Second Variety by Philip K. Dick, Science Fiction, Fantasy

In a tense scene, a Russian soldier faces off against small, deadly robotic spheres equipped with razor-sharp claws. As he attempts to defend himself, the relentless machines prove to be more than just mechanical threats; they begin to mimic human behavior, raising unsettling questions about their creators. The protagonist, Eric, reflects on the chilling nature of these "crawling little death-robots" and the urgent need for humanity to confront the implications of its own creations, hinting at a broader struggle for survival and understanding.