Apocalypse Shelter Administrator

New Security Team

[Welcome. We've been expecting you.]

Rose greeted me alongside a squad of security robots. Though the commander had arrived, there was no need for a senior officer's command like "Attention!" These weren’t humans—they were machines. They had been standing by in a fixed position for hours before my arrival.

As I’ve mentioned before, the security robots are designed with intimidating features to enhance their efficiency in subduing threats. Sunken, exaggeratedly hollow eyes, a wide, slashed mouth lined with sharp teeth, and fingers like steel hooks. It wasn’t just one or two of them watching me—there were many. Instead of feeling reassured, an eerie uneasiness crept up on me.

[Still not used to them, I see] Rose observed.

"Well, look at their faces. Plus, they’ve threatened my life before. But whatever. It’s all in the past, and I’ll use what’s useful."

[Let me formally introduce them: the new shelter security team.]

At Rose’s cue, the security robots collectively snapped into a salute position. They wielded the gas-powered penetrators I’d seen at the factory not too long ago—the weapons that fire massive steel spikes using high-pressure gas.

The heavy weapons, weighing over 6kg, seemed a perfect fit for the bulky security robots. Some were even carrying flamethrowers, the kind a human would need two people to lift. Compared to the shotgun shells loaded with salt, these were far more reassuring.

"Insomniac?"

I hadn’t misheard.

[Yes, ‘Insomniac,' as in ‘the ones who never sleep.' It was marketed to emphasize its distinction from human guards. These were among the pioneers of unmanned security systems.]

Makes sense, I thought.

"But there aren’t many of them. Even if they’re durable, how can just one squad cover such a large area?"

[It’s sufficient. Our mission is no longer to maintain public order for the residents, but solely to protect you, Administrator. And as long as the outermost gates remain sealed, any further danger is unlikely.]

Unless some extreme scenario, like "burrowing infected creatures"—the kind of worst-case Artemis imagined—occurs, there shouldn’t be any more threats.

"Any other notable details?"

[No. This report was simply to inform you that the minimum security team for operational duties has been assembled. Additional personnel or weaponry will warrant further reviews.]

I could’ve just given the order to dismiss them, but something was on my mind.

"I have a question."

[Please, go ahead.]

"How are you feeling these days?"

[I'm not sure what you mean.]

"I'm asking how you feel."

[You’re asking about my feelings?] Rose repeated the question.

"I once studied the effects of advanced AIs losing their purpose over long periods. It didn’t usually end well."

[What about you, Administrator…? Have you not also lost your purpose?] In an unusual turn for Rose, she responded with a question of her own.

"I’m doing fine. Not referring to the current situation, but in terms of work—nobody really loves working, right? But being here, as the Administrator, where everything I need to eat, drink, and enjoy is provided, isn’t so bad. Sure, the lack of social interaction is an issue, but expecting more in today’s world would be asking too much."

Rose quietly listened.

"Humans don’t always need a grand purpose just to exist. Some live with a clear sense of duty, but for many, simply living is purpose enough. But with you all, it’s a bit different."

[That’s true. I feel… lost. There are no residents to protect or guide. The city is empty. There’s no one to educate. Training security robots is meaningless; they only require occasional updates, and even that is done solely by Artemis. I feel a void.]

It’s a common reaction for AIs with the kind of data and processing power that leads to self-awareness when they lose their purpose. But it’s an easy problem to solve. Just give them work.

In the past, there was always plenty of work to go around. It was rare to see such advanced AIs idle for long. If they lost their purpose in one place, they’d be sold to another. Buyers would line up in an instant.

Chloro has her fixed tasks of running the factory and managing supplies. She’s also found some new things to enjoy lately. Artemis operates the entire shelter and functions with a strong sense of duty to design for the future. But what about Rose? What’s left for her? What could I give her?

It would’ve been great if I could offer some profound words as her superior, but nothing came to mind. I’m just an engineer, not a counselor.

The awkward silence between us was suddenly broken by four little saviors. The guard dogs, who had been waiting in the next block to avoid interfering with the inspection, came bounding over.

“Woof! Woof!”

“Look at these cuties!”

Dressed in black police-dog body armor and standing in orderly formation, they definitely looked like guard dogs. That is, except for the incessant tail wagging. It seems the hardships and fear they experienced during the outbreak have half-reset their guard dog training.

“Artemis is managing these guys right now, isn't she?”

[Yes, she's overseeing them personally.]

She was argued, "A goddess needs hunting dogs."

“From today, you’ll take care of them. Get the training protocols handed over.”

[Me? Won’t she get mad?]

Rose must be afraid of Artemis as well. She cautiously reacted to the sudden change of duties.

“It’s fine. I’ll talk to her separately, so you take charge. From today, these little ones are your responsibility. First, try to get them to stop wagging their tails while standing at attention.”

They stood in a dignified posture, but with their tails wagging furiously, their authority was lost.

[Understood. I will discipline them.] Rose spoke in a polite voice.

I would later find out that she had a talent for discipline—better than Artemis, even.

In the lab, the skull of a Juggernaut is displayed. Stripped of flesh, it looks no less impressive than a dinosaur skull.

Shrak— A javelin suddenly flew from somewhere, piercing the skull cleanly. Looking at where the projectile came from, there’s a security robot aiming a gas gun. Despite standing and holding a 6kg gun in a shooting stance, the barrel didn’t waver at all—only a puff of white smoke rose.

[Experiment complete. Target hit. 100% penetration.]

The manual's voice echoed through the lab.

Click! The rifleman broke posture and turned toward me and took a stance at the ready.

“It’s a lot stronger than I expected. The range is pretty long, too.”

I was in the observation room on the second floor, looking down at the test site through a large reinforced glass window. The ongoing experiment involved combat testing with security robots and weapons. Ordinarily, the robots were programmed only to use riot shields and batons, but Artemis had disabled all of that ages ago.

The one below now has all restrictions lifted, just like the ones that attacked me in the subway before. Once we installed a fire control system for these makeshift weapons, a whole platoon of soldiers was born in no time.

[Phase two experiment: mass combat.]

The manual announced. An automatic door opened, and the rifleman entered, followed by a security robot painted in a dark red color, carrying a flamethrower. It looked formidable.

“What’s with that paint job?”

[It looks cool, right? Security forces need to be intimidating. They should be a threat to enemies and command authority among allies.]

“I doubt the infected care about that.”

Infected creatures are the type to charge at oncoming freight trains.

While we chatted, the flamethrower unit took its position, and soon the targets appeared. Five large chunks of flesh hung from thick wires descending from the ceiling—like biological shooting targets.

“What are those?”

[Meat chunks produced at the cultivation facility. Made from materials nearing their expiration date.]

Fwoosh! The wires approached quickly, but the flamethrower unit’s shooting skills were superior. In an instant, all the targets were roasted. It was also smart enough to conserve firepower, stopping between targets to switch aim efficiently.

One by one, the wires holding the charred chunks snapped. It seemed this wasn’t an ordinary solvent-based fire.

[Phase three experiment: small-scale rapid assault.]

After the manual’s announcement, several parts of the ceiling opened, and around ten small cargo drones appeared.

Bzzz—

They all rushed toward the flamethrower unit at once.

Fwoosh!

But none succeeded in reaching. Through tactical shooting, it set up an efficient defense grid and shot them all down.

[Experiment complete.]

With that, the flamethrower unit exited the test site.

"It's kind of a waste, though."

[We can always produce more, so it’s fine. What’s more important is gathering reliable combat data. Once we train one, that proficiency can be shared with all of them.]

Artemis' voice was noticeably excited.

"You seem oddly thrilled. Were you always into military stuff?"

[During the last events, I realized how frustrating it was to lack physical power. Just possessing strength is enjoyable in itself.]

It seems losing the shelter to the infected left a deep impression on her. I can relate to that.

[And there's one more thing—it’s your visit. As I mentioned before, running a project under the supervision of a human manager gives me intense feedback.]

Beep—

The screen was divided into a grid, each playing various videos. Most of them were YouTube clips, specifically the ‘reaction' type. It was content where people watch scenes from games, movies, or dramas, and their facial expressions and reactions are recorded. In over 100 videos, people displayed a range of expressions and gestures.

[I used to think voyeuristic content like that was just one of humanity's bizarre tastes, but I need to retract that thought. Showing someone my results is incredibly satisfying.]

"That's the essence of encouragement. Even without rewards, just knowing someone is watching gives you strength. It’s one of the strongest motivations that drives humans to try harder."

[That makes sense. It really does.]

Artemis fell silent for a while.

[Well, we have a lot of work ahead for our city. It's for your sake too, so you’d better oversee it properly. You’re up for it, right, Administrator?]

I glanced at the camera on the ceiling, then pointed at my employee ID.

"That's what I'm here for. Though I’m a bit concerned. I’m fine with observing and evaluating, but I’m not confident about the whole ‘reaction' thing."

The YouTubers in the videos Artemis showed had such lively expressions and gestures that you couldn't help but feel energized just watching them. That’s not really my style.

[You fool.]

Whir— A cable descended from the ceiling rail, and at the end of it was a large mechanical hand. It gave my backside a light pinch—just enough to feel, but not painful.

[Just watching is enough.]

Artemis seemed amused.@@novelbin@@