Bolo (tank) - Themes Explored in The Bolo Story Universe

Themes Explored in The Bolo Story Universe

One theme in Bolo works is the portrayal of valiant, tragic, self-sacrificing heroes, such as Bolo "Nike" in the story "Miles to Go" (Weber 1995, in Bolos Book III). Another concept explored by stories such as "Miles to Go" is the use (and abuse) of safeguards to prevent artificial intelligence from hurting its creators. See also Isaac Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics.

The main difference between the tanks of Laumer's series and those of David Drake's "Hammer's Regiment" or 'Slammers' is that Drake's machines are merely tools and nothing more. Laumer's Bolos on the other hand have a power and longevity which greatly surpasses that of the people who build, operate, and maintain them. This gives Bolos almost a demi-god status. With such power comes great threat as embodied by the Doomsday Machine in Star Trek which destroyed both enemy and creator alike. This issue of creation turned annihilator has also been treated in Saberhagen's Berserkers and the Cylons from Battlestar Galactica. Unlike the annihilation scenarios, however, the growing power of the Bolos appears to be balanced by the characteristics that people find commendable in dog characters like Lassie (namely loyalty, intelligence, and perseverance). Though the comparison with a dog may not be just, as Bolos are more a refinement of all that is good in a soldier. Loyalty, intelligence, perseverance along with regret at the loss of any of those they defend, self-sacrifice for those whom they serve with, and fear of failure. Bolos are elite not only for their capabilities but for character.

Bolos have a programmed desire to serve in their primary capacity of military defense and attack. This desire is not unlike that of Admiral Nelson who during his years of service was wounded several times, lost an arm, was blinded in one eye, and eventually killed in combat. However, unlike Nelson, a Bolo unit can survive long enough to become obsolete.

Their overall programming involved large amounts of human military history, and often they would draw conclusions from that information which would put them at odds with their commanders. Sometimes Bolos would develop senses of honor and nobility that would bring their actions into conflict with orders given by their human superiors. One of the stories in Rogue Bolo chronicles the actions of Combat Unit CSR, who identifies an alien threat to humanity but is forced to go "rogue" in order to defeat it (possibly for dramatic effect, as it does not appear to be explained why the bolo did not simply inform its commanders of the threat).