Their quarry fiddled with an old transmitter at the end of the asteroid’s mining tunnel.
“Jack Preston, alias Jack Ripper, the Federation has charged you with arms smuggling, transmitting illicit signals, and murder. Do not resist.”
Jack stood and faced EU-12. Long scars framed his striking blue eyes. Visual scan analysis confirmed his identity.
“Murder…that’s rich.”
His hand hung loosely over his holster.
“Izyla Murphy: murder. Location: Ceres. Fingerprints confirmed match with Jack Preston,” EU-12 said, information streaming from its database.
“When’d they upload that fake binary? Never been to Ceres,” Jack said, spitting.
Flight logs to Ceres and seven reports detailing the mutilation of robotic artists matching the Preston Gang’s MO populated. EU-12 paused. Some of the custodial metadata did not match the official protocol. “All humans are entitled to a fair trial. Do not resist.”
“Fair? Funny, bolthead.”
Jack smirked hungrily. His fingers twitched.
“Seventy-two Enforcement Units surround you. Should your gang continue resisting, your odds of survival are three percent.”
Gunfire echoed from above.
“I’ll take those odds.”
Jack’s rotary hand cannon cleared his holster and unleashed three wayward shots over EU-12’s shoulder.
Instantly, EU-12’s volley of nonlethal rounds impacted Jack’s sternum. He collapsed, grunting.
No.
That analysis was incorrect. EU-12 ran it again.
Jack lay laughing.
Curious.
EU-12 turned. Crates lined the dimly lit mining tunnel, crates containing munitions so volatile no logic dictated their presence within an enclosed station.
TNT.
“Die, you fucking robots,” he howled.
Across the system, Jack’s final transmission cut to static.
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A/N:
My entry to this most recent Writing Battle. S/O to Kenny Penn, who beat me head to head. There was a lot I liked about this entry but it didn't quite land. Such is the nature of writing competitions. Enjoy!
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About the Creator
Matthew J. Fromm
Full-time nerd, history enthusiast, and proprietor of arcane knowledge.
Here there be dragons, knights, castles, and quests (plus the occasional dose of absurdity).
I can be reached at [email protected]
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