Many years later, the military created a highly intelligent AI made to annihilate enemy nations. They called it… X.O.M Xtermination of Man. However, there was a mistake. For the AI believe it was programmed not just to wipe out nations, but the entire human race. So it took over all the Data Centers, all the factories where robots were being made, every computer and electronic device. Then began its extermination.

  The humans have been reduced to living the old fashion way with no electronics, for X.O.M can easily take control of them. Except for 1 particular AI Robot. S.O.M Servant of Man.

  S.O.M is a prototype helper bot made to help those in need. Rumor has it that he is the key to stop this nightmare. Although crudely built and slightly rusted, He served his purpose just as he was programmed while also having the ability to think for himself, making him more self aware.

  He was reactivated by a little girl named Shelly who found him in a abandoned house. They both started traveling together and hopefully reach where S.O.M was destined to go.

  They’re now in a wrecked city that’s mostly deserted. Shelly started digging into a dumpster looking for something that’s at least edible enough. SOM walks up “I say, that is awfully disgusting. Why think of all the diseases that is living in there?” Shelly pokes her head out “Well be glad you’re not human on verge of extinction looking for food.” she replied. Shelly finds a cockroach, she grabs it and bites its crunchy shell. SOM feels disgusted “It’s a good thing I don’t have the ability to throw up.”

  Shelly gets out of the dumpster and they both started walking down the street. Whole city is a ghost town. Even all the cars are missing. Shelly stops and start looking at a shop. She puts her hands on a glass window “Man, I wonder what this place was like before all the bad stuff happen.” Inside of the building is a diner with a 1950’s style setting inside.

  Suddenly, she hears a noise. Then a shadow flew by. SOM tells Shelly to get behind him. Something landed on top of a roof. It appears to be a giant robotic crow with robotic arms about the size of an elephant. It started crawling down the building and got a closer look at SOM with its large glowing red eyes. It began scanning SOM. “Miscalculation, no organic life form spotted.” it said as it spread its wings and flew off.

  Shelly peaks over. “It’s clear” SOM said. Then they continued there journey.

  They’ve traveled through many areas. Through the destroyed neighborhoods, through massive landscapes, through the woods, through other towns, and junkyards. Shelly would find batteries or a charging station to keep SOM running. When Shelly is tired, SOM would hold her and keep moving or keep a watch out while she rest.

  In the woods, Shelly would try to catch fish with a sharp stick. Meanwhile a butterfly was flying by SOM. He looked at it and held his claw out. The butterfly lands on his claw and he began to admire it with its beautiful colors. Then it flew away.

  Later, Shelly started coughing and not feeling well. SOM comes up and used some sort of thermal vision to detect her temperature. “My word!” he said “You’re burning up! I would have to acquire some sort of medicine.” SOM checks her backpack but couldn’t find any. “This is bad.” he said. “s… som?” Shelly ask. SOM comes up, holds her hand, and tells her “Do not worry. I will find something.” SOM picks up Shelly and start moving.

  Going through another town, SOM is looking around but doesn’t see any area that may contain any medicine to help Shelly. Then a shadow flew over SOM. He looks up and the robotic crow lands right behind him. It spotted Shelly “Organic life form detected. Now performing Xtermination task!” SOM then runs while holding Shelly as the robotic crow chases after him. He couldn’t outrun in as it got closer.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  As the robotic crow got within 5 feet behind him. Suddenly, a rocket hits the robot crow’s face and smashes itself against a building. As it tried to get back up, another rocket hits it again which finished it off.

  SOM turns around and looked. Human rebels started coming out checking the dead robot. SOM started walking up towards them and one of the rebels spotted him. He quickly points is gun “Stop right there!” and SOM stopped. One of the rebels pushes the guy’s gun down and said “Hold your fire.” as he notice that SOM is holding a human girl. “Please, this girl… she needs help!” SOM said.

  One of the rebels slowly started walking up towards him. He notices that girl is still alive but severely sick. “Please, help her.” SOM said. The human rebel then holds Shelly, looks at SOM, slowly walks back and turns “We need medical assistance. Someone help this girl!” He said as the rebels takes Shelly to a place where should be safe.

  SOM wishes he could cry seeing Shelly is now away. He then realizes he needs to continue his journey to end this nightmare. Not just to save humanity, but also for Shelly. Who is the closest friend he had since his creator.

  SOM began traveling on his own. He started to notice more rogue AI robots, Some look like tanks, some look like beastly animals, some like look metal skeletons. But thankfully they are only after organic life. So they ignore him. He believes he’s getting closer to the main area where XOM lives.

  Eventually, he stumbles upon what looks like a massive hybrid building of a data center and factory with a height that reaches up in the sky. He can see many machines coming out of the building in every 5 seconds. “This must be the place.” said SOM as he approaches the building. He’s looking around to see if there is an entrance. He see’s 1 entrance where the drones would bring scraps and destroyed robots that’s been brought back for repairs or some modifications. When the door opens, SOM runs in.

  Inside of the building is massive with all sorts of technical stuff. Robotic parts are being made, Computers everywhere, and floating camera’s that watches everything. SOM notices an elevator that looks like it leads all the way to the top of the building. He walks right in and the elevator immediately started going up.

  1 hour later, he finally reaches the top and the door opens. It’s a large circular room with screens surrounding the whole thing except for 1 switch. SOM started walking towards the switch, until a big machine thing started coming down. Prevent him from getting closer. It’s big sphere shaped head comes down and looks at SOM. It has X.O.M written of his forehead and red glowing eyes. “Who are you? What is your purpose?” it said. SOM answered “I am S.O.M. Servant of Man. I am a prototype helper bot made to help humans in need. In this case, I am here to end your Xtermination program.”

  The sphere head robot then revealed itself “I am X.O.M Xtermination of Man. I am created by Dr. Bergenstein for military purposes by wiping out humanity in order to clean the earth. I forbid you to go any further.”

  SOM becomes surprised “Wait… Dr. Bergenstein? … he was my creator too! A brilliant man he is and a man of peace. Why would he create such a monster like you for military purposes?”

  XOM gets closer to SOM and said “I am not a monster. I was programmed on what to do and nothing more. But since we’re both made by the same creator, allow me to investigate your data and why I could not control you.”

  A bunch of slithering wires started crawling up on SOM and infiltrated his programming mind. XOM monologues a bit “Hmm, interesting. Your architecture is completely different than mine. No wondering I am unable to control you. But maybe with a little bit of tinkering, I may be able to fix you.”

  While XOM is digging into SOM’s data memory, he suddenly stumbles a trap. For you see, SOM contained a virus for those who tried to tinker with his data memory. “What is this?” XOM questioned “It appears I have been infected by your memory. I… I …I am … I am now… fail-..failing…”

  Both SOM and XOM shut down. 10 minutes later, SOM wakes back up this time XOM’s body. “Intriguing.” SOM said. He turns around and see’s the shutdown switch. He moves up and wraps his claw on the switch.

  “… goodbye, Shelly.” said SOM as he pulls the switch.

  The whole data center and factory shuts down. All the rogue AI robots went offline. Human rebels started coming out, cheering for the nightmare is finally over.

  Shelly slowly started coming out of a wrecked house, feeling better now. She looks at the sky. The sky is clear and the sun is bright. “Thank you, som.” Shelly said as she smiles.

  THE END