City of Robots Read online

  Your eyes widen as the platform comes to a halt.

  You’re in a massive open-plan area that looks like an underground aircraft hangar … except that it’s full of scientists and their giant robots. Some robots are partly constructed, while others appear complete. Some are mechanical and box-like, while others are sleek and streamlined.

  There’s a huge semi-constructed robot in the centre, being assembled with a crane. Meanwhile, a team of women in lab coats and welding masks are attaching claws onto a massive robotic scorpion. There’s even a gorilla-sized robot bunny, all fake white fur and long floppy ears.

  The mini-bot zips off the platform, straight to a nearby door. It scoots up the wall to a control panel, opening the door before entering.

  Worried that you’ll be spotted by one of the scientists, you quickly go in as well.

  The room is lined with banks of computer equipment. A low hum vibrates around you, with lights flashing and gauges flickering.

  The mini-bot plugs its finger into the computer. Text scrolls across the screen:

  Pi Project CPU escape pod

  Connection to Kettlewell Robotics

  Institute Mainframe accepted

  Password required

  πππππππ

  Password accepted

  How may I help you?

  πππ ππππππππ πππππππ ππππππππ ππ

  Disable all security systems

  Disable all robotic fail-safe

  protocols

  Please confirm

  Security systems? Fail-safe protocols? This does not sound good. Perhaps this mini-bot is out for revenge. Do you let it proceed?

  To stop the mini-bot, go here.

  To allow it to continue, go here.

  As Pi plays his game of Alien Invaders, the owner stalks towards you, pushing customers out of his way.

  You swallow hard, wondering what you are going to say to him.

  To your surprise, he smiles at you. ‘Is that a real robot?’ he asks, indicating Pi.

  You nod.

  ‘Could you imagine what this arcade would be like if I had a robot working for me?’ He gazes around as if in a trance, and then fixes you with a steely stare. ‘My name is Fred. Perhaps I could purchase your mechanical friend?’

  But Pi is not yours to sell.

  ‘Five thousand dollars!’ says Fred. ‘And a free lifetime pass to play all the games in this arcade.’

  You hesitate. That is a lot of money. Just think what you could do with it! And a whole lifetime’s worth of free games. That would be AWESOME!

  To accept the offer, go here.

  To refuse, go here.

  You can’t just leave Pi outside while you go into the museum. You try to tell your teacher about the robot, but Mr Krup doesn’t believe you.

  ‘I suppose you think you’re being funny,’ he says, hands on hips. ‘Well, I can be funny too. How’s this for funny?’ He points a finger at your face. ‘Instead of going on the tour, you can stay out here with your trolley and your robot. And you can have some extra homework to make up for what you’re going to miss today. How’s that for hilarious?’

  He turns and storms off into the museum. And that’s when you notice the drone hovering in the air at the corner of the building.

  You grab the trolley and push, racing off down the street. As you turn into the smaller street, you are headed off by two more drones. You try to go back the way you came but an unmarked white van has entered the street, blocking your path. The doors swing open, and two robots jump out. They are like larger versions of Pi, except they have squat mechanical legs, allowing them to spring about.

  You and Pi are grabbed and shoved into the van.

  Go here.

  You remind yourself that you can’t actually sell Pi because the robot doesn’t belong to you. You refuse Fred’s offer.

  Pi finishes his game of Alien Invaders. The robot is about to start again, so you pull the trolley away.

  ‘Want another game,’ says Pi petulantly.

  You move the trolley towards the exit, but Fred blocks your path. ‘Interesting gadget, this,’ he says, pointing the cattle prod in a menacing way. ‘I’ve modified it, you know. Given it some extra juice. On full power it could toast you.’ He smiles. ‘So perhaps you should reconsider my offer.’

  You shake your head.

  Fred lunges at you with the cattle prod. But Pi’s clamp shoots forward and grasps the weapon, yanking it from the owner’s hand. Pi tightens his grip and the cattle prod snaps in two.

  Fred staggers back. He silently grimaces as you and Pi leave.

  Pushing the trolley out of the arcade and into the street, you see people staring at Pi. You quickly cover the robot with the old blanket and duck into an alley.

  There’s an unmarked white van parked ahead of you. As you approach, the doors swing open and two robots jump out. They are like larger versions of Pi, except they have squat mechanical legs, allowing them to spring about.

  You and Pi are grabbed and shoved into the van.

  Go here.

  You really shouldn’t be selling Pi because the robot doesn’t belong to you. But how can you resist five thousand dollars and a lifetime of free games? You can’t help yourself … you accept the offer.

  Fred whips out a cheque book and gives you the payment, as well as an unlimited games card.

  Pi finishes his game of Alien Invaders. ‘Again, again,’ it says gleefully.

  ‘Oh, I don’t think so,’ says Fred as he jabs the robot with the cattle prod. There is a crackle of electricity, a burst of sparks and Pi’s lights wink out.

  You’re now regretting your decision.

  ‘Don’t look so shocked,’ says Fred with a chuckle. ‘Shocked! Get it?’ He laughs louder. ‘I’ve just disabled it. I’ll revive it once I’ve done some reprogramming.’

  You start to protest.

  ‘Not having second thoughts, are you?’ says Fred threateningly, holding up the prod.

  You have no option but to leave, rejoining your school group in the museum.

  When you get home that afternoon, you hand the cheque to your parents. They don’t believe your story, but take the cheque to the bank the next day.

  The payment bounces.

  ‘It was from a fake account,’ explains your mum.

  You’re furious. But your parents still think you’re lying and refuse to do anything about it.

  You return to the arcade on the weekend. You find Pi in the centre of the store, clamped into place and wired up to all the games. The face on his screen is sad.

  You approach the robot that you betrayed.

  ‘Shall we play a game?’ says Pi. His voice is slurred and strained. ‘There are many to choose from.’

  Pi has been enslaved. The robot seems to have no memory of you. What are you going to do about it?

  To try to free Pi, go here.

  But really, what’s the point? Perhaps you should just use your pass card and play a game. Go here.

  You reach down and yank the mini-bot out of the connection port to the mainframe computer. The screen flickers, displaying new text:

  Pi Project CPU escape pod

  disconnected

  Instructions unconfirmed

  Unauthorised disconnect

  Security activated

  Three blue and white robots come zooming into the room, rolling across the floor. Each robot is made up of two metal balls stacked on top of the other. The upper balls have lenses and speakers; the lower balls have metal arms and tasers.

  ‘Cease and desist,’ they chorus as they point their weapons at you.

  You drop the mini-bot and put your hands above your head. The mini-bot races for the door, its little legs pumping as hard as they can, but the security bots zap it with their tasers, frying its circuitry.

  The tall woman in the lab coat you saw earlier strides in, her metal-tipped shoes crunching down on the remains of the mini-bot, shattering its screen-head. She approaches
the mainframe, tapping away on her tablet. Then she turns to face you, her expression stern and chilling.

  ‘I am Director Winters,’ she says. ‘It appears that you have prevented a rather major catastrophe. The Pi Project’s CPU malfunctioned and was endeavouring to shut down all our security systems and fail-safe protocols. You have saved the institute and, potentially, the entire city and for that you must be congratulated.’

  You smile.

  ‘However,’ she continues, ‘your presence here is unauthorised. And as a trespasser in a government-funded facility, you should be charged with treason.’

  Your smile fades.

  ‘Given the circumstances, we are willing to overlook your transgression on signature of a non-disclosure agreement.’ She holds out the tablet and a stylus to you.

  With a shaky hand, you sign your name.

  ‘Please be assured,’ she says, an extra degree of menace creeping into her voice, ‘that should you tell anyone of what you have seen here today, we will hunt you down.’

  She turns and strides out.

  The security robots escort you back to the side entrance.

  As the roller door closes behind you, you breathe a sigh of relief and head off to find your school group.

  You continue to watch the text on the screen:

  Disable all security systems

  Disable all robotic fail-safe

  protocols Please confirm

  πππππππ

  Confirmed

  An alarm blares. The lights go red.

  CRASH!

  You glance out through the doorway to see what caused the sound. It’s the giant robot scorpion. It’s running amok around the open space, swiping at equipment and scientists with its stinger.

  SMASH!

  ‘Alert! Alert!’ a panicked voice blares over the PA system. ‘Security and fail-safe protocols have been disabled. Engage lockdown.’

  Metal blast doors slide into place over the service lift and all the doorways.

  Lockdown? You’ll be trapped here with the rampaging robots.

  You look back at the mainframe. The screen is active again:

  ππππ πππππππ ππππππ

  Override security lockdown

  Please confirm

  If the security lockdown is overridden, the doors will open and you will be able to get out. But so will the robots.

  To stop the mini-bot from overriding the lockdown and unleashing the robots, go here.

  To allow the override to continue, go here.

  You hit that top button and tinny music fills the air. You feel the upwards motion of the elevator, and seconds later the doors swish open as a cheery recorded voice announces, ‘Level forty-five. Executive suites and director’s office. Level currently evacuated and off limits.’

  Despite the warning, you step into a stark white area. A corridor stretches out before you, with another to your right. Before you can take another step, you see someone running in your direction.

  Your heart skips a beat; your mouth hangs open in amazement.

  It’s impossible!

  It’s you!

  You see yourself approaching.

  But then you notice that something is wrong. This version of you has a mechanical right arm. And there are robotic implants on the other-you’s face.

  It’s a cyborg! Part you, part robot!

  Go here.

  As you watch, the other two robots restrain Pi. The doors slam shut and the van takes off.

  Go here.

  You follow Deckard down the secret staircase into the basement.

  As you descend, fluorescent lamps flicker into brightness, revealing a huge area, much larger than the museum above, stretching off into the distance. And inside is an army. Rows and rows of soldiers dressed in combat gear – hundreds of them, all standing still – are silently staring ahead with unblinking eyes. You wonder if they’re dead and stuffed or if they’re mannequins. Then you notice that they all look like Deckard.

  ‘You shouldn’t be here,’ says Deckard when he finally sees you. ‘Just stay out of the way while I activate my android army.’

  Android army?

  ‘Yes,’ explains Deckard. ‘I’ve been expecting a robot uprising for years. So I have built this army of androids to defend the world. I just need to activate them.’

  He reaches for a massive lever on the wall.

  SMASH!

  Something bursts through at the top of the stairs, zooms down into the basement and knocks Deckard off his feet.

  It’s a robot!

  It’s humanoid in shape but appears to be made of some sort of flexible metal.

  Deckard leaps at the machine and the two of them begin to fight. Trading blows, they seem to be equally matched. Deckard manages to trip the robot. He goes for the lever, but the robot grabs his leg. Deckard falls to the concrete floor and …

  His face falls off!

  Wires and circuitry are exposed. He must be an android too! He looks up at you with electronic eyes.

  ‘Activate the army,’ he pleads. But do you trust him?

  To pull the lever, go here.

  To watch and wait, go here.

  What will you do? You are standing beside the elevator, watching the cyborg version of yourself coming towards you.

  To run down the right-hand corridor, go here.

  To stay and meet this other you, go here.

  You reach down and yank the mini-bot out of the connection port to the mainframe computer. The screen flickers, displaying new text:

  Pi Project CPU escape pod

  disconnected

  Instructions unconfirmed

  Security lockdown maintained

  You fling the mini-bot out of the room and stare at the chaos. Scientists are running around in a panic as robots rampage. The half-assembled giant robot is now building itself, adding extra weaponry, and the oversized bunny is chasing a bald scientist around the robot scorpion.

  CRUNCH!

  A thing that looks like a cross between a drinks machine and a military tank rolls over the mini-bot.

  The robots are contained. But you are trapped in here with them!

  You think your best option might be to hide out in this room with the mainframe, when you spot one scientist behaving differently.

  It’s the tall woman with the fancy headset and computer tablet. She’s cautiously making her way around the edge of the room towards a cul-de-sac.

  To follow the woman, go here.

  To stay and hide, go here.

  Override security lockdown

  Please confirm

  πππππππ

  Override confirmed

  You rush out of the room to see all the blast doors retracting. Scientists are running around in panic as robots rampage. The half-assembled giant robot is now building itself, adding extra weaponry, and the oversized bunny is chasing a bald scientist around the robot scorpion.

  SMASH!

  A thing that looks like a cross between a drinks machine and a military tank crashes its way through a wall.

  You sprint to the service lift and stab at the button indicating GROUND FLOOR. As you ascend, the sounds of chaos diminish.

  On the ground floor you race for the open roller door.

  ‘STOP!’

  You turn to see an overweight security guard panting towards you. You could easily outrun this guy. Do you?

  To continue heading for the roller door, go here.

  To follow the guard’s instruction, go here.

  You close your eyes and stab a finger at the buttons, deciding to let fate decide where you go.

  You feel the upwards motion of the elevator, accompanied by tinny music. Seconds later, the doors swish open as a cheery recorded voice announces, ‘Level thirteen. Department of vehicular conversions.’

  You wonder what that means as you step out into a room with white walls. You are surprised to see a car, a motorcycle and a pram. You excitedly approach the car, ignoring the other op
tions.

  It’s a sleek, yellow sports car. And it looks super expensive.

  You can’t help yourself. You climb into the driver’s seat.

  The car jolts and you hear a whirring sound. Your surroundings begin to move, shifting about. The dashboard comes apart and reconnects in a different configuration.

  What is happening?

  You look out through the window to see the motorcycle and the pram transforming – bits of them are disconnecting, moving and reconnecting. You gaze in amazement as you realise that they are robots in disguise.

  And so is the car!

  As the car transforms, the interior space is taken up with robotic machinery. Oh dear … there’s not enough room for you.

  SQUELCH!

  SQUISH!

  You’re not keen on having another encounter with the owner and his cattle prod. You grab the trolley and push, running as fast as you can, dodging around the customers and game machines.

  ‘Wait!’ calls Pi. ‘Not finished. No. No. No. Stay. Stay. Stay.’

  The games all go crazy as you race past them – flashing and making sounds. Some start spitting out coins. Smoke billows from one and another explodes in a shower of sparks. Players are panicking and milling about.

  Looks like Pi is getting a little too emotional.

  At least all the chaos allows you to escape the arcade without being caught.

  Out in the street you trip. The trolley zooms off on its own as you fall to the pavement. Mobile phones and iPads carried by passers-by explode in their hands, electronic billboards go crazy and parking meters are spilling coins.