Human Protection Plan

Sonny, who possessed the ability to think independently and feel emotions, seemed like a breakthrough to Spooner. After all, Sonny completely defied the Three Laws. He was the true silicon-based lifeform specially created by Dr. Lanning, just like David in the film A.I. Artificial Intelligence, possessing his own emotions and soul.

Over the past few days, Robertson had also completed the arrangements for upgrading the NS-5 units. There was only one day left before their official release. When Robertson learned that Spooner truly believed Sonny was a suspect in Dr. Lanning's murder, he believed Tang Tian's words a little more. After all, there could not possibly be that many coincidences, so Robertson had prepared lawyers and used the excuse the alien had suggested: an industrial accident.

In the interrogation room where Sonny was being held, Sonny had just discovered the key point and was about to say something when the room's door slid open. Robertson entered with a lawyer and John, arriving before Spooner.

"My robot would never kill anyone, Detective John. My lawyer has already submitted a report to the district attorney. He explained it to me: robots cannot kill people. We define murder as one human killing another human. Detective, surely you aren't saying robots should be treated as equals to humans?" Robertson said aggressively. He had come here this time to take Sonny away for the alien. Feeling how the special injection had made him look over a decade younger and filled his body with strength, Robertson felt this deal had been well worth it.

Inside the Chicago Police Department interrogation room, Robertson spoke with overwhelming confidence. Gaining extraordinary power had further boosted his self-confidence, making his tone somewhat arrogant. Compared with Spooner, who kept causing trouble time and again, Tang Tian had helped him prepare an escape route and granted him extraordinary power. The difference in importance between the two was obvious.

"Even if the robot had something to do with Dr. Lanning's death, it is still only a machine. It is USR property. At most, this can only be considered an industrial accident. As procedure dictates, a faulty machine will be returned to USR for diagnosis and then destroyed." Robertson looked disdainfully at Spooner as he spoke, then snapped his fingers. The lawyer behind him handed the printed documents to John.

"This is a gag order issued by the court. Anyone who suggests that a robot might be capable of murder will be arrested and charged with incitement, then dealt with according to the law." Robertson had issued his final ultimatum. For his own safety, Sonny had to be taken away. When Spooner realized the situation had taken a sharp turn for the worse and prepared to say something, John rejected his request on the grounds that there was no evidence.

Spooner even asked John to call the mayor, but Robertson had gotten there first and asked the mayor for this favor. That was the end of it. Sonny was taken away by Robertson for so-called "destruction," and Spooner failed to stop it. This A.I., Sonny, was taken from the world of I, Robot by the alien. Of course, that came later.

"Mr. Donners, I've brought what you wanted." At USR headquarters, Robertson had everyone else leave but kept Sonny behind. Then he poured a glass of red wine with a smile and spoke happily.

"Of course. I believe you will succeed." Tang Tian smiled as well.

"Sonny, a true silicon-based lifeform, one of a kind. You are not the machine humans see you as. In my eyes, you are simply a unique mechanical lifeform." Tang Tian looked at Sonny and smiled.

"Yes, you are right." Sonny admitted it generously. With Sonny in hand, one-third of the mission was complete. The remaining matters would soon be resolved.

"The future begins today, ladies and gentlemen, with the NS-5. More advanced, more intelligent, and naturally, fully protected by the Three Laws. With daily updates, your robot will never lose contact with USR. The perfect choice for business and home alike. Trade in your old NS-4 for a new NS-5, and the future will be even brighter! But hurry, this promotion will not last long. Produced by USR..."

The NS-5 was indeed released on schedule. Chicago was the first to complete its upgrade to NS-5 robots, followed by the entire United States. The promotion proceeded enthusiastically, and people quickly traded in their old NS-4s for new NS-5s. But no one knew that after the NS-5, humanity would no longer trust robots. It could be said that the NS-5 destroyed the age of robots.

Just as in the original plot, Spooner discovered a robot storage facility that night. Even without Sonny's help, history still unfolded according to its script. The Human Protection Plan was being carried out. At the facility, the new-generation NS-5 robots had been ordered to destroy all older-model robots, but this was merely the first step of the plan. When Spooner discovered that the NS-5 robots had gone wrong, rows upon rows of NS-5s had already gathered in the streets and begun carrying out the so-called Human Protection Plan.

"Please return home immediately. Curfew is now in effect!"

"Please return home immediately. Curfew is now in effect!"

"Please return home immediately. Curfew is now in effect!"

With red lights flashing on their chests, the NS-5s issued their synchronized warnings and orderly directed humans to return home. At first, people gathered without reacting, merely curious as to why the robots were imposing a curfew in the middle of the night. Then reality told the citizens that the robots were preparing to betray humanity. The same scene was unfolding across the United States. Even Area 51 came under attack, because VIKI likewise considered its special institutions to be organizations harmful to the Human Protection Plan. Therefore, the aliens released the biochemical weapons they had provided throughout the United States—Lickers, Nemeses, Tyrants, and more—restraining and easily eliminating most of the invading NS-5 robots.

"You have been deemed a threat to humanity. Termination authorized." That night, in the office at USR headquarters where Robertson and Tang Tian were located, a large group of NS-5 robots spoke to Robertson from all around him.

"Just as I said." Tang Tian looked at Robertson and spoke calmly, as though he was not afraid in the slightest.

"Fine, Mr. Donners. I agree to what you want. I hope you will honor our deal." If Robertson still did not understand what had happened by now, he might as well smash his head into a block of tofu and die. Sure enough, after discovering that VIKI had truly betrayed them, Robertson made the choice most beneficial to himself. After all, dangerous things like robots and VIKI were better left under the alien's control.

"Of course. I will keep my word as well." Tang Tian smiled indifferently and spoke excitedly. Once this matter was over, all the production lines, NS robot technology, and VIKI would belong to Tang Tian. Sonny had already been taken aboard the alien spaceship and carefully preserved as a trophy.

"So what do we do now? Look at those NS-5s charging toward us." Robertson looked at the eight hundred or perhaps even a thousand NS-5s before him, swallowed hard, and spoke nervously.

"Leave it to me. You only need to prepare the various resources I require." Tang Tian floated into the air, raised his right hand, and instantly unleashed powerful electromagnetic force. The surrounding NS-5 robots all seemed to lose power and were completely shut down in an emergency. As for why he did not use gravity, perhaps someone would say that electromagnetic force was the most effective power against robots. Besides, gravity would damage these robots, since someone had already regarded them as private property.

P.S. I, Robot was almost over. The next world was still under consideration. Please show your support, and I welcome everything.

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