Hood: A Sci Fi Novelette: Shorts by M. R. Tevebaugh

By M. R. Tevebaugh

A drained battery is death…

 

…but power is tightly controlled.

 

Will two androids find freedom?

 

~~~

 

Robin steps out into a field of moving mines, having scrimped enough energy to chart a path through them. Her sights are set on an old military truck, hoping to sneak an unregistered alternator back to the city.

 

Even if Robin achieves her goal, hauling salvage could earn her a trip to the stockade, or worse, a full wipe. Can she scrounge enough power to succeed against the First Droid and his enforcers?

 

~~~

 

You'll love this science fiction novelette set in a dystopian android colony, because everyone loves to root for the underdroid.

 

Get it now.

• Language: English
• Publisher: M. R. Tevebaugh
• Release date: Jan 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781954776005

M. R. Tevebaugh

M. R. Tevebaugh is an emerging author in the sci-fi and fantasy genre. It has been theorized by many scholars that his practice of drinking lemon juice straight from the bottle is the cause of his sour disposition in public. He also has an affinity for making up stories, biographies notwithstanding. The bit about lemon juice is entirely factual, however, and some might agree regarding the sour disposition. As of this writing, he lives in Bozeman, Montana with his wife and two boys. You can find more of his work on his website at mrtevebaugh.com.

Book preview

Robin took a shaky step into the minefield, trying not to think about what would happen if her algorithm proved wrong. Her right hip clicked metallically as she took another step, the joint badly needed oil she couldn't afford. Deadly mines and hot sand were all that stood between her and the rotting army truck fifty meters distant that contained the key to her freedom. Waves of heat played havoc with the view of her destination, but she didn't need visual confirmation to know exactly where it was.

Robin shivered, a very human response to fear, but one she had grown accustomed to. Just focus, Robin told herself, conjuring a virtual picture of the alternator resting under the truck's hood. Just a simple piece of metal and wire, but to her more valuable than a hoard of jewels. A thump drew Robin's gaze to her companion.

Jenn was a tractor of an android, all functional lines mashed into a humanoid shape. Green anodization had chipped off in most places to expose the silvery alloy underneath. Jenn took another heavy step to follow Robin into the field of mag mines, her joints whirring as she moved, announcing her own need for oil. A straw hat sat upon her brow, unnecessarily shading her ocular sensors from the sun.

Having reassured herself she wasn't alone, Robin took another terrifying step, following the path she had devised through the ever-changing field of death. Her foot clanged on metal and she found she had kicked an android corpse. The synthetic skin had begun to peel from its face, revealing bronze plating beneath. Robin started and took a step back, running into Jenn with a soft clink. It would only take one miscalculation for Robin to wind up like that, synth-skin peeling as her alloy rusted slowly over centuries.

It's gonna be okay, Babe, Jenn said, her voice tinny.

Robin looked up into Jenn's angular face. Then she drove her elbow into Jenn's gut plating. I told you to stop calling me 'Babe'.

Robin took another step into the minefield as a gust of wind blew sand in her face.

But it's a term of endearment, Jenn said as she thumped after Robin.

Robin focused on the truck ahead, watching the desert for signs of movement. "It's a term of human endearment, which, last time I checked, we are not."

Well we use all the other human words for things, Jenn said. What's wrong with 'Babe'?

Another blast of wind tugged at Robin's ragged shirt, whipping the grimy cloth behind her like a battle-worn flag. The direction suddenly shifted, the gust throwing Robin's synth hair in front of her oculars. Robin grunted and turned toward the wind, quickly pulling the strands into a knot that she wrapped with a piece of wire.

I wish I had hair, Jenn said, her tone wistful.

You can have mine, Robin stepped around another android corpse, its oculars staring blindly up at the sun.

I couldn't possibly. But it is pretty.

It takes energy to maintain. Energy I can't afford.

Until we get the alternator, Jenn said.

Robin emulated