What do you think?
Rate this book
Probability: Resolve
Can an android feel fear?
A prototype, the only one of her kind, Nan must fight for her very existence. In a future New York City, she did what any Nanny would do to protect her charge and someone died. To survive, she must defend her actions and her programming. Will it be enough?
In the spirit of Asimov comes a story about an android told in her own words.
This is a novelette (approximately 9,000 words or 35 pages long).
A prototype, the only one of her kind, Nan must fight for her very existence. In a future New York City, she did what any Nanny would do to protect her charge and someone died. To survive, she must defend her actions and her programming. Will it be enough?
In the spirit of Asimov comes a story about an android told in her own words.
This is a novelette (approximately 9,000 words or 35 pages long).
- GenresScience Fiction
56 pages, Paperback
First published December 16, 2011
157 people want to read
About the author
Robert J. McCarter
101 books70 followersRobert J. McCarter is the author of seven novels, three novellas, and dozens of short stories. He is a finalist for the Writers of the Future Contest and his stories have appeared or are forthcoming in The Saturday Evening Post, Pulphouse Fiction Magazine, Fiction River, Andromeda Spaceways Inflight Magazine, and numerous anthologies.
His latest effort is a serialized novel called Woody and June Versus the Apocalypse, a story of adventure and love and taking things (even the apocalypse) in stride. Of his novel, Seeing Forever, Kirkus Reviews says, “Sci-fi as it should be: engaging, moving, and grand in scope.”
He lives in the mountains of Arizona with his amazing wife and his ridiculously adorable dog.
Find out more at RobertJMcCarter.com
His latest effort is a serialized novel called Woody and June Versus the Apocalypse, a story of adventure and love and taking things (even the apocalypse) in stride. Of his novel, Seeing Forever, Kirkus Reviews says, “Sci-fi as it should be: engaging, moving, and grand in scope.”
He lives in the mountains of Arizona with his amazing wife and his ridiculously adorable dog.
Find out more at RobertJMcCarter.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 2, 2013
This is an interesting story which poses the question as to weather or not androids should be granted the same consideration, rights, and treatment as humans. It is a book which brings the moral and ethical questions to the forefront.
Nan, short for Nany-bot is an android that was designed with the primary objective of protecting her young charge Aaron, so what happens then when in order to follow through with her primary directive she is forced to override and violate her other protocols?
The story begins with Nan being put on trail while the question as to weather she should be terminated is on the line. She proceeds to tell the story of the events which led up to her having to violate several of her protocols in the name of doing the one thing she was programmed to do.
Human beings are afford certain exceptions under extraordinary circumstances. If a persons life is in danger they may act against the usual restriction of taking the life of another in the name of their own self-defense. So what happens when an android takes the life of a human being, not out of malice, nor the desire to kill, but for the sake of protecting the life of another human being?
Did the programing fail? Does it now pose a threat and danger to human society and should it be treated like any malfunctioning appliance?
Or are they due to receive the same consideration that human beings in similar circumstances would be afforded?
Nan brings up a rather titillating point towards the end of the book.
This story does a good job of creating sympathy in the reader for the rater unconditional hero of the story, a being who itself has no true emotions of its own.
Nan, short for Nany-bot is an android that was designed with the primary objective of protecting her young charge Aaron, so what happens then when in order to follow through with her primary directive she is forced to override and violate her other protocols?
The story begins with Nan being put on trail while the question as to weather she should be terminated is on the line. She proceeds to tell the story of the events which led up to her having to violate several of her protocols in the name of doing the one thing she was programmed to do.
Human beings are afford certain exceptions under extraordinary circumstances. If a persons life is in danger they may act against the usual restriction of taking the life of another in the name of their own self-defense. So what happens when an android takes the life of a human being, not out of malice, nor the desire to kill, but for the sake of protecting the life of another human being?
Did the programing fail? Does it now pose a threat and danger to human society and should it be treated like any malfunctioning appliance?
Or are they due to receive the same consideration that human beings in similar circumstances would be afforded?
Nan brings up a rather titillating point towards the end of the book.
This story does a good job of creating sympathy in the reader for the rater unconditional hero of the story, a being who itself has no true emotions of its own.
April 18, 2012
I really enjoyed this short story. It is a classic tale of robot-human life, and before you say, "I've read Asimov before, yawn," think again. The novel aspect of this story is the first person perspective of the robot, and I felt immersed in her mind throughout.
November 17, 2012
Pretty enjoyable sci-fi novella!
April 27, 2013
McCarter writes in much the same style as Asimov and Bradbury. I especially appreciated his ability to maintain a realistic "voice" for the android. He also pays good attention to detail in the story.
On the down side, this is another example of a self-published book that is in sore need of an editor. I found punctuation problems, wrong words used and other annoying little speed bumps that marred an otherwise well-told story.
Apparently I wasn't aware that this was only a short story; I am not sure I would have paid the $4.99 listed on the back cover for a short story.
On the down side, this is another example of a self-published book that is in sore need of an editor. I found punctuation problems, wrong words used and other annoying little speed bumps that marred an otherwise well-told story.
Apparently I wasn't aware that this was only a short story; I am not sure I would have paid the $4.99 listed on the back cover for a short story.
January 16, 2015
What makes us Human? Is it our biological makeup? Is it our emotions? This story explores that question and makes you maybe think twice about who can be defined as human and who can't.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews