The carbot moved behind a small grove of trees, and the SUV hunkered down behind a small stone wall that would provide partial cover. Their weapons tracked in unison, pointing at nothing but moving, inch by inch, toward where the cars would come into view. Then they stopped.

“They’re jamming our sensors!” carbot said. “Botnet, give us some counter-jamming backup here!”

Counterjamming? Me? “Uh, hang on—” I flipped through menus and application windows. Where the hell is counter-jamming?

“Oh, forget it. You are totally useless. Dugout, cover me.”

“On it, Flashback,” the SUVbot said. The carbot—Flashback—moved forward to the next grove of trees, then aimed his rifle and fired at something I couldn’t see. As he ducked back, Dugout raised his bazooka, waiting for a clear shot.

Then, with a crash, a new automech appeared on the scene—crashing through the undergrowth behind the two of them, off to my left. Before either Marauder could turn, the newcomer opened fire. I ducked and prayed he wouldn’t see me.