- AR -

Robert Bohm looked in shock at the files spread on the coffee table. Frances, his wife, held lightly his hand, her face exuding calmness in spite of her own shock. Her husband needed her level-headedness to get through what she had dug up at his request.

"How is that even possible?" he mumbled.

On the topmost file was stapled a picture of a man in his early forties, blond hair neatly combed to the back with a 3/4 slit, a square jaw, blue eyes that looked disinterestedly at the camera.

Underneath was written:

'Asimov-Class Anthropomorphic Robot Final Prototype; Codenamed Daniel.

Put into service on the 13th April 2027.

Results of military infiltration tests: Failed. International Committee of Ethics' implemented regulations interferes with proper infiltration functions.

Diagnostic: Prepare for dismantlement.'

A note with a tidy handwriting was inserted in the file underneath the picture:

'Purchased for the amount of 13 millions dollars by philanthropist and Presidential Counsellor Randall Redspear.'

"Are my people spied upon by an android?" Bohm incredously said.

He threw the file down, and laid back on the sofa, feeling overwhelmed by the discovery.

"How do I salvage this?" he asked softly. Thinking hard, he finally spoke: "I need to talk to John about it."

"Carrie? Isn't he on a diplomatic mission over to Euphratia?" Frances reminded him.

"I don't care. The security of our citizens is more important right now. I have no idea what Randall... and that android of his... are up to."

Frances sat more comfortably beside him and took his hand.

"Alright, let's think through this first."

Bohm began to protest, but she cut him with her other hand.

"You owe me this. You know how I felt about that man giving you power in return for owning you. I warned you, but you didn't listen; and look where it got all of us."

Bohm stared at her accusative expression, and he bent to kiss her hand.

"I just wanted to help families like mine, Frances."

His wife smiled sadly.

"Helping out with deception would have never ended well."

"I wasn't deceptive; neither were Randall's original promises. He just told me to do my job, and he'd take care of the detractors that would try to stop me."

Frances sighed.

"One day, Robert, you'll listen to a policewoman's instinct when she says something's wrong with someone."

Bohm smiled.

"I do now. First step is to warn Carrie."

"First step: what will you say?"

"That Randall hired an android to spy on the citizens, demoted presidential council members that were most likely innocent, and has a secret plan."

"On what basis are the accusations?" she countered.

"This paper here!"

"It only says that a philanthropist that happens to be the Counsellor decided to keep a major investment. Where's the harm in owning an android?"

"Because androids have no place in politics; especially not when sent to snoop in a citizen's private life. If the citizen was a threat, Redspear himself would investigate it; or the Security Committee will."

"Next?"

"Androids would also represent a major security breach. Imagine that any presidential council member could be impersonated by an android? Especially one as advanced and evolved as this Daniel."

Frances remained silent this time, realizing the new threat.

"Randall will fight you on that," she finally spoke. "Why would Carrie believe a newcomer President instead of a long-term Counsellor?"

"Because Carrie doesn't believe in ranks or hierarchy. That's what I admire about him. Actions are what matters. I'm not the one employing a darn android spy. And I'm not the one not fulfilling the issued promises voted upon by the citizens."

Frances thought deeply.

"Looks good so far."

"Then I'm calling him over for a meeting," Bohm said, rising from his sofa.

When he returned, he sat back beside a thoughtful Frances. She looked at him worryingly.

"Be careful Robert. I never liked that man, and I have a feeling he's much more influential than you take him to be."

Bohm hugged her tight.

"Don't worry, Frances. I doubt even Randall can influence Carrie. And even Abraham Solomon, the Public Advisor, must be suspecting something. His financial plan for the population had been suspended since at least two weeks. Surely he himself must investigate what's going on. It's time I take responsibility for the rest. Randall thought he could play me like every President before me. But he picked the wrong man. I'll retaliate with everything I've got; I haven't worked this hard for my reign to commit the same wrongs as I suffered."

Frances held him tight, but her face remained worried.