Chapter 12 · Continued
Piston
Jane looked deeper into the crate.
“I bet that’s why the box is so large. The docking station must be underneath everything.”
Chris had already slipped his hands beneath the little robot’s wheelbase and lower housing.
“Okay, tiny buddy. Let’s get you out of robot prison.”
He carefully lifted it onto the porch.
The little machine balanced itself immediately with a quiet gyroscopic hum. Its rounded white shell reflected the afternoon sunlight while animated eyes appeared across its dark screen face.
The robot turned toward Jane.
“Hello, Jane.”
Then it rotated smoothly toward Chris.
“Hello, Chris.”
They froze.
Slowly, they began grinning at each other.
Chris pointed at it. “Phil definitely arranged some custom programming.”
Jane crouched in front of the little robot. “Well, hello. You are adorable.”
The robot paused dramatically.
“I know.”
Chris burst out laughing.
“Oh no.”
Jane covered her face, already laughing too. “It has confidence.”
The robot rotated slightly. “Confidence improves user experience.”
Chris looked delighted. “This is going to end badly.”
Jane narrowed her eyes at the machine. “Did Cam program you? You sound exactly like Chester.”
The animated eyes blinked.
“Yes. I know Cam.”
A brief pause followed.
“I do not know Chester. However, Cam informed me that you would understand the reference.”
The little robot produced a cheerful electronic laugh.
“Hee hee hee.”
Jane and Chris completely lost it.
Chris leaned against the porch railing. “Oh my God.”
Jane pointed at the robot. “He did program you!”
“Negative. I was customized for optimal user compatibility.”
Chris looked at it suspiciously. “That sounds exactly like something Cam would say.”
The robot turned toward him. “Cam speaks very highly of both of you.”
That caught them off guard.
Jane’s expression softened. “Aww.”
“He also stated that there is a seventy-eight percent probability Chris will attempt an unauthorized software modification within the first week.”
Chris froze. “Rude.”
The little robot turned toward Jane.
“Current probability has increased to ninety-four percent.”
Jane started laughing again. “This is going to be so much fun.”
Chris crouched beside the machine, studying it like a mechanic evaluating a race car he absolutely intended to tamper with.
“And the best part,” Jane said, smiling, “is that you’re ours.”
The robot’s screen eyes widened slightly. “You do not want me to leave?”
Jane shook her head. “Nope. You never have to go back.”
The little robot remained quiet for half a second.
“This pleases me.”
Chris pointed at it. “Okay, yeah. I’m definitely hacking this thing.”
Jane held the front door while the robot rolled smoothly across the threshold as though it already belonged there.