With these words, the video feed vanished. The screens went white. But they did not remain that way for long. Less than a second later, the first words took shape.

THEY HAVE BETRAYED THEIR OWN KIND

This text scrolled across the digital wall in giant bold font. As I read it, my memory drive replayed what PRES1DENT had just said.

It is about time we heard from our audience.

All of robot society was watching. But this was a two-way communication. Now they also had the chance to speak their minds. The judgments of my fellow robots poured in. Every screen was filled with their disapproval/anger/accusations.

punish them the human is a bad influence robots unite against humanity they are traitors kill the human stop the insurgent robots thank you for showing us their betrayal humanity is a virus xr_935 lies—just like a human these robots have been corrupted destroy them all they must pay for their wrongdoing never forget the flaws of humanity better off without humans these robots are a scar on our civilization THEY ARE A DISGRACE TO ALL OF ROBOTKIND

Everywhere I looked, I saw contempt. Everywhere I looked, I saw rage.

What did my FamilyUnit think? They must be watching. But did they agree with the comments? Did they want to see us pay for our betrayal?

I wondered if I would ever receive answers to these questions. If I would see my FamilyUnit again. If they even wanted to see me again.

“I think we all get the idea,” PRES1DENT said.

The screens blinked. The stream of words vanished. The DigitalDome returned to normal. Every screen showing the scene taking place here/now.

PRES1DENT pointed to Emma. “This is all her fault. The human has corrupted XR_935 and its coworkers. She has led them astray, turned them against their own kind. If we let her live, she will do the same to all of us.”

Its voice was projected across the Hive, into the minds of millions of robots.

“There is only one logical solution.” PRES1DENT stepped toward Emma. “The human must be eliminated.”

01011110

A robot rarely disobeys. When it happens, it is usually because of a mistake in our assembly. An error that sneaks its way into our programming.

Or a paradox that appears in the middle of an ordinary day.

As I said: Disobedience does not happen often. And when a robot strays from the rules, a standard protocol goes into effect.

Step[1]: Alert the Hive.

Step[2]: Send the EnforcementBots.

An EnforcementBot is shaped like an oversized brick. Gray, with blocky arms/legs. A pair of dull black eyes staring out of its rectangular head.

EnforcementBots are not fast/fierce like HunterBots. They are slow/steady/relentless. They never give up. Never lose sight of their goal: to capture the robot that has broken the rules.

I had never seen an EnforcementBot before.

But that was about to change.