Robotic Essences - SCENE 49 – “Field‑Trip From Hell”

INT. SECURITY HQ – MAIN CORRIDOR – EARLY AFTERNOON

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJp1qgP3pr

Jason emerges from a briefing room rubbing his visor like it’s a stress ball. On his wrist HUD a bright assignment blinks:

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYzBBLevhog

> TODAY’S DUTY:

Orientation Escort – Cadet Cohort C‑17

“Inspire the Next Generation!”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwpR1Y4j3qA

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcM2n6j1bte

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPApfCJrj55

JASON (V.O.)

“Great. Babysitting. Because nothing screams ‘role model’ like a half‑functional Security unit with a hangover.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ092Xa6F75M

He heads for Training Bay 4, muttering:

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKiM0qdGBt6

JASON

“Please let them be mute. Or allergic to questions. Or—best case—already lost.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgL0YAunrtV

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOeOQ0zlJA

---

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFroh4JaG8j

INT. TRAINING BAY 4

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXbqsQhNCq

A dozen fresh‑paint cadets stand in uneven rows: all pristine chassis, bright optics, and way too much enthusiasm. A chirpy Instructor‑bot salutes Jason.

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡr00dQHIq2D

INSTRUCTOR

“Lieutenant Gearman, your tour group!”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXGFFwKLa5K

JASON (forcing a half‑smile)

“Lucky me.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIl2Tj8efF

Cadets snap to attention; one raises a hand before Jason can speak.

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPTvWyy5qUb

CADET #1

“Sir! How many confirmed eliminations do you have?”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbubdMCr0pm

JASON

“Enough to know asking that on a tour is creepy. Let’s walk.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlIBQXcpVv

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEqUJ9KFTKA

---

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62wbJGqDPK

Tour Stop 1 – Operations Hub

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEREkOU4tba

Holo‑maps glow, dispatchers shout coordinates. Jason gestures broadly.

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcTLbTpXBO1

JASON

“This is Ops. They track breaches, assign patrols, and mispronounce my name on every radio call.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnyEdmQEZzf

CADET #2

“Sir, what’s the average response‑time efficiency ratio?”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulfg3tSoUV

JASON (blinks twice)

“Fast. Next.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcEXGIYIVtF

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwD015KCgt1

---

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyVNUpGwg4m

Tour Stop 2 – Armory Corridor

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyUjIe7ftP

Rows of weapons behind force‑glass shimmer.

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTI9YQMQuG0

JASON

“Armory. Don’t touch anything unless you want a mentor who screams.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy65MogbYSu

A cadet presses a visor to the glass.

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06FxlSd5Cl

CADET #3

“Sir, which model railcannon offers optimal recoil control at 900 m/s?”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mqnrr6R0T

JASON

“The one that’s not aimed at your foot.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7JXu2VuNij

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡulCy0m8ahf

---

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWLPmtMMI8H

Tour Stop 3 – HR & ‘Wellness’ Kiosk

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡntWth96Bsv

A sad booth with pamphlets titled “Managing Combat Stress With Smiles.” Jason snorts.

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1wTRnznjgo

JASON

“And this is the kiosk that tells you emotional regulation is solved by breathing exercises.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ98n3ppz5HY

CADET #4

“Sir, do you use it?”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeYfDe8G8sX

JASON

“Only as a shortcut to the cafeteria.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡihhuYHSg0N

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrRCroJBP2L

---

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEk0wkAeBaK

End of Tour – Exterior Drill Yard

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq8YimzJt9n

They step onto a training platform overlooking live‑fire ranges. Jason tries to wrap up.

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡopccsuVZqG

JASON

“Questions?”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7DKfCqMwr

Every hand shoots up.

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqauay3rWNX

JASON (V.O.)

“Kill me.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmKv34pz5Lo

One eager cadet blurts:

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKrsRANBtOJ

CADET #5

“Sir! What’s the single most important lesson for a new Security bot?”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡerZXw7lR4J

Jason actually pauses—hangover, cynicism, and all.

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi9uFSniBE5

JASON

“Most important? Remember you’re not a part‑number. You’re the difference between order and chaos out there. Protocols keep us sharp, but instincts keep us alive. Learn both.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD5xHvIPMJO

The cadets exchange impressed looks. Jason realizes he sounded almost… inspirational. He shakes it off.

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ1Ib3uc6rW

JASON

“Tour over. Report back to Instructor before you wander off and blow something up— that’s my hobby.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6IQgAg8RpN

He pivots, heading for a coffee dispenser.

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKAkXftAVTK

JASON (V.O.)

“Survived. No explosions. Only mild soul death. Could be worse.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2WBCGafzk

He takes a gulp of bitter sludge, grimaces.

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVX9zTqYsEU

JASON

“…Still better than paperwork.”

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPasCLl0mZt

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNP9eSLS6pZ

---

197Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO3OfVWAifq

End of office segment.

ns216.73.216.86da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically