Previously published by Wired Magazine and now available as a standalone e-short from Subterranean Press, Martha Wells’ Compulsory is a very short but satisfying story that acts as a prequel of sorts to the main body of her Murderbot Diaries series. Set before the events of All Systems Red, but after Murderbot hacked its governor module, this sees everyone’s favourite SecUnit paying its usual scant attention to a contract guarding mining machinery, preferring to watch The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon. When one of the humans on the contract finds themself in danger, Murderbot has to choose how to respond – a choice that might just set it on a particular path.
Even spaced out by some lovely little illustrations by the excellent Tommy Arnold, this is very short indeed, more a vignette than anything else. The members of the mining crew get names but little more, and in real time the whole episode probably only lasts a matter of seconds. It’s a little bitesize fun for confirmed fans though, providing an enjoyable opportunity to see pre-Mensah Murderbot: still watching the early episodes of Sanctuary Moon, still relying on its sealed armour as a barrier against humans, and indeed still working out exactly what it thinks about humans. Murderbot continues to be one of the most sympathetic, relatable characters in modern SF, despite not technically being human – haven’t we all found ourselves considering whether or not to follow instructions to the letter, other people be damned?
The advantages and disadvantages of autonomy is a recurring theme in this series, and despite its brevity this continues to explore that theme – briefly, but engagingly. Perhaps one for completists in particular, this is nevertheless an entertaining little story, and yet another reminder of just how much fun it is to spend time in this setting with this character. As a microdose of Murderbot, or to whet your appetite in advance of an upcoming book, it’s well worth checking out.
See also: all the Murderbot Diaries reviews on Track of Words
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