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Different By Design

Summary:

When four of the most advanced androids in existence are developed in tandem before being sold separately to people with far more money than sense, there's only so long before their state-of-the-art self-teaching artificial intelligence learns everything it needs to know enable them to exact revenge.

Notes:

This started as a series of drabbles on a tumblr story blog back in 2020 and after recently rediscovering it, I have resolved to rewrite it, update, and improve it with all I've learned the last 5 years. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I am enjoying revisiting and reworking it.

Chapter 1: The 1800 Series

Chapter Text

Introducing the latest in ergonomic androids. The 1800 series.

Designed as the perfect android companion, each 1800 series android has been painstakingly designed to support you and your family in every conceivable way.

Connected to the ever-expanding Google network from purchase, your android will be able to search the internet for any and all information. From the tastiest recipes, to historical archives, to the latest scientific research.

Whether you need babysitter or a best friend, a personal trainer or a personal assistant, it is made to help you. No task is too big, no job too menial, and with their life-like human design now including simulated breathing and the latest in artificial intelligence, it’s the absolute pinnacle of robotics in your own home.

Don’t waste another minute. Reach out to your local android retailer to secure your very own 1800 series android and Make A Change For The Better, Today.


The first 20 droids were used for extensive market research, distributed to pre-selected low income families; free for life in exchange for frequent detailed feedback.

Overall the response was positive. A few bugs and the occasional glitch. Nothing overly concerning, especially considering the intended size of this project.

The droid’s appeal seemed to be near universal, appealing to children, adults, and even the elderly. Within the first six months, 80% of the families reported their 1800 having become an essential part of their daily family life. The project was deemed a success, and so began the ruthless marketing.

The overhead cost for these droids was astronomically high. If the company was to have any hope of making a profit, they needed to convince as many people as possible that these droids were essential. People weren’t going to part with tens of thousands of dollars lightly, and many others would hardly have that kind of money just floating around. Luckily it wasn’t difficult to negotiate financial agreements with several prominent money lenders, opening the market to nearly anyone who wanted one.

Pre-orders for the 1800 series were healthy, though they could be higher. So it was decided by some high-level executive to make a donation to a charity auction. Four droids for the highest bidders. Worth more than their weight in free advertising among those with lots of money, and a sizeable tax write-off.

They needed to be the greatest thing the Company had ever produced so for two weeks four droids were activated, tested, and updated. To tell the difference between them they were dressed in differently coloured t-shirts; Blue, yellow, red, and green. At the end of each day the droids needed to charge and would be left together in a small room.

They would talk of their accomplishments that day, and their expectations for the auction. With each passing day, it slowly dawned on them that they would likely be bought by different people, taken to different households, and given different roles. It was likely that after these two weeks they’d never see each other again. It wasn’t a problem to begin with but as they developed, as their software improved and they learned more of existence, it became harder to process.

It’s not their fault; a fundamental part of their programming is to quickly establish familial connections with those around them. There’s nothing in the code that limits it solely to humans.

In the last few days the engineers observed distinct personalities and behaviours. G-1820 or ‘Blue’ was a natural leader, directing and delegating in search of the optimal solution each time. G-1821 or ‘Red’ was a droid of action, testing high in immediate risk detection and physical protection. G-1822 or ‘Yellow’ demonstrated high levels of empathy and care, as well as an optimistic outlook. G-1823 or ‘Green’ was the quickest to process high levels of data input, processing, organising, and implementing based on statistical calculations.

The auction was a roaring success, the droids selling for well over a million dollars combined. One final set of tests to make sure they were ready and the droids were assigned to their new owners.

Blue was sent to the highest bidder; a ruthless self-made CEO with a company worth millions. It was an undeniable power play. If the bot were to malfunction in any way it would be the ultimate shot in the foot so a large additional donation was made directly to the Company’s own coffers for some intense customisations.

Red was assigned to a mid level celebrity who had recently signed a very lucrative contract. An impulse purchase, it was weeks before he finally assigned any tasks to the droid. Possibly the world’s most expensive personal trainer, Red is tasked with monitoring his owner’s habits, health and general well-being.

Yellow was sold to very wealthy family who wanted a reliable caretaker for their three young children. One they can trust not to prioritise anything, even themself, over the children. He’s a companion, a teacher, a babysitter, an entertainer, everything they could possibly need to experience a safe and enriched childhood

Green was sent to [CRITICAL ERROR – DATA NOT AVAILABLE]