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."
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"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.