City-21 “Kyiv”, UNSA Protectorate, Avril Dominion
Industrial Zone “NES Factory”, Medical Center “Lizard Tail”
Maksim Chernykh’s team, August 12, 2049, 8:13 PM
For a moment, silence filled the room.
The android’s body shuddered a few times, the eyes flew open widely, but it seemed, they were staring into nothing. Her hands twitched a couple of times, clenching and unclenching her fists.
“Max, I think something went wrong,” Daria said in a frightened whisper.
“Let’s give it a minute. I’ve witnessed something like this before, it was a long time ago though, back when she had a sixteen-processor Artel in her head.”
Alisa froze; only her eyes were moving, twitching in a broken rhythm.
Then, she shut her eyes closed.
Silence.
Maksim and Dasha held their breaths.
Suddenly, the android girl sprang to her feet, her eyelids snapping open again, now to reveal eyes shining with life and a childlike curiosity. She turned her head sharply and spotted startled Max, Daria looking terrified, and Nikola staring in astonishment. By this time, Redhead had already taken the found cyber-limbs for diagnostics, and just returned to the workshop.
Alisa took a step forward, with a radiant smile spreading across her face.
“I… I’m back!”
Max rolled forward in his chair a bit, and she bent down, carefully hugging him.
“Big Brother!”
“Thank you, Irie… I feel like… something has changed drastically! I seem to really have overcome that ‘inner barrier’. Thanks for believing in me!” she thought, standing still, as if afraid to move.
“There, there, it’s all right, little one,” Maksim patted his sister on the back. “I’m so happy you’re finally with us!”
The android girl shivered and stepped back a bit. Max took her hands, looking straight into her eyes:
“Alisa, while you were… asleep, the world turned upside down. I’ll fill you in, but we need to prepare for the operation at the same time. We’re in one of the underground cyber clinics in Kyiv. Despite the specialization, they have all the necessary medical supplies and a surgical robot. The staff is absent, so we’ll have to manage on our own. But it’s safe here. As safe as it can be now…”
“Understood,” Alisa nodded. “I’ll perform the operation as soon as possible – it hurts to see you in a wheelchair. But first, I need to check out the local robot and preferably update the surgical libraries. By the way, is there really no more connection to the extranet networks?”
To avoid holding the cables in the air, she sat back down in the chair, resting her hands on the armrests.
“It’s great that I… can sit down… My hands are trembling. This is so strange. That shouldn’t be possible! Why is my body reacting like a biological one? What’s happening to me? C’mon, get a grip!”
Her hand tremors gradually went away. Watching her friends gather around her, Alisa felt a pleasant sense of calm and confidence.
“I’m important to them! Here, in the real world! Yeah, I’m doing everything right. It’s gonna be okay!”
“Accessing networks is complicated right now,” Maksim continued. “We’re underground, there’s no satellite connection here. Plus, in Kyiv, we only have access to the TACTA network, which the invaders have declared illegal. So, as you understand, we can’t connect through the standard cellular networks.”
“Uh-huh. Besides, all the base stations here at the Factory are cut off, they’re jamming the main radio frequencies. And apparently, we’re notorious criminals now,” Nikola added. “By the way, the surgical complex here is top-notch, with an up-to-date medical info database and its own AI. I’m sure you’ll get along. Oh, and hi, Alisa. Glad you’re back. Though, to be honest, I still have a lot of questions, like really a lot.”
And Redhead glanced at Max, raising her eyebrow meaningfully.
“Hi, Nikola!” Alisa smiled tensely.
[Max, does she know who I am?] she sent a private message immediately.
[In broad strokes. I promised to answer all her questions. She knows you’re an android with a personality matrix based on my deceased sister.]
[Max, I’m not just some ‘personality matrix’! I’m really your sister! Alive!]
[Yes, yes, I’m sorry. Anyway, Nikola knows these are mostly products of our father’s work, and not much else – we haven’t had enough time to talk. But I really trust her. You know, I’m rarely wrong about these things. Plus, she’s only been with us half a day and already risked her life to save ours.]
[Got it, thanks. Okay, I agree then – we should tell her everything.]
[Definitely,] Max concluded, raising his hands in a gesture of peace. “Nikola, I promised you answers, and I intend to keep that promise now. No more secrets from you, and – yes – I appreciate that you’re with us!”
“Dziękuję (Polish: Thank you),” Redhead replied, a bit embarrassed.
“So, while I’m recovering from the surgery, you can ask anything from Dasha and Alisa. Girls, Nikola is one of us, and we’re a team. Answer her questions as you would be answering mine, alright?”
“Sure,” Dasha snorted. “You can ask me any of Max’s secrets. Except for the nudes, not sharing them, those are my precious!”
“Gosh, WonderShame, I’m not even gonna ask what you’re talking about or what nudes you mean!”
“None at all.” Dashka innocently hid her hands behind her back. “I don’t have anything!”
Alisa stifled a giggle, bringing her fist to her mouth: “I have some secrets too. And some bath videos.”
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Max raised his hand and slowly covered his face: “Facepalm!”
After they finished laughing, Nikola continued, “Alright, alright, I get it. Questions are better asked without Max listening… Now, let’s get to the surgery. I’d also like to fix myself up. Especially these back paws,” she lifted her right leg, bending it at the knee and swinging it back and forth. A slight creak could be heard, and it was clear that the limb moved erratically.
“WonderKid, did you finish loading the CSF structure and short-term memory archive from Moira?” Maksim inquired.
“The consciousness is ready, but the memory will take another five minutes to unpack. After that, we can start the operation,” Dasha said, twirling a vape in her hands but not using it since the vent hood was far away. “By the way, a full update of Moira’s structure will take another three hours and will use about three-quarters of the available power… roughly.”
“Hmm…” Max pondered. “Alright. Alisa, stay here with WonderKid, she’ll as well brief you in on the situation.”
“We’ll immediately… work on the situational model.” Dasha nodded. “So, we won’t waste any time…”
The guy smiled and gave her a thumbs up: “Great. We’re disconnecting Alisa from the cables as soon as the memory is ready. Then she can join us in the surgery. Dasha, when do you plan to start setting up the rest of Moira’s software?”
The dark-haired girl blushed, clasping her hands, and looked at Maksim pitifully with her head bent.
“I… um… I’d start right away… if there are proper stimulants… in the clinic. You know, I need to rework the agent setup, introducing Huginn and Muninn as the leaders of the Raven Flock,” she stammered, finally dropping her gaze. “Max. I… can’t do it… without a ‘five’.”
“Dasha, then it’s a no. At least not yet. Let’s manage without stimulants and synth for now. Your stash-pharm is still at the dorm. Not sure if we’ll be able to get it, but I promise I’ll find something just as good. Soon. But for now – no risks. You’ve already done a lot. More than a lot, actually.”
“So, you can help Alisa, brief her on TACTA and the Protectorate. You can also work on the situational model if you want, and we’ll discuss it in detail after the operation… But no overdoing it! And most importantly – take a rest. We’ve got beer in the fridge. Just-re-lax! Got it?”
“Yes,” the girl sighed softly. “Okay, Maxie.”
Maksim turned his chair and ruffled her hair.
“Alright, we’ll head to the operating room. After my surgery, let’s patch you up, and Nikola too. Then it’d also be the right thing to discuss the next steps – and get some rest, of course. So, WonderKid, don’t miss the treatment call. Alisa, join us as soon as you’re able to walk.”
They left the workshop and headed to the hall. Nikola darted over to the backpacks next to the CaTZ bot and commented, “Max, give me a minute – wanna grab a change of clothes. I got my shirt changed after the fight, but I still feel awfully dirty. And before changing limbs, a dry shower and disinfection are necessary anyway. So, it’s the perfect time to change.”
She didn’t linger – quickly shrugged off her dirty jacket onto the floor, mumbling, “I’ll wash it after I change my paws, we’ve got a washer here,” and swiftly pulled out a clean tank top and shorts.
“All set, ready to go!”
Entering the operating room, Nikola immediately went to the diagnostic station where both replacement arms were already positioned: “Max, I’ll check the diagnostic results. And you can start up the complex in the meanwhile. Zelman should’ve given me a ‘Chief Physician’ access level, so I can designate Alisa as the surgeon.”
“Any special instructions, or just power it up?” the young man asked, as he moved to the console next to the operating box in the center of the room.
“There shouldn’t be… Doc would’ve said. You should only be there as it loads up, just in case.”
“Got it.” Maksim moved the operator’s chair aside, rolled into place, and powered up the system.
The screen flashed on, expanding into a nine-section holographic hemisphere with the main picture in the center, where a lizard logo spun, and a progress bar moved beneath the concise message: “Loading.”
The patient-to-be leaned back in the chair, with arms behind his head, “Well, it’s loading just fine for now. How’s it going for you?”
“Yup, I see.” Nikola glanced at Max’s video feed, expanding it, switching to a portrait orientation, and moving to the right edge of her field of vision. “I’m doing okay too. Diagnostics checked out; the arms are ready for installation.”
Redhead shifted her gaze to the screen, so Max could see the diagnostic summary:
# Series and model: CA-MB-6.1 Burst.
# Modifications:
## Shoulder frame extension installed – MARI-A 0-12.
## Arm frame extension installed – MARI-A 1-05.
## Central power bus replaced with zelver-14025.
# Overall condition:
# No damage.
# Integral wear – less than 1%.
# Fuel cells – 96% charge.
“Care to comment?” the guy asked.
“Well, Doc had installed some extensions, that means he wanted to install additional modules. Most likely, muscle enhancers, since he’s also updated the central power bus. If we find the suitable components, we can put them on. Anyway, they’re good paws in good condition. And I’ve been using the MB model all my life as a civilian, so it’s really an okay model.”
Nika moved to the second station. Squatting down, she placed the replacement limbs on her lap, extended the third and fourth mounting clamps at the bottom of the station. Then she secured both arms in the grips, stood up, and stretched.
“Done!”
“I’m still loading.” Max said, glancing at the progress bar. “Maybe you need any additional consumables?”
“Not much, just an extruder with synthetic skin to cover the connectors and ports after the limb replacement. But even if it wasn’t installed in the tech station, it wouldn’t be a problem. It’s just… not very aesthetic otherwise.”
“Got it. Oh! Look, it’s loaded. Nikola, authorization needed.”
“Uh-huh, I see, coming now.”
The girl walked over to the console and, leaning right over Max, slapped her left hand on the sensor.
# Nikola Kowalski, primary access confirmed.
# Full identification required.
“Respect your paranoia, bro…” Max thought with a wry smile.
A click sounded to the left, followed by a whirring noise, and a retinal scanner emerged from the wall.
“On it!” Nikola circled around Max and pressed her face to contact area.
The message on the central screen changed to “Full access confirmed,” and the three left screens merged into one large, portrait-oriented display. A holographic field formed, showing an attractive Asian woman with dark hair wearing a rather short medical coat.
“Good day. I’m Mei Li, a special AI replica, owned by Dr. Zelman. The surgical complex is currently preparing for the operation, which will take another six minutes. The connection to Dr. Zelman’s medical databases, excluding specialized ones, is established. How may I assist you?”
“Hold on a moment, please. Our surgeon isn’t here yet,” Maksim replied and switched to the group chat:
[Alisa, Dasha, how’s it going?]
[Almost done, just half a minute more and we’ll head over,] his sister replied.
[Good. WonderKid, you come too. Alisa will work with you after me.]
[Yeah, that’s what we also agreed on.]
During the waiting, Nikola finished preparing for the limb replacement operation, and Max was simply having a rest, turning in his chair and glancing at the working red-haired beauty.
“Here we are.” The girls showed up at the entrance.
“Great!” Nikola stepped away from the service station console and returned to the surgical complex. “Alisa, come here!”
When she approached, Nika introduced her to the station’s AI.
“Mei Li, this android will be the chief surgeon of the complex and will perform the operation.”
“Understood,” the hologram bowed. “Please, connect to the complex’s local network. An account needs to be created and access rights established.”
A window appeared on the main screen, and Alisa quickly filled in the profile.
“Max, should we do the surgery right now?”
“Yeah, why beat around the bush?” The guy shrugged.
“Then get ready. I’m gonna finish with the AI here and then tell you what to do. Girls, which one of you volunteers to be the nurse?”
“If you don’t need physical strength, let Dasha do it,” Nika replied. “I’m gonna go change my paws. Besides, now that Alisa is the chief physician, you’ll manage without me.”
“Well, no heavy lifting will be necessary. Dasha, you up?”
“Of course,” the black-haired girl nodded. “What do I need to do?”
Alisa turned her head, and a service medbot rolled out from a niche, unfolding into a “medical bed” mode.
“Help him get on this. You need to undress Max in the pre-op and leave him lying on the medbot. Bring his clothes out here; you won’t have to put a patient gown on him after the surgery, the robot will take care of that. Oh, and provide moral support of course.”
Max maneuvered himself to the medbot and switched his wheelchair to “external control” mode. With Dasha’s help and the manipulators, he transferred himself to the gurney, and they moved to the pre-op area.
Nika watched them leave, smiled, and returned to the service station.
Only Alisa remained by the console of the surgical complex, conversing with the AI and preparing for the operation using Dr. Zelman’s databases.