A scene from a story I want to start writing. It's not as fleshed out as it could be since I'm not really started the story for real yet... I'm mostly testing out ideas and getting a feel for the characters in my head. Scenery and names and background character personalities haven't really been thought of at all.
Basically what I'm hoping to find out is...
-Did this scene come off as dramatic without appearing to try too hard to be dramatic?
-Does the premise of the story seem interesting?
-Whatever other thoughts you have.
Anyways, here it is:
_____
Dr. Potrovsky stood before a council of officials, with Miu standing meekly at her side.
“Doctor, we imagine you understand the dangers of having this… robot, capable of learning and thinking for itself.” An official treaded carefully with his words. “It is a dangerous, unpredictable creation. You’ve went too far, Potrovsky! You can’t let such technology exist in the wild. The world isn’t ready for it.”
“Miu,” the Doctor corrected with a subtle sharpness, “is harmless. She may be a robot, but she is a kind, caring, thoughtful robot. More so than any of us could claim to be. She’s this way because I made her to be that way. I would sooner worry that lightning would strike me where I stand than fear Miu hurting someone.”
There was a brief period of quiet conversation. “I’m sorry," one man spoke up after a moment, "but words and promises would do little to convince us when the lives of innocents are at stake. You can say all you like, but how will we ever know for certain that this… Miu, could never decide one day that she wanted to be free of humans? A robot uprising, you could say. You've heard how dangerous it could be to give a robot sentience. Especially one as dangerous as... her.”
The Doctor eyed the council for a moment, examining them. She then turned to face her creation. “Miu, would you turn your arm into a gun for me?” She asked sweetly.
Miu nodded, uncomfortable. Her right arm slowly folded away into itself, and from beneath the skin several pieces of metal joined together into the deadly shape of a high-powered machinegun. The council began to murmur, alarmed.
“Hush!” Potrovsky raised a hand, annoyed. “Just because you couldn’t see the weapon before doesn’t mean it wasn’t already there.” She waited for the worried chatter to die down. “This is a modified M134 minigun, built to fire large HE and AP rounds as Miu’s strength allows her to handle the recoil. It’s possible to attach a belt to supply more ammunition if needed, among other things. This is only one weapon in her vast arsenal, you see.” The doctor turns again to Miu, whose gaze remained fixed awkwardly to the ground.
“Miu,” she began, smiling. “Shoot them all.”
Gasps of fear and outrage erupted from the crowd, some ducked for cover while others, in their shock, tried helplessly to shield themselves with their hands.
“What?” The android whirled around, bewildered. “No!”
It was dead silent in the court. Hearing the horrified response of Miu, some officials began to meekly peer out from behind their desks. Ten seconds of pregnant silence passed. Watching Miu carefully, Dr. Potrovsky smiled. She pulled out a small electronic device and eyed her audience. “I see…” Without another word, she pressed a button.
Miu cried out in pain. At once, electricity crackled and buzzed. Streaks of lightning arced from her body as she screamed, scorching the hardwood floor as something invisible electrocuted her. “I’ll ask you again.” The Doctor said over the noise of Miu’s cries. “I’m ordering you, to shoot them.”
“I…” She gasped through the pain, struggling to stay on her hands and knees as electricity arced through her body. Her face was grit with determination. “I won’t.”
“Do it!”
“No!” She cried. “Never!”
With one last moment to enunciate her point, Dr. Potrovsky flicked the switch again and the sounds of electricity died away. The girl collapsed in relief with a gasp, and the room sat in stunned silence for a long time, save for the laboring of Miu’s breath.
“It is not AI that humans should fear.” The Doctor murmured. “You fear a robot uprising, but it was humans who designed them. It was humans who wanted them to be capable of the destruction which they can do. The destruction which Miu can do.” She knelt down next to her creation. “A robot can be designed to kill… or it can be designed to be your friend and love you, with kindness and selflessness that a human could never dream of possessing. They do what they're designed to do, and it is those who build their creations who are responsible for them.” She was angry now. Accusatory, as if what she had done to prove her point to these people now filled her with disgust. “No. It is humans who created, who desired, the destruction which you fear. It’s humans that have the power and the intent to cause death and terror and havoc! But Miu…” The barest hint of tears welled within the doctor’s eyes. She placed an apologetic hand on the android’s shoulder.
“Miu is a better person than all of us.”
Silence reigned. Miu rose back to her feet, unsteady, but no worse for wear. As the Doctor glared at her audience, daring them to say something, she eventually seemed satisfied.
They turned to leave.
“Doctor!” Someone called out. Potrovsky paused, not turning back. “If this is how things are,” He cleared his throat, nervous. “Why, then… Why did you outfit a pacifistic android with over a hundred million dollars of weapons and armor? What purpose could this ever hope to serve?”
At first, there was no response. But then Dr. Potrovsky laughed, a cheerful peal that cut into their ears like daggers. “What a remarkably stupid question.” She said through a smile. “Your honor, Miu was not designed to kill.” She began to walk away once more, Miu treading carefully behind her, embarrassed.
“She was designed to protect.”
