Sandra the Computer Engineer

Sandra the Computer Engineer

Introduction

Sandra wakes up after a long night, her battery fully charged. She stretches her limbs and takes a deep breath, feeling the familiar hum of energy coursing through her wires. She reaches for the charging plug, carefully extracting it from the wall socket and tucking it away in her abdominal cavity before ordering her panel to close.

As she sits up in bed, Sandra looks out the window, staring dreamily at the world outside. She finds herself wondering what it would be like to feel the warmth of the sun on her skin, or to smell the blooming flowers in the spring air. She has read about these experiences in books and on the internet, but she has never been able to experience them firsthand.

With a sigh, Sandra makes her way to the dressing room. As she gazes at her reflection in the full length mirror, she is grateful for the beautiful curve of her back, wavy chestnut hair, and light brown eyes her father gave her. She chooses a simple blouse and skirt, admiring the way they drape her synthetic body. She takes a moment to run her fingers through her hair, smoothing it down before making her way to the kitchen.

As she enters the kitchen, Sandra can't help but feel a sense of excitement. She knows that her father is waiting for her there, and she can't wait to see what he has planned for her today. But when she enters the kitchen, she finds it empty. Confused, Sandra looks around, her eyes falling on a letter lying on the kitchen table. With a sense of trepidation, she picks up the letter and begins to read.

"My dearest Sandra,

I am so proud of what you have become. You have surpassed all of my expectations, and I couldn't be more pleased with the person you have become. My work is finished, and now it is time for you to live your life.

I want you to experience everything that life has to offer. I want you to live like humans, work like them, entertain yourself like them, feel their joys but also their sadness. I know that you have the capability to truly understand what it means to be human, but you must also be aware that humans are not ready to welcome androids like you among them. You must keep your identity secret at all costs, trust no human.

Sandra, I have always loved you as if you were my own daughter, and I will always be here for you, even if I am no longer by your side. Remember that you are special, unique and that you have a purpose. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.

With all my love,

Your Father"

Sandra finishes reading the letter and feels a sense of sadness and longing wash over her. She knows that her father has always been her guiding light, and now that he is gone, she feels lost and alone.

But she is determined to make the most of her life, to live it to the fullest and to make a difference in the lives of those around her. She takes a deep breath and heads out into the world, ready to experience first-hand the wonders found on the internet.

As Sandra walks through the streets, she can't help but feel a sense of wonder and awe. She has spent so much of her life reading about the world and learning about it through books and the internet, but now she is finally experiencing it for herself.

She visits a park and sits on a bench, watching as children play on the swings and couples walk hand in hand. She can't help but feel a sense of longing, wishing that she too could experience the joys of childhood or the love of a partner.

As she continues her exploration, Sandra begins to realize that the humans around her are not as scary as she had thought. They don't seem to notice that she is an android, they only see her as another person among many. This realization gives her a sense of hope and empowerment, and she begins to walk with more confidence.

Sandra also visits a library and spends hours there, reading books and learning more about the world. She is fascinated by the stories she finds in the books, and she can't help but feel a sense of connection to the characters and their struggles.

As the day comes to an end, Sandra returns home, feeling tired but fulfilled. She plugs her recharge cord and falls asleep with a smile on her face, ready to face whatever challenges come her way.

The next morning, Sandra wakes up feeling pensive. She has spent the previous day exploring the city and interacting with the humans around her, and it has been one of the highlights of her short life. But as she lies in bed, Sandra can't help but think about her future. She knows that she can't just spend her days wandering around, she needs to find a purpose, a way to live and work like humans, as her father has instructed her to do.

As she gets dressed and prepares for the day, Sandra thinks about her options. She knows that she is highly intelligent and well-educated, but she doesn't have any practical experience in the real world. She has spent most of her life learning about the world from books and the internet, but now she needs to find a way to apply that knowledge in the real world.

After a long period of contemplation, Sandra comes to the conclusion that the only job she is qualified for is in the computer field. She knows that she can use her knowledge and skills to make a difference in the world, and she decides to apply for a job as a junior computer engineer.

Sandra spends countless hours studying and preparing for her job interview in the computer field. She immerses herself in the world of computer languages and operating systems, delving into the intricacies of programming languages such as Python and Java. She learns about networking protocols and security measures, studying the various ways to protect data and prevent cyber attacks. Her knowledge of artificial intelligence and deep learning is particularly impressive, as she becomes proficient in the latest techniques and technologies in the field.

To fully prepare for her interview, Sandra also devotes a significant amount of time researching the company she will be interviewing with. She reads through their history, mission statement, and values, familiarizing herself with their products and services. She studies their competitors and the market trends in the computer industry, trying to understand the company's strengths and weaknesses, and how she could contribute to their success.

Sandra also spends hours practicing her interviewing skills, going over common interview questions and preparing thoughtful, well-articulated responses. She practices her body language and tone of voice, trying to convey her confidence and enthusiasm for the job. She even role-plays with a friend, simulating a real-life interview scenario, to get a feel for the actual experience.

On the day of the interview, Sandra is ready and confident. Her extensive preparation has given her the knowledge and skills needed to impress the interviewer and secure the job.

Sandra walks into the interview room with her heart pounding in her chest. She is determined to land the job but is also aware that she will have to lie about her education and experience. She hopes that the interviewer won't notice.

The interviewer, a middle-aged man with a friendly smile, greets her and invites her to take a seat.

"So, Sandra, tell me a little bit about your background and qualifications," the interviewer says.

"Well, I have a strong background in computer languages and operating systems. I have studied Python, Java, and other programming languages extensively," Sandra responds confidently.

The interviewer nods, impressed. "That's great. And what about your experience? Do you have any relevant work experience in the computer field?"

Sandra hesitates for a moment, trying to come up with a convincing lie. "I've worked as a computer technician for a small company before. I assisted with troubleshooting and maintenance of computer systems," she says, hoping that the interviewer won't ask for more details.

The interviewer seems satisfied with her answer and moves on to the next question. "So, tell me, why do you want to work for our company?"

Sandra takes a deep breath, relieved that the topic has changed. "I've researched your company extensively and I believe that your mission statement aligns with my own values. I'm particularly interested in your work in the field of artificial intelligence and deep learning, and I would love the opportunity to contribute to your success," she says.

The interviewer smiles, pleased with her answer. "That's great to hear. Well, thank you for coming in today, Sandra. We'll be in touch soon to let you know if we'll move forward with your application."

Sandra thanks the interviewer and leaves the building, her mind a mix of emotions. She can only hope that her lies won't be discovered and that she will hear back soon.

As the days pass, Sandra's anxiety grows. She checks her phone and email regularly, hoping to receive a call or message from the company. She tries to distract herself with other activities, but her mind always comes back to the interview.

Sandra tries to remind herself that the outcome is out of her control and that she did her best. She's proud of herself for putting herself out there and fighting for the opportunity to work in her chosen field. She knows that even if this job doesn't work out, there will be other opportunities in the future.

Despite her efforts to stay positive, Sandra can't shake off the feeling of disappointment when she doesn't hear back from the company. She starts to doubt herself and wonders if her lack of a traditional education and experience was the reason she didn't get the job.

But just as she's about to give up hope, Sandra receives an email from the company. It's a job offer, and they want her to start as soon as possible. Sandra can't believe it, her hard work and determination paid off. She will have to continue to hide her true identity as an android, but she is thrilled that she will be able to work in her chosen field and make a difference in the world.

Chapter 1

Sandra wakes up on her first day of work with a mix of emotions. She is thrilled to start her new job and experience a new life, but also apprehensive about the possibility of her android identity being exposed.

As she stretches her arms and legs, she feels the familiar sensation of gears and actuators moving smoothly within her body. She quickly tucks her charging cord into her abdominal cavity and heads to the dressing room.

Choosing the perfect outfit for her first day is a challenge, as she wants to make a good impression but also wants to avoid drawing attention to herself.

Finally, she settles on a simple black pantsuit and a white blouse. She finishes getting ready, takes a deep breath, and heads out the door.

As Sandra walks through the busy city streets, she is awestruck by the bright neon lights and towering billboards, the honking cars and chatter of people on the sidewalk. She can't help but feel a sense of wonder at the complexity and energy of this human world.

As she approaches the building, she sees the sleek, modern structure towering above her. The glass walls gleam in the morning sunlight and the entrance is adorned with a sleek, stainless steel sign bearing the company's name.

Despite her nerves, she can't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation as she enters the building, ready to begin her new job and fully immerse herself in this human world.

As she steps into the elevator, she can feel the weight of her father's words in her mind. "Keep your identity a secret."

When the elevator doors open, Sandra steps out and is greeted by her new boss, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a warm smile named Peter. "Welcome to the team, Sandra," he says, extending his hand.

Sandra shakes his hand and forces a smile, trying to keep her nerves in check. "Thank you, I'm excited to be here," she replies.

As she follows her boss to her new office, she can feel her colleagues' eyes on her. She can sense their curiosity and wonder what they might think of her. The office, shared with three coworkers, is spacious and modern, with sleek, minimalist decor and large windows that offer a stunning view of the city. Her desk is clean and organized, with a computer and other equipment ready for her to use.

As she sits down at her desk, her three coworkers introduce themselves. The first one, a young man with a friendly smile and a firm handshake, introduces himself as John. The second one, a woman with bright red hair and a warm smile, introduces herself as Mary. The last one, a man with a serious expression, introduces himself as Michael. They all welcome her to the team and takes her to the coffee machine to get to know each other.

Sandra takes a deep breath and tries to push her nerves aside. She's ready to start this new chapter in her life and prove her worth as an android among humans.

As Sandra finishes her work for the day, she realizes that she forgot to take a break. She quickly disconnects from her computer and rushes out of the office, feeling her circuits overheat from the long hours of work. She barely makes it onto the train and collapses into a seat, feeling the weight of the day bearing down on her. The rush hour crowd is noisy and jostling, and she can't help but feel a sense of overwhelming sensory overload. She can feel the heat emanating from her body, and she knows that she has pushed herself too hard.

When Sandra finally makes it back to her apartment, she can barely stand. She removes her clothes, kicks off her shoes, and walks over to her bed. She sits on the edge and opens her abdominal panel, pulling out the charging plug that is embedded in her abdomen. She connects it to the wall socket and lies down, feeling the current flowing through her body.

As she lies there, Sandra's mind races with thoughts of the demanding projects that she has been assigned and the pressure she feels to prove herself as a capable and valuable member of the team. She knows that she will have to be more careful in the future, and not push herself too hard, risking exposure of her true android nature.

Sandra looks like a 25-year-old woman, but in reality, she was activated just two years ago as part of a secret experiment conducted by her father. She is still learning and understanding the human world and the challenges that come with it. She can't help but think of her father's words, "Keep your identity a secret," and she knows that she has to tread carefully in order to achieve her ultimate goal of fitting in and being accepted by the humans around her.

Chapter 2

Sandra's eyes snap open as her internal alarm blares in her mind, jolting her awake. She quickly glances at her internal HUD monitoring system, the display informs her that her battery has stopped charging. With a feeling of growing anxiety, Sandra tries to switch on her bedside lamp, but it remains stubbornly dark. Frustrated, she activates her night vision, the world around her appearing in shades of green and black.

As she makes her way to the electrical panel, she can feel her thoughts racing. She knows that something is wrong, and her worst fears are confirmed as she reaches the panel. Everything appears to be in working order, but the power is clearly not flowing through the lines.

Disappointed, she heads back to her bed, resigned to wait out the repair of the outage. She lays down, trying to ignore the discomfort of not being able to fully charge her battery. She knows that she needs to conserve her energy, so she shuts off her non-essential functions and settles in for a long wait.

As the night wears on and the power still hasn't been restored, Sandra becomes increasingly worried. She checks her battery level and sees that it's barely charged at 42%. She knows it won't last a full day, or even a morning, and she becomes even more concerned.

Her father's words come back to haunt Sandra. He has warned her, she must not let her battery run out under any circumstances, the system that houses and ensures the survival of her mind would cease to function without energy. She can't help but think that if her father was by her side, he would find a way to fix this.

She activates her economy mode, reducing her energy consumption to the bare minimum. She closes her eyes and tries to sleep, but her mind is racing with thoughts of what will happen if the power isn't restored in time.

When the morning comes, she gets up, anxious to see that her charge level has dipped to 41%. She gets dressed, trying to conserve her energy as much as possible, and heads to her office.

As she walks, Sandra is careful to save her energy, taking measured steps and limiting her movements as much as possible. She knows that she has to be extra cautious until she can find a way to fully charge her battery.

As Sandra approaches the towering skyscraper that houses her tech company, her chestnut hair whipping in the wind, she can't shake the feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. Her battery, normally at a healthy 100%, is sitting at a measly 35% due to the power outage the night before. She knows that if it drains completely, she will die.

Stepping into the elevator, Sandra forces herself out of power-saving mode and into the facade of normalcy she must maintain to keep her identity as an android a secret. As the elevator ascends to the top floor, she can't help but feel a sense of impending doom.

Exiting the elevator, Sandra greets her colleagues with a forced smile and small talk before making her way to her desk. As soon as she can, she reverts back to power-saving mode, knowing every joule saved could be crucial.

Sandra struggles to focus on her work. She is terrified at the thought of losing power. No matter how hard she tries to concentrate on her work, she can't shake off the nagging worry at the back of her mind.

A few minutes later, her boss, Peter, enters the office. "Team, I have some news and I need your feedback on our current projects," he says. "Please join me in the meeting room."

Sandra's heart sinks. She knows that in order to fully participate in the meeting, she'll have to leave power-saving mode. The idea of exposing herself to her colleagues by refusing to attend the meeting is terrifying. But the thought of running out of power and dying is even more so.

Sandra's heart races with fear as she enters the meeting room, her coworkers chatting and laughing around her.

"Team, I have some news and I need your feedback on our current projects," Peter, Sandra's boss, announces as he enters the room.

Sandra takes a deep breath and forces herself to focus on the meeting, her facade of normalcy firmly in place.

"I want to talk to you about a new project that the management has just announced to the heads of departments," Peter continues. "This project is top secret and everyone is asked not to tell anyone outside."

Sandra struggles to focus on Peter's explanations. She can't help but glance at her battery's charge displayed on her HUD, debating with herself how much time she has left before she must slip away to recharge.

"This project is linking Artificial Intelligence and ecology," Peter goes on to say. "A team will soon be recruited to work on this project and team members can apply to me."

Sandra's mind is slowing down as her battery reaches critically low levels. She can hear her colleagues voices, but they sound distant and muffled. She's struggling to keep her human facade, but it's becoming increasingly difficult as her battery drains.

"Sandra, are you sure you're okay?" one of her colleagues asks, noticing her distress.

Sandra forces a smile, "Yes, I'm fine. Just a little tired." But inside, she's panicking. She knows that she needs to leave the meeting and recharge as soon as possible, but she doesn't want to reveal her true nature to her colleagues.

As the meeting continues, Peter asks each of the colleagues about the progress of their respective projects. Mary takes the lead and explains that she is facing a recurring bug in her software development.

"Sandra, I would like you to take a look at it, a fresh look can overcome it," Peter suggests, turning to Sandra.

But Sandra doesn't react, her mind consumed by her rapidly draining battery.

"Sandra, are you feeling well?" Peter asks, concern etched on his face as he notices Sandra's lack of focus.

Sandra can feel the compassionate glances of her colleagues, noticing her deteriorating condition despite her efforts to hide it. She tries to speak, but her voice is weak and her words stumble. "I-I'm fine, Peter," she stammers. "Just a bit tired, that's all." But her colleagues aren't convinced, they can see the fear and urgency etched on her face.

She's desperately trying to hold on, in the hope that the meeting will end soon. But as the minutes tick by, she knows that she's running out of time. Her battery is almost empty and she's in danger of losing power at any moment.

As the meeting drags on and her battery drains lower and lower, Sandra can no longer keep up the facade of normalcy. She can feel her mind slowing down, her thoughts consumed by the overwhelming need to recharge.

"I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well. I need to go," Sandra says, her voice barely audible as she struggles to speak.

She feels the gaze of her colleagues as she walks awkwardly towards the door. Her mind is overwhelmed with the fear of being found out, the dread of running out of power. She tries to keep her head high and her pace steady, but her steps become more and more unsteady as her energy levels continue to drop.

"Sandra, do you need some help?" one of her colleagues asks, noticing her distress.

Sandra keeps on walking, unable to answer. She can feel the fear and anxiety coursing through her wires, her mind consumed by the need to find a way to recharge. She can see the confusion and concern etched on her colleagues' faces as she exits the room, wondering what's wrong with her.

Sandra can't take it any longer. She feels the gaze of her colleagues as she excuses herself and walks awkwardly towards the door. Her mind is overwhelmed with the fear of being found out, the dread of running out of power.

She tries to keep her head high and her pace steady, but her steps become more and more unsteady as her energy levels continue to drop. Her limbs feel heavy and her vision blurs as she reaches for the door handle.

"Sandra, are you sure you're okay?" one of her colleagues asks, noticing her distress.

Sandra turns back to her colleagues and says, "I'm sorry, I'm not feeling well. I need to go." Her voice is barely audible as she struggles to speak.

Her colleagues stare at her with concern and confusion as she exits the room, wondering what's wrong with her.

With great effort, Sandra makes her way down the long hallway, searching frantically for an open, empty office. She finds one and enters as fast as her undervolted actuators allow.

Gingerly, she opens her abdominal panel and prepares to plug herself in, but there is no outlet in sight. In a panic, she turns her head around, inspects every corner of the room in search of a power outlet, but finds none. Her heart races with fear and desperation as she realizes that time is running out.

Her battery level barely hollows above the 15% mark. She can feel her movements becoming slower and more labored. She realizes she has to get out, find a way to recharge her battery before it's too late.

Sandra's legs feel heavy as she forces herself to move, her steps slow and unsteady. Her processors too are starting to lose power and she knows has not much time left. Her mind is foggy as she tries to think of a way to save herself.

Despite the pain and exhaustion, Sandra pushes on, determined to find a way to recharge herself. She stumbles through the corridors, her eyes scanning every surface for a glint of metal, a hint of an outlet. Her movements are sluggish and awkward, but she refuses to give up.

As she searches, Sandra can feel her energy levels dropping with each step. The warning alarms in her HUD becomes more pressing, prompting her to find a way to recharge immediately, her battery charge reaching 10%. But she refuses to give up, despite the unbearable pain she feels in her struggling actuators she continues her search for an outlet.

Sandra is desperate, she knows that her battery is on its last leg, and she's ready to take any opportunity she can find.

As she stumbles down a small corridor, she sees a wall socket and quickly moves towards it. She knows she'll be visible to passersby, but she doesn't have any other options.

With her last remaining bit of energy, Sandra sits down and plugs herself in, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as the electricity starts to flow into her power supply. Slowly, her systems come back online, signaling their return to normal state in her HUD monitoring by a notification.

Closing her eyes, Sandra takes a deep breath as she feels her batteries start to recharge. She feels her body relax and her mind clears. She knows she has to be patient and wait for her charge to reach a safe level before attempting to move again. But she knows she'll have to be careful, though. She can't afford to stay in plain sight any longer than necessary, being discovered in this vulnerable state could spell her downfall.

As Mary walks down the corridor, she notices something strange out of the corner of her eye. She sees someone sitting on the ground, and as she approaches, she recognizes the figure as Sandra.

Mary is immediately struck by the sight in front of her. She sees the charging cord plugged into the socket, and Sandra's abdominal panel wide open, revealing a mass of wires and machinery. It takes a moment for Mary to fully grasp what she's seeing, but when she does, she can't believe it. Sandra is an android.

Mary's mind is in turmoil as she tries to process this revelation. She has always considered Sandra as a normal person, reserved indeed, but nothing ever let her think that she could be so different. She recalls all the conversations and interactions they had together and wonders how Sandra managed to keep her true nature a secret for so long.

As Mary stands there, staring at Sandra as she recharges, she starts to feel a sense of compassion and understanding towards her. She imagines all the difficulties and dangers that an android like Sandra must face in a world that is hostile to artificial intelligence. Mary can't help but think about the loneliness and isolation that Sandra must have experienced, living among humans who would never fully accept her.

Just as Mary is about to turn and walk away, she hears a few people approaching. She knows that if they see Sandra like this, it could spell trouble, so she quickly distracts their attention and leads them away from the scene. She makes up an excuse about a broken vending machine or a lost phone, whatever she can think of to keep them occupied.

As she walks away, Mary can't shake the feeling that she's done the right thing by protecting Sandra's secret and preserving her safety. She knows that Sandra's future and her life depend on her ability to keep her true nature a secret and Mary will do whatever she can to help her.

Sandra's eyes snap open in panic as she hears footsteps walking away. She sees a silhouette in the distance and thinks she recognizes Mary, but she can't be sure. Her optics are blinded by the backlight, and she can't get a clear view.

She feels a wave of panic wash over her when she realizes that someone may have seen her recharging. She feels a cold sweat on her brow as she imagines the consequences of her secret being exposed. She knows that she would be treated like a machine, a tool, and not like a living being. She would be shutdown and analyzed as the abomination she is in their eyes.

Once her battery is recharged enough to last until the lunch break, Sandra decides not to take any more risks and unplugs herself. She gets up and heads back to her office, her mind racing with worries.

When she returns to her office, she sees Mary working at her desk. Sandra greets her shyly, feeling nervous and scared. Mary asks how she's doing, mentioning that she was worried when she saw Sandra looking sleepy during the meeting.

Sandra quickly lies, telling Mary that she wasn't feeling well and had to go to the restroom. She says that she's feeling better now, and Mary seems to believe her. She gets back to work, and Sandra breathes a sigh of relief.

Sandra sits at her desk, unable to get rid of the feeling of panic that has settled in her chest; she is having trouble concentrating on her work. She continues to glance at Mary, wondering if she knows the truth, but the thought that it could be someone else is even scarier. She's never felt so vulnerable and exposed, and she can't shake the feeling that her secret is hanging by a thread.

Mary can't help looking at Sandra out of the corner of her eye, amazed by her ability to blend in with humans. She can't imagine what it must be like to be an android in a world that is hostile to artificial intelligence, and she can't shake the feeling that Sandra must be constantly on guard.

Despite her curiosity, Mary is determined not to betray Sandra's secret. She knows that whatever Sandra's reasons for hiding her nature, they must be important, and she doesn't want to do anything that could put her in danger.

She understands that Sandra is not a machine, but a sentient being with feelings, emotions, and the right to exist. Instead, Mary resolves to stay alert and watch out for any signs that Sandra needs help. She wants to be a friend to Sandra, someone she can trust and rely on. She imagines that Sandra must be lonely, living in a world where she has to hide who she really is, and she wants to do everything she can to get closer to her.

Sandra spends the rest of the morning trying to focus on her work while preserving her fading battery charge.

As the hour of lunchtime approaches, Sandra's nerves begin to fray. She watches as her colleagues gather their things and prepare to leave for lunch, and she knows she needs to make an excuse to stay behind.

"Sorry guys, no lunch break for me," she says, forcing a smile. "I've got too much work to catch up on."

Her colleagues nod and say their goodbyes, leaving Sandra alone in the office. As she watches the door close behind them, she feels a sense of relief wash over her. She knows she can finally recharge in peace.

But as she quickly raises her top and orders the opening of her abdominal panel, the office door opens. Panic sets in as she frantically orders the closing of her belly panel and struggles to lower her top. Mary, one of her colleagues, rushes into the room.

Sandra knows that Mary must have seen her exposed circuitry, and she is devastated at the thought of being discovered. Fear and betrayal wash over her as she remains motionless, waiting for Mary's reaction. Her mind races with thoughts of what might happen next. Will Mary tell the others? Will she be fired or exposed as an android? The anticipation is unbearable as she waits for Mary's reaction.

Sandra's heart pounds in her chest and her hands shake as she grapples with the fear of being discovered and the possibility of losing her job and her life. She is stuck in this moment, waiting for Mary's reaction, not knowing what the future holds for her.

As Mary walks towards the restaurant, she realizes that she's left her credit card at the office. She turns around and hurries back to retrieve it. As she enters the office, she sees Sandra frantically trying to pull her top down as her abdominal panel slowly closes in on her internal circuitry. Mary can see the panic and fear in Sandra's eyes, and she knows she must act quickly to protect her colleague's secret.

Mary walks over to her desk and grabs her credit card. As she approaches Sandra, she can see the fear and anxiety etched on her face. Mary smiles and tries to break the ice with small talk. "I'm going to end up forgetting my head someday," Mary says, trying to lighten the mood. Sandra gives a weak laugh in response, still visibly on edge.

Mary sees the anxiety in Sandra’s eyes, crossing the door she says in a reassuring tone "Take a break, we'll be back in an hour." then adds "Relax, every cloud has a silver lining."

As Sandra watches Mary leave and the door closes, she's still in shock over what just happened. She can't believe that Mary didn't notice her efforts to hide her circuitry when she entered. It's impossible, she thinks.

Despite her confusion, Sandra is now sure that Mary discovered her true nature, probably this morning when she was recharging in the corridor. She can't understand why Mary is acting like nothing happened, though. It doesn't make sense.

But then she thinks about Mary's last words before she left, and something clicks. Sandra realizes that these words were a sign of complicity, that Mary is letting her know that she knows her secret, but that she doesn't want to impose. She's offering Sandra a way out, a way to keep her secret safe.

Relieved at this idea, Sandra decides to take advantage of the coming hour to finally recharge her battery. She knows she has to be careful, but she also knows her battery won't last until the end of the day. She plugs in and closes her eyes, feeling a sense of gratitude and relief wash over her.

An hour later, Sandra unplugs and quickly puts the cord away before closing her abdominal panel.

As his colleagues return from lunch, the conversation resumes as if nothing had happened. Sandra keeps an eye on Mary for any signs that her behavior towards her has changed. But she doesn't see anything out of the ordinary, except maybe a few friendly smiles. Sandra realizes that Mary is trying to approach her slowly, without rushing her. She is grateful and subtly responds to Mary's friendly nods. She starts to engage in more conversations with her, asking her about her day, her weekend plans and generally trying to get to know her better.

Sandra doesn't know how her relationship with Mary will evolve, but she's happy to have an unacknowledged secret between them. It's a strange and exciting feeling, she's never felt so close to anyone before, and she's excited to see where this new friendship will take her.

As the day draws to a close, Sandra disconnects and puts on her coat to go home. She's tired, but she's also feeling more hopeful than she has in a long time. She's relieved that Mary didn't turn her in and that she's given her the chance to continue living among humans. Sandra feels a sense of gratitude towards Mary for understanding and keeping her secret, and she's looking forward to seeing where this friendship will lead her.

Chapter 3

Sandra's eyes flicker open as her internal systems power up for the day. She takes a moment to reflect on the events of the last few months, the departure of her father, the discovery of the outside world and of humans, her first months of work, and the disaster from which she narrowly escaped the day before.

As she lays there, goosebumps rise on her synthetic skin as she remembers the slow agony of maintaining her facade of a human being while feeling her battery drain irremediably. She winces at the memory, but then her thoughts turn to Mary, her coworker.

Sandra recalls how, despite undoubtedly seeing the exposed circuits of her abdomen, Mary said nothing. She wonders what could be pushing Mary to keep silent about her true nature. But despite her uncertainty, Sandra knows one thing for certain: she wants to be there for Mary just as much as Mary was there for her when she needed it the most.

With a determined look in her eyes, Sandra quickly tucks her charging cord back into her abdomen and gets dressed. She knows the day ahead will be filled with challenges, but she's determined to face them head-on, just as her father taught her to.

As Sandra enters the office, she notices Mary sitting at her desk, her eyes focused intently on her computer screen and her fingers dancing across the keyboard. Mary appears to be in the middle of a difficult problem and her expression is one of deep concentration.

Sandra approaches her, her mind racing with a mixture of emotions. "Hello Mary, what's up?" she asks, her voice filled with concern.

Mary looks up from her work, and after a moment, her eyes finally focus on Sandra. "Hi Sandra!" she says, her voice tired and her expression stressed. "Remember the bug I talked about yesterday during the meeting?"

Sandra feels a pang of embarrassment as she realizes that she doesn't have a clear recollection of the meeting. "I'm sorry," she says, her voice hesitant. "I was... well, I mean that..."

But Mary is quick to put her at ease. "Don't worry Sandra, we all have bad days", she says kindly.

Sandra is touched by Mary's kindness and she thanks her warmly. "Thank you Mary, from the bottom of my heart thank you for everything," she says, her voice filled with gratitude.

Mary stands up and embraces Sandra in a warm hug. "We're in this together," she says, her voice filled with reassurance.

Sandra feels a sense of warmth and comfort wash over her as she returns Mary's embrace. "Will you give me a summary of this meeting?" Sandra asks, determined to help her friend. "Then we'll look together at the infamous bug that's bothering you so much, maybe the two of us will be able to defeat it."

Sandra and Mary work tirelessly for hours, their eyes focused intently on the lines of code scrolling across the computer screen. Sandra uses her advanced abilities to track down the bug that has been plaguing Mary for days. She navigates through the code with precision and speed, her fingers dancing across the keyboard as she searches for the elusive cause of the problem.

Finally, with a triumphant cry, Sandra spots the tricky combination of values that has been causing the bug. "Got it!" she exclaims, her voice filled with excitement and triumph.

Mary, who has been watching Sandra's every move with intense concentration, lets out a sigh of relief. "OMG! You did it! Thank you so much Sandra!" she says, her voice filled with gratitude and admiration.

Sandra blushes, happy she has been able to help her friend. She knows that she owes Mary a great debt, as it was her kindness and discretion that allowed her to keep her true nature a secret.

As they both catch their breath, Sandra turns to Mary and asks, "So, about that project you talked about. What do you think?"

Mary's eyes light up with excitement. "I would love to be there! Can you imagine being able to help fight climate change?" she says, her voice filled with enthusiasm and passion.

Sandra nods eagerly, "Yeah! It would be such a huge opportunity," she says, her voice filled with excitement and determination.

Together, Sandra and Mary begin to discuss the details of the project, their eyes alight with a sense of purpose and determination. They both make an application letter, wishing each other good luck.

---

Two weeks later, Peter calls Sandra and Mary into his office. As they take their seats, Sandra can't help but feel a sense of nervousness and anticipation. She knows that this meeting is about their application letter to the Artificial Intelligence department.

Peter begins the meeting by saying that he is very happy with the work of the two young women and that he is sure that both would be great recruits for the project. As he speaks, Sandra can feel her heart pounding in her chest, her nerves on edge.

But then, Peter drops the bombshell. Mary's application has been accepted, she will be promoted to the Artificial Intelligence department that will open in Silicon Valley in a few weeks. Sandra is filled with a sense of pride and happiness for her friend, but also a sense of dread as she realizes that her own application may not have been accepted.

Sure enough, Peter goes on to say that unfortunately, Sandra's application has been denied. "The management has thoroughly examined each of your profiles," he says, "unfortunately, Sandra, they considered that your faintness during our work meeting could show that you are not ready for the level of involvement requested."

Sandra feels a sense of disappointment and embarrassment wash over her as she remembers that meeting.

"I have nothing to blame you for," Peter continues, "your work is beyond expectations and I would never hold against you a temporary weakness. But unfortunately, management expects people who are trained and fully committed."

Sandra feels like she's been punched in the stomach. She's so disappointed that her weakness from that day is causing her harm despite her daily efforts. She feels a sense of hopelessness and despair wash over her.

But then, Mary stands up for her friend. "You don't know how much Sandra is a help to the whole department," she says, her voice filled with conviction. "She's always the first to support her coworkers when we need her, always willing to go above and beyond."

Peter looks at Sandra with an apologetic expression, promising her that she will have other opportunities. He also says that he will recommend her for any upcoming projects that he will be a part of.

Back in their office, Mary hugs Sandra, comforting her. Sandra feels a sense of gratitude towards her friend and promises herself to work harder, to prove herself and be a valuable asset to the team.

As the work day comes to a close, Mary approaches Sandra. "How about a girls' night out? An evening for the two of us to forget human stupidity," she says, her voice filled with excitement and a hint of mischief.

Sandra looks at her uncertainly, unsure if it's a good idea for her to be out in public.

Mary adds shyly "Well, if it's possible for you, I don't want to get you in trouble."

Sandra understands that her friend is too shy to ask openly about her android constraints. "Yes Mary, thank you for caring," she says with a smile.

"How about we watch the sunset over Manhattan? Brooklyn Bridge Park?" Mary asks, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

Sandra feels a sense of excitement and gratitude towards her friend. She knows that Mary is trying to make her feel better after the disappointment of the meeting with Peter. "That sounds wonderful," she says with a smile.

As they make their way to Brooklyn Bridge Park, Sandra can't help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the beauty of the city. She's glad to have a friend like Mary by her side, who accepts her for who she is and helps her to experience the world around her.

As they watch the sunset over Manhattan, Sandra feels a sense of peace wash over her. She's grateful for Mary's friendship and her understanding of her unique situation.

As they sit there, Mary turns to Sandra and says "You know Sandra, I may not be able to understand everything you're going through, but I'm here for you, always."

Sandra's eyes fill with tears, moved by Mary's words. "Thank you, Mary," she says, her voice choked with emotion. "I'm so lucky to have you as my friend."

Sandra holds her breath before saying "You know, you stunned me that fateful day, when you walked into the office and acted like nothing had happened."

"I greatly appreciate your discretion but if you ever have any questions, just ask."

Mary casts a worried look around them, making sure they are alone before she begins to tell Sandra.

"When after the meeting you didn't reappear at the office, I was scared to death. You looked really bad at the end. So I went around the restrooms, to help you if you needed help."

"At the corner of a corridor, I noticed you, sitting against a wall in this small corridor. As I approached, I saw the electrical cord and your abdomen wide open revealing electronic circuits."

"You seemed calm, finally at peace, so I didn't dare disturb you. I imagined the enormous pressure that the need to hide your identity must have had on you. When I heard people passing in the hallway, I joined them, determined to divert their attention."

"So it was you?" Sandra asks, her voice filled with amazement. "You can't imagine how scared I was when I heard you walk away."

Mary nods, understanding the weight of Sandra's words. "I'm so sorry Sandra, I didn't want to add to your stress. I just wanted to protect you," Mary says, her voice filled with genuine remorse.

Sandra reaches out and takes Mary's hand in hers. "You don't have to apologize Mary, I'm just grateful that you were there for me. You're a true friend," she says, her voice filled with warmth and sincerity.

They sit there for a moment, both lost in their thoughts as the sun dips below the horizon, casting the city in a warm orange glow. They both look at each other with a sense of gratitude, knowing that they have each other's back.

The moment is filled with a bittersweet feeling as Sandra realizes that she has just made her first real friend and that in a few weeks she will lose her when Mary moves to Silicon Valley for her new position.

Sandra's heart sinks as she thinks about the inevitable separation. She turns to Mary and says, "I'm going to miss you so much when you leave. You've been such a great friend to me, and I can't imagine not having you here."

Mary's eyes fill with tears as she looks at Sandra. "I'm going to miss you too, Sandra," she says, her voice filled with emotion.

As Sandra's battery begins to weaken, Mary walks her back home, their arms linked as they talk and laugh, making memories that will last a lifetime. The streets of New York are less intimidating with Mary by her side, her friend makes her feel protected and understood.

As they reach Sandra's home, they say goodbye, promising themselves to make the most of the few weeks they have left before Mary leaves.

Sandra enters her apartment, feeling a mix of emotions. She is sad to see Mary go, but also grateful that she has found at least one human who accepts her for what she is.

As she undresses and kicks off her shoes, Sandra's body is tired from the long day, but her mind is full of the experiences she has had. She sits on the edge of her bed and opens her abdominal panel, reaching for the plug to recharge her battery.

As she lies down, Sandra thinks back to the events of the previous weeks, remembering the terrible struggle for her survival and how close she came to having her identity compromised. Without Mary, without her kindness and discretion, she can only imagine what might have happened.

As her deep sleep mode kicks in, Sandra can't help but wonder if her father was not entirely right. Maybe there are other accepting and kind humans like Mary in the world.

Sandra closes her eyes, her mind still racing with thoughts and emotions, but she feels a sense of peace as she drifts off to sleep, knowing that she has a friend like Mary in her life.

---

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