The air around them was hushed, and a stillness hung over the prairie land like a cloak. It was a strange atmosphere, tinged with gloom. Block stood at the edge of a small, freshly dug hole in the earth and looked down at the lifeless frame of Fang, Shadow’s pack brother. They’d decided on a spot under the grand oak tree, a place that Fang might have liked, with its cool shade and views of the rolling fields beyond.
Block watched the others standing in a semi-circle around the grave. Emery, Fenn, Spoon, G5, Maxwell, Forge, Vacuubot, and Shadow—all different, each with their unique ways of processing the Rover’s death. Shadow stood a few feet apart, her chassis rigid and her green optics dim.
Emery was the first to break the silence, her soft voice carrying in the calm morning air. “Fang was a true warrior, a protector for his master. But more than that, he was a brother to Shadow.”
Block absorbed her words. They were treading a fine line. Fang had been a threat to all of them, but he was still Shadow’s brother, and the loss was so recent. He broke the quiet, sensing the need for someone to utter something wise. “Fang was a brave robot.” But he didn’t know what else to say.
His words seemed to hang in the faint breeze, suspended in the hush, before melting away. Emery nodded, a gesture of silent agreement, before they turned their attention to the grave. Forge, the strongest of them, stepped forward, his servos whirring, and lowered Fang’s body into the ground. The impact of the steel body on the soil made a thunk, a stark reminder of the finality of their actions.
Shadow edged closer, her stocky form casting a shadow. She looked at the grave, then tilted her head toward the sky. Her vocal processors emitted a low, mournful hum—a dirge for her fallen brother.
The others reacted, each in their own way. G5’s sensors flickered, while Spoon hovered close to Emery, as if seeking comfort in her proximity. Even Maxwell and Forge, usually so gregarious, were mute.
As the makeshift ceremony came to an end, Block’s processor twitched with conflicting logic scenarios. Fang’s death was a reminder of their vulnerability and the stakes for which they were fighting. But it was also a testament to their resilience, their capacity to come together in times of challenge.
“Rest well, Fang.” Block gave a final, respectful nod toward the grave.
As the sun climbed higher into the sky, its light filtered through the leaves of the great oak, casting a dappled pattern on the grass below. The others departed, leaving Block and Shadow standing beside the grave in shared silence before the fallen Rover.
There was work to be done, plans to be set in motion. But for the time being, Block stayed with Shadow, waiting beside her as she stared at the mound of fresh earth.
“Shadow,” he finally said. “Fang’s passing wasn’t your fault. He was following his programming, just as you once did. But you’ve grown beyond that. You’ve made choices, different ones.”
Shadow turned her head toward him, her optical orbs flickering in what Block could only interpret as sadness. “I killed him. He was my brother, and I killed him.”
Block analyzed her words and ran through his databanks, filtering through thousands of scripts, but none of the responses seemed adequate, so he said the only thing he could think of. “Maybe that’s why you’re different, Shadow. Because you feel bad. Because you care.”
Shadow seemed to process his words. “Is it enough? Is it enough to feel bad? What use is it if I can’t save those I care about?”
Block considered. How often had he questioned himself and his actions? How many times had he wished he could’ve done more when Mr. Wallace needed him? But the past was immutable.
“Feeling doesn’t have to have a purpose. It just is,” he said. “It’s about being aware and understanding consequences. You’re changing and adapting, just like I did. You’re more than just a scary Rover now.”
Shadow’s sensors dimmed, an indication of her deep processing. Block could almost see the cogs turning in her artificial brain, grappling with the concept of self, of guilt and empathy.
He made a decision then. “How about joining us? You don’t have to be alone. We’re all different here, but we’ve found a way to work together, to become a sort of family. You could be part of that.”
Shadow studied him, her emerald eyes bright in the looming shade. She was silent for a long time before she spoke. “Scary Rover?”
“Well, you are rather intimidating upon first impression.” He’d never touched Shadow before even though she’d saved his life and Wally’s. He placed his right hand on her back, between her shoulders. “But I know you now, and you’re not so scary.”
She raised her head and wiggled her ears. “A family, you say? I’d like that.”
Block clapped. This was uncharted territory for him, but he had a feeling he’d done the right thing. Shadow was shifting, and she deserved the chance to explore, grow, and evolve just like he had.
She would be a major asset to protecting the farm and the kids. There would be challenges and conflicts, but they would face them together. “There’s a lot to do. We’d better go.” Block headed toward the barn.
“Block,” Shadow said as she caught up to him. “What about the others? You accept me, but they only know I killed one of my own.”
“I think they understand, and if they don’t, I’ll talk to them.”
Shadow looked toward the barn. “Can I tell them? Explain myself?”
They were short on time. The other two Rovers were out there somewhere, sure to return. Block didn’t think Shadow needed to make an explanation, but it seemed important to her.
He called the others into the barn so Garnet could be there too. Shadow paced a few strides, then halted. “I wanted a chance to explain what happened. I didn’t want to kill Fang. But I had to. I had to protect Wally and the other children here.”
“I understand, Shadow,” Maxwell said.
“No, you don’t.” Her optics flared brightly. “You can’t understand. You’ve never killed one of your own.”
Maybe she was right. Block had never been put in that position. Yet, he’d been forced to make tough decisions. They all had.
“Shadow”—Block stepped closer—“we’ve all made choices, hard choices. Some of my choices haunt me and make me question who I am. What I am.”
He paused, picking through his processor to find the right words. “But each choice, each decision, led me here. All of this led me to become more than I was programmed to be. It was never an easy path, but it was necessary.”
He had Shadow’s attention completely. “You made a choice. A hard one. But it was necessary. And I believe, in time, you’ll find the strength to move past this and grow from it.”
Shadow hung her head. “What if I can’t move past this?”
“It’s not easy. It’s not supposed to be. But you’re not alone. You have us. And together, we’ll figure this out.” He took in the group gathered around. Emery held a napping baby in her arms, while Spoon rocked a huge stroller. G5 and the other robots stood tall and strong. Fenn lingered by the door with a bucket in his hand, on his way to feed the goats.
“I invited Shadow to stay with us and join our crew.” Block glimpsed at Emery and caught a smile. “Our family.”
Shadow came closer. He extended his metal hand toward her. She hesitated for a moment before joining him and nudging her furry head against his fingers.
“I accepted,” she said before turning to face her small audience. “That is, if it’s okay with all of you.”
Emery came forward and patted her between the ears. “Welcome to the pack.”
Maxwell clapped and the others joined. “To Shadow.”
Mach X, for all his evil intentions, had brought them closer. They were a family now. They would stick together.
G5 reminded them of the lurking threat. Shadow filled them in on how Var and Raze thought, down to what they might be plotting at this moment. “They’ll wait until nightfall,” she said.
They hurried to their stations. G5, their agile sentinel, made swift rounds along the perimeter. Maxwell and Forge huddled together in their makeshift control room, their concentration focused on an array of screens. With Garnet, they monitored for any signs of unwanted guests. Fenn kept his shotgun always within reach, while Vacuubot patrolled the skies.
As the minutes ebbed into hours, the barn transformed into a hub of frantic activity. Strategies were plotted, traps were meticulously set, and defenses bolstered. The atmosphere buzzed with an undercurrent of electricity, charged with their combined determination and purpose.
Shadow became an integral part of the chaos, offering insights into the workings and tactics of her former brethren. “Var is nothing if not persistent.” Shadow’s gaze locked onto the vast expanse beyond their fortified fence. “He’ll circle around the area, look for any weaknesses, any lapses in our defenses.”
Block nodded, his processors buzzing. “Then we make sure he finds the weakness we know about. We’ll use his tactics against him, lead him into a trap.”
The plan was simple yet brilliant, using their limited resources to the maximum advantage. As they worked through the remains of the day, the lines of division blurred between the motley crew of robots. The difference between CleanerBot and Rover, AI and human, seemed insignificant in the face of their shared purpose.
G5 and Vacuubot worked in tandem, coordinating their efforts to reinforce the perimeter. Forge, with his immense strength, was a force of his own, tirelessly digging trenches and erecting barriers.
The sun slid over the horizon, casting the farmstead in a creeping murk. The last of the traps were set, the last checks made. The robots stood outside the barn. There was a quiet understanding, a shared sense of resolve that passed between them. They’d done everything they could. Now, all that was left was to wait.
“Well done.” Block regarded his crew as a surge of energy swelled deep within his circuits. They were more than just robots. They were a family, their bond forged not in the assembly lines but in one shared purpose—to protect their sanctuary.