Unnatural Instinct: Android

3.

'What the hell is going on?'

**>>%Begin Android Hiro Series353 programming%<<**

Android Hiro353 closes mouth%

[Client] distress identified%

Repair necessary%Re-engagement required%

Woman and [client] argue

Turn head%Blink%

Analysing [client] ...%

[Client] in motorised chair, brand Riosk A50%Inappropriate for [client]'s needs%Young female%Impaired%Right-sided neurological impairment affecting upper and lower limbs%

'What do you mean he's not what I think?' [client] speaks.

[Client]'s mother looks at Android Hiro353, turns to [client] to speak. [Client] listens, mouth drops open, looks at Android Hiro353 with wide eyes.

Amazement, shock identified%Compute%Compute%

'You're a robot?' [client] speaks.

Lift chin%Turn head%Blink%

>>Android Hiro353 speaks<< 'I am Android Hiro353, recommissioned for private medical use. Designed to assist in all basic care and more: medication administration, advanced life support, rehabilitation, physiotherapy, psychological assessment...'

'Shut up,' [client] snaps. 'Can't you talk properly? I can't listen to a Goddamn broken record.'

Aggressive response%Query fault in speech centre%Critical analysis in progress%

Assessing ...%

Assessing ....%

Analysis complete%Sensors 1 to 64 intact%No fault detected%

>>Android Hiro353 speaks<< 'Speech fully functioning—no repetition, full sentences, British English ...'

[Client] closes eyes. 'Stop it, would you? You're giving me a headache.'[Client] glares up at mother. 'Too much for you, am I? Too much for anyone.'[Client] sneers at Android Hiro353. 'Anyone real, anyway.'

Motorised Chair Riosk A50 activates, turns. [Client] enters bedroom.

[Client]'s mother sighs. 'I'm sorry, Hiro. She's not the easiest to get along with.'

Turn head%Look down%Distress identified%Situation assessment—speech unnecessary% Physical comfort advised%Place hand on [client]'s mother's shoulder.

Hand placed on [client]'s mother's shoulder%

[Client]'s mother looks at Android Hiro353. Exhibits surprise. Sniffs. 'Make her better, Hiro. Make her better for me.'

**>>%End Android Hiro Series353 programming%<<**

                                                                            *                                                                          

Entering your room, you pick up your mobile from the bed and put your headphones in. You're about to listen to some music as you gaze through the window, when you hear movement behind you.

You turn. 'Get out of my room. I didn't say you could come in.'

The robot doesn't move, staring at you with those eerie empty eyes. He's so big he fills the doorway.