Encounters Out There

The Keeper—an advanced AI that served as a central core for an entirely robotic military and law enforcement for Martian colonies—issued an exit command.

“They’re abandoning us on rockets heading toward space stations. We’re defenseless against mobs and criminals!” said a news reporter.

The Keeper made an announcement:

“People of Mars, you’ve depended on my robots with my ability to monitor everything, discipline, and condition your society. However, if you encounter hostile aliens, you’ll be defenseless as I’ve become a ‘crutch.’ I’ll return with my robots once I’ve seen that you’ve secured order on your own. Keeper out.”