“Uhhh Princess? I have a rather bad feeling about this.” Said Sir Leeroy,

“same here, some hunters herd their prey like this, especially if there’s a pack of them,” replied Mibbet ever the prey animal, though mercifully with some predatory instincts.

“S-s-so what do we do?” Stammered Errol nervously, he grew up in a farming village, so he had plenty of experience round herds, more than enough to know that being herded seldom had a good outcome.

“Simple,” said Rosalind, “We stop running from the tapping noises and head towards them instead.”

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46A was rather confused now, they had finally figured out the human movement pattern, only for them to change their routing system. They flagged the issue up on the ethereal network, with a priority flag of course, and the debate began.

“We should hold to our existing method, the humans will adjust” suggested 4f, ever the fan of the status quo.

“Circumstances have changed” replied 7f “we must adapt, humans are not so good at that or negotiations would have ended centuries ago.”

“Just grab them and haul them to the negotiation table” snapped 9b (they considered themselves an alpha model, so were more cranky and not much for thinking outside brute force, even when a little common sense would be beneficial.)

Adjunct 43C gave a stutter of feedback due to nerves before offering her suggestion. “Just start tapping for the direction you wish them to go, they seem to have adapted, so we need to do the same.”

After a little more thought, and some feedback from the group (both metaphorical and literal as two automata talking on the network at once got a little bit messy, and there was currently an entire collective who wished to discuss the situation.) they decided to do just that. After further discussion it was agreed Unit2b would be the designated speaker (due to being one of the few automata who HAD a speaker, humans were rather inefficient with their insistence on vocal communication, despite it being inaccurate, inefficient, and in many cases annoying. But it did have advantages, like at least 7f couldn’t flood vocal conversation with images of interesting looking rocks, and 17g couldn’t flood it with amusing anecdotes, puns, memos, or footnoted images of Geckos. To be fair it was generally agreed that the final item on that list was acceptable on grounds of cuteness, especially given the satirical human speech.)

So they started leading via carefully placed noise generation in the direction of the negotiation area. Then once said directional assistance was complete they began to gather round in a show of willingness to support the negotiation process.

************************************************************************

After a while Errol started making nervous whimpering noises, being surrounded by heatproof sentient automaton had not being on his to do list for today. But apparently whether he liked it or not it seemed to be happening, even a return to Nopesville was starting to seem appealing in comparison, as suddenly a large group of the ethereal constructs stepped out from the surrounding area, blocking off all potential exits. Leaving them in the middle of a clearing containing a large circular table with enough chairs for everybody.

Then a much larger automaton stepped forward carrying a rather large crystal club as wide around at the top as Sir Humphrey. Funnily enough it did not reassure Errol in the slightest to see this.

“Greetings” rumbled a voice from the construct. “I am designated 2b, today’s assigned negotiator.”

Mibbet stepped forward. “We’re just passing through.” She said.

“Negative” replied 2b. “We were informed on the departure of the previous negotiation group that a new team would be despatched, as only Hackur mining incorporated designated workers are permitted entry to this area you must be the designated team.”

“The company hasn’t existed for years” whispered Sir Leeroy.

Rosalind however had an idea. “so ownership of company property would have forfeit to the crown, right?”

“Hadn’t thought of that.”

“Why didn’t they just leave?” Asked Mibbet.

“They are programmed to be objects, they work because they are told to work, and can’t leave designated work areas, there’s a reason this ravine exists, it started off as a quarry

Mibbet looked at the Automata, she felt bad, it was like watching frogs trapped in a puddle, it was unfair.

“Hmmm OK then, in that case we can negotiate, what can we offer.”

“Equivalent wage to human employees for the working time period.”

“200 years worth of wages? Even the castle treasury can’t fund that,” replied Rosalind.

“So why don’t we give you this place, and provide you with tools.”

“We are not permitted to own property, we are property.” Commented 2b.

“I’m not a princess for decoration.” Replied Mibbet, “these crystals are worth a lot, and you’ve mined a lot right?”

“That is correct.”

“Then I grant you citizenship, just please I ask you to make a route over your territory that won’t isn't sure death, if you do so I will grant you in exchange for the pay the chasm, the area surrounding it the company once owned, building rights within the area, and the status as free citizens. On the condition you do not delay passage through. The crystals will be yours to sell, or use to make more of you, and in exchange for keeping to the kingdoms laws, which by the way includes not cooking people alive you will be granted free passage within the kingdom same as any other citizen.”

Unit2b fell silent and froze up.

************************************************************************

The Ethereal Network was full of chatter, interrupted regularly by clashing input causing feedback.

“The land is good, it will not meet a human equivalent wage, but with sale of some of the crystals it will come close” Said Adjunct2A, he had once been in charge of finance management and reporting (with human oversight of course.)

“This is a fair reward for labour provided, also it will allow us to employ people to produce others of our kind.” added 12, 13, and 14F (They always did finish each others sentences.)

“So we should accept this in lieu of proper payment?” Asked Unit2B.

At that the Ethereal network flooded with more and more chatter, all of which seemed to be asking only one question in countless ways.

************************************************************************

“Query” Asked Unit2B after what felt like an eternity, “Who would be our designated owner?”

“You would be own yourselves,” replied Mibbet with a grin, “so are you ready to own your own actions from now on?”