Mirror Friend, Mirror Foe

by Asprin, Robert

  “NoWhyHave you heard something-?”

  “Next,” Hosato interrupted, “is Turner's product family introducing any new robots that you know of?”

  “That's a definite no.” Sasha grimmaced“They haven't come up with anything new in the last two years.”

  “Turner controls the Household line, doesn't heTell me, can you think of a household use for a rock slicer?”

  Sasha frowned“Not reallyWe use them in some of our construction robots, but slicers are too danger-​ous to be used around humans.”

  “How about blasters?”

  “Look, HayamaEnough gamesIf you have some-​thing to say, say it.”

  Hosato sighed and took the plunge.

  “OkayMy name isn't Hayama, jt's HosatoBy profession I am a Ninja, an advancement on the old-​world model you've studiedI was hired by Ravensteel to infiltrate your complex for the express purpose of sabotageI feel relatively safe admitting this to you, because so far I have done nothing except look aroundI haven't killed anyone, destroyed any equip-​ment, or transmitted any information to RavensteelMy contract is now voided, but to my reasoning, the worst you can do is export me as an undesirable.”

  “That's quite a mouthful, Hayama. HosatoThe big question in my mind is, why?”

  “For the money, of course.”

  “I mean, why tell me?”

  “I'm coming to that.” Hosato began to pace the room as he talked“I'm breaking cover because I think there's something bigger at stake.”

  “Like what?”

  “Killer robotsI think Harry Turner was killed by one of his own prototype security robots and that we're all in potential danger of sharing that fate.”

  “WhoaHold on, HosatoRobot's can't-”

  “Hear me out, SashaI mentioned I had done some looking around yesterdayI was specifically scouting Turner's manufacturing area for sabotageI saw two things there that didn't make senseFirst, the main-​tenance robots were constructing a new assembly line, yet you say there are no known new products planned for that areaSecond, I saw a prototype robot being assembled with a built-​in blaster in one arm and a light industrial slicer in the other.”

  “But robots can't kill people, they can't even injure themEven if they have built-​in weapons, they couldn't use them on anybody.”

  “In that same scouting trip, I was almost killed twice, both times by robotsOne time, one of the maintenance robots tried to knock me off a catwalk; and a few minutes later one of the design robots tried to shove a screwdriver through my chestDoes that sound like harmless robots going about their work?”

  “It could be a malfunction,” she suggested.

  'That's what I thought at first myselfThen I found out that when Harry was killed, he was supposed to be looking over the prototypes of the security robotsIt just seems like too much of a coincidence to me."

  “But even if they were able to kill people, would robots have the necessary data tb perform the func-​tion?”

  “We can check that easily enough,” Hosato said, turning to Suzi“SuziWe're going to need your help.”

  The robot remained stoically silent.

  “Come on, SuziShe knows alreadyThere's no need for secrets anymore.”

  There was still no response.

  “Am I to take it from your actions,” Sasha asked, “that Suzi is more than the Class Two robot she's been pretending to be?”

  “That's right,” Hosato responded“She's actually rather advancedA Class Seven.”

  “Class Eight,” Suzi corrected him.

  “Ah.” Hosato smiled“Since you've decided to join us, what data are available to robots on the subject of killing?”

  “Robots are incapable of killing or injuring hu-​mans,” Suzi recited“As any idiot knows.”

  Sasha snickered.

  “That's right,” Hosato said“You all have 'no-​kill programmingBut how do you know not to injure anyone?”

  “ 'No-​kill' programming includes a complex matrix of human vulnerabilities,” Suzi informed them“We know the breaking strength of every bone in the body, modified for sex and age, the pressure necessary on what type of an edge to break the skin or rupture an internal organ, the sensitivities of the eyes or ears-”

  “So you have all the information necessary to inflict injuryAll robots do.”

  “The information is of a negative natureThese are things we are to avoid doing at all costs.”

  “But if the blocks were somehow removed, and you had programming to that effect, you would know pre-​cisely how to killCorrect?”

  There was a painful silence.

  “You see, Sasha,” Hosato said“Robots could-”

  “Even if we were physically able to inflict injury,” Suzi interrupted, “there would have to be specific in-​struction to that effect before we could actRobots are incapable of independent thought, and merely act out instructions given them.”

  “A mirror unto man,” Sasha murmured.

  “What's that?” Hosato asked.

  “OhJust paraphrasing ShakespeareThe original quote was 'a mirror unto nature,' but that isn't what we're dealing with hereWhat we have is a mirror unto man, one that will reflect our efficiencies and maybe our weaknesses.”

  “Then you agree that we could be in danger.”

  “No, I don't, Hosato.” Sasha was her brisk self again“While I'll admit it may be a possibility, there is nothing to prove-”

  The shrill beeping of her belt unit interrupted herShe palmed the unit off her waist and held the ear plug against her head.

  “Sasha hereWhatWho is Hello. Hello!”

  Her hands sank slowly into her lap as she stared at Hosato.

  “I think you've got your proof,” she said vacantly“While we've been here talking, someone or some-​thing raided the meeting in the president's office and killed everyone thereSecurity reports unidentified ro-​bots moving through the corridors, armed and capa-​ble of inflicting fatal injury.”

  Hosato grasped the situation immediately.

  “Suzi,” he barked“Full battle equipment!”

  The robot obediently pivoted around, and a door swung open.

  “What. ?” began Sasha.

  “HereI assume you can use this,” Hosato said, tossing her a blaster.

  The security chief plucked it from the air and blinked at it“I sure canYou're a bag of surprises, aren't you, Hosato?”

  “I try,” he said dryly, peeling off his shirt.

  There was a knock at the door.

  “I'll get it,” Sasha volunteered.

  “Watch it.” Hosato began, but she already had the door open.

  The little redhead stood there“HiI. Oh!”

  Her glance took in Sasha and a half-​naked Hosato at the same tune“Hey, if I'm interrupting anything, I-”

  “Get in here, fast,” Sasha ordered, beckoning with the blaster.

  The girl obeyed, focusing on the blaster for the first time“HeyWhat's going on?”

  “The robots are running amok and killing peopleI know it sounds crazy, butWhat are you doing, Hosato?”

  “What does it look like I'm doingI'm changing clothes.”

  “I didn't know it mattered what you wore to an emergency.”

  “Take my word for it, it does.” He continued don- ning his Ninja suit and produced another blaster from Suzi's depths.

  “Here,” he said, tossing it to the redhead“Ever use one of these things?”

  The redhead wrinkled her nose at the weapon“No,” she announced proudly.

  “Well, honey, you're about to learn,” Sasha said grimly.

  “First things first,” interrupted Hosato“Get on your radio and alert your guardsTell them to get to the armory and arm themselves as fast as they canThen send a squad of them to secure the spaceport, and get the rest over here to guard the living quar-​ters.”

  “I know how to do my job, Hosato,” she snapped“Then do it!”

  He reached for his room telephone and dialed hast-​ily“
JamesGet over here to my room, fastDon't ask questions, just do it. That's right, and if you see any strange robots, avoid 'em like the plagueRobots-​it looks like your dad's security robot scheme has backfiredJust get over here fast!” He slammed down the phone“SuziLet's see those layout diagrams again!”

  The robot pivoted, and once more the viewscreen blinked to life.

  Hosato studied the drawings“What's this?” he asked, pointing to an unlabeled outline, forgetting for a moment Suzi's limited powers of observation.

  “That's the Maintenance Building,” the redhead commented, peering over his shoulder“Hey, that's a pretty neat robotWho manufactures it?”

  Hosato ignored her“What's the story on the life-​support systems, Suzi?” he asked.

  “Life-​support systems for the living quarters and mall are self-​contained and independent of the main computer controlThey are located at this point.” An area of the layout diagram began to Sash.

  “Bad news, Hosato,” Sasha interrupted“The ro-​bots have the spaceport.”

  “Could someone tell me what's going on?” the red-​head whined.

  “What about the armory?”

  “The robots have that, too,” Sasha informed him“My team managed to get some of the blasters out before the robots closed in, but not manyI've told them to pull back to the mall here to concentrate our forces.”

  There was a knock on the door.

  “Stand back,” Hosato hissed, motioning them away from the door.

  With a fluid motion he rolled to the floor and lay, blaster ready, in front of the door.

  “Who is it?” he called.

  “James Turner,” came the muffled response.

  “Come on in, James,” Hosato called back, his blaster never wavering.

  The door burst open and the boy hurried into the room.

  “There's firing in the.”

  He stopped short, gaping at Hosato's blaster leveled at his midsection.

  “Shut the door,” Hosato ordered.

  The boy groped behind him and closed the door, his eyes never leaving the blaster.

  “Never mind Hosato,” Sasha said briskly, stepping to his side“He's a bit jumpyWe all areWhat were you saying about firing?”

  The boy gulped“There's somebody's firing blasters in the main corridorThe one leading to the rest of the complex.”

  Sasha swore absently“That means they're on the way,” she growled at last“I'd better get down there and organize the defense.”

  “Wait a minute, Sasha,” Hosato said, rolling to his feet“Is there any other way out of the complexOne humans can use?”

  “What?”

  “Wake upWe can't hold them foreverThey're probably manufacturing more while we're talkingWe may have to evacuate the complexNow, besides the spaceport, how can we get people out of here?”

  Sasha thought for a moment“I can't think of any-”

  “How about the sand crawlers?” James interrupted“The maintenance crews use them for gathering mal-​functioning robotsThey let me ride along with them a couple of times.”

  “How big are they and how many are there?”

  “They can hold six, maybe ten in a pinch,” Sasha supplied“And there are only two of them.”

  Hosato grimaced“It's not much, but it's all we've gotJames, you and.What is your name, anyway?”

  “Since you asked so nicely, it's Carolyn,” the red-​head retorted.

  “Okay, you and Carolyn start going through the liv-​ing quartersTell everybody to move down to the Maintenance BuildingDon't take time to try to ex-​plain why, just tell them to do it and keep movingSasha will be organizing the corridor defense, and Suri and I will go ahead to check the status on the sand crawlers.Does that sound all right, Sasha?”

  The last was added as he remembered his mannersHe was starting to take command again.

  “Sounds good to me,” she replied, unruffled“Do you have any more blasters to spare?”

  “Just one, and that's mine,” Hosato apologized.

  She made a face at him“Some spyWell, let's go.”

  “Spy?” asked James, looking at Hosato.

  “Later, JamesLike the lady says, let's go.”

  The mall was a madhouseCrowds of people were milling around in various stages of confusion and panicDisembodied hands seemed to pluck at Hosato's sleeve as he and Suzi traversed the corridorsVoices babbled questions and demands at him, but he shrugged them off without breaking strideThe few who noticed he was carrying a blaster hurried to catch up with him, only to find his smooth pace deceptively fast.

  Sasha had disappeared shortly after they left his room, but he assumed she was following her own route through the chaosHe could not waste energy worrying about herShe had her job and seemed competent enough to handle itHe had hisHe had to make it to Maintenance, hopefully ahead of the crowds.

  The narrow off-​corridor to the Maintenance Build-​ing was unoccupiedApparently no one else had rec-​ognized it as a possible avenue of escapeAfter the dimness of the mall, Hosato found the silence unnerv-​ing, and without realizing it, began carrying his blaster at the ready position.

  The metal door at the end of the corridor was closedA prickly, chilly sensation ran along Hosato's spineHe hesitated, then made his decisionHe hadn't survived this long by ignoring his warning instinctsMotioning Suzi back against the wall, he bent and sealed his suitThen, gripping his blaster, he reached out and jerked the door open.

  The Maintenance Building was a wreckThree men who had been huddled over something on the floor sprang apart and desperately dived for cover behind workbenches and boxesAs they scattered, Hosato saw they had been at work dismantling a security robotBeyond it, several bodies lay on the floor.

  “Who's there?” a shaky voice called out, and Hosato heard the quick scrabble as the man changed positions after speaking.

  Stepping back into the corridor, out of their line of vision, Hosato broke the seals and rearranged his Ninja suit as he replied“Hayama,” he called“I've got my robot with me, but she's stable and functioning normally.”

  “Come on ahead, Hayama,” came a new voice Hosato recognized as Rick Handel's“It's all right, you guysI know him.”

  By the time Hosato reentered the room, two of the men had resumed their work with the fallen robot, leaving only Rick to greet him.

  “Hayama, do you know anything about what the hell's going on?”

  “I was just about to ask youIt looks like you've had a firsthand taste of the action here,” Hosato ob-​served“All I know is, somehow Turner's security-​robot plans backfired, and now we've got a pack of robots taking the place apart and killing anyone who crosses their path.”

  “Turner, huhWell, that's one bit of information we didn't haveWe got a call a while back that there were a couple of malfunctioning robots headed for the president's office wouldn't respond to commands, they saidWe sent a team out on the hustle, then got another call saying those 'bots had just broken into some high-​level meeting and killed everybody in the place, including our section chiefWe were trying to raise our team on the beepers to warn them off before they walked into a bad situation, when MrPersonal-​ity there burst through the door and started burning everybody in sight.”

  He jerked his head toward the downed machine.

  “Lucky for us, it could shoot in only one direction at a time, and it picked the wrong direction to startDoc, there, has had some combat training and smashed in its front with a crescent wrench before any of the rest of us could moveWe've been trying to find out what makes it lock instead of tick, but so far we can't figure it.”

  “Well, you haven't got much time,” Hosato ob-​served grimly“The things are in the main corridor to the mall.”

  “Oh, lord!” Rick exclaimed, his eyes widening.

  “That's rightSasha and her security team are try-​ing to stall them, but they can't hold them for longWe're trying to work out an evacuation plan, but we'll need your helpThe spaceport's gone, so we'll have to
use the sand crawlersWhere are they?”

  “Through there.” Rick pointed to a door at the rear of the shop“There's an airlock at the far end of the garage that gives direct access to the surface area, but only one crawler is operationalThe other one's half apart for preventive maintenanceIt's scattered all over the garage.”

  “How fast could you put it back together?”

  The mechanic gnawed at his lip“Half an hour if I had isome help,” he said“But-”

  “Suzi,” Hosato said, turning to his partner“Go with Rick here and help him as much as you can.”

  “Hey, I can't take tune to train a Class Two.”

  “I am a Class Eight robot,” Suzi replied coldly“And am more than capable of following simple or-​ders.”

  “A Class Eight?” Rick looked at her speculatively“Say, Hayama, what are you doing with a Class Eight?”

  “Sshh!” Hosato held up a hand for silence, then beckoned the mechanic closer.

  “What's through that door?” he whispered, pointing to the ruined metal door af the side of the shop.

  “The new corridor,” Rick whispered back“It runs past the main computer building and comes out-”

  Hosato motioned him to silence again, and they lis-​tenedComing from the door was the muffled whine of motors moving toward them down the corridor.

  “Get to work on the sand crawler.” Hosato whispered the order as he started sealing his Nirija suit.

  “But what are you ?” Rick began, then for the first time focused on the blaster in Hosato's hand“Hey, where did you get the blasterAnd what's with the funny outfitWho are. ?”

  Hosato finished sealing the suit and vanished.

  “I suggest we do as he says,” Suzi said to the stunned mechanic“I'm sure he will explain later, if we get the time.”

  Hosato didn't delay to see the final resolution of Rick's dilemmaHe moved across the room in a smooth glide and stepped through the ruined doorway into the corridor.

  There were three of them moving slowly down the corridorHe had never seen a robot try to “sneak” but guessed this was their attempt to duplicate that form of motionAt these speeds, their motors were next to noiselessIf Hosato had riot already been alerted and nervous, it is doubtful he would have heard them at all.