When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-01-07

Sorry for the interruption, sir. Ms. Ambrose. We have a situation that I am hoping you might assist us with.

In a very short time, two territories with over fifty thousand robots are going to go to war with each other.

That is one of the few things anyone could say that would refocus my attention after having a jet engine blowing sand up my dress.

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-01-10

I can't help with a war.

Both territories had their fusion reactors go down within five minutes of each other. A different vital part was damaged in each.

That's…

Each territory has the part the other needs. No spares. Also, there are no spares in the inventory system.

That's too many coincidences to be coincidence.

Which is why I need both a fusion engineer and a detective! Come on, Watson, come! The game is afoot!

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-01-12

Sorry. I wasn't expecting a robot conflict tonight.

Would you like me to come along?

I would love for you to come along.

Good idea. It will be greatly to our advantage to have a human along.

Sawtooth, for someone aspiring to be Sherlock Holmes, you are missing some major clues.

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When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-01-14

If we can get their reactors going, we can stop this war before it starts.

Dvorak told me a million robots are added every three months.

Robots need infrastructure. there should be several fusion reactors under construction that have the parts we need.

That… is a good idea.

It doesn't get listed on resumes, but being a good scrounge is a talent every technical employer looks for.

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-01-17

Since a human is with us, I've diverted a cargo carrier.

You diverted a cargo carrier for me?

Human desires take priority over robot needs.

That's ridiculous. What if a cargo carrier is needed to save hundreds of robots and a couple of humans want it to go to a birthday party?

Human desires take priority. Let them eat cake!

We're setting ourselves up for a revolution, aren't we?

No. More like waking up one morning to find all your workers have run off.

Color by George Peterson

By the way, Sawtooth (rus. Pilozub) gives a famous quote.
“Let them eat cake” is sometimes attributed to Marie Antoinette, the wife of King Louis XVI of France. (Robot Spike)

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-01-19

I haven't introduced myself. Sawtooth Rivergrinder, at your service.

Hi. Winston Thurmad.

Our first stop will be the reactor that is under construction. Please keep in mind that most robots there will be under three years old and have never seen a human before.

Don't worry. I won't do anything silly like claiming to be a god.

Good. Claiming to be a god would be to step away from being human. In their eyes, that would be a step down.

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-01-21

Welcome. I'm Bennie, this is my jet. Come on board.

Don't we have to go through security and get X-rayed or groped or something?

Naaw. You blokes look okay to me.

If I'd known I could get on a plane with my dignity intact, I'd have flown cargo long ago.

Color by George Peterson

Elton John – “Bennie and the Jets”

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-01-24

All right, let's get you buckled down. I didn't come from the end of the world to your town to have you go sliding about my cargo hold.

As for you, sir, we have some seats up front.

And sorry for the delay, sir. Please keep in mind that most of my passengers arrive already packed in their own shipping containers.

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-01-26

Thanks for giving us a lift.

No worries. I know how much you love playing detective.

Besides, Sawtooth uses remotes and I own him runtime for helping me with a body image problem I was having.

Now I'm perfectly happy in identifying myself with the body my brain isn't in.

It's easy when dealing with one person. Things become more complex when two people are fighting over the remote.

Color by George Peterson

When robot factories go to war
[!0.987]2011-01-28

That's your brain case?

Yep. Portable and lets me fly more than one plane. But me, the seat of my consciousness, sits right here behind my eyes.

No matter what plane I'm in, I remain the same. though I have misplaced the case a few times. Ever done something and wonder “where was my brain when I did that?”

Then I had a transmitter put in the case and never had to worry about losing my mind again.

The rest of us should have it so easy.

[!0.64]Do not disengage brain while plane is in motion.

Color by George Peterson