Negressbot

Nobody can hear a scream in the vacuum of space, or so they say. That was because the one who would be screaming was an android. Negressbot flew on a spacecraft powered by dark energy to the dwarf planet Pluto. What should have taken twelve years lasted a mere twelve months at speeds nearing two million kilometers an hour.

Its gadgetry, its circuitry, its “life” meant everything to the private firm Blackedspaced based in Dover, Delaware. Their capabilities to launch and retrieve vessels provided them with the confidence to explore more.

“You’re coming in beautifully, Negress,” Lead Engineer Ernie Hart looked at the monitor floating in midair. His skin showed the color of walnut. He shifted a few things into nothingness and honed in on the project that took about five years with regulation of space travel completely eliminated in the United States.

Morgan Joss walked up to his side and stood there next to his shoulder. Her expertise as Assistant Lead Engineer emboldened her to fit together the thousands of parts that were made of Negressbot.

“Just brace for a smooth landing, lady,” Morgan said. She possessed tar baby black skin and red lips. In another era should have been seen as a stereotype or trope. At the lab and control centers, she shined as a radiant scientist and businesswoman.

Blackspaced was valued at ten trillion dollars. So, for anything to go wrong on this mission meant a serious hit to the company’s stock.

“We’ve got to make sure that robot can land on that frozen rock,” Hart said.

The other engineers were as busy as ants. The large panels of glass and steel brought into focus the mission.

“It’s not going to work,” Morgan admitted.

“What? We’ve entered the changing atmosphere. The spacecraft is slowing down, now why do you want to topple my Jenga tower over, Professor Joss?”

“Negressbot has been tested in many arenas. From the police force to the battlefield to civilian applications. Her maiden voyage to that frigid, distant stone floating around the sun is liable to either crush her or completely shut down her operation systems.”

“The tests, though….”

“We found similar asteroids and succeeded, but this is a completely different beast. I told you—”

“You told me to be confident in your numbers. You told me to be sure of the science. I’m the money man. I’m bankrolling billions of dollars just to see that your plan sees fruition. Now, I want you to keep your composure. Don’t be a good girl. Don’t just cower because you feel like there’s something wrong. You’re a mighty one,” Hart reassured.

Joss bit her lip and looked down at her shoes. She held a digital board in her grasp. “Thank you for the pep talk sir, but—”

“We’ve got this. We’re not arrogant, we’re self-reliant. No one, black white or whatever thought we could fulfill this mission. I put my dollars down to keep zooming through eternity. I want you to know that Negressbot is going to propel Blackedspaced to greater heights…like the one we’re about to experience!”

The monitor showed the craft engage its parachutes and descended elegantly to the Plutonian surface. Negressbot opened the hatch and stepped out into the 204°C landscape.

Everyone celebrated but Morgan. She stepped back from the shouts and hollers. Hart, who pumped his fists and clapped, saw Morgan out of the corner of his eye. He went over to her office. The spacey, austere glow of her office attracted anyone with a mind for beauty and order. She sat down and faced away from him.

“She’s going to die up there,” Morgan wept silently. She didn’t bawl or even sniffle but two tears fell from her eyes.

“It won’t last. That robot is nothing but wires and metal. She is no different than a highly sophisticated extension of ourselves. You designed it beautifully and have made history. You should lean on that.”

“I can’t.”

“Those are words I seldom hear from you,” he remarked.

“I can’t forgive myself for putting my baby up there like that. There’s no way I can forgive myself.”

“I’m not saying this to flatter you, but you’re a formidable presence here in this place. You were the first thinker to make sure an American spacecraft could touch down on that dwarf of a planet. If you’re not happy, I can respect that but you certainly earned the emotion.”

“Thanks, Ernie,” she replied.

“C’mon there’s champagne that’s still cold.” They departed the office as Morgan found some way to be gleeful.