All was peaceful in the core room. The occasional console would let out a muted beep that harmonized with the low thrum of the dungeon core. The console screens were pitch black since no one was around. If someone were to appear, they would think the room was completely silent. However, that was not the case.
[FR-12 reporting: processing of arcane steel ingots complete. Delivering supplies to FR-23.]
[XR-07 reporting: mining of iron node 184 complete. Moving to iron node 185.]
[SD-03 reporting: quadrant three clear of threats. Moving to next location.]
The voices of the robots echoed through the dungeon core. Hundreds of reports came in at the same time. To a human, it would seem like pure chaos, but to Seneschal, it was efficient order.
[Control acknowledges, FR-12. FR-23, continue production of arcane swords. Control acknowledges, XR-07. Sending node refresh timer to all extractors. Control to SD-03, please be on the lookout for hostile wildlife.]
A chorus of acknowledges rang out. Warmth seeped through Seneschal’s being. Inside the dungeon core, his world was an empty, blue void, but he turned his thoughts towards the dungeon.
The void shifted, turning into a richly decorated room. A large bed fit for three sat alongside the far wall with a couple snuggled onto it. Master Nathaniel stood at the end of the bed with lady VuRant. He was debriefing the noble couple on the cybernetic spine. The surroundings shifted once again, and he found himself in the garage.
The once large, empty room now housed dozens of wagons. The Duke’s servants and knights had set up camp in the garage, as there weren’t enough rooms in the dungeon or village. For the most part everyone looked content, save for the maids engaged in gossip.
“I can’t believe it! Why does her Grace allow those… golems to handle her laundry?”
“I saw one of them manhandling her unmentionables as if it was a cleaning rag. Then instead of hanging it to dry, it folded it and set it in a pile. It folded her still soaking clothes!”
“Truly deplorable.”
A slight shock ran through Seneschal at their words. These ignorant women were merely upset that his robots were ten times more efficient at their work than them, and now there was a chance of them losing favor. Honestly, the Duke’s servants weren’t that impressive. Lady Bella alone was more capable than these three rumormongers.
“Seneschal!”
The dark elf’s voice drew him out of his ruminations. The scene changed to a lone hallway. Lady Bella, Ralia, and Hope were standing in the center looking into the air, a sight that often amused him. Behind them was the Duke’s female knight. Her hard stare was softened by the heavy blush on her freckled cheeks.
“How may I be of assistance?” Seneschal asked.
“We request the aid of another robot for training.” Bella replied. Her warm smile eased his earlier frustration, and though he wouldn’t admit it, the dark elf was his favorite. “Lady Hera will be joining us today.”
“Acknowledged. Does Lady Hera have any preference of enemy?”
The rosy haired knight looked around wildly. “Is there a difference?”
“There is.” Seneschal let out a chuckle, as an image of two robots appeared. “Lady Bella often trains with Swarm Drones to improve her accuracy and shooting time. They are also excellent for training against multiple enemies at once. Lady Hope and Ralia use Guardian robots to train their weapon techniques as well as practicing weapon arts.”
Hera cautiously eyed both options. “I’ll train with the guardian.”
“Very well, I shall have a guardian report to the training room.”
The hallway changed, and Seneschal found himself standing in the maintenance hangar. Hundreds of pods lined the walls, housing the robots that were currently shut down.
[Control to GR-55. Initiating wakeup sequence.]
A groan filled the room. The pods moved along the tracks that held them, some disappearing into the shadows while others moved up front. After a few seconds, the pods stopped, and one pod slowly descended from overhead. It silently locked onto a short pedestal, and the pod doors opened with a loud hiss.
GR-55 stepped out of its pod with heavy steps. [Wakeup sequence complete. Awaiting command from Control.]
[Control to GR-55. Head to training room one and assist Lady Hera.] Seneschal transmitted an image of the knight to the robot.
[Acknowledged.] GR-55 slowly walked out the room.
With nothing left drawing his attention, Seneschal returned to the core. In his world of bright blue, he began going through the new reports, instantly taking the data in.
[Alert! XR-07 to Control: requesting immediate aid from defense swarm!]
Seneschal cast off the other reports. [Control to XR-07: requesting more information. What is attacking you?]
[…]
[…]
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[… Slimes.]
That six letter word suddenly silenced all incoming reports, only for request to barrage Seneschal.
[XR-01 to Control: requesting immediate annihilation of slimes.]
[XR-02 to Control: requesting immediate annihilation of slimes.]
[XR-03 to Control…]
On and on the requests came. Every robot currently working demanded the destruction of the tiny, gelatinous monstrosities.
[Control acknowledges. DS-22: proceed to XR-07’s location and eliminate the slimes.]
The blue world brightened as the robots cheered, which made Seneschal smile figuratively. Hopefully, things will remain peaceful.
A lance of bright red light struck into the rocky wall. Stone and metal fell to the floor then lifted into the air by three metallic fingers. The ore chunks fell into the XR-07’s bin with a rhythmic clang as each arm dropped their load. It caused a simple melody to echo through the empty tunnel and fade out of existence.
[Ore node depleted. Time until replenished: 10 days, 23 hours, 59 minutes.]
XR-07 retracted its spindly arms, resting them against the cylindrical column of its main body. Pebbles scattered across the ground as it turned its sled away from the wall.
[XR-07 reporting: mining of iron node 184 complete. Moving to iron node 185.]
[Control acknowledges, XR-07. Sending node refresh timer to all extractors.]
XR-07 released a pleasant chirp as it glided down the tunnel. Its grey vision dispelled the darkness that often accompanied these deep tunnels. Yellow prompts appeared in its vision.
[Stalactite. Stone resource 10/10.]
[Stone wall. Stone resource 3/3. Copper resource 1/1.]
Although XR-07 desired to break down the jutting rocks to acquire the resources inside, it pushed forward, scanning for any traces of iron. The Master’s latest project required large quantities of the resource, and it was one of the few extractors chosen to acquire the material. One of its eyes spun to investigate the bin of its sled.
A few chunks of iron laid scattered across the metal base, but it was mostly air that filled the bin. The extractor sped up, making dust swirl around the sled. As the tunnel walls slid passed, a yellow beacon appeared, marking a spot on the far end.
[Iron node: 25/25.]
There it was! A fresh source of iron ready for mining. One of its five arms sprung out, the nuzzle glowing a pale red. Unfortunately, XR’s way was halted by a harsh screech, and a giant centipede crawled out of the rocks. It rose up on its lower body; its mandibles snapping angrily.
All three of XR-07’s eyes trained onto the giant insect, and it pointed its laser towards the threat. A single blast of red light shot from the laser, burning a smoking hole through the bug’s torso. With a final spasm, the monster curled in on itself with a frail cry. XR-07 extended two arms to pick the monster up.
It was in terrible condition. Several legs on the hind section were missing, and multiple scars marred the oily carapace. Large holes pitted the shell, exposing the veiny flesh beneath it. It was useless as materials but could be fed to the dungeon core.
XR’s laser effortless cut through shell and flesh, separating the large centipede into smaller chunks. Bile splattered against its sled, and the parts fell into the bin with a wet squelch. The laser ran across the final segment of the insect’s body when large tendrils, wrapped around the metal limb. A creature, whose body was made of a thick viscous liquid completely engulfed XR-07’s arm.
[Threat detected! Slime!] The bright red prompt filled the robot’s vision.
XR-07 grabbed at the creature, but its fingers found no purchase. The grippers broke through the slimes body, allowing the creature to slip through its grasp. The slime continued spreading across the robot’s arm, slipping underneath the armor and into the joints. XR-07 was unable to retract the laser. Small black marks appeared on the metal.
[Damage taken! Health: 299/300]
XR-07 swung its arm wildly, slamming it into the walls and rocky outcroppings, but the slime remained. It tried scaping the creature off, crushing it between two large rocks, even slinging it off by spinning around wildly. Nothing worked.
[Damage taken! Health: 298/300]
XR-07 let out a shrill whistle at the sight of the prompt.
[Alert! XR-07 to Control: requesting immediate aid from defense swarm!]
[Control to XR-07: requesting more information. What is attacking you?]
The robot stared down at the slime. The sight of it sending a surge of electricity through its systems.
[Slimes.]
[Control acknowledges. DS-22: proceed to XR-07’s location and eliminate the slimes.]
XR-07 stared at the prompt. Another surge of electricity ran through it, and it slowly landed. All it could do was wait, but the slithering slime continued drawing its attention. Minutes ticked by until a familiar hum of the sentry drones echoed though the tunnels. The five drones circled around XR-07, letting out pleasant chirps.
[DS-22 to Control, reached XR-07 and commencing elimination of slimes.]
The sentries hovered around XR-07’s arm. Five red lasers shot into the gelatinous creature. It squirmed violently, trying to bury itself deeper into XR-07. Bubbles rippled across the slime’s body and popped with a sharp hiss. Parts of the slime’s body dripped onto the floor with the full body following suit, but the sentries continued discharging their lasers into the creature. Eventually, there was nothing left of the slime.
[DS-22 to Control, slime eliminated. Patrolling area to ensure all threats are eliminated.]
The five sentry drones disappeared into the darkness, leaving XR-07 to perform its duties. XR-07 raised its laser lethargically towards the iron deposit, and a weak beam separated the metal from rock. The ore landed heavily into the sleigh and caused the robot to linger close to the ground.
A steady stream of reports came in, and Seneschal diligently read through them. His peaceful, azure world reflecting the stability of the dungeon itself. As he finished the latest report from the workshop, another report came in.
[DS-22 to Control, slime eliminated. Patrolling area to ensure all threats are eliminated.]
A sudden wave of gold broke the simplistic blue world. The robots showed little emotion, but the death of the cretinous monsters always brought them great joy. Despite their weak stature, slimes were the robot’s greatest nemesis.
The monster’s fluid forms made it easy to slip past the robot’s armor, allowing them to slowly degrade the machines from the inside. Slimes’ resistance to blunt damage made most of the robot’s physical attacks useless, and their low thermal conductivity made laser weapons less effective. This data caused the robots to deeply despise the little creatures.
[Control acknowledges, DS-22. Proceed with patrol.]
Now that the slime was dealt with, everything can return to normal. Seneschal sighed.
The blue void flashed bright red.
Or not.
[Alert! SD-03 requesting Control take immediate command!]
[Approved. Control taking immediate command.]
The fields of static blue shifted, becoming miles of barren trees and dead brush. The sun shone brightly in the vibrant sky with a few clouds lazily gliding by. A truly picturesque scene. Unfortunately, the army that was marching down the road ruined it.
The armored force looked to be about three hundred strong with most of the force wearing thick coats and armed with a single weapon. Several armored wagons rode at the back of the column, a common vehicle for slavers. At its head rode nearly two dozen knights, their armor brilliantly reflecting the sunlight. Although there was one out of place. Straggling behind the army’s leader was a single dark elf woman. The world shifted back into the void, but this time the blue was replaced with a deep crimson.
[Alert! All defense units activate! Initiate immediate counter offense!]
Alarms wailed throughout the corridors as the dungeon came to life.
[Show them the error of their ways.]
[Acknowledge!]
