The sinking sun stretched golden fingers across the farmstead, painting the sky in hues of fiery orange and scarlet. Block’s visual sensors swept over their sanctuary as the strain of the impending night amped up his threat indicator.
The farm, nestled between acres of prairie land, rolling hills, and overgrown woodlands, was more than a pit stop—it was their haven. As dusk crept closer, the weathered barn and the quaint farmhouse stood marred by the hastily constructed boards they’d pounded onto all the windows.
Block carried another pair of two-by-six boards from Fenn’s shed into the barn where Garnet’s invisible presence hummed. She was the bones of the compound, and her electrical lifeblood pulsed through every corner. The power she managed, drawn from sun-drenched solar panels and a wind turbine, made their existence possible.
Under threat, the night’s task was clear—bolster their defenses against the prowling Rovers and fortify their haven against the assault that was sure to come under the cover of darkness. Block’s goal was unwavering—safeguard the perimeter, protect their home, and above all, keep the children safe. He liked the odds better now that they had a Rover on their side. The robot had proven herself by saving Wally from the blazing stove, and that was all Block needed to know she was good inside.
Vacuubot monitored from the sky and G5 stood patrol in the watchtower while Block, Maxwell, Forge, and Fenn barricaded the barn and house. The kids were all hunkered down for bed in the underground safe room below the barn with Emery and Spoon tending them. Garnet worked on restoring Shadow to full capacity, her powerful crane arms reshaping the mechanical dog’s dented armor as best she could on short notice.
Vacuubot did a flyover. The night’s closing in fast, Block. We’ve got a long night ahead.
“We do,” Block said. “But we’ve been through worse.”
At least we know what’s coming.
The last shards of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon. Battle was imminent. If they’d had more time, perhaps they could’ve moved the children to another location, but such a plan risked an attack out in the open where they had no defenses.
Block set the lumber down and walked over to where Garnet fixed up Shadow. The Rover was standing on all fours while Garnet controlled multiple machines with precise hands that adjusted the metal hound’s circuitry.
“We’re almost done here,” Garnet said. “Shadow’s nearly back to full capacity.”
“Good.” Block approached the front of the hulking steel beast. She was the size of a large wolf with razor-sharp teeth and glowing green eyes. “Unit FG4, how are you doing?”
“Call me Shadow. I’m at 87 percent functionality, but I’m ready.”
He nodded. “We’re counting on you. Stay alert.”
“I won’t let you down.”
Block joined Fenn, Forge, and Maxwell outside. “Let’s finish up the barrier. We need to make sure it’s secure before the Rov—”
The rhythmic hum of the barn’s electromagnetic modules, once comforting in their predictability, shattered into a discordant screech that pierced Block’s audio sensors. The ground trembled underfoot, and an abnormal vibration stirred a storm of error messages and warnings within his programming.
“Block!” The urgency in Garnet’s voice mirrored the jumbled shrills and shaking.
“What’s happening?” Block ran to the barn’s doorway. Garnet’s once steady light was now a chaotic strobe, flashing like a nest of hornets—buzzing, clustered, and agitated.
“Forge.” Garnet’s usually calm voice was erratic. “He overrode my energy management protocols. The grid can’t handle the surge.”
Block’s infrared sensors captured the scene. Lights flickered and died. Machines stalled mid-task. The barn’s interior was plunged into darkness.
The energy surge had compromised their defenses, creating a black hole in their carefully laid out plan. And the Rovers, still out there, could strike at any minute.
“Forge?” Block sprinted around the side of the building to where the hefty robot was bent over a power junction, sparks erupting from the open panel. “What did you do?”
“I was trying to help.” Forge leaned over the control box. “I thought if we could ramp up the energy output of the modules, it would be an added advantage.” He stood. “I messed up.”
“The alarms!” Maxwell rushed toward Block. “They’re offline.”
With their alarms disabled, the approaching Rovers had a clear pathway. An attack could come any second.
“Forge and Maxwell, repair the grid. Now.” Block’s directive was terse, but he had no time for politeness in their new and dangerous reality. Their world had tilted on its axis, and he knew he must right it again. The Rovers were coming, and their defenses were down, but they still had their will, their courage, and their unity. And he would use these to his advantage.
“Vacuubot, G5,” he said. “Prepare for a direct confrontation. We’ll put up a fight like they’ve never seen.”
Shadow bounded into the yard and paced, staring into the woods. An eerie stillness lingered in the air as Block assessed the farmstead, his sensors adapting to the darkness. The vital hum of machinery was replaced by the foreboding rustle of the nearby trees, every sound amplified in the power vacuum. Garnet’s ever-changing hologram was noticeably absent, her presence evaporated in the energy grid’s crash.
He was irritated with Forge, but he didn’t have time to dwell on the FactoryBot’s error in judgment. “Maxwell, how long to restore Garnet?”
While Forge held the panel open and shone a light down from his head, Maxwell worked over the control boards. “It’s not a quick fix. The surge fried some circuits. It’ll take time.”
Time they couldn’t afford. They were exposed without Garnet’s defenses, their hideout stark naked against the keen eyes of the enemy dogs.
“Then we’ll have to fight them without Garnet.” Block hoped his tone carried a resolve that might bolster his comrades. “We need physical barriers. Can you use the scrap metal from the shed and seal off the barn entry?” Block was calculating the makeshift defenses.
“Yep,” Maxwell said. “Rudimentary, but it’ll buy us time.”
“Shadow, G5,” Block continued, “Red alert. If they set foot near us, attack. Vacuubot, get a view from above. Coordinate with G5 and keep an eye on the woods. First sign of the pack, we need to know.”
The sleek drone bot chirped an affirmative, lifting off into the night sky with a mad hum. Its faint light receded into the distance, merging with the stars.
“Fenn, with me.” The man carried his shotgun and followed Block across the field to check on defenses. Behind them, the farmstead was a frenzy of activity against the darkened landscape. The robotic figures worked in synchrony.
Despite the lack of power and plunge into darkness, Block summoned a renewed purpose within himself. He looked out into the inky darkness and steeled himself. Let them come. We’re ready.
His task with Fenn complete, the two of them were hurrying back toward the barn yard when a shrill cry echoed through the still night. It was a noise unmistakably organic, one that didn’t belong in their world of metal and circuitry, one of flesh and blood. It came from the tree line that bordered the yard. Something thrashed among the high grassy weeds.
Block focused his optical sensors on a thicket of bushes. Whatever it was, it was large. He raised his gun arm, ready to shred any Rovers, but a deer was trapped in one of their hastily erected hidden traps. The poor animal was caught in a metal snare, its left back leg twisted awkwardly. The more it tried to pull free, the more entangled it got, its cries echoing mournfully in the darkness.
Block hated seeing an animal, especially a beautiful deer, scared and in pain. He had to free the creature, not just because it was the right thing to do, but also because the distress calls could attract unwanted attention from the Rovers lurking in the shadows.
He looked around at his crew. Fenn and the bots stood watching, their tasks momentarily forgotten.
His processor raced, adjusted, and recalculated. The traps had been set to combat the Rovers. They hadn’t considered the impact on the local fauna—an oversight. Block needed to fix it, and fast. The deer’s cries were like a beacon in the night. With his gun poised, Block headed toward the deer.
“Wait.” Shadow sprinted over to his side. “They’re out there, waiting for you.”
He halted, and the night seemed to close in around him. It was a stark reminder that even the best-laid plans could go awry, and in the most unexpected ways. “I can’t leave the deer.” The creature was frantic, bellowing and thrashing against the ground.
“Then I’m coming with you.” Shadow didn’t take her gaze off the great oaks with their rustling leaves.
Fenn rushed over with a black medical case, his rifle nowhere in sight. “I can disinfect the wounds. Give it a fighting chance.”
“It’s too dangerous,” Block said. “Get in the barn.”
But Fenn’s eyes were bright and defiant even in the darkness. “The hell I will. My land, my animals.”
Block knew the kind of look the veterinarian had. He’d seen it on Nova many times. Once a human got that kind of steely look and their vocal cords held a certain resolute tension, there was no convincing them otherwise.
“Come on, then.” Block led the way to the trap, and the deer’s cries grew louder as they approached. Shadow stalked the high prairie grass near them.
Close up, the deer’s breathing was shallow, and its legs and torso trembled. Block raised his gun arm, scanning the surrounding bushes with unblinking laser focus. “Work fast.” Not saying please was still weird for him, but he knew Nova would approve of his deliberate commands.
Fenn knelt beside the distressed animal with his medical case open and a small flashlight in his mouth illuminating the deer. The man ignored the threat of danger, completely focused on tending to the creature before him. He snipped the wire with a pair of pliers and straddled the still whimpering deer as he unhooked the metallic trap from its leg. He poured antiseptic on the wound and wrapped a bandage around the limb.
Block stood guard, his gun at the ready. Shadow prowled the perimeter just beyond their small circle.
A loud snap came from the woods, followed by the sound of scuffling and booming barks. Rovers.
Fenn got up, and the deer twisted on its back and righted itself before scampering away into the dark woods. Block had to keep the man safe. “Come on.” He yanked the veterinarian to his feet and turned toward the barn.
Shadow was still in the open field, growling in the darkness.
As Block and Fenn cleared the animal fence, crossed the yard, and neared the barn, he nudged Fenn to go inside. “Get ready to defend.”
Fenn nodded and hurried into the barn. From the patrol tower, G5 fired a round of bullets toward the field. “I can’t get a lock,” he said. “Out of range.”
The Rovers were closing in on Shadow, snarling and barking as they prepared to attack. Shadow was fierce, but even she needed backup against her own kind.
A streak of metal and white flashes rippled into view. Vacuubot soared overhead and darted down at one of the Rovers, sending it staggering backward and rolling. Block raced toward the melee. The surprised Rover got back on its feet.
It locked its sights on Block and sprinted. With massive, gaping jaws, the beast’s claws tore the earth from under its feet as it hurtled toward Block.