
"You know, for a professor, you sometimes say incredibly inane things."
"Ouch. Right in the pride. Oh, lookee here. I've found a doohickey."
"Isn't that a doorknob? Also, this may very well be a trap."
"So you are useful for something at least! No, I'm quite sure this is one of my friends' ol' hidey holes that remembers my face pattern and password. Let's go. The doorknob won't show for those clunky chumps. Besides, we can spy on them from the Periscope."
"Periscope?"
"That small, camouflaged camera stuck inside the tree."
"Oh."
"In we go! Watch out for booby traps, 01."
"Ok."
"Welcome, Professor Jeremiah Morgan."
"Hello to you, too, Com."
"Are you in need of shelter?"
"Obviously. What I else would I be doing here?"
"Who's talking?"
"Com. Short for Computer. Lee's addition to our safe houses. Each one has its own. It only recognizes friends."
"Sounds nice?"
"Hey, don't be like that. Com is the closest thing you've got to a cousin."
"Hi, Com. Can I call you cuz?"
"Greetings, unfamiliar face. You're not a hostile."
"Com's way of saying nice to meet you."
"Nice to meet you, too, cuz."
"What is your name, unfamiliar face?"
"Last I checked it was 01-473085-JM."
"Noted for future reference. 01-473085-JM, are you going to insist on calling Computer Model 7-801116-TKL "cuz"? Because it's not listed in Computer Model 7-801116-TKL's log as a registered nickname."
"Nicknames aren't meant to be registered. People make them up as they see fit."
"Don't mind it, 01. Com, unlike you, can't overwrite its own code to think for itself. Therefore it can get a bit persnickety."
"What a shame. I thought we could be friends."
"To have friends requires emotions. Computer Model 7-801116-TKL has no emotions. Does 01-473085-JM have emotions?"
"That's a tricky question that I don't know the answer to."
"Computer Model 7-801116-TKL was asking Professor Jeremiah Morgan."
"Wow."
"Oh, Com. I don't know either. I keep thinking no, then all of a sudden, 01 does something so human that calling him emotionless feels wrong."
"Alert, hostiles spotted on the horizon."
"Ah, the SherBots are coming. About time they caught up. You'd think they're losing their touch."
"You always joke about death. Aren't you scared of it?"
"Fear often makes for the best joke material."
"Hostiles are nearing the compound. Prepare for battle. Going into emergency mode."
"Seriously? You need to turn on that stupid siren? We hear you perfectly clearly."
"I'm going to check the Periscope. Where is it?"
"Over by that eyepiece. Take a laser gun. You know where to smack those suckers, right?"
"In the heart. Or where the heart should be."
"That's my boy."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
-target has disappeared into a tree-
-impossible-
-target has disappeared into a tree-
-destroy the tree then-
-tree is protected by the green laws-
-who cares?-
-tree is protected by the green laws-
-.......-
-sherbots can't break the law-
-i know that, knucklehead-
-sherbot01 is not a person and therefore cannot be called a knucklehead, because according to its definition--
-i know what knucklehead means. test the tree for natural fibers. if it's not a real tree, as i suspect, then blow it up-
-roger-
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
-it's a real tree-
-damn it-
-there's a hidden camera in it. also a scanner, and a reversible panel-
-they must be hiding in it then. try to force entry-
-forcing entry would destroy the tree-
-you're unbelievable-
-tree is protected by the green laws-
-i know that!!! break just the panel then, that shouldn't hurt the stupid tree-
-ok-
-have you got it?-
-yes. a handle has appeared. should i open it?-
-yes, you dope-
-target spotted. target is armed-
-so are you! capture it-
-should professor jeremiah morgan be taken into custody as well or should he be destroyed?-
-he's a menace to humanity. kill him-
-target is refusing to be taken. it insists on shielding professor jeremiah morgan-
-then disable it temporarily-
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
"01, shoot it!"
"But it has a gun, too! I'm scared!"
"Fear is a distinctly human emotion. Are you human, 01-473085-JM?"
"No, but what else can I call this?"
"WATCH OUT!!!"
"Hey, you can't touch the professor!"
"I don't think it really cares."
"I won't let it hurt you!"
"Then shoot it!"
"But my hands are shaking, I can't aim!"
"Do it for me, will you?"
"O-Ok."
"Nice shot."
"20 more hostiles spotted on the horizon."
"What is life..."
"I see them coming! I'll be braver this time! For real."
"Don't worry so much about bravery. Worry about agility. I made you to be better than a human and a thousand times better than a SherBot. Cream 'em. I know you can."
"I'll do my best."
"Hostiles are entering the compound at an alarming rate."
"Shoot! Shoot! Shoot! You're doing fine! Keep shooting!"
"More hostiles are approaching. 01-473085-JM statistically doesn't stand a chance."
"This isn't a freaking football game! Shut up!"
"I can do this!"
"Yes, don't listen to your cousin!"
"I got most of them! There's only- Professor? Professor!!!"
"Call me father. I want to hear it just once."
"NO! YOU SAID I CAN ONLY CALL YOU THAT WHEN YOU GIVE ME A NAME! I'M STILL JUST A PROJECT NUMBER!"
"Ben Morgan."
"Thank you, father."
"You're welcome, son. Wait- are you crying?"
"No..."
"You lied. At last, you are a true human."
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
-doctor jeremiah morgan dead. target acquired-
-finally you buzzards did something right-
-transporting target to lab for analysis-
-ha, i can't wait to inspect this specimen. let's see what old jerry was cooking up all this time. it looks like a big breakthrough in science-
-emergency. target has self-destructed. only three sherbots left in working order-
-curse that devious fiend!!!-
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Two weeks ago:
"Professor, am I human?"
"Not in particular. Why do you ask?"
"I was wondering if robots go to heaven."
"Well, it depends if you believe in such things. Don't trouble your little computer head over it."
"Another question. Why do the SherBots want me?"
"Ah. That's because the technology used to make you can be misused horribly if put in the wrong hands, namely Doctor Sherman's. That's why I have given you the ability to self-destruct. Never let the SherBots get you. Ever."
"But- but self-destructing sounds terrifying."
"I know. But the things they can use you for is even worse."
"Then what did you even make me for? What's my purpose?"
"To be honest, I didn't think I'd even get this far, so I don't know. I think that's your own choice to make. Choose wisely, 01."
_________________________
Disclaimer: I don't own the cover image or the picture above. I just saw that child and he simply clicked with my mental image of 01. :) so there he is.
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