by Peter Brown
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.
Copyright © 2018 by Peter Brown
Cover art copyright © 2018 by Peter Brown. Cover design by David Caplan.
Cover copyright © 2018 by Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Hachette Book Group supports the right to free expression and the value of copyright. The purpose of copyright is to encourage writers and artists to produce the creative works that enrich our culture.
The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book without permission is a theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like permission to use material from the book (other than for review purposes), please contact [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Brown, Peter, 1979– author, illustrator.
Title: The wild robot escapes / words and pictures by Peter Brown.
Description: First edition. | Boston : Little, Brown and Company, 2018. | Sequel to: The wild robot. | Summary: After being captured by the RECOs and returned to civilization for reprogramming, Roz is sent to Hilltop Farm, where she befriends her owner’s family and animals, but pines for her son, Brightbill.
Identifiers: LCCN 2017044074| ISBN 9780316382045 (hardcover) | ISBN 9780316475181 (ebook) | ISBN 9780316510288 (library edition ebook)
Subjects: | CYAC: Robots—Fiction. | Farm life—Fiction. | Domestic animals—Fiction. | Science fiction. | BISAC: JUVENILE FICTION / Robots. | JUVENILE FICTION / Science Fiction. | JUVENILE FICTION / Animals / General. | JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / General. | JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / Survival Stories.
Classification: LCC PZ7.B81668 Wk 2018 | DDC [Fic]—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2017044074
ISBNs: 978-0-316-38204-5 (hardcover), 978-0-316-47518-1 (ebook)
E3-20180205-JV-PC
Contents
COVER
TITLE PAGE
COPYRIGHT
DEDICATION
CHAPTER 1: THE CITY
CHAPTER 2: THE CRATE
CHAPTER 3: THE ROBOT
CHAPTER 4: THE FAMILY
CHAPTER 5: THE FARM
CHAPTER 6: THE MONSTER
CHAPTER 7: THE ROBOT’S STORY
CHAPTER 8: THE COMPUTER
CHAPTER 9: THE FIRST DAY
CHAPTER 10: THE ROUTINE
CHAPTER 11: THE STRAGGLERS
CHAPTER 12: THE HOMESICK ROBOT
CHAPTER 13: THE ELECTRONIC SIGNAL
CHAPTER 14: THE SAD TRUTH
CHAPTER 15: THE CHILDREN
CHAPTER 16: THE ROBOT’S DREAM
CHAPTER 17: THE BIRDS
CHAPTER 18: THE ENTERTAINING ROBOT
CHAPTER 19: THE STORYTELLERS
CHAPTER 20: THE WILD ANIMALS
CHAPTER 21: THE HOWL
CHAPTER 22: THE WOLVES
CHAPTER 23: THE RIFLE
CHAPTER 24: THE BLUFF
CHAPTER 25: THE SUMMER
CHAPTER 26: THE TORNADO
CHAPTER 27: THE BROKEN ROBOT
CHAPTER 28: THE SHOP
CHAPTER 29: THE AFTERMATH
CHAPTER 30: THE GIFT
CHAPTER 31: THE CAMPFIRE
CHAPTER 32: THE OLD BARN
CHAPTER 33: THE AUTUMN
CHAPTER 34: THE DELIGHTED GEESE
CHAPTER 35: THE MEMORIES
CHAPTER 36: THE UNUSUAL FLOCK
CHAPTER 37: THE REUNION
CHAPTER 38: THE TRUTH
CHAPTER 39: THE ALLIES
CHAPTER 40: THE INSTINCTS
CHAPTER 41: THE WINTER
CHAPTER 42: THE PLAN
CHAPTER 43: THE OPERATION
CHAPTER 44: THE PATIENT ROBOT
CHAPTER 45: THE BARN CONVERSATIONS
CHAPTER 46: THE SPRING
CHAPTER 47: THE DINNER
CHAPTER 48: THE RETURN
CHAPTER 49: THE GOOD-BYES
CHAPTER 50: THE FREE ROBOT
CHAPTER 51: THE AIRSHIP
CHAPTER 52: THE SCOUT
CHAPTER 53: THE FARM COUNTRY
CHAPTER 54: THE MOUNTAINS
CHAPTER 55: THE ATTACK
CHAPTER 56: THE TORCH
CHAPTER 57: THE STONES
CHAPTER 58: THE CABIN
CHAPTER 59: THE STRANGE WILDERNESS
CHAPTER 60: THE HUNTERS
CHAPTER 61: THE GUIDE
CHAPTER 62: THE SHOWDOWN
CHAPTER 63: THE ROWBOAT
CHAPTER 64: THE SEA CREATURE
CHAPTER 65: THE WHALE
CHAPTER 66: THE NEW LAND
CHAPTER 67: THE TOWN
CHAPTER 68: THE STATION
CHAPTER 69: THE TRAIN
CHAPTER 70: THE MARCH THROUGH THE CITY
CHAPTER 71: THE OBSERVATIONS
CHAPTER 72: THE POLICE
CHAPTER 73: THE PIGEONS
CHAPTER 74: THE SKY
CHAPTER 75: THE RECOS
CHAPTER 76: THE MORNING
CHAPTER 77: THE UNDERGROUND
CHAPTER 78: THE CHASE
CHAPTER 79: THE DESIGNER
CHAPTER 80: THE BEAUTIFUL GLITCH
CHAPTER 81: THE MELTDOWN
CHAPTER 82: THE SECRET
CHAPTER 83: THE NEW ROBOT
CHAPTER 84: THE NEW MOTHER
CHAPTER 85: THE GUESTS
CHAPTER 86: THE FLIGHT
CHAPTER 87: THE HOMECOMING
CHAPTER 88: THE FINAL FAREWELL
CHAPTER 89: THE DEPARTURE
CHAPTER 90: THE ISLAND
THE EPILOGUE
A NOTE ABOUT THE STORY
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
PRAISE FOR THE WILD ROBOT
To the wild places of the future
CHAPTER 1
THE CITY
Our story begins in a city, with buildings and streets and bridges and parks. Humans were strolling, automobiles were driving, airships were flying, robots were hard at work.
Weaving through the city streets was a delivery truck. The truck knew where to go, and how to get there, all by itself. It pulled up to a construction site and automatically unloaded some crates. A few more turns and it unloaded more crates down at the docks. The truck
zigged
and
zagged
across the city, delivering crates as it went, and then it merged onto a highway.
Cars and buses and trucks were cruising along the highway together. But as the delivery truck continued, the traffic became lighter, the buildings became smaller, and the landscape became greener.
With nothing but open road ahead, the truck accelerated to its top speed. The landscape outside was now just a green blur, occasionally broken by a flicker of gray as a town flew past. On and on the delivery truck went, racing over long bridges, shooting through mountain tunnels, gliding down straight stretches of highway, until it started to slow. It drifted from the fast lane to the exit lane, and then it rolled down a ramp and into farm country.
Clouds of dust billowed up behind the truck as it drove past fields and fences. In the hazy distance, enormous barns loomed above the plains. The air was thick with the smells of soil and livestock. Robot crews methodically worked the crops and fed the animals and operated the massive farm machines.
A hill gradually climbed into view. The hill was crowned with trees and white buildings. Another farm. But this one was smaller and shabbier than the rest. Out front was a crooked sign that read Hilltop Farm.
Wheels crunched on gravel as the delivery truck rolled onto the driveway and up to the top of the hill. It stopped beside the front porch of the farmhouse and dropped its last crate to the ground. Then the truck drove away.
Reader, can you guess what was tightly packed inside that crate? If you guessed a robot, you’re correct. But this was no ordinary robot. It was ROZZUM unit 7134. You might remember her old life on a remote, wild island. Well, Roz’s new life was just about to begin.
CHAPTER 2
THE CRATE
Woof! Woof! Woof!
Inside the farmhouse, a dog was barking and scraping at the front door. When the door finally opened, the dog scurried out and bounced down the porch steps. And then a man appeared.
The man walked with a limp, and slowly made his way down to the crate, where his dog was sniffing around. He unlatched the top of the crate and it swung open on its hinges. Packing foam was tossed aside, restraining cords were unfastened, and there was ROZZUM unit 7134. Her lifeless body sparkled in the late-day sun.
The man reached down and pressed an important little button on the back of the robot’s head.
Click.
CHAPTER 3
THE ROBOT
The robot’s computer brain booted up and her programs began coming online. Then she automatically stood, stepped out of her crate, and started to speak.
“Hello, I am ROZZUM unit 7134, but you may call me Roz. While my robotic systems are activating, I will tell you about myself.
“Once fully activated, I will be able to move and communicate and learn. Simply give me a task and I will complete it. Over time, I will find better ways of completing my tasks. I will become a better robot. When I am not needed, I will stay out of the way and keep myself in good working order.
“Thank you for your time.
“I am now fully activated.”
CHAPTER 4
THE FAMILY
“Welcome to Hilltop Farm, Roz. My name is Mr. Shareef. You belong to me now.”
Roz studied the man with her softly glowing eyes and in a robotic voice she said, “Hello, Mr. Shareef.”
“This old fella here is Oscar.” Mr. Shareef scratched his dog’s head. “You won’t see much of him. Oscar spends most of his time sleeping in the house.”
“Hello, Oscar,” said the robot.
A goofy grin stretched across the dog’s face and he let out a happy yelp.
Mr. Shareef pulled a small computer from his pocket. He tapped the screen and brought up a map of Hilltop Farm. “There you are, Roz,” he said as the robot’s electronic signal appeared on the map. “You’ll be working all over this farm. And now that you’re in the system I can always see right where you are.”
“What would you like me to do?” said Roz.
“You can start by putting your crate in the garage over there. I’ll hold on to it, in case I ever have to send you back to the factory.”
Clearly, Roz was designed to take orders, because her body automatically did as it was told. She stuffed the packing materials into her crate and carried it into the garage.
When Roz returned, Mr. Shareef was watching a school bus winding along the country road. Oscar barked and dashed off as the bus came to a stop at the bottom of the driveway. A girl and a boy jumped out, and the bus drove on. In their matching school uniforms, the children looked almost identical. But the boy was a little taller, and the girl’s hair was a little longer. They meandered up the driveway and romped around with their dog until they noticed Roz.
“A robot!” said the girl, running up.
“It’s about time we got one,” said the boy.
“She’s refurbished,” said the man. “She’s the cheapest one I could find, but she’ll make a decent farmer.”
“What’s her name?” said the girl.
“She said her name’s Roz.”
“That’s just her starter name,” said the boy. “We can give her any name we want. Let’s call her… Farmbot!”
“I kind of like the name Roz,” said the girl.
“Me too,” said Mr. Shareef. “Let’s leave her name as it is. Roz, I’d like you to meet my daughter, Jaya, and my son, Jad.”
“Hello, Jaya and Jad,” said the robot.
The children looked at each other and smiled.
“Will Roz take orders from me?” asked Jad.
“What about me?” asked Jaya.
“She’ll take orders from both of you.”
“Roz, I order you to do my homework!” said Jaya.
“Don’t waste her time with nonsense!” Mr. Shareef grumbled. “Roz is here to do farmwork, not homework, understand?”
The children nodded.
“Now, I order you kids to bring the dog inside and do your own homework,” said Mr. Shareef. “I need to show Roz the farm.”
CHAPTER 5
THE FARM
Mr. Shareef turned and shouted, “Come here, Rambler!” A moment later, a pickup truck automatically rolled out from the garage. The truck pulled up to the man and the robot, its doors opened wide, and they both climbed in.
Rambler had a steering wheel, but Mr. Shareef sat back and let the truck drive itself. They followed the driveway behind the house, across the backyard, past trees and hedges, and suddenly they were surrounded by farm buildings. The buildings were different sizes and shapes, all white walls with gray roofs, and they were so tightly packed together that you could hardly tell where one building ended and the next one began. Some were spattered with mud. Others had holes and loose boards. The entire place smelled like grass and manure.
Mr. Shareef pointed out each building to Roz. There was the enormous dairy barn, the milking parlor, the workshop, the machine shed. Smaller sheds were scattered all around.
Rambler drove out from the buildings and down the back side of the hill into a wide sweep of farmland. A fence lined this part of the driveway, and behind the fence was a sprawling, rolling pasture, lush with tall grass and a few leafy trees, where a herd of cows was grazing. The cows swished their tails and chewed their cud and followed the truck with their eyes. One of them let out a long “Moooooo.”
“This is a dairy farm,” said Mr. Shareef, “so these cows are the queens around here. Your whole world now revolves around them. Understand?”
“I understand,” said Roz as she stared at a young calf who was staring right back at her.
They rolled past the herd of cows, past clumps of wildflowers, past a quiet pond, past birds and field mice and bumblebees. The driveway cut through a row of trees on its way out to the crop fields, which were flat and square and covered with bright green sprouts.
Hilltop Farm was bursting with life, but it had seen better days. Patches of weeds and bare dirt were spreading across the fields. Broken-down farm machines and piles of junk were strewn across the grounds. Thick tangles of brush were creeping in from the edges of the property.
They drove all the way out to the farthest fields, to a little roundabout at the very end of the driveway. Rambler shut off its engine, and the man and the robot sat and looked at the countryside.
Far off, where the land met the sky, a train quietly slid along its tracks and disappeared to the north. Then all was still.
“This farm needs help,” said Mr. Shareef at last. “It’s been in my family for generations and I don’t want to lose it. But I can’t do farmwork anymore, not with this bad leg. That’s why you’re here. They say ROZZUM robots can learn to do almost every kind of job. And you’ll have to do almost every kind of
job on this farm.”
“I understand,” said Roz.
“We’ve had automachines for ages,” Mr. Shareef went on, “but we didn’t need a robot until my wife died.”
Those last words hung in the air for a while.
The silence was finally broken by a low rumble of thunder. A storm was approaching. Tornado season was still months away—but in farm country any storm could become dangerous.
“Let’s go home,” said Mr. Shareef.
Rambler started its engine and drove back up the long driveway. By the time they reached the farm buildings, a steady rain was falling, and the cows were in the barn.
“This is for you,” said Mr. Shareef, and he handed Roz her own computer. “That controls the farm’s equipment, and it’s got all the information you’ll need to work here. Do you know how to use a computer?”
“Yes, I know how to use a computer.” Roz had never used a computer before, but she instinctively knew what to do. Clearly, the robot was designed to work with technology.
“Study up tonight, and start farming tomorrow,” said Mr. Shareef. “You can stay in the machine shed with the other machines.”
“Perhaps I should stay in the barn with the cows,” said Roz. “My whole world now revolves around them.”
The man smirked, and he said, “I like the way you think, Roz.”
CHAPTER 6
THE MONSTER
The cows were munching hay in their stalls when the big barn door slid open and a mechanical monster stomped in from the rain. The creature marched down the center aisle, her footsteps echoing through the cavernous space, until she found an empty corner. And there she stood, in the shadows, as a storm began to rage outside.
Everybody listened as the rain poured and the wind howled and the thunder cracked. By midnight, the storm had blown over, and there was only a gentle sprinkling on the roof. But the herd couldn’t rest with that monster lurking in the corner. Cows began quietly mooing to each other.
“What is the monster doing?”
“She hasn’t moved in hours.”
“I bet she’s waiting to eat us in our sleep!”
The cows gasped at this horrible thought. And then an old cow named Annabelle tried to calm down the herd. “Relax, everyone,” she said. “There were monsters like this at my last farm, and they never ate any cows. Come to think of it, they never ate anything at all.”