"Ranma normally interacts with us as if we were human," said Rock.
"That is so," said one of the 'experts' on human interaction he was consulting with. "Some humans are like that. The vast majority of that set will go with appearance-based relations. They'll interact with the more obviously mechanical types as machines, the more human-seeming ones get treated more like people. Until something occurs to cause the human to reconsider the relationship, such as just occurred with Roll."
"He doesn't look to be distancing himself," observed Rock.
"No, rather the opposite," said Ak10, a Companion series android. There was a moment of silence broken only by her deep sigh.
"The respiration meaning?" asked Rock.
"Human emulated response," answered Ak10. "Some humans looked beyond that. Considered aberrations by many of their own, they... were special."
"You had one such?" asked Rock, interested. After all, if there was a precedent that could give him an idea how to proceed.
"Some humans develop emotional bonds more strongly and more indiscriminately than others," answered Ak10. "I had one such. The human term is 'sentimentality' - but it can run deeper than that. Though some considered me a mere 'doll' - my former owner never considered me in such a manner. I was his friend, confidante, teacher, and more."
Rock noted the voice pattern was what was termed 'wistful' and admired the learning-emulation routine that had produced such sincerely duplicated human emotions. "What was that like?"
"More fulfilling than I'd ever dared hope or imagine," said Ak10. "Every day was, I believe the proper term was 'sweet' - I upgraded my hardware and software considerably in order to better fulfill the deepening relationship. Then That Day came."
Rock nodded. He hadn't had any special relationship, so could only guess at how it had affected Ak10 - who apparently HAD a very special relationship. Which day was not specified, nor did it need to be. The day the humans were suddenly not there was the only day it could reference.
"It isn't as bad as it could be," said Ak10. "I can replay any of the times I was with him. The good times, the bad times. Some of the others who had those sorts of relations, they've shut themselves down or locked themselves into those memories. Not just Companion models, but some Bodyguard and Domestic units as well."
"So it's dangerous? I should stop her then," said Rock.
"I wouldn't suggest it," answered Ak10. "Besides, you have another concern right now."
"I do?" asked Rock.
Ak10 pointed at where a robotic spider was lowering itself from the ceiling above Ranma.
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(Posted Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:46)
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