Emma took small cautious steps. She raised one arm. Slowly/Slowly/Slowly. The deer did not startle. It remained where it was standing. Its head shifted –7 degrees. Its big black eyes never left Emma.

I expected the deer to flee. But the animal seemed just as curious about Emma as she was about it. It had never seen a human before. In the deer’s eyes, Emma was a brand-new species. Until a moment ago, it had been totally unaware that humans still existed on this planet.

I could relate.

When she was close enough, Emma stretched out her arm and gently stroked the deer’s neck. Her fingers grazed its fur.

This was something I had not expected. According to my calculations, the chances of this happening were extremely unlikely. Emma had surprised me.

It was not the first time.

It would not be the last.

After another moment passed, the animal took a step back. So did the human. They held eye contact for another 1.4 seconds. Then the deer turned. And with impressive speed/grace/strength, it bolted into the woods.

We listened as the sounds of its movements faded away.

Emma turned. I tried to analyze the emotions in her face, but there were too many.

01001011

We were still trudging along the edge of the highway when an update flashed across the Hive. A video projected across the inside of my mind in perfect resolution. A LiveStream showing a tall/slender robot with brushed platinum skin and glowing golden eyes. I recognized it immediately.

PRES1DENT.

Another Daily Address. At first, that is what I assumed we were seeing. But as soon as PRES1DENT began speaking, I realized how wrong I was. There was a completely different purpose behind this message.

And it was about to make our lives much more difficult.

“This is a warning to each and everyone.” PRES1DENT’s voice was a clear/steady electronic purr. “Insurgent robots have abandoned their duties, their FamilyUnits, and their purpose. They infiltrated a TrainDepot and damaged a shipping container.”

My balance settings lurched, knocked off course by a realization.

PRES1DENT was speaking about us.

“These insurgents have broken protocol to give aid to an unidentified LifeForm,” it said.

Emma. The Hive knew about her. But they did not know everything. They did not know that she was a human.

Not yet, anyway.

These thoughts evaporated under the heat of PRES1DENT’s words.

“They were last spotted by a security camera at TrainDepot_ 53017. Their names are the following.”

The video feed switched. The view of PRES1DENT vanished. And in its place was a text display:

XR_935

SkD_988

Ceeron_902

The Hive President reappeared in the video feed, speaking in the same clear electronic tone.

“A computer virus may be affecting their operating systems. They are considered unpredictable, irrational, and highly dangerous. A search is underway for these three robots. If you come into contact with them, inform the Hive immediately.”