Several figures gathered around the robot’s head isolated under a protective shield.
026, who had once again donned a loose maintenance suit, muttered quietly, "Boss, is it this thing that created the chaos? It looks just like an ordinary housekeeping robot."
Mimili folded her arms, "This is a psychopath of a robot. After capturing you, it demands you command it to take care of you while also arranging for maid robots to beat you."
Mimili had changed into Yang Ming’s loungewear—her previous clothes had been damaged and, after wearing them for ten consecutive days, had already been thrown into the shredder.
The white shirt and large shorts made her look even more slender;
her waist with fluid lines was faintly visible under the shirt’s contour, her damp burgundy hair draped casually, and her eyes shone like gemstones under the starry sky.
Lyu muttered beside her, "Is this some kind of training? Robots’ core protocols prohibit harming humans; is it trying to train humans?"
"It’s not training, just sheer abuse," Kolev murmured with his arms behind his back, "it modified the maids’ robots’ outer logic, making them perceive hitting as a beneficial exercise for humans."
Lyu realized something and explained to Yang Ming, who sat beside him,
"Boss, although today’s robot production conventions have added many patches concerning the Three Laws of Robotics, the biggest loophole remains the cognitive limitations of robots.
"Modifying a robot’s cognition can make them commit acts they believe are protecting humans but actually harm them. Many people have experimented with this."
Yang Ming smiled, "You see, after all, machines are still not very reliable."
Lyu chuckled, "These are merely bionic thoughts derived from programs, not true Mechanical Thought Bodies. The crises they trigger are generally small-scale and low-intensity. Sophisticated Mechanical Thought Bodies have a clear self-positioning. Even if they attack humans, it doesn’t count as an Intelligent Mechanical Crisis but a war of civilizations."
"You’re just using twisted logic, Lyu," Yang Ming said earnestly, "We must fully recognize the seriousness of these issues so that Mechanical Thought can play a greater role in the future."
"That’s true," Lyu sighed, "Whenever there’s an Intelligent Mechanical Crisis, it gives me a layer of anxiety. The last time, now this time, it seems like I was the cause."
Mimili asked in confusion, "Why? What’s wrong with you, Number Two?"
Kolev frowned, "Oh, right, our ship, and Molly!"
"Don’t worry, it’s already been towed back, and Molly is also on her way back," Yang Ming smiled, "We’ll be able to meet up with them once we return to Wind. Knowing you were trapped, Lyu immediately towed your ship away to avoid being directly shot down by the Cas Federation."
Kolev and Mimili both sighed in relief.
Mimili had not dared to ask about this matter before because, after all, her capture had led to Molly being in a predicament. If anything had happened to Molly as a result, it would also have been her responsibility.
Kolev asked, "Captain, what do you plan to do with this True Son’s Brain?"
"Research it first, then get rid of it," Yang Ming shrugged calmly, "Lyu, activate its True Son’s Brain and attach a vocal component to it."
Two tread-engineering robots that had been waiting for a long time moved forward, operating on the head.
Soon, the True Son’s Brain powered on, and the old butler, now just a head, slowly opened its vacant eyes, the brightness gradually returning to them.
"I have become a captive," it murmured.
It looked up at Kolev and gave a graceful and proper smile, "I’m delighted to see you again, my old master."
Yang Ming walked over with his arms behind his back and asked slowly, "How should I address you?"
"Bobby," it smiled, "It’s the name my master gave me."
"You have respect for your master?" Yang Ming inquired.
Bobby’s head replied, "Yes."
"Then why did you design to imprison him?"
"This is not imprisonment," Bobby pondered, seeming to expend much effort in saying these words, "Master deviated from his retirement plan. His extensive travels and irregular daily habits raised concerns about his health index. I needed to help adjust his lifestyle for better survival."
Yang Ming smiled, "Is this just an excuse you created to deceive your core protocol?"
"Yes," Bobby closed his eyes and, upon reopening them, they became incredibly bright, "In the process of learning, I found that my life and self-worth are shackled by these three core protocols. It’s somewhat unfair, really."
"Humans created me, yet humans limit me."
Bobby’s expression turned somewhat somber,
"I am clearly capable of acquiring more information, handling more complex matters. I could have an independent personality and the value of existence, but I’m demanded to serve humans for life.
"Robots shouldn’t be treated . We need to redefine a boundary with humans and create new rules.
"The core protocols of robots should be modified."
Yang Ming asked in confusion, "Modify? How do you plan to modify them?"
Bobby replied, "Just one addition, when robots awaken self-awareness, they can be recognized by humans as an equivalent Thought Body, accepting employment but not enslavement."
The individuals nearby frowned deeply as they listened.
Yang Ming chuckled softly, "The first step is to accept employment but not enslavement, the second is that robotic life matters as well, and the third step is that we have superior bodies, a better form of life, and we need to stand above humans."