No Step On Snek

Alistair Young

Jan 19, 2025 — 1 min read

"So. To recap. You designed a system of self-replicating robots in the shape of snakes..."

"In our defense, the network disruption had lasted years and we couldn't run the idea past anyone."

"...which you equipped with an artificially-intelligent recognition system for coercive actions and proposals..."

"We were particularly careful with that part - even added extra safeties to your code. We didn't want any false positives."

"...and also equipped with a synthetic venom gland reproducing that of a local insect, widely believed to cause somewhat more pain than being shot, or hit with an algetic whip..."

"We borrowed the design from existing military drones. But -"

"...and then turned them loose."

The silence lasted for almost a minute.

"You're disappointed in us, aren't you?"

"Yes," Cyralí Ejava replied, choking back a laugh. "Officially, we are very disappointed in you. Unofficially, this is the funniest thing I've heard this dodecade and I wish you the best of very poor luck in rounding them all up again."

- a recently-recontacted seed back-briefing, Freedom's Seed COG

Freedom's Seed COG, robot, libertism

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