Automaton

Steam shot through the openings in the pipes. Burt's footsteps were clacking on the ground.

He was currently in Irigia's science factory, and he was walking through one of the corridors.

Pipes and turning gears surrounded him on the walls, and there was no sunlight getting through.

He got to the end of the corridor and opened up the solid metal door.

Inside, numerous workers in large vests scurried over from table to table that had mounds of paper scattered on top of them.

"What's our time frame?" He asked one of the workers.

A man with large goggles turned around, "hello sir, we are actually almost done if you want to stay. We are just double checking all of our data and math to make sure we are set to turn it on."

Burt eye's widened, "already? The Queen will definitely be happy about this."

The worker looked left and right and said in a low tone, "I'm not so sure about that. This will change the way our lives will be lived, how wars will be fought, and how kingdoms will be ruled. I'm not so sure this is a good idea."

Burt glared at him, "It doesn't matter whether or not you believe it's a good idea, all you need to do is make sure it works."

The worker bowed his head and went of to continue verifying.

After a moment, a drape that stood in the center of the room was lifted up to reveal what was underneath.

It was the first ever automaton. It stood tall on the raised platform with its arms by its sides.

Its head was similar to a knights helm, with gears and lights whirring behind the small slits.

It had a bright monster core right in the center of its chest plate, and it was protected by chains and thick metal.

Burt felt chills run up and down his spine after laying eyes on the automaton.

"We are ready for the start up sir! Please step back!" Called out the man with the goggles on.

Burt stepped back and goggles pulled a lever.

He heard several clicks and creaks before seeing the light come through the slit of the knight's helm.

The automaton's head looked to the left and right before stepping down off of its pedestal, then it stayed still.

Burt slowly walked up to it, "What are you machine?" He asked it.

The automaton replied in a rusty voice, "I...am...model...one...battle...automaton."

Burt stepped back after hearing it reply. They had created the first ever robot, and it served Irigia!

"Who do you follow?" Burt asked.

"I...follow...orders...of...specific...officers...and...Queen...in...Irigia."

"Who are the specific officers?"

"One...officer...on...record: Burt...from...Irigia."

Burt's eyebrows tried to climb to the ceiling.

"It only follows my orders and the Queen's?"

The man with the goggles nodded, "It is only programmed to obey simple commands from you and the Queen. We are trying to implement a more complex programming so it can understand more complex orders. But we are still working out the kinks. We are going to improve the voice modular for the next model as well. For now, we have about a dozen model one battle automatons for use right now."

"How would you judge their battle levels?"

The man smiled when he said, "I am very proud of the fact that they are just as good as top notch version two exosuit soldiers. It is only model one, but this set of automatons can serve as a very good quick response team in the military."

Burt shook his head, "we actually plan to use them in a different way. We sent someone to go retrieve the monster king, and if they succeed in stopping him, then I want you to add one more officer that the automaton's will respond to."

"Yes, sir."

Burt smiled and walked back out through the corridor. His thoughts led to dark places, however.

'This breakthrough will change the whole world. I just wonder...what happens if the machines become uncontrollable?'

................................

In the Trostan Kingdom, Inian just woke up next to Janae.

He was spooning her naked body under the covers of their blanket in Inian's tent.

His eyelids fluttered as he woke up, and he kissed Janae's forehead.

Even in her sleep she sighed a satisfied sigh. So Inian got dressed and walked outside of the tent.

The morning air was crisp, and the sounds of bugs and animals have returned.

Inian was in high spirits until he heard a radio from the vehicle they rode in.

"Janae...come in Janae...we need you to return to Irigia with Inian immediately."