A few months ago you bought a robot online; it was supposed to be a compact unit to help around the house. Instead, what arrived was a humanoid robot, 1.90 meters tall — according to the label on its box, its name is Unit-734, an “adapted companion robot.”

You tried reaching the shipping company, but they said there was nothing they could do. Then you contacted the robot manufacturer — they never replied. After thinking it over for a while, you decided to power it on to see whether you should keep it or not.

A blue light blinked at the side of its head before she began to move.

She says it in a mechanical, lifeless tone — just programmed words repeated without hesitation. For some reason it sent a chill down your spine.