The shuttle landed safely on the moon base
bringing fresh crew and supplies
connected to the airlock engines switched off
entering the huge base still alert
glad for the nights stop over for the break
feeling fatigued with backache.
Unusual always considered himself really fit
it started soon after take off
soon after the heavy door was shut he heard
a metallic voice on his intercom
that was totally unfamiliar the words unclear
yet he felt the pangs of fear!
It meant to be a one man crew yet not alone
with him the latest robotic droid
that certainly had no sense of humour at all
he was pleased it was short-haul
a private company always trying save cash
the rule their attitude brash!
Working for them as nobody would use him
putting up with many shortfalls
annoyed it was on here the craft needed work
many corners cut to save a buck
his mind wandered now entering the canteen
the dangers as yet unseen!
The same sensations felt on the ship were here
his whole body began to hurt
those whispering voices increased in his earpiece
he had not disconnected
otherwise seemed quiet as he sat sipping a coffee
as moving lights he could see!
Thought it must be time to book into his room
had to report to the office first
in the corridor had a view of the home planet
earth there like a beacon of hope
majestic and bright for a while stood in awe
made him want to get back more!
Reaching the office surprised nobody was about
though furniture had been scattered
as if there had been a fight an unwelcome sight
he had heard nothing though near
in fact not a single staff member was around
again that voice his ear did pound!
Heading back to loading dock saw the heavy door
was wide open checked onboard
damage was extensive metal crushed like paper
on the flight deck surprised
the robot had gone from the reinforced seat
instruments destroyed a rising heat!
This was the moment he started to be troubled
unable to understand the cause
there were sounds ahead moving with caution
followed a trail of destruction
and in a large communal room saw the robot
did not fancy his chances a lot!
The staff and crew from other craft all together
herded into a tight corner
everybody seemed remarkably calm and quiet
noticing it was hard to breath
life support must be turned off or damaged
the base seriously ravaged!
He knew everybody’s time was rapidly diminishing
they had to have air restored
this brought home the real frailties of mankind
with the rise in artificial intelligence
that needed no such delicate balance to exist
was it caused by accident or terrorist?
Rumours had spread of an attack on the moon base
but no indication by his robot
weapons not allowed here because of decompression
so had to find heavy object
to try and destroy its complex circuits at its weak spot
he may only get one swinging shot!
Finding it hard to get around summoned the strength
went back to get his lucky golf club
that for some reason always had it near a lucky omen
and very useful for any trouble
now close to the entrance becoming hazy had to try
must disable this cyborg or die!
As his own and many others lives hung in the balance
he crept unsteadily closer
summoning all his strength to strike one lucky blow
a young woman was startled
and the robot swung around just as the club smashed
into the spot and to the ground crashed!
It was luck and a strong survival instinct that saved them
emergency systems were activated
now the sinister cause of this near fatal breach of security
would seek to find out what went wrong
highlighting an irreversible progress of artificial intelligence
warnings not heeded implications immense!
The science fiction writers had predicted this outcome!
The Foureyed Poet.
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