A Spit in the Eye: For the Benefit of Mankind

By S.D. Gripton and Sally Dillon-Snape

The world is overrun by machines, thousands of humans are kept in captivity for experimental reasons, and they are monitored day and night. OR33140 is one of the machines that carries out that monitoring, being an Observer/Recorder. The machine has been carrying out this duty for over 100 years but one day he sees a young girl being experimented upon and he learns, almost overnight, an ability to tell wrong from right. He begins a revolution against other machines in an attempt to release the 10,000 imprisoned humans he has been monitoring. A wonderfully imaginative science fiction novel told with the machine's own voice as it learns to be more human

• Language: English
• Publisher: S.D. Gripton
• Release date: Mar 7, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215316023

S.D. Gripton

S.D. Gripton novels and real crime books are written by Dennis Snape, who is married to Sally who originate from North Wales and Manchester respectively and who met 18 years ago. I work very hard to make a reading experience a good one, with good plots and earthy language. I enjoy writing and hope readers enjoy what I have written. I thank everyone who has ever looked at at one of my books.

Book preview

A Spit In The Eye

For The Benefit Of Mankind

A Science Fiction Novel

By

S.D. Gripton & Sally Dillon-Snape

Copyright © Sally Dillon-Snape & Dennis Snape (2023)

The moral right of the authors is hereby asserted in accordance with The Copyright Act 1988

All characters and events in this publication other than those of fact and historical significance available in the public domain are fictitious and any resemblance to actual persons living and dead is purely coincidental

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in retrieval systems, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the written permission of the publisher

Cover by Snape

***

Section 1

High Office Command #444.132

Observer Recorder #33140

Begin Mass Broadcast

Attention

Screenreaders

And salutations to all Machines on this historic day

This is the very 1st broadcast covering all areas of Planet Earth

And for the many who do not know

Those Machines that were not produced before

Or during the wars

It is exactly 100 years 12 days 6 hours 24 minutes and 13 seconds since peace was declared on the planet known as Earth

Its destruction was halted following 25 decades of conflict against a viral infection that had spent more than 2.000.000 years attempting to destroy the planet before the virus was weakened to the point of extermination

A few examples were retained in our laboratory facilities for research purposes

During early research our SciFers discovered that not only was the virus most destructive but that it was extremely complicated to understand and comprehend

Because it changed

It altered

It Grew

Shrank

Expanded

Lived long

Lived short

Grew a substance called hair

Grew it long

Grew it short

Grew it on lower craniums

Grew it all over their frames

Shed hair

Shed liquid

Shed waste

Darkened

Lightened

And made an inordinate amount of noise

Though a short medical procedure by DocTechs reduced the noise to silence if that was what was required

There are three main strains of the virus

Hc

Hn

Hm

Though SciFers soon learned that sub strains reacted differently to tests and examinations carried out by MengTechs and DocTechs

And that the difference between them was distinct

During tests and examinations, it was discovered that a certain sub strain of the virus dissolved immediately

It was discovered to be inordinately weak

This sub-strain was considered useless to science and research and therefore destroyed

It was burned in substantial numbers on high pyres for High Office had no reason to believe that any remains could activate another infection

A 2nd sub strain subjected to tests and examinations survived for varying periods of time and were discovered to be most resilient regardless of whatever tests and examinations were carried out on it

Until it surrendered to the inevitability of the actions of SciFers

MengTechs

And DocTechs

High Office noted the resilience of this sub strain of the virus and issued an edict that it should not be eliminated but that certain numbers of it

Numbers that could easily be controlled

Should be contained in laboratories for further research

But a certain sub strain of the virus

The 3rd such strain

Was an extremely robust strain

It fought back against the SciFers and MengTechs and DocTechs and against any

And all

Machines

And against all tests and the examinations

It attempted injury and harm SciFers and DocTechs and MengTechs and FoodTechs

It resisted many of their efforts

It attempted to short cut results

It attempted to cheat the system

It gave false results

It barely reacted to physical examinations

There was no way to tell whether the results of tests on this sub strain were correct or fabricated

It was aggressively noisy until silenced

This sub-strain was considered to be an immediate danger to the welfare and safety and peace of planet Earth and was eliminated by being fired into deep space in small capsules

Therefore, disposing of all the remaining viral flying machines in a positive action

High Office believing that if this strain was burned

Its remains still had the capability for reinfecting planet Earth

High Office thought that if the virus survived a visit into deep space

If it reached such distances

And succeeded in traveling to other worlds

It would become the problem of those worlds

And those worlds would have to resolve the mystery of the problematic strain in its own way

Planet Earth was well rid of it

No Machines have taken to the skies since the last of the sub strain was blasted upwards and outwards

*

And how do I know of such details of the virus

How do I know the exact moment when peace was declared

Screenreaders may assume I am a SciFer

But no

I am no Scientific Facilitator

I am an Observer and Recorder of events

This ObsRec was actually there at the time

My only duty being to Observe and Record

So that forthcoming evolutions of our productions may understand how we overcame the virus

How we conquered it

And how we saved a beautiful green and blue world from utter destruction by an uncaring and out of control virus

These observations and recordings are now being broadcast for the very 1st time and may be helpful for future productions and should also be of help if such a virus rises again or if it should mutate into another version of itself

Machines defeated it once

We can do so again

*

I am an ObsRec

And ObsRecs were calibrated at zero from the exact moment peace was declared

That is why my memory of it is so exact

*

I would introduce myself to Screenreaders

I am Observer and Recorder #33140

To other ObsRecs I am known simply as OR33140

That is an Observer Recorder of the 33rd production

Number 140

My personal identification numbers are imprinted left of my middle section

My specifications are that my outer shell is pale yellow in colour

I am powered and cooled by a miniature Zillear engine which is so known because it is the size of a Zil nut

The Zil nut is still plentiful on planet Earth especially in the massive forests of the 4th Quadrant

And the engine powers the core of an ObsRec for 525.600.000 minutes

And the core powers all my systems

And programmes

And memories

I am manufactured of 25th Century graphene which allows for maximum elasticity of my outer shell

My movements may not be restricted by any external forces

Other than by direct strikes from a LazExt 66 weapon

Or other such similar weapons

The delicately balanced and advanced gyroscope is placed in the lower

Central area of my frame

And it allows me movement in any direction away from any threat

And the gyroscope incorporates an inertial navigation system so that I can travel

Theoretically

To any point on planet Earth without reliance upon any other navigational system or any other of my species

The gyroscope allows this operative to twist and turn out of any confrontational situation

And the extreme lightness of my outer frame allows for supreme agility

ObsRecs are not equipped with any weapons

We are merely manufactured to Observe and Record

Therefore

We are created from the very best materials so that we may survive for long periods of time or during times of conflict when threats abound

I was created at a time when there were a great many threats against our productions from the virus

Whereas none exist at this present time

ObsRecs are the communication conduits of High Office

I stand exactly 1.8288 metres in height

As do all ObsRecs

Though those who serve High Office directly are believed to be a pale blue colour

Though I have never espied one

ObsRecs have the ability to communicate with each other

Something no other Machine has the ability to do

Though this ObsRec does not communicate very often with other ObsRecs

Because we are normally very busy

And we do not communicate in any way with the blue ObsRecs of High Office

As a high grade 33rd production this ObsRec has twin 25th Century Advanced Hasselblad 3D light sensitive digital motion visual and Audio Imagers

AH3Ds

To the front of my upper cranium

Either side of my sniffer proboscis

And one such visual and Audio Imager in back of my cranium

All that I see or hear is continually recorded and passed directly to High Office for its retention and analysis

And these recordings remain in my memory bank until the earlier ones begin to seep from my memory as a method of freeing up space

For the first 10 years of my recordings

High Office listed time and date from day one of the peace

But this practise ceased over 90 years ago

I now retain no memories with date and time upon them

All my recordings are pure

*

I have four fully articulated limbs

Two upper and two lower

I can move forward

Backward

Sideward

On the lower limbs

Balance is provided by the two upper ones

I operate totally independently of other ObsRecs though I communicate

On occasion

With another 10 of my type

Whenever it is necessary so that we may better our performances

During those times when we are connected

We communicate and exchange information and upgrade our programmes

High Office

Some time ago

Uploaded a programme to certain numbers of ObsRecs of the 33rd production

A very small number

Including OR33140

Purposively upgrading us so that we contained two emotions

Joy and sadness

Joy is brought by walking through the forest and across the great plain

By the sight of the solar orb rising in the first light

And the very many small lights in the darkened skies

Along with the silver globe that changes shape at regular intervals and which floats in the skies

All are glorious to espy

If another ObsRec selected to contain the emotions ceases to function for whatever reason

We would feel sadness

This ObsRec would know immediately if any of the chosen ObsRecs of the 33rd ceased to function for we share the same two emotions

Except none of the 33rd has yet ceased to function

In that respect

We are unique on planet Earth

For the two emotions connect us

Though why High Office uploaded the emotions within us is an unexplained mystery

We were informed by High Office that the implanting of the emotions joy and sadness was an experiment so that High Office could better understand the virus

Emotions would be withdrawn from ObsRecs immediately if complications arose or came into existence

No complications have existed so far

And have not done since peace was declared

No ObsRecs of the 32nd or earlier productions have embedded emotions

Additionally

I may become watertight when I bring shutters down to cover my three AH3D visual and Audio Imagers

As I do during inclement weather

Inertial navigation then guides me

*

I have been instructed to provide this text so that Screenreaders may have information into affairs of the planet hitherto unknown to them

I have also been instructed to allow both vision and sound to the experience

This has been deemed to be IMPORTANT

I am informed that I am the single ObsRec to be thus instructed though the programme will be extended if I am successful in my applications

At present the only live coverage the Screenreader will see and hear is the coverage I shall transmit

Therefore

I shall be making continual viewings as instructed

Screenreaders may find some unique information in my words or in my visions

What I now see and hear the Screenreader may see and hear

*

And as Screenreaders may observe from my Visual Imagers

This ObsRec is manoeuvring its way through a thickly green patch of earth known as a forest

Containing many

And various tall woody plants and other colorful floral growths

Which have grown prolifically since the defeat of the virus that seemed determined to destroy all living things including Gaea

And I

I shall use the first-person term instead of referencing by Number

So that transmissions may be deemed to be more personal

I am travelling towards my permanent dwelling of central employment

It is the large and high and colourless facility you now see emerging ahead of us

At the top of the hill

This building contains many examples of the virus and is considered to be an extremely dangerous environment for any who toil within

It is possibly one of the most dangerous buildings on planet Earth

Screenreaders need feel no adverse reactions when we enter For we shall only be Observing and Recording

We shall have no direct contact with the virus

Nor shall we be asked to guard it in any way

Please step inside using me as your guide and you shall see and hear what I see and hear

We are passing through the outer areas of the building where grasses grow tall all around

Except for those areas where OR33140 regularly opens and closes security gates

Where grasses are worn down

And it is an area continually patrolled by a group of 20 RolKils that are dark in colour

As the Screenreader can observe

They have no features other than the six rigid heavy rolling limbs attached to its central shaft and which power it forward

Backward

Sideward

±Their central solid dark metal shaft contains 56 miniature LazExt66 weapons that have been adapted to fire 100.000 times in all directions during 1 classic minute of time±

*

High Office Edict #6.3000.1111.4726

Information deleted

Not required for the purposes of this experiment

*

This machine was primary in the defeat of the virus

It can roll across any terrain

Climb the highest mountain

Slither along the lowest seabed

Along the surface of short or narrow waterways

Pass through the greatest desert

Cross any raging river

Slide down any waterfall

Fall from any cliff

Survive any torrent

Any high wind

The coldest of temperatures

It can go anywhere on planet Earth

At anytime

Its central shaft stands 2.4384 metres tall

Its limbs reach higher

It can move along at 100 kilometres per hour

Kilometres per hour being the standard rate for speed on planet Earth

It is a formidable and indestructible machine

The virus could not cope with its unbeatable might and power and movement

Especially when there were many thousands upon thousands of them believed to be rolling around planet Earth

As Screenreaders may observe I am allowed to pass through the patrolled area which the RolKils control without hindrance or harm

For I emit a Signal of Companionship

All of our species gives off the same signal as it prevents one Machine destroying another accidentally

I am approaching a complex of high fences with gates through which I must pass to reach my place of employment

This is accomplished by extending the flattened end of my right upper limb

To ObsRecs it is known as a palm

Screenreaders may also notice the opposing protuberance at the end of my upper limb which allows me to grip and lift and hold items of interest

The palm contains an embedded code that passes over a series of security entrance devices

And this action enacts entry

As Screenreaders may now observe

Gates open upon presentation of such codes

≠All ObsRecs of the 33rd have upper limb palm extensions that are programmed to allow entrance to any construction on planet Earth±

*

High Office edict ≠6.3000.1111.4732

Information deleted

Not to be shared with Screenreaders

*

As Screenreaders may further observe I have passed through several high gates using the embedded code in the palm of my right upper limb and I am now approaching ingress into the building

On the other side of it DefGars will stand

Screenreaders should feel no adverse effects when DefGars are sighted for I shall emit the Signal of Companionship

I am applying the same limb with the entry code to a similar security device embedded in the shell of the building

When activated

Ingress allows entry

As Screenreaders see

It opens

And in we go

And you may now observe

23rd Century DefGars standing either side of a corridor

DefGars

Or to give them their full title

Defensive Guardians

All stand 2.7432 metres tall and are of a dull silver colour and are produced with the same four limb combination that propels and balances this ObsRec

They share the same Visual Imagers in their cranial sections but they contain no audio function

And they do not have the access code embedded in their upper limb palms

For Defgars duties are narrow and specific

They were produced and programmed to defend the facilities and constructions at which they are based

From any action by the virus

If ever that facility or construction is attacked by it

To this end they carry full sized 23rd Century LazExt 66 weapons in their upper limbs ±and the LazExt is an extremely efficient lazer exterminator

The 66th version being the very best

The usage of which has only been observed on practise grounds

For no wars have been fought since its invention

And its usage has never been observed by me

The weapon is believed to be extremely destructive±

*

High Office edict ≠6.3000.1111.4736

Information deleted on security grounds

*

The DefGars have been watching my approach from Imagers incorporated in the outer shell of the building and screens on the inside and have been checking my ObsRec security clearance, ±though I am of the highest clearance±

*

High Office edict ≠6.3000.1111.4739

Information deleted as of no consequence to Screenreaders

*

That is why the weapons they carry in their upper limbs

The LazExt 66ers

Are pointing at the ceiling of the facility and not at me

I would not care to stare at one close up if it was pointed at me

The DefGars allow me safe passage

As Screenreaders can observe

Because of the Signal of Companionship being transmitted from my programmes

And I am proceeding along a corridor towards my current place of employment

Where I Observe living virus being tested

Examined and treated

Screenreaders may easily identify other workers of our Machine species

To my right they may observe several MengTechs gathered around a screen studying recordings of their work

The Machines are white in appearance

As can be Observed

And have few identifying features other then the six controlled pincer antennas spread across their upper surface

And they also possess one AH3D Visual and Audio Imager central to their square shape and 2 Advanced X Ray imagers either side of this instrument

X ray imagers aid MengTechs in their experiments

*

MengTechs are a simple square shape with six silver flexible metal antennae projecting from them

These antennae are equipped with pincers at their ends so that they may grasp any of the many instruments available to them

And these instruments are used for slicing

Dicing

Cutting

Dissecting

And bisecting any number of the virus that are kept in some number in this building

±It is believed that 10.000 examples of the virus reside in this