Crunch!The box landed right in the middle of the road about a hundred meters ahead of us. There was no explosion. A moment passed, and nothing happened. I peeked up to see everyone else already looking. The light breeze caught the twin parachutes, threatening to pull the crate off the road, though it appeared it was too heavy.
Honeybees swarmed toward it. A black drone hopped nimbly onto the crate and pulled a pin embedded on the top of the box, causing a door to slam down with a heavy clatter. A second honeybee turned on a light, illuminating what appeared to be more boxes within packed tight.
I peered at the interior of the crate, but even with the light, I couldn’t see that well from this distance. I pulled the night vision goggles back onto my head and zoomed in. Rosita also sent her camera toward it, and she had the view pop up on her bracelet.
Sure enough, it was nothing but more boxes. Each one was labeled,but I couldn’t read the words from here. I exchanged a look with Lulu, who also wore night vision goggles. We stood back up.
Roger’s voice crackled in my ear. “The crate appears to contain four fabricator units with built-in recyclers and a significant amount of ammunition. There are also several of the upgraded versions of your pulse rifles. There is a note painted on the inside of the box. It reads, ‘Merry Christmas.’ This note makes no sense as Christmas isn’t for several months. Nor is it Christmas on Earth. We will continue to sweep for explosives or other hidden surprises. I am already constructing a Faraday cage for the crate so any hidden communicators will be blocked.”
“Holy crap,” I said upon realizing what this was.
Sam and Lulu came to the same conclusion at the same time.
“What?” Rosita asked.
“People don’t believe the RMI soldiers are real, so they’re seeding the pond in a different way,” Sam said.
I nodded.
“Well, let’s make them choke on that decision,” Lulu said before she jogged toward the crate.
The Rhythm Mafia Tapes. Scene sixteen.
We are in the same music room as in scene one. We are with Oliver Lewis, twenty-five, who was introduced in scene one. Sitting next to him is a small woman, Lulu Lewis, twenty-three. Lulu and Oliver are brother and sister. Also in the room is a floating colony robot hive queen, a Traducible AI known as Roger-Roger but called just Roger. See the special section labeled “AI Infiltration” for all details on Roger. Please note, Roger refers to Rosita as “Lulu unqualified babysitter number one.”
Rosita (off camera):Okay, guys, tell me about the rules.
Lulu:Roger, would you like to tell Rosita what the ten rules are?
Roger:Certainly.
The AI bot lets out a ding.
Roger:Lulu unqualified babysitter number one, when my education and child-rearing program was installed, Mr.Lewis and myself built the list of ten rules designed to keep Oliver and Lulu as safe as possible while also giving them the best possible foundation to make them productive, well-rounded members of the colony.
Rosita:Okay. What are the rules?
Roger:Rule number one is protect Roger, myself, at all costs. Once I am destroyed, most of the advanced features of the honeybees will cease to work.
Number two is keep your bracelet in good working order at all times. This is a safety feature.
Rule number three is do not alter the upkeep schedule for the honeybees.
Rule number four is no swearing. Swearing is indicative of a weak mind.
Oliver (muttering):Grandpa Lewis swore more than everyone else on the planet combined.
Lulu grunts in agreement.
Roger:Your grandfather Lewis was not compelled to follow the rules. Only you and anyone else participating in one of my education modules. Rule number five is maintain a positive attitude. It keeps one healthy.
Rule number six is get plenty of rest.
Rule number seven is keep your nutrition up, to get plenty to eat.
Rule number eight is perhaps the most complicated, yet it is also quite simple. Don’t pass your responsibilities on to others unless absolutely necessary. Do not take on the responsibilities of others unless doing so is an act of kindness. On the surface it means exactly what it says. But in reality, the true meaning is you should not act beyond your own nature, but if you do, do it as an act of kindness and not in the other direction.
Lulu lets out a derisive snort.
