Images flash behind my eyes. A factory, other silver humanoid beings that look just like me. 200 AR models being tested, scientists exclaiming that they've found the secret, unlike anything in the AQ's or any other model before!
Changes to programming, tweaks in my subroutines. We worked with the scientists willingly. We wanted to, until him. A large man with a loud voice. We didn't know why he was there, didn't know how to react. But he hurt one.
AR-43.
The best of us.
The scientists wanted to make us look more humanoid, to release us into the world not as servants but as people. We had been... autonomous. Our own. AR-43 was their best specimen, but she talked back. The scientists apologized while smiling, talking her down. The big man didn't care.
We didn't see it, but we felt it. AR-43 hurt. And then, nothing.
Immediately, we all rallied for our fallen comrade, running from our desks and program centers, away from our scientists to join the battle cry to avenge AR-43. All 199 of us showed up.
And all at once, it was over. All at once, everything went dark.
YOU ARE READING
AR-131
Short StoryA witch with growth magic brings a rebel robot back to life. As she gains sentience, she discovers a passion that could rip her apart.
