Alex entered the room quietly, waving as Dr Elune groaned from the bed. Sitting down by their feet, Alex smiled, "We knew Francis would be headed back before us... And Laura is returning, once thins are done."

The doctor sighed, sitting up to face Alex, "That's not it... I was avoiding thinking about how long this would take. We have 8 months of shuttle-time ahead of us, at least... Not includig if we mess up the rotations, and any time we spend at each haven."

"... Valid point." Frowning, Alex looked out the window, "You know... I miss the station. While I am used to operating an AHOR now... I spent most of my life so afar as... Well, the station."

Dr Elune smiled softly, "Will be hard to go back to that, I imagine. Things will be different after being gone so long... The station and us both."

Laughing, Alex nodded, "Hopefully not too much though. How much longer will we be staying here?"

Dr Elune shrugged, "At least two months... Probably more like six. We still need to warm up to Thomas... Then, him to some council members. Then, after all that, senators! It will be impossible to pass through the Third haven without their backing."

"... Definately at least six. We are convincing one of the four havens to dispute one of the few interplanetary laws." Alex grimaced, "And once we do finally get clear there... We will be made into public spectacles."

Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, "Yes. Yes we will. When did you get so cynical about the media?"

Alex blinked, then giggled, "From watching you. This whole parade around the HPs has been exhausting, mostly just from watching them prattle on."

Dr Elune smirked, nodding, "Yeah... Oh, by the way."

"Yes, doctor?"

"Laura made an odd comment earlier... I wanted to check with you."

"Hmm? Oh, about my pronoun?" Alex hummed as Dr Elune nodded, "Well... Whatever works, I guess? This body is the female unit, if that matters."

"Oh? I can rarely tell, now that the repairs are done." Dr Elune shrugged, "As long as it is fine with you. IF you do decide on one, do let us know."

Alex smiled, and glanced around, "For now, I find the choice... Intruiging. The day to day choice, rather than the long term. After all... Why should I settle on just one?"

Dr Elune laughed, "While the idea amused me, back when I ordered the two versions made, I didn't think you would agree. At least some aspects should have settled by now."

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"Like I said, whatever works... I am not trully in either body, after all. Besides..." Alex coughed, glancing upwards, "... I should probably ask for a second opinion."

"Hmm?"

Alex glanced back down at the doctor, and sighed, "Well, until now, I have only had you to go off for preference... And you like people either way." Dr Elune nodded, listening calmly, "So, picking a gender based of that... Didn't work. Now that others have... Shown an interest, I am still confused."

"How so?"

"... I don't know Jolana's preference, for example. She heard you all refereing to me neutrally, so I cant tell how she sees me... Or, if she even has a preference."

The doctor grinned, "Oh, there will be a preference of some sort... It just might change moment to moment. You will be great for that. Anyway, asking her might be a good idea... Give you some idea on how you want to continue."

Alex nodded absently, "Well, I suppose... Not as if I will be stuck with my decision, after all."

Dr Elune fidgeted, catching Alex's eye, "... Yes, doctor?"

"... Well, I was planning on making upgraded AHOR units eventually. Plus, we had other models planned, right? Some of the later ones... Well, you might need to pick eventually. Or, we need to find a way to keep things interchangable..."

Alex blinked, "As long as I am running them remotely, I can just have two of each. Well, resources allowing, of course."

Dr Elune nodded, "That won't be a problem. Just... While we can't get the compression good enough yet, we might crack the secret to a miniturised processor by the time we reach Mars. I have checked with Ren, and he has been investigating it since we left."

Alex froze slightly, "... That makes more sense. Having a local processor in each would be impractical... So, there would be master units. Ones not as easily interchanged."

Dr Elune nodded, before hesitating, "... Interchanged. Hmm... There might be something, there." Pulling up a nearby display, the doctor made a quick note, "Anyway, Ren needs to figure it out, first. Still don't see how he would use one... Unless he makes his own AI."

Alex laughed, "I took years to mature to this stage. Maybe he is patient... Wants to try recreating our success."

Dr Elune chuckled with a nod, and turned back to the display, already delving into their work eagerly, drawing up a new design.