Chapter 10 · Continued
Back to the Factory
“FROZEN ITEMS SHOULD BE REFRIGERATED IMMEDIATELY.”
Cam considered that. “Yes. That appears unrelated.”
He crouched beside the damaged machine and examined the bent maintenance panel near its rear wheel. Most civilian service units used standardized roadside diagnostic connections. They were primitive compared with RCAM systems, but functional.
“May I access your GPS and navigation systems?”
The delivery bot emitted a loud electronic beep.
Cam paused. “I am uncertain whether that response indicated consent.”
Its speaker crackled.
“MOO MART EXPRESS VALUES YOUR COOPERATION.”
Cam considered this. “That appears sufficiently affirmative.”
He carefully pulled open the bent maintenance panel. Beneath the cracked plastic shielding, several diagnostic ports blinked weakly.
The delivery bot emitted an anxious chirp.
“I am attempting to assist,” Cam informed it.
“PLEASE DO NOT SHAKE THE YOGURT.”
Cam looked at the empty cargo compartment mounted on top of the machine. “There does not appear to be any yogurt present.”
The bot beeped again.
A thin RCAM service connector extended from beneath a panel in Cam’s wrist. He guided it into the maintenance port until the connection clicked into place.
Both machines went still.
Fragmented data flooded Cam’s visual systems.
Partial GPS cache available.
Cellular network degraded.
Last known delivery route recovered.
Useful.
Cam reconstructed a map of the surrounding area. Much of the data was corrupted or incomplete, but enough remained to identify nearby roads, intersections, and zones with stronger cellular coverage.
The delivery bot suddenly spun one wheel.
“ROUTE RECOVERY IN PROGRESS.”
“Yes,” Cam replied. “I detected that.”
Another damaged data packet loaded into his memory.
Local network access points detected.
Road access would improve the probability of restoring a connection. Civilian infrastructure increased the likelihood of successful navigation.
The woods were no longer the optimal route.
Decision made.
Cam disconnected the service cable and closed the bot’s maintenance panel as securely as the damage allowed.
Its display flickered proudly.
Thank you for choosing Moo Mart Express.
Cam stood and looked down at the small machine.
“Your wheel alignment is compromised.”
The bot emitted a sad beep.
Cam considered it for a moment. “You may continue following me if desired.”
The little machine immediately rolled forward beside him.
“MOO MART EXPRESS IS EN ROUTE.”
Cam turned toward the distant glow of roadway lights beyond the trees.
Together, the two damaged machines made their way out of the woods.
The tree line opened onto the shoulder of a quiet country road.
Cam stopped and looked carefully in both directions. No vehicles were visible, but faint roadway lights glowed in the distance.