Hiro's cybernetic eye started to glow in a soft blue.
initialise sub systems... complete.
The young Asian cyborg stood straight up to his full height, and tested his artificial arm. Everything was working as it should. There was also no trace of the virus. Interestingly, his immune system reported on the creation of a new organic anti-body as well... which was very peculiar. The virus was a program, not organic.. right?
"Thank you," He said quietly.
"We should get back to Mikey now," Said Dennis. He helped him, but he sure didn't want stick with this creep.
"Before we go I have one question," Said Effie.
Hiro shrugged. "I'll answer it if I can."
"Why do you have a directive aspect to your system? It goes against the ideas of... Artificial Intelligence." Current theory stated that artificial creatures would develop similar to humans. Asimov's law made great science fiction, but further analysis tended to rebuke the idea.
The young man looked at her plainly. "Well- I'm not an AI... as is, plainly obvious," The cyborg explained patiently. "If you take away my human mind, the machine takes over... without any directive... I don't want to know what could happen, in the twisted regions of my own mind without conscious thought.. Having an anchor keeps my systems grounded... without doing anything crazy."
"So you're blaming your past actions on just faulty programming?" said Dennis. "I don't buy it. You used me. You tried to frame Mikey. You abused your abilities with computers, and treat digital life forms like their some sort of pet."
Hiro's lips twitched in distaste. "You have the advantages okay! I was just trying.. to make sense of my new body and- I just wanted to get some respect!"
"You don't get respect like that," Said Effie. "You have to earn it... why was it so important to you anyway?"
Hiro Shrugged. "I'm used to people looking down at me all my life, but ever since I became this.. thing, people either pity me, or look down on me even more for being... incomplete. Do you have any idea what it's like? When my sister first saw me? She ran out of the house screaming- and turned into a weird kind of fairy. People want me to be heard not seen, on the internet... Emergence half the time refuses to acknowledge my existence! You tell me, when you first sensed I was a cyborg, what was your reaction? That I was about to take over? Kill everyone? Why don't Robots like Mickey get that reaction when they are far more dangerous!"
Effie and Dennis gasped.
Hiro was becoming increasingly agitated, as if the emotions he had held back were now just pouring out. Even his cybernetic eye was turning a shade of red. "So yeah... I messed up. Maybe I deserve to be in jail, maybe I am just an asshole. I'm sorry, okay? This whole situation is so messed up.. I didn't know what to do, when AI's treated me like that. I have nobody... so thanks for the help... I'll try not to bother you any more."
"your mom is a plant kind too?" Asked Bryan.
Steven nodded. The conversation was now a bit more relaxed now between the two different plant creatures. The plant girl realised the kid was just curious about others like him... even if she wasn't quite like him. "yeah, I've noticed a few others. Maybe we're the most common?"
"Common?" Asked Bryan. "I haven't seen that many." The mossy plant boy had looked around.
"I heard somewhere Earth has more plants then any other kind of creature before the sun changed," she said thoughtfully.
"So.. you think that means most humans will turn into plant-like creatures?"
Steven shrugged. "I don't know. I mean my friend turned into a rat... maybe there was a rat around at the time?" It was his best theory to why people took on different forms. Maybe it was to do with what was around... still... it didn't really work for everyone.
"And you turned into a girl... were there a lot of girls where you transformed?" Asked Bryan curiously.
"Um- no actually," Steven blushed. "I just... barely touched the sunlight. I thought I had got away with it... I guess not," She sighed. "It's bad enough as it is," admitted the flower girl.
Bryan tilted his head. "You don't like what you are now?" he asked.
"Of course I don't! I'm a- I'm a girl" she said squirming a bit admitting it. "Would you be happy about it? I doubt it."
Bryan blinked not really sure how to reply. "I know a few others like you... they seem okay," he said touching his mossy green hair thoughtfully.
"People expect me to adapt to this... to just be happy with this... how can I just go along with it? I used to be a guy... I was a guy my whole life... maybe not the best one, but that's who I was. Now I'm not..." She said quite upset about it all. "My mother seems happy about things... I don't know what to think."
Bryan shrugged. "I think your transformations pretty... I like it." he said trying to be complementary.
The flower girl sighed. The boy was too young to understand how she felt. So far, being female has brought about a lot more disadvantages then any perceived advantages. The whole 'fruiting' possibility adding another icky factor to the whole thing. That's not even mentioning the need for sunlight, built in perfume, and people generally looking her way, even if she didn't look anything that special...
There were far more exotic looking girls then her around. She looked quite... ordinary in the grand scheme of things. Except for the flower on her head, and that her pink dress and white top that were actually part of her body. She was glad she wore the jeans to hide her girly legs at least, so she didn't look so... dainty. Not that it helped much.
"I want to make a flower club!" Smiled Bryan. "We'll learn all about flowers, and find the nicest places to grow in... help each other out... you wanna join?"
Steven gave a shy chuckle. The kid was cute, if nothing else. "I don't think it would work for me kid, but maybe find some people your own age."
"The flyers are making their own club. There's also the devil-kind with their own club," the plant boy said. "At least that's what they say... but I only seen one devil in the school so far."
Steven sighed. Some things never changed... especially the tribal nature of humans. Still associating with species similar to you was probably a good way to learn more about yourself, from their own experiences. She could probably tell other plant types her experience with fly spray, and why it warns you not to spray it near other plants. It gave her such a sneezing fit, affecting her like pepper. But then that only applied to her... what would it do to say, Bryan?
The two continued to sit on the bench outside, soaking in the sunlight. Soon they would have to go back in. Steven felt a... desire to dance, but she didn't want to. Not here, where everyone else might see.
David watched the interaction with Lucas and that turtle man sadly. Of course, he would believe that... it was the same thing she faced day in and out when she walked by. People tended to think she was sent for some purpose. She gave people hope in their eyes, just by being around... when she hadn't even done anything.
She had no special connection to... anything. Besides her new sisters that is. Maybe that's why she liked having Rachel around. It contrasted her angelic presence, and made people re-think their assumptions about her. "You okay?" She asked Lucus as she returned to the little table.
"Well yeah! I mean- at least he's not being an ass any more," She said a little perturbed by how that went.
David wasn't really sure if to express sympathy for how the girl was feeling, or explain how she felt about it herself. It was such a weird situation to be in. To always be right to the religious, just because of what they were... she had heard in some places, angels had become figures of worship in some troubled places in the world. The belief that they were immortal chosen... but she knew history. Those placed on such pedestals would eventually be revolted against. Much like the old Kings...
Lucus though, didn't seem to be bothered about this. She was eyeing Robert. The devil girl was mingling very shyly with other devil beings, as well as some of the angel folk with Rachel. It was nice to see her exploring their new world. She was scared... but there was a fascination to her eyes as well. "I hear the devil priest was a bit of a jerk before, is that true?"
David eyed the sword. "To be honest... yeah, she was." The angel girl said with a sigh. "I think she really wants to change though..."
"If we had met earlier, I'd have probably made her taste my blade," She said with annoyance. "Bigotry works like fire. You got to fight it at every turn."
David thought about that. "Well... when one fights fire with fire, they do it in a circle.. so that there's nothing for the main fire to reach," Said David. "She's like a small fire..."
"There's no way to really know that," said Lucus. "I know my purpose in this world, and I will fight them all."
David looked a bit sadly. "I don't believe your purpose is to be an angel of vengeance" she said softly.
"I have a sword, and I can not remove it.. it's with me forever. When I sleep the steel is in my hand, ready to strike. When I eat, when I fly, everywhere I go... it goes."
"I know that- but-" David bit her lip. "What if it's like my Halo? I can't get rid of it either even if I do a- bad thing. I think..."
"have you done bad things?" Asked Lucas.
"N-No- I mean- What I mean is, your sword might not be to hurt people- or make them scared... maybe it's just a symbol."
"It's a sword dear. A weapon. I am what I am now," She said. "And I have no regrets either, before you make that face."
David sighed again. It didn't look like she was going to get through her. She had to remember Lucas was still a human being, but it seemed she had a 'belief' of her own bordering on religious. She wondered if that was a symptom of a potential problem within her own sub- culture. She just hoped Lucas didn't do anything she might one day regret...
At that point Robert and Rachel sat down with them, bringing some more drinks.
"You should absolutely try this one Father," said Rachel. "It's... spicy mind."
Robert looked at the strange red drink... it seemed to be a kind of wine. "I- guess," she said.
The drink wasn't bad... it certainly felt warm going down her belly.
"Oh," said Rachel. "And... I know we're having a good time, but could you please control your tail?" She asked, giggling.
"Gah!" Father Robert pulled her tail away, as it seemed to move rather playfully around Rachel's own tail. "I'm- I'm so sorry." She said very embarrassed.
"That's okay... I think this little get together has been a success." Rachel said with a smile.
Robert nodded. "I had some... worries, but yes... It's going quite well. Though There's still sunset to worry about."
