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?"

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"... 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."