Chapter 10 · Continued
Back to the Factory
“That does not help either.”
Cam turned toward Chester. “The Moo Mart unit uses older civilian logistics architecture. Compatibility should be possible.”
Chester chirped beneath Seymour’s stomach.
“MOO MART VALUES INTERCONNECTIVITY.”
Chris pointed at him. “That voice sounds like it came from a microwave with anxiety.”
Cam tilted his head. “Chester’s audio-personality package was likely designed to encourage consumer trust.”
“It encourages psychological damage,” Chris muttered.
He knelt beside Chester and removed the small service panel near the damaged wheel.
“I found the interface port.”
Cam moved closer, then stopped.
His projected eyes shifted toward the wireless router blinking on the shelf near the television.
The pause lasted long enough for Chris to notice.
“What?”
“If I establish a direct connection with Chester, there is a possibility that his external network pathways will become accessible to my systems.”
Chris went still.
Jane lowered her coffee. “Meaning what?”
“If Chester attempts to reconnect with Moo Mart while Cam is connected to him,” Chris said carefully, “Cam’s systems might use the same pathway.”
Jane’s expression changed. “And RCAM could detect his telemetry signature.”
“There’s a chance,” Chris said.
Cam remained perfectly calm. “The probability is greater than zero.”
Chris stood and crossed the room. He unplugged the house router, and its blinking lights went dark.
Jane watched him. “That doesn’t solve it.”
Chris turned.
“Chester is a delivery robot,” she continued. “He doesn’t need my Wi-Fi to report back to Moo Mart. He has his own cellular transmitter.”
Chris paused.
“Shit. You’re right.”
He looked toward Chester’s open service panel.
“Unplugging the router only closes one route. I’d need to locate and physically disable Chester’s cellular module before connecting them.”
“And if you miss another transmitter?” Jane asked.
Cam answered. “My systems may attempt network acquisition through any compatible external radio available to Chester.”
The room became very quiet.
Even Chester stopped talking.
Chris rubbed the back of his neck. “We can isolate the cellular hardware, but I can’t promise there isn’t a redundant connection buried somewhere else.”
“That inspires zero confidence,” Jane said.
“It shouldn’t.”
Chester beeped cheerfully beneath Seymour.
“MOO MART ENCOURAGES RESPONSIBLE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION.”
Chris slowly closed his eyes. “I’m going to throw this thing into the river.”
Jane watched the two robots for another uneasy moment, then set down her coffee.
“Maybe we shouldn’t connect Cam to him at all.”
Chris looked up from the open service panel.
Jane folded her arms, still watching the cable extended from Cam’s wrist. “Cam, can you walk Chris through the diagnostics if he runs into trouble?”