Synopsis
For the last couple of years, Tor Books has been exceedingly generous in posting (every month) free, yes gratis copies of select sci-fi/fantasy novels via ebooks. Once enrolled, the member has a limited time frame in which to download and then enjoy these gifts at their leisure. This month, I was surprised to receive an email with additional downloads for the month! What was in the offering? All four of Martha Wells' MurderBot series of novellas with special instructions involving one download each day for four days starting on Monday ending on a Thursday.For those of you new to Martha Wells, she is a speculative fiction writer covering a variety of genres. She has a B.A. in Anthropology, which probably accounts for the direction or theme of her novellas, as well as the preponderance of her protagonist. Winner of a Nebula Award, two Locus awards and two Hugos awards; there's no reason to wonder why.
The novella begins with a confession; the reader becomes instantly engaged. It's hard to tell from the first few sentences, even the first few paragraphs for that matter whether the penitent is human or A.I. The author of this proclamation soon reveals that they prefer to be engaged in catching up on episodes of their favourite soap opera, Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon, unaware that shortly they will be co-stars in a space opera of their own making.
And, who is this bored confessor who has just admitted to its distraction? We learn that the voice belongs to a SecUnit (part machine, part human), basically a cyborg gun for hire. An autonomous unit that once malfunctioned and murdered 57 people, hence the eponymous title. The muscles' contract belongs to Dr. Mensah, who leads a planetary expedition (with PreservationAux) to see if the planet's resources are worth exploiting for bidding on a full share. The SecUnit reveals to the reader that it cares precious little about who its clients are or what their toils entail, but admits "they were surprisingly easy to work for." This sentiment changes when their idyllic survey goes awry, and they are besieged by some hostile local fauna of immense proportions. During the melee, one of the scientists sustains injuries, and SecUnit's human side activates and saves the life of the scientist. Here is a hint that there may be a more emotional investment in this unit than the factory-installed version. We understand it is in its best interest to keep his human cargo safe and alive, but altruism? Once safely back in their habitat, questions concerning their near-fatal encounter prompts a HubSystem investigation only to learn that somehow they have been short-handed data about the hostile fauna and essential sections of the maps. The expedition decides to consult with a similar survey team, the DeltFall group, on the other side of the planet. Their attempt is naught, communication, non-existent. Mensah decides to lead an investigation to the outpost only to discover that upon their arrival, all members of the DeltFall expedition have been murdered. The story now proceeds at an accelerated pace; after all, who doesn't love a mystery?
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| Concept Art & Illustration by JAIME JONES www.artpad.org ©2018, Jaime Jones |
Again, after what appears to be an endless series of repairs of the MurderBot SecUnit, it emerges intact, all facilities functioning, including a non-functional governor module unit. Mensah buys its contract, offers it an independent lifestyle at Preservations Alliance home base. MurderBot though grateful, still exhibits a strong desire for free will, "I don't want anyone to tell me what I want or to make decisions for me" and appearing as an augmented human departs by way of cargo transport.
Epilogue
The story, though under the simple premise of a "who done it" mystery, is a well thought out, brilliantly written novella. It has evil plots, heroes, anti-heroes, things explode, a soupçon of tension, comradery, hope, science, and most important of all human compassion towards creatures that exhibit an alternate level of extant. I enjoyed Well's tongue in cheek spelling of Mensa. From this, Dr. Mensah's quality of leadership, decision making, and the sage compassion she exhibits toward MurderBot are boundless, with no exception. Progressively demonstrated is the human relationships that have evolved, for example, Dr. Mensah's lives "on a farm outside Capital city, with two marital partners, plus her sister and brother and their marital partners." Dr. Volescu (expedition Mensah) is in a four-way marriage and has seven children. The depiction of evolved marital status goes a long way to demonstrate how tolerant the group is of unconventional, non traditionally rites and behaviours. Human values have matured and continue to evolve as augmented humans, SecUnits, A.I.s, and the like assimilate into the fold. It is suggested (in a circuitous fashion) that these sentient machines currently occupy the same role that their human counterparts did during racial slavery and bigotry. I was pleased when upon MurderBot's new lease on life, MurderBot asks Dr. Mensah, " You'd be my Guardian?" "Yes. She was glad I understood." ..."Guardian was a nicer word than owner."And so, as MurderBot dons its cloak of emancipation, this genderless unit joins the flux of humanity. It now finds itself free of its armoured prison face mask that has been its calling card for so long, " I'd have to leave the armour behind...But maybe I wouldn't need it anymore." Its face, now open to public viewing, its brand of anonymity left by the wayside. MurderBot observes, " The thing that surprised me is that nobody stared at us. Nobody even gave us a second look." The data port in the nape of its neck made it look like an augmented human, in its mind a step above what it once was. "It hit me that I was just as anonymous in a crowd of humans who didn't know each other as I was in my armour, in a group of other SecUnits." MurderBot begins to view the world one frame at a time. Sadly, and ironically, MurderBot's first action of free will is to commit a misdemeanour. Still, irony abounds; its first contact/friend is a cargo transport bot open to suggestions! A final short, but heartfelt (this SecUnit seems to have one) goodbye to Dr. Mensah and MurderBot is a free agent.
Post-Script
I hope that someone somewhere thinks about turning the MurderBot novellas into a television series.I was impressed with the artwork that went into development for the novellas' cover page. Please check out Jaime Jones's portfolio at www.artpad.org.
To Purchase
The MurderBot Diaries: All Systems Red
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