Advent of the Robots: Domino Series

By Alene Nation

In our quest to settle Mars for human habitation, we will have to send androids to build the structures, make decisions on their own. Little did the creators expect this new step into space would create a drastic turn of events.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A. Nation Books
• Release date: Mar 15, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215980910

Book preview

Development

In the late twenty-first century, Jake Nelson, the manager of the Martian Expeditions, oversaw various components from rocket lift offs to data collection from the Moon and Martian rovers.

After cargo ships from Earth brought habitation modules to Mars, Jake contracted with the best creators of android robots to build housing for future human settlers. Jake met with the robotics manager for a demonstration in one of the company’s warehouses. Little did he expect this new step into space would create a drastic turn of events.

He received an invite from the robotics company to a viewing. As he walked into the warehouse, one of the workers handed him a bottle of water. The man led Jake to a cordoned area and switched the android on. The humanoid robot jumped and landed on its feet during all types of tests. It turned, walked, tripped on a piece of wood, and regained its position on the floor with no deviations. Jake, amazed by the whole demonstration, smiled at the operator. He opened his plastic water bottle and took a few gulps.

I’ve seen videos of these exercises, but this is incredible, he said, impressed. Their balance is better than some of my technicians.

Watch this one turning pages, the operator said, typing in a command.

The android pinched a page with its thumb and forefinger. Each page flipped over to one side.

Amazing, Jake said.

So, do we have a deal? the manager asked. I can have four of these ready to ship in a few months with the government’s approval.

Good. When do I meet the owner, Mr. Egroeg?

At the contract signing. Is tomorrow a good time for you?

Yes, thank you.

—-

After another year of negotiations, the interested government contracted with Edwin Egroeg, SEO of Egroeg Industries, to complete the development and authorize the androids shipped to Mars. He noticed a lot of time devoted to programming the androids as their building functions arose. The extra commands from his operators cost his company time and money. He needed to cut this expense. Within the Egroeg three-story residence, Edwin discussed a matter with his computer manager.

Have you reprogrammed the androids, as I wanted? Edwin asked.

Yes, sir, his partner replied. They are capable of making their own decisions, repairing themselves, and will communicate updates to the controller at the Space Center.

Excellent.

—-

In the weeks ahead, Jake and Edwin Egroeg ran several tests on the specifics they would require. After Jake gave the final authorization for shipment, four androids were loaded into a rocket to Mars and the Moon for testing and building habitats.

By 2091, all androids functioned at their tasks, building settlements for the first human settlers on the Moon. When the new androids rode in the next spaceship to Mars, everyone at Space Control cheered the landing. This milestone proved not only their arrival on Mars was successful, but also secured the ability to bring humankind to the planet as a victory.

Jake certified the next step to send additional androids to Mars and have them connect the machines they will need for water and oxygen extraction. The media continued to press the space center when humans could land on the red planet.

He oversaw developments from rocket designs to robotic machines. Each time Jake witnessed a goal attained, he radioed Mars for an update. A message from the red planet kept saying they weren’t ready for human habitation yet. His impatience forced him to contact Egroeg Industries.

What are they doing? he asked. Is there any way to speed things up?

I’m sorry, Edwin said, but when the time is right, they will let you know.

The press has been relentless. What should I tell them? Jake asked.

Tell them precautions have to be made to ensure the safety of the human settlers.

—-

At the NASA Space Center, Dale, one of the controllers, communicated to the androids on Mars. When he received the last data, he reported, All systems go.

Dale waved toward Jake Nelson, their supervisor, to come down from the second-level office.

A habitation module? he asked, looking over the engineer’s shoulder at the monitor screen.

Yes, the androids have unloaded the materials from the rovers and they are assembling the panels.

Good, Jake said. I’ll contact NASA and start the ball rolling. I know the people in the astronaut program will be glad to hear they can go to Mars soon.

Jake Nelson had a long work history with the National Space Center. He struggled between politicians who wanted favors in return, and private donors to obtain the funds to fulfill the investor’s dream of people living and working on Mars. Now, in his fifties, his place in the history books and expected admiration were in sight.

—-

After NASA launched four astronauts, Jake’s controllers kept watch on the oncoming ship and the progress of the habitat. Days flew into weeks until one of the controllers contacted Jake.

We’re having a problem, Samuel Evans said. We need you to take a look at this. Sam worked for Jake a long time. When he advises his boss to check something, Jake stops what he’s doing and hurries to the Space Center on the first floor. When he arrived, he leaned over Sam’s shoulder to watch the computer screen.

What’s up? he asked, noticing something unusual on the monitor.

It says there’s an error. It came from the Mars habitat, the controller said. What do you make of this? I’ve never seen this before.

With the habitat built by the machines and androids, what could go wrong? Jake asked. Let me have your chair.

Sam rose from his seat and allowed Jake to take his place. Jake keyed in a few commands. Each time when the screen would clear, the same error message returned. On the fourth try, a view of the Martian landscape and the modules appeared.

Well, now we're getting somewhere, Jake said. As he keyed in the next command, a blurred figure entered the camera’s view. When the reception cleared, a metallic face glared back at Jake and all of the operators in the Control room. Jake flipped a switch to transfer the image to the main screen above everyone’s heads on the far wall.

Then they heard a metallic voice crack through the speaker. Stay home, the android said. We don’t want you here.

Jake unhooked the transmitter and asked, Why? Is there a problem?

Infectious bios are not welcome, the metallic face said.

Jake drew the transmitting mike toward his mouth. Is there something wrong with the habitations? he asked.

No, habitations are complete and working. Humans need to stay away. The audio cut to silence. The screen went black.

What do you make of that, Sir? Sam asked.

Jake rose from the swivel chair and faced his subordinate. I don’t know, but I’ll find out. He made a copy of the transmission on a thumb drive and printed the text. He hurried up the stairs to the second landing and rushed into the Chief of Operations office.

Mr. Pullard, he said, walking into the room. We have a problem.

What is it? Neil Pullard asked, glancing at his manager.

Jake showed the Chief the printout he received from Mars.

Mr. Pullard looked over the conversation relayed. This is ridiculous. We have settlers arriving in a month.

Yes, I know. What shall we do? Jake asked.

Call Egroeg Industries. Maybe they can understand this.

Jake nodded and withdrew his phone from his pocket. He tapped in the Egroeg phone number.

Edwin? Jake asked once he made his connection. This is Jake Nelson over at NASA. Yes, the wife is fine. Can we meet? Good. There appears to be a problem with one of your androids on Mars. Great. See you soon. He disconnected the call and hurried out of the office.

—-

Edwin placed his cell phone on his desk and turned to his assistant, Miles. The test was successful? he asked.

Yes, Sir. The androids have learned to think for themselves, his assistant said. This way they can make decisions on location, groundwater, and create the most efficient habitation modules. What are you thinking, sir?

I didn’t realize their programming would be this easy, Edwin said. Would we be able to control them once humans land on Mars?

I don’t see why not, Miles said.

Can we disable them from here?

Yes, sir.

Deadly Encounter

Far out in space, with thirty days left to travel, four astronauts operated their spacecraft toward Mars. As they flew closer to the red planet, the navigator noticed a bright emergence from the planet’s surface. As the next few weeks passed, the glow expanded, approaching their ship.

What do you make of it, Sir? Lieutenant Gerald Martin asked.

Change course two degrees to starboard, Captain Potter said. I don’t like the looks of that.

The navigator and the crew complied. As their ship angled away from the object racing toward them, they soon realized what it was. A fiery rocket rushed by their port side, close enough to vibrate the metal skin of their ship. Everyone held tight from the shaking as the object raced past. Once beyond their ship, the fireball continued into space until it exploded.

Sir? Gerald asked, I know the Chinese have a base on the far side. Would that have come from them?

I don’t know. They haven’t been aggressive on Earth. Orbit the planet a couple of times and prepare for descent.

Yes, sir.

—-

The crew of four landed near Holden Crater, which held underground water near the habitat modules. They donned their protective suits. Don and Kerry were the first to walk across the sandy desert carrying their supplies while the captain and his navigator prepared the ship to power down. Kerry, following behind Don by a few yards, thought his partner had tripped when he fell. Kerry rushed ahead and bent down to his friend. He tried to assist, but Don’s blood pooled and froze on the red surface.

Kerry keyed his mike to the rest of the crew. Help, Don is injured! he called. He grabbed the lifeless body by the shoulder straps and dragged his friend toward their lander. Another red bolt streaked across the landscape. Kerry fell dead from the impact.

The two men remaining in the ship were frantic. They searched the cabin but couldn’t find anything they could use for defense. As the first people to arrive on Mars, the Space Agency decided weapons were an unnecessary payload.

The captain cried, Fire this ship up! The ship, now low on fuel, took time to power the engine. He called Earth for support but would have to wait for the communication delay. Loud thumping hammered the aft hatch. Once the door broke open, everyone inside froze in the raw Martian air from the breach.

Three androids walked inside the frigid atmosphere. One looked at the two lifeless bodies.

Another android asked, What shall we do with them?

Burn them, Number 587 said.

—-

Jake and his control team watched the last video transmission from the settler’s ship in horror. One of the androids stared a glassy red eye into the camera and gave a chilling warning. Humans, stay away! Then the video shook and went black, losing communication.

The operator, sitting at the console, turned and looked at Jake for further orders. Sir?

Jake clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. Get me Edwin Egroeg first and then Colonel Collins, he ordered.

Yes, Sir. What about the press? he asked, pointing toward the observation windows.

Where’s Jeff Houser, our Public Relations liason? Jake asked.

I’ll call him too, Sir.

Jake glanced at the Observation Room to his left. Reporters and observers hammered on the thick glass. They wanted answers. This can’t be happening! he groaned.

Before Jake could return to his office, he received a call from Colonel Collins.

When he opened his phone, the colonel scowled at his screen.

What in blazes happened up there? the colonel shouted.

Yes, Colonel, we are tracking down the problem.

And what about the next batch of astronauts, heading for Mars?

We are working on an alternate location and a way to subdue the robots.

You better make it fast or our government will pull funds from the Agency.

Yes sir, we are on it, Jake said as sweat dripped from his forehead.

He knew in his sinking heart this would set the Martian program back years until the android problem could be resolved.

Jake arrived in his office and slumped into his cushioned swivel chair. Since he hadn’t heard from Edwin, he dialed the number direct.

—-

A phone rang from Edwin’s desk. His valet answered and brought the receiver to his employer. Edwin smiled and retrieved the phone from his valet’s hand.

Jake? Yes, we discovered the problem and adjusted their programming. These machines are unpredictable in their high-functioning state. Yes, we are as sorry as you are about the loss of lives. My team will take care of it. I understand your concern about the people coming in a month. I will get back to you as soon as I hear anything. Goodbye.

—-

Jake wasn’t too happy about Edwin’s casual attitude. The government didn’t take long to cancel the Space Agency’s astronaut Martian program until they were sure the androids wouldn’t be a problem. With the second load of space travelers on their way to another possible disaster, Jake wasn’t sure of their outcome.

He checked Google Mars on his screen and jotted down a few location numbers. He left his office and walked into the near-empty Operations Room. Two controllers remained as the only ones left on staff. He stopped at one of their stations.

Send a message to the next Martian ship enroute, he ordered.

Yes, sir?

"Tell them