INT. SECURITY BOT HQ – MAIN OPERATIONS OFFICE
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJu2WkiizCZ
[The HQ is a towering spire of reinforced metal, with corridors wide enough for tanks and elevators that judge your clearance level before they let you in. Jason steps through security scanners with a beep and a mechanical “Welcome, Officer Gearman.”]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Vn3JSHJB8
JASON (murmuring)
“Yeah, yeah. Happy to be here. Really.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLK9a19Zulf
[He walks past walls plastered with propaganda posters: “THINK LIKE A BOT, ACT LIKE A WALL,” and “EMOTIONS GET YOU DEACTIVATED.”]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7OpTl29BST
[Jason enters the main floor: rows of desks, many still dented from the last time someone got “passionate” about protocol.]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2tuZfzhiHU
SECURITY BOT DESK BOTS
[All variations of tall, slender bots in uniform colors. Some with visors, others with glowing faceplates. Most typing at blinding speed while sipping various fluids not approved by Central Health Regulation.]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡanFZOXFJJC
[Jason passes a desk where a younger Security bot is poking an explosive with a pen.]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡThANQLvXjL
YOUNG BOT
“Hey, Gearman, how many fingers do you lose before you get promoted?”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9kfhxE9qBr
JASON (without looking)
“None. I just lose faith in humanity instead.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqx5Kv4deM
[He slides into his assigned cube. The desk is… sad. A cracked monitor, an old can of synthetic lube he’s been using as a paperweight, and a sticker that reads “WARNING: THIS UNIT BITES.”]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8FZ62KE069
INT. SECURITY HQ – JASON’S OFFICE DESK
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhZCqlBciLH
[Jason logs in. His screen flickers through system reports, surveillance logs, and about twelve forms labeled “INTENT TO DESTROY.” Most are paperwork related to breaches, complaints, suspicious behavior reports, or security feed reviews.]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5uehRHaPXA
[He groans.]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx3JubfbnN7
JASON (V.O.)
“There’s nothing quite like being a trained lethal combat unit stuck processing complaint logs about vending machine vandalism.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhXMZe9tmum
[He sips his coffee-substitute from earlier. Eyes one document titled “STRANGE SIGNALS – CENTRAL CITY SECTOR 7B.”]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7cGbRQxzJi
[His optics flick slightly. He opens the file… but it’s mostly redacted.]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqnljCDjfDJ
FILE SCREEN:
“Signal originated near abandoned industrial lines. Scrambled frequency pattern. No confirmed visual. Suggest further observation.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGxcmEFQ4i9
JASON (muttering)
“Huh. Great. Now even the paperwork is haunted.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFzrIUlpsKO
[He minimizes it. Starts filling out his required daily form: “Have You Terminated Anything Today?” He checks ‘No’. A sad beep follows.]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSPBLrbt5F
[Just then, COMMANDER NINE-2, a massive rectangular bot with a head like a briefcase, appears on the screen above Jason’s desk.]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3a28j2OEQ
COMMANDER NINE-2
“GEARMAN.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLz6ZAg4BRF
JASON (instantly straightening)
“Reporting in, sir.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHyZqZSivox
COMMANDER NINE-2
“You’re late submitting Form 9-B: Emotional Containment and Threat Risk Self-Assessment.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡs2rnjKYuJG
JASON
“Right, yeah. I left that in my other trauma.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfocg1IIdfk
[The commander doesn’t laugh. He never does.]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2Aom39ud7A
COMMANDER NINE-2
“Also, you are scheduled for a loyalty reinforcement seminar this Friday. Attendance is mandatory.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3hvKH72Rg7
JASON (barely hiding the existential sigh)
“Looking forward to it.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdqGL4aa0LY
[Commander logs off. Jason slumps back.]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9u3jYwcuu
JASON (V.O.)
“I’d rather wrestle a sewer bot than go through that again.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHlU4Fl6TnQ
[The clock ticks. Jason opens a side file called “SECURITY BOT HR HOTLINE – Confessions and Concerns.” He scrolls through an entry.]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdNgb5bcqZk
ENTRY LOG #47:
“I think my partner’s been reprogramming the coffee machine to scream.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡK7EZ7AZ0xi
JASON (deadpan)
“Same.”
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcBZ6Hcsa5U
[Outside the office window, the city looms like a slow-breathing beast.]
22Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5n7gwCx5lQ
[Jason sighs. Clicks into another document. His fingers move on autopilot.]
ns18.221.227.158da2
