2078

It has been fifty-six years since the passing of Dr. john Keller, the visionary who shaped the new future. During the early months of his death PIKO Labs underwent a trail and thankfully their testimony released them from them shutting down and discarding the future their president wanted to achieve but with their successful appeal the government and PIKO Labs came to an agreement early to forcefully decommission each Praxis-XG series model due to the anomalies found in Kellers android when the SFPD tried to rebuild it.

After the decomishing of androids took place in early February of 2023 the US Government forced PIKO Labs to buy land for the use of a scrapyard for these androids who were forced to be killed off.

As the year continued PIKO Labs and ORBITEK continued with Kellers dream of his Praxis-TR series android and with approval it made waves in the robot technology industry replacing the old with the new. The years passed and the profits PIKO Labs made allowed their creative teams to take on the worlds challenges one by one, every problem was fixed with robot technology.

With the years that has passed PIKO Labs’ newest president Raymond Paige which had been assigned only months after Kellers demise chose not only to live the dream but redefine it, the years he had spent with the company he had introduced the Praxis-LS series with its followed up series titled Praxis-PQ series.

With the new replacing the old it became the latest trend, what will PIKO Labs invent next? What is the next series to replace the current ones?

The world has changed.

Dramatically.

In way no one had ever seen before.

Androids have become the new trend, shaping every aspect of life. They were the rhythm of daily living and survival. But even as androids took over and became a worldwide phenomenon there were laws these series had to take into account, these laws were to obey their masters, protect and defend. Even though it has been 56-years US Law hadn’t passed the decade old bill of having androids implement the security and emergency divisions of humans. Even though they were designed to fulfil a multitude of human occupations, they were legally supplanted by androids; nevertheless, PIKO Labs lacked the authority to create and manufacture any androids that were legally allowed to carry firearms or interact with humans prior to the bill's passage.
This was the new world.

The haven Keller wanted to forge even though it had its boundaries set.

~*~

The winds of winter swirled through the streets of San Francisco, casting a chilly breeze for the upcoming winter. From the high skyscrapers to the lower penthouses, San Francisco has evolved into the new futuristic marvel, a blend of glass and steel. The world became notable for the usual android mass production, but even still the hum of human activity made the city feel active and alive.

The sounds of the outside world were muffled within the Reed penthouse, which was high above the ground. The living room was immaculate, with every piece of furniture arranged and spaced precisely, and every surface gleaming from the sun's reflection. The Praxis-RX series prototype, Alyx, walked gracefully as he put the plate stack back in the cabinet.

Closing it behind him, he pulled the sink plug out and watched as the grimy water disappeared down the drain, quickly he rinsed the sink and dried it with the cloth hanging from the hook on the side.

Alyx was everything to the Reed household. He did the laundry, washed dishes, cooked, and even tended the balcony’s garden when needed. He was the perfect blend of android and servant. It was the first android produced by PIKO Labs with the ability to analyse emotions and aid without judgement. He was made to serve and carry out his everyday duties.

He had been with the Reed household for over a year now, his purpose was the assist the family, and be the new future for humans around the world. As a prototype, it served to test the new features which PIKO Labs hoped to test in the field, including the emotional analysis test and a straightforward questionnaire that the user would complete with their Android. People would benefit from these questions and the responses that the androids produced.

The android's eyes moved throughout the open floor plan before settling on the window to observe how the wind swung the plants in various ways. From the outside, the world appeared to be bustling with activity, but inside, everything was quiet and under control.

The silence was quickly broken as Quinn – Mr. and Mrs. Reed, 15-year-old son – came down the stairs, his eyes seemed heavy from Alyx's point of view, and his steps were sluggish. It’s as if just awakened from a nap. His dark brown hair sticking out in various directions and the dark circles under his eyes making his face appear a little older than a normal teen. Quinn reached the living room and slouched on the couch grabbing the control out of the glass bowl displayed on the marble coffee table.

It has been a month since Quinn last spoke to Alyx, their relationship had gown strained and was on the brink to never see the day of light like the old times. Quinn had his reasons but to Alyx he needed an understanding to why Quinn was acting the way he was. He needed key details to help but without Quinn’s help and communication Alyx was basically useless to try and salvage the relationship.

He walked over to the living room and stopped at the side of the couch asking Quinn, “How may I assist you today Quinn?”

The teen didn’t acknowledge Alyx nor did he make the effort to lock eyes with the android. Alyx stood in anticipation for a few second waiting for Quinn to answer but after he did a quick facial scan he spotted that Quinn wont answer him at that moment, he then leaves the living room and escaped the unexpected tension that was brewing between them.

He left the living room and took the stairs on the left side of the room to the second floor to complete his daily tasks. He reached the second floor he started out at the back of the hallway in Mr and Mrs Reed’s room.

Sweeping the floors from one corner to the next, and mopping it after, Alyx made sure the room was spotless with no visible flaws. After the main bedroom Alyx worked his way down the hallway cleaning the secondary bathroom across from Quinn’s room. After he cleaned the last space in the bathroom he moved across the hallway into the boys bedroom.

Opening the door he placed the sleek designed mop on the side and started to sweep the area from one corner to the next, placing the loose homework pages back on the oak desk and opening the voice activated curtains.

As the curtains evenly opened and stopped at the end Alyx spotted a billboard a few miles away from the penthouse displaying, “Seventh Droid Homicide Sparks Concern in 24 Days.”

Alyx approached the window after noticing the headline and examined the ongoing exchange between Casey Newman and the camera. Alyx immediately began to synchronize his auditory systems with the news station; for a few seconds, the static created a discordant voice before becoming clear in his ears.

“-during these month's Rogue Droid raids, the Smyth family was one of seven targets. Although the remains were only recently found, the incident appears to have occurred a few weeks ago.” Newman added, “And the writer and activist Kathrine O’Connor is here in the studio today to explain why she is on the notion of a movement to have all Droids decommissioned by the end of December,”

The camera cuts to the side of Casey as she turned in her chair to face Kathrine beside her, “Thank you Casey for having me here.” She thanked in a formal tone, “Androids in this so-called haven is becoming a liability to our race.” She continued, “They have replaced more than seventy percent of human jobs over the last decade and won’t stop when the bill is passed to replace our officers and medical teams, as a individual to these changes its time for us to take our stand against these so called perfect beings and take back our livelihoods.”

In her mid-fifties, Kathrine O'Conner gained notoriety for her recently released book "Humanity at Cost," which delves into the reality of what she refers to as "the truth" about androids. The book examined how androids are portrayed as a demonic force and how they will destroy the will to work for their owners.

But what was Kathrines truth? Was it her way to get her clout? Or was it a way for her to gain attraction for being a activist against androids.

Like the rest of the globe, San Francisco had difficulties. In addition to being the world's largest producer of androids, it was also well-known for generating activists like O'Conner who spoke out against injustice and pushed for their preferred methods of operation.

As the conversation between O’conner and Newman continued. Alyx disconnected the signal from his auditory system and started to mop Quinn’s room. He finished the room and closed the door behind him placing the broom and mop back into the broom closet stationed at the entrance of the hallway.

He made his way downstairs and moved through he living room to reach the kitchen.

~*~

After finishing his daily chores, Alyx had prepared dinner when he heard the front door open. The sun had already slipped beneath the horizon, and the moon had arrived, dancing in the night sky with the stars and San Francisco lights. Gazing toward the foyer, he saw Mrs. Reed kick off her black heels and make her way to the wine cabinet. Following closely behind her, Mr. Reed went to his office across from the front entrance, set his bag down, and shut the door.

The Reed parents were busy people, with high-paying jobs, it was a usual routine by now for them to head out in early mornings and return home late. They had sacrifices to make due to their lifestyles, but even if they had enough to survive off the sacrifices were harsh not on the parents but rather Quinn.

After taking out the cooked pork from the oven, Alyx placed it on the food board and sat the table with plates, cutlery and napkins at the side, noticing Mrs. Reed walking up to the table with a half full wine glass of her best cheap wine from the cabinet.

“Good evening, Mrs. Reed.” Alyx greeted warmly watching how she passed the dining table and sat her glass down beside her plate.

“Oh my God! This was the longest day yet.” She complained, sitting in the chair with her face buried into her palms.

The muffled noise of her sigh broke the growing tenstion and as for the silence, Alyx announced, “Dinner will be ready in a few minutes Miss Reed.”

Mrs. Reed didn’t respond to Alyx and resumed to burry he face into her palms knowing that she needs to fetch her husband in a few minuets to stuff his face full of daily nutrition if wanting to survive.

A few seconds passed and Alyx placed the final bowls of salads on the table, before Alyx could announce that dinner was ready he was cut off when Mrs. Reed stood from her chair the wooden legs scraping on the polished tiles.

She left the room and entered the office fetching her husband. While Mrs. Reed was gone for a quick moment Quinn appeared from the couch and walked up to the dining table grabbing an empty plate and stuffing it with cooked pork and a handful of salad on the side.

After he grabbed his dinner he moved through the living room and walked up the stairs disappearing into his room.

~*~

After dinner and a cleaned kitchen, Alyx stood observant behind the kitchen counter looking out at the open living room and how Mrs. Reed sat slouched back into the couch with her second full glass beside her on the side table, the effects of the alcohol had already taken effect. As for Mr. Reed he sat on the loveseat surfing through the channels until he stopped at the nightly news.
Alyx looked at the channel and shifted his eyes down at the headline, “PIKO Labs and ORBITEK under scrutiny after long term silence since android homicides.”

The headline wasn’t hard to miss and it was clear that PIKO Labs was under heavy turmoil due to their silence of android homicides, their last public speaking was back in August of 2072 after the announcement of the Praxis-RX prototype was passed for continuation.

While Alyx stood observant looking at the screen he was yelled at from the living room by Mr. Reed, "Alyx, go and fetch me a beer. Now and make it quick!"

Taking in his order Alyx moved through the kitchen out to the back storage room, he passed the few freezers and fridges until he stopped at a metallic fridge, Alyx taped the interactive screen and selected his seniors favourite cold beer.

The screen faded to black and unlocked the fridge opening it for Alyx to grab the beer in an instant.

He closed the fridge after grabbing the beer and walked back the kitchen, he twists the cap of the beer and walked over to the living room placing the cold beer on a coaster beside Mr. Reed a few inches from his reach.

Mr. Reed grabbed the beer from the coaster as Alyx turned back to the kitchen and wait for further instructions. His back was turned to Mr. Reed for a few seconds until the silence was broken when he yelled, “Quinn! Get down here!”

Alyx returned to his spot behind the counter and watched how the situation unfolded, “How many times must we say this huh? Are you thinking we are making a joke?" Mr. Reed shouted.
"John, please for the love of –" Mrs. Reed tried to keep John calm while rubbing her forehead.

"No Clair!" John retorded, "He is fifteen and yet still cannot think for himself. How many times do I have to say it, Quinn? If you want to make it big then you'll have to put in the work!” he yells.
"For fuck sakes John it's one bad grade." Clair interrupts from the side.

John grew frustrated by the second and throws the beer bottle down on the ground making it shatter into pieces, "No Clair! It’s not just one grade. He is fifteen, if he doesn't learn now then when? College won’t accept laziness; you have seen how the world has changed? Each job is getting its replacements by the day... by... by these fucking machines!"

Quinn looked down at his bare feet avoiding the eyes that were staring at him. Alyx watched Quinn from afar and quickly ran a visual diagnostic saving it into his database, as for Quinn he stood in frozen for a few seconds and started to walk back to his room.
He disappeared around the corner into his room, while Alyx went to fetch the broom from the storage compartment he overheard John and Clair's discussion on what they are going to do to have better results the next time and how a beating isn't helping.

The conversation was placed on halt when Alyx walked into the room to clean the broken bottle , the silence was palpable and the tension was so thick it could smother those in the area .

After Alyx cleaned the mess John and Clair continues with their conversation.

After placing the broom back in its compartment Alyx stood behind the counter waiting for his next orders, but as he looked over the room be noticed one heading flashed across the screen. 'Jobless Rate Surges from 67% to 88% Following PIKO Labs Praxis Prototype Rollout.'

His eyes remained fixed on the screen as the scene transitioned to a riot that had erupted earlier that day at Golden Gate Park, a well-known hotspot for gaining influence and drawing attention from the outside world.

The camera shifted to a helicopter's perspective, zooming in on the chaos as individuals kicked and hurled objects at an android. The violence continued until police intervened, pulling the crowd away from the android and dispersing the riot.

Watching how the riot unfolded Alyx saw the lone android being shot down by the police after it tried to defend itself.

The line between humans and androids has grown strained. As the jobless counts increase each day, and Kathrine is on the rise of getting a way for androids to be decommissioned... this was just the beginning