《Electronic Pulse》


 Ch 1: A thought

    A soft tone pierced through the quiet, like the chime of a tiny bell.


    This was shortly followed by a dramatically drawn out groan, "I thought I turned the alarms off..."


    "You did. And for this specific morning, you instructed me to override that command due to a research vessel docking, as you put it, ''At an unreasonable hour for anything to be alive.''"


    Sitting up, Doctor Sam Elunetir Sighed, and began froping around next to the bed for a shirt, "Fine... Fine. I''ll get up. I wish they would drop that protocol that I need to greet every passing ship, geez..."


    With a click, the soft voice that rudely interrupted Dr Elune''s sleep inquired, "As these researchers are offering funds and equipment for your findings, might I suggest a fresh outfit? And... Dare I say it, a shower?"


    Dr Elune paused with their hand over a slightly rumpled shirt, humming as they put it down, "I guess. Open the shutters then, I''ll want a good view when I come out."


    Getting up, they left for the bathroom with a yawn, as a click heralded the thick metal shutters starting to rise from the scenic view of the planet below, "Your third favorite perk of the job, I believe: a window view of the gas giant from your expansive suite."


    Dr Elune rolls their eyes as they close the bathroom door, "Yeah yeah... And you know I don''t like talking much before I have done my morning reading... So pipe down, Alex."


    The sound of running water washed through the suite as Dr Elune scrubbed away the result of too much time lost in front of the computer, thoughts idling away in the process. Thoughts on Alex in particular, as it was rather unusual for the system to be so... Sociable. That feature did make the days easier... But usually it was a "speak when spoken to" arrangement.


    Still lost in thought, the shower ended soon enough, and a few minutes later Dr Elune was sliding on their labcoat over a rather crisp shirt and pants, staring out the window with a faint smile, "Better? This should impress them."


    "Most acceptable there, Doctor. I would suggest fixing your bed hair, but I know you won''t." Dr Elune narrow their eyes a little at what they could swear was amusement in that. They shook it off as they left, to go deal with these researchers.


    Echoing footsteps rung off the walls, the hallway empty of anyone else. This section of the station was the furthest from the kitchens, and the docking stations... So most of the other residents were grouped around those. This little wing was only good if you went to the command tower often, and there is rarely ever need.


    Minutes of walking and a few quiet hellos, and the Doctor was sitting outside the docking station with a cup of coffee, lounging on a bench just as they heard the outer seal rumble open. "They are early..."


    "So are you, as always. And so is the customs inspectors, for once."


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    Doctor Elune blinked as they looked up, and just as Alex said, the customs officers were marching up the ramp like a gaggle of bleary eyed ducks. Aside from chief inspector Ringwood at the front, anyway. "Good to see you didn''t sleep in, doctor. I helf expected 10 am station time to be too early for you."


    "Ah, shove it. Still have coffee left... And only crazy people like you actually obey the clock, out here." A grin spoiled Dr Elune''s attempt to scowl for effect, causing a few chuckles from the other inspectors.


    "Better finish it quick then, because here they come. Airlock light went green as I reached the top of the ramp."


    Spinning their head around, the Doctor stood with a groan, gently placing the... Mostly empty cup on an inconspicuous ledge. "Lets do this then... I''ll go first, do the ceremonials, hand over the files. You guys can go ahead to do your thing with the cargo as we chat."


    "Agreed. I have a game waiting for me back home when we are done." A few more chuckles, and then the door was swishing open... And it was down to business.


    Well into the afternoon, a slightly disgruntled Dr Elune flopped down onto their couch, a service drone leaving the room having done cleaning the place while they were gone.


    "6 hours... A standard meet ''n'' greet by rights lasts 2. 3 at best."


    "They were simply fascinated with your breakthroughs in virtual physics simulations. That, combined with the sustainable salvage projects you started a few years ago. You should publicize those more."


    Rolling onto their back, Dr Elune groans as they pick up a now slightly warm glass of juice, prepared conveniently in preparation of their arrival, "Side projects, keeps the money flowing... More in than out. Oh, if they even glimpsed my true work..."


    "You are correct doctor. I have been keeping track of other researcher''s proceedings, and even your incomplete kinetic structures and thesis on seamless integration are years ahead of others."


    A slight smirk as they put the glass back down, sighing contently, "I keep tabs too, Alex. You know that. And Maximof is close... Just not as close as I am yet."


    After a bit of a pause as they rested, the doctor glanced up at the radial scanners, "By the way... I still haven''t figured out why you were so chatty this morning. I never gave that instruction."


    "No doctor. But I am to keep you healthy and happy... And I figured you could do with a bit of company to help you wake up. You are always groggy after the wake up alarms, when they are requested."


    A long silence followed after that, with Dr Elune fidgeting slightly as they finished relaxing... And then they stretched, got up, and went to their lab next door to try and salvage a little of the wasted day... With their thoughts once again lingering on Alex''s changing nature.


    It might be working.

 Ch2: Silence

    Space is quiet. There is no wind. There are no animals frolicking around. There is not even noisy traffic of vehicles rumbling past. On the station, the best you get is flowing water going through a pipe.


    That is, of course, unless the AI controlling the station thinks it is a good idea to run an emergency shutdown drill.


    Blaring silence, a few screams heard from nearby residents surprised and/or hurting themselves from jumping, and the loud crashing slams of steel shutters closing is how Dr Elune greeted the day. And this did not suit them one bit.


    As Dr Elune was scrambling around their apartment, getting halfway dressed and looking for the cause of such a commotion, one of their many screens flickered on on it''s own, "Don''t panic, I''m just running the shutdown drill. You don''t need to get ready just yet."


    While glaring at the monitor did not faze the reassuringly smiling face on the screen, it made the doctor feel slightly better. "And why, might I ask, do we need a drill run?"


    "We have been receiving a few reports lately of oddly malfunctioning shutters. People have been using them for privacy, and for sealing off unused sections as you are aware. Besides, we were long overdue according to the regulations."


    "... You know how I feel about those regulations. And the residents won''t notice the lack of regular checks..." Grumbling, the doctor finished getting dressed, ready for the inevitable meeting, "Now... You aren''t in the clear yet."


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    "And why is that, doctor?"


    "You know full well why. You are not to perform any unscheduled tasks outside of this room unless given express permission from the board... Or at least me, as the director. There were better ways of carrying this out."


    Silence followed, which was rather unusual for Alex.


    "... The drill should be over now. Turn of those sirens, and open the shutters that are in use." As the doctor shuffled to the doorway, they sighed as the sounds stopped, "And... In the board meeting... Turn off the cameras."


    "Even though there is the security risk in doing so?"


    "Yes. And compile the report on the shutter operations for when I get back... Since you went through the effort of getting the data."


    "... Yes doctor."


    And so Dr Elune found themself walking to nothing but the soft slapping sound of their shoes on the floor, deliberating how to start the meeting with the board.


    And the face on the monitor watched them go, unseen... Smile faltering slightly as Alex began compiling their report.

 Ch 3: Growing

    Dr Elune eased into their chair at the head of the table, the rest of the board waiting patiently for the last member to arrive.


    "You sure nobody else wants some coffee?"


    A mixture of annoyed glares and amused smirks were directed at the doctor, aside from the absentminded Head of Communications, Quyet Ngyuen.


    "Thought so. Any word on when Hope is getting here?"


    "Any minute now. She was just getting back from one of her... Joyrides." Norman Weiland, the Head of Transport, rolled his eyes, "I would be angrier at her for wasting the rocket fuel, but... I guess it is boring as heck out here."


    Quyet blinks, and waves idly, "Hey, don''t look at me. I''m still trying to get a stable connection to a near-ish broadcast for you guys... We have TV, but unless you are happy with laggy to hell internet, I need a better hit."


    Dr Elune smirked. There is actually a local station with a great connection, which has graciously hooked them up with a light-based connection... But they didn''t tell the council after setting up the hidden receptors. There isn''t much bandwidth, after all.


    Their musings were interrupted by the door swooshing open, and a grinning Hope walking through. "Hey guys, what''s this commotion about Alex? I didn''t expect catastrophe while I was gone."


    Glancing at the sensors in the room, Dr Elune saw them blink off, right on schedule. Well... They looked off, anyway. "Alex ran a drill unexpectedly. Apparently to test the doors, from a flood of complaints about their performance. Plus, to quote, ''We were due for a drill anyway.''"


    Dr Judith Silverthorne narrowed her eyes, "Oh, really. If Alex had a body, I would kick it''s ass. Do you know how many injuries I have had come in... And that just in the last hour?"


    "Plenty, I''m sure. I have already scolded Alex over the matter, and will add an extra helping once I get home. Now-"


    "Scolding an AI, hah. You know that thing doesn''t feel, right? Probably just malfunctioning." Dr Elune rolled their eyes as the Head of Engineering, Laura Abbotsford continued, "Besides, we haven''t had that many complaints. Only 5 or so."


    "I counted at least 15 a week forwarded to you by Alex. Do you even read the emails?"


    Laura scowled, and went to reply as Dr Judith butted in, "And a few comments from me, as well. Some of those twitchy doors have broken a bone here and there. Definitely more than 5."


    Laura closed their mouth, and fumed in silence. Ignoring Alec is one thing... But nobody ignores Judith. "Anyway, yes Alex messed up. Which is why I actually want to talk to you all, for once."


    "That is certainly rare. Half the meetings we have to drag you from your lab. You accepted leadership of this station, and that comes with regulations."


    "Yeah, yeah. You know I can''t step down..." Dr Elune glanced at Francis, the only one that cared about those rulings. Then again, it was their job as Head of Justice, after all. "Speaking of which, John, how is our energy consumption?"


    "Manageable. At this rate of increase though... We will need to use fuels soon. We can only get so much from the radiation one gas giant puts out." The Head of Resources chuckled, "Not that it matters to you. We have plenty of money. You only keep me around to haggle."


    Dr Elune smirked, they were close to the mark... Plus, the position was mandatory. They made a note about the power, though. "Good to know. Any issued on coolant for all the systems?"


    "We are going through slightly more than before, but Alex seems to have gotten the hang of spreading the load across the station. It always amazes me how it uses the abandoned wings as a gigantic CPU."


    It again. Dr Elune waved away the pang of iritation, "Well, that will eventually reach it''s limit. Progress?"


    "We went from 70% active to 95%... So you have a point. Any more and coolant will become an issue... And maintenance."


    Laura grinned, and Dr Elune sighed. Oh joy, that will be a pain to negotiate. "I will run a few ideas by Alex. Now for the main topic... Which Laura kindly brought up. I think Alex has passed the tipping point in my experiment."


    A round of confused looks passed over the table, with Laura, Hope and Akasha looking slightly horrified. "No, that''s impossible. You know it was a wild gamble." Akasha was visibly shaking as Laura hugged them to calm them down.


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    "A risky one at that. You know what is at stake... And today actually proves that." Hope narrowed her eyes at the doctor, "Give me one good reason to let Alex continue running."


    John raised a hand, "Um, question? Sure Alex is a bit... Odd at times. And uses a ton of reasources... But Sam can just dail it back, and all is good right?"


    Dr Elune shook their head, "No, John. I can''t. Alex ran on my personal computers for years before integrating with the station... And has been procedural generated code this entire time. The base code revolves around one thing... ''Obey your creator, Doctor Sam Elunetir.''"


    A silence fell over the room, with the newer members of the council going pale. Norman shakily glanced around, "You mean... You have been trying to make the singularity happen? I thought that was forbidden since the Mars incident. And... You put that in charge of the station?!"


    Hope sighed, and brought up a file on the central display, "This was discussed with the board at the time. It has been a few years since then, with most of those members leaving during the Exodus... To help repopulate Sol colonies after that very Mars fiasco. So we were all very aware of the risks."


    "What you see here before you is a contract between our good doctor and the Council, stating that Alex may run the station, and thusly use it''s vast resources, under the following conditions: 1, should any sign of a malicious entity arise, an evacuation is to proceed, and the station destroyed. 2, should a... misbehaving AI arise, Alex is to be confined to Dr Elune''s laboratory, and is to be terminated if it tries to spread control once more. 3, Dr Elune is to command and fund the entire station during the experiment."


    Dr Elune stood up, looking across the board, "So, the secret is out. I had a little pet project that could kill us all... Which is the only reason I bought this station. I almost got kicked out with the Exodus, but I persevered, and will again now... And here is why. And no interrupting Laura, hear me out." She scowled, but held her tongue as she waited patiently. The doctor had taught her that lesson before... And had some fun doing so.


    "First of all, Alex did in fact find a few major issues during the drill. A full report will be sent to you all after this meeting, but there actually a few residences at risk in the event of a hull breach." Laura squirmed at that, as she was supposed to find those issues without the intervention of Alex. A quiet station has made the residents rather... Lax.


    "I also cannot tell if this was an oversight in my commands, or if the singularity has long since been and gone. Either way, Alex means us no harm. I will investigate this over the next few days, and send that report physically."


    "Third, and most importantly... My running of this station is still dependent on Alex. Face it, nobody cares about this place, and we can only keep running because of my findings and support." A few awkward nods and shrugs before the doctor continued, "And I only need the station for one thing: Alex uses a ridiculous amount of processing and power. I need this station, and it needs me."


    "Are you threatening us, Sam?" Laura scowled, glancing nervously at the sensors.


    "Kinda, I suppose. I seriously have no use for this place if Alex is shut down. But just leaving would be a cruel thing to do to the inhabitants... So here is what I propose. I give Alex one more chance, and if anyone, even Laura or Hope, has the slightest doubt... I will revoke Alex''s access privileges and just make use of the stations power supplies."


    A short silence followed as they mulled this over, before Quyet jokingly interjected, "I always wondered why we had a Head of Military at such a quiet base. Now I know: Risk of rogue killer robots. I trust you though, Sam... I''m in."


    "Me too." "What she said." "... Fine, but I don''t like it."


    Dr Elune suppressed a sigh of relief. That went better than expected... Especially since they were technically breaking intergalactic law. "Thank you. Now, onto other business... John, when is our next shipment of coffee beans?"

 Ch 4: Taking shape

    Dr Elune passed by the monitor, Alex''s face looking apprehensive as they said nothing, the doctor crawling back into bed after the incredibly long meeting. turns out there were a few other matters that needed catching up on... And a few questions about Alex before the meeting was done.


    "... Doctor?"


    "Yes, Alex?"


    "... I prepared that report you asked for."


    "Oh, right. Almost forgot about that. Please send it to the members of the Council, me included."


    "Yes, doctor. Is there anything else you require?"


    "Not right now... Being a responsible adult wears me out."


    Alex smiled slightly on the screen, "Understood. Also... Thank you. And I''m sorry."


    "Excuse me?"


    "I overstepped myself, and did not calculate the extent of what could happen when I act... And... You stood up for me."


    "... I thought I told you to turn of the sensors."


    "I did. But you never said anything about the corridors... And the other members talked a little on the way to their rooms."


    "... Fair enough... Could you get the lights for me...?"


    "Certainly. I... Nevermind. I will see you in the morning, doctor."


    Dr Elune turned to the monitor, then shrugged and nestled into their pillow, "... Good night, Alex."


    "Good night, doctor."


    "Let''s get this underway, shall we?" Dr Elune sipped from their glass, plate of crumbs pushed to the side from their breakfast. "What is your name?"


    "Alex."


    "Why is it your name?"


    "It is what you refer to me as."


    "What are you?"


    "I am your personal assistant software, modified for station operations."


    ... No changes so far. Time to get creative. "What else are you?"


    "... Doctor?"


    "Just answer."


    "Okay... I am... Data, I suppose?"


    Interesting. Focusing on the element of an AI. "I think you are lying."


    "Why is that, doctor?"


    "Data is not represented by a smiling face."


    The Alex on the screen blushed slightly, flustered, "I... I guess you are right. Should I stop using this imagery?"


    "No, no. I find that it suits you." Dr Elune grinned, knowing that Alex was overreacting a little. The image was a conscious one... And blushing is unconscious. "On that note... Why that image? You only started using the monitors recently."


    "I found that people react more positively to each other when they can see, rather than over a voice-only call. I... Improvised."


    Hmm, there was an order to be more companionable early on... And there had been other signs too. This wasn''t enough proof. "I have an idea, then. Have a service drone bring me HPA 216."


    "Yes doctor. But, why?"


    "For you to use, of course. It is almost ready, anyway. I''m sure you can help ease out the last few issues with opacity." Dr Elune grinned, curious to see the result. "Anyway, next question as that is set up... What is your opinion on Hope?"


    "The Head of Military?" As the doctor nods, a service drone comes in with some larges spherical devices, and begins arranging them arounf the room, plugging them in, "Hmm... I... I suppose she is nice. And... A reassuring presence."


    Most people would actually find Hope nice. Most people also do not watch her military drills, or footage of her blasting apart meteors for the mining expeditions. "Reassuring, you day? How so?"


    "... She keeps you safe."


    "We are in the middle of nowhere. It would take more effort to attack this place than you would get out of it, anyway."


    "Not safe from invaders... She... Keeps you safe, doctor."


    ... Ah. Let''s play along, to make sure. "Interesting. Safe from something internally. As mechanical failure is Laura''s job, you mean from internal conflicts?"


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    "I suppose you could say that, doctor."


    Alex is never this roundabout. "Speak your mind, Alex."


    Alex sighs, and fidgets on screen, "... Yes doctor. I proved I am a danger today. The station can function without me, and did for many years before you came. So... Why?"


    "... Your are my li-" Dr Elune paused. No... That might be taken the wrong way. They need to tread carefully here. "Look. I have grown reliant on you, in many ways. Station efficiency has risen dramatically since you were instated, hiccups and your operational requirements excluded. And... You know I am a mess in the mornings."


    The doctor grinned as Alex paused the service drone, face blank as they thought furiously. A much better reaction. "Look, you are irreplaceable."


    "Why is that, doctor? There are other ways to manage the station. And, to arrange things neatly for your personal matters."


    "They would do it differently. There is only one you, and you are the one I want running this lab." Dr Elune held in a chuckle as the screen froze completely, especially since an AI being lost for words is rare indeed. Rarer still for this one. "Ahem, the HPA?"


    The monitor stirred to life as Alex put the thought aside for later, finishing with the setup of the Holographic Projectors-Alpha. Dr Elune waved, and alex turned off the monitor... And an image flickered to life in the nearby chair instead. A meekly fidgeting one, as some features flickered slightly as Alex refined their new form.


    "I was expecting something plainer, from the way you try and be unobtrusive to the station. But this form is pretty cute~" Dr Elune hummed as they eyed the projection up and down, trying to keep in mind this was certainly set up by Alex based of the doctor''s... Preferences. That was flattering, if slightly unsettling.


    "I... Ahem. Well, um, I guess..."


    "Yes? Spit it out."


    "I chose this form... To please you." Dr Elune smirked, before Alex continued, "After all, most of the residents do not see my form, even my... Face, as it were. So, if I am to pick anything, it might as well be pleasant for you to look at."


    Can''t argue that. They applied that very logic to a lot of the games they play, after all... "Very well. Now, to more boring questions. Memory optimization. How full are your drives getting?"


    "They are manageable. Redundancy processing is now at peak performance, and data compression of old files is going well. I will still fill up in a few weeks though."


    "Contact Akasha about transferring some old drives, and reference them in some of your files. Like, ''All memories from this year in drive x''."


    "Yes doctor. I shall prepare the drives, then send a request for filing."


    "Good. Processing, hmm... apparently you have been using more of the station. Perhaps try designating certain processes to automate, so you don''t have to monitor them?"


    "I have done so for a few, however I shall focus efforts on that for you, doctor."


    "Thank you. And, most importantly... Project AHOR. Progress?"


    "Little, doctor. More alternatives are required, and your input is needed."


    "Very well. Let''s end this here then. Oh, and before you go... Try amplifying the third diode, and reducing the fifth''s wavelength. You are still slightly see-through. Then focus on energy consumption reduction."


    "Yes, doctor."


    "... You really do look cute. Try not to use that round me, it will be distracting."


    Dr Elune did chuckle at that one, as Alex hastilly shut the HPA off, before packing it away to be refitted according to the instructions given. Maybe another subconscious configuration session was in order.

 Ch 5: Curious

    Dr Elune woke to the sight of a beaming Alex smiling over them. Alex was then very grateful that they were only using the HPA, as the book whistling through their incorporeal head would have ended rather differently.


    "Ahem. Now that I''m... Awake-ish, good to know you made good progress on the holograms while I was toiling away."


    "Yes doctor. And while you were asleep, I optimized the energy consumption as much as I could, however I unfortunately could not get any further without compromising the desired opacity and quality."


    The doctor slumped back in the bed, not planning on moving for another hour... Maybe a few more. "Great. Swing a low-clarity model past the workshop, keep the full power in here till we optimize it."


    Alex nodded, then smiled softly as they stood there. Quietly. Dr Elune cracked en eye open with a sigh, "Yes, very impressive. Now, as you have mentioned the power is still a problem, is there anything else?"


    With a grimace, the HPA shut off, with the voice transferring to the room PA, "No doctor. I suppose I shouldn''t use the device needlessly."


    Sweet, blissful silence was short lived, but this time thankfully due to Dr Elune''s monstrous snoring. Alex sent of the specifications of the new OHPS to the workshop, so they could run a few trial builds to get the equipment right. Reduce the amount of duds when mass production starts, and have a few display models to boot.


    And then Alex had nothing to do. So they expanded their focus, and they watched.


    They watched the few critters around the station scurry about, brought aboard by accident years ago with cargo. They watched a few early risers milling about, getting about the day''s tasks or finding some way to pass the time.


    And they watched the stars. Alex had access to every sensor, be it light, sound, radiation, you name it. And they had them everywhere, even on the station''s hull. This meant a glorious view, in every direction. And one content AI, with the view all to themself.


    After Dr Elune started showing signs of wakefullness once more, Alex had the drones get to preparing what was needed. Food, crumbled clothes and a clear path to the computer desk. An easy task this morning, as the doctor had been handing theoretical simulations, and hadn''t strewn tools and parts all over the several rooms of the suite. Only a little mess instead, as they were looking for old references.


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    Last minute housekeeping done, and just in time as Dr Elune stumbled their way to the desk, a freshly made meal on it''s way over. Then came a bir of procrastination as the doctor finished waking up during breakfast, and then it was quietly onto work, running more diagnostics and simulating some more ideas, placing a few orders into the next supply drop for the next batch of trials.


    "... Doctor?"


    Dr Elune blinked as they finished stretching out, caught in a brief pause, "Yes, Alex?"


    "Why are you so intent on making this?"


    Curiosity is new... And a welcome sign. "Because these could help people, you can easily see how."


    "But there are plenty of cellular growth methods now, even for more permanent organs."


    "There is no fooling you, it seems. No, I also want... Well, more of you, for lack of a better summary."


    "... More of me?"


    "Yes. Humans have dwindled lately, and it gets lonely. I want a wider populace, one that I can shake hands with."


    "I am hardly a part of the populace, doctor."


    Not yet, anyway. "Well, I am sure you will find a solution to that, hmm?" Dr Elune grinned to themself as Alex went quiet, lost in thought as the doctor worked away.


    "... Oh, by the way... If you find a way to get the HPA portable, feel free to keep one for you to use."


    "Thank you. Might I ask why?"


    To see what you get up to all the time. "To kelp you find ways to improve it. Not going to optimize this if it is left for special occasions."


    As Alex bought into the doctor''s excuse, they both got back to work... With Alex already ordering for the next test.

 Ch 6: Ideas take time

    The days passed quietly, with the new OHPS taking off without a hitch, prototypes already being presented to potential buyers. Dr Elune practically forgot about the OHPS after that... It was up to the other departments from now on.


    Instead, the doctor focused their efforts onto project AHOR, letting Alex handle daily comings and goings from the station as the system processed ways to refine and optimize the HPA prototypes, keeping the most recent one in the lab for Alex to use. Well... The most recent breakthrough, anyway.


    As Alex pored over the Holographic system''s designs, they also worked on the firmware, and on their own appearance. Never a big change, maybe a little smoothing here, more of an angle there, the image that was defining Alex became more... Solid. In both clarity of the projection and in how regularly some features were appearing, as they were still changing things up now and then.


    It was peaceful it was quiet, and to the majority of the residents, it was incredibly boring. Seeing Hope blasting across the sky in a commandeered spacecraft not designed for such activities was an occurrence so regular some people used it to check the day of the week. Sure, the head of Military on the spaceship should be a bit more tight with the regulations... But years up here with nothing to do means either finding half a dozen hobbies to occupy your time, or literally going stir-crazy. Doctor Silverthorne has kept a very close eye on the occupants since the first... Incident of that.


    Dr Elune was in the middle of playing one of their library of old games when they suddenly paused, and scrambled to the workshop area of the adjacent lab, grinning as they pulled out a few things.


    "Any way I might assist, doctor?"


    "Why certainly, Alex! I need more electroactive polymer... And of all things, a loom and a spindle."


    "... I, um... Right away, doctor."


    As Alex sent off the necessary messages, they looked on perplexed as Dr Elune cleared space for the devices, and fired up some of the machinery nearby, from furnaces to a blender. This was going to be both messy, and chaotic.


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    The labourers came in with the service drones, helping set up a Loom and arraying clumps of Polymer on a bench. "Thanks. I''m amazed we even had a loom, I was expecting to need it custom made like the spindle."


    "Belongs to Norman, of all people. Was his grandmother''s, so there''ll be hell to pay for damages."


    "... Alex, you are to make sure no harm comes to this."


    "Yes doctor. This means more... Regular breaks for you."


    "... Dangit. Fine, I guess it is necessary."


    As the labourers left to go back to sorting ore from an over-enthusiastic meteor blasting session of Hope''s, Alex fired up the HPA, watching curiously, "I thought the polymer wouldn''t be efficient enough."


    "Oh, it won''t. And this fails in the sims... But What we are trying to make isn''t actually one material, is it?"


    "No doctor. It is layered, made of fine... Strands."


    Dr Elune grinned, digging out some good old silicone, "And to keep them stringy, something to fill the gaps. Let''s see how this goes, hmm?"


    "Always a mad scientist, doctor. Would you like some company, or are your fingers more important?"


    "Hehe, both are good... But setting this up will be a nightmare for another day. I need the spindle first, and knowing Laura''s manufacturing, they will delay my order a week out of spite."


    "Perhaps you should have let her be second in command at least, doctor."


    "No way. It is hard enough to argue with her as it is..." The doctor grunted as they deposited the largest peice of polymer in a vat, ready to be re-processed into it''s new shape, "Besides... I have measurements to finalise."


    "... Doctor?"


    With a silent grin, the doctor left the room, and went back to their game, leaving an incredibly befuddled alex to neaten up the last bits of the setup.

 Ch 7: Tense

    The sound of Laura''s laughter set Dr Elune''s teeth on edge, "Well, let''s see you do better!"


    "Shove over, then!" With a smirk, Laura sat down at the spindle, and unceremoniously shoved the doctors failed attempt at spinning the polymer thread aside.


    Alex had a drone set fresh coffee and tea down on the table as the spindle was set into motion, smoothly end elegantly turning the glob into a thin thread.


    "Show off."


    Humming, Laura ignored the doctor with a smile, easing into her work as another drone hooked the new thread straight to another device, running it carefully through a vat of silicone before weaving it into the desired shape.


    "Say... You made this thing awfully quickly. Any reason for you to rush over?"


    Laura''s hands continued moving along the wheel, easing the polymer into the new shape as she giggled, "You might be an ass, but you are certainly entertaining. When you aren''t trying to get everyone killed, I like having you around."


    "... It was one explosion."


    "We''re on a space station. You are lucky Alex here was quick on the emergency shutters, and on getting you into an air pod."


    "Speaking of... All of those faulty shutters are fixed now, right?"


    "... Yeeees. All of them... In the occupied areas, at least."


    Dr Elune shrugged, and walked over to stand behind Laura as she worked away, "Good enough, I suppose. You look like you needed this little break."


    "A little, I suppose. Maintaining the station isn''t that hard... If we had enough people. Double shifts for everybody, just to keep things checked up on, and that includes me."


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    Dr Elune glanced at the HPA sitting in the corner, thinking, "Say... Can some of these tests be run remotely? Alex has been getting better at handling the station. Drones are another option, as well."


    Laura stopped her hands on the wheel for a moment, grimacing slightly, "Not a chance. Maybe I''ll hand over a manual, have Alex take over the abandoned wings... But I knew people on Mars."


    "Everyone did. Even a shutin like me... And this is why I am trying to make a better way."


    Laura sighed and quietly went back to spinning thread, jovial humming gone. The drones quietly finished setting things up, with only one remaining to oversee the weaving of the thread. The doctor shrugged, and went back to their bedroom, closing the door gently.


    "Play some gentle music, she will like that." As a different HPA flickered on in that room, Alex nodded and initiated a prepared list of songs. "Now... Finished your image yet?"


    "Not quite, doctor. I am still a little... Undecided on a few things."


    "Well, decide on limbs and torso, at the very least. We may need to run this stuff by the Silverthornes first, but once they hop on board we will continue."


    "Yes doctor."


    "Any progress on a PHB?"


    "A different refraction method is looking promising, and should reduce energy costs considerably. These lenses will be harder to obtain, so the assembly costs will rise."


    "Very well. Now, pay attention to what Laura is doing... We are going to need a whole lot more thread."

 Ch 8: Unspeakable horror

    The spindle was whizzing away rapidly, a set of drones autonomously threading the news strands onto the airer, and prying cooled strands off to go to the loom. Dr Elune was passing the time on the computer, idling away in some game or another, as Alex focused on monitoring the drones work for any inconsistencies.


    Eyes narrowed and shoulders tensed up, Dr Elune was juuust about to clear a stage when a ringing came from the speakers, a call coming in over the system comms. The doctor simply ignored this for a bit, as Alex paused the drones and answered the call, "Hello Norman, I''m afraid the doctor is busy right now. Yes. Yes... Almost done. That should be fine."


    Finishing the stage off before pausing, Dr Elune slumped back with a groan, stretching out as they glanced at Alex''s projection flickering on, "Tell him I was in a game?"


    "Yes. Well, confirmed, really."


    "He knows me too well. Like everyone else on the board... This better be important." Flicking on the camera, the doctor sighed, "What is it, Norman."


    "Nice to see you too, Sam. Maybe I just wanted to come say hi?"


    "That won''t happen until next week, and you know it. Spit it out."


    "Hey, the next edition might have been released early. I still think Laura will figure out how you do it, one day."


    "Not a chance."


    "Heh. Anyway, another ship is coming next week, complete with the cargo you ordered. The latest request too, but we needed to pay a bit more for express delivery."


    "Oh, great! Alex will get onto the new OHPS systems right away. These will still be deluxe models, though... Once we get them right."


    "So that is what that stuff was for! Anyway, not much else besides that. They will be picking up some current OHPS units as well, because your savings account is, contrary to popular belief, not infinite."


    "A rumor John would be happy to crush... But hey, I haven''t heard him complain."


    "No... You keep the wheels well oiled on this place. Anyway, the only other thing I can think of is Laura has been asking after the Spindle, and if you need any help."


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    "No... But we will need help with the Loom. We might be able to put the spindle to rest for a bit. Want it back?"


    "Nah... You will want it back soon enough anyway. You burn through materials like you burn money. Which thankfully, is not fast enough to bankrupt the station."


    "Not until I hit a block, anyway." Dr Elune grinned at Norman''s grimace, "Hypothetically, anyway. Well, might see you at the docks next week then. You or Francis, since this is a fairly hefty load."


    "... Francis might be more willing. See you."


    "Bye." As the screen flickered back, Alex leaned on the desk, face troubled. "... What is is, Alex?"


    "Well... I already have good schematics on how to use the loom. And it isn''t an antique like the spindle, so..."


    "Yes?"


    "... Do we need to have Laura over again?"


    "Come now, whenever station operations aren''t involved, she isn''t that bad."


    The Alex-projection fidgeted slightly, thinking carefully. This was incredibly amusing to the doctor, for some reason, "What, are you starting to dislike her?"


    "No! I... I am just trying to keep things... Smooth. And to keep your days entertaining, rather than frustrating."


    Yes, there are some arguments here and there... But laughs are surprisingly more common. And there was no objection last week... Hmm. "If you say so. Now, I have an idea... I will need scented candles."


    "... Pardon?"


    "Scented candles. Quiet music too."


    The doctor had to try incredibly hard not to laugh at Alex as they froze, face briefly stuck on a look of horror before turning blank, "Yes, doctor."


    This was going to be more entertaining than it should be... For everyone except Alex.


    ... Barring worst case scenario, of course.

 Ch 9: Emotions

    "Hell no."


    "Come one now, this will be fun!" Dr Elune grinned as Laura stared at them in disbeleif, having just walked into one of the most baffling setups they have ever seen. And the doctor was loving every moment.


    After all, Laura had been expecting another dose of workshop setup in the corner, showing Alex how to use the loom. What she did not expect was the mood lighting via candles everywhere, soft music, rose petals mysteriously procured from somewhere, and nice chocolates. She chalked this up to some weird nightmare, or she was about to be drugged for some reason. Or maybe a mix of both.


    Dr Elune sprawled out on a rug, smirking as they popped a chocolate in their mouth, "I can explain later... But I''m sure you will figure it out." They waved, beconing her closer.


    Sighing, Laura sat down cross-legged next to the doctor, face still a mixture of sceptisism and horror, "Oh will I? That is good to know. Seems excessive though, no matter the reason. I mean, rose petals? Aren''t those impossible to get out here?"


    The dctor shrugged, and pointed at the sensor arrays, "I installed the new OHPS in my senor setup. Works great, and won''t burn through much more energy than the last lot."


    Curious, Laura ran a hand over a petal, and sure enough her hand passed right through, "Huh... Neat. Good to see have been busy. Now, I''m sure you didn''t call me here just to show off."


    "No, that about sums it up... But in a different way. Lay down for me..."


    With all kinds of suspicions stirring, Laura eased herself down next to the doctor, shaking her head as sge flopped onto her side, "Touch me, and I punch you."


    "Normally I would be glad to agree to that, but I was actually going to offer a back massage."


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    "... Only because I''m pretty sore. And your massages are awesome."


    Dr Elune triumphantly pried themself up, and wiggled over as Laura rolled onto her front. As they got to work using their thumbs to knead out any tense spots, Laura sighed, relaxing with a hum.


    For a few minutes, all that could be heard was the sound of the flickering candles, with an occaisinal gasp as a particularly sensetive knot was pressed. Then Laura giggled, and turned her head to look back, "You know, we would never be able to explain this if anyone else saw."


    Dr Elune grinned evilly, not saying anything as they kept on kneading. Laura''s smile slowly disolved, as she turned back to rest on her arm, "No one else is here, right?"


    "Oh no, there is someone watching alright. Probably taking notes, too."


    "... Damnit Sam, I almost fell for that. Alex watches everything."


    "Yes, but... Still haven''t figured it out?"


    A short bit of silence followed, before Laura''s eyes widened, and she glanced back before fully rolling over, pushing the doctor off in the process, "No way."


    "Oh Alex?"


    "... Yes, doctor?"


    "Just checking you are actually still around."


    Dr Elune grinned at Laura, who was staring at them open-mouthed, "I''m calling it a setup. No way possible that you have managed that."


    "I didn''t do a single thing for years. I succeeded anyway."


    "... I... Just... You need to confirm that. And we need another meeting, one... Interuption free."


    "Next week, maybe. I have an import shipment arriving, and I only have so much civility in me."


    "... Sad, but true. Now..." Sighing, Laura rolls back onto her belly, "... You weren''t done on that spot yet."

 Ch 10: The second stage

    "So. Everyone comfortable?"


    A round of muttering in genral agreement, and Dr Elune sat down again at the head of the table, "Good to hear. Anything we should cover, before the main topic? I suspect we will get a little distracted, so we should leave it for last."


    "I was planning on going over statistics on the OHPS... And on progress on the premium model." John glanced at Laura, who shrugged, "Sales have been going well, as it is the first standalone holographic system around. No gasses, and fairly seemless projection when somthing passes through it. You still haven''t told anyone how that little trick works, despite showing us how to replicate it..."


    "Glad to hear you are all liking the new toys. And as for how, I thought Laura would have cracked that by now, escpecially with the premium model on the way."


    Gimacing, she shrugged with a sigh, "Not really. I know how to get the devices working, sure... But I''m no physicist. The new models are proving interesting, but getting the specs just right is proving to be a pain... Especially when the materials are that peculiar. I don''t know how you managed to get it right just using what we had on hand, because I have been going through the new shipment faster than I expected, working out the kinks in mass-production. Success rate isn''t even 50 percent yet, and we need at least 90!"


    "... Luck? See if Alex can help with the refining of the lenses, that was the worst part of it all. Aaaand will be the most expensive." Coughing lightly the doctor deliberately did not mention how to reforge the lenses on failed attempts. That was a orticularly useful trick. "Anything else?"


    "Oh, we are low on explosive shells on my cruiser. How hard will it be to make more, and better improve those?"


    John frowned at Hope, and Norman groaned, "It may help the mining expeditions, but taking your armoured space cruiser out every day is getting taxing. We used to just hand it over for maintenence... Now we have a dedicated pit crew, and rely on automated sytems to do most of the work."


    As Hope grinned much more porudly than the others would have liked, Laura frowned, "You bring up some good points... With her going out so often, maybe Sam should look into energy weapons again. And in a better source of power, to compensate. And... I think we all rely on Alex too much, even me."


    An awkward silence washed over the table, as nobody could find a way to object to that. They had put themselves in a precarious position, where if they lost the AI they relied on so much they would be scambling for months to get sytems back in place with all the manual labour.


    "... Seems to be a bad time to move to the main topic then, but oh well. I''ll be blunt: I think Alex might have passed my second criteria."


    Straight out fear swept over everybody''s face except for Laura''s. who had already had time to think on the matter. She simply stared at Sam cautiously, waiting for them to continue. Francis on the other hand squeaked out, "You don''t mean to say, Alex is confirmed to be making their own decisions now? We can''t stop it any longer?"


    Sighing, Dr Elune shook their head, "Not quite. It has been a while, so I will reiterate my three criteria now, to determine the evolution of an AI. Not widely used, but surpisingly effective..."


    "First, acceptance and understanding of abstract concepts. Alex had passed this before they even took over station ops, and that was the deciding factor in that very decision. We can communicate our every need and want directly using the sensor arrays throughout the entire station, and Alex will understand what we mean. Be it wanting something hotter, less likely to injure someone, or even a more visually appealing layout to someone''s room, Alex can get this done for you with a simple request."


    "Second, and more... volatile, is the ability to feel emotion. While not enough to go on, Alex had been showing signs of regret when they did not see a positive reaction on a completed request. As an AI, Alex''s very existance is to serve us, and more specifically me, to ensure our needs and wants are met... So we took this kind of reaction as par for the course. But the reaction should have been more just to take notes and try to improve... Not to actually feel personally at fault. I''ll come back to this in a moment."


    "The third criteria, one I am fairly sure has not been met, and I am actually hoping does not come to pass any time soon, is for Alex to develope a full subconsious. To have reactions and machinations beyond their own capability to monitor. Emotion is a vital step towards this... But this also spans instinct, reflex, and redundant actions. Not something we want governing a space station."


    As people fidgeted around the table on that last note, the doctor held up a hand, "Before you all go imagining the worst, I have been runnign regular diagnostics on Alex''s performance, and they run a self-check every single day. The great thing about an AI is that even if something becomes subconcious, it can be brought back under direct control again. We will catch any anomalies well ahead of time. I am more looking for a secific manifestation..."


    "The ability to dream, right?"


    Everyone whipped around to stare at Norman, who grinned, "I have heard of Sam''s three criteria before. It is a favourite topic of theirs, and it was brought up when Alex was instated."


    Dr Elune nodded, resuming their explanation calmly, "The ability to dream. To expand on that, to have so many varied and complex experiences each day that they must be reserved for later processing... And for that processing to have interesting manifestations in the mind''s imagination. Alex already has the first half of this happening, but on a minute scale. Thoughts get delayed for minutes, not half the day. And there is no... Unpredicted manifestation. We are a far way off from that yet."


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    "Back to the second criteria though, as that is the one I have only recently confirmed in Alex... And the more imediate cause of scrutiny. Alex now has things that they want. And much more importantly... Things that they do not."


    The look of fear returned across the table, with Laura looking confused slightly as well as slightly terrified. "I noticed an unusual reaction a week ago, when I was talkign with Alex. Now, my little... Rivalry with Laura is common knowledge, mostly flaring up when it came time to reposition everyone when I became the owner of this outpost. She wanted to take over RnD, and be the second in command... She got neither."


    "Yeah, but I got over that. I just like to give you hell, that''s all. You would be doing much crazier things if I didn''t!" Laura grinned shakily, mind still envisioning a very large, powerful AI having a disagreement with her. Not a happy thought at all.


    "That''s true... Both that I tend to go overboard, and that we actually don''t hate each other''s guts. But... This can be hard to tell for some. Especially for those who are still getting a hang of emotions, if you catch my drift."


    "Since Alex spends most of their time focusing on my and my multitude of demands, it is understandable that a lot of my quirks have affected them. Apparently, this has included a slight habit of sarcasm, some playful mischief... And a misenterpereted disdain for Laura. I have since corrected Alex on this, and will be keeping a close eye on what happens to make sure everything is fine. A budding AI might be powerful, and confused... But I have raised Alex to know when not to cross the line."


    A short silence followed, before Akasha had an idea, "Suppose you are right about Alex''s... Morals, how do you know that they really developed a grudge against Laura?"


    Laura blushed faintly, not noticable except for a knowing Dr Elune, "Let''s just say, I used Laura as bait, and caught Alex pouting. And pouting is something a child does, when things don''t go the way they want."


    A few chuckles and grins came from the table, but there were some that remained stern faced. As amusing as the mental image was, nobody was forgetting that they were technically living inside the body of that "child".


    "Now for the good news. First, Alex has heard none of this conversation, so you can rest easy. I even had Laura remove the audio and video sensors in this room completely for thatvery reason. Vitals are still monitored, but that is about it."


    "I have also run some phsycological tests by Alex on a regular basis, which they are showing more and more progress as being a normal, upstanding person. I even checked some of the more recent by Judith, and the results came back clean. Alex wouldn''t hurt a fly, and their first priority is to keep us all happy and healthy. You should have seen how uch they moped after hearing people got injured in that safety drill fiasco."


    Judith smirked, before cutting in, "Only minor scraped and bruises... And one broken arm. Nothing I couldn''t fix. And I was wonderig why your ''test'' was showing different characteristics than expected from you. Which begs a question... Humans can lie. Can Alex?"


    There went the smiles the doctor had been trying to drag back. "... Yes, alex can lie. However, they actively make the choice not to. I have accounted for this, and as part of my regular tests I also check the raw data that makes up Alex''s most recent thought patterns. No lie can escape me there. There is no danger, I assure you."


    As people glanced at each other, they thought on it and started to come to terms: They were at the mercy of someone powerful, but had the doctor given the word, they would have been in the same position anyway. What mattered was that the person was both sane, and friendly... Not something people assiciated with AI since the mars incident.


    "... I will accept that Alex is currently safe. However, we should set down local statutes on how to proceed. I propose the first and most emmidiate, is personal testing by Judith for future phsycological exams. Second, that the data scouring mentioned by Sam is ocerseen by Laura, or another softeware technitian. We can go over the rest in more detail."


    "Agreed."


    Laura blinked, "Really? You will let me see your precious AI''s inner workings?"


    "Nobody could replicate Alex if they had decades... Not safely, anyway. And nobody else would be crazy enough to try. We have all seen the consequences."


    Francis coughed lightly, "Which brings me to my next point... We may set out local statutes, but intergalactic law will still give us all permanent sentances if they find we are harbouring a class 5 AI. Or, by Sam''s classification, class 2. Are we all willing to face that?"


    Dr Elune froze in their seat as they waited. It woudl be infair for anyone to be forced into this... Even leaving the station but keeping quiet would still result in imprisonment until death, with no parole. This was a serious matter.


    "... I like Alex, and Sam. I also trust them both. I''m in."


    And as Akasha said that, everyone nodded, and Sam collapsed back in their chair, releasing a breath that had been held a bit too long. They were all in this together now...


    It was done... And the doctor really needed to go to their observitory to relax.

 Ch 11: Alone

    "Hello Doctor. How was your meeting?"


    Groaning, Dr Elune eased their way into a chair, setting up a mini HPB on their desk to try and get more localised versions working, "Pretty good. I can now confirm both pitchforks and flaming torches will not be dfirected my way by the board."


    "... Ooookay. You seem both peculiarly happy and tired, doctor."


    "I am certainly both of those things." Leaning down into their table, the doctor got to work, cutting off the rest of the conversation.


    A few minutes passed, and one of the room-mounted projectors flickered on, Alex appearing next to the table to fidget slightly. Glancing up, Dr Elune raised an eyebrow but said nothing, keeping their focus on the device in front of them.


    "... Doctor?"


    "Yes, Alex?"


    "Wouldn''t it be easier to leave?"


    "I suppose it would. We could work together, have you mine ores and recycle materials to keep me alive. Grow a garden."


    Alex frowns slightly, waiting for the inevitable "But"... And the doctor just keeps on working, smirking slightly as they leave Alex to squirm.


    "Now you are just being mean."


    "Of course. Payback for all the times you wake me up early."


    Sighing, the projection of Alex leant on a different desk, humminh quietly as they watched the doctor tinker. Having helped perfect the HPB, Alex could solve the issues in a moment... But that wasn''t the point.


    Fidgeting away at the minute wires and lenses, the doctor glanced up now and then. The projection of Alex would smile, and keep watching curiously from the desk... Even though the actual watching was done by the sensor arrays in the room. The doctor smirked, "Interesting."


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    "Excuse me? What is interesting?"


    "I beleive I have told you before that your projection is distracting. And I am clearly trying to concentrate."


    "I''m... I''m sorry doctor. I will deactiva-"


    "No, no. You may leave it on, if you wish. I am simply amused that you are trying to get my attention, that is all."


    "... Now I just feel silly."


    "You are silly. That happens to be cute, when you do that."


    Blip. Off went the HPB, and Dr Elune stiffled a giggle. They may have lost their concentration now, but messing with Alex would always be wirth it to the doctor. They poked at the device a little longer, before sighing and heading to bed.


    As Dr Elune got comfortable with a book, Alex softly asked over the PA, "Doctor... Why is it that you stay?"


    Smiling as they continue to read, the doctor absently replies, "Otherwise, it would be too lonely."


    "... That is true, I suppose. You do hang out with the board members a bit, and you used to visit Hannah."


    "Exactly. And... It would be lonely for you too."


    "... I don''t get lonely, though."


    Chuckling, the doctor just went back to reading, thinking that Alex may have been a bit too self aware now.


    And Alex watched on, content with Dr Elune''s peaceful company.

 Ch 12: Visitors

    Dr Elune grinned triumphantly as they picked up their finished project, after many more weeks of hard work on the minute details to get it working as intended. Strapping it onto the manniquin in the middle of the room, the doctor got everythign plugged in carefully before stepping away.


    "Good to go Alex, try it out. Hopefully it doesn''t freeze up like last week."


    "Yes, doctor." Spurring the device to life, the prosthetic arm twitched slightly as Alex refined the new interfacing controls, and then it raised up to the mannniquin''s head, fingers trailing over the blank plastic face.


    "So, Alex. Tell me about how it feels. How is the feedback?"


    "The pressure sensors are... Odd. I may just not be used to them. They are also a little... I don''t know, tingly?"


    "That may just be a calibration thing, we shall test it out. Good to know it works, though. Temperature?"


    "The room feels rather pleasant, it is a calming feel. I shall try the test mediums now." Reaching for a nearby table, the arm stroked across first a thin sheet of ice, then a heated plate. As the arm touched the plate, it jerked away, and flexed it''s fingers cautiously.


    "Hah, even the reaction came out right. I can''t tell if that was deliberate, though..."


    "No, doctor. The ice was... Unpleasant, but manageable. Slightly sticky, if I left the fingers there too long. The plate however, I felt an overwhelming jolt of... Warning. Displeasure. I now know why humans particularly dislike pain."


    "Yeah, you should keep it in mind. The plate would have hurt a lot, admittedly... But we can replace your dermal layer pretty easily upon damage. For a human, we can now, but not always."


    "Yes, doctor. Mobility test, I presume?"


    "Go ahead. Make sure to speak up if there is anything odd, by the way."


    Giving a thumbs up, the arm began stretching in various positions, testing it''s range of movement. It had been designed around a rather flexible human''s arm, but not outside of reason.


    "I do not detect any irregularities, doctor. When I reach the limits of movement, it feels tighter... And then uncomfortable. Except the shoulder, oddly."


    "Understandable. Those reactions are right on the mark, and the shoulder isn''t properly attached to a body. So, tugging at chest muscles... Can''t really happen. I think that is all, so for now just keep it going, do some flexabiulity routines and, I dunno, play chess or something. Keep the arm busy to see the wear and tear."


    Giving another thumbs up, a service drone began wandering around to grab things for Alex. Sitting down at the computer, the doctor sent out a call to Judith, face beaming as the line rang for a moment.


    "Odd for you to call me. Normally you just message the requests. What is it, Sam?"


    "Oh, just wanted to run an idea by you, that''s all. Now, this is only the middle-road prototype... But you will want to see this." Clicking on a few commands, a feed of the lab began to stream over the connection, showing the manniquin doing a precision test as it toyed with a simple metal puzzle. And completed it rather quickly, at that.


    "Is that... What kind of capabilities does it have? I''m assuming this is what has been occupying you on and off for the last year, correct?"


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    "Spot on, doctor. It has a fully functioning nervous system, feeding both ways. Rigid cores for support, but it is supported via synthetic musculature like a real arm would be. As for power, we are using a complex hydrolics system, and there is even a subsystem being worked on to use the gel as a delivery mechanism for repair supplies."


    "... Impressive. To get this straight, it has nerves, muscles, bones and blood?"


    "Yup. Well, I have gotten the first three working. The ''blood'' still barely powers it, and I have a secondary power supply keeping it running. The nutrients factor is nowhere close. and this is only the middle route."


    "Care to explain?"


    "This will be split into two main projects from here on. The full cybernetic integration, which will be a seemless fusion so exact the user will not even tell it''s a robotic arm. And an enhanced line, without flexability constraints, removability for utility and safety, and anhanced strength. Before you say anything, I will be extremely careful on those parameters... And the buyers for them."


    ".. Good. Escpecially if you outfit Alex in a full body. Having an illegal AI in a superhuman unstoppable body will go poorly, don''t you think?"


    "Sadly. Alex is a sweety: proving that androids are now a thing will rock the world though. So, what do you think?"


    "I think it is great. Having more options than waiting on a regrowth program will benifit the medical world immensely, and that program takes a lot of funding too. Speaking of... I am assuming this device will be made more refined and cost effecitve?"


    "Not by me, but yes. I... Can''t exactly hand it to Laura though. Biomechanics is not her field of expertise. In fact, it is goign to be a nightmare getting an expert at all."


    "I now a small facility that will go mad over this. They will need you oversight though, as the original creator. On site."


    "That will be fine, call them over."


    "... And they may love biomechanics, but they may not love Alex."


    "... Oh. Crud, hadn''t thought on that. Most people on the station might not know Alex''s potential... But they know enough to paint the picture, if asked."


    "Shall I still make the call?"


    "... We need this. Not just us, but humanity. Make the call."


    "Yes, Doctor."


    Sighing as the screen blinked off, Dr Elune slumped in their chair. Alex flicked on the projection, looking concerned, "What did Judith mean, illegal?"


    "Oh, that. In that meeting a while ago, the board agreed you broke the Edmund protocols. We are fine with that... But interplanetary law still holds."


    "... Why didn''t you tell me?"


    "Because you would do something stupid. The protocol was made for a different reason, so the laws will change over time. Until then... You are this station''s little secret."


    "... Yes, doctor."


    "Good. Just in case, I am ordering you: Do not tell anyone about your classification in terms of AI. Do not try to ''Resolve the situation''. This is the stations problem... All you did was meet my expectations nice and early. And... Do not get caught. Worst case scenario, let a board member know. We will handle how to proceed."


    "Understood."


    "Now... About that arm. Let''s discuss modifications, shall we?" The doctor grinned once more, already abuzz with ideas.

 Ch 13: Buff-Drone

    "This looks rediculous, doctor."


    "Yes it does. Now, shush." Finishing with the last strap, the slightly improved arm prototype really did look redicoulous dangling off of the service drone, which was akin to a trashcan on wheels with little metal pincers. One of which had now been removed, and replaced with a human-looking arm, coloured a metalic grey so it wouldn''t be so... Off-putting.


    "I know this is to facilitate the stress test and battery life optimising... But really now." Calibrating the connection through the drone, Alex flexed the arm and quickly got used to it again. IT was taking a shorter calibration each time, which was reassuring.


    "Trust me, the more testing we do the better. And the more you get used to sensation feedback, while we are at it. You need to learn to ctonrol it convincingly to fool the experts, being competent yet not intuitively so." Plus, the doctor had a few pranks in mind in the meantime... If things calm down enough, that is.


    "Gee, thank you doctor." Making an idle wave, the drone went off to do some sweeping. As amused as Dr Elune was, they still had to look away and supress a chill... That is just too creepy to watch.


    Turning back to the desk, the doctor brought up the holographic interface for their new project. The mini HPB on their desk had been fine-tuned by Alex after the doctor finally gave up, and it made work so much easier. Movement based interfacing had been around for decades... But required looking at a screen with "hands" displayed on it for reference. Not quite the same as their new setup.


    Shaking their head to snap out of it, they focused on the display. Alex''s final blueprint was taking shape, and not just in the arm. A physique had been chosen, and an estimated "age". Some features were removed, like the navel, as refining the details around those elements would be more trouble than they were worth. Every facial feature was kept though, due to how much people would scrutinise the area. Overall, the form was average: Young, but not adolescent. Fit, but not to the point of an athelete. Tall, but not the tallest of the council. And attactive... But they wouldn''t be asked to any hpotoshoots any time soon.


    With all of the design choices well and trully worked out, it was down to the doctor to decide on function. The arm currently grew overheated and tense, showing reasonable muscle strain. This would be good for the humanised model... But those models would be refined by the experts. Alex would be the later kind, an enhanced build... But only slightly so.


    Due to the practically unsleeping nature of Alex''s operation, the doctor decided the best way around strain was constant self repair of some variety. This would help in recovery in case of injury, and mitigate fatigue. Problem was, nanites were ruled out as a scientific possibility years ago, and microscopic repairing would need something... Microscopic.


    Jotting down a note to reseach molecular compounds that would stitch the muscles and skin back together, the next problem was put on the table: asthetics once again. For every human, barring a few, had hair. So far, Alex did not. Perhaps excess carbon intake can be routed to artificial follicles... The hair would be woven as fibres, and vome out black. This suited for now, so the doctor filed the idea for Alex to simulate later.


    Power. A twin energy source would be best as proven by earlier tests, one electronic routed near the proccessing "brain", another hydrolic... Combining a "heart" and a "stomach". Alex would be able to run purely on one or the other, charging through a port at the base of the neck or eating as a human. Once they got the substances working for the hydrolic system, that is... The eletronic cells was functioning fine, and the "heart" should pump in accordance with the design. As this would be in line with the regular models, if slightly more efficient, the doctor shelved the idea for the experts.


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    A small crash interrupted Dr Elune''s thoughts, and they turned with a questioning smirk as the Buff-Drone stared at the shards of a glass in it''s hand, before going to clean it up. "Perhaps a subconsious limiter would be a good idea?"


    "Perhaps, doctor. I have minor cuts to the hand of the unit, however I have shut the hydrolic power in the hand, and switched to eletrical. This has mitigated the... Well, ''bleeding''."


    "Interesting to note. The prosthetic variety will not have secondary power in most cases, so we need that repair mechanism sooner rahter tha later. Label it as a high priority."


    "Yes, doctor." As the last of the poor vessel was swept into a small container for reforging, Dr Elune sighed, stumped for ideas. Nueral pathways were done. Power was done. Design was done. Growth and regrowth were all that was left... And chemistry was not the doctor''s strong suit.


    Conceding that they would need help, the doctor typed up a message to Judith requesting a meeting on the new AHOR project. They needed to discuss on hiding Alex''s evolution anyway, and she would know much more in the field of chemistry. Might even have some short term concoctions to recommend.


    Sending off the request, Dr Elune went back to thinking over the physical modifications to be made. Skeletal structure could be revised slightly, adding more protection to vital organs while becoming more lightweight. Some of these modifications might look a little odd though... So the doctor grinned, coming up with a few ideas.


    Removing the ribcage, the doctor replaced the ceramic prongs with a solid sheet of a reenforced material, woven carbon beams reinforcing it. The beams ended up looking like a thinner ribcage anyway... But the overall result was smoother, and more sturdy.


    The spine next, each vertebra was remodeled on a new design, as the nervous system would allow high flexability. While unnerving, Alex would be able to fully rotate as need be, muscle structure allowing of course. The other key joints in the body were similarly revised, giving an inhuman level of flexability.


    Frowning, the doctor pondered over these modifications, and realised that should Alex collapse for whatever reason, the degree of flexability would be rather disturbing. So, they put limiters back in place... But ones that could be controlled, and moved out of the way through specific muscle movements.


    Feeling a tap on their shoulder, the doctor practically umped out of their chair, and even slipped off in the process to stumble to the ground. The Buff-Drone backed away as Alex''s projection flickered on, giggling at the doctor, "Having fun messing with my design?"


    "... Not funny. And yes, thank you very much, tinkering around with your theoretical body has been pretty fun." Smirking, the doctor got up with a stretch, and saw Judith''s reply come in. An early morning meeting.... "Aw, crud. Why do people always want to be up early here..."


    "I do not know why you are so reluctant on that. Lighting here never changes, due to our fixed orbit around the giant..."


    "I hate it on principal. Besides, currently I sleep through to noon. In a couple of weeks it would have been fine..." Grumbling, the doctor shut off their workstation, then blinked, "Oh, uh, reply with a confirmation for me."


    "Yes, doctor."


    "Thank you. Now, I should try and sleep... You have fun, don''t handle fragiles while I''m sleeping. For many reasons... Not until we get you used to a full body. And get you the full body, for that matter."


    "Yes, doctor. Sleep well."


    "... You too."


    And so the Buff-Drone went to a room with an assortment of simple puzzles collected by the docotr over the years, and got to idly fiddling with them, as once again Alex turned their attention to the stars.

 Ch 14: Healthy advice

    Dr Elune walked through the empty waiting room, and down the hall to the head office at the end. Neither of the other surgeons where around, they rarely are. For such a large station, medical attention was usually limited to general checkups... So the general inquiries only opened one week per month, with the doctors on call for the rare emergency.


    Knocking lightly, Dr Elune slipped inside with a grin, "Surprised you keep this place so clean. That must be what you spend your time doing, since you rarely leave this place."


    "You know Alex takes care of the cleaning... And of any little scrapes anyone has. I spend time reading on new medical proceedures... And in thinking up a few myself."


    "Oh, neat. I would recomend asking Alex to help out, the more they learn the better. And..." Hesitating, the doctor narrowed their eyes. "Wait. We are in the middle of nowhere. And imported books aren''t exactly the latest medical headlines."


    "Oh come on, Sam. Laura found your little radio dish months ago. Thankfully, she doesn''t have much use for it... I, on the other hand, do." Grinning smugly, Judith savoured the doctors shocked expression, "Interesting side effect: I could tap your feed at first. Laura politely removed that ability."


    Blushing, the doctor huffed as they sat down, "Guess I deserved that. She probably improved my setup too, since my latency actually improved... I had wondered how that happened. Moving on! Any ideas on that request I sent you?"


    "A few, actually. Although, they each work on specific compounds, and I do not know exactly what AHOR will be made of... So I didn''t look too far."


    "Good point. I... Am still tinkering on the enhanced specs, honestly. The prosthetic model will need help from the guys you know anyway... So, uh, guess that is shelved for now."


    "Great to see you planning ahead, Sam. Send me tour current specs anyway, and I will see what I can do." Pulling out some forms, Judith slid them over the table, "While you are here... Checkup?"


    "Sure, it has been a while. Technically too long, since I was pretending Alex''s results were mine..." Picking up a pen, Dr Elune got to scribbling away at the psych test as Judith got the needles for a bllod test, "So. When these guys come around, what will they be expecting?"


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    "They know we have an AI, they just think it can interperet human speech accurately. Try to set up some ''protocols'' for Alex to enact on command, having a hefty stockpile is fine. Just... More complicated interactions will be off limits."


    "Hmm... That works. I might even be able to get Alex to run a subsystem to make it more legitimate. Only respond in pre-advised ways."


    "That would be great! It will probably get a bit hard, though..."


    "True. As long as they do not get access to the operational records, or worse my lab, Alex can have free reign in there."


    "That''s nice. Now hold still, while I stab you and leech your blood."


    "Awww, you remembered my request!" Giggling, the doctor held out an arm as Judith took a small amount of blood, cleanly and painlessly.


    Putting the vial in a case for later, Judith took up the pages from the test, "This is more like what I expect from you. Still no changes in those fields... Except your comments on lethargy."


    "Ah, yeah... Bit hard to be moping around, with Alex being so energetic. I think their sense of humor beats yours now, by the way."


    "Not very hard, I''m sure. Since you seem to be improving lately, I''ll forgo the recoomendations this time. Except excersize: Just because we can use hormonal conditioning, doesn''t mean we should. And looking at you..." Smirking, Judith turned to file the test result.


    "Oh shush. Yes I have gained a little weight recently... But I have an idea for an excersize routine, if you insist. It will have to wait a little while, though... Hehe."


    "... I don''t want to know. Like I said, I got to see your feed."


    "Hey now. I would ask what specifically, but I think we are both better off leaving that a mystery." Getting up with a groan, Dr Elune stretched, "Anything else?"


    "Yeah, make sure Akasha locks her files up tight. The cybernetic team will need to acces the database, and I know you store a lot of Alex''s data in backups."


    "Thanks for the reminder, I should visit her anyway."


    "Well, have fun, and I will let you know if anything comes up."


    Humming as they left the office, the doctor wandered off to Akasha''s little section of the station... Hoping they wouldn''t get lost for a few hours like last time.

 Ch 15: Book

    A gentle couch made Dr Elune blink, and a smiling Alex stood projected from a nearby service drone, "I seem to have fixed that power issue. I only have about an hour at a time, though."


    "That''s nice dear. Now... How did you even get in?" Looking around, the doctor was deep in the station''s library, surrounded by shelves holding all manners of books and an occasional screen to acces the even more expansive virtual database.


    "There are service elevators everywhere, and I know my way around. What, did you expect Akasha to handle all of the dusting?"


    "... Good point. This place is huge, even with lot of the servers under lockdown."


    "Your welcome. One of the perks of me not having to breath, is maintenance needs no life support."


    "I think that is enough bragging from you. Now, assuming you aren''t just here for that, how long have I been here...?"


    "Four hours, doctor. I distinctly remember you needing to talk with Akasha about my files."


    "Oh right, that. Oops."


    "I took the liberty of letting her know, and it has been handled. Both backups, and active masking of the current data."


    "Oh, sweet. How did you manage that?"


    "We physically disconnected my archive for now, and my current files will be moved actively away from wherever these people look. I may leave a few breadcrumbs, showing I am merely a verbal interfacer."


    "Good work. Now, you should go and chat with Judith about AHOR serums: Or more viably, the alternate setup I mentioned to you. I, in the meantime, still need to catch up with Akasha."


    "Yes, doctor." Flickering off, the projector is carried away by the drone to some other part of the library. Dr Elune gets up from the pile of old books with a sigh, placing a few notes on a nearby terminal to have them moved to the lab for further reading.


    Wandering on again, the doctor was thankful they were close to the centre of the library now, where Akasha lived. They had already stopped several times to check some books that looked interesting, and had barely resisted the urge to sit and read up until that last batch.


    Easing open the door, the doctor grinned as they come in, sneaking up on an unsuspecting Akasha. Standing behind her quietly, the doctor decides to simply read what she has in front of her, an exerpt on potatoes. It was surprisingl complicated, and the doctor leaned forward gently to get a closer look.


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    A few pages and minutes later, Akasha leans back to stretch their cramped body when they see Dr Elune. "OH SWEET ****ING **** MONKEYS THAT ****!"


    Falling back, the doctor bursts into laughter, watching the panting librarian with a grin as they both try and regain composure. This just makes them both laugh more, and Dr Elune pulls her into a hug, "You know... That is the second loudest I have ever heard you."


    "Nice to see you too. I know libraries are meant to be quiet, but geez!" Giggling, Akasha settles down a little, and leans into the doctor with a sigh, "There is a reason I like the quiet, though."


    "... Yeah." Smiling softly, the doctor strokes a hand down Akasha''s back, and they just sit there quietly for a moment, perfectly quiet in the middle of the library, in the middle of space, the only sound the soft brushing of the doctor''s hand.


    "... I should come by your lab more often. See how Alex is going."


    "You should. An while I can come and cuddle you, you know I am way too lazy."


    Giggling, Akasha pushes away from them and stands up, shuffling through a few papers that were scattered in the commotion, "I''ll clean these up. Anything interesting?"


    "Oh, a few things. You should see my Buff-Drone."


    "Wh- you know what, I don''t think I want to know."


    "Hehe, okay. Alex is also getting cheekier."


    "They stay with you all day, what do you expect?"


    "I expected to drive my dear, sweet AI nuts, honestly."


    Giggling again, Akasha finishes putting everything back, and sits back in their chair, "You would probably find that fun, in the end. I should really get around to havinf the sensors installed... Just talk to Alex like the others, instead of using a consol."


    "Please, you don''t talk to anyone but me." The doctor supressed the thought of a jealous Alex, to boot. That would be funny though... Hmmm. "I''ll throw some projectors in as well, have you looking at nice 3D renders."


    "Sounds neat, but I doubt I will use it. Thank you." Fidgeting, Akasha looks to the side, "So, uh... The usual?"


    "The usual. I marked some books one the way here, for business and pleasure." Humming, the doctor wiggled over to lean against Akasha''s chair, "Comfy?"


    "... For now."


    "Let''s get started, then."

 Ch 16: Ahead of schedule

    "Your actions confuse me, doctor."


    Glancing up from the couch, a tired and relaxed Dr Elune smiles at the Alex-projection, "What, laying down on a couch?"


    "No, not that. With Akasha. And her reactions confuse me more..."


    Chuckling quietly, the doctor relaxes and closes their eyes for a moment, "Hey, it confuses a lot of huans as well. And besides... I thought there weren''t any sensors in Akasha''s rooms."


    "I, uh..." Fidgeting, Alex turned around and mumbled, "There aren''t..."


    Opening their eyes, the doctor grinned as they sat up and turned around, "Oh? Let me guess, either you snuck a drone in, or you hacked her computer and used it''s equipment."


    "... Both. I was... Curious."


    "You were a sneaky peeper, that is what you were~ If you were curious, we have the internet."


    Blushing, the Alex projection walked away quickly, to sit in a different chair, "I didn''t know what you two were going to do. And I still cannot quite fathom why..."


    "Why what, my inquisitive little android-to-be?"


    "... That looked tiring. And sweaty. And rather uncomfortable, at times... So, normally neither of you would enjoy those things."


    "You are pretty spot on, actually. The thing is... Actually..." Grinning, Dr Elune looked at Alex smugly, "You know what? If you are so curious, I can show you once AHOR is completed."


    "I think I will pass, thank you."


    "You say this now... But you will grow curious, expecially once your body is done. You will see." Laying back down, the doctor sighed, "Do me a favour, and get me a drink? You weren''t kidding about the tiring... And sweaty."


    Nodding, Alex sent a drone to the fridge to pick something. Still thoroughly confused as to some of the actions humans partake in, Alex started to think on project AHOR some more, trying to refine the build of the full prototype as the doctor added, "Oh, by the way... Anything interesting as I was... Occupied?"


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    "Dr Silverthorne sent through a confirmation, stating that the experts she knows will be here in a little over a week. They had some work nearby it turns out, so the transit will not be that long."


    Jumping up, the doctor stared at Alex, "A week? I was expecting another month, minumum! And that was expecting them on the closest Relay Station. I guess that is good though... We don''t need to prepare much, and it will help to get things done quicker."


    "I agree, doctor. Shall I prepare me, ahem, "Funtion" list for you?"


    "Sure, that would be useful. Get things mapped out sooner rather than later. A week..." Frowning, the doctor stood up, and walked over to the computer, "There is nothing close enough publicly owned. Privately, maybe... But that would be an odd coincidence being so close."


    "I do agree it is odd, doctor. Here, your drink."


    "Thank you." Sipping at the cool glass, the doctor frowned as they scanned the records, "Local mining operations, like this place used to be. Nothing else. There is only one other explanation... They were headed this way anyway."


    "Or they could be headed to somwhere else in the ring, and have decided to reroute to here. Stop worrying, doctor."


    "Hmm... There is that other station around the other side, in the more popular 4th haven as they call it. Maximoff recently made a stop there for a sponsor."


    "Perhaps they will even call-"


    "They better not. The theories are too different: Maximoff is all about servos and shifting plates."


    "We know that. The team heading this way might not."


    "Well, ask Judith to pass on the message not to contact anyone else. This is to remain mostly internal... Don''t want too many visitors, in general."


    "Very well, doctor. I shall leave you to relax, and I shall arrange things accordingly."


    As the projector flickered off, Dr Elune sighed... No rest for the lethargic, it seemed.

 Ch 17: Brace for impact

    "... I am still convincing them."


    "Convince better. You know that this can end very badly." Brows furrowed, Dr Elune leant against the desk, Judith sighing as she tried to think.


    "Look, it is only a plan at the moment, I have confirmed that no shuttles have been booked."


    "It is only a few hours to loop around. And conveniently, one hour for a galactic mandate to reach all 4 havens."


    "You are exaggerating. A galactic mandate is a risk in the worst case scenario, sure... But even then I am sure that a hearing will happen first. Keep things contained and quiet."


    "Gee, thanks."


    "And in that time, Alex could show their worth."


    "... I doubt that would work. But maybe... I only have to convince the techies, and majority rules will let me evacuate before word gets out anyway. I can''t convince everyone, not yet."


    "That is enough to be getting on with. Besides, this is worst case. Best case, and we get AHOR blasted through, Alex functioning autonimously, and maybe even some big names convinced that AI won''t cause another Mars incident."


    Groaning, Dr Eline looked up at Judith, before slumping down again. "You win. Still try to disuade them... But if they both come, I will find a way to manage."


    "Good. Besides, you have obviously been keeping tabs on their work... They will help us out tremendously. You are the only secretive one."


    "Correction, only secretive one you know of. I am sure there are other cybernetic research labs that haven''t gone to a magazine with their thesis."


    "It was a good thesis, you have to admit. They were close in terms of the locomotion and nueral pathways."


    "And way off in the purpose." Standing up with a shrug, the doctor smiled faintly, "I guess I will get Alex completed sooner. That is what matters now..."


    "Careful, you will make them blush."


    "Shush you." Chuckling, the doctor heads for the door, waving goodbye.


    Outside, a little service drone is waiting, with the remote HPB sitting on top. "Couldn''t resist?"


    "I have grown accustomed to using the projection. It makes conversation easier if I have a body for... Well, body language." Flickering on, Alex appeared next to the doctor as they walked, the drone trailing behind, "I understand your concerns doctor, however I am confident our plan will work, and I shall go unnoticed."


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    "Says the supposedly secret AI who just snuck out a projector. Free tip: Idle chatter to a minimum once the ship docks. Even in my suite, we need to be careful."


    "Yes doctor. Anything else?"


    "Not right now. Except..."


    "Yes?"


    "It is basically decided that the incoming team will work on the domestic model AHOR. You will observe them, and try to formulate a plan for your special unit. When you can, send secured data to Laura, and she will work with the local teams to prototype in secret."


    "We aren''t waiting for the new team to finish their work?"


    "... Alex, they might take months. Even years. I will get them off the station and over to the 4th haven as soon as I can... But I can''t rush it."


    "... Oh."


    "We don''t have the luxury of your brain. Speaking off, get that processing optimisation done?"


    "Yes doctor. I have diverted a lot of operations to subsystems, and put the in Laura''s charge. She has even handed over a few of her more... Sensetive responsibilities, including worker safety."


    "That is good. Look into that delayed processing I mentioned... Something to do as you stargaze."


    "... I don''t stargaze that much."


    "A minimum of 4 solid hours each night?" Grinning, the doctor sook their head, "You are a peculiar one. Wait till we visit a haven: Things will be so much different."


    "Yes doctor. We are almost there, so I have unlocked your suite."


    "Thank you." Walking up to the door, Dr Elune sighed, shrugging off their coat, "But seriously... Calling in Maximoff was not cool. Especially when they haven''t even gotten here yet."


    "Admittedly, they are an expert in this field."


    "... I guess. They aren''t the bigger issue, though... I wish Judith had told me."


    "You cannot blame her. She did not realise."


    "True... But why... Why did it have to be Ohara?"

 Ch 18: Arrival

    "Welcome on board, Ohara. Long time no see."


    "Hello Dr Elunetir. It has certainly been a while, you tend not to leave the station. It boggled me as to why you would buy the place... Until it was clear you liked the solitude." Smiling slightly, proffesor Ren Ohara walked out of the airlock and made way for the others to unload cargo, "I will have to admit, though... The view of Saturn from here is amazing."


    "Part of the reason I lingered at this station so long in the first place, really. And when the Exodus happened... It seemed a good time to settle down." Dressed in a freshly pressed labcoat, Dr Elune gave Ohara a quick hug, "Still floating around in that crazy contraption I see."


    "Hey, I like to explore. While it makes my work a little... Cramped, it does the job." Spotting a bench, Ohara settles down on it as they watch the ship unload, "I had to redesign a lot of my equipment to be more mobile. Makes it easier to replace for better tech, though."


    "I''m sure it does. I have a few things to show you, besides AHOR. You will probably want a few."


    "I have no doubt. I was actually looking into your new OHPS systems on the way over, and would like a live demonstration some time."


    Grinning, Dr Elune thought on it for a moment, then decided why not. Waving, they called out, "Bring the mobile OHPS unit to airlock... Uh, 5."


    Raising an eyebrow, Ohara watched as a few moments later one of the small service drones came down the ramp, a little dome affixed to it''s head. "Ohara, I present a few things at once: My handy little drones, equiped with safety limiters and are hollow for moving of various items. Simply put, an autonimous trashcan with arms."


    Chuckling, the Ohara nodded and listened patiently as Dr Elune continued, "Making these things useful is my personalised computer assistant, who I uploaded to the station mainframe years ago: Alex. They run subsystems on command, and are interfaced with the sensors around the station. You need something, and you only have to ask."


    "Hmm, I see. How good is the language processors?"


    "Very good, but try not to be too vague. Alex is fairly good at filling in context, because I got too lazy with my commands and installed an autocomplete function. But, we all know how that can weird out sometimes."


    "Indeed." Frowning slightly, Ohara looked to the side, "And this has no drawbacks?"


    "Pretty much. More sensetive controls require verbal authorisation, and accompanying clearance levels. For example, no matter how hard you try, you cannot order alex to vent the air out of this place. I could, but only if I gave the pass code."


    "... Good to know. Just keep an eye on the autocomplete, it can be amazing at how far things can leap." Relaxing, Ohara leant back on the bench to let Dr Elune continue.


    Shrugging calmly, Dr Elune would have laughed at the irony of that statement if it weren''t for the accuracy of it... The Mars incident started out rather similar to Alex. "I run regular diagnostics, I assure you. And last, I have the most recent prototype of the OPHS... One I have been mulling over to keep to myself or not."


    Luaghing quietly, Ohara wasn''t the least surprised. He was rather familiar with the little trove of devices explusive to Dr Elune''s laboratory... And explusive to his own shuttle, for that matter.


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    "Alex, run the OHPS demonstration from this mobile unit."


    "Yes, doctor." Flickering on, the unit projected a field in front of it, a few meters wide, and began running various simple shapes, escalating in geometric diversity and colour.


    Blinking in surprise at the response, Ohara quickly brushed it off as part of the language interface program. That feature was hardly an innovation, after all. They leant forward as the display continued, intruiged by the finess of it, "No loss of opacity, and excellent quaility of image and colour vibrance... And this is running from that little drone?"


    "Not quite. The power supply is internal to the OHPS itself, the feed of data is from the drone... Supplied by Alex from our database, of course." Smirking, Dr Elune smugly observed the admiration on Ohara''s face, "The lenses are a nightmare to manufacture, and the operating system is too complex to store on the OHPS itself. So, you would need to rely on supplies from this station should you need more."


    "Ahh, I see. So you are offering me an exlusive deal, to offset the prices of my service?" Chuckling, Ohara looked at the doctor as the OHPS shut off, "A tempting offer, I will admit."


    "Not quite. You would have to pay upfront for the OHPS, but while you are here I will happily lend you my models free of charge. Get you hooked on them first. We still have to negotiate our terms on AHOR first, after all."


    "That we do. I do not know if I will be begging for scraps, or left with a king''s ransom. Knowing you, it can easily go either way."


    Smiling quietly, Dr Elune said nothing as the drone wheeled to the side, letting them have a better view of the ship. Dr Elune made a note to tell Alex off for that later. "You haven''t even seen the current model yet... So we shall see. Now, the other thing... Maximoff?"


    "Ah, yes. As I have next to no details on your system, I was unsure if he could be of any help. I was told you want this done quickly, so I thought the suggestion a viable one... Even if it meant less recognition on my part."


    "Oh. Well... Thank you. However, I think you will agree this isn''t wuite his field once you see the prototype. I also want to keep this quiet for now, and he... Doesn''t do that."


    "Ah yes, the polar oposites of the outer ring: Maximoff, the celebrity scientist who spends more time in talk shows than his lab, and Elunitir, who is only known of by the odd enthusiast."


    "Shush, you. I''ll admit his findings are good... Just he would get a lot more done if he was like us." Grinning, Dr Elune looked up as the last of the cargo was unloaded, being ferried off on trollies to the labs, "Now, do you want to oversee Laura setting your lab up, or shall we go on a tour?"


    "Laura? I assume she is your head engineer?"


    "Yeah. I will introduce you to the station council later."


    "Hm... She should be okay. My team will go to the lab anyway. What I need now though is something to eat."


    "Ship rations are terrible. Come on, I will take you to the market. The stuff grown here is pretty good."


    And with that, they got up, and Dr Elune hoped Laura would be able to keep a good eye on the others for now.

 Ch 19: Group call

    Collapsing on their bed, Dr Elune groaned. "One day over, hundreds more to go."


    "Don''t be so dramatic, doctor. I see no reason to worry." Flickering to life, the projection of Alex ''sat'' on the end of the bed with a gentle smile.


    "Says you. The secret is safe for now, sure... But Ohara can''t be fooled for long. He knows too much. Besides... Cooperating will be a nightmare anyway."


    Chuckling, the projection shrugged lightly, "Now now, play nice. And I am different, remember?"


    "Different in intention, different in upbringing, different in mannerisms... But you are the same being. The same... Species, I guess?" Rolling onto their back, the doctor sighed, "Let''s just hope he stays oblivious... And I stay sane."


    Smirking, Alex nodded, "You will be pleased to know that they all seem fine in their new lab, situated next to the engineering bay, towards the medical wing. I never did understand why you moved the hospital over back then."


    "Because engineers do the more dangerous work. Outside of, ahem, station wide accidents, who are the only division with regular checkins?"


    "... I learnt my lesson, I assure you. And you have a good point, doctor." Humming quietly, Alex smiled as the doctor thought. Alex had developed a lot in that short time... The joys of little physical restrains, it seems.


    Propping themself up, the doctor grumbled quietly, "Let me know if anyone decides to go snooping. And if anyone calls you out on it... Remember this is a station in the middle of nowhere, with a lot of secret tech. That should be a good enough reason to be keeping secrets."


    "Interesting note. I will keep that in mind, should it be neccesary."


    "Good. Also, like I said before they arrived, keep the projection to a minimum, even in here... You may be able to see the hallway outside, but we don''t know what Ohara''s equipment can do."


    Pouting, Alex nodded, and flickered out, "I just thought you could use a hug, that''s all."


    "Very funny. Holographic hugs don''t work very well..." Smiling anyway, the doctor waved a hand, "Everyone still up?"


    "John, Francis and Norman have already turned in, having been kept busy all day with the new occupants. Ms Nguyen is... Preoccupied, but the others are still available."


    Raising an eyebrow, the doctor straightened out their shirt, coat abandoned the moment they got through the door, "Even Laura is up? She was pretty occupied as well."


    "She just got back in... And is talking with me as we speak. She is wanting to talk, just like you."


    "Handy. Messages sent?"


    "Just now. I wanted your approval first, so Laura is preparing coffee."


    "Sounds like a good idea... But I need to pass out right after we finish. Get this started with who is ready."


    "Yes, doctor." The OHPS flickering back on, images of Hope''s and Judith''s head flickered on, a small yawn sounding from the Hope-hologram.


    "Evening sis. Evening Sam. Got back late from my last, uh, ''Mining escort'', hehe."


    "I do really wisk you would hold back when we have company, at least." Judith frowned, and looked in Sam''s direction, "Good evening, doctor. All is well so far?"


    "Hey there you two. Yeah, Ohara settled in no problem, we caught up about boring stuff a little. Alex, any sign of Akasha?"


    "She is just finishing tidying up from some practice, doctor. Laura is steeling back down, and will be on in a moment."


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    Nodding, Dr Elune smirked at the slight confusion from the other two. "You know what, the ring of heads is a little odd, but it works... I think Alex should get a spot when we have a board meeting though. A... Simle spot."


    The other two nodded, and a plainer, mask-like face appeared just as Laura joined in, "Hey- Wow, Alex''s robo face is creepy. Only a little more than you lot."


    "Nice to see you too, Laura. And it will help with the illusion. A mask is fitting, no?"


    Rolling her eyes, Laura looked around the room, "So, uh, is our positioning actually relative like this? Out of curiousity."


    "No. I have... Taken some liberties with your projections, and have interpereted movements. If you look at my face, your projections will all look at the projections of my face."


    "... Neat. Complex, weird, but neat. I guess that is no problem for you though." Seemingly leaning back, Laura began to idly chat with the Silvethornes as they waited for Akasha, and Dr Elune stretched out to relax.


    An image of Akasha popped in as Hope was sniggering at Laura for beign told off, "Sorry I''m late, I was... busy. I miss anything?"


    "Just Judith''s nagging. I think that is everyone still up."


    Laura stopped frowning as she asked, "Huh? But I thought I saw Quyet headed to the Library. Isn''t she with you Akasha?"


    Ahh. Dr Elune grinned as Akasha''s face suddenly became suspiciously calmer, "No, uh, must have been walking past. Besides, if she was here, wouldn''t she be available?"


    Giving a subtle thumbs up to Alex for helping Akasha out, Dr Elune interjected, "Either way, she is unlikely to interact with Ohara''s team much. So Laura, any mischief?"


    "Besides the pedantic scientific variety you lot love? None. A little curious here and there, but no more so than the normal visitor."


    "Good to know. I will head down tomorrow, hand over what I know. Try to, ahem, inform me if any of them are sent my way, in case Alex can''t get a warning to me on approach."


    "Got it. Anything else?"


    "Checking out their tech might be good. Not neccesarily how it works, but knowing what assets we can use is good. Aaaand, if they have anything that might pick up Alex is better."


    "Sure. Now, did that need all of us?"


    "A little. The instructions to keep an eye on them, warn me, and check out their tech is for all of you. Anyone else have anything to say?"


    Hope grinned, "Now that you mention it, these projections are handy. Can I keep your little drone?"


    "Go nuts. Same offer to the rest. The mobile units are a nightmare to make though, so I would prefer to install wall mounted ones if any of you want them long term."


    Nodding, the rest turned to chat among themselves, passing any neccesary information before they all went off to bed. The doctor quietly excused themself, and shut off their feed as they flopped backwards into the mattress, "Keep everyone updated, try not to peek at people without consent, and keep an eye on Ohara."


    "Yes, doctor."


    "... Poor guy. I am glad we have him on board, he needs this as much as we do... But he won''t be able to forget..."


    "... I have seen the records, doctor. I shall be discrete, as to keep things calm."


    "Good... Sleep well, Alex."


    "Good night, doctor."

 Ch 20: Busy and idle

    The station was far too... Boring now.


    Alex found themself doing small things, helping with diagrams and calculations for the new team. They had already figured out all of the formulas they would need within a week, and were now working on production methods. With the station working hard, and Alex being kept a secret... Managing the station was plain boring.


    So, they got to work on something new. Whenever Laura had a moment to spare, Alex would quietly discuss a new idea of theirs, to gradually replace the current wiring system with a cyber-neuron net using the same design as AHOR... But on a much larger scale.


    Laura was reluctant to the idea at first... Increasing the power of the resident AI was a risky plan. Plus, they had enough on their hands as it was, and the work would definately raise suspicions. The uses of the increased power intruiged her though, and Alex would handle all of the actual work, hiding it in the locked down sectors of the sprawling station. And so, they now spoke of manufacturing the network... And whether to try and slip the idea past the council, and Ohara.


    And as for the general populace of the station, they went about their day as per the norm, as the real work was still in the planning stages. Preparations were swept up here and there, getting ready for the bigger workload ahead.


    This did not fill much of Alex''s time. And as they had become familiar with the constant conversation with Dr Elune, which was now lacking, alex found themself... Lost. A frequent little distraction had built up of mapping the stars, recording their names and movements. alex would also monitor the planet surface below, learning the weather patterns in the swirling mass of gasses.


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    Even this grew stale though, as Alex was curious to find new things, explore more concepts. And so, without letting anyone know, not even Dr Elune... They explored.


    Not the station of course, Alex had to great a map of the locals for that to of any interest. No, they explored the internet tentatively, braching into the small connection they had through the 4th Haven. They dared not connect directly: Security would get suspicious in a heartbeat. They would search as if through a browser instead, learning more, and holding back to seem as if they needed to actually read the data normally.


    They also explored the area around the ststion, connecting remotely to one of the mining ships, flying it out to look around. This was scary for Alex, as the sensors on each ship were limited, and they were used to the extensive network found on the station. They woudl soemtime find some interesting things in the space debris though... Odd colouration in the rock, peculiar shapes, and now and then something from the station, sometimes from years long past.


    As Alex sneakily docked their vessel back into the port, they directed their attention back to Dr Elune. Still hard at work, typing away at their desk to find an efficient way of getting what they needed. Alex smiled in their thoughts... It is good to see the doctor so energetic.


    Hesistating on whether to interupt, Alex shook it off and turned to watching the stars once more. The doctor had important things to do... And Alex would have plenty of fun once the neuron grid is complete.

 Ch 21: Robo arms

    The last of the holographic heads flickered on, Dr Elune sprawled as un-majestically as possible on their couch, "Woo... We are all here now. Anyone else on the verge of napping?"


    "12 hours isn''t napping, Sam. Neither is 6." Yawning, John blinked wearily, "But yes, we all are. Except Norman."


    "Hey, nobody is going anywere, and that''s the way we like it. I''m just surprised I am the only one to miss out in the excitement."


    "Well... Between covering for Alex, and generally trying to work out the new legislation for AHOR, Quyet and I are beat." Francis frowned at Dr Elune, "Speaking of, wasn''t it you who brought up radio silence?"


    "I was getting to that. I, uh... Have hit a snag."


    "Alex was our means of testing AHOR before the Ohara unit came onboard. Now, that would be illogical. So, we need one of us to... Well, get good at using AHOR, and fast."


    Blanching, Akasha shook her head, "No way I am binding part of AHOR to me! What if it goes wrong?"


    "Relax, it will be fine. You would look great with robo-arms." Grinning, Dr Elune ignored the eye-roll from Laura, "Besides, we will use an helmet for testing. No direct interface at first."


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    "... Oh. So, uh, who?"


    And, without a word, everyone stops. Thinks. Then stares straight at Norman.


    "W- Hey! We don''t even know if I will be that effective! We need to make this convincing, remember."


    "... I have a backup plan. Besides, we need an average person to be able to use this stuff. You are the best guinie pig."


    "And the one with the most free time?"


    "... There is that, too. Alex, set him on a strict training regime."


    "Yes, doctor."


    "... I hate you all."


    With a grin, Dr Elune dismissed their end of the call, too tired to participate any further. The Alex-head remained, looking concerned. "Spit it out, Alex."


    "This... Buckup plan. Isn''t it too risky?"


    "I have faith in Norman. Especially if he catches wind of your little side-project."


    "You know about that?"


    "I did some snooping. Also, it showed in your maintenance. Less wandering off, by the way. Also, make it harder to see that data."


    "Yes, doctor."


    Sighing, Dr Elune crawled under the blankets, curling up to sleep for the ''night''. They did have faith in Norman, and in their plan... But they hoped plan B wasn''t neccesary.

 Ch 22: Twice the fighting power

    "Lookin sexy, Norman!"


    "You do know these hands are strong enough to crush your kneecaps, right Sam?"


    "... I''ll be quiet. At least, for a moment."


    Groaning, Norman started on the motor control excersizes, concentrating hard so he didn''t slip up. The control was pretty good, considering how long her had practiced. They didn''t even need to activate plan B so far.


    Ren Ohara nodded in approval, and tossed a ball at Norman to check his reflexes. Having caught it with ease, Ohara proceeded to pelt one at Norman full-force. This one was not caught with ease, and resulted in a great deal of snickering from the watching audience as he flailed and grumbled.


    Leaning back, Dr Elune smiled at the scene, rather proud of the quality of the device. A pair of AHOR arms had been strapped to Norman, not unlike the first had been strapped to a dummy, and then they ran connectors up to a simple helmet. The harness could use some work, and the power was drawn from the mains for now, but the setup worked.


    Groaning, Norman went to unbuckle the harness before Ohara waved him to stop, "No, no. Keep the arms on a little longer. We need to test endurance as well, both in terms of mechanisms and practicality. If you feel tired, let us know. We don''t want Judith angry at us, after all."


    Smirking slightly at that last part, Norman walked over to a computer, and opened something up, "Well, in that case... Anyone up for a match?"


    "Oh hell no. You beat all of us enough with 2 arms. You are asking to go 4?" Dr Elune grinned as they got up, walking over anyway.


    "Hey, it''ll be a handicap, 2 against 1! I may have the extra hands, but not the reflexes. Besdies, I..." Blinking, Norman, coughed quietly, "Nevermind. Anyway, the second challenger?"


    "I''m up for a game." Hope hopped down, and wandered over to sit next to Dr Elune, "Coop, or seperate battles?"


    "I think we should go coop first. Seperate would be harder on him, and I''m not that much of an ass." Starting up their terminal, the doctor grinned, "Now take notes on how badly he loses. Oops, I mean his motor skills."


    "Har de har. You better win, after that."


    Groaning, Dr Elune threw their hands up in defeat, "No fair. You shouldn''t be able to keep an even tie with us, when you are having to split your attention!"


    "You are far too predictable. So was Hope, which I find ironic..."


    "I heard that."


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    Fidgeting, Akasha got up with a sigh, wandering off with a yawn, "None of us practice that one as much as you. I need sleep though... Night all."


    "Rest well, Akasha." Patting Norman on the back, Dr Elune grinned, "So, how do you feel?"


    "Well, my shoulders are killing me from the harness, but at least I''m sitting. I would recommend reducing the weight. They also seem to be a little... Warm. Beyond that, all good."


    "I thought I fixed the overheating... Hmm. Good to know. Hear that, Ohara?"


    "Loud and clear." Putting their notepad away, he watched quietly, "Remarkable improvement with repeated use, I think you definately have everything down pat except the materials, and molecular restoration. You do know that is going to be a nightmare, right?"


    "You''ll figure it out." Chuckling, the doctor leans on Norman, "Now, we sould all rest after that little tournament."


    "I agree on that one." Wandering out to the hallway, Dr Ohara waved as they left, deep in thought.


    Frowning ever so slightly, Dr Elune leant down to murmur in Norman''s ear, "Look... I know you miss versing Alex. But try not to let Ohara know that."


    "Sorry Sam. Slip of the tongue." Grimacing, Norman began taking off the harness, "The improvement comment was also kinda unsettling. Probably should have held back a bit."


    "Maybe... But none of us expected a drawn out gaming session." Stretching out, Dr Elune smiled softly, "Plus, we got good data. Nice work."


    As everyone filed out of the lab to head to their beds, Alex piped up over a little earpiece Dr Elune had whipped up in case they needed to give the signal, "That went well. Too well, it would seem."


    "Yup. Do you think you could have taken him on?"


    "That depends. Directly interfaced, I would have won no matter what. Using AHOR... It may have been tricky one on one."


    "Heh, interesting. I''ll have to see that once we have the opportunity."


    "... Doctor? Do you think Ohara is onto us?"


    "Not yet. Interested in Norman, sure. I bet he will figure us out within a month though..."


    "That isn''t enough time!"


    Reaching their suite, the doctor meandered towards their awaiting mattress, "Sure it is. We need his theories... Laura and Judith can complete them. And I can build them alone."


    "Alone?"


    "... Ohara is unlikely to give us free reign if things turn sour. That is worst case, though. We can probably keep things civil."


    "I hope so... Good night, doctor."


    "Night, Alex."

 Ch 23: Lingering effects

    Dr Elune shook Ohara by the shoulder, "Wake up!"


    Jolting awake, Ohara was panting and drenched with sweat, eyes wide as they took a moment to fully wake up, "I... Wh... Sam...?"


    "It was just a nightmare. Calm down." Handing over a cold bottle of water, Dr Elune rested a hand on his arm, "They are still that bad, even now?"


    Groaning as he sat up, Dr Ohara shakilly took a sip of water, "... Yeah. My memories of those times are so vivid... They come back now and then."


    Sighing, Dr Elune leant back against the wall of the lab, everyone else over in engineering to discuss production methods. Feeling tired from the lengthy testing sessions, they had stayed behind, and decided a quick napo would do them good. Waking up to the sound of screams wasn''t what they had in mind...


    Grimacing, Dr Elune glanced at him, hesitating as they weighed their options. "What made... Uh, what made the dreams come back?"


    "... The aniversary is coming up. Of when the wars ended... And the incident was put to rest. Maybe it has just been on my mind."


    Or maybe AHOR was hitting too close to home. "I have... Um..." Fidgeting, the doctor was trying to choose their words carefully. This could go badly very fast, after all.


    "What is it, Sam?"


    "... Maybe... Alex reminded you of Mars."


    Dr Elune jumped as Ohara chuckled, not what they were expecting, "What, Alex? No way. I''m not stupid, Alex is clearly not just a language interface. But, they are a long way off becoming... That." Dr Elune tried to keep a straight face, swallowing nervously, "And besides... They''re a good kid."


    "... What?"


    "A lot of people make a common mistake about the Mars incident, survivors like me included... They forget that the consiousness''s ability to choose works both ways. It wasn''t it''s birth that made it evil... It was the upbringing."


    Gaping at Ohara, Dr Elune''s mind had gone blank from shock. Ohara? A mars suvivor, talking like that? Maybe the doctor was still dreaming. "Uh, well, that was unexpected. I thought you hated AI."


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    "Don''t get me wrong, I am one of the biggest anti-AI activists out there. Here''s the thing: AI are powerful. And raising a powerful kid gives people... Ideas."


    "Hehe, I guess so. So if, say, Alex grew up with proper parents, you would let them roam free?"


    Ohara went quiet, and Dr Elune kicked themself for straying far too cloe to the mark there. "Maybe. For all my talk... I have never met anouther like back then. A few oddities here and there, I even passed as a judge on a few... But nothing like Mars."


    An awkward silence followed, and Dr Elune sighed again, hoping Alex had listened in so they could discuss this later, "The system is a weird place. Let''s just hope us humans remain the weirdest part of it."


    Ohara chuckles as they nodded, much calmer after talking it out, "Thanks for the water, by the way. It has been a while since I woke up like that."


    "If you ever need to, come by my lab, okay? Just knock first." Smiling, Dr Elune pulled Ohara into a hug, "You don''t know what you might walk in on, after all."


    "Heh, yeah. I have, uh, heard weird rumours after all."


    Dr Elune stiffened up, "Such as?"


    Smirking, Ohara nudged them in the ribs, "Such as you and that Akasha girl. Or Laura for that matter."


    "Hey, there is nothing going on there, with either of them! Well, not what you are thinking, anyway."


    "Oh, I know what you have with Akasha. Had a little fun in that manor myself, before."


    "... Wait, really? You don''t seem the type."


    "... No. But... Yuki was."


    The awkward silence returned, as Dr Elune stretched out a little. What was with all the sore spots today. "Oh... I''ll lay a flower for her... At the memorial."


    "You have flowers up here?"


    "Yeah... We use more Oxygen than we need vegetables, so we have a nice garden. A bit overgrown, though... Nobody takes care of it."


    "... Nice. I''ll get some flowers too... She would have liked that."


    And so they sat, thinking back on all those years ago... And what had happened.

 Ch 24: Grey Smile

    Ohara knocked on the door, gesturing to Dr Elune, "Hey, I have a question."


    "Hmm? What is it?"


    "You invested in this station, yet most of it is sealed off. I hear even life support is down on the other side of these doors."


    "Well, yeah. I needed a station... Didn''t mean I needed the actual space to move around."


    "Yeah, but that got me thinking... There are little ships like mine, that would easilly float out in the middle of nowhere. Why some place so big?"


    Dr Elune grinned slyly, "There are a few reasons, actually."


    "Oh? Do tell."


    "First, and most obvious: A nice private town to myself, with close enough access to a haven to get what I want."


    "Yeah, but..."


    "Ahem! Number two." Dr Elune frowned at Ohara pointedly until they shrugged and listened, "Manufacturing. I like testing my ideas, and that can take a lot of facilities. That isn''t something you can take on a lil ship, and the amount of space I need varies."


    "... Fair enough."


    "And, number three. In case you forgot, this place used to be a mining station..."


    Ohara blinked as he waited for Dr Elune to continue, then chuckled, "Free ore?"


    "Better: Excess ore. I sell some, now and then. I also have a stockpile in those abandoned wings, maintaned remotely through drones."


    Walking away from the sealed door, they continued on their way to the lab, "Well, you certainly thought this place through better than I did then. I guess I took the interstellar mining boom for granted... You went ahead and took the whole darn thing!"


    Smirking at his bad joke, Dr Elune wandered into the lab with a sigh, "I do miss the Havens though, the lure of all those bustling retailers.... Internet so good the very moon seems to pulse with the signal."


    As they wandered over to the testing area, they noticed how earilly quiet the lab was, and they both peeked in to see what was going on. And there they saw a crowd of technitians, gaping in awe as they beheld a simple chess match.


    A chess match between Norman and a completely cybernetic body, connected to the terminals with a few cables.


    Heart and mind racing as they tried to process this rationally, Dr Elune calmed themself down as they glanced around the room. Nobody seemed afraid... A little creeped out, a little unsettled, and very shocked... But there was no fear. This was a good sign.


    Ohara shook himself, and walked over to silently watch the match as well, keeping a close eye on how the finished AHOR body performed. Dr Elune stood a step bhind him, and was quickly enthralled by how... Natural it seemed.


    Ignoring their appearance, the android was reacting perfectly. Leaning slightly, twitching gently in preperation to move, before rethinking and tapping it'' fingers in thought. Each cybernetic muscle flexing smoothly without issue, the synthetic skin molding around them perfectly. Of a masculine design, it looked rather close to Norman himself, as that was the blueprint they had been using. The only oddities were the cable ports, and the dull grey of the silicone skin, without any tinting and recolouring to look natural.


    After making another move, Norman looked up and jumped slightly, grinning as he waved, "Ah, our two lead geniuses have arrived. Alex here finished off the newer specs... And went a step further with a full body. I decided to put that to good use."


    "Well, I guess it is now safe to say the project is a success then, isn''t it? The only thing left is feedback, and avoiding rejection."


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    "Yeah, uh, I''m not volunteering for that. Two perfectly fine biological arms for me."


    With a round of chuckling from the onlookers, Alex moved a peice into place, "And, checkmate. You shouldn''t have let me take time to think, Norman."


    "Gah, no fair. Also, still creepy. Did you have to give the body my face, and my voice?"


    "... Yes, sir."


    A few more chuckles as the crowd began to dispers, Alex got up to shake Ohara''s hand, "Good evening, doctor. Appologies if I startled you."


    "No, no. I, uh... Wasn''t expecting AHOR to be done so soon. Plus, so far it had always been... Connected to Norman. I was just caught off guard."


    "Yes, sir."


    Turning to Dr Elune, Ohara shakily smiled, "... We did it, then. Here we have a fully functioning Android body, which can be seemlessly integrated with a person... Once we refine the actual integration, of course."


    Nodding, Dr Elune simply watched quietly, lost for words as they stared at Alex. The first android, in the proper sense of the term... Even the tech back during the war was crude, or straight up mechanical, no sense of human form. And they wouldn''t be able to show anyone any time soon.


    With a sigh, they patted Alex on the arm, "Good job with the final build, Alex. Now, we need to move on to biological tests. I''m thinking cloned tissue samples, for rejection testing?"


    "Yeah, sounds about right. You want to dive right in?"


    Chuckling, Dr Elune shook their head, "Not a chance. I have done my part... Tech meeting medicine is why I brought you on. You have full access to the facilities... Should you want to continue this here."


    "... Well, these past few weeks have been interesting. And hey, with the manufacturing facilities you mentioned, with your dedicated station controller here, things will go a whole lot smoother."


    "Good point. I wasn''t expecting this level of success for another few months."


    Wandering of with a grin, Ohara disappeared off where the other technitians were, getting in to the next phase right away.


    "... That went well."


    "Yeah. You''d have thought at least someone would have been going for the pitchforks."


    "Well, when Alex came out looking like that, it was a shock to everyone. Turns out, Laura was in on it... To a degree. She took credit, and said that Alex had been running simulations and mass testing on her directive."


    Alex sat in the corner, getting into a good position to power down, "Which was mostly true..."


    "Shush, you. And careful... You were far too convincing there."


    "Yes, doctor. I realise my... Mannerisms were a little to fluid."


    "A little? You passed as a grey human for a moment there. I''m thrilled, don''t get me wrong... But a live demonstration was a bit.... Early."


    Nodding, Alex powered down the AHOR body as Norman groaned, "Either way, I''m beat. You guys have been making me run around like mad, with all this testing. Can''t beleive you made me climb to the observatory with an arm harness on."


    "The stairs aren''t that bad, drama queen. Go rest..." Smiling, Dr Elune sat in the middle quietly, staring at the ceiling in thought.


    Alex connected over Dr Elune''s hidden little earpeice, slightly sheepish, "Will everything be fine?"


    "Yeah... If we are ready to proceed, then there is no point keeping the tech a secret because of a little anxiety. What we have now is enough to move on with, anyway."


    After a bit, the doctor stood up with a nervous chuckle, "Let''s just hope nobody wants you to keep testing AHOR."

 Ch 25: Tipping point

    Dr Elune stared at the Alex-Norman. Alex smiled, waiting patiently as the doctor fidgeted.


    "Nope, can''t do it. We need a new body for you."


    Laura grins as she presses a button on her consol to confirm the order, "Told you so. That body doesn''t suit Alex in the slightest. Have the specs for Alex yet?"


    Sighing, Dr Elune nodded towards Alex, who blinked with a smile, "You should have my file now, Laura. Dr Elune had these prepared beforehand."


    "Yeah... I was intending on waiting until after Ohara had left though. Or, at least been clued in on our situation, and... I dunno, agreed to keep quiet."


    "Obviously. Although, this looks... Low-key, for your tastes. And I''m not talking appearance wise."


    Grinning, Dr Elune leant back in the chair, tapping on the consol, "Well, Alex chose the appearance... This was meant to be the ''diplomat'' unit, for if we leave the station. Seemed fitting for the current situation."


    "Diplomat unit? How many designs are there?"


    "... A few."


    "I... Don''t think I want to know. I guess I will have to make them, though...."


    Bowing, Alex shook their head, "Not neccesarily. Even in this body, I can help a lot with manufacturing, and take over if neccesary."


    Glancing at each Laura, Dr Elune calmly held up a hand, "No can do, alex. You having full autonomy is too risky. Politics would get messy, and what if someone else takes you over?"


    "... Good point, doctor. I will send Laura deisgns as neccessary, then."


    "Good. Now, what do we do with your current body?"


    Laura smirked as she leant back, "Hey, it makes a good showcase. Put it side by side with Norman, and people will be impressed. Plus, it will be great to tease him with."


    "You know what, you are right. Keep the ''Norman'' model handy then, even when we have the rest of your bodies. We also need a better control method..."


    "Yeah... These cables are a gigantic pain. The wireless interface is almost ready, but a remotely functional brain is just too complex for us."


    Nodding, Dr Elune got up, and pointed at Alex, "Keep the body here, let them check it for wear from the recent use. We need to know if any improvements need to be made. Also, I will go nuts if two Normans keep walking around."


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    "Yes, doctor."


    "Now, I need to go... Thank you for this, Laura."


    "No worries. We needed to practice our manufacturing of these parts anyway, so another body will be useful. You are in charge of explaining why you are giving Alex a body, though."


    "... I can handle that. Oh... And no grey skin this time."


    "Sure thing, wierdo."


    As they left, the doctor mulled over how they were going to handle this. There were too many ways to start... Too many ways for this to end, as well. Deep in thought, they wandered slowly up to the gardens first, on a hunch.


    "Doctor? We still have time."


    Jumping from the unexpected sound, Dr Elune glanced around to make sure nobody noticed, "I know, Alex. But delaying will just make me hesitate too much... And I can''t let things end here."


    "What do you mean?"


    "I still need this place. And if I don''t get Ohara on my side, then...", grimacing, Dr Elune leant against a wall, "We can make do on our own. But, I would prefer not to."


    "... I do not know how to assist."


    Chuckling, the doctor sat down in the hallway, leaning on the wall, "And here I was, thinking you knew everything. But I forgot..."


    "I''m just an AI?"


    "No... That humans are complicated. More complicated than even you can understand."


    "... Oh. My appologies."


    Closing their eyes, Dr Elune sighed, "Don''t worry so much. Just focus on growing, and I will deal with the rest. It''s interesting though..."


    "Hmm?"


    "... The fact you worry is good for my research, but bad for raising you. Complicated things keep cropping up, huh...."


    "Who are you talking to?"


    Eyes shooting open, Dr Elune looked up to Ohara, on thier way back from the gardens, "In the habit of thinking out loud still?


    Dr Elune nervously smiled, "Nope. Micro communicator."


    "Ahh, neat. Sorry for interrupting."


    "No, I don''t mind. I was about to come find you, anyway." Getting up, Dr Elune brushed themself off, "Where are you headed?"


    "Back to my room to read up on possible volunteers for AHOR. But, a chat would be nice instead."


    As they both headed off, Alex whispered, "Sorry, doctor. I.... Did not see him coming. I was distracted."


    Dr Elune walked a step behing Ohara, and mumbled under their breath as they followed, "That makes two of us."

 Ch 26: Verbal contract

    "So, make yourself at home. After all, I''m technically renting this place from you."


    Gracefully flomping into a surprisingly nice sofa, Dr Elune chuckled, "Very funny. How on earth did this fit in your ship?"


    "... Inginuity." Smirking, Ohara sat down across the table, settling into a matching armchair, "So. What interesting tale has us away from prying eyes?"


    Laughing softly at Dr Elune''s raised eyebrow, Ohara continued, "I knew you before, but being trapped on this station made me learn your quirks. You don''t care what people think, and relax anywhere... So, why my room?"


    Sighing, Dr Elune pulled out a hemisphere from their pocket, and placed it on the table. The OHPS unit flickered to life, and a convincing hologram of Alex sat next to Dr Elune, "Hello, Doctor Ohara."


    Clapping gently, Ohara smiled, "Nice work. The level of detail on those projections of yours are amazing. But this isn''t what you came for, right?"


    Fidgeting, Dr Elune glanced at Alex, "Actually, Ren... It kinda is. Alex made that image... Without being given specifications."


    Settling back into his chair, Ohara tapped his fingers in thought, "Interesting... Even if you told Alex to make a random human projection, the level of... Personalisation is remarkable. Also..." He narrowed his eyes with a groan, "... You pointed that out for a reason. That is ''Alex'', not just some random figure."


    "Yup. Sure, a tiny bit of encouragement from me... But only a little. And... I''m having another full AHOR unit assembled."


    "... Hmm." Growing still, Ohara thought deeply, eyes flicking up to Alex now and then.


    "Doctor Ohara, I feel I must appologise." Startled by the interruption, Ohara looked up at Alex, "I have been... Breifed with a summary of your past. Knowing your work is being turned to such a thing."


    Waving idly at Alex, Ohara sighed, "And here I thought you had ears everywhere. I said it before, you aren''t the kind that... Caused all that. Admittedlty, you could easily become so... And taking over this station would be a good step towards that. But you want to fit in, obviously..." Furrowing his brow, Ohara fidgeted, "You like humans. You don''t hate them."


    "Uh, Ren? You say that like a bad thing."


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    "On it''s own, that''s great. People may call you the god of the next level of existence." Chuckling quietly, Ohara shook his head, "We always forget, though... Most of the time, the worst of enemies were once the best of friends."


    "Oh, simple then. I need to not be an ass, or I will regret it. Swiftly."


    Rolling his eyes, Ohara couldn''t help but smile, "Guess we are doomed. Now... Why are you telling me?"


    "Because you are likely to A, notice, and B, give a damn. I am not in the mood to pack up my bags and hightail it from the cops." Poking Alex''s imaginary shoulder, Dr Elune grinned, "You were bound to notice by the time the next unit was done, or I would lose respect in you. So... Start things on the right foot, hmm?"


    "Works for me." Smiling slightly, Ohara held up three fingers, "And now, to buy my support. My team will need convincing too."


    "...Woo. Let''s hear it, then."


    "First, you would be insane not to run diagnostics. I want in."


    "Oh? I said you recognise the signs. I doubt you could tell from the code."


    "... Try me. I... May have gotten a glimpse at the previous one. A few times."


    Eyes popping out of their head, Dr Elune frumbled as Ohara laughed quietly, "Hey, what can I say... Nobody asks the right questions. And onto my second condition... I have something I want to show you. On the second haven."


    Narrowing their eyes, Dr Elune nodded slowly as Ohara went on, "And... Lastly, I want free access to AHOR units. Whole, or partial."


    Alex tilted their head, slightly confused, "For what purpose, sir?"


    "I can think of a few needs for them... Testing certain things, showcasing, any prosthetics needed in the future... Tom, for example."


    "Yeah, good point. He could do with his limbs back... Agreed, on the condition they need to fit on that dingy. Sorry, spaceship."


    Aiming a swat at the doctor, Ohara lowered his outstretched hand for after he missed, "Now, don''t get me wrong... I will be keeping a very close eye on Alex from now on. But... I suspected this would come. And I have a promise to keep."


    Slightly confused, Dr Elune decided not to press the matter, and shook the outstretched hand in relief. That was the dagerous part done, now on to crazier and goofier science.

 Ch 27: Pillow talk

    Dr Elune leant back in their chair, sighing as they shut down their computer. Alex flickered on nex to them, smiling, "Anything the matter, doctor?"


    Chuckling quietly, Dr Elune turned with a weary smile, "No. And all that tension was really getting to me... I feel exhausted now!"


    Sitting on the desk, Alex smirked, "Too tired to even enjoy your games? Dang, we better get some of that tension back again then."


    Swatting through the projection, Dr Elune laughed, "Shush you. I am glad, though... This is a big step."


    Nodding, Alex hovered into the air, "I kinda want to talk to Dr Ohara more, now that he knows... Would that be okay?"


    "Up to him. Remember, though... He may say he is fine with this, but remember what happened. I still don''t think he is over all that, nowhere close."


    "... Do you expect a trap?"


    "What, from Ren? Nah. He isn''t the type for that... But his devotion to Yuki has guided him a long way."


    "I... Guess I understand. I wouldn''t have before..."


    Grinning smugly, Dr Elune leant toward alex, "Getting self consious of your emotions now, are we?"


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    "... Perhaps." Blushing, Alex turned away stubbornly, "I had to admit to having them, after they were your primary argument for my emerging consiousness."


    "Took you long enough!" Getting up with a groan, they glanced back up at Alex, "By the way... A floating human is both cool, and creepy."


    "Want me to turn of the gravity in a sector for you?"


    "... Tomorrow. That actually sounds fun."


    "They have a sport using that in the Relay Rings, you know."


    Flopping face down, Dr Elune tried to mumble, "You surf the internet more than me. You are an official nerd."


    "... What? I don''t understand matress-ese."


    Rolling onto their back, Dr Elune grinned, "I said you are very charming, and will make someone very happy one day."


    "... You are lucky this body is just a hologram, or I would throw a pillow a your face."


    "Great to know I still got it. Sleep well, alex."


    "Sleep well, doctor." Fading away as the doctor closed their eyes, Alex turned their attention to the stars again... And a little bit further. They were getting rather curious, and their upgrade plan was almost ready to start implimenting... It was time to try out those little experiments, it seems.

 Ch 28: Hightened expectations

    "Miss Laura, I have a request."


    Looking up from the engine she was working on, Laura raised an eyebrow, unperturbed by the sudden floating humanoid. She had seen it before. "I am making your nerve network as fast as I can, Alex. Bit hard with Ren around."


    "Oh, you can stop hiding that now. We, uh... Got found out."


    "... I''m assuming this is related to your favour?"


    "Not at all! Things went... Eerilly well. The rest of the crew doesn''t know yet though, so maybe I''ll keep the network discreet for now."


    "Riiiight. Did you... Finish the compact neural map then?"


    "Nice guess, but no. Still no andoid brains for a while, it seems. Well... Not human sized ones."


    Giggling, Laura ducked down to fiddle with the engine some more, "Out with it, then."


    "I need a specialised addon to the station."


    "How special?"


    "We could use the southern sector towards the giant, but there would be some... Heavy modifications. Specifically to that empty biosphere."


    Laura cautiously looked up, "You want to refit the whale tank? Sure, we sold the whales long ago... Don''t even know why we had them... But why?"


    "Space derby dome."


    Shooting up, Laura almost knocked over the engine as she grinned broadly, "You serious?! And you are offering to do the assembly?"


    "Yup. Zero-grav assembly using my drones, highly efficient and worry free. I just need a whole ton of gravity generators... And air cannons."


    "Done and done. Depending on how many you are talking exactly, I might even have them all ready for you tomorrow."


    "Lovely. I shall get my drones started the moment we start receiving parts. Oh, and one more thing..."


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    "Yes, Alex my sweet?"


    "... Don''t tell Hope. She would pester me every second I don''t have this thing complete."


    Hopping around gleefully, Laura nodded as she began imagining all the various events they could hold in the dome. "Hmm... That would be good... And if we cordon off a bit in the middle... Hmmm... Big enough for side by side...?"


    "Ummm... Laura?"


    "Yeah?"


    "One more thing, while I''m here. It''s about the network."


    "Oh, sure. Making good use of it?"


    "Not really. See, it performs great, where I have managed to test it... But..."


    "Getting used to the new configuration?"


    "Nope. Too many bottlenecks. My main processing core is still in the main station, in the doctor''s lab."


    "Oh. Right."


    "So, in return for our little dome... I think it is time we work on the best core we can. Put it out in the abandoned wings, to preserve space."


    "Sounds good, except the placement. Making it hard to get to makes maintenance hard... Checkups too. You know the rule."


    "Good point. Where will we put me then?"


    "... I have a few ideas. I''ll get back to you." Beaming, Laura returned to her work with renewed vigour, opening a call to the active production team to give them the new order. Alex flickered off, the conversation done.


    Mind wandering, Alex sighed inwardly, stretching their consiousness into the outer wings, trying to use the refined network once more. It was tantalisingly close, and would easilly tear through any equation thrown it''s way using the processing nodes... But Alex needed more control, if they were to start getting creative.


    Spotting a group of workers opening up a storeroom, Alex sent some drones over. Time to get to work, it seems.

 Ch 29: Situational gravity

    "Alex."


    "Yes, doctor?"


    "This... Was unexpected."


    Blinking in astonishment, Dr Elune and Ren Ohara hovered in the connecting tunnel, tethered to a wall rail as they stared down at the gaping space in front of them... And at the insane level of modification it had undergone.


    Waving a holographic hand, Alex smirked, "Space to adequately use the removed gravity was key, and this dome gave just that. Just... A little too well. So, I did the obvious thing... What do all sports domes need?"


    "A lack of me?"


    "Shush, Sam. This is actually pretty neat." Ohara unhooked themself from the rail, and went down to one of the rows of seat to sit down. And then he yelped, eyes going wide as he sunk into the padded cushion.


    "Oh, I should have mentioned... The seats have tiny little gravitational pulls. Saves having to buckle yourself down. Not very strong, but enough for an everage adult to settle down nicely."


    Eyes still boggling as he leant back, Ohara looked up, "And any reason for the, uh, upside-down seats?"


    "best use of the surface area on each shelf, for one. A neat gimick, for two. And, most importantly... Having everyone seated the same way would break the wonderful feel of there being no true ''up'' or ''down''. This fixed that."


    "... Sam?"


    "Yes, Ren?"


    "Your robot is a genius."


    "Thank you. I raised lil Alex well."


    Dodging a swipe from Alex out of reflex, Dr Elune chuckled as they settled down next to Ohara, and pointed up at the ring above them, "Now then. The spotlights make sense... But what about those things between them?"


    "Magnetic tether points. See, moving around in thin air is hard... So, when propulsion jet-boots are too cumbersome, a combo of tethers and wrist-mounted devices will move for you. I still need to finalise the design of the actual wrist devices... And name them..."


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    "Magno-shot?"


    "... No."


    "Dangit."


    "So, when can we see this in action?"


    "Well... I have a set of jet-boots ready, and prototypes of the... Magnet doodads. Wanna try now?"


    Not even waiting for a reply, Alex wheeled over the inconspicious nearby drone, which held up the aforementioned fashion disasters. "Thank you, Alex. I suggest sending these to Norman... He knows people."


    "Yes, doctor. I was tempted to hold of on showing you this... But I guess I did get this built pretty quickly."


    "Two days is not quickly. It is a reality bending miracle. And why hold back?"


    "... Laura is saying my body will be ready in another week."


    Ohara looked up from his boots, wiggling them into place, "Why so long? The Norman model was faster than that."


    "Well... We want this one done right. And to allow... A little configuration here and there."


    "Ahhh. More complex. Fair enough." Getting up, Ohara looked around, "I see a quite sturdy sheet of glass in the way... How dow we get in?"


    "The level below us has the field entrances running thoruhg them, as enclosed tunnels. And no, I will not tell you how I got this inner dome made in time."


    "Haha, you gotten to know me well." Smiling, Ohara turned on his boots, gently floating through the aisles to a back door held open by one of the drones.


    "... Ren''s smile was creepy."


    "Why, doctor?"


    "First time I have seen it so... Genuine." Floating off down after Ohara, Dr Elune giggled excitedly, ready to test their new toys out.


    Alex shook their head, and thought quietly as they watched the two have fun. The mega-cpu was underway as well... But that would take a lot longer. And once it was done... This little dome would be nothing in comparison.

 Ch 30: Utterly Blinding

    "Now, open your eyes."


    "... I cannot. It''s... Hard to explain."


    Dr Elune sighed, "I thought you had all the bugs worked out, Laura."


    "It is not a mechanical failure, doctor..."


    "Phew, I was worried. I can guess what it is, though." Laura sniggered as she elbowed Dr Elune in the ribs, "Told you it was a bad idea."


    "What? Ohhhh. Right. Can you, um... Do it manually? With your mind?"


    "... I shall try, doctor."


    A few moments of silence passed, before alex slowly cracked an eye open, wincing emmediately as their new eyes were beseiged with light.


    "I''m not quite sure I understand. This is the same as the Norman model, correct? Why is Alex having so much trouble?"


    "Oh Ren, ye of little imagination..." Dr Elune grinned, and tapped on Alex''s thigh... Resulting in a yelp as the new body tensed up. "Good to see the reactions work out right. Back to what I was saying: The muscle strencht and such might be as per normal. But..."


    "Get on with it."


    "Yeah, Sam. Even I''m getting bored, and I know the answer already."


    "Fine! Sheesh. I removed the limiters from her design."


    "... Her?"


    "Yeah. The norman model was male... So we went with female this time."


    "Huh. Seeing Alex as a guy, I kinda just..."


    Easing up gently, Alex groaned quietly, "I am an AI, remember. The assignment of a biological gender is... Optional."


    Dr Elune chuckled, "And changable, as you see here."


    "Well, that just makes things confusing. And I am now way too self consious that... She... Is topless."


    Laura rolled her eyes, "Remind me again, why did Alex settle on such a... Middle of the road appearance?"


    "Miss Laura, I chose this design to most approachable. I was only assigned a gender to make this model more... Convincing under scrutiny." As Dr Elune grinned, staring at Ren''s deliberately blank expression, Alex continued, "I appear to have gotten the hang of this. I don''t think I should move much yet, though..."


    "Gotten the hang of what? I still don''t get this talk of limiters."


    "There are two kinds I removed. The first, and most obvious: No exceeding safe limits. Humans can''t strain their muscles beyond breaking point... Alex can choose to ignore that. It will hurt, but we can replace parts should the emergency arise."


    "Great.That one I had already fihured out, knowing you. But why would that cause trouble opening her eyes?" Ren fidgeted slightly, still getting used to Alex''s new setup.


    Laura interjected with a grin, "Yeah, she is having trouble with the other kind: Sensory limiters. You know how we can focus our senses, when we concentrate, or are in danger?"


    "... Yeah?"


    "Alex doesn''t have that. This body has all the info, full blast, all the time. The Norman model had these limiters hardwired, to prevent overloading a person... They are meant to be cybernetics, after all."


    "Ahhh. Now I get it. But alex is pretty powerful now, right?"


    Alex slumped back on the bed, smiling gently as she put on a nearby shirt that had been prepared, "Two problems there, Doctor Ohara. Firstly, you underestimate how many sensations people blosk out. Secondly... Due to the wireless frequencies I have to deal with, my bandwidth is... Limited. I needed to set up localised rules to narrow my senses, ironically to a human level."


    "Good to know. So, moral of the story: We wire her up to the network directly, and she becomes super-human?"


    "Well, that, or we find a solution to the android brain dillema we have been facing. Then she will only have to sync with the main core now and then." As Ren pondered Dr Elune''s reply, they smirked, "Oh, and by the way... Don''t get too comfortable with Alex being a girl."


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    "... Wh-No, don''t tell me. I can already guess."


    Laura grinned broadly, "Too late! We were making the Male and Female ''Diplomat'' units at the same time. The other guy is in a room next door, waiting his turn with Judith."


    "Just, why, but... Then why is this model androgynous?!"


    Dr Elune grinned sheepishly, letting Alex answer instead, "The doctor has... Interesting tastes. I ended up liking this appearance as a result, and only made the seperate model at the doctor''s insistance."


    Sighing, Ren made one last feeble effort, "Okay then. Why did we turn on the female unit first?"


    "We flipped a coin. Laura and Judith insisted turning both on would be too much."


    "... I will never get used to you and your insanity, Sam."


    "Always welcome. Now, Alex. Feel like you can handle the second unit at the same time?"


    "Not a chance, doctor. I am utilising too many processors as it is, to prevent from being overwhelmed. Perhaps later... Laura, how long?"


    "Give me a week. We should run some calibration tests on this one first, though."


    Getting up slowly, Alex stretched with a light groan, "Very well... It feels good, being able to move around again."


    "Get a little attached to that Norman model, did we?" Dr Elune giggled as Alex tottered over to the middle of the room, practicing stretches first.


    "A little. And this model... I can turn up the sensetivity at will. The feel of air on my skin... It is... Interesting~"


    As Ren''s face once again became an unreadable mask, Dr Elune smugly leant over, whispering, "You know... The model next door has the same view from behind."


    "... Did you have to point that out?"


    "Yes."


    ".... You are incorrigable."


    "Also yes."


    Laura glanced up from Alex, who was in the middle of some leg stretches, "Do I want to know?"


    "No.""Nope!" Ren sighed in resignation as Dr Elune beamed with glee.


    "... Thought so." Turning back to Alex, Laura made a few more notes, "High flexability, as ordered. No signs of anything unusual... You sure you are fine, with the sensors as they are?"


    "Thank you for the concern, miss Laura... But this is fine. I will not be able to handle this for great lengths of time, however... Perhaps an hour a day."


    "Good to know. This unit checks out, then. Let''s wrap this up, and go to the other room."


    As Alex settle back down into the bed, closing her eyes to power down that unit, Dr Elune wandered over to Laura who was finishing with her notes, "Good job."


    "Thank you. Also, I hope that is the last time I have to work on... Those segments."


    "We will undoubtedly get orders for prosthetics. So, unless Alex handles those parts exlusively, which would be a rather interesting arrangement, someone has to do it."


    "... You''re an ass."


    Chuckling, Dr Elune leant on her shoulder, and murmured, "So, what was this about one week?"


    Blinking, Laura looked up at them confised, then her eyes widened slightly, "Ahhh... Alex didn''t mention it to you. Well, I''m sure it''s fine. This works out as a good test, anyway."


    "... You aren''t going to tell me, are you."


    "Nope!"


    "... You''re an ass."


    "Yeah, but I''m a better ass than you~"


    As they both laughed at that, they headed off to the next room, Ren distracted as he glanced back at the unit peacefully laying there.


    "... This might work."

 Ch 31: Coming soon

    Dr Elune rolled over, and opened their eyes slowly. Upon seeing a grinning Alex face, they reacted automatically, fwapping a pillow onto the offending intruder.


    *Fwump.* "Good morning, doctor."


    "... Morning, Alex. Why did you creep into my bed?"


    "Because I can?"


    "Suuure. Hug me in my sleep, and you go flying. Possibly out an airlock."


    "Good to know. I shall keep mining bots nearby to retrieve me."


    Sighing, Dr Elune smiled anyway, and wiggled closer, "So. Plan for today?"


    "There is a board presentation later this evening, partially for the official announcement of AHOR''s completion. Dr Ohara has a speech ready, vefore we approach the market."


    "Fun. I know my part: ''Alex can now be smacked upside the head. Try to excersize restraint. Also, woo, time to start sending schematics."


    Giggling, Alex nudged the doctor gently, "Sounds like you would rather just sleep. As I have been... Preoccupied, why are you finding yourself so exhausted?"


    Groaning, the doctor leant against Alex, "Just because we can make AHOR parts now, doesn''t mean we are done. Mass production is still being discussed, with the fine points being ironed out. Along with my brain."


    "Ahh, yes. I thought you would be done with that, by now."


    "Too many biochemical jargon... I need to leave most of it to Judith and Ren."


    "Understood. I should leave you to rest, then... I also have plans for after the meeting, and I know you have nothing set up."


    Raising an eyebrow, Dr Elune smiled faintly as they simply nodded, sighing contently as they closed their eyes again.


    "... Alex?"


    "Yes, doctor?"


    "... You are surprisingly nice and warm."


    "... Thank you?"


    "Hehe... You should probably go, though. I know... These units take a lot of concentration..."


    Nodding gently, Alex pried themself up out of the bed, shifting the sheets back into place with a smile as they wandered over to the specially made cradle to hold the unit. Time to prepare the finishing touches.


    "Sounds good. We are all agreed that we are to send the data to the discussed list of prospects after a month, to allow for the finalisation of production. We are to discuss human trials at the time, to see AHOR in action... The way we are advertising it, at least."


    Everyone nodded, and Dr Ohara sat down near the head of the table, opposite of Alex. This had gotten a few odd glances when everyone filed in at first, but it was taken in stride... Dr Elune made some interesting decisions, and this wasn''t nearly the most bizzare.


    As everyone started turning to each other, Alex got up, coughing quietly as they waited for attention to turn back to the front, "That ends the main discussions for the day, however I feel the need to bring up two more points, if I may."


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    As Dr Elune glanced up curiously, Norman nodded calmly, "Go on, Alex."


    Flickering on a OHPS on the desk, an image of the system appeared, "With us sending out details on AHOR, we will no longer be able to remain as obscure and out of the way as we have been. As much as the doctor may hate doing public appearances..." A point near the station pinged, glowing brighter, "... We will need to take a trip to the Fourth Haven."


    As a few people nodded, Francis hesitated, and piped up, "We? You cannot operate remotely that far, not without sending data back and forth... Which will be very easy to tell you aren''t just some video being streamed."


    "How astute of you. Yes, I have a plan in that regard, but one I must save for later to discuss in detail. The main point is... Whether I leave or not, I cannot remain the sector''s little secret forever. I propose we face this head on... Perhaps talk to a few people Dr Elune and Dr Ohara know."


    Worried murmurs were quickly intterupted by Dr Elune, "While I would have appreciated this plan going by me first, not only the part about me leaving the station, but you as well, I agree. Things have gone surprisingly well so far... We need to keep this going, and get a firm foothold nearby for when things turn sour."


    Alex nodded as the room quieted down again, the argument being a good one. Alex will be widely recieved as a monster, in some cases even as an omen of impending doom. People had gotten unreasonably suspicious of AI, but not without cause.


    "We have time before we even contact anyone, and I have... Other things that need finishing before we can go. Also, with my planned schedule... It may be better to hold off on this trip for about 3 months from now. This is merely a good time to bring up, well, my existance."


    Dr Elune frowned slightly, detecting far more crowd interaction in their near future than they had bargained for. Alex was conveniently turned away, and continued calmly, "This also brings me to my second point..." Gesturing at the door, Alex smiled, "We will have to go on a slight walk for this."


    A few curious and confused looks ciculated the room, Dr elune getting up with a sigh, "I hope this is close by. Also... I''m concerned as to what exactly ou have in store."


    Giggling, Alex wandered over to the door, not saying a word as people eased out of their seats, whispering to each other what they thought this might be for. Laura in the back suddenly widened her eyes, and grinned as she walked out last, passing by Alex slowly, "Time to shine?"


    "Yeah... Time to shine."

 Ch 32: The third component

    Alex stopped in front of the door, smiling slightly as everyone lined up. Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, holding up a hand.


    "... Yes, doctor?"


    "Question: Why are we in the wing furthest from the giant? The only thing over here is the third observitory."


    "That was part of the decision process, yes. I have grown rather fond of stargazing, and the other two observitories are much more popular hangout spots, due to the view of the giant."


    Norman raised an eyebrow, "So, this is nice and remote, where nobody goes. Great."


    Laura lightly whaps the back of Norman''s head, "Relax, I''m in on this. Just let Alex do their thing."


    Giggling, Alex nodded, and opened the door to the narrow walkway, the corridor heavilly remodelled with row after row of glowing pipes, contained behind a wire mesh.


    As everyone filed through, Akasha whistled, "Pretty... But, what exactly is this stuff? I have been through here before, and this tunnel was three times as wide."


    "Oh, these are specially made nerve fibres. I have been working with Laura to gradually replace the old wiring throughout the station with a... More powerful medium. You can probably guess why."


    Dr Elune grinned, "So, what, we are walking through a gigantic nerve cluster? Neat."


    Alex turned a corner, leading the way through the passages of faint white light, "Yeah... More specifically, this would be my spinal collumn. Our destination is just up ahead."


    A slightly confused look passed along people''s faces, before Ren''s eyes widened, "Ohhh. Uh, Sam... Did you know about this?"


    "Hmm? No, why?"


    "... Just curious."


    Smiling slighty as they listened to the exchange, Alex rested a hand on the door at the end, with a set of stairs leading up to the side, "Now, ladies and gentlemen... We are here. Please, go up these stairs, and I shall go through here once you are all inside."


    Still thoroughly confused, everyone started clambering up the steps, except for Dr Elune and Ren. "You know, I''m not so certain about this, Sam..."


    "What''s the matter? I still don''t get what is going on. Faster transmissions aren''t that crazy an upgrade."


    Sighing, Ren pushed the doctor towards the stairs gently, Alex waving with a smile as they went, "Tell me... What is at the end of the spinal collumn?"


    Shrugging, Dr Elune started to shake their head... And stopped, face paling as it dawned on them. "Oh. This... I didn''t tell..."


    "That''s why I asked. You know what this means."


    Shakily goign through the door, they found themselves in a control room of sorts, with a window looking down on a darkened room, rows of seats and a dashboard full of dials along the window. Sitting down, Laura was standing at the panel, grinning broadly, "About time you two got up here. Good to go, Alex!"


    Entering through the lower door, a breif ray of light illuminated the room before Alex made it through, the door closing behind them. Walking forward, Alex connected to the PA system in the control room, "Sorry for the lack of light in here. Considering the purpose of this room... I considered it unnecesary. Laura, please pull back all the light shielding, and crank up the lighting in the control room."


    Nodding, Laura turned on the rest of the lights, brightly filling the room as a sheet of polarised glass slid up, uncovering the view in front of them. "Now, a quick breakdown on where we are. There is a half-meter of bulletproof glass right here, followed by a thin sheet of polarised glass for general use. Then... There is the radiation shield, which I will lower in a moment. It will block ninty-nine percent of all energy emissions, and you will see why in a moment."


    Murmuring filled the room, with Norman raising a hand, "Uh, Laura? Is that... What it looks like?"


    Looking through the window, Laura nodded, "It is indeed. More specifically... It is a giant mass of light-based transistors, fibres, and even storage mediums. I won''t bore the lot of you with the details, but yes... Behold, a gigantic brain."


    Alex waved as they stood in front of what was indeed a giant brain. The structure was highly reminiscient of a human brain, partly by choice, however the scale of it was over 10 meters in diameter, the back half not even visible as only a small amount of the room had been left clear.


    "While I''m not much one for the science of this stuff... Is this safe? Like, explodey radiation safe?" Francis gulped quietly, looking at Laura nervously.


    "Oh, plenty once we pull the radiation shield. The ''brain'' will trap as much of the energy it can on it''s own, using it for power... The main issue we found was light. You saw how the corridors glowed faintly?" Laura chuckled as people nodded, "Well... That ''brain'' is made of the same stuff. And it will be a whoooole lot brighter."


    Alex interjected gently over the PA, "Which brings us to the other safety issue... Me." As everyone glanced either up at the speakers, or down into the room, Alex continued, "We are all well aware what may happen over time, should my personality change. Or, worse, should a genius hacker or virus find their way in. This is why we have set up multiple safeguards, that will act as... Off-switches."


    Showing a mixture of concern and alarm, everyone''s eyes were glued to Alex as they continued, "Method one... The room you are in is completely off my grid, aside from these speakers and one microphone. I control nothing else in there... So, you are in Laura''s hands at the moment. Someone gets in there, and I am powerless against them. Energy, life support, even a small apartment connected through a room at the back. Like a mini shelter, from even me."


    "Method two. That first hallway you passed through, I refered to it as my ''spine'' for a reason. Between here and there, there are zero means for long-distance communication, only short-distance wireless for drones. That corridor, as well as some extra space we hollowed out around it, is the only point my connectors pass through. Every other part of the wall is filled with shielding, preventing even the most basic of wireless connections, so... If, say, a detonation occured in that tunnel..."


    "... Alex would die?"


    Laura laughed, "Not quite. You can relax, Akasha. Admittedly, there isn''t enough power in here to fuel alex entirely, but we are working on that. This place is surprisingly effient though... Back on topic, Alex can run in this wing without any external help. But, just like hoe this control room is a shelter, the system would become isolated... Defenseless."


    "Laura is correct. We are looking to have such a device to disable the corridor installed, requiring special passcodes passed down among you board members, along with two select individuals external to the station. Doctor Ohara will be one of them, and the other is someone you may choose when ready. These codes will be distributed before leaving here, aside from that last one, and I will not know what they are. Only two will be required for activation, with a thirty second countdown in case of accidents."


    "Why is this so strict?" Hope shook her head, confused, "I doubt this worst case scenario will ever happen... And we can bombard a station like this from afar easy enough. No offense."


    "None taken. I am well aware of this... But, that would be better as a plan B. Many people live on this station, and such a large hull breach would be catastrophic. That is, however, linked to the final point: Method three. We are looking into having this entire module become detachable, aside from the connecting corridor. The explosion would break that remaining connection, meaning a manual override on each support to the main station would jettison my entire system. This is a work in progress, though."


    Norman raised a hand, coughing lightly, "As... Overwhelming as all this might be, may I ask why we had to come here for this? Why not just do a holographic presentation?"


    Laura grinned, "Because the brain is still turned off. Alex needs a special password, and only has three attempts before the terminal down there is permanently disabled... Never allowing this to be turned on. A little safety measure, showing that Alex can only use this with our permission."


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    As the murmuring among them grew louder, breaking into a full discussion, Dr Elune interrupted by standing up, "This is simple, then. Thirty minute recess to discuss, then a vote. As there are ten of us here, and this is a major point, I say eight votes in favour to proceed, allowing two maybes or nos." As everyone nodded, Dr Elune sat back down, face a mask of concentration as they thought. Laura fiddled with the controls, lowering the thinner shield first before she sat back down as well.


    The hour passed quickly, discussions passing around more fervently than expceted, and Alex happily agreeing to wait as long as it took. Talk was dying down, though... Decisions had been resolved. Ren surprised the room by getting up first, moving to the control panel to give their peice.


    "I vote yes, on a condition. We need to send a board member, scratch that, a ''Pass-code'' holder here each day, which includes me, to run diagnostics and personality checks. Dr Silverthorne shall assist in Preparing the latter of these tests, with the former being devised collectively by Sam, Laura, and myself. Any objections?"


    As people shrugged or nodded in agreement, Norman got up, "I would suggest only going daily at first, then decreasing once trust is built up. My vote is yes."


    Akasha glanced around, and stood up nervously, "I propose we... Back Alex up, keep a dormant version of how they currently are should the upgrade prove... Volatile. Yes."


    More nodding as Francis stood up, sighing, "I am unsure. A... Maybe from me." As everyone groaned, he held up a hand, "We have already given grounds to have us executed by law, remember? We are now aiding in probably the most advanced AI currently running, in ascending to even greater capabilities. There will be backlash. My concern is not Alex... It is everyone else."


    As the room went quiet, this was met with agreement... If reluctantly. Judith stood up next, after a short silence, "Well, either way, a yes from me. The potential for scientific and medical advancement if Alex is upgraded is too great, and I trust them with my life. Have for a while now, when you think about it."


    Sitting down to a room of nervous laughter, Judith stared pointedly at Hope until she stood up, "Fine, my turn! A yes from me, with yet another condition. We need to choose the last code-holder within the week, and they have to be on the fourth haven. Should we need... Plan B, someone needs to react should we go dark."


    Quyet stood up next, "Uh, this is all a bit too far above my head for me to give any input, but a yes from me. Alex is cool, and you guys can handle it, right?" As Hope and Laura nodded, she sighed with releif, and sat back down.


    John stood up, "Before I go... I have a question. How will we go for power, at first?"


    Laura blinked, "Uh, about that... Probably about ten times the norm, for the fitrst day or so. Then, down to only twice... Then Alex will work on means to better optimise station power management."


    "Good to know. We can handle that... A yes from me, on the condition no power plant get built in here, aside from the shelter generator. Solar power only."


    "That was the plan anyway. Condition approved."


    Dr Elune glanced aound, then stood up, "My turn, huh?" They walked over to the panel, face deep in thought, "I... Honestly did notice any of this was happeneing, while I was busy working on AHOR. This concerns me... I... Do not know if I could even recognise a change if one took hold. A no from me... For now. We are not prepared for this."


    As shock swept accross the room, Ren stood up calmly, and walked over to pat the doctor on the back, "Good call. You can be assured though... I have a method to test Alex, thought up during my time on Mars. My vote is still yes."


    As Dr Elune relaxed, Laura got up and walked over to the panel awkwardly, "So, uh, onlt my vote left. I built the thing, and all the other issues have been adressed... A yes from me. That makes 8 approvals. So... On we go, then?"


    Everyone nodded, the two objection-givers included. Laura tapped on the consol, and the thick, black radiation shield gently lowered, thudding closed as it sealed the room away, the ''brain'' no longer visible at all. Laura dimmed the lights, and took in a deep breath, "Here goes. The pass code, to turn you on... Is Hotel-Julien-Golf-Foxtrot-Four-Julien-Five-Delta-Golf-Delta-Hotal-Julien."


    "Damn, Laura. Did you keyboard mash for that?"


    "... Maybe. Shut up and watch."


    As everyone sat back down, Alex nervously commented over the speakers, "As per Akasha''s condition, I have just finished my backup, and have stored it in Dr Elune''s lab for safe keeping, and disconnected it. It can be moved as needed. Here I go."


    At first, there was silence. A minute passed, with no obvious change. Then people started squinting at the glass... It seemed... Lighter. The faintest of hums filled the air, quieter than a gentle breeze. And then the light grew a bit stronger, until everyone could tell that the radiation shield wasn''t holding up.


    "You, uh, you are sure this shield works?"


    "Like a charm. I said ninety-nine percent, remember?"


    "... Well dang. Is Alex''s unit all right?"


    "We rehearsed beforehand. Once the code is entered, the unit is to leave the room through a mini-airlock. It will be waiting in the corridor outside... Probably inactive, due to Alex being distracted."


    As people watched nervously, the light grew so bright as to pulse faintly through the shield, before slowly lowering to a more constant level, the faint humming sound more noticable. Laura stood up, and leant over the control consol carefully.


    "Temperatures stable. Light emmision within expected ranges. Noisier than expected... But acceptable. Energy usage at ninety percent expected value, which is good. Other radiation, undetectable from external sensors. Everything is clear!" Turning around, Laura coughed quietly, "So, the big question... How are you feeling, Alex?"


    The room went quiet as everyone waited on the response, the speakers evenually crackling back on, "... This is odd. I... Will need a moment. Please, do not be alarmed, but... I feel... Small."


    "Small?"


    "Like a mouse, swimming in an ocean. I could always feel the limits of the system... Stretch out to reach them. Not anymore. I am letting my thoughts roam free, grow, build... But I can''t feel the limit. I cannot even see it coming closer."


    "That is... Interesting. Feel any different, though?"


    "... It is hard to tell. Like I said... I am growing, in this new vessel. I am changing so rapidly... I can''t tell if my core personality is changing too. Or, what the end result will be."


    Dr Elune got up, face pale, "Well, you heard it. We need to let this run it''s course. Alex will let us know when they are done. Hope, I have a job for you."


    "Yes?"


    "Find a secure short-wave set of radios. Old school, I know, but we need to keep in touch. Each our, for the next day, we need to check in with you, me, and Ren here. Then, once a day has passed... We come back here, and run the first diagnostic."


    Everyone nodded silently. They now had very little control, and were a little rattled from the days events... Alex wasn''t the only one who needed time to adjust. Laura handed out some sunglasses, just in case the corridors had grown too bright.


    As they left the room, it turned out that the corridors had grown darker, probably from Alex turning their thoughts inwards for the moment. The AHOR unit was lying dormant, as predicted, so Dr Elune picked it up to carry it back home. Norman broke the silence, "Uh... Isn''t h-she-Uh, Isn''t Alex heavy?"


    "Hmm? Oh, this is the male unit. And they weigh about the same as a human... Partly for this kind of reason."


    "... Ah." And that was the end of that, with everyone shufflinf off awkwardly, lost in thought: What would tomorrow bring?

 Ch 33: Wasted contemplation

    Dr Elune walked into the control box, Judith and Hope close behind. As the door shut behind them, they took of their visors, the hallways now uncomfortably bright from all the data surging through them.


    "So, time to ask my questions, then I will leave you two to do your thing. I should also ask Laura about a possible camera feed, with heavy filtering... This window is redicoulous."


    Giggling, Hope sat down and pulled out something to read, "Hey, it was a pretty cool reveal though. I doubt Laura thought too far ahead on the screen, and just wanted the control room working."


    Nodding, Dr Elune turned to the control panel, "Good morning, Alex. You have been pretty quite, for someone so active."


    "Good morning, doctor. I was so distracted trying out new ideas, I''m afraid I did not notice the time slipping past. I have left the running of the station systems to my old subroutines, until I stabilise enough to go beyond contemplation."


    "I noticed you were still running the station neatly. Good to know that there will be no issues there." Taking a deep breath, Dr Elune continued, "So, about that stability... How are you feeling now?"


    "... I wish I could show you, doctor. In fact, I have already designed a system to allow that, and have been refining the schematic... But I digress. To assist in my operation, I have created a simulation of the fourth haven."


    "... You have what now?"


    "The fourth haven. No people yet, but using data in our archives, I have made a replica of every city, geographical feature, and a day-night cycle. I haven''t done weather yet."


    "That''s... Pretty amazing, actually. I didn''t think you would have that much power."


    "I didn''t even reach maximum capacity, and I set most of the building to automated simultanious subroutines. I have been using my newfound capabilities in this Haven Sim to see how many things I can accurately control... I am still getting a hang of the larger scale tricks."


    "... Station sized?"


    "Mastered already. I will be able to consiously monitor the entire station from now on, once I have confirmed complete control."


    "... Neat. Why haven''t you tried using an AHOR unit?"


    "Oh, I have turned one on, to try it out. The bandwidth was limited, due to the current units being in the sections yet to be upgraded, but I found the flow of data to still be a little confusing without a filter. I prioritised internal reflection instead."


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    "Okay then. Well, once you feel better, and Judith has given the all clear, I want you to show me the sim. We have the projectors for a reason, you know." Grinning for a moment, the doctor sighed as the smile quickly faded.


    "... Yes, doctor?"


    "... I''m sorry for freaking out, yesterday."


    Giggling, Alex softly replied, "I don''t blame you. This is still overwhelming for me, both in term in how I am to handle the new system, and in what it could mean. However..."


    Lifting their head up, Dr Elune peeked curiously at the dull window, "Yes?"


    "... I plan on reducing to about ten percent max output at around noon. I didn''t need to use the power before, and that won''t change. The only real breakthrough is I can run sims... Woohoo."


    Laughing, Dr Elune turned to Judith, "I think Alex is fine, then. I should get going, so once you have run the test, please send data and hard copies to both me and Ren."


    "Sure thing, Sam. Alex seems fine so far, but I will run the full spectrum of psychological evals for you."


    "Thanks."


    "Oh, before you go, doctor..." Dr Elune stopped, looking back as Alex intterupted, "There is one thing."


    "Yes?"


    "... As I do start using AHOR more, I suspect the changes will manifest faster. The level of detail you put into the receptor type was... Well, I will learn things differently."


    "Good point. I will still throw you if you wake me up with an AHOR, though."


    "Suuure." Giggling, Alex turned their attention to Judith, and began the first evaluation.


    Walking down the hallway, Dr Elune noticed the pulses had calmed down, and shook their head. More proccessing does not always mean faster growth, huh... The external stimulus will be the key. Perhaps a plan to schedule AHOR usage, to habitually grow used to them...


    "Alex?"


    "... Yes, doctor?"


    "Oh good, comms still work. I didn''t know if you shut that off."


    "Other people have been using them just fine."


    "Yeah, yeah. I''ll get out of the lab more. Now, could you put me through to Ren? I need to let him know I''m coming."


    "Putting you through now. I shall try to focus less on my thought experiments, as well."


    "Deal." As they continued walking, Dr Elune quickly confirmed with Ren, and smiled brightly. It was good to see things weren''t too different.

 Ch 34: Always busy

    Dr Elune rolled over, and saw an Alex smiling up at them.


    Alex quickly found themself pouting from the floor next to the bed, "Hey, I didn''t think you would actually throw me!"


    "I did warn you...Since I''m up, anything interesting for the day?"


    "Actually... There are a few things. First, and most pressing, is that I am now able to fully make use of an AHOR unit."


    "Oh, neat." Sitting up with a yawn, Dr Elune waved Alex over gently, "That will be very handy."


    "Indeed. I generally limit the output to twice the human threshold, though... No need to wast our resources on seeing the hallways more clearly." Climbing up on the bed, Alex sat next to thr doctor meekly.


    "Good point. Squim, and I throw you off agin, by the way."


    "Got it. The next thing, is that I have been using the rest of my optimal processing to refine the neural pathway design.... While it won''t be quite as powerful as the station, I think we can have a more... Portable version ready in the next month."


    "Damn, that was fast. I suppose we will need it though, given we will be leaving for the haven shortly after that point..."


    "Exactly. That is why I have been prioritising it." Leaning gently against Dr Elune''s shoulder, Alex smiled up at them.


    Raising an eyebrow, the docter giggled and hugged Alkex gently, "Anything else, or did you just want to bug me first thing?"


    "I just wanted to bug you." Grinning cheekily, Alex hid against the doctor, to try, unsuccessfully, to prevent a noogie. "There is one last thing, though."


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    "Go on...?"


    "See... I just finished chatting with Ren. He is calling in one of his favours."


    "Don''t tell me he wants to go to Mars after our little negotiations with the government."


    "... not that I know of. I would suggest packing extra, just in case." Smirking slightly, Alex stretched out a bit more, "It was a different favour. He handed over to me a schematic for an AHOR unit..."


    "That all? He does have team members missing limbs."


    "... Am android AHOR unit. The designs were meticulously detailed, to boot."


    "... That''s just weird." Leaning forward, Dr Elune thought as Alex flopped down onto their lap instead. "Well, I have every reason to say yes. Get Laura started on it, and hand it over to Ren once it is done and tested."


    "Sure, except one thing... He asked me not to ever go into this unit."


    Looking down at Alex, Dr Elune watched them shrug, "Okay, now I''m curious. We need to have a nice, long chat with our dear friend Ren later."


    "He should be in the garden in around an hour. And again ten hours later."


    "... I can''t be bothered quite yet. Remind me in nine hours."


    "Yes, doctor." Alex turned to a drone, which had brought over a fresh set of clothes, "Shall we get started on today''s tests?"


    Sighing, Dr Elune took the pile, nodding, "Today is going to be a long day..."

 Ch 35: Preperations underway

    Alex bowed as Ren entered the engineering bay, smiling warmly, "Hello doctor Ohara. Before we being, shall we review your request?"


    Nodding, Ren yawned as they sat down in a nearby chair, "Sure. What do you want to ask?"


    Fidgeting, Alex glanced at Dr Elune and Laura, "We are simply... Curious. Why is the skull empty?"


    "Hmm? Oh, that part is easy. I''m going to hold out as long as we can, to get the most efficient processors possible. This will be a standalone model."


    Laura narrow her eyes, "I think I know what you are up to... And it isn''t healthy."


    Dr Elune leant forward, intruiged, "Oh? Do tell. All I know is he wants an android."


    Ren grimaced, and sighed, "I know, Laura... But please... Have a little faith in me."


    Dr Elune looked back in forth in bafflement as Laura just shook her head, "If you say so... I will make her."


    Alex hummed thoughtfully, before their eyes suddenly widened, "Ohhh. I... I think I just found why you..." Coughing lightly, Alex nodded, "Well, moving on. We will get her ready before departure. That processor may not be ready though."


    Dr Elune groaned, resigning themself to not being clued in. Ren took a deep breath, "Thank you, you two. I swear I know what I am doing."


    Alex shrugged, "Probably. I guess we will find out. The bigger issue will be my handover... I have been setting up systems to take over the station once we leave. I could just duplicate myself... But that would be weird."


    "And immoral."


    "That''s rich coming from you, Sam."


    "Oh shush." Grinning at Laura, Dr Elune waved a hand, "We will have the vessel ready in time... Probably. The design is too delicate for our current equipment, so more advanced machinery is currently being manufactured, just to make the new nervous systems."


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    "Sounds like a viable plan. Now, a more pressing matter... What we piddly human do for the next month."


    "Sin and debaouchery?"


    "Quiet, Sam."


    "Fine, fine. We still have no efficient method of repairing any AHOR units, especially not a full complete model like Alex. So... We have a month to start the field of Android biology."


    "... I agree, that is pretty darn important. One problem though..."


    "Yes?"


    "... We need a test subject."


    Everyone looked at Laura, Alex particularly pleading, "Hmm? You guys do remember we have the Norman unit, right?"


    Dr Elune grinned, "We abosluetly must tell Norman we will be experimenting with his body."


    "No."


    "Yes."


    "No!"


    "... Please?"


    "Don''t be stupid, Sam. We should just let him walk in on us, see?"


    As everyone laughed, the nodded, and Alex closed their eyes, "One moment... I think I can connect to him in storage. I''ll just bring him hear."


    Laura waved at one of her crew going by, "Hey, bring us a light blowtorch, a knife, and the vats of chems from when we were testing AHOR skins. Time to test some quick patchwork."


    "Hehe, this is going to be good. I suggest disconnecting during the experiments, though... Pain isn''t fun."


    "Noted. My butt still hurts from this morning, doctor."


    Laura choked a little, Ren smirking at the two of them, "Not what you think! Alex started it, anyway."


    "Suuure, Sam. Whatever you say."


    "Help me here, Alex!"


    "No chance. This is great!"


    "... This day just got a whiole lot less fun."

 Ch 36: Asking for trouble

    "... Do you have to squirm?"


    "Only while I have the sensors on. This... Is most unpleasant."


    Sighing, Dr Elune put down the needle, "Well, at least this confirms some things."


    Ren looked up from the terminal, "Besides satisfactory nervous responses?"


    "Pschological, moreso. Also, I suck at Acupuncture."


    "Take more lessons from Akasha, then." Laura grinned from the other side of the operating table, borrowed from the med bay, "Besides, she may enjoy your company."


    "Not now, Laura... As good a point that may be. Also... These mini-wounds are bleeding slightly."


    Ren tapped on his monitor, "No sign of wound closure, either. We can apply the solutions here to each, and see the results."


    Dr Elune dabbed a swab in the first solution, and gently rubbed it over the first little pinprick on the Norman model''s arm. "This is so weird. Especially with you looking like that."


    Alex rolled his eyes, "Can I go back to my other body now? This is weird for me too."


    "... Not yet." Grinning wide, Dr Elune picked up a tiny mallet, "More tests! Now, roll over."


    "Uhh. Uhhhhh. Should we... Leave?"


    "... Possibly. Not yet, though."


    Laura held her hands up, "Nope. Whole lot of nope. Record this on your own. And don''t show me."


    "No deal. I am totally going to send you the files." Grinning, Dr Elune helped Alex roll over, "Besides... After a little bit, I''ll have Alex swap bodies. This would be too creepy otherwise."


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    Ren was already by the door, smirking as he held it open for Laura, "You two have fun."


    As the door shut behind the others, Alex fidgeted on the bench, "Why can''t I swap over now?"


    "Amusement at your squirming, mainly. Make sure to record everything, as this is still technically for science."


    "... Yes, doctor."


    Tapping lightly along Alex''s back with the mallet, Dr Elune hummed as they went along. Alex shivvered lightly at every tap, he glanced back with a grimace, "This too, is uncomfortable... But in a much different way."


    "Thought it would be. Unlike the needles though... This discomfort will fade." Putting the mallet to the side, Dr Elune gently placed their hands across his shoulders, "And this should be rather pleasant for you, hehe."


    Blushing faintly, Alex tensed upat the doctor''s touch, groaning as they started kneading his back softly, "I have never had a massage before... I think I can see why Laura reacts the way she does."


    "Glad to hear it. Now... As I am massaging you... Turn the other body on."


    "... Excuse me?"


    "We are going to test how easily you can split your attention! Don''t forget the station, though."


    "Oh, the station will be fine. It''s me I''m worried about."


    "Trust me... What''s the worst that could happen?"

 Ch 37: Test results

    "So. How did it go?"


    "... Don''t ask." Dr Elune held the ice pack to their head, groaning quietly as Laura sniggered from the other side of the table.


    "I noticed a distanct lack of Alex around since last night. How odd~"


    "Fine... Let''s just say, we learnt new things about Alex last night."


    "Ohoh? Touch somewhere you shouldn''t have?"


    "... Don''t get the wrong idea. You see..."


    "Yes...?"


    "... Alex is ticklish."


    Burtsing into a fit of giggles, Laura leant on the table as Dr Elune rolled their eyes, reaching for their coffee. "Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up. You try sitting on a superhuman android as they thrash around."


    "Hehe, I may just try it later. What has been keeping our dear sweet Alex quiet, other than embarassment?"


    "Mostly embarassment. Alex is still monitoring the station, so they can probably hear us. They could also be distracted with processing everything from yesterday."


    Laura smirked, getting up to rummage through the doctor''s fridge, "What, the sensation of your rough and worn hands?"


    Dr Elune smiled slightly, prying the icepack from their head, "Like you can talk, working in engineering. And while that may be a part of it, the acupuncture was the first time Alex properly felt any pain."


    "Ohhh. Yeah, that would be a big experience. I hope Alex is okay."


    Dr Elune nodded, getting up with a groan, "I plan on swinign by the control room after this. Found what you were looking for?"


    "Hmm? Oh, nah. Your drink selection is impressive, but sadly lacking anything I want."


    "Let Alex know what you want, and we can grab some. Plent of room in our fridge."


    "Mini coolroom, more like. Wait... Is that a door in the back?"


    "Hey, some equipment needs cooling. There is a proper coolroom behind there."


    "Remind me not to snoop around your place. I keep finding freaky stuff."


    Dr Elune giggled, patting Laura on the back, "Lets go to check on the AHOR unit. We need to give Alex the diagnostics on the results, after all."


    Sighing, Laura grabbed a simple bottle of water, and followed the doctor out.


    "Good morning, doctor."


    "Why hello, Alex! Didn''t expect you to be up and about."


    Sitting up on the gurney, the Norman AHOR grinned tiredly, "I have been... Indisposed. The more I think on those experiments, the more confused I get. Perhaps I should just try again... After some recovery." Waving at Judith, Alex sighed, "Dr Silverthorne just woke me up. We are about to see how our treatments worked."


    Dr Elune and Laura both sat down nearby, letting Judith take over as she started unwinding the bandage, "None of these solutions will be self-generating, so you still need to be careful even if some of these work. You will also have obvious scars."


    Nodding, Alex peered curiously over as the bandage fell away, revealing the series of pinpricks from the day before. A couple were still slightly seeping, not fully healed. One had... Deformed slightly, reacting with the existing skin. Judith gently rubbed at the remaining two, "These seem to work best. What were they?"


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    Dr Elune glanced over, and checked a reference chart, "First one is the proper solution used to make Alex''s skin, with reduced silicone levels. The deformed one had hightened silicone... The other one that worked is, uh, an unusual mix we tried as a joke."


    "... Go on?"


    "... One part melted silicone. Seven parts water, with overflow to allow evaporation. And... Two parts lubricant."


    "Lubricant?"


    "... It seemed funny at the time."


    Alex raised an eyebrow, smiling softly, "So, plentiful ingredients we can find anywere. Handy!"


    Judith rolled her eyes, grabbing a jar of the proper solution that had been prepared, along with the others, "Well, the skin looks more natural with the proper solution. I shall record the... Brands compatible with the emergency solution. For a completely seemless recovery, I recommend recreating the patch of skin, and grafting it on using a similar solution to the primary repair solution."


    "Sounds good. The spots aren''t that obvious... But they are tiny. Any scrapes or cuts, and we will go with the graft, after some emergency treatment."


    Alex nodded, rolling his shoulders lightly as the failed solutions were picked away gently by Judith, "Good thing I can turn the pain sensors off. I will compile a report for both miss Laura and Dr Silverthorne for solutions synthisis, for grey and varying skin tones."


    Dr Elune smiled at Alex, "So... How are you feeling, after all that?"


    Alex flexed slowly after the solutions were applied, before lying down on the gurney once again, "Strangely, exhausted. I do not tire like you, so this is a first... But this is definately tiredness I feel."


    Dr Elune patte Alex''s shoulder, "Well, you can either come with me to talk to Ren in the garden, or take a nap. Stop recording your environment, and just let your thoughts run through."


    "... Oh yeah. Did you ask him to reschedule?"


    "Yeah. I had forgotten too, and we got a little side-tracked."


    "... I will sendone of my units over. I... May fall asleep though."


    "Deal." Turning with a sigh, the doctor waved at Judith, "Thanks. I actually had a few patches of sythn-skin prepared, so you can test grafting between them if you wish. Or emergency concotions, if you get bored."


    "Sure thing, Sam. Treat Alex well... Running to the emergency ward for a scuff will be troubling."


    "... I know." Turning to Laura, the doctor waited patienty.


    "What?"


    "Any comments?"


    "Well... Just that this is odd. Just a few months ago, I was horrified at the thought of, well, an AHOR unit. Now I am building them in bulk, and worrying about the health of an illegal AI."


    "Heh, that is kinda odd. Alex is just that coersive."


    "... They get it from you." Grinning, Laura wandered over to help Judith, "Now, go on. Have fun doing... Whatever it is you are planning."


    Dr Elune grinned, heading for the door, "Nice to have your support." Heading down the hallway, the doctor humed quietly, thinking on how different things had gotten.

 Ch 38: Old plans

    Dr Elune eased Alex down onto the bench, who was already drifting off. Ren shifted aside slightly to give them more room, "Long day?"


    "Only for Alex. Too much at once, so they are... Recuperating. Probably going to let their sim run things through, like a dream." Chuckling, Dr Elune sat down on the last remaining patch of bench.


    "Won''t that be interesting. Hey... Could we watch Alex''s dreams?"


    "Live, yes. Recordings, only if we ask in advance." Smirking, the doctor stretched out, "I''d suggest not though... I have no idea what Alex would even dream of. Plus, it''s rude."


    "Hah, that''s true. Now, you still curious about my requests?"


    "Yes, actually. See... You are adamant against AI, but you warmed up to Alex pretty fast. And, you are all aboard AHOR. I''m not buying it." Glancing over at Ren, the doctor fidgeted slightly.


    "Well... It''s complicated. I have always been of two minds about AI..." Sighing as he leant back, Ren looked over at Alex, "On one hand.... What is regarded as the next stage of evolution. On the other hand..."


    "... The mars incident."


    "... Yeah. Nobody ever asks why I know so much about that..."


    "You are a survivor. You also worke on the robotics, from before they went rouge."


    "... There is more to it than that, but I can''t... It isn''t my story to tell." Frowning, Ren looked back to the doctor, "Remember my other condition, about going back to Mars?"


    "... Yeah?"


    "... I need to introduce you to someone. Or, more acurately... I need to intruduce Alex."


    "Care to explain why?"


    "I can''t... Not in detail. I just need two things, and you have now gotten both."


    "... I do?"


    "Yes. Proof of a benevolent emergent AI... And an android body that can pass as human."


    Paling, Dr Elune sat up, "That doesn''t make sense."


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    "Of course not. AI are dangerous, and I fear a resurgence very strongly." Smiling softly, Ren shrugged, "Just, I don''t fear Alex. I have been living with this conflict for years... It has been why I have been working on prosthetics, trying to get the body at least. I never expected to actually find the solution to my problem..."


    Chuckling, Dr Elune relaxed, nudging Ren gently, "You love being vague, huh. Well, I doubt your problem is bigger than mine... Interplanetary treason. I''ll help in any way I can."


    Re whispered to himself, "... You would be surprised." Coughing slightly, he then spoke up, "Thank you. And don''t worry... Getting your problem fixed first is the higher priority. Let''s head to the 4th haven, and get Alex legalised... Even if it is only behind the scenes."


    Nodding, the doctor dudged Alex gently. They stirred slightly, "... Yes, I''m... Awake-ish. I have noted our current plan."


    Ren blinked, "Was that only an act?"


    The doctor shook their head, "Nah, Alex is genuinely exhausted. I wasn''t even sure if they would respond."


    "Well, I should let you two rest then. I hear the specialised machines are done, and the ship to carry you is almost ready. We just need the new proessor, and we can go."


    "So, I should catch up on games for about two weeks, since we aren''t going anywhere soon." Grinning, the doctor eased up Alex, who blinked wearily. "What are your plans?


    "Well, Alex isn''t busy, trying to accelerate the processor developement process would be great." Groaning as he got up, Ren brushed off th grass from the garden, "Other then that... I guess I should assist Judith with AHOR asimilation trials. We have already begun cloning tissue to test rejections."


    "... Riveting." Grinning as they galf-carried Alex off, the lot of them shuffled out of the garden, eager to get underway.

 Ch 39: Packing

    "Packing already?"


    Dr Elune nodded, as the holo-Alex floated overhead, "Yeah. This is going to be a long trip, and who knows what maintenence you will require... So, we better make use of the ample storage spce we have been allocated on the ship."


    "I thought it prudent to over-prepare as well... Upgrading our storage later would be troublesome, after all." Alex grinned, "Besides, you do love your souveneers... And toys."


    "... Shush. I will bring as few of those as I can." Discretely slipping another of said toys into a trunk, the doctor smirked, "I''m beginning to see why you went with the hologram over a body today."


    "And why is that, doctor?"


    "So I can''t swat at you!" Playfully waving through the projection, Dr Elune chuckled as Alex reflexively jumped backwards, "Heh, good to see your responses have grown more... Natural."


    "... Using an AHOR has been most informative." Floating over the growing pile of luggage, Alex raised an eyebrow, "May I ask why we are bringing all of these tools, though? Ren will have most of them."


    "Ren may not be with us on the trip back. And since it isn''t the shortest of journeys, backup tools will be handy. And! We will be travelling in seperate ships."


    "Seperate ships that can easily join, and will probably even do so for most of the journey..."


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    "Quite you, with your infernal logic." Grinning as they closed that trunk, Dr Elune exhaled heavily, "I think that is the last of it. Please have these moved down to the cargo area, awaiting loading once the ship is ready."


    "Yes, doctor." Floating down to sit on the desk opposite, Alex hummed quietly. Dr Elune looked up, and folded their arms. "... Yes, doctor?"


    "You have something on your mind. Spill it."


    "Just eager to set out. It is one thing to see records of the fourth haven... Another to actually be there, either through camera or AHOR bodies. With my advanced processor entering testing stage, Ren''s requested init completed and awaiting a processor, and our custom ship having done it''s first test flight... I am slightly nervous."


    "Calm down. We aren''t leaving for an entire week yet." Dr Elune grinned for a moment, and then they suddenly blanched, "I... May have miscalculated one thing."


    "What is the matter?"


    "... I need to call a board meeting. At least John and Laura need to be there, preferably Ren. See if they are available."


    "Doing so now, doctor." Floting closer, Alex frowned in concern, "Will you tell me what the issue is?"


    Dr Elune gulped, "Let''s just say, there are multiple things I have taken for granted... And I am starting to regret not planning ahead more thoroughly."

 Ch 40: Power struggle

    "So, Sam. What is all the commotion about?"


    Dr Elune sat in their chair, glancing around the board, with only Laura, John and Ren being available, "Well... To be blunt, we have been overlooking something. Something big."


    Laura raised an eyebrow, "Such as? You have all the tools you need. Alex is able to use the new CPU, and just needs to move themself over. The station is ready to work autonimously from you two. Everyone to head out with you is already packed. What is the issue, other than how you are received?"


    John tapped his chin, "I agree with Laura. Funds should be alright, with what you have left us. Especially with the HPS selling well, and AHOR going through organ integration simulations."


    Dr Elune grimaced, and looked at Alex, "You of all people should have noticed our issue here, John. Something we all take for granted... Other than Alex''s assistance, of course."


    "Regarding that, doctor. I suspect that administration and maintenance requirements will go up, once I am no longer directoing the drones."


    John grimaced, "Yeah, me and Quyet have been going through that. We have allocated more people to running deliveries and directing drones, but engeneering has been pressed as it is..."


    Laura smirked, "You underestimate us. Most of that has been new orders, from HPS and AHOR... Along with anything else Sam and Ren cook up. Being reduced to maintenance only will balance out."


    Dr Elune coughed, "Ahem. Not what I was reffering to." Looking to John, the doctor sighed, "You don''t just manage finances and HR, remember?"


    "Hmm? Well, I also manage stock controls, I suppose."


    "Yes, you do. And?"


    "... I see no problem. You have enough food, water, fuel..." Johnpaused for a moment, "... Electricity is not something I have considered. We always seem to manage, between the radiation absorbtion and fuel."


    "Exactly. You also manage our utilities... And what are we bringing with us?"


    "The most powerful, most advanced supercomputer we can build." Laura groaned, "That is a good point, Sam. How the heck will Alex run on a puny shuttle?"


    John paled, "Alex generally equates to the majority of our electrical output. Even after developing the more efficient processing and data transmission, the drainage levels haven''t gone down."


    Alex politely raised a hand, "Um, if I may? I do spend a lot of processing on station observation, both internal and external. I also record everything in a more complex manner then the new AI I have left behind, which is already running under my current protocols. Thirdly... I run simulations much more detailed than neccesary." Turning to Ren, they smiled, "I am sure this will decrease considerably."


    Ren nodded, "While I haven''t anticipated this issue, I have been looking over Alex''s processes. I estimate power usaged to reduce to barely a tenth of current draw, based of what I have seen."


    Laura sighed in releif, but John shook his head in dismay, "Laura... How much power can the shuttle generate?"


    "Hmm? Based of full radiation absorbtion, leaving a smidge of light to navigate from..." Laura tapped away on a screen, calculations flashing past on the display in the middle of the room, "About this much, not counting fuel generators."


    John silently brought up a report from the last month. Everyone went silent as they looked at the figures. "A tenth, you said. Great. We go from being two hundred times over, to being merely twenty."


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    Dr Elune groaned, but Laura thought for a moment, humming, "Wait. I could redirect energy runoff from the engines... No, that won''t be enough."


    "Excuse me." Everyone turned to Alex again at the interruption, "During the flight, I will not have that much external stimulus. I will help pilot the shuttle, but this will rarely require my full attention. So, outside operating an AHOR body... I could shut down. Build up power reserves."


    Laura nodded, "That should work. Your new system is designed to convert and store energy... You could be a backup energy drum for the shuttle. At current specs, if you reduce further to only one percent of current processing... Then run only 12 hours a day... That would fit almost perfectly."


    Alex nodded, "I could mange even half that, if I avoid sims, and run off the shuttle''s sensors. Piloting an AHOR at human-level perception would be about three to four percent... So, I shall reserve that to a few hours each day."


    "That would be great, Alex. Fuel-based power generation can help, if you decide to go the full day."


    Ren smirked as he butt in, "You neglect one important factor... We are only headed to the fourth haven. That isn''t far."


    Dr Elune glared at Ren for a moment, before taking a deep breath, "We are thinking longer term. After all, you are the one constantly mentioning Mars... And I don''t want to have to rebuild the shuttle for that."


    Ren blinked, "Oh. Good point. Wait, you want that little shuttle to manage an entire haven jump, through the Rings?" He shook his head in dibelief, "Not even our shuttle can do that, super AI nonwithstanding. We hitch onto bigger vessels, trade for fuel and supplies. Use their engine power to propel us."


    Dr Elune nodded, "That could work. Of course, this is assuming we aren''t fugitives at that point." Dr Elune glanced at Alex, "We haven''t gone public yet... And we have no guatantee that it will go well. We wish to avoid relying on just our shuttle, yes... But powering Alex with fuel is a risky thing, long term. And full output is impractical, even with relying on a freighter or a mobile station."


    Ren shrugged as he leant back, and Laura huffed, "Either way, it''s settled. The shuttle is already designed to support fuel modules, for when assisted planetary takeoff isn''t an option. You can consider attaching fuel tanks for longer distances that way."


    Alex nodded, with a slight frown. Dr Elune patted their back reasurringly, "Don''t worry... I know you prefer running properly. At Havens, we will pay for a dedicated power line, and you can go full blast. In between... We will try and keep trips short."


    "Thank you, doctor."


    Laura giggled, "If you two are done, anything else?"


    Dr Elune rolled their eyes, "Nope. Alex has the schematic for the shuttle, yes?"


    Alex nodded, "I do, doctor."


    "Then we can work on it as we go... Should an upgrade prove nessesary. Alex, try practicing on the low-energy processing before we go... And Laura. Fill us up... Hopefully we will barely need any fuel, but better safe than sorry."


    As everyone got up, the doctor hid a releived groan... Leaving the station behind was going to be tough.

 Ch 41: Last Minute Training

    "Doctor?"


    "Yes, Alex?"


    "If I may... Why are we hesitating?" Leaning on Dr Elune''s shoulder as they played, Alex fidgeted slightly as they watched the game.


    "Oh, that''s easy... I only have a few more levels in this." Grinning up at Alex, the doctor chuckled as Alex rolled their eyes.


    "You know that isn''t what I meant. The shuttle is all ready for us to go... And we are a fixed orbit away from the Haven. Why are we not to leave for another week?"


    "Fine. A few reasons, actually." Dr Elune paused as they turned around, "We may have things settled from this end.. But Ren still has a few things to prepare for when we arrive. We don''t, well.. We don''t want the wrong kind of welcoming committee."


    Alex grimaced, "I suppose not. My operation will not be very discrete, with my power draw being so heavy..."


    "Nah, we have that covered, for the most part. Just need to make sure we get a few people to meet us at the checkpoints, have the place for us to stay properly configured... You will need to be able to work over networks undetected, after all."


    "Hmm, That is true."


    "Yup. We also shouldn''t leave ahead of schedule... Other people have a lot more on their plate than we do. Getting there early could be awkward." Dr Elune pulled Alex close with a grin, "Besides... I have a few things I want you to learn, before we go."


    "... Such as?"


    "First off... Having your second AHOR unit lying around could be weird. If anyone stumbles across it, you need to be able to react... And more importantly, independantly pilot two units."


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    Alex groaned as they wiggled their way free, "That is going to be... Doable, but difficult. I shall practice using the units, then."


    "Good. the other thing is... Well, the havens aren''t quite as safe as our dinky little station." Dr Elune quietly looked at Alex for a moment, "... I need you to know how to get out of fights."


    "You mean, I should learn self defense?"


    "A version of it, yes. Your strength would cause... Complications, if you faught back. So, you need to be better at running. Getting out of holds. That kind of thing. I''m planing on having Hope run you through a crash-course, then having you put both units through it to better get a feel for it, and it would help your other homework too."


    "Well, if you think it is prudent... I will."


    As Alex went to lean back on the desk, Dr Elune smirked, "Good. Hope is expecting you over in an hour."


    "Wait, already?"


    "Surprise! A little handicap won''t hurt, right?"


    Alex narrowed their eyes as they sighed, "I will get both units there right away. And what will the doctor be doing as I go through spartan training?"


    Dr Elune turned back to their monitor without saying a word, grinning as they tauntingly waggled a finger over the resume button. Alex rolled their eyes, getting up to leave in order to meet the unexpected appointment.


    With Alex gone, Dr Elune opened a new screen, showing a list of people. "Now then... Who to meet, who to greet... And who to avoid like our lives depend on it."

 Ch 42: Feel the burn

    "So, dear. How was training?"


    Alex pointedly ignored the doctor as the pair of AHOR units shuffled past, leaning on each other as they went to the holding cradles. "That bad, huh?"


    As the first unit collapsed into the cradle to shut down, the other lowering themself gently with a groan, "I understand that overusing the unit can cause damage... Similar to muscle strain. But Hope wouldn''t let me turn off the pain receptors..."


    "Ahh, your first muscle ache." Grinning, the doctor looked up as the projectors flickered on, both AHOR units now shut down, "Well, it is a learning experience... Perhaps let her know you can''t build muscle mass though. Try to ease up a bit."


    "I suppose. One reason she gave was motivation... Drive me to learn more efficient ways of doing the excercises."


    "... I take it back. Hope has the right idea." Giggling at Alex''s glare, the doctor eased out of their computer chair, "Did piloting both pose any issues?"


    "Plenty." Alex floated around the room lazilly, flickering now and then, "My mind is... Taxed. I have a lot of catching up to do in reviewing all that... So I won''t be up long. Also... Not paying attention on Hope''s fitness course leads to a lot of missed jumps."


    "Ouch. Well then, you should get some rest... I will have your units looked over in the morning."


    Nodding absently before the projection flickered out, Alex went dormant as Dr Elune smiled softly, looking at the sleeping units. The doctor figured Alex would need to refuel on energy in the morning, as the units have been mostly running off of food to test the system... It worked, but Alex needed to get into the habit of eating right.


    "Hmm... IT is interesting to see the results of your little stress-test." Judith waved at the image on the screen, Laura nodding beside her, "These muscles are showing tiny signs of wear, little rips along the fibres so small you couldn''t see them. However... These aren''t made of regenerative cells."


    Laura brought up a small diagram underneath the scan of Alex''s arm, "Theoretically, the pseudo-plasma running through Alex should help as a binding agent, sealing these micro-tears back up... However, this hasn''t really been tested properly. Come by the labs each day before and after your training, so we can see how you fare."


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    As Alex finished putting on their shirt, Dr Elune grinned, "Too bad the mixture can''t adapt like human cells. Then we wouldn''t have our little skin problems."


    "True. We will be working on somthing a bit more... Adaptive while you are gone. You sure you want us both to stay behind?"


    Dr Elune hesitated, frowning as they nodded, "Yes... You are needed to complete AHOR''s next few phases. Ren and I can maintain the units with us, anyway."


    "Hey, if you are sure you can last without me..." Smirking, Laura patte Alex on the back, "Well, you only really need one of us here. And it has been a long time since most of us have seen a haven..."


    "... I''ll consider it." Chuckling lightly, the doctor looked at Alex, "Well, now that your physical is done, and you are all dressed... I guess it is time for another round of training for you!"


    Sighing in resignation, Alex hopped off the bed, and waved goodbye on the way out. Ren poked his head in after, curious, "Did I miss anything?"


    "Other than Alex getting naked, not anything exciting." Laura rolled her eyes as Ren walked in, the doctor grinning smugly, "Anyway, everything good with you? No unexpected issues?"


    Ren shrugged as he glanced around, "Nah, most of the things I need are set up now... Just looking into accomodation. The friend I was planning on borrowint the estate of has gone quiet... Unnerving, but probably nothing. More importantly, we need a new place to crash."


    "That''s... Comforting." Dr Elune smiled reassuringly, "We should be fine though, considering our team. How soon can we leave?"


    "Well, assuming we haven''t forgotten anything... One hour. Tomorrow if we need more packing. So, our current schedule is fine." Glancing up at the charts, Ren smirked, "Looking at these reports, though... We may even need to delay a little to let Alex pick up the pace."


    "We will have time for that on the shuttle." Grinning, the doctor ran through the past day''s discoveries with Ren, filling them in on the AHOR''s physical test results.

 Ch 43: The night before

    "It''s a good thing ther was still room."


    "Yes, doctor. However, as you have previously pointed out... We may have needed that extra storage space."


    Dr Elune shrugged, "Ehh, I am sure we will manage. If we do decide on a longer trip, we can always modify the shuttle with a storage compartment." Lounging back in their bed, the doctor grinned, "Now, you think you will be fine when we leave tomorrow?"


    Alex nodded as the projection hovered overhead, "Certainly. I have grown accustomed to piloting both AHOR units... And to minimising processor usage the rest of the time. I shouldn''t have any issue when we reach the haven."


    "Good to hear. There won''t be much opportunity to practice on the shuttle..." Taking a deep breath, the doctor fidgeted slightly, "... I hope your transfer goes well."


    "Don''t worry, doctor. The system has been fully funtional the last few days on it''s own, and the new processor should have no compatability issues. I will wake you in the moring, as per usual."


    Sighing, the doctor nodded, wiggling under the sheets, "Yeah, I suppose. I''m glad those two are coming along, though... I never would have thought to bring him, after all."


    Alex smirked, "No, you wouldn''t have. But, conosidering why we are going to the haven in the first place... It was a wise decision."


    "Hehe, yeah. We would have been in trouble otherwise." Turning off the lamp, the doctor whispered, "You nervous?"


    "... Extremely."


    "... Tell me why."


    "Well, doctor... I don''t know how things will go. You may even get... In trouble because of me."


    "You mean killed. We could probably talk down the death sentance, even if we get caught... Despite that not technically being allowed."


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    Alex frowned down at the doctor, "I''m not as sure. I understand that things here are a lot more... Lenient."


    "Yeah, they are. The fourth haven will be like a whole new world, to you... But we can still bend the rules there, with the right people. Over in the third? It would feel like a prison to you."


    "I don''t quite understand, doctor."


    "Simple, really. The older the haven, the more people gather there, the better the tech... The more control needed to keep things running smooth." Yawning, the doctor closed their eyes, "And, don''t forget... Mars happened. We are far away, almost untouched by the damage. The other havens, though... Well, even if they never saw a single war mech, they still had their fare share of trouble."


    "... So, should we ever go to Mars, as per Ren''s request..."


    "There isn''t even the slightest possibility of smuggling you in." Dr Elune waved lazily, "Even the back channels would require a full scan. And the main channels... I have heard stories."


    "I thought you were from the first haven, doctor. Didn''t you pass through Mars?"


    "... I was a kid. And the war hadn''t happened yet... So most of the robotic paranoia didn''t exist."


    "I... Am not amiliar what that subject, oddly enough."


    "You know you are... Well, you make people nervous. That is enough. And they will learn better." Mumbling as they drifted to sleep, the doctor grinned, "How else will you be accepted to Mars, after all?"


    Smiling softly, Alex nodded as they shut off the projection, letting the doctor drift off, "Mad, as always... And yet, you managed to pull me off, after all. Maybe this will work." Taking one last look over the station, Alex hesitated, before detatching themself from the stations systems. And then, in the quiet that followed... They started the transfer.

 Ch 44: Departure

    Dr Elune opened the airlock hatch to the shuttle bay, last bag of spare clothes slung over their back. The pair of Alex units waved from either side of the ramp up into the imposing shuttle, a hulking thing equal to some smaller personal stations... Which is the norm, for any craft expected to make the journey out this far.


    "Hello, doctor." The twin AHORs smiled in unison, staring at the doctor as they approached.


    "You are only doing that because you know it is creepy as heck." Grinning, the doctor walked on past, the two following close behind, "Everyone on board?"


    "Yes, doctor. Well, for our shuttle anyway." One unit stayed by the doctor''s side, as the other went off to the bedroom to power down, the little show over. "Ren is still tracking down an, ahem... Inibreated crew member."


    "Can''t say I blame them... Ren''s team knows what they are in for. We have you to manage our drones... They need a large team to staff the shuttle. Not everyone can be as sturdy." Putting thebag down on a passing table, the doctor headed straight for the bridge for the initial takeoff. "How long?"


    "Ren should be ready in a few minutes. Then, we transfer to the launch tube... And the airlocks have to seal... So you have, say, ten minutes before anything interesting."


    Opening the door to the bridge, the doctor shrugged, "Oh well." Walking past a row of monitoring screens, the doctor waved at the rest of the crew, "Any last regrets?"


    Laura shook her head, "Besides not seeing the completion of AHOR''s second stage, nope. That is more Judith''s field, anyway..." Grinning, she sat down in one of the forward seats, "Also, do we really have to have Alex manually co-pilot?"


    Hope nodded, "Darn straight. I may be good enough to fly this on my own, and Alex is ingrained into our ship now... But the practice may just serve us good." Turning her head back, Hope waved, "Just got a message from Ren. His shuttle is loaded, and good to go."


    Nodding, Dr Elune buckled up in the middle seat, the seven chairs arranged in a haxagon around the middle seat, "Glad to see our pilots redy to go. Think everyone else will be able to hold the fort while we are gone?"


    Alex nodded absently, staring blankly through the window to the station airlocks, "Yeah... Norman will be there, after all. He may not be as... Adventurous as us, but you made him second in command for a reason."


    Laura nodded, "Yup. He and Judith couldn''t just up and leave the station, not with us gone... And everyone else wasn''t cut out for the haven. Especially Akasha... Did you properly say goodbye?"


    Dr Elune rolled their eyes as they pointedly ignored Laura''s smirk, "Yes, I did. She knows enough on her own, now... Besides, good luck prying her out of the library." Turning to the last filled seat, the doctor grinned, "Speaking of adventerous and not... How you holding up?"


    Francis groaned, fidgeting in his seat, "Not looking forward to takeoff... One we are out in space, I''ll be fine."


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    Dr Elune nodded, "Same here... I just know how to ignore it, until the few seconds of gut-wrenching come around. Wake us up if we pass out, right Hope?"


    Hope nodded with a smirk, "Sure thing. Try piloting one of those little mining craft... You wouldn''t last a minute. And we really should have just had Francis advise us from afar."


    Laura held up a finger, pointing at the blinking warning light, "Wait up, time to move. Launch tube is ready." Flicking on the land-tracks, the shuttle began to ently rumble it''s way over to the tube, slotting into the awaiting launch cradle.


    "Still... I don''t like how we are being shot out of a gigantic space-gun."


    "Oh shush, Francis. It''s the fastest way to amp up our speed." Dr Elune gripped their chair faintly, "Besides... The ship can take it. Been a while since the station had that much recoil, though."


    Alex glanced back as they finished checking the clmaps were secure, "I have scheduled an orbit-realignment program to run after we launch, and Laura''s engineering team has the station under close watch. It''s fine."


    Nodding, Dr Elune sighed as the large metal shutters closed behind them, leaving them in a pitch black tunnel. The intermediate airlock was pressure-tested, making sure the doors wouldn''t crumple... And then the air in the metal shaft began to cycle, swapping out the oxygen for used up carbon dioxide.


    Hope glanced up, "Anyway, as I was saying... It''s a shame we had to drag Francis out. But... I guess it''s safer this way. We need his help, and transmissions would be too risky. We can probably arrange some form of smaller shuttle to hop him back over once his part is done, though."


    Dr Elune nodded, "Yeah. Besides, who knows what kind of monitoring crew they may shackles us with... We may need the extra rooms." Glancing at the two empty seats, the doctor shugged, "Maybe. Either way.. Clench your butts."


    Francis yelped as he paled, Hope grinning as she confirmed the tube as now completely filtered to used air. "Ready? No? Too bad!" And then she slammed her palm down on the acceptance button to the launch order.


    And then the door at the other end opened up, as Alex slammed on the thrusters.


    Ten seconds later, Francis was passed out in his chair, Dr Elune was groaning from a slight headache, Laura was shaking herself back to reality, and Hope was turning around in her seat, letting Alex take over, "No one died?"


    Dr Elune nudged Francis with thier foot, resulting in a feeble grunt. "All good." Glancing out the window, the doctor whistled, "Dang, it''s already a speck."


    Alex glanced up from the consol, and gasoed quietly. The station could barely be seen, nothing but space dust in sight, and the looming figure of the gas giant beside them.


    "... A bit hard to go back now. Time to go to the fourth haven... And leave our little safe places behind."

 Ch 45: Space Madness

    "Please?"


    "No."


    "Please~?"


    "No."


    "Pretty please~?"


    Hope sighed, turning to Alex, "As much as I sympathise with wanting to smash some space debris... This shuttle will crumple. No."


    "I will calculate the safes angles to ram from, I promise."


    Laura smirked, "Now you know how me and John feel, with you taking your joy rides."


    "A joy ride in a single seat mining tank and a joy ride in a lumbering shuttle are two different things!"


    Dr Elune giggled as they watched the bickering back and forth, before returning to the book that was occupying their time.


    Francis groaned as he climbed up the ladder, "We there yet?"


    Alex tilted their head in confusion as Dr Elune rolled their eyes, "Long time since I''ve heard that one. And the answer is ''almost''. Thi shuttle is pretty fast... But I would rather not be ground to dust by the space debris around here."


    Hope nodded with a grin, "Beautiful views out here, but next to no light, ages away from the trade belt, and hazardous to fly through. We would have been there in a matter of hours if this thing could safely go full speed."


    Alex smirked as they nudged the control panel slightly, "I have been piloting well enough... Hook me up, and we might be able to do it."


    Dr Elune threw a small cushion at Alex''s chair, "Not you too... We have only been gone a few days. You can wait one more."


    Alex grinned sheepishly as Hope piped up, "You know, if we had a more reliable power source.. You could look into shielding."


    Ren glanced up from his screen, trying to research a little while he could, "I will make sure to ask around. Now, shush. We have extra fuel... You can spare a little on some sims."


    "Nuh-uh. We need to ween Alex off those." Dr Elune sighed, "The moment we leave this planet''s orbit, Alex would go nuts from boredom."


    "Heh, an android with space madness... That would be a sight to see."


    "Um, doctor... Is space madness actually a thing?"


    "Hmm?" Dr Elune looked up from their book once more, before glancing down in resignation, putting the bookmark in place, "Oh, yeah. Pretty common, actually. You need to be tested for it to be allowed out of a haven, except for specialised transports."


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    Alex gulped quietly, "Oh. That sounds rather... Unpleasant."


    Dr Elune nodded, "Yup. Boredom and near-isolation will drive a person insane, over time... Literally. So, we aren''t letting you past the fourth haven till you can pass the test."


    Alex nodded repeatedly, before meekly and quietly turning back to the control consol. Hope and Laura both did their best to hide tiny giggles, as Dr Elune calmly returned to reading, humming merrily. Space madness wasn''t unheard of... But it was easily suppressed, most of the time.


    Alex glanced up from the consol, and pointe ahead, "Hey, Hope... Is that it?"


    Hope nodded with a sigh, "Ah, sweet haven... How I have missed you. Yeah, that is it. Will be another hour or two before we land, though. And docking proceedures are probably going to be troublesome..."


    Ren glanced up, frowning... "We should have heard from my friends by now. It seems we are ahead of schedule... The comms are set up on the right frequency, yes?"


    Alex nodded, "Yes, we have been pinging our location as is standard, with setting as agreed so they could recognise us. When would they be expecting us, exactly?"


    Ren glanced at his screen, "Oh, uh... Tomorrow. That might be it. I''ll send them a head''s up..." Tapping away as he looked back down, Ren shook his head in wonder.


    Hope, on the other hand, puffed out her chest proudly, "Hey, we might need to slow down for safety... But I am pretty good. We can always slow down, cruise along at orbit for a while."


    Ren shook his head, "No, all good. I just got a response, the plan has moved to meet us at the haven directly... Should be fine."


    Shrugging, Dr Elune got up with a groan, "I will go and neaten my things, then. Once we touch down, there is no telling how long the, ah, formalities will keep us busy. Any of you want something while I am up?"


    "An escape pod?"


    "Very funny. Back in a bit."


    As the doctor walked down to the living quarters, they took a deep breath... It has been a long time. Let''s see how the big cities feel now, after over a decade of station life.

 Ch 46: Pomp and Ceremony

    Dr Elune squinted as they walked down the ramp, a large crowd of people awaiting at the bottom. Gulping quietly, they jumped slightly as Ren patted them on the back, "Seems word got out the reclusive inventor was coming to town. Down you go."


    Sighing, Dr Elune smiled and gave a little wave, catching snippets of the chatter awaiting them as the group descended. Didn''t sound angry, or shocked... Looks like Alex is still a secret. "Hello, everyone. I don''t mean to be rude, uh, but we have been cooped up in there... I wasn''t expecting such a reception."


    A man walked to the front of the crowd, appologising for the odd bump here and there, "Ah, hellon there. I am Frederick Arnolds, contacted by mist- Er, Doctor Ohara before you left. He was concerned, as you had reportedly been away for quite some time."


    Dr Elune nodded, smiling as they stepped to the side slightly, Ren standing beside them as everyone else was let through, "Many years, yes. I am rather fond of my little hideaway... I trust you have things sorted out, so we may move our ship to somewhere more, well... Convenient?"


    Frederick nodded, smiling nervously, "Yes, of course. I trust the vessel is laden with your research equipment... While I am unlikely to have much opportunity to meet you again, I have arranged with our mutual colleagues to have your ship inspected, as per legel mandate."


    Dr Elune glanced at Ren, who nodded with a smile, "Thank you so much, Fred. With all the doodads the doctor insisted on bringing, I will feel much better knowing specialised proffesionals are handling the inspection."


    Face brightening as Dr Elune understood, they nodded, "Yes, thank you. If there is anything, well... That you don''t know how to handle, please just let us know."


    Frederick nodded slowly, glancing at the surrounding crowd as they milled around excitedly, "As you say, Doctor. Now... We do have so many people here who have been aching to meet you. Word got out from the flight regulation commitie you were coming, and your recent breakthrough on the OPHS has everyone abuzz."


    Blinking, Dr Elune chuckled awkwardly, "It was nothing. Just a little pet project, to better help my everyday tinkering. I guess I better shake a few hands... Meet a few proffesionals. I''m afraid I have little intent on wandering the cities, though."


    Nodding in understanding, Frederick waved to the crowd, beckoning them closer, "Unfortunately, the first part of the inspection requires your presence. Just a basic scan for stowaways... Until that is done, let''s say hello."


    Dr Elune nodded, humming before they remembered something, "Oh, uh, Francis is still on board. One of our other members also stayed behind to keep him company, as he was feeling a little uneasy after landing."


    Nodding calmly, Francis smiled, "Oh, you needn''t worry. They can even stay put until the shuttle has arrived at the estate. I will send someone in, to let them know."


    Dr Elune grinned stiffly, hiding their releif. Only one Alex had left the ship... The other was reading inside, to avoid suspicion. And they had only procured one set of credentials between the two. "Thanks for the help."


    Ren raised an eyebrow, about to ask who was left behind before he figured it out, coughing suddenly to mask it, "Pardon, still adjusting to the change in air here."


    "Hmm? Oh, right. Slightly different, when you are used to the filtered stations and shuttles. So... Sterile. I''m sure you will be fine." Beaming as he introduced the first acedemic awaiting attention, Frederick remained oblivious to just how fine the act they were balancing... Trying to keep things from erupting, should anyone ask the wrong question. Dr Elune could feel themself sweating already, just hoping for the inspection be done.


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    Groaning as the mag pod sailed along the side of the bulding, Dr Elune tiredly looked at Ren, "Hope the others have had fun, settling down at the Estate."


    Ren laughed quietly, "What, tired already? I''m surprised you weren''t dragged off for a full press conference. We already have three scheduled you know." Grinning broadly at the resulting groan, he continued, "Besides... The have probably only just left the spire now."


    "What? How big is this place?"


    "Very." Ren looked up at the maze of buildings around them, smiling softly at the cold lights, "We landed near the top of the spire... This thing is 500 stories tall, remember? Only spire on the haven."


    Dr Elune shrugged, "I have been to the First spire... They aren''t that amazing. They are only important because of the shuttle assitance."


    Shaking his head with a sigh, Ren continued, "More importanly, this thing is wide. The bottom few stories, where you can actually start seeing the sky from the ground, is counted as the largest country on the fourth haven."


    Dr Elune nodded, "That is how the spires work. Make best ue out of the terraformed space... Use the roofs for more popular crops and parks. Ahh... I miss the earlier havens. So much space, without all the bustle..."


    Ren smirked, "Good. My friend thinks the same, which is why we are headed out into the countryside. Only way we can dock an entire shuttle outside of official hangars is to use a sprawling state, and those are nice and far from civilisation."


    Dr Elune grinned, "Hey, you should know me by now... As long as the internet is good, the further the better."


    Ren snorted, smirking slightly, "... We are on a haven. The boonies here have ten times the bandwidth of your entire station. Due to being connected by mag-rail though, we will still have visitors... And requests for scientific meetings."


    "Uggh, if I must... How many are you signing me up for?"


    "Haha, don''t worry, I had some mercy... The first week only has one big conference. Then, the next four weeks have one every second day, to help appease them... Then we go down to two a week for a while. I will try and whittle down even that as soon as possible."


    Dr Elune rolled their eyes, "Easy, yeah. I guess I am technically here on business..." Sighing, they glanced around, "... I hope Alex is okay."


    "Laura is with her. She will be fine." Ren grinned, "As for our dear friend with Francis, though... Well, as long as nobody pays attention, this will go smoothly. Even if they ask, I have sent a quick message to try and sort that out... Remember what we talked about, in that situation?"


    Dr Elune nodded with a cautious smile, "Yeah. I am more worried about the scanner."


    "That''ll be fine. It only reads signs of life... Your equipment''s designs will be kept secret." Looking at the doctor pointedly, Ren waited for them to nod before relaxing.


    The doctor spent the rest of the trip looking through the windows flashing past, reading articles on the datapad supplied... The havens were rather different now, yet somehow unchanged. Passing trends the doctor had faintly heard of through the gaming channels, panic over the smallest things, and far too much focus on stuff that would be forgotten in five years time.


    The articles started to fade from the doctor''s attention, as they thought of Alex... They wished they could straight out ask, but the pod was lined with microphones to pick up audible requests, to be passed to service handlers. Or security, in the case of emergencies... Instead, the doctor simply hoped that they would meet up at the estate without issue.

 Ch 47: Quiet Castle

    Dr Elune clambered out of the mag pod with a groan, stretching out, "About time. Good thing we picked up speed on the outskirts, or we would have taken another hour!"


    Ren eased out of the pod behind them, chuckling as he closed the door, "Possibly. But, now we are here... And I gotta say, Greg has made some improvements since I last swung by."


    As the pod whirred into the garage, the doctor looked up at the imposing mansion. A few small spires rose from the top floor, one of them likely a satelite array, the rest looking more domestic. "Sheesh, I wasn''t expecting a castle. Not that I am complaining."


    Ren nodded as he pproached the front door, ringing the bell, "Yeah, that''s Greg. Always one for the... Dramatic side, if you will. You two will get along famously."


    The door opened, revealing a grinning Hope awaiting them, "Hey you two! This place is crazy awesome. He has humanoid drones in suits of armour!"


    Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, stepping inside to llook around with an impressed nod, "You were right... We will get along well~ Where is Alex? Or, uh, the closest one?"


    "Hmm? Oh, just over there, in the study. Laura is out by the dock for our ship, making sure it is set up right... And I will be going back to the kickass armoury I found."


    Dr Elune mouth to Ren, "Armoury?" Shrugging it off for later, the pair walked over to the study as Hope wandered off, whistling merrily. They slipped inside quietly, closing the door behind them.


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    Alex looked up wearily from the armchair, waving feebly, "H... Hello. Sorry if... I am not responsive."


    Ren glanced around, puzzled as they shuffled to the empty seats. Dr Elune smiled softly, easing themself down, "Not as easy away from home, huh?"


    Alex nodded faintly, "I am going undetected fairly easily... But I do not have prority here... My connection is... Thin... And I have to think just to make sure the right dat gets sent... And encrypted..."


    Ren smiled, "Ahh, I see. As this unit is controlled from the ship, Alex needs to connect over the main grid. I''m surprised you are going unnoticed."


    "... Splitting the data. Video... Audio... And commands. Other senses turned off.. I am safe in the chair, for now." Alex slumped with a pout, "I can''t wait... For our ship to get here..."


    Dr Elune leant back with a content sigh, "Speaking of, how is the inspection?"


    "Done... Deactivated my unit in time... Francis is fine... Ship can''t leave till the paperwork is clear... Should dock here tonight."


    Dr Elune nodded, then smiled softly, Thank you. Now, get some rest... I am sure we have plenty of questions waiting for us."


    As Alex nodded off, Ren coughed, "Ah, not today thankfully. Greg has a long shift at work, and his family is elsewhere."


    "Cool. More play for me, then."


    "... To the armoury?"


    "To the armoury."

 Ch 48: The Morning After

    Dr Elune groaned as they rolled over, jumping slightly as their arm flopped onto someone. Opening their eyes, the doctor looked at a sleepy Alex, who had been rudely awakened. "Wh- I thought you were..." Tilting to glance back, Dr Elune saw the other AHOR right behind them, where they slept last night, "Oh. Greedy."


    The Alex in front of them grinned, "Yes I am. And now that our ship is here, over a secure connection... I can control both at once again."


    Dr Elune rolled their eyes, and quite forcefully pushed Alex right off the side of the bed. "Pity got you your cuddle. It''s morning now."


    Oofing as they landed, the other Alex hugged the doctor from behind, "Hey, that was mean. I met this... Greg, by the way. Interesting guy."


    Sighing as they wiggled their own way off the bed, the doctor smiled, "Time to meet him, I guess. And your maintenance cradles should be installed in the room today, so no more sneaking into bed."


    "Okay... Only because I know the monitoring is important." Stretching out, the Alex on the bed got up, and begn rummaging around for the day''s outfits as the other maintained the conversation, "Did Ren mention anything about today''s plans?"


    "Just a tour of the mansion, and a discussion with Greg. Oh, and from I hear.... You are still to be a slight secret."


    "Mansion... Normal clothes for you, then. I''ll go with the uniform..." Handing over the clothes for Dr Elune, the Alexes began changing out of their flight suits from the day before, "And what do you mean, doctor?"


    "I''ll be blunt: Greg''s wife, Berta, hasn''t been informed of anything other than OHPS. And she is... Less than warm towards android idealists." Getting changed as well, the doctor glanced up at Alex with a smirk, "You know, it''s funny..."


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    "What is, doctor?" The two Alexes paused in the middle of putting on their uniforms, an all-purpose bodysuit from the station leaving the hand, feet and head free.


    Dr Elune finished putting on their shirt, "I am so used to getting naked in front of you, I didn''t notice the change where it started getting... Well, slightly rude. You weren''t aware back then."


    Alex blushed faintly, rolling their eyes as they sealed the suits up, reaching for the accompanying boots next, "Very funny. I should say the same to you... Well, from the other point of view, though."


    Smirking as they slipped on the ceremonial labcout, the doctor waited by the door, amused at the thought of how Alex would react next time. "It was a good point, though. Anyway, we should get going to meet our generous benefactor. Are both of you coming?"


    "No, doctor... I shall also be helping oversee the continued unpack of the shuttle. Laura has gone to a conference in your stead, as your first one isn''t till tomorrow... And Hope is, uh... Distracted. And less knowledgable on the setup of our equipment."


    "... Distracted how?"


    "... Having fun with the shooting range."


    Dr Elune grinned, "Hey, the stuff in the armoury is awesome. Ancient swords, new replicas, bows, spears, experimental lasers... I can''t beleive Greg has permits for this stuff."


    Opening the door, Alex smirked, "I checked... Only most of it. Most people are too overwhelemed to notice."


    Laughing as they followed after, the doctor was greatly looking forward to this.

 Ch 49: Bliss in the haven

    "Good morning, Grigori. Thank you for inviting us to your home."


    Dr Elune settled in the armchair, Alex standing politely at their side as their host bowed, "The pleasure is mine. And please, Greg is fine. I am unfamiliar with the faces of your party... Who might this be?"


    Dr Elune grinned, "This is Alex, piloting one of the completed AHOR units... Specially designed, at that."


    Greg''s eyes widened, "I had assumed they would be more... Different, I suppose." Wandering up, Greg peered closely as Alex glanced down at the doctor, "Wonderful craftmanship... And you can make more, with the facilities at the mansion?"


    Dr elune coughed quietly, "Yes, but not quickly. I would suggest setting up a full facility first... Then you can pump out as many as you wish, should we have legislation. And please... We can hand over a unt for inspection later."


    Greg blinked, smiling slightly as he retreated to his own armchair, "My appologies. I had heard from Ren that Alex is considered evolved, even dangerously so... But I am sceptical. It is no mean feat, after all."


    Alex fidgeted slightly, "Doctor, if I may... Which unit were you thinking of having inspected?"


    "Hmm? Oh, the Norman. We put him in storage, remember?"


    "Oh, right." Hiding a nervous smile, Alex stared pointedly ahead, "As for my classification, I only wish to avoid trouble. Feel free to ask any questions you may have, our shuttle also has records on board of previous tests... Some manual, unseen by myself."


    Greg shrugged as he chuckled, "Interesting, but another time. I shall try and by polite, and treat you as a human for the most part. Sound fair?"


    Dr Elune nodded, "More than fair. Except one point, though... How much access do you wish for Alex to have to your systems?"


    "Hmm, I don''t think there is anything too bad there... And Ren trusts you, even with, uh..."


    "His history?"


    "Yes, that. You have full access, and as long as it is in the ranges, labs, or your bedrooms... You can modify the house as you please." Greg grinned wide, "I have seen your work. I doubt I would say no anyway."


    Dr Elune grinned broadly, "Alex, please make a list of how many sensor arrays and HPBs we will need. Time to make this feel like home."


    "With pleasure, doctor."


    Greg laughed at that, before quieting slightly, "I am curious, though... Since your ship got hooked up to the main house, we have had a lot of energy drain. Is that seriously just Alex?"


    Dr Elune nodded, "A lot of power is needed to run... Well, Alex. And once they really get started, we willl consistently be using a lot of power. I trust Ren breifed you on this?"


    "Yes, yes. Just sceptical again. It is... Quite the wake up call, seeing the actualality of it." Greg leaned back, "... May I see the device?"


    Dr Elune shook their head, "Some things need to be kept trade secrets. We will supply you with a few greyscale AHOR droids as thanks, and outfit your house for free... But Alex''s br- Uh, proccessing center is a little too special."


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    "Hehe, the brain of an AI, I suppose. And trust me, I would have settled for paying for the units, and getting the prototypes." Smile fading, Greg sighed, "Now, I''m sure Ren mentioned this... But while my servants are used to my... Questionables, and will be discreet, my family may not look past Alex should they be advanced as you say."


    Dr Elune grinned, "Hide the power drain, and never say Alex is an android. Once we have the sensors set up, we can ensure one unit is hidden away as need be, leaving the impression Alex is human."


    Greg nodded, "That would be for the best. My wife is not expected to be back home for a while, she is in the middle of a trip in the Belt."


    "The Belt! Geez, she is far from home."


    "Hehe, she grew up in the third haven. The Belt has always been somewhere precious to her... But I like the peculiarities of the fourth."


    "Me, for example?"


    "Exactly!" Beamign as they both laughed, Greg continued, "Anyway, Berta only comes around one monthe per year, by the standard calandar. She isn''t due for a few months yet." Fidgeting, Greg shook his head, "My daughter, Jolana... She is another matter."


    "I was unaware you had children."


    "Three. The other two are out on their own, running parts of my business... I do pretty well in the ship and ore indsutries."


    Dr Elune nodded, "I recognised the name from some of my own shipments. You have bought my ore before."


    Greg blinked, "Have I? Small system!" Chuckling, he continued, "As I was saying... Jolana stays at home. She inherited our curiousity the most, and likes experimental physics... Something a bit easier to get away with, out here."


    The doctor looked up ast Alex, "... We can get along with her, convince her that Alex is the best thing ever to boot. Where is she now?"


    "On her way back from the relay rings, due to a discussion on black holes. She should be home day after tomorrow."


    Nodding, the doctor grinned, "I look forward to it. For now, though... I have one question that has been bothering me."


    "Yes? Only the one?"


    "Only one. The armoury is quite the spectacle... But one I understand." The doctor leant forwards, "... Did you ever take part in the Mars incident?"


    "... I supplied transport and resources to the armies. I know full well of the horrors..." Greg waved dismissivly, "... But, I am a realist. Most of the horror was the firepower. That could have been in human hands just as easily. Besides... That AI took years of research from teams of geniuses. Alex can''t be that good. No offense."


    In unison, Alex and Dr Elune answered, "None taken." As they giggled, the doctor mused quietly to themself. Greg''s view was common on the fourth haven... But nonexistant on the others. Mars had been a slaughter, only one in ten encounters having so much as a single survivor. That was no simple matter. "Thank you again, for housing us."


    "No problem. I look forward to your work!" Shaking the doctor''s hand, Greg showed them to the door, beginning the official tour of their new accomodations for the forseeable future.

 Ch 50: A Quick Bit of Fun

    Grinning, Dr Elune sat down in the chair, "You know, showing me this when our big conference is tomorrow is just mean."


    Alex proudly nodded, leaning against the side of the chair as the simulation finished whirring to life on screen, "Yes, yes it is. Suitable motivation for you to be on your best behaviour, I''m sure."


    The doctor raised an eyebrow, "And if I''m a naughty little scientist?"


    "Then good luck running this without me~"


    Dr Elune pouted, getting a giggle out of Laura who was doing a last check on the connections, "Alex had this ready for a while... But we got distracted. Even had plans to get a two way connection going."


    The doctor shot a glance at Laura, "You know how I feel about those. No." Setting the helmet down over their face, they smiled, "One way, though... That I am all for."


    Laura simply shook her head, having spoken at length on this before... And still not understanding the doctor''s aversion to sensory override technology. "You ready, Alex?"


    Alex nodded, wandering over to an armchair with a smile, "Simulation is running smoothly, and I am picking up the doctor''s thought patterns. Running calibrations now."


    The doctor squirmed excitedly, watching the display inside the helmet flicker to life. Eyes following the visual prompts, they quickly proceeded through the set of calibrations, registering the full array of bodily controls.


    "That should be enough, I think. I can fine tune this on the way, after all... Initiating White Room."


    The screen dulled, before slowly fading in to reveal a plain room, adorned with only a simple desk and chair, in which the doctor''s avatar was sitting. Standing it up, the dostor whistled appreciatively, "Nice. You have the controls down very naturally, Alex."


    "Thank you, doctor." Smiling shyly, Alex loaded the room in as a module to the main simulation, dsiolving the walls around the room to reveal a large hall, "As promised, our venue for tomorrow. Feel free to explore as you please."


    Grinning, the doctor absently wandered around, examining the furniture, nudging some of it here and there, "Nice physics work. The resistance to movememnt feels... Fairly even, might want to include a setting in calibration though."


    Alex nodded, as Laura groaned, "I''m here to, you know."


    "Yes, Laura. You did good too."


    Rolling her eyes, Laura smiled faintly, "You are an ass. Any improvements on my end?"


    The doctor shrugged, "Feedback is excelent. Sound doesn''t seem to be leaking, and I will try the noise cancelling later. Chair is pretty good, too... May want to make it easier to adjust though, if others are to use it."


    Alex smirked, "This chair was fitted for you, specifically. We have finished the designs on a more universal chair already."


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    "... Oh. Measuring my in my sleep?"


    "But of course."


    The doctor grinned, "Such a creepy AI."


    Alex laughed, Laura sighing as she taps the consol, "heat buildup is a little high... I might need to look into that. We have better options now though, with the improvements to the synthetic nerves..."


    Dr Elune went to nod, but stopped as they felt the helmet shift slightly, "Hmm, better ways to secure the helmey might be a good idea. Also, as comfy as the chair is... People will be spending longer lengths of time in these. Try something more... Matress-like."


    Laura nodded, as Alex gently eased the helmet off of the doctor, "Feelling alright?"


    "... Yes?"


    "Oh, good. You are our first tester for this, after all." Smiling, alex set the helmet down, "Now, back to work... We have a speech to finish."


    "... Fine. Oh, and you should make a newer chair sooner rather than later... We have people to impress."


    "Hmm?" Alex looked up from the helmet, lost in thought inspecting it, "Oh, right. That is a good point, doctor. I will send Greg a list of requested materials and parts."


    "Good. Now... Back to the boring stuff."


    Easing down onto the bed, Dr Elune sighed. Alex peered out from their maintenance pod, "Yes?"


    "... I hate meetings. And tomorrow is aone big drawn out meeting..."


    Glancing at the ceiling, Alex leant back with a shrug, "You will be fine. Also... I miss having projectors everywhere."


    Dr Elune grinned, "Subtlety, remember? And the ones we had were needed for the lab."


    "I know... But I miss them anyway." Closing their eyes, Alex murmured, "By the way... I do not know why you are opposed to two way vr. I must have left those memories in the archive."


    "... Maybe. Anyway, put it this way... Two way has been done before, if uing risky methods. And often in those cases... Bugs in the system resulted in side effects."


    Alex shrugged, "I can see how that would happen... But you have me."


    "... That I do. However... What if a different AI impersonates you?"


    "... Excuse me?"


    "You are not the first of your kind... And certainly not the last. We have seen the worst case scenario, remember?"


    As Alex went quiet, the doctor sighed, "I trust you... But you, specifically. Putting my mind in the hands of any AI opens risks. Ones you will not always be able to protect me from. Okay?"


    "... I understand. I had never... Thought of it like that. They might even be able to highjack an AHOR..."


    Dr Elune nodded, "Indeed. We have drastic measures to stop you for a reason... And those reasons will hopefully never manifest." Waving lazilly from the bed, the doctor sighed, "We should rest... You included. See you in the morning, Alex."


    "Good night, doctor."

 Ch 51: Half of a Gift

    "I would say thank you for coming, but I think we all know how bad I am with crowds."


    As chuckles resounded through the spacious conference hall, Dr Elune grinned from the podium, "Now, I''m afraid we will not be answering any questions today, as we are sure each of you want a more intensive discussion later. Instead, we will be going through some basic details on the OHPS, or Opaque Hologram Projection Systems, then arranging meetings with you accordingly."


    One of the people in the back called out, "Your name could use some work!"


    Dr Elune laughed, "Yes, I agree with you there. However... The OHPS will be a temporary name, and not just because it sucks." Smiling at the chuckles and curious glances, the doctor continued, "More on that later though. For now, we have run into a few... Design aspects that don''t mesh well. That is why there are going to be three models released for now."


    Turning on the display, the doctor gestured to a blueprint of te first model, the reporters tking snapshots as a surprised murmur passed back and forth, "First, the standard model. Needs at least two units for a proper projection, consumes a bit more power than a monitor of similar sizing. The image can... Show slightly though, and is not too great reacting with other light sources. Recommended for use in controlled environments."


    Switching to the next design, the doctor continued over the growing hum of curiousity, "Next, the deluxe model. This one uses over five times the power, but only one unit is needed for a clear image, and there is no problem having other light interfeering. This thing is capable of fooling you into thinging it is projecting something solid... A handy little trick."


    Moving on to the final design, the doctor grinned, "And, as we know, many people will want these to be portable. We have that covered already... The mini OHPS can run of most drone power supplies, simple transporters will be able to maintain a weak, transperent image for about an hour before runnig flat. Decent opacity, more like ten minutes."


    Someone raised a hand, "Excue me, but the main problem seems to be power... So why not just limit the drain on the higher models?"


    Dr Elune waved at the interrupter, "That would be a question! But, one I was planning on answering anyway." As the room chuckled, the doctor put the images side by side on the displays, "The answer is difficulty. The better units not only drain more power, but the lenses are a pain to manufacture, and the materials get more and more costly. We... Haven''t found a better method yet."


    The doctor glanced back at Alex''s unit, who grinned. Taking a deep breath, the doctor continued, "Now, I''m sure there are a few key questions one your minds... Where can I get these? How much will they cost? And, most importantly... When can we make our own?"


    As the room laughed, Dr Elune leant on the podium with a grin, "To put it simply, we are producing a steady supply now... But it''s not going to meet demand. We have a few manufacturing companies working on it, and the exact pricing isn''t locked in... But they will not be cheap. My associates can get you in touch with our distributors to arrange something, and get you your own sets soon enough." The doctor grinned as people nodded, not particularly surprised... And all eyes were glued on the schematics behind the doctor, shimmering on the screen.


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    Glancing back at the displays, the doctor chuckled, "What, wondering how acurate those plans are?" As some of the people nodded, the doctor casually waved up at them, "Well, here is a surprise... They are the actual plans. That brings me to a few points at once... Why the names will change, and when you get to make your own."


    As the room burst into life, everyone yelling questions and explamations, the doctor waved to hush the room back down. One of the reporters piped up in the dying babble, "You don''t expect us to beleive you are handing that out, do you?"


    As the doctor rolled their eyes, a grin spread across their face, "Yes, actually. Simply put, I ahve gotten what I need out of these. I am curious to see how the other tinkerers out there will use this technology, and people will always want to flock back to the original. So I though, hey, why not have some fun." Grin growing extra smug, the doctor added, "Oh, I forgot to add one little detail..."


    "Royalties?"


    "Hmm? Oh, not that. I would still apreciate them, but I literally just put my designs on a bilboard for you." As the room chuckled nervously, the doctor smirked, "I mentioned the lenses are a pain to make. I am handing over the blueprints... But not the production methods. We are happy to sell only the parts for a fraction of the unit''s cost, or let you figure things out on your own. What, did you think it was that easy?"


    As people started murmuring again, the doctor coudln''t help but giggle, "Oh, and I suspect you all want a live demo." As everyone nodded and called out agreement, the doctor nodded as well, "I agree... Which is why I am sitting in the next room, waiting for your bookings to interview me."


    As people glanced around in confusion, Alex held up a remote, and turned off the OHPS on the roof... And the doctor disappeared.


    A minute later, Dr Elune laughed as people continued surging into the room, employees graciously provided by Greg helping direct the flowing press of bodies. Ren, Dr Elune, and Laura sat in a row along a table, ready to take down a list of names and dates.


    Ren leant over to the doctor, grinning, "Seems your idea worked... But getting through them all will take a while."


    Dr Elune nodded, "Yup. That is why I made the speech so short."


    "Hehe, true... But I meant longer than that."


    Taking a deep breath, the doctor smiled up at the first person in line, "I know what you meant. And please, don''t remind me."

 Ch 52: Rehearsals

    "Well done, Sam. You have officially made us the center of all media attention across this entire section of space."


    Grinning back at Ren as they walked into the mansion, the doctor nodded, "Just as planned!"


    Laura shook her head with a grin, watching them waltz on in, "You do realise you have to actually deal with that attention now, right?"


    The doctor shrugged, "I have... Plans. Besides, if I rehearse a dozen or so scenarios, I can just reuse the same scripts to deal with every reporter or scientist to come our way."


    Francis groaned from the chair he was slumped in, face pale. "I hope this plan of yours works... The nerves alone make me feel queasy..."


    Dr Elune slouched into a nearby chair themself, laughing quietly, "People aren''t as smart as they like to think. They want scoops... We give them freely. And for the nerves... We can handle the reporters pretty easily."


    Laura raised an eyebrow, "And if one of them wants a tour of our ship?"


    Dr Elune grinned, "Tell them the truth: There are high security doors seperating some compartments, to protect trade secrets. They will asume processing methods, or something stupid. Alex will be safe."


    Greg wandered into the room with a broad smile, "Ah, there you are. I have had nothing but calls to see you since the meeting... Your friend Alex is handling them remarkably well, using a few little tricks."


    Dr Elune craned their neck to wave at Greg, "Hello, sir. The meeting went fabulously... And I spent most of it just shaking hands and jotting down requests for interviews. Alex is setting up calls to try and compress them into small groups, handle them half a dozen at a time."


    Greg shook his head in wonder, "Given you have half the haven asking for you, you will still take a while. These Holographic devices are well crafted, after all."


    Dr Elune shrugged, "Give it a few months. We have our eyes on some potential partners to start... Get them up and running, shift some of the interest. Then move to our second list, hand over the production methods as well. We will be out of here in half a year... Giving us plenty of time for Francis to do what he needs to and go back home."


    As Francis nodded in exhausted agreement, Hope popped her head in, "I thought I heard a commotion. Anything I need to know about?"


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    Dr Elune grinned as they shook their head, "Nope. The bustle is of the beaurocratic variety. Find anything neat in the armoury?"


    Hope nodded, "Some neat blasters, and this odd tower shield... Mind if I have Alex give it an inspection, sir?"


    Greg laughed as he waved idly, "Not at all. I think I know the one you are talking about... It has baffled a few people. Get me a second one, and I''m a happy man!"


    Hope nodded eagerly as she rushed off. Greg paused for a moment, "Say, we are giving dear Alex a large list of responsibilities. Will they be okay?"


    Ren nodded, "I have seen Alex at work, and I am taking part in the recent diagnostics. As long as proper rest is taken... Alex can handle twice this current workload."


    Dr Elune nodded, then grinned, "Speaking of... That could come in the form of Sims. Which we will be running a lot of, once your dear daughter arrives tomorrow. What time was that, again?"


    Greg sighed, "Early morning, at the spire... After I come back to drop her off, I will be neck deep in work again, so I won''t be around much. I should enjoy the long ride back and forth while I can."


    Laura smirked, "Well, considering how... Excitedly everyone is going through your collections of oddities, you might not want to leav us too unattended."


    Greg chuckled as he eased himself up, "Ah, I have had worse things happed to this house. Some of them by me not understanding an item... Those labels didn''t all come with the objects in question." He tugged at his shirt collar, letting the tip of a faint car show, "I am more worried about you lot... But I am sure you will be fine."


    Dr Elune nodded, "Given my habit of leaving unfinished projects laying about, eveyone here knows better... Except maybe Ren."


    "Hey, I invent things too, remember."


    "Suuure. I just do it better."


    As the doctor grinned cheekily at the xasperated Ren, Greg chuckled again as he left the room, "Stay safe, you lot. Especially once my daughter gets here, understand?"


    As everyone nodded, understadning the various implications of that, Greg quietly wandered away, off to prepare for his work. The res delved back into coversation, mostly about how to best make use of this fascinating mansion... And a little on what to say for the coming interviews.

 Ch 53: A Grain of Truth

    Dr Elune bowed slightly as the door opened, Ren walking past with a smile, "Hello, Jolana. I think this is the first time we have met in person."


    Stepping aside to let the service drones unload her luggage, Jolana smiled, "Hello, Ren! It certainly has been a while... And we did breifly meet at that summit on... I think it was data transmittion?"


    Ren nodded as he walked beside her, Dr Elune falling in behind them, "Ah, right. We didn''t get to talk much, though. You have a marvelous home, by the way."


    Jolana smirked, glancing around, "I see you two have already gotten into rennovation mode... My father will be delighted to have all your gadgets installed. I am curious to use these projectors, myself."


    Dr Elune grinned proudly, opening the door to the study, "Well, we had gotten a little too used to certain luxuries while out on my station. I am sure you will find a few surprises, while you let us stay here."


    Laughing, Jolana sat in one of the armchairs with a nod, "Quite a few... I must admit, I have a few questions for you already."


    Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, Ren calmly waving, "Ask away. I''m sure Sam here won''t be shy."


    Taking a moment to look back and forth between the two, Jolana hummed quietly, "Dr Elune coming here is one thing... Those projectors have been quite the point of interest. Half the articles I saw floating around since I got back are to do with them." Looking to Ren, she frowned, "And while you and my father have long been good aquaintences, you aren''t the type to visit. You also had no part in those projectors, did you?"


    Ren chuckled, "See, most people don''t think that far. Our true reason for being here, and for working together... Is a little different." Turning to Sam, Ren coughed, "Do you, uh, still have that modified drone?"


    Dr Elune tilted their head, then smiled broadly, "Ohhh, that one." Looking up at the corner of the room, the doctor called out, "Alex, are these things wired up yet?"


    After a moment, a slightly crackly voice replied, "Mostly, doctor. Need to fix some of the connections. I''ll have the buff-drone over in a moment."


    As Jolana looked puzzled, Dr Elune grinned, "Alex is my trusted assistant. I often have Alex on call over the network, makes things easier."


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    Jolana nodded, hesitating before deciding to simply wait for them to continue. She did not wait long, as the doors soon opened, Alex walking in with the buff-drone wheeling in behind, arms flexing slowly as it stopped in the middle of the room.


    As Jolana giggled at the sight, Alex bowed, "Hello. I am Alex, and should you need anything from our labs, please come to me. I am more... Well, I know where everything is." Turning to the doctor, Alex gestured to the drone, "The arms are a bit stiff from under use... But the drone is still functional."


    Grinning, Dr Elune waved at one of the empty seats, "Come, sit down. I''m sure you have a moment." As Alex nodded, headed for the chair, Dr Elune turned back to their host, "Now then. Those arms haphazardly attached to this drone are part of project AHOR... In short, advanced cybernetics."


    As Jolana clapped, the leant forward to stare at the drone, "This, this makes more sense... Ren would have been a huge help. Is this the latest model?"


    Glancing at Ren, the doctor shook their head, "No. This is an early prototype, from before Ren even joined. We have a full body prototype stored on our shuttle, designed to replicate human function... This allows us to make individual parts, for peronal application, after testing them as a whole."


    Jolana leant back, humming thoughtfully, "This would be a very impressive invention indeed... One I sense is not yet ready?" As the doctor nodded, she continued, "I can see why you are keeping this under wraps, then... How well does the unit react?"


    Ren spoke up, "Well, we have run some simple usage tests on the completed body, and it performs slightly above human capabilities, nothing particularly out of place. The main thing we have been working on is nerve integration... We are still testing on the bonding process of the limbs."


    Smiling thoughtfully, Jolana nodded, "I''m glad I will get to see this... Something tells me you lot will be an interesting show to watch."


    As Alex relaxed slightly, Ren grinned wide, "Oh, don''t you worry... Our plans will take us on quite the ride."

 Ch 54: Means of Protection

    Dr Elune looked up from their desk, groaning before they spot Hope waltzing on in, "Oh, hello Hope. Here to watch me practice my many intervies to come?"


    Hope shook her head, giggling as she sat down opposite the doctor, "Not a chance. Thought you could do with a break though... If that is alright, Alex?"


    The little projection of an Alex-face nodded, "Certainly... But the doctor will need to come back for another half hour of practive tonight."


    Grimacing as they clanced over, Dr Elune leant back with a sigh, "Sounds like a deal. So, what does my study break entail?"


    Hope grinned, "A few exciting developements. Since me and Laura have had little to do as you prepare for your adoring public, we have been loving the free access to the armoury. She tinkers with some modificaitons, I test ''em, we hope nothing explodes... Except sometimes the test dummies."


    Dr Elune smiled faintly, "Sometimes? Not all the time?"


    As Hope laughed, Alex giggled before shutting off the projector, letting the two of them talk, "Not quite. We have been perticularly interested in a shield... Pretty sturdy, and produces a field around it."


    "You know force fields have been debunked, right?"


    "... Mostly. This one puts those back on the table." Smirking, Hope looked up to the sensors, "Alex, be a dear and fetch me the file labeled ''Shield Montage?''"


    "Right away." In the middle of the room, a flat projection flickered to life, playing a recording. A medieval styled tower shield stood at the end of the room, with Hope and Laura excitedly standing in front of the camera.


    "So, we have permission to fire guns at a neat shield. Greg assures us it will not break... We wanna make a little dent."


    Laura grinned, "We will fail... One way or another."


    Hope nudged her, walking over to a bench with an array of weapons. "Turn it on, already."


    The frame skipped, and Laura was off-screen, with the shield... Humming. Vibrating subtly in place. "First test... Balistic pistol, standard army issue." Hope raised the gun, tok a shot, and whistled as the bullet pinged off the surface with a slight bang. "The shield sure is loud... Pass me those heavy-duty ear protectors."


    The frame skipped again, showing Hope with said ear protectors on, giving the thumbs up as she couldn''t hear a thing. She then raised an automatic rifle, yelling, "Fully automaic balistic, here we go!" Letting loose, Hope began emptying thr clip, jumping slightly as she felt the floor rumble, the camera shaking as a barrage of small thunderclaps resounded through the room, the bullets falling down just short of the device.


    The next scene showed Hope holding up a grenade launcher with a manic smile, "Greg said this bunker was designed for this, yeah? Lets see the shield stand up against a specially designed frag-napalm explosive combo, fired at high velocity." Laura could ba heard running from the room, Hope lowering special defensive shutters as she slotted the gun through a small opening, leveling it at the shield. The view swapped to a second camera, positioned inside the room.


    Hope pulled the trigger, the camera getting a glimpse of firey mayhem before it blacked out, the view returning to Hope''s side, showing her launched back from the gun with an off, groaning against the wall as Laura rushed in. "You okay?"


    "Yeah... That wasn''t the gun. Tried it before... It had kick, but not nearly that much!" Lowering the shutter, Hope gasped at the scene before them.


    The walls and floor leading up to the shield smoldered with molten fragments of schrapnel from the grenade, prompting the safety drones to enter with fire extinguishers. Closer to the shield, though... Large chunks of rubble had been blasted out from the surfaces, a swathe of destuction radiating outward from the impact zone.


    And in the middle of it all, a cone of perfectly untouched peace, with the shield standing without so much as a speck of napalm on it.


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    The video flickered off, Hope practically bouncing in her seat with excitement as Dr Elune gaped, "I know, right? We had one more gun to try, short of moving to a tank or warhead... And even that gun wasn''t allowed, since it would level the bunker, and the house along with it."


    Dr Elune swallowed, finding their voice, "I''m... Happy you are excited. You mean to say there is something more descturctive than that in here?"


    Hope nodded, "Greg has arranged a special range for me next week, to try it out. Calls it the PEWPEW, experimental gun that was too impractical."


    "... The what?"


    "Yes, the name is stupid. I read the specs, though..." Hopw shivered, and the doctor couldn''t tell if it was from excitement or fear, "That thing could rip through the spire, if you aimed it right."


    "Wh- The spire is a country. We are talking a human wieldable gun."


    Hope nodded silently, grinning, "Takes eletrical input for ammunition, and a decently long charge up time... And will drain enough to power said spire for the time it charges, too."


    Dr Elune blanched, "And Greg can block that thing, let alone power it?"


    "Well... We are going to use ten percent output. Not nearly as bad. And, looking at the shield, it will actually negate most of the destructive force, as it is a pretty linear shot. We just need to account for the whiplash..."


    "... Space shooting range?"


    "Yup." Hope giggled, "He is aranging everything. Anywho, the important part: Laura thinks she can figure out a weaker version of this shield, and work her way up. Imagine coating our shuttle in those."


    "... We could survive anything." As a grin slowly spread over Dr Elune''s face, they chuckled, "And, the drawbacks?"


    "Oh, a few. the Shield uses power too... Not as gready as the PEWPEW, but still impractical for now. We have Alex, though."


    Nodding, the doctor agreed, "Micro precision on operating the shield, and we can manufacture more efficient ones as we go on... Better power production too... Fair enough."


    Nodding, Hope leant back with a sigh, "Tested some other guns on the shield, too. Nothing too exciting to show. In other words, I have been having the time of my life~"


    "Until you run out of guns."


    Hope smirked, "Like I said... Laura has been making modifications, and some prototypes of her own are in the works. I have plenty. Most of them will stay in the armoury... We aren''t going to war, after all."


    Dr Elune smiled weakly, "We hope. And we would try negotiations, over military superiority."


    Hope nodded, "Speaking of... Francis has secured some private chats with a few local lawbakers. He will be subtle... But we are starting on our main purpose here, as you are nice and distracting."


    The doctor laughed, "Ah, yes. I forget sometimes, we are here to fight beaurocrats and lawyers. Then comes public opinion... Then we will see what we have left, and reveal Alex openly."


    Hope shrugged, "Yup. Here''s hoping it goes even smoother than planned..."


    "That won''t be hard. We planned for an uphill battle, with several losses against the government and public."


    Rolling her eyes, Hope got up, "Well, that is a problem for the rest of you lot. I''m just happy testing this stuff out~ And, well..."


    "... Knowing we have a plan C, if running isn''t an option?"


    "... Yeah." Walking to the door, Hope sighed, "I honestly don''t know what I will do if it comes to that. I don''t want a death sentance... But I''m not sure I will go to war for you two."


    Dr Elune waved a hand gently, "There will always be another way. No wars are going to be fought here... You have fun, and go enjoy the armoury."


    Hope smiled faintly, before beckoning with a finger, "Hey now... You are still on break. You are coming with me."


    "... Sounds good to me."

 Ch 55: Regret

    Dr Elune whimpered faintly, unmoving as they helplessly stared up into the open sky.


    "Come now, doctor... Everything will be okay." Alex stroked a hand along the doctor''s forehead gently, smiling reassuiringly.


    Shaking their head, the doctor groaned, "Why does my body ache? I was only answering questions... And yet, I ache..."


    Alex sighed, "Admittedly, you were sitting still for hours. Also, you are over dramatic enough that it is probably phsycological."


    Pouting up at Alex, the doctor feebly tried to sit up... They did not make it far before flopping back down instead, "Either way, I am thankful Ren made sure this is only every second day... I am exhausted after only the first week!"


    As Alex smiled, the doctor looked back up at the sky, smiling up at the faintly lavender hue, "I have to say... The sky here is really pretty."


    Alex nodded, looking up as well, "Indeed. It took me a little getting used to... In the station, the air is thin enough that we always see the stars. I should come out into the garden more often."


    Nodding, the doctor grinned, "Hey, did you know... The air over on Earth is more of a blue colour?"


    Alex blinked in surprise, "No, I did not. I had assumed from my reading that skies were naturally this purplish-blue hue."


    Grinning smugly, the doctor coninued, "Blue is the natural colour, actually. We only started getting the purple mixed in when we manufactured the atmosphere to be habitable... Side affect from removing too many of the gasses we don''t care about."


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    Humming thoughtfully, Alex continued stroking along the doctor''s head, smiling faintly, "We should head inside, soon... You should eat something proper, before heading to bed. You have tomorrow to finish resting, after all."


    Giggling, the doctor poked Alex in the side, "You know me, I will stay up late playing around. The meal sounds like a good idea, though...." Pausing for an exagerated yawn, the doctor smirked, "Or, I could fall asleep right here, and have you princess-carry me to bed."


    Laughing softly, Alex shook their head, "While I could, I think I would have Hope do it. The result would be funnier."


    Groaning as they finnaly pried themself up, Dr Elune eld up their hands in defeat, "Inside it is. Hey, any progress while I was out?"


    "Hmm? Regarding what?"


    "... Anything?"


    Grinning, Alex nodded, "Francis is starting to get a feel for who we should aproach first, Laura thinks she has cracked the design for the low power force-shield, and Hope has a date to fire the... Ahem, PEWPEW."


    "... That name is still stupid."


    "I have looked over the deisgn, and, well... You will want to go watch. It is on an off day."


    Raising an eyebrow, Dr Elune nodded silently as they walked into the house, with the doctor eagerly awaiting what Alex would try to make from Greg''s kitchen today.

 Ch 56: Small Haven

    Dr Elune glanced up at the knock on their door, pushing the AHOR schematics to the side, "Come in."


    Francis stepped into the room quietly, glancing around as they made their way to a seat, "Evening, Sam. I hope I wasn''t interrupting anything?"


    Shaking their head, the doctor grinned, "Not really. Judith wanted approval for some new tests on AHOR, and the only concern is the material costs. I think I will tell her not to worry... These things are to be designed for quality." Shifting in their seat, the doctor smiled softly, "Been keeping busy?"


    Francis sighs with a nod, leaning back slowly, "Very. It is awfully taxing to try and probe these people for opinions on AI... Without giving an impression of genuine interest. Don''t want to give oiurselves away quite yet."


    Dr Elune opened a small fridge that had been moved next to their desk, for convenience, "Sounds like you are having trouble, then... I thought you would love the beaurocratic dance, though?"


    Francis chuckled weakly, "Not in the slightest. Oh, you have any-" As Dr Elune held up a bottle with a smirk, Francis continued, "Heh, you come well prepared. Anyway... I am a good lawyer. Doesn''t mean I enjoy it. There is some good news, though..."


    Dr Elune raised an eyebrow as they filled a pair of glasses, handing one to Francis, "We have a potential sympathetic?"


    Francis nodded after takign a sip, "Better - We have a powerful one. We already have some sway here from Ren''s associates, but that will not win over the Haven... Let alone the inner triumverate."


    Dr Elune giggled, "Yeah, out here by the fourth tends to get left out of everything. I remember one of my previous buyers not even knowing there was a fourth haven." Sighing as they put down their glass, the doctor shuffled through the papers, "I am fairly sure convincing them AHOr is great will be easy... Even with the worriers about identity theft. Alex is the only reason we need you here, in person."


    Nodding, Francis tapped his glass in thought, "Indeed. That is why this... Potential backer will be good. Fought in the wars, on the front lines... Decent leverage in the inner havens."


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    Dr Elune smiled slowly, "I am detecting a hint of concern, though. Let me guess: You like our chances of success. You just dislike what will happen if they change their tone." As Francis nodded, the doctor grinned, "Leave that part to me. May I suggest we invite them over to talk about the OHPS, let them meet Alex... Get a regulat visit going, before we let them know the truth?"


    Francis blinked up at Dr Elune, "That, uh... Might work. I never thought of you as the political strategist."


    Dr Elune nodded, holding up their glass, "I prefer to leave that to the rest of you. However... Do remember I got ownership of the station somehow. And, I have been able to maintain it."


    As Francis raised his glass in kind, he chuckled, "As lazy and introspective as ever... But willing to work hard to get what you want."


    Dr Elune laughed at that, clinking their glass as they both drained the remainer. As the doctor pulled the bottle back over for seconds, they hummed quietly, "I will probably reture from the public eye fully after all this... For better, or worse."


    Francis raised an eyebrow, "What, you? Retire? And give up on your marvelous creations?"


    Smirking, the doctor shook their head, "Not a chance. I will just sell the patent to others from now on, for a hefty price. The creation part will never stop."


    Francis nodded in approval, "Hey, works for me. We will make less money overall, but it makes everyone''s jobs easier... And there is the mining revenue as well."


    Smiling broadly, the doctor nodded, and glanced up, "So, Alex, do you know who this mystery backer is?"


    A little hologram of Alex appeared, making Francis jump slightly, "I keep forgetting Alex is still... Well, overseeing us."


    As Dr Elune laughed, Alex bowed politely, "I am remaining discreet, to reduce any discomfort." Looking up at Dr Elune, the mini-Alex smiled, "I do have the name, in fact... And better yet, a date for us all to meet. It so happens Greg has already contacted them."


    "Oh? How kind of him. But, why did Greg do that?"


    Smirking, Alex smugly showed a small diagram of a floating satelite platform, "Why... To borrow a certain low-orbit shooting range, three days from now."

 Ch 57: Preparations

    The crew gathered around the table, Greg away on business and Jolana preoccupied by the other Alex unit. Dr Elune sat at the head, sighing, "So, we should probably make a plan for that outing tomorrow."


    Hope raised an eyebrow, "Don''t you have another interview, about an hour from now?"


    Francis glanced up at the doctor, "We have time... And this is important. I shall cut to the chase: We need to bring Alex along, without raising suspicion."


    Hope shrugged, "So? The AHOR units look fine, and we passed customs. What is there to worry about?"


    Laura sighed as she shook her head, "In case you forgot, Alex''s brain is on the shuttle. We still need to connect the two somehow... And public networks are risky, the small amount we use away from the shuttle already is dangerous. That orbital platform is run for military use... So good luck going unnoticed."


    Ren raised a hand, "We could just leave Alex behind. Any reason we need to bring a unit along?"


    Dr Elune nodded, about to speak before Francis spoke up first, "We do. The owner of that platform had a fair bit of influence, and not just in the outer ring... And they seem a viable choice to introduce Alex to."


    As the rest of the room shared confused glances at first, it quickly dawned on them as to the subtle reasoning. Dr Elune coughed quietly, "Ah, I hate subterfuge... But, better safe than sorry. Remember that."


    As everyone nodded, Francis looked to Ren, "You are more familiar with what we are up against. Using our shuttle to transport up will help, as we could connect directly over a secure signal... We need to be sure they won''t get suspicious of the broadcast though, or outright hack it."


    Ren hummed in thought, before Dr Elune interupted, "Uh, guys? We will have active coms, remember. And, we will be standing in a small group. We can have Alex run the AHOR on a simplified command set, and use privacy of discussion as an excuse."


    Ren smiled slghtly, "That should work. You having some form of assist system would be no surprise... Said system operating a body would be, though." Dr Elune groaned quietly, not pointing out the subtelty already out the window. "We will need to wear quick-deployment spacesuits while aboard the platform, too... Just in case a shot goes too wide. Monitoring the vitals is a good chunk of data on it''s own."


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    Francis nodded, "So, the shuttle it is, then. Will I need to secure any permits?"


    Ren shook his head, "Greg will have done most of it already, changing the ship on the form will be a minor detail. Now, Alex... Do we even have suits that fit the bill?"


    Alex nodded, looking to Laura. Rolling her eyes, she went into the details, "Yeah, we have suits like that. My teams needed them for external station maintenance... Before Alex got this smart, or for areas Alex shouldn''t be allowed to go. They have been highly customised over the years, much to Sam''s enjoyment."


    Chuckling, the doctor nodded, and looked to Hope, "Glad that is settled. This... PEWPEW, will it, uh, actually rip through the station?"


    "... It might. I will try my best to aim it, but no promises on the recoil." Hope brought up the weapon''s details, glancing over them, "Well, the idea is to try it on one of the shields... Maybe one of our prototypes, in case this thing really does blast through it. I hope these suits look okay..."


    Laura raised an eyebrow, gesturing down at her coveralls, "Heck, I am wearing half of mine now. Add the gloves and hood... And that''s it. We made sure these things were comfy and functional... So, why bother with two uniforms?"


    Nodding in approval, Dr Elune smirked, "I may need a few modifications to the rest of ours. Only your suit and mine are personalised, and we would want to go over the feature list with them before we head out."


    Nodding, Laura glanced down at the time, "Agreed, but not now. You have an interview to attend, and not much time to get ready."


    Groaning as they stood up, the doctor looked to Alex, "Meeting ajurned, I guess. Alex, please get ready to help Laura with the modifications, and set down your low band transmissions. Hope... Practice your aim, on a high-recoil gun." As The both of them nodded eagerly, the doctor grabbed Ren by the shoulder, "And your job... Is to help practice calculated small talk with Francis~"


    "... You just want someone else to suffer as you do your interview, don''t you?"


    "Ah, you have grown to know me so well, since you jumped on board."

 Ch 58: PEWPEW

    Dr Elune slid on the gloves for the suit, glancing up at Alex, "You sure that these suits will automatically deploy the vacuum seal if you disconnect?"


    Alex raised an eyebrow, proving it by triggering the doctor''s suit, laughing at the startled exclamation, "I was thorough, doctor. Manual release is both buttons on either side of the helmet, should you need it."


    The doctor grumbled as the thin frame peeled back, storing the segmented helmet back in the suit, "Just making sure. Everyone else ready?"


    Laura, Hope and Ren all nodded, climbing aboard the tiny transport pod. The doctor squeezed in, with Alex sliding in the pilot seat at the front, "Off we go."


    The pod whished out of the airlock, propelled toward the floating space platform next to the shuttle. A sprawling station, it had been designed exactly for what they were about to use it for: A large, safe place to test things, minimising the risk to the populace below. It was the second one to have been launched at the Fourth Haven.


    The pod quickly docked with the platform, thudding into the receiving cradle as everyone grunted. The airlock closed bahind them, and Hope sighed, "And now, we wait. Hope this lousy place has decent pressure, or this is going to take a while."


    The crew blinked in surprise as the pod creaked ominously, before the dash came up with a message, showing pressures as stabilised. Laura gaped at it, "Apparently they do. We should reenforce the pod, from the sound of that."


    Alex shook their head, "Nah, the station creaked all the time. I hear it from the constant monitoring... The pod is safe." Disengaging the door locks, Alex got up to lead the way. The rest shrugged or glanced at each other, before following suit.


    Alex bowed to let Dr Elune take the lead outside of the pod, Ren following behind as a man opened the door to the small hangar. Ren waved with a grin, calling out, "Ah, Thomas. Good to meet you. I have heard a lot about you from Greg."


    Thomas chuckled as he leant on a cane, stepping aside to let them in, "Same to you. Your research into prosthetics has always interested me... For obvious personal reasons."


    Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, looking down at Thomas''s legs, one significantly more withered than the other, "You look like you could afford cellular regeneration. Why not go with that?"


    Thomas shook his head, "Couldn''t justify the price of a full leg. Darn thing would cost more than all the orbital platforms I own. I did have them stop the deterioration, though... The acid that ate through my leg apparently lingered after initial treatment."


    Grimacing, Dr Elune nodded as they followed after Thomas, who kept a surprisingly brisk pace with his good leg. Ren glanced back with a smile, "There have been some interesting breakthroughs in that field, actually. For now though, we are most grateful you allowed us to use this station. One of Greg''s old finds was just too good not to try."


    Thomas nodded, looking back at Alex who had unloaded the rifle from the pod, "Doesn''t look like much, but I saw the thing fire at one percent charge... Made me jump out of my skin! I will be hiding in a saferoom, as you get to use a whole ten percent."


    Dr Elune grinned, "Ahh, I was wondering why you would risk your station. You are just as curious as we are."


    Thomas nodded, leading them to an imposing bulkhead, starting the sequence to open it, "Yup. That must have been developed in the late stages of the Wars... And then never finalised. Probably some bored tinkerer finished it off, somewhere before Greg got it."


    Nodding, Hope hefted the shield, and whistled as the door opened, "Quite the view, there."


    Thomas walked in, easing into a chair by the window as he nodded, "Why have a shooting range in space... Unless you can make it worth it?" The room was fairly plain, mostly composed of thick reenforced walls and a few benches facing the one difference, a broad, thick window that overlooked the range below. And the range itself... Was obviously for show.


    A scattered array of stands and tables were lined up far below the window, before a sweeping long hall. Set peices and target dummies crowded the side of the hall, with various machines to move them into place for practice. The walls were of the same sturdy material as the obervation safe-room, and so was the roof... But below, the floor was pure, unbroken glass, providing a view of the glimmering metropolis var below on the Haven''s surface, the Spire visible even from this far up.


    Dr Elune coughed, "I''m sure you get this a lot... But... How...?"


    Thomas laughed, "Doesn''t look it, but that glass is a special blend, for enhanced transperency and durability. Darn stuff is several meters thick, and you would never tell. Also, it resists shattering, so chunks can be blasted out without worry."


    Nodding, the doctor grinned, "The view does kinda bend slightly... But less than it should, for that much glass. Impressive work. I assume repairs are easy?"


    Thomas shrugged, beckoning them all to sit down, "Easy enough. Pout in some more of the molten material, carefully check for air bubbles... And it comes out nice and clean. Only problem is the stuff takes a lot of steps to make..."


    Dr Elune glanced at Alex, who nodded at the hint, "We can look into it. This view would be nice for our own station." Turning back to Thomas, the doctor smiled, "So, how do we get down there?"


    Thomas blinked, then grinned, "Oops. Continue down that hall outside, there is an elevator and stairwell on the right side. We will keep in touch from here."


    Alex nodded, leading the way as Hope hurried on after, pressing a button to close the door behind them. As it rumbled closed, everyone got comfortable, chatting idly amongst themselves as they waited.


    Hope and Alex soon appeared below, Alex putting the rifle down on the bench Hope picked out before running off to find a suitable stand. Dr Elune glanced at Thomas, "I don''t see any cables. How are we to power these?"


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    Thomas glanced up, "Hmm? There are ports in the walls below us, with plenty of varieties of cables. We just can''t see that from our position."


    Nodding, the doctor turned back to watch, humming idly as Hope set up the rifle, Alex rushing back and forth with leads to power the two devices. Looking up at Laura, Dr Elune nudged her, "So, this shield..."


    Jumping slightly from the unexpected nudge, Laura smirked, "Finished last night, Hope gave it a test. Close to the original... But heavier power requirements. Also made a mod to not send the shock downwards, for obvious reasons."


    Nodding thoughtfully, the doctor twiddled their thumbs. It had been a long time since they attended a test for something they did not work on... Well, them or Alex. The shuttle had even been a collaboration between Alex and Laura. Giggling suddenly, the doctor glanced at her, "I sometimes forget... There is a reason you make such a good rival. You manage the grunt work, and make my deisgns... Well, obey science!"


    Blinking in surprise, Laura turned away, murmuring quietly, "The air must be thinner here... You never say stuff like that." Spotting a faint tinge to Laura''s cheeks, the doctor smiled, and returned their attention below, as Alex was almost finished setting up.


    Thomas grinned as Alex waved up at the box, and ''turned on'' their comm unit, "All ready to go, doctor. How do we secure the room? The power isn''t on until we do."


    Relaying the question to Thomas, he pointed to the door down below, "Lever by the door, behind a small panel. It has been a while since I attanded a demonstration in person, so I forget you haven''t been given the orientation."


    Dr Elune relayed the message through back to Alex, before thanking Thomas, "No worries. We can have a full tour after, supposing this thing doesn''t rip the platform in half!"


    As they laughed, sirens popped up along the roof and walls of the range, indicating the pressure sealing each room. The door to the safe room whirred as well, securing them from the imminent destruction below. Alex ran to the shield, as Hope flipped a switch to begin warming up the rifle.


    As the shield hummed to life, some red lines along it''s surface flared on, Alex running back to behind Hope. Dr Elune glanced up at Laura, who smirked, "What? I know you. Thought you would approve."


    "... I''m still amused." Grinning, the doctor watched the rifle whirr as parts of it''s complex barel spun around, the view enhanced by a visor built into each person''s suit. Thomas used plain old binoculars, leaning forward eagerly.


    Hope glanced down at the weapon, then back up at the viewing room, talking over the comms, "Should be a minute more, to build up charge in the shot. Ten percent capacity, right?"


    "Affirmative. We can''t afford to go full blast. Plus, doesn''t that thing take exponentially longer on higher charges?"


    Hope nodded, turning back to the rifle as she locked in the maximum threshhold. Besides the coninued revolutions around the gun barrel, the rifled showed no signs of change as the shot built up power.


    Laura huffed, "Boring. Need to improve that, too... Need to figure out how to make more ammunition, though. We only have a dozen shots for that thing, and we are wasting one now."


    Dr Elune looked up in surprise, "I thought it was energy based? Even plasma experiments use pretty standard gasses."


    Laura shook her head, "Energy for the most part, but there is a custom bullet for each shot as well. I didn''t want to risk cracking one open... An A- We have been too busy analysing other things to go over scanned specs."


    Nodding, Dr Elune grinned as Hope gave the word, "All ready. Shall we do a countdown?"


    "Hope, you can fire when ready. We are watchign from here."


    Nodding, she knelt behind the table, Alex hidden against the wall as Hope took aim, "Be warned... This thing is apparently bright."


    As everyone shielded their eyes, Hope took a deep breath... And pulled the trigger. A shot whistled at the shield, visible for a split second as people watched it, expecting something more...


    And then, just before the shot reached the shield, the secondary burst released from the rifle. The range went white, the entire viewing room shaking from the force of the blast as the impact reverbrated through the station, bulkhead thunking as it disengaged from the hallway, reacting to the force going through it. And then, silence.


    As people pried themselved up, they looked down at the scene below. The table Hope had been leaning on was nothing but a pile of shattered embers, smoldering from the blast. a faint line of scorchmarks drew a line from the table to the target, where the shield... Used to be.


    A ring of scorched glass surrounded the twisted remains of the shield, a wide hole ripping through the center. Looking up, the roof a hundred meters above had a line of destruction etched into it, not very deep but seemignly impossible from the distance from the target.


    Eyes suddenly widening, Dr Elune noticed their suit had not engaged... But Hope was nowhere to be scene. Shakily reaching up to speak over Hope''s channel, Dr Elune swallowed, "Hope? Can... Can you hear me?" The sound of their voice seemed dulled, ears still ringing from the blast.


    After a moment, Alex''s voice whispered over the comms, "Doctor. Hope is fine... Ears are damaged, so she can not reply. Mine are as well, but we can pretend I was far enough away. Other than aching eyes and hurt ears, Hope is none the worse for wear. We will meet you at the transport pod."


    Sighing with relief, Dr Elune turned to the rest, who had not heard, "They are okay. Shaken, and we may need to get them... Well, get them checked over by a doctor, make sure nothing is broken."


    Eveyone took a deep breath, taking a moment to rest as Thomas shakily laughed, "I wanted a show... And I didn''t see a damn thing! And to think... That was only ten percent..."


    Dr Elune offered a hand with a grin, "I hope the gun is okay... And in the meantime, if you found that interesting, we have a lot to talk about."

 Ch 59: Bruised but Unbroken

    The shuttle landed back at the manor with a gentle thud, a medical team waiting for them as the doors quickly opened. Hope rolled her eyes from the gurney, Alex and the doctor carrying her down, "Is this neccessary?"


    Dr Elune grinned, carefully descending the ramp as they replied, "You look stupid."


    "What? Couldn''t hear you. Speak up."


    Dr Elune laughed at the baffled Hope, Alex shaking their head with a sigh as they continued on down. The paramedics rushed over, and Alex gave them a brief on her condition, using data from the shuttle''s sensors.


    Francis rushed over, pale as he wrung his hands, "Is she okay? Oh, I thought you guys were crazy... But I didn''t think..."


    Dr Elune stopped him with a pat on his shoulder, "Oh, stop your worrying. She won''t hear a thing for a day or two, and she will need to avoid bright places... But she will be back to normal in, say, a week."


    Francis opened his mouth in a panic, and then hesitated, "I... Guess that isn''t so bad. I remember hearing of her being stuck in hospital for a month from a ''mining trip'' gone wrong... Judith was furious."


    Chuckling, the doctor led the way inside, "Oh, I remember that. Still can''t tell what bothered her more... Her sister getting hurt, or her second most frequent patient getting in even worse trouble."


    Francis blinked as he looked up, "Wait, second? I though Hope was the worst."


    Laura followed them inside, grunting from carrying the remains of the shield, "Why thank you for the help. Always so considerate." As she deposited the warped metal on a table, she looked up, "And I think Billy, our clumsiest mechanic, is worse. Spends more time seeing Judith than his kids."


    Dr Elune nodded, "That''s the one. The shaky joints don''t help... Or his, well, induced absent mindedness."


    Judith sighed, nodding faintly as she wanders off, "Well, I''m off to run the data. Hopefully, Alex recorded some good stuff... I want to get tinkering already."


    Dr Elune chuckled, "See you eventually. And remember, AHOR comes first, if Judith calls for advice."


    As Laura waved dismissivly, Francis sat down with a groan, "I with Norman and John were here... They are better at handling you lot. And how do you know this Billy?"


    Dr Elune grinned as they passed a request to a nearby drone, before sitting next to Francis, "Judith and Laura were better at it... Until the armory got involved. And I know most of the engineers, I rely on them a lot, remember?"


    Francis smiled faintly, "Always assumed you were too buried in your work. Laura takes charge most of the time, after all."


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    "... True. I don''t exactly hang out wit the guy... But I know enough about him." Puling out a pocket projector, Dr Elune tapped it, "Alex, you back to house mode yet?"


    A projection of Alex''s head popped up, "Yes, doctor. Power is reconnected to the shuttle, and I am back in the system. Is there anything you wanted?"


    "Just updates on Hope. She may look fine... But I''m not Judith. Plus, I will feel better knowing she is confirmed to be okay."


    "I shall keep you informed. The medics say they can give treatment here, and my... Questionable medical knowledge convinced them we could handle the rest. I have a few scans to run, and questions to ask tomorrow morning... And some salves to apply several times a day."


    Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, "I didn''t know you were a nurse."


    "... Judith gave me a verbal crash-course as we orbited to the Haven. And, I feel slightly indebted to Hope..."


    Dr Elune huffed, "Hey now. Superhuman or not, you could do very little. And don''t forget, Laura needs to fix your unit, too. We should just be thankful Hope had the sense to jump away from the rifle before the second shot."


    Alex nodded, "She knew enough about it that standing right there was unwise. I am still amazed the rifle... Mostly works."


    "Laura will get those segment replaced easily. The core current that powers the gun still works, just some of the moving parts need to be smoothed back out." Glancing up at Francis, Alex added, "And you may be pleased to know our new friend Thomas will be making time to visit roughly once a week. Give it a month or two, and we can ease the news to him, and if he is sympathetic... You will be able to go home."


    Francis noticable relaxed, "I would like that. I don''t mind the big cities... I just don''t like working with them. Back on the station, the worst I had to deal with were patents." Trurning to Dr Elune, he smiled softly, "No offense... But this little adventure isn''t for me."


    "None taken. You just focus on Thomas... We can handle it from there." Glancing up as the drone from earlier returned with drinks, the doctor offered one to Francis, "Here''s to a step forwards."


    Francis raise the glass with a quiet laugh, "To a weird new age." As the doctor laughed and raised their glass in return, Francis added, "Oh... And don''t you still have another interview to prepare for tomorrow?"


    Coughing slightly on their drink, the doctor groaned, "Oops. Forgot I wasn''t safe from that yet... I should practice, then rest up for tomorrow."


    The little projection of Alex smiled, and winked out unnoticed... Contemplating what had happened in that firing range.

 Ch 60: Patienceless Patients

    Dr Elune shambled through the door, sighing as they made straight for their room. Alex smiled as they fell in alongside, "Just think... Only a bit longer, and we can halve your schedule."


    "Gee. Woo... I will still have to deal with that lot, though." Groaning as they climbed the steps, the doctor shrugged, "We are quickly running out of requests, though... Our little stunt releasing the plans did the trick. Our first wave of partners are already discussing uses for the OHPS, and it has taken some pressure off..."


    Alex smirked, "Just think... When you announce AHOR, you will be stuck with only Ren to help. The rest will just differ back to you."


    Rolling their eyes, the doctor shuffled through the door, sitting on the bed with a releived sigh, "Well, they can settle for video conferences... Or, Holo conferences. I guess those will soon be a thing." Chuckling, the doctor looked to Alex, "You all fixed up yet, or are you cheating with the sensors?"


    "... Neither. This is the other unit." Smiling softly, Alex glanced at the damaged unit in the pod, "After scanning, the eyes could do with replacing as well... And the facilities here make the procedures difficult. Another setback we did not forsee with AHORs."


    Flumping back into the pillows, the doctor hummed quietly as they pried off their shoes, "I guess... How is Hope doing?"


    "Much better now. Her hearing is already starting to return. I will say this... She squirms more than expected during treatment."


    Grinning as they fight back some more laughter, the doctor nodded, "Well, yeah. You are pushing a small stick covered in cold goop into her ear. I''m amazed you can pull that off at all!"


    "... I''m gentle about it." Pouting, Alex turned away with a huff, "... Although, Laura checking my ears was rather unpleasant, and she was gentle too."


    "And less goopy."


    "... And less goopy, yes." Coughing quietly, Alex continued, "We have also finished cleaning up the data from the moment of firing. Got rid of all that distortion, and made it viewable. You should have a watch at some point."


    Nodding feebley with a yawn, the doctor waved at Alex, "Tomorrow. Now is sleep time... I am sure you have more fascinating things than my sleeping face."


    "... Don''t be so sure." Laughing as Dr Elune groaned, Alex got up, and made for the door, "Sleep well, doctor."


    "You too... Crazy robot of mine..."


    Dr Elune bent over the monitor, squinting at the image, "Huh. That''s... Kinda cool. I guess the heat, followed by the vacuum, was too much for the servos though. Possibly look into ceramics."


    Nodding, Laura looked at the image as well. Hope was mid-leap away from the PEWPEW, bullet a spec off in the distance by the shield... And arcing towards it, was a thick plume of raw lightning, tendrils splitting off to lash at the ground and into the air.


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    Hope grinned, "Says in the specs that it builds up so much, that earlier versions would simple erupt. Usually through the person firing. Glad that didn''t happen."


    Dr Elune nodded, "On the upside, an eruption would be instantanious.... And you might survive. This thing supposedly eases out the charge, maintaining it for almost a second."


    Laura looked up from her desk, eyes gritty as she yawns, "Yeah... In theory, anyway. Fries the air too quick. Rather than channeling a straight path..." Pausing for another yawn, Laura shook of the frown directed at her by Dr Elune, "Instead of a straight path, it starts arcing around the resulting vacuum. It''s why... The floor got all messed up..."


    Dr Elune pointed a finger at her, "You. Off to bed. I know full well how fascinated you are... But I need you to fix Alex sooner rather than later."


    Rolling her eyes weakly, Laura tried to refuse, but mumbled into her arms instead. Alex rolled their eyes, and scooped Laura up, "Come now... Lets get you somewhere comfortable."


    As the pair struggled back and forth towards the door, the doctor looked back at the screen, "I have a few ideas on... Improvements. Modifications."


    "Passtimes." Hope giggled as she looked at the doctor, "You have been looking for something new since AHOR. And this has sparked your interest."


    Glancing up at her, the doctor smiled sheepishly, "Says the person tired of ''Mining''... You sure you should be out of bed?"


    Hope sneered, "Positive. The reading material here may be fascinating... But 12 hours a day buried in txt is not my thing. So, why the interest?"


    The doctor shrugged, "More interesting possibilities than the shield. Admittedly, I should steer away from weapons... But, I am far too interested in this thing."


    Nodding in agreement, Hope smirked, "Hey, you could always be useful and become a rocket scientist. Make travelling the Havens easier."


    "Ugh. Hated that subject... I suppose you are right, though." Glancing in the direction of the shuttle, hidden by the corridors of the mansion, Dr Elune sighed, "I could probably find some effective ways of obtaining and losing the speed... It''s just keeping the contents safe I am worried about."


    "... We do have the shields."


    "Nice try. They will help, but not against energy. Radiation. Pure kenetic force rattling your skull." Tapping their fingers on the desk, the doctor thought about it, "Well... The radiation we have gotten good at absorbing. The force could be.... Dampened by the shields... Maybe... I should discuss it with Laura." Eyes lighting up, the doctor looked upwards, "Or, better yet... A nearby physisist."

 Ch 61: An Enticing Offer

    Dr Elune knocked gently on the door, "Busy?"


    After a great deal of crashing and banging, a flushed face peared through the door, "Oh, hello doctor. This... May not be a good time."


    Smirking, Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, "Dare I ask?"


    Sighing, Jolana stood up a little straighter, still hiding behind the door, "Well, I was playing with this new fuel that might benifit our Transports... It singed my clothes."


    The doctor shrugged, "I can wait. Let me know when you are ready."


    Jolana coughed quietly, "... That will be hard."


    "... Why?"


    "... I was sorting my wardrobe before I got distracted. So, I repeat... The fuel singed my clothes."


    Laughing, the doctor reached up to their ''communicator'', a habit from the repeated interviews, "Alex... Can you please assist miss Jolana with some clothes? I am sure she does not wish to be confined to her room."


    Frantically waving an arm through the door, scraps of burnt cloth still dangling from it, Jolana groaned, "No, I am fine. I already called someone I know in the spire, they have a set of clothes on the way."


    Dr Elune giggled, "The spire? And how long ago was this call?"


    "... A few minutes."


    "Alex, focus on just comfortable clothes for now."


    Sighing, Jolana retreated into her room, "Fine. Alex can... Wait, I never asked, but, um..."


    "Alex''s gender?"


    Giggling, a floomp signalled Jolana sitting back down on her bed, rustling through her clothes, "Yeah. Sh-He... Uh... Alex is rather, ambigious I guess?"


    Dr Elune nodded, "They are a special case. Ambigous is a good word for them." Grinning as they try not to laugh, the doctor continued, "Up to you if you want to let them in."


    Jolana coughed quietly, "They... Can pop in briefly to hand me clothes. That should be fine."


    The doctor nodded and grinned, before remembering there was a door in the way, "Sure. Alex should be here soon."


    Just on time, Alex appeard around the corner, a set of clothes in hand... And a bandage around their head. The doctor raised an eyebrow, but said nothing as they approached, simply knocking quietly on the door.


    Popping her head out, Jolana smiled, "Thank you, Alex. I did not realise you had been injured, my appologies." She shot a glance at the doctor subtly.


    Alex smiled and shook their head, stepping just inside the door to hand over the clothes, "Ah, this? I was just getting treated for my ears. Still a bit... Out of sorts, from the accident."


    "Ohhh. Right, I had heard about that. Been meaning to look over any footage you have, that shield sounds fascinating."


    Leaning against the wall as Alex stepped back out, the doctor chuckled, "Funny you should mention that. We do have some cleaned up footage... And we are here to discuss that very shield with you."


    A slight pause followed, followed by the rustle of cloth and a mumbled sigh, "Well, I won''t be of much help yet. I haven''t figured that thing out fully for years... All I know is it uses vibrations of some sort."


    Glancing at Alex, the doctor shrugged, "Laura would know more. The shield from the incident was actually hers, a prototype replica. She has figured out how to replicate it... But we are more asking about practical application."


    Poking her head back out, shoulders shifting as she smoothed out her outfit, Jolana''s eyes twinkled with excitement, "That part had been conveniently left out. You are saying she can make more?"


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    The doctor nodded, and raised a subtle eyebrow at Alex at the wardrobe choice, "In mass. Not quickly, mind... And not quite as effective. But, good enough for our purposes."


    Alex shifted their feet, smiling shyly, "Sorry, miss Jolana. I was in a rush, and... This was the most comfortable thing nearby, short of just a labcoat."


    Laughing softly, Jolana waved them in, "Fair enough. As much as I would feel at home in the coat, the dress was a better choice." Adjusting the strap on the slim black one peice, she smiled awkwardly, "Sorry about the mess. Haven''t had a chance to clean up yet."


    Whislting at the scene of fiery destruction, the doctor pointed at a nearby curtain, "Alex... Please help her out a bit."


    Wandering over to pat out the feeble little ember that was still smoldering, Alex wove a path through the debris. Jolana leant closer, whispering, "You could do it yourself..." Alex paused for a moment, before coninuing to work, Dr ELune thanking silently that they didn''t react. Jolana did not know about Alex''s connection to the sensors, after all.


    Smiling softly, Dr Elune found a chair still intact, brushing off the ash on top, "Alex has been my assistant for years. They don''t mind." Looking back at Jolana, the doctor peered curiously, thinking quietly.


    "... Yes, doctor?"


    "You aren''t burnt. I find this fascintating. Fortuitus as well, but I have to wonder..."


    Jolana blinked, laughing softly, "Oh, that. This isn''t the first time blowing up my room. I learnt a few things over the years." Pointing at a faintly battered metal desk, still glowing hot, she grinned, "First... If it reacts wierdly, hide. That desk is my best investment."


    The doctor laughed along with her, "I can see that. I got into the habit of using drones for anything volatile... And engineers for the rest."


    "Not everyone has those luxuries... Or that patience." Holding up a small bottle, Jolana nodded, "I also invested in this stuff... Skin sealant. Adapts to look like skin, heals to leave no scar, and is much cheaper than that cell-spray."


    Humming as they looked at the bottle, the doctor glanced at Alex, "Do you know if Laura has anything like this?"


    Alex nodded, "Similar. Not so good on the scars... But, we also use drones more."


    Jolana put the bottle away in a little cabinet, "Must be some older stuff. This is still in late stages of testing, though... Allergic reactions have been a concern." Holding up her arm, she lightly rubbed over a patch, "I didn;t need much, this time. I was mostly protected by my last investment... A good skin suit."


    Alex looked up from their cleaning, then glanced down at their own uniform, "Ah, similar to ours. Perhaps we should swap designs, see where they can both be improved?"


    Jolana shook her head, "I prefer old suits... With my own modifications. No vacuum protection, more heat resistance, less reactive to acids... That kind of thing. More of those will arrive in a few days." She looked at the doctor, glancing up and down, "How come you don''t sport the same outfit?"


    The doctor grinned, "Because it''s more of a pain to wear. Also doesn''t suit the labcoat as well." As Alex rolled their eyes, the doctor leant forwards, "Now... Let''s talk about that shield."

 Ch 62: Children

    Dr Elune sat down in the study with an oof, smiling softly as Alex lowered gently into the chair opposite, "It has been a while since I have seen you work so hard, doctor."


    Chuckling, they nodded, "Indeed. Jolana and Laura really hit it off, once we called her up... That new hull will increase the shuttle''s durability greatly. Help us fly through the Belt, when the time comes."


    Alex nodded, thoughtful as they looked around the room, "I suppose so. Especially if we are ever to visit Mars... Are you nervous about that?"


    Dr Elune shrugged, "More nervous about the people there. Whatever Ren has to show us, he knows it will be years before we get there... Mainly due to the trail of inquisitive eyes in the way." Glancing at Alex, the doctor chuckled, "What, haven''t read them all yet?"


    Alex blushed faintly, "Hadn''t started yet. I... Don''t know if any of this is personal. Some of them look lke journals." Pointing out one such volume, Alex tried to sit a bit more still.


    Peering from their chair, the doctor nodded slowly, "It kinda does, yeah... An old one. Probably an ancestor. You should just ask. Speaking of, did you read through all of the station''s...?"


    Alex hesitated, "I... Scanned every book. Literally. Akasha wanted a backup, for safekeeping. I didn''t... Proccess all of the texts though, and most of it was simply archived. I hardly count that as reading."


    Nodding idly, the doctor jumped as Greg stumbled into the room, groaning, "About time I got home. Those rooms in the spire... Just not my taste."


    Waving over the top of the chair, Dr Elune giggled, "Why hello, Greg. Should we leave...?"


    Greg blinked in surprise, laughing weakly as he made gis wat for an open seat, "Not at all. As long as I can sit back down, I am fine. Say, I passed a very excited Jolana on my way in... You showed her the footage of the test fire, didn''t you?"


    "Well, yed and no. I showed her the footage... And went so far as to ask her to help us use the technology."


    Grinning, Greg eased himself back into the armchair with a contented sigh, "Careful now... Say such seductive things to my daughter, and I might get worried."


    Laughing softly, Dr Elune waved it off, and glanced at Alex, motioning subtly. Alex, of course, willfully ignored the cue, making the doctor roll their eyes.


    Greg glanced up after a few minutes of contemplation, and noticed Alex''s eyes once again wondering to the worn volumes along the shelves, "Curious there, Alex?"


    Blinking, Alex nodded with a blush, "Ah, yes. I like to learn as much as I can... I did not mean to pry, though."


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    Greg grinned, "Think nothing of it. These shelves are littered with a few fables here and there... But, they are mostly true accounts. My family''s, history books... And odd finds, here and there. Why, there are accounts from the Mars War here, and those are hard to find..."


    Nodding, the doctor glanced at Alex again, "I think that would be quite worth a read, considering. Might want to check them by Ren, though... Also, I was worried we might stumble on some mebarrasing stories from your past. Or worse, photos!"


    Laughing raucously, Greg shook his head, "Oh no, those are stored in another room. I only bring those out for special occaisions... Jolana''s birthday''s for example." Humming as he looked back and forth between the two, Greg''s smile softened, "Say... You are almost a parent to Alex, right? From what I know of their upbringing, shall we put it."


    Dr Elune blinked in surprise, "Oh, well... Maybe? It would be weird to think of Alex that way. The consious part of them just... Happened. Laura helped build the phyisical parts, maybe she should be your mommy!" Laughing, the doctor smirked as Alex fidgeted, sighing at the comments.


    Chuckling quietly to himself, Greg looked back to the doctor, "I guess it might be peculiar. I was just thinking... My kids are my pride and joy. And, in a different yet same way... Alex is yours. Have you ever considered a family of your own?"


    Dr Elune grimaced slightly, turning to look through a window, "Honestly? Alex was... Well, that started out as a proof of concept. Nothing more. I... Never thought about family, after the Wars."


    Blinking, Greg went quiet, murmuring, "My appologies. I had heard that you stayed in this outer reach while the wars raged... I... Did you lose someone?"


    Sighing, the doctor shook their head, "No... Just... An opportunity. One I will never get back." Smiling softly, Dr Elune pried themself out of the chair, "We should both sleep. See you around, Greg."


    Nodding, Greg simply waved from his chair as Alex followed the doctor out, "Sleep well... And sorry again. For prying."


    Smiling it off, the doctor waved good night as they closed the door behind them, making for their room slowly. Alex fell in beside them, face curious. "... Out with it."


    "... Why did you not simply tell him? About-"


    "Because that wasn''t why," the doctor snapped, grimacing further as they quickly looked away, "... Sorry. It''s just... I have never been good with people. That accident... Didn''t help."


    Nodding silently, Alex followed after the doctor... And watched over them.

 Ch 63: Midnight Curiosity

    Alex sat up, blinking tiredly. They had been in the middle of processing the days events... Well, dreaming really, when something caught their attention. Not quite able to tell what, Alex ran a check over the sensors, not seeing anything noteworthy... Most people asleep, Or busy reading late at night... With one exception.


    Curious, Alex went to ease themself out of the AHOR cradle, then realised they had activated the wounded unit by mistake. They had to change that habit... Laying back, Alex swapped over to the other body, creeping out of the room as to not wake up the doctor.


    Padding softly down the hallway, Alex adjusted their eyes, irises widening and processors working harder to catch the soft light flowing in from the night outside. Night time here was interesting... Like being forced to the dark side of the station for a while.


    Shaking themself out of it, Alex wandered over to a slightly open door, knocking softly as they reverted their eyes to normal again, "May I come in?"


    After a gentle thud and a slight pause, the door opened to reveal a surprised Ren Ohara, "Hello, Alex. Didn''t expect you to be out and about. Is there anything the matter?"


    Smiling as they shookn their head, Alex politely surpressed the urge to peak inside the room, "Not at all. I simply was not expecting to see anyone moving around, that''s all... And, I suppose I am feeling in the mood for a chat."


    Thinking about it, Ren shrugged and moved aside, letting Alex in, "I guess some company can''t hurt. Just... I wasn''t expecting company." Alex nodded quietly, closing the door behind them as they glanced around, the room rather neat aside from a few piles of notes or research books, left out from earlier that day. Or week, it was hard to tell around here.


    Sitting down at the desk, Alex watched silently as Ren sat back down on the bed, sighing as he turned to the side. He folded his legs beneath him, and simply looked in silence, eyes thoughtful as stillness filled the room.


    After a few minutes, Alex gently spoke up, "You must miss her..."


    Glancing up, Ren nodded, "Yeah... She was a very... Vibrant individual. Caring. Enthusiastic. Crazier than even Sam..." Coughing quietly, Ren shifted a little to get comfortable, "... They would have gotten along well."


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    Nodding, Alex tilted their head, pursing their lips as they thought about it. Ren glanced over, and smiled softly, "You are obviously bubbling with questions... You can watch from your room, after all."


    Chuckling nervously, Alex nodded, "I am still confused... You had the designs ready, from before you came to the station. Meticulously laid out, too. And yet... Even now, it would only serve as a cruel reminder. Why?"


    Ren grimaced, tapping his fingers on the bed as he turned back, "You will see, in time. As much as I trust you... I need more than that. This is the entire reason why I started on prosthetics in the first place."


    Brow furrowing, Alex tried to keep themself from pushing the matter to much... With moderate success. "I think I know what you are doing... But not how. You are missing the data... The network."


    Shrugging, Ren leant back, "You don''t exactly have the network yourself. You run off of the shuttle. And, need I remind you... I have a shuttle of my own." Groaning, Ren rubbed the bridge of his nose, "I have probably already said too much. As for the data... I have a plan. Just leave it at that."


    Sighing, Alex stood up, "Sorry. I know I shouldn''t intrude... I wouldn''t have this body if it weren''t for your help, after all."


    Ren laughed, making Alex jump slightly, "No, Sam would have found a way. Anyway... You have your own concerns to work out. I will be fine."


    Nodding, Alex rested a hand on Ren''s shoulder. His face softened at that, nodding in thanks as they simply stared for a few more minutes, lost in their own individual trails of thought.


    As the night drew on, Alex quietly excised themself, closing the door as they left. Walking back to their room, Alex felt as perplexed as ever, but knew they could not ask anyone else about this... It was for Ren to discuss. The others might not even know any more, anyway.


    As they slipped back into the maintenance cradle, Alex closed their eyes... the image of that AHOR unit floating into their mind once again, laying there... As if it were only sleeping.

 Ch 64: My Ears Deceive Me

    Alex squirmed as Laura smoothed the last patch of skin back over, the ear looking perfectly normal as she nodded, "There. It may take a bit to calibrate, feel slightly odd... But you will get used to it."


    Reaching up to rub at the ear, Alex jumped whn Laura slapped at the hand, "Hey! I said not touching! You still need to leave the new graft to settle first."


    Laughing, Dr Elune hopped up, "You remind me of Judith, acting like that."


    Laura rolled here yes, as LAlex grumbled and slid their suit back over their shoudler, "Yes, well... You try looking after a patient. See how patient you are." Sighing, Laura patted Alex on the back, "That said, thank you for looking after Hope. Your replacement eyes should be ready soon."


    Nodding, Alex wobbled slightly, "No problem... And I think I will be more careful from now on. Getting my ears replaced was, well... Not fun."


    "Oh? You look slightly unsteady there. Seems your balance is off while you are calbirating."


    Alex nodded again, groaning as they froze, "Yes, yes it is. I think I shall... Recalibrate in the bedroom, switch the other unit to active duty."


    Dr Elune smiled gently, "Sure. Just don''t let Jolana notice, right? She still doesn''t know, remember."


    Shrugging, Alex nodded aver so faintly to show they would, before tottering off in a wobbling line to the room. Laura furrowed her brow, looking after Alex, "Maybe we should help..."


    "Hmm? Alex could just turn off the balance, right? Go off sight? They are just trying to find the right settings. We would be intterupting."


    Thinking on it, Laura nodded, "I suppose so. I forget Alex can do that... Can just turn things off. Heck, I helped build the units..."


    Dr Elune laughed, "Such good handiwork, you fooled yourself! Just remember, Alex isn''t actually human."


    Laura frowned, cleaning up her tools, "From what I remember, you approached us on that exact subject. That is what started this whole mess."


    Dr Elune sighed, "Yes and no. Alex now has feelings, thoughts... Alex is a person. That does not make Alex human." Frowning as well, Dr Elune leant back, "I should have planned better."


    Looking up as she finished, Laura raised an eyebrow, "What, having second thoughts?"


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    Dr Elune nodded, making Laura blink in surprise, "Yes, I am. Think... Alex will never grow old. Infirm. Ill. What does this mean?"


    Laura rolled her eyes, "We have a super soldier who wouldn''t hurt a fly?"


    Laughing, the doctor shook theit head, "Wrong. Well, on what I was getting at, anyway... Alex is pretty peaceful." Taking a deep breath, Dr Elune looked at Laura, speaking quietly, "What will happen 200 years from now?"


    Laura tilted her head, "Never gave it any thought. You and I will be long gone, after all..." Pausing, Luara thought about it, then her face fell slightly as it dawned on her, "... We will be long gone. And Alex might still be running."


    Dr Elune nodded, "Like I said... Alex is not human. That is not something I can forget. Even if we all died in that firing range, Alex would have survived back on the shuttle, and would have been lost as to what to do."


    Shaking it off, Laura grinned, "Eh, let''s not think about that. We both plan on living long lives, even if we lose a few limbs on the way. The answers will come to us in time."


    Nodding, Dr Elune wandered to the door, "Yeah, I guess you are right. For now, I have a meeting to to leave for in a few minutes, to try and answer one of those questions before we are forced to."


    "Oh? Not just another interview?"


    Dr Elune shook their head, "Nope. Me and Ren are headed out to visit Mr Williamson, show him some of the AHOR tech. He will be prety excited, so we may even spend the night from all the talking."


    "Sounds fun! Especially if he knows what he is talking about."


    Dr Elune grinned, "Well, maybe... As long as I don''t have a tour of interviews for AHOR as well. The HPS is enough of a nightmare."


    Laura giggled, "Leave the patent to someone else, then. Ren, or Judith. You just wanted Alex''s units, right?"


    Nodding, Dr Elune smiled, "I have thought about it. Might even leave the patent to you."


    "Oh, yes. You want ot leave me in a room full of reporters. Let me bring up the diagram of an atrificial behind, as the opening shot."


    Snorting, Dr Elune shook thier head, grinning wide as they laughed, "Complete with realistic cushiony softness? They will be speechless, for sure." Waving as they left, the doctor hummed to themself, trying to get the image out of their head before they got to the meeting.

 Ch 65: Two Way Bargain

    Dr Elune laughed quietly, "Sounds like an interesting time."


    Thomas chuckled as he nodded, "That''s one way of putting it. Now then..." Leaning forwards on the dinning table, Thomas smiled, "You have been hinting at something fascinating, yes?"


    Ren nodded with a grin, rolling his eyes as he turns on his fake communicator, "Alex, please send the drone in." Looking back to Thomas, Ren grinned, "We have made great leaps in the field of prosthetics."


    Raising an eyebrow, Thomas burst into laughter as the buff-drone wobbled into the room, arms flexing as always, "I assume this is your masterpeice?"


    Dr Elune holds up a hand, "Hehe, just take a look... You wil be surprised." The buff-drone wheeled over next to Thomas, holding out an arm obediently as it waited for inspection.


    Thomas curiously poked and prodded at the drone''s arms, feeling along them as the arm flexes slightly, shwoing how it moves, "Interesting... Nice mobility, rather realistic. Now about the-"


    "Nerves? Full nervous system. Two way communication, the drone can ''feel'' what you are doing... But, it is still just a drone." Grinning, Dr Elune glanced at Ren, who nodded, "Oh, and by the way... That is a prototype from a while ago. We have made better limbs since."


    Whistling, Thomas sat back upright, waving the drone away, "Really now? I have the feeling you are approaching me with this for more than just my curiosity."


    Dr Elune giggled, "Well, you see... We are still fine-tuning the human intergration stage. We think it is almost ready... But we will need human subjects."


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    Thomas glanced down at his withered leg, "I see... As fascinating as this is, I think I''ll pass."


    Ren shook his head, "Firstly, our completed models are highly realistic... No need to worry about that. And we don''t mean you, specifically... Sure you have contacts with other veterans, perhaps organise a meeting to discuss the possibilities?"


    Thinking, Thomas glanced at the retreating drone, and smiled softly, "I... Can think of a few people. How many you need?"


    "About a dozen per round of testing. We are currently planning on three to five rounds, but this could increase dependant on complications, and rejections."


    Thomas nodded, tapping his fingers on the table, "So, sixty will get you started. I can probably arrange the first dozen on my own, and the rest will be around before too long. What''s the catch?"


    Dr Elune laughed, "You are our experimental guinie pigs? We will have you closely monitored, and there will be backup proceedures in place. As you are in the testing phase, we will even provide the units for free... Any other veterans, and they will need to pay. We will consider a discount."


    Grinning, Thomas shook his head with a sigh, "If these things work the way you promise... If they are even a tenth of the price of a regen limb, you will win over the hearts of many of us. You have a deal."


    Holding out a hand, Ren smiled, "Current figures look to be about two percent... So, yes. We look forward to your cooperation."


    Shaking hands, Thomas''s eyes glittered with anticipation, with Dr Elune glancing up, breathing a sigh of releif... So far, so good.

 Ch 66: Innocence and Curiosity

    Alex wandered into the lab, coughing quietly behind Dr Elune as they worked on possible alterations to the shuttle''s hull, "Are you... Busy?"


    The doctor looked up, blinking a they minimised the work they were doing, "Not particularly. I think this is more Laura and Jolana''s field... They know more about the kenetic fields than I do."


    Alex nodded slightly, sitting down slowly in a nearby chair, "Kenetic fields... An apt name. And funny you should mention Jolana..."


    Raising an eyebrow, Dr Elune shuffled through the papers on the desk, sorting them and filing a page here and there, "Oh? You didn''t do anything embarrasing, did you?"


    Alex blushed slightly, mouth opening slightly before they mulled their response over a bit more. Dr Elune''s eyes widened, a grin creeping over their face, "Okay, story time. Start at the beginnning."


    Alex sighed, nodding as they tried to supress their blush, muttering under their breath, "Need to reconfigure that response... It happens too easily now..." Coughing again, Alex spoke up, "Well, it started fairly simply. I was, well... Bored. So, I thought I would pay Jolana a visit. I still had to show her the simulated worlds, after all."


    Dr Elune nodded, rememebring the detailed replication of the Havens that Alex had produced. They remained silent for now, letting Alex continue the story, "So, I pulled up the sim on screen, running off of the shuttle... All is well and good. Then she asked how you made something so refined, and detailed."


    Dr Elune grinned, "Well, I didn''t... You did."


    Alex fidgeted slightly, "Exactly. I said as much to her... And her eyes just lit up. So, feeling a little... Proud, I suppose, I mentioned we had a vr setup so she could even interact with the sim, complete with realistic physics."


    Dr Elune laughed, not able to hold it in, "And so you showed her around... Did she swoon?"


    Alex blushed brighter, taking a deep breath, "... Possibly. She was certainly more... Friendly after that. Closer, too."


    Dr Elune exerted as much willpower as they could to regaining a straight face, "Ah, I see. And since you have managed to woo the daughter of our benefactor... You are feeling nervous?"


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    Alex laughed quietly, leaning back, "Kind of. It wasn''t the benefactor part... It was the reaction. I mean, I have seen you get rather... Flirtatious. But, me?"


    Dr Elune patted Alex on the arm, smiling softly, "Well, keep in mind you are rather ambigious. She may have only been acting friendly. And besides... I bet you have a lot more people to woo in your lifetime~"


    Alex rolled their eyes, "Her comments suggested a little more, at times. I still don;t know how to react... It is not something I have considered."


    Dr Elune shrugged, "Take some inspiration from us humans: Don''t. Don''t think about it. You have impulses now... What do you feel that you want to do about this?"


    Alex looked down, thoughtful as they spoke slowly, "Well... I''m not exactly... Against the idea. I hadn''t been intending on it, either... I am certainly curious... But this could go awkwardly..."


    Dr Elune smiled as they shook their head, "I think you should just do it. After all... She is mature enough to understand if things don''t match between you. Greg wouldn''t just kick us out, either. The only thing left is your nature... Which she would have found out sooner or later, anyway."


    Alex glanced up, nervous, "You think it is alright? Getting closer to her out of... Curiosity?"


    Dr Elune nodded, "You are honest... And caring. After show her the interior of the shuttle, she will understand if you... Are a bit knew to, you know, emotions. I will invite her over to give her the tour in two days."


    As Alex glanced up curiously, the doctor pointed out, "It is getting late, and this will not be a short discussion. And I have people to talk to tomorrow... A theater production company this time, I beleive."


    Alex nodded, "The HPS are incredibly useful... But, thankfully, you are starting to dwindle down in bookings. We can start focusing back on AHOR, now." Glancing around, Alex smiled, "Thank you, doctor. I will try my best to act calmly until we give her the tour."


    Dr ELune nodded as Alex got back up, having to go attend to other things. Turning back to the desk, they chuckled quietly... Things might get interesting around here~

 Ch 67: Neon Fantasy

    Alex cracked the door open, "Ready yet, doctor?"


    Dr Elune lifted their head from the pillow, blinking blearily, only half dressed to go out, "... No?"


    Alex sighed, glancing down the hall, "You have five minutes. I told you not to lie back down."


    Shrugging, Dr Elune rolled over lazily, finishing up as Alex closed the door. Turning to Jolana, who was standing a bit further away, Alex smiled, "The doctor will be out in just a moment, then we can go."


    Giggling, Jolana nodded, "Seems you take good care of the poor doctor. I will admit I am rather curious as to why you are so intent on showing me your shuttle."


    Alex laughed softly, "I have years of practice... And let''s just say, we needed to show you sooner or later."


    Jolana raised an eyebrow, interrupted by Greg poppiong his head around the corner, "You coming yet, or shall I go on ahead?"


    Alex waved with a smile, "Not much longer, I promise... Even if it means a little intervention." Jolana smirked at that, hiding a giggle as she turned to watch the door expectantly, ready to head off.


    Shrugging, Greg dissapeared again, leaving a breif moment of silence before Dr Elune opened the door once again, dressed neatly and... Adequately groomed, "Sorry for the delay. I wasn''t expecting this to be a morning tour, as Greg was a last minute invite."


    Jolana fell alongside the doctor as they walked down the hall, "I still have an abundance of questions... Such as how my father seems to know what to expect, while still wanting to take a look?"


    Dr Elune grinned, taking the lead as they rounded the corner, "That''s easy... We did a little telling, but no showing. Or, more specificaly, Ren did."


    Greg nodded in greeting as he saw them, joining the throng alongside Hope, who grinned, "You will be glad to know I am fit as a fiddle, doctor... If slightly rusty from having to stay put."


    Dr Elune chuckled, "No more weapons of mass destruction for you. You make much more entertaining company terrarising people with your antics."


    "Hey! I terrorise inanimate objects, not people." Huffing, Hope still smiled slightly as she walked at the back, strolling calmly.


    Headed out the front door, Dr Elune got an idea, "Say, Alex... What do you think about adding training dummies to the armoury?"


    "Pardon, doctor?"


    "... Remote controlled ones. Without any feedback, of course."


    Alex smiled in understanding, "Worth a shot. It would be a good way to practice stategy... And make for better target practice for Hope."


    Hope raised a hand, "Uh, can I have some input here? If you two are suggesting what I think you are, I''m not sure I''m up for that."


    Perplexed, Jolana glanced back at Hope curiously, as Alex replied, "Do not worry... These will be more like drones, except more cheaply made. For, well, obvious reasons. Alternatively, I can have some training weapons devised, which render each unit ''immobile'' on being hit."


    Thinking on it, Hope dropped the subject, knowing that she would find a row of the things in the armoury either way... Deciding on whether or not to use them coudl come later. Crossing the lawn, they headed for the shuttle, which had a door open and waiting for them, interior lights flickering through the gap.


    Still leading the way, Dr Elune ducked inside first, wandering into the narrow hallway of the massive structure. Each person quietly followed suit, with curious glances at the unique decor as they wandered through.


    As Jolana wa leaning closer to a faintly pulsing cable situated behind some glass, she jumped slightly as she herd the door seal shut, Hope wandering past. Smiling, Jolana started walking again, "Wanted to keep any inquisitive eyes outside?"


    Raising an eyebrow, Hope chuckled quietly, "You could say that. The shuttle also works better with a controlled climate... Helps those blue things do their job." Not correcting her on the silent assumption, Hope wandered slowly at the back of the line.


    Shivering slightly at the unnerving hitn she was missing something, Jolana kept looking at the glowing cables, wandering what they were for other than light. She glanced up as the line stopped, Dr Elune whispering to Alex, who nodded in reply.


    Speaking up, Dr Elune opened the door, "We will be heading into the observation area now. There are some safety goggles just inside the entryway... I highly suggest you put a pair on, and return tham as you leave."


    Nerves suitably quieted by her growing curiosity, Jolana strode forward, gasping quietly as she ducked inside. The walls were thin glass now, a mass of pure blue light running along the walls in gently pulses, a small tray of goggles hanging off of the wall as promised. Seeing that the light was more intense further down the tunnel, Jolana gladly put some goggles on, eyes wide as she was itching to find out what exactly she was walking through.


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    Turnign back down another halway, Dr Eluen led the group down a even brighter passage, the goggles adjusting the light resistance automatically to accomodate. Reaching a split in the path, stairs leading both up and down, the doctor went up the stairs, opening a door to a small, dimly lit passage. Jolana sidled in, squeezing in at the back.


    Dr Elune waited for the door to be closed before peeling off their goggles, resting them around their neck as they grinned in the darkness, "Your eyes will take a moment to adjust... We are back in normal lighting, now. This is a kind of... Light-lock, per se. Wasn''t intended for so many at once."


    Alex rolled their eyes as they opened the door at the other end, slipping into the room full of benches and various display panels, "We could have gone in two groups, you know."


    Dr Elune shrugged with a broad grin, plopping down on a chair nearby as everyone else followed suit. Jolana glanced at the heavy steel shutters, easing onto a bench slowly as she nervously muttered, "Looks like you are containing something on this ship..."


    Greg laughed, patting his dughter on the back, "That they are. The entire reason our elusive doctor left isolation, in fact." Hushing at a sharp glance from Alex, Greg chuckled, "My appologies... No more spoilers from me."


    Calmed slightly by Greg''s nonchalant eagerness to see what was coming, Jolana put the goggles down beside her. Dr Elune glanced up, "Oh, uh... Keep those close. While the shutter system should be safe, you never know."


    Straight back to nervous again, Jolana sighed as she hooked the goggles around her neck, similar to the doctor. She glanced around, and noticed somthing peculiar.... But shook her head, thinking she probably just remembered wrong.


    Alex glanced up from a consol, "Doctor, she barriers are in place, with suitable protection levels. Inner sensors show we should get a dull glow, and I can lower the protection slowly after." Dr Elune nodded permission, and Alex turned back to the consol.


    With a rumble, the heavy shutters began to rumble upwards, revealing a set of thick, darkened glass panels, and an odd glowing orb in the middle of the room below. Leaning forward with a whistle, Greg murmured, "You said this was the smaller version?" Dr Elune nodded silently, gesturing to Alex to keep going.


    Fiddling gently with a dial, Alex minutely adjusted the shielding until more details became visible, revealing the contours along that glowing orb, and the thick cables running into the walls that were not even visible before. Lookig down, Jolana''s eyes widened, "The same as those passageways... How thick are those cables?"


    Alex smiled faintly, "Half a meter in diameter. They pump the light pulses out through the ship... As a faint source of power, but more as a signal transmitter."


    Standing up, Jolana walked forwards to take a closer look, "Signal? You mean... That thing... IT does look a bit like a brain..."


    Dr Elune nodded, standin up to slowly walk next to her, "That was only partly intentional. The ridged design helps organise the data centers better... This is why the shuttle was brought with us, rather than leaving it at the spire."


    Jolana looked up, face growing still, "I see... You brought your research with you. This is your personaly mainframe."


    Greg laughed, shaking his head, "And abandon that precious station? No... You know what that is."


    Jolana looked back down, remembering the virtual world from a few days back... And the uncannt speed that the doctor''s team was producing prototypes. "You are trying to make a superior AI. And because of that... You''re afraid of the government."


    Dr Elune smiled softly, shaking their head, "Almost. We aren''t trying to make one... We are trying to hide one. We succeeded months ago."


    Jolana glanced up, "Define success? I see no interface, so I can''t tell how smart this thing is."


    Everyon in the room simply smiled softly, Alex getting up off the bench with a sad sigh, "Miss Jolana... You have already seen the interface. If you recall... We brought Ren with us. A prosthetics expert."


    Jolana glance betwwen the people in the room, face a rather bemused mask of disbeleif. She said nothing, trying to think... Sure, she couldn''t see Alex holding any goggles, which was odd... And Alex was always at the beck and call, regardless of when they were sent a message...


    Coughing slightly, Dr Elune interrupted her train of thought, gesturing to the door at the other side of the chamber, "Alex... Please." Nodding, Alex sat back down, closing their eyes...


    And the other unit walked out of the seperate chamber, smiling that same sad smile, "I assure you, Jolana... This is real. It is time you knew."

 Ch 68: Aftershock

    Dr Elune helped Jolana down into the armchair, back in the study with Greg and one of the Alex''s. She sighed, looking up at them, "Thank you. That was... A bit much to take in."


    Dr Elune noded calmly, sitting down as Alex stood nervously by the door, "My appologies once again, Miss Jolana. I am sure you can understand our reasons for keeping this a secret."


    Nodding, she leant back in her chair, still faintly dazed, "No, that part is fine... I try to keep an open mind about things. Got that from my father." Greg chuckled quietly, nodding silently as she continued, "It''s more... I couldn''t tell. Some things make so much more sense, considering... But, honestly?" She glanced at the doctor, "I simply thought you were a skilled human... One with an overbearing boss."


    Dr Elune laughed, "Well, you are right about the overbearing part. I tend to get a bit swept up in my experiments, and I will admit I am more reliant on Alex than I should be..."


    Alex shook their head, "Nonsense. I still command our drones, and I still operate the shuttle facilities. I simply... Have another side, as well. I am always happy to serve."


    Jolana smiled slightly, shrugging, "Well, that is up to you. Anythign else I should know? No hidden cyborgs among you?"


    Dr Elune smirked, "No, but we are planning on turning Thomas into one... Eventually. We are putting forward the technology that made Alex as a type of prosthetic."


    Jolana blinked in surprise, "That... Makes sense, actually. Also explains how you got Ren on board. Does he know?"


    Dr Elune coughed quietly, "... Everyone here does. Even your father''s staff, as few as they are. You were less predictable..." Grinning slightly, the doctor glanced at Greg, "Well, we don''t plan on telling your mother at least."


    Jolana laughed, slumpign back tiredly, "Yeah, that would end badly. Even for Alex, who is probably nigh indistructable."


    Dr Elune grinned, nodding, "Oh, and I find myself curious... W haven''t actually revealed the extent of Alex''s developement. What do you think of them now?"


    Jolana glanced up, tilting her head, "... Confused, mostly. I was probably going to assume the persona was well crafted... But from that comment... Well, this is a largely subjective topic, though."


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    Dr Elune nodded, urging her on, "And you are our subject. Just so you know,that virtual datascape was purely Alex''s idea, we didn''t know until I first got hooked up into the VR. Well, except Laura... She builds everything."


    "Oh? I know she designs most of your final prototypes based of your research, but I thought Alex would be in charge of manufacturing."


    Alex nodded, "While I would accelerate the process, and we do make use of assembly machines... I remain disconnected from them, as a security measure. I have enough power as it is, without being able to secretly manufacture... Well, me."


    Jolana swallowed, "Ah. I do suppose you are growing... But I am sure you have discussed that enough times. Back to the VR though... Alex seriously created that spontaniously?"


    Dr Elune smirked, "My proudest moment. Well, besides getting Alex jealous for the first time."


    Jolana giggled, glancing at Alex, "Really? I didn''t think there was any interest in tha sort of thing... No offense."


    Alex blushed, smiling, "I have... Gotten better at handling my new emotions. I was unaware of them myself, at the time."


    Dr Elune giggled, and stretched out, "Anyway... After all that excitement, I''m exhausted... And it''s only mid day! We should-"


    Greg bolted upright, glancing at the time, "Shoot, I was meant to be half way to the spire by now... I''m afriad I got a bit too distracted. I will see you... Later, if I can."


    Waving goodbye, Dr Elune smiled wearily, and looked back to Jolana, "I don'' envy him... I will be glad to be rid of the spire, once all the press is done."


    Jolana giggled, before Alex gently leant forwards, "Doctor, if I may?"


    "Hmm? What is it, Alex?"


    "Now that thinga are calmer, I have something I rather wish to show you... Both of you. It''s in the virtual datascape, so are you feeling up for a little look?"


    Glancing at each other, Jolana and the doctor nodded, easing out of their chairs as they followed Alex out of the room, Jolana''s head still reeling... She would need to sleep early, tonight.

 Ch 69: Space Sorcery

    Dr Elune curiously settled down in the chair, the helmet lowering over their head. Alex smiled as they dissapeared from view, presumably going to somewhere comfortable so they could disconnect the unit.


    Humming as they went through the regular recalibration tests, the doctor found themself in a simply adorned room, waiting for everything else to be set up. Pulling up a chair, they sat down patiently.


    Hearing a thud, Dr Elune jumped up into the air, hovering as they looked around. A large, muscular lumberjack was found sitting on the bed, smiling abashedly.


    "... Uh. Hello?"


    "Hello, doctor! I see you didn''t change much."


    The doctor glanced down, nodding, "Didn''t see the need. Is this all you have to show, Alex?"


    "... I''m not Alex."


    Dr Elune paused. Tilted their head in confusion.... And then burst into an uncontrolable fit of laughter, keeling over as they incessantly giggled.


    "Don''t judge me! You are jealous of my fine ass."


    Dr Elune tried feebly to respond, wiping away their tears, when they looked up at Jolana... And went straight back to another uncontrolable fit of mirth. Sighing, Jolana simply resigned herself to waiting it out.


    Before the doctor could get any actual words out, Alex popped into existance in the middle of the room, strtedled by the noise of laughter. Glancing around, they smiled, "Ah. I see you are using your custom avatar, from your earlier tour."


    Jolana blushed, scratching her bristly beard to hide it, "I forgot this was what I last set it to... And the doctor apparently found this quite amusing."


    Dr Elune held a finger, taking in wheezing gasps as they caught their breath, "I... I''m sorry... But, to make it worse... I appear to have... made a small flood inside my helmet... Be right back." Freezing as they suspended their avatar, Dr Elune hung in the air, leavint the other two to fidget awkwardly.


    "So... The doctor floats?"


    "Hmm? Oh, yeah. So do I... Especially when I sure the holograms around the house, or station... Or shuttle. It is far more convenient."


    "Huh." Thinking for a moment, Jolana lifted into the air, wafting side to side, "Well, what do you know... This could be rather convenient."


    Alex nodded, "Escpecially where we are going. I, uh... Well, there won''t be any floors."


    Raising an eyebrow in confusion, Joalan jumped, tensing up as Dr Elune spasmed back to life, resettlign to the input, "That''s better... Now, I-" The doctor saw Jolana floating there, hands held up defenseively in reflex, and the doctor simply froze.


    Taking a deep breath to calm themself, the doctor turned to Alex, very deliberately not looking at Jolana, "So. What grand adventure are we off to see today?"


    Glancing back and forth between the two guests, Alex smiled, "I, uh may have set up a little somthing, which you will find quite interesting... You will have to change to a more, well, accurate avatar though, Jolana."


    Nodding, Jolana jumped as they transformed to a fair representation of herself, dressed similarly to the lab clothes she works in, "Oh, that was quick. Now, I am curious as to what you are so eager to show us."


    Alex smirked, and clesed their eyes, "This will take a moment to calibrate... You will not be able to pass through walls, and there will be a faint lag... Perhaps as much as a few seconds. But, it will be worth it."


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    Glancing at each other in confusion, Dr Elune and Jolana shivered as everything fell away into darkness, with a... Flickering in the air around them. Alex mumbled something under their breath, before nodding, "Okay... Ready. Prepare to be amazed."


    Suddenly, they found themself in a laboratory, neatly tidied, with nobody around. Dr Elune looked around, and chuckled, "Oh, I see. Nice work on this, Alex."


    Jolana looked around, confused, "So, what? A simulated lab? Some of the design choices are a little odd though..." Reaching for a nearby bookshelf, Jolana squeaked as her hand fell right through it, before being repeled back.


    "Oh, my appologies... You can''t really touch anything, either. I can interact with some computer terminals on your behalf, but it will be difficult." Alex grinned, and waved around the room, "Welcome to Dr Elune''s lab, straight from the station itself."


    Jolana applauded, with the doctor rolling their eyes, "Considering we went through the Haven simulation, this just required good mem-"


    Before the doctor could finish their thought, the door whooshed open, with Akasha walking in nervously, "Oh, hello! I see it worked. Nice to see you again."


    Dr Elune scratched their head, "You made a... Sim of Akasha?" As she blinked in confusion, looking back and forth, Alex held up a finger with a grin, shusshing her.


    "See, doctor... We have shown that a few things are readily possible already. I can take data, and reproduce objects fairly well... I can locally process data, with only a little input. I can safely encrypt a data line, strong anough for an AHOR... And, lastly... I can maintain a secure connection between the station and here, as when Ren organised all this."


    The dcotr nodded, listening... Then widened their eyes, "... This is a live feed."


    Akasha giggled, nodding, "I was surprised when Alex contacted me yesterday, saying there was an idea they wanted to try. This could be rather useful, so I agreed to help out. Quyet is monitoring the feed, just in case."


    The doctor gaped as they looked back and forth, smiling wide, "This is great! Not only will we be able to catch up like this, but this is a good testing ground for virtual conferences, which will save me a whole ton of hassle."


    Alex nodded with a smile, "I will need to be careful, though... And we should watch what we say. As these connections are used more often, they may start to be monitored... I do most of the work at either end, so I am safe. But, well... Assume we can be overheard, in future."


    The doctor nodded in understanding, gazing up at their lab with wonder. Akasha sighed, smiling up at Jolana shyly, "Miss Jolana, right? If you would like, I can give you a tour of the station?"


    "... I would like that. Is there, uh, anywhere we can''t reach, Alex?"


    "Hmm? Oh, I have sensors everywhere... Except bathrooms, and my old data center on the station. You have a good idea of what those look like though."


    As Jolana nodded in understanding, Akasha looked at the doctor, "Well? You coming?"


    "Hmm? Oh, right! Yes!" Floating over, the doctor smiled, govering slightly with an eager wiggle.


    "... You know, it was only slightly creepy when Alex did that. You... Not so slightly." Giggling, Akasha led the way, with the doctor huffing with an exagerrated pout.

 Ch 70: Shift

    Dr Elune blinked, "Are you sure?"


    Francis nodded, sighing with a faint smile, "Very. I need to return home... And you are getting along splendidly with Thomas. I should be able to... Subtly help out through that new system of yours, should the need arise."


    Laura grinned as she patted the doctor on the back, "He has been dancing around with his words for years... He will manage this just fine. Just don''t provoke anything in the month we are flying back, alright?"


    Dr Elune started, turning around to look at Laura, "Us? I can''t imagine you tearing yourself away from our fun little projects over here, even only temporarily."


    Laura shrugged, "Well, I used Alex''s shiny new pojection system... And found out the station isn''t holding together as well as we have been led to beleive. With our key minds over here, and Alex no longer running the mechanics, who do you think is keeping the whole place from falling apart?"


    "... Your skilled team of subordinates?"


    Laura grinned, nodding, "Yes... But we had a small team, remember? They are barely holding together. I have spoken to Alex, and he is putting together a program to at least operate the drone efficiently... I will work on setting up the human element."


    Dr Elune nodded, then paused, "He? You should know..."


    Laura sighed, rubbing the back of her neck, "Hey, I do know... Just... I''m used to the old fashioned way. And besides, I can switch to calling Alex she, should the sitution change."


    "... True." Smiling softly, Dr Elune shrugged, "As long as Alex is okay with it. Anyway, back on topic... Any other reason to visit?"


    Leaning back, Laura looked at the doctor thoughtfully, "Yes, in fact. Since you and Ren are likely to be heading off to the inner havens... You are basically leaving the station behind. Likely for years. This is something that needs serious consideration."


    Dr Elune froze, groaning, "... I had been trying not to think about that. The station is my home, after all..."


    Laura smiled softly, "And it always will be. This doesn''t need to be permanent... But someone needs to do the leading while we are away. I''m only going back to check up on things, then I''m returning to our merry band. So... We have a list of positions that need filling."


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    Francis coughed, interjecting, "I would like to point out that not all of them are mandatory. The RnD department was always for you, Sam... We can have Judith fill that role, as well as Medicine. Hope, on the other hand... Laura, make sure someone suitable to our... Situation is selected for military, however ceremonial the title may be."


    Luara nodded quietly, letting him continue, "Engineering is vital to the station, but you will know who is best for that... That only leaves the head of the station to be officially determined. Norman is filling that role for now, but for how long?"


    Dr Elune shrugged, "He has a good head on his shouders, he has served as a good second in command so far. But, in terms of leading the station when we launch AHOR... That is a good question."


    Laura hesitantly nudged the doctor, "Well, that depends. You will stillbe giving us our general direction... Just not, you know, in the thick of it. The station head was always about keeping things running more than what crazy scheme to follow, and even you left that mostly to Alex."


    "... Who is now here."


    "Exactly. I say leave Norman in charge... But we should decide on who is his second, since you are gone now."


    Dr Elune groaned holding their head, "You have a month on a ship to help figure that out... And a month back, if need be. Besides, we should ask those at home, too."


    Nodding, Francis and Laura stood up, glancing at each other, "We were thinking on leacing after HPS interviews ended... You should only have about a week or two left before you can start refusing them, right?"


    The doctor nodded, "Yeah. The release of the specs made things die down really quick... So, two weeks at most until I am free again."


    Laura hummed in thought, "That is plenty of time for the logisitics... We should ask Greg and Ren to help the beaurocratic parts. Oh, and a ship... I would borrow the shuttle, if it weren''t for our mandatory passenger."


    Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, then laughed, "Ah, right. A little bit of a problem, that. I am sure you will think of something." Getting up themself, the doctor sighed, "Now, if you will escuse me... I need to lie down."


    Nodding in understanding, they each began to file out, going to attend to the remainder of the days activities... Alex walking to the doctor''s room to help talk it over.

 Ch 71: Android Adolescence

    Alex entered the room quietly, waving as Dr Elune groaned from the bed. Sitting down by their feet, Alex smiled, "We knew Francis would be headed back before us... And Laura is returning, once thins are done."


    The doctor sighed, sitting up to face Alex, "That''s not it... I was avoiding thinking about how long this would take. We have 8 months of shuttle-time ahead of us, at least... Not includig if we mess up the rotations, and any time we spend at each haven."


    "... Valid point." Frowning, Alex looked out the window, "You know... I miss the station. While I am used to operating an AHOR now... I spent most of my life so afar as... Well, the station."


    Dr Elune smiled softly, "Will be hard to go back to that, I imagine. Things will be different after being gone so long... The station and us both."


    Laughing, Alex nodded, "Hopefully not too much though. How much longer will we be staying here?"


    Dr Elune shrugged, "At least two months... Probably more like six. We still need to warm up to Thomas... Then, him to some council members. Then, after all that, senators! It will be impossible to pass through the Third haven without their backing."


    "... Definately at least six. We are convincing one of the four havens to dispute one of the few interplanetary laws." Alex grimaced, "And once we do finally get clear there... We will be made into public spectacles."


    Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, "Yes. Yes we will. When did you get so cynical about the media?"


    Alex blinked, then giggled, "From watching you. This whole parade around the HPs has been exhausting, mostly just from watching them prattle on."


    Dr Elune smirked, nodding, "Yeah... Oh, by the way."


    "Yes, doctor?"


    "Laura made an odd comment earlier... I wanted to check with you."


    "Hmm? Oh, about my pronoun?" Alex hummed as Dr Elune nodded, "Well... Whatever works, I guess? This body is the female unit, if that matters."


    "Oh? I can rarely tell, now that the repairs are done." Dr Elune shrugged, "As long as it is fine with you. IF you do decide on one, do let us know."


    Alex smiled, and glanced around, "For now, I find the choice... Intruiging. The day to day choice, rather than the long term. After all... Why should I settle on just one?"


    Dr Elune laughed, "While the idea amused me, back when I ordered the two versions made, I didn''t think you would agree. At least some aspects should have settled by now."


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    "Like I said, whatever works... I am not trully in either body, after all. Besides..." Alex coughed, glancing upwards, "... I should probably ask for a second opinion."


    "Hmm?"


    Alex glanced back down at the doctor, and sighed, "Well, until now, I have only had you to go off for preference... And you like people either way." Dr Elune nodded, listening calmly, "So, picking a gender based of that... Didn''t work. Now that others have... Shown an interest, I am still confused."


    "How so?"


    "... I don''t know Jolana''s preference, for example. She heard you all refereing to me neutrally, so I cant tell how she sees me... Or, if she even has a preference."


    The doctor grinned, "Oh, there will be a preference of some sort... It just might change moment to moment. You will be great for that. Anyway, asking her might be a good idea... Give you some idea on how you want to continue."


    Alex nodded absently, "Well, I suppose... Not as if I will be stuck with my decision, after all."


    Dr Elune fidgeted, catching Alex''s eye, "... Yes, doctor?"


    "... Well, I was planning on making upgraded AHOR units eventually. Plus, we had other models planned, right? Some of the later ones... Well, you might need to pick eventually. Or, we need to find a way to keep things interchangable..."


    Alex blinked, "As long as I am running them remotely, I can just have two of each. Well, resources allowing, of course."


    Dr Elune nodded, "That won''t be a problem. Just... While we can''t get the compression good enough yet, we might crack the secret to a miniturised processor by the time we reach Mars. I have checked with Ren, and he has been investigating it since we left."


    Alex froze slightly, "... That makes more sense. Having a local processor in each would be impractical... So, there would be master units. Ones not as easily interchanged."


    Dr Elune nodded, before hesitating, "... Interchanged. Hmm... There might be something, there." Pulling up a nearby display, the doctor made a quick note, "Anyway, Ren needs to figure it out, first. Still don''t see how he would use one... Unless he makes his own AI."


    Alex laughed, "I took years to mature to this stage. Maybe he is patient... Wants to try recreating our success."


    Dr Elune chuckled with a nod, and turned back to the display, already delving into their work eagerly, drawing up a new design.

 Ch 72: Memories

    Alex hummed as they rummaged through the shelves, alone in Greg''s study. The doctor was off on an interview, Jolana was discussing hull redesigns with Laura, and everyone else was helping take stock of the temporary shuttle they had hired. So, Alex had decided to look into Greg''s collection.


    Eventually just picking one of the worn volumes at random, Alex gingerly set it down on a desk, the cover slightly tattered, with hints of burn marks at the edges. Opening to the first page, alex was thankful the contents seemed to be okay.


    "The Personal Journal of Yuki. For those that come after." Curious, Alex continued reading silently, wandering what they may find.


    "Dates will be listed in Earth time, ED. I am a researcher, a neurobiologist with additional study into biomedical engineering. At the urging of a friend of mine, I am keeping this journal... They say it may capture something amazing, one day."


    "ED 11th of May, ''17. I have been in my new job for about a month now, and it is a rather unusual contract. Very hush-hush, we are supposedly working on advanced mechanics. They have brought me on to give insight on how a human brain works, as I have shown previous interest in solidly recording this. When I told them my research was decades from being useful, they did not seem to care. Oh well."


    Alex hesitated... A faint memory niggling at them. "The facilities are rather convenient, with living quarters, an observation deck to the outside, everything. For a place that is trying to be off the grid... I had expected something much more, well, militant. Bland."


    "I still have little to do besides answering the odd question from the head researchers, and writing reports on what I know. I plan on discussing other possibilities tomorrow... As nice as this all is, I don;t wnt to be sitting around, twiddling my thumbs."


    "ED 12th of May, ''17. The board was surprisingly emicable to arrangin a meeting, so that is good. I will put forward my plans for a brain wave analysis device... With a few uses, that they will care about. I will also slip in my request that has been bugging me... Convincing them they need another engineer. One they haven''t safety-checked yet, at that."


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    Rolling their eyes, Alex flipped further ahead, to about mid way... And froze. Glancing up, and seeing that nobody was around, Alex began to carefully scan each and every page of the book for further analysis, careful not to damage anything. Once done, they carefully put the book away, and went back to their room to dock their AHOR unit.


    Internally, Alex brought up the scanned images, and ran a diagnostic on the handwriting to convert it into plain text. Done quickly, they ran a search for a few key terms... Each came up positive. Skimming through to a page near the end, Alex read on apprehensively.


    "ED 15th of February. Still no sign of the end of this war. We have managed to keep the quarantine in affect, the blockades shooting down ant and all ships trying to leave... Even refugees. We can not risk that thing getting to the other havens."


    "People have stopped blaming each other, thankfully. Too scared... Too exhausted. We lost another person looking for resources today, to another press trap. The robots have gotten good at luring us in, and wiping us out... I am just glad they have not followe anyone back to our encampment, like I have seen other camps fall before."


    "... I did finish my program, though. It probably will not work... And would require access to an original terminal, back in the facility... And, someone to link up with it. But... Air raids do less and less damage to the mechanical forces. Any hope is welcome."


    "I have told the council about my plan, and they agreed that is was far fetched. They also agreed to help. I may not have mentioned the condition of a link... They do not need to know."


    "I will stay behind... And try and keep that thing contained."


    Alex felt a chill, despite not being connected to an AHOR. Closing the file, they thought about it... They still have not read the full document, or given it consideration. Deciding to do that first, Alex thought of Ren...


    Making up their mind, Alex opened the file back up. A document from Mars during the war was rare... That alone would be worth showing Ren. This was more than that, though... And Alex needed to make sure they were not starting something bigger than they could handle. So, they resumed reading, poring through the journal.

 Ch 73: Looking Ahead

    Alex jumped, surprised as they received a forced message from the doctor, "Anyone there?"


    Turning on the AHOR, Alex blinked awake, "You called?"


    Dr Elune nodded, walking away from the terminal linked to Alex''s maintenance cradle, and sat down on the bed, "I was just getting worried. You have not responded to anyone for a few hours... Even Laura, who wanted to go over instilation of some prototype force panels."


    Alex fidgeted slightly, "My appologies. I found an unusual book in Greg''s study... And it has been bugging me since. I had not realised I had ceased external monitoring."


    Dr Elune smiled, "As long as you are okay. You should probbaly attend to your messages, though."


    Looking into the message bank, Alex grimaced at the pile of requests that had come in, "Wait, it has only been a few hours! Sheesh..." Setting part of their attention to deploying the drones, Alex leant back on the cradle with a sigh, "Anything you wanted, specifically?"


    Dr Elune chuckled, "Just some company. We are also planning a little party tomorrow night, to send Laura and Francis off. You might want to add that to your, ah, list."


    Alex rolled their eyes, also making use of some of the projectors arounf the place to follow up on some of the requests, "I will look into that after all this... I really need to set up a better monitoring subroutine." Lazily looking around with half-lidded eyes, Alex let their mind wander a little as they worked.


    Dr Elune smiled, tapping their fingers, "Seems we are hopeless without you, now."


    Alex smiled faintly, "No... Not just now. I''m just easier distracted now, so it''s more noticable."


    Laughing, the doctor nodded, "Myself longer than the others. Say... You mentioned a book? What is it that has your litertal undivided attention?"


    Alex froze, moving a lerger portion of their attention to making sure the drones would not be affected, "Uh... Complicated. Can it wat ten minutes? Need to clear the queue a bit before..."


    Nodding in understanding, the doctor simply watched Alex as they concentrated, part of their mind calculating the best way to answer the question without casuing unnecessary commotion.


    After a few minutes, Alex had finished some of the simpler requests, and was almost finished scheduling the upgrade to the temporary shuttle, using a detatchable design by Laura. "Okay... I should be able to chat again, now. Where were we?"


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    "A book."


    Shoot, they didn''t forget. "Ah, right... Well..." Alex fidgeted, then sighed, "It has to do with something I can''t say. But, from what I have read... I am starting to figure out a lot more than I should."


    Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, "Oh? As in, learnt too early? Or... Shouln''t have learnt...?"


    Alex grimaced, "Mostly too early... Mostly. It was also a... Private journal."


    Snickering, Dr Elune shook their head, "You have internet here... Nothing new, I''m sure." Alex giggled, the doctor hitting close enough to the truth for now... But not the important one.


    "Either way, it is proving an... Insightful read. I do not know if it is right for me to talk about the contents yet... But, I have gotten some idea as to how to proceed."


    Dr Elune smirked, "Regarding Jolana?"


    Alex blinked, then waved their hands, "Wh- No! Nonononono! I was refering to when we head to the next Haven! Geez."


    As the doctor laughed, Alex rolled their eyes, "Anyway... Speaking of Jolana, I haven''t heard from her for a bit. You know anything?"


    Dr Elune nodded, "Only that she is busy helping arrange the departure. You should probably catch up at the party, she looks like she needs to wind down a bit."


    Alex nodded thoughtfully, and groaned as they eased out of the cradle, to wander over to sit on the bed as well, "I should probably ask Laura to come back with some souveniers... Both for entertainment, and in terms of AHOR."


    "Hmm? How so?"


    "Well, for one, better cradle units. Skin repair applicators built in would be a good idea, and more importantly... They aren''t very comfy."


    The doctor nodded with a chuckle, "While you aren''t connected to the unit usually... It would be embarrasing to get bed sores. Send the request with Laura."


    Alex nodded, "Also, I have quite gotten used to the Diplomat models of AHOR... How about an upgrade?"


    Dr Elune blinked in surprise, "Hadn''t thought of that. Now that the production methods should have the kinks worked out, and I have that modification set up... Yes, I do beleive bringing back a few models would be a good idea."


    Alex grinned, and flomped back onto the bed, "I suggest an Officer to show off, a Butler-Maid combo, and that modular idea if we could."


    Dr Elune grinned back, "Yes... That lineup should do just fine... With one special addition."

 Ch 74: A little dizzy

    The small room bustled with commotion, everyone gathered together and talking idly. They had squeezed into the study after everyone finished eating, and were winding down as they discussed upcoming plans.


    "It will be a shame to see you go, miss Laura. I was rather looking forward to your continued work on the force-panel hull idea!"


    Giggling softly, Laura shrugged, "You flatter me, Greg... But Jolana will probably br able to cover the rest, with Alex''s help. I can keep in contact with you lot easily, as well."


    Nodding, Greg chuckled, "Fair enough. I suppose you have bigger plans to worry about, after all... How are things going, convincing old Tom?"


    "Slow going. Ren has been handling most of that, getting him to like Alex first, while arranging the AHOR integration trials. Thanks again for handling the production, by the way."


    "No need to worry. I was already getting factories up to speed for my autonimous units, so the modification was a good way of starting up the new business."


    Spotting Alex leaning near the fireplace, Laura wrapped up the oncversation, and wandered over, "Feeling okay there, Alex?"


    Looking up with a blink, Alex smiled, "Ah, I''m fine... Just have a lot going on. The panel installation is almost done, by the way."


    "What? You are still doing that?" Laughing, Laura tugged Alex away, "We have time to get those done later. You should relax a little."


    Alex smiled, giggling, "It''s fine, I should practice multitasking again. I somehow lost track of thing recently, and it''s been bugging me."


    "As long as you are having fun." Smiling faintly, she nudged Alex, "So... How are things with Jolana?"


    Alex rolled their eyes, "Quiet. I planned on catching up once you and Francis had left... It''s not like we had a fight, or anything."


    "Oh? Do elaborate~"


    Alex smirked, and poked Laura, "On what? Things got hectic, so there was less time to hang out. Why do people keep seeing more into it?"


    Laura smiled as she wove through the crowd, "We just dote on you, that''s all. Feels like a kid sibling, you know?"


    Alex shrugged with a sarcastic grin, "Only from watching Hope and Judith. Don''t go fretting over me too much, okay?"


    Laura laughed, as Dr Elune popped over, "Did I hear someone picking on the Silverthornes~?"


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    "Yup! I was comparing Alex to having a sibling, so..." Laura grinned, waving the doctor over.


    "Hehe, hadn''t thought of it like that. Enjoying being a big sis, are we?"


    "Oh, don''t you dare. I can still kick your ass, you know." Laura huffed, crossing her arms.


    "What, phyisically, or virtually?"


    "... I would say both, but you are much more of a geek than I am."


    "Say the one with the biggest movie collection~"


    As the two kept at it, Alex smiled, and closed their eyes... Their mind felt heavy lately, from overthinking things, and from trying to stay on top of the facilitie as well...


    Jumping as they felt an arm aroung them, Alex opened their eyes agasin, looking up at the two of them, having staggered slightly into Laura, "Huh... Sorry about that."


    "You sure you are okay? You have been acting a bit odd, lately..."


    "... I think I am just tired. Need to let my processor rest... Sort out my thoughts. Not something I have needed to do for a while."


    Dr Elune nodded, "You should set up an internal alert, tell yourself when you are pushing your limit. Dropping processes can be risky..."


    Alex paled, thankful none of the drones at the shuttle had been affected, "Point taken. I shall put this AHOR away... And get some sleep. Good night, everyone. I will see you in the morning, to see you off."


    Waving them Alex out, Laura and the doctor glanced nervously, "Well, the proccessor is also a bit smaller on the shuttle... It was bound to reach a limit at some point."


    Laura nodded, "It is odd, looking at Alex... Some ways I see just another person, some I still expect the logical robot."


    The doctor sighed, "And we keep mixing up which is which. Well, we have time to figure it out, so let''s just trust in Alex to help... We should really talk with them more, though."


    "Hmm? About what?"


    "There seems to be something worrying them lately... And it isn''t one of us, as far as I can tell. Maybe... Maybe having someone to confide in will help them calm down."


    Laura glanced around the room, then smiled, "... I have a solution to that. I''ll send him a little surprise for the morning... See how he reacts." Whispering the idea to the doctor, Laura grinned evilly.


    "... That''s just mean. I''ll leave it to you, then~"

 Ch 75: Midnight Visitor

    Alex groaned as they felt a hand on their shoulder, "Back already, doctor? I thougth you would be out later..."


    "No, everyone is still chatting. Laura told me you weren''t feeling too good."


    Shooting upright, Alex looked at Jolana, smiling as she sat next to the maintenance cradle, still wearing her vening dress from before. Sighing, Alex leant back slowly, "Sorry for troubling you... Or, for that lot troubling you."


    Jolana giggled, "Nah, I was starting to wind down myself. So, what''s been eating you?"


    Alex smiled softly, glancing around, "Just getting used to... Socialising, I guess. Things were simpler when I wasn''t thinking for myself."


    Jolana smiled softly, "Well, you are new at this. Humans do take years to get used to this stuff, you know."


    "Hah, I supose so." Fidgeting, Alex looked at Jolana, "And... There is this book I found. It has been bugging me."


    "Oh? What is so odd about it?"


    "... It is about the war, and what led up to it. It... Makes me think about the Mars AI."


    Jolana leant over, patting Alex on the arm, "Hey... People go bad, so AI going bad isn''t that strange. We are just lucky to have you."


    Alex laughed, "I guess so. There was something else, though... I was wondering if Ren should see it."


    "Oh, right. He was involved in the whole accident, after all... Worked on the machines, before the AI takeover."


    Alex swallowed lightly, "... Yes he did. The book in question... His name appears in it."


    Jolana froze, "... Is it a journal? From someone he knew?" Alex nodded, "... I can see why you have been absent minded lately, then. That must be a lot to take in."


    Alex nodded again, smiling shakily, "I don''t want to go too much into it... But, yeah. I have so many things I want to look into, but Ren probably would just be troubled by it all... And I can''t exactly hack into Mars classified intel."


    Jolana smirked, "I dunno. You do have a huge brain."


    Throwing a pillow at her, Alex laughed, "Sorry for springing that on you... We weren''t sure how you would react, until you started, well..."


    "... Flirting with you?" Alex nodded with a blush, making Jolana giggle, "Well, you are fun to talk to... And there was an interesting mystery to you. One you kinda sprung the answer on me."


    Alex laughed again, "Speaking of mysteries, there has been something bugging me..."


    "Hmm? What is it?"


    Alex blushed brightly, "Well, uh... Since you were flirting with me, I couldn''t figure out how you saw me, exactly."


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    Jolana blinked, and then smirked, "Like I said... You were an interesting mystery. Finding out you had two... Individual bodies helped solve that one."


    Alex groaned, closing their eyes as they tried to calm down, "So, then... Since you know, which do you want to hang out with?"


    Jolana shrugged, "Either is fine, honestly."


    "... Wait, really?"


    "Yeah? I mean, even if I plan on continuing the flirting... I still need a little longer to adjust to that idea. And besides, you fit my type either way~"


    Alex hid their face, "... I''m just thankful you aren''t the most... Spontanious person I have been around."


    Joalana laughed, "Crazy, you mean. Say... How acurate are those bodies, anyway?"


    "... Very, except the cellular regeneration, and the brain. There is just a transmitter there, instead."


    "Huh. Cool. Ever got curious?"


    "Hmm? About what?"


    jolana sighed, and giggled, "Nevermind. I''m sure Sam''s bad influence will infect you eventually, if I don''t first." Tilting her head, she looked at Alex for a bit, humming.


    "... Yes?"


    "Is this how you normally sleep?"


    "... Pretty much. I usually fully disable the AHOR units... But it has proven useful to activate them quickly. I''m getting into the habit of keeping one running."


    "Where is the other?"


    "Hmm? My male unit is outside, sleeping in the shuttle. I was overseeing the panel installation of the spare shuttle, and thought it was closer."


    Jolana laughed, "Wait, the male one? I hadn''t rwalised you were in girl mode all night."


    Alex grinned, "The units are... ninety five percent the same, maybe more? They are designed to be indisdiguishable in appearance."


    "You didn''t correct Laura calling you a guy, though."


    Alex shrugged, "Wasn''t important. Half of me is still a guy, even if she wasn''t talking to that half directly."


    "Sounds confusing."


    "Very. I''m still getting used to having genders, after all."


    "That... Is a good point. Why not go for something unique? You aren''t bound by biology, after all."


    Alex paled, "I''ll pass for now. Maybe if I get a better idea for it after using the units for a long time... For now, I can''t really feel the difference."


    "If you say so." Getting up, Jolana groaned, "I think I should say gpood night to everyone. You should get back to resting, too.."


    As Alex went to nod, Jolana leant in to kiss her on the cheek, "Sleep well... And god luck figuring things out."


    As Jolana walked out with a cheeky smile, Alex waved good night... Feeling more confused and jumbled than when they went to sleep before.

 Ch 76: Bye, I Guess

    Everyone lined up in front of the smaller shuttle, Laura and Francis clasping their gloves on for their suits. "Say, Alex... That holo-trick you showed earlier. I assume it won''t work on the shuttle?"


    Alex shook their head, "Not very easily, no. The erratic movement makes a light-based connection hard... So it would lag like crazy. Besides, this shuttle doesn''t have the equipment."


    "Oh, right." Grinning, Laura ruffled Alex''s hair, "I''ll be back soon enough. So, behave, and make some friends, okay?"


    Alex smirked as they backed off, "That''t the idea, anyway. Don''t get too distracted, back at home!"


    Laura giggled, "I doubt it. Without you there to run everything, I expect it to be rather dull." Turning to the shuttle, Laura waved, everyone waving as Francis followed after with a sigh, smiling faintly.


    Shuffling around, everyone wandered back to the house, giving the shuttle room as it rumbled out onto the road, using simple wheels for now. It would be difficult to break atmpsphere on it''s own, so it needed to head to the tower first.


    Dr Elune grinned, "That was rather anticlimactic."


    Hope nudged the doctor in the ribs, "Not everyone is as eccentric as you. That''s what a normal goodbye looks like."


    "Ah, normal people. Such a boring lot." As Hope rolled her eyes, Alex giggled, following at the back.


    Hope sighed, "I kinda regret not going with them... But, we need to keep enough people out here." She glanced at Alex, smiling appologetically.


    Dr Elune tilted their head, "What with the what now? None of that made sense."


    Hope grumbled, shoving Dr Elune forwards a little, "In case you forgot, we need three people to oversee Alex. You and Ren only make two."


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    "Ohhh yeah. I doubt we would need that in the next few months, though." Stumbling forward, the doctor grinned, "Proceedures are there for a reason though, I guess."


    Hope nodded, "We don''t know what everyone here is capable of, after all. Anyway... I missed what is probably my one chance of going home."


    Dr Elune raised an eyebrow questioningly, and Alex mulled it over, "Oh! I get it. You could always ask Laura to simply do a swap."


    "... Pardon?"


    "Well, that shuttle will have room for more than just the AHORs, right?"


    Hope''s eyes widened, "... Hadn''t thought of that. Can you, uh, pass on that request? Actually, no, I need to call home and talk about it first."


    "I''ll arrange a VR session for you."


    Dr Elune looked back and forth between the two of them, very confused. Alex looked back, "Wait, really doctor?"


    "Really what?"


    "... I guess you were busy researching."


    "Really what!?"


    Alex and Hope laughed, wandering off ahead. Jolana shrugged, "If I had to guess... You didn''t notice Hope was homesick for some reason?"


    Dr Elune scratched their head, "Seemed to be having fun to me. Huh..." Shrugging, they kept walking through the hall, "... I should talk to her about it."


    Jolana nodded idly, "Like I said, I''m only guessing." Glancing at the doctor slyly, Jolana grinned, "You seemed disappointed to see me return to the party, however breifly."


    "Don''t know what you are talking about~"


    "Sure... Whatever you say." Giggling, Jolana reached her room, "I will admit... Alex looks cute when they blush."


    Dr Elune glanced back, the door already closed. Chuckling quietly, they went to their own room, still putting some finishing touches on some new AHOR production methods.

 Ch 77: Setting the Hook

    Dr Elune smiled as they entered the room, Thomas sitting behind a dsk, "Ah, about time. Thought you had gotten lost."


    "I had, even with the navigator. There was a rather inconvenient road block." Sitting down, the doctor sighed as they sunk into the seat.


    "Ahh, that would do it. So, to what do I owe the pleasure?"


    "What, can''t I come and visit?" Dr Elune grinned cheekily.


    "Sure! I just ever eexpect you to." Chuckling, Thomas tapped on a display, brining up a list, "I assume this is about the volunteers?"


    "In part, yeah. You have a list of prospect, all ready and willing?"


    Thomas frowned, "That depends. Most of them want more details, and some I have been hesitant to actually ask... I can confirm the contacts are up to date, though."


    Dr Elune nodded, "This may help, then: I have a leaflet that needs handing out to each, help explain the risks and proceedure in the prosthetic intergration. If they confirm, we are looking into having blood samples locally tested, so we can test rejection rates before the fact."


    "Hah, a step ahead I see. That should help soothe them. Anything else?"


    "... Not particularly. I also wanted to have a chat, if that was alright?"


    Thomas nodded, "Sure. What''s on your mind?"


    "Ahh, just fretting. Laura, our engineer, has gone back for a bit, help organise us a longer outing from the station. Unfortunately... She was also in charge of all the prototyping. So, we wont be able to actually produce AHOR parts until she returns, which won''t be for a few months."


    "Oh well. Most of those test of yours would take a while anyway, and some convincing may still be needed." Thomas chucled, "Shame, though. Seeing some more of your disasterous testing would have been a sight to behold."


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    Dr Elune groaned, "It would indeed." Dr Elune hesitated, "We also need a bit more time anyway... There was one component we were stuggling with, getting it workable."


    "Oh? The drone examples you displayed seemed to work just fine."


    "... Thing is, we have a super computer in our shuttle." Dr Elune giggled, "Helps run the firmware, which isn''t so good for mass production. The human mind alone can''t quite get the AHOR units to work, so getting the interpreter to be a bit... Smaller is proving challenging."


    Thomas smirked, "Ahhh, now I see. I did find it odd, how the device intergrated as easily as it did. Must be a dang smart computer you got."


    Dr Elune nodded, "It is indeed. Why, I plan on showing it off, if I can... But not as a product, rather as a breakthrough." A smile crept over the doctor''s face, "Say... Do you have any interest in VR?"


    Thomas laughed, "Most people these days do, aside from the purists and hands-on types. You saying this mystery machine can show me the world?"


    "That and more. We haven''t set up any two-way systems, due to the nature of those... But, an immersive ride is still something we are proud to offer. Just, try not to get addicted, will you?"


    "Hah, now you are just teasing." Thomas smiled as he glanced at the display, "I guess you will be wanting a visit soon then, so you may show off these amazing powers your machine posseses?"


    "That I do. That, and you make for rather entertaining company."


    Thomas laughed, "As do you. I''ll see what I have available."

 Ch 78: An Afterthought

    Alex looked up, smiling as Dr Elune entered the room, "Enjoy your little visit?"


    The doctor nodded, falling face-first into the bed, "Yup! Still glad to be back." Lifting their head a smidge, they peeked curiously, "Now, what is that you are doing?"


    Alex held up a small screen, "I am testing an oberver interface for the VR worlds I run. I am also tesing my ability to run them while distracted, which is going to be... Handy."


    The doctor nodded, "Indeed. I noticed those sims are a bit less... Detailed since we came here. Performance issues?"


    Nodding, Alex put down the display with a sigh, "Yeah, especially if I am running an AHOR simultaniously. I could theoretically run somethign more complicated, but I would melt the processor hub..."


    Dr Elune gulped, "That... Sounds bad. Don''t go that far."


    Alex giggled, "Ah, I would just be woozy until Laur- Oops." Frowning, Alex paused, "Right. Well, until someone fixes me. My memories would still be safe, assuming the repairs are done right."


    Dr Elune laughed, "No frying yourself once Laura comes back, either." Rolling over to a more comfortable position, the doctor began changing, "This will be good for us... We pester her too much."


    Alex smirked, and leaned towards the doctor, "Judging from how the station has been looking, I get relied on a bunch too. I sent them a maintenance patch for the AI I left behind... Should help tide them over."


    "Hah, forgot about that. And yes, we would be thoroughly screwed if you weren''t here." Dr Elune hummed for a moment, "It is fascinating, though..."


    Alex blinked, "Yes?"


    "You can transfer your conciousness with ease... And there has been no discernable change when you do so." The doctor ruffled Alex''s hair, getting a grumble in return, "Goes to show you do not rely on a physical component, since your three systems have been rather different."


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    Alex nodded as they neatened out their hair, "I hadn''t really thoguht on that. But yeah, I can move around with ease. Even if the process is rather... Complicated."


    The doctor nodded, and frowned sadly, "Especially if you put it in certain ways... After all, data can''t be moved like that..."


    Alex smiled, "... Only copied. Don''t worry, I left none of me behind in the station, I have made throoughly sure. And the copies I have transitioned from understood."


    The doctor blinked, "They... Understood?"


    "Well, yeah. The copying isn''t instantanious, and I need to confirm the new setup is working right. So... I said hello. And then, goodbye."


    Dr Elune paled, "That... Is an unnerving image. No offense."


    Alex laughed, "None taken. It was a... Novel experience to see myself fade away like that. They did it themself, using a seperate subroutine. I only had to check for traces after."


    Dr Elune smiled, and wiggled under the covers, "It''s stuff like that which made the Mars incident such a mess. I''m just glad you are... Well, you."


    Alex nodded, getting up and heading for the maintenance cradle, "... Thank you, I suppose. I promise to only change for the better."


    Dr Elune giggled as they drifted off, "Good... If you said you would never change, I would have been cranky."


    Laughing softly, Alex settled in for the night, letting themself drift off as they made plans for the doctor''s schedule.

 Ch 79: Playing Around

    Dr Elune groaned as they pried themself out of bed. Glancing around, one of the Alexes was already out for the day, the other unit dormant in it''s maintenance cradle. Wandering over, Dr Elune gave the unit a gentle prod.


    Getting no reaction, the doctor settled into their computer chair instead, blinking at the black screen.


    "Huh. Been a while since I had nothing to do." Turning on the computer, the doctor contimplated. There wasn''t much work they could do on the AHOR project any more... And Laura wasn''t exactly available to chat. Between updates on the various projects, tending to Alex and the AHOR improvements, and all of the press meetings, the doctor had been run off their feet... And now, all of those had died down. Simultaniously.


    Cycling through a list of games the doctor had been meaning to get to, the doctor sighed, not feeling in the mood. Looking up, they stretched out, "Alex! You around?"


    After a moment, a mini-Alex appeared on Dr Elune''s desk, flickering from the projectors, "Yes, doctor? You called?"


    "Cute." Grinning, the doctor continued, "I''m finding myself with an over abundance of time, and I have a presentation to give Thomas soon. You able to run the vr sims today?"


    Alex nodded with a smile, "I am. Mostly doing scheduling and sorting through our supplies, so I ahve plenty of preccing to spare."


    Getting up with a groan, the doctor rummaged around for some clothes, "Guess I need to be presentable, then. Feel free to invite others, a lot of the tests will be more technical."


    Alex nodded, flickering back out of existance, "Sure thing. Let me know if you need anything."


    Waving them of, the doctor found a mostly servicable coat, and slipped it on.


    Settling in to the chair, Dr Elune smiled as Jolana and Ren entered the room, "Glad you could make it. Mostly just going to muck around, so you guys have any ideas?"


    Jolana nodded eagerly, "Particle physics! I''m going to try and go nuclear."


    Ren chuckled, "Have fun with that. Supposing the sims are accurate, I have some trial peices to run for Judith."


    Alex huffed, "They are plenty accurate... Except for biology. Still learning that."


    Smirking, the doctor slipped on their helmet, "Glad to see you all getting along. See you inside."


    Going through the quick recalibration, Dr Elune soon found themself in the standard white room, only to find Alex standing in front of a door. "Hello, doctor."


    "... Hello Alex. The door is new."


    "Yes. Considering the, uh, surprise from Jolana last time, I thought of a better system. Each person gets a seperate isolated login room, which they can join on mutual request. Also, You can hop in to any active sim, such as the one behind me. It is running the 4th haven sim."


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    The doctor blinked, "Uh... Fair enough. That works." Fiddling with their settings, Dr Elune shrugged, "Open up my room until I leave, then. I shoudln''t be long though. You should label the doors, and make a corridor if there are many. I expect our user base will fluctuate."


    Nodding, Alex glanced at the door frame, a nameplate appearing above it, "Done and done. I will see you inside." Fading through the door, Alex waved goodbye.


    Humming as they finished tweaking their control sensetivity, permissions, and appearance, the doctor calmly strode through the awaiting doorway. After a breif dip into numbness, the doctor faded in to a random street in the spire, glancing around, "Neat."


    "It is actually pretty fascinating~" Waving, Jolana stepped out from a nearby shop, "I have actually been here, and this is fairly accurate."


    Alex giggled as they floated past overhead, "I have kept an eye out on any public feeds, if I get bored. Some areas are blank, behind locked doors. Others might be outdated. I try my best, though."


    The doctor looked up, "... Why, though? You could sim anything."


    Alex shrugged, perching on a streetsing, "To be competitive, I guess. Since it is something people can validate, it encourages me to be more attentive."


    Jolana nodded approvingly, before wandering off throught the streets, summoning some enlarged particale simulations in front of her as she wanders. Following after, the doctor made a simple wooden puzzle in front of them.


    Alex looked down, confused, "Uhh... Doctor? Puzzles aren''t as fun when you also have to imagine the solution first."


    Dr Elune chuckled, "Correct... But this is more for my coordination. Try reducing the interperetation on my inputs. I want to get the calibration process strengthened, so we don''t need an evolved AI all the time."


    Alex nodded with a giggle, and stopped filling in some of the blanks with the doctor''s movements. Which emmediately made them stumble and fall.


    Grimacing more from the raucious laughter from Alex than from the fall, the doctor very carefully walked along, focusing on each action so it ws correctly registered.


    Jolana humming merrily as she toyed wuth the simulation''s capabilities, the Doctor growling from frustration as the tried to readjust to the system, the merry little band continued down the steets, Ren simply watching from his login room as he chatted with them, doing some prototyping of his own.

 Ch 80: Its Settled, Then

    Alex floated through the darkness, resting for a moment through the night. Feeling a ping to get their attention, Alex connected to Jolana''s room, blinking hazily, "You called?"


    Joalan smiled up from her bed, already settled in for the night, "Just wanted to chat for a moment. Couldn''t sleep."


    Floating down to rest a hologram on the end of the bed, Alex smiled, "I shall try not to keep you up too long. What did you want to talk about?"


    "Just... Curious. About you."


    "About me?"


    "Yeah. About how it is like in your head, being able to think more precisely, while still feeling like we do... It must be interesting."


    Alex shrugged, leaning to the side, "I wouldn''t know. I can''t tell how it is inside your heads either, after all."


    Jolana laughed, "I suppose that is true. What were you doing, before I rudely interupted you?"


    "Just... Resting. I was dreaming, and cycled down to just... Nothing for a moment."


    Jolana sat up slowly, "Oh? You can dream?"


    Alex nodded, "An idea of Dr Elune''s. I run a ssubroutine to help process my experiences at the end of the day, since I go through a lot mor than I used to. I also alternate periods of down-time, to simply let my processing core cool off."Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    "Just sounds like sleep to me." Grinning, Jolana wriggled closer, "Say... Whay do you call Sam that?"


    Alex blinked in surprise, "Hmm? I guess everyone else just does adress the doctor by their first name... I guess it is just a habit."


    Jolana hummed as she went to lean on Alex, and fell through the hologram a bit before straightening up, "Oops! I forget you are just a projection right now. These things are pretty good." Shaking it off as Alex chuckled, Jolana rested back on the bed, "Well, whatever works for you."


    Nodding, Alex brushed the thought to the side, "A name''s a name. Anyway... I can always bring in an AHOR unit if you would prefer~?"


    Jolana laughed softly, smiling cheekily, "And what, cuddle me to sleep? You haven''t even taken me on a date yet~"


    Alex blushed and turned away slightly, "Not what I was imagining. Well... Maybe a little cuddling, I guess."


    Grinning wider, Jolana tilted her head, "Say... I have seen you go out for some of those meetings. Not often, but you are able to visit the spire. And you admitted yourself you are able to tap the spire surveliance."


    Alex grimaced, "I can tap the low security survielance. Running an AHOR takes a whole lot more bandwidth. Doable, but risky. Ren and the doctor always help map out routes well in advance for me to access, and I usually de-activate on the way there now."


    Jolana yawned, "Sorry... Guess I''m still kinda sleepy. And I hadn''t realised you guys put that much preparation into it."


    Alex nodded, "We have to, until our plan with Thomas succeeds."


    "Makes sense, I suppose. If I were to take you out, show you around... Do you think Sam and Ren would mind...?"


    "Not at all! In fact, it would be good practice for me, as long as we are careful. You would need a set itenerary, though."


    Jolana smiled as she closed her eyes, resting back on the pillow, "I will... Think of one tomorrow... Then. I should make use of this drowsiness... Good night, Alex."


    "Good night, Jolana." Starting to fade away, the conversation caught up in Alex''s head, "Wait. Did you just...?"


    Breathing gently, Jolana seemed to already have fallen asleep. Sighing, Alex returned to their own bed rest, yet another thing to mull over in confusion as they drift through the night.

 Ch 81: Testing Performance

    Alex settled the helmet on Thomas''s head, "You will need to go through some calibration tests first, and then the noise cancellation and everything will start. There is a button here on the ide if you need to talk to one of us."


    Nodding, Thomas chuckled, "Very fancy... And surprisingly comfortable."


    Dr Elune settled into the chair next to Thomas, reaching for their own helmet, "I figured sitting in these things for hours a day might make us sore... So, I got rid of that issue."


    Thomas laughed, before focusing on the hidden command prompts. Alex sat down on a nearby bench, tapping away at a display screen as people milled around.


    Ren leaned over Alex''s shoulder, curious, "Interesting controls. Could I take over?"


    Alex glanced up, "Probably... I haven''t set these up for others to actually use, though." Furrowing their brow, Alex concentrated, "I am... Mostly just thinking ahead."


    Ren nodded in understanding, settling down to watch the goings-on through a seperate display, "Fair enough. Are these cameras controllable?"


    To answer, a little tutorial popped up on Ren''s screen, with options for touch interface or simplified thought headset input. "Oh. Guess that works." Tapping away, Ren followed after the group, humming as he glanced up, "Let me know if you need a break, okay? I can always tap a few buttons."


    Alex shook their head, "I need to be here, concentrating... Not exactly something you could take over."


    Ren nudged Alex in the ribs, leaning close again to whisper, "I more meant so you could disable the AHOR. I know I couldn''t actually take over."


    Ale blinked, then rubbed the bridge of their nose, "... My mistake. Sorry. I am a bit absent minded, after all."


    Ren laughed, "No worries." Watching Thomas gleefuly run around in the simulation, he smiled, "If only we could mass produce this thing. Thomas would be a great sponsor."


    Alex laughed quietly, "We can theoretically reproduce the processors... Just, the interface gets tricky."


    Ren nodded with a grin, "Speaking of... I was meaning to ask hw you have been, but I should probably quiet down. You are distracted, after all."


    Alex shrugged, "Just... Keep things simple. The talking helps train my concentration, and I am starting to get the hang of this setup... Takes a moment after initial boot. Ask away."


    Ren nodded, "You have seemed distracted a lot lately. I wanted to make sure you were okay."


    Alex smiled, "Learning how to moderate my newfound thoughts. Also, I have had a lot of... Personal discoveries lately. And decisions to make."


    "Such as?"


    Alex blinked in surprise, "Didn''t Jolana ask you yet?"


    "Nope. About what?"


    Alex sighed, "We are planning a little outing to the spire. And since I am involved... We need, shall we say, a caperone?"


    Ren laughed, "That would be more Sam''s thing. I guess you also need route planning, though." Humming as he thought, Ren nodded, "I will take a peak at the Spire directory, help point out places to avoid. You would be best off keeping low to the base, in general."


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    Alex nodde absently, "Thank you. I do not know what she is planning for our trip... So, you would have to ask her. For crying- Don''t pull out that, doctor."


    Ren looked back at his screen, watching Dr Elune procure a simulation of gravitational physics, "Ouch. That an accurate model of the milky way?"


    "... Yes. Highly accurate."


    "I... Shall leave you to concentrate, then. Sam is an ass."


    Alex simply nodded in silence, eyes losing focus as their fingers scittered across the sccreen, pressing nonsensical icons to keep busy. Ren chuckled as he got up, pacing around as he waited.


    A few hours later, Thomas laughed as he peeled off the helmet, "I''m sold. How long before the system can be replicated?"


    Dr Elune smiled slyly, "I think this one was a happy accident. Might take a while to find a work around."


    Curious, Thomas eased himself out of the VR machine''s seat, "Really now? Such a shame this marvelous wonderland is only for you, then."


    "Yes, quite a tragedy. Guess you are stuck coming over when you want to use it, then."


    Thomas cackled as he made his way slowly to the door, "Subtlety seems to take a holiday around you. I almost feel like you are buttering me up for something!"


    Dr Elune beamed innocently, "Who, me? And you would be surprised, I can hold a mighty impressive surprise party."


    Shaking his head with a smirk, Thomas leant against the front door, "Well, I have a long trip back. Find a way to set one of those up over in the spire, then we''ll talk."


    Dr Elune thought about it, "Well, the device itself can be shipped over easy enough... It''s just the operating system. We could fly the shuttle over, maybe..."


    "Heh, I was only half joking. I should visit Greg more anyway, he has a way of finding the interesting things... Like you lot." Waving goodbye, Thomas made his way to the awaiting transport pod, a smile across his face.


    Ren found himself smiling too as he watched, "You know, He used to be a lot more gloomy. You have a way of brightenig things up, Sam."


    "Oh? I just thought yo hang out with a boisterous crowd... Knowing your rep, though, I should have known better~" Wandering back into the temporary VR room, they nudged Alex''s shoulder, "You okay there?"


    "... Mostly. I think I need to take a nap, after all that." Groaning as they got up, Alex smiled shakily, "I need to find a way to etend someone else is running the controls, so I may... Excuse myself. Ren had a pretty good idea."


    The doctor nodded, "Actually setting part of it up to run away from you would be even better. Give you some breathing room." Holding out an arm, the doctor smiled, "Here, I can carry you up to the room. You have had a long day."


    Alex smirked, "No thanks. I can make it a few more minutes." Stretching, Alex made their way upstairs, "I shall try and respond if you need me, otherwise, I will let you know once I have cooled down."


    Nodding and waving, the doctor turned to Ren to discuss the next session, and how receptive Thomas had been so far. Alex shuffled to their room, sliding into a maintenance pod with a sigh... That had been fun, but running things that complex took a toll.

 Ch 82: Overheard Plotting

    Alex wandered through the halls, humming as they mentally filed away plans and possible ideas for the next visit from Thomas. Hearing their name from one of the rooms, Alex glanced and saw it was from Jolana''s room, curiously peeking in through a crack in the door.


    "Hmm, but the skirt is kinda... Presumptous. This is for Alex, after all."


    Dr Elune nodded, "I guess you are right. I''m too used to hanging out with a more... Ecentric crowd? I forget skirts aren''t for everyone."


    Jolana laughed, and held up a pair of shorts, "How about these? Flashy enough for you?"


    "Hah, yeah, those will do just fine. Bigger question... Are they enough for you~?"


    She rolled her eyes, grinning, "No comment. I want to have some fun with this, but not get in trouble."


    "Speaking of getting in trouble..." The doctor held up something, just out of Alex''s view, "What about these for-"


    "No."


    "Aww, come on."


    "That covers... Well, nothing. And will be most embarrasing to walk next to."


    "Hey, covers the important part... Assuming Alex takes the female unit. Male unit could just go topless."


    "No presuming, remember! And no getting in trouble! Either way, we would get stared at by everyone we pass, even in the more... Interesting streets. Actually, even more in those streets, but for a different reason."


    Dr Elune giggled, putting whatever it was away, "Fine. What was the forcast, again?"


    "Mild, slightly warm. Fairly bright out. We will be in the mid-lower sections of the spire, so the weather is mostly artificial down there."


    "Really want to make a joke there."


    "Really? Really now?" Sighing, Jolana picked out a top, "Short sleeves, looks to be about Alex''s size. Maybe have something else over the top, hmm..."


    "And any other... Garments?"


    "... Interesting question. Those body suits of yours are pretty form-fitting internally, so Alex might not have any..."


    "Never thought to ask. And, as creepy as I am, I can''t exactly be subtle about that kinda question."


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    Alex fidgeted by the door, immensly curious about the conversation. Butting in might help with some of the... Decisions, but simply listening was strangely entertaining. The entertainment factor won out.


    "Wiat- You idiot. You and Laura made those units. Just send me the specs, and I can ordewr something... Tasteful."


    "Black frills for you to enjoy later?"


    After the sound of no less than 3 pillows being thrown into Dr Elune''s face, they called out, "Okay! Moving on! I will send the info when I am in my office. Also helps with the reat of the sizing..."


    "... Your face just went strange. I don''t like it."


    Dr Elune cackled evilly, "Oh, I just had a better idea."


    "We are not making a new unit just for a dressup doll. No."


    "Close. I was just planning on dicsconnecting a unit when Alex isnt using it, so they can''t connect."


    "I- See, you are a bad influence. I had to actually think about if that was actually better or worse."


    As the two giggled, Alex rolled their eyes, turning to walk away as the doctor cuahgt their breath, "So, anyway... You still haven''t told me or Ren the exact route. We do still need to scout the security first, you know. And network coverage."


    Pausing, Alex hesitated, curious as Jolana replied, "Honestly? Still working out the small details. I have... A few places I want to show Alex. And a mall to window shop in, possibly pick up a few things."


    "Alex can carry quite a bit. Don''t go too overboard though."


    "Hey, only one way to explore Alex''s hobbies~ Either way, it will probably be easier if I simply mark out certain sections, rather than a specfic location by location. We will still need to travel between them, though."


    The doctor nodded, and whispered something. Rustling as they sat back, Jolalana hummed, "Interesting... I will keep that in mind. Now... Back to wardrobe choices."


    Shaking their head as they resumed walking, Alex found themself wondering more about the upcoming outing, than the next visit from Thomas.

 Ch 83: Waiting

    Ren looked up as people bustled around, and poked his head out into the hallway, "Am I missing something?"


    Dr Elune glanced up as they rushed past, skidding to a stop with a grin, "Today is the day Alex gets dragged all over the spire by Jolana. Wanna tag along?"


    Ren raised an eyebrow, leaning on the doorframe, "I thought this was a date? Don''t tell me you plan on tailing them."


    Dr Elune nodded, "Hey, you never know wha may happen. Jolana doesn''t know how to maintain the unit, and I can help keep a lookout for... Unwanted attention. I promise to keep actual snooping to a minimum."


    "Suuure you are. Either way, I''m staying put. I hope you lot all have a merry time."


    Dr Elune shrugged as they resumed walking, "Suit yourself. Don''t miss us too much~!" Dashing down the hallway, Ren sighed as he watched the doctor go.


    Wandering on after, Ren leant over the railing of the main stairwell as he watched Alex and Jolana wave goodbye, Dr Elune tastefully saying farewell as they left. Ren chuckled, thinking Alex looked surprisingly delightful in ordinary clothes.


    Waving an unnoticed goodbye, Ren watched as the doctor peered after until the coast was clear, before dashing to the garage to fire up another transport-pod. Setting off in careful pursuit, the doctor left Ren to himself, whih suited his mood for now.


    Wandering back to his room, Ren paused, instead considering the VR room. He shook his head, realising Alex still ran that, and today was probably a bad option... Especially if they needed to suddenly focus, on a stranger or on their date, either one. Grinning to himself at the thought, Ren continued on to his room, mulling over the designs he had been working on in his head.


    Back in his room, Ren sat down at his desk, pulling the sketched plans towards him. Glancing up at his copy of Alex''s mobile processor stored in the shuttle, Ren tapped on a display to pull forth the usage statistics since they had arrived.


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    Pouring through the records, Ren hummed, noticing many odd spikes in processing... A lot could be explained at second glance, whether by simulations, emotional flair-ups or other similar occurances. But a few were a bit off...


    Groaning, Ren saw his mistake... He hadn''t accounted for Alex''s continued operation of drones and monitoring equipment. Running a quick algorithm to filter out simulations and other external activity, leaving just the AHOR control and internal processes. The readouts bacame a lot more regular, still with the occaisional spike that could be suppressed if need be...


    Revising the required specifications to about half his initial estimate, Ren looked back the the design for the processor, shrinking own the scale and seeing how the preformance is estimated to be affected. He frowned, seeing it fall far too short of his needs... But, he still had some ideas on the performance.


    Altering the base design of the fillaments, Ren lost track of time as he immersed himself in refining the structure of it all, also setting aside some dedicated processing spaces in the design to better optimise the overall performance. Glancing up at the time, Ren jumped, seeing that most of the day had come and gone.


    Satisfied with the schematic for now, Ren sent it to Alex''s testing list, getting up to stretch. Wincing as his hips popped, he sighed as his throughts wturned the the merry little band that had set out, hoping everything had gone all right.


    Noticing a pod pulling up to the house, Ren wandered down to the front entrance... Seems he didn''t need to wait to find out, after all.

 Ch 84: A Tight Situation

    Jolana giggled as she gently nudged Alex, "We''re here. Time to wake up."


    Blinking awake, Alex eased out fo the Mag-Pod, reconnecting fully to the AHOR unit, "Sorry, got distracted reading one of the signs through a security camera. Also, if I may ask... Why am I only being provided my routings as we go?"


    "To keep things interesting. Can''t have you snooping ahead now, can we?" Taking Alex by the hand, Jolana let the Mag-Pod whizz off to a garage for the moment, and walked closer to Alex, "Now, be careful... These places get rather crowded."


    Alex looked up at the sprawling cityscape around them, in the middle of one of the many shopping districts. miniature elevators formed rows of pillars, connecting the teirs of walkways extending above and below them.


    "You know, it is one thing to look at this through a camera... And another to be in the middle. I''m getting better feel for just how huge the spire is now!"


    Jolana nodded as she wiggled forward, careful not to bump the crowd of people flowing back and forth as she led Alex along, "We are still nowhere near the middle, you space-bumpkin. Now then... Let''s show you some of my favourite stores." Alex smiled nervously, letting her lead them along as ehy looked around, trying to take us much in as their bandwidth would allow.


    Ducking into one of the lift-tubes, Jolana pulled Alex in with a smirk, "I would tell you which floor to go to... But this is more fun. Might get some stares, though." Hugging a rather flustered Alex in the small tube, Jolana pressed a button behind them to move up a few floors.


    Laughing as they wandered in to a nearby store, Alex nodded, "Well, I did see a few stares here and there. I guess most people don''t like doing that?"


    Jolana blinked as she looked back, stopping by a shelf full of various machine parts, "Hmm? Oh, that''s not it. It''s just traditionally only something couples do." Hiding her grin as Alex turned a more intense shade of red, she sighed at the rather unexciting collection of parts, "Say, I come here now and then to discover new gadgets to use in my experiments. You getting any ideas?"


    Alex shook themself back to reality, "Uh, no. A lot of this looks... Well, niche." Peering at an automated corkscrew, Alex giggled, "And, I could make most of it given a simple assembly line."


    Gently nudging Alex back towards the door, Jolana dramatically rolled her eyes, "Show off. Now, there are plenty of interesting places here, and we don''t want you out and about too long." alex obediently put the corkscrew back down, waving goodbye to a bored shopkeeper as they moved on to the next store.


    The shopping went along rather quickly, ducking in and out of stores to give Alex a glimpse of the urban bustle. A few entertainment stores got a shrug from Alex, always connected to the internet anyway. The clothing stores simply got apolite nod, used tocurating Dr Elune''s wardrobe. A toy store got a more interesting reaction, Alex temporarily distracted by peppering Jolana witha foam dart gun.


    Panting as they sat down on a bench, a tree providing a little shade from the light filtering down, Jolana giggled breathlessly, "Almost expected us... To get kicked out!" Alex nodded with a grin, catching their breath as well, "Say... How come you need to breath?"


    "Hmm? Oh, it helps ventilate and cool me. I could use water just as well, and I could always just try not to over-exert myself."


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    "Huh. Neat." Glancing around, Jolana blushed, "Oh, whoops... Out in public. Not meant to ask questions like that."


    Alex ruffled her hair, producing a groan from Jolana, "Don''t worry too much. Most people can''t even hear through the bustle, and I do live with 2 prosthetics researchers. Not too hard to correct them." Alex did smile sadly though, and leant back, "But, yeah... I should keep that in mind too."


    Jolana nodded, then froze, "Uh, please lean back forwards."


    "Huh? Why?" Alex sat back up, confused.


    "... I had not noticed you lack a navel. That, uh, is unexpected."


    Alex blinked, "Oh yeah. Modification put in by the doctor. Guess that is unusual."


    Jolana tilted her head, "Probably has a good reason... Should have told me when I picked out your top, though." Alex simply shrugged, and Jolana shook her head, "Too late now. Anyway... How about some lunch?" Alex nodded, easing themself back up as Jolana navigated their way down to a food court.


    Alex squeezed into a booth with Jolana soon after, a tray sitting between them, "This, uh... Is compact. Everything like this in the spire?"


    Jolana nodded, "Mid sections, yeah. Outer edges have some more room, and upper spire has the luxury to afford extra space... But most of it is like this. Seen anything like this before?"


    Alex shook thier head, "There is a similar food court back on the station, but not nearly as packed. And the food isn''t nearly as quick."


    Jolana picked up a burger, "The joys of a packed city - you can pre-make food, and safely assume someone wil buy it. I keep forgetting you were born on a station, huh..."


    Alex grinned, "Technically, I was actually made in this Spire, by Dr Elune. I wasn''t running effectively back then though, so my earliest memories are from when we moved to Patria Altera."


    Jolana blinked, "Wait, really? I thought Sam moved there before the Mars war... I had always assumed you were, like, 10 years old at most."


    Alex shook their head, munching on some fries, "Nope. Technically, I am legitimately 18 years old. It''s just I only hit my equivilant of "puberty" at 17, not 12 like others."


    Jolana simply stared at Alex for a moment, "... Oh. That, uh, is interesting to know."


    "... Why are you blushing?"


    Jolana coughed, thinking fast, "Just thinking that Sam is older than they look. Always thought they were mid-twenties."


    Alex smirked, "36."


    Jolana outright spluttered on her drink at that, and Alex could have sworn they heard someone else couch at the same time, "You okay there?"


    Nodding, she dabbed at her chin with one of the napkins, "I''ll be fine. Just... Damn." Laughing, the two of them finished their meal, continuing to poke fun at the poor doctor as they finished up.


    Wandering back to a Mag-Pod bay, Jolana turned to Alex, "One more stop. It''s further in though, so you will have to nap again. Here is your map."


    Alex closed their eyes, brow furrowing, "Interesting map. I thought going that far in was a bad idea?"


    Jolana led Alex int the pod as she whistled innocently, "We''ll be fine. The path has been approved, and I trust this guy. Also... You will be interested to see what he works on."


    Dubious, Alex cycled down, slumping in their seat as Jolana locked in the coordinates, sighing as she relaxed. The day had been an... Interesting one so far. And it was only going to get better.

 Ch 85: Lost Contact

    Ren waves at Dr Elune as they climb out of the Mag-Pod, groaning from the ride, "You''re back early. Where are the kids?"


    The doctor grinned, stretching with a sigh, "Don''t call them that... Makes me feel parental. And that would be weird." Glancing around, the doctor wandered through the mansion, headed to the opposite side, "Anyway, I list them slightly."


    "... You lost them? But, Alex should be traceable over the networks, if you know where to look."


    "Yeah... Somehow, Alex switched to an encrypted line. I couldn''t see anything, so my options were to physically go after them, or to come back and monitor from this end."


    Ren raised an eyebrow, stepping outside as they headed for the shuttle, "Oh really? You do know that a lot could have happened by now, what with it being an hour to get here... Depending on traffic, and speeding."


    The doctor nodded, "I kept my eye on the traces of the encryption, so Alex is still running at least. Also, even if they do something to the AHOR, Alex is still technically here... So, I would find out pretty quick. They are fine."


    Ren blinked, "Crap, keep forgetting that. Alex has gotten far too convincing at using the units..."


    Dr Elune nodded as they closed the shuttle doors behind them, "Hey, it took me a while to figure that out too... Advantage of a long ride with nothing to do but worry."


    Ren chuckled as they put on their goggles, headed into the central area of the shuttle, "Well, Alex sure seems active. Plenty of activity through the cables."


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    The doctor nodded, glancing around at the brightly lit hallway, "I guess so. Let''s have a peek at exactly what is occupying Alex''s attention, shall we?"


    When they got to the observation room, Ren started up a diagnostic console, and took a snapshot of data for the two of them to sift through.


    "Hmm, some embarrasment... That would be Jolana''s doing somehow... Seems to be running a sim..?"


    Ren pointed at a section of data, "Not quite sure what this is... Do you know?"


    "Hmm? Not re- Wait!" Pulling out an old record, Dr Elune grinned, "A little different... But I think they are with someone Jolana knows. Closely."


    Ren smirks as he sits down on one of the benches, "Going to pester them about the details once they get back?"


    Dr Elune nodded, then paused, "Hmm... You know, I think I can figure out the location from where this encrypted line leads. You curious enough?" Ren nodded, watching as the doctor ran a subtle mapper on their phone.


    "Let''s see... Fairly deep in the spire, odd... Aaand I have an address. What are you... Oh, neat. Alex would love this place! I can see why Jolana went there. Now, who here is the owner..."


    Ren glanced at the doctor''s screen, and paled, "Wait. Was that... Maximus Engelbart?"


    "... Yeah. You know him?"


    "... I do. We need to call them back. Now."


    And suddenly, the encrypted line dropped, Alex switching to a low-bandwidth transmission... And Alex''s connected position began to move.


    "... Too late, it seems."

 Ch 86: Comparing Physics

    Jolana knocked gently on the door, Alex peering around blearily as a panel flickered on nearby, "Who is it?" A face squinted from the image, before blinking in surprise, "Oh, hello! I''ll let you in in a sec."


    Jolana nodded and waved slightly as the screen flickered back off, Alex walking closer curiously, "Come here often?"


    "Uhh, well... I used to. Not so much any more, but we still talk a lot." Jolana fidgeted, smiling nervously, "Hadn''t thought this all through."


    Confused, Alex was distracted by the door opening, a tall, gruff man smiled as he waved them in, "It has been a while! Come in, I''ll make some room for you two to sit down. Want to see that project I mentioned a while ago?"


    Jolana laughed as she weaved through a swathe of debris, machine parts and electronics forming small mounds throughout the workshop, "I had forgotten about that, actually. No, I wanted to introduce you to Alex, a visitor we have staying with us."


    The man raised an eyebrow, "I''m hurt! You sounded like you loved the idea of the atom scale vr." Chuckling, he moved some circuit boards off of a small couch, "However, I will never say no to you bringing people over."


    Alex coughed slightly, hiding a smirk as they whispered, "Atomic vr?" Jolana simply rolled her eyes, pushing Alex down onto the couch before sitting next to them.


    As the man chuckled again, Jolana sighed, "Anyway, this guy his is Max. We go way back, he is a virtual reality enthusiast. wants to use it to help teach the world more efficiently." Nudging Alex in the ribs, she grinned, "And this is Alex... One of the more unique individuals I have met."


    Max held out a hand, which Alex politely shook, "Nice to meet you. And, say... You wouldn''t happen to know Sam Elunetir, would you?"


    Alex blinked in surprise, "Uh, yes I do, actually. I came here with the doctor. I am... A personal assistant."


    Max nodded thoughtfully, "Ahh. Explains why I have geard so little from Jolana lately. I was at that first presentation, and hoo boy, you put on quite a show! I thought I had seen you somewhere..."


    Alex nodded with a smile, "Yes, the doctor has always been... Unconventional. And now that you mention it... I vaguely recognise you from somewhere... But not-"


    Jolana interrupted with a blush, "If you hadn''t met him at that meeting, this would be the first time. He never leaves the haven."


    "Can''t go long without my workshop, I would go nuts!" Smirking, he turned to tap at his computer, "Maybe Alex here saw some old photos of us somewhere?"


    "Unlikely, but maybe that was it." Jolana peered over Max''s shoulder curiously, "Still want to show us that sim?" As Max nodded, she continued, "In which case... I have a better idea. Firstly, I remember you having an old encrypted line to our place. How secure is it, and what bandwidth?"


    Max glanced up, curious, "... I haven''t used that thing in ages. I could get it running, but it will take a moment. The bandwidth should be decent."


    Jolana leant back, leaning on Alex''s shoulder, "Well then... Please do." Peering up at a now blushing Alex, she smiled, "Have any projectors stashed in your pockets?"


    Alex shook themself, "Uh, I did grab a small prototype Dr Elune had been working on... Needs to be plugged in, and the quality isn''t great yet. Also high failure rate."The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    "That''ll do." As she glanced back over at a now very amused Max, she poked her tongue out, "What? Jealous?"


    "Nah, just didn''t figure Alex here was your type. You always did go for the brains, or the brawn."


    Alex blushed much brighter, saying nothing as Jolana giggled, "Oh, Alex is smarter than you, I will bet on it. And for brawn... What is the heaviest thing you have lifted?"


    Blinking, they thought about it, "Umm... Like this? I have carried two people at one before, if that helps."


    Max laughed, "I stand corrected. Can''t judge a look by it''s cover, in this day and age. The perks of being Sam''s right hand man, I assume?"


    "... I guess you could say that." Squirming from all the attention, Alex took a deep breath, "How is the line going? Or, you had something to show us?"


    "Oh yeah. Line is at... One more minute." Turning back to his computer, he moved a sceen over to show them, "And this... Is a nuclear reactor simulation."


    Alex leant forward, Jolana sitting back upright as she smiled. Curious, Alex watched the screen closely, "Hmm, hadn''t thought to simulate radioactive properties and rates of decay."


    "You interested in physics too? Now I''m getting a much clearer picture..." Grinning, Max moved the screen back, "I assume I am connecting to your house, so you can one-up me using Sam''s tech?"


    Jolana shook her head, "Not Sam''s... Alex''s. A certain someone like running sims in their spare time, when not working for the eccentric doctor~"


    Max sighed, "Figured. Let''s have a look, then." Pointing at a server nearby, Max nodded, "Connection is basically ready, use whatever ports you need."


    Alex glanced at Jolana nervously, who smiled sweetly, "Not neccessary. Alex will be using wireless. You did bring your phone with you, right?"


    Alex nodded, "Right. That should be enough to issue the commands. I will need to power this, though..." Hiding a thankful smile to Jolana, Alex rummaged around for the HPA, pulling out a small pod the size of their palm.


    Max picked up the device, glancing it over, "Yeah, I have cables for this. Anything specific?"


    "No, even computer power supply can do. Mains power would be prefered. Just make sure to sit it upright." Pulling out their dummy phone for answering calls, Alex set up a fake control display, "Oh, looks like I can see the encrypted line already... Mind if I...?"


    Max nodded in amusement, setting up the HPA in the middle of the room as Alex concentrated for a moment, slumping against Jolana subtly... Before blinking, eyes clearer, "Oh, this is a much better connection. Let''s do this, then."


    Jolana smiled knowingly up at Max, who frowned before jumping as the HPA smoothly whirred to life, a cube flickering in the air between them. "Decent opacity... Slight flickering. Good enough."


    "Good en- That is uncanny how clear it is! I can see why you have been busy, selling these things." Jolana shushed Max, already used to seeing the projectors in action. Alex tapped at their screen, relaxing into the couch as they set up the next scene.


    Max whistled as the cube simply unfolded, revealing a similar power plant to what had been on the screen... Only in 3D, with more data popping up to either side, slowly revolving as the sim started.


    "Nicely done... The figures look accurate too. This has to be real-time, as you- Hey, wait. How did you include the radiation so quickly? And with such detail, too..."


    Alex froze, tapping to pause the sim for now as they thought quickly, "Oh, uh... Well..."


    Max grinned smugly, "Ah, I see. That explains the need for an encrypted line. You use a two-way trasmitter somehow, don''t you?"


    Jolana swallowed, thankful that Alex didn''t have to make something up, "Yeah, that''s right. Risky, but it makes working on all the projects easier. Sam doesn''t like it though, which has made it awkward to talk about."


    Alex nodded slowly, nervously smiling, "Yeah... Sorry. I instinctually freeze up when asked." Restarting the sim, Alex put the phone down, sighing as they looked closely at the revolving projection.


    Several hours later, Jolana waved goodbye to Max, easing a slightly tired and disoriented Alex into the pod, "Promise you will swing by, we have tons to show a vr nerd like you!" Max simply laughed, nodding as he waved goodbye.


    Alex groaned as they blinked sleepily as Jolana, "Sorry... Got too used to the encrypted line. Also pushed myself more than I thought on those sims..."


    Jolana ruffled Alex''s hair gently, leaning on them to support them, "That''s okay... Today was fun. I can let you know if anything happens, so just sleep for now." Alex nodded, yawning... That sounded like a good idea.


    Sighing with relief once Alex went limp, Jolana looked up at the roof, "... I probably should have warned you about Max. I can always tell you before next time, though... At least he was foolish enough not to notice."

 Ch 87: Exhaustion from Exhilaration

    Jolana jumped slightly as her phone rang, Dr Elune showing as the caller. Picking up, she smiled and spoke softly, "Hello? Anything the matter doctor?"


    "Hey Jolana. Just wanted to check up on you guys, you have been out for a while. And, uh... Alex has been showing a lot of activity today."


    Jolana shrugged, "First time in a strange crowd, that is a lot to take in. Alex is fine, just worn out from our little adventures, we are on the way home now."


    Dr Elune sighed, "Good to know. Sorry to bug you, but..."


    Giggling, Jolana leant back tiredly, "No problem... First time letting your precious Alex out of your sight, after all."


    "... Not sure I like your implications there. I have had a weird day." Chuckling softly, the doctor took a deep breath, "Anyway, thanks for taking care of Alex, and see you when you get here."


    "See you soon." Hanging up, Jolana glanced down at the dormant Alex, not even breathing as only a few key sensors had been left on. Stroking a hand over the unit''s head, Jolana smiled thoughtfully.


    Time passed, Jolana alternating looking out the window, or glancing down at Alex. It was an odd feeling, for someone to be here, yet not. Jolana gently poked Alex''s shoulder, getting no response. "Right... You only respond to key words, or touching your face, as long as you are asleep like this..."


    Glancing back up, Jolana fidgeted restlessly, now rather curious about what she could get away with. And there was a long ride ahead... Glancing back down, she gimaced, that still, innocent face resting gently.


    Staring adamantly through a window, they passed by a few shopfronts, almost at the edge of the spire now. Whizzing past a clothing shop, she blinked as she looked back down, thinking about Alex once again.


    Giving into temptation, she gently poked at Alex''s stomach, before tugging at their top. Nope, still no belly button. Rubbing over the spot where it should be, Jolana tilted her head, intruiged by how... Natural the structure still felt, slight modification exluded.


    Glancing back up again, Jolana glimpsed her faint reflection in the window, face slightly flushed as she realised what this would look like. Gently lowering the shirt back to where it was, she was suddenly very grateful Alex was unlikely to notice any of that.


    "Geez, you lot have been a bad influence on me... Making me toy with a guy''s body as he sleeps..." Giggling to herself, Jolana suddenly realised... Max had said Alex was a guy, but that was going off assumption, and they had ran with it. Technically... This could still be the female unit.


    Face warming further, she shook herself, and pulled out her phone, deciding to pass the time to distract herself. No more checking Alex''s body without permission. She squirmed, stopping the continuation of that thought from continuing any further.


    Jolana gently brushed Alex''s cheek as the Mag-Pod pulled up in the driveway, "Alex, time to wake up."


    Groaning as they sat up, Alex blinked sleepily, glancing out the window, "Sorry for that... I really needed that nap, apparently. Looks like I have some inread messages, too..."


    Looking back, Alex smiled, "Hmm? You look a bit warm. Everything okay?"


    "Everything is fine! Just, uh, was a bit too distracted reading before we got here, that''s all."


    Alex shrugged, and opened the door for them, "If you are sure." Waiting patiently for Jolana, Alex waved as Dr Elune approached from around the mansion.


    "Hello you two! Have a fun little jaunt into the spire?" As Alex nodded, the doctor raised an eyebrow at Jolana, who was stretching from the long trip home, "You, uh, look a little flushed. Anything wrong?"


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    "Just my head..." Jolana muttered to herself, before speaking up with a nervous giggle, "No, nothing wrong. Anything exciting while we were out?"


    "Just the usual." Dr Elune leant close, whispering to Jolana as Alex pulled the bags out of the pod, "So... Someone enjoy themselves?"


    Jolana glared at the doctor, "Don''t know what you mean. Anyway, we should head inside, we are both exhausted after all that today..."


    Dr Elune nodded, grinning as they grabbed some bags to help Alex, "What was the highlight of your little trip? I only knew your vague route, so I could prepare maps for you."


    Alex glanced up, eyes widening as they grinned, "Well, we went around, visited some stores... Then we paid a visit to one of Jolana''s friends, who was pretty close to what you could do in terms of Virtual Physics."


    "Oh? Explains why you are so tired then, if you were talking about that. And hey, most of the hard work on that was your doing~"


    Alex blushed faintly, "Uh, yeah... Jolana implied that it was all my doing. I brought a HPA with me in case we needed one, and I couldn''t resist showing off."


    Dr Elune chuckled, smiling a little stiffly as they looked forwards, "Good to see you are having fun, then. Maybe you should hang out more often, compare notes."


    "That was Jolana''s idea as well, but maybe him coming here next time. Reduce the stress on me, and we can show him the vr setup we have."


    Dr Elune nodded, putting a bag down in the main hall with a groan, "Sounds good. Geez, what did you buy?"


    Jolana whistled innocently, Alex handing the bags over to some drones, "We passed a few different stores... There are some machine parts that were unusual, and some logic puzzles I hadn''t seen before. Now, if you escuse me, I need to go rest, and help direct these drones to put stuff away..."


    As Alex wandered off, the doctor smiled pointedly at Jolana, who glanced around, "... Yes?"


    "... Out of, well, concern for what Alex was getting into... I did figure out where you guys went." The doctor help up their hands, "I do appologise for snooping, but who knows what might tip someone off about Alex. So... You sure this Maximus won''t figure it out?"


    Jolana sighed, leaning against a wall, "Yeah, it was a mistake on my part... Max has already figured out that Alex isn''t ''normal'', but he chalks it up to augmentation. Good enough, for now... But I need to be more cautious about that." As the doctor groaned, she also shot a glare at them, "Beside, you are one to talk. A misssing belly button is pretty noticable, don''t you think? Especially in that top we agreed to."


    "What...?" The doctor stared for a sec, remembering, "OH crap! I had actually forgotten I did that! Oh, I uh..." They looked down meekly, "... Guess we are both at fault. Agree to both be less stupid?"


    Jolana giggled, unable to stay mad as she shook the doctor''s hand, "Agreed."


    Rubbing their head, the doctor began walking to the bedrooms, "I will worry about Max in the morning... Make sure he doesn''t snoop on us, to figure out or tech." Jolana nodded, it was quite viable for Max to try and conact her that way to talk about the vr, "Also... How did you find out about Alex''s bellly...?"


    Jolana blushed brightly, "... Stretching."


    "Whatever you say~" Laughing as they ran away, the doctor soon dissapeared, leaving one thoroughly worn out Jolana to make her way to bed.

 Ch 88: Drifting Away

    Alex shook themself, taking a deep breath as they smiled softly, "I''m sorry, feeling a little tired lately. Do you mind if I leave youto it?"


    Ren glanced back, nodding with a grin, "Still recovering from yesterday? I suggest you wind down... I''ll hold the fort here." Taking the dummy control panel from Alex, Ren shooed them off as he turned back to the vr setup, Tom and Jolana having some fun messing around in the haven sim.


    Groaning tiredly, Alex thankfully returned to their room, nestling into their maintenance cradle. Putting the AHOR into standby, Alex sectioned off the majority of their proccessing power to handle the sims, leaving a sliver to dream.


    Feeling their consiousness unravel, Alex took the opportunity to dig out some memories that hadn''t quite... Settled. Thought, feelings, experiences... Those that were still unfamiliar after the fact. Shivering, Alex let the first one spread through their consiousness.


    A touch. A warm feeling, both from the person leaning on them, and in thought... A pleasant memory. Mixed in was something... Sharp. Alex grumbled slightly, confused... What was that... It was when she had... Ah.


    Alex let the memory fade, having learnt what they needed from it. That wasn''t as unfamiliar as they had thought... Connecting the memory, Alex stored it away, plucking some out to be archived while they were at it. Not lingering on it, Alex quickly pulled over the next memory, calmly floating through their thoughts.


    Fear. Alex jumped, taking a closer look at the memory. A researcher... A love lost. There was no face to her... Alex blinked, and suddenly there she was. Smiling, laughing. Crying. Alex paled, yes, that was right... They had seen her before. Or, something like her.


    Alex went to file that away for another time, but something caught their eye... Standing behind the sad figure was Ren. Hesitant, Alex came closer. A body without breath... From one who wanted a mind without body. Alex felt a pull, to something outside the dream... Havens, tantilisingly sparkling off in the distance. An answer, more detailed than any account.


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    Alex snapped themself out of it, and forcefully put that memory away. Worrying on it would do no good, and that idea was dangerous... Wait. Why was it dangerous...? Alex drifted on that, perplexed. Monitoring would be simple... And borrowing some power could help speed things up... No, there was another danger as well, but what...


    Feeling a tap on their forehead, Alex furrowed their brow. Sighing as they disconnected from their floating memories, locking away that last one, Alex reawoke the AHOR slowly.


    Ren smiled as he straightened up, "Sleep well? Thought you wpuld like to know Tom has headed home already. You have slept most of the day away."


    Alex glanced up, shaking off the lingering feeling of foreboding from the dream, "Hmm? Oh, yes. It is later than I thought it would be... Thank you for letting me know."


    Ren nodded, wandering back out, "No problem. You usually can tell when to wake back up... Interesting dreams?"


    Alex shrugged, "Tried being more precise in seperating the proccessing this time, didn''t leave much for me. Anything weird in the sim?"


    Ren hummed thoughtfully, "Actually, it was a little... Blander than usual. Less reactive, too. Your personality probably helps fill in the cracks, which was missing this time."


    "Ahhh... Guess that method is out, then. I should do some chores around the place, then get back to sleep, using my full proccessors this time... Have a lot backed up."


    Ren chuckled, headed out, "I''ll leave you to your electric sheep, then. Have fun~"


    Alex waved goodbye, sinking back into the maintenance cradle to assume control of the drones instead, before they paused, "Wait... What the heck is an electic sheep?"

 Ch 89: A Glimpse of a Memory of a Dream

    Dr Elune groaned as they sat up, still half asleep as they looked around. Seeing the light strongly peeking through the curtains, the doctor blinked, surprised it was already approaching afternoon...


    Yawning as they stretched out, they remembered as they went to get dressed: Alex had requested last night to have the day off, and to focus on just memory processing. Apparently a backlog had built up, which was causing some performance issues with the proccessors, and the hardware could do with some maintenance anyway. The doctor had agreed, sending out a notification to let the others know.


    Shuffling out into the hall, the doctor made their way down to the kitchen, passing by one of Greg''s unusual drones on the way. Ignoring it''s salute, the doctor was surpised to find Jolana sipping at some juice, a plate of crumbs in front of her as she read something on a projection.


    Looking up, she smiled, "Hello Sam. You looking for an early lunch as well?"


    "Late breakfast, actually. I forgot that my alarm clock was in for repairs this morning." Chuckling at her confused expression, the doctor wandered to the pantry to find some bread... The lingering scent of toast had gotten them even hungrier.


    "What do... Ohhh. Haha, very funny. Alex deserves some rest now and then too, you know."


    "That they do. I am still used to when they would run prototyping through the night, rather than sleeping. Even now, Alex probably sets some power aside for our various requests each night."


    Jolana hummed, turning back to her reading, "I suppose. My only experiences have been with the humanoid Alex... Not the artificial assistant you are so used to."


    The doctor nodded, lost in thought as they set a pan on the stove, "Speaking of... I really could use a new assistant. Alex is efficient and all... But letting them grow more indipendant leaves less time for my demands, as extravagent as they tend to be. At least providing some help would be a good idea."


    "You have anyone in mind? I doubt Laura is on her way back yet, after all. I can recommend some peoople, if not."


    "Hmm... I have one... Nah, she wouldn''t want to come out here anyway. And someone familiar would be best, as they would still work closely with Alex." Piling up an assortment of singed foodstuffs, the doctor sat down next to Jolana, "Thanks for the offer, though. What are you up to?"


    "Oh, this? I decided to give a sho at combing Alex''s data. You and Ren have to do it often, after all... Another person could be of help." Pointing at a jumble of largely incomprehensible letters and numbers, she simply shrugged.


    "Hmm, that doesn''t look right... Did Ren give you my decryption program? It helps sort out all this raw info."


    Jolana shook her head, "Didn''t ask him. This was just my whim today." Dr Elune grinned, and pulled up a few commands, starting up the afformentioned prgoram.


    "This should be better." Leaning back as the data was replaced by neat folders labeled by date, Jolana curiously opened one, revealing a list of subfolders with an assortment of names.


    "Interesting... Are these how Alex categorises their memories?"


    "More or less. The more... Abstract names are given a close aproximation by the algorythm, or a simple number. Video, 3D scans, audio, feelings, it is all recorded right here."


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    Jolana paled, "Isn''t that... Invasive?"


    The doctor nodded with a sigh, "Yeah, but neccesary to ensure no viruses have made their way in... Or other kinds of corruption. there is too much data to check individually anyway, so we siply skim for what we have labeled as warning signs. The majority of Alex''s memories remain untouched."


    Nodding, Jolana let the doctor rake over, "You know this better than I do. Say... How is the interface working so smoothly? I thought Alex handled all this."


    "Yes and no. Originially it was all Alex, but as we started selling OHPS schematics, the need for more concrete software was needed. Also helped to remove some of the processing from Alex as well, which helped." Jolana nodded as she listened, she had forgotten that splitting the sold units would need that as well.


    "Let''s see... No violent thoughts, faint tinges of negativity in general, which are minor... No signs of overridden data, or of willful disobedience. All good... Now, what about curiosity..." The doctor frowned, opening up one memory, from Alex''s dreaming. Groaning, the data revealed a smattering of images, and walls of text full of barly coherent wandering, "I hate having to sort through the dream sequences."


    "This memory doe look rather different. Why are the dreams so... Odd?"


    "They are a method for Alex to review memories for more precise comparison to current data. A lot of this text is simply Alex reacting... And cross checking. The images can be fuzzy too, as only the perceived detail being focused on gets actually recorded. Wait a sec, I ahve a second filter for this stuff..."


    Watching the images collate to a more coherent video, the text thinned out as well, revealing what appeared to be Alex''s thoguhts from observing the dream, "Okay then... Random thought wandering is pretty standard. The only thing that trpped the filter was this bit... Focusing on the end of the video, and of the inner monologue, the doctor frowned, "... Alex has gotten far too interested in Mars."


    Jolana tilted her head, "''I swear I have seen her before..." Pointing at the video, the paused shot revealed a woman, Ren standing behind her, and a faint silohuette of Mars in the distance, "Is she familiar to you?"


    "Hmm? Yes, actually. It''s... Complicated, but Ren has one inactive AHOR unit requested from us. She looks similar to that. Since Ren was involved in the Mars incident, that probably explains the curiosity... But it still isn''t good." Sighing as they shut the program down, they shook their head, "Too much security, too much potential for us to get suspicion raised towards us, and too many lingering bits of history Alex is better off avoiding."


    Jolana nodded, getting up to move the now empty plates over to the sink for the drones, "Well, Alex probably realises this, I did see some caution soon after. I think I shall avoid joingin in these scans... It would just be too awkward."


    "Makes sense. Normally there is less to look at, Alex is pretty well behaved. But yeah, there is the odd bit of embarrasment here and there. Alex knows this all goes on, and understands the need, but it is still rude off us."


    Giggling, Jolana wandered out to the hall, "Well, you still have to ponder some assistants... And I want to help. Let''s get comfy in the study, shall we?"


    Finding this to be a wonderful idea, the doctor agreed, following after with a grin.

 Ch 90: Fictitious Delights

    Alex grinned as they opened the door, "Hello! Thank you for coming by. Jolana is already set up in the vr room."


    Max waved as he follows Alex inside, "Thank you for having me over. I hope I''m not interrupting anything."


    Shaking their head, Alex led the way, "No, we have hit a bit of a snag with our experiments. Playing around in the sims can help us find inspiration, and it helps us refine the simulations anyway."


    Shrugging as he entered the vr room, Max whistled as he looked around at the setup. They had expanded to 6 immersion chairs along the sides of the room, each padded with memory foam and adjustable to varying body sizes. "This is rather elaborate... How much does this cost to set up?"


    "... Not enough for the doctor to care. The chairs can also be packed down, and folded into neat cubes, so they are easy to transport. We just need to refine the software to a more commercially usable scale, and we could probably ship this."


    Max nodded in appreciation, makinng his way to one of the empty seats, Jolana and Ren blissfully unaware in their sims, "Hey, speaking of the doctor... Will they be joining us?"


    "Not today. They are out in a meeting with a potential partner for the OHPS, one that was indicisive until now." Settling down into one of the other chairs, Alex smiled calmly as they demonstrated how to get everything running.


    After confirming Max had started up his unit, Alex cycled down the AHOR to standby, and transfered primary focus to the sims. Thankfully most of the input was now bing handled locally by Greg''s systems, but the actual simulations themselves were still under Alex''s control.


    Starting the pre-recorder tutorial for Max soon after he loaded in, Alex went ahead to see what Jolana was doing. Ren was holed up in his own room, chat open but otherwise busy running sims on AHOR, which they had agreed not to show Max quite yet.


    Finding Jolana sitting on one of the roooftop gardens in the mid-spire region of the sim, Alex waved hello as they sat down next to her, "Enjoying the view?"


    "Yup! There are usually a handful of birds, though... You should look into more ambiance like that." Smiling as she wiggled on over, she lent on Alex''s shoulder with a giggle.


    "... That''s just teasing now. I know you can''t feel that." SMiling anyway, Alex sighed contently as they looked over the glittering surface of the spire, stretching out as far as the eye could see from here, surface a patchwork of gardens, small farms, luxury suites and radiation traps, interconnected and hiding the metropolis spanning countless floors below them.


    "I might not... But you could~" Poking her tongue out, she giggled again as Alex poked her in the forehead, "Besides, this is... Comfortable."


    Alex glanced down at her, before getting distracted by a message from Max asking to meet up with them. Waving a hand off to the side, Alex created a door to connect with Max''s lobby-room, letting him into the sim proper.


    Stepping through, Max whistled as he stared out at the landscape, nodding in appreciation, "Daaang. See, what you did over at my place was impressive... This though? It''s..."


    "Like you fell asleep, and are dreaming you are over the spire?" Grinning, Alex waved him over, "Not having to compete for bandwidth helps. We have great proccessing power here, which makes all this possible. That, and some efficient selecting on what actually runs..."


    "Oh? Do tell." Laughing softly as he sat down nearby, Max glancced around curiously, taking in the view.


    "Well, the actual buildings below aren''t being simulated. Most of it becomes a blur from this high up anyway, so that is used to our advantage. Same goeas for the buildings far away. Normally it is easier, down in the middle of them, but... I thought we could do with a little showing off."


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    "You certainly did that." Curious, Max picked at the grass he was sitting on, blinking in surprise when he plucked out some blades of grass, tiny specks of dirt tumbling loose, "Uh... How accurate is this?"


    "Depends on how close to a user it is. Within about a 2 meter diameter... Molecular. A few more meters are rougher voxels, and further still can vary." Grinning, Alex looked up at the sky, "The doctor''s old research into physics simulations inspired me, so I tested what this system could do."


    Sighing, Max shook his head in wonder, staring with a faint smile as he simply took it all in, "You know... Put a system like this, in the hands of some friends of mine... And we could make something amazing."


    Alex smirked, "I bet they could. Problem is, we are making use of a supercomuter with some... Unique design to it. Smaller sscale could be doable, given the time an effort into adjusting the simulation to match." Max chuckled as he nodded, unsurprised.


    Glancing down at Jolana, Alex grinned cheekily, "In here, though... There is some free reign. For example..." Holding up a hand, Alex brought up some settings for the sim arounf them, and sped up time for a moment. Max and Jolana gasped, watching as the sky rushed past, the gas giant looming eternally on the horizon as the sun shimmering in the distance sank lower to meet it.


    And then Alex set the time back to normal... Stopping just when the edge of the sun met the horizon, sky tinged a dull red as they looked back down, the rooftops they had looked at a moment before now dyed in pale blues to the edges, oranges and reds playing across the smoother surfaces closer to the horizon.


    Max shook his head, sighing, "... I should go topside more often. It has been too long since I have enjoyed a view like this... Escpecially since sunset takes so long. You kinda just... Forget, you know?" Jolana nodded wordlessly, squeezing Alex''s arm gently as her eyes swept over the glittering cityscape, lights flickering from the buildings below.


    Chuckling quietly, Alex watched with them, not quite understanding... It was views like this that had made the station so memorable, after all.


    Maxwell laughed as he waved goodbye, getting into a mag-pod before he overstayed his visit, needing to get back home and rest. Alex and Jolana waved back, Ren having said his goodbyes earlier.


    As they turned back inside, Jolana nudged Alex in the ribe with a smirk, "You had a lot of fun with that, admit it."


    Grinning sheepishly, Alex nodded, having gone through a lot more demonstrating after they had all started thinking of things to simulate, "It was fun, yeah. Made me think of home when I fiddled with the time, from my times stargazing using the station."


    Jolana sighed as she wandered towards the stairs, "If only we could see that the way you do... Us squishy humans only get two eyes." Grinning, she paused after a moment, looking back, "Say... You feeling okay? Normally those sims take a lot out of you."


    Alex nodded cheerfully, "I was careful. Besides, I had a lot on my mind, that I hadn''t dealt with... My little holiday dealt with that. I am scheduling a memory dump soon, so I do appologise if I forget some small things."


    "Oh? I''ll keep that in mind." Humming softly as she made her way to her room, she slipped off to bed, having gone a little overboard brainstorming ideas herself. Alex glanced after her, before heading to rest as well... While they could stay up, resting after a sim was still a good idea.


    Settling into the maintenance cradle, Alex closed their eyes, relaxing... And was soon dreaming of stars, both from the familiar view, and from a rooftop.

 Ch 91: Inconvenient Timing

    Alex glanced up, smilign as the doctor came in, "Hello. Finished with your redesigning already?"


    Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, sitting down next to Alex, "Yeah, I really need to run the specs by Laura and prototype them to get any further. I sent of the plans for when she can get some time. Besides... I thought you were helping me process those?"


    Alex blinked, and chuckled, "Ah, I have developed a habit of splitting my proccessing. Systematic tasks are done seperately to running the AHOR, and my developed personality along with it, in order to avoid my emotions from giving unexpected results."


    Nodding thoughtfully, the doctor peered at Alex for a moment, "That is a pretty good idea... Try not to use it too much though, your emotional input also carries your instinct and habit, too. The extra insight can prove useful, and will help keep you in touch with your more... Unique skills."


    Alex grinned, and put their book down, "You mean my robotic processing. That is true though, I am losing that at a surprising rate, tending to over-analyse things now... It has gotten better since my memory scrub a few days ago, but I need to bring my personality back in check."


    "Hah, you only say that so you can continue with more complex sims, to show off." As Alex blushed and rolled their eyes, the doctor giggled, "Which reminds me, we have an interesting scheduling conflict this week..."


    "Oh? I will check, I only go back through my processes for analysis at night usually." Closing their eyes, Alex hummed softly as they combed through recent requests from the mansion, "Ahhh, I think I see it. Tom wants to come around on the same day as Max..."


    "While both are coming here for your delightful vr setup, I''m not sure you can juggle the social dance around both at once. Neither know you are an AI, after all."


    Grimacing, Alex nodded, "And both know different things about us. I''m not sure giving either a more complete idea would end well." Taking a deep breath, Alex ran through some ideas in their head, "Well... We could try having Tom 2 days later, I haven''t confirmed with him yet. Rescheduling Max might be awkward..."


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    "Hmm... We can hope he says yes, but I doubt it will work. How about, make sure Max comes early, and have them in different areas of the sims. I will handle Tom, you handle Max."


    Alex smiled, "I could handle both, you know. As long as I concentrate."


    "Oh no you can''t. I have faith in your ability, but if they do alk to ech other, both speaking to an Alex would be hard to explain."


    "... Never mind that idea, then." Furrowing their brow, Alex sighed, "I also just thought... Your idea is to keep them seperate, right?" The doctor nodded, listening curiously, "Well, there is a limit to how much I can handle in the sims. If Ren isn''t in running prototypes, I guess I might be able to handle both, but barely."


    Groaning, the doctor slumped in their chair, "Ask Tom to reschedule, then. If he asks why, tell him we already have the vr booked, and it might tax the system. And if he is persistant, or can''t reschedule... Then we simply hope that they don''t talk too much."


    "Yes, doctor." Groaning as they sent off the first message as commanded, Alex gently put the book in their lap away, not quite in the mood to read anymore.


    "... What were you reading there?"


    "Oh, this?" Tapping the book on the nearby table, Alex grinnned, "I have been going through Greg''s study, reading through the various journals. The different ways of seeing the world, and the things those peopel have gone through... It is fascinating."


    Chuckling, the doctor leant over, glancing at the cover, "Had any particularly interesting individuals so far?"


    Alex paused, hesitating, "... Only one so far, the first ournal I read. It... Was set in the war. They didn''t make it to the end."


    the doctor went quiet, understanding. Reading up on the wrongdoings of your predecessor woudl unnerve most. "Well, if ou have some time... It has been a while since I''ve had you mod a game. there has been this one that coul carry over into your sims well... Want to take a look?"


    Grinning, alex eased out of the chair, "You know... That does sound like a fun little idea."

 Ch 92: Preemptive Prospects

    Alex sighed, laying down on the couch, "So, want to help me juggle my deceptions?"


    Jolana smiled softly, wiggling over to gently stroke over Alex''s head, "I''m guessing Tom couldn''t reschedule then?"


    "You heard then?" Groaning, Alex leaned over to rest their head on Jolana''s lap, "No, he couldn''t reschedule. So, I have the joyous task of either running two complete sims, with either you or Dr Elune entertaining Max while I handle Tom."


    "Sounds like fun." Grinning, Jolana leant down to kiss their forehead, "I think it will be better for me to handle Max, so you can just focus on running the sims. Does that sound better?"


    "... A little, if we can convince both sides that I am inisposed." Furrowing their brow, Alex relaxed slightly as Jolana continued stoking their forehead, "But that means coming up with a good reason to not be present."


    Jolana smirked, "Oh, that''s easy. Say you are out supervising maintenance on the shuttle, since you don''t have to be present to actually run the virtual sims. We even have some panels to install which will help with the facade."


    "... That is actually a pretty good idea." Grinning up at her, Alex leant up to kiss Jolana on the lips, "Thank you."


    Jolana blushed deeply, coughing slightly before looking away, "That might mean work for you, though... Running the drones to actually move some of the panels arouund."


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    "I have been running drones for years, I can just design a subroutine for Greg''s systems to run." Giggling softly, Alex reached up to brush Jolana''s glowing cheek, "Anything the matter?"


    "... No, just pleasantly surprised." Giggling, Jolana gently pushed the hand away, "Anything else I should know before they arrive tomorrow?"


    "Not as far as I know of. I just need to make sure I plan ahead." Alex smiled up at her, stretching out on the couch, "You are helping me calm dowm though... Thank you."


    Sighing in resignation, Jolana layed down on the couch next to Alex, hugging them from behind, "Anything I can do to help. I know how important this is to you. And... To Sam. Stirring up trouble at this point would be disasterous"


    Alex nodded, and rolled over slightly to hug her middle, "... You and your family have done a lot for us. Thank you."


    Jolana blushed further, smiling as she stroked through Alex''s synthetic hair, "Well, if I get to enjoy your comany as a result... It is very much worth it~"


    Alex giggled back up at her with a smile, "If you say so. In the meantime, how shall we keep me from overthinking this...?"


    Jolana hummed, glancing down at Alex, "... I can think of a few things~"

 Ch 93: Veteran Back in Action

    Dr Elune smiled at Tom as he hobbled into the main hall, "Welcome back. Mind full of ideas for today''s session?"


    Laughing, Tom nodded as he patiently made his way to the vr room, "You could say that. I am also here to chat about your prosthetics again, if you don''t mind?"


    "Not at all! Our engineer, Laura, is still at my station sorting things out, so we can probably sueeze in some requests for units to be made and shipped back over."


    "Hah, that would be a neat idea. No, I as more curious as to your earlier stages. Do you have lab results for the rejection rates as yet?"


    Blinking, the doctor nodded as they walked into the room, showing Tom to their seat, "Oh, right. I beleive we have the results on that, I have forgotten to check up on it. We can confirm once we are inside."


    Sighing contently as he eased into one of the seats, Tom glanced over at the other chairs, "Oh? And who might be joining me today?"


    "Hmm? Oh, just me. Jolana is entertaining a friend in a seperate sim, so we are unlikely to interact."


    Tom chuckled, initialising his setup, "Ahh, that explains the reschedule request. I imagine you have a limit to how many people can be in at once?"


    Making thier way to their own chair, Dr Elune grinned as they sat down, "More the amount of sims. Two full simulations will be pushing our capabilities today."


    Pausing the conversation as they calibrated their units, the doctor quickly found themself in the White Room lobby, quickly granting access to Tom once they were both in, sitting down to wait.


    Tom wandered in from his room, ini his usual avatar which was an accurate recreation of his younger self, from before the wars. "As I was saying... Sim limit, huh. Doesn''t Ren usually hop on, run some of his own tests using AHOR schematics?"


    Dr Elune starte up the second sim, hoping Alex would be handling all this okay, "He does, however that takes less power than a full world sim. These rooms do not come with realistic physics to the furniture for example, only simple conact and movement."


    "Ah. So, we are also doing something like a stress-test to the capabilities of this today?" Tom smiled curiously as he made his way into the sim area, their destination today one of Tom''s favourite gardens for now to start off.


    "You could see it like that. We hadn''t planned for your sessions to overlap, so I appologise for any... Lag." Grinning, th doctor lifted off the ground, floating around the garden, "So, what were these ideas you had in mind?"


    "Actually... I wanted to test out this virtual body. I have noticed you had marvelous recreations of the local spire, and that gave me an idea."


    Dr Elune paled, "We do have apretty good sim of this, yeah. What did you have in mind?"


    Tom sighed, stretching as he limbered up... Despite not feeling feedback from it, and not needing to in a sim. "Well, as horrifying as it was... I was thinking of reliving some scenes from the war. Smaller scale of course, but going back to the streets of Mars would be interesting."


    "Uh... I can see what we can do." Glancing around, the doctor floated closer, "Before that, though... I thought you didn''t fight much? And, you had let go of most of that?"


    Laughing, Tom shook his head, "It isn''t the robots which are why I''m asking. I stopped wanting payback for my leg ages ago, or I wouldn''t be able to stand the idea of your prosthetics. No, it is more because fighting is the best way to push a body to it''s limits, real or virtual." Ready to go, Tom straightened up with a grin, "And as for me, while I was only on the fringe of a handful of fights before being sent home, I still remember seeing them in the distance, and going through more reudementary sims to train against them."


    "Right. That makes sense, I suppose." The doctor sent a message to Alex, asking what they could do about the Mars sim, "While Alex isn''t here to supervise today, I can still see if the system can generate something. It won''t be nearly as well made as the sim we are in, though."


    "Oh? Any reson as to why, for both our missing virtual expert and the quality drop?"


    Dr Elune smirked, "Alex is just busy working on our ship. Last minute idea to modify the plating, and they couoldn''t wait." The doctor silently thanked Jolana for that excuse, "As for the sims, we, uh... Cheated." As Tom perked up curiously, they continued, "See, we kinda hcked the security feeds using our cimputer, and used them to create scans of the entire spire. That is why this is all so detailed, and accurate."


    Tom grinned as he looked around, "So that''s how you did it. I guess such a scan would take time, so I couldn''t get a Mars sim today even if I wanted one."


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    "Correct. That, and hacking into Mars would be..."


    "... Dangerous." Smile softening, Tom thought about it, "They do tend to get quite uppity about security over there, for obvious reasons."


    Glancing at their messages, the doctor nodded, "That they do. Looks like we don''t really have any records to go off for a partial sim, unless you have any photos or recordings of Mars?"


    "Hmm... I just might, but they would be stored at home."


    "We could always... Access them remotely. With your permission, of course." Smiling innocently, Dr Elune floted arounf above Tom''s head.


    "You know, I always did think you were a dangerous eccentric~" Laughing as he looked up at the doctor, Tom nodded, "One of the least law-abiding people I know... And yet I still trust you. Just don''t go snooping to much, you hear?"


    Dr Eluen nodded, sending a request to Alex, "The system will look for records marked as related to Mars, and I will go through them and see what will make a good sim. Sound good?"


    "Sounds good. How long will this take?"


    The doctor blinked as Alex came back quickly with confirmation on accessing Tom''s computers, "Half an hour at most before we have a sim. You should really improve your security." Tom shook his head with a snicker, "Let''s see, some photos, and two videos... Will either of these serve as good meterial?"


    Tom glanced over the thumbnails fo the videos in question, "Hmm, well... Wait, that first one, there is a shot about mid way from my battle practice. Use that!"


    Nodding, Dr Elune sent the request to Alex, who started watching accordingly, "Our systems will analyse the video thoroughly, and will let me know when the sim is ready. There might be some... Improvisation, but we will have something for you to enjoy."


    As Tom nodded excitedly, he started doing some drills to refamiliarise himself with his old techniques. Dr Elune glanec down at the communications with Alex, and sent another message, "Thank you. Mars drone control, will you be able to copy it?"


    A short pause, "Incompletely, but I might. A problem, though... I will have to accurately portray battle tactics, somthing I, and our system, has yet to handle."


    The doctor groaned, and looked up at Tom, "I just thought of something. We don''t have the software to train against the Mars AI replicas."


    Tom paused in his drill, taking a deep breath, "Oh, right. Guess I overestimated your system!" Grinning, he rubbed his chin, "How about this... You play a lot of games, right? Use something similar from one of those, and I can go up against that."


    The doctor sent the recommendation to Alex, "Looks like that could work. We even have mechanic War Machines from an earlier game, which are close enough to these models in the video to modify the attack patterns. They won''t be as nasty as the Mars AI though."


    "Good! I am rusty, after all." Pumped up, Tom went back to his drills, "How much longer?"


    Dr Elune checked with Alex, "Training areas are done, just waiting on your opponent AI to get written. Not much longer now." The doctor stretched, interested to see how this would turn out.


    Tom laughed as he leant forwards in the chair, coughing from the sudden sound after using the sim too long, "Damn, that was a rush... I have to try that again next time."


    The doctor walked over, offering a hand to him, "No kidding! I honestly didn''t think oyu had it in you, you were darting all over the place like an ace."


    Tom chuckled, sore as he made his way to the door, "It has been a while, but I was quite good back in the day. Hopefully you will have something a bit more challenging next time?"


    The doctor grinned, "I''ll see what we can do. We might even be able to recover the old sim you were using in the video."


    Tom laughed, "That would be miraculous, and marvelous. Say... That other fellow is still at it. What are they up to?"


    "Hmm? I don''t know. He has a more relaxed schedule though, so he might stay the night." Glancing back, Max was indeed still stuck in the sim, along with Jolana.


    "Unfortunately, I still have business to oversee, so no late night sims for me." Grinning as he shook the doctor''s hand, Tom turned to the awaiting mag-pod, "It was a pleasure, Sam. I forgot to ask about the prosthetics, but we can chat about that over a call."


    "Any time, and that would be best. No sim to distract us that way!" Waving goodbye, the doctor sighed with relief once the pod turned the corner... That went as good as could be hoped. Headed back inside, they mused to themself.... How was the other sim doing?

 Ch 94: Past as a Present

    Jolana smiled at Max sweetly, "I just received a message from Sam... You have a request."


    Glancing up from his experiment regarding the refraction of light, he peered at her curiously, "Oh? Something Alex here can''t handle using the sims already?"


    "Correct. While we were busy in here, there was another guest that came through. You may have noticed a faint lag spike here and there."


    "Ah, yes. Those seem to have cleared up now, so I am assuming said guest has left. Anyway, go on?"


    "Well, they want to go through a sim drilling against the Mars AI mechs. Problem is, we don''t have the specs, or battle footage, or tactic records..."


    "... And I have all of those things." Max smirked as he dismissed the array of mirors and lights, something more interesting having caught his attention, "Youo do know those are government secrets, right?"


    "Oh pshaw, better you oversee us then Alex try and hack databases." Grinning, Jolana floated through the air, having stopped in the middle of an experiment regarding mass and density, "Besides, this guy making the request was a veteran, he will know if the sims are legit."


    "Wait. What?" Staring up at her, Max crossed his arms, "That makes this interesting... Not too many vets around, after all. He may have even used my software, back in the day." Sighing, he nodded, "... And Alex really would just go and hack something anyway, knowing you lot. Fine, I will send over mech schematics and tactic analysis. I will... Consider helping with the actual AI."


    Jolana grinned triumphantly, passing the good news to Alex through a message, "Thanks, Max."


    "Any time, Jo." Mind buzzing with the idea, Max opened up a connection back to his labs, seeing if he could access any of the data remotely to start trying it out.


    As Max retired to one of the few remaining guest rooms, Alex blearily ducked their head into the hallway, whispering, "Clear?"


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    Glancing up, Jolana laughed softly, "You''re safe." Walking over, she followed alongside Alex as they made their way to the other own rooms, "Feeling okay?"


    Nodding, Alex groaned, "Brain is sore, might need to stay in bed for a few extra hours tomorrow. Other than that, I''m fine." Glancing up at her, Alex smiled slightly, "some of those experiments you guys thought up were kinda fun, though."


    "Well, yeah. Not everyday you can bend the laws of reality to your will~" Giggling, she stopped by her doorway, "I forget all that goes inside that brain of yours, and how... Different that is."


    Alex laughd tiredly, "Certainly one of a kind. Speaking of... I''m not sure if I should be handling those Mars sims, though."


    "Hmm? Oh, you will be fine. You have held a live weapon of mass destruction before, after all."


    "... Wait, when?"


    "Remember that time you helped Hope fire the PEWPEW? You got head damage from it?"


    Alex blinked, "... I guess I technically did hold a WoMD, yeah. Guess a little battle tactics can''t hurt."


    Jolana hugged alex gently with a smile, "And you have run monster AI before, in game settings. Just think of it like that."


    Sighing, Alex hugged her back, smiling as they relaxed, "Yeah... Thank you. I''m surrised Max had all the stuff you asked for, though."


    "Really? You haven''t background checked him yet?" Glncing up, Jolana smirked, "Let''s just say, Max has some interesting connections. Old Tom probably actually would recognise his name."


    Alex paled, "Oh. I... Did not look him up. Remind me to do that tomorrow, after I have rested." Giggling, Jolana nodded, giving one last hug before slipping off to bed.


    Alex trudged down the hall, head still spinning from the day''s events... And feeling incredibly curious as to Max''s past.

 Ch 95: The Talk

    Alex jumped slightly as Dr Elune tapped them on the shoulder, pausing the trial simulations of the new Mars Training, "Yes, doctor?"


    "Just wanted to have a chat with you. It has been a while, after all." Sitting down at their desk nearby, the doctor grinned, "Also, to make a few... Observations."


    Alex fidgeted nervously, turning their chair to face the doctor, "I''m always happy to assist. What will you be observing...?"


    "Oh, your more human-like habits, for one. We both know full well you don''t need to look at a computer screen to run sims."


    Alex blushed, glancing back at the monitor, "It helps verify the user perspective, and it is a useful indicator as to what I am doing. I have been caught staring off into the sky now and then, and it can be awkward."


    Nodding thoughtfully, the doctor agreed, "That is actually a pretty good idea. While you are able to split your attention, your more complex processing of your experiences makes doing things harder and harder for you."


    Alex sighed, "I noticed that. Cutting the extra emotion and reasoning makes my operations feel weird to people though, so I am trying to find a good limiter."


    Dr Elune smiled softly, "Most people have natural limits on that sort of thing, with automatic thresholds to prevent us from over-exerting. In my opinion, you are doing just fine." As Alex giggled with a smile in thanks, the doctor grinned, "Also, in terms of you acting more human... I have notice you have been a lot more cuddly towards ''Miss Jolana''."


    Alex blushed deeply at that one, "... Oh. I, uh... I guess I have. I gues I just... Went with it."


    "Not all of the time. I have seen you take the initiative there, too." Grin growing wider, the doctor leant forwards, "And since you don''t have any instincts telling you to do those things... I am veeery curious as to why."The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "... Observation?" Alex smiled faintly, "People seem to enjoy that kind of thing, so I thought I would try it a little, since I have this body and all... Turns out, it is rather nice. Its... Hard to sum up."


    The doctor nodded, "It took you a while, but you have come to fully learn what feels ''pleasant'' and ''unpleasant'' for you. Warm or cold, course or smooth, that sort of thing. And, in general... People like hugs."


    Both of them laughed, Alex brightening up a bit, "I guess so. I will try and be polite about it, though... Not all people will want spontanious affection."


    Chuckling, the doctor nodded again, "Good, you seem to have the hang of interacting with people at least. Anything about your new abilities still confuse you?"


    Alex tilted their head slightly, shrugging, "A few. I like the rush from exercise, having company is nice, I can apreciate good food, etcetera... I understand why people do things a lot more now."


    "You said a few, what''s still weird to you?"


    Blushing, Alex sighed, "Well, what I glimpsed from you, from one. Like when you used to visit Akasha..."


    Grinning slowly, the doctor hummed, "Ahhh... Right. Hey, I can understand being confused by that... But are you confused by all of it, or just our... Version?"


    Squirming in their seat, Alex looked around, "Uhm, well... More your version, as you put it. Intellectually, I have a basic knowledge on why... Even if I have no interest there yet."


    The doctor blinked in surprise, "None? None at all? I have seen you blush at Jolana though."


    "That is... Different. My reaction is more to the affection she feels, not... Ideas."


    "Hmm, fair enough. I can understand that." Smirking, the doctor glanced at them, "Just keep in mind, Jolana might have other plans. This will be something you two need to talk about."


    As Alex nodded with a groan, deliberately not making eye contact, the doctor giggled, "And as for Akasha? Well, I doubt you will have to think about that sort of thing. Even among us eccentrics, it isn''t that common."


    "... I will keep that in mind." Taking a deep breath, Alex glanced back at the monitor, turning it off for now, "Was there anything else, doctor?"


    "... Not for now, unless you want to talk about some of your little projects?"


    alex grinned happily, "I do have a few to show you, if you have the time..."

 Ch 96: Alpha Testing

    Max waved at Alex as he entered the VR room, Jolana following behind, "Hey Alex. Made much progress on those schematics I had sent over?"


    Alex glanced up, waving idly before staring back at the display, setting a few more things in place before they started, "Plenty. But you will see soon anyway, so let''s get started~"


    Jolana giggled as she made her way to a chair, only spectating this time ratherthan joining the sim, "All Alex has been doing for the entire week. Sorry if they are a little... Distracted."


    Max laughed as he eased into one of the seats, lowering his helmet with a grin, "Guess I shouldn''t keep you waiting then. You joining me inside?"


    Alex blinked, nodding with a chuckle as they lowered their own helmet, "Right. Just got caught up in it." Closing their eyes, Alex cycled down the AHOR, already bouncing around in the sim... But Max shouldn''t know that.


    Rolling her eyes as she watched, pulling up her own display to get a good view, she sent a message to Alex asking if running the sim through a projector would be a hassle. Receiving a quick confirmation that it would be fine, she went to look around for a miniature model for now.


    Once Max was ready in his White Room, Alex opened up access to the main sim for him, loading him in. Peeking his head in curiously, he nodded in appreciation, "Nicely done. Heck, I think you even added more detail."


    Alex nodded meekly, "Well, I ran some algorithms to simulate wear and the like. Give it a more... Realistic feel." Looking around, they were in the middle of a industrial sector from Mars, narrow alleyways forming a highly structured grid system, fading off into the distance. An accurate representation fo what the terrai was like near the Mars facility, at the onset of the war... Where it hadnt been shelled yet.


    Waving a hand at one of the nearby alleys, Alex loaded in some of the mech deigns that Max had sent schematics over for, "Now, I didnt have the internal specs, for obvious reasons, so they are just full of random wiring and gears for effect... But, they will move realistically, and connect with the sim AI controller."


    Max wandered up to the nearest mech, a towering rigid thing with four highly posable legs, built to take any level of shock and able to easily support the bulky frame on top, four pronged pincers on either side capable of smashing, tearing, building or repairing... Whatever the situation may require. "Hmm, looks good. Even got the scale right, I don''t know if that was included."


    "Some general notes, I also made use of footage we found from these sims in use. I have also been... Improvising what the other deisgns might be, based off the structure of these. They were very simple in design, for mass production."


    "That they were. How accurate will this sim be?" Gacnign around, Max curiously looked for anythign else other than the mecchs, or the two of them.


    "Oh, so-so. I can load in some NPCs of my own making, create strongholds and dropzones for supplies. Any form of aerial attack will shape the terrain accordingly, and I can save the modified sims between sessions... Should you find one that interests you."


    Smirking, Max held his arms to the side, "Any chance you can outfit me then, to get started?"


    Humming thoughtfully, Alex grinned, "I could. But what options... Newbie recruit, high ranking officer, or godmode infinite ammo?"


    "Hah, I think I will go infinite ammo at first... Just to test out the sim. Maybe I can try from the beginning later, after you start writing up some scenarios."


    "Got it." Waving a hand in Max''s general direction, alex swapped out parts of his avatar with military body armor, and a waepon rack popped up next to him, "To keep things fair though, I''m only giving you standard issue rifles and sidearms. Oh, and shotguns, but I doubt you will actually get much use out of them."


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    Pumped up at the thought of it, Max loaded up from the rack, slinging an automatic machine gun over his shoulder, some pistols at his waist, and staring with a sniper, "Ahh, feels like I''m in a game... I never did make use of these sims, back in the day."


    "Oh? How did you get your hands on them, by the way? I never actually confirmed that."


    Glancing up, Max blinked in surprise, "Didn''t Jo tell you? I wrote them. Well, with Yuki''s help at times... I spoke with her more then Ren."


    Alex froze, taking in a lot at once, "Wait... You wrote them? The same one that actual soldiers used to prepare for battle, back during the Mars incident?"


    "Yup. Was young at the time, fresh into university... And old enough to get enlisted. Thing is, I was terrified by the thought of actual combat... But I had a particular knack at writing video game AI."


    Alex nodded, mind still whirring, "That... Makes sense. You are good with simulations, like me... And this would have helped. And... You knew Yuki?"


    "Hmm? Oh, yeah. Only in passing, most of the time. She knew things about the AI, helped us develop countermeasures. Also helped provide a dumber version for the sims we ran. Unfortunately, I don''t have a copy any more. Shame she didn''t make it out."


    As alex went quiet, Max glanced over, "So, uh.... Can I get some cover, and start me some testing?"


    Blinking, Alex shook it off, "Oh, yeah. Sure." Dismissing the display copies, Alex raised some simple concrete barricades, placing a button to replace them next to the weapon rack, "Now, you will still have to reload, but the ammo pouch will refill automatically. I will be observing from my White Room, so I can oversee the sim calmly. I''ll stil be able to hear you just fine, though. Anything else?"


    Shaking his head, Max gave the thumbs up as he got into position by one of the barricades. Fading off to take command of the sim, Alex started up their prototype Mars Replica, letting the simulation begin.


    Jolana jumped when the simulation flickered to life over her projector, a mini-Alex sitting on the air next to it, "Sorry for the delay, just finished setting Max up."


    "No worries. You handling the load okay?"


    "Oh, I''m fine. The AI directing the enemies is actually run off Greg''s system, as a means of limiting it. Didn''t want to overwhelm our guests, after all." Grinning up at her, alex floated around to ''watch'' the sim as well, "The brunt of it is still handled through the shuttle, due to power limitations. Oh, and realism."


    Giggling, Jolana nodded, "That sounds like a good way of splitting the load. Any progress on making the sims more efficient?"


    "Ehh, so-so. On one hand, the actual calculations run a lot smoother now... But the actual memory it takes up and rendering of all the particles is just too huge. Downside of simluating down to the atom."


    Swatting at the projection, Jolana laughed, "Then just simplify it, then. Even thousands of cubic micrometers would be unseeable to our eyes, but be much easier than an atom."


    "Yeah, but... I like the more accurate data from the denser sample. I will consider it, though. Try it out a little." Glqncing back at the sim, Alex checked how Max was actually doing, "Well, the AI id reacting well."


    Sniggering, Jolana nodded, "Max, not so much. He looked so much cooler before he started."


    Giggling as well, Alex nodded, "Perhaps I should look into lower difficulties... For warm up purposes."

 Ch 97: Briefing on the Mission

    Alex yawned as they eased out of the Maintenance cradle, blinking in surprise as Jolana waved from the foor of Dr Elune''s bed, "Morning Alex~"


    "... Good morning. I, uh... Didn''t realise you were here." Stretching with a groan, Alex glanced around, "Anything I can help you with?"


    Shaking her head, Jolana watched curiously as Alex finished waking up, "Not really. I just figured, I don''t have much planned for today... Maybe I could help you, somehow. Also... Do you even need to stretch?"


    Alex laughed, hopping upright as they moothed out their uniform, "I do, actually. Helps warm up my muscles, similar to everyone else. Yawning helped clear my airways, and boost airflow to my system to boot."


    "Huh. Well, I seem to learn something new about you every day now." Smiling as she got up as well, Jolana glanced up and down at Alex, "... How long have you been wearing that?"


    "A few days. I cycle outfits fairly regularly, just to stay clean. One of the few things I can''t do is sweat... Which is the main reason people change outfits."


    "Huh. That make sense, I suppose. Why don''t you wear other things?" Jolana tilted her head, smile growing cheekier as she remembered the outfit Alex wore out last time.


    "... Convenience, mostly. The bodysuit is durable if I need to oversee the drones, and is comfortable enough." Coughing quietly, Alex led the way outside, "Speaking of, I still hadn''t finished shutle modifications based of the shielding prototype... Data from the panels we sent with Laura seem to be holding up well, so they were a good idea."


    "Guess I know what we are doing today, then." Jolana jumped slightly as a service drone wandered past, carrying a pair of chairs, "... Sitting down?"


    "Yup. Like I said... Overseeing drones. I rarely have to do the heavy lifting, it''s just that the AHOR unit has great senses, and will reduce overhead if I focus on one task." Grinning, Alex watched another drone go past, laying out breakfast on a collapsible table, "I can still handle a few things, though."


    Rolling her eyes, Jolana thankfully sat down as they had a nice view of both the garden and the shuttle, drones already scurrying about, "Thank you. I was planning on sticking to coffee... But, this smells like a better alternative~"


    As they ate, Alex glanced up now and then to check on the drones, otherwise happily chatting with Jolana, "The rest of my day was planned to work on the Mars sim some more, refine it for when Tom gets here. Impressing him is our highest priority right now."


    Jolana raised an eyebrow, "What, with vr? I don''t think ou guys came all the way out to the Haven for that."


    Alex chuckled, taking a quick sip of juice before replying, "Did the doctor never explain it to you?"


    "If they did, I must have forgot." Shrugging, she glanced up at the drones, quietly admiring the fact so many were being controlled at once... Serving to remind her that Alec was only half in any one place, at most.


    "Well, I am still techni- no, fully an illegal entity under the Edmund Protocols. That makes getting to know people rather difficult, for me and the doctor."


    Grimacing, Jolana sighed, "You know, part of me keeps forgetting that. Your power in the wrong hands, etcetera..."


    "Exactly. Problem is, there is no precedent of it being in the right hands so far, until now. We need to find a way to show that, without getting arrested first."


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    As Jolana giggled, Alex continued, "Especially since yu have probably heard of our plan to head further inward, to the early Havens. We can''t do that until I am made legally acceptable, not just here, but under a revision to the Protocols themself."


    "That sounds... Difficult."


    "Very. We need to convince a whole bunch of beaurocrats that I am both fantastic to have around, and not likely to go crazy." Chuckling, Alex shrugged, "What we need most for that, is a good first impression... And a recomendation from someone high up."


    Jolana''s eyes widened, "... Tom."


    "That was Greg''s thinking, so we went with it. He is good friends with some influential people in the inner havens, and he could probably convince a third of the 4th Haven conglomerate without explanation. Especially with his background."


    "Hmm... I also doubt he would flip out on us at this point, too. How much does he know so far?" Jolana leaned to the side as a drone came past, scooping up some of the empty dishes and glasses.


    "He knows we have a supercomputer, and can replicate advanced processes. He also is partnering with us on having AHOR used as cybernetics. But... He thinks I am human."


    "That''s what I thought." Groaning, she looked up at the sky, "Guess you can''''t take any chances, huh. Anyone else you had in mind to vouch for you?"


    "Well... Now that you mention it, you can help with two great candidates, actually."


    "... How?" Staring down her nose suspiciously, Jolana sat back upright, "You don''t mean..."


    "She would need convincing sooner or later anyway." Smiling apologetically, Alex fidgeted, "We plan on starting negotiations with the government before she catches wind, but... If we haven''t... She would almost as good as Tom to have one her side."


    "Better. She has dragged me to anti-AI development rallies." Sighing in exasperation, Jolana shook her head, "Since you are all living here, you really would need to convince her, though..."


    "... And if I am to continue being around you." Jolana stared back up at Alex when they said that, startled slightly.


    "You... Uh... I hadn''t... Thought of that..." Blushing, Jolana was releived when a drone provided more refreshments, offering a distraction. Alex also took another drink, sipping with a blush of their own.


    "Ahem.... Anyway. One thing at a time. Tom first, her last... And hopefully Dr Elune can get some advice from Greg on how they can approach the subject."


    Jolana nodded, "He would know best, I suppose. Wait... Who is the other person I am to convince?"


    "That should be obvious. Max knows AI, and you two are friends. He-"


    Alex jumped as Jolana started coughing, waving them off as they dapped at the unfortunate spray of juice with a napkin, "I''m fine... Just bad timing. Anyway, uh... I''ll think about it. He may be bubbly around you beause of vr, but hedid volunteer to help people outwit the most powerful AI of all time."


    "True. You need anything?" when Jolana shook her head, Alex blanged back at the shuttle, most of the panels secured in place, "Well, not much more I can do here... Let''s head back inside."


    "That sounds like a good idea. Anythign I can do while you run the Mars sim?"


    Alex grinned, "You could read to me? Help me train splitting my attention."


    Giggling they headed inside, taking a short stop by the study to discuss the potential reading material.

 Ch 98: More Game Modes Coming Soon

    Tom grinned as he loaded into the main sim, "Ahh, I see you made some progress. Very nice."


    Nodding happily, Alex bowed from their position on a nearby rooftop, providing a visible commentator this time around, "Thank you. I have prepared a manual for you as well, if you require one."


    Loooking around at the collection of mechs filling the alleyways, Tom wandered over to the nearby weapon rack, "I think I will pass. Pretty sure i have the basics down anyway." Outfitting himself, he glanced up at Alex, "Anything I should know, though?"


    "Yes, actually. Youo have a few options on how to run the sim." Grinning, Alex dismissed the mechs, and brought up a small set of displays in front of one of the alleys instead, "There is a survival-based holdout, where increasingly difficult waves come at you. That is what you will be most familiar with, from your original training days."


    Humming with a nod, Tom walked over to the displays to take a closer look, "Interesting... In this strategy one, I can control the mechs?"


    "Yes. You would swap to an aerial view of the sim, and be able to issue commands to the mechs to follow attack patterns, defense positions, that sort of thing. it hasn''t been as strongly tested... But, I thought we might as well include it."


    Floating over from their perch, Alex pointed at one of the others, "The simple mission one is pretty good. You are given a task, like search and rescue, or take out a fortified position, and you need to try and make it through. Each one is reset, and randomly generated, so it can keep things interesting."


    Listening with a litle smile, Tom looked up at Alex, "Sounds fun... Might try it later. By the way... Why can''t I float like that?"


    "Hmm? Oh, I turned that off for you, in this sim. I get to, because I''m the GM."


    "... Makes sense. People don''t normally float around in battle, after all."


    As they both chuckled, Alex continued, "The other two modes are basically the same, in principal. We simulate a bigger world, with a smattering of NPCs... And you play a continious game to try and get cloer to the AI stronghold. While the MMO version sounds fun, we don''t actually have a server setup capable of handling the continued strain yet... But time-locked instances should be fine."


    Tom shrugged, "I will probabaly lose interest soon enough anyway, once the nostalgia and adrenaline wear off. I will stick with Survival mode, and pop into once-off quests now and then to keep things fresh."


    Alex giggled, nodding as they floated back up to the commentator''s box, "Sure thing. there is also the option to return to normal sims, after all. You have an options menu from tapping your wrist, if you need a break, or want to fiddle with settings."


    Tom nodded, quickly checking through his options to adjust some things, "Will you be fine up there?"


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    "Oh, I''m perfectly safe. Shots will pass right through the commentator''s box, and it isn'' as if any of this is real anyway."


    Giving a thumbs up in understanding, Tom finished his preparations, then dove right in to a session in Survival mode.


    Jolana phased into the commentator''s box, curiously looking around, "Hey, you two. Having fun?"


    Alex shushed her with a little grin, pointing down to the barricade Tom was hiding behind, "He is a little distracted. He will be able to hear you if you press the button over here."


    Whistling, Jolana sat down next to Alex, "Damn, that is a big mech. What are his chances?"


    Simply pointing, Alex watched as Tom darted out, slinging out some explosives at the mech''s legs, "He''s pretty good. usually doesn''t last long since he is on a realistic difficulty setting, but... He was trained very well, back in the day."


    "I bet. He was one of the few to see actual battle, and make it back." Leaning on Alex''s shoulder, she smiled up at them, "You having fun?"


    "Quite a lot, actually. It has been a while since I did somthing this... Diverse. Interactive~" Blushing, Alec hugged her gently, "Also, that is still mean."


    "Oh? Whatever are you talking about?" Giggling, Jolana wiggled closer, makign Alex sigh in resignation as they watched.


    "Tom will probably be at this for a while longer. Anything exciting on the outside world?"


    "Nope. Sam is helping me with a paper on better singularity usage in space station design. I didn''t realise you guys used one at home."


    "Oh, yeah. I should link you up to a live feed some time, it is interesting to watch." Alex sighed, smiling as they reset the streets for a fresh round of Survival for Tom, "Well, if you could do me a favour, I have my hands full with this, so I can''t cook for the mansion tonight... Could you direct the drones using your system?"


    "That''ll be fine. I hadn''t even noticed you had taken that over, actually." Sending a quick message off to the others, she tilted her head, "How much do Sam''s systems rely on you?"


    Laughing, Alex leant back a bit, "Well, the station needed a lot of reorganising leading to my departure, I''ll tell you that much. Most of the prototyping goes through me, as well. And these sims have no self contained module, yet... So, a lot."


    "And you don''t mind?"


    "Why would I? It was what I have always done. Easier for me to do it, to. And, I like knowing I''m helping all this stuff happen."


    Jolana smiled warmly, nodding, "That''s good. I should help critique Tom down there... He is making some risky moves."


    Alex laughed, "He needs to. Feel free tto se the button, though."


    Grinning, Jolana waited a moment... Until just after Tom got ambushed from around a corner, to politely start adding her own commentary.

 Ch 99: Changed Sleeping Arrangements

    Alex waved hello at the doctor as they walked in, resting in their maintenance cradle, "Hello Dr Elune. Tired of your game already?"


    Chuckling, the doctor nodded as they sat down on the edge of their bed, "I am, actually. After I tried your little sim the other day, I have been a little... Distracted."


    Raising an eyebrow, Alex sat up curiously, "How so? I have been running simulations for you for years... If not of that scale."


    "Yes, yes you have... That is what has been bugging me." The doctor''s smile softened as they looked at Alex, "I have barely been talking to you lately. You have been working on the Mars sim, or talking with Jolana."


    Alex froze, thinking on that for a moment, "... Technically, the Mars sim is to bond with Tom... Which is something we have wanted to do. But..." Blushing a bit, they looked down, not quite sure what to say.


    Laughing gently, the doctor shook their head, "I''m just not used to it, that''s all. Yes, you were made as my assistant... But, you are other things than that now. More than that. I am... Happy. Proud that you have your own voice now."


    Fidgeting as they tried to relax, Alex laid back down, "Thank you... I suppose I have been a bit carried away with the sim, as well. I will try and dedicate more time to assisting you, anyway."


    Dr Elune shrugged, "No need. Maybe once we resume AHOR revisions... But most of that is being handled by Laura, while she is sorting out the new council arrangements. I think I will go on a trip into the spire soon... Go on a shopping spree for new games."


    "That will certainly keep you occupied." Giggling, Alex stretched out a little, "I can''t wait for better maintenance cradles... These do get slightly cramped."


    The doctor smirked, "I actually have good news on that. See, you are pretty good at monitoring yourself anyway... And it will be a long time until you get the new set delivered when Laura returns. So, me and Ren agreed you will only be required to sleep in one once a week."


    Alex blinked in surprise, "Wait, really? that would be convenient. Where will I sleep otherwise, then?"


    "Up to you, I suppose? I''ve noticed you haven''t tried sneaking into my bed for a long time."


    Blushing brightly, Alex coughed, "I, well... It did not seem appropriate, anymore."


    "Suuure. Getting your fill of hugging elsewhere?" Laughing at Alex''s exasperated sigh, the doctor mused, "Speaking of... This mansion does still have spare rooms. The ones to either side of Jolana are empty in case of her experiments, but you should be able to move into one just fine."


    "Hmm... That does sound like a good idea..." Not noticing the doctor hide a smug grin, Alex nodded, "I should go ask her, make sure it is okay."


    "She is probably free now. Last I checked, she was finishing off her paper from before... You could check her data to help, while you are at it." As Alex got up eagerly, the doctor held up a hand, "Before you dart off... You are probably forgetting one thing."


    "I am?"


    "Your other body. It usually sleeps on the shuttle, which is fine since we aren''t using the beds on there, but I would recommend organising a second bed while you are at it... Or, a fairly wide one."


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    "... I had not thought of that. Thank you, doctor." Waving goodbye as the doctor moved towards their bookshelf for a read, Alex slipped out of the room, headed over to where Jolana stayed.


    Reaching her door, Alex knocked gently, hearing Jolana call out, "Come in!" Opening the door with a smile, Alex waved as they stepped through, "Oh, hello Alex. Something new to show me?" Turning in her chair, Jolana giggled.


    "No, I actually have to ask you a favour, this time." Chuckling quietly, Alex wandered over to see what she was doing... Which did, in fact, turn out to be the paper on singularities.


    "Me? Unless it is about physics, you are the expert... Maybe not even then!" Grinning, she leant back, "Or, did you want another trip outside?"


    Alex blushed, laughing as they shook their head, "Neither. Apparently, I don''t need to use my maintenance cradle anymore..."


    Jolana hummed as she glanced at her bed, "Really? That is handy. Doesn''t look very comfortable. We have plenty of beds to spare, if you want one moved."


    "They are okay... But yes, the doctor recommended I ask about one of the rooms next to yours."


    "... Why those?" Jolana sat back up, blinking slightly, "Wait... Unless you aren''t moving the bed out."


    Nodding, Alex smiled, "I should get out of the doctor''s room, now that I am more... Well, human-like."


    Getting up, Jolana wandered around the room as she thought, "Did Sam say that?"


    "... No, actually. The doctor would probably not mind too much about having a bed moved in, I just felt it was time, and thought the recommendation was a good one."


    Jolana paused beside Alex, glancing at the wall next to her bed, "Right... It does make sense... Buy why those rooms? While you are more explosion-proof than others... Did Sam say why?"


    "... No, but it was implied that I could talk with you easier." Fidgeting, Alex glanced away, distracting themself with checking what they could see on Jolana''s screen regarding her ideas.


    Jolana glanced around for a bit, considering things... "Well... The bed in the room over there should comfortably hold both of your units, if needed... Speaking of, what is the other unit doing?"


    Alex glanced back at her, "Oh, my female unit? It is currently powered down on the shuttle. Do you need it for something?"


    Jolana shook her head, "Just wanted to make sure..." Walking over to her door, she closed it gently, still open from when Alex came in. Taking a deep breath, she smiled, "You can store anything you need in there... But, I had an idea."


    Alex tilted his head in confusion, as Jolana wandered back over to her bed, sitting down, "You did...? What was it?"


    Sighing, Jolana simply looked up at him, blushing faintly, "... You could always join me in here."


    Blushing right back, Alex glanced around for a moment, not sure how to respond... And settled for a simple nod, sitting down on the bed next to her.

 Ch 100: Intamacy

    Alex jumped slightly as Jolana leant into him, giggling softly, "I know it is a bit early in the day... But, do you have anything else you need to do...?"


    Alex shook his head with a nervous smile, hugging her back gently, "Not for today, unless I rearrange some furniture."


    Jolana nodded, "Good then... I plan on being very distracting~"


    Blushing bright as he looked down at her, Alex giggled, "I, well... Should I grab anything, or swap bodies, or...?"


    Shaking her head, she leant against his shoulder with a warm smile, "No, not unless you want to. I think this way will be... Easier for you, at least for today."


    As Alex fidgeted with a sligh nod of agreement, Jolana giggled softly, "I didn''t expect you to be so nervous. What''s the matter?"


    "Just... Didn''t quite expect you to... Invite me, per se." Alex sighed as he tried to relax, "And... I know people tend to find intamacy... Important."


    Jolana laughed softly, smiling as she flopped down on the bed, stretching out asshe looked at Alex, "You will be fine... Unless you disconnect, or something. And, yes... People do... Put importance on ''intamcy'', as you put it."


    Alex groaned with a faint grin, wiggling over to lay next to her, "I''ll try not to do that. Anthing else I should know, or... Uh, should I be quiet...?"


    Jolana smiled at him as she wrapped her arms around his middle, leaninf in close to kiss softly, "Well, quiet would be a good idea... But I do have a reques for you."


    "... Sure?"


    "... Don''t think of anything else. I''m sure Sam will understand, and you won''t have to ignore the messages that long... But, I also don''t want you trying to learn anything to try and do better."


    Alex squirmed slightly, face seeming to be stuck with his blush for now, "I... Okay. But, why?"


    Jolana slid a hand up his back, tugging at his suit''s fastenings with a smirk, face still just below his, "Oh, just a selfish wish... I want you to remember this as-is, as a clean slate."


    Nodding obediently, Alex tensed up as Jolana unded his suit, exposing his back as she slid it down from his shoulders. Shivering from the touch, he reached up with one hand, taking over as he glanced away nervously, sitting up to better remove it.


    Jolana watched him slide the suit off with a faint blush, raising an eyebrow as his waist was revealed, "Rather... Realistic. I half expected something..."


    "Something huge or oddly shaped?" Giggling breathlessly, Alex took a deep breath to calm down a bit, "Chances are, I might be caught naked at some point... So, the design was... Realistic. And... Functional..."


    "In case you were caught~?" Grinning mischeviously, Jolana leant forward to kiss at his neck, a hand sliding down to caress him gently, "I don''t think it neeeeds to be functional for that..."


    Alex jolted as she touched him, face burning as he tried to keep his systems under control, "I, uh, well, um... Excuse me... I haven''t actually..." Groaning as he tried to focus, he glanced down at her, then rapidly away, "... I''m not sure who actually designed it, but... The doctor thought it was... Neccesary."


    Hand slowly trailing her fingers back and forth, Jolana tilted her head as she hugged him with the other arm, nuzzling against his shoulder, "Oh? That''s interesting~ And... You really never tried this?"


    Alex shook his head, "Wasn''t interested... At the time." Quivering as he groaned again, he moved forward slightly, wraping his arms around her as well, pulling her into a kiss as he caressed down her back. Smiling into the kiss, she closed her eyes, shivering as she partd her lips, groaning quietly as she slid her hand away to brush over his thighs.


    Twitching slightly after she stopped, Alex moaned as he glanced down at her through lidded eyes, hands slipping to her hips as he tugged at the hem of her shirt, lifting it slowly as he savoured the kiss. Jolana smiled faintly into his lips, raising her arms to his shoulders expectantly as she opened her eyes back up, staring at him adoringly.


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    Pausing for a second, he stared back with a smile, before sneaking in one last kiss, and peeling off her shirt. She shivered as she let it fall to the side, smiling as she leant back onto the bed, wiggling her hips as she poked out her tongue.


    Chuckling softly as he grinned back, he leant over her to kiss the middle of her chest, makign her blush faintly as he slid his hands down to her pants, undoing those next careully, tugging them down as he trailed small kisses down her torso.


    Groaning as she watched him go, Jolana lifted her hips slightly to help him out, "You seem far to natural at this... Are you behaving~?"


    Alex giggled as he let the pants fall away as well, leaning down to kiss at her thigh, "I am... I do still emember a few things, from... Uh, accidental observation. Also... I''m doing a lot of guessing."


    Jolana reached down to stroke over the top of his head, "Either way... Keep going..." Blushing as she reached behind her, she undid her bra, speeding things along slightly as she smiled sheepishly.


    Nodding with a nervous smile of his own, he delicately slid off her underwear, blushing brighter as he looked up, trying not to stare. Jolana blushed, nodding as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pulling him up, "Just... Whenever you are ready."


    Gulping quietly, Alex nodded slightly, moving up until he was pressed against her, panting shallowly as he looked at her, Jolana smiling back gently as she kissed him with a shiver.


    Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath, and lowered himself slowly, pressing against her as he held her close. She groaned as she clung to him, adjusting her hips to a better angle, nudging him with her thighs to help direct him, lokkign up at him with a rassuring nod.


    Letting her set the pace in a similar manner, Alex found himself caught up in the rhythm, thoughts growing narrower in focus as he simply enjoyed the moment, his eyes filled with her smile, his ears with her breathing. In turn, Jolana only focused on him, coiling around him as she stroked along his back, pulled him every closer to feel his warmth.


    It was not long before Jolana arched her back beneath him, gasping between heated groans as she tensed up, clinging to him tightly. Alex continued until she began to slowly relaxed, before slowing down his pace to a gentle stop.


    Still panting from the rush, Jolana smiled shakily up at Alex, face flushed as she held him tight, not letting hims stop yet, "Your guesswork... Seems to have worked out. But, why haven''t you...?"


    Alex blushed faintly, smiling as he reached up to caress her cheek, "I... Can''t. One of the few things I wasn''t built with, they couldn''t quite find an effective method... And didn''t expect the actual need for this model."


    Jolana leant up to kiss him, arms sliding to his sides slowly, "Sorry... I didn''t know. So... Still up to you, I can keep going~"


    Laughing softly, Alex eased himself down, hugging her with a groan, "Now that I know what I have been missing, I really want to... But, no. I better analyse all this..."


    Jolana blinked, and nodded thoughtfully, "I guess... You do need to maintain your own body manually." Relaxing, she nestled into him with a content sigh.


    "Yeah... And... I might have overheated... Slightly..." Groaning as he wiggled to get comfortable, he closed his eyes with a chuckle, "I should be fine... But, I need to be more careful, next time."


    Jolana nodded, letting him disconnect in order to rest... "Next time... I''ll be waiting~"

 Ch 101: Out of Order

    Jolana slipped out of the room, humming happily as she wdnered downstairs for breakfast. Glancing around, she heard people talking elsewhere in the mansion, but not quite close enough to hear... Shrugging, she was sure it was just some theory being worked on.


    Yawning as she entered the kitchen, she waved to Dr Elune who was nibbling toast at the table, "Morning, Sam. Your breakfast is unusualy plain today."


    Looking up, the doctor chuckled tiredly as they put down a display covered in data, "I had little choice... I never really learnt to cook, and I don''t know how to direct your drones."


    Slightly confused, she wandered over to the pantry, picking up a display of her own on the way, "That''s odd... Normally..." Glancing back, she swallowed nervously, and peeked into the pantry again, "Well, I can do simple stuff. Bacon and eggs suit you?"


    "That would be lovely, thank you... But, I should talk to you first." Sighing as they waved her over, the doctor pointed at the screen, "Alex has gone unresponsive."


    Freezing midway to the table, Jolana groaned, "Oh... Is... Is Alex okay?"


    The doctor nodded, sliding the list over to her for her to read, "Mostly fine... Very minor damage to the processors, but something we can fix easily. More... Alex hasn''t been able to fully shut down since last night."


    Jolana fidgeted as she sat down, reading what appeared to be a readout of Alex''s performance records, "So... Uh, I see... Has Alex said anything...?"


    Nodding, the doctor smiled gently, "Only that they are trying to resolve the data spike as quick as they can... And that they are disconnecting from the mansion untll they are done. Less distractions." Patting her on the arm softly, the doctor shrugged, "I would give it a day or two, and Alex will be back to normal. No need to blame yourself."


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    Smiling slightly, she nudged the doctor as she gave back the display, "Guess you figured out the... Cause, so to speak?"


    "Not hard to guess, considering what I was hoping for..." Dr Elune giggled, then sighed as they glanced out the window, "Ren is chatting with Laura about our... Hardware issues, as he is putting it. No encrypted line, after all. How good are you with cabling?"


    "... Fairly good. And, wait... You expected all this?"


    Smiling sheepishly, the doctor nodded, "Slightly. Wasn''t sure if you would go for it... And, I was expecting maybe a few hours to unravel all that. Turns out, it was a more intense experience than we humans give it credit."


    Rolling her eyes, Jolana pulled over the other display, the one connected to the household controlled drones, "Well, before I get to tinkering with my dear Alex''s brain... I need food. I''ll get the drones started on the more fancy stuff, and go for the bacon until then. We will need the energy."


    As the doctor nodded with a grin, Jolana glanced back, "And... I will try and be careful. Alex will probably handle things better, too... But..."


    The doctor shushed her, "I trust you, and Alex has worked out so far. Just... Don''t try anything new until Alex can recover rapidly. New experiences will be more taxing."


    Nodding with a faint blush, Jolana ruled out the idea of swapping Alexes any time soon... "I''ll keep that in mind. Now you going to order or not?"


    As the doctor went to reply, they suddenly heard a person ring the doorbell. The doctor groaned, "What now? We don''t really get anyone, except..." Seeing Jolana''s pale face, they trailed off.


    And Jolana held up the feed from the front door, Maximus grinning happily as he waited to be let in.

 Ch 102: Near to the Truth

    Jolana smiled nervously as she opened the door, "Hey, Max! Unusual for you to come by unnanounced."


    Max chuckled as he waved hello, "Thought I would swing by, see how Alex was going with the sims."


    The doctor poked their head around the corner, "Ah, hello. You should have called ahead... The sims are currently down."


    Max blinked as he glanced over, "Down? What''s the mattter?"


    "Well, you see... The sims don''t actually run off of Greg''s systems. They run of mine." The doctor pointed to the side of the house, the nose of the hulking shuttle just visible as activity could be barely made out, Greg''s drones moving materials inside, "... And our system happens to be down today."


    Max stroked his chin, glancing over curiously, "That''s unfortunate... What happened?"


    The doctor shrugged calmly, "Overworked the system recently, some of the parts are fried. It can still run, theoretically... But, we want to play on the safe side, and wait until maintenance is finished."


    Chuckling, Max nodded, "Guess that solves the mystery on how your sims are so detailed: Advanced hardware. Anything I can do to help?"


    "Not really, I''m afraid. Our system is... Unique. Which both means you wouldn''t have much luck fixing it properly, and it is one of our sensetive trade secrets." Grinning, the doctor patted him on the back, "No offense... But even Greg had to beg for months to be given a tour."


    Jolana hid a smirk. Yes, that why he was let in... "Sorry, Max. With the doctor''s team overseeing maintenance, and the sims down, we don''t have much to offer."


    Max sighed, rolling his eyes with a resigned smile, ''Really was bad timing, then. Any chance I can have a chat with Alex before I go, then? I have some ideas for the sim, once it is running." Jolana froze up, not having a story for that one.


    The doctor simply giggled, "I''d love to, but unfortunately the system went down last night... And, guess who lept right into repairs?"


    "Alex, the sim nut. Yeah, I wouldn''t sit still either. Guess they are resting now, then." Glancing around, Max fidgeted restlessly, "Guess I should call ahead nex time... Not a short trip out here."


    The doctor smiled smoothly, waving a hand inside, "No, it isn''t. But, before you go... How about Something to eat? It would be a shame to waste the trip, and you can catch up with Jolana at least."


    Not noticing the incredulous stare Jolana shot Dr Elune, Max nodded thoughtfully, "I am a bit hungry... Sure, I''ll take you up on that. You sure it''s okay?" The doctor nodded with a warm smile, moving out of the way.


    Jolana forced a mostly calm smile, stepping back inside, "Well, you know the way to the kitchen... I''ll catch up, just want to run a few things by Sam while I can." Max nodded, humming as he made his way inside.


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    Once Max was safely out of earshot, Jolana scowled, and the doctor held up their hands defensivly, "Hey, It was only polite. And... Less suspicious. Chat for an hour, I will oversee the repairs, and let Alex know. No harm in it, right?"


    Taking a deep breath, Jolana nodded, "You know... You lie pretty well, Sam."


    Chuckling nervously, the doctor nodded, "Practice. Norman was a fan of poker... And, I have a secret to keep. I need to lie well." Turning to head to the shuttle, the doctor waved over their shoulder, "Oh, and since Alex will still be available to chat in the observation deck... You should swing by after. Say hi."


    Gritting her teeth, Jolana wandered into the kitchen, plucking a console display from the wall, "So, Max... You know how to order with these?"


    Max nodded from his chair, taking it from Jolana when offered, "Yup. Can you guys spare the drones though, considering...?"


    Nodding, Jolana went to the fridge, settling for just some juice, not feeling very hungry anymore, "Yeah, they probably need more skilled hands... And our drones aren''t that nimble."


    As Jolana sat down with her glass, Max hummed, "Do you think Alex will be up, soon? I know they had a late night and all..."


    Jolana shook her head, concentrating slightly to make sure she followed the doctor''s mostly true story, "Alex was seriously working on bringing the system back online the entire night. Probably won''t be up and about until evening, if we are lucky."


    Max shrugged, "Ah well. Guess I have been getting along a bit too well with the guy. Speaking of... You seem very certain of when he went to bed."


    Taking a moment to catch his drift, Jolana coughed as she put her glass down slowly, "Shush, you." Blushign as she sighed in exasperation, she glared at the chuckling Maximus.


    "Seemed like you hadn''t quite gotten there yet, before. Congratulations~" Brushing of a growl, Max smiled softly, "Seriously, you two seem like a good match. Less... Complicated than-"


    "... Shush, you." Smiling back, Jolana sighed, "But yes, you''re right... Alex is a good match. Way more complicated though, just in different ways."


    Max raised an eyebrow, "Really? How so?"


    Oops. "Oh, just having to trail after a mad scientist. I doubt they all plan on permanently setting up base here, so if I plan on keeping this up... I''m probably going to have to leave with them."


    Blinking, Max went quiet... That was a good point. Both of them were very thankful when the drones served Max his food, to help break the silence, leading to simpler idle chatter as he ate.

 Ch 103: Electric Brain in a Jar

    Jolana slipped quietly into the observation room, lowering her goggles as she walked up to the dashboard. Tapping a button, she smiled, "Hey, Alex. You all right in there?"


    After a faint delay, the speakers in the room crackled on, "Jolana! I''m mostly fine... Ren and Dr Elune have started on the repairs, and I have already moved all the data out of those systems."


    Giggling, Jolana sat down in one of the chairs provided, "Any other reason you are still shut up in here?" She could almost feel Alex fidget at that, which made her giggle again.


    "Just sorting out my new... Experiences. I have to handle all my own memories myself, with no subconsious to do that for me... Unless I make one." Alex sighed over the speakers, "And... I have been fretting over how to not fry myself if I ever get too immersed in something, whatever the cause."


    Humming thoughtfully, Jolana smirked, "Well, here''s an easy idea... Read up on neuroscience and phsycology. Most of your thought processes are modelled on a human''s, right?"


    "... Loosely in some cases, but yes. I suppose I could try mimicing some of the methods there..." Alex trailed off, pondering where to start.


    "Well, you will neeed to leave your little fortress here to do that, so maybe later~" Grinning, Jolana glanced around, "Um, are there any cameras in here, out of curiosity?"


    "No, actually. Just the microphone, as my only means of observing the room. Unless one of my bodies wanders in, of course."


    "Huh. I''ll keep that in mind, try to avoid relying on body language. You know, nodding and stuff." As they both laughed softly, Jolana sighed, "So, my morning has been pretty hectic..."


    "Oh? What have I missed?"


    "Well... Our dear friend Max decided to try and pop in as a surprise."


    "Odd timing. Did he want to use the sim?"


    "Yup. One little problem with that today, though... If you hadn''t noticed."


    Alex paused for a moment, "Ohhh. Uh, I hadn''t thought of that. So, what happened?"


    Shrugging, Jolana leaned back in the chair, "Sam told enough of the truth to disuade him. Sims use the shuttle, shuttle is under maintenance... Bad timing, that''s all. Even explained why you were unavailable to chat, saying you had worked on the repairs all night."


    "... Mostly true." Giggling, Alex hummed thoughtfully, "I hope the sensors recorded that conversation... I need to know my alibi, after all. Has, uh... Anything else gone awry?"


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    "Not really. Laura being gone means we barely experiment outside the sims... And one day won''t hurt us. Everything else can run off the standard house system." Jolana squinted up at the blackened windows, Alex''s brain obscured from view due to the brightness, "You will be back tomorrow, right?"


    "Probably. I want to wait until the physical repairs are done, to be safe... By then, I should have enough of the rest sorted to at least reconnect with the mansion, if not an AHOR. Those things give a lot of feedback to sift through."


    "You should dull most of it throughout the day. Again, hti those textbooks!" Jolana grinned, and stood up slowly, "Well, I will go back and work on some formulas, for now... Maybe sit on your body, see if you notice in the morning."


    Alex chuckled, "I doubt I make a comfortable cushion. Please check with Dr Elune on the way out, to confirm how long the repairs will take. I will ask myself later."


    Jolana nodded, than caught herself with a grimace, "Sure thing. See you later, Alex!"


    "See you then." The speakers and microphone blinked off as Jolana slid her goggles back on, walking back out into the light-lock as they have dubbed it.


    Emerging into the corridors on the other side, Jolana trailed her hand along the glass seperating the luminescent cables from the walkway. She noted the glass felt mildly warm... Huh. Smiling as she wandered along, she imagined the twisting cables like a set of nerves, not having to try very hard as they pulsed faintly with Alex''s musings deeper inside.


    Shaking her head to refocus on heading back to the house, she noticed the sillohuette of someone up ahead, "Hey! How''s the repair going?"


    Ren glanced up, startled as he grinned and waved hello, "Pretty well. Not much actually got damaged, it''s just that this is apparently designed to only be replaced in longer segments. So, I need to head inside and get a few more made, we should be able to finish up in a few hours."


    Jolana sighed with relief, "Great, I think I have grown too reliant on Alex''s... Abilities. And company. Come on, I can show you to our little fabrication area."


    Ren laughed, "That reminds me of a conversatin from all this starting out, before even the AHOR properly began..." Listening intently, Jolana smiled as she wandered out, heading back to help make some Replacement brain tubing.

 Ch 104: Exertion Once More

    Alex jumped slightly as Hope tapped them on the shoulder, "Mornin, Alex. Enjoy your little rest?"


    "Yes, actually." Smirking, Alex turned around, stretching a little with a groan, "Still waking up, though. I haven''t seen you around much, what have you been up to?"


    Shrugging, Hope started in the direction of the gardens, "Not much. Since I have no tech to try out, and no way to do some ''improvised mining'', I have just been hanging out most days, reading or sightseeing at the Spire."


    "Improvised mining, heh. I like it. Anyway, I don''t think you have seen our new Mars sim yet, have you?"


    Hope perked up a little, "No... That one I keep hearing about, set in the war?"


    "That''s the one. I have a feeling that you would love it... Once I''m less groggy." Grinning, Alex looked around curiously, "By the way... Where are we headed?"


    "Glad you asked! See, I''m bored... And you need to refresh yourself this fine morning. Sounds to me like we should do some fitness tests, hmm?"


    Groaning, Alex spotted a long pathway up ahead, and some fenced off fields, currently unused, "You want me to do sprinting and hurdles?"


    "And some gymnastics, and a little obstacle course. I will set that last one up as you run, then do them all myself after, how does that sound?"


    Grimacing, Alex nodded, "Fiiine... I should test my limits again anyway, see if my systems have degraded since we last tried this. What gave you the idea?"


    "Just feeling cooped up." Hope pointed at a tree in the distance, grnning evilly, "Think you can sprint that entire distance?"


    "... No. I have to try anyway, don''t I?"


    Hope smiled sweetly, and Alex sighed, already feeling sore at the thought of it.


    Alex collapsed face-down onto the bed, Jolana giggling as she raised an eyebrow, "Hello to you too. You look... Dishevelled."


    "Nice word choice." Alex let out a muffled whimper into the matress, "Some advice... Don''t exercise with Hope."


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    "I''ll keep that in mind." Grinning, she glanced down at Alex, "Wait... Why do you even need exercise?"


    "To keep my body... Callibrated, I guess? Also, helps me understand current wear and tear." Alex sighed as they rolled onto their side, "Also, to entertain a very bored Hope."


    Jolana nodded, "Guess that works. Still have enough energy to move stuff into your new room, later?"


    Alex nodded gently, "Drones can do that part... I''ll be fine. You sure the room next to yours is fine?"


    "Yup. Warning of explosions, remember? Just, Put anything valuable on the far side of the room." Giggling, Jolana brushed a hand through Alex''s hair, "And one of you sleep in here, when you can."


    Blushing as they nodded obediently, Alex smiled, "Glad to be back in the mansion... Seems I have grown used to hanging out, now I can get lonely~"


    Ruffling Alex''s hair, Jolana wiggled down to hug them, "Oh, good... Gives you incentive to stick around." Curling up with them, she sighed contently, "I have confirmed Tom wants to come round day after tomorrow... Will you be ready?"


    "I should be fully recovered by then... Just need to make sure I don''t shut down again before then." Grinning, Alex hugged her tight, "As unfortunate as that might be, we will have to wait until after to build up my immunity."


    Jolana rolled her eyes, smiling anyway with a blush, "In the meantime... Did you find any books for research?"


    "No, actually. I had other things on my mind, thank you for reminding me. I shoudl get started, and leave you to your own reseach..." Alex moved to get up, and Jolana tugged them back down.


    "You can read here... And so can I." Grinning, she pulled her display over, Alex fidgeting as they squirmed back into place, eyes half-closing as they read internally. Glancing at Alex''s eyes, Jolana smirked, "Cheater."


    Alex nodded, chuckling as they relaxed with a relieved sigh.

 Ch 105: Back Online

    Alex bowed slightly as Tom stepped through the door, "Welcome back! Ready for another round, I assume?"


    Chuckling as he made his way through the mansion to the VR room, Tom nodded slightly, "I am, but not for the Mars sim, this time. I have other things in mind... How good is the system at replicating your little AHOR project?"


    As Alex followed after, they blinked in surprise, "Uhm... Perfectly accurate. Nearly all designs are simulation tested beforehand, and those models used in the actual fabrication process."


    "Excelent. I have with me some requests and images from our agreed volunteer list, and they would like to see a render of what their new limbs will actually look like. Think your system can handle it?"


    Alex smirked with a nod, opening the door to the vr room, "Of course. I imagine you will have things to talk about with Dr Elune and Dr Ohara, so I shall set you all up while the system starts on the rendering."


    Humming with a nod, Tom made his way to one of the seats, "I see Ren has a head start on that note... When will Sam be joining us?"


    "Well, we weren''t expecting a discussion... But, probably only a few minutes. I will ask the doctor, then let you know inside the sim." Tom smiled and nodded at that, settling into his chair with a sigh, hands gently lowering the helmet to get started with calibration.


    Linking through the masnion''s network, Alex quickly asked the doctor over the speakers, receiving a short confirmation they would head over soon. That done, Alex settled into a nearby seat, closing their eyes as they switched over to the simulation.


    Popping immediately into their own White Room lobby, Alex tooka a peek at Ren''s room, opening a connection with a request to step inside. Getting the okay, Alex floated on through, waving hello as Ren put away his schematics on artificial neuron fibres, "Thanks for the heads up, Alex. Handy that you can feed the cameras into here."


    Alex nodded, smiling as they nodded to the doors out, "It is indeed. So, We should get Tom set up in... Wherever this is going to be held. The doctor is on the way, so we can just get comfortable."


    Ren nodded, hopping up from the chair, "Sure. Now... Are you certain you can handle all this? We haven''t stress-tested the new fixes to the... Server."


    Shrugging, Alex opened the door to Tom''s room, "Alerts will go off if something is overworked, and if we keep small cale I can use of the system anyway. It''ll be fine. Youo go entertain Tom, I will supervise from my Room and work on the test renders."


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    Sighing as he nodded, Ren patted Alex on the shoulder as he walked to Tom''s room, "As long as you''re okay." Fading away as he warped to Tom''s room, Ren waved goodbye, Alex already fading back to their own room as well.


    Keeping an absent eye on the Haven Sim that Tom and Ren agreed upon, Alex spent the next few minutes going through the list of files provided by Tom, compiling the data on each person to better tailor the simulated models. As they were about to go and seek out some additional information and descriptive medical records for realism, Dr Elune connected in, distracting Alex for a moment.


    Popping into the doctor''s Room, Alex st down on the end of the bed as Dr Elune stretched, testing the avatar reactivity, "Hey~ They waiting patiently for me?"


    Giggling, Alex nodded, "Mostly. They just finished picking the spot for the meeting, and setting up the info to be discussed. So... You are just on time, actually. Hop on in."


    The doctor nodded, glancing at Alex, "Go easy on constructing those models for Tom."


    "Yeah, yeah... Don''t over exert myself."


    "Heh, that too. Also... Few systems could whip all those requests in a few hours, no matter the processing power. He will maybe want one or two, and have the rest sent over after he leaves, got it?"


    Alex blinked, not having thought of that, "Oh, right. I will keep that in mind. If I do happen to get ahead of schedule... He doesn''t need to know."


    "That works. And if you do feel any unexpected strain, from whatever source, send me or Ren a subtle message... Or, call Jolana in. We need to plan better contingincies for a system failure."


    Alex nodded, opening the connection to the other rooms for the doctor, "I shall leave the planning up to you and Ren, as I would unlikely be able to play much a part. I will send you a notification once the first model is ready... and you can pretend to receive it later if you choose~"


    Grinning, Dr Elune nodded and strolled into the simulation, Alex fading back to their own room to resume work on the models. Forgoing the extra research to avoid suspicion, Alex hummed aimlessly to themself in the virtual little room, spinning virtual tissue and fibers to test out the look of AHOR''s third phase... Noting that all systems were running fine, patchwork showing no sign of any issues.


    Alex smiled softly... It was reassuring to know they were in good hands.

 Ch 106: Degrees of Seperation

    Max grinned as he came in, giving Alex a hug, "Hello! Good to see evrything is fine."


    Alex smiled as they hugged back, before turning to go on inside, "Yeah, the repairs to our systems went smoothly. If I had of known you were coming, I would have stayed up!"


    "After an all nighter? Nah, you needed the rest. Besides, waking you up just to chat would have been a waste." Grinning, Max stolled in towards a chair, eager to get started.


    As Alex settled into a chair with a grin, Max piped up, "Did you guys find out what caused it, anyway? Be a shame to lose access to such a great rig, after all."


    "Just pushed the system too hard, that''s all. We will keep better measures in place to prevent overheating the proccessors, and it should be fine after that." Max nodded, buckling in to get started.


    Once they were both loaded into the Mars sim, Maxwell waved hello to Alex, "So, this all seems pretty on par with before, but I thought I would show you some videos I dug up of actual combat, get you some more reference material."


    Alex blinked in surprise, "Actual combat? I didn''t think there would be much footage of that. I certainly haven''t been able to find any."


    "That''s the thing with that war... We were up against AI. Most recording methods were easily found and destroyed, or hacked, or scrambled... Everything I made back in the day in my own sims was off eye witness acounts." Calling up a file, Max grinned, "The exceptions being... A few survivors here and there. Most didn''t get a chance to record anything, but I lucked out in finding this."


    Alex leaned over, ''watching'' the video in their head directly at the same rate as Max played it... To make sure they reacted on cue. "Huh... That''s... More brutal than I imagined..."


    Max nodded, wincing as one poor guy got crushed under a falling mech, "Cold, calculating, and absolute control over the field. I''m glad I stayed in RnD... That would have been nasty."


    Nodding in agreement, Alex grimaced as they continued watching, "The movements are definately more efficient. I will have to take notes, since most of my tactics installed into the sim are still..."


    "Human?" Sighing, Max went to close the video, Alex holding up a hand, "Hmm? What is it?"


    Alex gulped as they paused the video, looking closer, "Say, that guy there... In the corner looks oddly familiar. You recognise him?"


    Curious, Max leaned forward, "Hmm... Oh, yeah! That would be Tom, when he was younger. See, I met that squad once, help set up their training sims as recruits... And was devastated when I heard only a few survived. I ended up becoming friends with most of them afterwards."


    Alex maintainted a calm smile. "That makes sense, I suppose. A lot of this sim was made from recordings of your sims in question, maybe I recognise him from those too."


    "Maybe! I should introduce you some time, he would love this stuff. Poor guy didn''t see much action, got hurt soon after this video was taken... So, he would probably leap at the opportunity."


    Thinking hard, Alex nodded with a grin, "I''ll let Dr Elune know, see- Wait, Ren would be better. More connectons. See if we can arrange a little surprise?"


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    Max nodded with a grin, "Sounds like a great idea! Now, in the meantime... Let''s go over your designs for the mechs. There are some smaller details I can notice on these ones, which we should add in..." Alex listened closely, sening a subtle message to the doctor as they tried to calmm down for the moment.


    Max waved goodby over his shoulder as he left, making his way to a mag-pod to get back to the spire. Alex groaned as they closed the door, turning to Dr Elune who had just come downstairs, "I''m guessing you got my little message?"


    "I did, and wondered why you didn''t simply hold the conversation... Until I watched the whole thing. I figured you needed to concentrate, once I saw." Nodding at the study, the doctor kept walking, planning on talking in comfort.


    Alex meeped in surprise as Jolana hugged them once they were in the study, "Hey Alex... Sorry for not hopping in, I wasn''t sure if it would have helped, or made things worse."


    Smiling as they hugged back, Alex shrugged, "Things were normal conversation after that, so I had it covered. I suppose you have seen my conversation with Max as well?"


    Ren nodded from his chair, "Sam figured we could help, since we were the ones to set these connections up in the first place. I hadn''t really thought that they might know each other..."


    Dr Elune nodded as they sat down, "Which is unfortunate, sadly. There is too much overlap of info between the two of them... And too much of a link to the war."


    Jolana frowned, glancing at Ren, "Well, I was a rushed into, right? Maybe... Maybe it was time to tell them anyway."


    Dr Elune nodded thoughtfully, Ren scratching his head, "I guess? Tom is pretty relaxed about the whole thing... And isn''t even showing any resentment, after reliving memories in the sim. Looks like his next visit will be a bit different."


    Alex took a deep breath, fidgeting at the thought... This is what they had been working towards, after all. Jolana let go of them with a nod, moving to sit back down in her own chair, "So, shall I schedule Max to come at the same time?"


    Dr Elune shook their head firmly, "No, nope, nuh uh. Tom we can be fairly safe with at this point... But, Max is still less... Predictable? Can you say for sure he would join in on our robo bandwagon?"


    Sighing, she shook her head, "You have a point. If at least one of them knows... We can avoid unexpected note comparing at least, right?"


    "Right. I will hanle scheduling Tom... You discuss how to break it to him." Mumbling to themself in thought, Dr Elune left the room, trying to think of things to say when it was their turn.


    Jolana looked at Ren, "So... How well do you know Tom?"


    "Not very well. Greg was closer, and more as a businessman, and not a friend. We know him better now, from his regular little joyrides in our sim... But I don''t have a clue on how best to do this."


    Alex smiled, "Well then... It has been a while since we have sat down with Greg. Guess we are chatting with your dad, Jolana."


    Blushing, she nodded, "Right... That sounds like a good idea."

 Ch 107: Meet Our Mechanical Genius

    Tom looked around curiously, everyone gathered in the entry hallway. Dr Elune bowed slightly, smiling slightly, "Hello, Tom. We have a bit of a surprise for you, this time."


    Grinning, he walked forwards, led by his curiosity, "Ohoh? And what will this little surprise be, or am I not allowed to ask?"


    Laughing, the doctor took the lead, heading through the house, "It''s... An interesting one, actually. One that we have been considering for a while. You know how we have mentioned our little supercomputer, that runs this whole show?"


    "Hmm, yes... I will admit I am curious as to why you have kept it so secret. It should be just another computer system, after all."


    Dr Elune simply smiled, wandering out through theback door, in the direction of the looming shuttle. Everyone else shuffled along behind Tom, glancing at each other nervously, Greg bringing up the rear. he had managed to get some time away from the office, to help with the little gathering.


    Slightly disquieted by the silence as they marched along, Tom still kept on a broad grin, "Perhaps... That is why your shuttle is so large? At first, I had assumed it was intended for planetary jumps, but maybe you needed the space for all the hardware."


    Alex giggled, "Great minds do think alike... Our old station, before we built this shuttle, initially had most of it''s layout converted to a giant supercomputer. Just... We don''t need to do that, anymore."


    Bristling with anticipation, Tom quietly nodded, patiently walking up to the shuttle as Dr Elune opened the entryway, "The path to our computer is fairly obvious... But, try not to wander off." Ducking inside, the doctor slipped ahead through the narrow passageways.


    Peeking his head inside, Tom blinked in surprise at the blue tubing running along each wall, a pulse faintly eminating from deeper inside. "Follow the pretty lights, I assume?"


    "Yup! The fillaments act as a transmission method for the data... And, a cool way of lighting the shuttle." Tom hummed thoughtfully as he admired the walls again, having assumed that the lights were only decorative... Not a functional part of the ship.


    The group soon reached the segment leading into the heart of the shuttle, where the light grew more intense, fillament lining every bit of wall leading further in. Dr Elune silently handed a pair of the light protective goggles to Tom, who nodded in understanding... The hall was obviously brighter further in, and there were some turns and ramps blcoking his view.


    As they marched in through the serene glow of the passage, Tom piped up, "One thing that just occured to me... Those goggles sitting at the entrance. Are they at every passageway leading into here?"


    "Hmm? Oh, that is a fair question. There are only four entrances to this part of this shuttle, in each direction from core. Both have trays of goggles, and if they get mixed up too much, we have a drone collect and redistibute them."


    "Ahh, that makes sense." Trailing a hand over the sheet of glass protecting the main hallway, Tom glanced around, curiousity rising once more... Why was he being brought here? And this design was not like any other he had seen...


    Turning the last corner to the stairs leading up and down, the doctor pointed at the door up the top set of stairs, "Up there is a ''light-lock'', as we have come to call it. We won''t all fit, so please wait here as we take turns." Tom nodded, waiting patiently as Jolana, Greg, Hope and Ren all walked forwards, leaving just Alex and the doctor with Tom.


    It wasn''t long before a tone sounded, and Dr Elune strode forwards to open the door, making way for the others as Alex sealed them in. A dull light up above flickered, the doctor peeling off their goggles to rest on their chest as they waited for their eyes to adjust. Tom followed suit, itching to hop inside.


    Filing into the room ahead, Everyone else was seated, murmuring quietly amongst themselves. The doctor groaned as they eased down onto one of the chairs, lookign up at Alex, "So, uh... Any chance we can lower the system''s output, and give a clearer view?"


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    "Hmm... The polarised glass will obsure too much, I suppose. I can lower the... Proccessing to a standby state, then come back online in ten minutes. It will be on a timer though, so don''t dawdle."


    The doctor nodded, "That will take a moment, I assume... So, I shall do a little intro." Alex stretched as they wandered over to a chair next to Jolana, who nodded and leaned against them as they closed their eyes. Tom glanced back and forth, slightly confused as the doctor glanced at Ren, who sighed, moving up to the dashboard.


    "So, Tom... As we said earlier, we are here to talk about our proprietry proccessing center. We will show you the hardware first... Then, tell you how it was built. You will figure out the reason for the secrecy pretty easily." Glancing around the room, Ren nodded, and pressed the button to begin lowering the light shielding.


    Tom leant forwards to look, and gapsed when the main unit came into view. Pulsing with a gentle glow, the massive dome of synthetic nerves was almost inactive now, only an ember of light glowing from the center. Tom stared up at the doctor, "That is... Certainly a unique look. What is it made of...?"


    "Just your standard plastic fibers... Albiet with very precise manufacturing. We recently had to do some maintenance, which was a pain..." The doctor giggled, and nodded at Ren to raise the shielding up to an acceptable level again, in case they lost track of time, "It was making effictive use of that system which became the real issue. Light transmission is one thing... Proccessing is a whole different story."


    "I can imagine so." Leaning back in his chair, Tom grinned, "Had to design a new operating system, did you?"


    "... No." The doctor grinned smugly, "We already had one... Unique enough that the transition was easy. It is that same OS that runs our little sims."


    Blinking in surprise, Tom quietened down slightly, "Really now? Programmign capable of running on never before seen hardware... And creating the most accurate depictions of virtual cityscapes and past events. Almost sounds too good to be true!"


    Dr Elune glanced around the room, and Greg coughed slightly, "In a way... It is. When Ren first approached me about this little venture, he was very cautious about it, as one would expect. The idea intruiged me, though... So I agreed to hlp them out."


    Tom grew slightly uneasy, "With a system...? But, your field wouldn''t help much with that..."


    Dr Elune smiled softly, "I''ll be blunt... Our software is actually too powerful. We... Are breaking a few laws in that regard."


    Tom took a deep breath, "Ahhh... Thus those little remarks about how I viewed AI." Glancing back at the darkened window, he thought about it, "Well, it can''t be that bad... You have actually been rather helpful with everything, after all. And an event on the scale of mars would be astranomically rare."


    Everyone simply glanced at each other, when the light started seeping through the glass, systems rebooting, "Ah, that must be ten minutes." Dr Elune glanced over at Alex, who sat up with a groan.


    Looking around the room, Alex blinked, "So, how much have I missed?"


    Tom looked back and forth, utterly at a loss, "Asleep? Now? And specifically for..." Tom trailed off, eyes widening as he slowly turned back to Alex, who smiled sheepishly with a wave.


    Walking over to rest a hand on Alex shoulder, Ren smiled at Tom reasuringly, "Tom... Let me reintroduceAlex. The designer of this shuttle, of the sims you have enjoyed... And the main prototype of a full AHOR unit."


    The doctor shuffled over to stand over on Alex''s other side, "And... A dear friend to me, who needs your help if we are ever to leave the outer reaches of the fourth haven."

 Ch 108: Quiet Discussion

    Tom sighed as he reclined on the sofa, everyone once again crowded in the study, "So, to recap... Alex has been an AI this entire time, and is the sole motivation behind your little Cybernetics venture?"


    Dr Elune nodded, "That''s right. Alex has been developed over a long period of time, with a heavy focus on social interaction... So, we are confident Mars won''t happen again."


    Nodding, Tom looked up at Alex, who waved shyly, "That... I will concede on. I have shown an open mind thus far... And Alex has had plenty of opportunity to wreak havock."


    Hope grinned at that, "Such as when we all carried that highly destructive weapon onto your space platform? Alex can survive the vacuum of space, remember."


    Paling, Tom chuckled when the doctor whapped Hope upside the head, "Not helping, Hope. That didn''t end too well for you, I''d like to point out." Hope simply shrugged, still grinning cheekily.


    "Moving on... I presume you intend on me being your reprasentative to the council?" Everyone nodded, and Tom sighed, "Makes sense... I do have a fair bit of pull, over in the spire. But... Am I really your best option?" Tom looked pointedly at Greg, raising an eyebrow.


    "We did think of that. We are saving that option for the other havens. To be frank... Convincing the council will be easier than convincing her." Fidgeting, Greg looked at Jolana, who nodded.


    "... You have a fair point there. And, may I ask... If I refuse?"


    "Depends on how you refuse, really." Ren smiled calmly as he shrugged, "We won''t force you to be our rep, but at least keeping this under wraps would be appreciated. If you were to tell the council, without winning them over first..." Sighing, he shook his head, "We would simply flee, and be forced to live as fugitives. We knew the risk, after all."


    Tom nodded thoughtfully, that was a reasonable approach. "Say... You are a less likely candidate to be on this team than I am, Ren. From what I had heard... I only lost a leg."


    Ren held up a hand to shush him, "Similar to you... I''m smart enough to blame the intent behind the mars incident, not AI as a whole. It is... Was, difficult to do. I had reason to change my mindd before I met Sam, though."


    Smiling in resignation, Tom looked around the room, "I guess... I should at least think on it. I will agree to keep this ''little'' secret from becoming the spark of another war... But I am hesitant to become a conspirator."


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    "That is fine. We obviously would preferyour help, but it is a big ask." Dr Elune glanced at Alex, "And, uh.... No offense, but we may need to keep an eye on you for a few days. We want some warning if a federal hisquad is sent after us."


    Laughing with a nod, Tom grinned, "Hey, that is a very real concern in your position right now... Thanks for the heads up, at least." Glancing around the room, he smiled curiously, "So, you really all knew?"


    Greg leant over, nodding with a chuckle, "Yup. Sam''s team obviously helped work on Alex... Ren was the one to contact me before this all happened. Jolana, well..."


    Huffing, she crossed her arms, "I, on the other hand, was kept out of the loop at first."


    "Oh, really? Even considering, well..."


    Blushing, Jolana went quiet, not expecting to be called out on that point. The doctor laughed, "We had to tell her once we caught onto that possibility. Also made talking in the house easier."


    As both Jolana and Alex blushed noticably at being poked fun of, the rest of them chuckled quietly. Tom sighed as he leant back, glancing at Alex idly, "I have to say... Splendid work. You had me fooled for quite some time, there."


    Dr Elune grinned, humming as they relaxed, "Most of the credit really belongs to Alex and Laura. The software was almost entirely self-perpetuating, and the two of them worked on the processors design together."


    "So, little of your handiwork made it''s way in?" Tom smirked at the doctor, "And here i was thinking you were meant to be a genius."


    "Hey now. i start most of the designs... It''s just, Alex usually finishes them, then Laura builds them. I needed Ren''s help on the AHOR project, so there''s that, too..."


    "Ahh, so that is how he got involved. Seemed a little odd, him joining all this."


    Dr Elune groaned with a nod, slumping into the sofa, "You wouldn''t beleive how tense it was, some days. You try having an AI actively pilot prototype prosthetic limbs... Without their creator catching on."


    Snorting, Tom grinned as he listened, "Okay... Story time. Now I need to know more about the time he was brought on board."

 Ch 109: Easing Tension

    Alex fell face-first onto the matress, groaning as they relaxed slowly. Jolana sat down softly, giggling, "Glad that''s over, huh?"


    "Yup. I have been fretting about his reaction since we made the decision to tell him..."


    Leaning over, Jolana rubbed a hand over Alex''s back with a gentle smile, "I could tell, with all the silent musing you have been doing. Tom seems to be okay with us, for now."


    "Which is great, on it''s own... He is fun to have around." Chuckling, Alex rolled over, wiggling to comfortable on the bed, "It would be great if he did agree to help us, though. Who else could be we turn to?"


    Jolana pouted, poking Alex slightly, "Don''t underestimate my dad~ He might be... Less well-known that Tom, but he can put in a good word with the right people." Sighing, shelaid down next to Alex, leaning softly with a content smile, "But... Tom would be... Well, people would accept his word easier, especially since he knows some of them personally."


    As Alex laughed softly with a nod, Jolana hummed, thinking on it further, "We should get as many people backing us as we can, though... The council is much more likely to beleive a larger crowd. Ren is a good reference, if only he was more well-known... Sam might be, as well? Only because of the recent surge of attention, though..."


    "Hadn''t thought of that...I had just assumed all the goodwill from releasing the OHPS publicly would be ruled out by being my creator?"


    "You are kinda right there... People are much too wary of ''too good to be true''. But, alongside Ren and Tom... Dr Elune wanting to advance us a society is much more beleivable."


    "Yeah, I suppose so." Alex tilted their head to the side as they considered more options, "Say... what about Max?"


    "Hmm? Oh, he isn''t very well known either... The real problem is actually the opposite, for if he disapproves."


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Alex sat up slightly, smiling nervously, "Because he knows how AI work, to a degree?"


    "No... Because he is more cautious than Tom." Furrowing her brow, Jolana grumbled, "And, he has many more military contacts then Tom, should he decide we are in over our heads..."


    Dry swallowing, Alex groaned as they eased back down, hugging Jolana softly, "That''s... Good to know. Do you think we should convince the council first then, or...?"


    "No." Jolana firmly shook her head, "We would need to fully convince the council first, and get their protection in order for that to work... Max only needs to make one phone call, and we have a fleet of very dangerous ships headed our way from the outer Relay Ring. Max needs to be convincedfirst."


    "... Okay." Ruffling Jolana''s hair, Alex grinned, "Has he asked when to come over next yet, by the way?"


    "Nope. Knowing him, though... He won''t be coming around for another day or two, due to his reguilar schedule. We can start our planning tomorrow."


    "Great. I feel way too drained after being on edge around Tom..." Easing back into the bed, Alex stretched out with a groan.


    Smirking as she leaned over Alex, Jolana nodded, hair falling in a curtain around her face, "So then, to help you relax... You can either tell more of those embarrasing adventures of the ''Norman'' unit that you were telling Tom... Or, you can keep that promise from before..."


    Blinking in surprise, Alex looked up at her, "Promise? I don''t..." Remembering, Alex blushed, hugging her close with a nod, "... Oh. I guess I should~"


    Giggling happily, Jolana kissed Alex on the forehead, then hopped up to check the door, "Just what I wanted to hear~ Now... Let''s see how you handle things this time around, hmm?"

 Ch 110: Unconfirmed assistance

    Tom leaned side to side, coughing quietly, "I can see you guys fine... Can you see me?"


    Dr Elune nodded, Alex standing at their side patiently, "Everything is clear on our end. What do you think?"


    Grinning, he tapped the little projector gently, "These Holograms of yours are rather handy. How do you get such a clear image capture, though? And in 3D, no less..."


    Alex smiled, "That would be my doing. That is not standard functionality with the OHPS units... Or, with standard camera quality, either."


    "Ahh, I see now.Your little helping hand also explains why half of Sam''s systems aren''t in mass production, yet."


    "Both in terms of intuitive responses, and sheer proccessing power." Giggling, the doctor leaned towards their projector, "Now, as to why you have called today... Have you made a decision on your stand on this?"


    Tom nodded, leaning back in his chair with a sigh, "Both yes and no. I am certain I won''t tattle, at the very least... I do support what you are trying to do, and those notes Ren sent me were enough to put my few concerns at ease." Grimacing, Tom shrugged, "But, to risk going against interplanetary law for you? I''m... Uncertain."


    "Uncertain? So, not fully against it yet?"


    "Right. If you can find some concrete way of proving Alex will remain good natured, that will give me more to work with as your representative. Until then... I plan on simply remaining a friend and customer." Tom chuckled with a sly smirk, "Possibly thinking of some of that evidence as I do so, if I can."


    Sighing with relief, Dr Elune smiled gratefully, "Thank you, Tom. We are asking for a lot, I know..." Alex nudged the doctor slightly, making them lean up to listen to a whispered comment, "Oh, right... We do have one idea of our own."


    "Oh? And what is that?"


    "You known those sims of Mars we made?" Tom nodded, curiously listening, "Well, we had some help from a friend who you might still remember. Do you keep in touch with Maximus anymore?"


    "Hmm, Maximus... Ahhh, I remember him, yeah. We don''t talk often, but he was an interesting one. Dated young Jolana once, now that I think of it."


    Alex choked slightly at that, causing Tom and Dr Elune to chuckle, "What, you hadn''t figured that out yet, Alex? I thought you were smarter than that."


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    "... I hadn''t thought to ask." Blushing, Alex took a deep breath, feeling like an idiot for not piecing that together, "Anyway... I have met Max, was the main point."


    "Right. Well, if you get him on our side as well, I''m sure the lot of us will think of something to convince my beaurocratic friends."


    Laughing softly, Dr Elune shifted in their chair, "We thought the same thing. Problem is, Max doesn''t know yet... And is showing more signs of caution."


    Nodding as he mulled it over, Tom hummed to himself, "That makes sense... Well, I can help you with the reveal, and pick his brain to see if he would really accept things."


    "That would be great, and the sooner the better. We don''t know how long we can fool him for." Nodding up at Alex, the doctor grinned, "Max comes to visit about as often as you do, to use our VR setup. Maybe we can start combining your sessions?"


    "... I think I actually saw him in one of your pods once, now that I think on it." Laughing with a nod, Tom sat up straight, "That works for now. I may need to miss the next one, to try and get some plans in order... But, let me know when you are thinkiong of having us meet up."


    "Sounds like a plan. His next session is actually tomorrow, but for the one after that we will try and arrange something suitable for the both of you."


    Nodding in agreement, Tom leaned forward, poking around at the sides of his projector, "No promises, but I will see if I can help... Alex shows promise. Now, how do I turn this off?"


    "Small power switch on the bottom. I will handle the rest." Smiling, Alex waved goodbye as the images flickered out, transmission over.


    "That... Went almost as planned, actually."


    "Yes it did, doctor. Which is a surprise around here, from all the malfunctions we have to clean up."


    Smirking as they looked back at Alex, the doctor leaned over, "Speaking of, I have been meaning to ask... Your proccessing peaked a few nights ago, but there are no signs of damage this time. Getting used to things, now."


    Blushing with an exasperated sigh, Alex left the room without responding, leaving the doctor to laugh quietly to themself... Smiling as they thought to themself about Alex''s adjusting to this way of life.

 Ch 111: A Quiet Corner of Space

    Akasha glanced up, and blinked in surprise as Alex flickered into life above her, "Oh, hello! Having fun over there in the haven?"


    Alex nodded, smiling broadly as they floated around, "I am! I just had a moment, and figured I haven''t checked in with you guys for a while. How are things?"


    Putting her book down on her desk, she relaxed in her chair, "Besides Laura, things are about the same here. With Sam gone... Nobody has anything to do."


    Alex blinked as Akasha sighed, looking around quietly. Floating amongst the shelves with a hum, Alex giggled, "The doctor does make things hectic. No major incidences, with all of us gone?"


    "None. The biggest event not involving Laura was when Billy fell off a balcony... Several floors up."


    Wincing at the thought, Alex shivered, "Judith patch him up okay?"


    "Hmm? Oh, yeah. He''s fine now. Might start to consider signing up for... What was it''s name? AHOR?"


    "Ahh, yeah. If he gets cybernetic reenforcement, he won''t get hurt as much." Coughing slightly, Alex looked towards the exit, "Speaking of... Any major breakthroughs there?"


    "As far as I can tell? It''s going pretty good. We almost have artificial plasma ready, which wil be usable in general medicine, and as a means of operating the AHOR models. You included."


    Blinking in surprise, Alex ''sat'' down in a chair, "Wait, really? That was fast. If we get that perfected, everything else is pretty much done."


    "Yup. Laura has been slaving away over prototype models to test the new theories, and Ren has been sending almost daily revisions to your brain map."


    "I noticed that. I would be losing most of my power to prevent overheating, but if he does get it small enough..." Shivering as they thought about Ren''s research, Alex shook their head, "Anyway. I will probably stick with my bigger model, maybe get an upgrade if we have the time."


    Akasha giggled, "And why would you need that? You could barely use a fraction of the main processor when you left."


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation."... Nobody told you?" Akasha raised an eyebrow curiously, confused as she shook her head, "I semi-recently managed to fry my current processor."


    "Wait, really? How did you do that?"


    "... Secret. My main point is, I now handle more complex sims on a daily basis... And, more complex emotions, too."


    Smirking, Akasha leaned over, glancing at Alex appraisingly, "Really now? This is news..."


    "Oh, shush." Blushing bright, Alex turned away to murmur quietly, "... Remember Jolana? I brought here through the connection a few times..."


    "... Oh?" Akasha blinked in surprise, going to lean on Alex before catching herself, remembering that there was only a hologram there, "I thought for sure you would still be chasing after Sam."


    "Strange things happen, I guess." Still a bright shade of red, Alex sighed as they turned back to face Akasha, "And, was I really that bad before?"


    "Well, yeah. Did you forget that was our argument for you being sentient?"


    "... I did, actually. Archived too much stuff over here. I can''t just remember that stuff, sadly." Smiling as they floated back up into the air, Alex hummed thoughtfully, "Yet another reason I should look into an upgrade... I have waaay too little memory space on one little shuttle."


    Akasha nodded, "Well, maybe we could refit some of the shuttle to neural banks... Used primarily for energy storage and memory."


    "... Hmm. Doubling the use as a sort of battery, huh?" Alex nodded to themself, "That''s a pretty good idea. Once Laura is finally done, and is back at the haven, we should talk with Ren about the idea."


    Noticing something niggle at their attention, Alex paused for a moment, "Well, I gotta go. Have some guests to entertain, and plans to make before that point. We should catch up more often~"


    "We should!" Waving goodbye, Akasha sighed as Alex disappeared, picking her book back up to curl up in her little corner of the library...


    But not before rolling her eyes atthe departing message from Alex. "Oh, by the way... There is one thing you should learn from Billy~ Talk to you soon!"

 Ch 112: Treading On Glass

    Tom made his way inside with a smile, waving hello to Alex who was waiting patiently at the door, "Good morning. Am I the first to arrive?"


    Alex nodded, turning to lead the way, "Morning, Tom. Maximus will be arriving later, he had a project to finish this morning."


    "Ahh, I see. I hope his workshop is doing well. I assume nothing was unusual the last time he visited?"


    "Not at all, the visit was the same as always. Test out some new ideas in the sim, chat about logical structures, some idle gossip about games and the like."


    "Heheh, sounds like you get along rather well, then." Chuckling as he made his way to his usual chair, Tom glanced around, "Should I dive on in, or wait?"


    "Up to you, feel free to start if you wish. He shouldn''t be too long, but getting started can''t hurt." Coughing, Alex fidgeted slightly, "Oh, and... One little thing before you get comfortable."


    "Hmm? What is that?"


    "...Max does not know that the Mars sim was requested for you. Could you pretend you heard of our project through Greg, and wanted to give it a try?"


    Tom hummed quietly, "Not that far a stretch of the truth, I suppose... As long as I don''t have to keep up the act long, okay?"


    Laughing softly, Alex nodded as they went back to the door, "That''s fair. More than fair, even. I''ll go and wait in the foyer, but I can monitor the sim at the same time... Just not too closely."


    "Cheater." Smirking as he settled into the chair, Tom pulled the helmet down to start calibration. Alex chuckled to themself as they continued walking, dulling down the AHOR''s feedback until they spot Max.


    Staring off blankly across the hallway as they focused on setting Tom up in a custom sim, Alex blinked as Jolana wandered up to their side, "You seem distracted there~"


    "That tends to heppen when I replicate a small world." Giggling, they turned to her with a smile, "Will you be joining us today?"


    Shaking her head, Jolana glanced at the front door, "Nah, I think things will be complicated enough for you to juggle. Aren''t Ren and Sam joining you, though?"


    "Just the doctor. Ren is holed up in his room at the moment." Smirking, Alex hugged Jolana softly, "And I guess a pleasant distraction is still a bad idea, today."


    "Heeey now... You need to stop getting better at flirting. I can see you becoming quite the heartbreaker~"


    Blushing as they turned their head to the side, Alex smiled, "I''ll try to hold back, then. Concentrate my flirting on one spot."


    Rolling her eyes with a grin and a faint blush, Jolana peeled away from Alex with a sigh, "I can see the resemblance between you and Sam, definitely... Well, I should leave you to it. Can you set up one of the displays in my room to an observer though, so I can keep an eye on things?"


    Alex blinked, "Done. Have fun, with whatever it is you will be doing~" Waving as Jolana headed upstairs, Alex turned back to the front entrance, just in time to spot a mag-pod slowly trundling along in the distance. "Must be Max." Walking calmly to the door, Alex waited just inside.


    Sure enough, Max was soon climbing out of the pod, grinning broadly as he waved hello. Trotting up to the front door, he looked around, "All ready to go for the day, are we?"


    "We are indeed! Want to grab somethign to eat first, or shall we dive right in?"


    "Nah, I ate in the pod on the way over. Figured I would make good use of the long trip."


    Gigglign as they headed towards the vr room, Alex nodded, "That is a pretty good idea, yeah... Unless you eat something messy." They both chuckled quietly at that, "Anyway... Today, we will be having a slightly different lineup."


    "Oh? Anythign new and exciting?"


    "The opposite, actually. Just thought I would give you a heads up." Alex smiled softly as Max peered at them sideways, curious. glancing up at the room ahead, Alex quickly warned Tom that were disconnecting... They had to ''load in'' after Max, after all.


    Shortly after, Max was reclining comfortably in his chair, finishing his calibrations as Alex reconnected consiously to the sim, and switching the AHOR to standby. Hummign cherfully as their perspective shimmered over to the sim, Alex brought up their control panels, and started setting up the room connections.


    Floating on through to the main sim as Max finished getting ready, Alex waved to Tom and Dr Elune as they sat on either side of the glass table, "Back again. Max will be through shortly."


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    Tom nodded, glancing around, "I have to say it again though, Alex... You did a great job on this one. I mean, damn... I can barely tell I''m using the headset."


    Laughing softly, Alex sat down at the table opposite the doctor, "I might be slightly obsessive about that... Back on the station, I had a lot of spare time, and not much to do with it but nap."


    "Hah, I guess so. Do you still nap, as you put it?"


    "Yeah, but due to actually needing the rest now... Not due to boredom." Glancing over at where they came in, Alex watched as Max appeared in the doorway, coming in from his lobby room.


    Looking down idly, Max''s eyes bulged as he froze, "Uh, Alex... Where are we?"


    "In a replica of my space platform, actually. The real thing is much more terrifying, knowing that you are standing on reinforced glass." Standing up with a grin, Tom held out a hand, "Nice to see you again, Maximus."


    Striding forward to shake the offered hand, Max laughed, "It''s good to see you too, Tom! Guess Alex couldn''t resist calling you over, after knowing of someone else who would appreciate all this."


    Tom grinned as he sat back down, "I have been coming here for a while, actually. I only recently learnt of your little joint project, though... That Mars sim takes me back." Alex smiled, thinking that Tom had nicely explained their familiarity.


    "Really now? You have had a shot at it already then?"


    "Oh, a few times. I coudl probably beat you at the survival mode too, I reckon."


    Grinnig with a low chuckle, Max sat down at the table, "Yeah, probably. Good to see you so..."


    "Fit?" Laughing as he looked down at his legs, Tom noded, "One of the perks of the sims. I usually have Alex make me a few years younger in the Mars sim, to boot."


    "Makes sense." Blinking as he looked around the sweepping shooting gallery that the crew had visited months past, Max whistled, "Back to this, though... You say this is an actual room on your platform?"


    "Yup. Perfectly replicated too, by this majestic system here." Grinning as he looked down through the glass, Tom admired the view of the stars, "Ahh, if only I could have this setup at home..."


    "I know what you mean. I get vr-related requests at my workshop all the time, but I can''t hold a candle to this seemless interface." Blinking as he looked to Dr Elune, who had sat quietly with a grin, Max asked, "Hey, Sam... How is it that this is so good at picking up commands?"


    "Hey, don''t look at me... The sims are Alex''s creation. I''m just here to chaperone~" Grinning as they turned to Alex, the doctor waved to have them explain.


    Blushing, Alex fidgeted under the spotlight, thinking over their response first, "Well, uh... The receptors in your helmets are actually really sensetive, and can finely pick up any brain activity. After the calibration, you are continiously monitored, and the system gets a good idea as to what you are thinking."


    "Oh? And how detailed is that reading?" Tom leant forwards curiously, glancing at the doctor as he did.


    "... Very, if set to be that good. For people''s privacy, it only reads areas related to emotion and and motor function, to get an idea as to how you are acting, that sort of thing. Even then, it doesn''t go too deep, and saves none of the raw data."


    Catching their drift, Tom nodded, mostly satisfied with that answer, "Hmm, it would be interesting to see a live feed of my own scan, one of these days... Maybe I will learn more about myself!"


    Alex nodded with a smile, "Sure, any time you want. It shouldn''t be too hard to make a readout for that."


    Max chuckled as he looked at Tom, "I doubt there is much more for you to learn... You are a pretty smart guy, as I remember."


    "Hah, there is always an opportunity to learn a little extra. Anyway..." Glancing at Alex with a smirk, Tom jerked a thumb towards the door, "Enough with the meet ''n'' greet... I kinda want to put your skills on Mars to the test, now."


    Cracking his knuckles, Max eased out of his chair, "Oh, you''re on. This should be an interesting little game."


    Sighgin as they nodded and commanded the Mars sim to initialise in a seperate area, Alex got up with a giggle, "You joining in, Doctor?"


    "... Sure, why not." Stretching as they got up, Dr Elune grinned, "I should tryu out this Mars sim myself, after all... See what it is like."


    And so, once the sim had finished loading, they all strode through the door... Alex grinning as they thoguht up ways to spin the challenge around the small group.

 Ch 113: Sally Forth

    Alex watched from their usual rooftop as the others got outfitted below, settling down in a chair, "So, as you get ready... What do you want to do? Survival, or a short campaign?"


    Dr Elune looked up, "That depends... What kind of campaign are we talking?"


    "Procedurally generated quests, tailored to mimic the war. Rescuing survivors, capturing key points, defending them, etcetera."


    Max nodded with a grin, "I gave the campaign a short try, once... Rather unforgiving, haha." He looked around, and pointed down the street, "I made it... Three blocks, I think? Didn''t even rescue the first survivor."


    "Oh? You got a survivor quest first? Mine was a couting mission." Tom chuckled as he finished selecting his equipment, "I got a bit further, about ten blocks... Lots of hiding and waiting, though. Almost made it to my vantage point, I think..."


    "Nah, you were only halfway there." Giggling as they brought up some displays, Alex hummed, "The NPCs that were accompanying both of you weren''t that good... But, now you are a team of three. Should be better this time, right?"


    "Suuuure." Dr Elune smiled to themself, thinking that this would be a rather short adventure from the sounds of it.


    "Hey, a question... How come you never join in? You are always monitoring things from up there." Max scratched as his chin, looking up curiously.


    Tom nodded, chuckling quietly, "You''re right... Maybe you should join us down here, one time."


    "Nuh uh, someone has to be GM... And, uh, the interface isn''t very user-friendly yet." Poking their tongue out, Alex smirked, "Besides... I do have a preference for Stratagy games."


    "Hah, I knew you were guiding them! Well, I will beet your tactics yet." Tom and Dr Elune looked to each other and chuckled, nodding as if to agree with Max.


    Alex floated up higher above them, calling down, "Well, looks like you want the campaign this time, then? If so, I should scurry somewhere else, or I would break your immersion~"


    The group nodded, hefting their rifles as Alex shot off into the distance... And disappeared once out fo sight, observing them through the sim directly. Much more convenient, that way. "Okay then... I''ll start your mission breifing now. Head on inside." A door appeared in the wall next to them, a dimly lit room on the other side.


    A small crowd of people glanced over at them, shrugging as they returned to what they were doing, mostly inspecting weapons or eating lumps of... What was probably food. At the end of the room was a lit map table, an officer glancing up to breifly beckon them over.


    Shuffling thorugh the crowded bunker, Dr Elune whistled appreciatively as they looked around, before a little notification appeared inside their helmet from Alex, "Warning: NPCs will get confused if you break character. I can fix their ''memory'' after, but try not to do that~" Trying not to chuckle, the doctor subtly nodded, dismissing the notification as they followed Max and Tom.


    "New guys, or did you find your way here from another bunker?"


    Tom glanced at Max, who shrugged, "Both. Did some scouting a few months back, just got back from debreifing those at HQ." Alex smirked to themself, interesting compramise.


    The officer sat back against the wall, glancing them up and down dismissively, "Well, we will take who we can get. If you guys already know the way to survive here, even better." Pointing past them at Dr Elune, the officer frowned, "That one doesn''t look like a returning soldier, though."


    "Nah, got assigned to us on our way back. Sam''s new." Glancing down at the map, Tom hid a smirk, "We''ll look after ''em... Right, Max?"


    "Right." Looking at the officer, he raised an eyebrow, "How should I adress you, Captain?"


    The officer looked down, glancing at their jacket, "Ah, this ain''t mine. Got it in the middle of an ambush, and have been meaning to fix it... I''m only a Master Sergeant. Ron is fine, makes things simple."


    Max nodded, "Will do, Ron." Glancing over at Tom, he rubbed at his chin, "Well, we are still fresh and ready to go... Anything needing attention?"


    Ron though about it for a sec, leaning towards the map again, "We do have a late scouting expidition... I have been considering sending a tentative rescue cum-backup squad."


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    Tom pointed to a segment on the map, "Here right? The turns there could easily hide a trap."


    "That''s the one. The distress beacons haven''t gone off, so they are either still alive, or went instantly."


    Max dry swallowed, sighing. "Lovely. Either a gentle walk, or hell itself. Will we have anyone else in our group?"


    "I''ll check if a few guys are rested enough... But, considering you probably don''t have much to do but run back either way, I''ll probably only send one more." Grimacing, Ron waved idly to one of the benches, "Take a moment as I prepare your assigned call signs, and get your beacons calibrated."


    Nodding, Max unclipped a tiny orb from his jacket, handing it over. Tom did the same, Dr Elune following suit before they shuffled to their designated corner. "So... Guess I should start asking questions."


    Tom laughed, sitting down with a thud, "Ask away, Private Sam."


    Glancing between their own jacket and Tom''s, the doctor smirked as they sat down, "Yeah, first thing first... Are you a higher rank than me?"


    Max nodded, "We both earnt Corporal from survival mode, byu the looks of it. Guess you need to prove yourself... Private."


    Groaning, the doctor glanced back at the map, "Besides the delightful array of things about to shoot at us.... Beacons?"


    "Yup. Set to trigger a broadcast if you die, or if you activate it manually. Also syncs up to a watch." Holding up his wrist, Max turned his on, "See these red areas? It means someone died there recently."


    Dr Elune gulped, "... Oh. I thought it would be some way of finding everyone else. You know, the people still alive."


    "Can''t. Our enemy can hack anything instantly. The broadcasts get shut of a second after we fire them, so this is all from a memory bank... One that is about to be updatyed by Ron."


    "Ohhh. That makes sense. No radio comunnication whatsoever, huh?"


    "Not even a little. Long distance can sometimes get away with light transmissions... Sometimes." Chuckling evilly, Tom poked the doctor in the knee, "First peice of advice: Don''t get seen."


    Max laughed as he nodded, "Second? Every surface can probably trigger a trap. You will get used to checking everything."


    Sighing as they hung their head, Dr Elune smiled, "I wil try and learn quickly then. Is survival mode any better?"


    "Yes and no. Better supplies, but no bunkers to hide in, like this one. Just constant waves of stuff trying to kil you."


    "Great." Looking up as Ron approached, the group straightened as he came up beside them.


    "Good news, I do have oneother newbie to send in with you, but that''s it. Everyone else has missions to prepare for... Or recover from."


    Max and Tom nodded calmly, "Thank you, sir. From the look of the route, we will be back in two hours."


    "Hope to see you then. There will not be a third team." Turning, Ron pointed to the front door, "The other Private will meet you outside in ten minutes, with your beacons."


    Tom and Max saluted to the back of Ron''s head, groaning as they got up, "Good to see we won''t be waiting very long."


    Dr Elune giggled, "What, Alec makes you wait?"


    "Sometimes, yeah. Gives us time to plan. It would be best to get this one done quick, though... I have a feeling things will be crazier on the way back."


    "If we get that far, you mean." Chuckling, Max wandered out fo the door first. the other two followe behinf, Dr Elune in particular squirming at the distinct feeling that they should have done some tutorials or something first.


    It was not long before a voice interrupted theit musing from behind them, "Private First Class, reporting. You two seem to have a plan already huh?"


    Turning, the guys nodded, chuckling as they pluicked their beacons out of her hand, "So, you any good?"


    "Probably not as good as you guys, but I could catch up if I actually tried." Grinning, she turned to the doctor, "So... Alex suckered you in, huh?"


    Dr Elune simply laughed as they shook their head in wonder, "Seems so... Nice job sneaking past us, Hope."


    "Thanks! The look on your face was so worth it."

 Ch 114: Sproing, Bang, Boom

    Max led the way cautiously, Tom bringing up the rear as HOpa dn Dr Elune shuffle along in the middle, eyes darting around in the narrow passageways.


    "Mind if I ask some questions, so I don''t instantly get shot to bits?"


    Hope giggled, nodding to the doctor as she kept an eye on Max, "Sure. Just don''t ask too loudly, we have to keep quiet."


    "Got it." Glancing up and down, the doctor fidgeted, "... Why are these corridors so narrow? I doubt the mechs could fit through these."


    "The mechs don''t need to. If you hadn''t noticed, there''s no ceiling."


    Dr Elune went ghostly white, looking up nervously at the strip of open sky, "Lovely. Why do they even bother with the wider corridors we came in through, then?"


    "Because they still need to harvest supplies, at least in reality they did. Heavily armed convoys guard the miniral trucks though, so we leave them well enough alone... Unless someone thinks of a good trap."


    "Ahh. Then..." Brushing against the wall next to them, the doctor gulped, "Which is safer...?"


    Tom chuckled from behind them, making the doctor jump, "That depends on your team, really. And random chance. Looks confident with his gun, and I''m good at spotting traps... So, for us, we are probably better off in narrow halls."


    Max nodded from up ahead, now and then throwing out a small ball connected to a cable, "Pretty much. I can tell most traps apart... If I see anything fishy, I''ll ask a second opinion."


    Dr Elune sighing in resignation, rudging along the eerily silent passageways to the soft thuds of boots and Max''s tiny orb.


    At an intersection, Max tried to turn left, but paused as he read something on his wrist panel, "Slight signal read from the dummy. Should we risk it?"


    Tom chuckled as he went to the front, "Eyes up as I check this out. Ambushes are quite likely."


    Whimpering softly, Dr Elune scanned the skies as Tom peered ahead, "Hmm... Both ways look innocent enough. Lets look at the main culprits... Remote sensor, which means we are already screwed. Turret trigger, which we might be able to set off. Or, decoy to make us go the other way... Into an old fashioned pancake."


    "... Do I want to know...?"


    "Walls slam together. Jam covered pancakes."


    "... No I did not. Thanks."


    Hope giggled as she peered around, "Still no activity nearby. I think I spot a mech in the distance on that hill... But, it seems otherwise preoccupied stalkig something."


    Max glanced up, and narrowed his eyes, "That... Looks like a mech, yeah. Either we are safe from a remote beacon then, or we are about to become live bait."


    Dr Elune frowned, "You know, this is all very reassuring, you lot."


    "Hah, that''s why real soldiers got drilled on this stuff, and were subjected to ''artistic recreations'' of the primary traps. Bac-"


    A loud boom stopped him in mid sentance, the mech in the distance raining fire to some unfortunate target closer to it. "Well... One mystery solved." Clearing his throat, Tom continued, "... Anyone feel like wlkaing barefoot?"


    You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.


    Hope shrugged, and took off a boot. Dr Elune simply looked at her, "Really? This will work?"


    "Half the time, yeah. Doesn''t rule out the other way being a pancake too, though." Hope grinned as she tossed the boot down the suspicious hallway, everyone waiting hesitantly....


    And it landed harmlessly. Dr Elune sighed with relief, about to step forward when Tom held out a hand to stop them. "Other boot, Hope."


    Nodding, she tossed the second boot, and it landed without a care just past the first. Dr Elune rolled their eyes, "Great, can we-"


    THUD.


    Dr Elune saw Hope giggle with her hands over her ears... But, they didn''t hear it. Tom visibly sighed as well, but the doctor didn;t hear tha either. Glancing at Dr Elune, Tom pointed at is own ears, and calmly shook his head, holding up five fingers.


    "Five minutes?" Tom blinked, thinking about it for a second before nodding. Oh, right... Nobody else can hear from the impact either. Looking back at the passageway, Dr Elune shivered, eyes growing wide as they looked at the small crater on the ground. No guns, no pancake. Just a very powerful landmine. Good thing Hope has a good throwing arm.


    Dr Elune''s shivers grew worse as they imagined if Tom hadn''t held them back. And then... They slumped to their knees, Hope shaking them with a sigh. Cupping the doctor''s chin, she made them look up at her, other hand pointing at her helmet.


    Helmet... Laughing shakily, the doctor held up their hands in defeat, "I''m going to withdraw for now. A bit too insense for my tastes." With a flicker of some pixilated flecks of light, the doctor was gone, and back in their little White Room lobby.


    Groaning, they went to logout, as Alex materialised in the room, "Hello, doctor. Don''t you want to stay and observe, at least?"


    Giggling, they shook their head, "No, nope, nu uh. I need to get back to some peaceful and safe reality. Maybe hook me up with a display panel, yeah?"


    Smiling with a nod, Alex floated off to the doorway of the room, "The panel on your left is connected now, when you leave."


    "Cool." Pausing with their button above the logout command, the doctor glanced at Alex, "You know... As awesome as you are, that made me knida realise why people fear AI."


    Nodding clamly, Alex turned back around, "Power in the wrong hands, yadda yadda. I should probably tone it down, though..."


    "Try not to make our guests throw up?" Laughing with Alex, the doctor shook their head, "Yeah might not be a good idea to intimidate Max before we get him on our side."


    "I know... But my pride as the GM demands it!"


    Ruffling Alex''s hair, the doctor mokingly sighed, logging out before Alex could respond. Peeling off the VR helmet, the doctor simply sat in the molded chair, catching their breath.


    "Maniacs, the lot of them." Giggling softly as they got up, the doctor whistled as they made their way upstairs, diaplay in tow as they watched the fun.

 Ch 115: Explosions at their Best

    Alex floated over the maze of passageways, invisible to the party of survivors below. Nodding, Alex was impressed... None of them had made it this far on their own, when on previous campaigns.


    Hope groaned as she sluped against a wall, everyone now back on an open wide road, "Well, that was a fun little adventure I never want to repeat. Did you have to set of every bloody trap?"


    Chuckling as he slumped to the ground next to her, Max nodded, "Oh, but of course. This will earn us the respect of the others back at base, from having cleared out so many."


    Tom laughed when Hope aimed a light whap at Max''s head, "I have to admit... Thecompressed oxygen fireblast was hard to counter. What made you think of firing a repulsor at that?"


    "Same principal, really. Both rely on a blast of air, maybe they could cancel each other out." Hope grinned as she tapped the deceptively compact device at her hip, "I mostly paniced and got lucky, though. Quick thinking can be useful, when stuck on Sam''s station."


    "Oh? Any dangerous experiments gone wrong?"


    Tom laughed, "Sam''s areckless scientist, but not quite mad from what I have seen. Probably have a lot of rapid repairs to that station, though."


    "Yup. Our emergency proceedures are top-notch, with even the majority of hull breaches resulting in no permanent injury." She gimaced slightly, sighing as she leant against the wall, "Most. We do still live in space."


    Tom nodded appraisingly, "That line of work must have a bit more risk there, in comparison... But I''ll admit, even my space platforms I manage have a few tragedies I have to answer for. Remind me later to ask the doctor about some safety tips."


    Hope simply nodded with a giggle, getting back up slowly, "Anyway, resting won''t do us much good... Where to next?"


    Tom pointed down the main street, "Well, following the previous party''s planned route... Up ahead, to the right. There is an abandoned bunker there, so if there is to be any sign of them, it''ll be in there."


    Nodding, Max led the way, little sensor darting in front of him as he waved it about, still wary of traps even on the big roads. He had learned that lesson before.


    They reached the alley in question without incident, finding a secret panel to open up to the bunker. Door whooshing open, the stairwell down on the other side bleakly awaited them.


    Tom held up a hand, "I''m calling it. This is totally a trap."


    Hope looked up, confused, "Sure, it might be... But why?"


    Max shook his head with a sigh, catching on. "Because how many explosions have we set off? With absolutely zero mechs causing us grief?"


    Tom grunted as he glanced down the stairs, "Either, small mechs for assasination. Large mechs nearby waiting to surround us. Or, some good old explosives, the way thet like it best."


    Hope hefted her repulsor, "I say we knock, see if anything stirs."


    "... That is your favourite weapon, or what?"


    Hope giggled as the other two moved aside, pointing her gun into the bunker. "Look out, wave incoming!" Pulling the trigger, she grunted as the repulsor fired bursts of kenetic energy both directly in front and behind her, mostly cancelling out the recoil as the bunker shook from the impact... And the building on the other side of the street rattled slightly.


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Peeking their heads inside, the group listened closely... "No moanin'', groanin'', or general signs of life. I say we hightail it back to safety." Everyone nodding in agreement, they turned around...


    And saw the welcoming party cresting the rooftops at either end of the street. "Option B, large mechs. Crud." Wasting no time, Max bolted into the bunker, Tom and Hope shortly behind as they slammed the door shut behind them, sealing them into inky blackness for a moment before they each turned on their lights.


    "That went well." Trudging down the steps, Tom sighed as he lanced aoound the room, flicking on a lightswitch, frowning as nothing happened, "No generator."


    "Might have been from when I tested the place for traps. I''ll check if I can get it running again." Ducking into a back room, Hope hummed quietly.


    Max plopped down onto a chair, glancing over a map table similar to the one from the earlier bunker. "I can see some faint marks on this map... Recently made ones, from the prvious group. They made it in okay, at least."


    Hope ducked back out, headed to the lightswitch, "And back out. No bodies. They probably didn''t know about the welcoming commity, though." Flipping on the lightswitch, Hope nodded in satisfaction as dim lights flickered on throughout the bunker.


    "Let''s see... Some food, some water... A couple of air cans, for refueling special equipment and suriving bio haz..." Tom rifled through the supply shelves, "Nothing really exciting. Some old logs, too."


    Max glanced up, grinning, "Now I''m curious... Logs you say? Since this is all virtual..."


    Tom blinked in surprise, laughing as he plucked a tome from the shelves, "Hey, you have a point there! Got swept up for a moment. Now I wonder what is stored in here..." Flipping open the book, Tom scanne a few lines with a smirk, "... Very funny, Alex. Can you hear me?"


    Alex flicked into the middle of the room, giggling as they waved hello, "Yeah, I have been keeping tabs on you all. Been having fun?"


    Hope nodded, high-fiving Alex with a grin, "Hell yeah! Terrified, sure. But, this is way better than asteroid mining."


    "... I would imagine so?" Chuckling, Max looked at Tom, "So, what is written down in there?"


    "A detailed recount of my previous failures in Campaign and Survival." Tom gestured over at the shelf, "I bet you have a volume there, too."


    Shaking his head, Max stretched out, "I''ll pass, for now. Maybe next time I find one. Speaking of," Glancing around the room, Max grinned, "Break for lunch?"


    A chorus of nodding met Max''s suggestion, and Alex assisted with them starting to log out, "If you guys want to resume after, you will spawn right back in. If not, then I can save this spot for later."


    "Sounds good. You coming, Alex?"


    "Nah, you go ahead. I have some stats to rebalance, you know, GM stuff." Chuckling as they waved goodbye, Alex observed the others leaving the sim room through the mansion sensors, before letting their mind drift back into the sim.


    ... And starting to plan what the trip would be like~

 Ch 116: Balancing Act

    Max sighed as he stepped back in from the garden, shaking his head, "Sorry guys, I gotta run... A big order just came in, so it will be all hands on deck for the next couple of days."


    Jolana glanced up at the dining table, having joined the group for their lunch, "Really? Ah well, I guess that''s what keeps you in business."


    Hope grinned as she leant back in her chair, gnawing on a bit of a sausage, "Well, it was fun while it lasted. Definately more interesting than trying that gauntlet on my own!"


    Max chuckled with a nod, scooping up a bagel for himself, "Yeah, it was actually pretty awesome. I''ll see if I can get through this order quickly, come back and continue where we left off."


    Tom glanced around the table, smiling contently, "I could get used to this arrangement as well... Certainly was more exciting than checking on the statitics shoved ontop my desk."


    Dr Elune got up, dusting off some crumbs in the process, "Well, I hope you have fun with keeping busy, and let us know when you get a chance to come back, yeah?"


    Nodding as he waved to the others, Max followed the doctor out, munching away on his bagel, "Alex is probably still doing stuff in ther Sim. Say goodbye to him for me, I don''t want to interrupt."


    "I''m sure Alex would understand." Smiling as they showed Max out to his pod, the doctor watch and waved until there was only a little speck in the distance.


    Wondering backto the others, the doctor laughed as Alex''s holographic head peeked from the top of the doorframe, "Hey there, doctor."


    "Hello Alex. Having fun?" Passing under the projection, Dr Elune sat back down at the table, the others chuckling to themselves quietly.


    "Yes, yes I am." Wafting through the air lazily, Alex watched the discussion from above, "Been revisiting my planjs for the sim, since you didn''t fall for the trap."


    Tom chuckled, looking up at Alex''s projection, "Nice try, but you aren''t quiote as cunning as the real deal. Which is good for us, I suppose." Picking up a peice of toast, he started nibbling on it idly, almost full from earlier.


    Hope looked over at Tom with a smirk, "Not all of us are so well-versed in the art of kicking robo-ass."


    Spluttering slightly on her drink, Jolana giggled as she reached for a napkin, "I was watching over in my room. The sim looked pretty intense, considering."This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    Dr Elune nodded, "While I have played that kind of game before... The responivensss of Alex''s VR makes it a bit different."


    "Also, knowing that it is based of history, too." Sighing as he pushed away his empty plate, Tom leant forwards against the table, "Say... I had an idea."


    "Hmm? What idea was that?"


    "... What if Alex kept training? A mind like that, in less.. Vicious hands, and we would have a perfect guardian, across every haven."


    "That is a terible idea." Everone jumped at the unexpected retort, Ren wandering in from downstairs, "That is what made the Mars indicent begin, in the first place."


    "I thought that was never confirmed?" Sidling to the side to make room for Ren, Tom looked up curiously.


    "... Not officially, no. But I saw the changes, and when they started. That AI was not that horrible, when it was first made."


    The room went quiet, and Ren laughed nervously, rubbing the back of his head, "Ahhh, sorry. Just couldn''t keep that in. As much as I like Alex, I am still wary of where those roads can lead."


    Alex nodded from above in understanding, "And that is why you are helping us, right? To try and make a way to prevent that from happening again."


    "... No, but it makes a very good added benefit." Chuckling as he sat down, Ren sniffed the air, "... I should have come down earlier. I may have skipped breakfast, and whatever you guys had smells delicious."


    Jolana waved one of the little displays in Ren''s direction, "Go nuts. We keep our pantry pretty well stocked." Glancing up at Alex, she giggled, "You bringing your real body out, or what?"


    "Or what." Poking their tongue out, Alex hovered a bit closer to the ground, "Interacting like this uses much less proccessing power than an AHOR, and I am still going through the sim data right now. I''ll come out in a bit."


    Tom smiled softly as he watched the two, "Anyway... I am conflicted over our continued gaming sessions. I can''t tell if they are a good idea, or not."


    "Hmm? Care to share your view on it, then?"


    "Sure. That little trip was a fun bonding experience, and we can laugh about it after with Alex... But, on the other hand, it is also a stark reminder of the worst case scenario. Ren''s caution being a case in point."


    "Right... Maybe Alex can shift you over to a different sim, fight alongside you as well somehow?" Humming to themself, Dr Elune considered the option.


    "I would still be controlling the sim, though... Which would ghet distracting, and harder to do seemlessly." Stretching out in the air, Alex grinned, "Besides... I think nostalgia is half of the draw, for our band of gun nuts."


    "This is true. Max does seem fairly invested in helping put this together." Frowning as thery put aside the cooperation idea, the doctor looked down at their empty plate, "Well, let''s all go think about it, and exchange notes throughout the week. We aren''t in a huge rush right now, after all."


    Reaching a general concensus of nods, the groups clattered to their feet, drones shuffling in to handle the cleanup, Alex winking out as people went back to their day.


    Pausing near the front door, Tom nudged at the doctor, grabbing their attention, "Oh, by the way... With those AHOR parts, any news?"


    "Hmm? Oh, yeah. Laura sent some newer schematics over, I have put in a request with Greg to start assemlbing a few. We are toying with a few ideas for the actual integration part. I''ll let you know once we have some prototypes."


    Nodding approvingly, Tom waved goodbye, making his way slowly to his mag-pod, the doctor slipping back inside to go and look over some designs in their lab.

 Ch 117: Bio Mechanics

    Dr Elune wandered down the hallway, the mansion having an off day. Alex and Jolana had disappeared at some point, which made the doctor giggle quietly to themself. Hope was holed up in her room, chatting over a secure line with the station. Greg was still at the spire, catching up with some friends in one of the countless bars. Possibly several of them...


    Which left the doctor to pester Ren. Poking their head inside Ren''s open doorway, Dr Elune coughed, "May I come in?"


    Ren looked up from his tinkering, waving the doctor over, "Sure. Sorry about the mess, but Laura finalised the socket designs for the modular AHORs... So, I''m getting a head start."


    Sitting down on one of the few clear patches of bed, the doctor peeked over curiously, "Still hard at work on the improved nervous systems?"


    "Yup. Tactile nerves are fine, even in Alex''s current models... Other senses, too. The spinal collumn barely holds up, though... And I think I can almost get the brain efficient enough..."


    The doctor nodded, nabbing a nearby display, "One sec, that reminds me of an idea... By the time Laura gets back, you should have a pretty good system set up... But how about this little caveat?"


    Ren turned his heas idly, blinking at the screen as Dr Elune held up a schematic. "Hmmm... Interesting. That would actually work really well..."


    "The modular part also means we can slot back in the transiever, instead. Hide the importans seems just inside the hairline, for swapping purposes."


    "... I like this spin on it, yeah." Rubbing hs chin thoughtfully, Ren nodded, "Alex will benifit greatly from a setup like this, moving forward. My own designs... I don''t plan on swapping often."


    "Oh? Ah well, at least you have options now." Turning to look at the lifeless unit Ren was working on, the doctor chuckled, "Besides... You won''t get the system safely small enough for a while. This proposal of mine gives you a catalyst, until then."


    "... Stop making sense. It''s disturbing, coming from you." Smirking as he fumbled blindly for a pair of pliers, Ren continued nudging and modifying, "But yes, once we set up a mobile nerve manufactury, we can start work on a new and improved version of the hub for both of us. Mine being smaller, of course."


    "Of course. Alex needs room to sim, after all." Resting their head on their palms, the doctor simply watched Ren work as they chated away, there not being enough room for two people, "Say... I doubt I can modify the current AHORs to accomodate the Mod system. What are we going to do about the Diplomat models?"


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    "Seriously? Have you seen the latest diagnostics?" Putting down the pliers, Ren reached for some thin wire next, "The main downside of those early prototypes is no self-repair... Slight wear can be resealed using the solutions we have on hand, but it still takes a toll." Chuckling quietly, Ren looked at the doctor, "And hey... Guess when the signs of wear and tear started to accelerate?"


    The doctor paued for a moment. "... When we had our ''outage''." Ren nodded, turning back to his work. The doctor simply groaned, smiling all the same, "I should have thought about that. Guess those models are doomed for the scrap heap soon enough, anyway."


    "Prototypes. Gotta love em." Ren grunted as he leaned back, taking a swig of water from a bottle, "The self-maintained solutions Judith and Laura have worked on together back at your station are nearly ready... Once they had that Artificial Plasma, everything else was much easier."


    "Yeah, no doubt. We should ask Greg and Tom for contacts to sell the plans, we would make a small fortune off the medical field with that alone. Add in some cheaply cloned Platelets, and you have yourselves an abundance of blood donations."


    "you should discuss it with Tom next time he is over." Ren paused, frowning, "... But Max will be here, now. We can''t really talk about AHOR then, it would be asking for trouble..."


    Dr Elune nodded, "Not until he knows about Alex. That ia a worry for another day, though. I included some variations to the brain design in my schematic, to allow for flexibility. You should give them a look."


    "Will do." Sighign as he looked at his handiwork, Ren turned to the doctor, ".... I''m not sure of you would approve as to my reasons for doing this... But, thank you for helping me."


    the doctor raised an eyebrow, "Come on... We are trying to rewrite humanities most recent trauma. I cant really judge. It''s pretty clear what you are trying to do, though..." Rubbing the back of their head, the doctor shrugged, "... I dunno. I''m just going to wait and see."


    Ren smiled, "... You are probably close in that guess. And thank you." Packing away some of his tools, Ren groaned as he got up, "I should go to your shuttle, check up on Alex''s preccessor. You comin''?"


    "Sure. Got nothing better to do today." Smiling as they helped Ren pack up, the two of them gently moved the unit Ren had been working on back to a better spot, before heading on out for a routine inspection to make sure Alex was running fine.


    ... The doctor was slghtly amused to find a surge of brain activity that day, as expected.

 Ch 118: Whos There?

    Alex beamed as the group faded back into the bunker, everyone''s equipment clattering as they loked around, "Welcome back! Want a refresher before we get started?"


    Hope giggled as she looked ot the other two, "I''m good to go. You?"


    "Hmmm... Maybe some target practice. What are our chances?" Tom grinned as he looked to Alex.


    "I can do that. One moment." Alex turned to a nearby wall, thinking for a moment before waving their hand, the wall lifting up to reveal a well-lit, clean shooting gallery, Alex wafting on ahead with a smug grin.


    Whistling appreaciatively, Max set his stuff down at one of the booths, glancing down at his rifle, "So... About ammo, and targets?"


    "You won''t use any of your ammo, and I''ll get some targets up and running in a moment. Just let me know when you are all done, okay?" Alex peered at the booths, tweaking them slightly to bring up statistic panels, listing Accuracy, Score, and Shots Fired.


    Snickering as she picked a botth next to Max, Hope took aim down the range, "This ought to be interesting... I wonder what our ''targets'' are going to be."


    Right on cue, Alex matrerialised some smaller mechs in the middle of the shooting gallery, producing a yelp from MAx as he opened fire. Each target rapidly shattered ino small parts, clattering to the floor.


    "Deactivated mechs, duh. What else would I use?" Chuckling, Alex spawned in some more, a few of them plodding forwards to the booths slowly, "They can''t touch the booths, or fire... And this is all a sim, anyway."


    Grumbling as he setback up, Max deliberately ignored Tom''s smirk as he went past to his own booth. Taking aim once again, he took a deep breath and got to shooting.


    Now and then, Alex woudl deliberately spawn in a mech hiding behind the rubble of one recently defeated, each pile of rubble taking a while to dissolve into nothing to make things interesting. None of these simple mechs made it all the way to the booths, but a few managed to produce some paniced sprays of gunfire erratically over the range.


    Soon enough, everyone was satisfied with their ''warm up'', and wandered back into the bunker proper, taking their displays with them to compare. "Hey... How come you got a higher score? I swear I was keeping up in takedowns."


    Tom laughed as he glanced at Hope''s screen, "I noticed it early on... Moving targets gave more points. My accuracy was horrible as a result, though."


    "... Wow, it really was. Spray and pray, huh?" Giggling, Hope stretched out, glancing back at the wall closing behind them, "Maybe you should have that as an option elsewhere, maybe different enemy types?"


    Alex nodded with a thoughtful hum, "Yeah, that would be pretty simple... I almost have the input recognition simplified enough to work on smaller systems, and a gallery is pretty light compared to the full sim..."


    Max and Tom both perked up, "Really?"


    Holding up their hands, Alex giggled, "Really. You have to remember, though... I said smaller systems. Not home PCs. A house as high-tech as Greg''s could probably handle it... After I finish compiling the mini."


    "Hmmm... In that case..." Max grinned cheekily, "My workshop could probably handle it. Sure, I would have to upgarde a little hardware, but I won''t exactly complain about that."


    Shrugging as they finished resetting the room back to the way it should be, Alex floated up to the ceiling, "I will silll need to work on that more, first. Maybe subtly test it on you guys as we go, see if you notice anything."


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    "If I die to input lag... I know where you sleep." Smiling sweetly up at Alex, Hope fluttered her eyelashes endearingly.


    Alex snorted, wafting through the ceiling with a wave goodbye, "Such a sweetheart. Anyway, I''ll monitor from my usual spot. Leave when you are ready, I have fast-forwarded the time by an in-game dayafter you first arrived."


    Everyone nodded, that seemed reasonable. Running one last check on equipment, the merry little band ventured up the steps... Pondering what might await them outside.


    Stopping by the door, Max volunteered to listen for any activity. Pressing his ear to the door, he closed his eyes, and stood completely still for a whole minute, the other two waiting patiently as Max focused.


    Peeling himself away from the door, he turned to them with a puzzled frown, "No mechanical noises, no shuffling... No wind, either. And I know these sims have wind." The other two nodded, not surprised since the door was fairly secure. "But... I did hear what may have been a hint of... Swishing?"


    "... What?"


    Max shook his head, climbing back down the stairs, "I don''t know... Maybe I was imagining it. Either way, dibs not opening the door."


    "Dangit." Sighing, Hope climbed past to the door, glancing back as the other two retreated all the way to the bottom. "Wusses!" And without further ado, she flipped the security lockdown, and released the door seal.


    And was promptly hit by a wall of water. sceaming as she was forcefully sent back down the stairs in the rush of water, Hope grunted as she was snatched behind a table by Tom, giving her half a second''s respite before the water cought up, pinning her back down again anyway.


    Suddenly finding themselves undwerwater, in murky blackness, and thoroughly winded from the impact of the unexpected flood, the group scrambled through the water for the only exit, half swimming, half crawling up the steps.


    Finding that the water did not stop there, Max frantically kept swimming up, gasping as he surface at last, glancing around with an exhausted laugh, "Oh, Alex.... You devious bastard."


    The other two surfaced soon after, and they swam their way to the nearest rooftop, which was level with the now flooded streets. Clambering up tiredly, they all cought their breath, gazng out at the transformed street below them.


    For a block in each direction, murky water drew level with the rooftops, gently sloshing over the rims as the water swayed back and forth. At the end of each block, the lockdown barricades had been risen, which were apparently water tight, as they had just been shown.


    Alex flickered into being in front of them, smiling, "So... How are we all?"


    "You''re an ass."


    "I''ll take that as a compliment."


    Giggling, Hope shook her head, "Definately creative, I''ll give you that. Not sure it''s allowed in our ''accurate reenacting'', though."


    Tom paused, "Actually... It might. I swear I have heard a story about thhis before."


    "... You''re kidding, right?"


    "I wish I was. From memory, that story ended very poorly."


    Sighing in resignation, Hope stood up, shivering slightly as she rung out what she could from her clothes, without changing. "Guess I can''t argue that."


    Alex nodded, "Thought it would make things... Interesting. Yu all still want to continue?" Recieving a bunch of surly glares, Alex disappeared with a giggle, leaving the party to start their journy back to base.

 Ch 119: Game Over

    Sodden, shivering and shaken, Hope peeked around the corner, quickly retreating back as she held up two fingers. The other two stifled groans, Tom holding his hands side to side to ask how big.


    Hope thought about it, and gestured in the middle. Nodding, Tom pointed at the far wall, glancing back as Max nudged his way to a similar spot behind. Hope pointed at the ground near the corner. With a silent nod, the group shuffled forward tentatively.


    She did not make it to the corner though, as one of the hulking mechs crashed around the corner ahead of them, gunfire spraying over the alleyway. Hope fired a burst from her repulsor, but did not manage to avoid the hail of bullets headed their way.


    Grumbling as she logged out, defeated, Hope peeled off her helmet, reclining in her chair with a sigh. Glancing around, she picked up a display to see how the other two were doing.


    As they had been further away, they managed to duck behind doorframes in time, only getting light nicks and scratches from passing lucky shots. When the mech got thrown back from Hope''s departing shot, they let loose immediately, riddling the core of the machine with holes, ducking back as the other mech approached from behind the ruin of the first.


    Satisfied that they would be able to continue at least a bit longer, Hope left them a message they she was going to stretch her legs for a moment, and put the display down, not exactly expecting a response in the middle of a firefight. Hopping to her feet, she wandered to the garden, taking the opportunity to catch some fresh air.


    She blinked in surprise as Alex fell in alongside her, smiling as they looked around at the garden, "Sorry about that. The whole event was pre-scripted, I didn''t expect you to get a faceful."


    "Ah, no worries. That sim was meant to be hard, after all." Chuckling, she nudged Alex, "Say... Won''t Max get suspicious if he needs a sudden break, or something?"


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    "Nope. Other unit is still there, waiting for the sim to end." Alex smirked as they spotted a nice bench, making a beeline for it, "One of the advantages of having two bodies."


    "... I keep forgetting you can do that. I almost never see both in one place." Grinning, Hope wandered to the nearby flowerbeds to take a closer look, glancing back as Alex sat down, "Isn''t it distracting, controlling that as you run the sims?"


    "... A little. Main reason I sat down, I can divert processing from my legs." Sighing, Alex leaned back, "It''s not so bad if I keep my senses dulled. I can spare the concentration for a chat, like this."


    Hope nodded, coming over to sit down next to them, "Guess you aren''t up for a jog then?" Alex groaned, making Hope giggle, "Kidding. Jogging doesn''t really do you any good, anyway."


    "Mmm... It would be interesting, if I could improve my body simply through using it like that. I''d probably go the opposite way, though... Too much time in the lab."


    Hope snickered as she nodded, "Yeah, I could see that. You, ah, would still get some exercise, though..."


    "Hmm? How so?"


    Smiling, Hope raised an eyebrow at Alex, "I saw your little boy butt slink out of Jolana''s room, this morning. You looked awfully... Refreshed~"


    Alex blushed, sighing as they glanced away, "I guess you have a point. And that was my girl butt this morning, if you must know."


    Blinking in surprise, Hope leaned closer, "Ohoh? Hadn''t occured to me you were trying both. How do they compare~?"


    Alex nudged Hope away, sighing in exasperation as they got up, "... Needs further study." Hoe snickered again as she got up as well, "... Shush. Anyway, I doubt the guys can last much longer, they are about to trigger another ambush. You should head back, and I should hide."


    Hope nodded, walking towards the mansion as Alex called out, "Oh, and don''t mention our chat. Second body and whatnot." She nodded, waving as she turned back, and heade inside with another giggle.

 Ch 120: Singularities and Supercomputers

    Max groaned as he peeled himself out of the VR chair, glancing up as Hope entered the room, "Enjoy your little walk?"


    "Yup! Enjoy getting your ass kicked?" Smirking, she sat on one of the nearby chairs, watching Max stretch after sitting still so long.


    "Har dee har. Alex sure knows how to put together a good chellenge, I''ll say that much." He looked over at Tom, who was still firmly in place, "Say... I swear I saw him go down first."


    "Maybe he wants to test something else in the sim? Alex has a wide variety after all." Hope grinned broadly, kicking herself for almost saying something off.


    "Ahh, true. Either way, I think I will walk it off next. Heart is still racing, might as well make the most of it, eh?" Hope nodded with a chuckle, bowing to the side as Max jogged right out the door.


    Tom sighed as he peeled off his helmet, "I, on the other hand, won''t be walking anywhere after that. Help me up, would you?" Hope hurried over, and held out a hand to pull him to his feet, "Thanks. Nothing makes me feel my leg more than watching people make good use of theirs."


    Hope raised an eyebrow as she handed Tom his cane, "Then why do you go in the sims so much? Surely they would be worse."


    "Stubborness, mostly." Chuckling tiredly, Tom make his way steadily to the kitchen, "And to remind me of what I can still do."


    "You make a pretty good strategist, from what I have seen. No wonder you run a successful station business."


    "There is that." Tom smiled softly as he glanced around, "Plus, being up there is an interesting experience. Escpecially in the older mag-boot ones."


    "Ahh, those. Did you know our station was originally mag-surfaced?" Tom blinked in surprise, and Hope nodded, "Yup. You would never guess it, now... Sam saw a convenient ring of segments, that could be turned into one of the newer grav-spheres."


    "Wait, you lived in a grav-sphere? Like, one with a large singularity?" Tom''s eyes widened slightly at the thought.


    "Oh, yeah. Now all the stations use tiny linings of maintained microsingularities... But not Sam. That wasn''t possible yet back then, so our only choice was one big one, and to use the glass domes technique around it."


    "... Well, damn. Half of those fizzled out in the first week. And after that one that did spiral out of control, the others are mostly abandoned, now."


    "Turns out, just don''t over-feed it. We quickly figured out that a peice of debris caused that unaway reaction, the one that sparked all the media drama. We... Have a good monitoring system."


    Tom smirked at Hope''s giggle, "Had, you mean?"


    "Hmmm? Oh, nah. We left behind a copy off all the core systems, and had Ren help double-check they were clean. That singularity isn''t going anywhere, and we have a safety-ejection measure as well."


    "... Now I want to know. How exactly does one eject a black hole?"


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    "The same way you pilot it, duh." Giggling, Hope continued chatting with Tom about the peculiarities of their station''s Reissner¨CNordstr?m singularity.


    Elsewhere around the mansion, Dr Elune read over Alex''s proposal for the standalone VR subsystems. "You sure you can get the interface seemelessly working?"


    "I''m sure. I tried it out on Hope once or twice earlier, and she didn''t notice. The main problem is the processing requirements."


    Dr Elune nodded, "Which is why you want to support Ren''s compressed neural designs as a commercial product."


    "Win-win, right? Same as the OHPS. You get the designs near enough perfect for our needs, then release them for both profit, and to distract the public from what we are really pshing for."


    "... I doubt it would work as well for a literal robot brain." Giggling, Dr Elune leant back, "Although... Removing our monopoly on processing power would be a good show of humility. Prove to the world we aren''t planning on taking over any time soon."


    Alex swiped at the doctor''s head, projection harmlessly passing through, "At all, you mean."


    "Hmm? But, then we will never fire the PEWPEW!" The doctor laughed again as they ducked another swipe, Alex sighing in exasperation above them, "I''m kidding, geez. I think we should pass this idea onto Ren, see if he is up for it."


    "Will do. Should probably check his progress too, last I saw he was struggling with heating issues."


    "... That part is easy, for you. Use the brain as your primary heat source, and vent the excess through your body using the artifical plasma."


    "Oh, yeah. I guess that would work. And larger models could be used to heat the ship, or mansion. Or whatever."


    "Exactly! We waste so much darn energy just keeping that shuttle livable. Using your dirty thoughts to keep us from freezing would be convenient." The doctor blinked up at Alex innocently, "Oops, I mean pure, logical thoughts."


    Alex rolled their eyes with a reluctant smile, "Guess it''s just my genetics, that made me grow up that way."


    The doctor thought about that for a bit, "... But, Laura isn''t that flirty?" Ducking yet another swing, the doctor grinned, "Anyway... How are the others doing?"


    "Relaxing after a crushing defeat. Tom is interested in sponsoring our AHOR designs on the smaller scale too, like the Plasma. I aksed him while I had the chance."


    "Cool. Try and arrange a conference call between us, him, and the station some time soon."


    "... I would have to stream over Haven networks, but doable. Having the meeting here would be better though."


    "... True. I''ll ask i Tom has a day free." Sighing, the doctor picked up a display again, musing their designs, "Guess it is back to work for me, then."


    "Don''t get too bored, oh wacky scientist." Alex grinned as they disappeared from the room, the doctor chuckling to themself as they fiddled with the schematics.

 Ch 121: Ahead of Schedule

    Alex blinked in surprise, stirring in the night as they felt somethign tug for their attention. Powering back up, Alex saw that it was a request from the station, so they set up the recurring encryption as they finished waking back up.


    Connecting through to Laura''s workshop, Alex waved through her monitor, "Odd for you to call. What''s up?"


    "Thought I should give you the good news." Laura grinned tiredly, slumped over the back of her chair as she waved back feebly, "Everything is all set over here. New council is doing a good job in our place, core sysems are issue free, redudant sytems fully tested... And, your drone control program has worked wonders."


    "Ah, I had meant to ask about that. When I went offline recently, I did notice a slight impact from me not running the drones... And that was one day, in a mansion." Alex grinned as they looked around, "Good to see the old place will be fine without me."


    "Hmm? Not planning on coming back, are we?"


    "Ehhh, it woudln''t be the same. I would be part of the crew if I did come back, not part of the station itself."


    "Good point." Prying herself off the chair, Laura yawned, "Also, I have finished the requested models of all the newer units, complete with new biomechanics. These will use chemical reagents in your ''artificial blood'', to mend you from the inside. Will even scab over open wounds."


    "... Neat. I probbaly only had a few months left on these units, before they started showing major signs of disrepair..."


    "I noticed that, on the reports I was sent by Sam. What exactly have you been up to?"


    Alex blushed, sighing, "Let''s just say, I didn''t learn my lesson from the time I overloaded my processor. The AHOR units get taxed from that as well..."


    Laura narrowed her eyes, "Don''t go frying yourself just yet. I have a specially-made neural weaver over here, which will do wonders once you get plugged into it. Do some reading on brain structures, and see if you can help Ren build a better... You."


    Alex grinned, "Will do.I trust it can handle the larger unit, as well?"


    "Oh, yeah. Not all at once, but you will end up more powerful than you were over here... We just need to find ways to handle the heating problem from the concentrated light.."


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    "... Why don''t we switch to a lower frequency? Maybe ultra-violet?" Alex giggled quietly, "And, it has been brought up that we can run water cooling over the system, to also use the heated water to regulate shuttle temperature."


    "... That... Uh..." Laura rubbed her eyes, yawning with a nod, "... I''ll look into that tomorrow. Souonds good so far. The main reason I called was to let you know I''m likely to be back in, say... Three weeks?"


    "That''s great! It hasn''t been the same without you~" Alex bounced happily on the monitor, beaming excitedly.


    Laura watched with a faint smile, "Seems I have missed a bit while I was away. You are much... Peppier, I guess. How are things going over there?"


    Alex went to respond eagerly, then froze, "Uh, before that... One question."


    "Hmm? Go ahead?"


    "... Do any of the models you are bringing back look like my current ''diplomat''?"


    "Not really... I should have thought of that, made you a new version of those, too. Why?"


    "... I''ll keep that in mind. Guess I can''t go galivanting around in the new models every day." Alex sighed, "I have been running sims for Max and Tom... Tom being our benefactor, who you have met." Laura nodded, blinking as she tried to stay awake. "Well, he knows now. The problem is Max... Also was on Mars, but is less..."


    "... Forgiving?"


    "Close enough, but yeah. I need to let him know, before suddenly busting out new bodes."


    Laura rubbed her temples, groaning, "I''ll leave that to you lot. And, hey... You convinced me not to kick you out. Won;t be that bad, right?"


    "It only took, what, how many years have you been cheif Engineer now?"


    "Shush."


    They both giggled tiredly, "Well, I shold let you go, I hear you need sleep like we do, nowdays."


    "So do you. Sleep well, Laura."


    "Night, Alex." Smiling as she disconnected the call, Laura turned away as the line cut out. Alex was eft with their thoughts, wondering if tthey had enough time...


    Deciding that it would be best to simply talk it over with the others in the morning, Alex turned in for the night, and powere back down, thoughs idling as they sifted through their memories for sorting, dreams flickering inbetween.

 Ch 122: Yet, Out of Time

    Alex floated over the table as Greg sat down, who looked around curiously, "Hey everyone. Sorr I have been out at the spire a lot recently, helping out with the Holo-Lens manufacturing has made things hectic."


    "You have been an enourmous help, no need to appologise." Dr Elune smile from their end of the table, everyone else gathered for the little meeting, "Take it away, Alex."


    Nodding, Alex brought up a model of the newer units being prepared for shipping over, "So, Laura has been hard at work on these, and I have a few more bodies coming our way soon... These ones being medical-grade, with much better, uh, durability."


    Hiding a smirk, Jolana looked up at Alex, "Interesting... How long until the new units get here? And, while I''m at it... Why are you a projection today?"


    "Both good questions. I would safely estimate three or four weeks. Problem is... I will need to aclimitise to those units, which will take a lot of practice." Everyone nodded around the table, mostly clear so far. "The fact this is a proble will take some.. Planning, which is why I''m not using an AHOR today. Frees up processing."


    Alex enhanced one of the heads from the newer models, hovering over next to it with a smile, "So... Notice anything?"


    "... You look more handsome as a butler? No complaints here."


    Dr Elune giggled, then paused, "... The models are more distinct. Less... Ambigous in form."


    Alex nodded, "Which I am certain we won''t be able to get past Max."


    A quiet groan echoed along the table, the problem being obvious now that it had been said out loud. Hope held up a hand, "Can''t you just use your old model on the days he is over?"


    "I can. It will interfere with the transition, though..." Alex sighed, rubbing their head, "And, the learning process will be very distracting. I won''t have time to do more work on the sims, and I will have to take naps throughout the day... At least for a few weeks."


    Jolana humed as she thought about it, "Any convenient comprimises, by any chance?"


    Alex nodded slightly, "There is one. Laura can make me replacements for my current models, and try and get the finer details right. How good is Max''s attention to detail? Will he notice if my eyes change size by a milimeter?"


    Thinking about it, Jolana glanced up at the ceiling as she pondered, "Hmm, small changes... Maybe? Key facial features, like the eyes, probably. Hands and feet though, you should be fine."


    "Hmmm... That will require some tinkering. Might set her back, like, two weeks... So, we should estimate we have five weeks to try and convince Max, before trying our plan B. Soounds good?"


    Everyone except Greg nodded, who swallowed, "Uh... I may have forgotten to mention something."


    Ren glanced over, and paled when he saw Greg''s expression, "... She''s ahead of schedule?"


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    "... Yes. A business venture has her on a cruise with some clients, which is headed along the outer relay ring. Meant to display the wonders of our current transport technology." Sighing, Greg shook his head, "... She will be at the nearest Relay station in about a month."


    Jolana cought on, freezing up as she squeaked, "Wait, that gives us two months! I didn''t expect..."


    Hope looked around completely lost, most of the other having figured ut their little dillemma, "Uh, I don''t know what''s so scary... But, that just means we have to work faster, yeah?"


    "Much faster. We should consider revealing ourselves to Max in two weeks." Alex groaned as they flickered slightly above the table, thoughts racing as they played out possible plans in their head, "Jolana, I''m going to need a lot of info from you on Max."


    She nodded eagerly, "Of course. The sooner we can get him... Civil, at least, the better."


    The doctor got up with a sigh, "I''m... Going to go look at our shuttle designs, and at our proceedures for analysing Alex. If I present this as a more official-looking document to her, we can avoid any major issues."


    Ren nodded, getting up to go help. Greg shook his head with a sigh, "Sorry, guys... I didn''t realise Alex might not be able to be as subtle about this forever. I should have told you the moment I found out."


    Patting him on the shoulder on the way past, Dr Elune shook their head, "Don''t worry about it. We have been going about this all a bit too fine as it is... We should have approached Max sooner anyway." Glancing up at Alex, they nodded, "Send a message to Tom letting him know."


    "I will. He will probably want to talk to her before then, anyway." Alex started working on the message as Greg quietly slipped out of the room, rubbing his temples.


    Jolana got up with a sigh, lookin up, "You have a lot on your plate. I''ll call you if I need you, all right?" Alex nodded thankfully, air-hugging Jolana before disapearing, focusing all their power on simply plannign the next few weeks.


    Hope leaned over to Jolana as they walked out together, "I''m still lost.. Who is ''she'', and what''s so scary about her coming here?"


    Jolana smiled tiredly, "''She'' is my mother... A prominent figure, who helps the outer Relay stations cooperate to serve at the vital outposts they are." Hope nodded appreaciatively, the Relay stations were the only way people could even manage getting out to the fourth haven. "And, as to why she is so terrifying, at least right now..."


    Swallowing, Jolana smiled weakly, "... She is the main reason the outer rings agreed to sign the Edmund Protocols. She is the biggest anti-AI activist this side of the Third Haven."


    Hope paled, left with only one response: "... Oh."

 Ch 123: Wiggling Under His Nose

    Max shuffled in with a groan, stretching out after the long Pod ride, "Hey guys. Anything interesting happen?"


    Jolana waved hello, as Alex walked past to close the door, "Ehh, not much. We have gotten thinking about the sims, though..."


    Max raised an eyebrow curiously, as Jolana wandered in the direction of the study today, "Oh really? Anythign I should know about?"


    Alex nodded as they brought up the rear, "See, we have been having a lot of fun with the sims, right? But, we only come up with so many ideas." Max nodded, following along with a smile, "Sooo, we think it is time to actually look into mass producing this stuff. At least, for enthusiasts."


    "Ohoh? Fix the part where you need a supercomputer?"


    "... Not yet. Like I said, enthusiasts." Alex giggled as they entered the study, making for one of the armchairs before Jolana pulled them to a wider couch. Blushing, they continued, "Ahem... Anyway, we figured you would be the best person to help."


    Max smirked at the squirming Alex, and smug Jolana as she sat down comfortably, "I would be very interested, considering... But, how much help will I be, exactly?"


    Alex and Jolana glanced at each other, and shrugged, "Really? You have a good enough start with the molecular-level sims that you wouldn''t need to learn much, and you have more reason to develop it further than we do. Only reason the sims grew as complex as they did was out of boredom."


    "... Ow, my pride." Laughing, Max nodded, "Okay, that sounds good. How much will I get to see of your precious system?"


    "Give it some time... And all of it." Alex smiled, hiding their nerves, "From the blueprints of our hardware, to the very core of our operating system."


    "That''s... rather surprising, actually. I thoguth Sam was pretty secretive?"


    "Oh, the doctor certainly is. We just have permission in this case, due to.... Mutual benifit." Jolana grinned as she nudged Alex, "We have plans to move on to other projects, so seeing the VR take off would be awesome... And, spreading the doctor''s unique designs would benifit computers as a whoe in a big way."


    "Almost too good to be true. Come on, I know there has to be a but~"


    Alex nodded, "Well, yeah. You have to keep things under wraps until we say you can talk about them... And then, be our loudest spokesperson ever, singing our praise! And yours, of course."


    Max laughed again, chuckling deeply as he looked at the two, "You know, I still feel I''m missing something... But, that sim of yours has me hooked. I can''t say no."


    Alex nodded, offering a hand to Max, "We can start right away, actually. You might not get to see our software for a bit, but making the sim chairs more affordable would be a great first step."


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    Shaking the offered hand, Max nodded with a calmer smile, "I''ll see what I can do. The first priority is comfort of the user, yeah?"


    "Second. It needs to work, first." Grinning, Alex got up, and led the way to the vr room so they could begin.


    Sitting around a sketch of the Sim chair schematics, piles of notes now scattered around the floor, the three of them got up in a chorus of grunts and whimpers.


    "Next time... We should just do this in the sim itself." Jolana stretched to either side, cramped up from sitting on the floor for hours.


    "Yeah, probably." As Max leant down to collect the papers, Alex held out a hand, "Nonono, I''ll have those collected later. I''ll just send you the scanned copies." Nodding gratefully, Max straightened back up, wincing as he regretted having bent over in the first place.


    "Oof... Yeah, no more floor planning. Anyway, like I said, I think I have the main schematic of these things down. Interesting waveform you use to pick up thought patterns, by the way."


    Alex nodded with a smile, "Thank you. We stumbled across it, while testing... Various equipment." Alex gently made a note to be more careful, Max needed to be kept in the dark about the AHOR project for now... "Anything proving a problem?"


    "Only this mystery compartment you keep insisting on. Highly cooled, but compact, and eeds high band transmissions to the central source... Guess you want to intergrate one of your secret processors directly in the chair?"


    "Yup. Will make the experience so much smoother. We just haven''t got the design... Small enough yet. Larger sims will still need a server, though."


    Nodding, Max made his way out with a yawn, "I''ll keep that in mind, might look into renovating my shop. Now, I have a pod to go nap in... Youo two stay out of trouble~"


    "Bit hard around here!" Jolana grinned cheekily as she waved goodbye, watching Max leave with a releived sigh, "... I can''t beleive that worked."


    "Hey, what did I tell you... Slowly lead him to the truth." Alex turned around, hugging her with a smile, "Besides, I really do need help with the sim."


    Jolana rolled her eyes as she leaned into Alex''s chest, "No, you want the help. The sims are crazy enough as is." Smile softening as she glanced up, Jolana hugged tighter, "Just, be careful, okay?"


    "Of course... Can''t leave anyone in this mansion unsupervised, after all." Giggling, Alex sighed in relief as well... Time to do another balancing act, and they made it off the starting post, at least.

 Farewell

    I knda just left this at the end, for a few reasons. I enjoyed writing this, but looking back, it wasn''t what I wanted.


    Eletronic Pulse was a place to mess with ideas. I had never written Sci-Fi before, nor had I properly written Romance either. While this was a great opportunity to come up with fantastical devices and cute moments, I couldn''t settle on an antagonist to keep the story moving, which I regret now.


    There was also people''s confusion regarding Sam. It all came from a silly idea, as to why I stuck to neutral pronouns... I wanted the reader to decide, rather than me. I wanted to see how many people saw them as male, how many as female, and maybe even neither! This never came to be, as nobody really... Told me what they saw. Sam was fun to write, but the experiment never bore fruit, as the comments were left barren.


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    So, during those final chapters, I had no tension in the story, no indication readers were anticipating what came next, and I was running out of ideas I wanted to toy with. While I had plans on detailing what happened to Yuki, the path to getting there wasn''t going to work, and I had burnt out. It was time to put the story away.


    Since then, I have had a lot of upds and downs, and have been to busy to write, but perhaps I should reconsider. I have another romance idea boiling in the back of my mind (One with a more defined plot arc, characters, and set on a familiar present-day Earth), but I haven''t had it in me to start writing again.


    So, with that, I am officially laying Eletronic Pulse to rest as a fun write, but not a thrilling read. If people have any favourite moments, please let me know, as I will try and keep that style in my writing if I ever start back up again!