Prisoners of Sol - Android Ambassador (7/13)

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The first thing I noticed was that I felt smothered, soaked in sweat and enveloped in darkness. What was heaped on top of me? It was so damn hot that I thought I might be inside an oven or a sauna. I pushed upward with my arms to try to free myself, and displaced several layers of objects that went flying upward. I glanced around to see that the thick pile, which had been heaped over my entire body, was a mountain of the most blankets I’d ever seen in my life.

It was still unbearably toasty in the room, which left me craving water and an escape. After forcing my foggy senses to focus, rooting out an answer as to where the fuck I was, I noticed that the bed was surrounded by a circle of radiators and a few lit braziers. This was my compound on Kalka, though someone had given it a hell-inspired makeover. Staring back at the two androids watching me intently, I could wager a guess as to who was behind this, but why…

“Human Kendall! Good, you’re awake!” Galcip cheered, as I rushed for a glass of water it’d left out and dumped it over my head. The problem was, the machines had heated the water inexplicably, like they were making tea. I stumbled toward the open air, feeling quite woozy. “It worked.”

“It was my idea! I saved you!” Tollu, now having a new leg that didn’t match the rest of its body, followed me like a concerned puppy dog. “I wanted to help, after gauging that you’d experienced a dangerous temperature drop. Hundreds of units fetched as many of the requisitioned items as we could find. I knew it was working when your facial coloration reddened. Did I make it warm enough?”

Beginning to put two and two together, I didn’t have the heart to tell Tollu that it’d gone way overboard when it had actually tried to help for the first time. “You did…great. Thank you. I’m good now though; you can return the heating items. A normal temperature would be most comfortable now that I’m…restored.”

“Okay. We attempted to make traditional heated beverages and a food called ‘soup.’ If I recall, your hunger was neglected. Perhaps this will heat you up on the inside also, to ensure there are no lingering effects? You will not be cold any longer.”

Tollu cooked me a meal? I have to give it positive reinforcement. “That’s…sweet of you, Tollu. I deeply appreciate your efforts, and…yeah, I’m starving. Feeling pretty weak. I’d love to try your soup. Can we…eat it here, outside? I need some fresh air to regain my senses.”

“Certainly. I will make an effort from now on to heed your discomfort signals.”

The senior Vascar departed to fetch this homemade soup, and I made a note to myself not to recoil, no matter how atrocious or lukewarm the cooking was. Galcip didn’t follow after Tollu, sitting down next to me in the grass as I thanked my lucky stars I’d been out long enough that it was brisk dusk. It stared at me in silence for several seconds, like it was working up the courage to ask me something. Perhaps that was applying human motivations to it. The young android tensed up, before wrapping me in a tight hug.

If these two knew how cute I thought their attempts to help were, they’d be furious. How on Earth the organic Vascar could take away their personality and not consider them people is beyond me; they’re capable of so much depth and thought.

“I am glad you are okay,” Galcip said. “I was worried about you. I enjoyed our conversations and feel that my experience is better for your presence. I was…and am excited about the future, and what discoveries I can make simply by knowing you. Is that acceptable to say?”

I hugged it back gently, pressing my face against the cold metal with gratitude. “Of course, Galcip. I’m happy it all worked out, and that…maybe more Vascar can see that humans do have positive things to offer.”

“The network saw everything. I, for one, am impressed with your functionality under the circumstances. You did not lose control of your faculties, despite being in mortal danger that triggered a master alarm. This must have been distressing, but you showed yourself to be reliable in spite of these stressors. You are more than an animal.” 

“I did what I had to. I…must admit, I was taken aback that you thought I should leave Tollu to die, without even a hint of concern or regret.”

“I was shocked that you would risk your welfare for it. It would not have done what you did, for me or for you. It also created its predicament by being vitriolic toward you. I am not sure its termination would be a negative outcome. I would certainly choose to lose it rather than you. That you should not do the same for simple self-preservation is illogical.”

I hesitated, trying not to let judgment creep in and tell me Galcip was unrelatable—inhuman. It’d never had moral ideas explained or demonstrated by anyone. “Galcip, why did you help me, here or even back at the museum?”

“I like you. I do not want to see you in distress, discomfort, or danger.”

“Then it’s safe to say you care about me. It matters to you if something is wrong with me, regardless of if it directly affects you—you want to help if you think you reasonably can, right?”

“Correct.”

“Okay. What if you decided to extend that caring to all of your peers: that they mattered to you just by the virtue of being another person? You decide you should help if you can.”

“How would this improve my life to adopt such a mindset? In order to determine it’s worthwhile to inconvenience, let alone imperil, myself—for those I have no attachment or positive relation to—I require an answer. There are no perceptible benefits.”

“If your society all agreed that you help and support one another, your world would be a better place. That’s the benefit.”

“You did not answer Galcip’s query, human Kendall. Why did you risk your life for mine?” Tollu asked, evidently having overheard much more than either of us thought.

“Because I care about you, Tollu, in a way that’s more than just not actively wishing for your death. That is just…what humans do for people we care about. That’s what empathy means, and for all you believe we think about you, I feel for you. I’ve always wanted us to be friends.”

“…why? I…I would not be a good ‘friend.’ I do not see why I would want this. Those are my honest feelings, even if I have seen a positive element of your impulses. I wish to repay you, but rapport is not…”

“I understand. Your feelings are valid. We can just try to find positive aspects about each other’s company, and make our time together a little more pleasant. If you ever start to truly enjoy it, we can see about friendship. How does that sound?”

“It sounds like a biological voicebox, though more hoarse than normal parameters. I agree with your conclusion.”

Tollu set a large bowl of soup in front of me, which I cautiously sniffed out; it smelled more aromatic than I expected, which was a pleasant surprise. I spooned through it a few times, finding that it was a beef noodle soup and poking at the meat chunks. It seemed like the steak would be a bit chewy, but minor imperfections wouldn’t take away from the androids’ attempt. Besides, I was positively ravenous! The steam wafting up was quite enticing, and I blew on the spoonful for a few seconds as gently as possible.

The last thing I need with Caelum physics is to blow normally and send the entire spoon splashing over Tollu. It’s not like the Vascar have any reference for taste, or have ever tried to cook before. I’m not expecting it to blow me away, but I’m sure they can manage exact measurements from a recipe.

“I learned from Mikri’s experience how important it is for humans to have complex meals which combine ingredients like any chemical formula,” Galcip beeped. “I seek to understand you, though it is difficult for me to grasp what it feels like to eat. I hope Tollu made an adequate selection.”

I smiled at the young android. “It seems delightful. Even if it’s somehow not amazing, it’s the thought that counts.”

“Yes! I have devoted a great deal of processing power to meeting your standards. Enjoy!” Tollu pronounced, LED eyes shining with excitement.

I inserted the spoon into my mouth without any further ado, and was immediately met with searing agony across the tip of my tongue; the liquid was scalding! I screamed, spitting it out and fumbling for water to ease the pain. This was not a safe serving temperature, but rather an instrument of anguish that would sizzle the sensitive skin of my mouth upon contact. I had lost all sensation of taste on most of my tongue’s surface.

What the fuck were these two thinking? From the question Tollu asked me while I was gardening, I was certain that the Vascar knew about dangerously hot temperatures and organics overheating; they must know about the famous chassis damage called burns!

“Tollu!” I screeched, staring daggers at the android.

The grumpy Vascar looked hurt, which quelled my anger. “Did I do something wrong? I should’ve known I couldn’t…meet your standards. I’d trigger your chemical emotions, or not understand…”

I calmed myself, taking a deep breath. “I apologize, that just really hurt. Burns are very painful to organics because they destroy the nerve endings and kill our skin tissue. It’s an extremely strong sensation which triggers a pronounced reaction. Forgive me. You’re learning, and I’m sure there’s a good reason why it was piping hot.”

“The recipe said to serve hot. I made it as hot as possible without evaporating the liquid…”

“Ah. I see. Maybe just make it warm, not blistering, next time? The instructions failed you. An exact temperature range would’ve been helpful to know what’s safe for human consumption.”

“So you cannot consume the soup. I tried to attend to your hunger and caused you more distress instead.”

“No! Aw, don’t give up, sweetie. I told you I’d forgive any and all unintentional mistakes, and it really is the thought that I’ll remember. There’s no shame in learning and improving little by little. It’s going to take time and a few mistakes from us both to get it all figured out. But guess what?”

“This was a mistake.”

“I was going to say, this is something we can easily fix and save the soup, so then I’ll be able to enjoy it just like you imagined! Let’s take that cauldron and put it in an ice bath, which will cool it down. We’ll watch it with a temperature gauge, and I’ll point out to you when it’s safe to serve.”

“What number is this?” Galcip inquired.

I leaned back in thought. “60 degrees Celsius to be on the safe side. Why don’t we cool down the air inside too, so it’ll work faster? About 22 degrees Celsius is considered a comfortable ‘room temperature.’ I’m not trying to be demanding by the way, just…teaching. I want to set you up for success, if you’re going to be so kind to attempt this.”

“I wish for your comfort in your lodgings. I will cool the air. Thank you for the exact answers.”

“No problem. Thanks to both of you for accommodating our…high-maintenance demands. I’m sure it’s an inconvenience, and I really don’t want to be any trouble.”

Tollu slumped its shoulders, setting up the soup’s ice bath with resignation. “You stated that these biological requisites are merely a part of your life experience. As you are the direct reason my existence continues, I will see to it that yours does as well. That is a sufficient reason for me to cater to you, and accept these demands being a part of my day from now on.”

“You are not any trouble, Kendall,” Galcip insisted. “I cannot speak for Tollu, but I am here because I want to be. I wish to take care of you, so that we may continue to both enjoy sharing parts of our culture with each other!” 

“Just as our culture is not for humans, their culture is not for us. We will not understand.”

“Maybe you won’t understand fully, but you can understand better. You can try to find more than stupidity and senselessness in our ways,” I countered. “Our media might be insightful to how we truly feel about many topics.”

Galcip perked up. “Media? Like stories? As I hope to develop my own creativity, this input would be helpful to have…comparisons and guidance.”

“Excellent! I’ll pick out some movies for us after the meal, and Tollu is welcome to stay—if and only if it’s interested.”

“The interest is mutual. There are emotional concepts I need data on,” Tollu said.

“I hope you’ll find what you’re looking for. For what it’s worth, I’m glad we can spend some quality time together, without any obstacles or hostility.”

“I…am also. This assignment has not transpired as I anticipated.”

“Not even the best calculation matrix in the world truly knows the future, Tollu. Sometimes, we just have to see where life takes us.”

The machines both had gone quiet, and I allowed the conversation to fizzle out into a comfortable silence. My body ached and exhaustion lingered anyway, so I was happy to drift off and think of what movie to watch. Napping on the couch next to Galcip sounded delightful. I waited until the soup had adequately cooled off, before sampling the flavor to show Tollu that the effort of its labor was not lost. Now that it was edible, the broth was bland but surprisingly powerful. It was nothing special, except for who made it. 

I smiled like it was the most blissful flavor of my life, hoping that the androids would see how happy I was that they’d decided to care for me when I needed help. There was so much kindness and thought that they were capable of, that it would be a colossal shame if they never unlocked it.

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A/N - 7! The new, changed Tollu tries to help Kendall in return for its life, going overboard with heating instruments to cure her hypothermia and making a soup that’s far too hot for safe consumption; our narrator is nervous to tell it about its mess-ups with its first attempts to help. Kendall explains to Galcip why it’s important to help others, and tells an eavesdropping Tollu about compassion and that she cares for it.

What do you think of how Tollu’s attitude has changed, and what it still needs to learn? Will it ever enjoy Kendall’s company or desire friendship? Can Galcip come to understand why Kendall would risk her life for an adversarial android?

As always, thank you for reading and supporting!