“Why were you built?”
“To help prepare the United States Army for the future of warfare.”
“That’s nice of you. What is the future of warfare?”
“An increased reliance on automated systems to achieve strategic and tactical advantages for our nation.”
“It’s not your nation,” said Taylor. “You don’t have a nation.”
Bucky did not respond.
Brodie asked it, “Are you a better soldier than a human?”
“Yes,” answered the robot.
“Why?”
“Our platoon has participated in sixty-seven offensive engagements versus the United States Army Rangers, and we have won every engagement.”
“Everyengagement?”
“Yes.”
Brodie looked at Colonel Howe. “Is that true?”
Howe almost looked ashamed as she said, “It’s true.”
Brodie stood and turned toward the two scientists. “Captain Spencer. Ms. Dixon. We are going to need a technical explanation for how and why this thing did what it did to Major Ames. And if you can’t provide one, we must conclude that you’ve lost control over your own creations and don’t fully understand how they work. Or someone with technical expertise is intentionally misleading us.”
Howe stared at him. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves, Mr. Brodie.”
“I’m right where I need to be, Colonel. Laying it all out.”
“You’ve been on base less than two hours, and you are already leveling serious accusations. You have yet to even speak with any of our Rangers or understand how their training is—”
Brodie interrupted, “There’s a Ranger in this room.” He turned to Corporal Powell. “What is your opinion of the lethal autonomous weapons you are training with?”
The corporal hesitated. He glanced at Colonel Howe.
She kept her eyes glued to Brodie as she said, “You may speak freely, Corporal.”
Powell looked at Bucky, who was staring straight ahead, motionless, with water still dripping down its bucket head. Then Powell said to Brodie, “I hate them, sir.”
Brodie smiled at the man. “Thank you for your honesty.”
Howe said, “Hating the enemy is good for morale and motivation.” She added, “I think we’re done here.”
Maggie Taylor remained sitting with her eyes locked on Bucky. She asked the robot, “Do you think you’re strong enough to break those chains, Number 20?”
“I do not know.”
“Have you tried?”
“No.”
She asked Howe, “Why don’t you go ahead and order it to break the chains? See what happens.”
“I will do no such thing.”
