ROBOT TESTER - THE TOUR
“All systems are good! I am taking him out for a spin,” Caliber said. “Wait a minute Caliber! This prototype from the African Union and The Eastern Empire alliance has not started trials yet,” one concerned technician said. “Consider this its first trial. It has done enough testing. Take it up with my father,” Caliber said. “Hey!” the technician said.
It was too late. Caliber and the prototype AA-4 already lifted off. Also, no one challenges Caliber’s father, who runs the place. The technician just shook his head and reported this incident to his superior, who also shook his head.
Under Caliber’s control, AA-4 speeds through the skies of Lagos, Nigeria with ease, dodging planes, helicopters, birds, and whatever else is in his way. “Who needs more contractor and school testing?” Caliber thought. Soon after, the authorities piloting enforcement robots come after Caliber and AA-4.
“Young man, stop what you are doing and return with us immediately!” the police officer said. “I am conducting an official trial for the Rise Corporation,” Caliber responded. “Sure, you are. Now turn around!” the police officer said. As the enforcement robots closed in, AA-4 launched into a much higher altitude almost instantly. “What the?” Caliber said.
The controls for AA-4 were no longer responsive as the console screen went out. “Work, you stupid controls!” Caliber shouted. AA-4 spun out of control and landed in the river near the bridge. Several enforcement robots released their aerial cranes to retrieve AA-4 and Caliber.
Like a bursting geyser, AA-4 jumps out of the river and right through the bridge with vehicles and pedestrians on it. AA-4 speeds right through the city streets plowing through and crushing whatever is in his way. As hard as he tries, Caliber cannot regain control of AA-4.
Then, the console screen comes back on, but the distorted screen points to signs of malfunction. AA-4’s corrupted radar eyes mistakenly analyze all buildings as threats. No manual overrides work as AA-4 goes into an automatic offensive mode. AA-4’s hands become flame throwers and incinerates downtown Lagos, Nigeria until a forced networked software upgrade sent from the Rise Corporation finally gets AA-4 to reboot and stand still.
Caliber exits out of AA-4. Then, AA-4 scoops Caliber up by his right hand and raises him up to a building to see downtown Lagos, Nigeria on fire. “No!” Caliber shouted. “I should have waited until the trials were done. I have dishonored my father,” said a repentant Caliber. The authorities circled around Caliber. “I surrender,” Caliber said. Caliber’s father was fired by the board of the Rise Corporation that same night. No one has heard from Caliber and his family until this very day. AA-4 was further upgraded after failing its initial trials. Downtown Lagos, Nigeria had to be rebuilt and even stricter robot testing policies and procedures were developed and enforced. Many people died that night and several of the impacted families have yet to successfully rebuild their lives.
“Welcome to Jaya Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (S.T.E.M.) Junior High School,” Principal Parman said. This presentation definitely got the Jude twins’ attention. “Remember, that each of you in this group are chosen to be robot testers to prevent disasters like this or worse from happening. Let’s continue the tour,” Principal Parman said.
“Bolu, hopefully we do not screw things up like Caliber. This school never recovered after that,” Chid Jude whispered to his brother, as they were exiting the auditorium. “Don’t worry, Chid, we are going to do just fine here,” Bolu Jude said. “I hope so, Bolu,” Chid responded. Putting this hope in question was a pair of following eyes in the shadows watching the Jude twins.
There are the standard school things and then there are robotics. The Robotics Revolution transformed and united the entire continent of Africa, making Lagos, Nigeria the capital of the entire continent. Nigeria’s top exports are robots, vehicles, and computer software. All three are developed and tested here at Jaya S.T.E.M. Junior High School, even though its limited budget often leaves its vehicles department neglected.
The simulation zones wake up the Jude twins in the tour. They are not the only ones fully awake. They walk into one of the constructive simulation zones that would remind the average onlooker of a computer lab, high tech arcade, and a fleet of console kiosks combined into something magnificent that is both entertaining and educational. This particular area is like a dream come true for the Jude twins, not realizing the nightmare cohabitating with them. The same following eyes from the auditorium appear on one of the kiosk screens with a frown.
Next on the tour, is one of the virtual simulation zones. Everyone in pairs is given a chance to try out a basic human-in-the-loop robot simulator. When the Jude twins finally get a chance to try out the robot simulator, the demoed program is suddenly overridden by a mysterious source. What served as a teaching tool has become a rollercoaster. The vibrations, rotations, and simulated drops make the world feel very small at an accelerated pace. As their world turns, the Jude twins dismiss a pair of staring eyes on the console screen as a hallucination. Chid is screaming like crazy while the adventurous Bolu laughs at the face of apparent danger. When they are about to black out, the simulator stops and they are freed. “Are you boys alright?” one of the instructors said. “We are fine,” Bolu said. Chid is still dizzy as Bolu helps him get around. “Did you see it?” Chid asked. “I did, but it can’t be,” Bolu said. “Youngsters welcome to Jaya,” another instructor said. “Thanks,” Chid responded.
In one of the live simulation zones, they witness two robots engaging in a limited one on one fighting duel. No weapons are allowed in this particular duel. The bigger blue robot appears to have the advantage over the smaller red robot. The smaller red robot is able to avoid all of the blue robot’s punches and grabs. Eventually, the red robot finds that one weak spot on the blue robot and knocks him out. As the blue robot falls, he launches his blue fist out of his right arm, which crashes through the window the Jude twins are watching the simulated duel. The launched fist barely misses the Jude twins. Everyone is baffled why such a malfunction happened. The watching eyes stare through the fallen blue robot eyes which ominously glow.
At the end of the tour, the Jude twins and students are shown the recently retired AA-4. This day, everyone in this tour becomes witnesses of the dead being resurrected. AA-4 wakes up from retirement and starts rampaging through the robot hangar. The students and staff scatter.
In spite of this scene being very chaotic, it appears that AA-4 knows exactly who his intended targets are. AA-4 walks towards the Jude twins, coming closer and closer. By the time the Jude twins reach the hangar exit, another malfunction slams the doors shut. AA-4 is getting closer and closer.
Right when AA-4 comes to grab the Jude twins, another robot operated by one of the instructors knocks AA-4 out. The hangar doors reopen and the Jude twins are out of there.
“Bolu, let’s stop here,” Chid said. “A bathroom break is not a bad idea,” Bolu said. As Bolu is finishing up in a stall, Chid looks at a mirror. In the mirror, Chid sees someone other than himself. What he sees is a ghost that looks anything but human. While in his initial stage of shock, the ghost says something to him. “I know your secret,” the ghost said. “Aargh!” Chid screamed. “Chid!” Bolu said. He rushed out of the stall.
“Did you see that?” Chid asked. “See what?” Bolu said. Something then tapped Bolu on the shoulder. “Me,” the ghost said. The Jude twins take flight. Then, they are dragged back. “You two are going nowhere,” the ghost said.
“Who are you?” Bolu asked. “I am Iparun, servant of Dideoluwa,” the ghost said. “What do you want with us?” Chid said. “To have some fun off of you,” Iparun said.
“What kind of fun?” Chid said. “I can sniff you Christians out anywhere. Don’t worry, I am not going to kill you yet,” Iparun said. “What?” Bolu said. “I am going to have my fun with you first. It is going to be a long school year. Who knows? You might actually survive,” Iparun said. Iparun then keeps laughing as the Jude twins exit the bathroom. Maybe a bathroom break was not such a good idea after all.
The Jude twins are also scolded for not returning with the group earlier. This is mild compared to what they faced earlier. Because of the confusion in the robot hangar, all of the students are sent home earlier.
As they ride the subway, the Jude twins make eye contact with each other but do not say a word. They know what each other are thinking. It is not safe to talk. They cannot share everything that happened this day with their friend and guardian, Uncle Jaiy. A diversity of people and things are welcomed in Lagos, Nigeria, but Christians are not on that welcome list. Uncle Jaiy is not too fond of Christians either. A lot has changed since the seven warlords conquered the seven continents of the world. There is much more to tell for this story at a later time.