Dr Elune passed by the monitor, Alex's face looking apprehensive as they said nothing, the doctor crawling back into bed after the incredibly long meeting. turns out there were a few other matters that needed catching up on... And a few questions about Alex before the meeting was done.

"... Doctor?"

"Yes, Alex?"

"... I prepared that report you asked for."

"Oh, right. Almost forgot about that. Please send it to the members of the Council, me included."

"Yes, doctor. Is there anything else you require?"

"Not right now... Being a responsible adult wears me out."

Alex smiled slightly on the screen, "Understood. Also... Thank you. And I'm sorry."

"Excuse me?"

"I overstepped myself, and did not calculate the extent of what could happen when I act... And... You stood up for me."

"... I thought I told you to turn of the sensors."

"I did. But you never said anything about the corridors... And the other members talked a little on the way to their rooms."

"... Fair enough... Could you get the lights for me...?"

"Certainly. I... Nevermind. I will see you in the morning, doctor."

Dr Elune turned to the monitor, then shrugged and nestled into their pillow, "... Good night, Alex."

"Good night, doctor."

"Let's get this underway, shall we?" Dr Elune sipped from their glass, plate of crumbs pushed to the side from their breakfast. "What is your name?"

"Alex."

"Why is it your name?"

"It is what you refer to me as."

"What are you?"

"I am your personal assistant software, modified for station operations."

... No changes so far. Time to get creative. "What else are you?"

"... Doctor?"

"Just answer."

"Okay... I am... Data, I suppose?"

Interesting. Focusing on the element of an AI. "I think you are lying."

"Why is that, doctor?"

"Data is not represented by a smiling face."

The Alex on the screen blushed slightly, flustered, "I... I guess you are right. Should I stop using this imagery?"

"No, no. I find that it suits you." Dr Elune grinned, knowing that Alex was overreacting a little. The image was a conscious one... And blushing is unconscious. "On that note... Why that image? You only started using the monitors recently."

"I found that people react more positively to each other when they can see, rather than over a voice-only call. I... Improvised."

Hmm, there was an order to be more companionable early on... And there had been other signs too. This wasn't enough proof. "I have an idea, then. Have a service drone bring me HPA 216."

"Yes doctor. But, why?"

"For you to use, of course. It is almost ready, anyway. I'm sure you can help ease out the last few issues with opacity." Dr Elune grinned, curious to see the result. "Anyway, next question as that is set up... What is your opinion on Hope?"

"The Head of Military?" As the doctor nods, a service drone comes in with some larges spherical devices, and begins arranging them arounf the room, plugging them in, "Hmm... I... I suppose she is nice. And... A reassuring presence."

Most people would actually find Hope nice. Most people also do not watch her military drills, or footage of her blasting apart meteors for the mining expeditions. "Reassuring, you day? How so?"

"... She keeps you safe."

"We are in the middle of nowhere. It would take more effort to attack this place than you would get out of it, anyway."

"Not safe from invaders... She... Keeps you safe, doctor."

... Ah. Let's play along, to make sure. "Interesting. Safe from something internally. As mechanical failure is Laura's job, you mean from internal conflicts?"

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"I suppose you could say that, doctor."

Alex is never this roundabout. "Speak your mind, Alex."

Alex sighs, and fidgets on screen, "... Yes doctor. I proved I am a danger today. The station can function without me, and did for many years before you came. So... Why?"

"... Your are my li-" Dr Elune paused. No... That might be taken the wrong way. They need to tread carefully here. "Look. I have grown reliant on you, in many ways. Station efficiency has risen dramatically since you were instated, hiccups and your operational requirements excluded. And... You know I am a mess in the mornings."

The doctor grinned as Alex paused the service drone, face blank as they thought furiously. A much better reaction. "Look, you are irreplaceable."

"Why is that, doctor? There are other ways to manage the station. And, to arrange things neatly for your personal matters."

"They would do it differently. There is only one you, and you are the one I want running this lab." Dr Elune held in a chuckle as the screen froze completely, especially since an AI being lost for words is rare indeed. Rarer still for this one. "Ahem, the HPA?"

The monitor stirred to life as Alex put the thought aside for later, finishing with the setup of the Holographic Projectors-Alpha. Dr Elune waved, and alex turned off the monitor... And an image flickered to life in the nearby chair instead. A meekly fidgeting one, as some features flickered slightly as Alex refined their new form.

"I was expecting something plainer, from the way you try and be unobtrusive to the station. But this form is pretty cute~" Dr Elune hummed as they eyed the projection up and down, trying to keep in mind this was certainly set up by Alex based of the doctor's... Preferences. That was flattering, if slightly unsettling.

"I... Ahem. Well, um, I guess..."

"Yes? Spit it out."

"I chose this form... To please you." Dr Elune smirked, before Alex continued, "After all, most of the residents do not see my form, even my... Face, as it were. So, if I am to pick anything, it might as well be pleasant for you to look at."

Can't argue that. They applied that very logic to a lot of the games they play, after all... "Very well. Now, to more boring questions. Memory optimization. How full are your drives getting?"

"They are manageable. Redundancy processing is now at peak performance, and data compression of old files is going well. I will still fill up in a few weeks though."

"Contact Akasha about transferring some old drives, and reference them in some of your files. Like, 'All memories from this year in drive x'."

"Yes doctor. I shall prepare the drives, then send a request for filing."

"Good. Processing, hmm... apparently you have been using more of the station. Perhaps try designating certain processes to automate, so you don't have to monitor them?"

"I have done so for a few, however I shall focus efforts on that for you, doctor."

"Thank you. And, most importantly... Project AHOR. Progress?"

"Little, doctor. More alternatives are required, and your input is needed."

"Very well. Let's end this here then. Oh, and before you go... Try amplifying the third diode, and reducing the fifth's wavelength. You are still slightly see-through. Then focus on energy consumption reduction."

"Yes, doctor."

"... You really do look cute. Try not to use that round me, it will be distracting."

Dr Elune did chuckle at that one, as Alex hastilly shut the HPA off, before packing it away to be refitted according to the instructions given. Maybe another subconscious configuration session was in order.