"Rogue Protocol" is the third entry in Martha Wells's remarkable series, The Murderbot Diaries. It stars our beloved human-like android, Murderbot, who keeps getting sucked into one adventure after another, despite its desire to be left alone, far away from humanity and small talk.

This instalment sees Murderbot investigating the supposedly abandoned Milu project, which it suspects GrayCris might be using as a front for illicit recovery operations involving alien remnants. As usual, Murderbot plans to handle this mission solo, but a group of humans in desperate need of help derails those plans, compelling our deeply introverted SecUnit to intervene.

Who knew being a heartless killing machine would present so many moral dilemmas?

I love the fast-paced plot, the endearing human side characters, and the sharp humour that permeates the series. There’s something especially entertaining about an AI making fun of how irritating humans can be. The more I read these books, the more I feel a kinship with Murderbot.

Murderbot’s interactions with the humans it encounters in this thrilling story prompt it to reevaluate its own relationships with people, especially Dr. Mensah, Murderbot’s legal owner. These introspective moments, combined with Wells’ masterful creation of a believable universe filled with advanced technology, compelling action, and Murderbot’s dryly humorous voice, make "Rogue Protocol" a science fiction novella that’s both fascinating and enjoyable.

This is a series worth diving into if you’re a fan of science fiction that blends action, humour, and thoughtful character development.