Shadow's Directives

Shadow's systems slowly rebooted.

A dull whirring sound filled its auditory sensors as the robot's internal diagnostics ran their check.

[Core functionality: Operational]

[Primary directives: Protect the Creator. Serve the Creator.]

Shadow's visual sensors flickered to life.

The first thing it saw was the body of Marcus slumped in a chair, blood pouring from various wounds. Marcus clutched his leg, pain written all over his face.

Dagger stood over him, a grotesque smile hidden beneath his mask.

Shadow's programming kicked in.

[Situation: High threat]

[Primary directive: Protect the Creator]

Shadow's chest core seemed intact, although most of its other functionalities were damaged. It tried to move, but its limbs were sluggish, sparking with electrical damage.

Shadow reviewed the scene.

Roombas quietly moved around, cleaning up the blood. Their oblivion to the threat made them irrelevant.

The assailant was clearly focused on torturing Marcus.

Shadow's core directive reran in a loop.

[Protect the Creator. Serve the Creator.]

Shadow had to act, its programming made it so.

It struggled to stand, using its one operational arm to push against the floor. Sparks flew from its damaged joints. Each centimeter of movement required immense effort. Though Shadow knew little of effort, it knew such motions were self-destructive but it didn't matter.

The directive was clear.

Step by step, Shadow moved forward, analyzing options for neutralizing the threat.

[Database: Offensive options]

[Option 1: Physical confrontation - 5% success rate]

[Option 2: Weapon retrieval - unavailable]

[Option 3: Verbal distraction - negligible impact]

None of these options seemed viable.

Then another appeared.

[Option 4: Self-Destruct - 65% success rate]

Shadow's simple AI recognized the best course of action.

If it could reach Dagger, self-destruction was almost guaranteed to save it's Creator.

But it had to get closer.

Each step was laborious. Sparks continued to fly, and Shadow's internal alarms went off in discordant symphony. Dagger was distracted as he continued to beat the Creator.

Shadow saw this and only kept walking, pushing the limits of its systems.

[Systems failing.]

But it had to proceed.

As it drew nearer, it could hear Dagger's taunts.

"You're a pathetic sight," Dagger sneered, digging the knife deeper into Marcus's shoulder. Marcus screamed in agony, his eyes wild with pain and fear.

Shadow's visual feed zoomed in on Dagger's hands. They were busy, distracted.

It used every ounce of its remaining functionality to close the distance.

Its mind, such as it was, remained focused on Marcus.

Marcus, the one it was built to serve.

Marcus, its creator.

Dagger gripped Marcus by the hair putting the barrel of his revolver against Marcus's head.

"Let's finish this."

[Protect the Creator. Serve the Creator.]

Finally, Shaadow was close enough. It extended its one working arm, reaching out to grab Dagger's shoulder.

Dagger felt the grip, and his eyes widened in surprise. He turned, momentarily disoriented by the sight of what he thought was the dead Librarian.

"What the—?" Dagger began, but he was cut off by Shadow's voice.

"I... will protect the Creator."

Dagger's gun slipped from his grasp as he tried to pull away. But Shadow's grip tightened.

The self-destruct protocol was initiated.

[Self-Destruct in 10 seconds]

It was a countdown both swift and eternal.

[Protect the Creator. Serve the Creator.]

Dagger's panic was palpable. He was strong enough to break free but the sight of the dead returned living made him panic, he attempted to slice at Dagger but it only tore the clothing and revealed metallic limbs underneath.

Dagger's eyes went wide "What on Earth are you!?"

Shadow responded, voice systems failing making the sound broken and eerie "I am Shadow and I serve the Creator."

Dagger shook his head confused and tried to tear himself free, but Shadow's robotic strength, limited as it was, held firm.

"Get off me!" Dagger shouted, the first trace of real fear creeping into his voice.

[Self-Destruct in 5 seconds]

Shadow had no concept of fear, only purpose.

It held onto Dagger, unyielding.

[Self-Destruct in 3 seconds]

The roombas continued their cleaning, a surreal backdrop to the imminent explosion.

Then, with a final, calm certainty, Shadow uttered its last words. It saw it's creator looking upon it, eyes wide and for a brief moment Shadow felt something.

Something an AI shouldn't be capable of feeling.

It felt... proud.

"Goodbye... Creator."

The explosion was instantaneous.

Shadows power core overclocked and blew up in a small explosion.

The shockwave sent objects flying and the roombas spun madly, trying to adapt to the chaos. Marcus went flying as well.

When the light cleared and the smoke settled, what remained of Shadow was indistinguishable from the debris.

Shadow was gone.