The Runaway Robot
Chen Yuheng found the head of the security department, Cheryl… and his robot present at the RK security department.
"… From our surveillance, she was seen loitering around the security gates, as if she wanted to get out. Our security officer found it suspicious and so, she was brought back for interrogation. They discovered that she did not have an employment pass, so they naturally thought that she was an intruder but she claimed herself as a robot of the company…" Cheryl helplessly looked at the robot, who had her head hanging low, standing beside her. "They called me for confirmation, but… Director Chen, I do remember turning on her sleep mode. I didn't expect her to reboot herself."
The man creased his forehead. "Are you sure she's on standby mode?"
She gave a firm nod. "I'm very certain about it." She then went on worriedly saying, "Director Chen, could… the robot's internal system… have been hacked…?"
She was worried that this robot's system might have long been under the control of others. After all, there were many precious source codes and confidential documents in companies like RK. Even the smallest nanochip, that could have been stolen, may contain years of research.
It was not at all uncommon for business rivals to hire sophisticated hackers to hack into RK's system to steal intelligence and secrets.
There was only one outcome for those computers, smartphones, robots, and other electronic devices that have been hacked—to be sent back to the factory and be destroyed.
"Director Chen, I suggest temporarily keeping the robot in the storage…"
For safety issues, the secretary logically reckoned that this robot could no longer be used… Nonetheless, her heart ached a little at that thought since it was very rare for Mr. Ace to hand-designed a finished product, and this particular robot was apparently something that he was proud of. How could it…
His head was throbbing in pain as he struggled to keep his mind awake. Glancing at the robot who had shrunk away to a corner like an ostrich, he spouted, "Ace's standard isn't so low."
It might have been different if it was some other robot, but this one was personally designed by Ace. Not only its internal system, but even its external parts were assembled by him. Out of everyone to lose faith in, the latter was the only one whom he could not distrust.
No hacker in this world was capable of breaking through his system.
As for the reason behind this robot rebooting itself… Chen Yuheng could only attribute it to his buddy's personal interests… Who knows… it might even be a design to make it even more anthropomorphic…
"Ruan Ruan," he called.
Gu Anbao looked up at him, her gaze akin to a little pet who had been chosen by someone at a pet shop. Her orbs were moist…
She scuttled over to hide behind him, her drooped cat ears finally perking up a little.
Eyeing the watch on his wrist, he told his secretary, "Hurry and go back to rest. I'll take her up."
Having to make a trip down to the company in the middle of the night, she had not managed to get a good sleep, which was evident by the dark circles under her eyes. She nodded in reply. "Rest, too, Director Chen."
He turned around and walked to the door, but upon seeing his robot dumbly rooted to the spot, he tilted his head at her, indicating her to follow him.
She hesitated a little before she hastily jogged over to keep up with him.
The two of them headed straight to the elevator that was dedicated to the president, and the man pressed the button.
The robot was still trembling with fear when she entered the lift.
She had been truly scared witless earlier.
She had originally intended to go to Block B… to check what had happened to her body… the results of her operation, what happened to her body, and whether or not her father, mother, and sister were worried about her…
Outside the CEO office was the secretaries' working area while further outside was a security glass door. The doors would automatically sense those with card access and open for them. However, she did not have one and she had no idea that it required a card. Hence… she switched on the lights and looked everywhere for the switch to the security door.
Since it was the dead of night, the security would be blind if they had not noticed the sudden bright light on the floor of the CEO office.
She was, therefore, taken away by a stocky bodyguard… and what followed after was a stern interrogation session.
For her whole eighteen years of life, she had never heard her family raising their voices at her because of her poor body condition, let alone… having several fierce-looking men shouting and threatening her. The poor child was terrified back! Fortunately… she still had some wits. She revealed her ball joints, USB port in her ear, the various buttons and charging point at her neck to them, and it was only then that they… grudgingly believed her.
If the one they caught was a female thief, they could still report her to the police but this one… was a female robot and a product of the company on top of that. Feeling extremely conflicted, the security team eventually decided to contact the head of the secretariat, Cheryl; hence, resulting in all the complications.
Gu Anbao let out a sigh of relief, having returned to the president's office. It was strange that she actually found this office a haven, after spending only a day here…
It was dark inside, and the man had no intention of turning on the lights. Instead, he reached out for her slender neck straight away for that inconspicuous round button, gently pressing it.
Her body instantly felt sluggish.
He then turned around and left, closing the door behind him.
Honestly speaking… the standby mode did not have much effect on her…
It was the same as downloading those huge databases that afternoon. Her soul was merely occupying this 'body', and she could not feel the system nor the information within.
Like a puppet, whether or not its inside was filled with bubbles or cotton had no influence on her, she was just using its shell.
She quietly stood still in the darkness, waiting for those footsteps to gradually fade away before she began moving slowly and creeping over to the door to open it…
She remembered the security officer pressing a button to open the security door. It must be an emergency button. It was probably designed this way for situations of power failure and malfunction of the door.
So, she just had to look for it in the right place… After that, she would be able to take the elevator to the 32nd floor and head to the opposite Block B through the sky garden.
She desperately wanted to know what had happened to herself and why on earth… why had she turned out this way, and where were her family members.
Coming out from the CEO office, she made her way through the dark aisles and the secretaries' working stations while feeling along the walls. Indeed, she found an inconspicuous button that way. Because it was almost entirely as flat as the smooth walls, it went unnoticed by the naked eye and could only be discerned by touch.
Just when she was overjoyed by her find, she heard a low chuckle beside her…
She instantly froze!
The man, leaning against the wall, let out two laughs before he stopped. His slightly hoarse voice sounded tired with hints of teasing. "Why aren't you continuing, hm?"
"…"
"You're very smart knowing to look for the emergency switch. Did you learn that from the security guard?"
She continued to keep mum.
Chen Yuheng walked over and lightly patted her head. His tone was warm. "The next time you run away, you'll be sent to be destroyed."
"!!!"