Space. The corporate-dominated rim is populated by humans, augmented humans, computer systems and constructs. All of which can communicate via the feed.
A team of scientists exploring a ringed planet has hired a security unit for protection. SecUnits are armed security constructs with some organic parts. Armor. Helmet plate. Energy weapons built into their forearms.
Humans control the constructs. They tell them where to go and what to do. A governor programmed within their code ensures that they follow instructions.
At least that is the plan. But one SecUnit has managed to hack its governor, making it a rogue. It does as instructed, because it doesn’t want the humans to discovered that it has free will. Given the opportunity it will hang out in the cargo hold and pick from the almost 35,000 of hours entertainment it has downloaded. It just wants to be left alone.
Sure, it will perform its job. It’s been leased by the Company to the scientists. It will respond to emergency situations and keep its clients safe. But it doesn’t really care. No one really takes its good advice anyway. Heck, it’s not like it is the one who has the experience protecting people.
“SecUnit” is how the humans refer to it. But it knows its true name.
Murderbot.
All Systems Red is Book 1 in the Murderbot Diaries series written by Martha Wells. It received the 2018 Hugo Award. So far five titles chronicle the escapades of Murderbot. The sixth is due out in spring 2021.
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