Chapter 10 · Continued
Back to the Factory
Jane studied it. “Those red indicators are all in the same area as the crushed communications array.”
Chris glanced up at her. “Exactly.”
He pointed toward a damaged cluster near the center. “This section handles most of his long-range communications. The red indicators mean those systems are offline.”
Cam looked down at his exposed components. “That aligns with my diagnostic conclusions.”
“You’re not transmitting or receiving long-range telemetry,” Chris said.
Jane looked between them. “So RCAM can’t see him?”
Chris glanced up carefully. “Not through the usual channels.”
The silence that followed felt different.
Heavy.
Important.
Chris returned his attention to the damaged systems. “Can you still access short-range wireless networks?”
“Yes,” Cam answered. “I retain access credentials for the residential Wi-Fi network, but I have not initiated a connection.”
“And external cellular or satellite networks?”
Cam’s projected eyes shifted slightly. “Those systems are unstable or unavailable.”
Chris leaned back. “That explains it. Your short-range systems survived, but the array responsible for long-distance telemetry took most of the impact.”
Jane looked at Cam again.
He stood calmly with his chest open, exposing a maze of wiring and blinking systems, like the world’s most advanced unfinished repair project.
Then she glanced down at Seymour, who sat proudly on top of the Moo Mart bot like a king riding a tiny yellow tank.
The little bot beeped weakly beneath him.
It was nearly midnight by the time Chris finished the initial inspection. He temporarily reseated Cam’s damaged chest panel to protect the exposed components, but left the latches loose enough to remove it again in the morning.
Jane picked up the television remote. “You should stay over. It’s already midnight, and I don’t want you driving home this late.”
“Yeah,” Chris agreed. “Then I can work on Cam in the morning.”
Jane switched on the television. The familiar News 3 theme filled the room.
“This is Pam Collins. Tonight will remain mild, with temperatures near seventy degrees. Skies will remain cloudy overnight, with a chance of showers by morning.”
The usual commercials followed.
A personal-injury lawyer pointed aggressively at the camera.
“If you or a loved one were affected by these medications, call now.”
Jane barely paid attention until the news returned.
“A suspected DUI-related accident occurred earlier this evening involving an RCAM Systems transport truck and two autonomous Moo Mart delivery units near the intersection of Highway 27 and County Road 12.”
Footage appeared on the screen.
A large white transport truck sat crooked against the roadside curb, its front suspension collapsed and one wheel twisted violently sideways. Dark fluid spread across the pavement while police lights flashed against the side of the truck.