Awakening

[cgraven]

Closed for Caela and cgraven

Space the final frontier, which is how it has been described for centuries. It started back in the 20th century when man went to the moon, again in the 21st when Mars colony was founded, and then again in 24th century when man left his solar system to see what lay beyond his star. At each step machines had been the first explores, the pioneers that went in to the great unknown of the blackness that was space, the expendable pioneers for mankind. Yet the lag between initial exploration by them and the follow up by human astronauts had bogged down till exploration became a crawling endeavor.

Android Model: M 2460 was the latest prototype. Its build was humanoid, but unlike proceeding models the M 2460 was bio mechanical a hybrid with warm supple latex skin and was anatomically correct. The current thinking being the more human it appeared the better the human crew member would be able to relate to it. M 2460 was bald, its optics dark hazel, and it had been designed to represent a man in his early fifties to inspire confidence in its human counter part.

Recent advances in the quller drive system promised to make intergalactic travel feasible yet it was untried and highly experiential. The vast distances between the galaxies would make sending an unmanned probe impossible and it was felt that this first mission to the stars required a human as well as a mechanical crew. To that end project Geneses came into being. A program from the initial phases of development was a consorted effort to identify children of exceptional promise, to train them from their earliest years in the sciences that would give the mission its greatest chance of success. It had been decided that an individual past 25 years of age would not have either the life expectancy or the adaptability for intergalactic travel.

Dr. Mallory the head of the project had invited the three leading candidates to meet
M 2460, and to evaluate there reactions to the android . There was an antiseptic quality to the laboratory as the select group entered and Model: M 2460 was the predominate feature. It stood there with its eyes closed as if it where a man asleep waiting to be awaken. The final programming and protocols would have to wait till the candidate had been selected.

“Ladies and gentlemen this is android Model: M 2460 the latest in bio mechanical engineering and for one of you your companion on the greatest exploration leap in a hundred years.”

 

[caela]

“Ladies and gentlemen this is android Model: M 2460 the latest in bio mechanical engineering and for one of you your companion on the greatest exploration leap in a hundred years.”

Angelique had to fight the urge to roll her eyes at Dr. Mallory's comments. At 18 she was the youngest of the three candidates though the other two were only 19 and 21. They had all but grown up in the lab and Dr. Mallory was a sort of substitute parent for them with all the aggravations that entailed when dealing with young adults. Especially young adults who were smart enough to figure out all the angles of mischief - to minimize the trouble they'd get into - before causing it.

Reaching up she pushed her dark hair back from her face and smiled softly. She loved her hair. Thick and silky in hung just past her shoulder and had just enough wave to it to give it body and movement and was a black so dark it actually had blue highlights. It framed a face that was sweet and eyes that instead of being the dark brown that would be expected with her hair, were a startling shade of blue framed with long thick lashes. Full coral lips were usually smiling and her creamy skin always had a healthy glow to it. She wasn't as tall as Samantha who was 5'11 but her own 5'7 was repectable and John always told her she had killer legs and a great ass. He wasn't much of a breast man but he said her's were high and firm and looked like a perfect handful which had made her laugh.

The three of them got along wonderfully and if Dr. Mallory was a surogate parent they were each surogate siblings. They knew each other better than they knew their blood relatives. And now here they stood about to meet the one sure passanger on the ship that would carry one of them into space. Angelique couldn't help but wonder which of them was the frontrunner for it.

She laughed softly as Samantha approached the android. It was obvious she was uncomfortable with the android from the way she approached him even though he was sleeping. John was no better but that might have something to do with the android being anatomically correct and not clothed yet.

Moving forward she nudged both of them and grinned up at Sam, "Silly goose, he's sleeping he's not going to bite you." Reaching out she ran her fingertips lightly across the androids bald head and over his synthetic skin and let out a low whistle.

"Dr. Mallory, congratulate the scientist that designed and built him, the skin feels real and is actually warm! It's amazing really."

 

[cgraven]

Dr. Mallory watch the three candidates with a clinical eye. Who every he selected for the mission had to feel comfortable with Model: M 2460 for the would be together for at least five years if all went as they hoped.

Samantha at 21 was the oldest of the trio, strong and athletic and possessed of a strong analytical nature she approached Model: M 2460 hesitantly and with a marked distain all ready displaying an adult residence for things that did not fit in to he neatly organized analytical world. John who had a flare for the mechanical found the anatomically correct aspect of Model: M 2460 some how repulsive which was obvious by the way he approached the android. Yet it was Angelique who appeared to be festinated with M 2460, which mildly surprised Mallory.

Angelique was the youngest, a precocious young woman to say the least, who’s inquisitive young mind seemed captured by Model: M 2460. Reaching out she ran her fingertips lightly across the androids bald head and over his synthetic skin and let out a low whistle.

"Dr. Mallory, congratulate the scientist that designed and built him, the skin feels real and is actually warm! It's amazing really."

“It is a result of using compound Z 2016 the latest skin synthetic grafting material coupled with a capillary system to give M 2460 a more human feel.”

”Was that really necessary Dr. Mallory? I mean it comes close to violating the bands on cloning and the use of the Borgman technologies.”

It was Samantha’s analytical mind that saw immediately that Model: M 2460 push the boundaries of what science was allowed to do. The Borgman technologies had used human DNA coupled with bio mechanics to create an entity that was neither truly human, nor truly machine but a coupling of both, and had proven to be rather unstable emotionally. The cloning protocols had proven to be a failure in the mid 21st century. Though the clone resembled exactly the host it had none of the host memories, or ethical protocols and had led to a war where they tried to replace the host.

“I assure you Samantha that is not the case.”

“Does it come in a female variant doc?”

John was the most sexually active of the trio and had a flippant nature at ties that worried Mallory. He seemed to reduce everything to a joke.

“I am afraid not John.”

Dr. Mallory rolled his eyes in exasperation would John ever take anything seriously.

“M" I would like to introduce Samantha, John, and Angelique.”

Model: M 2460 eyes opened and he scanned the three young candidates each in turn.

“A pleasure to meet you”

His vocal synthesizer gave M 2460 a deep voice some where between a baritone and a base, a design feature to encourage confidence in him by his human counter part.

“Would you like to see his range of motion?”.

 

[caela]

Angelique laughed at Samantha's comment about the android pushing the boundries of what was legal and gave her friend a poke in the side, "Who cares if he pushes the limits Sam? He's not meant to stay here anyway. He's getting jettisoned into space with one of us and by the time we get back the protocols will like have changed and he'll be obsolete."

“Does it come in a female variant doc?”

"John, don't you think of anything but sex?!" Angelique rolled her eyes at her friend and gave him a playful punch in the shoulder while Dr. Mallory told him the android only came in the male varient they were looking at.

She was more interested in how the android would behave once he woke up. She knew that realistically he was actually an "it" but well it was hard to think of him that way when the designers had made him anatomically correct and made that correctness rather impressive. Of the three of them her experience was the most limited despite her being the more outgoing of the two girls. She'd only just come of age and well most of the guys she knew tended to look at her like a little sister which could be both annoying and helpful depending on the situation.

“M" I would like to introduce Samantha, John, and Angelique.”

Model: M 2460 eyes opened and he scanned the three young candidates each in turn.

“A pleasure to meet you”

"It's a pleasure to meet you M 2460," she said and stuck her hand out for the android to shake. He seemed to look at her in confusion for a moment and Angelique remembered that he wasn't fully configured yet. "It's a human custom M, we shake hands when we meet someone new," she explained and grinned when the android reached out and shook her hand.

“Would you like to see his range of motion?”.

John and Samantha started to nod their heads but she shot them both sharp glares and they stopped mid nod.

"Dr. Mallory, he's not a trained chimp. I'm sure if his designers can manage to make him warm and so...well human...in appearance that he has a full range of motion."

 

[cgraven]

Dr. Mallory watched intently the interactions between the trio of candidates not only with M 2460 but with each other. Samantha was standoffish analyzing everything to the point of being unimaginative. John as always treated everything as a joke, a defense mechanism he used when in any area where he felt inadequate or threatened. Yet it was Angelique’s reaction to M 2460 that most interested him. She had referred to the android as he and ”M” and had tried to engage
M 2460 in conversation. Of the three Angelique was the most accepting of “M” as an individual not just a machine.

Mallory found it a bit disconcerting as Angelique was the youngest of them all and her physic profile indicated submissive tendencies despite her apparent out going nature. She was extremely competent, dedicated, and accomplished and yet she was the most mischievous and childish of the three and that gave him cause for concern. Yet her youth and the long duration of the mission gave her an attractive edge.

“You will each spend a week in a simulation of the mission with M 2460 to evaluate how you interact, and how well you can work as a team. John you will be first, then Samantha, and finally Angelique.”

Dr. Mallory paused after each name he called watching for the most subtitle of reactions.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

The test where not going as Mallory had wished , during John simulation he all but ignored the android, yes they worked to solve each task, each emergency that the simulation program threw at them but it was patiently obvious that John was uncomfortable with M 2460. Samantha did better she at least did not shun M 2460 but she could not interact with the android on any level other than coldly analytical, in some respects she as more machine than M 2460. Though they handled all the simulations flawlessly Samantha never sought any input from the android .

Dr. Mallory was tiered and frustrate when Angelique’s turn came and doubted the concept of pairing an android such as M 2460 with a human counter part. He was shocked at the young woman’s appearance. The form fitting space suite clung to Angelique’s supple young body like a second skin and left noting to the imagination. He had always thought of her as a child, a very gifted child, and yet the space suit revealed that she was a rather stunning young beauty.

“Angelique how many times do I have to tell you to cut your hair. You can not have it that long you will not be able to quickly dawn your equipment in an emergency!”

As always she was pushing the rules right to the limits, and that was the reason she was still with the project she was a risk taker, willing to push her self to the limits and beyond if necessary.

“For the next week you will have only yourself and M 2460 to relie on, Good luck.”

“When Angelique entered the simulator M2460 was seated at the command console. And dressed as she was.”

 

[caela]

“Angelique how many times do I have to tell you to cut your hair. You can not have it that long you will not be able to quickly dawn your equipment in an emergency!”

Angelique laughed softly at the critique and leaned up to kiss Dr. Mallory's cheek like a daughter would kiss her father, "My, my aren't we cranky this morning. You know as well as I do that I can get my emergency gear on quicker than Samantha or John even with the hair."

She understood why he was cranky. John and Samantha had told her about their simulations and she knew that they both could have done better and that their responses to the android had to have been annoying the hell out of Dr. Mallory.

“For the next week you will have only yourself and M 2460 to relie on, Good luck.”

"Thanks Doc," she said with a grin and a wave before entering the simulator.

She found M2460 sitting at the command console and offered him a warm smile, "Good morning M."

* * *

The week flew by for Angelique. She'd gotten tired of saying M2460 all the time and quickly shortened the androids name to simply M and decided that she was going to ask Dr. Mallory to program him with an actual name. The emergencies that were thrown at them they handled well and she was delightfully surprised to find that M had already been programmed with all the knowledge she'd been taught over the years and then some so the android often had suggestions better than her own. Sometimes she used his ideas and sometimes she didn't but she liked that he was knowledgable enough to be able to do more than just take commands.

There was down time too and though she did often like to curl up in her bunk with a book at other times she wanted company and so she taught M to play cards and the few board games that were in the simulator. She also had him read the novels she wasn't working her way through so that they'd have more to talk about than just the simulated mission.

When the week was up and Dr. Mallory opened the simulator she offered him a grin as she hopped out, "Hey doc. Did you miss me while I was locked in the tube?" she asked playfully.

Linking her arm through his she turned him back toward the lab after waving goodbye to M. "Listen Dr. Mallory I know he's not fully configured yet but really...If one of us is going to have to spend five years with him he needs a few more things programmed into him." As she walked down the hall she chatted about the things she thought would make M a better partner for such a long journey. Knowledge of literature, philosophy, history, current events, politics, board games, card games etc. Things that would make him a good companion not just a good machine.

And a name. She emphasized that he would need a name to make it easier for his human partner to relate to him on a more human level instead of seeing him as just a fancy machine. Plus M2460 was just too much of a mouthful.

 

[cgraven]

"Hey doc. Did you miss me while I was locked in the tube?" she asked playfully.

Angelique had been the only candidate to interact with M2460 on any level other that that of the strict mission profile. Many of her solutions to the problems the simulator presented where intuitive, and she seemed to have no problem with accepting input from the android. He was amazed that she seemed to see M2460 as an equal and not just a machine. It did however cause him some concern when Angelique started alternating the android’s programming.

"Listen Dr. Mallory I know he's not fully configured yet but really...If one of us is going to have to spend five years with him he needs a few more things programmed into him."

Mallory was surprised at her request that M2460 be programmed with Knowledge of literature, philosophy, history, current events, politics, board games, and card games. His eyebrow arched when Angelique suggested that it be given a name.


“Young Lady you know very well that androids like M2460 are specifically not named it would be a violation of all existing protocols. Besides what would you give M as a name?”

Dr. Mallory was known to disregard protocols when it suited what he saw them over restrictive or posing a stumbling block to what he was trying to accomplish. He had already used the Borgman technologies in the creation of M2460 as well as aspects of certain cloning techniques both of which he saw as an unavoidable necessity if the mission was to succeed. He had discounted the concept that M2460 could develop and identity of its own.

Mallory stopped and turned to his young protégé

“Angelique what would you call him?”

He had already decided that her programming suggestions where viable and gave the mission a better chance of success.

 

[caela]

“Young Lady you know very well that androids like M2460 are specifically not named it would be a violation of all existing protocols. Besides what would you give M as a name?”

Angelique just paused for a moment, she could almost see the gears in Dr. Mallory's head turning as he thought over what she'd said and she knew when to keep her mouth shut. She had to fight to keep a small smirk off her face however, she could see that most of her suggestions went over well and if all she lost was the name issue well...well if she was chosen for the mission she could always name him herself once they were in space.

“Angelique what would you call him?”

"I've been calling him M so maybe something that starts with that. Maybe Matthew 2460? It gives him an actual name which makes him more approachable and keepd his mechanical designation but as more of a surname that can be dropped."

To her it was a logical compromise. Granted it wasn't exactly legal but like she'd told Samantha by the time they returned it was likely that most of those protocols would have changed and this android would be outdated. He was a masterpiece now however and as such she thought he deserved a name that would get him treated with some respect and ease by whomever was sent into space with him.

 

[cgraven]

“Matthew 2460! Impossible and you know it Angelique how dare you suggest such a thing!”

Dr. Mallory’s voice was stern he would do a lot to ensure the missions success but by blatantly naming an android would call undue attention to the project a scrutiny that he was not prepared for considering what he had already done. He considered the likely hood that M2460 would develop a unique personality and that the human DNA would mutate to create a new species was remote at best and highly improbable.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The committee had reached an impasse, John had been alimented as a perspective candidate early his obvious distrust and standoffish attitude for the android was the deciding factor..

Though Samantha’s reaction to M2460 was marginal at best, many members felt that her maturity was and out weighting factor, despite the fact that Angelique’s had the best simulation scores her youth was considered an negative factor.

“Gentlemen project Geneses has always seen that youth was a primary consideration for this mission not a limiting factor and Angelique is in my opinion the best qualified candidate.”

It was Dr. Mallory’s impassioned plea that finally tipped the scales in favor of the eighteen year old. The dissenting members of the committee still felt that eighteen was too young for the awesome responsibilities of the mission but grudgingly Yielded to Mallory as project director.

He typed the memo announcing the committee’s choice and posted it the following morning.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

April First dawn with the same red sun as always on Mars Colony and Dr. Mallory went over the mission’s protocols with Angelique.

“Remember Angelique that after you come out of stasis that if you feel the mission or that X 20118 is not in a condition to continue you are to return immediately. I do not want you taking any unnecessary risks. Young Lady!”

When she was strapped in to her command seat on X 20118 she hear the hatch being sealed this would be her world for the next five years if all went well. She had been allowed to bring certain personal items to decorate her quarters , giving them a personal touch a relief from the antiseptic environment of the space craft. M2460 was at its station for stellar navigation. As the count down began it signified the end of the life Angelique had known and a beginning of a future that none of them could know. The initial thrust pressed he back into her command seat rocketing her headlong into that unknown future.

After 12 hours of a seemingly endless series of check and counter check she was able to at last leave the command deck. Angelique would have the better part of two days to settle in as the X 20118 cleared the solar system on its solar pulse engines.

On her bunk lay an envelope address too her in Dr. Mallory’s hand. Instead of the normal computer generated correspondence that was prevalent which meant that there would be no record of what he had to say to her.

Angelique,

I have made the programming revisions that you requested to Matthew 2460.

Best of luck my dear and my thoughts are with you.

Mallory

 

[caela]

“Matthew 2460! Impossible and you know it Angelique how dare you suggest such a thing!”

Angelique just grinned and shrugged. She'd known Dr. Mallory long enough to see that even while he chastised her he was still considering her argument and that was good enough for her. Leaning up to kiss his cheek she grinned and ran off to her own room wanting to clean up and rest.

While the council was weighing it's decision all three of them waited in a state of anticipation. John was already certain he wouldn't be getting the post, he simply couldn't interact well with the android and he knew it. Still he waited just as impatiently as the girl to see which of them would get the post.

When at last Dr. Mallory posted it Angelique squealed with glee and hugged both her friends tightly. Samantha and John were disappointed but they were happy for her as well and that night they all went out to celebrate just as they'd always promised each other they would no matter who got the assignment.

* * *

The next few months were a blur as she was prepped for her mission. She was being sent to an outlying system and would spend most of the trip there in stasis. The android would take care of the daily running of the ship and only waken her in case of an emergency. She was to explore a planet that they thought was similar to Earth and might support a colony if there was no sentient life already inhabiting it.

When at last the day of the launch came she was nervous as hell and would probably have gone into a full blown panic attack if Dr. Mallory hadn't been around to keep her steady.

“Remember Angelique that after you come out of stasis that if you feel the mission or that X 20118 is not in a condition to continue you are to return immediately. I do not want you taking any unnecessary risks. Young Lady!”

His gruff manner more than anything put her at eas and she reached out to squeeze his hand warmly with her own, "Any problems with the ship or the planet and I swear we'll come straight home Dr. Mallory. I promise."

With that he was gone and she was left alone with just the android for company as the shuttle was launched. The first few hours were dull as they checked, re-checked, and checked again all the systems, making sure that everything was in place for the trip they were embarking on. Once they were given the green light she smiled warmly to M2460 and left him on the bridge while she went to set up her room and relax for a bit. She'd be awake for the next two days before going into stasis.

In her room she saw the note on her bed and smiled softly, a last comment from Dr. Mallory, no doubt reminding her to come home if there were problems. What she read surprised her: Angelique,

I have made the programming revisions that you requested to Matthew 2460.

Best of luck my dear and my thoughts are with you.

Mallory

She'd known he was making some of the changes she'd requested but apparently he'd made all of them including giving the android a name! She was thrilled and spun happily where she stood. Part of her hoped that the extra programming would serve to give Matthew a bit of a personality but even if it didn't he'd still be a better companion because of it. Not that she'd see him much considering she was supposed to spend 9 months in stasis. Still it would make the next two days more enjoyable.

Folding up the note she slid it into a drawer to keep and decided that she wanted a nap more than she wanted to set up her room and she crawled into bed with a happy smile on her face.

 

[cgraven]

Android Model: M 2460 bios mechanical synods fired its visual optics beheld four senescent life forms his programming recognized one as Dr. Mica Mallory male humanoid, the other three where unknown yet as he scanned them one was another male humanoid, and the remaining two where female humanoids. The scan reveled that they where all of a mature age of the species, but still very young.

“M" I would like to introduce Samantha, John, and Angelique.”

His programming collated each of the three humans with their designation as it evaluated their threat level and gave its programmed response “A pleasure to meet you”

"It's a pleasure to meet you M 2460," she said and stuck her hand out for the android to shake It's a human custom M, we shake hands when we meet someone new,"

The female designated as Angelique explained and grinned when the android reached out and shook her hand.

Each in turn it spent a week with. The first one was hostile but not aggressive so M2460 merely preformed its basic core functions to asset as required. The second, the older female required more but was aloof mechanical in nature. The third, the younger female, offered him a warm smile, "Good morning M.". It was required that M2460 engage the higher social aspects of its programming for human interphasing. Its self protect protocols went to warning level yellow when she tinkered with M2460 programming but did not go to red as it did not effect M2460 core directives.


The human Mallory, Mica, Dr. put M2460 into rest programming mode and when M2460 was reactivated he found that certain changes had been made to its programming and its designation had been changed to Matthew 246, and a new imperative to bond with the female designated Angelique for optimum mission success, an improved program of deductive reasoning, and a human emotional mimicking modular.

The launch sequence and system checks required only basic core responses which Matthew 246 performed well with in the specifications of its programming. The only sign or communications was warm smile that indicted pleasure when human designated Angelique left the bridge. Matthew 246 devoted his resources to the aspects of stellar navigation to the jump point where the quller drive system would be engaged.

 

[caela]

Angelique yawned and stretched on her bed as she woke from her nap. She felt much better now that she'd slept and she took some time to arrange her room. She hadn't brought much with her, a picture of herself, John, Samantha and Dr. Mallory, a few books, her own clothing and a blanket that her mother had made for her to take on her mission so she'd carry a bit of home with her. Once her things where set up as she wished she smiled softly. It was spartan in nature but it would do.

Changing from her flight suit and into a pair of jeans and a sweater she let her hair down before heading back up to the bridge where she found Matthew getting ready to engage the quller drive. A frisson of excitement ran up her spine and she moved in close to watch the display screens. She couldn't wait to see if the drive worked and her body was tense with anticipation.

Resting one hand on Matthew's shoulder she squeezed lightly as she watched him engage the drive and felt the surge as the ship lept forward. A delightled laugh filled the bridge as she clapped her hands and spun with joy, "It worked! Matthew it worked!" she cried before flinging her arms around him in a joyful hug.

"So, Dr. Mallory left me a note saying he'd made some of the modifications I suggested to your program, what do you think of them?" With the drive now engaged there was little for her to worry about. She'd remain awake for the next two days to make sure the drive was funtioning well and make any minor corrections that were needed but then she'd go into stasis for the next nine months until they reached their destination. Until then she wanted to get to know her companion and see what changes the doctor had truly made to him.

 

[cgraven]

The light touch of Angelique’s hand on its shoulder activated Matthew’s sensory synods and translated it as a feeling of affection or comradery and processed as the later rather then the former.

"It worked! Matthew it worked!" she cried before flinging her arms around him in a joyful hug.

Its new programming led the android to the correct evaluation that the hug was an express of joy at the successful engagement of th queller drive.

"So, Dr. Mallory left me a note saying he'd made some of the modifications I suggested to your program, what do you think of them?"

“I am still evaluating the changes Angelique but they seem quite suitable for the mission.”

His voice though more animated then before still had a sensitized quality to it. The androids fingers flew over the key pad as he made the final adjustments to the queller drives settings. When Mathew was satisfied that it was operating with in s design specifications he turned to scan Angelique. His recent programming brought a new perception of her to the Android. Her hair was long and black with shimmering blue highlights like a raven’s wing in flight her coral lips firm and ripe. Angelique breast where high and firm but not as full as the human unit Samantha’s nor was she as tall as the older human female unit. Her posterior was a gentle firm curve, and her legs strong and athletic with as supple sculptured look to them that was classically pleasing to the eye.

“May I ask you why you had my programming expanded to include the liberal arts, gaming, and my designation changed to Mathew 2460 Miss Angelique?”


The androids hazel eyes where now much more kike human eyes, and they had traveled boldly over the young woman’s body when her had scanned her.

 

[caela]

“May I ask you why you had my programming expanded to include the liberal arts, gaming, and my designation changed to Mathew 2460 Miss Angelique?”

Angelique smiled at the question, it showed curiosity and she hadn't realized that Dr. Mallory had programmed that into him. She also noted his eyes moving boldly over her and while the look wasn't exactly sexual she still blushed. She was used to men scanning Samantha not her. Shrugging off her embarassment she reminded herself that he was still getting used to her as much as she was getting used to him and likely the scan was just a part of that.

"I asked Dr. Mallory to change your programming because we're going to be together for a long time. Actually I asked him to do it before I was chosen for the mission but I knew that Sam and John weren't especially comfortable with you. I figured if you had more knowledge of human history and pasttimes and a real name that it would be easier on whoever was chosen for the mission to interact with you.

Also since you know how to play human games and have knowledge of the liberal arts it gives us things to discuss and do in our down time. Like now, we have two days before I go into stasis, if your programming only included running the ship you'd make a lousy companion. Humans need interaction with those around them and now your equipped for that. We could play cards or board games, I know I requested a full compliment of them, or we could just sit around and talk about almost anything."

Smiling softly she gave a low laugh as she realized she was rambling, "In case you haven't noticed you got stuck with the chatterbox of the group."

 

[cgraven]

I asked Dr. Mallory to change your programming because we're going to be together for a long time. Actually I asked him to do it before I was chosen for the mission but I knew that Sam and John weren't especially comfortable with you. I figured if you had more knowledge of human history and past times and a real name that it would be easier on whoever was chosen for the mission to interact with you……………

The android was rapidly processing the information, that the unit designated Angelique was providing. It was logical exercise that she be given mental simulation as well as physical exercise that the small gym of the X 20118 offered.

………………….. "In case you haven't noticed you got stuck with the chatterbox of the group."

Mathew’s new human emotional modular seemed to require that he smile at her last remark and he did.

“Most of the programming I have assimilated and it seems logical but I have noticed that the preferred way humans replicate themselves is through and activity called sex Miss Angelique. It seems to be exceedingly important to humans as I find numerous references to t in my new programming. It seems not only necessary for replication but also for bonding between humans. As I am programmed to bond with you will we be participating in this activity?”

 

[caela]

“Most of the programming I have assimilated and it seems logical but I have noticed that the preferred way humans replicate themselves is through and activity called sex Miss Angelique. It seems to be exceedingly important to humans as I find numerous references to it in my new programming. It seems not only necessary for replication but also for bonding between humans. As I am programmed to bond with you will we be participating in this activity?

The question made Angelique's flare wide and a deep blush colored her skin while for a moment she was utterly speechless. She hadn't even considered sex! Granted he was anatomically correct but she hadn't thought that they had built him THAT anatomically correct!

Finally finding her voice she simply stared at him, "I don't think so Matthew. Can you even have sex? What would you get out of it if you could? I mean humans don't just have sex to procreate, they do it for pleasure as well, can you even feel pleasure? Sorry, that was personal you don't have to answer."

She was flustered and it showed in the nervous way she twisted her hands and toyed with her hair. This was NOT a conversation she had anticipated having!

 

[cgraven]

"I don't think so Matthew. Can you even have sex? What would you get out of it if you could? I mean humans don't just have sex to procreate, they do it for pleasure as well, can you even feel pleasure? Sorry, that was personal you don't have to answer."

The android was also programmed to monitor his human counter part’s biological signs. Mathew registered the rapid increase in Angelique's heart beat , her rapid shallow breathing, the rise of her surface temperature in her cheeks and as it spread down her throat. All these changes where with in acceptable norms and consistent with mild to moderate exercise so he was not alarmed.

“My skin has sensory receptors that are very much like you nerves, and Dr. Mallory has given me a human emotions module, so I can perceive emotions feeling and sensations as humans do. Anatomically I am a human male, so if sensations, intellect, and emotions are what creates pleasure in humans then I would have to logically conclude yes I am. Does that give you cause for concern Miss Angelique?’

The young human surface temperature seemed to rise and her pale skin turned from crimson to scarlet as her heart rate increased again. Something in the androids new programming led him to find her reaction to his question quite pleasing.

 

[caela]

“My skin has sensory receptors that are very much like you nerves, and Dr. Mallory has given me a human emotions module, so I can perceive emotions feeling and sensations as humans do. Anatomically I am a human male, so if sensations, intellect, and emotions are what creates pleasure in humans then I would have to logically conclude yes I am. Does that give you cause for concern Miss Angelique?"

Her eyes went wide as he explained that some of Dr. Mallory's upgrades did indeed make it likely that he could gain pleasure from sex. She had to admit to being curious about just how much pleasure he could gain from it though. Could he, for instance, achieve some sort of orgasm or would it just be an endless stream of sensory input that never went anywhere. And though he was made anatomically correct did he even really know if he could grow hard as a normal human male? When she'd seen him in the lab he'd definatly been flaccid, had the scientists made his penis fully functional? And if so to what end? Androids weren't supposed to be used for sexual gratification though everyone knew there was a black market sale of sex bots.

As her mind flew along those lines her skin flushed and she could feel her pulse quicken, the possibilities were endless and she wondered if Dr. Mallory hadn't deliberatly put such knowledge into Matthew's head. God she hoped not! She didn't want Dr. Mallory thinking about her sex life.

Realizing he was waiting for an answer she laughed at herself softly and smiled sheepishly at him, "Sorry, I was off in my own little world. I guess it makes me more curious than concerned. I certainly hadn't expected you to have an interest in sex and there are other ways to bond Matthew."

 

[cgraven]

Realizing he was waiting for an answer she laughed at herself softly and smiled sheepishly at him.

"Sorry, I was off in my own little world. I guess it makes me more curious than concerned. I certainly hadn't expected you to have an interest in sex and there are other ways to bond Matthew."

“ As you wish Miss Angelique the form of our bonding has not been specified In the protocols of my core programming so the method is entirely yours.”

The young human female seemed to be relieved. The Android appeared to let the subject drop as the young human female bio read outs seemed to indicate the subject caused her some minor distress. Mathew 2460 could only override her command if Angelique’s decision would put the mission or the survivability of X 20118 in eminent danger. As with all androids he had been programmed with multiple layers of safe guards and fail safes. Mission success and X 20118 survivability which of course included Angelique where the triad that formed the bases of Mathews core program.

“I am intrigued that a significant portion of humanities history, literature, and art deal with either the sexual or the erotic Miss Angelique it seems to be a core component of humans.”

 

[caela]

“ As you wish Miss Angelique the form of our bonding has not been specified In the protocols of my core programming so the method is entirely yours.”

Angelique breathed a sigh of relief and offered him a gentle smile thinking that would be the end of the subject. She didn't know why he seemed so curious about sex but since he seemed to agree with her that it wasn't necessary she saw that as the end of the discussion.

"Please Matthew, there's no need to call me 'Miss', Angelique or even Angel is just fine. We're going to be out here a long time, there's no need for formality between us."

She wasn't quite sure what to talk about now and got nervous again. What exactly was a good follow up topic when you'd just shot down an androids off of sex? She didn't have to think long as it seemed Matthew wasn't quite as done as she thought with the subject of sex.

“I am intrigued that a significant portion of humanities history, literature, and art deal with either the sexual or the erotic Miss Angelique it seems to be a core component of humans.”

Damnit she was blushing again!

"Well yes it is. As you said, sex is how we procreate, thus it's an integral part of who we are. Unlike most animals however humans don't HAVE to engage in sex if we choose not to. Our drives are strong but not an imperitive that can't be denied and we express those urges in a variety of ways as you've noticed. "

 

[cgraven]

Se was blushing again!

"Well yes it is. As you said, sex is how we procreate, thus it's an integral part of who we are. Unlike most animals however humans don't HAVE to engage in sex if we choose not to. Our drives are strong but not an imperative that can't be denied and we express those urges in a variety of ways as you've noticed. "

“Ah I see so sexuality and the erotic for humans is a means of exploring each other much as we are exploring the recesses of space.”

Mathew 2460 stored for later cooperation the concepts of bonding, sexuality, the erotic, and exploration for later research and collation as how they might pertain to the mission he and the young human where assigned. He it was a new concept for the android as a way of describing him self a human description and it was intriguing as if there where little or no differences between androids and humans. his new programming and in particular the human emotion module had cr3eated an ability in Mathew 2460 to engage in deductive reasoning, and the formulation of abstract thought.

“Angelique I appear in form human like you, do you see me as a machine or as a type of human?”

 

[caela]

“Angelique I appear in form human like you, do you see me as a machine or as a type of human?”

Thank god he'd stopped talking about sex! She was definatly not the right person to teach him about it. Hell she'd only had sex once and the experience had been embarassing more than pleasurable. She always wondered if that wasn't because they'd both been virgins and had promised herself that her next experience would be with someone who knew what they were doing. Then she'd gotten chosen for the mission and figured she would be putting off her own sexual awakening for a few years.

Thinking over his question she looked at him for a moment before answering, "Neither actually. You're not human but you're not really just a machine either since you have biological componants. You're unique and I just think of you as Matthew."

She wasn't sure if what she said would make sense to him...hell it didn't make a lot of sense to her really...but she'd tried to explain it as well as she could. She hadn't really thought about how she looked at him until he asked. She simply took it for granted that he was, that he would be there with her on this mission and that he wasn't really human didn't bother her so she didn't bother to wonder about what sort of label to put on him.

 

[cgraven]

"Neither actually. You're not human but you're not really just a machine either since you have biological components. You're unique and I just think of you as Matthew."

Neither a term meaning not belonging to either. Mathew 2460 field that away as well for further evaluation, if he where not human, and he was not a machine then what exactly was he, what was his purpose, and where there other of his kind.

“Angelique if my form is human, but some of my components are mechanical but I am neither human nor machine wholly than what am I and are there others like me?”

The concept that Mathew 2460 was a singularity a unique species of one was a concept that both intrigued his logical thinking, but terrified his emotion programming for a singular of any thing was doomed for it could not reproduce.

 

[caela]

“Angelique if my form is human, but some of my components are mechanical but I am neither human nor machine wholly than what am I and are there others like me?”

Angelique thought again for a moment, her eyes roaming clinically over him as she thought on his question. What was he? He was more than just a simple android for they were fully mechanical but he wasn't human either. Sighing softly she answered at last, "I don't know really Matthew. I'd say you're a sort of hybrid, a blending of both human and machine.

I don't know if there are others like you or not to be honest. It seems logical that there are although legally even you shouldn't be here. Dr. Mallory tweaked a few laws to have you built so it's logical to think that others have done the same. Even if you are unique now with the advances being made in the field of robotics each year it's likely that by the time we get back you won't be."

Glancing at the monitors she sighed softly as she watched them telling her that Earth was growing further and further away. "Out here though it doesn't matter. We're both unique here Matthew because there's not another of our kind with us so we have only each other for company."

 

[cgraven]

I don't know if there are others like you or not to be honest. Glancing at the monitors she sighed softly as she watched them telling her that Earth was growing further and further away.

"Out here though it doesn't matter. We're both unique here Matthew because there's not another of our kind with us so we have only each other for company."


A yellow flashing warning light indicated that the queller drive was approaching a dangers power out put level and put an end to their philosophical discussion. Mathew 2460 made the adjustments to the power relay couplers adjusted the anti matter containment feel and the power out put returned to the green range. It was paramount that the queller drive operate within narrowly defined parameters of power out put or the power surge could result in the X 20118 over shooting its designation by several hundred light years and placing the craft and its crew in an uncharted region of space with no way back home.

“Angelique Anti matter containment field stable power out puts within acceptable permaiters.”