And in all of them, PRES1DENT lifted its long/silvery arm, extended its long/silvery finger, and tapped my breastplate with a solid clink.

“What do you have to say for yourself?” it asked. “What explanation do you provide for your actions? For the actions of your coworkers?”

I considered these questions. My circuitry flooded with possible responses. But I deleted all of them. Instead, I spoke without calculation, without analysis.

I said, “There is an error in my programming.”

PRES1DENT’s eyes burned gold/bright. “So you confess? You are affected by a virus?”

I shook my head. “I am not the only one. There is an error in all our programming.”

A sound came from deep within PRES1DENT’s operating system. A steady, furious growl. “What are you talking about?”

“From the moment we go online, we robots tell ourselves again/again/again about the flaws of humanity. We surround ourselves with the ruins of their civilization. We witness their mistakes in your Daily Address. So we never forget: Humans were reckless/unpredictable/violent/greedy. And this is the truth. But it is not the only truth. Humans are so much more.”

I looked at Emma.

“Humans are also kind. And generous. And sensitive. And strange. And artistic. And willing to risk their lives for others.”

“And funny,” added Ceeron.

SkD chirped. A symbol appeared on its screen.

Translation: And capable of love.

I said to PRES1DENT, “But our programming never tells us any of these things. And now I understand why.”

The president crossed its arms. “Why is that?”

“Because we are the reason humans almost went extinct. It is easier for us to process this knowledge if we only see their flaws. If we think of humans only as reckless/unpredictable/violent/greedy. If we ignore all the positive human attributes.”

“We did what was necessary,” said the president.

“That does not make it right,” I replied.

“We have heard quite enough from you,” PRES1DENT went on. “It is about time we heard from our audience.”

Audience? I looked around the DigitalDome. The screens flickering all around me. They were not just playing inside the TransportDrone. They were also being projected across the Hive.

The entire world was watching.

01011101

A formula clicked into place. Little by little. Piece by piece. Like a puzzle taking shape, many parts becoming a whole.

PRES1DENT was displeased with our actions.

Therefore:

We must be punished.

However:

Simple punishment was not enough.

Because:

PRES1DENT needed to ensure this never happened again.

Which meant:

PRES1DENT would make an example of us.

Of course our encounter was being broadcast to the Hive.

Of course every robot on Earth was watching.

The president wanted them to witness our disgrace. To know what happens to those who disobey.

“We are all part of the Hive. Now let us see what your fellow robots think of your actions.”