They arrived by the thousands …
Chanting and marching, setting up their encampments, and passionately hollering anti-cybernetics slogans, with some carrying firearms and makeshift weapons.
"Marsha, there are so many of them," said John, a field journalist reporting to a self-hovering holo camera. "I believe this cause is taking up a life of its own. Perhaps our country is becoming much more reactionary after all!"
A counter-protestor interrupted John's reporting by standing between him and the holo cam. "Nonsense! Watch this!"
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They pulled out a device resembling a garage door opener, aimed it at the crowd, and clicked a button. Many of the protestors instantly froze in place, completely immobilized.
"What the …" John gasped. "What are you holding and how … ?"
"It's a wide dispersal mobile EMP …" answered the counter-protestor.
"You mean some of them are androids?"
The counter-protestor nodded. "Puppets for someone's cause."
"Can I see the device?"
"Sure," the counter-protestor handed it to him, "but be careful where you aim it."
John aimed the device toward the counter-protestor.
"No, don't do it!" The counter-protestor held up their hands before being immobilized.
John looked directly at the holo cam.
"Marsha, they're so lifelike now but clearly vulnerable. This now forces us to ask, 'Who is in charge of anything here?' Whatever the case, don't believe everything you see!"