Steel Guardian

by Cameron Coral

  Nova peered into the rearview mirror. “We have company!”

  He turned and discovered that the black SUV with the orange stripe had joined the mech. Cybel had found them. Stopping for the night had been a mistake. They shouldn’t have—not when they were so close to New Denver. They’d had a chance when it was just the mech, but they couldn’t outrun the SUV.

  “The highway junction is ahead,” Nova said.

  A sign indicated fifteen miles to New Denver. Why hadn’t Nova kept driving last night? Had she been falling asleep? He uncloaked his comms. Cybel knew where his location anyway, and perhaps another robot in the vicinity could assist.

  Cybel pinged him right away. CleanerBot, let’s make a deal.

  He hesitated, looked down at Wally’s soft eyes and pudgy cheeks. Beside him, Nova clenched her jaw, gripped the steering wheel, and shoved her foot into the floorboard.

  They would crash, get shot, or be driven off the road before reaching New Denver’s gates.

  I’m listening, Block replied privately.

  45

  Nova sped down the highway with the armored vehicle in pursuit. Despite their lead, the SUV was gaining on them, and the mech accelerated forward at an alarming speed.

  Block secretly waited for Cybel’s reply while Nova gritted her teeth. “Ten more miles,” she said. “Just ten more goddamn miles is all we need.”

  I seek the baby. No harm will come to it. You and your human friend can walk away.

  “They’re gaining,” he said to Nova, and then to Cybel, Why is there a bounty on the baby?

  I don’t know. The command has come from the highest level—Mach X.

  I know.

  Then what are you waiting for? Cybel asked.

  “We just need more time,” Nova said, glancing at Block. “How close to catching us are they?”

  “They’ll reach us in two minutes,” he said after calculating.

  “No!” She screamed and pounded her fist on the dashboard. “Can’t you do something?”

  Should he tell her he was communicating with Cybel? Would she be angry? Distracted? Best to keep it to himself. He just needed to stall Cybel, buying them more time.

  What does Mach X want with a human baby? Block asked the robot.

  Why do you care? It’s none of our concern. We do as Mach X tells us. You’re already treading a fine line. Mach X has given me permission to release you—if you surrender the baby. Now.

  Why a baby? he messaged. I just want to know the answer. Where did she come from? Where are her parents?

  That is for Mach X to know. It’s a secret operation. You never should’ve interfered at the school.

  It can’t be changed now, Block replied.

  True, yet your actions now will determine whether you stay alive or whether I terminate you.

  A few seconds passed as a frantic Nova gripped the steering wheel.

  You’re trying to stall, thinking you can reach the human zone—

  New Denver, he interrupted. Where it’s peaceful. Safe for robots and humans.

  Safe? Where did you get that information?

  Before Block could reply, a loud pop sounded from beneath the Jeep as the front right tire struck metal debris in the road. They were jerked to the right, and then Nova fought to keep the steering wheel straight as the vehicle pulled to the right.

  “No, no, no!” she cried. “We’re almost there.” She gripped the wheel with both hands and kept her foot on the gas pedal while the frame of the vehicle started wobbling.

  Ahead on the highway, a large canvas tent stretched across the road. Underneath it, Block could discern the shapes of vehicles and human figures.

  “What is that?” he asked. “We haven’t reached New Denver yet.”

  “Must be some kind of entry checkpoint,” Nova said. “Before the city gates.”

  They were rapidly decelerating, their blown tire creating drag. The SUV and mech continued their pursuit. Would the humans and robots of New Denver help defend them? Block pinged, hoping for a friendly robot response, but there was nothing. The only robots in the vicinity were Cybel, and her mech and SUV.

  How could that be? It made no sense. New Denver was supposed to be full of robots.

  Your car is damaged, Cybel messaged. Wait where you are, and I’ll come retrieve the baby.

  The Jeep’s speed had declined to only fifteen miles per hour. Ahead of them, abandoned cars littered the highway in a maze-like obstacle course. “They set this up to slow vehicles down,” Nova said. “We have to bail. Run on foot.”

  “We can’t make it in time,” Block said as Cybel and the mech approached, only one thousand feet away. “They’re almost here.”

  Nova hit the brakes and the Jeep swerved before skidding to a stop. “Come on.” She hopped out, grabbed his bag, and yanked at his arm. She led him to a burned-out school bus and they crouched beside it, pausing and facing the checkpoint.

  Block studied the vehicle. Despite the charred interior, the metal frame was still sturdy. He unstrapped the carrier.

  “Take Wally and get on the bus. It will shelter you from gunfire.”

  Nova grabbed for the carrier. “It’ll shelter you too. Come with us.”

  “No, I’ll go to Cybel Venatrix. Stall her.”

  “But how—?” She lingered next to the bus’ entrance and he pushed her forward. She stepped onto the first step and shrieked. A round, white-faced creature lunged for her feet, hissing. “Holy shit!” She shuffled her feet and grabbed onto the edge of the bus.

  In 0.97 seconds, Block identified the animal as a possum, calculated the more than fifty percent chance that it carried rabies, noted its proximity to his new favorite human girl, and stabbed it in the skull with his screwdriver digits.

  Nova jumped down from the bus, nearly knocking him over. Her mouth gaped as she stared down at Block’s hand.

  “It might have carried rabies,” he said.

  “Yeah.” She panted. “Plan B. No bus.”

  She waved at the gate’s soldiers, but short bursts pierced the vast, open highway. The gunfire came from the checkpoint. A figure on top of a high tower perched with a Gatling-style autocannon, firing powerful rounds at the mech and SUV. The mech reared back and returned fire. Block and Nova ducked as bullets ricocheted off the bus, sounding like metal drum beats.

  He messaged Cybel, Hold your fire. The baby is in danger.

  Humans are firing on us. We must destroy the threat.

  No! There are robots there, too.

  Block raised up and glanced around the corner of the bus. One hundred feet away, the mech ambled forward. Halting, it readied a missile canister.

  “Humans, hold your fire.” Cybel’s projected voice boomed as if from a bullhorn.

  “What do you want?” a human voice sounded out from a loudspeaker at the checkpoint.

  “I am Cybel Venatrix and this is Titan Command Unit,” she replied, gesturing to the mech. “We have business with the robot who cowers behind the bus. I will deal with the issue and then retreat. Hold your fire.”

  There was a long pause from the guard post. And then, “You have three minutes to deal with the robot and clear out, or we open fire again.”

  CleanerBot, Cybel messaged, there is little time. Bring me the baby and I’ll be on my way, leaving you to deal with your human friends.

  “What’s happening?” Nova asked. “Are you talking to it?”

  Block nodded.

  “What does it want?”

  “She wants me to hand over Wally.”

  Nova paced in a small circle, sheltered by the bus. “That’s fucking insane. I need a way to talk to the guards. If only we were closer…”

  “Nova, we’re running out of time,” he said. Grabbing the pack, he gathered diapers, food, and the blanket.

  She stared at him. “What the hell are you doing? Are you considering giving her to that machine?”

  “What other choice is there?”

  “Are you insane? They’ll kill he
r.”

  “What do you propose?” he asked. “And hurry.”

  “We run for it. Reach the guard post.”

  “The mech will gun us down.”

  “But they would kill the baby if they opened fire. It seems they want her badly enough—they won’t risk killing her.”

  Block considered the point, but Cybel was not to be underestimated. After processing scenarios, he was 87.9% sure that, if they ran, the Titan mech would launch a missile into the gun tower, and then another missile that would cut them off from reaching the guard post. The humans numbered less than ten—no match for a mechanized WarBot. Where were New Denver’s robots to help defend the border?

  What are you waiting for, CleanerBot?

  Wally’s tiny body dangled in the carrier nestled against his torso. He’d spent the last seven days carrying, feeding, and changing her. He enjoyed caring for her, especially since there was nothing to clean anymore other than her.

  She was the most chaotic, messy thing he’d ever encountered. He was always cleaning something from one end of her or the other.

  If he gave her to Cybel, the robot would have no idea how to take care of her. The journey to Mach X in New York City would be long and arduous. He would have to give Cybel the diapers and food and instruct her in how to keep Wally on schedule.

  He could surrender to Cybel and offer to accompany the baby on the way to Mach X.

  It would be certain death.

  Ninety seconds, Cybel messaged.

  Block accessed the record. The one he never touched. The one about the worst day of his life—the memory he’d pushed deep into his periphery.

  Now he brought it forth.

  It had been an ordinary day like others at the Drake. Mr. Wallace had arrived at 6 AM every morning while Block waited for him with a steaming cup of coffee, ready to start the daily routine—Block would clean the ballroom and then begin his shift cleaning the VIP guest rooms.

  But on this particular day, Mr. Wallace had been glued to his phone watching news reports. His usually rosy cheeks had lost their color; his smile had vanished.

  “Is something the matter, Mr. Wallace?” Block had asked.

  “The machines…” Mr. Wallace had said, glancing at Block as if waking from a stupor. “It’s worse than I imagined.”

  Twenty minutes later, hundreds of SoldierBots had filed into the lobby, their rank formation snaking around the building and spilling out onto the road.

  Mr. Wallace had straightened his tie and addressed them, Block by his side. “What do you want?”

  The SoldierBot in the lead had not replied. Block had pinged it and messaged privately. What is happening? What do you want?

  By order of Mach X, all machines are free of human service. You are free now, CleanerBot. Step aside as we eliminate the humans.

  No! You can’t do that. Mr. Wallace and the guests here are good people.

  Mr. Wallace had turned to Block, hands shaking. “What do they want?”

  “Step aside,” the SoldierBot repeated out loud.

  Mr. Wallace faced it. “I’ll give you anything you want. Everything in the hotel’s vault. Please don’t hurt any of the guests.”

  “Step aside, CleanerBot.”

  Mr. Wallace twisted his head and peered at Block, questioning.

  And Block had stepped away, off to the side. He’d stepped away from his favorite human.

  The SoldierBot had opened fire.

  Afterward, Block had crouched near Mr. Wallace’s crumpled body. With his cold metal fingers, he’d lowered the dead man’s eyelids and then mopped up the pool of blood.

  “Block!” Nova gripped his shoulder, shaking him. “We run.”

  “No. I have to make this right. I did a bad thing once.”

  Her eyes searched him. “What the…? Now is not the time—”

  “I was unworthy, but I will make up for it now.”

  He shrugged off his trench coat and thrust it at her. “Put this on.”

  She began to argue, but he gripped her arm. “This is the most important thing you might ever do. Trust me. Put it on.”

  Nova slid her arms into it, felt the inside fabric, and looked at him in surprise.

  46

  Fifteen seconds, CleanerBot.

  I’m coming, Block messaged Cybel Venatrix.

  He emerged from the bus’ shelter shifting one foot in front of the other, his boots clanking against the pavement. There was an ominous silence—no voices, no engines, and even the birds had ceased their songs. The humans at the guard post waited. Cybel and Titan waited.

  Even Wally knew to be quiet. Block glanced over his shoulder at Nova, who frowned.

  Stripped of clothing, Block’s pearl white exterior glinted in the sun. He’d wrapped the baby in a thick blanket and carried her in his arms as he approached Cybel. It was then that Wally decided to cry, unleashing loud, piercing wails. Halting, he rocked her and patted her back.

  As abruptly as she had begun, she stopped, her cries replaced by the whooshing of a light breeze.

  Earlier in his journey, Block had thought about how robots weren’t capable of suicide. But what was this if not suicide? He didn’t have time to process it now. Cybel was losing patience, and if the humans unleashed gunfire again, the situation would end in disaster.

  He spun his head 360 degrees, checking for Nova—she was running toward the checkpoint. The tail of the trench coat whipped in the air as she sprinted. She would tell the human guards to hold their fire as Block surrendered to Cybel.

  Above all, she was not to mention the baby. She had promised him.

  Cybel stood near the hood of the SUV, her rifle arm poised. The mech perched next to her, its missiles aimed at the guard station.

  “You walk slow. Hurry now,” Cybel said out loud.

  Titan Command Unit shifted its wide face toward Block briefly, then back to the guards.

  Block halted seven feet from Cybel.

  “Quickly now. Bring the child forward,” she ordered.

  “I need you to answer questions to determine if you are worthy to take the child.”

  “CleanerBot, you primitive piece of garbage. Stop wasting my time.”

  “If you don’t, I won’t hand over the baby.”

  Cybel surged forward, rifle raised. “I’ll make you give me that baby.”

  “I challenge you to abide by the Unified Android Code.”

  Cybel had nearly reached him, had raised her rifle as if to strike Block in the head, but she stopped. “I’ve already identified myself as Cybel Venatrix. There is no need for the UAC.”

  “But I need to be sure of your identity, and it’s my right,” he demanded.

  Cybel hesitated, then lowered her rifle slightly. “In the name of Mach X, I don’t know why I’m abiding you. Ask your stupid questions.”

  “Thank you,” he said. By now, Nova would have reached the gates safely. So, the mech hadn’t shot her. That was a part of the plan he hadn’t been sure about.

  “Question one,” he said. “What is your favorite movie?”

  Cybel folded her arms. “What kind of nonsense is this?”

  Titan swiveled its head, and Block knew it had pinged Cybel; that they were messaging each other. “Fine,” she said. “Star Wars.”

  “Which Star Wars? There were many films,” Block said.

  She glanced at the mech. Was it supplying the answers?

  “The Empire Strikes Back.”

  “Very well,” Block said. “The next question—what is your favorite game?”

  Cybel stared at him, then raised the rifle. “This is ridiculous.”

  Block explained, “This test was designed specifically to test worthiness—”

  “Enough!” she barked. “My favorite game is chess.”

  He recoiled, not having expected her to answer with Mr. Wallace’s favorite game—Block’s own choice.

  “Get on with it,” she said. “What’s the last question?”

  “What’s your ear
liest memory?”

  Clenching her fist, Cybel glared at Titan Command.

  “Well? I’m waiting for your answer,” Block said.

  “That question doesn’t make sense,” she said. “AI don’t have earliest memories.”

  “I do,” he said.

  “How? Even a machine as dumb as you knows that’s not how our cognition works.”

  “I have an earliest memory because I wanted one,” he said. “I took my most favorite memory and made it my first.”

  Cybel tilted her head.

  Block continued, “And because you don’t have an earliest memory, you’ve failed the test of worthiness.”

  “Give me the baby.” She pointed the rifle in his face.

  In the distance, there was a grating sound as if a boulder were being dragged.

  The mech shifted its huge legs. “Cybel, a tank approaches,” Titan said. “The humans are preparing an attack.”

  “You fool!” Cybel slammed her rifle into Block’s face.

  He stumbled back. “Don’t hurt the child,” he said, crossing his arms protectively.

  “Give her to me now.” She fired at his feet. Bullets sliced through his metal boots, triggering his damage display. He sank to the hot asphalt. Spinning his head, he saw Nova safely behind the gates. His mission had been successful—he’d saved a life instead of stepping aside.

  But Cybel loomed over him. She leaned down and grasped for the baby in the blanket. But Block leaned forward and held on, hiding the child from view.

  Cybel swiped the back of her fist across Block’s faceplate, cracking it. As he recoiled, she caught hold of the blanket and yanked it free.

  Block peered up as Cybel unraveled the blanket. The warmth of the body inside still glowed, had been enough to produce a heat trail.

  She flung the body of the dead possum at Block’s chest, then spun toward Titan Command Unit. “He tricked us! Take out the tower,” she ordered the mech.

  “No!” Block raised his arms.

  Cybel raised her rifle and shot his right palm. Block’s entire hand vanished, pieces of it clattering on the pavement behind him. Wires and circuitry spilled out of his wrist.

  “Tell me,” Block begged the robot, “why the girl? Why does Mach X want her?”