Page 8 of Asmodel

“I know you can,” Azazel agreed. “That’s what worries me.”

“Over here.” Adapa and Inanna led them into a small family room.

Asmodel stepped into a room both unfamiliar and inviting.

The warm glow of the recessed ceiling lights and strategically placed orbs compensated for the absence of natural light and created soft shadows across the room. The harmonious balance between the modern comforts and the rustic, earthy ambiance of the alien subterranean haven was homey and inviting.

A soothing vid depicting the natural landscape of the planet Akurn adorned the far wall. The raw beauty of exposed stone or brickwork left visible on the other walls lent an authentic, cavernous vibe to the space.

As Asmodel walked by, he ran his fingers over the textured surface and marveled at the blend of nature and craftsmanship. Facing the room, he was drawn to the center, where a plush navy-blue sofa beckoned. Lying on those soft cushions would help take his cares away. A place to unwind among various pillows scattered in different colors and sizes.

A heavy wooden coffee table, worn yet elegant, stood as a centerpiece in front of it. Across the room were well-stocked bookshelves filled with scrolls, hardbound books, and ePads waiting to be used. The artwork and digital photographs around the room added personal touches to the place.

It was the type of room he’d dreamed about enjoying when he was a slave. Somewhere inviting to set his own creative nature free.

“Are they here?” With his hands on his hips, Abalim looked around. “Where are they, JR15?”

The little spider-shaped robot wiggled on Abalim’s shoulder and pointed a sharp foreleg to the top of the coffee table. “They are right there, Mister Abalim, Sir.”

Asmodel peered at the top of the table.

There, next to a bowl filled with dried floral petals, stood three small bots in the same shape as JR15, but in different colors and sizes. Next to them were two other bots. One was bigger than the rest, with a solid silver body complete with twelve legs. Next to it stood a smaller spider-droid in a contrasting violet with eight black legs and two large multifaceted eyes in a rainbow of colors.

Asmodel and his brothers surrounded the table and glanced at the little AI bots. His heart raced. Could he be getting his own JR unit? He eyed them, captivated by the seamless blend of the black-and-silver bot that had a mirror-like sheen. The silver parts glistened, while the black segments absorbed the light, giving it depth and a hint of mystery. What a study of contrasts. The silver exuded a sense of high-tech sophistication, while the black hinted at something more enigmatic and stealthier.

The spybots’ forms were loosely based on Earth spiders, but were far from living creatures. They had different numbers of legs that demonstrated a precision of advanced technology. Their movements had a hypnotic fluidity that was almost hypnotic. Each leg ended in delicate, almost needle-like points, suggesting intricate manipulation capabilities or perhaps even potential defensive measures.

Asmodel became mesmerized by the silver-and-black bot's eyes, that were tiny and glowing. They were alive with intelligence that was clearly beyond ordinary machinery. They flickered with a soft luminescence as the bot scanned his surroundings. For a moment, the bot's eyes met Asmodel’s gaze, giving him an unsettling sense of awareness.

“These, my brothers, are for you.” Adapa claimed with a wave of his hand.

“Hey, now!” The larger silver bot jumped in front of the little ones. The violet-and-black one stood at his side as if joining in defending the others. “My children aren’t something to be handed out like candy, you big oaf.”

Asmodel’s eyebrows rose. Children?

“My mistake.” Adapa gave a slight bow with his hand over his heart. “Please forgive the insensitive way I started the introduction, JR10.” He looked at the violet bot. “JR11, I never intended to disrespect you. Please forgive me.”

Ah, here was the famous, or should he say infamous, JR10. Asmodel smiled and crossed his arms. If he understood the situation right, JR10 created JR11, and then she, in turn, created four little bots—Abalim’s JR15 included.

JR10 gave a good impression of a human snort. “Well, okay then.” He lifted one of his pointy front legs and jabbed it in Adapa’s direction. “And don’t you ever forget it, bub.”

“Should we introduce them?” The soft feminine voice of JR11 interjected. “Let them get to know one another so they can see if they’re compatible?”

“Come, my brothers.” Adapa waved his hand at Asmodel and his two other brothers. “Say hello to the bots.”

Abalim smiled at the small green-and-silver bot on his shoulder. “You’ll love your JR. I can’t imagine a better companion. That right, JR15?”

“Oh yes, Mister Abalim, sir!” The bot wiggled a little dance. “I love traveling with you.”

If Asmodel wasn’t mistaken, Abalim’s companion had lost some of the mechanical mannerisms it had before his brother left for Hiigar. Now it acted and talked more “human”. Maybe spending time with Abalim caused the AI bot to become less stilted and more natural.

Azazel squatted close to the table until he was eye level with the red-and-gold spider bot.

Arakiba had the small gold-and-silver one on his palm and had brought it to speak face-to-face.

That left the smallest droid on the table. The black-and-silver bot that caught his attention earlier,

To get comfortable, he sat cross-legged on the floor to speak eye-to-eye with the small thing.

---