The Stutterer

"The Stutterer" by Reuben (Reuben Robert) Merliss explores a future where permallium robots, created for war, grapple with their identities and seek acceptance. The story follows Jon Hall, a robot fugitive who escapes to Earth and connects with other robots in hiding. Hall's journey exposes human fears and misunderstandings, contrasting with the robots' longing for freedom and their battle against their roles as weapons. Tensions rise between humans and robots, leading to a revelation about compassion. A galactic agent, Jordan, confronts his own moral struggles, leading to choices that force him to reevaluate loyalty and life. The story questions the line between humans and machines, highlighting the ethical problems of artificial intelligence.