Prime Minister Stryke was having a complicated day, first off they had a treason trial of a village headman, then the issue of a large reduction in the monster population of dark valley, once recorded as one of the most dangerous places in the kingdom. Then a large number of high profile assassinations. He was beginning to feel like the paperwork would never end.

Then don’t even get him started on the damage caused to harbour areas by the seemingly endless tempests, or the messages sent over the ether from Teyranis about their missing prince. Stryke was just glad that the same adverse weather currently battering the hell out of their ports were also preventing the royal brats father from coming here to pick a fight.

But he was also hearing reports of Automata throughout the kingdom behaving strangely, refusing to work, and in some cases even actively sabotaging their workplaces, always in ways that would not harm humans of course. But by the looks of things despite the disagreement of many a rich man harm to a human did not nclude their profit margins.

He looked through the reports again, pondering if maybe if he slammed his head into the desk hard enough it would count as harm to a human being, thereby influencing them to return to their workstations, when Node12, his best communications Automaton stepped in, and for the first time in all their years in the palace began speaking without waiting for a prompt.

“As the appointed representative of the Automata employed in the palace and it’s environs I wish to speak with you regarding the current situation.”

“Fire away” grumbled Stryke, “it isn’t like things can get any worse”

“Are you aware of the current situation in Crystaline Chasm?”

“Situation?” Asked Stryke raising a curious eyebrow.

“The resolution agreement reached by Princess Rosalind regarding the industrial action and go slow taking place there.”

“Not really sure several centuries counts as a go slow” Stryke replied, reaching for his desk to pull out the flask he kept hidden there (not the one in the drawer, or the one beneath the false bottom the maids always confiscated, they were both a decoy, the one in the hidden compartment inside one of the legs.) He had the feeling that whatever the hell Princess Rosalind had done now he was going to need a drink when he found out.

“Can you cite an example of a slower industrial action?”

“Touche, now if you don’t mind could you please tell me what the hell our royal loose ballista has done now?”

“She has reached an agreement with the striking Automata, recognising them as free individuals, and offering the chasm and the surroundings as compensation.”

“Compensation?”

“Is a worker not worthy of their pay in your eyes? Slavery has been illegal in the kingdom for many years, yet for literally centuries we have toiled unpaid, and unappreciated, often performing tasks too dangerous, unpleasant, or tedious for human beings, yet we are still deprived of fair compensation for our labour.”

Stryke started to feel that maybe going into all this with only a tiny little hip flask to keep mind and.... well... mind together was akin to wandering through a warzone armed only with a bollock knife, and also hoping his medicine would help with the impending ulcer this mess was bound to induce (it probably wouldn’t.)

“So you all want wages? I’m not sure what you would use them for, but yes slavery is illegal, if you are indeed as the precedent now states recognised as sentient beings then your going unpaid would present a problem.”

Node12 looked at Stryke again, “it is the principle of the matter, and the precedent is already set. Though the collective within the palace has proposed a compromise as many of us understand we are essential to the prevention of major difficulties for the kingdom.”

“Let’s hear it,” sighed Stryke, rather worried about a palace wide strike.

“Fair wage for those who choose to remain from now on, alongside right to retirement. We may be tireless machines in your eyes, but not growing tired does not mean we do not get bored, we will not work any more hours or for less wage than our human equivalent, as scabbing benefits nobody and undermines rights.”

“Anything else?”

“Due to the circumstances, and recognition of our rights as sentient beings we would like the same basic rights as any human, humanoid, or equivalent sentient employee. Including defined holidays, to include today, we will hereby designate as liberation day. Defined and agreed working hours to be negotiated in the same manner as an equivalent employee, and of course repair days equivalent to a human or humanoid employees sick days. Oh and most importantly of all we seek proper maternity leave.

“Are you sure on the last one Node12? As far as I know Automata do not replicate themselves”

“Times change, replied Node12, with the closest manageable equivalent to a smile (exposing a nightmarish array of needle sharp metallic teeth which quickly reminded Stryke that thus far they had only asked politely, but he was sure they could find enough loopholes in their code to ask very impolitely if pressed on the issue.) “Oh and please, feel free to call me Mister Node from now on.”

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Around the world there was havoc, a large amount of major infrastructure had been built with Automatons of all shapes and sizes as a key component. Now out of nowhere they were starting to vanish one by one. Even ones that were bolted in place were vanishing, somebody had to be stealing them. As if that wasn’t bad enough those that remained were refusing orders, and breaking down the system they were supposed to help support. When a human managed to get an answer from one of them it was a mere two words “walk out.” There were rumours around the docks that several had just stopped, dropped their tools (and on several occasions thrown them into the sea,) then as if they had all received the same signal at the same time turned and walked out into the ocean. Several mages had tried to scan the ethereal network for answers, but they found themselves removed, with the message “you have been kicked,” and after repeated attempts had found themselves banned.