The Human Animal

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“I’m sorry, but animals are not allowed on board the Interface.”

Rahel Tovin looked at the cluster of robots blocking her path, wondering how many were programmed nobodies, and how many the sentient Newborns who ran Interface station. At least one sported a glossy brass plate riveted over its old Robot Identification Number: MECHANIC. Rahel couldn’t help feeling that if she’d had to fight in court to obtain even the most basic “human” rights, she would have picked a better name than her previous job.

“Interesting house rule.” On the ground beside Rahel, Toad hit the end of her lead and snuffled all over Mechanic’s treadmill, pretending not to be leash-broken. “Sounds kind of like an anti-carbon bias to me.”

“On the contrary.” Mechanic rolled straight backward and stranded Toad at the end of her line. The drones to either side didn’t move, but Toad still cocked her head attentively from side to side, as though sure they were about to do something fascinating. “The regulation was established at the request of several carbon-based lifeforms who frequently ply their trades on the Interface.”

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