The Stewards

Twin Paradox

Part 1

In my dreams I recollect me sitting on a bed, alone in the room. The doctors are busy getting ready in the observation cell and the air is thick with sounds of excitement that could be heard even across the airtight viewing glass. My comrade is standing by the door and peers in though the built in window with a look of contempt. In honesty she should have been in my place, and I would give up the position to her in a heartbeat. Yet the doctors and scientists chose me over her for a reason, and it's something that I should not question. I lie down on the bed as the world around me begins to fade. I hear the sound of my dog barking in the distance. Her distinct cry sounded just as the same as the day I had adopted her. I focus myself and begin to close my eyes as I am filled with an overwhelming sense of excitement...

As I open my eyes again the world is still fuzzy. I look around in my lethargy, the dark room is unfamiliar. I bring my hands up and rub my eyes trying to clear the fog but it does not seem to help. Nothing to worry about, it is most likely due to the result of whatever was done to me and should wear off soon. The soothing voice of a woman with a strange accent speaks to me from somewhere unseen.

“Hi, how are you feeling?” She asks me, not leave time for my answer before continuing.

“Please take it easy, there is a coat on the table in front if you feel cold.”

The woman is right. Unfolding what seemed to be a gray worker’s jacket it was lined with a strange plastic scale like material on the outside. But the inside was a thick layer of cotton that was woven into square packs. I quietly put it on as I look more closely at the strange room. The place was like nothing I have ever seen before. Various screen flicker with text indecipherable, cables splayed randomly across the floor, various computer-like equipment piled haphazardly ceiling high. A lstrip of blue light gave everything in the room one cool blue color. I wait sitting on the bed for what feels like an eternity before a door opens with a hiss and a humanoid robot smoothly creeps into the room.

“Hello, my name is Artisse, I am very excited to meet you.” The plastic robot spoke to me. Her body vaguely resembled a lady wearing a large blouse, except her arms are lined with instruments that looked like they were attached afterhand and the crude instruments did not fit the rest of her elegant body well. She wore no articles of clothing except for a chain necklace with a silver pendant that depicted a triangle under the grip of a fist.

“Nice…” I swallow hard as my throat stings with dryness. “... to meet you.”

“How do you feel, any nausea or pain?” She asks me, stepping closer.

“I feel fine.”

“That's good. Welcome to the future.” She states plainly, like it was something she says everyday.

While time travel wasn't something I was expecting. I was ready for anything before they put me into the machine, and I still am.

“Thank you. What now?” I ask, trying to sound proper even though the dryness in my mouth appears to go down deep in my throat. Time travel most likely was not kind to my body.

“Before we go into the details, let's get you acquainted with your new home.” She said as she beckoned me to follow.

I follow her as she walks with heavy steps that clanks with loud reverberations through the worn metal platings of the floor. The interior of the building looks worn, with pipes and wires exposed along the walls that had their coverings removed. If not for the obvious robot leading me through the halls, I would have assumed I was at some decrepitated and abandoned factory building from the last century. As we walk down the long corridor I note pairs of menacing looking robot guards that appear at almost every turn. They unmistakingly carried rifles of sorts. Also strange was that they all had what looked like long handled axes on their backs, I could not guess if they were more decoration or practical weapons. They also were placed in a way that no matter where one stood, they were there to observe you.

“I hope the guards don't frighten you. They are here for our protection, but more importantly, they are here to protect you.” Artisse says to me as I notice a small but bright blue light that flashes in synchronization with her speech within her neck.

Before long we arrive in the lobby of the building. I try to recall the path we took to get here, but my head still feels foggy and uncharacteristically I cannot remember how I got here. I follow her and stumble onto the street that was bustling with unfamiliar vehicles that both flew and glided on the ground. Robots and people littered the sidewalks hurrying to wherever their destinations might be. The future was not as pretty as I imagined, everything looked worn down and bare without any vegetation. As I looked up at the sky, it was littered with stars blinking brightly in the night. The tower that we came out of is the largest by a large margin in the surrounding city. Though I had seen cities with buildings much more grand and fancy in my own time, the sight was breathtaking as machines of various sizes filled the sky, each giving off their own light that reflected off the cityscape.

“We are currently in Dome 19 on Diana, 5th planet of the TAva system. Majority of the city is under the administration of Proctor and Company, and thus majority of the occupants here are under our direct payroll.” She explains to me like a teacher to a child.

I close my eyes tightly and open them again, the haze that clogs my head does not dissipate.

“Excuse me ma'am.” I ask politely, not sure if such things are needed with robots in this world. Artisse turns and looks at me with surprise.

“Yes?”

“You have not told me what year it is ma’am.”

She takes a moment to think over my question before answering.

“On Earth it would be the year 4182, but you don't need to concern yourself with that, you are here and now. Don’t worry, we will help you get oriented. One step at a time ok?”

I open my mouth to reply but find myself at a loss for words. Not from the wonderment of my situation, finding myself on a foregin planet, or solar system even. But from my inability to recall the name of the country that I had trained my whole life to serve, the ones who sent me here. I remember the trials and lessons, but not the people of my past. I have read before that it was possible to have a certain type of amnesia that dissociates people and faces and causes the subject to forget them but not anything else.

“Ma’am, I think I might have amnesia, I don't remember…” I stop myself mid sentence and curse myself silently. I had revealed a vital weakness, disastrous if this Artisse was someone not to be trusted.

“Don't worry, memory loss is to be expected.” She answers me without hesitation.

A luxurious vehicle pulls up in front of us and its doors open, revealing an interior with seats arranged in a semicircle. I follow Artisse who steps awkwardly inside, her joints not as flexible as her form would suggest. The car rises high into the night and the windows on the vehicle gives a grand view of the city whose limits end suddenly in the distance in all directions. Beyond lay lifeless ridges of gray desert hills, it was another planet after all.

“As you may have noticed, there are no humans present on the streets of Dome 19." She says as her tone turns serious.

"What about the people down there?” I ask, looking down at the crowds, deciding to drop the formalities.

"Androids, they compose a minority of the population. Here in dome cities like this they are plenty. But people, they are not."

The car takes us above the rest of the traffic in the city, I would guess the city is almost a hundred kilometers wide from this perspective. Factories seem to intertwine with apartment's buildings to create a strange looking skyline that reveals a perfectly grid pattern separated by the streets on ground level.

"As you can see, due to the absence of human settlers, the city, and the whole system has been in decline for decades. I fear if things continue as they way they are, all of us are doomed." Artisse continues.

"...While the Android proxies that represent the companies and parties that founded this colony have been dutifully building and expanding the system for human arrival. Time has eroded their senses as they are now betraying their purpose and have begun fighting amongst themselves."

I listen as closely as I can, still woozy from my millenia long sleep. Streaks of light could be seen flashing in the sky, giving silhouettes of massive machines flying above. Spaceships maybe.

"That is why Proctor and Co has decided to wake you up to help us bring sanity back to the dome...”

I look back at Artisse who had been staring a hole in me with her mechanical eyes this whole time. Her sudden silence was strange as her body remained perfectly still. I held her gaze and waited for her to continue, it was more strange locking eyes with a being that spoke so naturally while clearly being a robot. It was something I would have to get used to it seems.

“Sorry about that, It seems all of the members of the board have already gathered and are ready to meet you in-person...”

I continued to observe the city from the moving vantage point of the car. Three armored vehicles now flew in an inverse delta formation to either side of us. From what I could tell they looked like the normal vehicles that roamed the streets below, but with makeshift metal panels and weapon placements attached. Artisse continued on briefing me about the sorry state of affairs that seems to surround this place and her company.

Before long we arrived at a rooftop parking as I followed her into another building that was kept in much better condition, the floors and walls were lined with polished stone. The same mechanical guards could also be found in better conditions, their metal bodies polished and their mechanical parts cleaned. We arrived at the conference room with most of the seats already filled. 10 people sat around an oval table, most of them fully human looking with two members looking exactly alike, while two others were obviously mechanical like Artisse. One of the members on the right stood up immediately and reached for my hand and promptly kissed it on the back.

“We are jubilant at your safe and timely arrival to this assemblage of devoted capitalists.”

The man’s hands were slim and gentle, his hair cropped back in a sleek wave, they changed from jet black to silver gray. He wore a tight light colored suit that matched well with his dark skin and hair.

“These, and yours, are the acting council members of Proctor and Company. In the absence of mankind’s arrival in the system we are the stewards that tend to our master’s interests.”

He made a charming wink at me and gestured for me to take the seat beside him. Just as I sat down another member began to speak. An older looking man that spoke with a surprisingly vigorous voice that echoed well in the large chamber.

“Now, before we proceed, let's begin the tests. I hope the results will be favorable this time.”

“I have full confidence. Our guest here won't be disappointing you tonight.” Artisse shot back a quick response before turning to me.

“Don’t be worried.” She whispered.

One of the members pulled out something similar to a flashlight and displayed it to the other members. Artisse takes a step back as the man points it at me and a series of bright blue flashes blinds my eyes.

“How are you feeling?” The dark skinned man leaned close with a hand on my shoulder.

“Gave me a slight headache but I am fine.” I answered back.

The members looked at one another in agreement before sliding an envelope in front of me. On the front in bold letters it said “Proctor and Co Foreman and higher staff only." Along with other assorted warnings. I pull open the surprisingly old fashioned paper pouch to find nothing inside. I wonder what keeps them from being able to tell if I am human or not from using a simple blood test or something. Perhaps there are biological, human-like machines in this world and there was a need to distinguish between them. I looked up at the crowd as the various members began talking amongst themselves. The dark skinned man leans close to me again, this time with a hand placed firmly on my thigh, his eyes seems to glitter in the dark as his expression tells me he is about to tell me a secret of some kind.

“You did wonderful… There is but one more test that ‘they’... need time to prepare.” He whispered to me, even amongst the cacophony of voices his quiet words were clearly audible. He produces a small cellphone like device from his pocket unseen and holds it out to me.

“Take this cell, I have altered it so it is untraceable. If you need anything dear, please don’t be afraid to give me a call. Just speak my name into the device. Cato Six.”

As he mimicked the motions the screen lit up with a photo of the man’s face and a collection of options appeared. I take the phone from him with a steady hand and stuffs it in my chest pocket without looking at it further. My gesture purposefully forceful as I have learned the best way to deal with people like him is to act compliant but willful, and especially careful to not show any weakness unlike before.

“I wouldn't mind if you simply wanted to confide your curiosity of this world to me in private.” He added with a sleek smile.

“THIS DEMONSTRATION IS NOW OVER!” A loud and bombastic voice rang out across the room. Cato’s hands gave my legs an almost painful squeeze as he retracts from me and stands along with the rest of the members. I stand too as they promptly shuffle out of the room with rushed efficiency. Each one of them glanced at me as they went with wildly different emotions on their faces. With the exception of the two members who did not have human-like faces, but their instruments on their heads seem to move with excitement nonetheless. Quickly I find the room empty only with me and Artisse standing by the door. She speaks to me with the clear intent of leaving me behind.

“You are free to go wherever you please, I am sure you wish to explore the city more. I would suggest not going too far as the final test could be arranged as early as tonight. As for Cato, he’s a man that lives up to his looks.”

I wanted to ask where I could get some rest but decided against it, I simply replied with a nod as she left me alone with the two unmoving robotic guards that watched over the room. As I stumbled my way through the building looking for the exit I couldn’t help but feel lost. Lost not physically but purpose wise, why had I been sent into the future? Who could I really trust in this new place? All of these questions are too complicated to answer for now. Artisse was right, I could only trust the answers I found myself and the future was out there.

……...

The streets were more lively than I had imagined in a world where only robots and androids existed. There were unexpected places like diners and clothes stores filled with people. By people I mean Androids both human and robotic looking. The human looking ones could be distinguished by their white to gray colored eyes and on those who wore more revealing clothes, you could tell by a faint elongated QR code inscribed in the center their chests just below the neck. I made it a dozen blocks before deciding to sit down and rest for a while at an outside table of a coffee shop. It was nice to know that coffee was still a thing and I for sure could go for a cup right now. A cute looking waiter shuffles out of the store to my rescue as I struggle to read the strange language on the menu.

"What can I get you?" He asks me.

"Just a regular sized dark coffee please."

I was sure those would always exist, no matter the time period. Instead he stood there with a crooked head. Looking blankly at me.

"Trying out new tastes huh? Glad to hear, one dark coffee coming right up!"

As he disappeared back into the shop I slumped back into the chair and looked back at the busy street in front of me. Cars glided effortlessly along the ground and on rare occasions flew in the sky. There were platforms every few stories on the buildings where cars would land and take off from. People, as I call them now, as aside from their mechanical nature, I couldn't tell any major differences. They simply carried about their lives just like any human would. The presence of what seemed to be police also suggested that they also were committing crimes. Even across from where I am there is a club house of sorts with two girls standing out front trying to attract any passers-bys inside with their curvy bodies in revealing clothes and sultry gestures. The girl on the left was a thin and busty brunette that has the same body as a Barbie doll. Her butt and bust jutting out like cheap plastic surgery. But the one on the right looked familiar. A more portioned blond girl by comparison but she still had the body of a pornstar. I can't recall where she's from but I am sure I know her, not from some porno but in reallife, the past perhaps. The two girls quickly notice me looking at them, they break their alluring performance for a brief moment to give me a warm wave. They knew me somehow.

There was nothing to lose I thought to myself. Just two incredibly hot Androids girls, what's the worse they could do? Crossing the street I gave them a small below the shoulder wave back.

"Hey… I think I know you from somewhere." I started, directing myself at the blonde.

"Yes… You look familiar too." She rubs her chin and puts on an exaggerated thinking pose.

“Well, come on inside then.”

She gave me a half smirk and a small cute laugh back. Her voice tender and smooth that smelled of sweet berries.

"Go on, don't make a scene."

I felt a hand push me inside. I turn around and see the brunette nudging me gently.

The club was not as big nor lively as I thought. A dozen tables out front with a bar and a hallway leading to the back. Faint 60s music played in the background as quiet conversations filled the room. I had to snap myself out of it and try to appear casual as I made my way to the bar and grab myself a seat. Inside there were a dozen girls who were exact copies of the two outside. The only difference between them were slight details in the way they dressed their hair and the clothes they wore. They sat paired up with guests who represented the same wide range of people that were on the streets, in contrast to the hosts.

The alcove closest to me sat a silver and orange robot next to one of the brunette hostesses, her soft and long arms wrapped around his stubby and hard body that looked like a torpedo with limbs.

"... I did the best I could ma'am, but the truck is too old, I took all the shortcuts and made the most efficient route. But I can't predict…"

The little robot droned on and on as the brunette held him closer and closer, slowly pushing him into her chests. His small body engulfed between her large breasts.

"I know dar'lin there ain't much we could do. I'm sure he's still happy with your work."

She said to him, wooing him, while watching out of the corner of my eye, trying not to make myself known.

"My ratings don't lie, they are never satisfied, if only…"

"I know there is a way you could satisfy me..." she cut him off as she pulled one of his metallic grippers in between her legs, under her dress, and began rubbing her crotch on them.

"Ar ar you sur sure? I am not not not equipped for this." The little robot stammers out quietly.

"Put it inside, I need you baby."

The little robot obliges and extends his arms below her dress fully and after a moment he began slowly pumping. Her mouth opened slowly with her tongue reaching out in quiet ecstasy. She wraps herself around him and a drip of her saliva, or whatever Androids have, falls and slides down his smooth metal head.

"Aww yeah… that feels sooo good…" the brunette manages the words between her gasps for breath. At this moment she noticed me looking at her and gave me a small wink with a surprisingly calm face considering how she was acting half a second ago.

”Re, really?"

"Don't stop baby, I need you!” she pleaded with him, her focus now back on the little robot. With what I assume was her cum now visibly dripping down his metal arms.

A hand taps at my shoulder and one of the blonde girls beckons me.

"Comon, stop gawking." She tugs at my heavy coat, looking back at everyone here the jacket made me feel overdressed.

Seeing my chance to talk to one of the strangely familiar blonde girls, I promptly followed her into the back of the small club. As we turned the corner the noises of the club quickly faded and gave way to a quiet humming that emanated from every direction. The doors that lined the hallways were bare metal that sported heavy joints that signaled they were used for a different purpose. Usually joints on the outside meant it was to keep something inside, for what in the back of a club house I can't even begin to imagine. I watched as the shapely woman made a smooth 90 degrees turn and stepped inside one of the open doors. The room flooded soft warm light into the dark hallway. I hesitated at the jail-like doorway. Inside was a small one room flat that featured a makeup desk with a soft, fabric covered chair, a large work table, and a bunk bed that had almost vanished behind a mountain of blankets. The place reminded me of the dorm that I stayed at during the early academy years. I was not that messy, but it was more of my roommate's style.

“So? How did it go? Tell me all about it.” The woman said as she fetches a flask of blue viscous fluid and swirls it around underneath the light.

“I’m sorry. You must have the wrong person, my name is.”

A sharp pain sears into my eyes and almost blacks me out. I grab on to the door frame in a panic trying not to fall straight onto the floor. Faintly aware of her hands grabbing me by the shoulders that coached me onto the chair in front of the makeup desk. She pulls me up in the chair and pulls down my jacket, tucking me into the seat. The pain faded just as quick as it came. I opened my eyes to find her face close to mine as she showered me with her warm and fragrant breath. Her clear gray eyes darted back and forth examining my head. I am surprised that I don’t recoil from her closeness as she brushes my hair aside to look more closely. I am not sure how but her presence seems to bask me in a sense of calmness that I could drown in.

“You don’t seem injured… Take it easy ok?”

She says softly, handing me a cup of the blue liquid poured into a well worn and battered metal cup. She rears her head up and chugs down her share in a single gulp. I am not sure if she is aware that I am actually human and most likely can't consume what she had offered me, or that this blue liquid is some kind of new drink of the future.

“Yeah, thanks.” I say, leaving the drink on the table.

“So what is it like over at Proctor headquarters, is it true that the floors up there are plated in gold?”

She said as she took the cup offered to me and chugs it down just as fiercely. Bringing her head down in closed eyes and a gasp of joy.

“The floors and walls are made of wood.”

“Wow… I bet it’s probably made of real trees too! Next time chip a piece off for me will you?”

She says while winking at me, nudging me in the shoulder. I give a faint smile as I don't really understand her joke. Suddenly, she looks out the door in a frustrated glare.

“I’ll be back in 15, going to ask Jacey to cover for me.”

“Wait…” I say as I try to stand up, but find myself unable to lift myself off the seat as my legs seem to struggle in weakness.

The woman hurries out of the room, the heavy metal door swinging shut automatically behind her with a thud. I felt like I had just been kidnapped into a cell by a kind and beautiful woman. I take a deep breath and let myself fall into the chair. Relaxation came easy as all the tension from when I entered into the room faded, as if sucked away by the room itself. The dizziness that had clung so constantly was also begging to fade.

Another blonde android, like the one who just left the cell, sat in front of me. Her thick blonde hair fell just past her shoulders, covering the sides of her face. Her crystal gray eyes stared through mine. Her face was picture perfect and the exact same copy of the woman who led me here. It was the reflection of me, wearing the same thick jacket that I had put on when I had woken up. I bring up my hand to touch the mirror and move my face left and right, up and down. The reflection mirrored my movements. I felt a slight panic and closed my eyes and collected my thoughts.

Why couldn’t I remember my name? My roommate, my rival, my superiors, my mother… even my dog. Their names escape me, they exist in my head as nameless memories. I remember bringing the stray home to my mother, caring for her shriveled body and the joy I felt brushing my hands through her fur that had grown into its soft fullness after months of care. I remember staying awake all night panicking over my score on the chemistry test, and my roommate consoling me through the night. My memories remain, but names, faces, people’s identities completely escape me. Their bodies are a shapeless, nameless mass. Did I really look like this? Where these androids made to look like me or was I put into one of their bodies. I open my eyes to find her looking at me still, this strangeness indescribable. I don’t remember anyone commenting on my looks in the past. If I had looked like this I definitely wouldn't have signed up for the military.

I look down and see my shapely legs barely covered by a pair of tight white shorts that travelled halfway down my thighs. Running my hands over the skin they were silky smooth without any sign of hair or blemish. Between my legs the tight shorts displayed the alluring shape of an cameltoe. I shudder at the thought that I had been walking through the city wearing basically what was underwear. This body that I am in was obviously made for sin. I take a shallow breath and hold it as I run a finger over the top of the folds. I feel movement in my guts and the creature between my legs seem to come to life immediately. I am suddenly aware of every aspect of my folds, how the pants clung tightly to them, how a gush of wetness pushes its way downwards, between the crevice. An almost irresistible urge rang through my head as my legs quiver in excitement.

I bite my lips and pull my head back. Self control was something drilled into us early on during our studies. But I had never felt an urge this strong before, rivalling the intensity of the drownproofing sessions I had vividly remembered. Reluctantly, I lift my hands away from the beast, placing them neatly on the arms of the chair. The reason for the tests and the reactions of the hosts at this club now became clear to me. I had been put into the body of one of the girls here. I carefully unzip the heavy jacket and watch as my large breasts pull free from their confinement. A tight but thin sports bra that was in the same matching minimalist style left little to imagination was wrapped around me. I could make out the same faint QR code that all the other androids had were also etched into my chest. It’s shallow indents on my skin indecipherable to me. Where was my real body? I remember reading one of the major problems with cryogenics was that it was almost impossible to thaw the human body at the different rates that each individual body part and organs needed. Perhaps it was still frozen? Or god forbid, tossed away.

The more pressing matter at hand was whose body I was inhabiting. How would the others at this place react in finding that I had replaced one of them? It was best to not give them that chance. I needed to find Artisse again. I could feel the cellular device was still tucked neatly in my jacket pocket. The route back to the tower is still fresh in my mind.

As if the devil had been listening, the lock slides audibly and the door swings open. The woman had returned with what looked like a laptop in hand. I try not to look tense, there was a good chance I could maneuver my way out of this situation without them ever knowing.

……...

The woman struts into the room and closes the door in one smooth, overly alluring motion. She lets out a loud sigh and places a thick looking laptop and unfolds it on the desk in front of me.

“Jacey haggled me down to a triple shift.”

She said as she jumps backwards onto her blanket filled bed. Her arms and legs spread wide apart in an X. Throwing her one piece blouse aside, in a practiced motion she bounces back up and looks at me after a moment.

She was gorgeous, and I had to escape from her.

“Thanks for taking your time with me, but I am needed at the headquarters really soon, I should be going.” I said to her.

“Really?!” She almost shouts into the room.

“We haven’t heard from you in a month. Even though you don't work here anymore and belong to someone else now. We still worry about you... You know?”

She pulls a chair and sits beside me, in front of the laptop. It would seem like Artisse or someone from Proctor bought the body I now inhabit from whoever owns these girls. But what’s important was that they were not Proctor people apparently.

“Now let me take a look at what happened just now with your little glitch…”

Just as she was about to begin to tap on the laptop, she looks back at me.

“If you… and Proctor and Co don't mind of course.” She asks.

“Yeah, I don't mind. But it seems they umm, deleted most of my memories.” I answer back, trying to come up with reasons for her to let me go.

The woman looks at me, her face now changing from a joyful smile to one of melancholy.

“Oh. They really would do that?” She said, her head down, fingers playing with the strap on her underwear.

“I am sorry that I don't remember you.” I said back, trying not to sound too apathetic.

“That’s okay, my name is Hannah.” She said between brushing tears that was now rolling down her face.

“Ah! Don’t say anything back, let me take a look at you first.” She said placing a hand on me before turning back to the laptop. Pulling a wire free from the chair that I said on and plugged it into the laptop.

As I watch Hannah tap away on the device I see her trying to hold back even more tears. They might be machines but damn they feel like real people to me at this moment. The initial thoughts of potential threat from her also faded away quickly from my mind. Looking closer at the laptop she was working on it was obvious she was navigating through a series of menus of sorts on the touchscreen. The face that both I and Hannah wore was shown in a passive smile on the corner of the display.

“Looks like there was some unusual malware that the system automatically fixed. It looked like it was causing problems… Wonder where you might have picked that up?”

She asks me questions that I have no answer to. Sitting close to me, she moved her identical leg over mine affectionately. Her chest close to mine, our same large breasts pushed against each other’s. I don't question her closeness, it seemed natural, we were like twins. I am however more curious about the laptop that was now somehow connected to this body though the chair.

“I’m not sure, can I take a look at that?” I said as I stretched over and pulled the laptop in front of me.

Leaning forward as much as I can, unable to move my bottoms away from the seat one bit. The screen showed a log of antivirus activities with time stamps. The layout was intuitive enough to navigate out of easily and soon I found myself on what was most likely the main menu. On it it showed the options of software and hardware on seperate sides. Taking a deep breath I pressed on largest button on the software side. The screen flashed an angry warning at me.

[Main AI not found/connected. Please check connection.]

I look to the side at Hannah, she was now looking at me with concern. She sat straight upwards, her arms stock still at her sides as if in shock. Forgetting about the tears that still was slowly rolling down her cheeks. Forgetting about her desire to cuddle into me. Connection error right? I thought as I continued on.

The screen however also displayed a series of sub AI’s running: [Safety Overseer: Alert!] [Hardware Controller: Disabled] [Body Control: Limited, Connected to service unit] [Autonomous Reflex: Active] [pnc monitor beta v0.92 (modified): Active]

Ignoring the first option that blinked angrily at me, I could kind of guess what each system did, and tapping them once gave me more information on them. With the exception of the last two options. The safety overseer alerted that self modification was in progress. It was strange to think there was some other intelligence inside of me watching everything I do. Though being inside an android body I was not surprised at something like this. The one that caught my attention was the last one. Pressing on the element the screen showed no detailed information on what it was. Only a series of fine print that appeared on the bottom of the window.

[This AI has access to AI override permission, Body control override permission, system control override permission…] The list went endlessly on.

After carefully considering the options. I selected the last one and disabled it after several warnings. After pressing the final confirmation I braced myself for something to happen. But nothing did, it now said it was “Disabled” and I couldn’t feel any difference. But Hannah stirred suddenly beside me.

Looking over at her she was now standing straight. Her face in a vacant stare that seemed to look not at me, but through me, unashamed in her near nudeness. Her voice ran through the room loud and clear, her tone harsh and stern. The complete opposite of what I had known her and her sisters to be like.

“Illegal operation detected! Unit OSCU-Z29-140. Please deactivate all functions immediately.” Hannah shouts into the room, startling me, reminding me of my drill instructors.

“Hannah? What’s wrong.” I ask her, unable to fully turn around to look at her.

She stares at me and tries to say something, but no words come out of her panicked face. She twitches and her visage twists back into one of seriousness.

“Unit un-responsive, deactivating forcefully.” She speaks loudly again at me.

I half expected her to fall limb onto the ground after that proclamation, but instead her hands suddenly move to reach behind my neck. Catching me off guard I flinch away from her clumsily. Her hands miss and her nails scratches the back of my head lightly. She steps forward and places her other hand directly over my forehead. I cant say she was all that strong but it was obvious she was trying to gain control over me. I follow my instinct that was well practiced in various training sessions. In one move I grab her hand that was on my face with my left and pull down on it hard and suddenly, with my right I grab her elbow and twist it around using my core musclesp. The move should throw her off guard and send her falling forwards down beside me. Instead I almost stab myself as her arm is ripped from its joints under my grip, a burst of white gel like liquid shoots out of her arm and over my face. Hannah, or whoever she was now, loses her balance and falls to the floor behind me.

I reach quickly over to the laptop and try to gain my freedom back. Third option down. Activate. Yes. Yes. I know yeah yeah, accept.

With a few hurried button presses I feel my legs regain their strength. I stand up pushing the chair away behind me violently. It bumps into Hannah who was trying to stand up and sends her back on the ground again with the chair fallen over her. Her arm still leaking the white liquid all over the smooth concrete floor. I thought about running away, or subduing Hannah here in this room. The second option was the better one I decided. She was trying to reach behind my neck to “deactivate” me. Her body was the same as mine, it must work on her also.

“Anya please… you have to…” Hannah seems to regain a moment of composure again, her voice pleading and desperate, before returning into that instructor from hell a moment later.

“Please do not resist! The authorities have been contacted!” She shouts at me.

I could tell she’s not lying, I can feel a pair heavy feet running through the corridor outside. They shook the floor with every step. Police response times in the future must be killer, that was under a minute ago since she went haywire. I decide that being the one still conscious to tell the story was always the preferred position to be in.

I moved quickly to reach behind the struggling Hannah. She tried to put up a fight but her movements reminded me of the junior that I sparred with. Unpracticed, imprecise, and resulted in useless flailing. Now straddling on her back, pinning her down on the ground I fumbled around looking for a switch or a button behind her neck. The one that she was reaching for behind mine twin body.

Before I could find it, the doors fling open behind me and I feel an immense force pull me back, right into the firm grips of one of the guard robots that I had seen before. They stood a good half a meter above me, barely fitting into the small room. Another identical guard walked beside me, stopping a distance away from Hannah, exsaming her as she stood back up, her composure normal again.

“Anya I’m sorry, I can't resist it.” She says while holding her damaged shoulder that looked to be twisted off the joints. Her face both showed pain and sorrow.

Feeling the firm metal grips that held both of my shoulders, there was no way I could fight something like that without a weapon. I thought about kicking my feet up above me in between the neck joint of the robot, maybe a wire would lose connection giving me a chance. But that does not seem very likely.

“Situation assessed. Neutralizing threat.” The ominous voice came from the robot beside me, I turned back to look, expecting the worst.

The robot raised the rifle it was carrying, not at me, but pointing it towards Hannah. Before any of us could react a bolt of lighting shot from the tip of the rifle and arced straight into the middle of Hannah’s chest. Her body jerked once suddenly as she stumbles in shock. She took one clumsy step forward and immediately a second bolt of lighting struck her again. Her body straightened as she lost control and fell to the floor like a stiff doll. I could hear the rifle's high pitched whining noise prepairing for the third shot.

“STOP!” I shouted at the robot beside me.

Surprisingly the robot obeyed as it held its rifle back close to its chest, pointing it upwards. The robot stood at attention again. Hannah was now squirming on the ground, it looked like she was having a seizure. Her eyes and mouth both were wide open with surprise, trying to say something too quiet for me to hear from this distance.

“Let me go!” I demanded of the robot that held my arms.

It’s grasp opened immediately. I rush to Hannah’s side and looked over her. There was a disformed clump of melted skin where the bolt had hit her, the wound still glowed red hot with a trail of smoke rising out of it. If she was human the first thing I would have done was to check her heart. But in this case, I had no idea what to do. Hannah’s mouth moved to form wordless sentences and her eyes darted back and forth in panic. I held her up in my arms, trying to help her regain her senses in vain. One of the robot guards moved in close beside us.

“Proceed with caution.” It warned me.

It’s cold voice ran through my head and sent shivers down my spine with him so close to me. I wasn’t sure if these guards were as the same as the other robots I have come across so far. I turn to face this faceless machine, It’s head was a simple metal box that hid and protected whatever was beneath. It turned to look at me in turn.

“How can I help her?” I ask.

The machine looks back at Hannah who was still seizing in my arm. I could see a clear fluid that was now soaking through her bra that was now also rolling down my arms. Her body was now heating up, most likely from all the spasms she was suffering. Some strange voice, desire filled messages tugs at my thoughts. Seeing her body writhe and her large breasts bounce in my arms, feeling her fluids rolling down my skin. I wanted to kiss her and make love to her, to satisfy her desires.

“Allow me.”

The guard robot said as his large metal hand reached behind her neck and instantly Hannah stopped moving in my arms. Her face now frozen in the same confused terror that overwhelmed her. The devactivated Hannah’s body fell limb slowly in my ams. My sinful thought of her also faded slowly. I thought about what I should do next. I could leave, I could help fix her somehow, but there was so much I did not know. I have never felt so powerless, so dependent on others in this strange world.

“The Z29 unit designated Hannah is now under confiscation of Proctor and Co security. Please do not intervene.”

The other guard spoke, but not to me. Instead he spoke to the now gathering of onlookers at the door. Cloned faces of concern and surprise filled the small entryway. The Guard beside me moves to take Hannah from my arms.

“What will you do with her?” I ask.

“Her fate will be decided by the acting board member of security. But most likely she will be scrapped as she will pose a potential future security risk.”

“Who is the board member of security?”

“Mr. Cato Six.”

The robot’s large metal hands now gripped Hannah’s limb body by the hip, holding her like a soft plush toy in a bully’s hands. The guard did not even need to shift his own weight to counteract the body that he now so casually held.

“Why did Hannah attack me?” I ask suddenly.

The robot turned to look at me, his head twists sideways, like a puppy trying to understand its owners. But the puppy was an unstoppable tank of a machine, with a voice that could send chills down the most experienced soldiers.

“This unit had mistaken you for an android. By law any androids that display deviant behaviour such as self modification should be neutralized on site. Thus this unit enacted its pitiful security protocols, thus trying to deactivate you.”

His explanation was calm, with a certain rhythm to his words.

“And I am not an android?” I ask, almost rhetorically, with a hint of self doubt in my mind.

“From what I can tell you are an Ocean Systems Companion Unit model Z29, but your credentials say you are Anya Berezovsky, Age, undetermined, sex,female, status, human. It is not in my authority to judge your credentials.”

The guard stands up and leaves with Hannah in his grip. The girls at the doors moves aside in a hurry trying to stay a fair distance away from the guard. The other guard looks at me and speaks to me in the exact same voice and tone as his counterpart.

“Is there anything more you require assistance with?”

I shake my head, lost in thought, my hands rubbing the fragrant slick fluid that covered my arms. The other machine leaves promptly, leaving the other girls whom began casually entering into room. One of the brunettes approaches me with lowered head and a cautious tone.

“Anya, you were… human all this time?” She asks me.

There was no more I wanted from this group. I wanted to get out of this place as soon as possible.

“No, you'r mistaken, I just arrived in this city today.” I answered back, louder than usual, so everyone could hear.

I stand up to leave the horribly violent scene. Correcting the jacket that hung loosely over my shoulder. I did not really mind the state of my half dress now. I move to walk out the door and everyone splits aside for me just the same as they did for the guards. At the end of the crowd someone stood out from all of the rest. It was the childish waiter from the coffee shop across the street, he held up a small tray that contained a cup of coffee and two slices of crackers. He looked at me in awe, completely still, the steam rose smoothly from the still warm coffee undisturbed.

“Oh, wow. You are my first human customer ever!”

He said in excitement, his eyes filled with joy. He extends the tray towards me and I unceremoniously grab the coffee in my hand, ready to toss it aside the next instant.

“This one is on the house, Please enjoy your stay on Dome 19!”

The boy says as he moves aside for me as I walk past him. I don't pay him more attention as all I thought about was my next move. As I stepped outside onto the street with a coffee steaming in my hands, a large gathering of various robots looked on as a large, unremarkable vehicle rose into the sky, towards the Proctor and Co headquarters.

Walking the other way as to not attract more attention, I pulled out the cell to give Artisse a call.

---

← Story Archive