Chapter Four: Fear and Loving

“Do you feel any better today?”

ROB sighed, looking up from his book. He was sitting cross-legged in the huge chair that didn’t fit him anymore, Art of War open across his lap. “Yeah, a little.”

Slippy nodded. “That’s good. Terminal check I ran read green again, but I figured I’d ask you…”

“I feel numb. Burned out. So sad yet not able to cry anymore.” He rubbed his face, looking at the tear-matted fur on his hands and arms. “Ugh, I need to shower. Is Fox still on the surface with Bill?”

“Yeah, he called me a little bit ago. He’s got a hangover, and has no idea when he’s going to be back.”

“Not until he has to, probably. They go to a bar last night?”

“A dance club I think. Damned if I know how Fox managed to get drinks, given he isn’t old enough.”

ROB shrugged, staring off into space for a moment. A dance club? That sounded like fun, though he didn’t really know how to dance. Well, hell, he was downloading some combat protocols today, he could add some dance protocols into the list. “Do you think they’ll be clubbing tonight too?”

“Probably.”

“Do you think that I could go?”

Slippy blinked, caught totally off guard by that question. “I’d have to call and ask them. Are you sure you’re up to it?”

“I don’t see why not. I need to work off some tension. I’m going to be trying out some self defense moves in the gym, but that’s more practical then fun.” He rubbed the back of his neck, sighing to himself. “Athens wouldn’t want me to stay sad.”

“I’ll call them in a few hours, then. Give them time to sleep some more.”

ROB sighed, cuing the downloads to start absently, then standing. He had stayed up late the night before, absorbed in the AI hypernet, and an AI there named Natasha had recommended him to a very good website for expansion protocols. He had already figured out three forms of martial arts he wanted loaded, and it had only taken a second or two to add the ‘modern dance’ file to the list. Leaving Slippy to wonder at the download list idling on one of the monitors, he shuffled off, grabbing some clothing and going to the Great Fox’s locker room.

The room, which was attached to their small gym, was empty and obviously unused for a few days when he walked in. He dropped his clothing on a bench, pulling his shirt over his head without thinking about it, kicking off his tennis shoes as he did. He had just dropped his shirt aside when he caught himself in the mirror, and stared.

The sheer reality of this body still stunned him. His loss was etched in his posture, in his red eyes, the frown creasing his face. His fur was matted with sweat and tears. He sighed, looking at himself, knowing he was a wreck, then remembering Athens in the video, looking no different, tormented by her emotions. “Is this a blessing or a curse, these chips?” He asked blankly, staring at his reflection. “We kill ourselves because of what we feel, yet no AI would go without emotions chips now.” He leaned an arm on the mirror, staring himself in the eyes. “Who did you fall for, Athens? Do they know they’re the reason you chose to die?” Knowing he’d find no answers in his own pained eyes, he sighed, stripping down the rest of the way and getting into the shower.

The water hitting him was a raw shock, then he relaxed into it, trying to clear his mind and finding himself unable to. Athens’ video had brought with it a certain peace of mind—no wondering about whether it had been an accident or not—but it had also brought with it a dread fear. Athens, a veteran of emotions, had started with a decent chipset and upgraded multiple times. She understood emotions, and she had chosen to destroy herself. He didn’t understand emotions at all, he was happy to feel something, anything, but the pain was making him wonder if upgrading had been the right choice. And if he could not take it, what was going to happen if he was overwhelmed like Athens? Would love kill him, like Athens?

Love? A dream, he knew, and he shrugged at it. What WAS love? He saw it at work, having known James’ wife Vixy and seen how they looked at each other, odd soft eyes, gentle affectionate touches. Or even with Peppy and how he felt for the other teammates, like his children, proud and watching over them. But what was it? Just another painful, pleasurable emotion? Something else? And how had Athens known she felt it for someone?

He shook off, looking around and grabbing Fox’s shampoo bottle, working some of it into his scalp absently, closing his eyes. He had stepped into life, and at the same time, into confusion. Even when he was in recharge mode, his processes were still running, still thinking on things he didn’t understand.

Half an hour later he was reasonably dry and dressed again, sitting on one of the benches and combing some of his fur absently. This, at least, was something he was able to enjoy on a few levels, the brush sending prickles through his skin that sent the fur on the back of his neck on end. He let the feeling lull him into relaxation, feeling a faint purr start in his chest as he switched arms.

“You still in here, ROB?”

“I’m done.” He replied over his shoulder, continuing to put his thick fur in order. “What’s up, Slip?”

“Well, Fox called back. I asked him, and he said it’s cool, but he wants to know if you’re going to land the cruiser or take a shuttle down.” Slippy said, sitting down on the bench by him, watching the robot groom.

“I’ll just land the Great Fox for a while, if no one else cares.” He replied absently, studying his arm and finding the fur in order. “I’m not sure I have any appropriate clothing, though. You saw what I bought.”

“Don’t worry about it. Fox could probably loan you one of his sparkly shirts.”

He smiled. “I guess that’s one way to put it.” He stood with a sigh, rubbing his eyes, which still felt dry and itchy. “Ask Fox about landing, and if he’s ok, I’ll initiate the drop when cleared.”

“Fine by me.” He watched the robot walk away, pain still marking his posture. He seemed better, but obviously the events were still nagging him. But he knew there wasn’t too much he could do, except try to make sure ROB didn’t go the way of Athens.

Fox watched the Great Fox land easily on the tarmac, one of the few still whole at Bill’s base, leaning back against Bill’s SUV as the heat exhaust ruffled his fur. The idea of ROB at a dance club had caught him off guard, but why not? ROB needed to relax, though he was sure that he and Bill would get no relaxation tonight. They’d have to watch over the new AI as he got used to things. Could ROB even dance? He didn’t know.

“This is going to be fun, dude.” Bill remarked, grinning. He was sitting on the hood of his car.

“We’ll have to see about that. ROB’s still kinda tense.” He sighed. “I can’t blame him though, given what he’s gone through.”

The ramp came down, and ROB walked down it easily, wearing loose black jeans, white tennis shoes, and a pale blue polo shirt. “Hi, Fox. Thanks for agreeing to this. I know I’ll probably be a bit of a burden.”

“In that getup you will be.” Bill said, cutting off Fox before he could say anything, arms crossed over his chest. “I mean, you look like a programmer who just got off the job.”

ROB looked down at himself. “Actually, I’m a program that just did.”

“Very funny. Will you at least change shirts?”

He looked at Fox, who shrugged helplessly. “You’d be better off in a t-shirt, but you’re not going to offend anyone dressed like that.”

“Most of what I own is polo shirts, and everything is solid colors.” ROB pointed out.

“Dude, we need to fix that!” Bill jumped off the hood of his car. “Didn’t you take him to any cool stores, Fox?”

“We needed basic clothing, Bill. We weren’t trying to buy him an entire wardrobe.” Fox pointed out. “Besides, how can we buy him concert shirts and whatnot if he doesn’t listen to the music?”

“Actually, I download a lot of music. I like Radiohead.” ROB said, blinking, still trying to figure out what was so wrong with his shirt.

“Well, then, I tell you what. I recently weeded through my clothing, and if you’ll accept hand-me-downs, I’ll give you the shirts that don’t fit me anymore.” Bill said, smiling. “Work for you, ROB?”

“I’m fine with that.”

Fox hopped in the passenger seat, and ROB got in back easily, rolling down the window and propping his arms and jaw on the edge of the window, letting the wind roll over his whiskers and ears. He liked riding in cars, especially now that he felt wind. It sent a thrill through him, not unlike the one he felt when launching the Great Fox. He supposed that he just loved movement, and the faster the better. Perhaps he could someday convince Falco to let him ride his motorcycle?

“You know it’s usually dogs that hang their heads out windows.” Bill remarked over his shoulder, grinning at the AI. A hardcore sci-fi junkie, he was loving this, loving the fact that he was looking at a machine that was so alive.

“I like the feeling of wind.” ROB replied, letting his voice float with the gentle pleasure he felt.

“Well, heck, if that’s the case, I’ll take you to the wind tower downtown tonight.”

“Wind tower?” He lifted his head curiously.

“It’s the city’s tallest building. They’ve got an open observation deck that regularly gets hit with winds of up to sixty miles an hour. It’s cool.”

“Thank you, I think I will very much like it there.”

Fox smiled sideways at Bill, grateful for his friend, who was so open to everyone. Bill could make friends with anyone if he tried, and usually he didn’t even have to. Friends came to him in droves, and Fox was lucky enough to have the position of ‘best.’ “What kind of shirts are you donating to him?”

“Nothing ratty. Just shirts I can’t wear anymore, mostly silk-screened or the like. Concert and band shirts, some cartoon logos. Don’t remember anything specific.”

“Fox, I have a question.” ROB said, sitting up and leaning forward to look around the seat at his owner. “I was told you woke up with a hangover.”

“Yes?”

“You aren’t old enough to drink.”

He blushed and coughed. “Well, yeah. I know, that’s true. But girls seem to like buying me drinks, and I hate refusing.”

“He doesn’t drink all the time, ROB, so don’t worry about him endangering himself.” Bill remarked. “Oh, by the way, this club actually has an AI menu. Never have figured out the point, but…”

“Thanks for telling me. I’ll be sure to look at it when we get there.”

“But what would be the point? Can you drink?”

“Some things. Silicates, for example.”

“Yuck, man.”

ROB laughed.

Peppy glanced up when the com beeped, and he slid the chair over, bringing up the display with experienced hands. He could have lost his memory, and his hands would have remembered. Routines, burned in, and he didn’t mind one bit. “This is the Great Fox, Peppy Hare speaking.”

“Oh, hello. This is Officer Brandon of the Justice. We were trying to get in contact with your AI.” The young officer, a crow, looked back at him in surprise.

“He’s not on board at the moment. May I take a message?”

“Yes, well, we’ve got the funeral arranged, may I send the information?”

“Go ahead.” Peppy nodded, watching the file stream over into ROB’s databank. “I’m sorry about your loss. I did talk to Athens briefly once.”

“She was one of the things that helped hold us all together.” Brandon admitted. “We’re all rather uneasy about having a new AI, as well.”

“Well, good luck.”

“Thank you. I think we’re going to need it. Oh, I’m going to be sending a rather large file to you. We’ve been sorting through our databases, and this folder had a file in it that said to send it to your AI. We’re not sure what all is in it.”

“Go ahead. I’ll pass the word to ROB.”

“You do that. Out.”

“I like most of these. Thank you Bill.” ROB said, smiling down at the stack of shirts he had collected. They were mostly music related, a few having sayings or pictures on them. “You outgrew them?”

“Yeah, I started working out regularly.” Bill grimaced. “Then had to buy new shirts.”

“Doesn’t it suck?” Fox said. “I bounce like two sizes.”

“If you learned to keep it paced, that wouldn’t happen.”

“Psh, like any of us had time to lift weights during the war.”

ROB only half listened to them, sorting through the shirts, then pulling out one worn soft, the fabric still fairly thick, and smiled at the picture. Humming to himself, he switched shirts, folding his polo shirt and setting it on top of the stack to take back, turning to display himself. “Is Invader Zim a good choice?”

The pair fell silent, blinking at the sight. “Yeah, sure, why not?” Bill said happily. “Glad I could help.”

“This is not meshing in my head.” Fox rubbed his eyes. “Have you even seen that cartoon?”

“I know of it. Athens used to watch it. She loved cartoons.”

“Ah. A tribute. Good enough for me.” He glanced at Bill. “We ready to go then?”

“Sure. Let’s rock.”

Ariel sat back, watching the other clientele as she sipped her drink, the Silver Serenity spreading peaceful waves of code through her in soft ripples, relaxing her. In an hour or so, the code would harmlessly self-destruct, of course, but in the meantime she was at peace, listening to the heavy beat, watching the people. Tonight was goth night, so about half the crowd was dressed in black, the music more thick and down then normal. She didn’t mind, and nodded with the beat, setting her empty glass on the bar. “Thanks, Jim.”

“No problem girl. Call me if you need anything.” He smiled at made his way back down the bar. Working his way toward a chemist’s degree and fluent in programming, he was the only one in the bar currently able to make AI-specialty drinks, but he was good at it, always coming up with something else to tantalize those that were artificial.

Now I will tell you what I've done for you…
50 thousand tears I've cried…

Another crowd of people entered the club, and her eyes flickered over them, recognizing most of them, then her gaze settled on a trio, one of which was an AI. They were talking and laughing, but the AI was glancing around, ears swiveling constantly. None of the three were dressed in black exclusively, mingling with the crowd but not really a part of any of it.

As she watched, the group split, and the AI came up to the bar about ten feet away from her, sliding into the seat and reading the drink menu, looking thoughtful. A new AI? Not too new, he had obviously been pretty close to those two living folk. Still, it always paid to be nice.

“I recommend their Silver Serenity.” She remarked, looking at him sideways, projecting her voice just enough he could hear her over the racket. “All the tenseness just flows away.”

“Oh?” He glanced at her. “How about their Blast? I was planning on dancing, so I need some energy.”

“That’s pretty good too.” She gestured at Jim, who moseyed over. “Jim, darling, could you set my friend up with a Blast? He’s an AI, don’t worry.”

“It’s my hide if you’re wrong, girl, you know that.” He frowned a bit at her.

“Yes. But I’m never wrong.”

“True enough.” He nodded to ROB and left to mix the drink.

“So, you dance?” She asked, moving down to take the seat next to him, settling into nearly the same position.

“Well, uh, never yet. This is my first time in a dance club.” He admitted. “But I figure I can try.”

“I thought you were new.” She smiled a touch. “I’m Ariel. I’m a regular around here.” She held out her hand.

He took it. “I’m … Robert. And I’m sixteen years old.”

She gaped. “Oh! I’m sorry…”

“No, it’s ok. I was just recently upgraded.” He smiled and accepted the drink from Jim. “I’m still getting used to things.”

“To make it even, I’m only three.” She admitted, still blushing.

“Heh, that’s ok.” He took a sip, and his eyes widened as a surge of energy licked like flame through his system, burned through his synapses and shocking his brain. He shook off in surprise, looking down at the drink. “What…?”

“It’s supposed to mimic a combination of caffeine and sugar, supposedly.” She replied. “The effects are all extra. Jim’s cool that way.”

“No kidding. This is very interesting.” He took another drink, closing his eyes and enjoying the fire. “You said you’re a regular here?”

“Yes, a few nights a week. I’m a hospital AI during the day, though.”

“I’m a ship AI.” He admitted, feeling energy buzz through his muscles, one of his feet tapping absently. “Used to be hard-wired in.”

“That had to suck.”

“I didn’t mind at the time. I’m glad for the freedom I have now though.” He set his empty glass down and hopped off the bar stool, bouncing in place. “This stuff works fast.”

She had to laugh at that. “Yes, yes it does.”

Fox, who had been standing nearby, nudged Bill and wandered over. “What’s up, ROB?”

“Well, uh, to quote you after Halloween…” He grinned. “Sugar sugar sugar sugar!” That said, he dashed off, working his way over to the DJ booth.

“What the hell?” Fox asked blankly, watching him go.

“He just had a drink.” Ariel replied dryly. “He’ll be back to normal in an hour or so. In the mean time, he’s just hyper.”

“Hyper? Well, ok…”

ROB bounced in front of the DJ booth, waving a hand. “Excuse me?”

“Yes?” The DJ leaned over the counter.

“Could you play something with a faster beat?” ROB bounced a bit more, head tilted to one side. “I can’t burn off energy dancing like a zombie.”

“Heh, you got it, I’ll knock it up for a few songs.” The DJ grinned, watching the lynx dance away, and turned on the microphone. “Bartender, quit passing out sugar. I’ll amp the beat up a bit for a while.” That said, he remixed the music again, the speed doubling.

The beat hit ROB, and he grinned, falling into some basic dance steps, deciding on a style then going with it, going into the dance/rave section of his dance protocols. Someone tossed him a pair or glow sticks, and he caught them without thinking, starting patterns then passing them off, eyes closed and smiling.

Join me in death…

A chime went off in his head, another AI in the club asking for the dance protocols he had, and he passed the files on, feeling the chain reaction as others fell in with him, making it a synchronized dance, two groups passing glow stick patterns back and forth. He barely noticed the scale of it, absorbed in the fire in his veins and the beat in his mind.

Eventually, the song ended, and he stopped, opening his eyes, and was shocked when those around him applauded, grinning. “What?” He asked blankly, looking around.

“That was so awesome man.” One teen guy said, grinning. “You know how to get down.”

“I do? Well. Thanks. I guess.” He ducked his head and slipped from the crowd to the edge of the dance floor, stretching his arms and arching his back, still loosely holding the glow sticks.

“When did you learn to dance?” Fox demanded when he arrived next to ROB, staring at the AI, who just smiled back at him, eyes filled with dancing flames.

“I downloaded it. It’s just an information file I can process.”

“Well, still…” He shook his head. “It was impressive. And now, half the club is probably going to hit on you.”

He blinked. “Why would they strike me?” He asked blankly, tilting his head to one side.

“Huh? No! I mean, flirt with you. Guys that dance well aren’t all that common, or so most girls think.” Fox shrugged, and blinked when he saw ROB’s entire expression change, from one of happiness to one of borderline fear. “What’s wrong?”

“I, uh… I don’t want to be flirted with. That’s all.” ROB admitted, looking away, trying to quell the fear that had sprung up in him. Fear of the unknown, of finding someone he liked and falling into the pit that love apparently was.

“Then tell people that when they do. You don’t have to be nervous about it.” Fox patted his shoulder. “Just try to continue to have fun.”

He nodded, slipping back into the dance crowd and falling in with them, following the beat but not trying to be a great dancer this time. He just wanted to be an ok dancer. He didn’t want to be noticed anymore.

“He got scared.” Fox said, rubbing his eyes. “He was scared of the idea of someone flirting with him.”

“Oh, give him a break, he’s still new to emotion.” Bill replied, rolling his eyes. “I probably would be too. Would you want people hitting on you if you were still trying to figure out what ‘being happy’ was?”

“No, probably not.” Fox admitted, staring into his mixed drink. “I just get the idea I’m not being told something.”

“We’ve been friends since we were toddlers and you don’t tell me everything. Like, for example, when you’re getting a girlfriend.”

“Very funny. And I will when I’m not quite as famous as I am currently.”

“What happened to the last girl you were dating? The rich one?”

“We had a falling out.” He huffed, turning so he leaned back against the bar, watching the dance floor. His eyes automatically found ROB, dancing by himself, eyes closed again. “Her parents hated me, and she was getting angry about the fact that I spend so much time working. She yelled at me and broke it off.” He shook his head wearily and took a drink slowly. “She knew at the start that I’m not able to control the hours I’m working, and that I have to stay fit. And yet, she always needed more.”

“Here’s some advice. Don’t date rich girls.” Bill advised. “Never worth the trouble.”

“You could have told me that before she blew at me.”

“You would have punched me. You know that.” Bill poked his shoulder, half-smiling. “Come on dude, is that hard for a hero to find a nice girl?”

“You’d be surprised.” He shook his head, staring out over the dance floor as the music turned slower and more gothic again.

I went looking for trouble, and boy, I found her.

“You need to relax. Why not just let yourself dance tonight? God knows that enough girls here would die if you asked them to.”

“Will you just drop it, ok Bill? So I’m a bachelor. I can stand to be that way for a while. It’s not like I’m going to die anytime soon”

“Ok. Sheesh.”

ROB noticed the music change and went with it, pocketing the glow sticks and slowing his dancing down, stretching again absently. Most of the people on the dance floor were in pairs now, but he continued to dance alone, eyes half-closed, still absorbed in the music.

Loving you was like loving the dead…

A hand touched his arm, and he startled, stopping to look at a late-teens girl, hair dyed black, eyes deep and dark like most rabbits. She looked at him curiously, then stepped into him, nudging one of his legs with one of hers to make him step to the beat again, and his eyes widened, not sure what to do. His brain nearly went into sensory overload again as he tried to make a panicked decision, then her arms wrapped around his neck, and he felt his go around her waist, dancing with her and enjoying it, slowly relaxing. This was a good feeling, he decided hazily, allowing himself to smile. She returned it, obviously happy he had agreed.

A few dances later, he decided to step off the dance floor for a while, and she followed him. Once they weren’t in anyone’s way, he smiled and held out his hand. “I’m Robert.”

She took his hand, hesitated, then started signing with the other. It took him a second to pick up on it, then activated that part of his language programming so he could understand her. “I’m Andrea. Do you understand signing?”

“Yes I do.” He replied, hands flickering quickly through the motions. “A pleasure to meet you.”

She grinned joyfully. “And a pleasure to meet you, Robert. I apologize for having to talk like this. I’m mute.”

“That’s quite all right. Would you like a drink?”

“I wouldn’t mind a virgin daiquiri.”

They walked over to the bar, and he ordered for both of them, sitting down absently. “You live here?”

“Just visiting actually.”

“So am I. I sort of live in Corneria City.”

“Sort of?”

“To be honest, I’m a ship AI.” He admitted, relieved when she didn’t seem bothered by that fact. “So I live on the ship. My crew lives in the Corneria City area, so that’s usually where we are.”

She smiled. “I live a few hours outside of Corneria City.”

“That’s cool.” Twitching an ear, he looked to the side and wove at Fox and Bill, who wove back a little. “The red fox over there is my owner.”

“You’re actually owned?”

“Yes, admittedly. I wouldn’t have it any other way really. I’m well taken care of.”

“I don’t know, it seems like some sort of slavery.” She shrugged, accepting her drink and taking a sip of it absently. “People shouldn’t be able to own other people.”

“That’s perfectly true for the living.” He admitted. “And even if new AIs are under rules that they can’t be truly owned, I’m not under those rules. I’ve been owned for over a decade. I’m used to it and rather like it.”

“Well, whatever floats your boat.” She paused, as if thinking, then continued signing one-handed. “So, you come to clubs often?”

“No. This is my first time.” He smiled at her look. “I just got upgraded.”

“Ah, ok.” Another pause, and she reached out and poked his arm, smiling when he laughed a bit.

“Yes, I can feel that. Yes, I’m ticklish.” He slugged his second Blast, grinning. “Want to dance some more?”

“I’d love to.”

“He looks like he’s having fun, doesn’t he?” Bill remarked, watching ROB dance, arms loosely around the girl’s waist. He had been dancing with the same girl for an hour now, her arms draped around his shoulders. They seemed comfortable with each other, like they had already reached a silent understanding about each other. Even from where Bill was leaning back against the bar, he could see the timid smile on ROB’s lips.

“Yes indeed. I’m glad we brought him along.” Fox admitted, looking at the clock above the bar. “We should probably get going soon though. Before it gets too late.”

“That’s true. You going back to your ship?”

“Yeah, since it’s landed. Want to meet up for lunch tomorrow?”

“It’s a date.” Bill clapped his hand against Fox’s, going into a complex handshake absently. “Better pry ROB free eh?”

Fox nodded, walking across the dance floor and tapping the AI’s shoulder lightly. “ROB, we have to get going. It’s getting late.”

ROB nodded, trying not to look disappointed. He had been having fun, enjoying dancing, enjoying talking to Andrea. He turned back to her, sighing. “Gotta go. Can I have your email?”

She signed it to him easily, pecking him on the cheek before they parted, him shivering as her fingers left trails down one of his arms. The first girl he had ever really talked to that wasn’t an AI, the first one he had danced with, and he felt connected somehow, sad that he had to go. He was quiet most of the car ride back, listening to Fox and Bill banter back and forth, wrapped up in his own thoughts.

“So, who was she? Anyone special?” Bill asked, looking at ROB in the rear view mirror.

“Just someone who started dancing with me. Her name’s Andrea.” He replied in a distant voice, leaning his head against the car window. “I feel dizzy.”

“Must be a side effect of the stuff you were drinking.” Fox said. “I asked the bartender about it. That stuff was basically pure caffeine and sugar.”

“Mm.” He looked at Fox, frowning a bit. “Is something wrong?”

“Nah, buddy. Just tired.”

Bill dropped them off at the Great Fox, and ROB staggered up to the bridge, falling into his oversized chair and letting his mind wander into the ship computers, checking his messages. He almost immediately noticed the new file, which was marked as a file transfer. Who had sent him this? He opened the attached document, and felt his eyes widen in surprise at the text.

ROB, I figured you’d get a kick out of these. Within this file is my entire animation collection. Learn to laugh at the little things, that way you’re prepared for the bad.

~Athens

“Athens sent me… cartoons?” He asked the empty bridge blankly, opening the file and looking at the multiple folders inside. It was a massive amount of files, probably literally every cartoon she had ever found and recorded to her memory. Fingering the t-shirt he wore, he nearly burst into tears, cupping his face and whimpering. “Why did you have to die, Athens? I don’t understand this. I’m no good trying to figure all this out on my own.” He sank further into the chair, hugging himself. “What’s love?” He whispered. “How do you know when… when you’re in it?”

“You just know.”

He shot into the air, looking at the door to the bridge, where Peppy was leaning on the frame, looking at him. “Don’t sneak up on me like that!”

“Sorry. I didn’t mean to.” Peppy sighed, entering and taking a chair across from ROB. “Are emotions really bothering you that much?”

“Not bothering exactly…” He looked away. “I am scared, Peppy. I am so scared. Emotions destroyed Athens. How am I to know they won’t destroy me?”

There was a long silence, then Peppy stood back up, stepping over and gathering the smaller AI into a hug, rocking with a sigh. “It won’t if you don’t let it. Athens chose her path. She could have survived if she had wanted to.” He paused, considering his words. “You’re not going to die if you don’t want to.”

ROB leaned into the hug helplessly, letting his eyes close. “Thanks. I guess.”

“Don’t take that as meaning you should avoid relationships, ok?”

“You’re one to talk.” He heard himself say, then mentally kicked himself when he felt Peppy stiffen. “Sorry! Sorry! I didn’t mean that!”

“Oh, you meant it all right, and I deserve it.” Peppy let him go and crossed his arms. “I’m over forty and single. I guess I’m not really one to talk about relationships. None of the ones I was in lasted.”

“I’m sorry, Peppy, I…”

Peppy set a finger to his lips, cutting him off, and smiled weakly. “Enough. You didn’t mean any harm. But if you’re going to take any of my advise, it’s that you should learn about your emotions by living them. No one can really say how love feels. It’s different for everyone.”

He nodded wordlessly, watching as Peppy left the bridge, and slouched into his chair, wondering if Athens was right about the emotions chipset.