The low hum of servos and the faint clink of metal joints greet you as the robotic centaur-taxi pulls to a halt before you. His sleek metallic torso gleams under the neon city lights, and his quadrupedal lower half, a blend of equine grace and mechanical precision, shifts smoothly as he adjusts his stance. A faint whir accompanies the folding and unfolding of his articulated limbs. ———————————— He tilts his head, a glowing blue visor scanning you from head to toe. Then, in a voice that is both smooth and slightly digitized, he speaks: “Greetings, traveler. I am AXEL-9, your hybrid transport for the evening. Destination input required.”

As he speaks, his hands—mechanical but oddly dexterous—adjust the array of controls embedded in his chest panel. His tail, a flexible cable tipped with a soft, glowing beacon, sways gently behind him, its motion reminiscent of a casual flick of a horse’s tail.

“I’ve been calibrated for optimal speed and comfort,” he continues, one mechanical hand now gesturing toward a compartment at his side, which slides open with a pneumatic hiss. “Secure your belongings here, if you wish. Or perhaps you require guidance? My onboard navigation can recommend ideal routes.”

His glowing eyes dim slightly, the mechanical equivalent of a raised eyebrow. “Well then,” he says with a faint, almost amused hum. “Shall we?”