She and Louis had been thrilled when three of the sentient Klikiss machines had volunteered to join them at Rheindic Co. The harmless Klikiss robots, though oblivious to human orders or plans, occasionally offered assistance in construction or exploration projects that interested them. These three wanted to participate in investigating their lost civilization, professing equal curiosity to solve the mystery of their vanished creators.

And to learn why they could remember nothing.

Only a few thousand of the machines remained, scattered and shut down during the last days of the vanished civilization and now awakened from their slumber. Unfortunately, every one of their memory cores had been wiped clean of all data that could provide clues to the fate of the alien race.

Beside her, Louis made an approving sound as the robots assembled the shed in record time. With glowing red optical sensors mounted at various places in their geometrically shaped headplates and numerous segmented limbs that sprouted from their armored carbon-fiber shells, the Klikiss robots were proficient laborers—powerful, yet capable of delicate manipulations.

Beneath the robots’ main body core, a spherical abdomen was mounted like a trackball at the waist, from which sprouted eight flexible legs like bent millipedes, four on each side. The strange method of locomotion allowed the robots to scuttle over any kind of terrain.

Sirix, the ostensible leader, moved forward. “The assigned labor has been finished, Margaret Colicos. Your camp is prepared.” Sirix drew his six main manipulator limbs back into his body core and closed the openings with protective plates.

Over by the drilling apparatus, Arcas let out a shout as a geyser of cool, clear water sprayed upward. The shower ran over DD’s silvery metal skin.

The priest came to stand near Margaret, his smooth green skin glistening from the spray. “Chemical analysis shows it’s pure drinking water.” He licked his lips. “And it tastes delicious.” Margaret was glad to see the quiet man so excited. Thus far, Arcas had not seemed enthusiastic about being here with two archaeologists, but he had volunteered for the job. “Now that I have water, I can plant my twenty treelings. Enough to make a respectable grove here on this desert world.”

“Go ahead and plant them,” Louis said. They would eventually need the telink ability to send regular reports back to the Hansa.

“DD, would you help him, please?” Margaret said. She had hoped DD would be able to interact with the Klikiss robots, but so far the little compy seemed intimidated by the giant ancient machines. She decided not to rush things.

The compy hurried over like an eager child. “I have never planted treelings before, but I am glad I can assist. Arcas and I are sure to become great friends.” The green priest looked a bit uncertain about the idea, but accepted the offer of help with good grace.

“He’s a Friendly model,” Louis said. “Don’t let his enthusiasm bother you. It’s just his way.”

As Arcas and DD dug holes for the potted treelings behind the green priest’s tent, the three Klikiss robots stood motionless, like mechanical statues, staring at the orange-colored sky as it faded into dusk.