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."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

"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."