Under an ashen sky, Cadets Dallas and Jones tromped through the ruins north of the charred shell of the city. They were followed by an Explosives Disposal Droid which looked like a giant green trashcan on large wheels with a yellow dome for a lid, which, essentially, it was–albeit a trashcan capable of containing a megaton blast within its body.
EDD was empty at the moment. In four hours, the team hadn’t found any unexploded ordinance worth hauling back to base for reconditioning and the Cadets, in their boredom, had taken to firing pot-shots at stray dogs that slinked amongst the rubble scavenging for food.
Dallas trained his rifle on a black mutt with protruding hip-bones as it lapped gray water from a shallow pothole. Before the Cadet could squeeze off a shot, EDD released a high-frequency tone that, while out of the range of human hearing, startled the dog enough that it ran behind an overturned bus and out of sight.
“Ha, ha! Too slow,” said Jones as he scanned the roadsides for another target.
“Shut it.” Dallas shouldered his rifle and removed his helmet so he could wipe his forehead with the sleeve of his tan jacket. Settling the helmet back on his head he said, “You aren’t having much luck, either.”
“These dogs are gettin’ too smart.” Jones took a bead on a small terrier with ragged ears, but it skidded away as soon as his finger touched the trigger.
EDD rolled along behind them and tallied the score so far. Cadets: 0. EDD: 6.
So, a short and sweet little story about a dog-loving droid with a dash of commentary about the human condition (cause all robot stories are ultimately human stories).
If you liked this, visit my Robot-A-Month page for more.
The dramatic tension had me panting after the first paragraph!
(Mom, I have a new mailing address.)
When you mention a bomb at the beginning of a story, you are supposed to blow someone up by the end, but I decided to let everyone live in this one.
And mom should really set you up on an automatic draft into your account. It would save postage.
Is that why all those $1000 checks haven’t been cashed?
You’ve reduced the amount??
We’re all having to make cut-backs these days.
Fine, maybe I’ll just put down one of my pom-poms.
Your threats don’t frighten me, Doug.
I kinda love that your family communicates via blog. It’s so 2012.
We’re progressive that way.
And hear that, Doug? You’re family now. We don’t pay family.
oops! You two talk to one another like you’re related.
We’ve been following each other’s blogs for so long we feel like we’re related. Like internet cousins.
Edd is my new favorite of all times. He is the ASPCA of robitica.
Those Sarah Mclachlan commercials got to him, too.
Sarah spells “cheque” the same way I do.
Yeah. The weird way.
Got that other pom pom still…
Dear Doug,
If the pom pom is a problem I know where you can put it. Sorry, really rude. OK OK what is the bank draft address.
I made 2 years old for blog post on 31st. Of course you are mentioned.
They grow up so fast! Congrats, Carl!
You go Carl, I read you daily. You more than make me smile.
I love that EDD is self aware…more so than his “owners.”
Yeah, it’s pretty bad when the mechanical creature is the one with a heart.
But you’re the Oz of your domain! You can give the heart to anyone you want…or the (re)boot.
Ha! I have had robots that lacked courage and some that were decidedly lacking in the brains department. I am Amy The Great and Terrible!
Nice.
Thank you!
I’m so glad I came back. I missed your stories
Another great story, and this time, the robot is more humane than the humans. Good job Amy darling.
I’m glad you came back, too! I’m enjoying giving my robot friends very human characteristics.
Thank you!
I thought you were going to blow up Cadets Dallas & Jones as payback for their callous pot-shots at stray dogs. Thanks for letting everyone live another day.
I had originally intended for the Cadets to find an unexploded bomb that was about to go off and they tried to put it into EDD, but the droid refused and instead opened up so a dog could climb inside and be saved from the blast. I was having problems making it work within the word-count I normally reserve for these stories. So, for expediency’s sake, everyone lives! Those Cadets don’t know how lucky they are.
Love it! EDD is a softie with an explosion-resistant-shell
Kinda sounds like my husband! Thanks!
Another great “don’t mess with my dogs” story. Thanks Amy!
In my stories, I will decimate an entire planet full of humans, but I won’t lay a scratch on one dog!
I hate people. I <3 dogs. Go EDD!
EDD appreciates your support!
I agree with Steve. Though I’d phrase it as “I dislike people”. There is too much hate in the world to add to it. Dogs rule. Go EDD!
Hate is a strong word, but I do agree with the sentiment. Dogs will always rule!
It was so worth the wait! Actually, it got buried in my emails and I forgot for a few days
But what a treat when I went through my in-box; this one is so great! I love that it’s short and seemingly simple, but packs so much punch – what an indictment on so-called humanity. I’ve quite a crush on EDD.
They keep getting better and better, Amy.
I have a crush on EDD, too! I did think that I should add more to this story, but it does seem to accomplish what I wanted in very few words.
Thank you so much!
yes, it’s perfect just the way it is – it speaks volumns!
volumes, rather