Robot Company

LOCATION: Aboard The Mighty Sparrow (Airlock)

The airlock cycled with a heavy thud. Phoenix stood behind the pilot’s chair, his laser cutter humming at a low idle. He kept it behind his back. The cockpit was dim, lit only by the amber glow of the fuel warnings and the flickering holographic dashboard.

The inner door hissed open.

HAK Recovery Unit Nine stepped onto the bridge, glided onto it.

It was shaped like a man, but that was where the similarity ended. Its skin was a matte, synthetic gold. It wore a high-collared black bodysuit that looked like it was poured onto the chassis.

It looked around the rusted, wire-strewn cockpit of The Mighty Sparrow with a microscopic tilt of its head.

-Atmospheric quality is suboptimal, Unit Nine said. Micro-particulate count exceeds healthy parameters for biological lungs.

-We like the grit, Phoenix said, leaning against the console. Keeps the immune system guessing.

Unit Nine stepped forward. It moved with a fluid, terrifying grace, skipping Phoenix to look at the dashboard that contained the main on-board computer, the one that had been patched in with the black box to foll Captain Delavan and shake the MTC threat in the Halo.

-This is the Old Earth unit? Unit Nine asked.

-That’s it, Phoenix said. -Be gentle. She’s temperamental.

Unit Nine extended a hand. A data-spike slid out of its index finger, gleaming like a surgical needle.

-The subject, Market, claims this unit holds a unique bio-metric key, Unit Nine said, approaching the console. We will verify.

Phoenix tensed. The moment that spike touched the dashboard, the HAK unit would know the truth: The Sparrow was just a junker. There was no key. There was no bio-lock. Market had lied to bring them here.

-Wait, Phoenix said.

Unit Nine paused, the spike hovering an inch from the port.

-Before you plug in, Phoenix said. I want to see the hostage. Proof of life.

Unit Nine turned toward Phoenix.

-The subject is secure on my vessel. Once the handshake is complete, he will be transferred, the unit said, the spike circling the port.

-No transfer, no handshake, Phoenix said.

-Your leverage is non-existent, Captain.

Unit Nine thrust the spike into the console.

The on-board computer screamed, a blast of static through the cockpit speakers. The screens flashed red.

-UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS, the computer blared. FOREIGN CODE DETECTED.

Unit Nine stood frozen for a second, processing the data stream. Then, it pulled the spike out. It turned to Phoenix slowly. The polite mask didn't change, but the voice dropped an octave.

-Deception detected. This console contains standard navigation protocols. There is no encryption key.

-Yeah, Phoenix said, bringing the laser cutter out from behind his back. Market’s a liar. It’s one of his best qualities.

Phoenix lunged. He swung the laser cutter in a wide arc, aiming for the android’s neck.

Unit Nine moved fast, catching Phoenix’s wrist mid-swing like a hydraulic clamp. Phoenix gasped as he felt his bones creak.

-Violence is inefficient, Unit Nine stated.

It twisted Phoenix’s arm, forcing him to drop the cutter. Then it backhanded him across the chest. Phoenix flew backward, crashing into the co-pilot’s seat. The wind left him.

Unit Nine stepped toward him.

-The subject lied. Therefore, the subject is delaying. Therefore, this vessel is irrelevant.

The android raised a hand, the data-spike extending into a six-inch blade.

-Eliminating witness.

-CAUTION, a deep voice buzzed from the shadows.

Unit Nine turned.

Hap unfolded from the alcove behind the air scrubber. The massive orange loader-bot filled the cramped cockpit.

-UNSAFE INTERACTION DETECTED, Hap buzzed.

Unit Nine scanned the giant machine.

-Model HA-1. Heavy Loader. Obsolete. Combat rating: Zero.

Unit Nine lunged at the giant, aiming the spike for Hap’s sensor strip.

But Hap wasn't built for combat. Hap was built to lift two tons of iron ore and not let go.

Hap caught Unit Nine in mid-air. The big hydraulic clamps slammed shut around the golden android’s waist.

-HUGGING PROTOCOL INITIATED, the android announced.

Unit Nine thrashed, its limbs blurring with speed. It stabbed the spike into Hap’s arm, severing hydraulic lines. Black fluid sprayed across the cockpit.

-Squeeze him, Hap! Phoenix wheezed, clutching his chest.

Hap’s servos whined. The pressure mounted. CRUNCH.

The perfect golden chassis of Unit Nine began to buckle. The matte black bodysuit tore. Sparks showered from the android’s waist.

-Release! Unit Nine commanded, its voice glitching.

Hap slammed the golden android into the bulkhead. BANG. Then again. BANG.

Unit Nine went limp, its black eyes flickering.

Hap dropped the broken machine onto the deck. It landed in a heap of twitching limbs.

-COMPLIANCE ACHIEVED, Hap buzzed.

Phoenix groaned, pulling himself up. He spat blood onto the deck.

-Good boy, he coughed.

The vent cover popped open. Bit dropped down, his eyes wide. He looked at the sparking wreck of the HAK unit.

-Is it dead? Bit whispered.

Phoenix limp-walked over to the android. He picked up his laser cutter.

-It’s a machine, kid. It’s just broken.

He knelt beside Unit Nine. The android’s head was still twitching. The comms link in its neck was blinking blue. It was still transmitting to the stealth ship outside.

Phoenix grinned.

-But the link is still open.

He looked out the viewport at the sleek black ship floating next to them.

-Bit, get the umbilical. We’re going to plug this gold-plated bastard into the Sparrow’s comms array.

-Why? Bit asked.

-Because that stealth ship thinks its pilot is still alive, Phoenix said. We’re going to use Unit Nine’s clearance code to open the front door with Hap.

He looked at the HAK ship.

-We’re going to steal it.