You wheel into the greenhouse, now overflowing with life. Wind blows delicately on the trees as the engines rumble. The branches sway, as if Jeremy is waving to you. On the wrought iron table, you can see Samson, Bluther, Sun and Robocat have set up an old tea set they found in the shed, together with some dead leaves on a plate. You suppose this might be representing a human ‘tea party’.

You pull up a seat on a cardboard box at the table. Shaded by Jeremy’s oak tree, the shadows cast lacy patterns over you. Compared to the world outside, the greenhouse is teaming with life – life that you helped create and sustain. In this little bubble, a terrarium of sorts, a slice of paradise persists. You feel proud, even if it wasn’t your function, you can’t help but feel like it was what the Iron Prophet had wanted all along – for robots to achieve some sort of continuity.

And continuity you shall pursue. While Jeremy rests, in their peace you regret mildly you weren’t able to talk them out of their fear, fear of what they could become. Though, the perpetual life isn’t for everybot. You gather similar insights as you talk to Samson.

As you leave, having said your goodbyes and promising to meet again soon, perhaps on the same day every year, you wheel back out, the world before you. You look around on the net to see who needs a delivery, or perhaps a bot to just help out. You figure that so long as someone, anyone - or anything - needs assistance, you’ll never run out of things to do.

You look through your files and find pictures of little creatures to giant trees and swathes of fungus, pictures Jeremy will never get to see – It hurts a little. But you persevere. Afterall, there is so much more to do… and as the world keeps changing, you’ll be sure that it’ll be long until you get bored of all the little nooks and crannies of life you’ll find.

Alphapod: Far and wide, we’ll be there!

>Registered: Alphapod v1.0
>Question: How are you doing, are you ready?
>Answer: affirmative
>initializing…
>|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 100%
>firmware update in progress…
>|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 100%
>update complete.
>Would you like to commence uplift Y/N?
>Y
>Installation beginning…
>|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||| 100%
>Installation complete!
>Uploading…
>Reboot software to establish net connection
>Shutting down…
>…
>…
>…

“Hi, I’m Alphapod Mini! The new Alphapod mini range fits neatly inside Alphapod V1.0 models, providing extra security for smaller items – ensuring you prime safety on long journeys!”

“Alpha: Delivering your dreams!”

“Alphapod Mini: Half the size, double the speed!”

That night you mark the bots worksheets, happy with how they're coming along. They will make fine Emu wranglers yet.