It took a few days for Noella’s virus protection to fully clean my system of Chas’ virus. I spent that time moping around the house and preparing my speech.
Because Noella had been so careful to keep her anti-virus secret, Chas had no idea that my system was protected from his virus. If not for that, I would never have been able to resist the malicious virus that he inserted directly into my system.
Even more ingenious was the fact that Noella also inserted a system back-up in case my system was reset. Chas never suspected any of it.
When I finally returned to city hall, I was bombarded by police and reporter interviews.
Although I was not charged for Chas’ death, they still wanted to know everything that led up to it.
I used it as an opportunity to alert all of the bots in Lunar Lakes of the virus that Chas infected some of them with.
“So you are saying that Chas used his knowledge and power as a scientist to infect bots, so that they would agree to his plan to have all of the humans destroyed?” The reporter asked.
“Yes,” I answered, “and I have proof.”
“And this led to the death of President Aron…who was killed by Lily Bot 301?” She said scribbling down all of my responses.
“Yes, but she was not acting on her own accord. She was under the influence of a very powerful, malicious virus.”
“I guess that is all I need for now. Thank you for your time President Ardis.”
I watched as the reporter left, hoping that the bots of Lunar Lakes would begin to report in here at City Hall for a system scan and a upload of Noella’s anti-virus scan.
I did not have to worry.
As soon as the bots heard that there was a anti-virus upload available, they lined up trying to be one of the first to get it.
Noella set up an anti-virus upload and scanning station in the corner of my office in order to accommodate the crowd of bots.
After all of the information that I found in Chas’ office was public, and all of the bots in Lunar Lakes were protected by Noella’s anti-virus, it was time to give my speech.
“I am honored to speak with you today, although it is a bittersweet occasion…” I began.
Every bot and human who could, tuned in that evening to hear my words.
“I am deeply saddened by the loss of president Aron…”
“but I promise to serve you all as your new president to the best of my ability.”
“For too long, we have been divided…”
“…bots against humans…”
“…and humans surviving the best way they can.”
“Well, the time has come for that to change.”
“Each bot in this community will report to the labs this week…”
“…for a system upgrade called the ‘Compassion Upgrade’ that we were to receive before the humans arrived.”
“This upgrade is mandatory and will help us to live at peace and harmony; giving us commands like compassion, mercy and sympathy toward humans and other bots…”
“…like we were supposed to do.”
“We bots were created to make Lunar Lakes livable for humans…”
“…and we have done that; building Lunar Lakes up from nothing.”
“I expect the humans to respect that and to treat us accordingly. In turn, we will respect you in the same way.”
“So, I ask each and every one of you to join me…”
“in erecting a new era…”
“…a new way of living here in Lunar Lakes!”
I ended my speech and the live broadcast shut off. I was not naïve in thinking that my speech would be well received by everyone.
“I refuse to live among a bunch of dirty morts,” Martin said, jumping up from his couch.
He continued, “President or not…she cannot force us to upgrade!”
“I think the upgrade is a good idea,” Lily said.
“What?” Martin said, shocked that Lily did not agree with him.
“Martin, I have been in the middle of this whole thing for too long. Things cannot continue the way they are. It is time to fix this or we will only destroy ourselves.”
At the same time, other bots were surprisingly supportive of my words.
I received a call that evening from Amira offering to help me enforce the mandatory upgrades; even offering to use her military power if needed.
And among the humans…my message inspired hope.
For the first time since their rocket crashed here on Lunar Lakes, they were able to see a brighter future for their children…just as I wanted.
