[Technovember
prompts by Caffeinated Otter]
77 and a1 held hands tightly as they walked through the dark maze of
tunnels. a1 had insisted on direct-contact encrypted comms only, and for
once, 77 was in full agreement.
I am not picking up any signals, but wireless comms range is substantially reduced by attenuation from the surrounding walls.
a1 said.
Not seeing any tracks, either. From them, *or* from whatever got them.
77 replied.
I will continue calculating traversal routes. Please search carefully for any hidden passages.
On it. Wait, something's coming.
brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr
They raised their guns warily. From around a corner, a robot stepped
into view. Its design was basic and single-purpose, just a machine gun
on four legs. Its barrel was continually rotating, firing on empty 100
times a second. It turned to point at them, riddling the two of them
with nonexistent bullets while they stood and stared at it.
It appears to be a Protectorate autogun, model RayX Peacemaker 120. They have functionally limitless power supplies, but no offensive capabilities other than a single high-speed rotary machine gun. Deprived of ammunition, as this one appears to be, they are effectively neutralized.
brrrrrclickclickclickclickclick-click-click-click click
click
The barrel slowed to a stop, still pointed at them.
“bullets?” the autogun buzzed out plaintively on a tinny little
speaker.