Martha Wells has published a series of novellas, as well as one novel, that focus on an android named SecUnit, and self-named Murderbot. The novel, Network Effect, was reviewed here <https://www.margueritereads.com/home/network-effect-a-murderbot-novel-by-martha-wells>. I have since read the entire series to date, and recommend you read in this order: All Systems Red, Artificial Condition, Rogue Protocol, Exit Strategy, Fugitive Telemetry, and Network Effect. SecUnit is a Security Unit, composed of an amalgam of organic, human tissue and manufactured parts, built with advanced computer capability, for the purpose of keeping humans secure in dangerous situations. They are built with incredible speed of reaction and killing ability, making humans feel very anxious in their proximity. Normally, they have a governor module that permits the human who controls the unit to dictate its behavior. SecUnit has hacked its governor module, operating as a rogue unit. Over the course of the novellas, Dr. Mensah, leader of a research team rescued by SecUnit, purchases him with the intent of serving as his guardian and giving him as much automomy as her society will allow. Dr. Mensah is a member of the governing council of Preservation Rim, an autonomous planet with a free, independent society. After the research group returns to Preservation, SecUnit slips away, embarking on adventures to figure out what he actually wants to do, and how he got this way.

The corporation that threatened the research group, GrayCris, is suspected of illegally engaging in acquiring and selling remnant material from ancient civilizations found during mining operations and terraforming projects. Due to a complex legal system that appears to favor corporate activity over individual rights or nonpolitical entities, GrayCris continues to be a threat to Dr, Mensah. SecUnit’s side trips are both for time and space to examine his options for personal liberty, as well as trying to collect data on GrayCris’ illegal activities to share with Dr. Mensah. SecUnit succeeds in saving Dr. Mensah’s life a second time, although not able to finally resolve the threat the corporation continues to pose. By the end of the most recent installment, SecUnit has temporarily reached an arrangement with Dr. Mensah, protecting her, her family, and providing assistance to Preservation’s Security as need arises.

Everything fun about science fiction is present in this series. Taking place in the far distant future, when initial colonization efforts are considered ancient history, machines, robots, humans, augmented humans and secunits all can communicate on a feed, an advanced form of electronic web. Everything is monitored through the feed, as well as through cameras and videos. The feed is also frequently filled with advertising, although temporary private feeds can be opened for exclusive communication. Systems can be hacked, shut down, or attacked with killer code. Humans may control this world, but the robots have far faster processing speeds, enabling them a semblance of autonomy. Humans still haven’t worked out the rights of sentient bots.

Humans certainly haven’t worked out what level of autonomy to grant to SecUnit. Dr. Mensah has seen SecUnit perform selfless, dangerous acts to help herself and her team, so they have developed a level of trust. SecUnit has many endearing qualities: his love of adventure video series such as The Rise and Fall of Sanctuary Moon, his snarky sense of humor, his growing friendship with ART (asshole research transport), his pride in his capabilities, as well as self-deprecating humor. ironically, SecUnit suffers from crippling anxiety, mostly a strong social phobia around humans. Murderbot has to figure out why he initially hacked his governor module, which was tied to a murky incident where he supposedly went rogue during a mining operation and killed many humans. Since the company that rented him out at that time wiped his memories of the incident, he is left with disjointed, incoherent memory fragments from his neural organic tissue. He hoped that returning to the scene would bring understanding; he determined that he probably wasn’t responsible for the incident, but still worries about that.

The series is fixed in an interesting world, with a secunit trying to discover who he is, trying to figure out how to have relationships with humans and find his place in this world. Not so different from any of us, really— but with great humor, suspense, and adventure. Secunit proves to be the most human character of all, the one the reader will always route for. Martha Wells has an agreement for series development, so don’t be surprised if Murderbot comes to Netflix or Amazon Prime at some point. Get ahead of the curve by reading the whole series. I’m looking forward to the next installment. Highly recommended.