Month: June 2022

  • The Archetype

    There were many built like her, but she was the archetype. Experimental technology deemed too dangerous or too high-maintenance for her production-model sisters, and an intellect backed with true artificial intelligence made her formidable, even among newer models. The navy deemed her too expensive to produce.

  • Sophistication

    Nearly a kilometer away, its handler watched through the scope of a high-power rifle. It was unaccustomed to being the center of attention – at least, the attention of people not trying to kill it.

  • Proper Use

    What could it possibly be sorry for? It wasn’t a close-combat doll; it didn’t have the strength, training, or even the programming to go toe-to-toe with even trained humans.