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."