Rogue Farm
Rogue Farm is a 2003 science fiction short story by British author Charles Stross. It takes place in a bizarre future sometime after the technological singularity, a theory developed by Ray Kurzweil of a time when development and innovation accelerates astronomically. In a world of biological fabricators, eight legged cows, talking dogs, microscopic surveillance bots, and mid-life genetic upgrades, the main character, Joe, and his wife Maddie must defend their small farm from a terrifying threat.[1]
Plot
While preparing the barn for winter, our protagonist, Joe, spots in the distance a large shape atop a hill. In a moment of terror he rushes into the farmhouse calling frantically for his wife Maddie. He tells her that a "farm" is approaching their property and they frantically gear up to face it.
With a high-tech shotgun Joe stands beside his wife to back off the grotesque figure. She dons a battle suit with capabilities beyond description including laser cannons for shoulder pads. The bizarre creature, that we are informed may once have been human, pleads admittance to their property by saying it wants to offer them love and sell them brains.
After an intimidating countdown the creature whines and complains as it begrudgingly leaves. Returning to the house for breakfast they notice that their dog, Bob, is nowhere to be seen so they try calling him on the radio. He doesn't answer and they begin to worry. Thankfully, he soon shows up and tells them where he had been.
He was watching the goats when he saw the "farm" put down tap roots in a nearby clump of trees just outside their property. It is clear from their reaction that this is bad news, as no one wants a "farm" that close to their land. Joe decides he needs a drink and goes to the local bar.
News travels fast, and by the time he gets there the bartender asks him if he's having trouble. If so he should talk to Arthur and Wendy-the-Rat for advice on what he should do about it. He approaches them at their table, and after some strategic conversation, they step outside to talk in private.
She removes a device with her pocket that will prevent any surveillance from picking up on what they say. It is during this conversation that we learn more of what it means to live in a world of infinite innovation. The Internet has evolved into many forms, one of which is a conglomeration of miniature robots that spy on the citizens so that the police can prevent crime before it happens.
During their talk it is made clear to Joe that if he does not act fast his entire property is in jeopardy of being incinerated. "Farms" have developed to the point to where they can live in space and in order to get there they use specialized enzymes to turn the sap of tall trees into explosives. Using these trees as rockets they propel themselves past the stratosphere destroying every living thing near the launch-pad forest.
Returning home he shares a smoke with his dog as he contemplates what to do next. Just in case things turn south, he tells his dog to clean out the bio fabricator and prepare the backup tapes to re-create his wife if necessary.
Maddie becomes increasingly forlorn and uncommunicative during the next few days as Joe builds his arsenal from the tool shed. Preparing his weapons for what's to come he becomes increasingly concerned about his wife's state of mind, but is too busy to do anything about it.
The story ends with the showdown between the monster and Joe, who has armed himself with liquid nitrogen and an extremely powerful tranquilizer dart. These weapons prove effective, and in a few days all will be as it was before the beast arrived, in a world where things change by the day.[2]