Threat Machine

Threat Machine

From Original Science Fiction - Makeshift Stories by Vern Hume

April 21, 2026 · 16 min · Episode 322

About this episode

Harper faces a crisis when her combine breaks down and a software update turns against her after an unauthorized repair.

With an early snow threatening to destroy her first good crop in years, Harper’s combine breaks down. When the dealer can’t fix it in a timely manner, she is forced to take matters into her own hands and get her neighbour to repair a broken belt. But when a software update detects the unauthorized repair, the machine turns on her, locks the cab, and drives toward a cliff. Harper barely escapes the crash, only to learn the manufacturer is out to make an example of her. CONNECT WITH US makeshiftstories@gmail.com SHARE THE PODCAST If you liked this episode, tell your friends to listen wherever they get their audio. CREDITS Written by Vern Hume (AKA Alan V Hare). Read by Kathleen Connelly. Opening and closing were composed and created by Matthew Erdmann. Produced by Vecada Studios. Makeshift Stories is released under a creative commons non-commercial attribution, no derivative license.

People in this episode

Host: Vern Hume

Guest: Kathleen Connelly

Topics covered

  • agriculture
  • technology
  • conflict
  • survival
  • software

Keywords

  • combine
  • software update
  • repair
  • agriculture
  • conflict

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Vecada Studios, manufacturer

Products: combine

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