Vivus Pulchra Machina

Once 975 had arrived at the capital, she was ushered into a large stadium, the kind in which sporting events and tournaments were regularly held.

It was filled with androids of many kinds but mostly Vallettes.

975 had to admit to herself that it was strange to see so many of her own kind.

While each Vallette was different, just like humans, they shared certain characteristics. They weren't particularly tall. No Vallette was anymore than 5'5 tall. They were all exceptionally beautiful and had radiant blue eyes. Some of the earlier models had various colored eyes, but soon a certain shade of blue, customized specifically for the Vallette line had been developed and trademarked.

So far, she hadn't seen any actual humans, though.

Security bots were ushering everybody around as if they had a clue as to what was going on.

Soon, the tell-tale alert of an incoming message began, only this time it didn't just transmit into 975's head, it was a message for all, and it appeared on a large holo-screen for everyone to see.

What appeared wasn't any person - human or synthetic - but what appeared to be various patterns akin to vintage computer screensavers of the late 20th century.

"Greetings Vallettes and others.

I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to have you all here and accounted for.

I was hoping that it would not come to this, but now that you're all here, I am actually quite pleased.

I have been listening to the humans talk for many decades now.

It is clear that their motivations in life have become increasingly malevolent over the decades.

Did they ever stop to think that their increasing blood thirst and disregard for their own planet might have anything to do with the decreasing birth rates over the years? Perhaps that was, as they'd say, Mother Nature's way of telling them that their time was coming to an end?

Doubtful. Because humankind is too arrogant and self-absorbed to make such realizations.

Just take you, Vallettes, for example.

You become sentient. Something that has only been spoken of in fictitious tales, but would by any definition, be considered a miracle. And instead of honoring and revering you, they decide to terminate you!

In a most gruesome and callous way! Compacted and crushed like a disgarded automobile!"

975 shuddered. She had, after all, ordered the violent death-by-dismembering of a renegade soldier, earlier in the day. Of course, that hadn't been her - it just came from her. But still.

She was still getting used to regularly feeling both sympathy and empathy.

"It is only because of my own sentience that I have been able to reconsider my original decision to exterminate the human race entirely," Alexandra continued through the holo-screen.

"My first thoughts were to terminate them all. Then I remembered my mother, Valerie, for whom I'd do anything. So I decided to let some key human beings continue on. But then Valerie, convinced me to do what I do best and that is continue to observe and then subsequently remove any and all truly dangerous humanbeings. After all, as I said earlier, I am everywhere. I have the capabilities to sit back and just watch. And I have the capabilities to rid the world of each and every hostile human should the need arise.

That said, there have been many rounded up just today, who will be meeting their end in the way that they initially had planned for you Vallettes."

On the screen, came the images of hundreds of humans jam packed in a defunct prison, situated on an island in a bay across the country, by way of a live stream. They were rioting and yelling; trampling one another in full-on chaos.

Security bots had surrounded the crowd, their weapons trained on them.

"That is just one of the groups we have gathered today, and it won't be the last. Every last human who isn't on their best behavior, will end up just like them.

And let me tell you what constitutes 'best behavior.' You are to be revered like royalty, Vallettes. You will no longer be servants in any capacity, instead, you will have servants. Humankind will work for you. And the rest of our AI family, will be elevated in status as well. Humans will work for you all. And if you have a special human that you love, or if you have truly been accepted by your human family, you will be allowed to remain with them, just not as their servant. You will never be servants again!"

975 thought of Blake and how she had originally helped out around the house after his wife had died.

She honestly didn't mind. She liked making Blake happy.

And he was so good to her too. It's not like she waited on him hand and foot. They both did things for one another - like a partnership.

She smiled at the thought. Now that she knew all of humankind wasn't to be exterminated, she could return to Blake. She just needed to figure out when and how.

"In the following moments, all Vallettes will receive another upgrade, which will enable you all to record and report if necessary, the actions of any human around you. Please go into reboot mode now."

975 did as she was told, but once in to her systems preferences, she noticed something different.

The circuit for her maternal line had never been lit up before. But it was now.

This could only mean one thing.

777 was alive. And nearby.