The moment I got the call, I dashed out without even changing out of my lab coat.
“Engineer Morgan, we found Serenity, but the damage is far too severe… it’s likely headed for decommissioning.”
Before my eyes, the vessel I had poured half my life into, the one that had made countless contributions, was now nothing but a heap of scrap metal.
Around me, the expedition team members put on a show of wiping their tears.
“Serenity was dragged away fighting alien creatures to save Deputy Captain Sophia Reed. By the time we found it, it was already like this.”
Commander Johnson urged me to take comfort and focus on designing a new robot as soon as possible. But though I had always been obedient and low-key, I insisted on uncovering the truth behind Serenity’s destruction, to clear its name.
The team members grew uneasy.
“Which is more important, human lives or machines? It’s just a tin can. To sacrifice itself for us was its good fortune—it died the way it should.”
“It’s nothing but a pile of parts. Calling it a ‘sacrifice’ is giving it too much credit.”
“Robots are made to be cannon fodder anyway. Once we’ve got the data, what’s the point of digging deeper?”
My whole body trembled, rage boiling inside me.
Lies! A record-type robot built solely for clerical work—how could it possibly fight alien creatures?
“Don’t push your luck. You’re just a little wrench-turning engineer. If you make a scene, do you think your pitiful credentials will protect you from the fall?”
A “little engineer”?
The first name carved on the permanent monument at Lunar Base Alpha is still mine.
…
“Claire, calm down. What’s done is done…”
My eyes were bloodshot. “Calm your damned self! You knew Serenity could only record data. Why did you assign it to a dangerous mission? What the hell were you doing as captain?”
Captain David Miller’s look of grief slipped a little at my outburst.
“Claire, the destruction of Serenity was just an accident. I understand you’re upset, and I’m willing to apologize, but there’s no need to cling to this.”
Sophia ran out, her left pinky wrapped in gauze, tears streaming down her face.
“It’s all my fault. I was careless when collecting plant samples and failed to scout the environment properly. That’s why Serenity was dragged down with me.”
She cried pitifully, and the others quickly chimed in.
“Why are you making such a fuss? Do you expect Deputy Captain Reed to die in a robot’s place? Are you insane?”
“To sacrifice itself for humanity is an honor written into its program—it should feel grateful.”
“It wasn’t much use anyway. Perfect time to free up its serial number for the new robot. Out with the old, in with the new.”
I stared coldly at their ugly faces, unable to hide their true colors, my nails digging deep into my palms.
Commander Johnson also urged me to give up on Serenity.
“Claire, don’t let emotions cloud your judgment. It was just a robot.”
Grinding my teeth, I spoke each word like it was carved from stone.
“It was like a daughter to me.”
The room fell silent—then a few stifled laughs broke out, chilling me to the bone.
I had devoted my life to mechanical research. With no children of my own, I had given my youth to building the Base. Even Serenity had been created to aid the expedition team’s work.
But they were ungrateful. I was certain they had deliberately sent Serenity into danger, leading to its destruction.
Taking a deep breath, I demanded to review the mission’s black box recording.
The atmosphere grew tense. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Sophia exchanging a glance with David.
I narrowed my eyes and sneered. “Don’t tell me you didn’t even bring the black box back. You’re not rookies. How could you make such a low-level mistake?”
Sophia averted her gaze. “We ran into alien creatures. It was a miracle we made it back alive. As for the black box… it must have gotten lost somewhere.”
I nodded. “That’s easy enough. The black box is made of special material—it won’t be destroyed so easily. We’ll just send someone back to retrieve it.”
