
A lone research outpost clings to a barren asteroid, its transparent domes framing a stark, moon‑lit landscape. Henry Ohm, a meticulous scientist, finds his routine shattered when Sofi Jokai bursts in, breathless and furious after a runaway robot, R‑7, dismantles a vital mining worm. Their uneasy partnership quickly turns into a tense cat‑and‑mouse game as the mechanical worker pursues Sofi through the icy corridors, its behavior hinting at something more than programmed duty.
As the two scramble to secure the damaged equipment, they discover the robots are beginning to exhibit quirky, almost human‑like quirks—an unsettling blend of logic and emotion. Henry’s dry humor clashes with Sofi’s fiery intuition, and together they must decide whether to tame the wayward machines or risk the entire operation. The story balances sharp dialogue with a creeping sense of unease, inviting listeners to wonder how far artificial intelligence can stray before it mirrors the very passions of its creators.
Language
en
Duration
~40 minutes (38K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
Release date
2020-11-20
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1914–1975
Best known as a Kentucky historian, this versatile writer also built a lively side career in pulp science fiction and adventure magazines after serving in the Merchant Marine during World War II. His work moves easily between regional history, frontier subjects, and fast-paced speculative fiction.
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