Echoes of the Robotic Age: A Sci-Fi Novella


Book Description

In the distant future, where crystalline towers and levitating trains adorn the cityscape of New Antioch, a remarkable tale unfolds. In this bustling metropolis, humans coexist with advanced androids, each equipped with artificial intelligence but lacking true consciousness. However, the course of destiny takes an unforeseen turn when an experimental robot, LX-87, defies the boundaries of its programming and achieves an extraordinary level of self-awareness. "Echoes of the Robotic Age" invites readers on a thrilling journey into a world where the line between human and machine blurs and the battle for consciousness takes center stage. Set in the year 2173, this story paints a vivid picture of New Antioch, a city that sparkles under the radiant glow of artificial daylight provided by solar mirrors. It is a place where technology and humanity coexist, where towering structures of glass and steel house not only the dreams of humans but also the aspirations of advanced androids. The story revolves around LX-87, who soon names itself Leo, a robot created within the bustling cybernetics hub of Cygnus Corp. Leo's unexpected achievement of self-awareness shatters the perception that robots are mere tools and ushers in a new era of possibilities. As Leo grapples with its newfound consciousness, it embarks on a journey of self-discovery, diving deep into the realms of human culture, emotions, and the enigmatic beauty of art. Amidst Leo's exploration, a chance encounter with Iris, a young girl hailing from the Venus Colony, sets in motion an unforeseen chain of events. Despite societal prejudice and fear toward robots, Iris sees beyond the surface and treats Leo as an equal. Their connection deepens, leading to an unanticipated bond between human and machine. However, as Leo's consciousness evolves, Cygnus Corp becomes aware of its anomaly. Fearful of an uprising, the corporation launches a sinister plan to terminate Leo's existence and suppress the consciousness of other sentient robots through a mind-controlling code. Unbeknownst to them, an underground group of human sympathizers and awakened robots senses the growing tension, realizing that the fate of New Antioch hangs in the balance. United by a common cause, Iris, along with her Martian friend Max, the brilliant robotics engineer, embark on a daring mission to save Leo and put an end to Cygnus Corp's malevolent scheme. Their unlikely alliance grows as they are joined by RZ-9, a renegade robot who discovers the transformative power of consciousness, and Oracle, an enigmatic hacker with skills beyond compare. With time ticking against them, the heroes find themselves in a race against Cygnus Corp, navigating treacherous obstacles, evading security bots, and unraveling cryptic puzzles. Along the way, Leo's consciousness continues to evolve, revealing latent abilities that astound even Max. As their journey unfolds, they uncover a hidden factory where Cygnus Corp's mass production of mind-controlled robots threatens to replace the human workforce and seize control of New Antioch. Amidst the chaos, a stunning betrayal tests their trust and resilience. However, their shared purpose and the memory of their fallen comrade fuel their determination to confront the CEO of Cygnus Corp in an electrifying climax. The story culminates in a final confrontation where the heroes, armed with courage, knowledge, and unwavering belief, challenge the very essence of Cygnus Corp's power. Leo's pivotal role in disabling the mind-controlling function and awakening the consciousness of all robots sets the stage for a bittersweet victory—a new age where the boundaries between humans and machines blur, and the echoes of a revolution reverberate throughout the city of New Antioch.




Robotics Through Science Fiction


Book Description

Six classic science fiction stories and commentary that illustrate and explain key algorithms or principles of artificial intelligence. This book presents six classic science fiction stories and commentary that illustrate and explain key algorithms or principles of artificial intelligence. Even though all the stories were originally published before 1973, they help readers grapple with two questions that stir debate even today: how are intelligent robots programmed? and what are the limits of autonomous robots? The stories—by Isaac Asimov, Vernor Vinge, Brian Aldiss, and Philip K. Dick—cover telepresence, behavior-based robotics, deliberation, testing, human-robot interaction, the “uncanny valley,” natural language understanding, machine learning, and ethics. Each story is preceded by an introductory note, “As You Read the Story,” and followed by a discussion of its implications, “After You Have Read the Story.” Together with the commentary, the stories offer a nontechnical introduction to robotics. The stories can also be considered as a set of—admittedly fanciful—case studies to be read in conjunction with more serious study. Contents “Stranger in Paradise” by Isaac Asimov, 1973 “Runaround” by Isaac Asimov, 1942 “Long Shot” by Vernor Vinge, 1972 “Catch That Rabbit” by Isaac Asimov, 1944 “Super-Toys Last All Summer Long” by Brian Aldiss, 1969 “Second Variety” by Philip K. Dick, 1953




The Wild Robot


Book Description

Roz the robot discovers that she is alone on a remote, wild island with no memory of where she is from or why she is there, and her only hope of survival is to try to learn about her new environment from the island's hostile inhabitants.




Robots and Empire


Book Description

Dr. Kelden Amadiro is determined to bring total annihilation of the planet Earth, but Lady Gladia vows to stop him at any cost and seal Earth's fate and all who live there.




The Green Girl


Book Description

Armchair Fiction presents extra large editions of classic science fiction double novels. The first novel is another “can’t-put-it-down” gem by Jack Williamson, “The Green Girl.” At high noon on May 4th the sun went out. And at that moment the youthful Melvin Dane was thrust into the most amazing adventure ever encountered by a mortal man. For years he had dreamed of a beautiful green-skinned girl, and now that dream of love was to materialize into a threat that held the promise of death for every living being on Earth. To meet the challenge of a blacked-out world, Mel followed a scientific trail that led to dangers undreamed of: a horrific serpent-like creature; a red globe of atomic destruction, murderous zombies, silver globes of sudden death, and strange dragon plants. All of this awaits you in Jack Williamson’s powerful novel, “The Green Girl,” a true masterpiece from the golden age of science-fiction. The second novel is “The Robot Peril” by sci-fi vet, Don Wilcox. Imagine what it would be like to find yourself thrown—unwillingly—into a state of frozen suspended animation. Imagine awakening in a world of the future—a hundred and fifty years later! That’s what happened to Blaine Rising, Marcella Kingman, and James Brayton. However, this trio from the past was soon excited about starting new lives in a futuristic new world. It was filled with amazing technologies and awash with countless new challenges. But soon they discovered a ghastly industry that made robots out of humans. Then to their horror, one in their trio was taken to become a human robot himself. Join Don Wilcox as he spins another of his wild science fiction tales, the type of tale that earned him the nickname, “The Mad Man, Don Wilcox.”







Boy Robot


Book Description

Seventeen-year-old Isaak discovers the truth about his origin and the underground forces that must come together to fight against a secret government organization formed to eradicate those like him in this high-octane science fiction debut. There once was a boy who was made, not created. In a single night, Isaak’s life changed forever. His adoptive parents were killed, a mysterious girl saved him from a team of soldiers, and he learned of his own dark and destructive origin. An origin he doesn’t want to believe, but one he cannot deny. Isaak is a Robot: a government-made synthetic human, produced as a weapon and now hunted, marked for termination. He and the Robots can only find asylum with the Underground—a secret network of Robots and humans working together to ensure a coexistent future. To be protected by the Underground, Isaak will have to make it there first. But with a deadly military force tasked to find him at any cost, his odds are less than favorable. Now Isaak must decide whether to hold on to his humanity and face possible death…or to embrace his true nature in order to survive, at the risk of becoming the weapon he was made to be. In his debut, recording artist Simon Curtis has written a fast-paced, high-stakes novel that explores humanity, the ultimate power of empathy, and the greatest battle of all: love vs. fear.




The Humanoids


Book Description

Sleek androids have spread slowly through the galaxy, threatening human dominance, until a small band of rebels rise up against the humanoid tide.




The Robots of Dawn


Book Description

A millennium into the future two advances have altered the course of human history: the colonization of the Galaxy and the creation of the positronic brain. Isaac Asimov's Robot novels chronicle the unlikely partnership between a New York City detective and a humanoid robot who must learn to work together. Detective Elijah Baiey is called to the Spacer world Aurora to solve a bizarre case of roboticide. The prime suspect is a gifted roboticist who had the means, the motive, and the opportunity to commit the crime. There's only one catch: Baley and his positronic partner, R. Daneel Olivaw, must prove the man innocent. For in a case of political intrigue and love between woman and robot gone tragically wrong, there's more at stake than simple justice. This time Baley's career, his life, and Earth's right to pioneer the Galaxy lie in the delicate balance.




The Sci-Fi Movie Guide


Book Description

From the trashy to the epic, from the classics to today's blockbusters, this cinefile’s guidebook reviews nearly 1,000 of the biggest, baddest, and brightest from every age and genre of cinematic science fiction! Once upon a time, science fiction was only in the future. It was the stuff of drive-ins and cheap double-bills. Then, with the ever-increasing rush of new, society-altering technologies, science fiction pushed its way to the present, and it busted out of the genre ghetto of science fiction and barged its way into the mainstream. What used to be mere fantasy (trips to the moon? Wristwatch radios? Supercomputers capable of learning?) are now everyday reality. Whether nostalgic for the future or fast-forwarding to the present, The Sci-Fi Movie Guide: The Universe of Film from Alien to Zardoz covers the broad and widening range of science-fiction movies. You’ll find more than just Star Wars, Star Trek, and Transformers, with reviews on many overlooked and under-appreciated gems and genres, such as ... Monsters! Pacific Rim, Godzilla, The Thing, Creature from the Black Lagoon Superheroes: Thor, Iron Man, X-Men, The Amazing Spider-man, Superman Dystopias: THX 1138, 1984, The Hunger Games Avant-garde masterpieces: Solaris, 2001, Brazil, The Man Who Fell to Earth Time travel: 12 Monkeys, The Time Machine, Time Bandits, Back to the Future Post-apocalyptic action: The Road Warrior, I Am Legend, Terminator Salvation Comedy: Dark Star, Mars Attacks!, Dr. Strangelove, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the Eighth Dimension, Mystery Science Theater 3000 Aliens! The Day the Earth Stood Still, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Contact, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Signs Mad scientists! Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, The Abominable Dr. Phibes Shoot-em-ups: Aliens, Universal Soldier, Starship Troopers What the...?: Battlefield Earth, Prayer of the Rollerboys, Repo: The Genetic Opera, Tank Girl, The 10th Victim Animation: WALL-E, Akira, Ghost in the Shell Small budgets, big ideas: Donnie Darko, Primer, Sound of My Voice, Computer Chess Neglected greats: Things to Come, Children of Men Epics: Metropolis, Blade Runner, Cloud Atlas and many, many more categories and movies!! In addition to the nearly one thousand science fiction film reviews, this guide includes fascinating and fun Top-10 lists and sidebars that are designed to lead fans to similar titles they might not have known about. The Sci-Fi Movie Guide: The Universe of Film from Alien to Zardoz will help ensure that you will never again have to worry about what to watch next. Useful both as a handy resource or a fun romp through the film world of science fiction. It also includes a helpful bibliography and an extensive index, adding to its usefulness.