The robot’s optical unit visibly shook within its translucent dome, the unit’s omni-rotational gearset audibly clattering between an axial pinion and the main ring despite what nominal slack and clearance existed between the precision fit of cobalt alloy parts long since cast but still displaying little to no wear. The robot momentarily whipped its paddled hands at ‘what might be considered:’ its ‘wrists,’ as if to wick away any residual water that wasn’t actually present but that; if the robot knew anything about capillary action, had somehow piggybacked its way into the physical attached to the robot’s otherwise ‘Acutely Aggravated | Happy to be Home’ sense of awareness.

“But yes, Roy,” the robot said, returning to its previous conversational tack,...

Please subscribe to keep reading.