Seeking An S.O.S.: Behind The Scenes

39. Robotic Voices

Once Martina turned around, a human-like android looked directly at her. Metallic eyes curiously distinguishing if the egg was good or bad. At the same time, Martina was quite astonished by this new innovation, as this was the first time she met a robot upclose. Yet, when the robotic arm touched her, Martina jolted and tried to run the other way. The mechanical limb attempted to sweep her waist in order to yank her backwards, but Martina was able to squirm her way out of Rosie's reach. However, Martina stumbled on a chair nearby as she heard the echoes of Mr. Lewis's voice to ask Rosie to stop harassing her.

As Martina faced the wall she sat next to and read the bold letters written on a plaque that hung upon it which stated more information about the Android she just met. She ran her tongue across the roof of her mouth and swallowed.

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Rosie the Riveter

An Android previously created by Astronaut Michael Collins in the 1960's for Experimental Purposes

Donated to SPANA Headquarters in the 1970's once NASA no longer needed her

Modernly adjusted with new abilities by SPANA Head Administrator Garreth Lewis in 2020 for training exercises

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Re-reading the carved letters etched on the plaque over again made Martina think that this head administrator might be worse than how the warden of Iron Heights Correctional Facility treated them.

What did we sign up for? Modernly adjusted, eh? What the heck? Just how strong are they?

Martina's thoughts were quickly answered before she could say anything else.

The android came back to life and once Rosie waved at her for a second time, Martina thought it wanted to say hello this time. But once Martina put out her hand to shake the robotic arm, the Android attempted to pick the helpless woman up. In the end, it caused Martina to holler for help.

Alerting Mr. Lewis and the rest of the crew to rescue her, Martina was held dangling straight up in the air.

"Rosie, put Miss Wade down immediately, she is one of our guests!" Mr. Lewis demanded.

The android's metallic face turned around as she heard what her master required her to do. Programmed to automatically obey him at the sound of his voice, the robot firmly placed Martina down on the floor without delay.

Ump!

As Rosie placed Martina down, the Android's wheels rolled backwards to where she was originally supposed to be.

Dusting herself off, Martina glared at Mr. Lewis straight in the eye with a frown. She wasn't hurt as the robot dropped her, but it still made her buttocks feel sore. Frankly, she was not amused being hung in the air like wet laundry.

"I did not appreciate that Mr. Lewis. To hang strangers up in the air? Is Rosie programmed that way?"

Keeping her arms firmly crossed, Garreth knew her first encounter with his robots wouldn't go smoothly.

Learning that Rosie acted up before this meetup, Garreth knew he had to apologize for his mistakes.

"I'm terribly sorry for not programming Rosie before our meetup. No, she's not supposed to intentionally pick up strangers, but because the robot has not seen you before, her first instinct was to keep intruders from our defense facility and wait till our fellow assistants or myself come to release the hostages."

He placed his hand upon his forehead and nodded as his assistants should have told him of this mishap beforehand.

Dang, as if he's truly sorry for this catastrophe! Wonder what other booby traps are located here!

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Moving forward, Martina noticed the other decorative name plates next to Rosie's name, thus, Martina learned that there were more robots lurking around the facility.

Elroy the Primer

Astro the Star Dog

Judy the Masterful

Oh shit! A family of robots.

As Martina thought about this, it sent chills down her spine. Her sarcastic attitude was getting the best of her at the moment.

She now assumed they were all programmed to believe that she and her friends were intruders.

Watching her closely with his hands behind his back, Garreth Lewis decided to tell her about Rosie's other companions. This time he was sure that these robots would welcome her with open arms as he made sure to tweak them himself before the visit. Why he forgot about Rosie wasn't actually his fault, but of his assistant, Andrew. The man on duty had only one job to do, and yet he failed!

Garreth needed to privately speak to him after this conversation with Martina. He needed to clarify that his orders should be followed ASAP without delay. Garreth didn't want to fire his employees immediately, but they needed to know about their errors as the administrator knew he did one in space that has haunted him for years. And he wasn't one to let others make the same errors.

"I see you have read the part of the Bulletin Board where Rosie has other companions here, Miss Wade. Would you like me to introduce them to you or shall we wait till your other friends show up?" Lewis asked.

"I'd rather wait, Mr. Lewis. I don't want another surprise to happen out of the blue. Meeting Rosie really shocked me!"

And with that, the SPANA administrator nodded as he left her alone in the training room.

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Running to meet her girlfriend inside, Harley tapped Martina's shoulder.

"Heard what happened to you and that Android. Are you okay? Marti, I think these robots have something to do with the sign outside." Harley stated inquisitively.

Boy, news certainly travels fast!. Wonder if these thin walls have ears!

Martina placed her arms around Harley and tried to calm her down, assuring her that everything was going to run smoothly even though she knew that wasn't the truth.

"Do you mean the Danger Zone warning? Nonsense, Harley. I'm fine, just a bit jumpy, but I know we'll get by."

Harley looked away and frowned. Putting her hands to cover the tears running down her face, she tried to hide them away from her love.

Watching how Harley's worried attitude turn from bad to worse, Martina remained clueless on what to do next. That was her flaw. She didn't know how to comfort someone well enough, yet Harley taught her to loosen up.

"What's wrong sweetie?"

Harley stopped crying and faced her.

"Do you think Mr. Lewis programmed them to kill us? I've been thinking about what you told me in Iron Heights yesterday and I'd rather die in prison, then up in eternity."

Keeping her close to her bosom, Martina patted her back.

"No one's going to die, sweetie. Not when I'm around. I'm sure of it. I'll protect you and everyone else. Besides we have your buff brother on our side."

Not sure if she should have said the last line, she bit her lip.
Martina knew she shouldn't make a promise she couldn't keep.