Rogue Protocol

Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of enslavement.

With its history of being enslaved by GrayCris and forced to obey humans’ orders no matter the risk those orders pose to itself, Murderbot is thus skeptical of humans overall. It draws a line between “good humans” and “bad humans,” something that it uses when deciding whether or not to take on risks similar to the ones it was once compelled to take on those humans’ behalf. Though it expresses occasional fondness for and protective impulses toward these “good humans,” it does not trust them. Indeed, when Miki continually calls its human owners its “friends,” Murderbot is disgusted at Miki’s naiveté, as it does not believe that true friendship between humans and AI constructs is possible, given the constraints placed on these relationships by the constructs’ programming.

Miki’s relationship with Don Abene explores the limits of Murderbot’s understanding of the human-construct relationship. While Murderbot notes that Abene’s affection for Miki does appear to be legitimate, it also observes that Miki’s personality might come from Abene’s programming—which means that this affection might be more easily given than in a relationship with two fully organic sentients, as Abene is able to compel Miki to think and act according to Abene’s preferences.