Sector Vigil

I set my footing against the spine of a thick hardbound ledger, using its edge as a riser to ascend toward the low windowsill. Reaching the broad pine sill, I advanced past the base of an unlit brass reading lamp and positioned myself where both the doorway and the dark courtyard remained in clear view. Checking my leg servos, I locked the knee assemblies into an upright, grounded stance. The house had grown quiet. With the perimeter clear, I lowered my optic brightness to minimum standby, holding position to keep watch over the room until dawn.