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

INT. SECURITY HQ – MAIN CORRIDOR – EARLY AFTERNOON

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAisrSz9DOE

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDfUooejYp4

> TODAY’S DUTY:

Orientation Escort – Cadet Cohort C‑17

“Inspire the Next Generation!”

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBEEix0sv2S

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpSLm73ssXE

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwCO1pZveDv

JASON (V.O.)

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKX7nGqkd6W

He heads for Training Bay 4, muttering:

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd2NqPQXJdd

JASON

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡutyDBfK6j8

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9crP8jw4DU

---

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tOeXWRVQK

INT. TRAINING BAY 4

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsr394b0KBe

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.

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZEcn534BZ

INSTRUCTOR

“Lieutenant Gearman, your tour group!”

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAv1H6qSeTs

JASON (forcing a half‑smile)

“Lucky me.”

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaaQ0jGiqoS

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRjHMCDeUnm

CADET #1

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTuDOqoBON

JASON

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKwo3yWyLzt

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRcOJkmVGB

---

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡse1OMUSH5E

Tour Stop 1 – Operations Hub

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc8zXyBbS0x

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDoDSLpsRXx

JASON

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc2qStAKxKb

CADET #2

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡG1s1mJkd3P

JASON (blinks twice)

“Fast. Next.”

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pwnmekr98

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxyQ0Kpnruh

---

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcYNkeZN8lU

Tour Stop 2 – Armory Corridor

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUSw8QMLKg7

Rows of weapons behind force‑glass shimmer.

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbmfYK0VJB1

JASON

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf6Z6Xvvzc6

A cadet presses a visor to the glass.

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpCbBCGp08G

CADET #3

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq46bk5FtiP

JASON

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPM8qXFZkmQ

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡorTHdZ7ckV

---

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1oWwflytnL

Tour Stop 3 – HR & ‘Wellness’ Kiosk

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTECkBLQfiN

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡY7lUDIqIZF

JASON

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrEtUTeDja6

CADET #4

“Sir, do you use it?”

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayLhfkhu29

JASON

“Only as a shortcut to the cafeteria.”

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hMTRQaPD9

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzUxFpo0LYk

---

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1J6RCcZ73K

End of Tour – Exterior Drill Yard

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYJ7hcEpy38

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAORoyoFNAI

JASON

“Questions?”

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZ8qxOxhiF

Every hand shoots up.

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOUa8p95UOz

JASON (V.O.)

“Kill me.”

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPeK17kgDl

One eager cadet blurts:

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVEDJKhXRwo

CADET #5

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡC6qS83lRct

Jason actually pauses—hangover, cynicism, and all.

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpMu1Ck3UAX

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.”

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa6003teyZZ

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPEUrfKNXH

JASON

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX1haZ5e4b2

He pivots, heading for a coffee dispenser.

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnY5zmohYRa

JASON (V.O.)

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

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxivXHtNvvH

He takes a gulp of bitter sludge, grimaces.

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ42NPc3Zza8

JASON

“…Still better than paperwork.”

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bZzKpZlAB

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bD3S9AHkq

---

253Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH21L4p1OOl

End of office segment.

ns216.73.216.229da2

Reading Theme:

Font Size:

Line Spacing:

Paragraph Spacing:

Load the next issue automatically