Companion, Enhanced
Smoothing his manicured hair back, he watched the first units leave the production line, each perfect, unadorned body epitomizing everything he stood for.
He’d waited a long time for this day.
The sleek genetically enhanced bodies, augmented with tech beyond most people’s dreams — inside and out — stood proud, just waiting to be activated.
He’d seen enough movies to know the process wasn’t original. But that was precisely the point. Stare into their eyes, press the slight dip behind their left ear, recite the word sequence — each one unique to that unit — and the companion bonding would begin.
A lesser man would have smiled at the euphemism. Not him though.
A shiver passed through his body as he turned away from the line and headed back to the investor’s meeting. Today dogs, tomorrow corvids, their innate vindictiveness a potential game changer.
Below, the first trucks began to leave the facility, the company’s name and tagline blazoned on their sides:
Molossus Inc. The future of war
Author’s Note
On October 22, the company Warhound came out of stealth mode with, according to the press release, “$200 Million to Rebuild America’s Military Working Dog Supply, Using Advanced Genetics and Defense Technology.” The company draws on the genetic engineering capabilities of biotech company Colossal (better known for its advanced gene editing-driven de-extinction projects), and cybernetic augmentation tech from the AI-powered autonomous weapons and surveillance systems company Anduril. Reading the press release, this all feels very motherhood and American apple pie — they’re even working with the American Humane Society on certifying its training program. But I can’t help feeling shivers of my own looking at the company, as I imagine where this tech might go…