Shuttle!

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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