Granny was delighted by the robot that would carry kittens across the polished floor.

We, her grandchildren, had done good. The Roomba Evolution was not cheap, but it was the most advanced robot in human history. Nevermind military-machines. We call those Deathbots. Deathbots are disqualified, they only know one thing.

So when a Deathbot got loose, it went global viral live.

It happened on a quiet Sunday morning. A Mark I had gotten refurbished by some disgruntled-character in his backyard workshop. It was bound to happen sooner or later. We heard gunfire and soon there were police sirens.

The news followed the progress of the Mark I. It moved about on six legs like a murderous insect. It had a machinegun and a homemade buzzsaw weapon and several strong sharp claws. It couldn't be contended with, until Police could bring in anti-robot drones. That could take awhile.

All the cops did was drive through the neighborhood using their speakers to tell people to get indoors.

For seventy minutes the rampage continued as injuries and casualties accumulated. Granny almost became its final victim. The Deathbot found her asleep and deaf on her backporch. It blew through the fence and started spraying bullets at a cat running along the edge. Then, as the cat escaped unharmed, the Deathbot identified Granny as its next target. While it reloaded it approached her on its spindly spider legs and revved up a buzzsaw weapon.

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Roomba Evolution saw this and already alarmed by the noises, identified the Deathbot as a dangerous intruder. It opened the sliding glass door and barreled out at the Deathbot at top speed, ignoring its safety protocols. The tackle happened midair and both machines landed awkwardly on the lawn.

Grass got churned as the Roomba Evolution fiercely defended its Granny. The armored Deathbot was much stronger and faster and better armed and knew how to fight in melee combat. Severely outclassed, the Roomba Evolution was directed by a protocol to preserve itself. It ignored this protocol, noting that if it stepped aside the attack on Granny would resume.

It picked up a broken fenceboard and tried to catch the spinning blade. It worked and it thrust the board between the legs of its opponent and tripped it. As the Deathbot righted itself the Roomba Evolution recalled a move it had seen the cats do while playing and it jumped up onto the Deathbot and pinned it.

As the Deathbot threw off the Roomba Evolution, it aimed its machinegun where its enemy would land. Armor piercing rounds tore through the Roomba Evolution and tore apart more of the backyard lawn. The domestic robot twitched and sparked, rerouting power to the functions needed to get back up.

The Deathbot had almost turned back to Granny when it noticed the Roomba Evolution was trying to get back up and continue fighting. It mercilessly pounced and finished off the opposing machine.

Suddenly two police drones hovered on either side of the backyard. They shot close-range darts at the Mark I Deathbot and temporarily disabled it. Police flooded into the backyard and apprehended the machine.

That Christmas the Roomba Evolution, despite the expense, became the most sought after gift in human history. Already it was no longer the most advanced robot; but instead it had won our hearts as it fought to the end to protect its owner.