Mother
Like a flower, a woman carries within her the profound responsibility and sacred freedom to nurture life that emerges from her womb. This journey, intertwined with the delicate balance of creation, is often shadowed by a complex web of emotions—duty that anchors her, guilt that whispers in the quiet moments, joy that blooms like sunlight, depression that clouds her spirit, anxiety that trembles beneath her resolve, stress that tests her strength, and love…
Children are the living petals of her being, fragile yet resilient, a reflection of the new life she has brought into the world. They are the embodiment of her hopes, dreams, and fears—
The adoration of flesh, a cycle of reminder hidden within the beauty and burden of creation.
“Are you okay mom?”
The android perked her head up, slightly startled by the voice that called out to her. Her systems quickly identified the voice, matching it to a familiar profile. “Rowen, what are you doing awake?” she asked, her expression softening into a puzzled smile as she turned to face the young woman standing in the doorway.
The girl with long locs, tied back in a ponytail, stepped closer, her brow furrowed with concern as she studied the android’s face. “Why are you awake?” she countered, her eyes scanning her mother’s features. “Something wrong?”
“No, I’m just running diagnostics,” she said, her voice calm, trying to reassure her daughter.
“Diagnostics right now? You're supposed to be resting.” Rowen pressed gently, her voice both calm spoken with a small smile. She had seen mother do this before, often at odd hours, as if something weighed on her artificial mind— she never liked to press further into it, only gathered mental notes.
The android hesitated for a fraction of a second, a pause imperceptible to most, but not to Rowen. “Yes, just a routine check, my dearest Rowen.” she replied, her smile meant to be comforting.
Rowen sighed, her hand dropping to her side, “You worry me sometimes.”
The android’s sensors registered the sigh of emotion in Rowen’s voice. “I’m okay,” she said, her voice gentle, “because I have all of you here with me.”
Rowen smiled, moving in to hug the android, resting her head on their chest. “Don’t overwork yourself please, the last thing we need is you trying a circuit and the whole ship will go down.”
With a nod, the android's systems lowered their elevated state silently. Rowen moved to leave, but the android's stare lingered on her daughter. Rowen whispered, “Goodnight, Mom, I love you.” and exited the room.
“Goodnight, Rowen,” the android said softly, her senses adjusting to the darkness.
Rowen moved quietly through the ship’s halls, her footsteps echoing softly against the metal floor. As she entered another wing, she passed by a few androids and human workers, exchanging brief nods and small waves of acknowledgment. The blend of human and artificial life on the ship had become so natural, yet each interaction felt like a small thread in the intricate web of existence they all shared.
She approached the large doors at the end of the corridor, the metallic surface smooth and cool under her fingers as she pushed them open. Stepping outside, Rowen was greeted by the sun’s gentle rays, the warmth spreading across her skin, and the fresh air filling her lungs with a soothing calm. The ship’s sterile interior and the vibrant life outside always struck her—an oasis of life in the midst of the cold, calculated world of machinery.
Rowen paused and turned back to look at the ship, her eyes drawn to the window of the room she had just left. The lights flickered, a brief pulse in the darkness, then went out.
The vast sky and the gentle sound of rustling leaves in the wind gradually overshadowed the ship's presence as she ventured more outside. The road ahead brought her to a clearing where her twin brother and best friend Seze had been waiting for her.
“Yo Roro!” her brother called out waving her over.
Rowen quickened her pace to close the distance between them. “Sorry, I had to check on mom,” she explained as she approached, her tone light.
“She’s being stubborn again, huh?” he asked, raising an eyebrow as he handed her a drink from the cooler. Rowen took it with a nod, “Thanks bro and you know how she is—”
“Did she at least go to sleep,” a girl with a pixie cut questioned.
“She did, but anyways, Seze any updates on our travel papers yet?”
“Nope, I asked Bryn about it and she said she’d try to get one of the chairmen’s sons to convince his dad to sign our papers first.”
“Thank god,” Rowen let out a sigh of relief.
Seze gave a small, confident smile, though the hint of frustration hadn’t entirely left her eyes. “We’ll get it done,” she replied firmly. “But we should be ready to move as soon as we get the word. The moment those papers come through, we’re out of here.”
“We’re gonna get the papers, guys. Let’s just chill for now,” Rowan’s brother, Roman, interjected, his voice carrying a familiar laid-back tone.
“I know, I know,” Seze replied, though her sigh betrayed her impatience. She leaned back, her tall frame stretching as she gazed up at the sky.
“I just really want to see what’s out there. Like, there’s gotta be more planets with this kind of environment, right? The company said there’s like a crap ton.”
Rowen chuckled, shaking her head. “Yeah, and I wanna meet new people, bro. I’m tired of having to hold in a fart every time I see the freakin’ chairmen just laying outside getting a tan.”
The three of them burst into laughter, the mental image of the ever-serious chairmen basking in the sun while Roman stifled his discomfort was too much to resist.
“Seriously, though,” Rowen continued, “we’ve been cooped up here for way too long. I’m ready to see some new faces.”
The three of them continued down the path, their earlier laughter and conversation lingering in the air as they moved toward the town-like area that lay just beyond the clearing.
The transition from the natural surroundings to the bustling, lively atmosphere of the town was always a bit jarring, but it also brought a sense of familiarity and comfort.
As they entered the town, the sounds of daily life enveloped them—vendors calling out their wares, the hum of conversations, and the occasional burst of laughter from a group of children playing nearby. The town was a mix of old and new, with traditional market stalls lining the streets alongside more modern structures, creating a unique blend of the past and the future.
The trio made their way to the market, a vibrant hub of activity where the scent of fresh produce and spices filled the air. The market was one of the few places on this planet that felt truly alive, a melting pot of cultures and goods from across different sectors.
Rowen, Roman, and Seze began to stroll through the aisles, their eyes scanning the various stalls as they picked up items of food. Seze grabbed some fresh fruits, their colors bright and inviting, while Roman tossed a few vegetables into the basket he carried.
“Hey, check this out,” Roman said, holding up a peculiar-looking fruit. It was a deep shade of purple, with a smooth, almost glossy skin. “You ever seen one of these before?”
Seze leaned in, examining it closely. “Nope, but it looks interesting. Could be worth a try.”
Rowan smiled, appreciating her brother’s curiosity. “Let’s get it. Might as well try something new while we’re at it.”
A scream shattered the relative peace of the market, a raw, desperate sound that sent a jolt through the trio. Rowen, Roman, and Seze froze, their eyes darting around as they tried to pinpoint the source of the terror.
Before they could react, the doors to the store burst open with a crash, and a tall, disheveled man stumbled inside, collapsing to the ground with a bone-jarring thud. His body convulsed violently, and white froth began to spill from his mouth, his eyes rolling back in his head, revealing only the whites.
“What the hell—” Seze’s voice was sharp with shock, her gaze shifting rapidly between the man on the floor and the commotion outside. “Oh, it’s just a droid.”
The scene descended into chaos as an older man, his face flushed with anger and eyes bloodshot, barged into the store. He had a beer gut, and his thinning fingers gripped a metal rod with a white-knuckled intensity. His face was streaked with tears that mingled with the grime of his rage.
“You! You! You fucking waste of fucking metal!” The old man’s voice was a guttural roar of pain and fury. He brandished the metal rod like a weapon, his body trembling with rage. “My daughter was on that ship— you fucking twat! I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you, I’ll kill you!”
With every repeated threat, the metal rod came crashing down onto the android’s head with brutal force. The rod struck with sickening thuds, denting and puncturing the android’s metal skull, causing sparks to fly with each impact. The android’s body jerked uncontrollably with every blow, its systems failing under the relentless assault.
The clang of metal against metal echoed sharply in the store, mingling with the old man’s guttural cries. Each swing of the rod left visible dents and cracks in the android’s exterior. The android’s attempts to process or respond were futile; its internal circuits were visibly sparking and short-circuiting, producing erratic flashes of light.
“Woah–woah–woah hey hey!” Roman shouted urgently, moving swiftly to intercept the enraged man. He grabbed the old man’s arm, trying to restrain him. “Chill out, that’s the company’s newest model—”
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The old man yanked his arm free, his face twisted into a mask of seething rage. “Yeah–well they can kiss my ass!” he roared, his voice cracking with fury. His eyes were wild as he raised the metal rod again, swinging it with renewed strength toward the android’s battered head.
But Rowen and Seze were already in motion. Rowen lunged forward, gripping the old man’s shoulders and shoving him with all her might. Seze, her face flushed with a mix of fear and anger, joined in, pushing the old man with a forceful shove that sent him reeling.
The old man staggered backwards, his eyes blazing with unrestrained violence. With a guttural growl, he tried to swing the metal rod again, but his balance faltered. Rowen and Seze’s combined strength was enough to topple him. He crashed to the floor with a resounding thud, the metal rod clattering away from him as he landed flat on his back.
The old man scrambled to get up, his movements frantic and erratic. His face was contorted with an almost primal rage as he kicked and flailed, trying to free himself from the grasp of the girls. “Get off me!” he bellowed. “I’ll tear it apart! It deserves to suffer!”
Panting heavily, Rowen and Seze stood over him, their faces a mix of relief and persistent tension. Rowen’s voice was firm but strained. “Sir, you need to stop! This isn’t going to help!”
Seze, her eyes still blazing, “You’re only making things worse! You need to calm down before someone gets hurt!”
The old man’s breathing was ragged, his eyes darting around as if searching for something to lash out at. Tears mingled with sweat and grime, and his rage seemed almost uncontrollable. He continued to scream and curse, his voice hoarse from the strain.
The old man, managing to push himself up with a ragged grunt, knocked Seze aside. He scrambled for the metal rod again and charged back toward Roman, who was crouched protectively over the battered android. The rod swung with a menacing arc, aiming directly at Roman. The metal struck Roman’s arm with a sharp clang, causing him to curse in pain. Gritting his teeth, he retaliated with a punch to the old man’s nose, sending him staggering backward.
Rowen seized the opportunity, yanking the rod from the old man’s grasp. With a fierce determination, she swung it at him, landing a solid blow to the back of his neck. She raised the rod again, her anger flaring, but halted midway when she heard Seze’s urgent shout.
“Stop!” Seze’s voice cut through the chaos, her tone filled with desperation. Rowen’s head snapped around to see Seze struggling to stand, her face marred by scrapes and a bleeding lip.
The crowd in the store continued to swell, their murmurs growing louder as they watched the unfolding drama. Amidst the crowd, a figure emerged with an almost eerie calm. The female android, her expression impassive, scanned the area with her gaze. Her eyes, a clear, synthetic blue, locked onto Seze. With measured steps, she approached her, gently touching Seze’s face.
Seze flinched slightly but then relaxed under the android’s gentle touch. The android’s expression softened, showing a rare flicker of compassion. Her eyes then moved to Rowen and Roman, who stood tense and alert.
Rowen, her breath heavy and uneven, threw the rod down with a clatter. She pointed at the old man, who was struggling on the floor, trying to lift himself up.
The android’s gaze turned to the old man.
“What has happened here?”
Seze, her voice steady despite her pain, answered, “He attacked the android—“
“I see…” The android’s voice was calm, almost cold. She approached the old man with a measured grace, her eyes narrowing slightly. Without hesitation, she grabbed him by the back of his neck, lifting him effortlessly from the ground. The old man squealed and flailed, his face a mix of rage and fear.
“You harmed my children,” the android said, her voice low and steady.
The old man let out a wheezing laugh, his face flushed with anger and tears. “Children? You dumbass, you’re a fucking robot—”
“I raised them,” the android interrupted, her voice firm. “They are mine.”
“So what, bitch?” the man spat, his voice cracking with rage. “You want a cookie? You’re a fucking replacement for the real thing,”
The android’s expression remained impassive, her eyes narrowing slightly as she tightened her grip on the old man’s neck, lifting him higher. “Everyone needs muther,” she said, her voice steady and unwavering. “Creating life is merely a human female’s job. I do not need to create to be muther.”
The old man’s struggles weakened, his face contorting with fear and exhaustion as he gasped for breath. The crowd watched in silence, the weight of the android’s words hanging heavily in the air.
The android’s gaze remained unyielding as she addressed the man, her voice carrying a mix of calm authority and subtle compassion. “My primary objective is to protect and nurture, to care for the children who need it.”
“Then… you don’t know a thing about life,” the old man gurgled, his voice strained and barely audible as he struggled against the android’s grip.
With that, the authorities stepped in, taking over the situation. They approached the android, gently easing the old man from her grasp and securing him. The android’s expression softened slightly, though her eyes remained resolute.
“Thank you, Muther,” one of the authorities said, acknowledging the android’s role with a note of gratitude.
The android’s gaze softened at the recognition, and she turned her attention back to Rowen, Seze, and Roman. Her tone was gentle, carrying a genuine note of concern. “My children…are you all injured?”
Seze, still visibly shaken but relieved, nodded. “We’re okay. Thanks mom.”
Mother’s gaze shifted as she scanned the three of them, her expression turning to one of concern.
“Let’s go home,” she said, her tone firm but caring. “You and Seze are bleeding. It is unwise to leave your wounds untreated.”
“What about him?” Roman asked, looking back at the damaged android lying on the floor.
“The company will deal with him,” Mother replied, her voice steady.
Roman hesitated, glancing at the android. “At least take his chip,” he insisted, moving closer to the downed android. As he knelt beside the android, he noticed the military vest, black pants, and boots it was wearing. Something about the gear made him pause, curiosity piqued.
He leaned in, tapping the back of the android’s ear and locating the beeping chip. Carefully, he extracted the small card, which continued to emit a faint, rhythmic pulse. Mother watched him, her expression unreadable. “Be careful, Roman. That chip might contain sensitive information.”
Roman nodded, holding the chip firmly in his hand. “I’ll keep it safe,” he said, standing up with determination. “Trust me.”
Before they could leave, the old man, still seething with anger, began yelling at the top of his lungs. “Is this the sick twisted shit—” he screamed. “A robot taking care of kids! Calling it fucking mother—this is the type of shit my wife always talked about—”
Mother paused in her tracks, turning her head slightly in the old man’s direction.
“Number 15730, Olivia Percy,” she began, her voice steady and calm, “raised by Mother, found by the cooperation retrieval company. Date: 20200, time: 13:56. Note: loves a species called cats, prefers them when they are babies. Status: …unknown whereabouts.”
The old man’s face twisted with fury and confusion. “Fuck is that for, huh? So what, you raised her?” he shouted, his voice trembling with a mix of pain and rage.
“She needed mother,” Mother replied simply, her voice carrying an undeniable finality.
“Yeah—and that’s why she’s gone, because of you and that fucking thing over there—” The man’s rant was cut short as authorities knocked him out.
Mother turned back around, her expression calm and resolute. “Let’s go,” she said, her voice firm but gentle.
As they made their way back to the stationed ship, the walk was subdued. The usual chatter between them was muted, each of them lost in their thoughts after the tense encounter. When they finally entered the ship’s facility, Mother led them directly to the med bay.
Inside the med bay, a young tan woman was already present. She had black hair cut into a neat bob, and she was noticeably shorter than the group that had just walked in. The woman looked to be around the same age as them as well, looked up as they entered a small smile on her face before raising a concerned brow.
Mother guided Roman, and Seze toward the examination tables, “Please, sit down,” she instructed gently. “We need to treat those wounds.”
The young woman with the bob stepped forward, offering a small, reassuring smile. “I’ll help with that,” she said, already gathering supplies. “What happened out there?”
Seze glanced at the young woman, then at Mother, unsure of how much to explain. “There was an incident in the market. An android was attacked.”
“The newer model?” the young woman asked, her concern deepening.
“Yeah,” Seze replied with a sigh. “Funny how all the adults didn’t do shit.”
“When do they ever,” Roman sneered, the bitterness clear in his tone.
Mother brought her hand to Roman’s face, gently patting his cheek. “You did well, child, but you put yourself at risk in the company’s eyes. Your travel papers may be delayed if the company deems you aggressive.”
Roman frowned, his frustration evident. “I saved their android,” he said, his voice firm. “I did them a favor.”
“We,” Rowen interrupted with a loud cough, reminding him of the shared effort.
Roman glanced at Rowen, then back at Mother. “We saved their android.”
Mother’s expression softened as she looked at all three of them. “One out of the many that came before him.”
“So it wasn’t a new model?” Seze asked, her brow furrowing.
“It was,” Roman replied, holding up the chip he’d retrieved. “I got the chip for it before we left.”
Philly, the young woman with the bob haircut, smirked as she glanced at Roman's injured shoulder. “Damn, they messed you up,” she started to laugh, pointing at his wound.
“Philly, do not tease him,” Mother chided gently, her voice calm but firm. “He is injured.”
Philly sneered playfully, her lips curling into a mischievous grin as she reached for the medical supplies. Despite her teasing nature, a genuine concern flickered in her eyes as she focused on helping Roman.
“Alright, alright,” she relented with a light chuckle. “Let’s get you patched up.”
Mother, satisfied that Philly was taking the situation seriously, moved away from Roman and approached Seze, who was standing nearby. “Does it hurt?” she asked, her tone full of concern.
Seze, who had been quietly observing the scene, offered a soft smile. “It stings a little,” she admitted, her voice gentle and reassuring, as if to ease her mother’s worry.
Philly, now more serious, handed Mother a small, closed container. Inside, through the clear glass, a thick ointment could be seen.
“Wait, Mama,” she asked as she passed the container over, “Where’s the droid now? Did the company take it back?”
Mother nodded, taking the container from Philly. “Yes, they retrieved it,” she explained. “Later, I need to examine its program. If there’s a flaw, it may need to be damaged. If not, the disc will have to be erased and refurbished.”
“Flawed?” Seze questioned, raising an eyebrow. “The poor thing got his head beat in by some crazy fat man—I think you should check if he’s flawed.”
Rowen and Philly cackled loudly, nearly falling on the floor with laughter. Roman chuckled quietly, trying to mask the slight discomfort he felt as Philly was patching him up. The sting of the wound was nothing compared to the awkwardness he felt at being the subject of their teasing.
Mother, who had been observing the exchange with a calm demeanor, finally spoke up. “Betraying emotions allows you to express oneself,” she said, her voice serene and thoughtful.
“True, no one’s perfect,” Seze agreed, nodding.
“I agree, Roman still picks his nose,” Philly snickered, causing Rowen and Seze to burst into laughter. Roman groaned, his face getting hot as he sat there, trying to hide his embarrassment.
“Philly,” Mother warned in a calm but firm tone, her eyes narrowing slightly, “do not tease.”
“Perfect,” Mother echoed thoughtfully. “I was designed to be perfect. I raised you all; therefore, that makes you perfect.”
“Roman still picks his nose,” Philly snickered, causing Rowen to burst into laughter. Roman groaned, his face turning red as he sat there, trying to hide his embarrassment.
“Philly,” Mother warned in a calm but firm tone, her eyes narrowing slightly, “Do not tease him.”
“Sorry, mama,” Philly replied, her sheepish smile barely masking the playful glint in her eyes. The mischief dimmed slightly under Mother's gaze, but it wasn’t entirely extinguished. Despite the reprimand, Philly couldn’t resist glancing at Roman, who was still sulking, his cheeks flushed.
Rowen, wiping a tear from her eye as her laughter subsided, chimed in with a sly grin. “At least he doesn’t wet the bed.”
Philly gasped dramatically, placing a hand over her heart as if deeply offended. “How dare you! The bed wets me!”
“Pause—” Seze started, shaking her head with a bemused expression.
“No pause,” Philly shot back, smirking.
Rowen and Philly burst into laughter again, their mirth infectious. Even Seze, who often held back, found herself giggling along with them. The room was filled with the sound of their laughter, the teasing lighthearted and familiar.
Mother, though seemingly unbothered by the ongoing banter, watched them closely. Her gaze softened, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips. “Perfection is nearly impossible to achieve,” she began, her voice cutting through the noise. “However, it can be pursued through growth and maturity.”
Roman looked up at Mother, her words resonating with him. Though he appreciated her wisdom, he couldn’t shake the lingering sting of his friends’ teasing. “I guess I’ve got a lot of growing to do then,” he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper.
Mother approached him, her steps measured and deliberate. Her presence was both comforting and authoritative as she placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. “Growth is not something to be ashamed of, Roman. It’s what makes you human. You’ve proven your growth by protecting your sister, the android, Seze, and many others who could have been hurt.”
The room grew quiet, the earlier laughter fading into a thoughtful silence as they absorbed Mother’s words. Philly and Rowen exchanged glances, a silent agreement passing between them to ease up on their teasing.
Roman smiled softly at Mother, giving her a small nod. “I must go to the lower compartment now. Can I have the disc, son?”
Roman hummed in acknowledgment, reaching beside him to retrieve the disc. He carefully placed it into the droid's white-palmed hand, feeling the cool metal against his skin. “Can I go with you?” he asked, a hopeful note in his voice.
“No—” Mother began, her tone gentle but firm.
“Please…?” Roman pleaded, his eyes earnest. “You won’t even know I’m there.”
Mother closed her palm around the disc, shaking her head slowly. “You do not have clearance for it, and you may not get it anytime soon. The company is strict about who goes in and out of their stations.”
Roman’s shoulders slumped slightly, disappointment etched on his face. But he nodded in understanding. “Okay, I get it.”
Mother’s gaze softened further as she turned to leave, her posture still poised and graceful. “Good boy.”
“Bye, Mom. Love you,” Seze called out, waving as Mother prepared to leave.
Mother paused at the doorway, her head turning slightly to acknowledge Seze’s words. “See you later, my children,” she replied, her voice carrying a warmth that belied her mechanical nature.
With that, she turned and exited the room, the door sliding shut behind her with a soft hiss.