This was wonderful, the tell of the machine not having a mind to prob was a good addition and with the protagonist brushing it off it was easy to do the same.
the good
it was a well paced and enjoyable ride.
Your characters seemed grounded and made ease. You captured the grim dark very well.
The constructive thought
This definitely walked a line as far as adhering to theme. But that is it. I thinks the rest was very good and despite the subversion I think it overall was worth it for the plot.