As Emily was placing the last box on the top of the large pile, a sound echoed through the grocery store. The three listened intently as the clanging whirled to a stop in an aisle at the opposite end of the building. Emily glanced at Oliver, whose faceplate was already dark blue and scanning the area.
“Military,” Oliver said quickly.
“What?” Emily whispered. “You said they were gone!”
“I…I’m not sure how they…why they are here…” Oliver’s monotonous digital voice seemed to stutter wildly as he tried to reassess the situation.
Emily turned to look at the black police robot that was still standing motionless at the end of the pathway behind them. She inspected his faceplate carefully, half expecting him to jump to life. She ran her fingers over the edges of his chest plate and tugged it f
