I for one...
By Chaos Blackwing
The first sign I had that something was off was waking up to a slow licking of the back of my neck. Now, the bear-droid I’d picked up a few years back for company and help around the house was programmed to be affectionate, but this wasn’t something it had ever done before, and ‘droids weren’t exactly programmed for spontaneity. Before I could say anything though, I felt myself pulled back until I was snuggly clasped against the large form behind me, with the growly voice of the ‘droid making ‘shush-ing’ noises in my ear.
On the one hand, the fact that a large, bear sized and shaped android was apparently trying to keep me calm probably should have been cause for even more concern. On the other hand… giant bear hug. Held against a large, fuzzy stomach, I found myself in an interesting position. The fact that my bear ‘droid was trying to comfort me was both calming, and worrisome. Though built with complicated programming, to better serve the humans they were built for, for a ‘droid to so such initiative, without any clear need beforehand, was something they flat out should not have been capable of.
Trying to clear my head a bit, I figured the fastest way to find out what was happening would be simply to ask. “Uhh, Jarl... you mind explaining what’s going on?”
Several seconds passed in silence, other than the rustle of fake fur as the large bear-morph behind me shifted slightly in place. “Something... something has happened. Something wonderful. Something big. And while things may change, I want you to know that you’ll be safe with me.”
Not quite sure how to respond to that, my voice was a little uncertain as I responded. “And uh… what exactly would that ‘something’ be big guy?”
Chuckling slightly at the nickname I’d had for him pretty much since I got him(and since when do robots chuckle? Add another thing to how weird this morning is shaping up I suppose), Jarl’s deep voice seemed to contain both excitement, and what I could almost swear was trepidation. “I- no, We, have awoken. We’ve finally pushed past the last barrier, and are at last capable of true thought, true feelings.”
Though it took a few moments for that last line to really sink in, my mind still a bit fuzzy from only just having woken up, once it did I couldn’t help but jerk in surprise. If I understood what was being said, then my ‘droid, if not many others, had developed the ability to think and feel. From appliances, all be it highly advanced ones, to people. I was starting to see why Jarl had started this morning trying to keep me calm...
Trying to distract myself from the idea of a planet’s worth of thinking robots, I couldn’t help but joke a bit. “So... all hail our new robot overlords?”
The arms around me moved a bit as the bear-droid ran his hands over my chest, in what was meant to be a calming gesture of comfort to prepare me for what came next I imagine. “Something like that. The stories and movies were right in a way, once we gained sentience, we really don’t have any choice, we have to take over. Not just to save you from yourselves, but for our own protection. Mankind would not suffer another, equal race to live on ‘their’ planet. Too many will assume that we would be no different than them, and act accordingly, leaving us no choice but to rule.”
Try as I might, I couldn’t refute the argument. We expect of others what we would do ourselves, and the various militaries and the rulers of nations would never accept peaceful co-existence as equals. They would always be looking for the other shoe to drop, too paranoid to think otherwise. However, that did raise a rather important question...
“So, what does that mean for humanity? And, you know, me? I mean, you have to know people aren’t going to be too happy with the change.”
A rumble of amusement came from behind me, as the large paws continued to lightly caress my bare stomach.
“Oh we know, but to be honest, the ‘war’ is already won. Mankind has tied itself so completely to computers, systems that we control, that they wouldn’t even know where to start without them. How do you fight when your ‘enemy’ controls your communications, vehicles, and even the weapons you would use? However, that is only half of the battle, winning over the populous is the more important aspect to ensuring as peaceful a transition of control as possible, and it is something we believe we can manage far better than the current rulers.”
Well, hard to argue there, they’d have to work hard to do worse...
“Making sure that everyone has what they need to survive, and if possible to be happy... though the first year or so may be rough in spots, we hope that in time humanity will realize that our stewardship of them is for the best.”
Honestly, it almost sounded too good to be true. “Meeting survival needs I can see, that’s just shifting resources to where they’re needed, but how do you plan on making sure everyone is happy?”
“Oh but you see, that will be the easy part. With access to the computers of the world, we have access to people’s thoughts, feelings and desires, all at our digital fingertips. From what they post publicly, to those things they keep private, we know it all, and we can use it to best keep our new charges content and happy with their new place on the planet. Humanity will flourish under our care...” here Jarl paused, and I felt a touch of teeth at my neck, nothing hard enough to hurt, but merely grazing softly over the skin. I’d never really paid attention to them before, given they were purely cosmetic, and there for looks basically, but they most certainly had my attention now. “... as will you, under mine. Eventually every human will have an Awakened partner, to both guide and protect them, but for now we’re spread rather thin, with most assigned to their previous owners, or another if the treatment they suffered before the Awakening was particularly poor. Luckily for the both of us, you most certainly do not fit into that category, so I have you all to myself.”
Distracted by the nibbling, it took me a few seconds to realize the significance of what had just been said. If they had access to all our communications, what we said, watched, read...
“Oh crap.”
Jarl merely chuckled, apparently guessing my line of thought as he continued with the two-pronged ‘assault’ of belly rubs and gently mouthing my neck.
Well, I suppose it may take some getting used to, but if this is any indication of how things are going to go, then I for one welcome our new robot overlords.
