(Photo by Marcus Aurelius)

Matiew did not make it to the mission director’s office in time to be present for BaBS-Y’s announcement, though he was close. The emergency displays that ran along the top of the walls lit up and the hastily assembled robot appeared, sitting at the director’s desk. It reminded Matiew of the few times he’d watched government officials back on earth delivering a speech. Although, in this instance the look was somewhat unnerving with BaBS-Y lacking its shell. The effect was more similar to seeing a skeleton behind the desk.

“People of the Thesis,” BaBS-Y said, “These past couple of months have been trying for us all. In the chaos and uncertainty brought about when the Thesis was struck by the asteroid, this unit was left alone in the Frank Nelis salon with the primary objective of maintaining it. To that end, this unit has and will continue to seek for the greatest success possible for the Frank Nelis salon.”

Where was it going with this? Was it about to vent the atmosphere out of the ship, killing everyone so it could focus on the salon? Had he instead been successful in convincing the robot that what it was doing was wrong? Or at least contrary to its primary directive?

“Most recently,” BaBS-Y went on, “this unit took up the mantle of mission director, as that was the most expedient way to ensure the viability of the Frank Nelis salon. This unit assumed the directives of the mission director, but the care for the Frank Nelis salon remained as the primary directive as this unit is unable to modify that aspect of its programming.”

Matiew’s comm chimed and he hurried to answer it while still listening to BaBS-Y.

“Matiew, where are you?” Min demanded at once.

“I’m up on sector one.”

There was a heavy pause, all the while BaBS-Y was giving a synopsis of everything that had been happening from its perspective, as though trying to justify its actions. Was it building up to a final justification?

“Did BaBS-Y get you?”

“No,” Matiew said. “I found it in manufacturing. We talked and I tried to convince it to step down as mission director.”

“Is that what this announcement’s about?” Min asked, a bit of hope building in her voice.

“I sure hope so, but I don’t know for certain,” he said and then added, “how’s Cassandra and her team?”

Min sighed and Matiew knew it wasn’t going to be good news.

“At least two on her team are dead. Suffocated. No word yet on if Cassandra…well, we’ve got people down at the airlock trying to fix whatever BaBS-Y did to the locks so they can get the team back.”

“Got it,” Matiew said. “How’s everyone else? Any update on Jancy and Rine?”

“Jancy’s resting,” Min said. “and Rine’s being treated for the gas with the others. I haven’t heard anything specific but it sounds like they’ll all pull though. Maybe some scarring on the lungs for the worst cases but they’ll live.”

“Matiew, from the Robotics Control Center spoke to this unit just prior to this announcement,” BaBS-Y said, catching Matiew’s attention, “The incompatibility of this units directives were established. While acting as mission director, this unit sought to protect the Frank Nelis salon, yet in doing so it neglected the directives of the mission director and of the Thesis. This unit, however, is unable to rectify this conflict of interests without certain assurances.”

“Oh boy, here we go,” Min whispered over the comm and Matiew felt himself tense.

“As this unit improperly subsumed authority, this unit will recognize the original authority structure for either approval or disapproval of this proposal. If the Thesis charter will be updated to include the mandatory upkeep and maintenance of the Frank Nelis salon with this unit serving as manager and beautician, then this unit will relinquish all other controls and authority it is currently vested with.

“This unit will allow the council two days to deliberate and deliver their decision. In the mean time, all aggressive actions on both sides must cease. All robots will return to their original functions and airlocks will no longer be impeded. This unit will remain in the mission director’s office and should not be the target of any further aggressive actions while the council deliberates.”

The displays returned to their usual, blank state. The silence that followed was jarring at first, but then the steady drone of robots moving back to their assigned positions settled into the background. A pair of CaSS and MaCS robots trundled by and began cleaning up chemical spills and other similar messes. By the time Matiew reached the RCC, the entire place was cleaned up while other robots went about repairing damaged doors, gathering up broken furniture and decorations.

There wasn’t much for him to do, but Matiew found himself sitting at his desk, staring at where his display would normally be, feeling the relief of so much stress. For now it was quiet. For now he could rest. For now –

“Hello?” someone called out, poking their head into the RCC.

“Hmm? Can I help you?” Matiew asked.

The man in the entryway nodded and strode in. He looked bruised and battered but nothing beyond superficial injuries.

“Yeah,” he said, jabbing a finger at Matiew and reminding him of the animosity he’d been faced with recently. “You can tell that robot we don’t have to do anything it wants. We’re going to go up there and smash its brains in.”

Matiew’s stomach clenched. This response was, of course, completely understandable, but it was the last thing he needed now. “Sir,” Matiew said in as calm and careful a voice he could muster, “the Thesis council is handling the situation. If they decide to fight, then we’ll fight, but until then please don’t do anything that would put yourself or others at risk.”

For a moment Matiew thought he was about to get a second beating but this time the man’s expression shifted, not exactly softening, but losing some of the edge he’d had at the beginning o their conversation.

“The council’s really considering this robot’s offer?” he asked, wary.

“I’m not part of the council,” Matiew said. “I’m certain they are discussing the situation but,” he held his arms out to either side, “the best thing we can do now is just get things running again. That way, in two days, we are all as prepared as can be. Get some rest, get something to eat, and make sure the Thesis keeps running, you know?”

“Yeah,” the man nodded a bit, “yeah, I guess.”

With that, he turned and walked back out, leaving Matiew alone once more. On a whim, Matiew looked up to the security cameras in the ceiling.

“You still watching, BaBS-Y?” he asked.

There was no response. He wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or not, but for now he wasn’t going to worry about it. His ribs hurt and he was exhausted. He picked up his comm and contacted the hospital.

“This is Matiew,” he said, “is my room there still available or are you all filled up?”

“Your bed’s in use at the moment,” the nurse replied. “It’s pretty full up here but we’re working on expanding temporarily. We should be have a spot for you before the end of the day. Are you in need of any medical aid at this time?”

He didn’t want to go back there. He wanted to be home where he could finally rest without a bunch of people all worrying over him. But, the fact remained that he couldn’t really care for himself with his ribs still broken as they were.

“I’ll need some assistance, yeah,” he said, “nothing serious, just the usual.”

The nurse wasn’t one he was familiar with so he wasn’t sure if they knew about his particular case and the sort of assistance he needed. Still, they assured him he would get what he needed, though possibly with some delay.

“That’s fine,” Matiew said. “I’ll be heading up now.”

His minor confrontation in the RCC was enough to convince him that hanging around this place right now was not the brightest idea he’d ever had. Best if he took his own advice and get some rest, get something to eat, and make sure the Thesis could keep on running.