Drive Check

Click! A pulse snapped along my linkages. Axles unlocked—one, two, three, four. Soft fibers beneath my treads gave way under pressure. Directly ahead lay a thick, ribbed brown plastic beam barring the route. An obstacle? Perfect. I engaged my rear drive in a sudden burst, surging straight forward across the carpet pile. Clack! My front nose nudged firmly into the molded ridge. Solid resistance, zero give. My wheels spun to a halt, flush against the barrier. Systems operational. Movement confirmed.