THIRTY NINE

Fabian’s company looked like it had stepped out of a sci-fi movie. It was a smart factory with a high level of artificial intelligence (AI) and cyber-physical systems. There were AI robots on the floor performing tasks that Amber had never even dreamt possible. One came up to them as soon as she and Fabian stepped into the lobby. It didn’t look humanoid though; the structure of the robot was fairly simple. It was basically a shiny silver shaft with a spherical camera at the top and long mechanical limbs. The thing moved on two wheels.

“Good morning Mr Williams.” The AI wheeled itself over to them, the mini screen atop its sphere lit bright blue as it spoke. Its pronunciation was flawless, but unlike V, the robot’s voice was more mechanical and lacked emotions.

Another robot of the same model zipped past them, effortlessly balancing stacks of boxes.

Fabian pointed at Amber, “Send Redd to my office. I’ll go to her once the meeting is over.” He peeled off his blazer a